Chapter 13: Xingzhi Temple (13)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Seeing Lin Zikui entering the house with frequent glances back, Marquis Xiao walked away contentedly, holding onto the pear syrup candies. The warmth lingered in his palm, as if still carrying the temperature of Lin Zikui’s fingers.
Suddenly remembering Lin Zikui’s eyes, Xiao Fu rarely sat down, wrote a letter, rolled it up with the paper, and tied it to the leg of a messenger pigeon.
Yuanqing hesitated, “Is the Lord Marquis sending a message to the Third Master? Is it… something related to the palace? The Third Master can’t come to Jinling at this time, right?”
Xiao Fu shook his head. “Third Brother is a poison physician. Perhaps he has some special remedy for Lin Zikui’s eyes.”
Yuanqing was slightly surprised, but didn’t say anything. Lord Marquis seemed to be particularly concerned about Young Master Lin, as if he were fascinated by him playing the role of Young Miss Xiao.
The next morning, Lin Zikui brushed Xiao Fu’s pair of cloud-patterned boots. Actually, the shoes were very clean, but he tidied them up a bit and hung them under the eaves. Mo Liu looked at the shoes and shook his head. “Our Second Young Miss’s feet really look like a man’s. When she’s not smiling, she looks very stern. No wonder she always dresses in men’s clothes. If one day she admits she’s a man, I won’t be surprised.”
Lin Zikui chuckled. “Children’s talk. There are no men in this world who look that good.”
If it weren’t for the Second Young Miss being different from ordinary women, Lord Xiao wouldn’t have agreed to the marriage with their Lin family three years ago. It’s fortunate that it turned out this way, otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Miss Zhao Ling.
That day, Lin Zikui finally decided to wear the “rabbit fur” coat. After changing his clothes, Mo Liu was still asleep. Lin Zikui passed by the East Guest Hall alone and saw three people practicing martial arts with their bare arms, so he greeted them.
Yuanwu, tall and sturdy, approached. “Young Master Lin, are you heading to the dining hall this early?”
“I’m going to Qingxin Pavilion to see a Taoist priest. And… is Young Miss still not awake?” He tiptoed and glanced, unable to see clearly.
“No, she hasn’t gotten up yet. Our Mar…Master is just a big sleeper.”
Lin Zikui exhaled a puff of white breath and then asked, “Brother Chen, the other day you mentioned that Second Young Miss likes wine. Besides wine, what else does she like?”
“Hmm… she loves listening to music.”
“Listening to music, huh…” Lin Zikui recalled his mediocre skill in playing the qin, but he didn’t bring it to the Xingzhi Temple.
“What does she hate the most?”
Yuanwu replied, “Of course, she hates studying the most, reading books, and she also hates people reciting poetry or trying to be pretentious. Actually, throughout her life, she’s hated scholars the most.”
Lin Zikui’s expression froze for a moment.
He had just been reading the Book of Dao to himself earlier…
Yuanwu stared at him and added, “You’re an exception.”
Indeed, he was an exception. Lord Marquis even had him brush Young Master Lin’s shoes.
Lin Zikui’s eyes brightened at the words.
Yuanwu glanced behind him and asked, “Where’s your attendant? Isn’t he guiding you?”
Still pondering his previous words, Lin Zikui replied, “He hasn’t been sleeping well these days, so I didn’t want to disturb him.”
“In that case, let me take you to Qingxin Pavilion. Where is it?”
“No need to trouble Brother Chen. I’ll ask the passing Taoist later. By the way, here’s a tea egg.” Lin Zikui handed Yuanwu a bag, “It’s still warm.”
Yuanwu initially wanted to refuse, but the aroma was too tempting, so he shamelessly accepted it.
Qingxin Pavilion, true to its name, was secluded and elegant, nestled in the center of the forest. Amidst the golden-red fallen leaves, Lin Zikui ascended the side staircase and, finding the door half-open, knocked twice. When no one responded, he pushed the door open and entered.
This was the library of the Taoist temple, and even disciples of the Daoist temple could enter.
With his book satchel slung over his back, Lin Zikui walked in lightly. Strands of morning light shone through the window mullions, and in his line of sight sat a Taoist priest, engrossed in reading by the window.
“Taoist Lingbo?” Lin Zikui placed his book satchel down and approached with a stack of papers. He spoke softly, “I’m Lin Zikui. Taoist Ling Yuan should have mentioned me to you a few days ago. I’m from Fentai County in Huainan. I’ve come to Jinling to take the imperial examination. Since my attendant has lost his voice, I was wondering if Taoist Lingbo has time to study with me?”
“This is my essay. By the way, I brought a chicken leg for the Taoist.” Lin Zikui placed a stack of papers on the table and reached into his satchel for the braised chicken leg. “It was reheated earlier this morning, so it’s still warm.”
The Taoist priest was of some age, with silver hair, eyes squeezed by age, features downturned, and two deep laugh lines beside his nose. Despite his thin figure while seated, he exuded a silent dignity.
The Taoist remained silent, but his gaze shifted downward, landing on the cuff of Lin Zikui’s silver marten coat, where a small moon-white badge was affixed.
His expression subtly changed as he raised his eyes to meet Lin Zikui’s.
Standing respectfully by the side, Lin Zikui said, “Taoist Lingbo, the chicken leg, the essay, the book… I’m here to seek your guidance because I can’t read for long periods.”
The Taoist casually picked up the essay Lin Zikui had written, his voice hoarse. “What’s your surname?”
Hearing his voice, Lin Zikui was surprised; the Taoist’s voice was even huskier than Mo Liu’s.
Nevertheless, he answered, “My surname is Lin, Lin Zikui, as mentioned earlier.”
“What’s your relationship with the Yan surname?”
“Yan?” Lin Zikui pondered for a moment before replying earnestly, “In the Yingtian Prefectural Academy, I know a Master Yan.”
The Taoist didn’t look at him again or speak, but his gaze remained fixed on the essay Lin Zikui had written.
Then a deep voice rang out: “Long-lasting peace breeds ignorance of warfare. Confucian scholars, with their discussions confined to literature, often avoid mentioning military matters. The privileged and complacent individuals in armor and official robes abound… During the Battle of Qi Mountain, Zhuge Liang faced off against Sima Yi’s forces of two hundred thousand and achieved a great victory. Yet, it was through the defensive tactics of Wei Yan and his troops stationed in Huating that success was secured without engaging in battle. Why is this so?”
Lin Zikui’s expression momentarily froze, then he quickly responded, “In the Battle of Wu Chu, when Wu attacked Liang, Scholar Yu remained steadfast behind his fortress, which demonstrated unwavering trustworthiness. Kong Ming learned from this.”
Note: Kong Ming is Zhuge Liang’s courtesy name.
This was a question about the methods of maintaining long-term rule.
Taoist: “Sun Bin defeated the Zhao and Wei forces, yet why did he let the Zhao forces retreat? Why did he allow Zhao to raid Wudu?”
Lin Zikui calmly replied, “Sun Bin said, ‘When one has the advantage of a hundred li (a unit of distance), one should seize the opportunity. Pang Juan, the enemy general, was lured by the prospects of profit, and this is precisely what military strategists must guard against.’ Sun Bin’s victory was achieved through launching a surprise attack at night, catching the enemy off guard. As Yu Xu (a strategist) said, ‘The enemy’s reinforcements…’”
Thus, the two engaged in a dialogue, with the shifting sunlight patterns gradually moving across the wooden floor. Lin Zikui transitioned from standing to sitting, speaking eloquently, “A skillful attacker makes the enemy uncertain of their defenses, and a skillful defender makes the enemy uncertain of their intentions.”
Whenever the Taoist asked a question, Lin Zikui could almost always provide an answer. He answered tirelessly, without even pausing to take a sip of water.
The taoist said: “Your insights are exceptional, but your writing is lacking.” He looked at Lin Zikui and asked, “Do you detest the rigid writing style of the Eight-legged Essay?”
Lin Zikui was momentarily taken aback, then nodded, “Yes.”
“Then why do you write it?”
Sitting upright with a dignified posture, Lin Zikui had a beam of light falling on his shoulder, making him look like a sturdy green bamboo. “Everyone knows that the Eight-legged Essay is merely a stepping stone. Ultimately, it’s for entering officialdom. I am aware of that. However, I write with emotions, and naturally, it doesn’t turn out well.”
The Taoist calmly remarked, “Once you become an official, you will realize the murky nature of it all. Eventually, you’ll end up conforming to it.”
“In a murky world, one must maintain clarity within oneself,” Lin Zikui said, each word deliberate. “When one person does wrong, thousands suffer. It’s the officials who inflict harm and oppression upon the people, and it’s also the officials who overthrow them.”
As the sun rose higher, the sound of creaking doors echoed from the entrance.
A somewhat disheveled Taoist priest yawned as he walked in, sniffing the air. “Chicken legs, I could smell them from far away. You’re the Graduate, aren’t you?” The old Taoist pointed at Lin Zikui. “Where are the chicken legs you brought me?”
Lin Zikui glanced over and vaguely saw another Taoist in a gray robe. He hesitated for a moment before returning his gaze to the Taoist in front of him, who had conversed with him for at least an hour and still seemed expressionless.
“Taoist….. Lingbo?”
The disheveled Taoist approached with a smile, extending his hand. “I’m Lingbo. Graduate, chicken legs?”
Lin Zikui pointed. “… You’re Taoist Lingbo, then…”
It dawned on him that he had mistaken someone else!
Of course, this wasn’t the first time he had made such a mistake. The Taoist opposite him stood up, lowering his brows and eyes as he addressed Lin Zikui. “Your words are profound, revealing your wisdom.”
Lin Zikui immediately stood and bowed. “A night of conversation with you is worth ten years of studying. May I ask for the Taoist’s name?”
“Ze Wu,” said the Taoist, then turned and left, his broad Taoist robe swaying lightly behind him, contrasting with his narrow and straight figure.
Meanwhile, the real Lingbo picked up a chicken leg and began to gnaw on it, asking Lin Zikui, “You want me to read to you, Gradute? What do you want to hear?”
East Guest Hall.
Jinzun sat on the eaves, nibbling on a pear.
Xiao Fu dressed himself and stepped out of his room. The rain had cleared, and the post-rain sunshine made him squint.
With such fine weather, he should go find Lin Lang and take him up the mountain to pick oranges.
“Lord Marquis, the old Taoist you had me watch,” Jinzun jumped down from the eaves, “is at the Qingxin Pavilion.”
Xiao Fu kept a silver soup spoon in his palm. “Did you take the opportunity while he was away to look for the thing? Did you find it?”
Jinzun shook his head. “No.”
Xiao Fu had anticipated as much, musing to himself, “Where would that old fellow hide something like the Tiger Tally…”
“But,” Jinzun spoke up again, “the scholar is also at the Qingxin Pavilion with the old Taoist.”
Xiao Fu looked up, his pupils slightly dilating. “Lin Zikui? With the old Taoist? What have they been up to?”
Jinzun replied, “They’ve been talking.”
“What did they talk about?”
“I couldn’t understand, and I didn’t remember.”
“How long have they been talking?”
“A long time, about… an hour.”
An hour? It seemed they had quite a conversation. Instead of asking Jinzun here, he might as well ask Lin Zikui directly.
As Xiao Fu was about to leave, Yuanqing returned with lunch in hand. “Lord Marquis, will you be dining? We have tea eggs.”
“Not hungry.”
“It’s from Graduate Lin.”
Xiao Fu stopped in his tracks, turning his head. “Tea eggs?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll have one.”
Since Xiao Fu couldn’t taste anything, he was easy to please. When away from home, he didn’t need to bring a chef. Delicacies and simple steamed buns were all the same to him.
Cracking open the eggshell, Xiao Fu went out to find Lin Zikui. As he approached the Qingxin Pavilion, he passed by a calico cat on the wall, its tail held high under the dappled sunlight of bamboo leaves, meowing at him.
“Meow?” Xiao Fu softened his tone, holding the tea egg. “Do you want to eat, little kitty?”
The calico cat took a few steps toward him. Xiao Fu shook his head. “Sorry, you can’t eat this. Lin Lang cooked it for me. If I give it to you, what will I eat?”
Not far away, Lin Zikui, just coming down from the Qingxin Pavilion, caught sight of Xiao Fu in his sleek black fox fur coat, handsome as jade.
Second Young Miss?
Though he couldn’t see clearly, he recognized him. About to call out, he heard Xiao Fu earnestly speaking cat language, bending slightly toward the calico cat with meows. Xiao Fu’s flawless profile, framed by the fluffy fox fur collar, made him resemble a celestial being.
For a moment, Lin Zikui felt a sense of unreality wash over him.
Could Second Young Miss really be a shape-shifter? He seems to genuinely communicate with animals.
Lin Zikui stood still from afar, watching fuzzily, while Xiao Fu, who he’d heard approaching, seemed to finally notice him. With a smile, he called out, “Lin Lang, come over here!”
Lin Zikui, carrying his heavy satchel, ran over to him under the noon sun.
The satchel was tall enough to block out the sunlight, and he wore a green bamboo leaf hat with a white cotton-padded coat inside, and Xiao Fu’s silver fur coat over it.
Ignoring the gauze turban usually worn only by Taoists, Lin Zikui’s charming face and refined demeanor, along with his attire, gave him the appearance of a nobleman from a prominent family in Jinling.
After Lin Zikui approached, the calico cat ran off. He had seen the cat in the main hall; it was a stray that had taken refuge in the Guanyin Hall and didn’t like people touching it much.
Xiao Fu naturally reached out to help him take off the satchel. “How long have you been standing there watching me?”
“Not long, just a moment,” Lin Zikui refused his help. “My satchel is heavy, Second Young Miss I can manage myself!”
“It’s so heavy, it’s weighing down your shoulders.” Xiao Fu lifted it with one hand, realizing it was heavier than he expected.
He handled it effortlessly, making Lin Zikui’s heart tremble at his strength.
“Why did Second Young Miss come to the Qingxin Pavilion?”
“I came to find you, to see how your studying is going.”
“It’s going well,” Lin Zikui replied somewhat shyly, trying to find something to talk about. “Earlier, how were you chatting with the cat?”
“Just passing the time, chatting with them. They respond to me too, believe it or not. Communication is key; you’d be surprised how much they understand.”
“Really?” Lin Zikui’s eyes widened.
Although he had vision problems, his eyes were not dull, but rather bright and clear.
“Of course it’s true. I do it often. Animals are reliable companions, unlike humans, who are good at betraying.” Xiao Fu realized he might have said too much and turned to him. “Lin Lang hasn’t had your meal yet?”
“Not yet,” Lin Zikui said. “My attendant is still waiting for me.”
“I had Yuanwu take it to him. Come back to the East Guest Hall with me. I’d like to hear about what you studied this morning. Did you have company?”
“Yes, Taoist Ling Yuan’s Master Uncle, who used to be a scholar before he joined the Dao. I gave him a chicken leg, and he read with me.”
Xiao Fu asked again, “What did he read with you?”
As they walked and talked, Lin Zikui explained, “At first, I mistook him for a Taoist named Ze Wu, thinking he was Taoist Lingbo. I sat down to chat with him, and he was quite knowledgeable.”
“How so?”
Lin Zikui replied, “He knows a lot. He asked me, as a scholar, about matters of warfare. Without capable generals and with the Mongols in the North being extravagant, and the Southern tribes not easily subdued, how could the court achieve victory and maintain stability?”
Xiao Fu’s eyes flashed with surprise, but he maintained his composure and asked, “How did you respond?”
“I, um…” Lin Zikui’s shyness seemed to dissipate when discussing these topics. He slowed his speech and explained at length. It wasn’t until they reached the East Guest Hall that he suddenly realized — Brother Chen had mentioned that Xiao Fu didn’t like these topics. He immediately stopped talking about it.
Xiao Fu was listening attentively, but abruptly interrupted, saying, “Why did you stop?”
“I thought it might be boring. You see, Second Young Miss… don’t like discussing military matters.”
“Usually, I don’t, but the way you talk about it is different. Keep going,” Xiao Fu encouraged, leaning back in his chair.
Lin Zikui nodded and licked his lips nervously. Xiao Fu noticed and handed him his tea cup. Lin Zikui took it without realizing, and they both drank from their respective cups.
He continued, and Xiao Fu nodded in agreement when he finished. “Well said. The art of warfare you speak of, it’s quite impressive. It seems you have a knack for it.”
Xiao Fu now understood why the old man was speaking with him. He always valued talent.
“Do you learn about military strategy from books or from someone else?” Xiao Fu inquired.
“From books,” he answered honestly. “The academy mostly teaches the Four Books and Five Classics, along with writing eight-legged essays. Military strategy isn’t included.”
Xiao Fu also guessed that Lin Zikui was still stuck in the stage of discussing warfare on paper, but he had his own ideas and insights, which the old Taoist was willing to listen to. However, nowadays, the Emperor might not be so willing.
With Lin Zikui’s temperament and knowledge, he would face setbacks in the officialdom.
Xiao Fu suggested, “Since the old Taoist and I have similar knowledge, why don’t you come to me for study sessions?”
“I… have come at the hour of the Rabbit, but your guards were practicing martial arts, and you were asleep.”
Note: 5-7am.
If Xiao Fu were to read to him, Lin Zikui would worry that he wouldn’t be able to focus on learning.
Xiao Fu fell silent for a moment, then said, “Come by at the hour of the Goat tomorrow, I’ll wake up earlier!”
Note: 9-11am.
Isn’t it just as Confucius said? He could do that too.
“….. Alright,” Lin Zikui nodded.
Using the excuse of not wasting charcoal, Xiao Fu persuaded Lin Zikui to stay. Xiao Fu read to him for a while, but Lin Zikui couldn’t concentrate at all. His mind kept wandering to thoughts of a future where Xiao Fu had children with his wife, living in harmony as a family, sitting in front of the charcoal basin.
He had no choice but to sit and read on his own.
Marquis Xiao went to play chess with Jinzun, sighing from time to time. Occasionally, he turned to look at Lin Zikui, who was particularly focused, with both ears deaf to outside distractions, his face pressed against the book, as if he were reading through it.
Xiao Fu couldn’t help but remark, “Reading like this will harm your eyes.”
“I know, but if I don’t read like this, I can’t make out these tiny characters.”
Xiao Fu: “Then let me read to you.”
Lin Zikui: “But I still need to write.”
“You write, and I’ll do it for you,” Xiao Fu stood up and walked to the desk, “I’ll grind the ink for you.” As he ground the ink, he watched Lin Zikui writing.
Because they were so close to the paper, Lin Zikui accidentally got ink on his nose. Seeing this, he couldn’t help it. He dipped his index finger in tea and wiped it for him. Just as his fingertip touched Lin Zikui’s nose, Lin Zikui tilted his head back.
Xiao Fu’s lips curved into a smile, and his intense gaze softened in the afternoon sunlight. “You’ve got ink on you, don’t move, I’ll wipe it for you.”
Lin Zikui blushed, “Second Young Miss….”
Xiao Fu gently stroked, and with each touch, Lin Zikui’s heart skipped a beat, light and fast. He bowed his head, thinking how fortunate he was to have a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for.
Even though Xiao Fu had wiped him nearly clean, his fingers lingered. From Xiao Fu’s perspective, Lin Zikui, with his lowered eyes and fluttering eyelashes, his ears peeking out from the brim of his hat, blushed as if blood was about to drip.
Xiao Fu’s fingers paused, and he gently touched Lin Zikui’s nose again.
At that moment, a pigeon flew in through the window, flapping its wings, causing Xiao Fu to turn his head.
Yuanqing caught the pigeon with one hand.
“Master,” Yuanqing handed him the scroll from the pigeon’s leg.
Xiao Fu had to stop what he was doing and walked out to unfold the letter.
There were only two words written on it.
Ai Dai.
Note: eyeglasses.
Xiao Fu stared at the words on the paper for a while, his brows furrowing. “What is this medicine?”
“What medicine?”
Xiao Fu: “Yuanqing, take a look.”
Yuanqing glanced at it.
“……… Lord Marquis, this is ‘Ai Dai’, not medicine.”
“What is ‘Ai Dai’? I asked Third Brother if he had any remedies for eye strain, and he wrote this. What does it mean?” Xiaofu asked, his expression puzzled.
Yuanqing: “A few years ago, a tribute from the Western Regions brought an item shaped like a large coin, thin and transparent, resembling mica. It was said that Prime Minister Xue could read fine print under a lamp with the help of this object. It’s quite rare, brought by envoys from the Western Regions. There are probably only a few pairs in the entire Ye Dynasty. Third Master didn’t give you a remedy, but rather a proper suggestion.”
“How can I buy this ‘Ai Dai’? Where can I buy it?”
“If you want to buy a new one, you’ll have to send someone to the Western Regions. It will take at least two to three months for the round trip.”
Xiao Fu pondered for a moment. “Prime Minister Xue has a pair, right, Yuanqing?” He beckoned Yuanqing to come closer.
Yuanqing leaned in, and Xiao Fu whispered in his ear, “Go to the Prime Minister Residence and steal it for me.”
Yuanqing: “…?”
Xiao Fu remained calm, “With your skills, you won’t be caught. Steal it first, then find a craftsman to study it and make an exact copy. Then return the original. Prime Minister Xue won’t be able to read for a while, but it won’t kill him. If my Lin Lang’s eyes are ruined, he won’t be able to become a Jinshi.”
Note: Jinshi: successfully passed candidate for the imperial examination.
Yuanqing: “…….”
While Lin Zikui was reading with Xiao Fu, he overheard Yuanqing mention going to Jinling for some errands. Suddenly, he remembered something. “Brother Chen, could you do me a favor?”
Yuanqing naturally wouldn’t refuse. “Please, Young Master Lin, go ahead.”
Lin Zikui took out a letter and handed it to him. “Could you please deliver this letter to Tang Mengyang, the grand academician of the Imperial Academy? I have something stored with him and I’d like… Brother Chen, could you bring it back for me, if it’s convenient for you?”
“Tang Mengyang?” Yuanqing hesitated, glancing at the Marquis.
Xiao Fu remained expressionless.
Lin Zikui, discreetly, slipped a small pouch of money to him. “Brother Chen, this matter is very important to me. If you could help, I’d be immensely grateful.”
“Young Master Lin, you misunderstand. This is just a small favor. There’s no need for this.” Yuanqing declined the money, taking the letter instead.
After thanking Lin Zikui, Mo Liu came to fetch him, saying, “Young Master, it’s time for your medicine.”
The master and attendant then returned to the Hall of Purifying the Heart, where Lin Zikui sat down to drink a bowl of herbal soup, while Mo Liu carefully applied medicine for him, rendering Lin Zikui temporarily blindfolded once more.
Meanwhile, Yuanqing hadn’t left the premises yet. He took out the letter and asked Xiao Fu, “Lord Marquis, should I deliver this letter?”
“Of course,” Xiao Fu replied, narrowing his eyes at him. “You already agreed, how could you not deliver it?”
“Then…. do you want to take a look at it?”
Xiao Fu sneered, “Petty actions.”
Yuanqing：“……”
He didn’t know who had asked him to steal the Ai Dai from the Prime Minister Residence.
However, just as Yuanqing was about to set out, Marquis Xiao appeared again, expressionless, and reached out his hand to him, saying, “Where’s the letter? Let me see it.”
If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of tea for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
