When the youths galloped their horses to arrive, they heard that Yun Six Lang had defeated the Eldest Prince in the horse race. Instantly, their faces were full of admiration, and each one of them was eager to go to the Suzhou Yun Family to learn skills.
The disciples of the Yun Family ca from all over the country, with so originating from prestigious families in the Capital.
Yun Huai could accept them, however, "The Yun Family has strict rules. If you wish to join, you must first discuss it with your parents. If your family agrees, the Yun Family will welco you at any ti."
Back when the old family head of the Yun Family, Yun Huai’s biological father, was in charge, there was a case where a disciple joined without his family’s knowledge. Later, his mother ca searching, crying and pleading for him to return. The youth was stubborn and refused to listen, causing his mother to angrily hit her head against a pillar at the Yun Family’s entrance, nearly losing her life.
From then on, the Yun Family added a new rule for admission—family consent was required, otherwise, they would not accept.
"Agreed, agreed, certainly agreed," one of the youths, full of enthusiasm, said. "My father has long wanted to send to the Yun Family, but I used to be playful and didn’t like being restricted. Yun Six Lang’s performance on the hunting grounds today was truly eye-opening and inspiring. I’ll tell my father right away. Can you guys take with you when you go back?"
With soone taking the lead, the following youths beca even more eager, each crowding forward, wanting to show their faces in front of Yun Huai.
Yun Huai patiently answered all their questions and then gently explained the Yun Family’s admission rules again, especially emphasizing that family consent was essential. Without it, even if they arrived, they would be stopped at the door.
Song Yuanbao disliked rules, so when he heard Yun Huai out, he imdiately stepped back, giving his place to other youths.
While staying in the palace, even though Zhao Xi’s rules were also strict, at least he would indulge Yuanbao’s whims at tis. Yun Huai, on the other hand, was different — both an elder and his future master, overseeing more than a hundred people under him. Breaking the rules for one person and influencing other disciples was out of the question.
Upon weighing the two sides, Song Yuanbao suddenly realized how wonderful Yutang Palace was, and how fortunate he was to be the only disciple under his master’s wing.
Zhao Xi noticed Song Yuanbao had moved to his side without him realizing and glanced at him without saying a word.
Song Yuanbao seed very afraid of retrospective punishnt and was quick to offer a smile, "Your Highness, my earlier words were just jokes, cough, just a jest, not to be taken seriously. Without your guidance, how could I have casually topped the exams? Wouldn’t you agree?"
"That’s what I think too," Zhao Xi replied, his gaze once again cool and solemn. "But you’re focusing more on literature and less on martial arts these past two years, which is not a good trend. I plan to send you to the Yun Family to train in martial arts for the next two years. Once you’re proficient in both fields, you can return."
"No, no..." Song Yuanbao firmly responded, "I will only aim to beco the top scorer in literature, not martial arts, so there’s no need to learn martial arts, right? Besides, my parents certainly won’t agree."
Zhao Xi said, "I can nod on their behalf and agree for you to go."
Song Yuanbao secretly criticized: But I can’t just call you ’Dad’ on soone else’s behalf, can I?
He dared not say this aloud and held his ground, "Yun Six Lang already said that I am soone else’s disciple, and he wouldn’t dare to take . Besides, if I leave, who will accompany Your Highness in your studies?"
Zhao Xi: "You are aware of whose companion you are?"
Song Yuanbao drooped his head, not daring to talk back anymore. Otherwise, Zhao Xi, known to do as he says, could really send him to Suzhou, and Yuanbao would have nowhere to cry.
After a while, he conceded, "I was wrong, isn’t admitting my fault enough?"
Before Zhao Xi could respond, he hurried to punish himself, "I’ll copy books when I return, however many tis are required. Please don’t be angry, Your Highness, alright?"
Zhao Xi wasn’t sure where Song Yuanbao thought he was "angry," but since it was rare for Song Yuanbao to sincerely admit his mistake, Zhao Xi didn’t deny it, nor did he ntion sending him to the Yun Family again.
By then, Yun Huai had finished dealing with the youths and rode over.
Zhao Xi addressed the group, "Tomorrow at noon, there will be a farewell banquet for Yun Six Lang at the Banquet Guest House, and no one is allowed to be absent."
He then instructed one of the youths to send so of the day’s catch to the Banquet Guest House to be prepared into dishes for the next day’s al.
Once the instructions were given, everyone began to go their separate ways.
Song Yuanbao followed Zhao Xi back to the palace.
Yun Huai walked alongside his nephew Xue Yan, with the Xue Family’s carriage beside him, where Xue Yinhuan and Ye Ling were still seated.
On the other side of the carriage was Ye Rong, carrying a rabbit cage with a sullen face, apparently still angry but unable to express it in front of his sister.
Xue Yan glanced at him repeatedly, but being timid, he didn’t dare confront him at this critical mont.
Throughout the journey, the group hardly spoke.
The Xue and Ye Families lived in the sa ward, not far from each other. When they arrived, Ye Ling bid farewell to Xue Yinhuan and dismounted the carriage to follow her brother into the General Mansion.
The carriage continued onward and eventually stopped outside the side gate of the Minister’s Mansion.
Xue Yan was the first to dismount, holding the curtain for Xue Yinhuan.
As Xue Yinhuan lifted her skirt to descend, he quietly asked, "Sister, why was Third Brother so angry today?"
Xue Yinhuan smiled, "Maybe he’s in a bad mood."
"But when we set off, it was our third brother who was the most enthusiastic," Xue Yan said.
"Oh." Xue Yinhuan continued to make excuses, "Perhaps it’s because he’s very competitive. The ga you ten-odd people caught isn’t as much as what uncle and they got, so he might be feeling frustrated."
Xue Yan nodded, evidently agreeing with Xue Yinhuan’s speculation, "But there’s nothing to be done about it. Uncle and His Highness are both top-notch archers on their own. Together, the fact that we ten-so people can barely match them is already quite good."
Before Xue Yinhuan could say more, Yun Huai, walking ahead, suddenly halted, turned back, and called, "Ah Yan."
Xue Yan quickly jogged forward, "Uncle, what’s wrong?"
"How many animals did you catch today?" Yun Huai asked him.
Xue Yan blushed and said, "Just... just five rabbits."
"Nothing else?"
"Nothing else." Xue Yan said, becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy, lowering his head and deliberately quieting his footsteps.
"What about the others?" Yun Huai asked again, "Who caught the most?"
"It was Third Brother." Xue Yan replied, "He caught twelve rabbits, two roe deer, and a deer by himself."
Yun Huai said nothing, continuing to walk forward with hands behind his back.
Xue Yan was unsure, ekly said, "Uncle, when we return, I will practice diligently."
Yun Huai had no intention of blaming his nephew, considering that Xue Yan was only thirteen and naturally frail, his strength couldn’t compare to a normal person. Five rabbits for him must’ve already been his utmost effort.
He asked rely to gauge how much more potential this child had to improve.
Seeing Xue Yan particularly tense, Yun Huai said, "It’s fine, go back to your room to bathe and rest first. I will et your grandfather."
Xue Yan had initially thought his performance would surely incur scolding, but upon hearing his uncle say nothing of the sort, he felt relieved.
...
Yun Huai went to see Minister Xue, primarily to discuss taking Xue Yinhuan to Jiangnan.
Minister Xue disagreed, leading to an inevitable argunt between the two.
Yun Huai said, "Though the annulnt of the engagent was mutually agreed, Huanhuan is still a girl, and will inevitably be affected, making it hard to find a good husband in the Capital in the future."
Minister Xue sneered, "Who was it that ca all the way to the Capital to ruin her reputation?"
Yun Huai didn’t want to bring up the near-miss incident of Xue Yinhuan almost being sent to the palace as a concubine again, decisively said, "I’ve co only to inform Lord Minister that I’m taking Huanhuan away, whether you agree or not is irrelevant."
"You!" Minister Xue pointed at him, so furious the veins on his forehead bulged.
Yun Huai stood up and left directly.
Mrs. Xie hid behind a corridor pillar, attentively watching the unfolding situation, although she couldn’t hear the exact conversation between Yun Huai and the elder, she could well imagine it was about Xue Yinhuan.
Seeing Yun Huai leave the main room with a calm expression, her teeth clenched tightly, her face full of unwillingness.
When Yun Huai reached the gate of the courtyard, he suddenly stopped, seemingly sensing sothing, and turned back, eting Mrs. Xie’s eyes as she failed to dodge in ti by the pillar.
Mrs. Xie’s legs gave a soft tremor, yet she had no choice but to step forward with a forced smile, "Uncle, I heard from the servants that you’re taking Huanhuan to Jiangnan?"
Yun Huai withdrew his gaze from her, his tone indifferent, "Last night, my sister ca to in a dream, asking to take good care of Huanhuan and her siblings. Why, Lady Xie, do you have a problem?"
Not even giving her the courtesy of a marital title, making it clear her position in this residence was not acknowledged.
Mrs. Xie’s mouth opened slightly, suddenly unsure of how to respond.
Mrs. Xie was rely a small housewife within the household, having never heard of the Suzhou Yun Family or Yun Six Lang before. But over the past few days, the servants in the mansion often gossiped idly, letting her learn that he was a figure of so renown in the Jianghu, and despite his youth of just nineteen, his status was not low and not to be easily offended.
Confronted by Yun Huai’s invisible yet commanding aura, Mrs. Xie had to abandon certain thoughts, "It’s nothing, I just wanted to ask so I can prepare more things for the young lady."
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