Chapter 4 The Lone Phoenix's Curse (Part 4) Her gaze first fell upon the young man's throat...
That was the first time Ye Mu met this legendary imperial advisor.
It was the third year of her marriage to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si finally achieved his goal, passing the imperial examination with flying colors and becoming the top scholar. The emperor personally wrote a vermilion edict and appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
A once down-on-his-luck young man has suddenly leaped over the dragon gate.
To make up for the hasty and simple wedding years ago, and to show off the prestige of the newly rich, Jiang Si specially held a wedding ceremony. The daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an was married off, and the newly appointed top scholar was sent to fetch her. This belated grand ceremony became a popular topic of conversation in the capital.
The wedding was held in Jiang Si's newly bestowed mansion, a residence for a top scholar. Red silk was hung high, and the atmosphere was joyous and lively, exuding the splendor of a newly rich family.
Dressed in an elaborate and magnificent phoenix coronet and wedding gown, Ye Mu sat gracefully in the newly laid brocade tent of a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons in the bridal chamber. The heavy headdress made her neck ache slightly.
But she felt content at the time.
After three years of living in poverty together, her husband finally achieved great success. This magnificent scene seemed to be the best reward for her decision to marry him despite everything back then.
The faint sounds of guests' congratulations and Jiang Si's spirited laughter drifted from outside the door, spreading like a gentle spring breeze, causing her lips to unconsciously curve into a smile.
"Fourth Sister," Zijing approached gently, her voice filled with joy, "His Majesty has sent the Grand Preceptor to your residence to bestow blessings upon you and your husband."
Wen Kong, the Grand Preceptor of the Great Jin Dynasty, held a transcendent position and possessed profound magical powers. It was rumored that he could foresee good and bad fortune and was deeply trusted by the emperor. He rarely left Baoxiang Temple and even less so intervened in the family affairs of his ministers, which was indeed a great honor.
"The auspicious time has arrived—please invite the newlyweds—" the emcee's voice was high-pitched and resonant.
A thick red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way into the hall.
"Mu'er, don't be afraid, come with me." Jiang Si took her hand and led her inside. "The Imperial Preceptor's presence is a great blessing from Heaven. How fortunate we are."
Ye Mu lowered her eyes. The hall was adorned with brocade and dazzling lanterns. The guests' congratulatory cheers rose higher and higher, but her vision was blocked by the heavy phoenix crown and the fan. She could only see a small patch of ground beneath her feet.
Upon reaching the center of the hall and taking their places, the surrounding noise seemed to subside slightly. The master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Please, Your Excellency, bestow blessings upon the new nobleman—"
In the solemn silence, Ye Mu's gaze lingered on the edge of the red felt.
Beyond the vermilion, a pair of monk's shoes stood quietly.
The dusty cloth, half-old and half-new, with slightly worn toes and a speck of dust brought in from outside, was minimalist in style, devoid of any pattern, and so plain as to be almost shabby, yet it miraculously calmed this noisy place.
"...The Dharma rain and compassionate clouds bestow blessings upon the new year..." The voice was clear and pure, but also melodious, not like a blessing, but more like chanting a sutra. It was devoid of sorrow or joy, imbued with the solitude of the ancient temple, as if a god or Buddha were looking down upon the world, regarding love and hate as insignificant as dust.
Ye Mu touched the fan with her fingers, surprised. She had thought the Imperial Preceptor was a venerable elder, but Qingyin sounded like a young man. Her curiosity overcame her sense of propriety and discipline. She slightly raised her wrist, and the fan quietly moved up an inch.
My gaze followed the climb.
The gray monk's robe had wide sleeves that hung straight down, and his waist was slender and upright, like a lone pine tree on a cliff. Ye Mu followed the sound of the blessing upwards, and his eyes first fell on that protrusion, which was the young man's Adam's apple, which rolled gently under the slightly open collar as the blessing was recited.
Above, the neck is cold and hard, the lower jaw is tough and sharp as if carved.
Further up, the blessing flowed from thin lips, the lip line straight as if drawn with a ruler, devoid of emotion or desire.
The blessings flowed as before, and Ye Mu's gaze finally settled on those eyes.
But then he suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met suddenly amidst the burning red candles in the room.
Those eyes were calm and still, lacking the youthful charm of a young man. Their dark pupils were like a deep, ancient well, devoid of form or thought, unable to reflect the splendid candlelight filling the room, nor to illuminate any worldly joys or sorrows.
In the blink of an eye, the world fell silent.
Immediately, Wen Kong calmly withdrew his gaze, his prayer remaining steady and low, "...May the music of zither and lute be forever harmonious, and may blessings be long-lasting."
Ye Mu snapped out of his daze, hurriedly covering his face with his fan. His blood seemed to freeze, or perhaps it was rushing to his cheeks, burning his ears and making his heart pound.
She feared that her misbehavior would ruin Jiang Si's hard-earned future, and she was worried for months afterward. Fortunately, the Imperial Preceptor was not a gossipy person and no rumors spread that the top scholar's wife had not upheld proper ladylike conduct.
However, Ye Mu's mother-in-law from her previous life couldn't wait to come from her hometown after Jiang Si moved into this imperial-bestowed mansion of the top scholar. She had been pondering the wedding, which was attended by the Imperial Preceptor, ever since.
Whenever someone came to visit the manor, regardless of their relationship to the emperor, they would vividly describe the scene from that day, marveling, "That was the Imperial Preceptor! He's the emperor's most favored man. It's incredibly difficult for ordinary princes and nobles to even get a glimpse of him. If it weren't for our Si'er's talent in achieving the highest rank in the imperial examination and gaining the emperor's favor, Fourth Sister, a mere woman, would never have been able to bask in the Imperial Preceptor's aura. She's just lucky to have married such a promising husband like Si'er and enjoy such immense prestige."
Good fortune?
Ye Mu blinked, feeling amused. She was so lucky that she died after only eight years of marriage to Jiang Si. Even the Bodhisattva took pity on her, allowing her to return to the mortal world with her past life memories, so that she wouldn't repeat the same mistake.
Ye Mu never expected that Wen Kong, the future imperial advisor who would be respected by the emperor, would suffer such torment from his fellow disciples in his youth.
Seeing the young novice monk still being pushed and shoved, staggering as he tried to crawl back into the bushes, Ye Mu took the lotus bell from Zijing's hand and darted out from behind the pink wall. "Stop!"
The monks looked over at the sound and recognized the young lady from the Marquis's mansion. Although they did not know her exact birth order, they knew that the young lady of the Marquis's mansion was not someone they could afford to offend.
The leading monk immediately composed himself, forced a smile, and clasped his hands together: "Amitabha, we have disturbed you, young benefactor. Forgive us, we are just disciplining this useless disciple..."
"A lesson?" Ye Mu stepped forward, tilting his small face up, trying to appear more imposing. "I heard you all just now. The way you insulted this young monk was truly awful. My grandmother said that Buddhism is all about compassion, but you, as his senior brothers, didn't teach him. Instead, you used harsh words and even physical violence against him. Is this how monks behave?"
Several monks were scolded by a six-year-old girl. Their faces turned red and white, filled with shame and anger. However, because the girl was of noble status, they dared not refute her. The leading monk forced a smile and said, "Young benefactor is right. We monks were just in a hurry. We couldn't explain why our junior brother Wen Kong lost his magic weapon."
"If you lose it, just look for it again. If you can't find it, it's because your cultivation isn't enough, or your fate hasn't arrived yet. How can you push all the blame onto your youngest junior brother?" Ye Mu interrupted without any politeness. She walked up to Wen Kong, stopped, and handed him the lotus bell. "Little Master, is this what you lost?"
Wen Kong lowered his eyelids, gazing at the small copper bell lying in the little girl's fair palm.
The cold wind tugged at his wide, tattered monk's robe, making it look even more empty and highlighting his lofty shoulders. His fingers, red from the cold, curled slightly against the edge of the robe. He didn't immediately reach for it, but instead looked up.
What kind of eyes were those?
At this moment, he was only about twelve or thirteen years old. His face was thin from a long period of hardship, but his eyes did not resemble those of a bullied child at all. There was no fear in them, but rather an extremely calm and peaceful expression, without anger or resentment.
He already possesses some of the transcendent demeanor of a future imperial advisor.
"Thank you, young benefactor."
Wen Kong put the lotus bell into his yellow cloth bag, bowed his head and clasped his hands in thanks. His tone of gratitude was equally flat and even. After speaking, he turned around and walked out of the side gate, alone and desolate, gradually disappearing into the distance.
The remaining monks exchanged glances. The leader opened his mouth and forced a smile at Ye Mu and his servant: "Amitabha, thank you for returning the Dharma artifact, young benefactor. My junior brother is ignorant, please forgive him."
Ye Mu snorted and ignored the monks. She took Zijing's hand and walked towards them. The energy she had just used to stand up for the little novice monk had worn off, and she felt the winter chill seeping into her collar from all directions, making her sneeze.
"Fourth Sister, are you cold? Hurry back and put on some more clothes." Zijing picked her up with heartache, wrapped her in her arms, and quickened her pace. As she walked, she couldn't help but look down at the little one in her arms, her brows furrowing slightly.
Fourth Sister...
She watched as her fourth sister grew up, looking like a little dumpling, her voice still carrying a soft, childlike tone. She was usually very charming and would sometimes shyly hide behind her when she saw strangers. But what was that just now?
Facing those fierce-looking monks, Fourth Sister not only rushed out without fear but also said those words.
When did Fourth Sister learn these things? She usually only knew nursery rhymes and at most heard the old lady and grandmother talk about some simple rules.
His words, which were almost a reprimand, and his imposing demeanor, made him seem like a completely different person.
Zijing found it increasingly unbelievable the more she thought about it.
Was she having a nightmare? Or is it that children have clear eyes and can see things that adults can't, and that the little novice monk offended her, causing her to say things that don't sound like herself?
Zijing's heart was pounding. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Ye Mu's arm and whispered, "Fourth Sister, who told you those things just now? How did you come up with them?"
Ye Mu was nestled on Zi Jing's warm shoulder, her little head still occupied with the matter of Wen Kong, when she suddenly heard Zi Jing's question and her heart skipped a beat.
Zijing was her personal maid, and they spent every day together. She was very familiar with her every word and action. Her behavior just now was probably extremely abnormal in Zijing's eyes.
Ye Mu thought for a moment, then snuggled against Zijing's neck and said in a muffled voice, "Ajing, I'm scared. They're so fierce, staring at me with their eyes wide open, just like the evil mother-in-law in my dream."
Her little hands gripped Zijing's clothes tightly, and she buried her face even deeper. "Didn't Ajing tell me that we shouldn't bully the little ones? Ajing said those things. And when the old lady chants sutras, she always talks about cultivation and fate. Mother also says we should be kind-hearted people. Am I wrong to not want them to bully the little monk? Ajing."
Upon hearing this, Zijing's heart melted instantly. Yes, although Fourth Sister was young, she was intelligent and had a good memory.
She took care of her daily life, her grandmother taught her manners, and the old lady prayed to Buddha and chanted scriptures. She was always by her side, and she must have absorbed those teachings through her own observation and experience.
He must have been frightened by those fierce monks, and seeing the pitiful little novice, in his desperation, he poured out all the principles he had heard, which seemed remarkably logical.
Zijing completely suppressed her doubts. "Fourth Sister did an excellent job. Standing up for others when they were being bullied shows a kind heart, something even a Bodhisattva would appreciate! It's just..."
She stopped and couldn't help but remind her, "Next time something like this happens, Fourth Sister, just stay behind Ah Jing. Don't rush in by yourself again. What if you get hurt?"
Ye Mu responded sullenly, nodding her little head, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief as her face, which was buried in Zijing's neck.
-
That night, the old lady gave the order, and while everyone was in the mansion, all three branches of the family gathered in the warm pavilion of the main courtyard for a meal, which was a small reunion, and also an opportunity to ask about the recent situation of the younger generation in the mansion.
The stove in the hall was burning brightly, the charcoal crackling softly. The old lady sat at the head of the table, with the Marquis and his wife sitting to her left and right at the lower level. The second wife and her husband sat next to her, followed by the third wife, while the younger generation had a separate seat at the lower level.
Dishes were served in a continuous stream, the table was filled with delicacies, and the aroma was irresistible.
The atmosphere at the table was fairly harmonious. The old lady asked about the household affairs, and Mr. Ye answered her one by one. After a few rounds of drinks, the old lady took a sip of hot, milky white fish soup, and her gaze slowly swept over the table of the younger generation below her, finally settling on her two grandsons.
"Jian-ge'er, Wen-ge'er," the old lady put down her silver chopsticks, her voice kind but not without authority, "You have been studying at the Imperial Academy for some time now. The year-end examination is approaching. How are your studies? Are you confident about the year-end examination?"
The entrance examination was a major event for students in the Imperial Academy, concerning their future prospects. The Imperial Academy was divided into six halls: Righteousness, Ambition, Broad Learning, Cultivation of the Way, Sincerity, and Following One's Nature. Students studied in different halls according to their academic level, and those who performed well in the year-end examination could advance to a higher-level hall.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xingjian put down his chopsticks, stood up, and bowed respectfully: "Replying to Grandmother, I dare not slack off. Thanks to the guidance of my teachers, my studies are going well. Last month, I took the doctoral exam and was fortunate enough to receive an excellent grade. The doctor said that if I achieve outstanding results in the annual exam, I may have the opportunity to be promoted to Shuaixing Hall."
"Shuaixingtang?" The old lady looked at her with admiration.
Of the six halls of the Imperial Academy, the Hall of Self-Discipline is the most prestigious. Only those who excel in both character and scholarship are allowed to enter. Those who can enter the Hall of Self-Discipline are as if they have one foot in the path of a noble official career. They only need to wait for the imperial examination after graduation, and their future will be limitless.
The old lady nodded repeatedly, even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothed out a bit, and a rare smile appeared on her face. "Good, good! Jian'er is doing well. He is indeed worthy of being the eldest grandson of my Ye family. Your father also came from the Shuaixing Hall. Study hard and don't let this expectation down."
Then his gaze turned to Ye Xingwen, "Where is Brother Wen?"
Ye Xingwen, who was already feeling uneasy with his head down, was even more flustered when he was called on. He stood up in a flustered manner and almost knocked over the soup bowl in front of him.
"Replying to Grandmother," he said, his voice strained and lacking confidence, "Grandson...grandson is also trying."
Upon hearing this, the old lady did not immediately respond. Instead, her gaze lingered on Ye Xingwen's anxious and fearful expression as she slowly asked, "How did you fare in the previous examination, when Jian-ge'er achieved the highest rank?"
A note from the author:
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The pressure of being asked about grades in public by elders [glasses][lucky charm]
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