Childhood
In the year 189, Luoyang, Suzaku Avenue, at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Recalling those amusing moments, Yuan Xi couldn’t help but smile softly. “Ah, how wonderful it was.”
If life were only as it was at first meeting, why would the autumn wind bring sorrow to the painted fan, a match made by Heaven.
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In the year 183, there was no other way but to resort to a stratagem.
Young Yuan Xi immediately put on a pitiful expression. Weakly, he said, “Miss, could you please get off me? I can’t breathe.”
Hearing the words “Miss,” the girl’s anger lessened slightly.
Yet she still lay atop him. The girl, quite unkind, pinched Yuan Xi’s delicately sculpted face, to which he could only silently protest.
She then smiled lightly and said, “You talk first. Who are you? You just shouted ‘Stop the thief!’ but I think you’re the little thief. I’m not a thief. My name’s Gao Yue. And you?”
Yuan Xi replied hastily, “Miss, my name is Yuan Xi. I came with my honored father to visit my aunt. I was writing in the backyard but got tired of it.”
“So I went into the woods to get some fresh air and unexpectedly saw you picking green plums. That’s why I mistook you for a thief.”
“Please don’t be angry, Miss!”
Upon hearing the name “Yuan Xi,” a flicker of surprise appeared in Gao Yue’s eyes. At this moment, their faces were only two or three inches apart.
They could hear each other’s heartbeat.
They could sense each other’s breath. Gao Yue came back to herself, her cheeks flushed slightly as she shyly slid off Yuan Xi.
After learning Yuan Xi’s identity, her attitude made a complete turnaround. She gently helped him to his feet and straightened his clothes.
Every movement was exceedingly refined, like a proper young lady. If it weren’t for the fierce image of the girl just etched in Yuan Xi’s mind, he might have suspected she was a completely different person.
How could she be so... unusual?
Gao Yue looked at the boy with great interest. Though young, he exuded a strong aura of ink and scholarly elegance.
Yet he always seemed lazy and unhurried.
No wonder. Since arriving in this world, Yuan Xi’s main pursuits had been reading, writing, and self-cultivation, constantly guided by Yuan Wei, a man steeped in scholarly tradition.
After several years, it was impossible not to have developed an outstanding temperament. Gao Yue wore a reserved smile, as though she had transformed into a noble lady.
She revealed a sharp little tiger tooth and gently said to Yuan Xi, “Brother Xi, do you want to eat some green plums? Sister will pick some for you.”
Yuan Xi eyed Gao Yue warily, his mind racing.
Almost instantly, he understood what Gao Yue was thinking.
Still, he nodded and feigned cheerfulness, “Alright, Miss. I haven’t seen anything today anyway.”
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Upon hearing this, Gao Yue felt reassured. This boy was quite clever.
If her father found out about her actions, she would surely be scolded. But for now, Yuan Xi was perceptive, though it was a pity.
In that harsh reality, he was a young man who died prematurely, deeply devoted. Fate, it seemed, was inscrutable.
Gao Yue tenderly pinched Yuan Xi’s little face.
And so, Yuan Xi sat lazily on the ground, eating plums, emanating an aura of leisure and calm.
Gao Yue asked, “Brother Xi, you seem unreal.”
“Maybe I am. I also feel quite unreal.”
Bathed in the morning light, Yuan Xi’s face was serene. He squinted slightly, his expression like a lazy cat, showing no concern.
Suddenly their eyes met in silence, wordless and soundless, then they smiled at each other as if old friends reunited. Could this be true destiny, quietly unfolding?
Among all the women in Yuan Xi’s life, Gao Yue was not the most unique.
Yet she was the one who gave him the most peace of mind—the rightful lady.
After a long while, Gao Yue smiled and gently ruffled Yuan Xi’s hair, asking, “Brother Xi, what is your dream for the future?”
Without hesitation, Yuan Xi blurted out, “To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to set a destiny for the people, to inherit the lost teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all generations!”
Even he found his own words disgustingly grandiose.
Seeing Gao Yue’s half-understanding expression, Yuan Xi felt that he had pretended a bit too much.
He then tidied his hair and took a sudden turn. “Just kidding. Of course, that’s impossible. What I really want is simple—to drift with the current and live a leisurely, comfortable life.”
Perhaps such words were a luxury for Yuan Xi.
Born into the prestigious Yuan family, his life was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Gao Yue suddenly tapped his forehead affectionately.
She lightly scolded, “Brother Xi, you really have no ambition. The first sentence was powerful, but the second was irresponsible. A real man should have his own aspirations and responsibilities.”
Yuan Xi lazily yawned, stood up, and stretched.
Feigning politeness, he bowed to Gao Yue. “I will heed your advice, Miss. I understand. No, from now on, you’re my little sister.”
Gao Yue smiled helplessly, her delicate beauty appearing even more pure in the morning light, making Yuan Xi’s heart flutter slightly.
It truly felt like childhood sweethearts.
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The Yuan family, a foremost scholarly household of the Han dynasty, naturally had a grand ancestral residence. Though simple in appearance, it bore an elegant charm.
Behind the mansion lay a dense peach orchard.
Every spring, the mountains were covered in blooming peach blossoms—a breathtaking sight.
Within the woods was a small lake, by which the Yuan family had built pavilions and water terraces. Yuan Wei loved to bring a fishing rod and bamboo slips in his leisure time.
Spreading out a mat in the pavilion, he would spend an entire afternoon in relaxation.
Besides attending lectures at the palace every five days, young Yuan Xi also received the so-called “enlightenment education” at the Yuan family’s clan school.
This enlightenment education consisted of simplified versions of Confucian classics.
After all, it seemed the Three Character Classic had not yet appeared in this era.
Naturally, the clan school was like a primary school, attended not only by Yuan family members but also by children from other noble families and some talented commoner youths.
The Yingchuan Academy was akin to later middle and higher schools.
Those who studied there were destined for great achievements.
Notables like Xun Yu, Xun You, and Guo Jia had all studied at Yingchuan Academy.
However, young Yuan Xi had never attended it. As the scion of the capital’s highest elite, he studied at the Imperial Academy, comparable to today’s prestigious Qinghua or Beida universities.
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Yuan Wei, styled Ciyang, was the current head of the Yuan family.
A legendary strategist, he held the high offices of Grand Tutor and Minister over the Masses.
His nephew was Yuan Shao, and his grandnephew was Yuan Xi.
He was both the gravedigger of the Han dynasty and the rebuilder of the Yuan family—a complex figure, both praised and criticized.
Upon discovering Yuan Xi’s potential, he carefully nurtured him.
Yuan Xi was his most perfect creation.
Yuan Wei handed over the power in Hebei to Yuan Shao to allow the Yuan family to be reborn from the ashes.
He took his own death to eliminate the most corrupt elements of the Yuan family.
Thus completing the transfer of power within the Yuan clan.
Yuan Wei was Yuan Xi’s spiritual mentor, seeing him as the future of the Yuan family. Consequently, he began to tilt the family’s resources toward Yuan Shao.
Truly a worthy patriarch.
Yet before this, Yuan Wei had considered killing Yuan Xi because of his exceptional talent.
Later, for certain reasons, he gave up this idea.
Of course, this came with conditions, and Yuan Shao paid a heavy price for it.