Settling Matters

Meng Yuan returned to the prince's residence and headed south toward Quiet Garden.

What had happened today was no great matter. Meng Yuan had been in the right, and it was not the Young Lord who had been hurt—only a household servant had suffered.

Therefore, Meng Yuan was not overly worried. Besides, Master Nie would cover for him.

Of course, this time he had thoroughly offended Steward Liu. But Meng Yuan trusted in the hardness of his fists and was not afraid of Steward Liu's retaliation.

When he reached Xun Mei's office, he asked a little maid to announce him before entering.

Xun Mei was bent over her desk, doing accounts again. When she saw Meng Yuan enter, she casually told him to sit.

She had been the one to promote Meng Yuan, so she did not stand on ceremony with him.

"Before noon today, I heard chanting from the Training Field. Did you start it?" Xun Mei asked without raising her head, working the abacus as she spoke.

The kind of chants used to raise deathsworn retainers?

He had to own up to this. Meng Yuan immediately said, "Whatever was on my mind just slipped out. Did I disturb you, Sister?"

"It was hardly disturbing." Xun Mei raised her head and smiled at Meng Yuan. "I know you are loyal to the Princess Consort, and I know you want to serve her. But it is enough to keep such things in your heart. There will always be a time for you to exert yourself later. Do not lead them in chants again. The Princess Consort enjoys peace and quiet."

Sure enough, she was no fool. Xun Mei had, after all, read books and knew those words were somewhat improper.

"Yes, I will listen to Mei-jie," Meng Yuan said.

"By the way, what did you come to see me about?" Xun Mei bent back over her accounts.

"I beat up Steward Liu's son at Drunken Moon Pavilion," Meng Yuan said bluntly.

Xun Mei froze for a moment, then looked up at Meng Yuan and asked curiously, "Drunken Moon Pavilion? How did you end up there?"

"I went to borrow money from Master Nie," Meng Yuan said.

"..." Xun Mei rubbed her brow and said sternly, "Didn't I just give you three hundred taels in reward money? The prince's residence provides your food and lodging, so why would you need to borrow money?"

"When I received the reward that day, I treated Master Nie to a meal and spent it all," Meng Yuan replied honestly.

"..." Xun Mei found it utterly absurd. "Did you go drinking with courtesans? Didn't I tell you not to follow Uncle Nie and learn his bad habits?"

"No. Master Nie wanted to go, but I sternly refused. We only went to Drunken Moon Pavilion. I did not know Dream Lake Spring was so expensive. I bought several jars and spent all the money," Meng Yuan said.

Xun Mei held her forehead. "That is a place for scholars and refined guests. Its prices are more than double those elsewhere. Uncle Nie really is something else. Drunken Moon Pavilion is Nie Qingqing's business to begin with, so why did he make you pay? He was taking advantage of your honesty!"

Meng Yuan said nothing, tacitly accepting it.

"And how did you end up beating Liu He?" Xun Mei asked curiously.

Meng Yuan remained perfectly honest and told her about Nie Qingqing inviting them to dinner, the Young Lord composing poetry, and Liu He's fawning behavior.

"Master Nie taught me martial arts and gave me much guidance. His kindness toward me is second only to the Princess Consort's and yours. How could I allow others to bully Master Nie's daughter?" Meng Yuan said with great righteousness.

"Beating people is wrong. But what you did was not exactly wrong either." Xun Mei nodded faintly, her expression barely changing. Clearly, she did not consider it a major issue either.

"Mei-jie, Steward Liu is from the Princess Consort's hometown, so why is his son the Young Lord's attendant? Master Nie taught me that this body and this heart of mine can serve only the Princess Consort. Not even Prince Xin can change that." Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"Everyone wishes to climb higher. We cannot force them otherwise and ruin their prospects for no reason." Xun Mei smiled.

When Meng Yuan heard Xun Mei say "we," he knew the matter was settled.

Sure enough, Xun Mei smiled faintly. "Do not worry about this matter. The Young Lord is actually most kind and honest. He is always immersed in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and pays little attention to anything else."

Meng Yuan understood perfectly. She meant that the Young Lord was slow-witted and would forget this matter after some time, but they needed to guard against someone constantly bringing it up around him.

"Go back and practice martial arts without worry. I will make a trip over there later." Xun Mei directly took the matter upon herself, then added earnestly, "If you lack money again in the future, come tell me. Also, I know Uncle Nie values you and you are close to him, but do not learn his bad habits."

"Thank you, Mei-jie." Meng Yuan was sincerely grateful.

Just as he was about to take his leave, Nie Yannian hurried in from outside.

"You little brat, I lose sight of you for a moment, and you are causing trouble again!" The moment Nie Yannian entered, he pointed at Meng Yuan with an unhappy expression.

"Uncle Nie," Xun Mei rose and said, "he acted righteously for you and Qingqing. He did not cause trouble for no reason, so there is no need to be too harsh on him."

Hearing that, Nie Yannian glanced at Meng Yuan and thought, So I really did call it. It has only been a short while, and the matter has already been handled.

"Uncle Nie, I can make a trip over there myself. It is no great matter," Xun Mei said.

"You have plenty to do. I will go!" Nie Yannian immediately refused. "He is one of the people I brought up, so I should handle it."

"Very well." Xun Mei did not insist on taking the lead, nor did she ask about Nie Yannian's methods. Clearly, she knew what he was capable of.

After exchanging a few polite but meaningless words, Nie Yannian pulled Meng Yuan outside with him.

"You really are wasting your talent by not mixing in the pleasure quarters!" Nie Yannian had nothing nice to say the moment he opened his mouth.

"Then another day, Master Nie can take me to broaden my horizons." Meng Yuan smiled.

"You think you can go without knowing how to make doggerel verse?" Nie Yannian laughed as they walked. "Come on, let's go settle this matter."

"Will Prince Xin intervene?" Meng Yuan was rather worried about that.

"Prince Xin is solitary by nature and dislikes involving himself in mundane affairs. He barely manages the Young Lord, so do not worry."

Nie Yannian clearly knew the affairs of the prince's residence inside and out. "We will find Scholar Wang, that old hanger-on. He is one of the Young Lord's trusted men and an expert at licking boots! Have him lend a hand, and the matter will be done."

"Can a mere hanger-on really make it happen?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"You say you lack worldly experience, and you really do. The Young Lord is dull-witted. The hanger-ons around him exist to amuse him, and he listens to them too."

Nie Yannian chuckled. "Those hanger-ons spend every day accompanying the Young Lord in composing poems and matching couplets, admiring scenery and wandering about. Making money is one purpose; keeping the Young Lord in line is another. Would they dare take him to a gambling den or a brothel? Prince Xin is no fool. He is watching! With a foolish Young Lord like this, no one bothers guarding against him. There is no need to hide one's talents. Spend a little money to have people accompany him, keep him from stirring up trouble, and he can live in wealth and honor for life. In great noble clans, the useless children are all handled this way!"

"So that was how it was." Meng Yuan had truly learned something.

"Remember, some matters can be solved with blades and swords. But in truth, most matters can be solved with money. If money can solve it, do not draw a blade." Nie Yannian instructed him as they walked. "We will give Scholar Wang some silver and ask them not to mention you before the Young Lord. By tonight, the Young Lord will have forgotten you!"

"Master Nie, I have no money," Meng Yuan said.

Nie Yannian frowned and asked, "Didn't Xun Mei just give you three hundred taels in reward silver?"

You are the one who should be talking! Meng Yuan could not help laughing.

Nie Yannian laughed as well.

The two arrived at Young Lord Dugu Kang's residence and met the old hanger-on, Scholar Wang.

After a few meaningless words, Nie Yannian straightforwardly took out two one-hundred-tael banknotes. "This hundred taels is for you to drink tea, Brother Wang. As for the rest, distribute it as you see fit."

"Easy enough, easy enough." Scholar Wang did not decline and calmly accepted them.

The three of them began making arrangements outside the Young Lord's garden, in perfect harmony.

After talking for ages, Liu He's name was never even mentioned, yet the matter was settled.

Back at the Training Field, Nie Yannian clasped his hands behind his back and went around asking the young men about their recent progress. Then he had them resume training while he told Meng Yuan to bring over a reclining chair, upon which he sat cross-legged.

"Master Nie, I want to help you with your work!" Meng Yuan's pockets were empty, and his tone sounded like someone trying to join a gang.

Nie Yannian did not answer. He only asked, "How many acupoints have you opened now?"

Meng Yuan did not hide it and directly replied, "The acupoints across my torso, front and back, as well as those in my right arm, are all open now. Only twelve remain."

At this, Nie Yannian frowned and examined Meng Yuan from head to toe. Then he seized Meng Yuan's hand to inspect it. Only after confirming the situation did he smile.

"You really do have some ability, damn it!" Nie Yannian smacked his lips. "I remember telling you that a martial artist's rank matters more than money. For now, train hard. Enter Eighth Rank quickly, and then I will take you to do big business!"

Seeing there was such a good opportunity, Meng Yuan hurriedly agreed.

"Every spring, the Martial Arts Schools in the city fight over recruits. This year, some yellow-haired brat and an old woman are fighting particularly fiercely—they have even resorted to assassination. I need to go lend a hand." Nie Yannian rose, pulled out two hundred-tael banknotes, hesitated for a long while, then stuffed them into Meng Yuan's hand.

That expression of his reminded Meng Yuan of the way Xiang Ling had previously given him travel money.

"I cannot sweet-talk women, and you cannot make money!" Nie Yannian stood up and proclaimed proudly, already striding toward the exit.

But Meng Yuan would not let him leave. "Master Nie, our spring clothes still have not been issued. Hu Qian and Wu Changsheng have mentioned it to me several times."

"You handle those matters yourselves. I have too much to do. I need to put my energy into the Martial Arts Schools!"

Nie Yannian even tapped Meng Yuan on the nose, offering encouragement. "In a few days, the Princess Consort will go out to enjoy the spring. If you can enter Eighth Rank, I will take you to meet the Princess Consort!"

Meng Yuan had always heard that the Princess Consort possessed beauty that could topple kingdoms and cities. Yet he had castrated men for her for so long and practiced blades for so long, without ever getting to see her. He had not expected an opportunity to arrive so soon.

Seeing Meng Yuan remain silent, Nie Yannian instead rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to make a grand effort—as though he were prepared to risk his life protecting the Princess Consort, or perhaps drill the craft of a castrator.