Chapter 37: Famous
Inside the main hall, the two men exchanged glances several times before Yang Congen finally gave in and explained to the emperor, "Yu Mingshu and He Zheng have a very close relationship."
Upon hearing this, He Ting panicked. What kind of explanation was this from the old man? It sounded more like a complaint!
"Second Master is generous by nature and probably did not know that the hard yellow paper was a gift from the Emperor, which is why he lent it to someone else. Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness on behalf of Second Master." He Ting, disregarding his glare at Old Man Yang, immediately bowed deeply to the Emperor.
"It's just a few sheets of paper. Since I've bestowed them upon you, they're yours to do with as you please."
Emperor Fengle had only asked casually; it wouldn't warrant holding someone accountable for such a trivial matter. After saying this, he flipped through the notebook several times, his reaction being much the same as Yang Congen's when he saw the booklet. After a while, he handed the notebook to Yao Qingxi.
With just a glance, Yao Qingxi presented the booklet to Li Qinian.
"What the teacher said is true. These thread-bound books do indeed have many benefits and should be promoted widely." Emperor Fengle looked at Li Qinian with a kind smile, "What does Prime Minister Li think?"
Li Qinian seemed to have just come to his senses. He stared blankly at the people in the hall before picking up the notebook, glancing at it briefly, and then quickly having Yao Qingxi pass it on to the Crown Prince.
"What do you think is good? I wonder what Your Highness thinks?"
Liang Yuanjun took the notebook, looked at it for a while and then smiled, exclaiming, "Yu Erlang really has a lot of ideas."
Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to him. Yang Congen asked in surprise, "Does Your Highness know Yu Mingshu?"
Meeting the many inquiring gazes, Liang Yuanjun pointed to the still-chilled milk tea on the table in front of the emperor and replied with a smile, "The Fengyang iced tea that Father praised so highly just now was also Yu Erlang's doing."
Emperor Fengle's eyes lit up. He picked up the cup and examined it for a moment. "Judging from the notes just now, this Yu Mingshu is quite talented. I suppose it won't be long before I see him at the Qionglin Banquet."
Li Qinian congratulated, "The Chang'an Academy has produced many talented individuals, which is a blessing for the imperial court."
As the dean of Chang'an Academy, Yang Congen's expression was somewhat indescribable.
"Your Majesty, this Yu Mingshu... I'm afraid he cannot enter officialdom."
Why?
Yang Congen's expression was complicated. The emperor and the others waited for a long time but received no explanation from him.
In this situation, it was Liang Yuanjun who revealed the reason for him.
…
After the end of summer, the evenings became much cooler, and the evening breeze carried the sounds of horses' hooves and the hustle and bustle of people from not far outside the door.
On the third day of Yu Mingshu's sick leave due to injury, which was also the last day of her planned leave, He Zheng came to visit her.
It would have been fine if He Zheng had come alone, but he was followed by an extravagant motorcade. Only after the stewards who accompanied the motorcade introduced themselves did Yu Mingshu realize that this was a generous gift from his classmates as a token of their appreciation.
With this kind of situation, not only were Wu Qiuniang and the neighbors who were watching taken aback, but Yu Mingshu was also completely surprised. He never expected that he had such good interpersonal relationships.
Upon careful reflection, her popularity at Chang'an Academy likely underwent a slight shift after the thesis defense incident.
The plagiarism was exposed, and Xie Shichang was impeached by the previous dynasty. The Xie family's arrogance was no longer what it used to be. The students who used to revolve around Xie Ansheng were like a group of dragons without a leader, and they also began to associate with her, the academic star who became famous overnight.
Then came the rise of Fengyang Ice Tea. The students of the academy were mostly from prominent families and well-informed. When they learned that Fengyang Ice Tea was owned by the Yu family, they began to consider befriending it.
Yu Mingshu has always suspected that he was set up in this matter.
Merchants were barred from taking the imperial examinations to enter officialdom, and among the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were considered the lowest class. "Miss Yu" had only sold a few recipes, yet the students at the academy practically claimed the entire Fengyang Tower as the Yu family's property. Was this a deliberate attempt to befriend her, or a case of deliberately flattering her to her detriment?
Coming to her senses, Yu Mingshu looked at the mountain of gifts and quietly questioned Yu Dan with her eyes, "What's going on?"
Yu Dan leaned close to her ear and said, "The day before yesterday afternoon, I was looking at my notes in Mr. Yuan's class when he caught me."
"Then what?"
"Then Mr. Yuan confiscated the notebook."
Yu Mingshu was completely confused. "What does this have to do with giving gifts?"
Yu Dan wanted to explain sentence by sentence, but He Zheng was getting impatient and interrupted, saying, "Yuan Yi took the notes back to Zhishan Hall, where they were seen by Yang Gong. Yang Gong thought your binding method was very interesting, so he took the notes back to the palace and suggested that His Majesty promote this kind of thread-bound book."
"His Majesty read the notes and, in front of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Li, praised you for your extensive knowledge and ingenuity." After saying this, he also said with great satisfaction, "Yu Erlang, your name is now known to every household."
Yu Mingshu closed her eyes, turned her head and pressed down on Yu Dan's head, "How could you cause such a big disaster?"
Yu Dan seemed oblivious to her resentment and continued enthusiastically, "Not only that, but the story of my elder sister requesting to defend herself and prove her innocence has been brought up again, and if nothing unexpected happens, it has already reached the ears of the emperor."
Yu Mingshu suddenly felt a little dizzy. If it really didn't work, she would extend her sick leave for another half month.
This thought only lasted a few minutes.
The next morning, Yu Mingshu resumed classes.
As she boarded her carriage that morning, she saw Zhou Qi huddled in the shadows, seemingly watching the Yu family's carriage. It seemed that with the commotion she'd caused yesterday, the news of her disguising herself as a boy to attend school couldn't be kept secret in Yong'an Ward.
Putting aside the potential threat posed by Zhou Qi, there are still many social obligations within the academy that she needs to handle.
From the moment she stepped into the academy, classmates and strangers, from the same class and different classes, gathered around her, asking with concern how her injuries were recovering, politely congratulating her on the booming business of Fengyang Tower, and cautiously inquiring whether she had received any imperial decrees.
Yu Mingshu quickened her pace and slipped through the crowd, showing off her agility, before explaining to everyone that the Fengyanglou business had nothing to do with the Yu family, and that "Sister" had only provided the beverage recipe and had not participated in the restaurant's operation and management...
Finally, he solemnly declared that he was completely unaware of his sudden fame.
She pondered it for a moment and realized that the imperial examination system for selecting officials in the Great Liang Dynasty was not yet fully developed. There were also many examples of people being directly granted official positions outside of the imperial examination system.
Her classmates were asking her if she had received an imperial edict, probably because they were afraid she would suddenly be recommended for a higher degree.
Yu Mingshu did want to be recommended for a civil service position, but she knew deep down that she was carrying a huge risk. She wondered how Yang Congen introduced himself to the emperor…
The trick of disguising herself as a man might fool her classmates, but those in power can check her household registration, so she can't hide it from them no matter what.
After finally managing to disperse the crowd and returning to her seat, Yu Mingshu turned around and leaned on the table behind her: "He Zheng, can I ask you something?"
He Zheng immediately straightened his back and said, "I'll speak my mind."
"If the palace hears about Yu Erlang's deeds, but then discovers that Erlang is a girl, wouldn't that be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor?" Yu Mingshu seemed to be reciting a tongue twister.
She was met with silence.
"Aren't you supposed to be outspoken?" Yu Mingshu poked his shoulder with the end of her pen.
He Zheng could only say, "I will tell you everything I know, but I really don't know. Yu Dan likes to read law books, so you can ask him."
Yu Dan joined the discussion, excitedly saying, "I've heard my mother say that there's a good thing in our ancestral home, passed down from my great-grandfather's generation, that can save your life."
"What is this? A certificate of merit and ironclad authority?"
He Zheng's eyes lit up, and he said, "My family also has one; it was bestowed upon my father by His Majesty."
Yu Mingshu asked suspiciously, "Isn't there a name written on this thing? How can it be lent to outsiders?"
That is impossible.
He Zheng was speechless for a moment, then said, "You did not deceive Yang Gong when you enrolled in school. No one else could have deceived the emperor, it could not have been you."
For some reason, Yu Mingshu remembered the man Zhou Fuling had brought to Fengyang Tower.
"He Zheng, do you know Yuan Jun?"
He Zheng's gaze suddenly turned strange as he looked her up and down, saying, "Calling the Crown Prince by his given name? Are you insane?"
"Is this His Highness the Crown Prince's name?"
"That's my cousin, how could I possibly mistake him?"
Yu Mingshu had long suspected Liang Yuanjun's identity, and seeking confirmation from He Zheng was merely to verify her guess. Upon receiving a positive answer, she suddenly felt relieved.
He was honest and open with the crown prince, so how could he possibly deceive the emperor?
Yu Mingshu was satisfied with himself, but He Zheng seemed hesitant to speak.
"Mingshu, there's something I need to tell you..."
"If it's really too embarrassing to say, then don't say it."
He Zheng said urgently, "When I left your house yesterday, Zhou Fuling's brother seemed to be lurking near your house. His behavior was suspicious, and his eyes were terrifying."
Yu Mingshu frowned, recalling the scene he had witnessed that morning.
What exactly is Zhou Qi trying to do?
That evening, the Yu siblings deliberately got off the car at the street corner and walked home. Sure enough, they saw a sneaky figure crouching at the corner of the Yu family's outer wall.
Zhou Qi even pretended to bring Zhou Changchun out, but the sun had already set. He couldn't very well say that he was bringing his father out to bask in the sun, could he?
Furthermore, from the moment she stepped into the street corner, Yu Mingshu felt a few sinister gazes upon her. She was almost certain that Zhou Qi had his eye on her.
The siblings exchanged a glance, and when they got home, they told Wu Qiuniang what had happened.
Upon learning of this, Wu Qiuniang was even more anxious than the two of them: "I heard that Zhou Qi was just kicked out of Chunhuitang by the others, and he was in a gloomy and unpredictable mood! Zhou Changchun could be so ruthless as to kill his wife, so Zhou Qi is probably no good either. We've been targeted by him, what should we do!"
After thinking it over carefully, Yu Mingshu said, "Mother, you mentioned before that you wanted to move to the vicinity of the academy. I have earned quite a bit in the past two months, and with the money sent by my maternal grandfather, our family is living comfortably... I think it's time to put the moving on the agenda."
Wu Qiuniang nodded emphatically: "That's what I think too."
The mother and daughter then asked Yu Dan for his opinion, and Yu Dan naturally had no objections. So the three of them made a unanimous decision—to move, and to move as soon as possible.
…
The following afternoon, Yu Mingshu asked Mr. Lin, who was teaching that afternoon class, for leave, citing that her injury had not yet healed and she needed to go to the clinic for a follow-up visit.
Actually... she and Wu Qiuniang had already discussed it and decided to go look at houses near the academy together.
Based on her understanding of Lin Qingxian, this gentleman rarely interfered in his students' affairs; as long as it didn't affect his teaching, they could do whatever they wanted.
Just as Yu Mingshu finished writing her report and was about to leave the school, Lin Qingxian put down the student assignments she was holding, took out the one with her name on it from a stack of papers, and gently placed it in front of her.
"Wait a minute." Lin Qingxian lifted her eyelids to look at her. "This is the poem you wrote?"
His tone was calm and even slightly detached, yet it clearly contained dissatisfaction and even anger. Yu Mingshu paused, withdrew his right foot that had just stepped out, and looked down at the writing on the paper.
Yes, it was written by her, completely original with no plagiarism. Why did Lin Qingxian bring up her assignment? Did someone falsely accuse her of plagiarism again?
She asked cautiously, "Sir, is there a problem with this poem?"
Lin Qingxian laughed, but it was a laugh of anger. She raised her right hand and slammed it heavily on the table. "I'll just assume that what you wrote is metrically correct. What else is there?"
"Everyone says that Yu Erlang's talent is extraordinary. Yuan Yi praises your writing all day long for its elegance and grace without losing its powerful momentum. Why is it that when I study Yu Erlang's 'masterpieces' word by word, I can neither see the elegance and charm nor the depth of insight?"
“‘Jade pavilions and golden terraces, rain on the pond, a clear breeze and upright air, praising Kaiping’—such flattering and empty words actually came from your pen, Yu Mingshu! If Imperial Censor Yu knew this in the afterlife, he would surely be ashamed for you!”
Yu Mingshu rarely huddled up to be scolded by her teacher like this, and felt ashamed and a little wronged.
Since enrolling, she has diligently studied the format of poetry composition and conscientiously submitted her writing assignments. Even if her efforts were not perfect, her attitude towards learning was impeccable.
Despite her humble demeanor, Lin Qingxian still caught a glimpse of the resentment in her eyes.
"The academy knows that Yu Erlang is diligent and studious, well-versed in the Five Classics. Although he has not been enrolled for long, he has always ranked first in the imperial examinations and policy essays. Recently, he has become a favorite of the emperor and is famous throughout the capital! I should not make things difficult for you over such a trivial matter."
Yu Mingshu blushed at the sarcastic remark and quickly bowed, saying, "You flatter me, sir."
Lin Qingxian was still not satisfied: "Why don't you submit a petition to Lord Yang and transfer to the Mingjing Department starting next month? You won't have to study poetry and prose anymore, and it won't delay your future as a Doctor of the Five Classics!"
This was clearly said in anger, but Yu Mingshu took it to heart.
She asked cautiously, "Can we transfer between majors at our academy?"
"You really want to go to the Mingjing Department?" Lin Qingxian was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this. After a moment, his eyes showed undisguised disappointment, so he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Very well, very well, it just so happens that Master Yang is at Zhishan Hall today..."
Actually, when Yu Mingshu asked this question, she was thinking of Yu Dan.
She had long noticed that Yu Dan was more interested in the Ming Dynasty's legal system. He could memorize a few hundred words of scripture in one night, and he could remember the "Great Liang Code" which was as thick as a brick. This kid had clearly chosen the wrong major.
Being misunderstood as wanting to switch majors, Yu Mingshu hurriedly stopped Lin Qingxian and explained awkwardly, "No, no, no, I had absolutely no such intention. I was just curious, so I asked casually!"
Lin Qingxian breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief, sat back in her chair, and drank half a cup of tea in one go.
After a long pause, he tapped the manuscript paper on the table with his finger and said sternly, "You like writing these kinds of sycophantic poems. You'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. Don't let me see this kind of thing again at Chang'an Academy."
Only after leaving the academy did Yu Mingshu finally breathe a sigh of relief.
She took the leave, and almost ended up being sent to the Mingjing Department.
…
When Yu Mingshu arrived at the agreed location, Wu Qiuniang had already been chatting with the broker for a while.
When Wu Qiuniang saw her daughter arrive, a smile appeared on her face. She took Yu Mingshu's arm with one hand and turned to the broker, saying, "Let's go take a look at the house you mentioned."
The first house recommended by the broker was located in Chongyi Ward.
The house is about the same size as the one the Yu family lives in now. According to the broker, the owner was originally a military official, but he was recently transferred to another place and will not be able to return unless something unexpected happens. Therefore, he asked the broker to sell the house.
Yu Mingshu and Wu Qiuniang followed the broker around the house. Everything about the house was good, except the price wasn't great.
Chongyi Ward is adjacent to Wuben Ward, where the academy is located, and it is also a gathering place for imperial relatives and nobles. The house prices are frighteningly high, with an eight-acre house selling for three thousand strings of cash.
The mother and daughter exchanged a glance and reached an agreement.
Wu Qiuniang said tactfully, "Chongyi Lane is a good place, but the surrounding neighbors are all powerful families or nobles. My family consists of three orphans and a widow. No matter how you look at it, we are out of place here."
The broker saw through her scheme but didn't say anything. He rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Then please come with me, Madam, and we'll move to Xuanyangfang."
The house in Xuanyangfang was much cheaper than the previous one, but the location was not good. The back wall of the bedroom was right next to the shops. During the day, you could hear merchants haggling over prices, and at night you could hear shop assistants counting inventory. It was hard to find any peace and quiet.
Yu Mingshu whispered to his mother, "We can still hear the peddlers' cries from our house now, and we've lived here for ten years, haven't we?"
Wu Qiuniang insisted, "If we're going to change houses, let's change to a better one, and that will solve the problem once and for all."
Yu Mingshu then asked the broker, "Who are the neighbors of this house?"
The broker recalled for a moment and said, "The woman who lives to the west is a former palace official. I heard she used to be a high-ranking lady-in-waiting, but now she is old and has left the palace. She has no children and lives a lonely life..."
"What is the market value of Shangyi's house?" Yu Mingshu asked.
"Her house is much bigger than the one we're looking at, about thirty acres in size. If it were to be sold, it should fetch tens of thousands of coins."
"Such a large house must have many servants managing it, right?" Yu Mingshu asked again.
“That’s for sure,” the broker said. “A person like Shangyi has no fewer than twenty servants in her household.”
Yu Mingshu couldn't help but think to herself: If this kind of life is considered lonely and miserable, then she would rather be lonely and miserable for the rest of her life.
The broker continued, "The man living to the east is General Wang, the Imperial Guard Commander. However, the general is on duty in the palace most of the year and rarely returns to his residence, so this house is often empty."
Wu Qiuniang asked in confusion, "Has the general never married?"
The broker said, "I heard that the general was previously married, but had a big fight with his wife at the end of last year and they divorced."
Wu Qiuniang took her daughter's hand and lowered her voice, saying, "Our neighbor is a divorced military man, which is inappropriate. The Imperial Guard Commander is a high-ranking and powerful official. If he were of good character, how could he have gotten married and then divorced?"
Yu Mingshu felt that this made no sense, but she still followed her mother's wishes and said to the broker, "Let's change to another room."
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