Chapter 373 - 236: Sweet Nothings
The Tang Dynasty did not celebrate male romance as much as the Wei and Jin Dynasties did, especially during the Zhenguan era. Taoist support to some extent curbed the development of male romance. Taoism, advocating yin and yang principles, vehemently opposed the union of two males, which defied yin and yang. Therefore, the approach to male romance at the time was neither strict repression nor approval. Generally, people of some standing, though treating dalliances with courtesans as a romantic affair, would not bring up liaisons with catamites in public, let alone the vile act of mutual dalliance.
Ran Yan did not understand these nuances, finding it merely odd. Could it really be coincidence, or could it be karma?
"I’m guessing, have they offended someone and got set up?" Rong Qian looked at Ran Yan with a smile, leaning in to whisper, "It was the Assistant Minister Xiao, wasn’t it?"
Ran Yan’s eyebrows raised slightly, "Any evidence?"
Rong Qian, knowing that Ran Yan had been drugged, and thinking it over, found Pei Jing most suspicious. She suspected Xiao Song was standing up for Ran Yan out of indignation. In fact, the matter had just surfaced that morning and no insider details had been unearthed yet. "It’s just conjecture. I’d only discuss this in private with you. If this really was the doing of Assistant Minister Xiao, there might be more drama to come."
On the surface, Xiao Song always kept a reserve, polite to everyone. But once truly angered, he would retaliate ruthlessly, never stopping until the other party’s reputation was ruined and their family destroyed.
"He has a good reputation in the court and among the people, why would Aunt Rong say such things?" Ran Yan wondered.
Rong Qian hesitated slightly. In her view, if Xiao Song was set on Ran Yan, he was determined to have her. If she spoke too ill of him, causing Ran Yan to resist, the outcome wouldn’t be good. But on second thought, if Ran Yan truly became part of the Xiao household, it was better for her to be clear about some matters. So, she said, "Assistant Minister Xiao was the chief rogue among the dandies of the Capital in his youth. Cockfighting, gambling, brawling, he was far worse than this Pei Jing. His means were truly terrifying, and he caused quite a few incidents. Later, he was cast onto the battlefield by Duke Song to gain experience for a few years, and it was said he was really thrown among the soldiers, even as a vanguard. After his return, he became much more composed and restrained, no longer picking fights or causing trouble. Yet, once someone deeply offended him, disaster would quickly befall them. Whenever it was investigated, it seemed he was not involved. People in the alleyways say that Xiao Song is the reincarnation of a death god. I don’t believe that..."
The difference between the young Xiao Song and Pei Jing was that he never wantonly harmed the common folk. His so-called brawling was merely against other dandies who opposed him.
Duke Song was strict with himself throughout his life, a man of integrity and fortitude, and he certainly would not tolerate his descendants having ill intentions. After repeatedly educating Xiao Song to no avail, he, in a fit of rage, threw him into the battlefield to let fate decide.
Ran Yan couldn’t help but curve her lips into a smile. It seemed that years of experience had only taught Xiao Song one lesson—when doing bad things, always keep a low profile.
Rong Qian, seeing her not afraid but laughing instead, couldn’t help but feel amazed internally. She then asked about the incident at the Zheng residence the other day.