When Liu Min, Madam Liu’s elder brother, arrived in Tongzhou, it wasn’t yet noon. Jin Chao was accompanying her grandmother at She Xian Tower handling various matters.
Her grandmother was discussing with her about the Ji family dowry shops: “…You’re young and still unmarried, so for those businesses, you can’t manage well, lease them out to others. Take a percentage of the profits, and just focus on the more profitable ones like the gold and silver shops, silk stores, paper mills, and restaurants.”
Jin Chao had been thinking the same thing. Some businesses brought little profit yet caused much trouble, and she wanted to manage them but lacked the capacity.
Her grandmother also assigned two estate managers from her staff to Jin Chao—one was sent to Xianghe Lingbi, and the other to the consistently unprofitable Wuqing Gujing Village estate. Managing estates largely depended on weather conditions; without experience, it was all empty talk.
When their business was almost concluded, Song Mama came to inform them that Liu Min had arrived at the Ji residence and was speaking with the eldest master of the Ji family.
Madam Ji Wu was pleased and said to Jin Chao, “…You should go see him too. Staying here with me all day must be stifling.” Jin Chao thought this was fine; she could simply avoid them when they had the welcoming banquet. So she followed Madam Ji Wu to the west wing courtyard.
On the way, Song Mama described Liu Min: “…He brought many things from Hebei—several bags of hazelnuts, prepared Canal River donkey meat, Zanhuang golden thread dates… Two carts fully loaded. He’s truly a considerate person!”
Madam Ji Wu smiled and said, “The Liu family has deep roots in Jiangnan, but they’re nothing in the Northern Metropolitan area. He must be trying to curry favor with the Ji family…” Marrying Madam Liu into their family was based on this very idea. Otherwise, why would these self-proclaimed noble families from Jiangnan want to form marriage alliances with merchant families? Fortunately, Ji Yun was somewhat promising, having passed the provincial examination. Otherwise, the Liu family would be even more perplexed.
Liu Min was drinking tea in the flower hall with the eldest master of the Ji family. Ji Yun and Ji Can have arrived, and An Song Huai even dragged Chen Xuan Qing along to join the gathering. Chen Xuan Qing felt somewhat helpless, but his good manners prevented him from refusing, so he followed An Song Huai and had a stomach full of tea. They observed the eldest master of the Ji family, Liu Min, and Ji Yun conversing.
Although Liu Min was a scholar, he was tall and robust, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a heroic air. Hearing that Ji Yun had passed the provincial examination, he was quite pleased and asked Ji Yun about the examination questions and how he had answered them.
Ji Yun replied, “The Four Books essay exam covered ‘Mencius’ and ‘The Doctrine of the Mean’…” but was unwilling to elaborate.
Liu Min smiled and asked, “Mencius said: ‘From Yao and Shun to Tang, more than five hundred years passed. As for the ways of Yu and Gao Yao, what they saw and heard can be discussed, can it not?’ Mencius also said that Yi Yin delighted in the way of Yao and Shun; ‘The Doctrine of the Mean’ says that Confucius traced his lineage to Yao and Shun. Now, Yi Yin’s delight and Confucius’s lineage tracing, are they the same as or different from what was seen and heard? Please explain… Was this the question? How did you approach it?”
He had already seen the examination essay! Ji Yun could only answer reluctantly: “The way of Yao and Shun was the way of a golden age. Confucius was fortunate to receive it.”
Liu Min frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied, and continued, “The golden ages after Yao and Shun were also excellent. Could it be that only the way of Yao and Shun is worth following? If the chief examiner asked you this, how would you respond?”
Ji Yun was sweating profusely. This year’s provincial examination questions were already more difficult than usual, and his scholarship was merely average. How could he withstand questioning from a graduate of both imperial examinations? He could only look pleadingly toward An Song Huai, who, recognizing his inability to withstand Liu Min’s interrogation, turned away pretending not to see.
The eldest master of the Ji family couldn’t contribute to the conversation either, as he too was only a provincial graduate.
Ji Yun’s eyes turned toward Chen Xuan Qing, looking pitiful. Chen Xuan Qing had originally not wanted to help, but seeing Ji Yun at a loss, being bullied by this graduate of both imperial examinations, he sighed and stood up, cupping his hands in greeting: “Yi Yin delighted in the way of Yao and Shun, this was virtue in his heart, and whether in obscurity or prominence, the principle remains the same. The way of Yao and Shun is what sages wish to achieve, though the methods of achieving the great way may differ, they all belong to the way of Yao and Shun.”
Liu Min was somewhat surprised, then also stood and cupped his hands in greeting: “…I’ve read this essay. May I ask if you are Chen Xuan Qing?”
When Ji Yun took the autumn provincial examinations this year, Liu Min had specifically sought out and read the essays from the Northern Metropolitan area. He greatly admired Chen Xuan Qing’s essay, feeling that although he ranked third, his talent was not inferior to the top two. He had assumed that someone with such a scholarship would be a middle-aged man who had passed the examinations.
To his surprise, standing before him was such an elegant young man who, though slender, was almost as tall as himself, making him appear even more graceful.
Chen Xuan Qing nodded, and Liu Min was delighted as if he had found a treasure: “I’ve read your essay and admire it greatly! I never expected to meet you here.” He rubbed his hands together excitedly, “When I saw the question, I thought of a different approach, but it wasn’t as exquisite as yours! Ha ha… You must explain in detail to me; there are still some parts of that essay I don’t fully understand!”
It was truly incredible that a graduate of both imperial examinations would show such respect to a provincial graduate. Seeing Liu Min enthusiastically engaging Chen Xuan Qing in conversation, Ji Yun quietly sighed in relief. If Chen Xuan Qing hadn’t been here today, his brother-in-law would have given him a hard time.
By the time Madam Ji Wu brought Gu Jin Chao over, Liu Min was still animatedly discussing with Chen Xuan Qing.
Even with Chen Xuan Qing’s steady temperament, he was somewhat embarrassed by Liu Min’s enthusiasm. Fortunately, seeing Madam Ji Wu approach, he coughed once and stepped aside. Everyone paid their respects to Madam Ji Wu.
Madam Ji Wu smiled and asked what they were discussing. Liu Min cupped his hands and replied, “…This young master from the Chen family has truly exceptional essay-writing skills. I believe he would have no problem participating in next spring’s metropolitan examination!”
Madam Ji Wu responded, “Naturally. He is the son of Third Master Chen from Wanping. A tiger father has no dog sons.”
Liu Min was even more surprised. He knew Chen Xuan Qing’s name only from seeing it in the essay, never imagining he was Third Master Chen’s son… No wonder he wore fine plain cotton robes. Most wealthy families preferred Sichuan brocade or Hangzhou silk, not realizing that this unassuming fine cotton was more comfortable and valuable.
Gu Jin Chao glanced at Chen Xuan Qing. He picked up the teacup from the stone table, lowered his head to drink, and didn’t want to look at her.
Jin Chao smiled. The events of her previous life had never occurred, and she bore no grudge against Chen Xuan Qing. Since he didn’t wish to acknowledge her, so be it. Getting involved with the Chen family would be troublesome, especially with the Emperor’s impending death in a month, which would bring even more turmoil to official circles.
Chen Xuan Qing, however, seemed to sense Gu Jin Chao’s gaze. He uncomfortably withdrew, tucking his left hand into his sleeve.
Jin Chao found this somewhat amusing—was he afraid she would eat him?
She still remembers the first time she met Chen Xuan Qing.
It was when Ji Yun had just gotten married. She came to drink at the wedding banquet and wanted to personally congratulate Ji Yun, so she secretly avoided everyone to find him in her uncle’s study. To her surprise, the study contained not Ji Yun, but a very unfamiliar young man.
Seeing him dressed in wealthy attire, Gu Jin Chao guessed he must be a guest at the wedding banquet. Feeling somewhat afraid, she not only announced her identity but also scolded him as a lecher, telling him to leave immediately. Chen Xuan Qing didn’t move at all. He sat quietly in the round-backed chair, holding a scroll, and glanced at her indifferently, saying, “If Miss Gu believes I am a lecher, feel free to call out.”
Jin Chao remembered how she was so angry that she bit his left hand, drawing blood, yet he didn’t make a sound. She felt the slight warmth of the young man’s palm and smelled the faint tea fragrance on him. Suddenly blushing, she released him and hastily fled from the study.
That scar remained, which must be why he was so uncomfortable!
Madam Ji Wu chatted with Liu Min for a while, and soon it was noon. This was the welcoming banquet for Liu Min, so naturally several tables of food and wine were prepared. The women went to the east side room to eat, but Jin Chao, being in mourning, could not participate in the banquet.
Madam Ji Wu had arranged earlier for some vegetarian dishes to be prepared for her. As everyone gradually arrived, Jin Chao avoided the crowd and prepared to return to Qi Dong Pan.
Jin Chao led Qing Pu out of the flower hall, walking along the bluestone path. She suddenly remembered that when she was young and played in the west wing courtyard, she often walked along this path toward the bamboo grove. Passing through a small bamboo grove led to a small lake filled with lotus flowers, where she could lean over from the pavilion and pick lotus pods.
…At this time, she probably couldn’t pick lotus pods anymore. She wondered if that small lake was still there.
Qing Pu also said, “…This servant remembers there was an osmanthus tree nearby. You often collected osmanthus flowers here and said you would go back to make osmanthus cakes and osmanthus honey for this servant to taste, but you never actually made them.” She pointed ahead, “Behind that privet…”
Jin Chao was in no hurry to return to Qi Dong Pan, so she smiled and said, “Then let’s pick some osmanthus flowers and go back to make osmanthus honey to eat.”
The early autumn osmanthus flowers were already gradually blooming.
After Madam’s death, the young miss rarely relaxed. Qing Pu nodded and smiled: “This servant has been looking forward to it for many years!”
Making osmanthus honey wasn’t difficult. Pick half-opened osmanthus flowers, wash and dry them, place them in a glass bottle, layering osmanthus flowers and sugar frost for pickling. Or use honey, which also tastes excellent. Drizzling a spoonful of tangyuan or pastries creates a fragrant and sweet flavor.
The mistress and servant went to the osmanthus tree, spread out a handkerchief, and picked flowers. After nearly half an hour, they had only gathered a small handful. Jin Chao smiled helplessly, “…Just enough for a taste.” Her neck had grown sore from looking up.
Qing Pu said, “It’s because your constitution is somewhat weak, perhaps due to recent overexertion…” She accompanied her back to Qi Dong Pan.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuan Qing had been plied with much wine by Liu Min, and his fair face was flushed. He inwardly lamented that, as Ji Yun had said, this man had an extraordinary capacity for alcohol. Chen Xuan Qing was using a small blue-white glazed ice-crackle cup, while Liu Min used a small red glass cup, yet he still couldn’t match Liu Min’s drinking prowess.
Seeing this, the eldest master of the Ji family inevitably came to his rescue: “…I see that Young Master Chen seems to be struggling with the wine. Why not go outside for a walk to sober up!” He asked his attendant Gao Chang to accompany him. Chen Xuan Qing thanked him with cupped hands and followed the attendant out of the flower hall.
Seeing this, An Song Huai grew restless. The women weren’t dining with them, and several times he craned his neck trying to look toward the east side room, but couldn’t see anyone. Feeling as uncomfortable as if cats were scratching his heart, and seeing Chen Xuan Qing leave, he also urged Ji Yun: “You should take me for a walk too. If you stay here, I guarantee your brother-in-law will drink you under the table!”