Settling Matters

Meng Yuan returned to the Royal Residence and walked south towards the Tranquil Garden.

Today's incident was not a big deal, and Meng Yuan was in the right. It wasn't the Young Lord who was injured, but merely a servant of a family.

Therefore, Meng Yuan wasn't too worried, and he also had Master Nie to back him up.

Of course, this time he had completely offended Steward Liu. But Meng Yuan was confident in his strength and wasn't afraid of Steward Liu's retaliation.

Upon arriving at Xun Mei's office, he asked a young maid to announce him before entering.

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

She had promoted Meng Yuan, so she didn't stand on ceremony with him.

"Before noon today, I heard shouting on the Training Field. Did you start it?" Xun Mei asked without looking up, while working the abacus.

Was it that set of shouts for training dead soldiers?

He had to admit it. Meng Yuan immediately said, "Whatever was on my mind just came out. Did I disturb you, Mei-jie?"

"It wasn't a disturbance," Xun Mei looked up, smiled at Meng Yuan, and said, "I know you are loyal to the Princess Consort, and I know you want to do things for her. But you just need to keep it in your heart; there will be a time for you to contribute in the future. Don't lead them in shouting slogans anymore. The Princess Consort likes peace and quiet."

As expected, there were no fools. After all, Xun Mei was educated and knew that those words were a bit off.

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

"Right, what brings you here?" Xun Mei bent back over her desk to calculate accounts.

"I hit Steward Liu's son at the Drunken Moon Pavilion," Meng Yuan said directly.

Xun Mei was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Meng Yuan and asked curiously, "Drunken Moon Pavilion? Why did you go there?"

"I borrowed money from Master Nie," Meng Yuan said.

"..." Xun Mei rubbed her temples and said seriously, "Didn't I just give you a three hundred tael reward? The Royal Residence doesn't lack food or drink for you, so why borrow money?"

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

"..." Xun Mei found it unbelievable. "Did you go drinking with courtesans? Didn't I tell you not to learn bad habits from Uncle Nie?"

"No, Master Nie wanted to go, but I firmly refused. We just went to the Drunken Moon Pavilion. I didn't know Dream Lake Spring was expensive and bought several jars, so I ran out of money," Meng Yuan said.

Xun Mei held her forehead. "That's a place for literati and refined guests. The price is more than double that of other places. Uncle Nie is really something. The Drunken Moon Pavilion is Nie Qingqing's business in the first place, so why did he make you pay? He's taking advantage of your honesty!"

Meng Yuan didn't say anything, tacitly agreeing.

"And how did you hit Liu He?" Xun Mei asked curiously.

Meng Yuan remained honest and recounted how Nie Qingqing invited them to eat, the Young Lord wrote poetry, and Liu He flattered him.

"Master Nie taught me martial arts and guided me greatly. His kindness is second only to the Princess Consort and Mei-jie. How could I allow others to bully his daughter?" Meng Yuan was very upright.

"Hitting people is wrong. However, what you did wasn't entirely wrong either," Xun Mei nodded slightly, her expression unchanged, clearly not thinking it was a big deal.

"Mei-jie, that Steward Liu is from the Princess Consort's hometown, so why did his son become the Young Lord's attendant? Master Nie taught me that my body and heart can only be loyal to the Princess Consort alone, not even Prince Xin," Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"Everyone wants to climb higher. We can't force them and unnecessarily delay their future," Xun Mei said with a smile.

Seeing that Xun Mei had already said "we," Meng Yuan knew the matter was settled.

Indeed, Xun Mei smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry about this matter. In fact, the Young Lord is most honest and has always been immersed in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, not paying much attention to other things."

Meng Yuan understood clearly. This meant the Young Lord was foolish and would forget about this matter after a while, but they had to guard against someone bringing it up around him.

"Go back and practice martial arts with peace of mind. I'll make a trip later," Xun Mei took the matter upon herself and then said seriously, "If you need money again in the future, come and tell me. Also, I know Uncle Nie values you, and you are close to him, but don't learn bad things from him."

"Thank you, Mei-jie," Meng Yuan expressed his sincere gratitude.

Just as he was about to leave, Nie Yannian rushed in from outside.

"You brat, I haven't seen you for a while, and you've caused trouble again!" Nie Yannian pointed at Meng Yuan as soon as he entered, looking displeased.

"Uncle Nie," Xun Mei stood up and said, "He acted righteously for you and Qingqing, not causing trouble without reason. There's no need to be overly harsh."

Hearing this, Nie Yannian glanced at Meng Yuan and thought to himself, I really did guess right. How long has it been, and the matter is already settled.

"Uncle Nie, I'll make a trip for this matter. It's not a big deal," Xun Mei said.

"You have a lot of things to do, I'll go!" Nie Yannian immediately refused. "After all, he's someone I brought out, so I should handle it."

"Alright," Xun Mei didn't try to take over and didn't question Nie Yannian's methods, clearly knowing his capabilities.

After a few polite pleasantries, Nie Yannian pulled Meng Yuan out together.

"It's a waste of your talent that you don't hang out in pleasure houses!" Nie Yannian's first words were unpleasant.

"Then maybe Master Nie can take me to broaden my horizons another day," Meng Yuan said with a smile.

"Can you write doggerel poetry? If so, then go," Nie Yannian said with a laugh as he walked. "Let's go, we'll settle this matter."

"Will Prince Xin inquire about it?" Meng Yuan was more concerned about this question.

"Prince Xin has a reclusive nature and doesn't like to bother with mundane affairs. He doesn't even manage the Young Lord much, so don't worry."

Nie Yannian clearly knew a lot about the affairs of the Royal Residence. "Let's go find Scholar Wang, that old retainer. He's a capable person around the Young Lord, good at flattering! Let him help, and the matter will be settled."

"Can a retainer really settle the matter?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"I said you lack experience, and you really do. The Young Lord is foolish, and the retainers around him are there to make him happy. He also listens to the retainers."

Nie Yannian chuckled, "Those retainers accompany the Young Lord every day, composing poems, enjoying the scenery, and having fun. Making money is one aspect, but restraining the Young Lord is another. Do they dare take the Young Lord to gambling dens or brothels? Prince Xin isn't stupid, he's watching! No one will be wary of such a foolish Young Lord. There's no need to hide his incompetence. Spend a few coins to have people accompany him, don't cause trouble, and a life of wealth and prosperity is guaranteed. In aristocratic families, useless children are all like this!"

"So that's how it is." Meng Yuan truly learned something.

"Remember, some things can be solved with swords. But in fact, most things can be solved with money. If it can be solved with money, don't use a knife." Nie Yannian advised as they walked, "Let's give Scholar Wang some silver so they don't mention you in front of the Young Lord. The Young Lord will forget about you by tonight!"

"Master Nie, I don't have money," Meng Yuan said.

Nie Yannian frowned and asked, "Didn't Xun Mei just give you a three hundred tael reward?"

You're still talking about that! Meng Yuan couldn't help but smile.

Nie Yannian also smiled.

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

After a few pleasantries, Nie Yannian straightforwardly took out two hundred-tael silver notes. "This hundred taels is for you, old brother, for tea. You can distribute the rest as you see fit."

"Easy, easy," Scholar Wang didn't refuse and accepted them openly.

The three of them started scheming outside the Young Lord's garden, in perfect harmony.

After chatting for a long time, they didn't even mention Liu He's name, and the matter was settled.

Back at the training field, Nie Yannian stood with his hands behind his back and asked about the recent situation of each young man. Then he had them train, while he had Meng Yuan bring a lounge chair and sat cross-legged on it.

"Master Nie, I want to help you with things!" Meng Yuan, short on cash, spoke in the tone of someone joining a gang.

Nie Yannian didn't answer, only asking, "How many acupoints have you opened now?"

Meng Yuan didn't hide anything and replied directly, "The acupoints on my torso, front and back, and my right arm are all open. Only twelve remain."

Upon hearing this, Nie Yannian frowned and scrutinized Meng Yuan from head to toe. He then grabbed Meng Yuan's hand to examine it. Only after confirming did he smile.

"You really do have some ability!" Nie Yannian smacked his lips. "I remember telling you that a martial artist's rank is more important than money. You should focus on practicing martial arts now. Hurry and reach the Eighth Rank, and I'll take you to do big business!"

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

"Every spring, the martial arts schools in the city compete for people. This year, a young punk and an old woman are causing the most trouble, even resorting to assassinations. I need to go deal with it." Nie Yannian stood up, took out two hundred-tael silver notes, hesitated for a long while, and then stuffed them into Meng Yuan's hand.

His expression reminded Meng Yuan of how Xiang Ling had given him travel expenses before.

"I'm no good at coaxing women, and you're no good at making money!" Nie Yannian stood up, declared proudly, and started walking out.

But Meng Yuan didn't let him go, saying, "Master Nie, the spring clothes haven't been issued yet. Hu Qian and Wu Changsheng have mentioned it to me several times."

"You guys handle those matters. I have a lot of things to do. I need to focus my energy on the martial arts schools!"

Nie Yannian didn't forget to tap Meng Yuan's nose, encouraging him, "The Princess Consort is going out for a spring outing in a few days. If you can reach the Eighth Rank, I'll take you to see her!"

Meng Yuan had always heard that the Princess Consort was a beauty of unparalleled charm. He had castrated himself for her for so long and practiced his knife skills for so long, yet he had never been able to see her. He didn't expect an opportunity to arise now.

Seeing that Meng Yuan didn't say anything, Nie Yannian instead rolled up his sleeves, looking like he was about to do something big, as if he was going to protect the Princess Consort with his life, or perhaps practice his eunuch skills.