Compiling the County Annals
It is said that Li Yi informed Wen Tingyun and his wife of the marriage arrangements in a letter. When the messenger arrived at the Wen residence in Chang'an, it was already dusk.
Wen Tingyun opened the letter and read it, his brows furrowing more and more, finally letting out a long sigh before handing the letter to his wife.
"In the end... it still comes to this." Madam Wen sighed after reading it. "This child, Zi'an, ultimately failed to win over the future of the family."
Wen Tingyun walked to the window and after a long while said, "It's not that he's unwilling, but that he can't. The high hopes of the Li family of Longxi, the power of the Pei family of Hedong, even I... Alas!"
He returned to his desk, laid out paper and ground ink, but hesitated for a long time before putting pen to paper. Finally, he only picked up his brush and wrote a few words:
“Zi'an, my disciple:
The letter has been received. The matter is already known.
The court is rife with intrigue, and family background is as impenetrable as a mountain. I hope you will treat the Pei family well, uphold official conduct, and live up to your lifelong learning. Now that you have made your choice, you should abide by propriety and fulfill your duties, prioritizing your future.
Shi Wentingyun's courtesy name
He put down his pen, summoned his old servant, and instructed him, "Send this letter to Longxi."
Meanwhile, Wen Xiang'er emerged from her mother's room, kicking pebbles along the way, her little face scrunched up, feeling incredibly stifled. She had intended to speak with Xuanji, but upon reaching the east courtyard corridor, she saw Xuanji leaning against the window reading, his expression calm and composed. Xiang'er paused, ultimately not daring to approach, and turned to run off to find Lu Jingxiu.
She grabbed Lu Jingxiu's sleeve and pulled him to the crabapple tree in the backyard, her voice low and puffed out as she said angrily, "Brother Jingxiu, have you heard? Senior Brother Li... he's going to marry that Pei family's daughter!"
Lu Jingxiu nodded slightly, his gaze gentle yet knowing: "Marriage is a serious matter, not a game, and the elders will have to weigh the pros and cons."
"What balance!" Xiang'er stamped her foot, her eyes slightly red. "Although I've never met Miss Pei, I've heard my sisters talk about her. Miss Pei is the youngest daughter of her family, spoiled since childhood, and has the most arrogant and willful personality ever! She beats and scolds the maids in the house if they are not to her liking. With a personality like that, how will Senior Brother Li, with his cold and hard temper, get along with her in the future? Won't they be arguing every day?"
She became more and more anxious as she spoke, and her voice unconsciously rose a little: "What about Sister Xuanji? Back then, Senior Brother Li was so attentive to Sister Xuanji. Anyone could see his feelings."
Lu Jingxiu gently pressed her shoulder and said in a low voice, "Xiang'er, be careful what you say. This matter is already settled, and saying more will only cause more pain. Especially... don't mention it in front of Junior Sister Xuanji."
Wen Xiang'er bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes: "I'm just feeling wronged for Sister Xuanji."
Lu Jingxiu sighed, took out a handkerchief and handed it to her: "Things in this world are not simply a matter of right and wrong. Senior Brother Zian also has his difficulties. As for Miss Pei's character, it is ultimately hearsay and may not be accurate. Now that the marriage is arranged, we can only hope that she will be well."
He looked up at the silent window in the east courtyard, his tone growing increasingly somber: "And Junior Sister Xuanji... she is more lucid than we imagined. What we should do now is treat her as usual and not disturb her peace."
Wen Xiang'er nodded as if she understood, wiped her eyes hard with her sleeve, and said in a muffled voice, "I understand... I won't mention it again." However, she still felt a bit annoyed for Xuanji, and even felt a bit resentful towards the Pei family girl and Li Yi whom she had never met.
In February of the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, by imperial decree, Lu Jingxiu was transferred to a county outside the capital, while Li Yi remained in the capital and entered the Hanlin Academy.
In the third month of the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, Wen Xiang'er came of age. She took off her colorful clothes and put on a deep robe symbolizing adulthood. A begonia hairpin was placed in her hair. It seemed that overnight she had shed some of her childishness and gained a touch of girlish tranquility.
After the ceremony, the guests departed. Wen Tingyun did not let Lu Jingxiu leave, but instead summoned him to his study. Madam Wen was already sitting to the side, holding a cup of hot tea, her expression gentle yet with a hint of solemnity.
“Jingxiu,” Wen Tingyun began, his tone as gentle as when he was teaching, “please sit down. I have called you here today to ask you something.”
Lu Jingxiu sat down as instructed, his posture respectful: "Master, please speak."
Wen Tingyun and his wife exchanged a glance, and he slowly said, "I have read your official document from the Ministry of Personnel. Being transferred to a lower county as a magistrate is a starting point, but it is also a real opportunity for training. Are you... ready?"
"Master, I am fully prepared. I will certainly be diligent in my duties and live up to your and my mistress's many years of teachings," Lu Jingxiu replied calmly.
“Alright.” Wen Tingyun nodded, then changed the subject slightly, “A man’s ambition should lie in all directions, that is only right. However… this journey will take many years, and the return date is uncertain. Your teacher’s wife and I have another matter on our minds. You and Xiang’er have been childhood sweethearts. Your teacher’s wife and I also regard you as family. Today, Xiang’er has come of age, and we wish to entrust her to you. What do you think?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingxiu immediately stood up and performed a grand salute.
“Master, Mistress!” His voice trembled slightly, but was more solemn. “I, Jingxiu, am a wanderer, and I am grateful to Master and Mistress for taking me in and teaching me. Their kindness is like giving me a second life. Junior Sister Xiang’er… is innocent and carefree, and I have long admired her. If I could marry her, it would be the greatest fortune of my life! I will do everything in my power to protect and love her, and I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance! However…” He paused slightly, his face showing shame, “but I will be leaving soon, and I’m afraid… I will have to trouble Junior Sister to wait.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen smiled gently and said, "Get up quickly. Your master and I are relieved that you have this intention. It is precisely because you are to be sent to a post outside the capital that it is even more necessary to settle your status before you leave. In this way, Xiang'er can wait for you at home with peace of mind, and you can concentrate on your official duties outside without worrying about this matter. It will not be too late to hold a grand wedding when you return after completing your term."
Wen Tingyun also said, "That's right. I'll have someone prepare so that we can exchange marriage certificates and finalize the marriage agreement today."
Lu Jingxiu felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and was extremely grateful. He bowed deeply again, saying, "Jingxiu understands! I will certainly live up to Master and Mistress's expectations!"
After Lu Jingxiu left, the study became quiet.
Madam Wen sighed softly, a sigh that contained both relief at finding a good match for Xiang'er and a deeper worry. She looked at her husband: "Xiang'er's matter is settled. Jingxiu is a reliable boy, and we can rest assured that Xiang'er is with him."
Wen Tingyun nodded silently, his gaze turning to the window, where the autumn colors in the courtyard had deepened.
Madam Wen followed his gaze and said softly, "Xiang'er is settled, but I am increasingly worried about another matter."
Wen Tingyun withdrew his gaze, met his wife's eyes, and understood: "You mean... Youwei."
“Yes,” Madam Wen said, a hint of worry creeping into her eyes, “Youwei is older than Xiang’er, and her talent and temperament are unparalleled. Her future is the real problem. Now that Li Yi is engaged to a noblewoman from the Pei family, there is no possibility for the two of them. We can’t… keep her in the Wen family as an ‘adopted daughter’ indefinitely. A woman’s youth is fleeting; if we delay any longer, I fear…”
She didn't finish her sentence, but Wen Tingyun understood perfectly. Xuanji's background was an indelible mark, almost completely severing her path to becoming a high-ranking wife. If she were to marry into an ordinary family, the man would likely only be after her talent and beauty.
Wen Tingyun remained silent for a long time, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup, and slowly said, "I will think about this matter. I must find a foolproof plan for her."
Shortly after the Cold Food Festival, Wen Tingyun received a letter from the magistrate of Jing County, inviting him to return to his hometown to participate in the compilation of a new local gazetteer. This matter required consulting numerous ancient books and gazetteers, and interviewing local elders, and would likely take at least half a year. After a moment's thought, Wen Tingyun agreed, as this was both a return to his hometown and a rare opportunity for quiet writing.
During his evening rest, he spoke of this matter with Mrs. Wen.
“Compiling local chronicles is a meritorious deed, and my husband should naturally return,” Madam Wen said, coughing lightly a few times, her face showing slight fatigue. “However, I have been feeling a bit lethargic lately and have caught a slight cold, so I’m afraid I can’t withstand a long journey. In addition, although Xiang’er and Jingxiu’s marriage is settled, there are still many details that need to be taken care of. I also need to keep her by my side to properly teach her how to manage a household. Therefore, I will not go with you this time.”
Seeing that his wife looked somewhat haggard, Wen Tingyun felt concerned and quickly said, "In that case, you need to rest and recuperate. Although there are many things to do at home, you don't need to do them yourself. Just let the servants do them." He paused and then added, "Jue'er is preparing for the martial arts exam and is practicing hard at the training ground every day, so he can't get away from it either. This time when I return to my hometown, I will travel light and only take one or two old servants with me, so you don't need to worry."
"Just bring an old servant?" Upon hearing this, Madam Wen frowned, her worry deepening. "How can that be? Compiling a gazetteer is a complex undertaking, requiring extensive research, copying, and proofreading. How can an old servant be of any help? You need a capable person by your side."
She pondered for a moment, her eyes brightening slightly, and said, "Husband, why don't you let Youwei go with you? She is meticulous and has excellent calligraphy skills, so she can be your scribe and help you organize documents. With her assistance, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort, and it will be easier for you."
Upon hearing this, Wen Tingyun didn't give it much thought, only finding the suggestion quite appropriate. He naturally held the same appreciation and trust that a teacher has for their prized disciple as Xuanji. He nodded, "What you say is absolutely right. Youwei has a keen understanding of classical texts and is indeed a suitable candidate. With her assistance, the compilation process should proceed much more smoothly."
Seeing that her husband agreed, Madam Wen added, "However, the journey is inconvenient, and it would be difficult for her, a young woman, to accompany you. I was thinking that having her dress as a man and act as your personal page would save a lot of trouble and be safer."
Wen Tingyun felt that his wife had thought things through thoroughly, so he said, "That's very good. We will arrange it according to your wishes."
Once the decision was made, Madam Wen summoned Xuanji.
She took Xuanji's hand and instructed, "Youwei, your master will be returning to his hometown soon to compile local chronicles, but I cannot go with him due to family matters. Your senior brother Jue'er is preparing for the martial arts examination, which is at a crucial stage. You are always meticulous and good at poetry and calligraphy, so you can disguise yourself as a man and go with your master to help him with paperwork. This will not only relieve your master's burden but also be a valuable experience for you. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanji was initially surprised, but then a surge of excitement and anticipation welled up within her. Being able to participate in the practical work of compiling local chronicles, and also to travel and study with her master, was exactly what she had always wanted. She immediately replied respectfully, "Yes, Master's wife! Youwei obeys. I will certainly do my utmost to help Master complete the work and will never let Master's wife down."
She secretly glanced at Wen Tingyun and saw that her master's eyes were approving.
And so, the matter was settled.
Xuanji began actively preparing his luggage, his heart filled with anticipation for the trip.
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