Chapter 39: Zhang Jian is no longer acting?
Yu Chengfu truly doted on his daughter. The rented carriage was not only spacious, but also thoughtfully furnished with soft cushions, a small table, and even a bamboo tube for drinking water and a small basket of washed fruits. Even so, he couldn't help but repeatedly confirm with the driver whether the road was smooth and the horses were docile, repeating this until the driver was practically swearing to heaven before he could finally relax.
With her pregnant belly showing, Deng San Niang carefully packed her belongings into the carriage. Besides a change of clothes, there were mostly homemade, long-lasting cakes and dried meat, as well as a small jar of her specially pickled, refreshing vegetables, in case Yu Man didn't like the food on the road or when they arrived in the prefecture.
"Your father is keeping an eye on things at home, and Shanniang is at the food stall, so you can go with peace of mind," Deng Sanniang whispered, her eyes full of understanding. "You can come back together after Erlang finishes his exams."
The implication in those words was so obvious that Yu Chengfu immediately frowned. The awkward feeling that his own tender little cabbage was about to be taken away, pot and all, welled up in his heart again. He said in a muffled voice, "We're not familiar with the prefecture. If there's nothing else after the business is over... come back as soon as possible!" His tone carried the reluctance of an old father.
Deng Sanning glanced at him indifferently and snorted softly, "Hmm?" Yu Chengfu immediately deflated like a rooster being choked, muttering a few unintelligible words before falling silent.
Looking at the scene before her, Yu Man's prepared official statement, "I'm going to discuss business," lingered on her tongue for a moment, but she ultimately swallowed it back. She simply nodded obediently and replied, "I understand, Dad, Aunt Xiang, don't worry."
The carriage wheels turned slowly, and it drove away from Dongqing County. The carriage swayed slightly, and Yu Man leaned against the soft cushions, watching the fields and villages rushing past the window.
Discussing business wasn't entirely an excuse. The restaurant's reputation was soaring that even Manager Li from the prefectural government had heard of it. A few days ago, He Ming from Zuixianlou specifically sought her out, saying that Manager Li had asked him to pass on a message that many people were very interested in the unique sauces that Yu Man had created and wanted to invite her to the prefectural government for a chat when she had time.
After a bumpy journey, we arrived at the prefectural capital in the afternoon. As soon as the carriage entered the city, the hustle and bustle hit us. The prefectural capital was already prosperous, and now, with the autumn imperial examinations approaching, scholars dressed in Confucian robes and wearing square headscarves could be seen everywhere on the streets. Some were chatting loudly in groups of three or five, while others were walking alone with solemn expressions, or were accompanied by their servants to buy writing implements.
As agreed, Yu Manxian first went to see Manager Li and arranged a time for a meeting with the Prefectural Chamber of Commerce.
Before parting, Manager Li asked with concern, "Has Madam Yu booked an inn in the prefecture? Because of the autumn imperial examinations, inns of all sizes in the prefecture are in high demand and prices have increased several times over. If she hasn't made arrangements yet, I can send someone to inquire at some places I know."
Yu Man was grateful, but politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Manager Li, but I already have a place to stay and it would be inconvenient to bother you."
She did not specify where she was staying, and Manager Li assumed that she had made arrangements in advance, so he did not ask any further questions and personally escorted her out of the Zhenxiu Restaurant.
After bidding farewell to Manager Li, Yu Man hired a clean, green-covered carriage and headed towards the west of the city, as Pei Ji had mentioned in his letter. The further they went, the quieter the streets became, and the more imposing the mansions on both sides grew, with high walls, deep courtyards, vermilion gates, and bronze rings—clearly the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles.
The driver stopped in front of a large courtyard with black lacquered copper rings and a towering lintel, and said politely, "Young lady, we've arrived."
Yu Man got out of the car, paid the fare, and looked up at the mansion before him. The high walls of blue bricks stretched endlessly, and the stone lions at the gate stood majestically. Although not as extravagant as the villa, its orderliness, grandeur, and subtle undercurrent of refinement were far beyond the reach of ordinary wealthy families. This… was the temporary residence Pei Ji had mentioned in his letter?
She stood in front of the door, silent for a moment, and couldn't help but mentally complain about the long-silent electronic voice:
Is he no longer going to act at all?
System: [...If the host's lips are not curving upwards, this system might assume you are simply expressing dissatisfaction.]
Yu Man subconsciously touched the corner of her mouth and, sure enough, felt a faint curve. She coughed lightly.
"Apart from that villa last time, I've never lived in a house of this size." She added to herself, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. In this era, the social hierarchy was clearly defined, with scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, imposing numerous restrictions on merchants. Although she had earned some money, it was still difficult to buy a slightly spacious house in a good location in Dongqing County, let alone a grand mansion like this, which clearly belonged to the wealthy and powerful.
Just as she was pondering how to knock, the heavy, black lacquered wooden door creaked open a crack. A boy, about thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing a light blue cotton jacket and with delicate features, peeked out. Upon seeing Yu Man outside, his eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward, respectfully bowing, his voice still carrying a touch of childishness:
"Excuse me, are you Madam Yu from Dongqing County?"
Yu Man nodded slightly: "That's right. I've come to find Pei Ji."
The boy immediately smiled and stepped aside, saying, "It really is Lady Yu! Young Master Pei has given instructions, please come in! I'll lead you inside."
The boy was clearly a lively person. As he led the way, he excitedly chattered on and on: "Young Master Pei gave the order a few days ago, saying that Madam Yu might arrive in the next few days, and told us to keep a close eye out! Madam, you must be tired from your journey. We're the only ones who usually look after this house, and we've finally welcomed a distinguished guest!"
Passing through the hanging flower gate and around the screen wall, the scenery inside the courtyard slowly unfolded before Yu Man's eyes.
The courtyard is meticulously crafted. The bluestone path meanders, flanked by sparsely planted bamboo and banana trees, with Taihu stones of various shapes dotting the corners. Covered walkways connect the various houses, and birdcages hang under the eaves, housing brightly feathered thrushes that sing sweetly.
In the center of the courtyard stands a small pond with clear water where several koi carp swim leisurely. Beside the pond is a small hexagonal pavilion, complete with a stone table and benches. The entire environment is serene and elegant, with every plant, stone, and stream arranged perfectly. It is both grand and filled with a comfortable and scholarly atmosphere, clearly reflecting the owner's refined taste.
While observing discreetly, Yu Man pieced together information from the child's words: the house did not belong to Pei Ji, but was the villa of a young master surnamed Xi in the prefecture. This young master Xi was not currently in the prefecture, but knowing that Pei Ji had come to take the examination, he generously lent him the house to live in.
As they spoke, they arrived at a more secluded courtyard. The gate was ajar, and a familiar figure stood outside like a pine tree—it was Gu Qiu, whom they hadn't seen for a long time.
Upon seeing Yu Man, Gu Qiu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He stepped forward and, as always, spoke concisely, bowing his head and calling out, "My lady." Then, he gave the boy a wink, and the boy immediately shut his mouth and followed Gu Qiu quietly back down, leaving the two of them alone in the courtyard.
Yu Man gently pushed open the slightly ajar courtyard gate and went inside. The courtyard seemed more spacious than the outside. A tall osmanthus tree stood against the wall, its branches and leaves lush and casting a large shade, though it wasn't in bloom yet. Under the shade of the tree, Pei Ji, dressed in a moon-white long robe, sat with his back to her on a stone bench. A book was open on the stone table in front of him, and he seemed to be engrossed in the book, his posture upright and dignified.
Yu Man did not make a sound to disturb him. Her gaze swept past his focused profile and landed on a very comfortable-looking bamboo recliner not far away.
On the small table next to the recliner, there was a plate of delicate lotus-shaped pastries, a pot of tea, and an upside-down clean teacup, clearly prepared for her.
She smiled inwardly and readily went over, settling comfortably into the recliner. The bamboo chair creaked softly, its sound particularly clear in the quiet courtyard. She picked up a lotus-shaped pastry; small and delicate, with distinct layers, it melted in her mouth with a bite—sweet but not cloying. She then poured herself a cup of tea; the tea was clear and bright, with a delicate aroma—a fine pre-rain Longjing.
She was relaxing as if she were in her own backyard, but the system's notification sounds started flooding her mind:
[Host, after you entered the courtyard, the male protagonist's fingers holding the book pages paused for 0.3 seconds.]
[Host, the male lead has looked at you three times.]
[Host! He put down his book! He got up!]
As Yu Man listened to the system's announcement, the smile on her lips became increasingly uncontrollable. She felt a shadow descend upon her, blocking the light in front of her, carrying the familiar scent of ink.
She finally slowly raised her eyes.
Pei Ji stood before the recliner, looking down at her. He wasn't wearing a crown today, only a simple jade hairpin holding his hair up, a few strands of dark hair falling across his forehead, which further accentuated his handsome features and deep-set eyes. He just looked at her like that, without saying a word.
Yu Man rested her chin on her hand, calmly meeting his gaze, and finally couldn't help but smile, her eyes crinkling:
“Young Master Pei,” her voice was teasing, “how long have you been posing like this, ‘studying diligently by the window, only to be startled by the arrival of a beauty’?”
Don't think she didn't hear him; he didn't even turn the page.
Pei Ji, exposed by Yu Man's mischievous laughter, showed little embarrassment; instead, the indulgent smile in his eyes deepened.
His gaze swept over the fine beads of sweat on her smooth forehead. "There's an ice chest in the room, it'll be cooler. Come in and rest for a while." He reached out to her and took the folding fan from her hand with practiced ease.
Yu Man followed him into the main house. As soon as they stepped inside, a chill enveloped them. In the corner stood a waist-high huanghuali wood ice chest, exquisitely carved, from which wisps of white, cold air emanated—a veritable ancient version of "air conditioning." This craftsmanship certainly matched the style of the house and its temporary owner.
Yu Man walked unceremoniously to the canopy bed covered with a cool bamboo mat, kicked off one shoe, and lay down comfortably with a satisfied sigh. The coolness of the ice-cold bamboo mat dispelled the day's heat. Pei Ji bent down to pick up her embroidered shoe and arranged it neatly.
She turned to the side, propped her head up, and looked at Pei Ji, who was sitting on the edge of the bed and continuing to fan her, and asked, "Are you really the only one who came to the prefecture? If Gu Qiu doesn't count." She remembered that he had mentioned their classmate in his letter.
Pei Ji continued, "Chunyu Zhi and the others are still at the academy, being personally supervised by their teachers in their studies. The teachers believe they are not yet ready, so they don't need to participate in the autumn examinations this time." He paused, then added, "Their character still needs to be tempered."
"Oh..." Yu Man drawled, as if casually asking, "So when are you going to take the exam?"
"Enter in five days." Pei Ji's gaze fell on her eyes, which were slightly narrowed with contentment, and his tone was steady. "Are you in a hurry to go back?"
Yu Mancun was determined to tease him, so he deliberately put on a stern face and pondered, "Yes, there are many things to do at home, especially since the food shop was praised by His Highness Prince Ding. Aunt Xiang is pregnant, and I'm afraid Father can't handle it all by himself. After I finish discussing business with Manager Li, I guess I'll have to go back."
Before she could finish speaking, she felt the fan suddenly stop, and she fell silent.
To suppress her laughter, Yu Man deliberately stopped looking at him, deftly turned over, facing inwards with her back to him: "Oh dear, after talking for a while, I'm even sleepier, I should go to sleep."
She had just closed her eyes when she felt the bed behind her sink slightly.
Immediately afterwards, an undeniable force gripped her shoulders, and with an irresistible force, flipped her back over.
The shadows fell again, and Pei Ji pressed down on her, his arms bracing on either side of her body, trapping her beneath him. The jade hairpin that bound his hair had come loose a little, and a few strands of his dark hair fell down, gently brushing against Yu Man's cheeks and neck, bringing a slight ticklish shiver.
The two were so close they could feel each other's breath. Yu Man could see that his pupils were slightly pale, like still waters running deep.
However, Pei Ji gazed at her for a moment, his eyes revealing a silent compromise and indulgence. He stepped back, then reached out and gently removed her other embroidered shoe, placing it neatly beside the bed.
Then he pulled over the thin brocade quilt that was folded up next to him and carefully covered her up, even tucking her shoulders in tightly.
After doing all this, he sat down on the edge of the bed again, and gently patted her back through the thin blanket, as if soothing a fussy child.
"Go to sleep," he said. "I'm not leaving."
Yu Man was indeed exhausted. She closed her eyes, and with his scent and the coolness of the ice in the room lingering around her, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
...
Yu Man was awakened by the enticing aroma of food. When she woke up, the room was already dimly lit, half of the ice chest had melted, and she could hear low voices coming from outside; it was Pei Ji and another person.
She tidied her slightly disheveled hair and dress, put on her shoes, and went out.
In the outer hall, Pei Ji was carrying a plate of steamed perch into the room. Several dishes that Yu Man liked were already laid out on the table. A man was also with him.
The man was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a tall and straight figure. He wore a loose-fitting, plain-colored robe with cloud patterns, the belt loosely tied, giving him a somewhat unconventional air reminiscent of the scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties. He had clear, bright eyes and a slight upturn at the corners of his lips, and he carried a small gourd of wine in his hand.
As soon as Yu Man came out, Pei Ji and the man looked over at the same time.
The man's eyes flashed with undisguised curiosity and amazement. He then bowed to Yu Man with a graceful and casual gesture, and said in a clear and melodious voice, "This must be Madam Yu? My surname is Xi and my given name is Queping. I have long admired Madam Yu's name, and seeing you today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved."
Is your surname Xi?
Yu Man immediately realized that this was the true owner of this elegant mansion. She curtsied and returned the greeting, saying, "Young Master Xi is too kind. I am sorry to have bothered you."
"No bother, no bother!" Xi Queping laughed.
The three sat down. Xi Queping, on the other hand, made no attempt to stand on ceremony. After picking up his chopsticks, he focused on eating, enjoying his meal immensely. Occasionally, he would squint his eyes, looking quite content. He didn't say much, but his gaze would occasionally dart between Yu Man and Pei Ji, a playful smile on his face.
Pei Ji remained composed, seemingly oblivious to Xi Queping's probing gaze. He picked up the serving chopsticks and carefully plucked the most tender and succulent belly meat from the perch on the plate, naturally placing it on the dish in front of Yu Man. Yu Man, accustomed to this, began to eat. The meat was fresh and tender, cooked to perfection—truly Pei Ji's culinary skill.
For a moment, no one spoke. Yu Man then looked at Xi Queping and started a conversation: "Young Master Xi has an extraordinary bearing. Are you also a fellow disciple of Pei Ji?"
Almost simultaneously, two voices rang out—
Xi Queping picked up a piece of bamboo shoot with his chopsticks and mumbled, "Yes."
Pei Ji slowly put down his spoon and said clearly, "No."
Yu Man: "...?" Did you two mix up your lines?
Pei Ji looked at her and knew from her expression that she was overthinking things. He patiently explained, "In terms of seniority, he joined the sect early and was indeed the eldest disciple before." He paused and said in a calm tone, "However, before I came to the prefecture from the mountain, my teacher personally said that he would be expelled from the sect."
"Pfft—" Xi Queping almost choked, put down his chopsticks, and said angrily, "That old man is so stingy! It's just that he drank the jar of wine he hid in the cellar, is it really that big of a deal?"
Pei Ji raised his eyes and added calmly, "That was the last half jar of Golden Dew."
Upon hearing this, Yu Man's eyes widened slightly. Golden Dew? She had read about it in some miscellaneous books and anecdotes; it was a secret brew of the previous dynasty's imperial court, said to have an extremely complex brewing method, requiring rare ingredients, and long lost to history. Its liquid was golden and translucent, smooth on the palate, with a lingering fragrance that lasted for three days. It was hailed as a celestial brew, said to be worth a thousand gold pieces per sip, and practically priceless. This Xi Queping… he really knows how to drink!
She rarely spoke a fair word, looking at Xi Queping with a sincere tone: "Young Master Xi, this... is indeed quite rare."
Despite the two men's sarcastic remarks, he remained unfazed and said, "It's just a jar of wine! I... I'll go back and apologize to him! I'll just give him ten or eight jars as compensation!"
Having said that, he seemed to lose face, put down his chopsticks, stood up abruptly, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Pei Ji and Yu Man, and said, "Please enjoy your meal. I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave first!" Before he finished speaking, he had already turned and left the hall like a gust of wind, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Yu Man was taken aback and turned to Pei Ji to ask, "...Aren't you going to try to keep me here?" This departure is too sudden.
Pei Ji remained expressionless, picked up a piece of green vegetable, and said in a completely calm tone, "It's alright. He just finished eating and didn't want to wash the dishes."
Yu Man: "..."
After dinner, Pei Ji went back to his room to study, while Yu Man took a nap and felt refreshed, so he decided to go out and stroll through the prefectural night market.
Arriving at the entrance of a rather grand inn, they saw a group of people gathered around, seemingly arguing. A handsome scholar in a slightly worn blue Confucian robe stood before the counter, his face pale with embarrassment. He was arguing with the innkeeper about the sudden increase in room rates. Although there were onlookers around, most were just watching the spectacle and no one spoke up.
Just as the standoff was reaching a stalemate, a well-dressed young woman, dressed like a capable maid from a wealthy family, stepped forward and said in a clear voice, "Manager, how can you do business like this? My wife will pay for this gentleman's room, ten days' rent in advance." As she spoke, she placed a rather large silver ingot on the counter.
The scholar was taken aback and quickly declined, saying, "This...how can this be? I have never met you before, madam..."
The maid smiled slightly, turning to point to a small blue silk sedan chair parked not far from the inn's entrance. Just then, a slender hand gently lifted a corner of the sedan chair curtain, revealing a beautiful face. The woman was about twenty years old, with cloud-like hair and a beautiful face. Her gaze swept lightly over the scholar, and her eyes met briefly with Yu Man's, who was also looking over with curiosity. Then, the sedan chair curtain fell, separating the inside from the outside.
The maid said to the scholar, "My mistress said that being a scholar is not easy. She hopes that you will study hard and pass the exam with flying colors."
The scholar was moved to tears and bowed deeply in the direction of the sedan chair.
Yu Man stood at the edge of the crowd, taking in the entire scene. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking to the system in his mind: "Who said this plot is melodramatic? Although it's formulaic, it's certainly very eye-friendly." Whether it was the embarrassed yet undeniably handsome scholar, or the stunning beauty caught glimpse in the sedan chair, it was all a visual treat.
The system remained silent, seemingly unable to handle such purely appearance-based comments.
After the brief interlude, Yu Man continued her stroll. After walking through several streets, she found a small food stall with only one customer at a relatively quiet corner. The stall owner was an elderly man with gray hair but nimble hands and feet, busy at a small pot, the air filled with an enticing aroma, a delicate blend of meat and herbs. The stall had only two simple tables, one of which was occupied by a customer.
Yu Man's intuition told her that this seemingly inconspicuous stall must have extraordinary flavors. She walked over, sat down at another empty table, and said to the old man, "Uncle, could you please give me one of your signature dishes?"
"Alright, young lady, please wait a moment. One bowl of wonton noodles!" the old man readily agreed.
While waiting, Yu Man's gaze inadvertently fell on the only diner at the next table. It was a man dressed in a dark blue robe, slender and tall, quietly eating noodles. His profile was handsome and refined, with a high nose bridge and gently drooping eyelashes; in terms of appearance alone, he was comparable to Pei Ji. However, Pei Ji possessed a relaxed, gentlemanly air, while this man exuded a sense of solitude, like a cold river under the moonlight.
As if sensing her gaze, the man slightly raised his eyes.
Their eyes met briefly. Yu Man did not look away, but politely nodded slightly. The man also nodded in return without a word, then lowered his eyelids and continued to eat his noodles quietly.
Just then, without warning, the rain began to fall, initially fine and dense, but soon forming lines that splashed on the bluestone pavement, bringing a damp coolness.
The old man looked up at the sky and sighed, "It looks like this rain is going to last for a while."
Yu Man hadn't brought an umbrella, but she wasn't worried. She thought she could either wait for the rain to subside before leaving, or wait for Pei Ji to come looking for her. She sat quietly, listening to the rain, watching the person opposite her finish the last bite of noodles. He took out a few copper coins, gently placed them on the table, and prepared to get up and walk into the rain.
"Young man, wait a moment!" the old man called out to him, pulling out a moon-white oil-paper umbrella from under the stall. "The umbrella you left here last time, I've been keeping it for you."
The man stopped in his tracks, glanced at the umbrella, but did not take it. His gaze shifted to Yu Man, who was sitting quietly waiting to the side, and his voice was calm, like rain falling into a pool: "Leave it to that lady."
After saying that, without waiting for the old man to say anything more, he nodded slightly and turned to step into the increasingly dense rain.
The old man paused for a moment, then understood. He placed the umbrella in front of Yu Man's table and said kindly, "Young lady, take this. It was given to you by that young man."
Yu Man was somewhat surprised. She took the oil-paper umbrella, still warm from the old man's hand, and looked up in the direction the man had left. The rain fell like a curtain, and she could see the slender, dark blue figure walking further and further away, his steps calm and composed. The rain soaked his shoulders, but he seemed oblivious, finally disappearing completely into the night.
“Uncle,” Yu Man withdrew his gaze, unable to suppress his curiosity, and asked softly, “Do you know the name of that person just now?”
While clearing away the dishes, the old man replied, "Oh, you mean Zhang Langjun? His surname is Zhang, and his given name is Jian. He's a regular here. He doesn't talk much, but he's a kind-hearted man."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com