Chapter 79

"Dear nephew, don't be surprised. Being recognized by His Majesty and granted a title is due to your own abilities. You are still unfamiliar with the situation in our dynasty, which is why you are surprised. If you were more familiar with the situation, you would understand why His Majesty has bestowed such a generous title upon you. Just the salt-making technique alone is enough to earn His Majesty's favor. Not to mention the horseshoe method. Although I am a civil official, I have experienced war, and I can understand the significant impact this method will have on our army. His Majesty, who has fought in battles, naturally understands this even more. Both are great contributions. Ha ha, in my opinion, a mere county male is too little. I believe His Majesty is also considering your youth, and if he bestowed too much, it might invite criticism from the censors. This is His Majesty's way of protecting you. Even so, to be granted a title at the age of thirteen, you are unparalleled in our dynasty." Xu Xiaode sipped his tea and said to Xia Hongsheng, "Speaking of which, I must also thank you, dear nephew. My recommendation was successful, and I was able to be transferred to the capital, which is largely due to you. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Xia Hongsheng shook his head and said to Xu Xiaode, glancing at Xu Hui, who was staring at him with wide eyes, "Uncle Xu, you're joking. What have I done to deserve such praise? Besides, Xu Hui and I are like brothers and sisters, you're being too formal."

"Hmph, I didn't think you could be granted a title too?" Xu Hui was surprised and somewhat resentful, pointing at her little finger, "Just a bit of cleverness..."

"Hui'er!" Xu Xiaode scolded her sternly.

Xia Hongsheng didn't mind, scratching his head and smiling at her, "Hehe, what do you think? Sometimes a bit of cleverness can accomplish great things. Do you want to learn? I can teach you!"

The little girl pouted, "This girl doesn't want to learn. This girl wants to go to the Hongwen Pavilion!"

Xia Hongsheng was taken aback. The Hongwen Pavilion? The Hongwen Pavilion, along with the Guozijian, was one of the most prestigious places for students. If the Guozijian was like the Ministry of Education of the Tang Dynasty, then the Hongwen Pavilion was more like a national library. The Guozijian was the central official school in ancient times, the highest institution of learning in the ancient Chinese education system, and also the administrative body responsible for national education policies. The Hongwen Pavilion, on the other hand, was different. It collected and organized classics, and also taught students, but it was generally not open to students from humble backgrounds. Those who could study at the Hongwen Pavilion were mostly royal relatives or children of high-ranking officials, making it a kind of noble school for the royal family and important ministers. In comparison, the entry threshold for the Guozijian was slightly lower, and some talented students from humble backgrounds could also enter the Guozijian after being recommended.

"Since I am also being transferred to the capital, I have used my old connections to get Qi Xian into the Hongwen Pavilion. This girl has been nagging to go, so I let her. Nephew, since you are going to Chang'an, how will you handle your family? Do you have a place to stay in Chang'an?" Xu Xiaode stroked his beard and explained to Xia Hongsheng, then asked.

"I have written a letter and entrusted it to the personal guards of Duke Jiang to take to Luozhou City to bring my sister-in-law and the others to Chang'an. However, my sister-in-law will need some time to handle her affairs before she can leave, so it will be a bit later. After arriving in Chang'an, we will temporarily stay in one of Duke Jiang's properties," Xia Hongsheng replied.

Xu Xiaode nodded, and the two continued talking. Xu Xiaode gave Xia Hongsheng some advice on what to be cautious about in Chang'an and how to manage his fiefdom, explaining many details. Xia Hongsheng carefully remembered them. Being new to Chang'an, it was fortunate that Xu Xiaode and Yan Shigu were also returning to the capital, providing some support, which made Xia Hongsheng feel more at ease.

As they were talking, Xu Qixian, dressed in white and holding a folding fan, lifted the curtain and entered. He subtly winked at Xia Hongsheng, then walked over and bowed to Xu Xiaode, saying, "Uncle, after the poetry gathering, I toured the beautiful sights of Luoyang with my classmates. Several days have passed, and I didn't know Uncle had come to Luoyang. I apologize for not visiting you in time."

Xu Xiaode looked at him and scolded, "You rascal, do you think I don't know where you've been? I bet you've been carousing and neglecting your studies! Quickly gather your thoughts. In a few days, you will accompany me to Chang'an. I have already arranged everything for my transfer to the capital, and once we arrive, I will send you to the Hongwen Pavilion to study. Don't pick up those frivolous habits again!"

"Ah?! Uncle is being transferred to the capital?! Congratulations, Uncle, congratulations..." Xu Qixian was shocked, then paused, "The Hongwen Pavilion... isn't that only for the royal family and nobles?"

"Just focus on your studies, and don't worry about other things. Don't waste this opportunity," Xu Xiaode said meaningfully. Xia Hongsheng could guess Xu Xiaode's thoughts. In the next generation of the Xu family, Xu Qixian was the oldest, while Xu Hui was still a little girl, and her two younger brothers were just learning to walk. The Hongwen Pavilion was full of royal and noble children, and sending Xu Qixian there was to help him build connections.

"Nephew understands!" Xu Qixian nodded, sat down at a nearby table, and looked at Xia Hongsheng, asking, "Xia Shidi, I haven't seen you since the poetry gathering. Where have you been? I couldn't find you..."

Before he could finish, Xu Xiaode humphed and scolded, "Do you think Xia Nephew is as idle as you? Do you know that while you were carousing, Xia Nephew was making great contributions to the court? Now, the person in front of you is not your Xia Shidi, but the County Male of Jingyang, a noble of our dynasty!"

Xia Hongsheng watched as Xu Qixian's eyes widened and his mouth opened wide, as if he could fit a fist in it, staring at him in disbelief.

"Xia... Xia... Xia Shidi... This, this... Are you joking with me?!" Xu Qixian pointed at Xia Hongsheng, his arm trembling, looking as if he had been struck by lightning.

"Rascal! Do you think I would lie to you? You don't know that while you were idle, others never stopped working hard?" Xu Xiaode angrily scolded Xu Qixian, but Xu Qixian was still in shock.

Xia Hongsheng felt a bit embarrassed, thinking, "It seems I really haven't worked hard, just benefited from my advanced knowledge!"

Xu Qixian was so shocked that he didn't recover until the next morning. When he saw Xia Hongsheng, he still stared at him for a while, then called out, "Lord Xia," with a sour tone that could be smelled from a distance. Xia Hongsheng smiled and nudged Xu Qixian with his shoulder, saying, "Hey, Xu Ge, don't be like that. How about I take you to the Xunfang Pavilion?"

"You!" Xu Qixian rolled his eyes, glaring at Xia Hongsheng, "Do you want me to be scolded by Uncle even more?!"

"Never mind, I was entrusted by Yue Xian to plan the flower competition. I was just about to check on their preparations," Xia Hongsheng shrugged and said to Xu Qixian.

"Yue Xian?... Is she the one known as the Cold Moon Fairy?" Xu Qixian was surprised.

This time, Xia Hongsheng was the one who was taken aback. What was that title? It felt like a typical middle school syndrome. Maybe he had underestimated these lecherous men.

"How about it, do you want to come? If not, don't block my way," Xia Hongsheng said to Xu Qixian, then pretended to walk past him.

"Go! Go!" Xu Qixian quickly pulled Xia Hongsheng back, "Cough, Nephew is still young, how can you go to such a place alone? If you are deceived by a sly woman, it would be a pity. I must take care of you!"

Xia Hongsheng rolled his eyes at the righteous tone, and the two headed to the Xunfang Pavilion.

Since it was morning, there weren't many people in the Xunfang Pavilion. Xia Hongsheng went straight to the back, and no one stopped him. As he approached Yue Xian's room, he heard a clear and touching song, which was the verse he had added to the script. Xia Hongsheng secretly gave a thumbs up. He could only copy the lyrics, but Yue Xian had quickly composed the melody.

Xia Hongsheng knocked on the door, and the singing stopped. Then he heard light footsteps, and he knew who was coming to open the door.

The door creaked open, and sure enough, Qiao'er stood there, wearing a long robe usually worn by men. Seeing Xia Hongsheng, she immediately smiled, "Xia Gongzi!... Uh? Who is this gentleman?"

"Oh, this is Xu Gongzi. I invited him to evaluate the script," Xia Hongsheng introduced, "Have the ladies been practicing? Please perform from beginning to end, and we will point out any shortcomings."

At this moment, Yue Xian also walked over and bowed to Xia Hongsheng, "Greetings, Xia Gongzi, greetings, Xu Gongzi."

"Oh, Yue Xian, you are too kind. I am Xu Qixian. I have heard much about you, and today I see that you are truly like a fairy descended from the heavens..." Xu Qixian immediately put on a respectful and polite demeanor. As a wealthy and handsome young man, he quickly transformed into a gentleman, exuding grace.

"Xu Gongzi flatters me," Yue Xian said calmly, then turned and walked back into the room, putting on her veil again, "Xia Gongzi, I have followed your instructions and rehearsed."

Xia Hongsheng nodded, "Very good. Let's treat this room as the stage and have a formal rehearsal!"