Why Does Mr. Xie Favor Me? Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Solving Riddles and Gifting Jade

Xiao Jue returned south through the snow, carrying the blood-scented aura and promises of the Beifu Army. The lingering snow along the post roads gradually melted away, and by the time he returned to Guzang covered in the dust of travel, the season had quietly shifted to the start of the new year.

Although the land reform policy had met with setbacks, he had managed to collect some funds through other means. During this time, he had been exhausted by the mountain of paperwork, both in body and spirit, unable to truly rest even during the New Year festivities. In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival had arrived. It was finally time to relax together.

Water dripped from the icicles on the eaves as various lanterns were hung early throughout the marketplaces. On Zhuque Street, merchants erected lantern wheels thirty feet high, draped in silk and adorned with gold and silver. When the evening breeze blew, they spun in a dazzling display of light, casting shimmering gold into the eyes of onlookers.

The Xie Mansion made an exception this year and lit lanterns throughout the entire courtyard.

From the hanging flower gate to the winding corridors of the rear garden, a plain silk lantern was hung every three steps. Painted with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, they were not as gaudy as those outside, but they cast a gentle, warm glow under the moonlight.

Xie Nanqiao led the maidservants in cutting out many small silhouette lanterns—rabbits, deer, and plump fish. She hung them in front of the windows of the west wing. As the wind passed, their shadows danced livelily against the window paper.

“In previous years, Brother always said it was extravagant,” Xie Nanqiao said to a maid after standing on her tiptoes to hang the last carp lantern. “But this year, he actually agreed.”

Xie Heng walked out to the corridor. Seeing the courtyard filled with warm light, the corners of his lips curved slightly. “Are you talking behind my back again?”

He wore a newly tailored silver-grey crane cloak with a collar of snow-fox fur, which made his complexion look much better than in previous days.

In his hands, he held a copper hand warmer sent by Xiao Jue a few days ago. It was carved in the shape of a small, adorable beast. It didn’t quite match his refined and noble aura, yet he had not let go of it.

As the evening drums first sounded, Xiao Jue arrived in a hurry.

Dressed in casual indigo robes with a leather belt at his waist and his hair tied high in a ponytail, he looked like a high-spirited young wanderer. He carried two lanterns in his hands.

One was an ordinary revolving lantern painted with frontier scenery. The other was a rarity: a small war chariot lantern with an iron frame and silk covering. The wheels could actually turn, and a small figure holding a halberd stood atop the chariot.

“This is…” Xie Heng took the chariot lantern to examine it closely.

“An old craftsman from the armory made it,” Xiao Jue said, his eyes bright. “He said they have these kinds of chariot lanterns in the Northern Frontier. They can light the way during night marches and aren’t afraid of the wind.” With a gentle push of his finger, the wheels rolled, and the little halberdier swayed along with them, looking clumsy yet charming.

Xie Nanqiao leaned in. “General Xiao, where is mine?”

Xiao Jue quickly produced another lantern from behind his back. It was a round snow-rabbit lantern with red eyes and a short tail, so stout it made one laugh. “This is for the young lady.”

“Pfft, I’m not a child anymore.” Despite her words of disdain, Xie Nanqiao took it quickly. She carried the lantern in a circle around the courtyard, her skirt sweeping up a thin layer of snow dust.

The three of them sat down at the stone table in the courtyard. The maids brought out yuanxiao—sweet dumplings filled with osmanthus and bean paste. They floated white and plump in celadon bowls, the rising steam blurring their features.

“Try this.” Xie Heng pushed the bowl of bean paste dumplings toward Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue’s ears felt slightly warm. He scooped one up and bit into it, his mouth filling with sweet fragrance. When he looked up, he saw Xie Heng taking small sips of the osmanthus dumplings. Amidst the misty steam, the man’s long lashes cast light shadows under his eyes. His usually cold expression was softened by the lantern light, revealing a rare touch of gentleness.

“Minister, there is a lantern market outside the city. Would you like to go see it?” he suddenly asked.

Xie Heng paused. It had been many years since he had gone out for the Lantern Festival. Ever since he took charge of the Department of State Affairs, such leisure had become a luxury.

Upon hearing this, Xie Nanqiao had already jumped up, saying excitedly, “Let’s go! I want to buy that monkey lantern that can do somersaults.”

Xie Heng smiled and nodded. As expected, Zhuque Street was a sea of people.

The lanterns made the night as bright as day, casting a warm yellow glow even on the accumulated snow. The streets were lined with stalls selling lanterns, and there were skilled artisans making them on the spot. Bamboo strips flew between their fingers, and in no time, a lifelike peach of immortality was formed.

Xie Heng walked in the middle with Xiao Jue clearing the way in front. Xie Nanqiao held onto her brother’s sleeve, her eyes darting left and right as if she couldn’t see enough.

From time to time, acquaintances would bow and offer greetings. Xie Heng nodded in response to each one with a composed manner, though his hand inside his sleeve remained protectively near his sister’s side, fearing she might be jostled by the crowd.

“Make way! Make way!” A child suddenly ran past holding a paper dragon lantern, the dragon’s tail nearly brushing against Xie Nanqiao.

Xiao Jue was quick to pull her toward him. The young girl bumped into his shoulder, her face turning red as she hurriedly stood straight.

Xiao Jue, however, had already turned toward the child running into the distance, shaking his head with a laugh. “Run slower.”

Watching this scene, a faint smile flickered in Xie Heng’s eyes. Over the years, for the sake of the imperial court, he had rarely looked after his sister, let alone personally experienced this mundane bustle of the world.

They stopped in front of a stall for guessing lantern riddles, where the largest crowd had gathered. Various lanterns hung from a bamboo rack, each with a slip of paper dangling beneath it, the ink still fresh.

The stall owner was a thin scholar who was reciting a riddle loudly: “Above, it is not above. Below, it is not below. It cannot be above, and it is better below. Guess a character.”

The crowd whispered among themselves. Xie Nanqiao furrowed her brows in deep thought, while Xiao Jue simply gave up, staring only at the glass palace lantern hanging at the very top as the grand prize.

Xie Heng watched silently for a moment before saying softly, “It is the character for ‘One’.”

The scholar’s eyes lit up. “This gentleman is brilliant!” He took down the palace lantern and presented it with both hands.

The lantern was indeed exquisite, made of translucent glass that refracted the candlelight inside into a rainbow of colors. Xie Heng took it but immediately handed it to Xie Nanqiao. “For you to play with.”

Xie Nanqiao raised her hand to refuse. “Brother solved the riddle, so Brother should have it.”

“I won it for you,” Xie Heng said with a faint smile, though his gaze drifted into the distance.

Xiao Jue followed his gaze and saw an inconspicuous stall at the corner of the street. Only a few plain lanterns were hung there, but several people who looked like scholars were gathered around, arguing in low voices. On a whim, he said, “Let’s go take a look over there.”

The stall owner was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a washed-out green robe. His face was handsome and refined, but his eyes were sharp. The riddles hanging on his stall were different from others, consisting entirely of problems regarding mathematics, astronomy, and even agriculture and water conservancy.

“My friend,” one scholar said, pointing at one of the riddles. “The three stages of the Beginning of Spring—what are they? What kind of lantern riddle is this?”

The young man in green replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “Lantern riddles do not necessarily have to be word games. Only by knowing the seasons can one understand farming, and agriculture is the foundation of the nation.”

Xie Heng walked closer, his eyes scanning the riddles before stopping at one. The paper hanging under that lantern read: “From the Millet and Rice chapter of the Nine Chapters: Suppose a man lends one thousand coins at a monthly interest of thirty. Now a man borrows seven hundred and fifty coins and returns them after nine days. What is the interest? This is an original problem from the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Please provide the formula and the solution.”

The surrounding scholars looked at each other. At this time, mathematics was considered a minor skill, and few studied it deeply.

Xie Heng spoke softly, “Using the method from the Nine Chapters, for a loan of one thousand coins with a monthly interest of thirty, the rate is three percent. For a loan of seven hundred and fifty coins returned in nine days, one should multiply seven hundred and fifty by three percent to get twenty-two and a half coins. Then, dividing nine days by thirty days, the result is six coins, seven fen, and five li.”

The young man in green snapped his head up, his eyes bursting with brilliance. “You are proficient in mathematics, sir.”

“I know a little,” Xie Heng said, looking at him. “Did you write all these riddles?”

“I did,” the young man said, cupping his hands. “My name is Xu Shuhuai, from Wu Commandery. I have traveled here for my studies.”

Xiao Jue sized him up. Although this man wore simple clothes, his speech and mannerisms were extraordinary. Especially those eyes—clear and deep, unlike those of an ordinary scholar.

“Why did you choose these as your topics, Master Xu?” Xie Heng asked.

“Lantern riddles entertain people, but they can also enlighten them,” Xu Shuhuai said candidly. “I believe that mathematics, astronomy, agriculture, and water conservancy are the truly practical fields of study. Compared to those riddles about wind, flowers, and the moon, these are more beneficial to the country and the people.”

These were bold words, and the expressions of the surrounding scholars turned sour. Xie Heng, however, laughed. “Well said.”

He untied a jade pendant from his waist. It was not anything particularly valuable, just an ordinary piece of green jade carved with a cloud pattern. “I give this to you. If fate allows in the future, you may bring this pendant to find me.”

Xu Shuhuai froze. His fingertips trembled slightly as he took the jade pendant with both hands. He clearly recognized Xie Heng, yet he only gave a deep bow. “I… thank you for your appreciation, Master Xie.”

After leaving the stall, Xie Nanqiao asked in a low voice, “Brother, why did you give him your jade pendant?”

“He is a talent,” Xie Heng said, looking at the distant lights. “What the court lacks most right now are people who understand practical affairs.”

Xiao Jue looked back. Xu Shuhuai was still standing by his stall, clutching the jade pendant. His figure looked solitary yet upright amidst the thousands of lanterns.

As they reached the banks of the Qinhuai River, the crowds thinned out slightly.

Xie Nanqiao walked ahead, carrying the glass palace lantern. The glow cast colorful shadows on the snow. She suddenly felt that this Lantern Festival was warmer than any she had experienced before.

A river breeze blew past, and Xie Heng coughed twice. Xiao Jue immediately stepped to the side to block the wind, untying his own cloak to wrap it around him.

“No need,” Xie Heng said, raising a hand to stop him. “I’m not cold.”

“Your hands are already freezing.” Ignoring his protest, Xiao Jue draped the cloak over his shoulders anyway. During the movement, his fingertips accidentally brushed against the skin of Xie Heng’s neck. Both of them paused for a moment.

The cloak still carried the young man’s body heat, mixed with the clean scent of soap. Xie Heng pulled the collar tight and said softly, “Thank you.”

Fireworks suddenly exploded in the distance. A cluster of golden-red shot into the night sky, bursting with a bang and falling like thousands of streaks of fire.

Then came a second cluster, a third… Half the night sky was illuminated. The flickering light was reflected in the river, merging with the light of the river lanterns until one could not tell which were the stars in the sky and which were the fires of the mortal world.

The fireworks continued to launch, one burst after another, burning bright holes into the dark night. Meanwhile, at an alleyway entrance where the lantern light could not reach, a servant from the Wang family was hurrying back to his manor.

Tucked in his robe was a slip of paper—a transcription of Xu Shuhuai’s mathematical riddles. The corner of the paper was stained with melted snow, and the ink had blurred slightly, like some ominous omen.

But at this moment, the two people standing by the Qinhuai River did not know.

They simply stood side by side, watching the lanterns of the city, the bursting fireworks, and the river lanterns drifting away. In this rare moment of peace, they stole half a night of leisure from their busy lives.

Further away, on the corner tower of the Imperial City, someone was leaning against the railing, looking into the distance.

The Emperor toyed with an exquisite jade lantern in his hand. Looking at the myriad lights of the city, he said softly to the eunuch beside him, “Xie Heng actually has the leisure to enjoy himself tonight.”

The eunuch lowered his head. “I heard he was solving riddles and gifting jade at the lantern market, and that he met a scholar.”

“A scholar?” The Emperor smiled. “He never forgets to recruit people, even for a moment.”

The light from the jade lantern reflected in his eyes, flickering in and out.

“Never mind.” He turned around. “Let him have a good holiday. After all…” His voice drifted off into the night wind. “The days ahead are still long.”