Why Does Mr. Xie Favor Me? Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Why is Tangdi so innocent?

As soon as I knelt down to my ancestors, my life-long affairs were decided.

The sound of horse hooves stopped outside the car curtain, and the car came to a slow stop.Before the residual warmth in Xiao Jue’s fingers dissipated, an attendant whispered a report outside.He lifted the curtain and got out of the car. When he walked into the mansion, his expression had returned to his usual seriousness, but his fingertips occasionally touched unconsciously, as if searching for the fleeting warmth.

Wen Boyan had been waiting for a long time in the study room. Xiao Jue had just sat down and was about to continue the previously interrupted topic when hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. The messenger suddenly presented a secret letter and a blood-stained jade finger, which was Wang Yu’s personal belongings that never left his body.

“Wang Yu, the head of the Wang family in Langya, died of a sudden illness in the palace a few hours ago.” The messenger’s voice was very low. “The Wang family claimed that it was a sudden heart attack, but our informants in the Wang family said that Wang Yu met the chamberlain of Concubine Zheng before his death. When the chamberlain walked away, Wang Yu bleeded from all the orifices in his hind feet. The condition of his death was quite miserable.”

Wen Boyan gasped, “Is this the Wang family’s infighting?”

Xiao Jue pinched the cold and bloody finger and raised his eyes to look at Xie Heng, who was sitting under the window and reading silently.Xie Heng didn’t seem surprised, he just closed the book gently and let out a sigh.

“Wang Yu has lost his sacred heart and has been deprived of power. He is no longer of use to Concubine Zheng and Wang Yuzong.” Xie Heng’s voice was calm. “If it is of no use value, it is natural to clean it up to avoid getting more involved. But I didn’t expect that they would act so quickly and leave no room for anything.”

“How can the rest of the Wang family be willing to do so?” Wen Boyan frowned, “Although Wang Yuzong is a direct descendant, killing his brother to seize the throne in this way violates human ethics. How can he convince the public?”

“So the fun has just begun.” Xiao Jue threw his finger on the case with a crisp sound, “Send a message to Zuo Yunci, the military supply channel in the north. Taking advantage of the civil strife in the Wang family, clean up the areas that should be cleaned thoroughly and replace them with our people. Remember to move quickly and cleanly.”

“Yes!”

After the messenger retreated, silence returned to the study. The late spring wind passed through the half-open window, carrying the scent of the grass and trees in the courtyard.

Xie Heng walked to the table and looked at the ring finger, “Once Wang Yu died, your majesty’s last old love for the Wang family was probably gone. Wang Yuzong was ambitious and ruthless, making him more difficult to deal with than Wang Yu. Now that he is eager to ascend to power, he will definitely find ways to consolidate his position and show his loyalty to your majesty.”

Xiao Jue sneered: “To show loyalty? What kind of show does he use? The Wang family has accumulated a lot of abuses over the years, and the holes are getting bigger and bigger. Unless he can immediately generate money and food, or make great achievements.”

The two people’s eyes met, and they instantly understood what the other was thinking.

If Wang Yuzong wanted to make meritorious deeds and quickly consolidate his position, the most direct way was to bite a powerful enough enemy to share the emperor’s worries.

And this enemy is most likely Xiao Jue and Xie Heng who have regained the Sacred Heart.

Wen Boyan tapped his knuckles on the table and whispered: “The Wang family is now a mourning soldier, and mourning soldiers tend to act without scruples. We must take precautions early.” Xiao Jue looked out the window at the dusk, without saying a word, but the last bit of warmth in his eyes had faded.

The Wang family’s funeral was held in an extremely low-key manner, but there was an undercurrent.

The mourning hall is located in the ancestral home of the Wang family, with white flags hanging down and incense lingering.Wang Yu’s coffin stopped in the middle, and there was an endless stream of courtiers who came to express their condolences, but most of them had solemn faces and twinkling eyes, and no one dared to speak loudly.

Wang Yuzong, dressed in filial piety, knelt before the soul and bowed his head without saying a word. Beside him stood the pale-faced Concubine Zheng Guifei and Wang Zhaoruo.

Concubine Zheng left the palace in the name of returning home to visit her relatives. At this moment, she was pressing the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. She looked sad, but her eyes were as sharp as a knife, scanning everyone who came in.

Wang Zhaoruo remained silent.

Several elders of the Wang family stood aside, their faces ashen.One of the old men with white beard and hair was Wang Yu’s uncle Wang Song, who was well-known in the clan.He stared at Wang Yuzong’s back, his cloudy eyes full of anger and pain.

The number of condolences officials gradually thinned out, and Wang Song finally couldn’t help it. He took a step forward with a cane and said in a hoarse voice: “Yuzong, Yu’er left suddenly. There are some things that need to be explained to the clan.”

Wang Yuzong slowly raised his head, with tears still on his face, but his eyes were cold: “What does Uncle Song want to explain? The imperial doctor diagnosed that he was overly worried and had a heart attack. Could it be that uncle suspected something?”

“Heart disease?” Wang Song sneered, “Yu’er has always been in good health, how could he suddenly suffer from heart disease? He died suddenly after seeing a guest. Who was the guest?”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Concubine Zheng gently put down the veil and said softly: “Song Lao, my brother passed away suddenly, and Yu Zong was in deep sorrow. Why do you have to deal with me so hard at this time? If some words spread, it will damage the reputation of the Wang family for hundreds of years.”

Wang Song slapped his cane hard and said, “The reputation of the Wang family has already been covered in dust when some people colluded with foreign enemies and framed border generals. Now that they have done such a thing that goes against human ethics, how can they have such a reputation!”

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the remaining Wang family members and close servants in the mourning hall changed.

Wang Yuzong stood up slowly. He was tall and tall. Although he was wearing mourning clothes, he could not conceal the fierce momentum he suddenly released.He turned around, faced Wang Song directly, and said word by word: “Uncle, be careful what you say. Colluding with foreign enemies and trapping border generals, it was because he was confused for a moment and has been punished by Your Majesty. Our royal family has been loyal for generations, how can we take such charges lightly? As for violating human ethics…”

He paused and glanced at every clan elder and person in charge of the branch in the mourning hall. His voice suddenly rose: “Let me ask you, in the past few years since Wang Yu has been in charge of the family, has my Wang family been rising step by step in the court, or is it declining? Which one of the northern military supplies case and this hunting and assassination case does not have the shadow of his wrong decision-making? The Wang family’s century-old foundation is now in turmoil. Who is to blame?”

There was a sudden silence in the mourning hall.

Wang Yuzong pressed forward step by step, “Now that your majesty is wise, he only punishes the first culprit and does not harm the whole family. This is a great blessing. At this time of crisis, what the Wang family needs is not a patriarch who follows the old ways and leads the family into the abyss, but a helmsman who can innovate with determination.”

Wang Song was so angry that he was shaking all over, “Innovation? Just like Xie Heng, who promoted a poor family and shook the foundation of the family. This is forgetting the ancestors!”

“Forgetting your ancestors by counting the classics?” Wang Yuzong suddenly smiled, with unconcealed sarcasm in his smile, “Uncle, look at how many of the civil and military forces in this dynasty relied solely on the influence of their ancestors? Xie Heng carried out reforms, and children from poor families emerged in an endless stream. They are more energetic and enterprising. Your Majesty wants to use them. This is the general trend. Wang Yu just cannot see the general trend clearly and resists blindly, which is why he ends up today.”

He flicked his sleeves and pointed to the door, “When Xie Hengyi rebelled against his uncle and advocated reform, how many people scolded him for betraying the family? But now? Because of him, the Xie family is firmly at the top of the line, your majesty relies on you, and the poor family has returned to its heart. If our Wang family continues to stand on its own, there is only one way to die. I, Wang Yuzong, have put my words here today. I have taken the position of head of the family. It is not to fight for power, but to save the Wang family from collapse.”

He glanced at everyone: “Who has any objection? Who thinks he can turn the tide and lead the Wang family out of the current predicament? You can stand up now.”

The clan elders looked at each other in confusion, while the other clan members lowered their heads and said nothing.The mess left by Wang Yu is too big, the emperor’s attack is right in front of his eyes, Concubine Zheng’s palace power is hidden behind her, and Wang Yuzong is so strong and decisive, who dares to come forward at this moment?

Wang Song looked at the silent and avoidant faces, staggered a step, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, and finally let out a long sigh and put down his crutch dejectedly.

Wang Yuzong withdrew his gaze and looked at Wang Yu’s coffin again. His face returned to a sad expression, and he knelt down slowly. His low but clear voice spread throughout the mourning hall: “You can go in peace. From today on, I will take over the Wang family. I will not let the inheritance of my ancestors be destroyed by my hands.”

When the news reached Xie Heng’s ears, he was feeding fish at the pond in the mansion.

Uncle Cheng reported in a low voice everything that happened in the Wang family’s mourning hall, and finally said: “Wang Yuzong has initially subdued the dissent within the clan. In the name of making meritorious deeds and rectifying the family, he frequently comes in and out of the palace. He delivers to His Majesty the instructions for sorting out the accounts of the Wang family’s fields and shops, and offers to make up for part of the deficit in military supplies in the north.”

Xie Heng sprinkled a handful of fish food and watched the koi fish fight for it, making ripples appear on the water.

“You have done enough to survive by cutting off your tail.” Xie Heng said lightly, “What did your Majesty say?”

“Your Majesty received the note and praised her general knowledge, but did not comment on it. On the contrary, Concubine Zheng has gained a lot of Sacred Heart recently.”

Xie Heng threw all the fish food in his hand into the pond and clapped his hands: “Wang Yuzong is smart and knows that the most important thing at this moment is not the recognition within the family, but the Sacred Heart. His offering of family wealth to fill the shortfall is a statement and a sign of trust.”

He turned around and looked in the direction of the General’s Mansion, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

“It’s just that his certificate of nomination is not enough. To truly reassure His Majesty and put him to good use, a greater contribution is needed.”

Uncle Cheng understood and lowered his voice: “Master Lang is worried that he will treat General Xiao…”

Xie Heng was silent for a moment and shook his head: “More than that. Xiao Jue and I are now a model of harmony between generals and prime ministers in front of His Majesty. If you move one, you will move both. Wang Yuzong is the new leader of the Wang family and his foundation is not stable. He will not rush to deal with both of us at the same time. He is more likely to start from other places. He can not only achieve meritorious service, but also test His Majesty’s attitude and sow relations.”

“Where?” Uncle Cheng was confused.

Xie Heng didn’t answer immediately. He walked to the corridor. The spring afternoon sun shone warmly on his body, but he felt a bit chilly.

The implementation of reforms and promotion of poor families have touched the interests of too many aristocratic families.In the past, there was Wang Yu, a more obvious target, but now that Wang Yu has fallen, those accumulated resentments and fears…

“Newly promoted officials from poor families,” Xie Heng said slowly, with a hint of unnoticeable fatigue in his voice, “especially those who are close to me and Xiao Jue. They have the lowest foundation, but they are the most conspicuous. If Wang Yuzong wants to rectify the administration of officials and eliminate those who form cliques and selfish interests in the court, is there any better breakthrough than this?”

Uncle Cheng’s face turned pale.

Xie Heng looked to the northern sky, which was the direction of the palace and the direction where the undercurrent was about to surge.

He said softly, “Tell Xiao Jue to let his people and our people be more alert.”

The words dispersed into the rising evening breeze, carrying a slight chill that the mountain rain was about to come.Dusk fell layer by layer, finally swallowing up the last ray of light in the sky.

Late at night, in the Xie Mansion Ancestral Hall, only two ever-burning lamps were burning, and the dim yellow light barely illuminated the neatly arranged dark tablets.The air was filled with the smell of old wood and perennial incense, and it was so quiet that you could hear the occasional crackle of the wick.

Xie Heng knelt on the cold blue brick floor, with his back straight and his eyes calmly looking at the top tablet of “Xie’s ancestors”.The calmness and self-possession of the day were peeling off at this moment, and there was a trace of imperceptible fatigue and pain hidden in the fine lines between the eyebrows that were usually frowned.

The four words “forgetting one’s ancestors” are like a thin thorn piercing the softest part of my heart.He is not afraid of words or scolding, but when this accusation is related to these silent tablets behind him and to the inheritance connected by blood, he cannot remain completely indifferent after all.

Slight footsteps sounded behind him, stopping at the threshold without coming in.

Xie Heng did not look back.

But the man walked in on his own, his robe brushing the ground, carrying the coolness of the night breeze. He lifted his clothes next to him and knelt down straight as well.The coldness of the blue bricks came through the clothes. The two of them were shoulder to shoulder, and their shadows stretched behind them, overlapping on the solemn memorial tablet.

“I’ll accompany you.” Xiao Jue’s voice was low, roughened by the battlefield, but surprisingly soft at this moment.

He didn’t ask why, and he didn’t offer any extra comfort.Just stay with me.

Xie Heng tilted his head slightly and glanced at him.The outline of Xiao Jue’s side face looked particularly tough in the dim light, but his eyes were focused on the tablet in front of him, with a rare solemn expression.

Xie Heng spoke after a long while, his voice so soft as if he was afraid of disturbing the ancestors in the hall, “Xiao Jue, did I really do something wrong?” This didn’t sound like he was asking Xiao Jue, but more like he was asking himself and the ancestors in the hall.

“Innovation and restructuring have touched the family, and promoting Han Jun may be in their eyes,” he glanced at the tablet, “I am really an unworthy descendant of the Xie family.”

“You are right.” Xiao Jue said resolutely. He turned around and looked at Xie Heng with burning eyes. “If the ancestors are alive, they should see you holding up the Xie family’s family. They should see you selecting real talents to stabilize the court. SeeYou secretly mediated, balanced the government and the opposition, and avoided many possible conflicts.Xie Pushe, what you did was more like shining a light on the family lintel and continuing the true character of the Xie family than any other family member who sticks to his ancestral property and protects himself wisely.

He paused and said, “Have a heart for the world, manage the world and benefit the people.”

Xie Heng’s eyes moved slightly, reflecting the dancing lights.Xiao Jue’s words were like a warm current flowing into his slightly cold heart.

“As for those words,” Xiao Jue snorted coldly, with sternness and disdain, “Wang Yuzong or anyone else, they are just criticism for their own selfish interests.What they protect is not their ancestors, but their own privileges and wealth.Why should you bother yourself with this?”

Xie Heng was silent and his eyes fell back on the memorial tablet. The ancestral hall was still silent, but the heavy feeling of loneliness was quietly dissipated by the presence of people around him.

Suddenly, Xiao Jue stood up and walked to the tea table beside him.There are simple water and bisque teacups on the table, which are used for daily offerings.He poured two glasses of water, walked back to Xie Heng, knelt down again, and handed one of the glasses to Xie Heng.

Xie Heng was startled and didn’t understand what he meant.

Xiao Jue looked at him, his eyes were more solemn and hot than ever before, even with a trace of desperate determination, “Xie Heng,”

He called his name, not Xie Pushe or anything else, “I, Xiao Jue, am a martial artist and don’t understand so many principles.But I know that right is right and wrong is wrong.I know, I believe in you, respect you, and respect you.”

He paused, his Adam’s apple rolled, and the next two words rolled on the tip of his tongue, eventually turning into a heavier vow: “In this life, we can learn from the mountains and rivers, and we will never change in life or death.Today, in front of the ancestors of the Xie family, I offer tea instead of wine and wish to form an alliance of the same heart with you.Are you willing?”

Xie Heng was completely stunned. He looked at the glass of clear water reflecting the light in Xiao Jue’s hand, and then raised his eyes to look at Xiao Jue’s eyes that only held his own reflection at the moment.The emotion that had been suppressed in his chest broke through all rational barriers at this moment.

He didn’t speak, just reached out and took the glass of water.The moment their fingertips touched each other was warm and firm.

The two of them knelt opposite each other, with their arms intertwined, and drank the ordinary glass of water in one gulp, just like the mellowest liquor.The tea was slightly cold and slipped into the throat, but it seemed to ignite the blood in the whole body.

After drinking, Xie Heng put down the cup and raised his hand to take off the mutton-fat jade pendant he had worn around his waist all year round.This was left to him by his father.He held both ends of the jade pendant, glanced at Xiao Jue, and broke it with both hands.

There was a soft “click” sound, and the jade pendant cracked, split into two, and the fracture was brand new.

He put half of it into Xiao Jue’s palm and held the other half tightly in his hand.

“Seeing Yu is like meeting,” Xie Heng’s voice trembled slightly, but the words were clear, “We will never be separated in life or death.”

Xiao Jue clenched the half piece of jade pendant tightly, and the edge touched the palm of his hand, which brought real pain, but also brought an extremely solid sense of existence.He pressed the jade pendant tightly to his heart, and through the clothes, he seemed to feel his heartbeat resonating with it.

“This body and mind,” Xiao Jue looked at Xie Heng, “I am just a gentleman.”

There is no ceremony filled with guests, no etiquette of the Three Matchmakers and Six Certificates, no blessings or even knowledge from the world.There is only the solemnity of the ancestral hall, the silence of the tablets, the testimony of the ever-burning lamp, and the two souls that stick together in the darkness and pressure and identify each other.

The oath was very soft, only the two of them heard it.The oath is very important, more important than mountains and rivers, more important than life and death, more important than all secular etiquette and the long-term public opinion.

Xiao Jue pulled Xie Heng up, and the two still stood side by side, looking at the tablets of Xie’s ancestors.This time, Xie Heng’s back straightened up straighter, and there was no confusion or loneliness in his eyes, only a clear firmness and gentle strength.

Xiao Jue held his slightly cold hand and warmed it little by little with her own body temperature.

Xie Heng clasped his fingers with his backhand.

The two of them took one last look at the silent memorial tablet, “Let’s go,” Xiao Jue whispered, “No matter how strong the storm is outside, I will bear it with you.”

[The author has something to say]

Brother:

This glass of wine is dedicated to you, to the Wang family that we can never go back to, and to the lintel made of gold that has trapped you for life.

You have spent your whole life trying to build the Langya Wang family’s mansion higher and stronger.You think that calculations are bricks, marriages are clay, and authority is an ever-lasting lamp that will never be extinguished.

You can’t see that the poor family has become a new land, and you can’t hear that the wind of change has spread through the rich family.What you protect is the silent shadow under the ancestral shade, but you miss the flowing sand under the sun.

You died in the calculation of your closest relatives. This is perhaps the cruelest comment. The family supremacy that you believed in all your life finally swallowed you up.I don’t entirely blame you, we are all trapped by the gilding of this surname.You took the wrong path, but you did use everything you had to become the most loyal tombkeeper in the old era.

Rest in peace, your stubbornness and your era have come to an end together.

——Sister Zhaoruo