Chapter 18: Chapter 21: You Have Both Talent and Good Looks

’No matter how furious Nian Songyu was, would he dare to attack me here, in the open?’

The two of them stared each other down like a pair of fighting cocks for a good while. Hee Yue didn’t get involved; only Sunx Fuping spoke up to smooth things over. "How would Captain Nian know about the affairs of his subordinates? He’ll find out once he goes back and asks. Young Master Hee, how exactly were you injured? This is a serious matter, so let’s not get sidetracked."

Hee Lingchuan sighed. "About fifty days ago, I went hunting on Gourd Mountain, where I was attacked by a Sand Leopard and fell from a cliff. I was carried back here and remained unconscious for days before finally waking up."

Fire nearly shot from Nian Songyu’s eyes. "Why didn’t you say this yesterday?" ’What is this brat trying to pull?’

Sunx Fuping, however, focused on the key point. "And the Sand Leopard?"

"Dead. They brought it back with me." Hee Lingchuan shrugged. "As soon as I woke up, I ordered my men to dismember it. That thing nearly killed me, so I had it hacked to bits. The parts were then taken to the market and sold." He gestured casually to the east. "There are plenty of merchants here who are interested in a demon’s pelt, claws, fangs, tongue, eyeballs, Inner Core, and so on. They’re willing to pay a high price."

"We know what you’re both thinking," Hee Yue interjected at the perfect moment. "Yesterday, after we learned you were the ones who wounded the Sand Leopard that ambushed my brother, Father sent men to track down the carcass, though he didn’t state his position."

The words were meant to be a sharp jab, but the two men across from him seemed completely unfazed. Sunx Fuping slowly raised an eyebrow. "And will Governor Hee truly be able to find it?"

"We will, of course, spare no effort," Hee Yue said with a smile.

’Yeah, right. As if he could actually guarantee that.’

Sunx Fuping fell silent for a moment before speaking. "By the way, before we departed, the Grand Commandant mentioned in a letter that if the threat to the National Capital can be resolved, Mr. Hee’s talents need not be wasted in this remote backwater."

The Hee Brothers were visibly moved. "Are you saying—no, is the Grand Commandant saying...?"

"A transfer back to the Capital, with a recommended promotion to Imperial Censor!"

’When had these old bureaucrats ever been so direct?’ Hee Lingchuan shot to his feet. "The Grand Commandant is a man of great discernment! His word is his bond!" As he spoke, he approached Sunx Fuping and held out his hand.

Sunx Fuping handed him a letter, its Fire Lacquer Seal still intact.

Evidently, it was a letter the Grand Commandant had prepared in advance, intended specifically for Hee Chunhua.

Although promoting officials was not officially within the Grand Commandant’s purview, his prestige and influence at court were so immense that arranging such a matter would not be difficult.

Sunx Fuping said blandly, "I hope Governor Hee won’t disappoint the Grand Commandant’s high expectations."

Hee Lingchuan’s face lit up. "Of course he won’t."

Hee Yue added, "We will devote all our efforts to tracking the Sand Leopard. I’m sure we’ll have news soon."

The two men rose to their feet. "In that case, we’ll await Governor Hee’s good news."

Sunx Fuping was about to leave when Nian Songyu turned to size up Hee Yue. "Second Young Master Hee, how old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"I’d heard in Wangjin that Governor Hee of Qiansong County’s second son was intelligent and poised, but I never expected such elegance. It’s true what they say—seeing is believing."

’What’s this guy up to, suddenly commenting on my little brother?’ Hee Lingchuan pointed to himself and cut in, "And what about me? Do people say anything about me?"

Nian Songyu laughed. "Oh, they do. That you’re fair on the outside..."

Everyone knew the punchline was in the part he left unsaid, but Hee Lingchuan preened. "They have good taste! Excellent taste!"

Hee Yue coughed softly. "Brother, show our guests out."

Before Hee Lingchuan could turn, Nian Songyu suddenly spoke. "The inn where the National Preceptor and I are staying is unbearably cramped. This residence of Governor Hee’s, on the other hand, has the feel of the Great Capital, with so much space. I wonder if you might have room for two more guests?"

The Hee Brothers and even Sunx Fuping were taken aback.

"Of course, that’s..." ’...fine.’

The Hee Residence had plenty of empty rooms. Hee Yue quickly sent for Madam Ying and had her arrange separate guest quarters for their two distinguished visitors.

Servants were dispatched to the inn to retrieve their luggage, and just like that, they had officially moved in.

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

Once the servants had all departed, Nian Songyu glanced at the closed courtyard gates. "As expected, they have the leopard. Not a word that comes out of that Hee’s mouth is true. The carcass is probably still here in the residence."

"Even if it is, it’ll be well-hidden," Sunx Fuping said, meeting his grim gaze. "Surely you’re not thinking of scaling the walls to kill them and seize it? That’s not an option. We have to consider the rest of the plan. The Grand Commandant predicted this. Hee Chunhua will seize this opportunity to squeeze us and negotiate."

’If Hee Chunhua had simply complied, I wouldn’t have had to produce the Grand Commandant’s letter.’

Nian Songyu sneered. "A mere Border County Magistrate, a piddling little official, dares to ask for the moon?"

"At a juncture like this, he just might. The Grand Commandant has praised him on several occasions. This man isn’t like your typical, mediocre official."

Nian Songyu said with resentment, "It’s a shame this isn’t Wangjin City!"

Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou—his turf.

Sunx Fuping shook his head. "Let’s focus on what’s important. All these petty officials want is a promotion and a fortune. They’re not hard to manage."

"An Imperial Censor may only be a Junior Fifth Grade position, but it holds the power to investigate other officials. It’s a cushy job that everyone covets. In the past, I might even have been envious." Nian Songyu scoffed. "But now..."

Sunx Fuping’s expression hardened. "Watch your tongue!"

...

「Night fell in the blink of an eye.」

Hee Chunhua had yet to return; he was genuinely busy.

The Baling Envoy Corps had arrived in Black Water City, and as the local governor, he was responsible for hosting them.

In the meantime, Hee Lingchuan had made a trip to the Government Office to personally deliver the Grand Commandant’s letter into his father’s hands.

Hee Chunhua, who always maintained a gentle and affable demeanor, couldn’t stop himself from slamming his hand on the desk and letting out three booming laughs.

’More than twenty years! After enduring the wind and dust of the borderlands, I’m finally going back to the familiar Great Capital!’

’The city that gave me life, the seat of the Hee Family’s past glory.’

Hee Chunhua even brought out a hidden vintage, selected two cups, and insisted on three rounds with his eldest son, his spirits higher than they’d been in years.

It was the first time Hee Lingchuan learned that his father kept a secret stash of fine wine at the official residence—and it was better than anything he’d ever tasted.

He feigned a look of confusion. "Father, our life in Black Water City isn’t so bad. Why are you in such a rush to go back?"

’It was the kind of question his predecessor would have asked.’

Hee Chunhua looked at him, and his smile suddenly vanished.

Without the smile, his expression turned somewhat sinister.

"Foolish child, of course we can’t stay here," he said, his voice low and slow. "I have endured humiliation at this border post for twenty years, waiting for this very chance. A chance to go back. A chance to rise higher!"

A strange, unreadable light flickered in Hee Chunhua’s eyes, and it made Hee Lingchuan’s skin crawl.

"The Hee Family cannot remain on the frontier; otherwise, our descendants for generations to come will be nothing more than border folk." In an instant, Hee Chunhua was back to his usual self. "Only by returning to the Capital will we have our chance."

Hee Lingchuan mumbled an "oh," as if he half-understood.

’His newfound father had repeated the word "chance" several times.’

’What kind of chance? What does he want to use this chance to do?’

Hee Chunhua seemed to regret his outburst. After the three drinks, he sent his eldest son home.

The streets were unusually empty. Hee Lingchuan kicked a pebble, contemplating his current situation.

’How could a father with such ambition and ability have raised a predecessor who was such an arrogant, reckless brat?’

’On second thought, it seemed as if Hee Chunhua had intentionally let him run wild.’

’That’s a bit strange.’

’But when it came to dealing with Nian Songyu and Sunx Fuping, there was no doubt that father and son were on the same side.’

’And at this moment, it seemed his father needed him to play that very part.’

’In that case, he might as well keep playing the part of the spoiled heir. If the sky fell, Hee Chunhua would be there to hold it up anyway.’

By now, the sky was completely dark. It was long past dinnertime, and the Hee Residence was as quiet as ever.

Hee Lingchuan knew no one would be waiting up to have dinner with him, so he decided to head to the kitchen to find a snack. The family cook always hid a container of treats in the low cupboard; today it was probably apple honey pastries. He could sneak a few, and she wouldn’t even complain.

He walked past his younger brother’s quarters.

At this hour, Hee Yue was usually either reading by candlelight or poring over scrolls, not wandering around the residence.

But just then, Hee Lingchuan heard two voices coming from the bamboo grove.

Two men.

One was Hee Yue: "...I don’t think that’s necessary, Captain Nian!"

’Captain Nian?’ Hee Lingchuan crept closer on silent feet.

Sure enough, the other man was Nian Songyu. Hee Lingchuan could see his face was flushed; he’d clearly had a fair bit to drink. "And why not? The Great Capital is teeming with powerful families, and the nobility there are incredibly arrogant. Even if your father gets his promotion, he’ll still just be a Junior Fifth Grade official. How long do you think it’ll take for you to make a name for yourself?"

He leaned in closer with a smile. "You’re both talented and handsome. If you were to get a recommendation from my father..."