IDWBE -Chapter 463 The “Lower Nine Professions”

So, the best course of action was to speak less.

The less one spoke, the fewer mistakes one made. The more one spoke, the more mistakes one made.

He Jixiang smiled and said, “Divine Physician Hu need not take it to heart. There are no outsiders here. No one would doubt your loyalty to the Prince.”

“Thank you, Minister He,” Hu Shilu hesitated before saying, “The sons of the Yuan household are all extraordinary talents—heroes in a single clan. Truly the envy of others.”

He Jixiang nodded. “I understand your meaning. If women marry later, they can bear healthy, strong children. The earlier they marry, the less likely the child is to survive.”

Hu Shilu cupped his hands. “Precisely. That is why our Prince is wise. If Great Liang wishes for a flourishing population, we must respect science and develop science.”

“No wonder the Prince values you,” Chen Desheng glanced at Hu Shilu with a smile. “You remember every word the Prince has ever said.”

Hu Shilu chuckled awkwardly. “How would I dare forget the Prince’s teachings? Naturally, I keep them firmly in mind.”

He Jixiang shook his head helplessly and turned to Liang Yuanzhi, who had been silent with lowered head. “As for how the Liang Code should be amended and what age marriage should be set at, draft a memorial for the Prince’s review.”

“This…”

Liang Yuanzhi answered honestly, “The Prince said to entrust everything to Minister He. After I finish writing it, I fear it must still be submitted to you.”

He Jixiang sighed. “Then deliver it to me directly tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Seeing that He Jixiang and Chen Desheng had no further instructions, Liang Yuanzhi withdrew carefully from the hall and left the Governor’s Mansion.

By the time he returned to the Prince He’s residence—the “dormitory” by the stables—the main gates were already shut.

Just as his groom was about to knock, the old gatekeeper opened a side door.

The old man, over sixty, with white hair and a stooped back, carried a horse lantern and smiled obsequiously. “Master Liang, I was just wondering when you would return. The moment I heard the hoofbeats, I knew it was you.”

Standing by the side room, rubbing his hands against the cold, Liang Yuanzhi asked, “Have all those off duty returned?”

The old man smiled. “Master Cui and Master Yu have gone out drinking. I’m afraid they won’t return tonight.”

“Cui Gengsheng and Yu Xiaoshi,” Liang Yuanzhi sighed suddenly, “People say they’re dull, but I don’t think so. They’ve even begun to despise their wives of humble origins, lingering day after day at Apricot Blossom House.”

The old gatekeeper merely chuckled softly, not daring to speak.

Liang Yuanzhi could casually comment on Yu Xiaoshi and Cui Gengsheng—but he could not.

If word reached those two, how would a mere gatekeeper survive?

They were favorites at the Prince’s side—reckless in speech and action.

Let alone beating or scolding him—even if they killed him, he believed no one would dare interfere.

Leaning back in a bamboo chair padded with cotton, Liang Yuanzhi took the teacup handed to him without ceremony. He sniffed lightly and smiled. “Old fellow, have you come into money lately? Willing to part with such good tea?”

As the Prince’s student and First Secretary, Liang Yuanzhi had “friends” throughout the court and the army.

Yet none allowed him to truly relax.

More often than not, after leaving duty, he preferred to curl up in this small gatehouse and chat idly with the old man before him—Sang An.

“Master Liang jests,” Sang An said while adding charcoal to the brazier. “That rascal Fang Pi came by this morning. I don’t know who angered him, but he threw away such fine tea in a fit of temper. I picked it up and chased after him to return it. He was generous and simply gave it to me. So I profited a little.”

“Fang Pi?”

Liang Yuanzhi asked curiously. “Tan Fei and the others were on duty at the residence today. Who could he have quarreled with?”

Among those living by the stables, only Tan Fei dared openly challenge Fang Pi.

Sang An hesitated before lowering his voice. “He exchanged a few words with Jiang Chou. Neither would yield, and they began cursing each other.”

“Jiang Chou…”

Liang Yuanzhi snorted coldly. “I hear Shan Yin is coming to Ankang City, and now he’s started jumping about.”

Sang An did not reply.

He dared not offend Jiang Chou either.

That was a ruthless man rumored to have eaten human flesh.

Sang An’s frail body would not withstand Jiang Chou’s fists.

Outside, the whinnying of horses sounded again. Liang Yuanzhi asked curiously, “Are those two fools back? Aren’t you going to open the gate?”

“No need, Master Liang. That’s for the house across the way.”

Sang An did not even raise his eyelids.

“Lei Kaishan’s house?”

Liang Yuanzhi was naturally familiar with the surrounding residents.

Sang An nodded. “Indeed.”

Noticing Sang An’s cautious, hesitant expression, Liang Yuanzhi grew impatient. “If you have something to say, say it. I guarantee it won’t spread.”

Sang An gave an awkward smile. “If I wag my tongue, Lord Lei would beat me to death.”

Liang Yuanzhi said irritably, “However formidable Lei Kaishan may be, he wouldn’t dare act fierce before me. Speak. I’ll back you up.”

Sang An lowered his head. “Not daring to deceive Master Liang—Lord Lei just finished his shift and sent servants to summon two courtesans. Judging by the distance, they should have arrived by now.”

Liang Yuanzhi laughed. “From the look of you, you’re used to it?”

Sang An nodded. “I guard this gate every day. I see much.”

Liang Yuanzhi smiled. “Which house’s girl did he summon today?”

“I hear it’s Xue Yin’er, the top courtesan of Misty Rain Pavilion,”

Sang An said in a thin voice. “She sings Lord Xie Zan’s ‘Rain Bell’ with divine mastery. Lord Lei is especially fond of her.”

“Xue Yin’er?”

Liang Yuanzhi frowned, thinking for a while. “The new top courtesan of Misty Rain Pavilion? How have I not heard of her?”

Sang An flattered him. “Master Liang is an upright gentleman. It is only natural you would not know.”

“That’s not right,” Liang Yuanzhi shook his head. “As one close to the Prince, I should know of such places and affairs of the marketplace.”

Sang An refilled his cup and said, “The Sixth Prince, Prince Dai, was the one who elevated her to fame.”

“Prince Xin?”

Liang Yuanzhi’s brow furrowed deeper.

“Yes,” Sang An said cautiously, glancing at his expression. “They say her background is unusual. Her elder brother was personally named by the Noble Consort as the number one martial performer under heaven.”

“Xue Dawu—”

Liang Yuanzhi blurted out.

“Yes,” Sang An replied. “People are still talking about it. The elder brother is the foremost martial performer in the land; the younger sister the foremost courtesan. The whole family in the ‘lower nine professions.’”

“If the Xue family belongs to the ‘lower nine,’ then there are no noble clans left in this world.”

Liang Yuanzhi suddenly sighed.

Sang An looked puzzled. “Master Liang, what do you mean?”

“This is not something for you to inquire about.”

After shaking his head, Liang Yuanzhi rose and stepped out of the gatehouse.