Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Chapter 163: New Year’s Celebration Oh Wait, Its Not, But Still Pushing for Marriage! (2 / 2)

Before he could investigate, there came a knock at the door. Someone outside called out, “Cui Yi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is here. Is Xu Lang at home?”

Lian Hang: “…”

Feigning ignorance was pointless. Everyone knew Xu Yanmiao was home thanks to his ability to hear thoughts.

Xu Yanmiao opened the door, puzzled—his home lacked a doorman or servants, so he handled everything himself.

“How may I help—”

He froze.

He hadn’t noticed before, but Cui Yi seemed to be walking oddly.

[Ohhh!]

[Caught at a brothel by his wife! She beat him black and blue. His face finally healed, but his leg is still limping.]

Cui Yi forced a stiff smile.

Indeed.

When Xu Yanmiao asked the purpose of his visit, Cui Yi composed himself and launched into a speech.

The main point? Cui Yi, being somewhat well-off, had heard about the plight of the courtesans and wanted to offer them employment. He also invited Xu Lang to contribute donations.

—The donation was just a pretense. What Cui Yi really wanted was for Xu Lang to know: Yes, I did this good deed. Remember that!

“My wife’s family owns several estates with orchards. The courtesans could tend to the trees,” Cui Yi explained.

“I also have several ponds full of fish and shellfish. They could help with that too.”

“And if they’re willing to work with livestock, my ranches could use the extra hands.”

“If they are willing to learn, they could also manage mulberry and sandalwood groves.”

“For those skilled in needlework, my wife can help connect them with opportunities for embroidery work.”

“They can also be employed for washing and laundering.”

As Cui Yi elaborated on his plans, Xu Yanmiao’s eyes seemed to brighten with each word. Like a proud rooster flaunting his colorful tail feathers, Cui Yi grew even more animated, eager to detail the arrangements he’d made for the courtesans’ futures.

Cui Yi could hardly contain his amusement at how his colleagues would react to this.

This—this was a golden opportunity! Far more effective than simply giving money or making awkward conversation, this was a way to truly leave an impression.

Only a fool would prioritize a few fleeting nights with courtesans over winning favor with Little Baize!

As for the risk of retaliation or being slighted later—well, what action in politics didn’t provoke resentment? If you feared that, you’d best avoid being an official altogether.

After completing his presentation, Cui Yi accepted a modest donation from the gracious Xu Lang—not daring to take too much—saying he planned to visit all households and needed only 50 to 100 copper coins from each. No more, no less.

With his task complete, Cui Yi strode out of the house, head held high, only to immediately run into an official from the Ministry of Justice just ten steps from Xu Yanmiao’s door.

Their eyes met, and after a brief pause, they tacitly decided to ignore each other’s presence.

When the Ministry of Justice official entered, Cui Yi heard a thought behind him:

[Huh? What’s with today? Another one here asking for donations?]

Cui Yi sighed in regret.

So, he wasn’t the only one with a sharp mind, after all.

Shaking off his disappointment, he hurried home to discuss the matter with his wife. He’d already planned it out—his wife would handle everything publicly to avoid any rumors about him being soft-hearted or hiding courtesans.

Xu Yanmiao kept a vigilant eye on how the donations were used. Only when he confirmed that the courtesans had been provided legitimate jobs did he finally relax.

Of course, some women were unwilling to work and insisted on continuing in the flesh trade. In such cases, the Cui family and several officials’ households assigned overseers to enforce strict rules: either they starve or earn money through proper means.

[Such benevolent people.]

After court that day, in the Wuying Hall, the elderly emperor could no longer tolerate hearing the new aide Xu Yanmiao’s repeated musings. Dragging him over, the emperor asked, “What do you think of the newly established Commerce Council?”

The Commerce Council was a new department composed of merchants, both men and women, all renowned magnates of their time, tasked with advising the court on economic matters.

Xu Yanmiao smiled modestly, his demeanor both polite and scholarly. “Your Majesty, will these merchants still be allowed to conduct business?”

The emperor raised an eyebrow. “Naturally, they will not.”

Officials were strictly prohibited from engaging in commerce, as the potential for corruption was too great. Those who wished to hold office had to give up their businesses, a stringent rule that many merchants nonetheless willingly accepted.

To cross from the merchant class to the ruling elite, sacrificing their business ventures seemed a small price to pay.

Xu Yanmiao replied calmly, “In that case, the Commerce Council’s regulations are already well-structured. I have no further opinions.”

The emperor nodded but then, struck by a sudden thought, asked, “Xu Yanmiao, how old are you this year? Have you come of age?”

“Your Majesty, this minister is nineteen years old and has not yet reached adulthood.”

Strictly speaking, Xu Lang was still a minor.

The emperor’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Do you have a betrothal or a lady you fancy?”

Xu Yanmiao was utterly taken aback.

[Could it be…?]

The emperor broke into a grin. “Exactly. I wish to arrange a marriage for you.”

Realizing his guess was correct, Xu Yanmiao was far from pleased.

Looking troubled, he responded, “Your Majesty, I think—”

The emperor interrupted, coaxing him like a father: “Marriage can be wonderful. To have a wife and children is one of life’s greatest joys.”

Xu Yanmiao still looked unconvinced.

[For example?] His thoughts were filled with skepticism.

The emperor continued, unfazed, “For example, after a long day at the office, you could come home to a hot meal waiting for you.”

[I can order takeout! Oh wait, it’s called ‘summoning food’ here.]

The emperor paused, slightly adjusting his approach. “Sure, you could dine at a restaurant. But eating out every day might drain your salary. And what about during the holidays when restaurants close? Where will you get your meals then? With a wife, it’s different…”

[What if my wife can’t cook? Or won’t cook? And even if she could, what happens when she goes home for the holidays, leaving me behind because my leave is too short? I’d still need to cook for myself.]

The emperor faltered for a moment but quickly recovered. “True, but before leaving for her family, your wife would surely prepare all your favorite dishes, storing them in the ice cellar. You’d have meals ready for days without repetition.”

[Huh? So why can’t a restaurant prepare and store meals for me just the same? Or better yet, I could hire a cook—it wouldn’t cost much.]

The emperor: “…”

Doesn’t this man understand the charm of a warm, bustling home?

Swallowing his frustration, the emperor forced a smile. “Besides children, you could also keep cats and dogs. I noticed you seem to like them—you even mimicked their sounds on the street. Raising such companions is best done with a partner…”

[If a divorce happens because of unforeseen circumstances, will the cat be mine or hers? If the cat goes to me after the divorce, and I remarry, but my second wife also divorces me, and she loves the cat too, will there be a chance the cat is awarded to her? If not, what if she becomes resentful and tries to steal the cat?!]

The emperor’s temple throbbed with a vein visibly pulsing. “…”

Can’t you think of something positive for once?!

“Even putting all that aside, you still need a wife to bear children and carry on your family line.”

[Hahahahaha!]

Xu Yanmiao’s inner thoughts erupted into a thunderous burst of laughter that startled the emperor. [I can barely afford to take care of myself, and you expect me to raise children in the competitive chaos of the capital? No way!]

Xu Yanmiao declared with firm resolve, [I’m not stupid!!!]

The emperor: …

Fine. You’re not stupid. Clearly, I’m the stupid one.

After suppressing his frustration, the emperor suddenly had a realization.

Could it be… Xu Yanmiao was so terrified by the diseases associated with brothels that he dared not marry at all? This wouldn’t do! How could a man not marry or have descendants?

“Come!” the emperor commanded.

Xu Yanmiao blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

[Come where???]

To Xu Yanmiao, it appeared the emperor had just finished listing all the benefits of marriage and, without waiting for his response, decided unilaterally: “I’ll take you to meet Huang Yong. He has an extraordinarily loving relationship with his wife. She is virtuous and understanding—so much so that even though he has three other close confidantes, she never shows jealousy. Oh, and Huang Yong works in the same Ministry of Personnel as you; he’s the Director of Civil Service Appointments.”

Xu Yanmiao blinked again.

“Oh,” he replied.

Director of Civil Service Appointments… That name rang a bell for some reason.