Chapter 13: Enlightenment

Cui Xiu solemnly grasped the visiting card, unable to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Yet, to certain eyes, this scene was particularly grating.

The eldest prince, who had been ordered to guard the border for three years, twitched his eyelids sharply upon hearing his subordinate report the movements of the Cui family. He hurriedly entered the palace for consultation. “Mother, regarding Cui Xiu’s maternal clan…”

Catching a flicker of unease in his son’s eyes, the Empress pressed a vein on her forehead in resignation.

She and her husband had once worked together to seize power, but, in an effort to appear “docile” to the outside world, they had not taught their eldest son much of the art of intrigue, leaving him overly naive.

Regretting this, the Empress spoke bluntly to comfort him: “That matter is in the past; you need not dwell on it. The destruction of the Liu family was ultimately because your father did not wish to appoint a crown prince, using it as leverage against our family.”

Hearing this, the eldest prince felt a sudden, profound sorrow well up within.

Even the Marquis of En, Cui En, dared to desecrate graves, showing disrespect to the emperor. Yet, the punishment was merely for the Cui family’s sons to be confined to study, and Cui En was even placated with a targeted pardon—the release of the courtesans under his control!

Such a blow to the royal dignity was, astonishingly, sanctioned by Emperor Mingde himself.

The reason was his unwillingness to appoint a crown prince, aiming to warn officials against pressing the issue.

“You worry too much about the crown prince position,” the Empress said, her loving expression swiftly turning stern as she caught the anger simmering in the prince’s eyes. “With your father’s cautious nature, he would never rest easy appointing a crown prince without settling the grudges of his generation first.”

“Think about your age compared to your younger brothers, and you’ll understand that your father still favors and protects you,” she lowered her voice. “Your uncles and elders never had a legitimate chance to access military power. Your current posting to the border is a genuine part of your training.”

“R-Really?” the eldest prince asked in surprise.

“Of course it’s true,” the Empress replied with a hint of a smile. “But in these ten years, no new war hero has emerged to command the respect of the generals with remarkable military achievements. So the emperor keeps the Cui family as a sort of honorary plaque. However, this is an open, deliberate strategy. Given the virtues and faults of the Cui clan, even if Cui Qianting takes the imperial exams, there’s no chance he’ll emerge as a successful candidate within ten, or even twenty years.”

“But… isn’t Cui Qianting talented and renowned?” the prince asked, sounding naïvely hopeful.

The Empress laughed more deeply. “Putting aside Emperor Mingde’s disdain for the Cui family, nowadays we emphasize a flourishing era of scholarship! Sons of literary and cultured families are far more respected than those who switch from military to civil service halfway, like the Cui family. Those brilliant scholars from humble backgrounds who rise through study—aren’t they more gifted than Cui Qianting? So what face does Cui Qianting have to claim talent? How can he be confident he’ll pass the exams?”

Faced with this barrage of questions, the eldest prince pondered and then asked, “Mother, are you saying the imperial exams have their own rules? Like the great scholars can recognize Cui Qianting’s handwriting?”

He frowned. “But that can’t be right. Our dynasty has a transcription system to prevent cheating.”

This so-called transcription system involved officials entering the exam hall after the test to meticulously copy the candidates’ answer sheets in red ink. The copies were then submitted to the examiners, making it impossible to identify candidates by handwriting alone.

“But there is a saying: ‘A tiger’s nature is hard to change.’” The Empress spoke slowly, revealing some of the bureaucratic tricks. “Everyone’s character shows in their writing, especially in policy essays. Cui Qianting may be somewhat famous, but he is proud and arrogant, convinced of his uniqueness. His words are never mild; every piece criticizes current affairs with sharp language. Even when Cui Zhen was alive, Cui’s political enemies united to block him from passing the exams. Because of this…”

Her voice dropped. “They even held back their own sons to avoid competing with Cui Qianting in the exams.”

Hearing this secret, the eldest prince was shocked but also secretly pleased. “So, if we tell the Cui family this secret, wouldn’t they be grateful?”

“Your father intended to offer a favor, but circumstances changed…” The Empress patted his shoulder gently, her voice edged with menace. “Now, it’s your father who is suppressing Cui Qianting’s progress.”

The prince swallowed nervously. “Then…”

“These matters are none of your concern. I tell you this only so you understand the meaning of ‘everyone has their own path.’ You are going to the border—be friendly with the generals and even the soldiers. Don’t let them secretly plot any hidden rules to block your advancement.” Their eyes met, and her worry was unmistakable. “Remember this, do you understand? Do not act on your own accord!”

Faced with such a piercing and stern gaze, the eldest prince shivered and nodded like a pecking chick. “P-Please rest assured, Mother. I will remember well and not act rashly!”

The Empress, seeing her anxious son, continued her lengthy admonitions before urging him to depart early—to avoid seeming insincere and to honor the emperor’s command: “The Son of Heaven guards the nation’s borders.”

Repeating the phrase three times in his mind, the eldest prince’s eyes shone brightly. As soon as he left Weiyang Palace, he went to bid farewell to the emperor, declaring his immediate journey to Ning City.

Emperor Mingde pressed his hands to his throbbing forehead for a long moment. Seeing the ambition written clearly on his son’s face, as his firstborn, he softened with a fatherly warmth and gave careful instructions before allowing the prince to leave with his family.

The other courtiers watching silently exchanged glances.

They had not expected the emperor’s border order to be so decisive, nor the prince’s departure so swift—leaving even before the eldest princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, and without waiting for the new year. The Rong household’s closure was equally abrupt. The courtiers, after some probing about the princess’s intended husband, found nothing else to exploit and quietly ceased their scheming.

The only one harmed was the eldest princess herself.

She glanced at the documents delivered to her, scanning the printed details of the designated princess’s residence: the former Bai estate on East Creek Lane and surrounding houses, totaling three hundred and sixteen acres.

Her face instantly darkened.

It was well known that the coming-of-age ceremony marked a girl’s maturity.

After the ceremony came the matchmaking and marriage arrangements. Because the wedding rituals were complex, every princess in the Great Zhou prepared their household before her fiancé was named.

But no one had expected that she, the legitimate eldest princess, would be assigned a residence not only modest but also far from the core district where the powerful elite dwelled.

A surge of resentment rose in her chest. Suddenly, she felt that her imperial brother’s probing was correct—the Rong estate, with its vast lands and location among the powerful, was indeed a prime spot!

Such a place belonged to royal sons and heirs!

Unaware, someone was still coveting the Rong estate.

As the year’s end approached and outdoor amusements were impossible, the head of the Rong household, Marquis Cui En, decided to enliven the mansion by ordering a coming-of-age ceremony for the three-year-old Cui Xiu.

Ordinary families held the ceremony when their child began formal schooling and literacy. But the Cui family was different; the ceremony had to coincide with the head of the household’s early rising.

After all, there were many steps, including ancestral rites at the clan shrine.

Thus, the ceremony was always set on New Year’s Eve.

Dressed in his noble robe, Cui En followed the royal entourage to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay respects—worship was a solemn affair; even closed-door study could not exempt them. After the rites, they returned home to hold the coming-of-age ceremony and bathe the Cui family’s children in imperial grace.

Cui Xiu’s age was irrelevant.

Wearing a sparrow-crowned hat and blue robe, the little scholar Cui Xiu strutted proudly behind his eldest uncle in his official robe, obediently following the procession to the ancestral shrine, silently praying for the ancestors’ protection from seizure and exile.

After leaving the shrine, Cui Xiu had a rare chance to walk to the Rong estate’s study hall by himself.

Upon entering, he saw a silver-haired yet youthful-faced old man in a scholar’s robe standing there. Though dressed as a scholar, his brows and eyes bore the spirit of a warrior rather than a literatus.

At a glance, Cui Xiu knew who he was.

This was Pei Xuejing, the honored guest for the coming-of-age ceremony.

Pei Xuejing, aged sixty-three, had served as the secretary to Cui Zhen.

This role involved managing military and political affairs for generals, such as planning provisions—a trusted confidant. From this arose the phrase “a guest behind the curtain,” describing the close relationship.

Thus, given Cui Zhen’s great achievements, Pei Xuejing, his secretary, was now retired at home and served as the Cui family’s tutor.

He was reputed to instruct the Cui children in literature and martial arts and manage household affairs.

Recalling what Nurse Yu had told him, Cui Xiu respectfully bowed and then raised his eyes to gaze upon the portraits of Confucius and… the martial saint Guan Yu.

He lowered his head, restraining his surprise. After all, a New Year’s Eve coming-of-age ceremony was hardly that of a conventional scholar, so paying respects to both saints was only natural.

Elsewhere, Pei Xuejing watched Cui Xiu bow politely, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Glancing at the Duke of Rong beside him, who was yawning, he refused to recall the scenes of Cui En being led in ceremonial rites years ago, and instead focused on the solemn expression of Cui Qianting.

But when he caught Cui Qianting’s cold, piercing gaze, Pei Xuejing stifled his sighs. Following protocol, he spoke a few words, then bent to lightly touch Cui Xiu’s forehead with a brush, opening his wisdom.

He then led Cui Xiu to bow before Confucius, explaining the importance of study in his honored capacity: “Martial might defends the nation; literature governs the nation. The ways of both civil and military require learning and must be studied.”

Suddenly, a fervent flame burned within Cui Xiu’s heart. Excited, he carefully repeated the words one by one.

Hearing the child’s clear yet innocent voice, repeating almost word for word, Pei Xuejing’s pupils contracted. He lowered his gaze at Cui Xiu, who stood still, bowing seriously.

Cui Xiu’s features were striking, clearly resembling Cui Qianting, especially his bright, jet-black eyes, shining with a thirst for knowledge.

This scene truly resembled… resembled the time years ago at the border, when Pei Xuejing, as the honored guest, had opened Cui Qianting’s path to learning.

That small figure spoke every word flawlessly, carrying the hopes of those who had fought countless battles.

Biting back his memories, Pei Xuejing spoke gravely, “The way of learning is first for the nation and its people, then for the family. Virtue must come first.”

As his words fell, even the three-year-old Cui Xiu could discern the subtle melancholy and earnest hope in Pei Xuejing’s voice.

Pondering this, Cui Xiu repeated the phrase solemnly once more.

Seeing Cui Xiu flawlessly and confidently repeat the words again, Pei Xuejing smiled and remarked, “Young Master Xiu is only three years old, yet his speech is clear and precise—truly a promising seedling!”

At these words, Cui Xiu exhaled quietly.

Praised by Pei Xuejing, he could now secretly showcase his ability to read ten lines at a glance and memorize instantly, allowing him to shift some of his study time toward martial arts.

After all, he had already begun training in combat and wanted to top the military examinations someday!