Chapter 150: Crossroads (Part Two)

Liu Xinggan, the Imperial Vestry Administrator, was not an approachable man. He was in his early twenties, with a fair complexion, reserved manners, and a perpetual gaze directed toward the heavens, exuding a rather arrogant air. After only a few sentences of conversation, Quan Ce decided to disregard Princess Taiping's instructions to cultivate a deep relationship with him. While Liu's knowledge was extensive and he possessed considerable literary attainments, his temperament was extreme, aloof, and intolerant of differing opinions. Whenever a disagreement arose, he would insist on debating every minute detail to the bitter end, and once he believed in something, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

With a warm smile on the surface, Quan Ce played along with his conversation, knowing that flattering words cost nothing and keeping up the polite exchange. Inwardly, however, he sighed, thinking that such a temperament would be ideal for a young master remaining safely at home or venturing out into academic research, but stepping out into the arena of officialdom—especially at a time when the political climate was both unpredictable and harsh—was a recipe for disaster, as he was a walking target full of vulnerabilities who would likely harm both himself and others.

As Quan Ce's patience began to wear thin, his responses grew increasingly concise, and his boredom and perfunctory attitude became plainly visible. Yet, Wang Tongjiao continued to speak endlessly, treating his own insights and realizations as infallible laws to be crammed into Quan Ce's mind in the hope of elevating and improving him so that he would no longer produce awkward prose or clumsy poetry that invited public ridicule.

Xue Chongyin's restless little schemes finally found an outlet, and he abruptly sprang up from the couch. "Elder Cousin, what Lord Liu says is truly wonderful! We should all take it deeply to heart. Oh, come to think of it, I suddenly remember Aunt saying that we ought to return to the mansion early today, as we are meeting the prospective bride for the eldest Wang cousin. We must all be there to pay our respects."

Awakened as if from a dream, Quan Ce bade farewell to Liu Xinggan with a lingering expression of reluctance. "Our meeting today was brief, yet it feels as though we have known each other for a decade. Brother Liu's vast learning and profound memory are truly admirable. The mountains are high and the waters are long; let us meet again another day!"

Liu Xinggan had been somewhat displeased, but upon hearing these words, his expression softened slightly. He casually cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Since that is the case, you two brothers should be on your way. I have read Grand Councilor Quan's essay mourning the ancient battlefield, and I originally intended to critique it and evaluate your phrasing and diction. That will simply have to wait for another time."

Hearing this, Quan Ce felt as though he had received a grand amnesty. Perhaps because he stood at such a high level and his family elders did not excel particularly in literature, no one had ever truly tested his mettle since his debut. The only previous examination had been by Wei Yuanzhong, and that had concerned Buddhist philosophy and spiritual enlightenment, allowing him to coast through and make a great name for himself. If he were to engage in pedantic nitpicking with this fellow, he would lose half his hair in the process. Standing up, he replied, "To receive instruction from Brother Liu is my good fortune, but as you hold a position in the palace and are busy with a myriad of affairs, you must be pressed for time. We shall simply have to meet again when fate allows."

Catching the hint of rejection, Liu Xinggan's expression darkened for a moment before his eyebrows arched upward in a self-satisfied manner. "Hmph, they all say the post of Imperial Vestry Administrator is a most prestigious position. Now that I hold it, I shall surely bring even greater splendor to the office."

After offering a few more compliments, Quan Ce took Xue Chongyin and made a swift exit.

The excuse for departure that Xue Chongyin had produced was not fabricated off the cuff, but based on a genuine event. However, it was not strictly urgent; they only needed to return to the residence before the evening meal, since Wang Hui could not leave his post until then. The two brothers had arrived early at the Princess Gao'an Mansion and were promptly put to work decorating the courtyards.

At this time, court regulations were relatively relaxed, and social interaction between men and women was not strictly taboo. The grand nature of the occasion was primarily reflected in the festive decorations throughout the mansion and the attire of everyone from masters to servants. Only on this joyous day of a wedding could servants and stewards wear white, while the elders and young masters of the household could wear crimson. Of course, this did not apply equally within the Princess Gao'an Mansion: the princess herself held the rank of Princess of the First Rank, her husband held the fifth rank, and Princess Yiyang, who had come to assist, was also of the first rank. Quan Zhu had not come because of his studies, but Quan Luo had attended; despite her young age, her noble title was high, and Princess Tianshui wore a scaled-down version of the purple-and-crimson ceremonial robe with remarkable poise.

Xue Chongyin, holding the prominent rank of a commandery duke, was a shining second-rank noble. Only Quan Ce felt somewhat constrained, being a seventh-rank official without any peerage. Princess Gao'an helped him don his crimson robe while wiping away tears. "My poor child, you bear so much responsibility, yet..."

Halfway through her words, she choked up and could not continue. Quan Ce hurriedly put on a playful act to comfort her. "Your child is naturally blessed with good looks; whatever I wear looks equally splendid. Later on, I shall simply hide outside and remain unseen, lest I steal the bridegroom's thunder."

Princess Gao'an, most susceptible to his teasing, broke into a fit of giggles. "Today we are arranging a match for your cousin, and in a year or two, it will be your turn. I only wonder which young lady will be fortunate enough to wait upon my son."

"Your child is in no hurry," Quan Ce replied playfully. "Until the Turks are defeated, how can I think of a home?" His casual justification earned him a playful rebuke from Princess Gao'an.

When everything was properly prepared and the appointed hour was drawing near, Quan Ce volunteered to take Xue Chongyin along with the estate stewards and servants to the lane entrance to welcome the guests.

The appointed hour passed, yet the avenue outside the lane gate remained devoid of figures. Having been born to high status and wealth, Xue Chongyin had never been slighted in such a manner and grew restless with waiting. "With Yun Hongsi serving away as an official in the provinces, the Yun family has completely abandoned all decorum. For an event of this magnitude to be handled so sloppily is truly the height of rudeness."

"Hush, do not speak rashly," Quan Ce advised outwardly while growing increasingly tense within. "A marriage alliance is a union of two clans; one cannot afford to throw tantrums. It is only fitting for the bride's family to maintain a certain modesty."

This match had been arranged by his uncle Wang Xu, and the bride-to-be was the daughter of Yun Hongsi, Governor of Didao. Yun Hongsi was the eldest legitimate grandson of the late Duke of Guide, Yun Dingxing, making his family background quite illustrious. The arrangements had been settled two years prior. Now, with Yun Hongsi serving in the provinces, domestic affairs had been entrusted to his paternal uncle, Yun Shitai. Could something have gone wrong in the interim?

As the sun slanted toward the west, Quan Ce's expression gradually grew dark. Regardless of the reason for the delay in the betrothal ceremony, even if it were to be canceled, the Yun family ought at least to have sent someone to deliver a message. To leave people hanging in this manner without explanation meant that instead of forming a family alliance, they were likely to create bitter enemies.

Just as he was about to send someone to inquire at the Yun household, a fast horse came galloping toward them. The rider was a middle-aged man with flowing whiskers and a rather anxious expression. "Pardon me, is this the residence of Princess Gao'an?"

"It is," replied Quan Ce, suppressing his irritation and saluting according to etiquette. "I am Quan Ce, and this is my younger brother, Xue Chongyin. May I ask if you are from the household of Governor Yun?"

Dismounting, the man spoke with a look of shame. "To think I am meeting Grand Councilor Quan in person! Please forgive my discourtesy. I am Yun Shitai, Registrar of the Ministry of Civil Appointments at court. Today I was originally scheduled to handle the betrothal arrangements for my grandniece, but I was summoned by Grand Councilor Li of the Phoenix Court, which delayed me. I am truly ashamed."

"No matter; affairs of state take precedence, and postponing the date is acceptable," Quan Ce said, twitching the corner of his mouth. Unwilling to press the matter further now that Grand Councilor Li had been invoked, he suppressed his frustration and offered a perfunctory reply. With evening fast approaching and no attendants or carriages following behind the visitor, it was clear that nothing could be accomplished today.

Yun Shitai waved his hands repeatedly, his voice verging on tears. "I beg Grand Councilor Quan's forgiveness, but there are other circumstances that I must explain in detail..."

Sensing that something was amiss, Quan Ce immediately interrupted him. "Wait a moment, Registrar Yun. After all, I am of the younger generation, and this matter is handled by my elders. Please follow me into the estate so we may discuss the details clearly within."

Leaving Yun Shitai stammering and sighing, Quan Ce led him back into the Princess Gao'an Mansion.

Upon meeting Wang Xu, Yun Shitai laid everything bare. Just as Quan Ce had anticipated, the marriage alliance had fallen through. The stated reason was that a collateral branch of the Longxi Li clan had an elder facing critical illness who urgently needed to arrange a marriage to ward off bad luck and bring auspicious energy. Li Zhaode, maintaining close ties with that branch, had personally requested the Yun family's daughter. The elderly matriarch of the Yun family had already given her direct consent and accepted the betrothal gifts, leaving no room for reversal.

"You people are utterly deceitful! How can a single daughter be promised to two families? If there is no satisfactory explanation for this, I will not let the matter rest. Even if we have to take this before the imperial court, it is your Yun family that will lose face. Let us see if your family reputation can withstand public scrutiny!" Wang Xu erupted on the spot, his hair standing on end with rage. Rushing up to Yun Shitai, he pointed a finger at him and cursed furiously.

Yun Shitai's expression shifted uncertainly, his lips trembling. Bracing himself, he said, "In the end, our Yun family is in the wrong... If the Princess's Mansion does not disdain us, I am willing to offer my second daughter in marriage to your young master."

"You..." Wang Xu swayed unsteadily, his fingers trembling. Although they shared the Yun surname, the legitimate main branch of the Yun family and the secondary branch to which Yun Shitai belonged were worlds apart in status. With his mouth open to speak, a surge of stifled breath blocked his throat, and he collapsed in a faint.

Quan Ce hurriedly stepped forward to support him, instructing the servants to summon a physician. Turning to Yun Shitai, he said, "Registrar Yun, I will not detain you today. Please return to your residence, reflect carefully, and think twice before you act."

Xue Chongyin followed with a cold snort.

With his face tightening repeatedly, Yun Shitai let out a heavy sigh and retreated in humiliation.

Moments later, the inner courtyards caught wind of the news. Princess Gao'an stormed out in a fury, and upon seeing Wang Xu unconscious and her son's marriage prospects ruined, she collapsed against Quan Ce's shoulder and wept bitterly.

Amidst the gloomy atmosphere, a sharp pain gripped Quan Ce's heart, accompanied by a heavy wave of humiliation. A thought began to turn incessantly and uncontrollably in his mind: the Yun family would rather wed their daughter to Li Zhaode's relative for a superstitious ritual than marry into the Princess's Mansion. If he possessed the power and influence of Li Zhaode, would the Yun family still have made such a choice?