Chapter 00018: You Are Both Talented and Handsome
# You Are Both Talented and Handsome
Chapter 18
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 18: You Are Both Talented and Handsome
Even if Nian Songyu was fuming with anger, would he dare to openly attack him here?
The two stared at each other like fighting cocks for a long time.
He Yue didn't care, only Sun Fuping stepped in to mediate: "How would Commander Nian know about the affairs of the servants? He will find out when he returns and asks. How exactly did Young Master He get injured? This is a serious matter, let's not beat around the bush."
He Lingchuan sighed: "About fifty days ago, I went hunting in the Gourd Mountain and was attacked by a sand leopard, causing me to fall off a cliff. I was carried back and was unconscious for several days before waking up."
Nian Songyu's eyes almost spat fire: "Why didn't you mention this yesterday?" What was this kid pretending for?
Sun Fuping, however, only asked the key question: "What happened to that sand leopard?"
"It's dead, it was carried back with me," He Lingchuan shrugged.
"After I woke up, I ordered it to be dismembered. That thing nearly killed me, so I had it cut into pieces. The parts were sold in the market."
He casually pointed to the east, "There are plenty of merchants here who are interested in the fur, claws, teeth, tongue, eyes, and inner core of the beast, willing to pay a high price."
"We know what you two are thinking," He Yue chimed in at the right moment.
"Yesterday, we found out that the sand leopard that ambushed my brother was injured by you. Although my father didn't say anything, he has already sent people to investigate the whereabouts of the sand leopard's remains."
The implication in his words was sharp, but unfortunately, it didn't faze the two men opposite him.
Sun Fuping rolled his eyes: "Can Prefect He really find out?"
He Yue smiled: "We will certainly do our best."
Of course, he couldn't make any guarantees.
Sun Fuping was silent for a while before saying: "By the way, before we set out this time, the Grand Marshal wrote a letter mentioning that if we can resolve the crisis in the capital, Prefect He's talents need not be wasted in this remote and harsh place."
The He brothers were both moved: "You mean, no, the Grand Marshal means...?"
"To be transferred back to the capital and promoted to the position of Censor!"
These old officials, when had they ever been so straightforward? He Lingchuan stood up immediately: "The Grand Marshal has a keen eye for talent and his words are as good as gold!" As he spoke, he leaned towards Sun Fuping and extended his hand.
Sun Fuping handed over a letter, the wax seal still unbroken.
Clearly, this was something the Grand Marshal had prepared in advance, specifically to be handed over to He Chunhua.
Although promoting officials wasn't within the Grand Marshal's authority, his prestige in the court and among the people was such that facilitating this matter wouldn't be difficult.
Sun Fuping said indifferently: "I hope Prefect He does not disappoint the Grand Marshal's high expectations."
He Lingchuan beamed: "Of course not."
He Yue also said: "We will do our best to investigate the sand leopard's trail, and I believe we will have news soon."
The two stood up: "Then we will wait for Prefect He's good news."
Sun Fuping was about to leave when Nian Songyu turned to look at He Yue: "Young Master He, how old are you this year?"
"Fourteen."
"I heard in Wangjin that the second son of Prefect He of Qiansong County is intelligent and steady, but I didn't expect him to be so elegant and graceful. Truly, seeing is believing."
Why was this guy suddenly commenting on the second son? He Lingchuan pointed at himself and took over the conversation: "What about me? What do people say about me?"
Nian Songyu smiled: "They say you are a golden exterior."
Everyone knew the unspoken next line, but He Lingchuan was smug: "Good eye, good eye."
He Yue coughed lightly: "Elder brother, see them off."
Before He Lingchuan could turn around, Nian Songyu suddenly said: "The inn where the State Preceptor and I are staying is cramped and shabby. I see that Prefect He's residence has the grandeur of the capital, with many rooms. I wonder if it could accommodate two more guests?"
The He brothers and Sun Fuping were all taken aback.
"Of course..." it was possible.
The He residence had many empty rooms.
He Yue quickly informed Lady Ying, who arranged a guesthouse for each of the two distinguished guests.
Servants rushed to the inn to fetch their luggage, and they were officially settled in.
After a flurry of activity, the two guests were comfortably settled.
When the servants had all dispersed, Nian Songyu looked at the tightly closed gate of the courtyard: "So the leopard is indeed in their hands. That He fellow didn't speak a word of truth. The leopard's body might still be in his house."
"Even if it is, it's well hidden," Sun Fuping met his sinister gaze.
"You're not thinking of climbing over the wall to kill and steal, are you? That won't work. We need to think about the next steps. The Grand Marshal was right, He Chunhua will take advantage of the situation to bargain."
If He Chunhua had obediently followed orders, he wouldn't have brought out the letter prepared by the Grand Marshal.
Nian Songyu sneered: "A mere frontier prefect, a petty official, dares to make such outrageous demands?"
"At this critical moment, he might dare. The Grand Marshal has praised him several times. This man is different from the usual mediocre officials."
Nian Songyu said bitterly: "What a pity, this isn't Wangjin City!"
Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou, his territory.
Sun Fuping shook his head: "The important matter comes first. What these petty officials want is nothing more than promotion and wealth. It's not hard to satisfy them."
"Although the Censor is only a fifth-rank position, it has the power to oversee officials. It's a coveted position. In the past, I might have been envious," Nian Songyu said with a mocking smile.
"But now..."
Sun Fuping's face darkened: "Watch your words!"
...
In the blink of an eye, it was dark.
He Chunhua still hadn't returned; he was truly busy.
The envoy from Baling had arrived in Heishui City, and the local officials were responsible for receiving them.
In the meantime, He Lingchuan went to the official office and personally delivered the Grand Marshal's letter to his father.
He Chunhua, who was usually gentle and composed, couldn't help but slam the table and laugh heartily three times.
After more than twenty years, he had endured the harsh winds and sands of the frontier, and now he was finally returning to the familiar capital!
The place where he was born and raised, the place of the He family's past glory.
He Chunhua even brought out some hidden wine, picked two cups, and grabbed his eldest son to drink three cups with him, feeling indescribably refreshed.
He Lingchuan then realized that his father had secretly hidden fine wine in the official residence, better than any he had ever tasted.
He deliberately put on a puzzled expression: "Father, our life in Heishui City isn't bad. Why are you so eager to go back?"
This was something the original owner would have asked.
He Chunhua looked at him and suddenly stopped smiling.
When he wasn't smiling, his face looked somewhat sinister.
"Foolish child, of course we can't stay here," he said softly and slowly.
"I've endured humiliation and hardship at the frontier for twenty years, waiting for this opportunity, the chance to go back, the chance to rise!"
There was a strange light in He Chunhua's eyes, indescribable, making He Lingchuan feel a bit uneasy.
"The He family cannot stay at the frontier, or else our descendants will forever be frontier people," He Chunhua returned to his usual self in an instant.
"Only by returning to the capital do we have a chance."
He Lingchuan nodded as if he understood.
The word "opportunity" was repeated several times by his father.
What opportunity? What did he want to do with this opportunity?
He Chunhua seemed to regret his outburst.
After three cups of wine, he sent his eldest son home.
There were surprisingly few people on the road.
He Lingchuan kicked away a pebble, pondering his current situation.
How could a father with ambition and ability raise a son like the original owner, a reckless and unruly second-generation heir?
Thinking back carefully, it seemed like He Chunhua had deliberately indulged him.
This was a bit strange.
But when it came to dealing with Nian Songyu and Sun Fuping, father and son should undoubtedly work together.
At this moment, it seemed like his father really needed him to play this role.
In that case, he would continue to be the prodigal son.
After all, if the sky fell, He Chunhua would be there to hold it up.
It was already very dark, long past dinner time, and the He residence was as quiet as usual.
He Lingchuan knew no one at home would be waiting for him to eat, so he planned to go to the kitchen to find some snacks to fill his stomach.
The family cook always hid a pot of goodies in the low cabinet.
Today, it should be apple honey pastries.
He would sneak in and eat them, and no one would protest.
He passed by his second brother's residence.
At this time, He Yue was either reading by candlelight or reviewing scrolls, and he usually didn't wander around the He residence.
But He Lingchuan happened to hear two voices in the bamboo grove.
Two men.
One was He Yue: "... I don't think it's necessary, Commander Nian!"
Commander Nian? He Lingchuan tiptoed closer.
Sure enough, the other person was Nian Songyu.
He Lingchuan saw that his cheeks were flushed, clearly having drunk quite a bit: "Why not? The capital is full of noble families, and the high-ranking officials are arrogant. Even if your father gets promoted and returns, he'll only be a fifth-rank official. How long do you think it will take for you to rise?"
He leaned in closer and smiled: "You are both talented and handsome. If my father recommends you..."
(End of Chapter)