Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 473 I fear I will not be able to accept my fate
"My brother is going to be a Xie Lu Lang! My brother has been appointed Xie Lu Lang!"

Song Xiu was extremely excited throughout the journey, and upon returning home, he couldn't help but shout with joy: "My elder brother is exceptionally talented. After completing his term of service, he was granted a prestigious post without being reassigned!"

"Is Qilang telling the truth?"

Song Xiu's cheers at home quickly attracted the attention of many family members, who gathered around and asked her questions with surprised expressions.

"Of course it's true, how could it be false! My brother recently received the imperial edict in the Secretariat, and he still has the edict with him!"

Song Xiu said proudly that because his father died young, his family did not have a high profile in the clan. Now that his elder brother was making great strides in his official career, Song Xiu, being young and impetuous, could not help but show off in front of others: "Xielu Lang is an important position in charge of rites and music. Zhang Yan, Gongsun Zhang Dai, and others have made a name for themselves in this position. My brother will soon be famous as well!"

As a member of the Song family, a prominent family, the members naturally knew what the position of Xie Lu Lang (协律郎) was. In fact, the family members had recently been having some minor disagreements because of this position. Now that they heard about the latest developments, they naturally gathered around to inquire: "Has Fourth Brother really become Xie Lu Lang?"

Song Zhuo was still full of doubts, and knowing that his clansmen had been somewhat unhappy about this recently, he naturally did not want to be as high-profile as his younger brother. He simply responded to the clansmen's questions and then dragged Song Xiu, who was still eager to make a big fuss, towards his own courtyard.

However, with so many people and eyes in the mansion, any news would naturally spread quickly. After the Song brothers returned to their own courtyard, other clansmen soon arrived upon hearing the news, including the wife of their second uncle, Song Sheng.

"Si Lang, I heard you've become a Music Master? And you've received a new imperial edict?"

After entering the room, the aunt glared at Song Zhuo and said loudly, "You can't talk nonsense like that! You've just returned from your travels, how would you know the complexities of human relationships in the capital? Although the position of Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is only a lowly post, this year is a turbulent year, and many families are eager to obtain it. How could you so easily obtain it?"

“How do you know it’s nonsense, Aunt? I saw my brother’s newly received imperial edict with my own eyes. How could it be fake! No matter how hard it is to find someone like him elsewhere, my brother has now become a music official!”

Upon hearing this, Song Xiu immediately glared and retorted.

Among Song Jing's sons, the second son now holds the highest official position, so his wife is keen to show off her superiority in front of her family. Song Xiu, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, has also suffered a lot of ridicule. Now is the time for him to finally get his revenge, so he is naturally impatient to be discouraged.

"If that's the case, then take out your imperial edict and let everyone see it! If it's fake, just empty talk and deception, don't blame me for reporting your mother. You'll have to teach your unruly child a lesson!"

Upon hearing this, the aunt became even more agitated. She pointed at the two men and shouted, "I refuse to believe it! What makes you think you deserve the title of Assistant Musician? You've been away in a distant prefecture for years, and your name is unknown in the capital. Who is showing you favoritism? Show me the imperial edict!"

"Brother, show her! Don't ask who's doing this for you, she doesn't need your help!"

Having just endured some difficult treatment, Song's younger sister couldn't hold back any longer upon hearing her aunt's overbearing questioning and immediately spoke up loudly from the side.

Unlike his younger siblings, Song Zhuo was not impulsive. Hearing his aunt's unfriendly tone, he guessed that she suspected that the head of the family, Song Jing, was biased towards the eldest branch and had used underhanded means to obtain the official position for him.

At the moment, Song Zhuo was not sure if the truth was as it seemed, and he did not want to cause trouble for his family or his grandfather because of his own actions. So he bowed to his aunt and said, "Aunt, please calm down. I am still not clear about the situation. The imperial edict does exist, but how can the emperor's words be shown to others so easily?"
After my grandfather returns, I will go to the main hall to inquire and give the family an answer. At this time, it is indeed inappropriate to make noise in the house; I am truly sorry for disturbing my aunt, and I hope she will forgive my impetuousness.

"Then remember, don't make a fuss for no reason, and don't try to hide anything. You must explain the whole story clearly later!"

Although Song Sheng's wife was full of suspicion and anger, she did not dare to really break off relations and make a scene. Seeing that Song Zhuo's attitude was still respectful, she snorted coldly and gave a few warnings. Then she walked out of the courtyard and waved to the crowd, saying, "Disperse, disperse! This is something that is still undecided, but a few ignorant children have made it seem like it is real!"

"Brother, it's clearly the truth..."

Seeing this, Song Xiu was naturally indignant and was about to argue when Song Zhuo waved his hand to interrupt him: "Don't make a fuss anymore. We'll talk about it after Grandfather returns!"

Hearing the chaotic questions and discussions of the clansmen outside the courtyard, Song Zhuo's initial joy at being granted an official position gradually cooled, replaced by a sense of bewilderment, in addition to his doubts.

"Our lord has returned home!"

Just then, a servant outside called out again. Upon hearing this, everyone in the house, including Song Zhuo and his brothers, immediately went to the front hall to welcome their master home.

After Song Jing was promoted to Right Chancellor, he no longer managed specific affairs. When he went to court, he would just sit in the Ministry of Personnel and chat with his colleagues about current events. He was in a very leisurely state.

Today, he was startled by a strange tale concerning his own family, so he left the province early and returned home to investigate. Upon dismounting at the gate, he saw his family rushing to greet him, and immediately waved his hand, saying, "Go home quickly and get back to your own business. There's no need to spend the whole day welcoming and seeing you off!"

He waved his hand to dismiss the family members, then pointed to Song Zhuo in the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Come with me!" The Song family members watched the grandfather and grandson walk one after the other into the inner study, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Song Sheng's wife suspected that her father-in-law was being unfair and was full of resentment, but she did not dare to step forward to question him.

The clansmen may not have been on good terms in private, but they all had an unspoken agreement: no matter how much they argued, they should not go to the head of the clan, Song Jing, otherwise things would become serious.

After entering the study and settling down, Song Jing frowned and looked at his grandson, who stood with his head bowed before the desk, and asked in a deep voice, "What's going on?"

Song Zhuo respectfully placed the imperial edict he carried with him on Song Jing's desk, then pushed it back and bowed, saying, "This morning, an imperial envoy from the Secretariat came to my door, inviting me to the Secretariat to receive the imperial decree. I am still confused and do not know how I was granted this position..."

"You don't know? But I've heard that the imperial edict was sent directly from the Southern Palace to the provinces. How could you, an unknown junior, have your name known even within the palace?"

Song Jing picked up the imperial edict and glanced at it, then continued to press for answers, his tone becoming even sterner as he suspected his grandson was hiding something from him.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhuo couldn't help but show surprise. He had assumed it was his grandfather's doing, but this was clearly not the case. The imperial edict had been sent directly from the Southern Palace to the provincial capital, yet he had never even been to Xingqing Palace!

Just as he was wondering about this, a sudden thought flashed through his mind, and he quickly said, "I really don't know... but... but the other day in the music hall of the neighborhood, I happened to meet Prince Shou and Zhang Yan and Zhang Dai, and we had a very pleasant conversation. But... but it was just casual conversation about fun things, and we didn't talk about anything else."

However, before parting, Zhang Dai once told me that there was a vacancy for Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and he even jokingly asked me if I would be willing to take the position. I know my own limitations; my term of office has just ended, and I am about to be selected for a new post. How could I dare to hope for such a position…”

"What a troublesome brat! He's even dared to act so arrogantly in my own home!"

Upon hearing this, Song Jing's face darkened, and he immediately slammed his hand on the table and roared angrily.

Seeing his grandfather's anger, Song Zhuo was startled. He immediately bowed even lower and asked in a trembling voice, "Father, do you mean that Zhang Dai got this official position for me? But... but he's only an eighth-rank official. Where did he get such power and influence?"

"He accompanied Prince Shou... Hmph, this boy is even more cunning and deceitful than his grandfather!"

Song Jing also came from the most treacherous political period of the Wu Zhou Dynasty, and his seniority was even greater than Zhang Shuo's. He just didn't like to get involved in power struggles, but that didn't mean he was ignorant of them.

After hearing Song Zhuo's explanation, he quickly realized what Zhang Dai was up to, and he was furious. He himself was an upright man, and even Zhang Shuo dared not make any underhanded moves against him, but he never expected that this bastard was a real coward.

Although Song Jing saw through Zhang Dai's wicked scheme, he was unwilling to explain those treacherous dealings to his grandson in too much detail. Moreover, some of the intricacies involved were not things that a subject should discuss in the dark at home.

"You cannot accept this appointment. Resign! Go back now and write your resignation letter. I will submit it to the court on your behalf tomorrow morning."

After holding the imperial edict in his hand and pondering for a moment, Song Jing looked up at Song Zhuo and said.

Song Zhuo was still shocked that Zhang Dai, whom he had just met, was willing to help him so much. At this moment, his grandfather's words hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him even more astonished.

"Does Father think that I am too incompetent for this position?"

Song Zhuoxin was overwhelmed with emotions. After a long while, he managed to speak and asked in a trembling voice.

“Your talent is quite good. I have been paying attention to your performance evaluations. Although you did not achieve the highest score, your performance was still commendable and you are worthy of your salary.”

Upon hearing this, Song Jing spoke up, saying that although he was very self-disciplined, it did not mean that he was devoid of human emotions. Of course, he would also care about his own children.

"However, the people in the capital are complex, and it's far more complicated than just a matter of talent. You've just returned from your term, met people by chance, and have no achievements to earn respect. So why would anyone promote you?"

Seeing the resentment on Song Zhuo's face, Song Jing then said earnestly, "You were favored by the emperor at a young age and were able to serve as a guard in the imperial court. Before you had even worn your official hat and shoes for a long time, you had already completed your term and returned home. How many talented people in the world are like you and have not yet been appreciated by the times? Why are you in such a hurry to advance?"

“Since you are not incompetent, why can’t I take the position? I wish to support my parents, but they are no longer there. I am still young and have already lost my father. If I remain arrogant and complacent, and my career is stagnant, how will I repay my mother?”

Song Zhuo, however, did not heed his grandfather's advice and said with a sorrowful expression.

(End of this chapter)