IDWBE -Chapter 440 Heart-to-Heart

His own elder brother, Sun Chongde, was a Third-Rank Minister of the Imperial Stables, yet he still envied Liang Yuanzhi, a Seventh-Rank Secretary!

His brother had said that only ministers most trusted by the emperor could hold this post!

It was said that the memorials presented to Lord He had all first passed through Liang Yuanzhi’s hands before reaching the Directorate of Ceremonial.

No matter how dissatisfied little Xizi was, he couldn’t shake Liang Yuanzhi in the slightest.

“Overpraise,” Liang Yuanzhi cupped his hands and said, “Thanks to Lord He’s favor, as a subordinate I can only serve with utmost devotion, until death.”

The kettle on the stove began to bubble. Sun Cheng lifted it, poured some hot water over the teacup on the counter to warm it, and carefully cut a piece of tea cake into the cup. While rinsing it, he said, “This is said to be tea from a thousand-year-old tree, stored for ten years. Nowadays, it costs ten taels of silver per cake. My brother wouldn’t even dare drink it himself. I didn’t care, I secretly brought some. Try it.”

Liang Yuanzhi didn’t look at the cup, just sniffed casually and smiled, “Your brother acted like a righteous man, paying the intelligence tax. From the aroma alone, I can tell it’s from last year.”

Sun Cheng naturally understood the meaning.

“Intelligence tax” had become one of Lord He’s catchphrases, and everyone now liked to repeat it.

He said in disbelief, “But the color of this brew—”

“Antiques and collectibles are complicated. Even something old can be made to look aged. Tea is even simpler,”

Liang Yuanzhi smiled, “Every craft has its specialty. Tea vendors know how to appeal to people’s love of antiques, fabricating stories of emperors, generals, scholars, and beauties. That’s how they drive demand and make a fortune. Lord Xie Zan was once furious and wanted to punish such merchants, but Lord He persuaded him not to. He said, as long as their stories benefit the market economy and improve people’s livelihoods, let them be. They’re not murdering or burning—show them maximum tolerance.”

“I see,” Sun Cheng said regretfully, “So the silver was wasted.”

“To let Brother Sun understand, fresh tea is always best,” Liang Yuanzhi smiled, “But you needn’t worry. Though these cakes are somewhat rough with age, they taste fine. What others like isn’t necessarily what you like. What you like is what matters.”

Sun Cheng still didn’t believe him, “I’ve heard Lord He say many times that older tea gets better with age.”

Although Liang Yuanzhi now held office, he was still from a commoner background.

Sun Cheng couldn’t believe his judgment surpassed Lord He’s.
Whatever Lord He said must be right!

“Lord He said so?”

Liang Yuanzhi forced a bitter smile.

He thought of Lord He’s calligraphy.
Just as rumored, unlearned and unrefined.
Yet this lord often displayed astonishing wisdom, almost supernatural!

Many of the scientific knowledge he now knew came from Lord He’s guidance. Without Lord He’s enlightenment, he believed he wouldn’t be as capable today.

“What, you think Lord He was wrong?”

Seeing the expression on Liang Yuanzhi’s face, Sun Cheng thought he’d struck a nerve and grew even more smug, “Lord He said this aged tea is appreciated for its aroma, texture, and taste.”

If Lord He hadn’t liked aged tea, Sun Cheng was sure his brother wouldn’t have pretended to be refined.

“Lord He is wise,” Liang Yuanzhi naturally didn’t dare say, Lord He knows nothing about tea.

His mentor, Xie Zan, had even muttered privately that no matter how good the tea, Lord He would ruin it!

Almost enough to point at Lord He and say: You’re unworthy to drink this!

“Here,” Sun Cheng happily refilled Liang Yuanzhi’s cup, “Taste it, savor it, appreciate it carefully.”

“Good tea… truly good tea,”

Liang Yuanzhi’s lips twitched involuntarily as he said against his heart, “Brother Sun indeed has fine taste.”

How could he say otherwise?
To deny Sun Cheng would be to deny Lord He.
It’s a trivial matter, but if it reached Lord He at night—or especially the long-absent, elusive Director Hong—it wouldn’t be proper.

“You flatter me, brother,” Sun Cheng waved modestly, “Drink, keep drinking. When finished, I’ll refill.”

“Thanks,” Liang Yuanzhi hesitated, “Brother Sun, it’s already late. When will Lord He summon me?”

It was the middle of the night, and Lord He had summoned him. He had been waiting at the gatehouse for half an hour, puzzled. Lord He was usually lazy, but punctual, never wasting others’ time. In class, he had said: wasting someone’s time is akin to endangering life.

“Just now, Lord He had only seen off Lord He and Lord Chen. You followed right after,” Sun Cheng yawned, speaking casually, “You didn’t see it happen, right?”

Liang Yuanzhi shook his head, “I came from the south gate, didn’t meet Lord He or Lord Chen.”

Sun Cheng leisurely continued, “Lord He was holding the princess for a while and was about to summon you, but then she suddenly cried. Lord He is soothing her now. Don’t worry. Once she sleeps, the guards will send the message, and you can enter.”

“I see.”

Liang Yuanzhi cupped his hands in thanks.

Just as Sun Cheng was about to speak, Lei Kaishan suddenly appeared at the door, blocking the small gate like an iron tower.

Following Sun Cheng’s gaze, Liang Yuanzhi saw Lei Kaishan too and smiled, “So it’s Brother Kaishan.”

Lei Kaishan was also from Sanhe; the two families lived nearby before and were familiar.

Lei Kaishan said calmly, “Your luck isn’t good today. Lord He has no time for you.”

Liang Yuanzhi stood and bowed, “Thank you.”

Lei Kaishan lifted his head, “You’ve reached Ninth Rank? With skills like that, it’s a pity to serve only as a civil officer, not to achieve merits.”

Liang Yuanzhi waved it off, “Whether civil or military, all serve Lord He.”

“Hmph,” Lei Kaishan crossed his arms, snorted, “I’ve seen you grow up. I know your nature. Don’t pretend with me.”

Sun Cheng gawked in shock.

How had Lei Kaishan survived this long?
Is his brain broken?
This Liang Yuanzhi wasn’t some weakling to be trifled with—he was Xie Zan’s chief disciple, a Seventh-Rank Secretary!
Lord He even called him his secretary and penman.

Damn!

So far, aside from the elders and Wen Zhaoyi, he had never seen anyone speak to Liang Yuanzhi this way!

He was treating a Seventh-Rank officer as if he had no rank.

Seeing the flicker of displeasure on Liang Yuanzhi’s face, he could only silently mourn for Lei Kaishan.

You think Ninth Rank makes you impressive?
Liang Yuanzhi is also Ninth Rank!
And the key is, he never forgets a grudge!
If you claim to know him and still speak like this, you truly aren’t afraid of dying!

“Brother Kaishan is joking,” Liang Yuanzhi said impassively, “I serve Lord He with no selfishness, nor dare I harbor other intentions.”

Lei Kaishan’s voice turned cold, “Since you’ve reached Ninth Rank, spar with me!”

Liang Yuanzhi remained unafraid, “Brother Kaishan esteems me, so I dare not refuse. But this is Lord He’s residence. If I offend him, I would bear the blame. Let us spar another day.”

Lei Kaishan said, “I’ve finished my duties. Let’s go to the stables.”

Liang Yuanzhi opened his folding fan, “Then, with due respect, I obey.”

In the blink of an eye, both vanished from Sun Cheng’s sight.

He looked at Tan Fei, who had been watching, and asked curiously, “Who do you think will win?”

Tan Fei smiled, “If Lei Kaishan were confident, he wouldn’t have challenged directly.”

Sun Cheng frowned, “I don’t understand. Can you explain?”

Tan Fei sized him up and smiled, “Would I tell you if I intended to fight you?”

Sun Cheng shook his head quickly, “Brother, you jest. My skills aren’t enough to match yours!”

He truly feared Tan Fei might suddenly attack.

Tan Fei continued, “Would I seek a monk?”

Sun Cheng firmly said, “No.”

Who dares fight a monk?
It’s inviting trouble. Monks are grandmasters!
Even the blind say only a few could defeat them.

Tan Fei sighed, “Since you understand, it’s clear. Lei Kaishan has no guarantee of beating Liang Yuanzhi.”

“But not necessarily lose, right?”

Sun Cheng said, “Liang Yuanzhi hasn’t been Ninth Rank long. Compared to Lei Kaishan, isn’t he still inexperienced?”

Tan Fei said, “Only he knows that.”

Sun Cheng sighed, “Why bother? They were neighbors before, no need to make things tense.”

Tan Fei rolled his eyes, “Gatekeepers observe everything. You know nothing.”

Curious, Sun Cheng asked, “What do you know?”

Tan Fei said, “Lei Kaishan’s sister arrived in Ankang City. She’s four months pregnant. This morning, Chen Xilian checked her fetal heartbeat. Likely a boy.”

Sun Cheng scratched his head, “Lei Ying in Ankang City, pregnant—what does this have to do with Liang Yuanzhi?”

Tan Fei said, “Do you think Chen Xilian could visit freely? Lei Kaishan and his sister have no such privilege.”

Sun Cheng realized, “So Liang Yuanzhi invited her?”

Tan Fei nodded, “Exactly.”

Sun Cheng asked, “Why would Liang Yuanzhi help?”

He grew more confused.

Tan Fei chuckled, “Because the child in Lei Ying’s womb is Liang Yuanzhi’s.”

“Liang Yuanzhi married Lei Ying?”

Sun Cheng’s eyes went wide.

Lei Ying—ugly she was not.
But she was the fiercest woman in Baiyun City, overpowering Cao Xiaohuan!
Lord He had said anyone who dared marry her must be extraordinary.

But Sun Cheng was sure Lord He was just sour grapes.
Lei Ying was really beautiful!
For such a woman, sacrificing a little pride is nothing.

Tan Fei nodded, “Lei Ying is pregnant, but Liang Yuanzhi hasn’t formally married her yet.”

Sun Cheng anxiously said, “Brother Tan, can you just say it all at once? Why can’t I understand?”

Was the world changing too fast, or was he just too slow?
So many confusing matters!

Tan Fei entered the gatehouse; Sun Cheng followed. He helped pour tea once Tan Fei sat.

Tan Fei sniffed the cup and calmly said, “Lei Ying, called ‘Lei Tiger,’ is a formidable figure in Baiyun City. Ordinary people can’t impress her. Liang Yuanzhi is talented; it’s normal she noticed him. One unmarried, one not yet married.”

Sun Cheng mumbled, “But she’s pregnant.”

Tan Fei smiled, “Good women avoid entanglements. As for men, Liang Yuanzhi couldn’t resist. Sparks flew, and they were together.”

Sun Cheng hesitated, “Isn’t that good? Lei Kaishan shouldn’t oppose it, right?”

It’s not like Wei Yishan, whose mother was so beautiful everyone wanted to claim her.
Wei Yishan would have killed anyone approaching his mother, especially He Hong.
His face would be ruined if his mother remarried.

“Good?”

Tan Fei snorted, “Liang Yuanzhi is favored by Lord He, his future is bright. Ministers see him as a prized groom, destined for a noble lady. Lei Ying, no matter how capable, is just a countryside girl. How could she be the main wife?”

Sun Cheng realized, “Lei Kaishan is proud. He wouldn’t let his sister be a concubine.”

“Correct,” Tan Fei finished his tea and continued, “It does affect his reputation. But daughters grow beyond a mother’s control. Lei Ying is determined to be Liang Yuanzhi’s concubine.
Lei Kaishan can’t punish his sister, so he vents at Liang Yuanzhi instead.”

Sun Cheng laughed, “I didn’t expect Liang Yuanzhi really has some skill.”

“Drink more tea. Mind your own business.”

Tan Fei poured for Sun Cheng. He was a little flattered.

He felt something off.

Tan Fei was unusually attentive.
His brother may be Third-Rank, but he wasn’t at the level to have Lord He’s guards fawning over him.

After hesitating, he asked, “Brother Tan, did you come here for something?”

Though the gatehouse was at the main entrance, it was Tan Fei’s first visit.

Tan Fei covered his mouth, coughed, and smiled, “Yesterday I saw a girl. That’s your sister?”

“Yes,” Sun Cheng’s guard went up. “Where did you see her?”

Tan Fei smiled, “I was resting, off duty, eating tofu near the stables. I saw your sister’s innocence—it was enviable.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Sun Cheng’s face immediately darkened.

His brother was right. A grown girl attracts wolves.

Especially wolves like Tan Fei!
He’d rather leave his sister with Fang Pi than let Tan Fei become her husband!
These men, like Lei Kaishan, are inhuman!
Killing is as easy as crushing an ant.