At around dinner time, Qi Zi came and told Luo Wei that the Senior Chancellor has returned.

Luo Wei immediately said to Xie Yu, "Xie Xiong, since father's home, why don't I take you to meet him?"

Xie Yu didn't make any gestures to decline, he'd been admiring the Senior Chancellor Luo Zhi Qiu for quite some time, and today seemed like a good chance to meet him.

Luo Zhi Qiu didn't think that Luo Wei would bring a cla.s.smate from the imperial study to see him. However, after being told that this excellent and refined youth was Xie Yu, the one he'd mentioned many times at home, he was delighted and began conversing with Xie Yu.

Luo Wei sat beside them. He knew that these two people appreciated each other very much, so he wasn't at all afraid that they wouldn't find common topics. When he felt the time was right, Luo Wei brought out the real reason he'd invited Xie Yu back to the estate, "Father, Xie Da Ge(1) wants to learn how to bring peace and prosperity to the nation, compared to going to the imperial study, maybe it's better for him to learn from you."

Xie Yu looked at Luo Wei, and seeing the smile on his face, Xie Yu suddenly realized what Luo Wei meant. He quickly knelt, "I'm not very talented, but I'd love to take you on as my master."

Luo Zhi Qiu looked at Xie Yu, then looked at Luo Wei. The suddenness of asking him to take on a student without being prepared was a little difficult for him.

"Father," Luo Wei stood and spoke to Luo Zhi Qiu, "You've always said that Xie Da Ge has potential to be developed, and I know you hate to waste potential, how could you let potential like this go? He's already brought himself to your doorstep."

Luo Wei was half joking and half serious with what he said, but the two listening, Luo Zhi Qiu and Xie Yu, neither thought it was awkward, and both began to chuckle.

Luo Zhi Qiu looked Xie Yu over again. He's got a graceful bearing and was an excellent youth. Extraordinary in his literary talents, as well as being poised and dignified. This sort of youth was the kind that he had always liked. Luo Zhi Qiu wasn't the type to put up false pretenses for the sake of convention. The topic of conversation had already developed to this point and he didn't think Xie Yu was that bad either. Xie Yu also wanted to be his disciple. All they needed was the approval of Xie Yu's family. Taking on a disciple like this was a blessing too.

Luo Wei saw his father nod, and quickly said that there's no time like the present. He didn't ask Luo Zhi Qiu's meaning right then and there and ordered someone to go immediately and invite Xie Yu's father, Xie w.a.n.g Bei to come by.

Not long after, the official historian of the fourth rank, Xie w.a.n.g Bei arrived, fearful and nervous. He had thought his son was in trouble, but after hearing that Luo Zhi Qiu was going to take on Xie Yu as a disciple, Master Xie became entirely dumbfounded. It felt as if a pie fell out of the sky and right into his lap.

The Luo Estate prepared a feast for the ceremony of taking on a student, and thus the Senior Chancellor Luo Zhi Qiu has taken on a disciple.

Xie Yu raised his gla.s.s in thanks to Luo Wei, but Luo Wei pretended not to understand, "Why are you thanking me? My father's the one who took you on. But after this, Xie Da Ge has to promise to make sure not to work too hard, if you're getting too far ahead, I'm going to have some tough time at home."

Xie Yu laughed, but he was honestly grateful to Luo Wei. Luo Wei was no gentleman, but Xie Yu wasn't one either. Those who are too n.o.ble and honest can't deal with government and politics, so the grat.i.tude from Xie Yu to Luo Wei wasn't only because Luo Wei was a good friend and confidante, it was also mixed with a good deal of Xie Yu's own consideration for his future.

Xie Yu had studied at the imperial study for a little more than a month, and Long Xuan had tried to ingratiate himself to Xie Yu. Unfortunately, Xie Yu was someone who had strong feelings about propriety and orthodoxy. He believed that there's an order of hierarchy from elders to their youngers, and there was also a difference between an legitimate heir and the son of a concubine. The efforts to get close to him from Long Xuan alarmed Xie Yu. The future n.o.ble chancellor in the making very astutely discovered the ambitions the second prince held for the empire and the throne. This made the days at the imperial study torturous for Xie Yu. He didn't want to cast his loyalty with Long Xuan, but as a son of a fourth ranking historical official, how could he refuse a prince? He couldn't just go to the emperor and tell him that Long Xuan was harboring thoughts of disobedience to the rule of succession. Not to mention that he couldn't even meet the emperor if he wanted to, and even if he had, would the emperor trust him if he told? In the dangerous deep waters and fiery flames, Luo Wei appeared, gave him a chance to become the Senior Chancellor's disciple. He had not only escaped the imperial study but also Long Xuan, and his master could also give him a splendid future. To consider Luo Wei a important and key figure in his life wouldn't be too far off the mark.

FOOTNOTES:
1. Da Ge - Another term similar to Xiong, and Ge Ge, more formal and sometimes used to refer to that person to another person in speech.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTES:
Sorry I've been slowing down! I've gotten sick this weekend and haven't been able to sit myself upright. Hopefully it doesn't develop into anything like a flu, fingers crossed. BUT HOW EXCITING!! Xie Yu has become an important chess piece in Luo Wei's grand game against Long Xuan!! : )