Chapter 13

The so-called aristocratic families were also divided into different levels.

The Wang and Xie family had been officials for generations and they were synonymous with the title of a great aristocratic family.

Xie Xian was a direct descendant of the Xie family, and he had gained a reputation since he was young. At the age of twenty, he had already become the Assistant Minister by the emperor’s side. Everyone knew how much the emperor liked him.

No matter which family he was in, he was someone who brought glory to his family and someone that everyone wanted to befriend.

However, Xie Xian was somewhat different. The various aristocratic families’ evaluation of him was surprisingly consistent. He was a vile person who flattered others.

Aristocratic families were particular about their backgrounds. If their children could retain their family status, they could become an official. If they could write a simple letter, they could become a secretary. Their family status conferred them at least an official title and if they could write a greeting letter, they would directly become secretaries. They were all sixth-rank officials, dignified and at ease.

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They lived a life centered around themselves and of freedom.

Xie Xian, on the other hand, was different from ordinary people. He seemed to be afraid that others would know that he came from a noble family. When he was in his teens, he expressed himself using literature, saying that he did not regard a righteous person based on their family background and that he looked down on those who were also young masters of aristocratic families. The people he hung around were all from lowly backgrounds…

A piece of rat shit spoiled a pot of soup.

However, he was favored by the emperor.

All these years, the emperor had never liked the aristocratic families. He had promoted the lower class, and made them officials and marquises. It seemed that he had been trying hard to suppress the aristocratic families.

Wasn’t Xie Xian just doing what he liked? When he was just starting his mourning period, he was directly promoted by the emperor to his side and became a fifth-grade yellow gatekeeper? He didn’t do anything good after becoming a yellow gatekeeper, but he made the emperor happy, so he was repeatedly used as a role model to others.

Xie Xian – that was an existence like that of havoc.

The hedonistic sons of aristocratic families were already sick of Xie Xian just by looking at his face. They wanted nothing more than to chew him up with wine. Moreover, there was no lack of scheming people among the aristocratic families who viewed Xie Xian as a malignant tumor. He was only twenty years old, yet he had already given advice to the emperor several times. He had also suppressed many aristocratic families under his hand. When he grew older and became fully matured, he might even dig up the ancestral graves and take away all the benefits that these aristocratic families had accumulated for generations.

They really could not understand this fellow. Why?

From his grandfather to his father, all of them died young. The main family was sustained by Xie Xian, who was sick and had no idea how long he could live. He submitted to the emperor and became the emperor’s lackey, seeking a good future for his family? Did he have to be so shameless and have no boundaries?

A degenerate!

The Xie family had been prosperous for generations and had remained even after the change of rulers across many dynasties. This family really had a strong foundation. However, one didn’t expect such an unfilial descendant to appear. He was greedy for achievement and rash. He had offended all the aristocratic families and no one knew what his eventual outcome would be.

It was just that the aristocratic families did not like Xie Xian, but when he really came, they had no choice but to treat him well.

After all, he was different from the commoners of the lower class. He had the entire Xie family behind him. No one knew what kind of attitude the Xie family had towards Xie Xian. But it was not good to offend him.

The eldest son of the Cai family and Xie Xian were both officials in the imperial court. They had interacted with each other many times, so they were very familiar with each other’s speech and tone, so they could easily counter each other’s moves according to the situation.

Xie Xian did not stay for a long time. He left without even finishing the tea.

After leaving the Cai Residence, he went to the Xiao Family.

Both families were outside the city. However, the Cai family was in the south while the Xiao family was in the northeast. They were not far from each other, but because he was weak and could not take a bumpy ride, and the ox cart was slow to begin with, it took him an hour to arrive.

It was already late afternoon by the time he arrived, and it was drizzling from the cloudy sky.

Before he got out of the carriage, his personal manservant, Qing Feng, and Ming Yue lifted the curtain while the other held up an oil paper umbrella to help him get down.

As soon as the curtain was put down, a black cloak was tightly wrapped around Xie Xian’s slender body—

It was not that Qing Feng and Ming Yue were born to serve people. It was mainly because Xie Xian’s body had been weak since he was young. Other people might be fine, but he would easily catch a cold and be bedridden for a few months with just a gust of wind. His body was weak by nature since he was a fetus.

As time passed, practice made perfect.

The sons of aristocratic families did not like Xie Xian, but the strange thing was that wherever he went, he represented the aristocratic families. Xiao Baoshan and Xie Xian were both appointed as yellow gatekeepers, but deep down, he still respected Xie Xian.

After all, he was a descendant of an aristocratic family and was doted on by the emperor. This was the most precious form of favor in the world.

Xiao Baoshan had been subjected to inhumane torture for the past few days. His mental state was dispirited, and his cheeks were so thin that there was no flesh left. It made him look like he was in a bad state.

Both himself and Xie Xian were yellow gatekeepers, so they usually moved around separately. Their interactions were minimal. Basically, other than greeting each other when they met, they had no other relationship.

Although Xie Xian looked weak and had a gentle temperament, he always exuded an aura of aloofness. Especially since he was backed by the Xie family, which was the head of the aristocratic families, Xiao Baoshan always had a sense of awe in his heart and didn’t dare to approach him.

Therefore, Xie Xian’s sudden appearance that day had scared Xiao Baoshan out of his wits so much that he did not know where to place his hands and legs.

Even if he had no sensitivity, Xie Xian coming to the Xiao Residence at such an awkward time, he knew that it was not for a good reason.

With this thought in mind, Xiao Baoshan’s expression became even more gloomy, and his eyebrows were almost vertical.

Xie Xian pretended not to see and casually explained the purpose of his visit. As expected, Xiao Baoshan’s forced front for treating his guests had already collapsed. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he looked extremely pitiful.

Why did His Majesty have so much time on his hands? His family affairs—a matter as small as sesame seeds and green beans—were worth sending out his favorite subject?

Did he not know that this favored subject had a weak constitution and would fall ill easily when the wind blew?

Couldn’t he just pretend that he didn’t hear or see?

“This, this, this, this is just a small matter in my backyard. I actually have to trouble Your Majesty so much. I… am extremely ashamed.”

Xie Xian smiled faintly. “This is not a small matter at the back of the house. The Cai family won’t let it go and they have made a big deal out of it. Every day, His Majesty has received memorials to impeach you.”

“We can’t ignore it,” he said in a meaningful tone.

Xiao Baoshan wasn’t a simpleton, but sometimes he was a bit too stubborn. However, he didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless in court. Otherwise, even if it was because of his father’s protection, he wouldn’t be able to stay by the emperor’s side for long.

Now that he heard the hidden meaning behind Xie Xian’s words, he could no longer care about his dignity. He stood up and bowed to the ground.

“Brother Xie, please save me.”

Xie Xian didn’t say anything for a long time.

What brother? Who was his brother? He was three or four years older than him!

“Brother Xie?” Xiao Baoshan’s eyes were filled with tears. He saw him as his last straw to clutch at. Why did he not finish his sentence, it’s suffocating him to death!

“Assistant Minister Xiao, why don’t you retreat to advance?”

Huh?

Xiao Baoshan was dumbfounded. What did that mean?

“Brother Xie, you mean… you want me to resign from my post?” He tried hard to remain calm, but his suddenly tightened voice did not help, making his words sound like a eunuch’s voice, high-pitched and sharp.

The reluctance to part was obvious.