The two Wen family brothers went to visit the manor master and Minister Li, but those who had come to pay their respects had already filled the entire courtyard.
One by one, they all waited to enter and exchange a few words, to express their respectful intentions for coming.
But a servant from the manor came out and said, “Esteemed gentlemen, I sincerely apologize. Our manor master has recently been in seclusion, so he cannot personally receive everyone.”
How regrettable!
A trace of disappointment flashed across everyone’s faces as they rubbed their foreheads. Someone asked, “What about Minister Li?”
The servant continued, “Minister Li is currently… having a private conversation with General Su, so all you gentlemen should please return to rest first. Tonight a banquet has been prepared in the front hall, and Minister Li will naturally attend then.”
Since it had been stated as such, everyone naturally couldn’t continue waiting here. Moreover, since Minister Li was currently having a private conversation with General Su, it would be even more inappropriate for them to disturb.
Whether considering status or position, it was perfectly reasonable for Minister Li to personally receive General Su. They could only blame themselves—whether in learning or strategy, they couldn’t compare to even half of what Su Ziluo possessed.
So they all returned one by one.
Wen Che stood outside the courtyard and naturally also heard what the servant had just said. He hadn’t expected to still be one step behind Su Ziluo.
Wen Yu beside him asked softly, “Brother, shall we leave too?”
“Didn’t you hear? Minister Li is having a private conversation with General Su.”
“Then…”
“Let’s go!”
Just as Wen Che was about to leave, a servant hurried after them, saying, “General Wen, please wait.”
Wen Che’s steps halted as he asked, “What is it?”
“Minister Li invites both of you to enter. Tea has already been prepared.”
Hm? Hearing this, the Wen brothers exchanged glances, then followed the servant into the courtyard. They went around the entrance hall into the room, where a massive carved purple sandalwood screen stood across the space. Through the transparent gauze, they could vaguely see two people sitting at a desk inside. The room was filled with a faint fragrance—it seemed to be tea fragrance, yet also peony fragrance. Breathing it in, it was elegant and refreshing. After going around the screen, they saw sixty-year-old Minister Li and Su Ziluo sitting inside on soft cushions, with a low table placed between them. On top were a pot of tea and cups already filled with tea.
As if they had been prepared for the Wen brothers long ago.
The servant withdrew outside the door and closed it!
Though Minister Li was already sixty, his body remained strong and vigorous, his bearing still distinguished, showing not half a trace of weathering. This person had once served as an official in the court, and his conduct could be called shrewd. Almost everyone, including even the Late Emperor and the current Emperor, held him in respect. It wasn’t because this person was particularly capable or resourceful, but rather because beneath his modest harmony lay a measure of decisiveness. Wrong was wrong, right was right—he was clear in rewards and punishments, never doing anything improper. Therefore, the corrupt officials, treacherous officials, and greedy officials in the court all feared him. But just when they thought they’d weathered his retirement from court, unexpectedly so many court officials turned out to be his students.
The saying goes: though the person is not in court, people in court ensure peace. One could see that Minister Li was truly an outstanding individual!
Seeing Wen Che and Wen Yu enter now, Minister Li’s face broke into a smile: “General Wen, Minister Wen, come, please sit.”
The two Wen brothers cupped their hands in salute: “We’ve met Minister Li.”
“Too polite, too polite. Now I’m merely practicing quiet cultivation in this manor, long since unburdened and no longer concerning myself with court matters. So today there are no superior-subordinate distinctions—we are merely tea friends gathering to discourse.”
“Yes.”
“Please sit.”
Wen Che and Wen Yu sat cross-legged facing each other.
Meanwhile, Su Ziluo to the side had never once raised his gaze even half an inch. He only carefully savored his tea, enjoying the tea fragrance lingering between his lips and teeth. Wen Che deliberately glanced at him. This person appeared refined and mild, harmless, yet always carried a feeling of keeping others at a thousand miles’ distance. It was truly difficult to fathom even a fraction of his thoughts. And such a person was extremely dangerous—dangerous to the point where he could push you into an abyss without you knowing what methods he had used.
Minister Li said, “I’ve lived in this manor for many years. It’s been a long time since it’s been this lively. Today is also the first time I’ve seen you all come together. If I’m not mistaken, your two families haven’t had much contact for quite a long time, have you?”
Uh!
If these words had come from anyone else, they absolutely wouldn’t dare say them. But Minister Li laid them out in the open, making both parties somewhat awkward. Wen Che’s expression darkened slightly. He didn’t speak, but Su Ziluo suddenly smiled lightly, set down his teacup, and said, “Minister Li jests. My Su family and the Wen family have always been on good terms. It’s just that the two Wen brothers are usually too busy—on one hand dealing with court matters, on the other handling various affairs large and small in their household. With so many complicated matters piling up, naturally they haven’t had much time to gather with this crippled person.”
His tone was mild, even carrying a trace of sigh, as if he truly felt some regret that the Wen brothers were too busy to gather with him. Hearing these words, Wen Che naturally couldn’t say nothing, so he also politely responded, “Brother Su speaks too heavily. It’s not that Ah Yu and I are too busy, but rather that you’re accustomed to quiet cultivation, often remaining behind closed doors in your residence. We also didn’t dare disturb you by visiting. How is it that in Brother Su’s mouth, I’ve been painted as some petty person?”
“Oh? If that’s the case, then I judged a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind. Then I’ll take back what I just said. Please forgive me, Brother Wen.” He lightly raised both hands and performed a salute.
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!” Wen Che immediately returned the salute.
Minister Li laughed, “Alright, you two need not be so modest back and forth with each other in my presence.”
“Yes.” The two spoke in unison.
“Though the Wen and Su families have had very little contact these years, after all the old affections of the past remain. Whatever grievances and resentments there may be are merely passing clouds—once dispersed, they’re dispersed. After all, how long can a person live in this lifetime! Look at me—secluded within this manor, when I have nothing to do I listen to music, play chess, or go fishing by the river. Court matters, past grudges—those are all illusory! Living comfortably oneself is true cultivation of peace.” Minister Li’s words sounded like he was advising the two families to reconcile, but they also seemed like a vigorous fire burning intensely between the Wen and Su families.
Su Ziluo and the Wen brothers naturally understood.
They each had their own thoughts.
It was just that at this moment they hadn’t laid them out in the open.
Su Ziluo picked up the conversation: “Minister Li speaks extremely well. A peaceful heart brings tranquility.”
“As long as General Su understands, that’s good.”
After that, several people exchanged pleasantries for a while. Though Minister Li lived in Ning’an Manor and usually almost never went down the mountain or out, he was extremely well-informed about news from below the mountain or in the court. So naturally regarding the matter that had caused a sensation in the capital of Yanjing—the matter of Prince Jing’an’s remains—he brought it up while drinking tea, asking, “By the way, I heard that several months ago the Emperor already issued an edict to have Prince Jing’an’s remains moved to the Imperial Mausoleum for burial, and it seems he sent you, Minister Wen, to handle it? But I also heard that Prince Jing’an’s remains weren’t transported to Yanjing until just a few days ago. It seems to be because something happened, which is why it was delayed. Is that true?”