Chapter 72

Thank you, Yaoyu Dudu, Siquan Zhi Lan, and the three friends by the window for your generous donations. What are update tickets? It seems I'll have to work hard on writing. Hehe!

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After being intimidated and frightened by Xu Huizu, Xu Hao stumbled out in a daze. He had really taken the words to heart. Without knowing the true details of history, who could predict what turmoil might occur in the capital?

Xu Huizu's attitude was undoubtedly from the perspective of the entire family, determined to protect the family's safety, which inevitably meant choosing to be loyal to the emperor.

For the moment, Xu Huizu was labeled as a loyal minister. On a whim, Xu Hao asked a servant and learned that there was no court session today, and the elders were all at home. Therefore, he went to seek an audience with his second uncle, Xu Yingxu.

Xu Yingxu was known for being honest and straightforward, not good with words, and had a very low presence in the Xu family. He usually stayed at home except for attending court, had few friends, and was often criticized by the Xu family for being cold-hearted and indifferent to family matters.

Xu Yingxu had one well-known virtue: filial piety. He always accompanied his elderly father.

Xu Hao was not formal with his second uncle because Xu Yingxu and his father, Xu Qingtang, were the closest. The silk shop was a joint venture between the two.

Xu Yingxu held the lowest rank among the three brothers, still a Fifth Rank Junior Minister of the Office of Imperial Seals after so many years. The Office of Imperial Seals was a well-known "clean" department, nominally in charge of the imperial seals and other important national treasures, but in reality, it had nothing.

There was a joke in the official circles that whenever the emperor needed to use the imperial seal, the officials of the Office of Imperial Seals would run to the eunuchs in charge of the seals, holding their documents and bowing humbly. Sometimes the eunuchs would ignore them, and the officials would have to beg and plead. After finally getting the imperial edict, they would rush to the Inner Office of Imperial Seals to beg the female officials in charge of the seals. These female officials, who were the closest to the emperor, had no fear of the officials and would make them grovel. If the female officials were difficult, the impatient emperor would blame the officials for being incompetent. In short, it was a department that was always at the mercy of others.

Thus, the Office of Imperial Seals had to survive in a difficult position, and no one dared to offend anyone, for fear that a few careless words to the eunuchs and palace maids would cause trouble for the department.

Therefore, the Office of Imperial Seals was a place no one wanted to go. It was usually the first stop for newly appointed guards and scholars, or the children of nobles and officials, who used it as a stepping stone. If Xu Hao were to be promoted in the future, he would likely end up in the Office of Imperial Seals, given his status as a noble and a scholar.

Xu Yingxu had been in this cold department for nearly ten years, showing how low-key he was, not enthusiastic about his career, and often described as lacking ambition.

His father and second uncle had similar personalities, which was why they got along so well. Xu Hao was also close to Xu Yingxu because he was the same kind of person.

Xu Yingxu was very happy to see Xu Hao. After a few words, he sent someone to the inner quarters. A while later, a servant brought out several new clothes for Xu Hao to take home.

Xu Hao, feeling both amused and embarrassed, thanked him and left. Fortunately, there was no money, just new clothes, which was a sign of family closeness. Otherwise, he might have been seen as coming to ask for favors.

He then went to his fourth uncle Xu Zengshou's study. Xu Zengshou was the youngest son of Xu Da, not yet thirty years old. He married at fifteen, and his eldest son, Xu Jingchang, was already fourteen and very spoiled by his parents.

Xu Zengshou, the youngest among his peers, had a smooth career and was now a Second Rank Deputy Commander of the Left Capital Commandery, showing his skill in socializing and his ability to handle all sides.

Everyone in Xu Hao's generation liked Xu Zengshou for his kindness and warmth, and he was very family-oriented. Any poor relatives from Fengyang who came to the capital knew to find him, and they would always leave with a full load.

Xu Zengshou was clearly aware of the news about the Yan King and Lan Yu attacking each other. He sat in the room, worried, and when he saw Xu Hao come in, he said informally, "Come sit by me, and chat with your fourth uncle."

Xu Hao smiled and sat down. Xu Zengshou seriously asked about the old lady and the family, and then about Xu Hao's recent situation. Xu Hao answered all the questions.

Xu Zengshou sighed, "The old man and your elder brother have wronged you. I have strict orders not to explain in person, but we are family, so why should we make things difficult? By the way, did you come for something urgent?"

Xu Hao smiled bitterly and explained the funeral matter. Xu Zengshou immediately scolded him, "You are too bold, how dare you make decisions on your own in such matters? As the saying goes, the dead are to be respected. You were trying to save money but ended up offending all the relatives. In the future, who will help you when you are in trouble?"

Xu Hao thought, "Who are they to be my relatives?" But he realized that his three aunts were princesses, and anyone with even a slight connection to the royal family would be considered a relative.

In that case, Lan Yu and I are not far apart. Lan Yu's sister is the Empress, and my eldest aunt is the wife of the Yan King. What a mess!

Seeing his nephew speechless, Xu Zengshou smiled, "Do you understand now? It's not a big deal to make a mistake, but you should make amends promptly. Say a few nice words, and I'll give you a thousand taels of silver to make up for the funeral gifts."

Was his fourth uncle being too generous? A thousand taels of silver! Xu Hao was deeply moved. No wonder everyone said his fourth uncle was the best to relatives.

Before Xu Hao could get up, Xu Zengshou suddenly whispered, "Go to the Yan King's palace and warn them to be on their best behavior, especially Gaoxu. He must not harm anyone without cause. This is a critical time, and any small matter could affect their father's future and life. Remember, remember!"

"Yes."

After leaving, Xu Hao realized that his fourth uncle must have seen him as a close ally. Indeed, Xu Zengshou was fully on the side of his brother-in-law, Zhu Di.

It was quite amusing. He came, received advice, clothes, and silver, and gained a lot. Xu Hao naturally wouldn't send all the silver, and he didn't want to visit in person. He instructed his guards to deliver fifty taels to each family and wrote a note. The remaining eight hundred taels would be used to renovate the hotel. Then he went to the Yan King's palace.

Zhu Gaozhi was already prepared. After a few words, he sent Xu Hao off with a worried look. As Xu Hao left, he said casually, "Brother, don't worry, our family will be safe."

Zhu Gaozhi was surprised but smiled, "I'll take your good words. When this matter is over, come to me if you need anything."

After returning home, Xu Hao handed the silver to the accountant, explained its source, and instructed him not to use it for anything else. Now, Xu Hao was open about everything, feeling free and clear. Even about his secret affairs, he had a "do what you will, I'm not afraid" attitude.

Soon, Lady Wang heard the news and was furious. She had decided to give away six hundred taels of silver, which would surely be criticized by the old lady as wasteful.

Soon, a catchy phrase spread in the capital: "Thick-skinned and shameless, Xu Hao, the miser, pretends to be a man of virtue."

Xu Hao laughed when he heard it. He had many enemies and couldn't find out who was spreading it. He decided to ignore it. He remembered Xu Huizu's advice and took a long leave from Zhu Gaozhi, avoiding any contact with the capital's various factions.

He stayed at home for several days. On the tenth day of the second month, a rare light snow fell, probably the last of the year. Soon, geese would fly north, rivers would thaw, and spring would arrive.

The Wang sisters had stayed at the Xu family for half a month. Recently, they had become cold towards Xu Hao, probably influenced by the nursery rhyme. Such fickle women, you should go home.

The snow inspired the old lady, who sent Yue Lan to the garden early in the morning to inform everyone that she would be taking the family to enjoy the snow in the morning.

In the Tianxiang Pavilion, the family gathered to discuss how to entertain the guests.

Xu Cuixun worried, "We don't have any exotic delicacies, and even if we did, we couldn't make them interesting. What should we prepare?"

Wang Xuansu pondered, "A few days ago, I had a cup of snow tea at Cuiliu's, which was unforgettable. We could serve this tea. We can also prepare some snacks. It