Chapter 118 — The Heir
Xie Jing had never heard about such a thing before, and for a moment, he was stunned.
Xie Siquan asked, “Did Bao Bao not tell you about it?”
Xie Jing shook his head. Before he could say anything, Xie Siquan said proudly, “I made that promise to your mother when I was thirteen!”
He took Xie Jing around the city and finally sent him home.
Sichuan was divided into the Upper and Lower Cities, named according to the terrain. The Xie family lived in the Upper City. Riding through several streets, Xie Siquan pointed things out to Xie Jing — all of them were Xie family properties. The numerous shops, large and small, were all Xie-owned. One could say that once you entered the city, practically everything you saw belonged to the family.
The Xie residence was festively decorated that day, full of red silk and firecrackers, joyously welcoming the family head’s return.
Xie Siquan dismounted in front of the gate, offered his hand to help Xie Jing down. “Come, let’s go home together.”
Xie Jing handed him his hand; Xie Siquan gripped it tightly and didn’t let go all the way into the house.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xie Jing saw a servant leading Bai Shisi toward the stables. Before he could look again, his eyes were caught by the dazzling sight before him — the whole residence decorated exactly to Xie Siquan’s flamboyant taste. Everywhere bloomed flowers and luxurious silks; if it weren’t for his striking face, he might have been lost in that sea of colors.
The ceremony to recognize Xie Jing as the nephew of the Xie family head was both grand and lively.
Xie Siquan took him to pay respects to the family ancestors. If not for a few elderly clansmen stopping him, insisting on waiting for an auspicious date, he would have immediately added Xie Jing’s name to the family genealogy.
The elders pleaded, “No, no, even if he’s to be adopted, his father is still alive and must be informed. And even if not, an auspicious day must be chosen. Family Head, you mustn’t be reckless!”
Xie Siquan, brush already in hand, looked regretful. “Then when’s the nearest good day?”
“We’ll need the young master’s birth date and hour first. Give us two days to calculate and pick one properly.”
Only then did Xie Siquan put the brush down and return the genealogy. The elders hastily took it and placed it reverently back in its cabinet.
Xie Jing said nothing before outsiders, but once they were alone, he finally spoke. “Uncle, I didn’t know about the salt wells or the adoption…”
Xie Siquan coaxed him, “There’s a lot you don’t know, my dear boy. You’re my only precious treasure — if I don’t give everything to you, who else? Your father’s side is a mess, and you’d only be unhappy there. Better stay in Sichuan with your uncle. And when you were entered in the He family genealogy, I already discussed it with him — your name stays the same, but your surname changes to Xie. He agreed.”
Xie Jing: “…”
Xie Jing murmured, “I don’t think Father meant that.”
Xie Siquan replied without hesitation, “That’s exactly what he meant.”
He Dongting had only agreed not to change his son’s name out of guilt, but he never consented to hand over his only son to his wife’s brother. If he were present, he would have argued fiercely.
But in Sichuan, no one could restrain Xie Siquan. He did whatever he pleased, reckless and unbridled.
The Xie residence hosted a grand banquet in celebration, running for three consecutive days.
Rumors spread wildly — some said the young man was the head’s nephew, others that he was his illegitimate son. Because of the name “Xie Jing,” more people believed the latter.
Over those days, Xie Siquan took Xie Jing around to meet relatives of all kinds, men and women, old and young, all glittering with gold and jewels. Whatever else they were, they were certainly wealthy. They greeted Xie Jing with great enthusiasm, while he remained a little reserved, unsure what to say. Xie Siquan introduced only a few of them; for the rest, he simply told Xie Jing to bow and greet politely, then move along.
Among them were many young and beautiful ladies — likely drawn by the rumors — who came bearing gifts just for a chance to see him.
Standing together, uncle and nephew looked much alike despite their differences: one smiling, one reserved, but their eyes and brows clearly marked their blood relation.
Many a young lady in Sichuan had her dreams shattered overnight.
Back at the Xie estate, Xie Jing received so many gifts over the next few days that his hands were sore from accepting them.
Most of the Xie relatives had never left Sichuan and spoke in the thick local dialect, making conversation somewhat difficult — but gift-giving, of course, transcended language.
For some reason, everyone in the Xie family seemed fond of gold and silver. The first few gifts were boxes of gold ingots, followed by heavy golden longevity locks and other solid pieces. The female elders gifted jewelry — one even presented a full set of ornaments, the pearls on the necklace as large as pigeon eggs. Knowing the value, Xie Jing asked his uncle whether he could accept it.
Xie Siquan said, “They’re from family. Of course you can.”
So Xie Jing kept them. The gifts filled boxes that piled up in his room. After glancing through them once, he handed everything to Grandma Kou to sort and store. Quietly, he said, “I didn’t know our family was this big.”
Grandma Kou was equally astonished. She barely recognized a few of the older generation today; the younger ones were strangers. After some thought, she asked, “That young man who brought the longevity lock — is he the son of the old master’s cousin?”
Xie Siquan, toying with a gold chain, said lazily, “Yes.”
Grandma Kou said, “Seems steadier than his parents — decent and well-spoken.”
Xie Siquan snorted. “Those bad habits of theirs, I’ve long since cured them. Don’t worry, Baobao — they’re obedient now. The ones who weren’t, I’ve already driven out of the Upper City.”
Xie Jing glanced at him — that was, indeed, entirely his uncle’s style.
Grandma Kou spent a long time organizing all the gold and jewelry, sighing at the two full chests of valuables. “If I’d known it would be like this, we should’ve brought Jing’er back years ago — then he wouldn’t have suffered outside.”
Xie Jing said, “I think the North was fine too. Lord Bai Jiu treated both Uncle and me the same.”
Grandma Kou smiled. “It’s not the same — this is your blood uncle.”
Though Xie Siquan said nothing, he glanced over, clearly waiting for his nephew to praise him.
Xie Jing didn’t answer. He lowered his eyes and picked out two small gold-and-jade ornaments from the chest, setting them aside. They would make perfect fan pendants for Lord Bai Jiu.
Seeing him selecting a few items, Grandma Kou smiled, “You should keep a few for yourself. You always dress so plainly — a little sparkle would suit you.” She assumed he was choosing for his own use since the items were clearly masculine in design, and she even helped him pick.
Xie Siquan glanced over and saw Xie Jing take a pair of white jade lions. Casually, he asked, “For yourself or as a gift?”
Xie Jing replied, “Both.”
Xie Siquan’s gaze lingered on the pair of lions, but he said nothing more.
After spending a bit more time with Xie Jing, he yawned and went back to his own courtyard to sleep.
The Xie residence was vast; his quarters alone had two courtyards. In the front hall were wide ceramic jars with lotus and koi. At night, as he returned under the moonlight, the air was laced with faint lotus fragrance and the quiet splash of fish leaping.
Xu Jun was waiting for him inside.
A lamp burned on the table beside a tall stack of ledgers, which Xu Jun was carefully reading.
Seeing that scene as he entered, Xie Siquan immediately felt a headache coming.
Xu Jun looked all businesslike, ready to talk serious matters. Xie Siquan raised a hand. “Stop right there. Give me a minute — at least let me wash up.”
After washing his face, Xie Siquan strode over and sat astride Xu Jun’s lap, looping an arm around his neck. Leaning close, he sniffed and murmured, “What’s this?”
Xu Jun’s throat bobbed; he tried to stay calm. “Don’t change the subject. We’re finishing these accounts tonight.”
Xie Siquan’s nose nearly brushed his as he spoke, his lips feather-light. “Did you change my bamboo salt? It tastes different.”
Xu Jun gripped the ledger so tightly his knuckles turned white, trying to keep his composure.
He could already guess what Xie Siquan was about to do.
And when the man leaned in and said he should “taste it himself,” Xu Jun tried to push him away — twice — but ultimately couldn’t.
…
Their clothes fell to the floor.
There were several pieces of clothing on the table, on the stool, and all the way to the bedside. The two pieces of clothing piled up in front of the bed were not from the same person. One of the robes, a lake-blue one, had a string of white jade Buddhist prayer beads on it.
The bed curtains covered most of the room, and it wasn’t until it was light outside that there was any movement.
Xu Jun got up and dressed, putting the Buddhist prayer beads on his chest. He returned to his usual serious demeanor. However, upon closer inspection, it was easy to see that the second-in-command was in a good mood today, and his complexion was much better.
After tidying himself up, Xu Jun took a new set of clothes from the closet and gave them to Xie Siquan. He placed them by the bedside, glanced at Xie Siquan, and asked, “Where did the string of Buddhist prayer beads I gave you go? I haven’t seen you wearing them.”
Xie Siquan lay there with his arm as a pillow, still lazily savoring the moment, before finally saying, “I gave it to Jing’er.”
Xu Jun paused in adjusting his collar, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly: “That was for you.”
“It’s nothing rare, I’ll just have a few strings blessed later.”
Xu Jun remained silent.
Xie Siquan was used to being waited on, so he raised his hand to let Xu Jun dress him. He was still a little sleepy and yawned twice. While Xu Jun was dressing him, Xie Siquan glanced at himself in the bronze mirror next to him. The bronze mirror, which was as tall as a person, was so bright that it reflected his image. Looking at it this way, it looked as if Xu Jun was bending down to hug him.
Xu Jun kept his head down and did his work. Xie Siquan, the head of the Xie family, was wearing a white silk robe with a dark floral pattern. There was a row of white jade carved Buddha’s hand buttons at the collar. Xu Jun fastened them one by one. When he saw Xie Siquan’s fingers running across his neck, he couldn’t help but touch them lightly as well.
Xie Siquan grasped his wrist and said, “That’s enough. We still have things to do today. Also, you’re not allowed to leave any marks here in the future. Jing’er saw them last time.”
Xu Jun said coldly, “So what if he saw it? It’s not like it’s anything rare.”
Xie Siquan pinched his chin and sneered, “—Getting jealous so early in the morning, why are you so jealous? It’s just that I gave away one of your bracelets, I’ll make it up to you.”
Xu Jun looked up, his gaze filled with anger, but Xie Siquan immediately kissed him, and he asked vaguely while biting his lip, “How about I compensate you with this?”
Xie Siquan licked him, his tongue gently moving in and out of his lips.
Xu Jun’s heart pounded. He stared at him for a moment, especially at those thin lips, his eyes fixed on them.
Xie Siquan chuckled at him.
Xu Jun got annoyed and tightened his belt, deliberately squeezing him: “You’re playing tricks on me again!”
Xie Siquan braced himself on his arm, exclaimed, and quickly said, “I’m not kidding you, I’m not kidding you, this time it’s for real, I’ll make it up to you later, let go a little, I can’t breathe—”
Although Xu Jun was angry, he loosened his grip a little and followed Xie Siquan with a sour face.
As Xie Siquan was about to leave, he looked at the account books on the table and said with a headache, “Oh no, I haven’t looked at these yet.”
Xu Jun: “I’ve seen it.”
When did you watch it?
“Last night, after you fell asleep.”
Xie Siquan looked at him carefully for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, “I knew you were capable. Come on, I’ll go to the city to meet those people. You stay home today and take care of Jing’er for me.”
Xu Jun nodded in agreement and accompanied the head of the Xie family to the gate to see him off. He then turned back and gave orders to his men. He had been doing these tasks for years and was adept at everything, inside and out. He was used to it and it was no different from doing it in his own home.
After taking care of all that, he took a few servants to find Granny Kou.
Grandma Kou and Xie Jing lived in the same courtyard, along with the guards who had come with the Bai family. When Xu Jun arrived, Xie Jing was training with the guards in the courtyard. The large courtyard had straw targets set up at both the north and south ends, and several simple wooden stakes for people to practice boxing. Everyone in the courtyard was sweating profusely, and some had even taken off their outer shirts and were practicing bare-chested.
Xie Jing held a soft whip in his hand. It was a long, thin black whip, and the material of which was unknown. It looked like a slender, supple black snake coiled around one of his arms. When Xu Jun wanted to take another look, Xie Jing lowered his hand, and his sleeve fell down, covering most of it. Only a small part of it could be vaguely seen.
Xie Jing walked over and greeted him: “Brother Xu, what brings you here?”
Xu Jun said, “Although I am not much older than you, I am of the same generation as your uncle. If you are willing, you can call me Second Master.”
Xie Jing readily complied and called out, “Second Master.”
Xu Jun called over a few maids and said, “These are the people your uncle chose beforehand. They have a clean and reliable background. Grandma is getting old, so having more people to take care of you will allow you to focus on your work without worry.”
Grandma Kou used to live a good life with only Li Yuan by her side. She wasn’t used to having so many people, so she only kept two younger maids to help with delicate tasks like sewing in the room. Xu Jun didn’t insist on keeping them, and instead assigned two more servants to do rough work like sweeping and cleaning in the yard.
The other rooms in the courtyard were also occupied, housing the guards Xie Jing had brought from the Bai family.
Xu Jun stood aside and observed for a moment, and found that Xie Jing’s thoughts were very different from his.
Xie Jing seemed to treat everyone around him the same way. He never delegated anything he could do to others and was extremely diligent. Even after suddenly changing his status, he didn’t show any signs of being a spoiled young master. Especially towards the guards of the Bai family’s East Courtyard, Xie Jing was always polite and courteous, even calling them “Senior Brother” when sparring with them.
—There was a guard resting nearby who had just finished sparring with Xie Jing. Xu Jun walked over and whispered to him, wanting to inquire about Xie Jing’s past.
The guard was Wang Su, who had a good relationship with Xie Jing. Back in the north, he was the one who often took people to Granny Kou’s restaurant. Hearing Xu Jun’s question, he immediately said, “Little Xie is amazing!”
Xu Jun: “How powerful is it?”
Wang Su puffed out his chest proudly: “He is the most learned and best-read person among us!”
Xu Jun disagreed, thinking that being literate was considered a sign of being a scholar in the guard team.
“Little Xie spent a winter at the Heihe Winery and learned German from the German engineers there. He also learned English from Lord Bai Jiu. In addition, he studied under Mr. Huang Mingyou and can write beautiful articles—you know Mr. Huang, right?” Seeing Xu Jun nod, he continued, “Little Xie is exceptionally fast at accounting. I’m not bragging, but Little Xie can flip through those thick ledgers and know the numbers at a glance! I heard from the Second Young Master that Little Xie can do everything except play chess.”
Xu Jun was stunned, but quickly became puzzled: “Isn’t he a guard in the Bai family?”
Wang Su said, “Yes, Little Xie is our master’s youngest apprentice, his last disciple. He’s incredibly skilled at shooting!”
Xu Jun: “…”
Xu Jun looked at Xie Jing, who was gesturing to someone in the courtyard, and couldn’t believe it. The Xie family had never produced a scholar. If what the guard said was true, then the Xie family’s ancestral graves were truly blessed.
Xu Jun stood there for a while, and when Xie Jing was resting, he went to find him and asked to take him somewhere.
Xie Jing changed his clothes and went out to follow, with Wang Su following behind.
Xu Jun glanced at him, then looked at Xie Jing.
Xie Jing didn’t think anything was wrong, so he stopped and asked, “Where are we going? Do we need to dress formally?”
Xu Jun shook his head and said calmly, “It’s nothing, let’s leave it at that.”
Xu Jun did not take Xie Jing to see those relatives today, but instead took him to the ancestral hall. When they arrived at the gate of the small building, he glanced at Wang Su and said, “This is the Xie family ancestral hall. Outsiders are not allowed to enter. Please stay here.”
Wang Su stopped instinctively, but quickly scratched his head, looking at their retreating figures with some confusion. Why did Xu Jun go in? He’s not surnamed Xie either.
Author’s Note:
When the two leaders disagree—
Xie Siquan: Simple, watch me seduce him.
