Volume One: Flames on the Border Chapter Eighty-Two: The Family Law

“Cui Mo, Master He has already spoken and will not hold your actions against you. Is there anything more you wish to say?” Seeing He Yu nod, Cui Liang turned to Cui Mo and asked.

Cui Mo had lost face, dragging his family down with him, so Cui Liang showed him no kindness, calling him by name and implying that Cui Mo should admit defeat then and there. This served both as an apology to He Yu and as a public humiliation for Cui Mo—a blow to his prestige, ensuring he would henceforth behave meekly within the clan.

Driven into a corner, Cui Mo bowed, his face flushed with shame. “Thank you, Master He, for not pursuing past grievances. I admit defeat wholeheartedly.”

He Yu’s lips curled into an enigmatic smile, his tone languid. “Think nothing of it, Master Zi Mo. Take care of yourself.” At that moment, he wore an air of haughty arrogance. The crowd, observing this, began to understand: “Master He is truly a man of talent, unrestrained and genuine in both laughter and anger. The greater his learning, the more pronounced his temperament.”

Cui Mo was thoroughly subdued by He Yu, sighing to himself, “What a run of bad luck! Cui Liang found such a jinx, and I had the misfortune to provoke him. Today, disaster struck—I escaped He Yu’s wrath, spared from the humiliation of losing an eye, but causing trouble at the feast and losing face will surely bring family discipline upon my return. Just thinking of my elder brother Cui Hong’s intimidating presence makes me tremble.”

At that moment, a servant from the Cui household entered, reporting that the patriarch, Cui Hong, had sent a family letter. Cui Liang received it and handed it to He Yu.

He Yu was taken aback, hesitating. “Old Master Cui, this is a family letter. Is it right for me to read it?” Cui Liang laughed, “No harm in it.”

He Yu read the letter, which essentially said: “Patriarch Cui Hong has learned that Cui Mo has come to Pingcheng as well. If he causes trouble and disgraces the family name, Cui Liang is authorized to enforce family law on his behalf with this letter.” When Cui Liang and others came to Pingcheng to assist in the battle, Cui Hong was not at home; only recently had he returned and remembered to send the letter. Though far away, his thorough consideration revealed him to be a formidable figure.

He Yu smiled after reading, returning the letter to Cui Liang. Cui Liang’s purpose in showing He Yu the family letter was to display the upright family ethos of the Cui clan of Qinghe—something unmatched by ordinary aristocratic families.

Thanks to Cui Mo’s interruption, the feast had yet to commence. Cui Liang clapped his hands, and the servants began to bring dishes. Music and song resumed.

Cui Mo, having escaped disaster, was about to return to his seat for food and drink when Cui Liang frowned and spoke coldly, “Cui Mo, how can you be so tactless? Leave this place at once.” Cui Liang, the fourth son of the main branch, called Cui Mo by name instead of “Second Brother,” indicating his anger. Despite the difference between legitimate and secondary birth, seniority could not be ignored.

Cui Mo, full of resentment at home, dared not confront Cui Hong, but today seized the chance to make things difficult for Cui Liang, nearly causing him to lose face. Now, there was no need for courtesy, especially as Cui Liang held the family letter, akin to the imperial sword, granting him authority to punish first and report later.

Cui Mo’s temperament had always been unruly; today he sought to impress but only made a fool of himself. Unable to vent his frustration, he was further humiliated by Cui Liang’s public expulsion, stoking his anger. He felt Cui Liang was no more capable than himself, relying only on legitimate birth to flaunt power. Certain that there would be retribution when they returned home, Cui Mo decided to break with Cui Liang, venting years of suppressed resentment.

Though no match for He Yu in talent, he feared not Cui Liang. He rolled his eyes and said, “Fourth Brother, you’ve got some nerve, showing off in front of outsiders and now driving your elder brother away. I don’t wish to leave today—what can you do?” As he spoke, he wore an insolent, defiant expression, repeatedly sneering at Cui Liang.

Cui Liang waved a hand, and the songstresses withdrew. He rebuked, “Cui Mo, have you not disgraced yourself enough today? If not for our collective pleas, you might not even have your eyes left. What face do you have to remain here drinking and feasting?”

Cui Mo acted as though he hadn’t heard, retorting, “Whether I am forgiven is Master He’s decision. I appreciate his kindness. As for your pleas, laughable! Wasn’t it all for the Cui clan’s reputation? You and our elder brother are always eager to claim credit for good things, but blame others for the bad. I’ve had enough. You’re legitimate, I’m secondary, but I’m older and you’re younger! Cui Zi Ming may control everything, but can he control when I eat and relieve myself? Ha!”

He Yu frowned, thinking, “Cui Mo has completely cast aside the decorum of an aristocrat, letting himself go—even uttering such vulgar words in front of everyone.” Unlike He Yu, Cui Mo’s every word and action represented the family’s reputation.

“Cui Mo doesn’t realize that Cui Liang wields the imperial sword. If he continues like this, he’ll suffer greatly today.” With a mind to watch the spectacle unfold, He Yu remained silent, holding his cup and awaiting Cui Liang’s response.

“This lowborn wretch, you’ve brought this upon yourself,” Cui Liang cursed inwardly, now truly angry. He darkened his expression and barked, “Come, throw Cui Mo out and deliver forty strokes.”

“Who dares? Who dares lay a hand on me? Ha, Cui Liang, you sure are bold. Even our elder brother treats me with respect—where do you get your nerve?” As he spoke, Cui Mo drew his sword with a clang, threatening to clash with Cui Liang.

The brothers of the Cui clan of Qinghe were quarreling before outsiders, even drawing weapons. Such a scene was enough to embarrass Cui Liang.

No matter how composed Cui Liang was, his face turned grim. He flung the family letter onto the table and ordered, “Cui Hao, come here and read this aloud for everyone.” Cui Hao hurried to stand, pulling out the letter and reading it.

Cui Mo feared his elder brother Cui Hong most. Hearing the letter, he froze, sword in hand, not knowing what to do.

Cui Liang nodded, and household servants stepped forward, bound Cui Mo, and dragged him out. Soon, the sound of paddles striking and Cui Mo’s wails could be heard from outside.

He Yu secretly smiled, “A fate unavoidable—though I spared him, he still managed to provoke trouble and ended up suffering at Cui Liang’s hands.”

The feast, disturbed twice, could not regain its atmosphere. Cui Liang, deeply embarrassed, raised his glass, “Our family is unfortunate to produce such a troublemaker. Forgive us for the disgrace.”

He Yu would not presume, draining his cup, then said, “Mount Tai does not reject earth, thus it becomes great; rivers and seas do not choose their streams, thus they become deep. For a great clan like the Cui family of Qinghe, it is only natural to have a few wastrels. Without such characters, the clan would be abnormal. Wouldn’t you agree, Old Master Cui?”

With those words, He Yu admired his own eloquence—turning misfortune into fortune, his rhetoric rivaled even Wei Xiao Bao.

Cui Liang didn’t expect He Yu to say such a thing, but upon reflection, it made sense. Every great clan had unpromising offspring, usually kept out of public view. In comparison, Cui Mo wasn’t the worst.

Cui Liang was delighted with He Yu’s understanding and invited others to toast. He Yu, having made a remarkable impression, was now sought after by all for acquaintance.

After several rounds, He Yu raised his glass to offer a toast. “Master Cui is nearly fifty and highly respected. In his presence, I dare not call myself a master. I ask you all, elders and Master Cui alike, to simply call me by my name. I will feel more at ease.”

Cui Liang, somewhat tipsy now, had noticed He Yu’s confidence in front of others, but his respectful demeanor toward the Cui clan was evident. Delighted, he responded, “If so, I will follow your wish. You and Hao’er are of similar age; I’ll take the liberty of calling you nephew.”

He Yu was pleased. “That is best!” He rose from his seat and offered a disciple’s salute to Cui Liang and his peers. Cui Hao followed, greeting He Yu as an elder brother.

With the change of address, He Yu and the Cui clan of Qinghe grew closer, and his reputation would soon spread throughout northern China. Cui Liang and his peers were overjoyed; with Pingcheng’s defense secured and a brilliant young talent like He Yu allied with the clan, not only did their family gain a valuable asset, but their own prestige was enhanced.

Cui Liang, attentive as ever, immediately ordered servants to inform the women in the inner chamber of the change in address, so as not to confuse the generations.

Qingyun dined alone in the inner chamber; upon hearing that Cui Liang had recognized He Yu as a nephew, her joy was extraordinary. The Cui clan of Qinghe, the foremost northern aristocratic family, held her husband in such high esteem. How had he accomplished this? He Lang! He Lang! How much more talent have you yet to reveal? Her heart fluttered, filled with delight.

The Cui clan of Qinghe, wealthy and powerful, naturally wished to show their regard for He Yu, now acknowledged as a nephew. With money, anything was possible; after the feast, Cui Liang and the elders prepared gifts for He Yu and Qingyun.

He Yu and Qingyun, not wishing to appear ungracious, paid respects to their elders again and then visited Cui Liang’s wife in the inner chamber. Lady Cui hailed from the Lu clan of Fanyang, another distinguished family. She and Cui Liang were deeply affectionate, and though married for years, Cui Liang had never taken a concubine. During this campaign, he brought his wife along to care for his needs.

Lady Lu was dignified and beautiful, gracious with all. Seeing He Yu bow before her, she hurried to help him up. “Nephew, please rise. My husband has long spoken of your literary and martial prowess—you are truly an extraordinary young man.” She offered praise, then called behind her, “Bao’er, come greet your brother and sister-in-law.”

“Yes! Coming.”

A pleasant child’s voice came from behind the curtain. The drapery parted, and a chubby, rosy-cheeked little girl of seven or eight emerged, clumsily bowing to He Yu and Qingyun.

He Yu knew this was Cui Liang and Lady Lu’s precious daughter, Cui Bao’er, only six years old. The couple had three sons and a daughter, but sadly, all three sons had died young, leaving only this treasured girl, their pride and joy.