Chapter 12 Cousin Speaks Wisely, I Am Enlightened

Chapter 12: Cousin Is Right, I Stand Corrected

Xie Shi was still cursing under his breath, but his previously swaggering retainers, upon seeing Xie Xiao, cowered like mice before a cat, instantly dropping to their knees.

"Who the hell—" Xie Shi turned around, staring in shock at Xie Xiao’s sudden appearance, cutting off his words mid-sentence and changing his tone. "B-Brother, what brings you here?"

The other young scions, realizing this was the Marquis of Dingbei, quickly made their excuses and scattered like startled birds, running faster than monkeys.

Yan Weichu instinctively recoiled. Xie Xiao glanced at him, then asked Xie Shi in a low voice, "What are you doing here?"

Xie Shi snapped back to reality and, playing the victim, declared, "It’s this brat! He caused trouble for me at the Nightless Quarter earlier. I was just teaching him a lesson!"

Xie Xiao looked at Yan Weichu, finding him somewhat familiar. Yan Weichu lowered his head and softly protested, "I didn’t..."

"You still deny it! Weren’t you acting all high and mighty before?!" Xie Shi raged furiously.

Xie Xiao snapped, "Silence!"

Xie Laosan (Xie the Third) was indeed intimidated by Xie Xiao. He muttered curses under his breath but dared not make another scene.

The Zheng estate steward, regaining his composure, shrewdly stepped forward to introduce Yan Weichu to Xie Xiao: "Marquis, this is the Heir of Anding. I was just accompanying the Heir to the polo grounds when the Third Young Master suddenly arrived with his men, leading to this conflict. I fear there may be some misunderstanding..."

Though his words were diplomatic, the situation clearly showed Xie Shi abusing his power. Xie Xiao knew his cousin’s character all too well and understood perfectly.

"Apologize," he commanded Xie Shi, cutting straight to the point. "Apologize to the Heir right now."

Xie Shi bristled, "Why should I? He’s the one who disrespected me! He even dared to have someone strike me!"

"You know exactly what disgraceful things you’ve done," Xie Xiao said coldly, his patience wearing thin. "If you refuse to apologize, I’ll have you tied up and sent back home immediately to face family discipline. Don’t test me."

"I won’t—"

Meeting the chilling gaze in Xie Xiao’s eyes, Xie Shi flinched. The little rascal finally caved, terrified that Xie Xiao, the deadly general, would follow through. Even his grandmother and mother might not be able to protect him.

This young man knew when to yield. After a moment’s hesitation, he stiffly mumbled an indistinct "sorry" to Yan Weichu.

His thugs, meanwhile, continuously kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Xie Xiao issued his orders: "I will send someone to explain today’s events to Grandmother. All of you, return to the estate and receive twenty strokes each. From now on, you are forbidden to help your young master commit mischief outside. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being merciless."

These men, accustomed to throwing their weight around with Xie Shi, now looked utterly devastated, not daring to utter a single word of protest: "...We understand. We won’t dare do it again."

After dealing with them, Xie Xiao turned his attention back to Yan Weichu, saying, "My younger brother was reckless and offensive. If you wish to pursue this matter, Heir, I leave it to your judgment."

Xie Shi didn’t dare contradict Xie Xiao, but he shot Yan Weichu a fierce glare upon hearing this.

Yan Weichu feigned fear and quickly averted his eyes: "N-no, it’s fine... let’s just forget it..."

Xie Xiao frowned. He had no desire to deal with his cousin Xie Shi, but having stumbled upon the situation, he had no choice. "Thank you for your magnanimity, Heir."

Xie Shi seethed with resentment but dared not say another word, slinking away with his tail between his legs.

Yan Weichu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, raising his slightly reddened eyes: "Thank you for your help, Cousin."

Xie Xiao paused slightly. Since his return to the capital, the Young Emperor was the first to call him "cousin," and this was the second.

Yan Weichu introduced himself: "My name is Bian Chun. My father is Bian Shen, Count of Anding."

Xie Xiao understood. He naturally knew of Bian Shen, the once-renowned general, and had even met him as a child in Suzhou. Bian Shen’s mother was a cousin of Xie Xiao’s maternal grandfather, so by relation, Xie Xiao should address Bian Shen as "cousin-uncle." Thus, it wasn’t incorrect for the Count of Anding’s Heir to call him "cousin."

He nodded. "It’s been many years since I last saw Cousin-Uncle. I will send a calling card to your estate another day to pay a visit."

Yan Weichu looked directly at him and nodded. "Alright."

Su Ping, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward and reminded Xie Xiao, "Mingzhao, let’s head to the polo grounds."

Yan Weichu, as if afraid that Xie Shi and his gang might reappear, asked nervously, "I was just heading there too. May I go with you?"

The steward immediately seized the opportunity: "I will escort you all there right away!"

Xie Xiao had no objections. "Let’s go."

Yan Weichu followed him and voluntarily explained his background: "I was originally from a collateral branch of the Count of Anding’s family. I was only adopted into my father’s line a few days ago and have just arrived in the capital. I know very little about many things here and didn’t mean to offend anyone."

Xie Xiao suddenly recalled his previous encounter with the Count of Anding’s Heir—it was during his first visit to the opera house at the Nightless Quarter. This young lord had specially requested an opera performance for him, a stark contrast to his earlier frightened demeanor.

Although he had only glanced casually that time, he remembered Yan Weichu standing with his arms crossed, smiling and nodding, nothing like a timid or fearful person.

"If that’s the case, why did you dare come here alone to see the excitement?" Xie Xiao asked abruptly.

Yan Weichu looked at him. This remark that bordered on teasing didn’t suit Xie Xiao’s personality—or at least, not the personality outsiders attributed to the Marquis of Dingbei.

Even Su Ping, standing nearby, was secretly surprised that Xie Xiao would say such a thing.

"I just wanted to see what it was like," Yan Weichu blinked. "Cousin, are you here today for the old Marquis of Loyal’s Green Frost Sword?"

Xie Xiao was slightly taken aback and glanced back at him.

The Zheng family had only mentioned the sword’s name when presenting it, not that it was once the old Marquis of Loyal’s possession. He hadn’t expected the Count of Anding’s Heir to know this.

Yan Weichu explained, "I heard it from my father. When he was stationed in Suzhou, he served under the old Marquis of Loyal. The Green Frost Sword was later given to someone by the old Marquis. I’m just not sure how it ended up in the Zheng family’s hands."

(If Zheng Shize were here to hear this, he would surely roll his eyes—the sword was clearly gifted by the old Marquis of Loyal to the Count of Anding, and now His Majesty was using it specifically to lure men...)

Xie Xiao asked, "Does the Count of Anding not know who my maternal grandfather gifted the sword to?"

"Father doesn’t know," Yan Weichu said without batting an eye. "He would like to have the sword, but with you here, Cousin, I don’t have the skill to win it back for him. Unless... you could go easy on me."

"No," Xie Xiao felt this young lord was getting carried away. The pitiful act earlier was indeed fake. "On the field, we compete on our own merits. Even if I let you win, others won’t."

Yan Weichu sighed regretfully. "Well then, I’ll just have to do my best."

Su Ping, feeling left out, couldn’t interject in their conversation and grew somewhat displeased.

He instinctively disliked this Count of Anding Heir. He had no idea where the guy came from, but he was quite talkative.

They soon arrived at the edge of the polo grounds, where a match had just concluded, and the atmosphere was lively.

Noble youths gathered in small groups on the viewing stands around them. Xie Xiao’s appearance caused quite a stir.

Most of these young men were around Xie Xiao’s age. While not complete failures, they hadn’t achieved much either. Xie Xiao, however, was already a hereditary marquis who had personally slain Wurhun Khan—the kind of "other people’s children" elders always brought up when scolding them.

As for Yan Weichu, no one recognized him anyway.

Yan Weichu wasn’t worried about being recognized either. He hadn’t been personally handling governance for long and had rarely appeared in public before. Aside from court officials of the fourth rank and above, few had seen the current emperor’s true face.

Zheng Shize approached just then, smiling as he invited Xie Xiao to take the seat of honor.

Xie Xiao declined. "No need. I’ll sit wherever."

"As you wish, Marquis." Zheng Shize smiled and arranged seats for them on the viewing stand, deliberately placing Yan Weichu and Xie Xiao together.

No sooner had they sat down than someone from Su Ping’s household arrived in a hurry, urgently calling him back.

Hearing it was the Imperial Guard, Su Ping grew flustered: "Why would the Imperial Guard suddenly come to my home?"

The servant couldn’t explain clearly. Su Ping instinctively turned to Xie Xiao for help.

Xie Xiao reassured him, "Since someone was able to come and inform you, it likely isn’t too serious. Hurry back and see what’s going on. I’ll send two men to accompany you."

Su Ping actually wanted Xie Xiao to go back with him personally, but he held back the words and simply nodded before rising to leave in a rush.

Beside them, Yan Weichu poured himself a cup of tea and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"Cousin, has something happened?"

After Su Ping had gone, Yan Weichu set down his teacup and turned to ask with concern.

Xie Xiao didn’t wish to elaborate: "It’s nothing."

Yan Weichu poured him a cup as well: "This tea is quite fragrant. Try it."

Xie Xiao’s gaze drifted from Yan Weichu’s slender fingers up to his clear, gentle eyes, and he suddenly remarked, "My third brother mentioned that time he was taught a lesson at the Nightless Quarter—you were there, weren’t you?"

His tone was certain. Yan Weichu lowered his eyes and didn’t try to deny it: "Cousin, I truly am a bit afraid of your Duke of Zhenguo’s Third Young Master. That night, he was drunk and wouldn’t let me go. I didn’t know who he was at the time, and seeing him completely intoxicated, I had someone teach him a lesson."

"Why would you be afraid of him?" Xie Xiao asked, unsure whether Yan Weichu was lying. "You’re the Count of Anding's Heir, and he’s just a Third Young Master. What is there to fear? Be bolder next time."

Yan Weichu nodded: "You’re right, Cousin. I’ll take that to heart."

Zheng Shize, who had just wandered over from another group, overheard this and scratched his ear—that line sounded strangely familiar.

Xie Xiao didn’t linger long and soon headed down to the field, likely aiming to finish quickly.

Yan Weichu’s smile faded as he instructed the Imperial Guard behind him: "That fellow is gone. Call off the men sent to his home. Also, find an opportunity to teach Xie Shi and those other little brats a lesson separately—make sure it’s discreet."

After giving his orders, his eyes followed Xie Xiao as he descended to the field. He picked up his teacup again and continued sipping his tea contentedly.

Xie Xiao mounted his horse and charged into the arena, eliciting gasps from all around.

Dressed in an indigo archer’s uniform, he cut a dashing and agile figure, swift as a leopard. With a swift swing of his mallet, he struck the ball, sending it straight into the goal in a single fluid motion.

He moved as if unopposed, a one-man team.

His explosive style, honed through bloodshed, was far beyond the flashy posturing of the ordinary noble youths.

The entire field fell silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers.

Yan Weichu smiled faintly to himself. His cousin was so dashing and gallant—he wondered which young lady would be lucky enough to end up with him in the future.

Faint exclamations came from the women’s seating area behind the fluttering silk curtains to the west. Yan Weichu rested his chin on his hand and glanced over...

Hmph.