Chapter 038: Slandering with Malicious Words

Hu Zhong’s Residence.

Inside the decorated archway, Hu Ying’er paced anxiously with her maid Jin’er in tow. It was almost mealtime, yet Xue Rui still hadn’t arrived. Concerned for his safety, Hu Zhong had instructed his granddaughter to wait at the entrance for him. Hu Ying’er, too, feared something had happened to her wayward apprentice, so she lingered outside, waiting.

After a long while, Jin’er suddenly exclaimed, “Miss, Young Master Xue is here!” Hu Ying’er craned her neck and finally saw Xue Rui, full of life, striding in with energetic steps. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

When he entered, Hu Ying’er deliberately put on a stern face and scolded, “Where have you been loitering today, making me wait so long?”

“Where’s Grandmaster? I need to speak with him!” Xue Rui ignored her and asked directly.

Caught off guard, Hu Ying’er replied instinctively, “Grandfather is resting in his bedchamber.”

“Alright,” Xue Rui responded and headed straight to the room.

It took several moments for Hu Ying’er to realize she’d just been ignored. She stomped her foot in frustration. “That scoundrel, how dare he pay me no mind?”

“Miss, did you notice there was blood on Young Master Xue’s clothes?” Only after Xue Rui had entered the house did Jin’er quietly pull her mistress aside to remind her.

“Blood?” Hu Ying’er suddenly recalled there was indeed a red stain near the hem of Xue Rui’s robe. She had been too preoccupied with finding fault with him earlier to notice it was blood.

“Miss, could it be that Young Master Xue has killed someone?” Jin’er, timid by nature and not fond of Xue Rui, immediately jumped to the worst conclusion upon seeing the bloodstain.

A wave of unease washed over Hu Ying’er. Xue Rui was an hour late today, now he’d rushed in, flustered and with blood on him—surely something serious had happened.

Still, deep down, she couldn’t quite believe Xue Rui would kill someone. It wasn’t a matter of trust, but rather that Xue Rui was so thin and not even as tall as herself—who could he possibly overpower?

“Let’s go see what’s going on first,” Hu Ying’er said anxiously, hurrying after him.

Meanwhile, Xue Rui entered the bedchamber, where Hu Zhong was napping on his couch. The matter was urgent, so he set aside decorum and gently woke him.

“Mmm, Rui, you’re here. Why not go to the study? What brings you here instead?” Hu Zhong sat up slowly upon waking.

“There was an urgent communiqué from the frontier delivered to the Ministry of War just now. I heard it was dispatched yesterday at noon—it seems something major has happened,” Xue Rui said gravely.

Hu Zhong sat bolt upright, alarmed. “Is this true?”

“I saw it myself. The courier was so desperate he nearly killed his mount. I personally escorted him to the Ministry of War. Not long after, more than twenty officials rushed out—I suspect to summon the court ministers for a council. With such a commotion, the situation must be dire.”

“My Great Ming… ah!” Hu Zhong shook his head with a long sigh.

Though Xue Rui could not truly empathize with the pain of defeat, he understood Hu Zhong. Since joining the Directorate of Astronomy in the Yongle era, Hu Zhong had accompanied the Emperor on many campaigns to the north, witnessing countless scenes of carnage and devastation. Now, with Ming more powerful than ever, to be routed so thoroughly by the Oirat Mongols was a crushing blow.

Seeing Hu Zhong weighed down by worry, Xue Rui tried to change the subject. “Grandmaster, aside from this, I have some good news to share.”

“What good news?” Hu Zhong asked, curiosity piqued.

“It’s like this…” Xue Rui recounted the confidential conversation he’d had with Gao Mian.

Hu Zhong managed a faint smile. “In the past, when Peng Deqing was all-powerful, everyone in the Directorate dared not speak out. Now that he’s about to fall, of course they’re making plans. If he’s removed from office, three positions will open up at once. They’re all eyeing them.”

If Peng Deqing failed to return, that would be one thing. But if he did, people like Xu Dun would certainly not make life easy for him. Once Peng Deqing fell, the Xue family’s crisis would naturally be resolved. If Xue Rui could rescue his father, he’d finally be able to breathe easy.

After listening to their conversation, Hu Ying’er still didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation. Instead, she was fixated on the bloodstain at the hem of Xue Rui’s robe. Frowning, she asked, “What’s with all the blood on your clothes?”

Hu Zhong followed her gaze and only then noticed the blood as well.

“Oh, you mean this?” Xue Rui hurriedly explained the incident with the horse he’d helped save.

“You truly have a compassionate heart,” Hu Ying’er chided him gently, then turned to Jin’er. “Go fetch a robe from my brother’s room for him to change into—the blue gauze one made two years ago. And bring the new pair of shoes we bought for my brother a few days ago. They’re a bit small for him, but should fit this living Bodhisattva just right. Better that than letting him go home covered in blood and scaring his mother.”

Jin’er blinked in confusion. “Miss, weren’t those shoes especially—”

“Just do as I say! Don’t talk back—go quickly!” Hu Ying’er, flustered, all but pushed Jin’er out the door.

“Oh.”

After a few pointed glances from Hu Ying’er, Jin’er left, still puzzled.

When Xue Rui emerged from the side hall in the clean clothes Jin’er had brought, Hu Ying’er, waiting outside, gave him an appraising look and nodded in satisfaction.

His previous attire was a simple ready-made tunic, cheaply bought by his mother—a garment that was nothing special. The Hu family, being of official rank, naturally dressed their young masters in finer things. This blue gauze robe, tailored from satin, fit Xue Rui’s build almost perfectly. Once changed, his whole bearing was transformed—he looked every bit the dashing young scholar.

However, Xue Rui held the new shoes in his hand rather than wearing them.

Seeing this, Hu Ying’er’s expression darkened. “Why aren’t you putting on the shoes? Do you think they’re ugly?”

Xue Rui handed her the shoes, his tone grateful. “I appreciate your kindness, but my mother just finished making a new pair for me yesterday. She’s waiting for me to try them on. If I wear these home, she’ll be disappointed.

“And also, these shoes are exactly my size. You must have sent someone to buy them especially for me. As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards for no merit. You’ve already taught me the art of astronomy and calendars, and I owe you a great debt. How could I accept further gifts? I really can’t take them.”

“Who—who said I bought them especially for you? Don’t slander me!” Hu Ying’er’s cheeks flushed a brilliant red. She snatched the shoes from his hands and fled the room.

“Uh… Is that what ‘slander’ means?” Xue Rui watched her retreat with a puzzled expression.

He knew the soles of his shoes were nearly worn through from his daily journeys, and Hu Ying’er must have noticed, thus arranging for a new pair in his size as a gift. His words of gratitude were genuine and heartfelt. Since joining the Directorate, Hu Ying’er had taught him daily, and after lessons, Hu Zhong would often have him stay for meals. He hadn’t even managed to send them a Mid-Autumn gift—he already felt deeply indebted, how could he accept new shoes?

Besides, his other reason was true as well. He knew well the handiwork of his mother and her maid—it likely wasn’t very pretty. If, just as they finished a pair, he went home in new shoes, his mother would surely compare them. As the saying goes, comparison brings hurt; if hers were unsightly, she might faint from shame.

He’d refused Hu Ying’er’s kindness to spare his mother’s feelings. Still, he hadn’t expected such a dramatic reaction from Hu Ying’er, which left him quite bewildered.