Rival in love

189 A.D., Luoyang, the Gao family residence.

Yuan Xi traveled by carriage, rushing all the way, and reached the Gao estate in no time. The Gao family home was not far from his own—a deliberate choice he had made when selecting his own residence years ago, a decision that had proven quite clever over time.

"Ah, Young Master Yuan! Please, come in."

The gatekeeper, recognizing Yuan Xi, hurried forward with a practiced, flattering smile. Yuan Xi surreptitiously slipped a handful of silver coins into the man’s hand from his sleeve and whispered, "Tell me, is that Wei Zhongdao in the house?"

The servant, understanding the gesture, accepted the money without changing his expression and replied in a low voice, "Master Wei has been here since this morning. He hasn't left even after the young lady returned."

"Oh? Is that so?" A chill entered Yuan Xi’s eyes, and his demeanor shifted instantly.

The servant glanced around before leaning in. "He is currently dining in the main hall with the master and the young lady. If you have any plans, Young Master Yuan, you had better prepare quickly. The master is quite fond of this Master Wei. You should be careful."

"Understood. If I marry your young lady in the future, you shall be well rewarded." Yuan Xi patted him on the shoulder and hurried inside, his heart churning like a stormy sea.

Watching Yuan Xi’s retreating figure, the servant muttered, "Both are scions of noble families, but look at Young Master Yuan compared to that fellow surnamed Wei. I truly hope the master doesn't make the mistake of marrying the young lady off to him."

Because Yuan Xi was thick-skinned and, despite Gao Jing’s lack of welcome, a frequent guest at the estate, he rarely needed to announce himself. Seeing him stride straight in, the staff simply turned a blind eye.

Yuan Xi walked with great familiarity toward the main hall, where, sure enough, he found Wei Zhongdao chatting with Gao Jing and his daughter.

"Ahem. Hmph. *Cough*."

Seeing the scene, he suppressed his rising anger and gave a sharp cough. Gao Yue had seen him long ago, but she made no sign of recognition, nor was she in a position to do so. However, Yuan Xi’s cough immediately drew the attention of Gao Jing and Wei Zhongdao, who had been sitting with their backs to the door.

"It’s you! Yuan Xi!" Gao Jing’s expression soured instantly. His face grew long with displeasure as he snapped, "What are you doing here at midday?"

"Heh, well..." Yuan Xi wore a forced smile, casting a glance at Wei Zhongdao, who was frowning and appeared lost in thought. "I heard someone had come to the Gao residence to propose marriage, so I thought I’d come by to see."

Yuan Xi looked at Gao Yue, then at Wei Zhongdao. Gao Yue, feeling the weight of his gaze, turned away, looking uncomfortable.

"My daughter's marriage is none of your business," Gao Jing said bluntly. "Besides, Zhongdao has traveled a great distance from Hedong to propose, and I am quite fond of him. What do you intend to do about it?"

*This stubborn old man,* Yuan Xi cursed internally. *Could he not even offer a polite word at a time like this?* But he had to remain civil; this was his future father-in-law, after all, and not someone he could afford to offend. "Heh, of course, there is nothing I can do."

"It’s just that I’ve been fond of Wugou for so many years," Yuan Xi said with a cheeky grin. "Hearing that she might be married off, I had to come and see. Surely that’s not forbidden, is it?"

He looked toward Gao Yue with a beaming smile. Gao Yue’s lovely brows furrowed slightly, a hint of indignation appearing on her face. She glanced at her father and stood up, saying softly, "Father, I am feeling unwell. I shall return to the inner chambers."

She then hurried away. Gao Jing glared at Yuan Xi and gave a stern nod. After she left, the atmosphere in the room grew stiff. Everyone felt ill at ease. Yuan Xi, an old acquaintance of Gao Jing—the kind of acquaintance born of frequent clashes—simply found a seat and sat down.

Acting as if he were the master of the house, Yuan Xi called to the maid, "Lvzhu, bring me a pot of hot tea. It’s freezing out there in this winter weather."

Lvzhu covered her mouth to hide a giggle. She glanced at her master, who offered no objection, then looked at the troublesome Yuan Xi, and went off to fetch the tea.

"Brother Zhongdao, long time no see. What a coincidence." Yuan Xi greeted him with a smile.

"Er, yes, a coincidence." Wei Zhongdao felt incredibly awkward. They had been mere acquaintances who occasionally socialized, but meeting in such a situation was deeply uncomfortable. In Luoyang, everyone knew the second son of the Yuan family was pursuing Gao Yue. For him to show up and propose without a word made him feel exposed and dishonorable, as if he had been caught in an affair. *If only I had gone to the Cai family to propose instead,* he thought. *Cai Yong is returning to the capital soon anyway. Who knew the elders would insist on an alliance with the Gao family?*

The Gao family served as a buffer for the Yuan family against other clans, and many mid-level families sought to ride the Yuan family’s coattails through them. The Wei family was likely doing the same. But the complication was Yuan Xi’s infatuation with Gao Yue. It was a difficult position—a struggle between family interests and personal dignity.

"Brother Xianyi, indeed, it has been a long time. How have you been?" Wei Zhongdao could only force a stiff conversation.

"Heh, I was doing quite well, but I’m not so well now," Yuan Xi replied, uninterested in pleasantries and ready to drop the facade. He would deal with Gao Jing after he settled things with Wei Zhongdao.

"Yuan Xianyi!" Gao Jing knew him well enough to guess what was coming, and he had to intervene to prevent Yuan Xi from crossing the line. "Zhongdao has traveled a great distance. You will show him some respect!" Gao Jing warned sternly.

"I am not being disrespectful; I am merely trying to foster a bond with Brother Zhongdao," Yuan Xi stood up, pointing toward the door, and asked with a smile, "Wei Zhongdao, tell me, what is your intention in coming here?"

Wei Zhongdao was naturally a refined man, but even a clay bodhisattva has a temper, let alone a scion of a noble house. Seeing Yuan Xi’s relentless pressure, he rose to his feet. He bowed formally and replied with a solemn face, "I have come for the sake of a marriage with Wugou. I, Wei Zhongdao, wish to take Wugou as my wife!"

"How dare you, Wei Zhongdao!" Yuan Xi slammed his hand against the side table. "Who in Luoyang doesn't know that I, Yuan Xianyi, adore the second daughter of the Gao family? You cut in like this—what is your meaning? Do you think the Yuan family is easy to bully?"

By invoking the Yuan name, he caused Wei Zhongdao’s expression to flicker. The reputation of the Yuan family, having served as high officials for four generations, was no mere boast. Wei Zhongdao felt a tremor of fear.

After a deep breath, he looked at Yuan Xi, neither humble nor pushy. "May I ask, Brother Xianyi, since you are not yet married and Wugou is not yet a wife, as the saying goes, 'a fair maiden is a fine match for a gentleman.' What wrong have I committed in pursuing her?"

"Hahaha!!!" Yuan Xi laughed wildly, pointing at him. "Wei Zhongdao, are you truly foolish, or just pretending? You have slighted me—do you really think I will let you off easily?"

Wei Zhongdao’s face flushed red. He never expected a scion of the prestigious Yuan family to behave like such a rogue. He had assumed that even if they came into conflict, they would at least maintain a veneer of civility. He hadn't expected Yuan Xi to disregard his dignity and resort to direct threats.

"Uncle Gao, what do you say?" Wei Zhongdao asked, seeking an alternative. In truth, he was not entirely enthusiastic about this marriage, largely out of fear of offending the Yuan family, whose followers and former subordinates were scattered across the empire. The Hedong region was not far from the Yuan family’s power base in Hebei. If the Yuan family were to seize control of the empire, it was not a prospect a mid-level family like his welcomed. He knew the stakes, and even with his fury burning, he did not want a direct confrontation. It simply wasn't a profitable trade.

"Yuan Xi, what exactly are you doing?" Gao Jing roared.

***

Master the arts of peace and war, to be sold to the emperor’s house.
Enter the Heavenly Strategy Mansion in life, and the Lingxiao Pavilion in death.
If one cannot dine from the nine tripods, one should be prepared to be boiled in them.
In this world, life and death pass in an instant.