"Your Majesty, I..."
Xun Xu's face was streaked with tears.
Xun Xu was the great-grandson of Xun Shuang, Minister of Works of the Later Han.
He came from an illustrious background, a scion of an immensely powerful great clan.
But he had lost his parents when he was still very young.
He had therefore been sent to his maternal grandfather's home.
Zhong Yao had been very fond of this grandson, believing he would surely achieve extraordinary distinction.
At ten, he could already compose essays and understood the classics, overflowing with talent.
Yet living under someone else's roof was never easy, especially with an uncle who envied the worthy and resented the capable gradually growing up.
After Zhong Yao died, Zhong Yu had done his best to teach him.
But however close they were, he could never quite take a father's place, and this had shaped Xun Xu's almost timid disposition.
Xun Xu had remained cautious and vigilant all his life. In history, whenever he participated in major matters involving imperial edicts, he never spoke of them even after they were announced, unwilling to let others know of his involvement. Those close to him had repeatedly tried to persuade him otherwise.
His younger cousin Xun Liang had once advised him, "You are losing everyone's trust. When you do someone a good turn, you ought to say so. Then more people will cherish your kindness and feel grateful to you."
But in the end, he had refused on the grounds that one ought to act cautiously.
Now, however, he gazed blankly at the emperor.
Ever since losing his father's protection, he had found it hard to straighten his back, often bending it helplessly.
He spoke words he did not mean, protecting himself from any persecution as best he could.
He had said