Chapter 78 I'll Paint the Mural!
Only one lamp was lit in the study. Pei Ji removed his official hat and casually placed it on a corner of the desk, then raised his hand to rub his temples.
Xi Queping sat down casually in the armchair opposite him, observing Pei Ji's unusually tired expression, and raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong, our Pei Tanhua, our Lord Pei, are you unhappy with your official position? Look at your face."
Pei Ji didn't respond to his words, but instead pushed a freshly brewed cup of Mengding tea in front of him.
This morning at court, Censor Zhao Qiming suddenly impeached Liang Yongchun, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, for extravagant procurement during the preparations for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. He accused Liang of having unclear accounts, potential embezzlement, and even suspected him of using the occasion to enrich himself. While his words weren't extremely harsh, they were well-founded, citing classical texts and presenting clear evidence. The young emperor was initially furious, rebuking Liang Yongchun in court for failing to live up to the emperor's favor, ordering him to return to his residence to reflect on his actions, and immediately stripping him of his post overseeing the birthday banquet, handing over full responsibility to the Ministry of Rites.
After the court session ended, the young emperor summoned Prime Minister Zheng to the Zhangde Hall for a private conversation that lasted nearly an hour, while Pei Ji and several other close ministers waited outside the hall in the corridor.
Pei Ji stood silently with his eyes lowered, his mind clear: the Liang family was the maternal family of the young emperor's birth mother. The young emperor's promotion of Liang Yongchun was originally an act of showing favor and cultivating confidants. Now, on the eve of the birthday banquet, he was publicly impeached. Although it was only a matter of self-reflection and did not address the root cause, it was still a loss of face. What made the young emperor even more embarrassed was that after the censor Zhao finished his report, apart from a few newly promoted officials who symbolically said, "Lord Liang may have been negligent for a moment," and "We beg Your Majesty to be lenient," most of the court officials either remained silent or echoed the call for a thorough investigation. In this court, very few people truly obeyed the young emperor.
Later, when summoned to the palace, the young emperor had regained his composure and only inquired about the selection of the governor of Jiangnan and the matters concerning the southern tour, his expression as usual. But Pei Ji clearly saw the fleeting sinister glint in the young emperor's eyes.
"What about Jin Chu Chuan and Chunyu Zhi?" Pei Ji suddenly asked, thinking of this.
Xi Queping shrugged, picked up his teacup and blew on it: "The old man urgently summoned me back. The letter arrived a couple of days ago. I left in such a hurry that I didn't even get to have a drink with him."
Mentioning Master Chu, Xi Queping's nonchalant demeanor in front of Yu Man faded somewhat. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes showing some hesitation, but he lowered his voice and asked, "You... have you met the Empress Dowager?"
Pei Ji picked up his teacup, the rising steam blurring the emotions in his eyes. He nodded almost imperceptibly, but did not speak immediately.
"And then?" Xi Queping pressed, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knee. "You wouldn't have failed to recognize me, would you?"
“I saw her from afar at the banquet last time,” Pei Ji finally spoke. “I didn’t have the opportunity to meet her or talk to her alone. Before the banquet was halfway through, Princess Funing suddenly felt unwell, so the Empress Dowager left the banquet to visit her.”
Xi Queping frowned: "What a coincidence?" He rubbed his chin, thinking quickly, "Was it to prevent you from revealing your identity in that kind of setting? At least at this juncture, to avoid any unnecessary complications. The old man... it shouldn't be him. If he wanted to stop you, he would have plenty of ways to do so, without having to beat around the bush. Could it really just be a coincidence?"
Pei Ji simply sipped the slightly hot tea slowly. Some things are better left unthought of than to be overthinking when the time is not right.
"And you?" He looked up at Xi Queping. "I'm afraid your trip to the capital this time wasn't just for some part-time business, was it? Or are you hiding from the Shanyang family again?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Queping's face showed his distress again: "Don't mention it! It's true! Ever since the two old men brought up that old marriage agreement again, the Shanyang family has been sending people to inquire every few days, from sending local specialties to sending portraits. Don't forget last time in Xunyang, we were almost cornered by their people at the inn! That scene..." He shook his head with lingering fear, "It was absolutely terrifying!"
Pei Ji rarely smiled so faintly, with a hint of watching a show: "It was a marriage agreement made by both families years ago. They are well-matched. The young lady from the Shanyang family is both beautiful and talented. You may be able to dodge the first day of the month, but you can't dodge the fifteenth."
“I’ll hide for as long as I can!” Xi Queping slumped in his chair. “The main thing is that I’m really afraid of her! That woman… looks dignified, but in reality…” He shuddered and didn’t finish his sentence, then turned serious. “Anyway, she’s coming to the capital to celebrate her birthday, so I’m coming here to avoid trouble for now.”
Everyone has their own troubles, and Pei Ji stopped there, saying no more. He gently put down the half-empty teacup in his hand, and then picked up the pot to refill Xi Queping's teacup.
Xi Queping immediately sat up straight, staring at the gushing tea, as if facing a formidable enemy: "Wait... what do you want me to do now? Let me make it clear first, if you want me to spend a few days digging for ginseng in the deep mountains, forget it!"
Pei Ji paused, looked up at him, his gaze calm and unwavering, yet it made Xi Queping inexplicably feel guilty. He coughed lightly: "...Of course, if it's a serious matter, out of our shared sect, I, Xi Queping, will not hesitate to do so!"
"You help me..." Pei Ji began, his voice low but clear.
...
Dinner was prepared by Yu Man herself. Knowing that guests were coming, she specially prepared several of her signature dishes: a braised pork belly in a rich, dark sauce, stewed until tender and flavorful; a steamed sea bass, its flesh snow-white, drizzled with hot oil and soy sauce; a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, bright green and crisp; and a yam, goji berry, and black-boned chicken soup, its broth clear and its aroma enticing. The main course was glistening white rice and several small, delicate, fancy desserts that she had tried making herself.
The dishes filled a small table, and the three of them sat around it, the atmosphere much livelier than usual. Pei Ji's expression remained calm, but the weariness between his brows seemed to have dissipated somewhat. He naturally picked up the serving chopsticks, first placing a piece of perfectly balanced braised pork belly in Yu Man's bowl, then scooping a spoonful of the tenderest meat from the fish belly, before asking about the progress of the shop.
Yu Man was picking up a piece of braised pork when she heard this and said, "It's mostly done, the craftsmen are very efficient. It's just that the wall in the main hall..." She briefly explained her idea for the mural, "We haven't found a suitable painter yet, and I was thinking of asking you, or asking Young Master Gu to help us inquire again."
Pei Ji listened without comment, but his gaze seemed to casually sweep over Xi Queping, who was engrossed in eating.
Xi Queping was struggling to put the trembling, glistening piece of meat into his mouth when he felt Pei Ji's gaze. He paused, looked up, and met Pei Ji's calm yet meaningful eyes. He blinked, then glanced at Yu Man, who looked thoughtful, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
He swallowed the food in his mouth with difficulty, cleared his throat, pointed at himself with his chopsticks, and said with an air of "who else but me?": "Ahem! Madam Yu! Why bother looking for someone else for such a trivial matter? They're right here in front of you, even though they're far away!"
Seeing Yu Man and Xue Han looking over in surprise, Xi Queping said solemnly, "I am not talented enough to call myself a master painter, but I did have a reputation for skill in painting in my younger days. I am somewhat proficient in landscapes and figures! Moreover, since I am temporarily staying here and have enjoyed such delicious food from Madam Yu, how could I not lend a hand? Leave this mural to me!" He vowed confidently, "Tomorrow I will go to the shop with you and I will definitely paint one that is both elegant and appropriate for the occasion!"
Yu Man was genuinely surprised; she hadn't expected that this free-spirited and unrestrained young master Xi, who seemed more like a chivalrous knight-errant, would also be skilled in painting. She subconsciously looked at Pei Ji, her eyes filled with inquiry and hesitation, wondering if this would be too much trouble for him.
Pei Ji mistakenly thought she was worried about Xi Queping's painting skills, so he nodded and said with certainty, "His painting skills are acceptable. He studied under famous masters in his early years and is especially good at freehand figure painting and landscape painting. He should be able to handle murals."
Yu Man: "...Alright then." Seeing that he had said so, she raised her cup to drink tea instead of wine and smiled, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Xi! It's a pleasant surprise. Once the shop opens, I will definitely repay you handsomely, and every time Young Master Xi visits, the meal will be on the house!"
Xi Queping immediately beamed and raised his cup, saying, "Madam Yu is so generous!"
The next day, Xi Queping indeed got up early and, full of energy, followed Yu Man and Xue Han to the shop in Yulin Lane. He walked around the white wall a few times, listened to Yu Man's request, stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then a flash of inspiration appeared in his eyes.
"I've got it!" He clapped his hands and laughed, then turned and asked Xue Han to prepare the finest blue ink and various mineral pigments. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms, and his expression changed from his usual carefree demeanor to one of focused concentration and calmness. He first used charcoal to sketch the general outline on the wall, his brushstrokes flowing and rhythmic.
In just two days, a vivid and expressive painting titled "Evolution of the Orchid Pavilion Banquet" appeared on the wall.
The painting is not a simple imitation of the scene in the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion," but is ingeniously divided into several parts: on the left is a grand gathering of literati and scholars, amidst towering mountains, lush forests and tall bamboos, where they float wine cups on a winding stream, composing poems and essays, with the figures appearing relaxed and carefree; in the middle section, pavilions and towers are faintly visible, with servants moving about, serving wine and food; on the right, the scene gradually shifts to a bustling scene inside the kitchen—the cook is slicing fish, the cook is wielding the wok, steam is billowing from the steamer, hot oil is sizzling in the pot, and all kinds of ingredients are displayed, full of the warmth and life of everyday life.
The entire painting, from left to right, moves from refined to common, from abstract to concrete, cleverly connecting the "elegant gathering" and "food and drink," creating a coherent artistic conception and a free and unrestrained brushwork. It possesses both the elegance of literati and the charm of everyday life. What's even more delightful is that in a corner of the kitchen, Xi Queping playfully drew a simple little figure, staring longingly at the meat in the pot, its expression remarkably similar to his own, making Yu Man and Xue Han unable to help but chuckle.
Once the mural was completed, the shop was instantly transformed, as if it had come to life. Yu Man was increasingly satisfied with it, and a great weight was lifted from his shoulders.
The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner. Yu Man had already planned to make and sell some exquisite zongzi gift boxes during the festival, both to celebrate the occasion and to warm up her new shop and test the waters. She carefully prepared several flavors: the classic pork and salted egg yolk zongzi, made with marbled pork belly, marinated to perfection, and topped with a rich, oily salted egg yolk; the sweet red bean paste zongzi, with smooth and not greasy red bean paste; the refreshing jujube zongzi; and her own creation, the Eight Treasures zongzi, which includes dried scallops, mushrooms, and chestnuts, with generous ingredients and a savory flavor.
She, along with Xue Han and two hired helpers, busied themselves in the shop's backyard for several days. The glutinous rice was soaked in advance, the bamboo leaves were carefully washed and boiled, and all the fillings were prepared. The group sat around, their fingers flying, folding the emerald green bamboo leaves into corners, filling them with snow-white glutinous rice and various fillings, tying them tightly with colorful silk threads, and hanging them in strings under the eaves to dry, filling the air with the fragrance of bamboo leaves and glutinous rice. The gift boxes were also quite thoughtful, using custom-made bamboo baskets lined with indigo-dyed floral cloth, each basket containing two different flavors of rice dumplings, and adorned with a mugwort sachet, appearing both unique and meticulously prepared.
However, after the zongzi gift boxes were launched, few people inquired about them. Although Yulin Lane was close to the academy, most of the students had already returned home for the festival; nearby residents were also hesitant about the zongzi offered by the newly opened, unknown food stall. Although Gu Chengling secretly helped introduce several familiar shops to sell them, sales remained dismal. After several days, fewer than twenty gift boxes had been pre-ordered, while dozens of boxes were already piled up in the backyard.
Xue Han looked at the gift boxes lying there quietly, her brows furrowed, and she couldn't help but sigh, "Aman, what should we do? So many zongzi, if we can't sell them, wouldn't that be..." She felt sorry for the carefully selected ingredients, and even more worried that the shop would be deserted before it even opened, which was a bad omen.
Yu Man was checking if a batch of freshly tied zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) were secure. Hearing this, she looked up, her face showing little anxiety. She picked up a zongzi, examined the binding thread against the light, and calmly said, "What's the rush? This is just a trial run, to test the waters. We'll eat the ones we don't sell, give some to Granny Hu and Young Master Gu, and share some with the neighbors—consider it a good deed. No business is ever smooth sailing from the start."
She paused, then reassured her, "Besides, after the Dragon Boat Festival, there's the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, and the Lunar New Year... Our skills and dedication are here, there's no need to rush."
Seeing her so calm, Xue Han felt a little relieved, nodded, and regained her spirits: "You're right. I was too impatient."
Fortunately, Aman stopped her before she started making zongzi, otherwise there would probably have been hundreds of boxes piled up.
As expected, the capital city is different from the prefectures; this business will have to wait and see.
Two days before the Dragon Boat Festival was the Empress Dowager's birthday. The day before, when the court session ended, the young emperor stood before the Wende Hall, facing all the officials. His expression had returned to normal, even carrying a hint of appropriate joy. He said loudly, "Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager's birthday, a day of celebration for all under heaven. My beloved ministers have worked hard. Tomorrow at dawn, all of you should enter the palace to celebrate together and join in this grand occasion."
"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish Her Majesty the Empress Dowager a long and healthy life!" The officials responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.
Pei Ji followed the crowd out of the Wende Hall, and was about to leave when a slightly urgent call came from behind him:
"Lord Pei! Lord Pei, please wait!"
Pei Ji paused and turned around. He saw Liang Yongchun, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, walking briskly towards him. Liang Yongchun was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and a short beard. At this moment, his face carried an expression that was a mixture of reserve and urgency. Because the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching, the young emperor had also rescinded his punishment.
"This humble official greets Lord Liang." Pei Ji cupped his hands in a standard greeting, his expression as gentle and respectful as ever, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Liang Yongchun stopped in front of Pei Ji and looked him up and down. This newly promoted third-ranked scholar and compiler of the Hanlin Academy was indeed handsome, with an elegant temperament. What was even more remarkable was his composure and maturity at such a young age. No wonder he was favored by His Majesty and even Prime Minister Zheng looked at him with special regard.
Liang Yongchun's mind raced, but he said aloud, "Lord Pei, there's no need for such formality. Although I am currently retired, I have often heard His Majesty mention you, praising your quick wit and reliable work. Meeting you today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved; you are indeed a promising young man!"
"Lord Liang is too kind," Pei Ji said calmly, his eyes lowered. "This humble official is unworthy of such praise." After saying this, he remained silent, waiting for the other party to continue.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Liang Yongchun subconsciously frowned. For some reason, he always felt an inexplicable awkwardness and a vague dislike towards this young junior, even though the other party's attitude was impeccable, respectful and polite.
However, circumstances dictate his actions. Now that he had lost the Emperor's favor and his post, he desperately needed someone to speak on his behalf before the Emperor. Looking around the court, Prime Minister Zheng's stance was unclear, and most of the other veteran officials had closer ties with the Empress Dowager. Only these newly promoted young officials, who were quite favored by the Emperor, might be a potential avenue. And Pei Ji before him was undoubtedly the most useful and the most likely to have influence among them.
"Lord Pei, you are too modest." Liang Yongchun suppressed his displeasure, stepped forward, and tried to close the distance. He lowered his voice, making it sound more sincere. "I have... been careless and offended His Majesty. I am truly terrified. Lord Pei often serves in the Emperor's court and is deeply trusted by him. If you have time, why not come to my residence for a chat over tea? That would allow me to extend my hospitality."
Seeing that Pei Ji did not respond immediately, he added some more persuasive words: "I beg Lord Pei... that, considering we are officials in the same court, if there is an opportunity, please put in a good word for me before His Majesty. I would be eternally grateful!"
Pei Ji took a barely perceptible, tiny step back. His eyes remained lowered, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them, making his emotions unreadable. He neither said "good" nor "bad," but simply bowed again, his movements precise yet distant.
Liang Yongchun, however, seemed to have received some kind of tacit approval. With a sense of certainty, his smile became more genuine. He automatically interpreted Pei Ji's silence as agreement—young people should always be reserved and not agree too readily in person.
"Of course, of course!" Liang Yongchun replied with his usual reassuring tone. "Lord Pei, rest assured, I am not one who does not know how to repay kindness. If you ever need anything in the future, please just ask, and I will certainly do my best to help you. I will never treat you unfairly!"
Feeling that he had achieved his goal, the gloom in his heart dissipated considerably. After saying a few more polite words, he turned and left with a smug look on his face.
As for that guy surnamed Zhao, he's like a stone in a latrine. Once he regains the Emperor's favor, we'll start dealing with him.
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