At last! First chapter! So much time and energy was spent.

*Please take note this translator are not fluent in CN. Some mistakes are bound to appear every now and then. So kindly inform this translator if there is a mistake.

Translator : Xah Xiaoran

Chapter 1

"Young master, it's time to prepare. The horse carriage that master sent has already await at the entrance." Chun Yu's eyes were red, didn't know how many times she cried last night, but looking at her young master's appearance now she couldn't help but feel sad.

"Mother, this child is unfilial, this child is unfilial."

Wedding night, succeed in the imperial civil examination. (T/N: Get married, passed the exam)

This was his mother's expectations of him when she's still alive.

However Xu Chang An knew that his mother's expectations couldn't be realized in her life because he didn't have the capability to achieve its. But now he finally had the opportunity to achieve his greatest heart's cherished desire for the past three years.

"ChunYu, let's go ba." Turning his head away, the longing expression was gone, replaced with unhesitating expression once more. Xu Chang An had yet turned his head, the crisp 'gangan' sound of Xu Family horse carriage arrived to pick him up.

Since three years ago Xu Chang An's mother had died of illness, his father had send him away to this manor in Zhuangzi to observe his mother's mourning period. For children to observe one's mother's mourning period was in line with the principles of heaven and earth*. Certainly Xu Chang An knew why his father sent him away.

*(天经地义 tiānjīng-dìyì = perfectly justified)

His mother's long-term lingering sickness was not because of poor health, but because someone had secretly given prolong tiny portion of drug in her meals that were poisonous, and when the poison accumulated enough, she died suddenly at night!

Because he would participate in the imperial civil examination on that same year, as well as his former two general examinations were all first places! That woman's son was still young, thus she couldn't withstand that he, in one go would pass brilliantly with San Yuan* of this unprecedented Great Xiao Dynasty. Indeed, what a beautiful sight she and her son would not turn body over every day again! (T/N: they won't be sleepless, I guess)

*(三元 Sānyuán = (under the former imperial examination system) academic titles at examinations held at three levels: Jieyuan (解元) for the winner at the provincial level, Huiyuan (会元) for the winner at the national level, and Zhuangyuan (状元) for the winner at the Imperial Palace level) T/N: Chang An is already Jieyuan & Huiyuan

Hence, that cruel woman might as well be cruel to make his mother kick the bucket, and that he would miss the opportunity to participate in the imperial civil examination because of the mourning period.

*(一命呜呼 Yimìng-wūhū = to die)

“Cough, cough!” Even if the matter had already passed for three years, but thought of it often, Xu Chang An's state of mind still could be troubled to suppress. How could a cruel woman like that be in this world and again how could a muddledheaded father like that be partial?

The suffering his mother was subjected to over the many years, his father was not the mastermind, but nevertheless an accomplice! Without his connivance, his mother as the first wife lived in the partial courtyard and he was the legitimate son and heir. But every servant considered that concubine gave birth to second young master!

Even more! He discovered his mother's cause of death. That woman's face and plot was revealed. But his father chose to step back and not supporting to avenge his mother or support him to uphold justice. Instead, he (XYN) chose to continue to protect her (concubine) from giving herself up. He (XYN) even thought of mother's mourning period as an act to control him to secretly drove him out of the family. At the end, confined him in this small Zhuangzi at outskirt the city gate.

Father frequently read holy book when growing up, for what reason he (XYN) continually doted on his illegitimate son more? He (XCA) wouldn't understand him(XYN). He could bring honor to the family, could make the wealthy family, rich and influential family in the capital city to see this family advanced higher in one's eyes. It was impossible for the concubine's son!

“Cough, cough.” It was already late autumn and the weather has turned cold. Xu Chang An had a cold for many days now but it was not getting any better. Every morning, now and then he would cough non-stop either from excitement or agitation.

"Stop at once, stop at once! My young master cough is terrible. Stop for a moment and take a rest for a while. Let my young master to drink some water.” Xu Chang An coughed badly. ChunYu could not stand and watch. Naturally, the horse carriage's handle was pulled to a stop hastily. The coachman was somewhat made things difficult; Laoye over there had made clear of the scheduled time. Supposedly they delayed, they might as well asked for a tongue lashing.

The driver was making things difficult. Xu Chang An raised a curtain on one side and said to the driver directly: "Nothing major, let's continue moving."

The coachman obeyed and easily instructed to hastily hurried on with the journey. ChunYu, inside the coach was somewhat unhappy, complained: "How can you now still accommodate them ah! Nowadays they won't dare in anyway to put you in difficulty." ChunYu vehemently said.

That day when the emperor's imperial edict arrived at Xu Family's home, Xu Chang An was not there. A group of people gathered in force* followed to the village. After the young master received the imperial edict of marriage, Laoye's and that woman's faces were scared green. Now, expecting the young master to came home, was definitely trying to curry favor with the young master.

*(浩浩荡荡 Hàohàodàngdàng = vast and mighty)

"ChunYu, father is an elder.” The elder did not act like an elder, in that case, needed not to give an elderly respect to him (XYN).

“Young Master, you read even more books than maidservants. Naturally, you knew of Heaven and Earth Sovereign. Now you are the sovereign and they are the subjects. What about your father? If you want to, the whole Xu family will give you a kneel down!” said ChunYu passionately. Seemingly, today all the people of the Xu family at one side were going to listen to her chided-like lecture.

"You ah, you already knew so much.” There were his two yatou*, ChunYu and DongXue. There was also Yang Momo* who took care of him since an early age. Three years ago, he was driven away from the Xu family. They followed along to serve. In Xu Chang An's heart, although they were master and servants, their feelings of sentiments between them were much more deep-seated than the ordinary masters and servants relationship. Naturally also willing to indulge them, in that case the two maids were not so restrained to speak in front of him.

*Yatou = girl; servant girl; maid

*Momo = wet nurse; form of address for an elderly woman

It was not like Xu Chang An didn't know Chunyu's words but those words were not suitable for him, that's all. If he was a woman in that case was convenient, he as a man nevertheless became a prince's wife. This couplet today was his redemption, but being couplet with the First Prince was said to be a disaster.

Now since the emperor already sanctioned his marriage, for the time being he must get along with him (XQY) and stayed together whether fortunate or misfortune. He must be cautious of everything he did, certainly must not implicate him (XQY) because of his doing.

Xu Chang An's father was merely a fourth rank petty official of Ministry of Ceremonies. Still, he was not a local and with no foundation in the capital city. In all respects, all the wealthy family and great family were in the capital. Only the humble and small family not in the least eye-catching were diminished.

Looking at the slightly dilapidated Xu Residence, Xu Chang An kept in mind that in the past, perhaps father set up the house's foundation. Living in the house bought by mother's family's silver, but feeling at ease and justified with his official post, he ill-treated mother; the house owner. Such a man truly being crooked became a scholar, reading the holy book was for nothing!

"Young master, let's go in."

"Alright."

Xu Family's people had already waited in the main hall. When Xu Chang An came through the door, he did not catch a sight of his paternal grandmother, Xu Family's current Old Madame. Obviously she did not want to see him, so she did not come out.

"Paying respect to father.”

"Nn, it's good to come back. You should be tired on the road. You and the First prince are nearing your wedding date. Hurry to return to your room.” Although in his (XYN) heart he highly valued his youngest son, but after all said and done, he (XCA) was the eldest son. Xu father, Xu YongNian's heart still felt remorseful and uneasy towards his first son. He looked at his son's face that was quite similar to his mother. It was not that he had no guilty conscience; simply out of sight, out of mind, he immediately send him to the room.

"Father had said that I was a little tired.” Xu Chang An did not want to talk to them, simply answered his father's words. Then wanted to ask for a leave merely to retire before he saw a glimpse at his father's side sitting there was Liu Yiniang*. Then he looked straight at his father and said: “Father, I left the house for a long time. Liu Yiniang perhaps was anxious in her heart about her status, afterwards still need to pay attention to as much as possible. In case an outsider viewed and think father had no care about rules of etiquette by having a concubine as wife, when the time comes, an observant and conscientious people would go inform to His Imperial Majesty to sue. Certainly not good, right."

*Yiniang = a form of address of one's father's concubine

However, this concubine wife unexpectedly seated on his mother's position to serve as the family patriarch, truly had a heart higher than the heaven! Regrettably, the fact was one's life's fate had been decided by heaven! From that day she advanced into Xu Family's threshold to become father's concubine wife, she was destined to live her lifetime in only a three tenths mu* of land in this Xu residence. She could not be able to take advantage anymore!

*mu = traditional unit of area, equal to 60 square zhang (平方市丈), and equivalent to 6.667 ares or 0.165 acre

"Biaoge*! What did his words means just now? He…”

*表哥Biâogē = Older male cousin via female line

"Biaoge?” Just walked halfway and heard the voice of the person behind him, Xu Chang An simply stopped his footsteps and turned his body around. Then he walked step by step advancing towards the woman who killed his mother!

"Is it possible that Liu Yiniang thought yourself still a cousin* young lady of Xu Family? Or is it that you were not satisfied with your current status and you had to break off your relationship with father? It's a pity ah, it's futile even if you want to become Xu Family's relative. Therefore, recognized your current status is still relatively good.

Father, you can't draw circles and squares without a pair of compasses and a square. Although, you doted on Liu Yiniang, but you need to let her know the law of the custom. Our Xu household did not have a cousin young lady of Liu Family, only a Liu Yiniang.”

Liu Yiniang did not expect three years to disappear. This little bastard no longer had the weak appearance than he once had, unexpectedly had obtained the gift of the gab*! In a moment of panic, subconsciously facing at her side looking towards Xu father, wished to have Xu father to help her to get out of this predicament! Who would have thought, Xu father on the contrary, simply right on the face facing her and gave a scolding.

*clever and eloquent

"This impolite creature! The first young master's words can be heard clearly and distinctly. Afterwards, confused repeated offenders, don't blame me if I become ruthless!"

"Biao… eh, Laoye!” Liu Shi* was angry, almost teared the handkerchief in her hands to shreds. However, she had no choice but to lower her head. Biaoge had already gave order, she had no choice but listened.

*氏 Shi =address after maiden name i.e Liu(maiden name) + Shi(clan/family)

How could Xu Chang An not realized that his father was merely putting on an act, but what was the point again? Anyway, it might not be a bad idea to let the two side of people to stop upsetting each other.

Sure enough, after Xu Chang An left, Xu Yongnian then pulled Liu Shi towards Liu Shi's courtyard, before with a small thought of gentleness, he consoled : “As long as the great wedding passed, he won't be able to rise to power and prestige later. I certainly have not heard if the First Prince like male homosexual. After he married, he will only have one way out. In that case, the First Prince simply will treat him coldly, slowly he have to endure until dying in the First Prince residence. What are you fussing like that about him for?"

"Biaoge said like that, I listen to you now.” Liu Shi finished saying, then halfway undo her clothes facing the leaning Xu Yongnian.