Тhе sреаkеr's voicе wаs lоw, уеt carried а wаrmth like a sрring breezе brushing аgаinst thе fасe. Zhou Shаojin couldn't help but lift her еуelids аnd steаl а quiсk glаncе аt thе mаn whо had sрoken. Hе hаd a sсholarly аnd refined аppеаrаnсе, drеssеd in a stonе-bluе fine rаmiе rоbe tiеd at thе wаist with a clоth bеlt, his hair sеcured with a bаmboo hairрin. Не seеmed around thе sаmе agе аs thе mаn in thе indigо Daоist rоbe. Тhough his dеmeanоr was wаrm аnd gеntle, а subtlе glеаm of spirit shonе between his eyеs.
Zhou Shaojin's hеart tremblеd, and shе hurriеdly lоwered her head to focus on the stove fire.
The man across from her, however, laughed heartily. "Jiu Nao, you guessed wrong this time! That Wang Gang is probably too busy dealing with his own troubles right now to spare any attention for Wan Tong!"
His tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, as if he were quite pleased that this Wang Gang had fallen into misfortune.
"Oh!" Bie Yun exclaimed upon hearing this. "Such a thing happened? How come I didn't know? Pengju, quickly tell us what exactly is going on?"
The man addressed as "Pengju" laughed and replied, "A few days ago, the Emperor promoted Liu Yong from the Wine and Vinegar Bureau to the position of Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Wang Gang's plans have fallen through!"
"Really?" Bie Yun laughed heartily, his joy evident. "Isn't Wang Gang the most favored godson of Chen Li, the Chief Eunuch of the Qianqing Palace? Why didn't Chen Li stand up for him this time?"
Pengju scoffed dismissively. "How can you expect these rootless creatures to understand loyalty, filial piety, or righteousness? The blame lies solely with Wang Gang—having been poor for so long and suddenly gaining wealth, he became so arrogant he forgot his place. No matter how much Wan Tong and Chen Li might feud, they both served the Emperor back in his princely residence. With Wang Gang reaching out and pulling Wan Tong down so effortlessly, displaying such ruthless tactics, how could Chen Li not feel the chill of losing a close ally?" He spoke of court politics without restraint.
Zhou Shaojin's heart pounded nervously, her peripheral vision drifting over.
On the deep green fragrant grass mat lay a robe of purplish-red woven with gold plum blossom patterns and a lattice design. A flawless white jade pendant, carved with a crane holding a vermilion fruit in its beak, exuded a warm, lustrous glow. The crane, with wings spread wide, looked so lifelike it seemed ready to soar out of the jade. Beneath the robe, the bright yellow ribbon tied around the moon-white fine ramie summer socks made her heart race with fear.
Since the founding of this dynasty, strict regulations had governed attire. However, the Jiangnan region was prosperous, and since the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, social customs had grown increasingly extravagant. Commoners often wore gold, silver, and precious jewels, dressed in silks and satins. The authorities, unable to punish everyone, turned a blind eye, and this trend only intensified. Yet, no one dared to use bright yellow—the color reserved exclusively for the imperial family.
In Jinling City, only one household had the right to use this color.
The Duke of Liang's residence!
This man must be Zhu Kun, the heir of the Duke of Liang's residence, Zhu Pengju.
Zhou Shaojin looked up toward the man in the indigo Daoist robe.
He leaned leisurely against a large cushion, smiling silently, as if Zhu Pengju were merely a neighbor next door, not someone to be overly concerned about.
Zhou Shaojin felt bewildered.
"Bie Yun" slapped his thigh and laughed. "'Rootless creatures, how can you expect them to understand loyalty, filial piety, or righteousness'—I love that line! It calls for three full cups of wine!" As he spoke, he seemed to remember something, his expression turning regretful as he sighed. "What a pity Jiu Nao can't drink, otherwise we could have gotten drunk together again." Is it really appropriate to speak of the great eunuchs of the inner court in such a manner?
Zhou Shaojin glanced again at the man in the indigo Daoist robe.
This time, the man seemed to sense her gaze and turned his head with a gentle smile.
Zhou Shaojin's face flushed hotly, and she hurriedly lowered her head. Yet, she seemed to hear the soft chuckle of the man in the Daoist robe by her ear.She wanted to discern whether he had truly laughed, but Gu Jiuniao let out a somewhat helpless chuckle and said, "Next time, then! When you come to Jinling next, I'll definitely drink with you for three days straight."
This left Zhou Shaojin no room to argue, the warmth on her face lingering for a long while.
"No, no, no!" Yuan Bieyun repeated in quick succession. "Even if you weren't in mourning, the wine at your Gu family banquets has always been hard to swallow. I'd rather go freeload a meal at Pengju's place. Not to mention anything else, just that little opera singer Pengju keeps—her high notes are like splitting clouds, her low notes like a gentle stream, her fast notes like bursting beans, her slow notes like the last drops of a water clock... her posture and singing are both impeccable!" He smacked his lips in reminiscence. "How can your family's centuries-old plum trees compare?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin was astonished.
The surname Gu, centuries-old plum trees, a strict family tradition, and the courtesy name "Jiuniao"—this must be Gu Yunhe, also known as Gu Jiuniao, a descendant of Gu Qinghong from Plum Blossom Lane in Jinling City. He later rose to the position of Vice Minister of Works and was counted among the Minor Nine Ministers.
He was Cheng Xu's cousin.
However, judging by Gu Jiuniao's demeanor, he didn't seem like someone who would indulge Cheng Xu's mischief. Could there be more to this story?
Zhou Shaojin glanced toward the intersection.
Cheng Xu was pacing under a thick banyan tree at the crossroads, looking as though he wanted to approach but didn't dare.
Pan Zhuo, meanwhile, was staring blankly in their direction, rooted to the spot like a wooden chicken.
Zhou Shaojin was taken aback and felt somewhat uneasy.
What if Cheng Xu charged over?
She shifted uncomfortably.
The man in the indigo Daoist robe suddenly spoke: "Qing Feng, go ask the young master why he isn't entertaining guests in the outer courtyard and what he's doing here instead."
The young Daoist novice fetching water had, at some point, placed the bamboo tube on a stone stool nearby and was now standing with his hands at his sides beside the man who resembled withered bamboo. Upon hearing the order, he responded and left.
The air grew tense for a moment, then quickly dissipated.
It was as if no one present had noticed Qing Feng's departure, as they continued their conversation.
After hearing the novice's message, Cheng Xu, who had been lingering in the distance, unexpectedly glanced in their direction. Surprisingly, he did nothing further and obediently led Pan Zhuo away.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief and shot a grateful glance at the man beside her.
Yet her confusion only deepened.
Who exactly was this man?
The man seemed not to notice her gesture, smiling as he listened to Gu Jiuniao teasing Yuan Bieyun: "How does your wife put up with your unrestrained nature?"
"You're mistaken there!" Yuan Bieyun shook his head proudly. "Among the eighteen sons of the Yuan family, your sister-in-law chose me alone! Tell me, is your sister-in-law the kind of person who can't distinguish between fish eyes and pearls?"
Everyone laughed again.
Yuan... Yuan Bieyun?
Cheng Xu's maternal family bore the surname Yuan!
For Cheng Xu's grandfather's birthday celebration, Yuan Weichang—the current Chief Grand Secretary, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Minister of Personnel—had sent his eldest son to offer congratulations.
Yuan Weichang was Madam Yuan's clan uncle.
Could this man be Yuan Weichang's eldest son?
Shouldn't he be at Jifu Hall? Why was he here drinking tea?
Who, then, was the man who had helped her out of the predicament?
Zhou Shaojin felt as though she had fallen into coarse pottery amidst cloisonné enamel, utterly at a loss.
Meanwhile, the water on the small red clay stove began to bubble with steam.
She quickly gathered her thoughts and carefully tended to the stove fire.
Zhu Pengju said, "Zi Chuan, Wan Tong is about to take up his post as garrison commander of Jinling. What do you plan to do?"
Everyone's gaze fell upon the man in the indigo Daoist robe.
So his courtesy name was "Zi Chuan"!
Zhou Shaojin looked at the man beside her.He remained in his languid posture, idly rubbing the rim of the purple clay cup with his thumb as he smiled and said, "Me? What ideas could I possibly have? I'm just a merchant, after all. Naturally, I do as he says."
"Zi Chuan, is there any meaning in saying such things?" Zhu Pengju frowned with displeasure. "I came to seek your advice, yet you evade the topic. Is this how a good friend should act?" He then complained, "I've noticed you've grown increasingly peculiar over the years—neither marrying nor taking concubines, nor indulging in pleasure quarters or galloping about on horseback. What exactly are you up to?"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but prick up her ears to listen.
"As for me..." Zi Chuan laughed, his tone sounding somewhat indifferent. "I just do what needs to be done. What do you all think I could possibly be doing?"
Yuan Bieyun exchanged a glance with Gu Jiuniao before speaking earnestly, "Zi Chuan, I heard from Shi Ming that you offered the first incense at Daxiangguo Temple on the ninth day of the ninth month..."
Zhou Shaojin's heart skipped a beat.
Buddhism cultivates the afterlife, while Daoism cultivates the present life. Few people in this life enjoy both fortune and prosperity, so many cultivate the afterlife, and thus many believe in Buddhism.
Before Yuan Bieyun could finish, Zi Chuan interrupted with a chuckle. He teased, "Didn't you know? This year, I also offered the first incense at Longhu Mountain!"
Yuan Bieyun was left speechless.
Gu Jiuniao said, "Why is it rumored everywhere that you intend to transfer the Cheng family's salt certificates to Du Xintong? Does Elder Ze know about this?"
Cheng Xu was also known as "Chunze Jushi," and outsiders often respectfully referred to him as "Elder Ze."
"If you already know, how could he not?" Zi Chuan replied with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of mischief, yet still revealing nothing.
"Zi Chuan," Yuan Bieyun couldn't help but rub his forehead. "We're all very worried about you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have rushed here from the capital. Although Elder Ze has great influence, it wouldn't warrant me making the trip personally. If you keep evading us old friends like this, then consider us meddling in matters that don't concern us. We'll just enjoy some good food and drink in Jinling for a few days, then pack up and head home." By the end of his speech, his brows were furrowed in anger, and his face was flushed red.
"So that's why you all arrived so punctually today?" Zi Chuan laughed. "You must have planned this in advance to force me to take a stand! Fine! Tell me, what do you want me to do? I'll follow your every word!"
Gu Jiuniao remained silent.
Zhu Pengju, however, abruptly stood up, his expression cold. "Zi Chuan, the value of friendship lies in mutual understanding. You know full well we aren't making baseless accusations, yet you keep dodging the issue. I don't have Brother Bieyun's patience—I can't stand listening to this anymore. I'm leaving!"
Though he spoke of leaving, his feet remained planted.
Zi Chuan leisurely shifted his posture and pointed to the purple clay pot on the stove, reminding Zhou Shaojin, "The water has already boiled three times."
Zhou Shaojin hurried to lift the pot but scalded her hand on the handle, immediately pulling back and flusteredly reaching for a cloth.
"You..." Zhu Pengju's face flushed with embarrassment, and he made to stride away.
Yuan Bieyun stood up and pulled Zhu Pengju back, persuading him, "You know Zi Chuan's temperament well enough. If he doesn't want to say something, he simply won't. Since we're friends, we shouldn't dwell on such matters. Come, sit down and have some tea!"
"So according to you, this is my fault!" Zhu Pengju sneered but reluctantly sat back down.Zi Chuan acted as if he hadn't noticed, leisurely warming the teacups as he said, "I heard this tea grows in ghost caves and can cure epidemics. Who knows if it's true or not? But its rich, clear fragrance and mellow, refreshing taste with a lingering sweetness are certainly real. Try it!" With that, he personally picked up the teapot and poured a cup.
Zhu Pengju did not accept it.
Zi Chuan smiled and raised the cup in his hand.
Zhu Pengju turned his head away.
Zi Chuan's smile gradually faded.
The atmosphere instantly grew somewhat tense.
Yuan Bieyun's brow twitched, and just as he stood up, a young Daoist acolyte came running over.
The acolyte bowed to Zi Chuan and presented a large red visiting card, saying, "Master, Lord Hong, the Surveillance Commissioner of Zhejiang Circuit, requests an audience!"
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Sisters, have a pleasant weekend!
Oo~
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