That night, Zhenzhen stayed in Rongqiu Garden as Zhao Ai had arranged. Zhao Ai, as expected, followed Lin Hong back to Shiyi Garden. He politely declined the guest room Lin Hong had prepared for him, repeatedly insisting on sharing a room with Lin Hong. Left with no choice, Lin Hong could only instruct A Che to lay out a set of bedding on the meditation couch he used for drinking tea, for Zhao Ai to use.
Lin Hong's bed was about two zhang away from the meditation couch. After they had both lain down, Zhao Ai took the initiative to strike up a conversation, asking about the matter between Lin Hong and Zhenzhen. Lin Hong, however, brushed it off with a few noncommittal words. Instead, he steered the topic to the disaster situation and the refugees from Shaoxing, speaking with him for half the night and asking him to report the true situation to The Emperor upon his return to the capital.
Zhao Ai heard that a great many refugees from Shaoxing had come to Suzhou and had no place to live, often ending up begging on the streets. He thus asked, "The money and grain from the Ever-Normal Granaries can be used for disaster relief. Why doesn't the prefectural government open the granaries to provide for these victims?"
The Ever-Normal Granaries were storehouses set up by the various prefectural governments. A certain portion of the taxes collected each year was used to purchase large quantities of grain when prices were low. When market prices rose, the grain would be sold at a lower price to stabilize them. This system also served to stockpile grain for relief during famines.
Lin Hong said, "Opening the Ever-Normal Granaries for grain and funds requires prior approval from the imperial court. Suzhou has also suffered from disasters this year, and the prefectural government has already reported to the court and opened the granaries once before. As for these refugees, they have come from elsewhere. The prefectural government probably considers them outside its jurisdiction and is unwilling to use local Ever-Normal Granaries to aid them."
Zhao Ai grew pensive upon hearing this, and gradually fell silent.
The next day, Zhenzhen came over from Rongqiu Garden and saw A Che leading several servants, all bustling about as they divided the grain stockpiled in the garden's storehouse into numerous small sacks. She understood in an instant and asked A Che, "Did Teacher Lin tell you to use the garden's grain to help the disaster victims?"
A Che confirmed it, then sighed. "This is grain the Young Master stockpiled before. It looks like a lot, but there are too many victims. I'm afraid it will be gone in no time."
Zhenzhen thought for a moment. Instead of going to see Lin Hong first, she found Shi Huaien and Mo Sijin and told them, "Write down a notice that the Gentleman of Proclaiming Righteousness will be distributing grain at Shiyi Garden to aid the disaster victims. Quickly find a workshop that can print small circulars, print a thousand copies, and find a few people to distribute them on the streets and alleys of Suzhou."
"A thousand copies?" Shi Huaien's eyes widened. "Is that necessary? From what I can see, Shiyi Garden doesn't have that much grain. Once a few people receive some, word will spread from one to ten, and ten to a hundred. The victims will find out quickly and all come to collect it. There's no need to print circulars at all. And even if we do, a thousand is too many."
Zhenzhen smiled faintly. "That's right, a thousand copies. Just do as I say. Print them and distribute them as soon as possible."
Shi Huaien and Mo Sijin looked at each other, completely bewildered. Just then, Zhao Ai appeared at the door. He strolled in with his hands behind his back and a knowing smile on his face. "Do as Head Chef Wu says," he told them. "Only, a thousand copies is too few. You need to print three thousand... I'll pay for the printing."
The following day, the grain was ready, and the circulars had been printed. Shi Huaien had people distribute them everywhere as Zhenzhen had instructed. A Che and the others moved the portioned sacks of grain outside the main gate of Shiyi Garden and called for the disaster victims to come and collect them. Soon, a large crowd had gathered, forming three layers deep around the gate.
Lin Hong stood atop a small hill made of lakeshore rocks within the garden. The high ground allowed him to survey the scene outside the main gate. Before long, Zhenzhen also climbed the hill and stood beside him, observing the grain distribution with him. As for Zhao Ai, he had told Lin Hong that morning that he needed to make a trip to the prefectural government office and had left early, not returning for half the day.
More and more people came to collect grain. Many of them were still clutching the small circulars. Judging by their clothing and accents, a large number were local residents, not refugees from the disaster. By noon, all the prepared grain had been given out, yet many people were still waiting who hadn't received any. Even more people holding circulars were still pouring in.
A Che cupped his hands in apology to the crowd, announcing that the day's relief effort was over and asking everyone to go home. But the crowd wouldn't listen. Waving their circulars, they shouted one after another that his master had made a big show of giving away grain, only to prepare so little. Was he trying to fish for fame and make a fool of the common people?
Helpless, A Che picked up a circular and rushed back into the garden to hand it to Lin Hong, explaining the situation. Lin Hong unfolded it, and his brow immediately furrowed. He turned to Zhenzhen. "Did you do this?"
Zhenzhen did not hide it, admitting it frankly. "I had them printed. Teacher Lin, your desire to aid the disaster victims on behalf of the prefecture is certainly born of a kind heart and is a good deed. But you are not as wealthy as Fan Li. With thousands upon thousands of victims, how can you possibly help them all by yourself?"
Lin Hong turned his head, at a loss for words. Zhenzhen took a small step closer to him and advised, "I heard The Emperor say that the name of the Surging Wave Pavilion comes from the lines, 'When the waters of the Canglang are clear, I can wash my hat strings; when the waters of the Canglang are murky, I can wash my feet.' A gentleman's conduct in the world is to serve in times of order and retreat in times of chaos. If the emperor were fatuous and the court corrupt, it would be perfectly understandable for a gentleman to bide his time and live in seclusion. But The Emperor is wise and has been striving to govern well since his ascension. He hopes to appoint worthy ministers, punish evil, and eliminate corruption to strengthen the nation and enrich the people, bringing greater stability to the realm. He thirsts for talent, and you are talented. You also have the heart to aid the world. Why not go to the capital to become an official, express your political views directly to The Emperor, and become a worthy minister who can influence his decisions and help prosper the nation and secure the state?"
Lin Hong was silent in contemplation. Zhenzhen continued, "When I was at the Woodcutter Inquiry Post, you often advised me to cherish things, saying that everything in the world, from its conception to its growth, undergoes a long process. One must know how to cherish and use things properly, putting them to practical use without waste. You studied hard for over a decade. Is your talent meant merely for composing a few poems? To have talent but confine it to a corner, not sharing it with the world—that is the greatest waste."
At that moment, the crowd demanding grain outside the gate was only growing, blocking the main road completely. A few local ruffians had mixed in, loudly leading the crowd in demanding grain. A Che went out again to explain that the garden had no grain left. The ruffians then shouted, "Since your master built such a large garden, he must have plenty of money saved up. If there's no grain, giving out money will do just as well."
A Che said his master was not a wealthy man and there was no cash in the garden, but the men refused to believe him, clamoring that they must receive either money or grain today. The emotions of the other refugees were also stirred up. Led by the ruffians, they actually charged into the garden.
Seeing the situation turn dire from the hill, Lin Hong immediately pulled Zhenzhen down and took refuge in a cave in the middle of the lakeshore rockery.
The cave had a winding path that originally led to the residential pavilion behind it. But seeing the people who had flooded into the garden all rushing toward the buildings, Lin Hong didn't dare risk going back. He found a dimly lit, hidden spot deep within the cave and took temporary shelter there with Zhenzhen.
A moment later, a clamor arose outside, and the sound of footsteps echoed as if someone was running in. Startled, Zhenzhen didn't have time to think. She turned and pushed Lin Hong into a recess in the corner, her own back facing outward to shield him with her body.
Lin Hong was taken aback, then instantly understood that she was trying to protect him. He immediately wrapped his arm around her waist. In a flash, faster than the eye could follow, he had pulled her over and switched their positions, holding her tightly in his embrace to keep her from moving again.
They stood pressed together, holding their breath. Fortunately, the people who entered the cave quickly ran out along the main path without discovering them in the recess.
After a long while, the clamor outside the cave gradually subsided. It was unclear if the people had dispersed after looting and vandalizing, but the garden seemed to have returned to its usual tranquility. Lin Hong relaxed slightly. He gently patted Zhenzhen's back and said to her, "We can go out now."
But Zhenzhen began to whimper. "I'm sorry, I didn't think they would charge in..."
"It's all right," Lin Hong said gently. "You were right. My small amount of relief grain was indeed just a drop in the bucket for the victims. I was too naive before. Today's events have been a lesson."
But the more Zhenzhen thought about it, the more upset she became. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she couldn't suppress her sobs as tears fell one after another.
Lin Hong tried to coax and comfort her, patting her back from time to time with soothing words, but Zhenzhen only cried louder. Hearing her, Lin Hong's heart was thrown into turmoil. At a loss, he pulled her back into his arms in one swift motion, lowered his head, and kissed away a tear that had just welled up.
The touch sent a tremor through Zhenzhen's entire body, and her sobs stopped abruptly. She stared blankly at Lin Hong for a long moment. He smiled at her. In the dim light, his eyes, gazing gently at hers, were still as bright as stars.
Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck, tilted her head up, and kissed his smiling lips.
She clumsily captured his lower lip, but then she didn't know what to do next.
He seemed startled by her action, his body stiff and unmoving, let alone responsive.
She thought for a moment, then gave his lower lip a light bite.
He couldn't help but feel a sting of pain and subconsciously pushed her away. Then, unable to stifle a laugh, he turned his head to the side and smiled. He moved closer to her again, lowered his head to look at her, and silently raised the corners of his lips once more.
She seemed more confused than shy, her round eyes still studying his lips as if in thought.
It seemed she needed his instruction in this matter as well. As if suddenly struck by a warm wave, the thought made his heart flutter. For a moment, all taboos and worries were forgotten. The next instant, he cupped her face, closed his eyes, and slowly leaned in to kiss her damp eyelashes.
Her heart pounded, and she quickly shut her eyes.
He gently kissed her right eyelid, then moved to kiss her left, leaving her no chance to open her eyes again. Then, he lowered his head slightly, letting his lips touch hers.
It was just a light touch before he pulled away, like the kiss of two fish in water.
Her lips were moist and tender, with the texture of fresh lychee flesh. Her breath was sweet, with a fragrance like benzoin candy.
As if savoring a fine wine, he felt a little intoxicated and couldn't help but move closer to her, preparing to take the next step.
But this time, before he could touch her, he heard someone give a heavy cough outside the cave, then call out, "Come on out, it's all right now."
Lin Hong recognized A Che's voice. Composing himself slightly, he took Zhenzhen's hand and walked toward the outside. At the cave's entrance, he saw A Che waiting there. A Che gave them a rather awkward smile, then jutted his chin forward, signaling for them to look.
Lin Hong and Zhenzhen looked in that direction and saw Zhao Ai, a sword in his hand, sitting with his knees apart on a rock opposite them. His face was dark as he stared at them coldly.
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