Chapter 106 – Becoming an Adult

The next day, when Xu Chun met Fengxiang Guards again, everyone was solemn and respectful in front of him, no longer as casual as before.

Xu Chun found an opportunity to quietly ask Chunxi, “Didn’t get punished, did you?”

Chunxi lowered his voice and said to him, “No, we just listened to rules all night long. Then we had to memorize them all and write them down every day. If there was any mistake, we had to start over. Twenty strokes for the first offense, they said it was because you pleaded for mercy, so they would record it for now. If there are no further mistakes in half a year, the punishment can be waived, but if there are more offenses, the punishment will double.”

Xu Chun let out a sigh of relief. “Half a year, by that time we’ll be in Jin Harbor, whether to punish or not will all be up to me.”

Chunxi gave a simple smile, but in his heart he was thinking about the safety, loyalty, honor, sacrifice, and confidentiality clauses he had been reciting last night: “The safety of the Prince Jingguo is the top priority under any circumstances; always choose safety first; always remain vigilant and do not trust anyone; avoid risks in advance and master the environment; always keep secrets…” As well as all the punishments for betrayal and causing serious consequences, even involving family members.

After repeatedly reciting and being required to write each one down, even the guards who couldn’t read had firmly etched these principles into their brains and bones—this was the royal method of training guards. There were so many people who could die for the young master with loyalty. In the past, if he died for the young master, his parents, brothers, and sisters would receive lifelong support and job arrangements, they would be taken care of very well, and receive generous rewards; now, if he died for the young master, his family would receive a hereditary title, an unparalleled honor.

Not to mention that the young master treated the four of them like brothers. The young master was simply too soft-hearted and naive, so Fang Zixing had singled out him and Dinghai for repeated admonishments, saying that the young master was capricious and should not be blindly obeyed.

Thinking of this, he asked Xu Chun, “Young Master, do you know what identity Dinghai has?”

Xu Chun replied, “He’s a Tiger Guards secret guard?”

Chunxi whispered, “He’s the leader of the Tiger Guards. Once the Tiger Guards become secret guards, they have no names anymore, just code names. His code name is Jia Yi. Apart from the leader Jia Yi and the deputy leader Jia Er, the other code names are determined through monthly martial arts challenges.”

Xu Chun was stunned, feeling indescribable emotions. At that time, he left without saying goodbye, but Brother Nine, despite being upset, still sent his personal secret guard leader over…

No wonder Dinghai was usually silent, but on that day, the timing and manner of his interjection were very skillful. Facing the Fengxiang Guard’s leader Pei, Dinghai didn’t show any fear at all. This was because he was originally the Emperor’s personal secret guard leader, his position likely higher than Leader Pei’s. Silence was just his disguise. He could speak eloquently when necessary, serving both as a commander and a sharp blade.

Xu Chun suppressed his thoughts and asked Chunxi with a smile, “So what’s your code name now?”

Chunxi straightened his chest. “I’m Yi Yi already!”

Xu Chun raised his thumb. “Impressive! You haven’t disgraced your young master!”

Chunxi chuckled, but in his heart, he knew that this was due to the young master’s influence. Otherwise, as a mere servant, how could he possibly associate with these guards, who either had military merits or came from illustrious backgrounds, and even have the prospect of receiving a noble title for his achievements? He asked, “Young Master, your coming-of-age ceremony is coming soon. I don’t know if I’ll be able to take leave at that time. I heard that Uncle and Cousin Young Master have come.”

Thinking of the coming-of-age ceremony, Xu Chun felt both anticipation and excitement, but remembering that he would immediately take office after the ceremony, he also felt a bit bitter.

At that moment, Fang Zixing walked out, wearing soft armor and holding a helmet. Seeing Xu Chun, he said, “Your Highness, the Emperor is looking for you. We’re going hunting in the West Valley later.”

Xu Chun was surprised. “Where is the West Valley?” Fang Zixing replied, “In the deep valley and dense forest in the northeast corner. There are plenty of large beasts there. Hunting for three days to get some game for the ancestral temple’s offerings, then we’ll return to the city.”

Xu Chun understood in his heart that this was the game that Brother Nine wanted to hunt himself, to be offered to heaven and the ancestral temple. This was the real imperial autumn hunt. Feeling a surge of excitement, he turned and rushed into the palace hall. Entering, he saw Xie Yi standing with his arms outstretched, while Wufu and Liushun were helping him put on his armor. Seeing Xu Chun, Xie Yi asked, “Where did you run off early in the morning?”

Xu Chun dared not say that he had worried about the Fengxiang Guards being punished and ran to find Chunxi early in the morning. He giggled and took out a handful of raspberries from his sleeve, wrapped in a handkerchief. “Yesterday, I went out and saw a large patch of wild berries by the forest. They looked like gems under the sunlight, surprisingly no one had picked them. This morning, while there was nothing else to do, I went to pick some for Brother Nine to taste.”

Xie Yi reached out to pluck one, but Xu Chun held back. “Brother Nine, wait a moment, I’ll have them wash it clean.” He knew that Xie Yi was fastidious, and he didn’t know if there were any insects or animals that might have crawled over the wild fruits by the roadside.

Xie Yi smiled but didn’t stop him. Waiting for Su Huai to personally take Wufu’s offering to wash it clean and place it on a white jade plate, it was indeed crystal clear, each berry plump and bright red. Xu Chun picked one and fed it to Xie Yi, who ate it while saying, “Go change into your armor, you really act like a child.”

Xu Chun looked up at him and gave him a particularly radiant smile. Xie Yi felt a slight flutter in his heart, thinking that the closer they got to the time of separation, the more tempting this boy became.

Soon, both of them changed into their armor and helmets, and came out riding their horses. Fang Zixing led the Longxiang and Fengxiang guards, closely following behind as they galloped towards the West Valley. The bugle calls were high and intense, accompanied by the tight drumbeats, soldiers’ shouts filled the sky, and birds in the dense forest flew away in alarm. Countless ferocious beasts were also driven out of the dense forest, running in droves.

It was the first time Xu Chun had seen such a grand hunting scene. Even after the magnificent autumn hunt finally ended and they returned to the capital, the sound of the forest drums seemed to echo in his ears for a long time.

For several consecutive days, even in his dreams, he saw Xie Yi raising his bow and arrow in the solemn wind, his cloak fluttering in the wind. His expression was so resolute, his movements so heroic and decisive. Every move he made affected the hearts of thousands of troops. Orders were transmitted from the central army to all directions, level by level. The vast army was calmly commanded by him, as if using his arm, loyal to him alone.

Hoofbeats kicked up sand, and the emperor-led army moved like thunder, dashing like lightning, mighty as thunder, causing the entire forest to tremble in fear and the earth to shake.

He would often wake up in shock amidst the deafening shouts, bugles, and drumbeats, then blush and think of his emperor with his pounding heart.

However, since returning to the capital, Xie Yi had taken the game to the imperial temple for sacrifices, while he could only return to the Duke’s mansion to wait for the coming-of-age ceremony. After all, his uncle and several cousins had already arrived in the capital, and he couldn’t continue to use the excuse of staying outside and then rush to the palace as he had done before.

Even though they were both in the capital, they couldn’t see each other, which made Xu Chun yearn for him even more, making it difficult for him to sleep. Fortunately, during the day, talking with his three cousins helped him divert his attention somewhat.

Sheng Changzhou was now an official, and he was very composed. He told Xu Chun about the current situation at the Maritime Academy. “Lu Jiugao is truly capable. He single-handedly supports the entire shipbuilding academy. Even when his mother recovered, she could go teach at the women’s college. Now, on the medical side, several female doctors have come in response to the reputation. One reason is to study, and the other is to seek employment.”

“Wu Ying Hou has experience and manages things very strictly. The students are all very upright, with strict discipline, and no immoral incidents have occurred. A thief tried to sneak in, but was caught before he could reach the women’s dormitory and was heavily punished by the local officials. He also invited Princess Heshun to inscribe a plaque for the female doctor’s department. It’s rumored that when Wu Ying Hou returns to the capital this time, he will escort the princess to Minzhou. The princess herself will teach at the Maritime Academy, so now young ladies from the gentry families in Minzhou have begun enrolling.”

“Gelwen is truly amazing. Ever since he learned our official language, we discovered that apart from medicine, he also has some expertise in legislation, mathematics, and chemistry. He is now teaching several courses concurrently, and the students quite like him.”

“It’s surprising that Wu Ying Hou could officiate your coming-of-age ceremony. Another guest we invited is Shen Jizhu as the assistant.” Sheng Changzhou sighed. These days, he had gained much knowledge, and now knew that although Wu Ying Hou was only a marquis, as the emperor’s son-in-law and the actual king of the southwest, having such a person crown his cousin was extremely significant.

As for Shen Mengzhen, there was no need to mention him. He was the Imperial College’s grand tutor. The Imperial College was a place where talent gathered, filled with scholarly atmosphere. It was where the emperor himself taught. Shen Mengzhen could serve as the grand tutor, naturally indicating extensive learning and a wealth of knowledge. His students and old friends were spread throughout the world. When he took famous scholars to Minzhou, many people were captivated by his literary talents.

Having such two outstanding figures, one literary and one martial, as guests for his cousin’s ceremony, how could this happen without the emperor’s orders? It showed how much the emperor valued his cousin.

But Xu Chun was lost in thought. Although he knew in his heart that the possibility of Brother Nine attending the ceremony was small, and that he would probably enter the palace after his own coming-of-age ceremony, where Brother Nine would then give him gifts, he—still wanted to push his luck and rely on his favor, still wanted Brother Nine to see this important moment of his own coming-of-age ceremony.

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Before he knew it, the auspicious day arrived. On that day, early in the morning, the ancestral temple of the Duke Jingguo’s residence was packed with guests, all members of the Xu family and some close friends and acquaintances. Due to the ongoing mourning period, they did not make a big fuss, but prepared sacrificial items such as three animals and six gifts, waiting only for the ceremony to begin.

The August sky was still as blue as crystal. Two huge locust trees cast shadows in front of the ancestral temple.

Duke Xu Anlin stood in front of the main hall of the ancestral temple, smiling, dressed in his duke’s robe, with his sons Xu Chun and Xu Wei, welcoming the guests.

Shen Mengzhen arrived first. Unlike his usual habit of dressing in loose and elegant clothes, he wore a very formal dark red robe, a tall hat, and was adorned with ancient jade, looking solemn and dignified.

Duke Xu Anlin stepped forward to greet him, bowing with a smile, “Thank you, Grand Tutor, for officiating the ceremony for my son today.”

Shen Mengzhen returned the bow, looking at Xu Chun and said meaningfully, “How dare I, how dare I. The Duke is fortunate, and the Prince is also very fortunate.”

Duke Xu Anlin’s eyes narrowed with laughter. He was supposed to abstain from alcohol and women during his mourning period, but he had become slightly fatter instead. Some of the vulgar habits related to wine and women were gone, revealing a sense of calm nobility befitting a duke.

Xu Chun also stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Thank you, sir, for officiating the ceremony for your student today.”

Shen Mengzhen smiled faintly. “You’ve grown up. Time flies. It’s good to grow up, now you can share the burdens of the country and the emperor.”

Just then, the sound of carriage wheels approached. Everyone turned around, and Shen Mengzhen said, “Marquis Wu Ying has arrived.”

Everyone saw several guards on tall horses escorting a high-wheeled green-covered carriage over. Next to it was Marquis Wu Ying’s younger brother, the chief of the inner guards, Fang Zixing, dressed in a splendid Flying Cloud Qilin robe.

Behind him followed a large group of people. Apart from guards, there were also blue-clad musicians carrying musical instruments like bells and drums, and several pairs of servants in green robes holding golden basins and cushions, seemingly attendants. But even with this group of people coming over, there wasn’t a single cough, all of them silent, showing how well-trained they were.

Duke Xu Anlin was surprised. “We’ve already prepared musicians, why is Marquis Wu Ying so meticulous as to bring his own?” But seeing that both Marquis Wu Ying and his brother had come, he was secretly delighted in his heart. After all, Fang Zixing was a genuine confidant of the emperor. Today, his son’s coming-of-age ceremony was the first of its kind in the capital!

Then, the carriage stopped. A guard came to set up wooden steps and lifted the curtain. Marquis Wu Ying got out first. He was also dressed in a dark robe, with clear and handsome features and graceful demeanor.

Duke Xu Anlin hurriedly led people forward with a smile, intending to bow, but saw Marquis Wu Ying wave his hand slightly. Instead, he turned around and bowed deeply to the inside of the carriage. Fang Zixing beside him also bowed.

Two young boys in blue came up to serve. Inside the carriage, a young nobleman slowly descended from the carriage, dignified and refined, with long eyebrows and beautiful eyes. Gazing lightly, he met Xu Chun’s eyes, who was standing behind Duke Xu Anlin. The corner of his lips curled up slightly, and his originally indifferent features seemed to carry a hint of a smile.

Everyone knelt down. “Your subjects pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor, long live, long live, long live.”