Chapter 37

Fujian suffered from a great flood, and the emperor dispatched five hundred students from the Imperial Academy to the region, with the intention of training talent. However, according to a secret investigation by the Jinyiwei, more than half of these five hundred students accepted banquets and gifts from local officials.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and ordered all of them to be beheaded on the street without exception. Additionally, a large number of officials from the Ministry of Works were found to have engaged in malpractice and embezzled construction funds for the imperial mausoleum, leading to another batch of officials losing their heads.

In recent years, the capital has been filled with a heavy atmosphere of violence, making it unbearable for many noble families, who have moved to their estates in the suburbs, including the family of the Duke of Qian. The officials live in constant fear, with some ministers even leaving wills at home before going to court, and their families waiting at the door to celebrate with fireworks upon seeing their lords return safely.

The storms in the capital have had little impact on ordinary people, who often applaud and cheer, hoping that more corrupt officials will die.

At the Xu family residence, upon learning that Xu Hao was about to return, Qiuxiang and the other three maidservants busily tidied up the bedding and aired out the winter fur coats.

Xu Hao first went to Fushouju to pay respects to the old dowager. After several months apart, the old lady asked him a few indifferent questions and then let him rest. The servants also treated him with the same lukewarm attitude as before, for who could blame them when the eldest brother was about to marry the Princess of Pucheng and the third uncle was an official in the north? In comparison, the second branch of the family seemed even more dim and unremarkable.

Xu Hao's secret contact with the Yan王府 (Yan Wang Fu) was a closely guarded secret, and his fondness for the princess of the Duke of Qian's family was seen by his family as a one-sided infatuation, treated as a joke.

As for his elder sister Xu Qinglian, her position in the family was unique; no one dared to offend her, nor did anyone try to curry favor with her, treating her like a goddess in a temple, to be revered from a distance.

According to the rules, he still had to pay respects to his eldest uncle. Coincidentally, Lai Bao said that the eldest uncle and Xu Wen had just returned from the capital and were about to arrive home. The master and servant rushed to the main gate, and in contrast to the cold reception Xu Hao received when he returned, they saw many servants standing outside to welcome the carriage, bowing and greeting from a distance.

Xu Wen, proud and riding at the front, looked at Xu Hao without the former intimacy, smiled reservedly, and dismounted.

"When did you return?"

"Just now."

"Hmm." Xu Wen shook his luxurious sable cloak and said, "It's windy outside. Let's go inside to talk about anything."

Xu Hao nodded and then respectfully greeted his eldest uncle and cousins in the carriage. Inside, Xu Yaozu got out of the carriage with a stern face and walked in first.

Becoming the future father-in-law of a prince, the prince's son-in-law, and the eldest brother, Xu Yaozu had completely changed. Xu Hao shook his head and smiled, walking at the back.

Entering the inner courtyard through the hanging flower gate, the women of the family were waiting in the main hall. Even if Xu Yaozu had not been promoted, he was still the respected head of the Xu family. Today, the entire family had gathered to welcome him, as he had been on official business for two months, just like Xu Hao, but the treatment was naturally worlds apart.

After exchanging a few words, Xu Hao looked at the third madam, Lady Liu, who was adorned with jewels, exuding a noble and radiant aura, and understood what it meant to be honored by one's son.

Shortly after, the second madam, Lady Xiao, and the third madam, Lady Wang, took their leave. Xu Hao followed them out, and Lady Liu then smiled and asked, "You've been wild for a few months, and you still remember to come home?"

Xu Hao respectfully replied, "I just returned and haven't had the chance to pay my respects to Third Aunt yet."

"Oh! Brother Hao is becoming more and more like an adult." Lady Liu was somewhat surprised and then laughed, "I remember how mischievous you and Song were. You had no respect for me and stole so many things to play with, making me so angry. Now that you're older and more polite, I feel a bit distant. Well, well, I'll go first, Second Sister-in-law."

With that, Lady Liu left with a large group of maids and servants. Once they were far away, Xu Hao immediately returned to his usual self and said with a smile, "Mother, I'm sure you've been having a hard time recently?"

"It's good that you know." Lady Xiao glared at her son angrily but held his warm, solid hand tightly and walked toward their courtyard.

Back in the courtyard, they entered the flower hall, and Xu Hao said to Qiuxiang and the others, "After a few months, you all look different. Truly, girls change a lot as they grow up."

"What about me?" Qiuye smiled sweetly at him.

Xu Hao stroked his chin and shook his head. "You're still that little brat."

"Humph!" Hongye turned her head in anger.

A young maid brought a silver tray with a fine porcelain covered bowl. "Madam's medicine is ready, please take it." Lady Xiao waved her hand. "Take it to the inner room, I'll take it in the evening."

Xu Hao became anxious and asked, "What medicine are you taking?" Xu Qinglian explained, "It's the Ningkun Pill for calming the mind. Mother hasn't been sleeping well recently."

It must be because of the issue with his elder sister. Xu Hao knew that if he just said he would send his elder sister to the Yan王府 (Yan Wang Fu), everything would change immediately, and his mother wouldn't need to take medicine. But he couldn't bring himself to say it.

His elder sister didn't love Zhu Gaozhi, and Xu Hao couldn't force his own wealth and status onto his family. Though in ancient times, this wasn't a concern, most couples married first and fell in love later, or just made do, and if they couldn't bear it, they would fight to the death.

Xu Hao decided to try to cheer up Lady Xiao and said with a smile, "I found a job. Though it doesn't pay much, it gives me a chance to rise in the future."

"No way." Lady Xiao rejected it without hesitation. "You're at the age to study. Why are you being so restless and reckless? Do we need you to go out and earn money?"

Xu Hao inwardly cursed himself for forgetting that this job wasn't something to boast about. How could he explain it?

Gritting his teeth, Xu Hao said, "The Duke of Qian's family needs a study companion. I thought, since they are also royal relatives, I might try my luck."

Lady Xiao laughed, a bright and radiant laugh. "Oh! Are we not royal relatives? My son, you've really gone to great lengths. If you want to be a study companion, you can go to your third uncle's house, the Yan王府 (Yan Wang Fu), or even serve as a companion to the crown prince. Why go to the Mu family? What do you think?"

"Ha, ha, ha." Xu Hao felt his mouth dry.

Lady Xiao smiled sweetly but coldly said, "Get lost. I warn you, if you don't do a good job as a study companion, don't come back to me."

Well, it seems the whole family knows what I'm up to. Amidst the women's laughter, Xu Hao slunk away.

Running to the garden, he saw that the two pavilions had been renovated and looked brand new. One was nestled among red walls and green tiles, and the other was backed by a small hill, surrounded by fences, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

His own small courtyard was isolated in the bamboo grove, with a quiet and secluded environment. Xu Hao inspected the uniquely designed public toilet, which the girls had decorated with a fresh and elegant touch, worthy of at least a four-star rating by modern standards. It was well-ventilated, and the faint fragrance from the incense burner eliminated any unpleasant odors.

As for the drainage system, Xu Hao didn't bother to study it. What he was most satisfied with was the outdoor hot spring in his courtyard, with mist rising and the green bamboo forest as a backdrop, creating a poetic and picturesque scene.

The hot spring was surrounded by various mountain rocks, and a rustic water wheel was set up nearby to inject cool stream water through bamboo pipes.

That night, Xu Hao enjoyed a luxurious hot spring bath. The next morning, he accompanied Xu Yaozu and Xu Qingtang to the ancestral hall to pay respects.

Zhu Gaozhi sent a letter, and Xu Hao secretly studied in the bamboo garden, working hard to become a qualified study companion.

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