“On Wolf Mountain in the Qi Kingdom, there’s a native tribe.”

Master Xiang’s voice was very slow and deep, exactly like how Xiang Yanrui spoke.

“For some unknown reason, everyone in that tribe had incredibly skillful hands, especially the men. Most of the Qi Kingdom’s master craftsmen came from this tribe.”

The tribespeople were deeply devoted to worshiping deities—from the Jade Emperor and the Big Dipper to river gods and ghosts, they offered sacrifices to all. Therefore, in their villages there were many ancient sacrificial paintings and carvings.

By chance, Master Xiang saw these paintings and carvings and was thoroughly amazed.

Why was the Xiang family’s woodwork famous? First, because of its ingenuity, and second, because of its carving work.

Like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, the young Master Xiang told his old father about it, took some traveling money, and set off for the Qi Kingdom.

This trip left Master Xiang astounded.

The tribespeople all lived in villages built against mountains and beside water. The houses were made of wood, and those over a hundred years old were extremely sturdy—wind couldn’t topple them, rain couldn’t damage them.

The oldest houses could even stand without collapsing for three or four hundred years. How was this accomplished?

Master Xiang’s interest was immediately piqued. He spent money to rent a wooden house in the village, equipped it with pots, bowls, ladles, and basins, and settled down properly.

During the day, he wandered between villages studying this and that. At night, he genuinely worked, and before long he became familiar with the people there.

One evening a year later, the village suddenly became lively.

Upon inquiry, it turned out someone was returning home in glory.

The person returning in glory was surnamed An, named Ran. He was the Qi Kingdom’s royal family’s foremost master craftsman. This man hadn’t been home for three years and was returning this time for ancestral rites.

When Master Xiang heard he was the royal family’s foremost master craftsman, he was determined to meet him no matter what.

Before the meeting, he naturally needed to inquire thoroughly.

Through his inquiries, he learned that this An Ran was indeed quite a figure.

He had been clever since childhood, with skillful hands since youth. At sixteen he was selected by the Qi royal family, and before turning thirty, he had become the foremost master craftsman.

Master Xiang hadn’t yet figured out how to approach this person when the man came to him.

It turned out that Master Craftsman An had heard that a Hua Kingdom craftsman had come to the village and also had a desire to make his acquaintance.

When they met, they got along extremely well, with something of the feeling of heroes meeting and regretting their late acquaintance.

An Ran taught some of his secret techniques to Master Xiang; Master Xiang also taught his many skills to An Ran one by one.

An Ran stayed home for five days, four of which were spent with Master Xiang.

After five days, the two parted reluctantly.

Master Xiang stayed in the village for another three months before heading home.

“The Qi royal palace takes the lotus as its national flower. There are many carving methods for lotus flowers. An Ran’s carving method was the simplest—with just a few strokes, he could carve out the spirit of the lotus.”

Master Xiang: “At the time, I asked him an additional question—why use such a simple carving method? He said their king liked simplicity, so he carved more simply.

After hearing this, I felt slightly uncomfortable in my heart, though I couldn’t say where exactly I felt uncomfortable. Only after returning to the Hua Kingdom did I understand what had made me uncomfortable.”

Yan Sanhe: “He was too opportunistic and calculating.”

Master Xiang’s gaze toward Yan Sanhe suddenly changed.

The principle he had taken so long to comprehend, this young lady had spoken out immediately. Truly a heart of seven apertures and exquisite wisdom.

“Miss Yan is quite right. A so-called craftsman shouldn’t make whatever the master likes, but should design the complexity or simplicity based on the wood’s purpose and the environment where it will be placed.”

Master Xiang: “Like the lotus throne in temples—not a single stroke can be omitted.”

Yan Sanhe: “What happened afterward?”

“After returning, I was busy establishing a family and career, busy with my position in the Ministry of Works. I cast these matters about the Qi Kingdom to the back of my mind.”

Master Xiang’s tone shifted, “Seven or eight years later, I suddenly heard that An Ran was wanted by the Qi Kingdom.”

This shift was too abrupt. Even Yan Sanhe was startled.

“For what reason?”

“The specifics weren’t very clear. I only knew he had forged a waist token of an important figure, then sold it to a merchant who used it to swindle and deceive.”

These words were like a drop of water falling into hot oil—they immediately exploded.

Pei Xiao couldn’t restrain himself: “So he knew how to create forgeries?”

Master Xiang: “Young Master Pei, don’t be hasty. Let me continue slowly.”

Pei Xiao thought to himself, how can I not be hasty? You speak so slowly, word by word. I’m practically dying of anxiety.

“Master Xiang, please continue quickly.”

“After hearing about this matter, I felt inexpressible regret for An Ran. Though this person was somewhat eager for quick success and instant benefits, he truly had a pair of skillful hands rarely seen in a century.”

Master Xiang’s expression changed slightly at this point. “Who would have known that not long after, I actually saw him in the capital.”

“This person came to the capital!”

Pei Xiao blurted out, then worried Master Xiang would criticize him, quickly covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes constantly glancing toward Yan Sanhe.

Yan Sanhe knew what he wanted to say: It seemed they were getting closer and closer to a certain matter.

“I was quite shocked to see him.”

Master Xiang: “This person was completely different from when he was in the village. Not only had his spirited bearing vanished, even his appearance had changed.”

Yan Sanhe: “Appearance stems from the heart. It seems the change was for the worse.”

Master Xiang nodded: “Originally his appearance was quite proper, but when I saw him that time, his features looked somewhat sinister and mean-spirited. His chest was sunken in, making him appear cowering and shrinking.”

Yan Sanhe: “What about when he saw you?”

Master Xiang: “When he saw me, his expression was very unnatural. After chatting for just a few sentences, he said he had business and hurriedly left.”

“This is human nature.”

Yan Sanhe smiled faintly.

“Back then in the village, you were still a naive youth learning a craft, while An Ran was already the Qi Kingdom’s foremost renowned master craftsman.

Achieving fame at a young age, dressed in fine clothes on a spirited horse—one would think he was a winner in life.

Who would have known that ten years later, this winner in life would be reduced to leaving his homeland, while the naive youth of those days had steadily progressed step by step. Anyone would feel ashamed.”

These words subtly flattered Master Xiang. Xie Zhifei looked at Yan Sanhe, his eyes full of fondness.

This young lady had actually been quite good at coaxing people even as a child.

Indeed, after hearing Yan Sanhe’s words, Master Xiang’s expression became very comfortable.

“After that time, I never saw him again and gradually put this person out of my mind. About five or six years later, at a corner on the second floor of Zui Jing Xiang, I ran into him again.”

Yan Sanhe: “Zui Jing Xiang?”

Xie Zhifei quickly said: “That’s the Spring Breeze Pavilion we went to. Later it changed owners and the name changed too.”

Master Xiang: “His appearance clearly showed he had prospered. I asked him where he was employed. He said with a face full of pride that in lean years a craftsman won’t starve, and if this place won’t keep him, there’s always somewhere else that will.”

When Master Xiang saw his smug appearance, he suddenly felt he had been blind before.

Those whose paths differ cannot plan together.

Master Xiang cupped his fists and brushed past him.

During the banquet, Master Xiang drank too much wine and went to the privy. As he passed the door of a private room, he heard a familiar voice.

At that time, the door of the private room had a crack—it wasn’t shut tightly. He poked his head to look through the crack and was greatly shocked.

“Miss Yan.”

Master Xiang: “Guess who was sitting beside An Ran?”