Chapter 158: The Notion of a Brother-in-Law

Jiang Lan stepped forward and offered a proper and formal bow. "Imperial Tutor."

Fourth Master Xue was well aware of the previous unpleasantness between Jiang Lan and the Fang family. However, these were matters among youngsters, and it was not his place to intervene. When the Fang family had previously involved the Metropolitan Magistracy, he had already anticipated that the Fang family would not blow the matter out of proportion.

"Today is my mother's birthday banquet, and as her maternal grandson, Lan-geer naturally had to come and help out."

Imperial Tutor Fang glanced at Fourth Master Xue. As rumors suggested, the Xue family evidently cared deeply for this young cousin.

"Lord Heir, did you happen to bring your young master along today?" As soon as Imperial Tutor Fang asked this, everyone turned their attention toward them.

Jiang Lan cupped his hands in greeting. "Ming-geer is still in deep mourning, so I did not bring him."

Imperial Tutor Fang stroked his beard. "I hear you have invited Teacher Pei the Third to your family school. Excellent, excellent. You mustn't neglect the child's education. Feel free to bring him over for a visit sometime..."

Had Madam Fang not been tugging at Imperial Tutor Fang's robes from the side, Jiang Lan was certain the Imperial Tutor would have babbled on endlessly.

At that moment, Madam Gu emerged accompanied by Madam Zhou and Madam Zhao. Jiang Lan watched as his eldest uncle clung like a plaster, his eyes glued fixedly to his eldest aunt. No wonder only the fourth uncle had been outside receiving guests earlier; it was truly too difficult.

The moment Madam Gu arrived, the group seemed to find their backbone.

Madam Gu was on extremely familiar terms with Madam Fang, but the moment Madam Fang walked away, Jiang Lan felt a headache coming on.

Xue Mingrui retreated to the outer edge, wearing an expression that clearly said, "It's your turn."

With no other choice, Jiang Lan had no option but to lead Imperial Tutor Fang inside. Since Jiang Lan was unfamiliar with the specific seating arrangements, Xue Mingrui assigned Xue Kai to assist him.

Xue Kai walked alongside Jiang Lan, pointing out the path, while Jiang Lan braced himself to manage the Imperial Tutor.

"I hear the Heir is soon to go study at the Imperial Academy?"

Jiang Lan felt his head throb. Did everyone already know about this?

"Yes, on the seventh day of the month."

Jiang Lan glanced at the eldest young master of the Fang family, Fang Ru, who was walking behind Imperial Tutor Fang. According to the roster Xue Mingrui had given him, this Eldest Young Master Fang was indeed already a student at the Imperial Academy.

"My Ru'er is there as well. The two of you can keep each other company."

At this sudden remark from Imperial Tutor Fang, Jiang Lan and Fang Ru exchanged a simultaneous glance before quickly looking away.

Along the way, Imperial Tutor Fang dropped repeated hints while probing into Ming-geer's academic progress, indirectly expressing his desire to take on a closing disciple.

Jiang Lan remained tight-lipped, offering neither refusal nor consent.

Compared to Imperial Tutor Fang's endless stream of words, Eldest Young Master Fang was far quieter. Draped in a peach-red robe paired with his peach-blossom eyes, even without speaking, he was impossible for anyone to ignore.

The banquet hosted by the Duke of Ying's estate was held in separate sections, with both the inner and outer courtyards featuring spacious gardens.

The weather was pleasant and spring flowers were in full bloom, so the banquet was arranged in the garden, where the estate had even moved out the landscaping displays from their greenhouse. As an influential and prestigious aristocratic clan, the Xue family spared no expense in luxury. A winding stream meandered through the entire garden, and the dining tables were arranged all along the flowing water.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Lan could not help but sigh that a foundation built over generations truly made a difference; his own Jiang family estate could never manage to pull off such refined elegance.

Hearing the satisfied humming sounds coming from Imperial Tutor Fang, Jiang Lan knew the old man was thoroughly pleased.

Having finally taken his leave of Imperial Tutor Fang, Jiang Lan felt as though a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. On his way back, he spotted his sixth cousin and intended to greet him, only to notice the young man standing beside him wearing a pearl-inlaid headband with pearls the size of chicken eggs.

As Jiang Lan paused in surprise, Xue Minghao, the sixth young master of the Xue family, was the first to call out a greeting.

"Cousin Lan! I heard you arrived early, but we've only just managed to run into each other." Xue Minghao stepped forward and gave him a hug, then lowered his voice to ask, "Did my sister trick you out of your silver? I heard you're practically acting like a wealth-dispensing deity today. Don't worry, Cousin will reimburse you later."

Jiang Lan chuckled nervously, thinking to himself, *If you knew what I actually gave as a gift, you'd instantly regret saying those words.*

"Come, Sixth Brother will introduce you." Xue Minghao pulled Jiang Lan over. "This is Young Master Zhao Yang of the Zhao clan from the Jiangnan circuit."

Indeed, hearing a name was nothing compared to meeting the person. Jiang Lan swept his gaze over Zhao Yang's meticulously tailored attire and the jade belt at his waist, noting that even the folding fan in his hand was an exquisite masterpiece crafted by a master artisan. What a walking nugget of gold!

Jiang Lan looked at Zhao Yang, and Zhao Yang naturally appraised him in return.

"Zhao Yang, this is my cousin, the Heir of the Duke of Wei's estate," Xue Minghao introduced in turn.

A crowd of people followed closely behind Zhao Yang, whispering among themselves.

"Look, look, the two most notorious young dandies in Jiankang City have gathered together."

"Which of the two do you suppose is more dissolute and frivolous?"

"Our Young Master Zhao, of course. Just look at what Heir Jiang is wearing compared to what our Young Master Zhao has on—the difference in style is clear at a glance."

"No, no, you lot don't know the half of it. Word just came from the inner courtyard that Heir Jiang presented Old Madam Xue with a hand-carved ancient sinking-wood walking staff. Do you have any idea how valuable that is? Even if you have money, you can't simply buy it. Back in the previous dynasty, items like that were exclusively supplied to the imperial household. While they are highly sought after nowadays, no one dares to actually use them. Only someone like Heir Jiang, who has the Empress Dowager backing him up, would dare to pull something like that out as a gift."

"Doesn't that make Heir Jiang even wealthier than our Young Master Zhao?"

"Of course! That ancient sinking-wood is priceless. I heard Heir Jiang was acting like a wealth-dispensing deity in the inner courtyard, giving away countless gifts—every single one of them a top-tier treasure, and he didn't even blink an eye."

"Heir Jiang is truly wealthy!"

Zhao Yang gave a light cough and clapped his hands. A servant immediately stepped forward holding a brocade box. With a flick of his fan, Zhao Yang casually flipped the lid open, and gasps of astonishment instantly erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"I've never even laid eyes on night-pearls this large, and it's a whole box of them!"

Jiang Lan looked toward Zhao Yang, his eyes silently questioning what this meant. Xue Minghao was equally taken aback; hadn't this buddy promised to give him some face today?

Just as Xue Minghao was about to step in and smooth things over, Zhao Yang directly signaled a servant to block him.

Jiang Lan watched as the aristocratic young master Zhao Yang walked right up to him. "Heir Jiang, is it? Come, since this is our first meeting, I gift this entire box of pearls to you. A minor token of my regard, please don't refuse."

Zhao Yang waved his fan with an air of absolute nonchalance and ease.

Xue Minghao grew exasperated. "Zhao Yang, what are you playing at! Take those words back right now, or we're through being brothers!"

Xue Minghao had never expected Zhao Yang to show such blatant disregard for his face. He had originally intended to introduce an extra acquaintance to Cousin Lan out of goodwill, but things had devolved into such a mess. Even if his cousin didn't mind, Xue Minghao himself would feel thoroughly embarrassed, and his older brothers would undoubtedly make his life a living hell later.

Swishing his fan, Zhao Yang offered an explanation. "Hey, hey, hey, don't get so worked up. You and I being brothers is one thing, but Heir Jiang becoming my future brother-in-law is an entirely different matter. Am I right, future brother-in-law?" Zhao Yang smiled broadly as he looked at Jiang Lan.

With this abrupt shift in the script, Jiang Lan was caught completely off guard.

Judging by Imperial Dowager Consort Shang's connections, this fellow really could be considered a future brother-in-law of his.

What should he do? He certainly didn't want to acknowledge it.

While Jiang Lan was still hesitating, Zhao Yang took the initiative, throwing an arm around Jiang Lan's shoulders. Finding him taller than anticipated, Zhao Yang had to rise slightly onto his tiptoes.

"Future brother-in-law, why don't we find some time to hang out together? I've recently acquired a few fine novelties back at my estate; I'll be hosting a gathering soon, and you simply must come to show your face and support me."

Xue Minghao let out a long sigh of relief. "Zhao Yang, if you pull a terrifying stunt like that again, see if I don't skin you alive!"

"Do you dare?" Zhao Yang challenged.

"I—I—I..."

"I dare."

Everyone turned to stare at Jiang Lan, one after another giving him a thumbs-up behind his back, thinking to themselves, *With the Empress Dowager herself backing him up, he really is formidable!*