Volume One: Carefree Journey Amidst Indistinguishable Leaves Chapter Fifty-Six: Every Debt Must Be Repaid

Yang Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief. He’d assumed this fellow was only joking, but seeing him actually start to take off his trousers, Yang Ning immediately spoke in a stern tone, “Your grandfather is Minister of Rites, and yet you would disgrace yourself by undressing in the hall? If word of this got out, next time, you’d be left with more than just bruises on your backside.”

Hearing Yang Ning finally speak, Yuan Rong quickly tidied his clothes, plastered a smile on his face, and moved closer. “I knew you’d never misunderstand me, brother,” he said.

“You’re my sworn brother?” Yang Ning fixed his gaze on Yuan Rong.

Yuan Rong thought Yang Ning was mocking him. He mused that this fellow, who used to be a bit slow, had learned how to be sarcastic. Outwardly, he forced a wry smile. “Are you still blaming your elder brother? Ah, I can’t really blame you for being upset. Since the Marquis of Jinyi passed away, I haven’t come by to help out. That’s my fault, truly.”

Yang Ning mused that among these pampered sons of nobility, true affection was unlikely; they were merely fair-weather friends, sometimes making use of each other’s resources. After the Marquis’s death, many high-ranking officials and nobles had distanced themselves during the mourning period. Yang Ning wasn’t particularly angry; after all, that was human nature, and there was no need to be too harsh.

“What brings you here?” Yang Ning asked coolly.

Yuan Rong grinned. “Brother, have you heard that there are several new pleasure boats on the Qinhuai River?”

“What does that have to do with me?” Yang Ning replied calmly. “If you enjoy such amusements, Yuan, you’re free to indulge yourself.”

Yuan Rong was taken aback. He found Yang Ning oddly different today—quite unlike the Marquis’s heir he once knew. Feeling somewhat awkward, he said, “You used to enjoy boat rides. I just thought to check in and invite you out for a distraction, but it seems...”

“Yuan, my father just passed away, and you’re already bringing up such frivolities? Don’t you think this is rather inappropriate?” Yang Ning said sharply. “The rituals for settling his soul aren’t even complete. If I were to go boating at a time like this, would I have any sense of decency left?”

Yuan Rong froze, then slapped his forehead, looking remorseful. “My mistake—truly, it was foolish of me. Don’t take it to heart, brother. I meant no harm. I just thought you’d been through an ordeal with that kidnapping, and these days you’ve been exhausted with funeral matters. I wanted to help you relax.”

“Let’s talk about it another time,” said Yang Ning, rising. “If you have nothing else, I have other matters to attend to.”

Yuan Rong hurriedly reached out to stop him. “Wait, brother.”

“There’s more?”

“Just a trivial matter,” Yuan Rong replied with a smile. “Sit down and let’s talk.”

Once Yang Ning was seated, he asked, “A trivial matter? What sort of trivial matter brings you here in person?”

“Well…” Yuan Rong produced a paper fan from his robe and flicked it open with a flourish. “Did you encounter assassins at the Royal Villa in Zhongling?” he asked, fanning himself with an air of cultured elegance.

Yang Ning thought, It’s already October and growing cold—aren’t you afraid of freezing, parading that fan for show?

“So, you know about that?” Yang Ning shot Yuan Rong a look. “I’ve heard the Royal Villa, though an imperial property, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. Your family’s master, Yuan, is Minister of Rites…” His gaze sharpened. “Tell me, was your family involved in the assassination attempt?”

Yuan Rong’s face drained of color. He leapt from his chair, aghast. “Don’t say such things, brother! The Yuan family couldn’t bear such an accusation!”

“I nearly died there, do you realize?” Yang Ning sneered. “Whether you can bear it or not, you’ll have to for now. Until the real culprit is found, I can only hold the ministry in charge responsible—namely, the Ministry of Rites, your family’s domain.”

Yuan Rong, nearly in tears, pleaded, “Brother, surely your household doesn’t believe that? You don’t truly suspect our Yuan family sent the assassins, do you?”

“Everything’s under investigation. Until the truth comes out, everyone is a suspect,” Yang Ning replied evenly. “Now, about your so-called trivial matter—what is it?”

Yuan Rong was sweating now, his fan waving faster. “Brother, I swear on my honor, the Yuan family knows nothing about those assassins. Besides, our two families have always been close. Don’t forget, your father was once my grandfather’s poetry tutor. We are old family friends.”

“Oh?” Yang Ning thought, So the Jinyi Marquisate and the Yuans share such a history.

Seeing Yang Ning’s unfriendly expression, Yuan Rong forced a bitter smile. “Let me be frank. Steward Wu at the Royal Villa is the nephew of my mother’s second aunt’s second husband. After the assassination attempt, he was terrified and eventually sought out my mother, who begged my grandfather to try and smooth things over.”

“Oh?” Yang Ning smiled faintly. “So, in the end, you’re here today to plead on Steward Wu’s behalf?”

“Of course I came to see you,” Yuan Rong said quickly. “This is just a side matter.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Steward Wu only has a year left before he can transfer to the Ministry of Rites as a registrar. He’s endured a lot for that post, but now this calamity strikes. My grandfather wouldn’t come to your house over this, but my mother knows you and I are as close as brothers, so… she sent me.”

Yang Ning stroked his chin. “I see.”

“Brother, I rarely ask you for favors,” Yuan Rong said solemnly. “But this time my mother was insistent. She said if we’re truly like brothers, there should be nothing we can’t accomplish. Considering our bond, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Yuan, you speak lightly. Do you realize that due to those men’s negligence, I nearly lost my life?” Yang Ning said coldly. “Now you want to gloss it over with a few words? Is my life a joke to you?”

“Please, rest assured,” Yuan Rong said, hearing a trace of concession in Yang Ning’s tone. “Steward Wu worked hard to reach this point, volunteering for that villa post two years ago just for the chance at becoming a registrar. Now, with only a year left, this could ruin his future. So…” He glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, “As long as the Jinyi Marquisate doesn’t escalate the matter, and the Ministry of Rites works to downplay it, Steward Wu and those guards won’t face severe punishment. Of course, they’re willing to compensate you for your fright.”

“Compensate?” Yang Ning frowned. “What do you mean?”

Yuan Rong grinned slyly. “They’re willing to offer some silver as compensation for your ordeal. What do you think, brother?”

“You mean to bribe me?” Yang Ning gave Yuan Rong, who was now uncomfortably close, a sidelong look. “Don’t you know that ever since my grandfather’s time, the Jinyi Marquisate has strictly forbidden…”

“I know, I know,” Yuan Rong interrupted with a laugh. “No financial dealings with other officials.”

“If you know that, why propose such a rotten idea?” Yang Ning replied, calm as ever, though inwardly he wondered how much silver Steward Wu and his lot could muster.

Yuan Rong grew serious. “You misunderstand, brother. It’s not a bribe—they’re thanking you for saving their lives. The assassin was formidable, and if it weren’t for you, the villa’s guards would have perished. Since the assassin killed those guards, he surely wouldn’t have spared Steward Wu. You’re their savior. Your Qi family always repays its debts—since they owe you, they must repay.”

Yang Ning stared at him, marveling at Yuan Rong’s ability to spout nonsense so earnestly.

Yuan Rong chuckled, leaning in. “And if you agree, I’ll pass the silver through my hands—no one will ever know.”

“Repay all debts…” Yang Ning nodded slightly. “That is indeed our family’s way.” He tilted his body. “And Steward Wu and his men understand this custom of ours?”

Yuan Rong wondered when the Marquis’s heir had become so sharp—no longer slow-witted, but astute and quick, speaking with veiled intent. He was puzzled, but had no time to dwell on it. Sensing Yang Ning’s meaning, he raised one hand, showing five fingers, then folded down two. “They’re willing to offer this much.” He added, “Three hundred taels!”

“Our family has been upright for generations,” Yang Ning said coldly. “Since the old Marquis declared there should be no financial dealings with officials, I must uphold that rule. Servants, see the guest out…”

“Five hundred!” Yuan Rong raised five fingers. “They’re willing to offer five hundred taels!”

“Where are they?” Yang Ning glanced toward the door. “Young Master Yuan is leaving—show him out!”

Yuan Rong’s face twitched. He raised both hands. “Five hundred is just from Steward Wu. The other guards scraped together another hundred…”

Yang Ning replied coolly, “My father fought on the battlefield. Any rewards were given to his men. Our family has never cared for silver. Young Master Yuan, you must understand, I don’t care about the amount, but the dignity of the Jinyi Marquis—this I must defend.”

“One thousand taels!” Yuan Rong gritted his teeth. “You little rascal, that’s all there is. Think about it—he’s only a lowly steward; how much could he possibly have? For them to scrape together a thousand taels is no small feat. A top pleasure boat on the Qinhuai for a day with the prettiest hostess costs a hundred taels at most, half that for an ordinary one. Three or four hundred taels could buy a fine courtyard in the capital. Don’t push your luck.”

Yang Ning looked Yuan Rong up and down, then smiled. “Is that really all they can offer?”

“That’s all,” Yuan Rong said, face sour. “In any case, I want a share of that thousand taels. I’ve talked myself hoarse today; surely I should get something for my trouble.” He drained half his teacup in one gulp, then pointed at Yang Ning. “I never realized you were so shrewd.”

Yang Ning knew that a thousand taels was not a small sum. Besides, the real mastermind behind the assassination certainly wasn’t Steward Wu or his men. Even if he reported them to the imperial court, it would do him no good. This way, not only did he gain silver, he also gained a favor from Yuan Rong.

“We can discuss the silver later. Come with me first,” Yang Ning said, rising. “If you cooperate, I’ll give you this favor today.”

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PS: Second update!