Chapter 38: Let’s Make A Bet
Xu He pressed down on the petition with one palm, his gaze fixed intently on her face.
“Lady, you know much about Xu Family matters. Since you say you can’t bear for me to fall victim to a scheme, why hurry to leave when your words are unfinished?”
Yue Tang raised the corners of her lips: “Top Scholar, you truly have sharp eyes and a bright mind; you’re a clever man.”
Xu He withdrew his hand and slowly clasped it behind his back: “I know this petition is genuine, but I still somewhat disbelieve that Du Family is scheming against me.
“For them to join with Xu Family and Duan family to accuse my maternal grandfather and uncle, just to trap me into becoming the Marquis’s Mansion’s nephew-in-law—doesn’t that seem somewhat unreasonable? How could a mere Xu such as I be worth their such favor and mobilization of forces?”
“Lord Xu is the only jinshi personally selected by the Emperor, and this top scholar title was one the Emperor snatched from the hands of the ministers at Imperial Court. Why wouldn’t you be worth it?”
Xu He was stunned.
He was indeed furious upon learning of Du Family’s scheme.
But he had never even considered that it was related to his position at Imperial Court.
How could he be unaware of the current court situation?
The Shen, Mu, and Chu families were locked in intrigue, and the Emperor was caught in the middle, unable to hear voices clearly. This year’s Spring Examination was the first since the Emperor ascended the throne, with all factions at court vying for talent to build their own influence. His top scholar status could indeed be said to have been snatched by the Emperor from those three families.
Later, the Emperor directly placed him in the Imperial Secretariat to serve.
If Du Family was targeting his position rather than his talent, then—didn’t that mean Du Family had ambitions?
If he got involved and the Emperor found out, wouldn’t he be in dire straits?!
“Impossible.” He furrowed his brows and said, “With the current tripartite standoff—not to mention Prince Jingyang—where would Du Family have a chance to meddle in power?”
“They might truly think that way, or they might never have thought of it at all; it doesn’t matter.
“What’s important is that Du Family has set a trap for you, Top Scholar. Now that you know the ins and outs, will you continue the marriage alliance with Duan family, or pull back from the brink and avoid falling into the pit of Marquis of Guangling’s Mansion.”
Yue Tang glanced at him and said unhurriedly.
Xu He shut his mouth, momentarily speechless.
Indeed, nothing else mattered; now that he knew this truth, what should he do next?
Should he continue discussing marriage with Duan family, become Du Family’s nephew-in-law, and spend his life bearing Du Family’s “grace,” groveling and bowing subserviently before them—or cut his losses in time to avoid being bound and used by Du Family in the future?
“Master.”
At that moment, the servant arrived under the door: “Du Family Heir Apparent has arrived.”
Xu He’s cheek twitched, and he stood up.
Yue Tang looked at him: “Since Du Family Heir Apparent is here, if Top Scholar still intends to form the marriage tie, you should go now.”
Xu He gritted his teeth but said nothing.
Yue Tang gazed at him and pushed the petition over: “If Lord Xu still doubts me, you might as well take this and verify it.”
Xu He unclenched his fist and unceremoniously took the petition and tucked it into his bosom: “Then Lady, please wait a moment; I’ll go and return shortly.”
Yue Tang raised her lips: “Top Scholar, go ahead.”
Once he left the door, Yue Tang gave a look to Huo Yun standing at the base of the steps, then picked up the teacup.
……
Xu He arrived at the Flower Hall, and Du Yu immediately said: “Why are you only now here? Are the betrothal gifts list and such all prepared?”
“Heir Apparent, please sit.” Xu He didn’t answer directly but gestured for him to sit.
Du Yu couldn’t very well press him, so he sat down again with patience.
Xu He sat with fingers pressed together. Seeing the servants serve tea, he presented a cup to Du Yu, took one himself, then said: “Yesterday my mother went to the temple to offer incense and had my fortune divined. It said I have a disaster star looming recently and must not discuss or marry within half a year. For this marriage with Miss Duan, please help convey the message, Heir Apparent, and delay it for a time.”
Du Yu had just taken a sip of tea into his mouth and nearly spat it out.
“What did you say?”
Xu He looked at him: “I said, let’s put the marriage on hold for a time; please be accommodating.”
“What game are you playing!” Du Yu slammed the cup down, “It was agreed we’d deliver the betrothal gifts today; Duan family is all prepared, and I specially made time to come on Father’s behalf, yet you tell me it’s off?”
Xu He stood and cupped his hands, gazing at the ground: “Please forgive me.”
Du Yu stood up, grinding his teeth and glaring at the back of Xu He’s lowered head, fuming: “Xu He! You dare toy with me? Do you know what happens to those who toy with me?!”
Xu He still gazed at the ground, then drew the petition from his bosom and gently placed it on the tea table.
Du Yu had been glaring sideways at him, ready to continue raging. But upon clearly seeing the seal and title on the cover, his face twitched as if yanked by something, and he swiftly snatched it up!
Xu He heard the rapid rustling of paper, remaining utterly still, his bowed standing posture like a respectful stone statue.
Du Yu’s breathing grew heavy then slowed, and finally he slapped the petition onto the table and left without a word.
……
Yue Tang had just heard Xiao Huo whisper in her ear when Xu He came over from the outer courtyard.
She dismissed Xiao Huo and picked up the tea again.
After entering the door, Xu He stood in the hall gazing at Yue Tang, then let out a heavy breath and cupped his hands: “No betrothal gifts today.
“Many thanks to Lady for informing me of the truth.”
Du Yu had taken one look at the petition and left without daring to fart, not even a single word of evasion—he had no reason left to disbelieve this woman’s words?
Yue Tang raised her lips: “Though the betrothal has been pushed off, Du Family won’t let you go just like that.”
Xu He looked up suspiciously: “What do you mean?”
Yue Tang lifted her chin, her gaze toward the courtyard gate where the sound of hoofbeats was approaching again: “You’ll see.”
Xu He looked over and indeed saw the outer gate open again, with Du Yu’s robes flashing past the shadow wall!
He stood up, his expression changing: “What does he intend?”
Yue Tang said: “Don’t worry, he won’t do anything to you. On the contrary, he’s here to apologize to you.”
“Apologize?” Xu He’s suspicion deepened, “He’s going to apologize to me?”
“Have you forgotten what I told you earlier?” Yue Tang said. “Du Family set the trap for you to ally in marriage with Duan family—not at all for the surface reason of drawing you in, but because someone instructed them to do so. Care to guess who?”
The suspicion on Xu He’s face solidified.
If it were true, he couldn’t guess who, but he could guess what kind of person!
Who else but those few powerful families could make even Du Family obey orders?
Even they were scheming for him?
He did want to borrow some momentum at Imperial Court, climb higher, seize power, command multitudes with a word—but that didn’t mean he wanted to be eyed like a fly on rotten meat! He certainly couldn’t bear the consequences of the Emperor misunderstanding!
But that said, was he really being targeted now?
“I know you still don’t fully trust me,” Yue Tang said with raised lips, looking toward the outer courtyard. “Let’s make a bet: go out now and see if he’s here to apologize.
“If not, I’ll stay as your servant for three months.
“If so, then when you return, you’ll heed my one word, how about it?”
