Xishan Gonggeng
In the eastern part of the capital, the gilded plaque of "Jingchen Pavilion" gleams in the morning light.
The place was bustling with activity, with carriages and horses thronging the entrance. Well-dressed servants lined up in a long queue, holding gilded name cards.
"Oh dear, Madam Zhang, you've arrived too? We probably won't be able to get a private room today. Manager Su said the waiting list is for half a month from now!" A bejeweled woman complained to an acquaintance who had just alighted from her carriage, fanning herself with a round fan.
"Indeed!" Madam Zhang sighed helplessly, then her eyes lit up again. "But that 'Jade Skin Soap' is truly wonderful! My maid has only used it for a few days, and her face has become much more radiant. And that 'Hundred Plague Eliminator'—everyone in the household has used it, and not a single person has coughed! We have to wait no matter how long the queue is!"
Inside the private room, the fragrance of orchids wafted through the air, and steam rose from the white porcelain bathtub.
Su Wan, the manager of Jinyun Manor, dressed in a plain white brocade dress, was smiling as she showed soaps to a duchess: "Madam, please look, this is the 'Anmeng Soap' specially formulated to soothe the nerves and aid sleep. It contains lavender and chamomile essential oils. After bathing, you will feel relaxed all over and it is the best for helping you sleep."
The Duchess picked up a piece, brought it close to her nose, and sniffed it lightly. She nodded in satisfaction: "Hmm, the fragrance is excellent. Manager Su, you manage 'Jingchen Pavilion' so well... it's exquisite. If my estates had someone as capable as you to manage them, how could they be in debt every year? Would you be willing to... share my burdens?"
Su Wan smiled gently, but her demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant: "Madam is too kind. The Jingchen Pavilion is what it is today, all thanks to the foresight and wisdom of the Lord and Madam. Su Wan is merely doing her duty. As for the affairs of the estate, firstly, Jinyun Estate and Jingchen Pavilion have already left Su Wan with too much to do, and secondly, such important matters are not Su Wan's forte. If Madam needs to purchase new and useful items for the estate, or needs to recommend knowledgeable craftsmen, Su Wan is willing to lend a hand."
Another young princess, surrounded by maids, immediately chimed in, with a touch of coquettishness: "Sister Su! It's a shame that my hot spring estate on the outskirts of the capital is just sitting empty. I've heard you're the most knowledgeable about these new tricks of the trade. How about we go into partnership? You provide the ideas, I'll provide the estate, and we'll share the profits. How does that sound?"
Su Wan smiled as always, her tone carrying just the right amount of intimacy and distance: "Your Highness's kindness makes Su Wan extremely humbled. My employer has treated me with the kindness of a second life, and I really dare not and cannot start my own business. Your Highness is of noble birth, and if you have some free time, you might as well come to Jingchen Pavilion for a short visit and taste the newly made flower dew. Su Wan will certainly serve you with utmost care and make sure Your Highness is comfortable."
This clear sense of boundaries and impeccable handling not only did not disappoint the ladies, but also attracted more admiring and inquisitive glances.
In an instant, the elegance of "Jingchen Pavilion" and the miraculous effects of "Chenji" soaps, along with Su Wan's reputation for being "exquisite, honest, and dutiful," spread like ripples in the circles of noblewomen in the capital, like pebbles thrown into a deep pool.
At the foot of the Western Hills on the outskirts of Beijing, the morning light pierced through the thin mist, illuminating a scene of flying dust and deafening shouts.
"Hey! Keep it up!"
Ling Zhan's voice was clear and bright, like the clang of metal. She knelt on one knee, her hands gripping a large, angular rock like pincers, her back arched like a leopard poised for battle. "Power rises from the ground! Sink your waist! Push off with your legs! — Lift!" With a low shout, the heavy rock moved with a roar.
Beside her, Er Ya's face was flushed red, her hands tightly clutching a smaller stone, her short legs kicking as she huffed and puffed as she moved: "Mommy...it's...so heavy..."
Shuanzhu brandished his small hoe, digging at the hard, iron-like soil with a labored effort, beads of sweat dripping from his chin and sinking into the earth: "This ground... is harder than... harder than stone!"
Little Bull and Shen Xingchen were in charge of pushing the wheelbarrow, which was half-loaded with gravel. Little Bull shouted excitedly, "Charge! Carry the stones!" Before he finished speaking, the wheel rolled over a bump, the wheelbarrow veered sharply, and gravel scattered all over the ground with a "crash." He wasn't annoyed, chuckled, got up, dusted himself off, and said, "Watch me! Again!"
Little Stone was the most silent.
He mimicked Ling Zhan's movements, bending his waist, pushing off with his legs, his forearm muscles tensing, and straining to push a rock that wasn't much shorter than him. Sweat soaked his temples, leaving muddy streaks on his sun-reddened face. His lips were pressed into a resolute line, and he remained silent, only his heavy breathing and the dull thud of the rock scraping against the soil could be heard.
"Mother!" Er Ya finally put down the stone, opened her slightly red, mud-covered little hand, and offered it to Ling Zhan with a pitiful expression. "My hand hurts..."
Ling Zhan stopped what he was doing, squatted down, and held his daughter's small hand. Several red marks were clearly visible on her fingertips and palm.
Her voice was calm and even: "Yes, it's rubbed red. It'll get calluses."
She took out a small celadon jar, scooped out a fragrant ointment, and gently applied it. "Chocolate is a medal of labor, nothing to be ashamed of. Remember this pain, remember this red. When you wear silk and satin in the future, you will know where your roots lie, in every meal and every thread."
Gradually, the murmurs of complaints were replaced by a silent contest.
Little Bull's cart became increasingly stable, and he even helped Er Ya move smaller stones. Shen Xing, with Shuan Zhu in tow, found his rhythm in digging; with each stroke of the hoe, dirt flew everywhere. Little Stone's speed in clearing away rubble and weeds noticeably increased, and they actually carved a narrow path through the pile of rocks.
Sweat soaked through the children's coarse cloth shirts, turning their little faces into puddles, but in their eyes shone a burning light called "tenacity," something they had never seen before within the high walls of their mansions.
After several morning dews, the Xishan construction site appears even more open.
Ling Zhan was leading the children in clearing rubble from a foundation.
On a hillside not far away, several elderly men with white hair and beards, dressed in scholar's robes, had been standing and watching for some time. The one in the lead, with snow-white hair, was none other than the renowned Hanlin Academy official, Lord Wang, known for his integrity and uprightness. He stroked his beard, his brows furrowed.
"What kind of behavior is this! What kind of behavior is this!"
Another learned scholar beside him shook his head repeatedly, his tone disdainful, "A lady of noble birth, of such high rank, is doing menial tasks like a vulgar village woman! And she's even bringing along her pampered sons and daughters? What a disgrace! She's brought shame upon the family!"
Old Master Wang remained silent, his gaze fixed on the scene below: the mother, leading by example, her movements swift and agile, no less than a man's; the young child, gritting his teeth and persevering through the dust and sweat, his eyes gradually hardening with unwavering determination; the bustling scene of labor, brimming with a primal, vibrant energy. He watched for a long time, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxing, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, finally culminating in a long, meaningful sigh.
He said to his still indignant colleague beside him, “The Book of Rites says: ‘When teaching, there must be a proper subject; when resting, there must be a place to study.’ ‘Without cultivating one’s skills, one cannot enjoy learning.’ Isn’t this the true meaning of the sages? Only by experiencing labor can one know the hardship of farming and the difficulty of obtaining resources. Only then can one establish oneself uprightly and have a sense of awe!”
He pointed downwards, his voice heavy with emotion, “The Lady of Anping’s actions… are not only not a disgrace to her family, but rather a profound embodiment of the essence of the teachings of the ancient sages and kings! She teaches through practice and cultivates virtue through labor! This is… the great wisdom of returning to simplicity and authenticity! She should be a model for the world!”
Another great Confucian scholar, Li, the Director of the Imperial Academy, kept his gaze fixed on the small, silent yet remarkably resolute figure. He sighed, “Brother Wang is absolutely right! Observing his son, Chenshi, though still young, one can already see a calm and resolute air between his brows. He is measured in his actions and knows how to lead his younger siblings in cooperation with great skill. He is far beyond the reach of ordinary pampered rich kids! This kind of practical application of ‘farming and studying’ is a hundred times better than simply studying the classics behind closed doors! Truly…a beautiful story!”
Two days later, at the Xishan construction site.
The red marks on the children's hands had hardened slightly, and the outlines of thin calluses were beginning to appear.
Ling Zhan was leading them to clear away the rubble from a foundation.
Lord Wang and Li Siye arrived together, their steps steady, heading straight for the core of the construction site.
The craftsmen stopped what they were doing and looked around curiously.
Lord Wang stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Ling Zhan, who had stopped and was looking at him calmly, and said in a loud voice, "Madam Anping, I am Wang Wenyuan, the esteemed headmaster of Qingsong Academy. This is Li, the Director of the Imperial Academy. Madam's exemplary conduct and dedication to teaching have earned our utmost respect!"
His gaze shifted to the little stone beside Ling Zhan, his eyes filled with expectation. "Judging from your son Chen Shi, he is calm, resilient, and simple-minded. He is truly a gem in the rough. We, the old man and the Vice Minister Li, humbly request that Madam allow your son to study at our Qingsong Academy! The academy will certainly devote all its efforts to polishing him into a fine vessel, so as not to fail his good talent!"
The moment these words were spoken, even the air seemed to freeze.
The craftsmen stared wide-eyed. Little Stone tightened his grip on the pebbles in his small hands, raised his head, and looked at his mother with his bright black eyes.
Ling Zhan raised his hand and casually wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, which was covered in mud and dust. His gaze was calm and composed, showing no sign of being flattered.
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, gentlemen. It is my good fortune that Shen Shi has gained the favor of such a great scholar."
She changed the subject, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable insistence, "However, for him, farming in Xishan is not a passing fad, but a fundamental principle of life. Only by experiencing hardship can one understand its difficulties, and only by understanding its difficulties can one cherish blessings and set goals. If he were to enter the academy, he would have to abandon this path, which is neither my wish nor suitable for him."
Upon hearing this, Li Siye was not angered at all; instead, his eyes showed even greater admiration. He quickly stepped forward and said, “Madam, you misunderstand! The academy has absolutely no intention of having your son abandon such virtuous teachings! Madam’s theory of ‘cultivating virtue through labor’ is truly enlightening! We also wish to emulate the ancient tradition of ‘part-time farming and part-time study.’ If Madam permits, your son can spend half a day attending lectures at the academy to learn the ways of the sages; the other half of the day, he can either return home to assist in the construction of West Mountain or cultivate a small garden on the back hill of the academy. In this way, learning and physical fitness, knowledge and action, will complement each other. Wouldn’t this be more in line with Madam’s original intention in educating him?”
Ling Zhan's gaze slowly swept across the earnest and resolute faces of Old Master Wang and Li Siye, finally settling on Xiao Shitou's little face, a mixture of tension, longing, and a hint of trepidation. She remained silent for a moment, that brief silence seemingly weighing the child's future against the weight of the land beneath his feet.
Finally, she nodded slightly: "Sir, your suggestion is exactly what I'm looking for. Half a day at the academy, half a day of hands-on work, that's acceptable."
She turned serious and emphasized, “However, he must choose the place of his labor himself, whether it be the Western Hills, the academy garden, or household chores. But wherever he is, he must do it himself, honing his skills and strength, and cannot rely on others.”
"Good! Great good!"
Old Master Wang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, his joy overflowing. "Madam's thoughts are thorough and her understanding of righteousness is profound! We shall do as Madam says! Your son can report to Qingsong Academy tomorrow!"
Ling Zhan bowed slightly: "Thank you both for your kind guidance." She turned to the side, her rough but warm hand gently landing on Xiao Shitou's head, which was slightly flushed with excitement. "Did you hear that? Starting tomorrow, you'll spend half the day studying and the other half working. You can't neglect either the lessons at the academy or the stones on the mountain; you'll have to carry them all yourself."
Little Stone nodded emphatically, his chest heaving, his voice not loud but unusually firm, his dark, bright eyes seeming to burn with two small, blazing flames.
"Yes! Mother, I've got it! I can do it!"
The two Confucian scholars departed with heartfelt admiration and profound respect for this unconventional and insightful lady.
This extraordinary tale of "half a day at the academy, half a day farming" was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a tidal wave among the literati and aristocratic circles. "Farming in the Western Hills" was endowed with the lofty significance of "unity of knowledge and action" and "restoring the legacy of the former kings' schools." The unique reputation of the Anping Earl's Mansion and Ling Zhan for "cultivating virtue through labor" suddenly rose to an unprecedented height among the literati.
The study of the Marquis of Anping's residence. The afternoon sun lazily spilled onto the soft couch by the window.
Shen Yan leaned to one side without any regard for her image, one long leg bent, her toes swaying idly. Her slender fingers held a piece of paper covered in writing, her peach blossom eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter, while her other hand leisurely twirled a delicate lotus-shaped pastry, about to put it in her mouth.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Su Wan, that girl, she really... makes me look so good!"
He swung his toes triumphantly and read aloud to Liu Quan, who was standing to the side, “'Her Highness the Princess wanted to share the hot spring estate, but Su Wanwan refused, saying that the kindness of her employer was as heavy as a mountain, and she dared not and could not start a business on her own'... Look at that, how well she said it! And the Duchess even wants to poach her to manage the estate... Haha! 'Not Su Wanwan's forte'? What a wonderful 'not her forte'! She both elevates others and protects herself, brilliant! Truly brilliant!”
Liu Quan's face was full of a sincere smile: "Yes, Lord. Manager Su's actions are so steady and thorough, and his handling of the situation is so exquisite that it is truly rare. He neither embarrasses the noblemen nor fails to demonstrate his integrity and loyalty to the fullest extent. Now that Jingchen Pavilion's reputation is rising, orders for the workshop are pouring in like snowflakes. In his letter, Chief Steward Yang said that those old brands in Jiangnan, which are usually so arrogant, can't sit still anymore. They have sent their head stewards to come and discuss long-term supply in person, adopting an extremely humble attitude."
"Great! Excellent!"
Shen Yan clapped his hands, slapped the paper on the small table on the couch, picked up the pre-rain Longjing tea and took a big sip, sighing with satisfaction, "Being a hands-off manager...tsk, it's so comfortable that even my bones feel at ease!" He squinted his eyes, enjoying this pleasant feeling.
At that moment, a guard rushed in and whispered a few urgent words in Liu Quan's ear. Liu Quan's expression instantly became a mix of emotions. He quickly stepped forward, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "My lord! Great news! Something terrible has happened at West Mountain!"
"Hmm?" Shen Yan lazily lifted her eyelids.
"Headmaster Wang! And Li, the Director of the Imperial Academy! They personally went to the Xishan construction site!" Liu Quan spoke very quickly. "They...they praised Madam as having 'great wisdom in returning to simplicity' and 'a model for educating the world'! They even...they invited the young master to Qingsong Academy on the spot! What's even more amazing is that Madam set a condition, and the two great scholars actually...actually agreed to 'half a day at the academy and half a day of labor'!"
"really?!"
Shen Yan suddenly sat up from the soft couch, the movement so large that it almost overturned the teacup on the small table. Her peach blossom eyes widened, bursting with an incredulous and ecstatic light. "Those old... cough cough, the old masters really said that?! 'Shi Fan'?! Headmaster Wang and Director Li personally went to invite Little Stone? And... and they even agreed to let him study for half a day and work for half a day?! My God!"
He was practically bursting with excitement, pacing around the room twice before barely managing to suppress the cheers that threatened to spill from his lips. He rubbed his hands together and said to Liu Quan, his voice rising, "Quick! Liu Quan! Go to the storeroom! Quickly! Take that set of Ziguang Pavilion tribute ink, that set of wolf-hair brushes, and that Chengni Taohe ancient inkstone we just acquired! Send them to Headmaster Wang, Director Li, and all the other discerning elders who spoke well of us today! Tell them…"
His eyes darted around, and a wide, undisguised smug smile spread across his face.
"Speaking of Anping Earl Chen Yan, I admire the discerning eyes and broad-mindedness of all the great scholars! I am also grateful to the Headmaster and the Director of Studies for their exceptional cultivation and favor towards my son! These humble gifts are a token of my gratitude, and I earnestly hope that they will accept them! Please, please make sure they accept them!"
He wanted to completely seal this "good story" and let this good reputation spread to every corner of the capital!
After seeing off Liu Quan, who was walking briskly, Chen Yan leaned back on the soft couch, looking at the exceptionally bright sunlight outside the window. She felt refreshed from every pore of her body, and every cell seemed to be singing with joy.
Medicated soaps are all the rage in the capital, making a fortune every day.
Su Wan was skilled in social interaction and quickly gained fame.
Construction in Xishan is in full swing, and the children are undergoing a complete transformation.
Even the most stubborn and unyielding Confucian scholars vied to admit his son to school, creating the unprecedented phenomenon of half a day of study and half a day of work, and elevating his wife to the status of a "model of moral education"!
"Letting the wife take turns running the household...tsk tsk tsk..."
She sighed contentedly, her peach blossom eyes sparkling.
He squinted contentedly, as if he could already see the fleeting glint in Ling Zhan's cold eyes; he could hear the children chattering and sharing their amusing stories, especially the bright, sparkling eyes of Little Stone as he described his new life at the academy, "Of all my life, this decision has been the wisest! With a capable manager, a formidable wife, and sensible children... this is what life should be like, truly flavorful and vibrant!"
He figured he should ask the kitchen to prepare more dishes tonight, especially the ones the children like…
Yes, especially Little Stone, he deserves a treat, plenty of braised pork knuckle!
And the steamed fish that the lady likes must also be prepared.
The smile on his lips was impossible to suppress, just like the dazzling sunlight outside the window.
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