The next day, at the hour of Chen.
Xiang Yuan arrived at Xiao Mansion on Liuxi Street with a saber slung at his side and a document bearing County Lieutenant Qin's official seal tucked into his embrace.
From today onward, he would move into Xiao Mansion. He no longer needed to report to the County Yamen, and was only responsible for Xiao He's personal safety—or, more accurately, he had become Xiao He's idle playmate.
The County Yamen would continue providing silver and Pills as usual, and his benefits would remain unchanged. The advantages he received from Xiao Mansion did not need to be handed over. One job, two salaries.
Xiang Yuan did not Repel this arrangement. The Three shifts barracks at the County Yamen were unsuitable for Cultivating, and with Too many people, too many eyes, he had long been thinking of moving out.
Besides, Xiao He was...
How should he put it? If he closed his eyes and did not think about it, Xiao He was actually pretty good.
Xiao He was indeed a Clown, but his Upbringing was genuinely good. Despite his noble birth, he had none of the arrogance of a Dandy. He called Xiang Yuan Little Yuan Ge and addressed Old Liu as Constable. Just as he himself said, everyone in this world walked on two legs; there was no distinction between high and low, noble and base.
He wore a Grinning Face when dealing with Mud-legged people at the Bottom, even shamelessly so, and was never condescending. Yet toward the haughty County Lieutenant Qin, he displayed the arrogance of a Prince's Heir Apparent. He was unruly and did Not abide by the Rules between Classes, making it impossible to truly dislike him.
Xiang Yuan's dislike of Xiao He mainly stemmed from the psychological gap. He had always been thinking about sharing an Umbrella with the White Snake, and even now he still felt indignant.
What happened to the promised Thousand-Year Snake Demon?
Of course, Xiao He was good in his own way. It was just that he talked Too much, like a Group of Flies. If he could keep that mouth shut, Xiang Yuan would be willing to call him perfect.
Xiao Mansion's vermilion gates and grand Courtyard stood in the most valuable eastern part of Fengxian County, where Every inch of land is worth gold. Liuxi Street was neither too far from nor too close to East Main Street. It had a stone bridge, quiet willow trees, winding streams, and an elegant atmosphere. In Xiang Yuan's words, Liuxi Street was Fengxian County's villa district—a proper golden property development.
Apart from Xiao He, the Master of Xiao Mansion, there were only several elderly household servants. There was no capable and shrewd steward, much less any beautiful Maidservants. It was unclear whether Prince Zhao had deliberately arranged this to temper his son's Temperament, or whether Xiao He himself was simply unpopular and had been thrown into Fengxian County to fend for himself.
Prince Zhao Xiao Yan had ninety-nine sons. Excluding his numerous adopted sons, he had at least twenty biological sons. Xiao He was not a legitimate son and had no particularly Eye-catching qualities, so the second possibility seemed more likely.
For various reasons, Xiao Mansion had a simple Gate, without the grand scale and proper layout befitting a Prince's household.
Xiang Yuan knocked on the door. An Old man came out and stared at the Constable's attire on Xiang Yuan with a face full of Confusion. Only after quite some time did he React, welcoming Xiang Yuan into Xiao Mansion.
“The Young Master said that a Constable Xiang would come this morning and reside in the residence from now on, guarding the Courtyard's peace and quiet...”
The Old servant spoke slowly. He was advanced in age and somewhat confused.
He led Xiang Yuan to a Side room, handed him several keys, and Explained clearly the situation at Xiao Mansion before going to work in the stables in the Backyard.
The side courtyard had one main room and two Side rooms. Two peach trees had been planted there, and a large water vat stood in the very center. From today onward, this Courtyard would be Xiang Yuan's residence.
Holding the keys, Xiang Yuan walked through the three rooms one by one. There was a Quiet Room for Cultivating, a Side room for Receiving guests, and a clean master bedroom. There were also several Tailor-made new outfits that fit his height and measurements perfectly.
When he opened the cabinet doors and drawers, he found Small silver ingots inside.
Xiang Yuan's eyelids twitched. He could understand the Small silver ingots. When Xiao He went out, Xiang Yuan would be responsible for settling the bills and paying for purchases. Since Xiao He was a Clown with a very big heart, he had prepared only silver and no Account book for reconciling the expenses.
The new clothes, however, were simply absurd. They had been ordered in advance, As if Xiao He had Planned for a long time and would Swear not to give up until he got Xiang Yuan.
“Could it be that he really was putting on an act with County Lieutenant Qin?”
Xiang Yuan still did Not believe it. He stubbornly clung to his own opinion, further consolidating Xiao He's image as a Clown in his heart.
Yesterday had merely been a Coincidence. Given Xiao He's identity, even without County Lieutenant Qin, if he singled out a Little Constable for some Play, the County Magistrate and Assistant County Magistrate would both Gladly do him a favor.
Xiang Yuan tidied up simply, changed into his new bluish-green clothes, and hung his Saber at his Lower back.
At that moment, the Old servant brought over breakfast: rice porridge and pickles with pastries on the side. It was Fresh, refreshing, and not greasy—appetizing and health-preserving.
Xiang Yuan had already eaten breakfast at the Yamen, but he did not Refuse. He swept the entire meal into his stomach like a whirlwind.
For one thing, he was at the age when his body was Growing. For another, Cultivating the Formless Seal Method consumed a great deal of Energy. In particular, Candle Yin Forging Spirit required a large amount of External supplement to Strengthen his body.
At Present, he was simply a bottomless pit. No matter how much food there was, he could eat it all.
After the meal, Xiang Yuan asked where Xiao He was. Judging by the time, it should soon be time for the Academy to open.
The Old servant smiled and Explained clearly that the Young Master had stayed up late last night studying poetry and books and had yet to get out of bed. This was his daily routine, and everyone was already accustomed to it.
Xiang Yuan did Not believe him. He only knew that Xiao He had drunk Too many drinks yesterday and was probably still unconscious from a hangover.
This was pretty good. The work was not busy, and he had plenty of free time, which was perfect for Cultivating.
He drew his Saber and Practiced the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber in the Courtyard. The Eighty-eight, sixty-four forms grew newer with every repetition. Infused with Liu Jingsheng's saber intent and momentum, layers of Saber Light splashed forth like Pear blossoms on a tree—Soul-stirring, yet also Beautiful and magnificent.
After Xiang Yuan Cultivated the Formless Seal Method, the power of the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber surpassed its former might. Moreover, as his Nascent Soul grew stronger day by day, he discovered that the sixty-four forms were somewhat too complicated, with three or five moves being Non-essential.
To know how to simplify was to have gained an initial glimpse of the path of the Dao of Martial Arts. His Progress could only be described as Rapid speed!
After about one Shichen, Xiao He came over yawning. When he saw Xiang Yuan, his eyes instantly lit up. “Little Yuan Ge, I put the Umbrella in your room. Did you see it?”
“Young Master Xiao, just call me Xiang Yuan. I am not worthy of being called Little Yuan Ge.”
Xiang Yuan had grown up under the red flag and did Not understand the Reason behind becoming someone's slave. But now he was working for someone as Xiao He's Bodyguard and playmate, and he had also received many benefits from him. Having taken his money, he could not help but Lower his tone somewhat.
He was a person who was Grateful and repaying kindness. That was his Principle, and his True heart did not Feel wronged.
“What does it matter? You don't need to call me Young Master. That sounds Too distant and isn't fun. Just call me Elder brother.”
“All right, Young Master Xiao.”
After several rounds of Back and forth, Xiao He called Xiang Yuan Little Yuan Ge, while Xiang Yuan called Xiao He Xiao Shishi, or Brother Shishi.
According to the family ranking, including his sworn brothers, Xiao He was the Fortieth Son of Prince Zhao Xiao Yan.
The servants prepared the Carriage, and Xiang Yuan took his Saber and Xiao He to Yulin Academy.
On the way, Xiao He explained why he had come to Fengxian County to Seek knowledge. In his words, Prince Zhao Xiao Yan greatly Valued him as a son. After being appointed Grand Governor of Guanshan Dao, Prince Zhao had specifically chosen a good Teacher for him: Fengxian County's Instructor, Wang Wenxu.
Wang Wenxu had met Xiao Yan in the Divine Capital. Unable to tolerate the atmosphere of officialdom, he Refused to become an official. In his old age, he bade farewell to Xiao Yan and Returned to his hometown of Fengxian County. Xiao Yan praised his scholarly integrity and sent his most favored son, Xiao He, to study under him.
Of course, this was Xiao He's account. It was enough to listen to it; one should not Take it too Seriously.
“That Old man—cough, cough, I mean, the Esteemed Teacher—is indeed quite capable. Even I have to fear him somewhat. Don't provoke him at the Academy, or I'll suffer for it.” Xiao He let out a Sigh. Wang Wenxu had weathered many storms and was immune to Xiao He's usual tricks, which made things difficult.
Xiang Yuan only listened without speaking. He felt that he had found Xiao He's Nemesis, and considered using Wang Wenxu as a tiger banner whenever Xiao He became too long-winded.
Scaring him a little would be good enough.
The Carriage arrived at the Academy. Xiao He was an hour late. He told Xiang Yuan to wander around and Pass the time, then hunched over and slipped into the lecture hall through the back door, taking a seat in the last row.
Xiang Yuan poked his head in through the window. The Old Teacher holding a Ruler was Wang Wenxu. He possessed a scholarly air and the integrity of a learned man, with an aura of knowledge and refinement that rushed toward them. He was an exceptionally learned and refined handsome Old man.
The students were both male and female, and their ages varied greatly. There were young adults of Xiao He's age, twenty years old, as well as Youngsters like him, and even younger children. They all wore the Academy's uniform of blue and white.
He did not walk around. Instead, he sat cross-legged beneath the window and listened to Wang Wenxu's lecture.
Old Daoist Que Xin had said to read more books and apply what one learned. Xiang Yuan deeply agreed and would not let this good Opportunity to study pass him by.
Beneath the window was a Corridor. In front of the classroom door stood a row of shelves holding the students' personal belongings: Food boxes and Umbrellas, all arranged neatly One by one.
Xiang Yuan's sharp eyes were Attracted to a Long Sword.
The Sword Sheath was made of purple Sandalwood, with a deep color and hard texture. Its surface was carved with exquisite Patterns, some depicting entwined lotuses, others flying phoenixes and soaring luans, revealing its considerable cost. The Sword hilt was wrapped in fine leather, and a red tassel hung below it. Judging from its Patterns and shape, the Master was probably a woman.
Xiang Yuan looked at the Long Sword with Envy. Though the sword had not left its sheath, its Sword Qi was restrained, making it impossible to underestimate. It was countless times better than the standard Constable Saber in his hands.
I'll have one too someday!
Xiang Yuan gathered his thoughts and listened Quietly to the lecture.
At that moment, a Figure slipped out through the back door. Xiao He had returned, his face full of delight.
Before Xiang Yuan could Say more, he directly pulled him out.
“Let's go, back to the County town.”
“Huh?”
He had Skip class so quickly?
Xiang Yuan was Dumbfounded. He knew Xiao He was unlearned, but this was far too direct. Couldn't he at least put on a show and pretend a little?
“Something good happened!”
Xiao He was Exuberant and said happily, “Brother Xu Encountered a ghost last night and took sick leave. I heard he was completely paralyzed. He is my Close friend and Sworn brother. If I only knew how to read and refused to go watch the excitement, how would I be any different from a Beast?”
Don't Mock beasts!
Xiang Yuan was speechless for a moment. What kind of person was this?
He knew that ghosts existed in this world, but he had never seen one. His curiosity was piqued, and he could not help wanting to join in the excitement.