Chapter 77: Chapter 64, Identity_i
At the entrance of the posthouse, Daohua watched as Xiao Yeyang was surrounded by attendants and boarded the carriage. It wasn’t until the carriage and horses were out of sight that she turned around, feeling somewhat lost, holding the Jade Pendant and lowering her head as she walked toward the small courtyard where she lived.
Yan Wenxiu and a few others hurried to catch up.
Master Xiao wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurried to follow as well.
Heaven knows how anxious he was when he just received the news from a servant that some of the younger members of the Yan Family had gotten into a fight with the Prefectural Governor’s son from Fanzhou.
Apparently, this Prefectural Governor from Fanzhou has some connection with the Provincial Governor, and if they had offended him, it would’ve been nearly impossible for Master Yan to consider ascending higher in his career.
Fortunately, it seemed that things were not as bad as he had imagined. Thinking of the distinguished and noble son he had just seen, Master Xiao felt anxious and was eager to ask Daohua and the others what exactly had happened.
He was in a rush, but his good friend who had come with him held him back. “What exactly happened? Didn’t you say that County Magistrate Yan came from a humble background and had no connections in the bureaucratic world? But why do I feel like the Yan Family has a very powerful backer?”
Li Shounian tightly gripped his friend’s arm without letting go.
His own official rank was not high; he was just a Sixth-rank judicial officer in the Governor’s Office. However, since he was on duty in the capital, he had seen many high-ranking officials and immediately recognized the extraordinariness of Xiao Yeyang.
Master Xiao said with a bitter face, “The Yan Family really has no strong foundation. Otherwise, with County Magistrate Yan’s achievements, how could he have been a County Magistrate for three terms without any promotion? And the counties he governed were all remote and poor.”
Li Shounian nodded, “That makes sense, but what was the deal with that son just now?”
Master Xiao spread his hands, “I don’t know either; that’s why I’m hurrying to ask!”
Without even thinking, Li Shounian blurted out, “Then I’ll go with you.” Master Xiao nodded and did not refuse. Considering the news he had just received about Daohua and the others offending the Prefectural Governor’s son, and his friend had immediately come to help without a second thought, he couldn’t turn him down.
He knew what his friend was thinking at the moment, that the Yan Family might have connected with high society, and his friend wanted to make some connections himself.
Towards this, he had no objections.
There was no helping it. Coming from a humble background, if they wanted to climb higher, they had no choice but to devote themselves to their studies and not miss any slight opportunity.
In his younger days, he might have scoffed at such fawning attitudes, but after years of being buffeted by life, he had long since lost the pride and aloofness of his youth.
For people like them, coming from the bottom, to achieve their ambitions, they had to bow to reality.
The two men walked briskly to their residence. Along the way, many officials came out of their rooms, greeting them warmly. If they hadn’t been walking so fast, those officials might have wanted to stop them for a chat.
Among these officials, many had connections, and although Xiao Yeyang was unknown to them, they had seen Dong Yuanxuan.
The company of a Second-rank regional official’s legitimate eldest son signified a high status, didn’t it?
When Master Xiao returned to the small courtyard with Li Shounian, they saw the posthouse manager at the gate smiling apologetically to Yan Wenxiu.
“It’s all our fault. We’ve inconvenienced Master Yan and the young masters.
We’ve now prepared another courtyard for you. We hope you won’t hold a grudge against the small folk, and would move there, allowing us to make amends for our mistake,” said the posthouse manager.
The manager’s waist was bent almost at a ninety-degree angle, startling Yan Wenxiu to the extent that he hardly knew how to respond.
Seeing Master Xiao, Yan Wenxiu seemed to find a savior, immediately calling out, “Master Xiao, you’re back!”
Master Xiao steadied his emotions and, with a smile, approached the posthouse manager. He didn’t make things difficult but simply said, “Thank you, Mr. Manager, for your concern. However, our master is not yet home. Even if we have to move, we would need to wait for his return.”
The posthouse manager nodded repeatedly, “My considerations were insufficient. How about this, I will leave some people here to serve, and when Master Yan returns, they will help with moving the belongings.”
Master Xiao smiled and nodded his head.
Seeing Master Xiao agree, the posthouse manager breathed a sigh of relief, instructed the few servants to stay behind, and then left with a bow at every three steps he took.
Looking at the contrasting faces of the postmaster before and after, Yan Wenxiu was filled with emotion.
Seeing him like this, Teacher Xiao took the opportunity to say, “That’s how people are, worshiping the high and stepping on the low. The eldest young master should observe more closely and experience it for yourself. It’s beneficial not only for personal conduct but also for studying and learning.” Yan Wenxiu’s expression became solemn as he bowed and thanked Teacher Xiao: “Thankyou, Teacher Xiao, for your guidance.”
The knowledge from books can be learned in school, but the principles of social conduct and interpersonal relationships can only be truly understood and appreciated after real-life interactions.
Teacher Xiao didn’t say much more and glanced at his friend beside him who could hardly hide his eagerness, and asked, “Where are the young ladies?”
Yan Wenxiu: “In the house!”
Soon after, the three of them entered the courtyard and as they approached the main house, they heard Yan Wenkai’s voice exclaim in amazement.
Big sister, this jade pendant feels warm to the touch—it must be very expensive!”
Then came Daohua’s voice.
“How much do you think we could get for it if we sell it at the pawnshop?”
Hearing this, Teacher Xiao could no longer restrain himself and swiftly entered the room.
The jade pendant was a gift from a friend, how could you consider selling it at a pawnshop?”
Seeing Teacher Xiao’s disapproving look, Daohua gave an embarrassed smile: “I was just saying, I wouldn’t really sell it. Xiao Yeyang is so stingy. If he finds out I sold his jade pendant, he’ll definitely argue with me the next time we meet.”
“Xiao? The gentleman’s surname is Xiao?” Li Shounian couldn’t help asking.
Curious, Daohua glanced at him, nodded, and then looked at Teacher Xiao:
“Yes, just like Teacher Xiao, his surname is Xiao!”
Teacher Xiao and Li Shounian exchanged a quick look.
Xiao, that is a surname of the state!
Struggling to contain the excitement in his heart, Li Shounian asked again:
“Does the young master know the gentleman’s identity?”
Daohua shook her head: “He didn’t say, but he came from Beijing.”
Teacher Xiao: “Then how did you come to know him?”
Daohua patted her chest proudly: “I’m his benefactor, his life-saver! Oh, and the third brother, he’s also his benefactor!”
Seeing everyone looking at him, Wentao grinned and nodded, adding: “And grandmother, too.”
Daohua nodded: “Right, anyway, we saved him.”
After speaking, Daohua glanced at the expressions of Teacher Xiao and his companion, her eyes flickering as she ventured: “Teacher Xiao, what do you think his identity could be? He looks pretty impressive.”
“This…”
Although Teacher Xiao and Li Shounian both had their suspicions, they couldn’t say much, “We aren’t certain, but it seems his status must be quite high.”
Daohua nodded and took another glance at the jade pendant at her waist: “I also think it’s high.” She said with a smile, “Could it be that he’s a prince? But would a prince be kidnapped by traffickers?”
Teacher Xiao’s eyelid twitched, the young Miss Yan truly dared to guess boldly.
However, even if that gentleman isn’t a prince, his status isn’t far below that of a prince.
Didn’t they see the pattern on the jade pendant?
The Kylin!
That is something only the imperial family is allowed to wear.