Chapter 18: You Are Talented and Beautiful

Even with all his fury, would Nian Songyu dare to openly attack him here?

The two men glared at each other like fighting cocks for a long time. He Yue remained silent, and only Sun Fuping spoke up to mediate: "How would Commander Nian know about the affairs of the servants? He'll know once he goes back and asks. How exactly was Young Master He injured? This is a serious matter; don't deviate from the subject."

He Lingchuan sighed: "About fifty days ago, I went hunting in Gourd Mountain and was attacked by a sand leopard, which caused me to fall off a cliff. I was unconscious for many days after being carried back."

Flames almost shot from Nian Songyu's eyes: "Why didn't you say so yesterday?" What kind of act was this kid putting on?

Sun Fuping, however, only focused on the key point: "What about the sand leopard?"

"It's dead, brought back with me," He Lingchuan shrugged. "After I woke up, I ordered it to be dismembered. That creature nearly killed me, so I had to chop it into pieces. The disassembled parts have already been sold in the market." He gestured casually to the east. "There are plenty of merchants here who are interested in the fur, claws, teeth, tongues, eyeballs, inner cores, and so on, of monstrous creatures, and they're willing to pay good money."

"We understand what you two are thinking," He Yue interjected at the right moment. "Yesterday, when we learned that the sand leopard that ambushed my brother was injured by you, Father, though he hasn't stated it, has already dispatched people to investigate the whereabouts of the leopard's corpse."

The implied threat in his words was quite firm, but unfortunately, it had no effect on the two men opposite him. Sun Fuping rolled his eyelids: "Can Prefect He really find it?"

He Yue smiled: "We will certainly do our best."

It was a joke; such a guarantee naturally couldn't be truly given.

Sun Fuping was silent for a moment before saying: "By the way, before we set off this trip, the Grand Commander mentioned in his letter that if the troubles in the capital could be resolved, Master He's talents wouldn't have to be wasted in these desolate lands."

The He brothers were both moved: "Are you saying, no, is the Grand Commander saying...?"

"A transfer back to the capital, and a promotion to Censor of the Imperial Library!"

When had these old bureaucratic foxes ever been so direct? He Lingchuan immediately stood up: "The Grand Commander truly has an eye for talent and speaks words of gold!" As he spoke, he leaned towards Sun Fuping and extended his hand.

Sun Fuping handed over a letter, its wax seal still unbroken.

Clearly, this was a letter the Grand Commander had prepared long ago, specifically for He Chunhua.

Although promoting officials was not within the Grand Commander's direct authority, his prestige and influence in court and throughout the land were so great that facilitating this matter would not be difficult.

Sun Fuping said indifferently: "I hope Prefect He will not disappoint the Grand Commander's high expectations."

He Lingchuan beamed: "Of course not."

He Yue also said: "We will fully pursue the leads on the sand leopard, and we believe there will be news very soon."

The two men stood up: "Then we await Prefect He's good news."

Sun Fuping was about to leave, but Nian Songyu turned his head to look at He Yue: "Young Master He, how old are you this year?"

"Fourteen."

"I heard in Wangjin that Prefect He of Qiansong Prefecture has a second son who is intelligent and steady. I didn't expect him to possess such outstanding grace and charm; truly, seeing is believing."

What was this guy doing, suddenly commenting on the second son? He Lingchuan pointed to himself and took over the conversation: "What about me, then? What do outsiders say?"

Nian Songyu smiled: "Oh yes, 'gold and jade on the outside'."

Everyone knew the emphasis was on the unspoken next part, but He Lingchuan was smug: "Good eye, good eye."

He Yue lightly coughed: "Big brother, see our guests out."

He Lingchuan hadn't even turned around when Nian Songyu suddenly said: "The inn where the Imperial Advisor and I are staying is cramped and unsatisfactory. I see Prefect He's mansion has quite the capital city style, with many spacious rooms. I wonder if it could accommodate two more guests?"

The He brothers and Sun Fuping were all taken aback.

"That would naturally be..." acceptable.

There were many empty rooms in the He mansion. He Yue quickly informed Madam Ying to arrange a guesthouse for each of the two distinguished guests.

Servants rushed to the inn to bring back the two men's luggage, thus completing their official check-in.

After a flurry of activity, the two guests were finally settled.

Once the servants had dispersed, Nian Songyu looked at the tightly closed gate of the courtyard: "Indeed, the leopard is in their hands. The He family didn't speak a single truth; the leopard's corpse might still be in their house."

"Even if it is, it's well hidden," Sun Fuping met his grim gaze. "You're not thinking of climbing over the wall to kill and seize the treasure, are you? That won't work. We need to consider our subsequent plans. The Grand Commander predicted correctly; He Chunhua will take this opportunity to exert control and bargain."

If He Chunhua had readily submitted, he wouldn't have brought out the envelope prepared by the Grand Commander.

Nian Songyu sneered: "A mere prefect of a border prefecture, a tiny official, dares to make such exorbitant demands?"

"At this critical juncture, he might well dare. The Grand Commander has praised him several times; this man is different from ordinary mediocre officials."

Nian Songyu said bitterly: "What a shame, this isn't Wangjin City!"

Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou, his territory.

Sun Fuping shook his head: "The main business is what matters. What these minor officials want is nothing more than promotions and wealth; it won't be hard to settle."

"Although the Censor of the Imperial Library is only a fifth-rank position, it allows for the oversight of officials, making it a lucrative post coveted by all. In the past, I might have been envious," Nian Songyu sneered with a smile, "but now..."

Sun Fuping's face fell: "Don't speak carelessly!"

---

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

He Chunhua hadn't returned yet; he was truly busy.

The Baling envoy delegation had arrived in Blackwater City, and the local officials were responsible for their reception.

During this time, He Lingchuan made a trip to the government office and personally handed the Grand Commander's letter to his father.

He Chunhua, usually so mild-mannered, couldn't help but stand up, slapping the table and laughing heartily three times.

Twenty years! He had endured the sand and wind of the frontier for over two decades, and now he was finally returning to the familiar great capital!

The place where he was born and raised, the site of the He family's former glory.

He Chunhua even brought out his hidden wine, picked two cups, and, grabbing his eldest son, drank three cups with him, feeling incredibly refreshed.

Only then did He Lingchuan realize that his father also secretly hid fine wine in the official residence, wine better than any he had ever tasted.

He deliberately put on a puzzled expression: "Dad, our life in Blackwater City isn't bad. Are you really in such a hurry to go back?"

This was something the original owner would have asked.

He Chunhua looked at him, suddenly dropping his smile.

Without his smile, his expression appeared somewhat grim.

"My foolish child, of course we can't stay here," he said slowly and softly. "I've endured humiliation and hardship on the frontier for twenty years, waiting for this very opportunity—the chance to go back, the chance to rise!"

A strange light flickered in He Chunhua's eyes, an unexplainable intensity that made He Lingchuan feel a little uneasy.

"The He family cannot remain on the frontier; otherwise, our descendants will be nothing more than border folk," He Chunhua reverted to his usual demeanor in an instant. "Only by returning to the capital will we have a chance."

He Lingchuan uttered an "Oh" as if he vaguely understood.

The word "chance" was repeated several times by his cheap dad.

What chance? What did he want to do with this chance?

He Chunhua seemed to regret his lapse in composure; after three cups, he sent his eldest son home.

There were surprisingly few people on the road. He Lingchuan kicked a pebble, pondering his current situation.

How could a father with such ambition and capability raise a profligate and unrestrained scion like the original He Lingchuan?

On closer reflection, it seemed to be He Chunhua's deliberate indulgence.

This was a bit strange.

However, when it came to dealing with Nian Songyu and Sun Fuping, the father and son should undoubtedly work together.

At this moment, it seemed his father really needed him to display this kind of personality.

Given this, he might as well continue being a profligate, since He Chunhua would take care of things if the sky fell.

By now, it was very dark, well past dinner time, and the He residence was as quiet as usual.

He Lingchuan knew no one at home would be waiting for him for dinner, so he planned to go to the back kitchen for some snacks to tide him over. The family cook always kept a good treat in the low cabinet—today, it should be apple honey crisps. If he snuck some to eat, no one would protest.

He walked past his second brother's residence.

At this hour, He Yue would either be reading by candlelight or reviewing documents, and he wouldn't usually be wandering around the He mansion.

However, He Lingchuan happened to hear two voices coming from the bamboo grove.

Two men.

One was He Yue: "...I don't think it's necessary, Commander Nian!"

Commander Nian? He Lingchuan crept closer.

Indeed, the other person was Nian Songyu. He Lingchuan saw that Nian Songyu's cheeks were flushed, clearly having drunk quite a bit: "Why not? The capital is full of prominent families, and influential people look down on others. Even if your father gets promoted and goes back, he'll only be a fifth-rank official. How long do you think it will take for you to make a name for yourself?"

He leaned closer and smiled: "You possess both talent and good looks. If you also get a recommendation from my father..."