Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 317 The World Has No One
As a prominent family and relatives of the imperial family for generations, the Xue family's residence in the neighborhood was naturally magnificent and grand, with its gates and halberds making others envious.

But all of this was nothing new to Xue Tao and did not improve his mood. After returning home, he was still furious and stood in the courtyard, scolding his family and servants.

"How dare Zhang Shuo's grandson insult me!"

Back in the hall, Xue Tao's anger intensified as he recalled Zhang Dai's sarcastic remarks to his face and the obvious bias shown by Grand Minister Cui Rizhi. After a moment's thought, he immediately ordered, "Go to the neighboring neighborhood and summon the eldest son back!"

Although the Tang Code contained provisions on not living separately while parents were alive, and most aristocratic families lived together in one place and rarely separated, this was partly to demonstrate ethical harmony and good family traditions, and partly to avoid the dispersal of property and thus maintain family cohesion.

However, each family has its own circumstances. The imperial relatives and their families have always been a group that is very vulnerable to political turmoil, a situation that has remained unchanged from the early Tang Dynasty to the present.

To avoid and limit the harm caused by such risks, imperial relatives like the Xue family, who had been related to the imperial family for generations, were not keen on living together as a clan. After their sons and daughters got married, they would usually separate and live independently. In this way, even if a prince consort or princess committed a crime, only one small family would be implicated, and the entire clan would not be affected.

Xue Tao's eldest daughter married the current crown prince, and his eldest son married the daughter of the Prince of Xue. He became the closest relative of the current emperor, even surpassing the Wei family of Jingzhao, whose two daughters were married to princes. At the beginning of the year, he was promoted from the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which made him feel very honored.

But today, Zhang Shuo, that wicked grandson, actually mocked him for gaining favor only through nepotism. This truly enraged Xue Tao. Even now, thinking about it makes him feel cold with anger. He only regrets that he didn't sternly rebuke him then. Now, the more he thinks about it, the angrier he becomes. If those words were false, he wouldn't be so angry.

About an hour later, Xue Chongyi, Xue Tao's eldest son, hurriedly entered from outside, bowed upon entering the hall, and asked, "Father, why are you in such a hurry to see me?"

"Where did you go? Why are you so late!"

Xue Tao was already in a bad mood, and when he saw his son arrive so late, he immediately started scolding him.

“The Prince of Ruyang is meeting guests at his residence today. All of us are there. After the servants informed him, we hurried back without daring to delay for even a moment.”

Upon hearing his father's reproachful tone, Xue Chong quickly offered another explanation.

Upon hearing this, Xue Tao did not press further, but instead asked in a deep voice, "Have you visited your father-in-law's house recently? I remember that the Xue family has a dancer named Hongxiao, who is exceptionally beautiful and talented and is very favored?"

"Does Father wish to summon this slave to his residence to perform? This... this may be a bit difficult. Prince Xue is particularly fond of this slave and has built a special pavilion for her in his residence for her pleasure. Even when we, his young disciples, entered the residence, we have not seen this slave perform for a long time."

Upon hearing his father's question, Xue Chong immediately looked troubled and said, "That dancer Hongxiao was indeed alluring, and now that she is favored by Prince Xue, the more I recall her seductive charm, the more my heart aches."

He couldn't help but look at his father and say, "I heard that Hongxiao has a sister named Lüxiu who is about to come of age. Her family is not yet part of the Jiaofang (a type of entertainment institution) but still belongs to the Taichang (a court official). If Father likes this kind of person, why not take her from the official residence? I've heard that many young princes are interested in this..."

"What nonsense are you spouting! To actually regard you as a lecherous and immoral scoundrel!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Tao blushed, glared at him, and scolded him before saying, "You should go to the Xue family today and find an opportunity to tell that dancing girl not to think that she can rest easy just because she is favored by a famous prince. Her father, daughter, and younger brother are all going to be harmed by the evil and lowly officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Only by quickly seeking help from the Xue Prince can she possibly avoid disaster!"

"Is there such a thing? Father, you are the Grand Master of Ceremonies, why not take care of it while you're at it..."

Upon hearing this, Xue Chong was initially surprised, but then continued.

Before he could finish speaking, his father scolded him again: "What nonsense are you spouting! You are a third-rank official, holding this position, are you protecting the slaves and relatives of Prince Xue? Go quickly, just tell them this matter, and don't ask about anything else!"

Seeing his father's angry expression, Xue Chong dared not say anything more and immediately bowed and withdrew.

Xue Tao knew that with the help of Cui Rizhi, a high-ranking official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, it would be difficult for him to suppress Zhang Dai, this brat. However, he believed that Prince Xue would have his own ways to teach that kid a lesson.

Besides this matter, he also heard that Prince Xue had long been dissatisfied with this son because of his brother-in-law Wei Jian. Now, with this new incident, the old and new grudges have piled up, and given Prince Xue's character, he will surely not be able to tolerate it.

As he pondered this in his heart, his gaze shifted and he saw his youngest son, Xue Yuan, walking past in front of the courtyard. He immediately raised an eyebrow, called the man in, and rebuked him, "You disappeared at sunrise, wandering around all day, and only returned now. Where have you been?"

"Father, I went to the market to buy books. The Lotus Society has printed a collection of essays for sale. Last year, this publishing house also published 'Selected Essays of the Times,' which was very popular among scholars. Recently, the books they sell sell out as soon as they hit the market, so you have to rush to buy them. I went early this morning and managed to buy a few volumes!"

Xue Yuan hurried into the hall, holding a beautifully printed scroll in both hands and said respectfully.

Xue Tao took the printed book and glanced through it. Apart from feeling a little curious, he wasn't particularly interested in the contents. He tied the book up and handed it back to his son, but his eyes were full of satisfaction.

His family had been imperial relatives for generations, enjoying wealth and luxury. Their sons' interests were nothing more than fine clothes, rare toys, cockfighting, and dog racing; they had never shown any interest in studying or pursuing a career. This son, however, was unusually quiet and studious, almost an anomaly in the family. Xue Tao hadn't paid much attention to this son before, but after being ridiculed today, his attitude changed considerably. Looking at his studious son, he smiled and encouraged him, "Since you have such a nature and interest, study diligently and master the classics. One day, pass the imperial examinations and achieve official rank. Don't follow the example of those in your family who only seek favor through nepotism!"

"I will remember Father's teachings and will certainly be more focused and diligent, and learn from the virtuous!"

Hearing his father's encouragement, Xue Yuan was overjoyed and quickly added, "When I bought books at the bookstore today, I made an appointment with some friends to visit Zhang Dai and Zhang Zongzhi, a scholar with a distinguished family tradition and known as the 'Young Master of Literature,' tomorrow. I heard that this young master Zhang is also serving in the Imperial Academy. I'm afraid he's too busy with his duties to offer guidance. Could I borrow your visiting card, Father, to pay my respects?"

"Zhang, Zhang Zongzhi? You're not allowed to go!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Tao's smile froze instantly, and then he roared angrily with a livid face, "You're not allowed to go! If you dare to visit, I'll break your legs! What a ridiculous claim of a young man resigning from his post as a saint! He's nothing but an arrogant, disrespectful, and disdainful playboy. Is there really no one in the world who would allow such a person to rise to fame? It's hateful!"

Seeing his father's intense reaction, Xue Yuan was momentarily frightened and turned pale, then his face showed disappointment.

He had originally intended to use his father's position as Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to visit and befriend the Zhang family. However, given the current situation, it seems that his father has actually made an enemy of them. In this case, would he still have a chance to get to know this young scholar who is famous throughout the capital and admired by his disciples?
"Get out! Get out! There are countless poets in the world, and you can consult anyone. Why would you associate with such an arrogant and foolish person? What's the use of studying calligraphy then!"

Seeing his son's disappointed and regretful expression, Xue Tao was furious again and immediately waved his arm to drive him out.

Leaving aside Xue Tao, who was sitting in the hall sulking, Xue Chongyi, having received his father's instructions, was quite enthusiastic. He went home to prepare some seasonal goods and gifts, and then went straight to the Xue Wang residence in Shangshanfang.

As the younger brother of the current sage, Prince Xue held a prestigious position, and his residence was filled with daily banquets, where he enjoyed endless wealth and luxury.

As the son-in-law of the Prince of Xue, Xue Chongyi was warmly welcomed by the Prince of Xue's servants when he visited, and was directly led into the guest hall of the residence.

At this moment, Prince Xue was enjoying a song and dance performance at home. He was already somewhat drunk and drowsy. When he saw his son-in-law come up to the hall to pay his respects, he immediately said with a smile, "Someone, fill Xue Lang's cup with fine wine. He can talk after three cups. Don't let him be sober up by his own restraint and secretly laugh at us for being so drunk!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for the reward!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Chongyi immediately bowed and knelt before the Xue King's seat, drinking three large cups of fine wine before finally settling down with the help of his servants, albeit somewhat unsteadily.

The Xue family's music and dance were certainly pleasing to the eye, but the only regret was that there were no famous guests in the audience, only a few sons of the Xue family and relatives and friends like Xue Chongyi, and then a few actors and servants standing respectfully to the side, making jokes and livening up the atmosphere.

In such a situation, no one dared to delve into the matter or discuss it. In the early years, many of the fashionable people who frequented the royal residences were convicted and exiled, which made them wary of entering and leaving the princes' residences, and they avoided socializing with them as much as possible.

Although Xue Wang and others remained wealthy and powerful, their daily lives and social interactions were actually quite dull, and they devoted any spare time to sensual pleasures.

While Xue Chongyi was drinking and enjoying the music and dance with his father-in-law at the banquet, he was still thinking about his father's instructions. Taking advantage of the fact that the actors had finished playing a piece and before the new performance began, he pretended to be puzzled and asked, "I have been visiting for several days, but I have not seen Hongxiao dance."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Xue Wang's sons changed slightly. The one sitting closest to them chuckled and smoothed things over, saying, "Brother-in-law Xue is drunk. Is a whole hall of singing and dancing not pleasing to your eye?"

"She has recently become less skilled and has not learned many new dances, so we do not want her to embarrass herself in front of others."

King Xue was somewhat dissatisfied, but he still gave his son-in-law some face and casually replied.

"I see. I thought Hongxiao was preoccupied with family matters and had no heart for her art."

Xue Chongyi then feigned concern, and only after the curious looks of Prince Xue and the others did he continue, "I heard from the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices that the newly appointed Assistant Musician is abusing his power within the temple and frequently punishing the musicians of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Many have already suffered, including this woman named Hongxiao..."

Upon hearing this, King Xue's brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "When Hongxiao was punished, didn't she make it clear how much she was involved in this?"

“He did speak up, but his punishment was even harsher; Zhang Dai actually wanted to remove him from the register!”

Upon seeing that the King of Xue was already angry, Xue Chong immediately spoke again.

"This brat is not punishing Yue Nu, he is clearly humiliating me!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue immediately flew into a rage, smashed his wine cup on the ground, and roared, "Get out, all of you!"

(End of this chapter)