Chapter 21: You Are Talented and Beautiful

No matter how enraged Nian Songyu was, would he dare to openly attack him here?

The two men stared at each other like fighting cocks for a long time. He Yue remained silent, and only Sun Fuping stepped in to mediate: "How could Commander Nian be aware of the servants' affairs? He will know once he goes back and asks. How exactly did Young Master He get injured? This is a serious matter; please don't deviate from the topic."

He Lingchuan sighed, "About fifty days ago, I went hunting in Gourd Mountain, but I was attacked by a sand leopard and fell off a cliff. I was brought back and remained unconscious for several days before waking up."

Flames nearly shot from Nian Songyu's eyes. "Why didn't you say anything yesterday?" he thought. "What kind of sheep is this kid pretending to be?"

Sun Fuping, however, only focused on the key point: "What about that sand leopard?"

"It's dead. It was brought back with me," He Lingchuan shrugged. "After I woke up, I ordered it to be dismembered. That thing almost killed me, so I had to hack it into pieces. The severed parts have already been sold in the market." He gestured casually to the east. "There are plenty of merchants here who are interested in monster fur, claws, teeth, tongues, eyeballs, inner cores, and such, and they're willing to pay a high price."

"We understand what you two are thinking," He Yue said at an opportune moment. "Yesterday, upon learning that the sand leopard which ambushed my elder brother was injured by you, father, although he hasn't made a statement, has already sent people to investigate the whereabouts of the sand leopard's carcass."

The implication in his words was strong, but unfortunately, it seemed to have no effect on the two men opposite. Sun Fuping rolled his eyes. "Can Commander He truly find it?"

He Yue smiled. "We will certainly do our utmost."

It was, of course, a promise he couldn't actually guarantee.

Sun Fuping remained silent for a moment before speaking. "By the way, before we set out this trip, the Grand Marshal sent a letter mentioning that if the capital's troubles could be resolved, Lord He's talents would no longer be wasted in these desolate lands."

The He brothers were both moved. "You mean, no, the Grand Marshal means...?"

"A transfer back to the capital, and a promotion to Supervising Censor of Official Documents!"

When had these old bureaucrats ever been so direct? He Lingchuan immediately stood up. "The Grand Marshal truly has a discerning eye and speaks words of gold!" As he spoke, he leaned towards Sun Fuping and extended his hand.

Sun Fuping handed him a letter, its wax seal still unbroken.

Clearly, this was a letter the Grand Marshal had prepared long ago, specifically for He Chunhua.

Although promoting officials was not within the Grand Marshal's direct purview, his considerable influence and prestige within the court and across the land made it easy for him to facilitate such a matter.

Sun Fuping said blandly, "We hope Commander He does not disappoint the Grand Marshal's great expectations."

He Lingchuan beamed. "Of course not."

He Yue also said, "We will fully investigate the clues regarding the sand leopard. We believe we will have news very soon."

The two men stood up. "Then we await good news from Commander He."

Just as Sun Fuping was about to leave, Nian Songyu turned and looked at He Yue. "Second Young Master He, how old are you this year?"

"Fourteen."

"I heard in Wangjin that Commander He of Qiansong Prefecture has a second son who is intelligent and steady. I didn't expect such a graceful and outstanding presence. It truly is better to see once than to hear a hundred times."

Why was this fellow suddenly making comments about the second brother? He Lingchuan pointed to himself, taking over the conversation. "What about me? What do outsiders say about me?"

Nian Songyu chuckled. "Yes, they say 'golden on the outside.'"

Everyone knew the emphasis was on the unspoken part of the idiom, yet He Lingchuan was smug. "You have good taste, good taste indeed."

He Yue cleared his throat slightly. "Big Brother, see our guests out."

Before He Lingchuan could turn, Nian Songyu suddenly said, "The inn where the Imperial Advisor and I are staying is cramped and unsatisfactory. I see Commander He's residence has the air of a grand capital estate, with many spacious rooms. I wonder if it could accommodate two more guests?"

The He brothers and Sun Fuping were all taken aback.

"This is naturally..."

The He residence had many vacant rooms. He Yue quickly informed Madam Ying to arrange a guesthouse for each of the two distinguished guests.

Servants hurried to the inn, bringing back the two men's luggage. This marked their official relocation.

After a flurry of activity, the two guests were finally settled.

Once the servants had dispersed, Nian Songyu looked at the tightly closed courtyard gate. "So, the leopard is indeed in their hands. That He fellow didn't speak a single truth. The leopard's carcass might still be in his home."

"Even if it is, it's well hidden," Sun Fuping met Nian Songyu's sinister gaze. "You're not thinking of climbing over the wall to kill and seize treasures, are you? That won't work. We need to consider our subsequent plans. The Grand Marshal's prediction was accurate: He Chunhua will take this opportunity to leverage the situation and bargain."

If He Chunhua had simply complied, Sun Fuping wouldn't have presented the letter prepared by the Grand Marshal.

Nian Songyu sneered, "A mere border prefect, a tiny official, dares to make such exorbitant demands?"

"At this crucial juncture, he might indeed dare. The Grand Marshal has praised him several times; this man is different from ordinary incompetent officials."

Nian Songyu said resentfully, "What a pity, this isn't Wangjin City!"

Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou, his territory.

Sun Fuping shook his head. "Important matters first. What these minor officials want is nothing more than promotions and wealth; it won't be difficult to placate them."

"Although the Supervising Censor of Official Documents is only a Fifth-Grade official, the position allows one to oversee other officials, making it a lucrative post coveted by all. In the past, I might have been envious," Nian Songyu smirked. "But now..."

Sun Fuping's face darkened. "Don't speak carelessly!"

In a blink of an eye, night fell.

He Chunhua had not yet returned; he was genuinely busy.

The Baling envoy delegation had arrived in Blackwater City, and local officials were responsible for their reception.

During this time, He Lingchuan made a trip to the official residence and personally handed the Grand Marshal's letter to his father.

He Chunhua, who usually maintained a gentle demeanor, couldn't help but thump the table and stand up, letting out a long roar toward the sky.

After more than twenty years, enduring wind and sand in the borderlands, he was finally returning to the familiar capital!

The place where he was born and raised, the place of the He family's former glory.

He Chunhua even took out his hidden wine, picked up two cups, and drank three toasts with his eldest son, feeling an indescribable refreshment.

Only then did He Lingchuan realize that his father also secretly kept fine wine at the official residence, better than any he had ever tasted.

After three cups, he was sent home.

By now, it was very dark, well past dinner time, and the He residence was as quiet as usual.

He Lingchuan knew no one at home would be waiting for him for dinner, so he decided to go to the back kitchen to find some snacks to tide him over. The family cook always kept a pot of something good in the low cabinet; today it should be apple honey crisp. If he snuck it and ate it, no one would protest.

He walked past his second brother's living quarters.

At this hour, He Yue would either be reading by candlelight or reviewing documents under a lamp; he usually didn't wander around the He residence.

However, He Lingchuan distinctly heard two voices coming from the bamboo grove.

Two men.

One was He Yue: "...I don't think that's necessary, Commander Nian!"

Commander Nian? He Lingchuan tiptoed closer.

Indeed, the other person was Nian Songyu. He Lingchuan saw that his cheeks were flushed, clearly from a considerable amount of alcohol. "Why isn't it necessary? The capital is filled with powerful noble families, and the distinguished ones are incredibly arrogant. Even if your father gets promoted and returns, he'll only be a Fifth-Grade official. How long will you have to wait to make your mark?"

He grabbed He Yue's hand, lightly stroking the back of it with his thumb. "You possess both talent and good looks. If you also get a recommendation from my father..."