Chapter 29 Consider Marrying Me

Chapter 29: Consider Marrying Me

Just after dawn, the Marquisate's carriage arrived. Yan Weichu, wearing a large hat and wrapped in a thick fox fur cloak, climbed inside, still somewhat drowsy.

He greeted lazily, "Cousin, you're here quite early."

"You call this early?" Xie Xiao handed him a hand warmer. It had snowed the night before, and the weather had turned truly cold, so he had prepared it specially. "Aren't you usually still in bed at this hour?"

"Pretty much," Yan Weichu nodded, accustomed to his laid-back ways.

Xie Xiao asked, "What about today? Why did you decide to get up?"

Yan Weichu smiled, "To go out and have fun with you, Cousin."

The tip of his nose was red from the cold, as were the corners of his eyes. His flawless, pale face was framed by the soft white fox fur collar of his cloak and matching warm ear coverings, making him look like delicate pink jade—stunningly beautiful.

Xie Xiao glanced at him briefly before looking away and giving the order to depart.

Yundu Mountain was located in the western suburbs of the capital, another twenty *li* (approximately 6 miles) beyond the city walls.

They set out early, but due to the slippery, snow-covered roads, they traveled slowly and only reached the foot of the mountain around noon.

The Yundu mountain range covered a vast area, formed by numerous rolling peaks connected end to end. To the east was the imperial Jade Spring Palace, and the half-built Biyi Garden was also nearby.

After gazing out the window for a moment, Yan Weichu suddenly asked, "Cousin, I heard the Emperor granted you the best plot of land in Biyi Garden? It seems His Majesty is quite partial to you."

Xie Xiao, however, wasn’t buying it: "No matter how much you flatter the Emperor here, he can’t hear you."

"..." This conversation is hopeless.

Xie Xiao said, "The garden over there isn’t finished yet. Today, we’ll go to the western mountains first. The Duke of Zhenguo's manor has a villa here where we can stay for a couple of days."

Yan Weichu could hardly refuse—they were already here.

"Whatever you say, Cousin."

Xie Xiao had sent people ahead two days earlier to make arrangements. The villa had been cleaned and prepared, awaiting their arrival.

The Xie family villa occupied a small hilltop, peaceful and isolated, far from the bustle of the world.

Standing in the mountain lodge and gazing into the distance, Yan Weichu saw rolling clouds, misty snow, and countless valleys blanketed in white—the vast, boundless expanse of heaven and earth.

Unlike all those past years when, even if he looked up, he could only see the small patch of perpetually gray sky above the Western Garden.

Xie Xiao came up behind him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Yan Weichu turned to him and said, "Cousin, isn’t there a temple on that mountain ahead? Let’s go check it out this afternoon."

Xie Xiao was slightly surprised: "You want to pray to the Buddha?"

Yan Weichu said with a grin, "I’m so benevolent—I wouldn’t even crush an ant. The bodhisattvas and Buddhas are sure to like me."

As for executing tens of thousands of people in one go... well, others had wronged him first. What fault was it of his?

He hadn’t even used cruel punishments such as flaying, death by a thousand cuts, or dismemberment by horses—wasn’t that kindness?

Xie Xiao stared into his eyes. This young man was always like this—seemingly innocent and charming, yet somehow giving the impression that beneath this facade lay a complexity and unpredictability that belied his actual age.

But how could that be?

Before coming to the capital, he had probably been just an ordinary young man raised in comfort in a small Jiangnan town.

Yan Weichu suddenly moved closer to Xie Xiao, looking puzzled: "Cousin, why are you staring at me?"

Xie Xiao remained expressionless: "Can’t I look?"

Yan Weichu laughed: "So, do I look good?"

Xie Xiao’s gaze swept from his lively, cunning eyes down to his reddened nose, then settled on his rosy, petal-shaped lips. He paused briefly before looking back up to meet the laughter in Yan Weichu’s eyes: "Yes, you look good."

Xie Xiao said it frankly. Yan Weichu batted his lashes: "Really?"

Xie Xiao asked him, "Don’t you know how you look when you look in the mirror?"

Yan Weichu was even more amused: "Of course I know, but I like hearing you say it, Cousin. Thank you for the compliment."

Xie Xiao looked away, calmly turning his gaze forward.

They had lunch there, and in the afternoon, after the snow stopped, they went to the temple on the other mountain. Taking a shortcut, it wasn’t far.

"I’ve heard this temple is very popular, but with the snow these past couple of days, there probably aren’t many visitors. Cousin, it looks like we’ve got the place to ourselves."

Yan Weichu was excited. Indeed, along the way, they saw no other worshippers aside from themselves.

"This is a Buddhist sanctum. Show some respect," Xie Xiao reminded him quietly.

"What does it matter?" Yan Weichu said offhandedly. "I already told you the bodhisattvas and Buddhas like me..."

As he spoke, Yan Weichu casually turned his head and caught sight of a figure emerging from the main hall up ahead—it was actually Su Ping.

Su Ping also saw them. He was surprised at first, then walked over: "Mingzhao, Marquis, what brings you two here together?"

His eyes shifted between Xie Xiao and Yan Weichu, his expression troubled, barely containing the emotion in his voice.

He looked innocent, as though he didn’t know Su Ping had previously invited Xie Xiao here to view the maple leaves, and as though he hadn’t been the one to extend the invitation several times before.

Xie Xiao glanced at him but said nothing, silently agreeing to his words.

Su Ping looked downcast: "I thought you refused me before because you were too busy to come..."

Xie Xiao offered no explanation, only asking: "Are you studying at Yunshan Academy here?"

Su Ping struggled to suppress his feelings: "Yunshan Academy is also here. It’s quiet. After passing the provincial examination, I left the Imperial College and came here to focus on my studies. Today, spontaneously, I came to offer incense to the bodhisattva. I didn’t expect to meet you here."

Upon hearing this, Yan Weichu’s expression shifted slightly. He had heard of this academy—Grand Tutor Zhang Wenhuan had also been a student here in the past. After retiring, he became the academy’s headmaster and would occasionally come to give lectures. This Yunshan Academy wasn’t just for anyone—how had Su Ping managed to earn admission?

Xie Xiao had no interest in further conversation and was about to enter with Yan Weichu when Su Ping called out unwillingly: "Mingzhao... could I speak with you alone for a moment?"

Yan Weichu, unexpectedly obliging, said: "Cousin, you two talk. I’ll go in first to make my offerings."

Regardless of whether Xie Xiao agreed or not, he left them behind and entered the main hall alone.

The outside noises receded. Inside the hall, the air was thick with incense, solemn and peaceful, with only him present.

The tall statue of Buddha ahead, cast in shadow, looked down compassionately upon all living beings.

Yan Weichu stopped, looking up serenely for a long time—neither kneeling nor bowing.

The present Buddha does not bow to the Buddhas of the past. He is the Son of Heaven, the sole true deity of this great realm of Dajing—there is no one before whom he would stoop to kneel, not even the Buddha.

His limits are his own to set. Whatever he is willing to do, he will do; whatever he is not, he will not.

Yan Weichu did not linger long in the main hall. He slipped out the back door and looped back along the corridor to the front.

Su Ping was still speaking with Xie Xiao, but Yan Weichu noticed someone else waiting nearby—Xie Yi, the Xie family’s second son.

Xie Yi’s attention was entirely fixed on the two of them. Yan Weichu observed him for a moment longer: Xie Yi’s expression was stern and somber, his eyes brimming with unmistakable jealousy and resentment toward Xie Xiao, who stood with his side turned, completely unaware.

Su Ping’s voice rang out, heavy with emotion: “Mingzhao—did you already know how I felt back then, when I gave you that hand-painted folding fan before returning to the capital? Is that why you deliberately distanced yourself from me?”

On the day he left for the capital, he had poured his heart into that painted fan. All these years, he had agonized, waiting for Xie Xiao to come. But Xie Xiao’s cool, distant demeanor made everything clear—he simply refused to accept it.

Xie Xiao replied mildly, “I’m sorry—that was not my intention.” His words were not harsh, yet they left Su Ping no room for hope.

Su Ping was mortified, teetering between tears and bitter laughter, barely able to stand: “…Then what about the Heir to the Count of Anding? How long have you known him? You invited him to stay at your residence, gifted him lanterns specially, came here with him to enjoy the snow—what does all that mean?”

Xie Xiao frowned, uninterested in discussing such matters with an outsider.

Yan Weichu—whose name had just been mentioned—thought to himself: *It means I’m simply irresistible, obviously. What else could it be?*

Just as he was about to step forward, Xie Yi cut in, walking over and calling out, “Brother.”

Only then did Xie Xiao notice Xie Yi’s presence. Xie Yi explained, “I came to the academy to see Su Ping and accompanied him to the temple for a stroll. We’ll be heading back soon.”

Xie Xiao nodded, having nothing more to say.

Su Ping looked lost. Xie Yi supported him by the arm and said, “Let’s go.”

“I…” Su Ping tried to speak, but Xie Yi gently interrupted: “Let’s go back—I’ll take you to the academy.”

Su Ping met his eyes and, with great effort, pulled himself together before nodding slowly.

Xie Yi turned back to Xie Xiao and said, “Brother, we’ll take our leave now,” then helped Su Ping descend the stone steps and depart.

Once they were gone, Yan Weichu approached and teased playfully, “Cousin, this Young Master Su is so deeply devoted to you. If you’re taking a husband, why not consider him?”

“He does well in his studies. With a promising official career ahead, he need not involve himself in such absurd matters.”

Xie Xiao glanced sideways at him and added, “Besides, if I truly entertained the idea, someone would turn red-eyed, demanding to know why I’m marrying another. Best to let it be.”

“…” Yan Weichu feigned ignorance. “Cousin, does your second brother have feelings for Young Master Su? Coming all the way here in the cold just to see him? As far as I know, the second young master is already married with children, isn’t he?”

“Perhaps.” Xie Xiao showed little interest in discussing Xie Yi.

He asked Yan Weichu, “Have you already paid your respects to the Bodhisattva inside? What did you ask for?”

“I’d rather not say.” Yan Weichu teased deliberately.

It wasn’t exactly a request. Earlier, as he gazed at the Buddha statue, he had made a private bargain: if the Buddha granted his wish and made his desires come true, he would ensure the temple would thrive in the future. It all depended on whether the Buddha here was cooperative.

Since he wasn’t saying, Xie Xiao asked, “Shall we head back?”

Yan Weichu replied, “Aren’t you going in to pay your respects?”

Xie Xiao shrugged. “I don’t believe in such things.”

So they started back together.

Yan Weichu asked with a smile, “Cousin, what was actually painted on that fan Young Master Su gave you back then?”

Xie Xiao shot him a glance: “You’re curious?”

Yan Weichu answered honestly, “Quite curious, actually.”

Xie Xiao said dismissively, “Nothing much—two pines standing together, bamboo and rocks leaning on one another—that sort of thing.”

“I see…” Yan Weichu toyed with the tassel of the jade pendant hanging from his waist beneath the fox fur. His own, it seemed, also symbolized two souls intertwined.

“Then, cousin, since you have no feelings for him, why not let him down more firmly? Why still lend him books from time to time or bring him along to Zhan Yun Garden?”

“He was the one who asked each time.”

Xie Xiao paused before continuing, “I told you before about the battle at Yingpanjian. His father died shielding my grandfather from an arrow. Though I reject his advances, this debt of honor must be remembered and repaid where possible. He could have inherited his father’s military post, but he was too sickly since childhood to become a warrior. That’s why he returned to the capital to enter civil service. How could I stand in his way?”

“Cousin certainly cares deeply for him,” Yan Weichu said, a tinge of jealousy in his tone. “But what if none of that had happened? Would you have considered him?”

Xie Xiao did not hesitate. “No.”

Yan Weichu pressed, “Why not?”

Xie Xiao shook his head. “Taking a male spouse is only to allay the emperor’s suspicions and protect myself and my family. Knowing he has feelings for me while I feel nothing for him—pulling him into this would only harm us both. There’s no need.”

“Then what about me?” Yan Weichu asked out of nowhere.

Xie Xiao’s steps faltered.

Yan Weichu stopped as well, a bright smile spreading amid the swirling snow. “Cousin, I don’t mind doing you this favor. How about considering me? What do you say?”