Because the entire household had been busy these past few days with Xiao Yumang’s wedding, even Xiao Jingduo could not avoid being involved. On the day before the bridal procession, the married sisters returned to the estate with their husbands, in order to send off Xiao Yumang. As the elder brother, Xiao Jingduo had no choice but to attend and help host his brothers-in-law and the families of his cousins’ in-laws.
For several days now, the Xiao residence had been filled with laughter and merriment. Xiao Yufang and Xiao Yuli returned one after another in their carriages, bringing along strings of children clattering with bells and trinkets, while their husbands also came to offer congratulations.
As the eldest son—newly returned to the capital, and currently the second-highest ranking official in the household—Xiao Jingduo naturally had to appear in person to receive the guests. When Xiao Yuli came back with her husband, her husband, Zheng Balang, who came from the household of the Duke of Wei, rather looked down upon the Marquis of Dingyong’s family, whose status was neither here nor there. Still, since his sister-in-law was marrying, as the elder brother-in-law he could not avoid showing his face. So, reluctantly, he accompanied Xiao Yuli back to her family home.
The carriage of the Duke’s residence entered through the side gate, wheels rattling as it rolled toward the inner compound. When they arrived, Xiao Yuli was helped down by her maid, while Zheng Balang dismounted and followed behind, looking bored and listless.
As soon as the couple entered the main hall, Zheng Balang was confronted by the sight of a man with striking presence. The Xiao family was famous throughout Chang’an for their good looks; indeed, one major reason he had agreed to marry Xiao Yuli was precisely the beauty that ran in the family. Yet this man, standing amidst the Xiao clan, did not fade into the crowd in the slightest—in fact, he immediately drew the eyes of any outsider.
Zheng Balang paused, then turned to ask his wife:
“Who is this man? Why have I never seen him before?”
“This is my elder cousin-brother. He was serving as an official away from home for the past few years, so he wasn’t here to attend my wedding. It’s only natural that you haven’t met him before.”
After giving this low reply, Xiao Yuli led her husband over to her father. “Father, we’ve returned.”
Standing beside Second Uncle Xiao, Xiao Jingduo glanced at the man by Xiao Yuli’s side and guessed he must be her husband. He smiled faintly and gave them a nod.
Zheng Balang stepped forward and cautiously asked,
“I am Zheng Balang, from the household of the Duke of Wei. May I ask, elder brother, you are…?”
“I am Xiao Jingduo.”
The name rang a bell, though Zheng Balang could not recall exactly where he had heard it. So he asked again,
“May I ask what official post elder brother holds?”
Xiao Jingduo was already somewhat displeased, though his smile did not fade. He replied,
“I, Xiao, am not particularly capable. At present I only serve as a Deputy Assistant Director (Yuanwailang) in the Ministry of War.”
Zheng Balang drew in a sharp breath. So it was him! The Duke of Wei’s household had long heard that a young gentleman surnamed Xiao had recently taken office at the Ministry of War. Since the nobility produced so many military men, they often had to deal with that Ministry, and his family had even been planning to find a way to make this young official’s acquaintance. Never had Zheng Balang expected that the famed Gentleman Xiao was actually his own brother-in-law!
Zheng Balang’s attitude instantly changed.
“So it is Gentleman Xiao! I have long admired your reputation. To think that you are actually my wife’s elder (cousin) brother!”
Then he turned to glare at Xiao Yuli.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? If we had known, we could have paid our respects long ago—why wait until now and let so much time be wasted?”
Xiao Yuli felt rather wronged. Xiao Jingduo had been away for four years, stationed in some desolate, godforsaken place, to the point that Xiao Yuli had nearly forgotten about him altogether. How could she possibly have known what kind of official position he had risen to? But since she didn’t want to embarrass her husband in front of everyone, she bit her lip and endured it.
“Elder brother only just transferred back to Chang’an a few days ago. I was tied up and forgot to tell you—that was my oversight,” Xiao Yuli said.
Only then did Zheng Balang’s expression improve. He grew warm and animated, chatting with Xiao Jingduo. Standing to the side, Uncle Xiao (the second uncle, Yuli’s father) was quite upset.
Right before his eyes, his daughter was made to look bad—and instead of trying to curry favor with him, the proper father-in-law, Zheng Balang went to flatter the elder branch’s junior instead. Second Uncle felt uncomfortable, but he knew he had neither rank nor title. Compared to a son-in-law of a duke’s household, he wasn’t even as valuable as his own nephew. If, thanks to Xiao Jingduo, the Zheng family would treat his daughter with a bit more respect, then this slight he would just have to swallow.
“What? You were also a Jinshi of the ninth year of Qiyuan?”
As the conversation between Xiao Jingduo and Zheng Balang grew livelier, Zheng Balang was even more astonished to learn that Xiao Jingduo had earned the prestigious degree.
“A Jinshi of the ninth year if Qiyuan —that exam was notoriously difficult to pass!”
Clearly Zheng Balang also knew about the whole business of irregular exam questions and the retest that year. Xiao Jingduo did not elaborate, but after thinking of something, he added:
“Speaking of which, I was also a classmate of Zheng Silang. Back at the Imperial Academy, we both took the Classics course together.”
“So elder brother was even classmates with Fourth Brother!” Zheng Balang let out an awkward laugh. Zheng Silang was the legitimate eldest grandson of the main household, worlds apart from him, an unloved concubine-born branch son. Back then, when Zheng Silang had been admitted to the Imperial Academy, his mother had boasted endlessly, her words dripping with pride. The Imperial Academy itself was not so hard to enter, but the Guozixue was famously difficult. For Zheng Silang to be admitted had been a matter of luck and connections. Yet Xiao Jingduo too turned out to be a graduate of the Guozixue—imagine the backing he must have had! And this was the very man whom Xiao Yuli had dismissed as having no success in his career, not worth keeping in touch with.
She must have had quite the misunderstanding about what “unsuccessful” meant.
Inwardly, Zheng Balang cursed his wife over and over. This foolish woman always spoiled things—she had almost caused them to miss such a ready-made connection. Although Zheng Silang had been Xiao Jingduo’s classmate, Xiao Jingduo had graduated earlier, and after spending four years away from the capital, Zheng Silang had long forgotten about him. So when news spread that a young Deputy Assistant Director named Xiao had arrived at the Ministry of War, he hadn’t made the connection. Zheng Balang, however, secretly rejoiced: perfect! This advantage was now his to claim.
Zheng Balang grew exceedingly enthusiastic toward Xiao Jingduo, his conversation full of forced familiarity and probing questions about the Ministry of War. Xiao Jingduo disliked Zheng Balang’s opportunistic flattery, but this was his second brother-in-law after all. For the sake of letting Xiao Yuli live more comfortably in her husband’s household, Xiao Jingduo would not openly embarrass him. He was very clear about one thing: the one truly responsible for Zhao Xiulan’s death was Xiao Ying, and the person who had repeatedly tried to poison him was Wu Junru. Debts had their debtors, grudges their culprits—he would not vent his anger on others.
Though the second and third branches had once bullied his mother and him, those were petty squabbles from childhood—trivial matters not worth dredging up. Now that he had power, his true enemies to deal with were Xiao Ying and the Wu family. If he kept hounding others as well, would he not be no better than people like Second Aunt Xiao, who preyed only on the weak?
Besides, Yuli and the others were his cousins. As their elder brother, if lending a hand here and there could give them some backing, he was willing enough to do so.
Not long after Xiao Yuli arrived, Xiao Yufang also came bustling in with her husband and children. It was rare for the Xiao residence to be so full, and the old madam was delighted. She specially ordered a family banquet, and everyone feasted in lively spirits until late at night before dispersing.
The next day was the wedding of Xiao Yumang. The Marquis of Dingyong’s household had been busy since early morning, and by dusk, the Marquis of Runan’s family arrived for the bridal procession. As the Runan Marquis’s legitimate grandson (the groom) walked into the main hall, he spotted Xiao Jingduo and deliberately paused to speak:
“Gentleman Xiao, I have long admired you! I’ve always respected your military achievements in the southwest. To think that today I am not only able to meet you in person, but even to become in-laws—it is truly a great honor.”
“Don’t tease, third brother-in-law,” Xiao Jingduo replied, playing along as he exchanged greetings. “The auspicious hour must not be missed—brother-in-law, you should hurry off to press the bridal attendants about the trousseau.”
Weddings and funerals are major affairs; the Xiao household spent the entire day wearing smiles and receiving guests. As a newly prominent official, Xiao Jingduo attracted countless visitors coming to pay their respects.
Perhaps because word had spread that Xiao Jingduo had returned to the capital, many former classmates from the Imperial Academy also arrived. Just like the Zheng family, most of the titled families favored military careers; they would inevitably have dealings with the Ministry of War in the future. With a ready-made channel now standing before them, many from the Academy were happy to use the old classmate connection to cozy up to Xiao Jingduo—whether it would be useful later was another matter, but having one more acquaintance in the Ministry of War could hardly be a bad thing.
Bai Jiayi also came to the Xiao residence for the banquet. Seeing Xiao Jingduo surrounded by people, he began to laugh from afar.
After all, they were old friends who hadn’t seen one another for four years. When Xiao Jingduo spotted Bai Jiayi, he broke away from the crowd and crossed over to him.
“You came—why didn’t you say a word?” Xiao Jingduo asked.
“You got back to the capital and were promoted—yet you didn’t write me!” Bai Jiayi held a grudge about it. “You, honestly. You’re wearing deep green—are you a sixth-rank now?”
Bai Jiayi gave a heavy pat on Xiao Jingduo’s shoulder. “Nice—keep working at it, and maybe you’ll be wearing crimson next.”
Only fifth rank and above could wear crimson; to commoners of the Xuan court, crimson was supremely sacred. Being granted crimson was regarded as the highest honor. Only three kinds of people could wear it: fifth-rank officials, newly minted Jinshi degree-holders, and grooms—so crimson clothes held great prestige among the people.
Bai Jiayi fit right in with that way of thinking. Xiao Jingduo was glad to see his old friend. He’d heard Bai Jiayi had also been recalled back to the capital, and although he hadn’t said so, it had left him feeling inexplicably awkward. The Literary Emperor was gone, and Empress Dowager Xia disregarded state affairs—whose idea was it to recall people now? But seeing Bai Jiayi cleared those little resentments away, and he cheerfully caught up: “It’s good you were recalled—the Ministry of Personnel’s dispatch must have come through.”
“No.” Bai Jiayi shook his head and shot Xiao Jingduo an annoyed look. “I don’t have your luck. My boss died the day I took up my post. Though I’ve been recalled, I’ll probably have to start again from seventh or eighth rank.”
Xiao Jingduo felt awkward. “Mind what you say—don’t talk nonsense.”
“How is that nonsense? Isn’t it true?” Bai Jiayi protested. “Look at you: the day you were posted out, your immediate superior died. Naturally you were promoted in place, jumping from eighth to true seventh rank, then you spent three or four years accumulating merit far from the capital. Just at the right moment you were recalled—military and civil achievements in hand—and you stepped straight into a sixth-rank post, into the heart of the Six Ministries. Everything fitted perfectly. I missed one link in the chain: though I was recalled, I’ll still be posted out as a county magistrate for years to gather real achievements. Tell me—doesn’t your luck beat mine?”
This man really had no filter; there were people coming and going and so many ears around. Xiao Jingduo shot him a warning look. “Shut up. This is my sister’s wedding banquet. If you babble on, I’ll have you tossed out.”
Bai Jiayi shrugged. “Fine, you took the gain and act modest. I won’t compete with you. By the way—I heard the Xiao family is all beauties. May I see the Xiao beauties?”
Those words were rather frivolous, and Bai Jiayi’s peach blossom eyes were full of laughter. Clearly, he was making a double-entendre joke at Xiao Jingduo’s expense. Xiao Jingduo only smiled mildly and said to him, “Do you need a beating?”
Bai Jiayi clutched his belly and laughed so hard his eyes watered. “That’s not me saying it—it’s what my sister calls you in private. Honestly, life really is unfair. The two of us were both sent out to posts, yet I got banished to the northwest to eat sand, while you were sent to the southwest. Shu is famous for its fine climate that nurtures people. Just look at you—after a few years there, you’ve been raised fair and clean-skinned, while I’ve been darkened by wind and sand. What’s the point of being called Bai Jiayi (‘White Jiayi’)? I might as well change my name to Hei Jiayi (‘Black Jiayi’).”
Xiao Jingduo was amused, giving him a helpless glance. “Alright, I still need to help my family entertain the guests, so I won’t waste time listening to your chatter. I’ll have someone take you to your seat later—I won’t be coming back to see you.”
“Alright, alright.” Bai Jiayi waved his hand. “Go do your thing, I’ll look around on my own.”
Xiao Jingduo left to greet other guests. The heir of the Marquis of Runan, who had brought along his sons and nephews to attend the wedding banquet at the Xiao household, caught sight of Xiao Jingduo’s back. He discreetly pointed toward him and said to his sons and nephews: “That’s the elder brother of Sixth Young Master’s bride—the Xiao official who’s been so famous these past few days, isn’t it?”
The young men glanced over and nodded. “That’s him.”
“The one joking with him just now was the Bai family’s only heir. You should know of the Bai family, yes?”
“Would that be the family of the renowned scholar of the previous dynasty, the great Bai?”
“Precisely.” The heir of the Marquis of Runan went on: “This Xiao official can be said to be the youngest official of his rank since the founding of the dynasty. For ordinary men, to attain the rank of Deputy Assistant Director by the age of thirty is already a promising career. Yet how old is he now? As long as he makes no missteps, in a few years he’ll steadily serve as a provincial governor in some outer region, and when he returns, he’ll be a Fifth-Rank official. Once a capital official reaches Fifth Rank, advancement beyond that is well within reach.”
The youths of the Runan Marquis household sighed in amazement. “It’s really that easy?”
“It’s not that the Fifth Rank is easy,” the heir corrected them, “but that his career path has been too smooth. They say, never underestimate a poor youth—much less one with limitless prospects. When you return, tell your wives and concubines that after Sixth Young Master’s bride enters the Xiao household, they mustn’t lightly offend her. The Xiao family may well produce a man of great talent.”
The young lords were not fully convinced. “Uncle, aren’t you overestimating him? He’s only Sixth Rank now—who knows what the future holds?”
“Ha! Sixth Rank.” The heir sneered. “Do you even understand how difficult it is to be a Sixth-Rank official in the capital? In officialdom, rank alone doesn’t define one’s standing. Don’t look down on him for being only a Deputy of Sixth Rank)—in practice, he’s on par with Third- or Fourth-Rank governors posted to the provinces. Right now he’s a Deputy Assitant Director. If he gets posted outside, it’s a sure thing he’ll be made a governor in the Central Plains, a solid Fourth-Rank position. You may dismiss him now, but ten years from now, you might not even be able to get an audience with him.”
Noticing his words had been too harsh, the heir softened his tone and continued: “If he can rise like this, there’s no reason you cannot as well. When we return, tell your wives to cultivate ties with Third Lady Xiao. Later, have them frequently socialize with Xiao Jingduo’s wife. Among men, connections are hard to forge, but through the womenfolk, it’s far easier.”
Suddenly, the young men of the Runan Marquis household realized something. “Wait—does Xiao Jingduo even have a wife?”
“At the welcoming ceremony earlier, I didn’t see her. By rights, on such an occasion, his wife should not have failed to appear. Could it be that he has not yet married?”
“That’s simple. Just have Sixth Young Master ask Third Lady Xiao, and it will be clear.” The heir stroked his chin thoughtfully. “If he truly doesn’t have a wife yet… that could actually be a good thing.”
“Uncle, are you suggesting…”
The Marquis of Runan’s household had several young ladies waiting to be married, and even among their relatives’ households, there was no shortage of eligible girls. If they truly wished to arrange a marriage with Xiao Jingduo, there would be no lack of candidates on the bride’s side. The only concern was whether Xiao Jingduo himself would be willing. The heir of the Marquis of Runan could guarantee that it wasn’t only their household keeping an eye on him—many other families surely were as well. To marry off a daughter in exchange for a ready-made ally, a promising young official with limitless prospects, was a bargain anyone could see. Even if Xiao Jingduo ultimately failed to cross the hurdle into Fifth Rank, taking him as a son-in-law would still not be a loss. After all, with his talent and appearance, in all of Chang’an he might not be ranked first, but second or third at the very least. To put it plainly, this was a sure-win, no-lose deal.
“Enough.” The Marquis’s heir said, “This sort of matter isn’t urgent. Let’s take our time and maintain contact for now.”
Three days later, when returning to her natal home, Xiao Yumang brought up Xiao Jingduo in conversation with her family. “Mother, Grandmother, I heard from my husband and father-in-law that elder brother’s position now is quite important. They even asked me to speak with him, so that in the future, when the evaluations come for the Merit Guard and Wing Guard (Xunwei and Yiwei), elder brother can help smooth the way for the sons of the Marquis of Runan’s household.”
“Oh?” The old madam immediately caught onto the key point. “Duo’er can help smooth things in the Wing Guard (Yiwei)?”
“Isn’t Jinghu serving in the Wing Guard (Yiwei) already?”
“That’s right.” Xiao Yumang was full of regret, and said with emphasis: “After relying on their fathers’ shadows, the best path for noble sons is to enter the Imperial Elite (Qianniu) Guard. But we marquis households need not even dream of it—those slots are long monopolized by the imperial clan and the dukes’ mansions. For us, the usual route is into the Personal Guard, Merit Guard, or Wing Guard (Qinwei, Xunwei, or Yiwei). Several of my husband’s elder brothers entered the Merit Guard, and didn’t our third brother also enter the Wing Guard? I’ve heard that in the Merit Guard, after six years of service, one can sit for the Ministry of War examination; in the Wing Guard, it requires eight years. If one passes the exam, then one can be entered into the Ministry of Personnel’s registry and from there take the proper route into civil service. Later, when reassigned to a military post, it would directly be at the level of general or deputy general. But if one fails the Ministry of War exam, then one can only linger in the Three Guards for life, never rising higher, condemned to serve out one’s days in the low ranks.”
The old madam had only known that her beloved grandson was serving in the Wing Guard, guarding the palace walls with great prestige. She had not realized there were so many intricacies in the military system. She drew in a sharp breath and said, “Then doesn’t that mean, for our Hu’er’s future promotions, it will be Duo’er who holds the key?”
T/N: I initially called Xiao Jingduo’s title “Assistant Director”; I’ve changed it to “Deputy Assistant Director” here.
Qianniu Guard (千牛卫) — literally “Thousand-Oxen Guard.” I used “Imperial Elite” in the chapter.
An elite imperial bodyguard unit directly serving the emperor. In historical dynasties, they were prestigious and usually reserved for princes, imperial kin, and the highest-ranking nobles. Entering this guard was considered the pinnacle for noble sons.
Xunwei (勋卫) — “Merit Guard.”
A guard unit usually composed of sons of aristocratic families or those who had merit by birth (from titled houses). It was one of the common postings for noble sons after relying on their fathers’ rank.
Yiwei (翊卫) — “Wing Guard” (where Xiao Jinghu is).
Literally “the Guard that Assists/Supports.” Another imperial guard unit, also staffed by noble-born sons, but seen as slightly less prestigious than the Xunwei. Service here could still lead to advancement, though usually with slower promotion.
Qinwei (亲卫) — “Close Guard” or “Personal Guard.”
A guard corps meant to be close in attendance to the imperial household. Ranked below the Qianniu Guard, but still an elite unit compared to regular soldiers.
Qianniu Guard (highest, monopolized by imperial clan and duke’s mansions) → Qinwei (personal guard) / Xunwei (merit guard) → Yiwei (wing guard).
Personal notes: Women had it difficult back then, and I hope Xiao Jingduo’s married cousins have good lives. Some of their behavior leaves much to be desired. Still, this kind of nature can result from the environment (their mothers, competing for favor from elders, constantly being taught, even if not explicitly, to vie for benefits). Idk 🙁
