Too high to reach

Chapter 343 Neutrality is Not Easy
Xu Ke told his family that he had to go on a business trip.

The family, including Mowen, didn't think much of it.

Before leaving Beijing, he met with the team leader, surnamed Chen.

Team leader Chen briefly explained to him the things he needed to prepare before leaving.

So he went home to prepare, instructing everyone to keep things as simple as possible.

But he, putting everything else aside, just his clothes alone—a single set would consist of several pieces, plus corresponding accessories. Even though he only had the maid pack a few changes of clothes and a light and heavy cloak, plus underwear and two pairs of shoes, it already filled three large trunks on the floor…

Xu Ke shook his head upon seeing this. "I'm going on horseback, how can I carry three suitcases? Besides, we're going to a remote and impoverished area, and these clothes won't fit. Just find two sets of clothes that are comfortable for the road and won't get dirty easily. If all else fails, we can buy more along the way."

The next day, he brought a servant boy with him, each carrying a bundle, the servant boy's bundle being particularly large!
Five miles outside the city, when we met up with our companions...

He felt that even though he was wearing the simplest clothes and using the simplest things, compared to his companions, he still looked like a young master going out for a stroll.

His face turned red.

Team Leader Chen smiled and said, "Young Master Xu has never experienced this before, so he'll have to suffer a bit if he turns back."

"Just call me Xu Ke, team leader." Xu Ke looked into the distance and said, "People always have to endure hardship."

It's not this kind of suffering, it's more like...

Without saying much, he cracked his whip. The dozen or so men, leaving a trail of dust, quickly disappeared into the distance.

Princess Yu'an didn't understand what had happened; she had argued with the Crown Prince and didn't want to ask him anymore...

They wanted to get information from the Xu family.

However, Princess Yu'an still had some reservations about the Xu family. Although she wanted to go and beat them up when she was angry, she only "wanted" and did not dare to actually do so.

They sent their men to inquire, and after spending some money, they actually found out from the kitchen staff who delivered and collected the vegetables: "Our Third Master is away on official business."

On official business?
He's already resigned from his official post, so what official duties could he possibly have left?
Princess Yu'an had nothing to do at home, so she kept thinking about this.

Checking the posts received by the Princess's residence, she found a banquet that the Xu family might attend, so she went there and actually ran into Xu Ke's sister-in-law.

She found an opportunity to chat with the young mistress of the Xu family. Then, Princess Yu'an said, seemingly casually, "I heard from my brother, the Crown Prince, that the third young master of the Xu family has resigned from his official post... I wonder where he has taken up a new position?"

Madam Xu was taken aback upon hearing this, but then smiled and said, "I'm not afraid of the princess laughing at me, but I had no idea what my third uncle was doing before. As for what the princess is talking about, I have even less to say."

Judging from his expression, he really didn't know.

They stopped asking and just then someone came over to pay their respects to Princess Yu'an.

Madam Xu bowed and withdrew, but she was puzzled: Wasn't Xu Ke on official business? Why did he resign?

Besides, what does it matter to Princess Guan Yu'an whether he resigns from his official post or not? It seems like she's asking on purpose!
She is, after all, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xu family; she's not someone to be trifled with.

After returning home from a round of social engagements, I hurriedly went to find my mother-in-law and told her about it.

Madam Xu was even more surprised, but she calmly said, "We don't know what happened yet, so let's not talk about it."

He turned around and went to call the servants who were attending to Xu Ke.

A short while later, a servant came and handed her a letter. "Madam, this is from the Third Master. He asked me to give you the letter in a few days."

Madam Xu quickly took it and opened it to read.

Xu Kexin's meaning is: He's involved in something he can't resolve on his own. He needs to go out and avoid trouble for a while. Fortunately, a benefactor has given him an opportunity, and he's determined to make amends for his past mistakes.

This journey is fraught with uncertainty, its outcome uncertain, and its return date undetermined.

Unable to explain the situation to his grandfather and father, he hoped his mother could help him negotiate.

Furthermore, I hope that Mother can take care of Mowen and not let him go out before he writes to me or returns.

I'll be careful in everything, but I can't guarantee nothing will happen. I hope my mother has some peace of mind...

After reading it, Madam Xu's eyes narrowed slightly, her heart pounding. He hadn't even said anything to reassure her...

This is no small matter!
Her mind raced, replaying everything that had happened to Xu Ke: first, he was unwilling to get married; later, under pressure from his family, he said he had his eye on Mo Wen. But once they were engaged, he seemed indifferent. On their wedding night, he coldly treated his bride…

At the time, I also suspected that something was going on here; he was either gay or had someone he couldn't have feelings for...

Instead of following his family's connections or taking the imperial examinations, he sought employment on his own.

He found a job on his own... and I didn't even think much of it?

Then everything went smoothly, and they even got involved in the grand martial arts competition hosted by the Crown Prince. Next, Mo Wen became pregnant, and yes, he was injured. Until the miscarriage…

Now they say I've made a mistake and need to stay away. But they won't let me tell my grandfather and father.

Princess Yu'an even took the initiative to talk to the eldest son's wife about this matter.

So that's how it is...

She sat there, her body trembling slightly, her eyes a little moist.

How could he be so foolish?!

In an instant, my mind was flooded with people and events, making my head throb.

How long have they been together? Suddenly, another shock: Princess Yu'an has divorced! Is she... planning to marry Xu Ke?

Madam Xu felt nauseous... No wonder Xu Ke wanted to run away.

She quickly folded the letter; she couldn't let her father-in-law and husband know! And her mother-in-law too…

Thinking of the two elderly people, who lived a life of integrity and could talk about anything without reservation, it's heartbreaking to see them suffer such a fate in their old age.
She could already imagine what would happen to Xu Ke—either he'd be kicked out of the house, or he'd be beaten half to death and forced to become a monk… But even so, her father-in-law and husband couldn't bear the shame.

She clutched the letter tightly in her hand.

So where did he go? "A benefactor gave him an opportunity"?
A while ago, he stayed at home all day and didn't go anywhere... except for a trip to the Mo family!
That is: He met His Highness Prince Qi at the Mohist school; the "noble person" refers to Prince Qi! He went to work for Prince Qi...

Now I understand completely.

But if that's the case, I can't keep it a secret from my father-in-law and husband!

In the evening, the men of the Xu family returned and gathered in the front study to talk.

Lord Xu's official rank wasn't particularly high, but the things he did were quite important. What's even more remarkable is that there were no useless members in the Xu family. The children in the family were all diligent and ambitious, all of them taking the imperial examination route and then entering officialdom; not one of them was incompetent.

Looking across the world, they are undoubtedly a distinguished and noble family.

The Emperor was very accommodating!
When the maid went in to report the time, the men were somewhat surprised. What was it that they couldn't wait and rushed to the front to tell them?

Madam Xu went in and said, "Father, I have something I'd like to tell you."

The old man waved his hand, and everyone else went back to their rooms, leaving only her husband behind.

Old Master Xu said, "Please sit down."

Madam Xu sat down, her hands clenched together. How could she possibly bring herself to say those words?
Seeing her nervousness, the father and son exchanged a glance and said, "Go ahead and speak."

“Father, there’s something I’m just speculating about, and it’s not certain. I shouldn’t say it like this. But if it’s true, I might make things worse if I don’t tell you.”

This daughter-in-law has always been steady and knows when to advance and retreat. What's wrong with her today?
Old Master Xu thought to himself, "There are no outsiders here, so I'm not afraid of saying the wrong thing."

"Yes." Madam Xu glanced at her husband. "Father, Xu Ke may have done something not so good..."

The father and son frowned.

“He wasn’t on official business, but rather…” She felt she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

So he took out the letter, and Old Master Xu took it to read it. After reading it, he handed it to his son.

"This is all so unclear, do you know what's going on?"

“Before, your daughter-in-law didn’t know either. Now I have a guess, but I really can’t say it. I’m afraid that if it’s not true, it will tarnish my son’s reputation for no reason. Why don’t we skip this and go straight to the point: Xu Ke did something wrong and he regrets it. His Highness Prince Qi should also know about this. Your daughter-in-law thinks that Xu Ke asked His Highness for help. His Highness asked him to go out and do something, and to stay away for now.”

The father and son's expressions turned serious.

“My wife knows that the Xu family is loyal to the emperor and diligent in their duties, never getting involved in anything outside the established order. Even though they became entangled with the Prince Qi's mansion because of the ink pattern, it didn't affect the Xu family's uprightness. But Xu Ke first dragged the Xu family into the Crown Prince's camp, and now they are under the protection of the Prince Qi…”

At this point, Madam Xu realized she had misspoke.

The father and son exchanged another glance... still not understanding!

Lord Xu scoffed: "The Xu family has a deep foundation, so it's perfectly normal for people to try and win them over. If it were the eldest son, it might be somewhat effective, since he'll be the future head of the family. But trying to win over Xu Ke... Don't be fooled by his smooth career; what he does has nothing to do with the Xu family's foundation. What good would it do? Whose orders can he make? And what use are his promises?"

Lord Xu nodded, "That's true."

But looking at her daughter-in-law's awkward manner, it wasn't quite like that.

Lord Xu was annoyed: "As long as we don't involve him in... cough cough, everything will be fine. If you have something to say, just say it. Whether it's right or wrong, we can be prepared. We can't let them catch us off guard when things come to a head!"

Madam Xu gave a bitter smile...