NOVEL NEXT Chapter 365: Moving In
Chapter 365: Moving In
A few days later.
The imperial capital.
The residential area for nobles and ministers.
This place was neither as busy and lively as the commoners’ quarters where the hustle and bustle of everyday life was omnipresent, nor as ostentatious and extravagant as the wealthy neighborhoods.
Here, ancient trees cast long shadows, and the environment was serene. Everyone who came and went seemed friendly, with polite smiles on their faces. The children of each household were well-behaved and respectful-at least when the doors were open. What happened behind closed doors was another matter entirely.
Over the past few days, a magnificent mansion had been constructed at breakneck speed. Judging by its scale, it surpassed all other noble and ministerial residences, rivaling even those of royal princes. It was clear that a new influential figure had taken up residence here.
Xu Lian stepped out of the newly completed mansion. Behind him, the Minister of Works, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile, bowed slightly, almost like a servant. “Master Imperial Preceptor, if there is anything you are not satisfied with, please let me know. I will order changes immediately.”
Xu Lian waved his hand dismissively. “No need. This is fine.”
The Minister of Works beamed even more brightly. “If Master Imperial Preceptor is satisfied, then this humble servant can rest easy when he reports to His Majesty.”
Xu Lian bowed slightly to say goodbye.
The Minister of Works hastily returned the gesture, but stopped after taking a few steps. Turning back with a grin, he said, “Master Imperial Preceptor, your household currently only has two wives. Isn’t that a bit too few?”
As if performing a magic trick, he pulled out a stack of illustrated albums from his storage pouch and handed them to Xu Lian with both hands. Smiling broadly, he added, “These are portraits of unmarried maidens from my family. Please take a look at them, Master Imperial Preceptor. If any of them were to marry into your esteemed household, it would truly be a blessing for them across several lifetimes.”
Seemingly afraid that Xu Lian might misunderstand, the Minister of Works sighed dramatically. “I have no choice, Master Imperial Preceptor. My mother nags me day and night, insisting that I introduce you to her precious granddaughters. Please forgive this humble servant.”
“…” Xu Lian’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was indeed awkward. After all, the Minister of Works was a high-ranking official – a first-rank minister – and it wouldn’t do to offend him outright. Reluctantly, Xu Lian accepted the album and began flipping through it page by page.
In fact, since the conclusion of the recent court session, Xu Lian had already received numerous matchmaking proposals from nobles and ministers. However, Ning Meixue, his second senior sister, and Huangpu Shuyi, his junior sister, kept a close watch on him, never leaving his side. As a result, he had no choice but to politely decline these offers.
It wasn’t as if Ning Meixue and Huangpu Shuyi were jealous or competing for his affection. Rather, they simply didn’t want his attention to be diverted to other women. Consequently, the two had formed a united front against external suitors, and their relationship had returned to its previous harmony.
Now, Xu Lian had seized the opportunity to step out with the Minister of Works to inspect his newly built mansion. Without hesitation, he pointed to the album and began making comments. “Hmm, this one looks good at the beginning. No wonder she’s on the first page-she stands out.”
“This one in the middle is also acceptable. Hiding her so deep – is she playing hide and seek with me?”
“And this one at the end is also excellent. A fitting finale indeed.”
With each selection, the Minister of Works’ smile grew wider, indicating that his relationship with this promising young Guoshi had grown closer with every passing moment.
Not wanting to inflate the Minister’s ego too much, Xu Lian reluctantly stopped pointing and handed the album back. “That’s enough for now.”
However, the Minister of Works chuckled and pushed the album back into Xu Lian’s hands. “Please keep it, Master Imperial Preceptor. You can take a look at it whenever you have some free time.”
Good heavens, was this guy’s thinking really so narrow? Who would flip through such albums in their spare time? But since it was offered in good faith, Xu Lian couldn’t bring himself to reject it outright. With a resigned sigh, he quietly tucked the album into his storage pouch.
Before leaving, the Minister of Works added, “When you hold the house-warming banquet, be sure to invite me for a celebratory drink!” Satisfied, he took his leave.
The housewarming banquet came sooner than expected. Xu Lian briefly discussed it with Ning Meixue and Huangpu Shuyi. To his surprise, the two of them were eager to move into the new mansion that very evening.
Left with no choice, Xu Lian complied with the wishes of his two wives and moved into the newly completed Imperial Preceptor Mansion that very night.
According to the arrangements of the two ladies, invitations were sent out like snowflakes to all the nobles and ministers in the city.
When they heard that the Imperial Preceptor was holding a house-warming banquet that night, the nobles and ministers scrambled to prepare gifts. Even those who hadn’t received invitations still planned to attend – it was an event not to be missed. Those who had received invitations felt doubly justified in coming.
As a result, the entire area buzzed with activity. Lavish carriages poured out of every household, all heading for the newly built Imperial Preceptor Mansion. For a while, the streets were jammed.
It was worth noting that following the conclusion of the recent court session, Huangpu Shuyi had officially married Xu Lian, becoming his main wife-or rather, a co-wife with equal standing to Ning Meixue.
Ning Meixue had no choice. Huangpu Shuyi’s position as a direct member of the royal family wasn’t just her own decision – it also reflected the intentions of the upper echelons of the royal family. They wanted to bring Xu Lian closer to the royal family, and marriage was undoubtedly the best way to achieve this.
In fact, the higher-ups of the royal family felt that a mere princess of a branch family wasn’t enough to show their high regard for Xu Lian. They even suggested an unmarried eldest princess from the main line.
However, Ning Meixue and Huangpu Shuyi were afraid that the high status of the eldest princess would undermine their own positions with Xu Lian, so they urged him to refuse. Out of consideration for their feelings, Xu Lian agreed, stating that having one princess as his wife was sufficient to solidify his ties with the royal family. There was no need to marry the eldest princess. The royal family relented.
Inside the Imperial Preceptor’s residence, the lights blazed brightly, and outside the gates, carriages streamed in like a river.
Xu Lian, Marquis Qin, and Qin Song stood at the entrance to greet the arriving nobles and ministers.
The carriages of the nobles and ministers stopped far away from the gate. One by one, they disembarked, for at the entrance to the Imperial Preceptor’s residence was a stone tablet personally given by the imperial court. Inscribed on it were the words: “Disembark and descend.” This was a clear sign of the Empire’s immense respect for the Imperial Preceptor, and no one dared show arrogance or carelessness.
After all, even the slightest misstep-delaying dismounting or descending-could lead to a rival submitting a report to the new emperor, First Prince. Such a result would be disastrous.
These experienced nobles and ministers, cunning as foxes, would never make such a mistake. Smiling broadly, they rushed over and bowed respectfully to Xu Lian from afar.
“How could we bother the Imperial Preceptor and Marquis Qin to welcome us personally?”
“The Imperial Preceptor is far too humble and approachable – it humiliates us greatly.”
Xu Lian stared blankly, his mind reeling. It was understandable that the nobles and ministers brought their legitimate sons and grandsons to the house-warming banquet, but why did they bring so many young women? Were their families struggling to make ends meet?
The nobles and ministers exchanged knowing glances, none of them mocking the others. After all, weren’t they all here to curry favor with the promising Imperial Preceptor? There was no shame in that.
After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Xu Lian wanted to lead the nobles and ministers inside. However, they showed no intention of entering quickly, instead introducing the young women they had brought with them, leaving Xu Lian utterly confused.
Marquis Qin came to his rescue. “Dear colleagues, please go inside. The banquet is already prepared. With so many people standing at the entrance, other guests won’t be able to enter.”
Qin Song’s expression grew solemn as he scrutinized these noble-born young women. In his view, his second brother had been obsessed with alchemy for a long time and wouldn’t be able to handle such a large number of women. This burden would eventually fall on him.
At that moment, a golden tablet, shining like a slim sun, flew in from the Empire’s sacred grounds. Under the watchful eyes of the entire city, it settled atop the lintel of the Grand Preceptor’s newly completed residence. Five towering characters were inscribed on it: “Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.”
Each character was bold and elegant, resembling ascending dragons and faintly emanating the aura of a supreme being.
A tablet personally inscribed by a Supreme!
The hearts of the nobles and ministers trembled, and their eyes turned red with envy. Their gazes at Xu Lian became even more fervent. If even a Supreme had personally acknowledged the importance of the Grand Preceptor, his standing within the empire was beyond question.
Xu Lian and Marquis Qin struggled greatly to finally usher the now overwhelmed nobles and ministers into the residence.