Chapter 7: Xingzhi Temple (7)
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Jinling.
Xiao Residence.
Chen Yuanqing received an order from Marquis Xiao to investigate the background of Xiao Huang, a minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He discovered that Xiao Huang was a man under Prime Minister Xue’s command, having been promoted from the county magistrate of Fengtai County to a sixth-ranking official in the capital within just three years. Although the difference between seventh and sixth rank might seem small, one was a capital official while the other was a local magistrate, making a world of difference.
Upon closer examination of Xiao Huang’s work, it was found that he was meticulous and methodical in his tasks, proving himself to be a capable individual.
As for information about the Second Young Miss Xiao from the Xiao family, there was even less available.
Yuanqing only found out that this Second Young Miss Xiao was named Xiao Ting, with the nickname Qiaoqiao, twenty years old and still unmarried. Today, when Yuanqing sneaked into the Xiao Residence, he saw two young men coming to pay respects to Xiao Huang.
One of them was outstanding, appearing to be under thirty years old. He was Tang Mengyang, a grand academician of the Imperial Academy, holding the rank of fifth grade, in charge of educating the princes and princesses, reviewing memorials, and drafting imperial edicts.
The other man was younger, also dressed in white robes, with a dignified appearance and a mole at the corner of his mouth. He followed closely behind Tang Mengyang.
Xiao Huang welcomed them warmly, “Lord Tang, please come in quickly. And who might this be?”
Lord Tang introduced, “This is Lord Wen, Wen Shengli, a deputy within the Imperial Academy.”
Xiao Huang immediately bowed, “So you are Lord Wen. I have heard of you for a long time. Please come in!”
As a sixth-ranking official and such a young deputy within the Imperial Academy, the future was boundless for Wen Shengli. Xiao Huang naturally greeted him warmly.
It started as a usual official visit, and Yuanqing was just casually observing. But soon enough, he noticed Wen Shengli, the deputy within the Imperial Academy, pretending to excuse himself to relieve himself and then sneaking into the back courtyard. From his pocket, Wen Shengli took out a hand-drawn map. Yuanqing, hanging upside down from a tree, sneaked a peek and saw the map.
Wen Shengli seemed a bit nervous, as if searching for something. After a while, he spotted a girl standing at the pavilion in the center of the lake. His eyes lit up, and he quickly approached, adjusting his hairpin and looking up at the plum blossoms to recite poetry.
The girl, who was the Second Young Miss of the Xiao family, glanced over when she heard the voice.
“Who is that? Such remarkable talent.”
Interrupted, Wen Shengli pretended to turn his head and immediately bowed apologetically, “I am here to pay respects to Lord Xiao. Seeing the plum blossoms in full bloom, I couldn’t help but feel inspired to compose poetry. Please forgive my inadvertent intrusion, Young Miss.”
“Then why don’t you leave?” Xiao Ting blushed, partially covering her face. Wen Shengli secretly glanced at her, his gaze becoming somewhat intense.
Xiao Ting gave him a glance, while Wen Shengli smiled to himself, “I have been impolite, Young Miss. I will come to the residence another day to apologize.”
Immediately, Wen Shengli deliberately dropped the folding fan from his hand and hastily left.
Xiao Ting exclaimed, “Huh?” and hesitantly bent down to pick up the folding fan.
She watched his disappearing figure, biting her lip, and then tucked the folding fan into her sleeve.
Not long after, she asked her maid to inquire, “Who came to pay respects to my father today?”
The maid quickly replied, “Second Young Miss, today only two gentlemen came to pay respects to Master. One is the Grand Academician Tang, and the other is the deputy within the Imperial Academy Wen.”
Yuanqing was amazed. Why would Wen Shengli deliberately try to seduce a young lady from a household like the Ministry of Revenue?
Crossing his arms, after Lord Tang and Lord Wen left the Xiao Residence, he followed them discreetly, intending to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Wen Shengli said, “Brother Tang, you’re right. This Second Young Miss from the Xiao family is quite charming and graceful. Following your advice, I deliberately dropped my folding fan for her, with my finest poetry written on it. But Brother Tang…” He changed the subject, “I heard she’s already engaged?”
Lord Tang spoke gently, “Her fiancé is just a failed scholar. Brother Wen, with your second-place scholar status, how can a mere scholar compete with you? This Xiao Huang, now a trusted aide under Prime Minister Xue, is destined for promotion. If you can succeed with the Second Young Miss of the Xiao family, it will earn you recognition from Prime Minister Xue, and showing your face to him will undoubtedly benefit you, don’t you agree?”
Wen Shengli was moved by this, thanking him profusely: “Thank you Brother Tang!”
After all, he wasn’t like Tang Mengyang, who was the adopted son of the prime minister and a cabinet minister. Both were second-place scholars in the imperial examination of the fourth year of the Wentai era. Tang Mengyang became a junior scholar and entered the cabinet, now holding the rank of fifth grade, while he himself was sixth grade.
From the rooftop, Yuanqing saw through their intentions.
—— It turned out Wen Shengli had come specifically to break the engagement of that scholar Lin.
Yuanqing had to admit that Wen Shengli’s appearance and demeanor were far from comparable to Scholar Lin’s. Young Miss Xiao, confined to the residence for years, had never seen a good man. Even a blind person could tell the difference between Wen Shengli and Lin Zikui.
Yuanqing silently followed Tang Mengyang and found him heading to the Yingtian Prefectural Academy to find Lin Zikui. Lin Zikui wasn’t there; someone informed Tang, “Graduate Lin left less than half a month ago. He should be at the Xingzhi Temple outside the capital.”
After Tang Mengyang left, he got into a carriage, which wound through the streets of Jinling before finally stopping at the residence of Xu Hui, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.
For the past few days, Lin Zikui had been relying on meals brought by Mo Liu from the dining hall due to his foot injury. His eyes had been increasingly strained from late-night studying, and the anxiety of pursuing fame and success, especially after meeting the Second Young Miss, had only intensified.
Mo Liu’s voice was hoarse as he spoke, “Young Master, have some vegetable porridge.”
Lin Zikui stood up and accepted the spoon Mo Liu offered. The warm rice porridge melted in his mouth, but he felt even more guilty. “Mo Liu, you don’t need to read to me today.”
“How can that be, Young Master? You must study every day. You said yourself that you can’t slack off. How could you possibly stop?”
Lin Zikui shook his head. “I have something for you to do today. Remember the inkstone that Brother Tang gave me?”
Mo Liu went to fetch it. “Here it is, Young Master. It’s kept well.”
Carrying his own bowl, Lin Zikui said, “Take this inkstone down the mountain and sell it. Then exchange it for some good quality silver charcoal.”
“Huh?” Mo Liu was surprised. “There’s firewood at the temple. Why switch to silver charcoal? Besides, this inkstone is a precious gift from Lord Tang. It would be a pity to sell it…”
“It’s getting colder… I…” Lin Zikui coughed lightly. “Just do as I say. And with the remaining money, buy some pear sugar and sesame sugar to eat when you return. When you’re back, I’ll see if I can hire a Taoist who can read and write to take turns with you, reading for me.”
“Young Master…” Mo Liu’s voice was hoarse. He knew Lin Zikui sold the rare inkstone because he heard Mo Liu’s voice and felt sorry for him.
Mo Liu took the inkstone down the mountain, while Lin Zikui sat by the window under the eaves, a fire burning in the stove. There was a pot of simmering tea nearby. He held a book in his hands, sometimes reading with squinted eyes, sometimes lost in thought, murmuring to himself as if answering a question.
Xiao Fu’s whims came and went quickly. It had only been a few days, and it seemed like he had already forgotten about Lin Zikui.
Though Lin Zikui’s temperament was adorable, he was also stubborn and rigid. When Xiao Fu sent him grapes, he didn’t even eat one, just turned around and sent them back.
Sitting opposite each other at the chess table, Xiao Fu looked weary and bored.
Footsteps were heard outside the door.
Jinzun perked up. “Lord Marquis, Brother Qing is back!”
Yuanqing stood outside the door, knocking before entering with Xiao Fu’s permission.
He recounted the information he had gathered in detail: “This Second Young Miss Xiao doesn’t seem particularly noteworthy. However, Xu Hui has a foster son named Tang Mengyang, who is a grand academician of the Imperial Academy. This Tang Mengyang took his subordinates to the Xiao Residence to woo Second Young Miss Xiao, intentionally interfering with Young Master Lin’s marriage proposal. It seems that Xiao Huang will seek to annul Young Master Lin’s engagement.”
Xiao Fu: “Xu Hui’s foster son.”
“Exactly. As for Tang Mengyang, I also conducted some investigation. He became a scholar three years ago. Young Master Lin and Tang Mengyang were classmates at the Yingtian Prefecture Academy. Young Master Lin failed the spring exam that year.”
Although it didn’t seem particularly significant, Xiao Fu sensed an underlying meaning. “This man surnamed Tang was classmates with Lin Zikui. Perhaps they know each other. Now he’s sabotaging Lin Zikui’s marriage. Could there be a grudge?”
“I inquired at the Yingtian Prefecture Academy and heard that Tang Mengyang has been quite supportive of Young Master Lin, even arranging for a famous physician to treat his eyes. Moreover, he recently went to the academy to look for Young Master Lin.”
“That means he has feelings for him, which is why he’s interfering with his engagement,” Xiao Fu said, not bothering to lift his head, holding a white piece in his hand. “Since there’s this connection, why did Lin Zikui go to the Xingzhi Temple to study?”
As a Grand Academician of the Cabinet, Tang Mengyang could provide countless conveniences for Lin Zikui.
Yuanqing explained, “I heard that he was short of money. Studying at the academy and seeking treatment for his eye ailment required a lot of expenses. Young Master Lin spent quite a bit of money in less than two months after arriving in Jinling. When he ran out of money, he had no choice but to leave the Yingtian Prefecture Academy and come to the Xingzhi Temple.”
Just as he finished speaking, a childish voice came from outside the door, “Is anyone there?”
It was the young attendant who accompanied Lin Zikui.
Yuanwu stood under the eaves, pushed open the courtyard door, and saw Lin Zikui. He asked, “What’s the matter?”
With two black handprints on his face, and each carrying a box of charcoal, Lin Zikui shyly lowered his head and said, “Winter is coming soon, and this is the best red snail charcoal you can buy from the town below the mountain. I… came to bring some to Second Young Miss.”
He wore a grayish-blue rabbit fur collar cloak and glanced inside while speaking quietly.
The door seemed to be tightly closed, and Second Young Miss seemed to be absent.
Yuanwu also glanced back, thinking that his Lord Marquis probably didn’t care much about this Lin Zikui. Unexpectedly, today Lin Zikui sent charcoal.
He took a look and found it to be high-quality charcoal, not cheap stuff.
Yuanwu: “Please wait a moment, Young Master, I will inform my master.”
“Okay.” Lin Zikui nodded nervously, worried that the charcoal might not meet her expectations. The charcoal was heavy, and he was having trouble carrying it.
Yuanwu pushed the door open and said to Xiao Fu, “Lord Marquis, Young Master Lin sent two boxes of red snail charcoal.”
“Red snail charcoal?” Xiao Fu glanced at Yuanqing.
Yuanqing was also puzzled, “Two boxes of red snail charcoal? That must cost at least ten taels. Isn’t he short of money?”
Xiao Fu was also somewhat surprised. His gaze swept past the window lattice and saw Lin Zikui still wearing thin clothes despite the onset of winter. His clothes were made of common fabric and were stained with charcoal ash. He seemed tired from carrying the charcoal, his face flushed, and sweat beads forming on his forehead, glistening as he stood patiently.
This scholar…
Did he really like him that much?
Xiao Fu looked at him through the window lattice for a while, then turned to Yuanwu and said, “Go and accept it, and thank him.”
Yuanwu conveyed the thanks, but Lin Zikui didn’t see Xiao Fu. Feeling a bit disheartened, he bowed and took his leave. Just as he had walked a few steps, there was a light “pop” sound behind him, and a small pebble lightly hit his back.
A clear and melodious voice followed, halting Lin Zikui’s steps, “Lin Lang, is your leg feeling better?”
He turned around and saw his soon-to-be wife, dressed in men’s clothing, with slender fingers lifting the bamboo curtain. A pair of peach blossom eyes smiled at him.
Lin Zikui hadn’t responded yet when Xiao Fu leaned on the windowsill under the banana leaves and lightly gestured towards him, “If you’re feeling better, would you like to come in and have tea with me? I’ve missed you these past few days, Lin Lang.”
…Strange, even though Second Young Miss seemed like a man, not the gentle and charming woman he had imagined, Lin Zikui still couldn’t control his blush.
He thought, perhaps it was because the winter sun was too bright today.
Though he wanted to go in, Lin Zikui felt too embarrassed, “Second Young Miss, I’m dirty, so I won’t go in.”
He didn’t dare to enter a woman’s room casually. If Lord Xiao found out, it wouldn’t be good.
Seeing a streak of charcoal on his face, Xiao Fu turned to Yuanqing and asked him to pour some warm water for Lin Zikui, “Have him wipe his face.”
Yuanqing brought the water and said, “It’s from the master.”
“Thank you, brother.” Yuanqing hadn’t finished speaking when Lin Zikui gulped down the water and said, “I’ve had it, please tell Second Young Miss that I’m leaving.”
“Wait,” Xiao Fu called out to him, “Little scholar, what do you have in the bag on your back?” It looked like food.
As a result, Lin Zikui said: ”It’s some sesame candy…”
He paused, then took out the bag, “Would Second Young Miss like some?”
“Yes,” Xiao Fu reached out with a smile, “bring it in for me.”
Lin Zikui hesitated for a moment, glanced at the tall and burly bodyguard, and then slowly walked towards the window.
In the courtyard, several white plum trees and a large banana tree by the eaves shielded his face. His face, beneath the banana leaves, was framed by the rich red silk embroidered with gold threads, accentuating his picturesque features, which were almost excessively beautiful.
Approaching closer, even though Lin Zikui couldn’t see clearly, he still couldn’t quite meet his eyes directly. He handed the sesame candy through the window and said, “It’s just ordinary food, Second Young Miss…. This is for you.”
“I’m not picky.” Xiao Fu’s voice was soft. “What flavor is this sesame candy? I’ve never tried it before.”
“It’s made of sesame, both fragrant and sweet.”
“I see,” Xiao Fu noticed the amusing charcoal smudges on his face and couldn’t help but comment, “Lin Lang, earlier I had someone bring you a cup of water to wash your face.”
“Oh?” Lin Zikui realized he had actually drunk it and felt embarrassed. He lowered his head and tried to wipe his face with his sleeve, but it only made it dirtier. Flustered, he said, “Second Young Miss, I apologize for my rudeness.”
“Don’t wipe it,” Xiao Fu found a handkerchief, dampened it with some tea, leaned out of the window, and with one hand gently lifted his chin while using the other to wipe away the charcoal smudges on his face.
Lin Zikui was dumbfounded, his face flushed crimson. “Second Young Miss, I… I can do it myself.”
“It’s done,” Xiao Fu focused on his task, “Alright, it’s clean now.” He tossed the handkerchief aside.
Lin Zikui lowered his head, lips pressed together in embarrassment, his fair face flushed crimson. He didn’t know what to say, so he simply murmured his thanks. Seeing the white plum blossoms in bloom, he spoke up, “Second Young Miss, the plum blossoms in the East Guest Hall are really beautiful.”
“Do you like plum blossoms, Lin Lang?”
“Yes.” Lin Zikui nodded.
Xiao Fu smiled and said, “Then shall I dig up a few and give them to you?”
“Huh?” Lin Zikui thought he had misheard. Feeling flustered, he waved his hand, “No, no need.”
Xiao Fu looked at him and asked, “If you like them, why refuse?”
“I… one branch is enough.” He wasn’t greedy.
Xiao Fu called out, “Yuanwu, pick a branch for Lin Lang.”
“Yes, Master.” Yuanwu swiftly took out a knife and cut a large branch of white plum blossoms, handing it to Lin Zikui. “Young Master Lin.”
Lin Zikui stared blankly at the branch of flowers, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Xiao Fu smiled and said, “A flower in bloom should be picked, Lin Lang. If you like it, I’ll send you more tomorrow.”
Lin Zikui waved his hand: “That’s enough, thank you, Second Young Miss.” Lin Zikui hugged the branch of white plum blossoms. “Um… Second Young Miss, may I take my leave?”
“Alright.” Xiao Fu waved his hand. “Lin Lang, take it slow, don’t trip.”
“Yes, yes.”
Xiao Fu watched him hurry away, his ears still red, clutching the plum blossoms like he was drunk. His index finger tapped absently on the window sill, while his other hand held a piece of sesame candy, which he then shared with the three others nearby, asking, “Is this sweet?”
“Lord Marquis, yes, it is sweet.”
Xiao Fu took another bite, finding the candy tasteless in his mouth.
Having been poisoned as a child and subsequently losing his sense of taste, Xiao Fu hadn’t regained it over the years. Thus, he had no cravings for food and everything tasted the same to him.
With the loss of his sense of taste came a diminished sense of smell, but thankfully he could still catch a whiff of aroma. Consequently, he became more eager for smells, even using extra perfume on his clothes.
Xiao Fu finished the candy slowly.
Thinking for a moment, he turned to the side and said, “It’s getting cold. Yuanqing, light up the charcoal. I remember there’s an unworn white mink coat in the wardrobe. Find it and send it to the little scholar later.”
Yuanqing hesitated. “Lord Marquis, that coat was sent by the County Princess. And given Young Master Lin’s character, he probably won’t accept it.”
“You’ve only known him for a few days, and you already understand him? Despite his fierce demeanor, he’s actually quite naive. Just tell him it’s rabbit fur. I noticed his fingers were red from the cold earlier, and with the temperature dropping tonight, how will he be able to write?”
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