Chapter 18 The teahouse is as solid as a rock and cannot be moved.
After Cong Ying sold the cloth shop to Ji Caibing, he had a lot more free time. In order to earn some extra money, he often copied books and sent them to bookstores for consignment.
Although the Great Zhou possessed the art of movable type printing, the high cost of copper molds meant that only the imperial court and the bookshops of prominent families could afford them. Even then, they couldn't print copies of the Four Books and Five Classics or even the "Disciples' Enlightenment." Other publications, such as popular poetry and prose, were difficult to produce. These were often copied and consigned to smaller bookshops by impoverished scholars.
Today, Cong Ying brought a stack of copied Buddhist scriptures and treatises to Wenqutang. The bookshop owner smiled happily when he saw her and invited her to sit at the table.
The boss said, "A distinguished customer has bought all six volumes of sutras and treatises that Miss Jiang consigned last time. He praised Miss Jiang's calligraphy, saying it was elegant and correct, without any mistakes or omissions, and that the commentary at the end of the book was profound and insightful. He offered ten times the price and asked Miss Jiang to copy the book for his collection."
After saying this, he spread out a square camphorwood box, which contained carefully collected bamboo slips.
He took out a scroll from Ying, and as soon as he unfolded it, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and his usually calm face showed an expression of excitement that he could hardly control.
"This is... a secret scroll from the Former Han Dynasty!"
To prevent misreading, Cong Ying spread out the remaining scrolls one by one, checked the finishing and editing techniques of the bamboo slips, and observed the seals at the end of each scroll.
It is an authentic work, a rare and unattainable one!
"Between the Former Han Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty, there was the chaotic 300-year period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, and the barbarian and Qiang invaders, which ravaged and looted the land. Even books were rarely circulated among the common people. I never expected to see an original imperial manuscript..."
Cong Ying gently stroked the bamboo slips as if they had found a treasure, but he felt mixed emotions.
Before becoming a censor, my grandfather worked as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, collecting fragments of the "Secret Slips of the Former Han Dynasty" from among the vast volumes, a task he sat on for twelve years. Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to piece together a complete volume of the "Secret Slips of the Former Han Dynasty," and left the Hanlin Academy in frustration to join the Censorate.
While exiled to Xuzhou, he heard that a certain hermit had several bamboo slips of the "Secret Slips of the Former Han Dynasty". He braved the snow to visit him three times, but ended up hurting his leg. The hermit was so annoyed that he rolled up the slips and fled overnight, and there was no news of him since then.
Her grandfather passed on all his life's knowledge to her. "Secret Letters of the Former Han Dynasty" was a lifelong concern for her grandfather, and it was also a concern for Cong Ying.
She asked the owner of Wenqutang, "I wonder who the owner of these scrolls is? Could you introduce them to me?"
The boss's eyes subconsciously glanced towards the compartment on the second floor, then quickly retracted them. Fortunately, Cong Ying was concentrating on the bamboo slips and did not notice his strange expression.
The boss made up a story, "He's a rich young man who's short on money. He stole the only copy from his family and wants to find someone to copy it and resell it. It's inconvenient for him to show up."
"I see." Cong Ying expressed her understanding. "I don't mean anything else. I just wanted to ask if I can keep a copy for myself."
The boss said without hesitation: "Of course, the distinguished guest has already made arrangements in advance."
"Is this really okay?" Although Congying was feeling excited, she also felt that this "rich young man" was a little too generous.
In the compartment on the second floor of the bookstore, the elegant crabapple-shaped window was half-closed, and a small gap revealed the surroundings where Ying was.
King Jin's gaze fixed on her, watching her eyes suddenly light up, then become filled with emotion, then hesitate.
...a rare and lively look.
He had a few newly-given copies of the manuscripts she had given him lying beside him. He brushed his fingers across the elegant calligraphy, recalling some anecdotes from his past life after marriage. He couldn't help but laugh, and then felt melancholy.
Helping her find the "Secret Books of the Former Han Dynasty" was something he had promised to do in his previous life, but had never had the chance to do.
Seeing that the stupid boss was about to arouse Ah Ying's suspicion, Prince Jin was about to ask his attendants to come out and smooth things over, but he saw a man walking in from outside the bookstore, his eyes fell on Ah Ying, and he walked forward hesitantly.
King Jin frowned. Why was it him?
"Excuse me, is this Miss Jiang Si?"
A gentle and upright male voice sounded behind her. Turning around, she saw a young man in a plain robe bowing to her.
Meeting here, Cong Ying couldn't help but feel a little surprised: "Imperial Censor Du."
The person who came was Du Rupan, who said with some joy, "Mrs. Jiang Si, do you recognize me?"
Cong Ying nodded: "I've seen it in my grandfather's scroll."
"Teacher..." Du Rupan hesitated after speaking, "I have something to ask you. I wonder if Fourth Lady would be willing to invite me in?"
Cong Ying glanced at the camphorwood bookcase. The boss said with a stern look, "I'll keep it for Miss Jiang. Miss Jiang can come and get it anytime."
Cong Ying thanked him, accepted Du Rupan's invitation, and went to Tianxin Teahouse not far away for a short rest.
Prince Jin watched the two walk away, then tapped his fingers on the sandalwood incense table and said, "Perilla."
*
On the day when Prince Jin kept Zi Su in Xie's house, he almost hit his head against the lacquered pillar to prove his innocence.
But it was the Third Young Master who had his maid stop her. He said, "Whether the King of Jin was provoking or trying to be friendly, it's not your fault."
Zi Su said in panic: "I don't know how my identity was exposed, but I have never spread false information to the Xie Mansion."
The third young master sat in the armchair, frowning in deep thought, his long fingers slowly tapping on the armrest.
"I can't figure it out for a moment. What exactly does Prince Jin want to do...to seize the throne?"
What he did was completely unrelated.
Zi Su recalled everything about Prince Jin's Mansion and said hesitantly, "Every time His Highness leaves the mansion, it seems to be related to Fourth Lady Jiang."
Walking on the mountain road, Yanxi Tower was rescued, and paper boats were released from the Tiannv Canal... Prince Jin was like a shadow outside the sunlight, following Jiang Si Niang, and only appeared like a flash of a flower when she needed him.
As Xie Xuanlan listened, he became more and more confused.
Given the status of the Prince of Jin, if he were to admire Lady Jiang Si, he would have many ways to obtain her. However, his attitude towards Jiang Si was so cautious, as if he was both in love with her and...felt guilty towards her.
This is so weird.
Unable to figure it out, Xie Xuanlan didn't make a hasty decision. He simply asked Zi Su, "Are you still willing to return to Prince Jin? If not, I'll have the housekeeper make other arrangements."
Zi Su thought about it and said, "I do."
Although she couldn't see through Prince Jin's character, it was better for her to stay by his side and work as a bridge between Prince Jin and the Xie Mansion than to be handed over to another Qian Lao Ba by Butler Xie.
So Zi Su returned to Prince Jin's Mansion. She thought she would face Prince Jin's interrogation and blame, but unexpectedly, Prince Jin acted as if he didn't see her. As before, he still asked her to wait for him in the outer courtyard of Guanxiyuan.
Today, Prince Jin went out of the palace in disguise and asked her to follow him. Zi Su saw Madam Jiang Si again.
"Go see Xie San and tell him what you just saw." King Jin ordered her.
*
In Tianxin Teahouse, Cong Ying and Du Rupan sat facing each other by the window, with a pot of tea and some trendy snacks on the table in front of them.
Du Rupan recalled with regret, "Xuzhou and Luzhou are thousands of miles apart. Over the years, I have only communicated with my teacher through letters. I had no idea how seriously ill he was. My teacher has been so kind to me, and I should have served him at his side."
Cong Ying said, "Before my grandfather died, he said that if Lord Du came to pay his respects, he should just offer a small amount of wine and not grieve too much for him. This was his own fate."
Du Rupan said: "Life and death are great, and everyone will eventually face them. What makes me even more sad is the reputation and criticism of my teacher after his death."
Cong Ying's eyelashes trembled slightly and she put down the teacup.
She knew what Du Rupan wanted to say.
Ten years ago, because he opposed Prime Minister Xie's attempt to establish an heir, Censor Jiang was exiled to Xuzhou. At that time, the elite praised his arrogance and the common people competed to take him as their leader.
Ten years later, he was suddenly appointed. Everyone expected him to return to the court and show his power again to suppress the arrogance of powerful families such as the Xie family. However, he submitted 15 memorials in a row, satirizing Prince Jin for occupying a position without doing anything and criticizing Princess Wu for abusing her power and invading government affairs. They requested that Prince Huai, who was a blood relative of the Xie family, be appointed as the heir and wait for the throne in the Eastern Palace.
The upright literati were deeply saddened by this.
Cong Ying said, "I cannot make irresponsible remarks about my grandfather. If this incident has affected Censor Du's reputation, I will apologize to you on behalf of my grandfather."
She stood up and walked to Censor Du. Just as she was about to bow, a hand held her wrist, preventing her from bowing, and let go.
Censor Du said, "That's not what I meant. The teacher treats me like family, so how could I blame him? Madam Jiang, please take a seat."
He raised his hand to refill Cong Ying's tea. In the curling tea smoke, his features looked gentle and amiable.
"I want to make plans for the Jiang family," he said.
This made Congying confused. She was about to ask for details when she saw a waiter in dark clothes coming over with a pot of new tea and placing it on the small table in front of them.
Censor Du said, "We didn't order new tea, so the wrong tea was served."
The waiter said, "This is a gift from the shop for you two."
Censor Du thanked him and told him to leave. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke to Cong Ying, "The Jiang family has gone astray. They are neither tolerated by the wealthy and powerful, nor understood by the humble and humble. Their lives in Yunjing will surely be difficult..."
Before he could finish his words, the clerk in blue clothes came back, and Censor Du had to swallow the rest of his words.
This time the waiter brought a plate of crystal soap snacks: "It's also a gift."
"Your store is too generous," Du Rupan said, waving his hand helplessly at the waiter, "Don't give me any more."
"Okay, enjoy yourselves!"
The waiter responded, walked away with the empty tea tray, and disappeared behind the folding screen at the end of the aisle.
Du Rupan continued, "There is a way to resolve the Jiang family's predicament. It is both a way to repay my teacher for his teachings and... a selfish motive."
Cong Ying withdrew her gaze from the folding screen and looked at Du Rupan: "Censor Du, please speak."
Du Rupan's voice lowered, as if hesitating and tentative: "Perhaps you can call me by my courtesy name, Buyi... This is what my teacher gave me."
——The rock is immovable.
Cong Ying smiled, said nothing, and just looked at him quietly, waiting for his next words.
Being stared at by such a pair of clear, dark, and calm eyes, the rock-hard Censor Du suddenly became a little flustered, suspecting that she had guessed his intentions.
But if he really guessed it...whether he was happy or angry, his reaction shouldn't be so calm.
The more he thought about it, the harder it became to make a decision. Du Rupan simply made up his mind and mustered up the courage to say, "I still have some reputation among the humble and upright people. I haven't married yet. If Madam Jiang doesn't abandon me—"
"My two guests, be careful!"
Du Rupan's words were interrupted again. The waiter in blue clothes reminded him loudly, and moved a copper charcoal basin onto the tea table. He used tongs to stir the charcoal inside, and placed a copper rack on it.
Du Rupan was interrupted repeatedly and said angrily, "Didn't I tell you to stop sending gifts? Where is the shopkeeper? Why are you so tactless?"
The waiter pointed at the copper charcoal basin with a wry smile and said, "Don't worry, sir. This isn't a free gift. Tea gets cold quickly in winter, so we always provide a charcoal basin in our shop."
Du Rupan turned around and saw that other tables had also started to put up charcoal braziers.
He suddenly felt a lump in his throat, unable to breathe it out or swallow it. He lowered his head and rubbed his forehead. After a while, he said, "Go away... For the next half hour, no matter what, don't disturb me."
The guy nodded in agreement.
She stared at the screen at the far end for a long time, as if catching sight of a corner of vermilion. Her brows furrowed at first, then slowly relaxed. Her long eyelashes fluttered down, obscuring the turmoil in her eyes.
She took over the conversation: "Imperial Censor Du wants to marry me, sacrifice his own marriage, give the Jiang family a chance to re-align themselves, and save my family's reputation among the upright officials, is that right?"
"Yes...but also no."
Having his thoughts suddenly exposed, Censor Du began to stumble, "I have my own selfish motives involved... I've read Madam Jiang's poems and have always admired her talent. I also heard that she came to cancel the engagement with Mrs. Xie, and I admire her character, so—"
"Clang, clang, clang! Dang, clang, clang! Clang, clang, clang!"
The sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out in the teahouse, startling all the guests.
Censor Du turned his head in disbelief and saw that it was still the same waiter, holding a gong in his left hand and a hammer in his right hand, standing blatantly in the middle of the main hall.
The waiter called out, "Dear tea friends! Today is the 968th day since our shop opened. We've specially invited a swordsman to perform a dance for you!"
The chivalrous warrior with an ape-like back and slim waist drew out his two swords with a "clang" sound and performed a fancy sword dance on the spot. Everyone was surprised, and gradually some people started to applaud. The quiet teahouse suddenly became lively and bustling.
As for this guy who was playing tricks, I was still not sure about him. But after meeting this chivalrous hero, I understood everything.
On the day of his grandfather's funeral and the resurrection of Prince Jin, Cong Ying had seen this face in the Golden Armor Fengchen Guard.
"This is simply outrageous!" Censor Du was interrupted repeatedly and finally became convinced that the guy did it on purpose. He was about to stand up and argue with him, but Cong Ying stopped him first.
We cannot allow Censor Du to come into conflict with the Fengchen Guards.
Du Rupan said, "This teahouse is simply weird. Let's go somewhere else."
Cong Ying said, "It's just a few words. Please be patient and listen to me, Censor Du."
Du Rupan sat upright, leaning forward slightly, "Madam Jiang, please speak."
Cong Ying's voice was slow and gentle, and amidst the clashing of gongs and drums and the two swords, it was like a trickle of water, still audible clearly:
"Back then, Censor Du was demoted to Luzhou as governor for impeaching members of the Xie family for seizing civilian land, which delayed his career for many years. His reappointment this time must be due to your Majesty's decision to transfer you back to Yunjing from Luzhou, despite the opposition. Censor Du should cherish your Majesty's appreciation."
Du Rupan said: "Although I have accepted your kindness, I am not an advisor to the Princess's residence. Marriage is my private matter."
Cong Ying slowly shook her head. "My family has deeply offended your master. If you marry me, it would be both a provocation to the Xie family and a betrayal to your master. If both sides regard you as a thorn in their side, how will Censor Du survive in the officialdom? This dilemma... I know what it feels like."
Du Rupan was originally sitting on his knees, but upon hearing this, he straightened up and almost raised his hand to swear: "I, Du Rupan, will never be a person who protects himself. Even if I am demoted to Luzhou again-"
Before he could finish his words, a flash of knife light fell from the sky and smashed the empty table next to him with a "crash".
Du Rupan was so angry that his face turned red: "I think you did it on purpose!"
The dark-robed clerk and the swordsman came over to apologize. Although their attitude was good, every word they said was unreasonable, and they intentionally or unintentionally kept Du Rupan and Cong Ying away.
Cong Ying listened silently for a while, then suddenly stood up. Without paying any attention to them, he walked to the end of the corridor and knocked on the screen at the corner with his fingers.
"Thank you, Third Young Master, for bothering me."
After folding the screen, the teacup was placed on the table, making a clear sound.
The whole teahouse suddenly fell silent. The waiter in blue clothes saw that things were not going well, so he stopped collecting money for the tea and started to clear the place and drive away the customers.
Looking at the folding screen from Ying, the mountains and rivers were bright and dark, and the ink was light. A slender, cold white hand stretched out from the edge and pushed the screen. The mountains and rivers were stacked up layer by layer, revealing the small tea room behind.
And the third Master Xie, dressed in red, illuminating the white courtyard.
Xie Xuanlan looked at her, with a faint smile in his deep pupils, like an arc of snow light falling in the long and silent night, vaguely illuminating the boundless spring scenery, but it seemed just an illusion.
He threw a gold ingot to the clerk in blue clothes. The clerk thanked him and retreated with the Fengchen Guard dressed as a swordsman.
He said to Cong Ying, "What a coincidence, the fourth lady is here for tea too."
Du Rupan understood everything and walked forward angrily: "Xie Xuanlan, you are deliberately causing trouble. This is too much!"
Xie Xuanlan was taller than Du Rupan. He leaned against the screen, his long eyelashes drooping slightly. He looked into his eyes, smiling as if bathed in spring breeze. "I did do it on purpose. Is it possible that Censor Du wants to report me?"
"Thank you, Third Young Master."
Cong Ying stood between the two of them, preventing them from clashing. "Would it be convenient for you to move aside and talk?"
Xie Xuanlan said, "No need to move, it's right here."
Then he stepped aside and invited her in.
The small room separated by the folding screen is not spacious. There is a small table one foot wide placed by the window. If two people sit opposite each other, there may not be enough space for a third person to stand.
Such a close distance should only be between husband and wife and relatives. It is really disrespectful for unmarried men and women.
Seeing Cong Ying still standing outside the folding screen, Xie Xuanlan said with a half-smile, "You don't dare? Are you afraid that I will overstep my bounds with you, or are you afraid that Du Lang will get jealous?"
"Then there's nothing to say."
As he was about to close the folding screen and tell Fengchenwei to throw Du Rupan out, a bare hand pressed the screen at this moment, and Xie Xuanlan's eyes fell on the shiny knuckles.
"Brother Du, please go first." Cong Ying looked at Xie Xuanlan, but said to Du Rupan: "Young Master Xie and I do have a few words to say."
"I can't leave. This is outrageous—woo woo—"
Fengchenwei was very tactful and grabbed Du Rupan and dragged him aside.
Cong Ying sighed for him and walked closer to the folding screen.
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