Chapter 19 Which Younger Cousin Do You Prefer?

"Cousin!"

His voice preceded his arrival.

Xie Xiao rolled down the carriage window, and Yan Weichu emerged from the estate, skipping cheerfully to his carriage.

The young man’s laughter was clear and bright, radiant as the midday sun.

Xie Xiao’s gaze sharpened slightly: "Is your foot better? Bouncing around like that?"

"It’s fine."

Yan Weichu went around to the front and boarded the carriage. His foot had healed completely after more than ten days of rest.

During this time, Xie Xiao had visited him at the estate every few days. Yan Weichu had moved back to the Western Residence several days prior but still came over every morning, staying until Xie Xiao left before returning.

He was having the time of his life.

Yesterday, Yan Weichu mentioned that his foot had healed and that he was going stir-crazy after not leaving the estate for some time. Xie Xiao grudgingly agreed to take him out for a stroll, arriving early this morning to pick him up.

Yan Weichu settled into the carriage, leaning close to the still-seated Xie Xiao, smiling brightly as he asked, "Cousin, where are we going?"

He was too close, completely unaware. With a slight turn of his head, Xie Xiao met his dancing, mischievous eyes.

Ever since Xie Xiao had said he wasn't interested in men, this young lord had been subtly provoking him in these ambiguous ways.

Seemingly accidental, but clearly intentional.

Xie Xiao remained composed: "Just browsing around the market."

He said no more and gave the order to move out.

Halfway through their journey, the carriage suddenly halted.

A guard outside reported that something seemed to have happened at the Marquis of Huai'an's residence. A commotion had broken out right at the estate gates, drawing a big crowd of spectators and blocking the road.

Curious, Yan Weichu told one of his men, "Go find out what’s happening."

The servant soon came back with news, informing them that Marquis of Huai'an Cui Bingwen and his second son, Cui Shao, were going at it again.

Cui Bingwen had thrown Cui Shao out of the estate, tossing his belongings after him, shouting about severing ties and reporting his son to the emperor for disobedience and lack of filial piety, not caring if all the capital witnessed the spectacle.

Yan Weichu mused aloud, "Isn’t the Marquis of Huai'an’s second son the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for His Majesty? He’s currently a favorite of the emperor. How could the Marquis of Huai'an want to sever ties with him?"

Shun Xi, who had also gone to check out the commotion, returned with a clear account of the situation, smirking as he explained: "That’s true, but the Marquis of Huai'an never did like this son. This isn’t the first time they’ve threatened to cut ties.

"They say the Marquis of Huai'an has always preferred his concubines to his wife. Commander Cui holds a grudge against his father because his mother was driven to suicide by the Marquis. There are also rumors that Commander Cui’s grandmother was involved, and his elder brother, the heir to the Marquis of Huai'an, did nothing to stop it. Commander Cui has been at odds with the entire family ever since.

"Recently, the Marquis of Huai'an took another beautiful concubine. This concubine, feeling bold from his favor, spoke disrespectfully of Commander Cui’s late mother. Commander Cui overheard, gave her a good thrashing, and that’s what set off this latest scene."

Xie Xiao pushed aside the curtain and looked ahead, just barely making out Cui Shao standing proudly among the crowd, unyielding and standing his ground in his confrontation with the Marquis of Huai'an.

He looked down thoughtfully for a moment, then let the curtain fall and ordered, "Take a detour."

The carriage made its way through nearby streets and alleys, avoiding the commotion.

Yan Weichu tilted his head and asked, "What's on your mind, cousin?"

Xie Xiao said lightly, "Weren’t you asking me before which noble family His Majesty would target if he decided to make an example out of one? Well, now we know: the Marquis of Huai'an’s residence."

Yan Weichu blinked: "Really? Why do you say that?"

Xie Xiao glanced at him: "The Marquis of Huai'an’s residence is related by marriage to the Prince Regent’s household. The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot have recently been looking into old business related to the Prince Regent’s residence. They could easily drag the Marquis of Huai'an’s residence down with just a few made-up charges.

"Cui Shao is His Majesty’s man. Severing ties would allow him to move against this family and get his revenge—likely with the emperor’s tacit approval. Perhaps that’s why Cui Shao threw in with His Majesty during the Western Residence coup attempt."

Yan Weichu asked curiously, "Won’t His Majesty worry that other families might fear they’ll be next and stir up trouble?"

"General Shi’s army is about to enter the capital," Xie Xiao explained calmly. "These troops have long been stationed in the southwest, defending borders and fighting bandits. They’re battle-hardened. During the rebellion of the six kings, General Shi led his army to block the rebel kings’ southward escape—they’re die-hard loyalists.

"His Majesty has ordered General Shi’s army back to the capital under the pretext of training exercises. The question is, will the capital barracks be training them, or will they be intimidating the capital barracks? His Majesty will surely seize this chance to reclaim control of the capital barracks. Once he controls those troops, nothing's stopping him from moving against the Marquis of Huai'an’s residence?"

Yan Weichu thought for a moment and said, "It’s all so complicated. Not interesting."

Xie Xiao gave a soft "Hmm": "It really isn’t."

Yan Weichu looked at him: "Then, cousin, how about I treat you to drinks at noon?"

Xie Xiao: "You want to drink again?"

Yan Weichu complained: "Father won’t let me drink at home. I can only indulge outside. Keep me company, won’t you?"

Xie Xiao sighed helplessly: "Speak properly. Quit being so coy."

Yan Weichu denied it: "When am I ever coy?"

After getting out of the carriage, they wandered around the market on West Street for half the morning. Around noon, Yan Weichu treated Xie Xiao to drinks at Songlin Tower on the street corner.

Seated at the best spot on the second-floor private room, leaning against the railing, Yan Weichu lifted the wine pot and poured for both Xie Xiao and himself. Suddenly, he said, "The first time I saw you, cousin, was right here."

Xie Xiao had been idly watching the street scene outside. At these words, his gaze shifted back: "Here?"

"That day must have been right after you returned to the capital," Yan Weichu said frankly. "I was drinking here alone and happened to see your carriage procession passing below. The horses pulling the carriage spooked, but you single-handedly controlled two out-of-control, frenzied stallions in moments. So swift and graceful—it was unforgettable."

"Was that you?" he asked, his tone unreadable.

Yan Weichu smiled and nodded: "Yes."

Xie Xiao paused, then suddenly asked: "How many times had we met before?"

Yan Weichu seemed puzzled, his expression innocent: "Why do you ask, cousin?"

The first time was here, the second was at the opera house in Buye Fang, or was it... Fumeng Manor?

Just as Xie Xiao was about to speak, a sudden commotion downstairs caught Yan Weichu’s attention.

"Wow, so many people."

A large group of Eastern Depot agents had suddenly appeared on West Street, entering shop after shop to "pay their respects" as if they owned the place. Even the Capital Police Department patrols on the street had to step aside and offer apologetic smiles.

These men came and went quickly, swaggering off within moments, having helped themselves to food and goods.

Only then did murmurs of complaint begin to surface around them.

"They’re getting more and more arrogant, coming to extort us every few days. What do they take us for?"

"What can we do? Wan Xuanju has been reinstated, and the Emperor has his back. Even former Chief Grand Secretary Zhang retired over this matter and came to no good. No wonder they're acting so cocky."

"Let's just forget it, forget it... Think of it as spending money to avoid disaster..."

Yan Weichu slowly turned the wine cup in his hand and suddenly asked Xie Xiao, "Cousin, you've met the Emperor, haven't you? What kind of person is he? Is it really as the rumors say—that he can't tell good officials from bad and is deceived by scheming eunuchs?"

Xie Xiao replied somewhat impatiently, "Just eat your food and don't talk about things that aren't your concern."

"There's no one else around," Yan Weichu said unfazed. "Can't I just be curious?"

Xie Xiao said, "No."

Yan Weichu pushed, "Cousin—"

Xie Xiao frowned slightly and finally said, "Like I've said before, those loyal to the monarch aren't necessarily loyal to the country. Such people the emperor can use, and they are quite handy. The Emperor's actions can't be called a failure to recognize talent."

His tone was always very matter-of-fact when speaking of the emperor, unlike others who either revered or scorned him.

"Cousin," Yan Weichu asked again with a smirk, "do you know the Emperor well? Can you always easily guess his thoughts? I heard that because of the disaster in Jizhou, the imperial treasury's broke, and the Emperor plans to tear down and sell off the half-built Biyi Garden. Will you buy it? If you contribute nothing, won't the Emperor hold a grudge?"

Xie Xiao ate his side dishes casually and said, "Since it's for disaster relief, just give what you can. As for the rest, the emperor's mind is hard to read. No one dares claim they can accurately predict an emperor's thoughts. However—"

Yan Weichu asked, "However what?"

Xie Xiao looked up and said unexpectedly, "However, there is one way the Emperor is very much like you."

Yan Weichu asked curiously, "In what way?"

Xie Xiao's gaze lingered on Yan Weichu's lively eyes and said softly, "Like you, he calls me cousin."

Yan Weichu was taken aback and immediately laughed, "Really? So, between me and the Emperor, which cousin do you prefer?"

Xie Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, "You want to compare with the Emperor?"

"Can't I?" Yan Weichu insisted, "We're both your cousins. Who holds more weight in your heart, me or the Emperor? Cousin, you better think carefully and answer properly."

Xie Xiao narrowed his eyes, knowing full well that this young lord was pushing his luck again. After a brief silence, he chuckled and replied with a half-smile, "Guess."

"..."

Yan Weichu thought to himself that he wouldn't guess—it would only be asking for humiliation.

As the heir of the Count of Anding, he could still share a drink with his cousin from time to time.

As the Emperor... his cousin had no place for him in his eyes or heart.

The gap was just too wide.

Author's Note:

Young Lord: Does Cousin love me or the Emperor more?