Chapter 69 – Can It Be Taken Back?

Chapter 69 - Can It Be Taken Back?

The old scholar wasn't adept at reading, nor was he good at cheating or arguing coherently... but he did have one redeeming quality: he could run fast. He was terrified that Xianjin would send those burly household guardians to ransack his home, so when the leader fled, the other deadbeats quickly vanished.

The onlookers gradually dispersed.

To thank dear Bo'er for speaking up, Xianjin invited Bo'er to their ancestral home for dinner. It was meant as a polite gesture, but Bo'er readily accepted and seemed more familiar with the route to the old residence than Xianjin herself.

Xianjin: "…"

Was it really okay to be this familiar without invitation?

As they entered the Chen family's ancestral home, Auntie Zhang came to inquire about the menu. "…Third Master heard that Jinjie's friend is coming over and said he'll definitely return for dinner…" She smiled at Bo'er. "Does Young Master Zhang have any dietary restrictions?"

Bo'er hastily shook her head, looking very well-behaved. "I'll eat whatever you prepare!"

Auntie Zhang's eyes lit up. "Pork knuckle? Tripe? Pork skin jelly? Offal? Chicken skin? Tripe and stomach? Spicy? Sour and spicy? Sauerkraut? Pickled chili? Stir-fried? Barbecued? Stewed in chili? Deep-fried?"

Xianjin seemed to grasp Auntie Zhang's true preferences…

How should she put it?

They were rather Sichuanese…

Rich and pungent, heavy on oil and salt, just listening made one feel five years older.

Bo'er thought for a moment and nodded seriously. "I can eat all of them; I don't have any restrictions."

Xianjin could visibly see Auntie Zhang's eyes brighten and her fists clench, ready to cook up a storm.

Well… every day, she had been cooking light vegetarian meals for her and Hope Star, so it was understandable that she felt constrained…

True to his word, Chen Fu hurried back for dinner, carrying several boxes of horse hoof cakes, white sugar sponge cakes, and yellow fish cakes. They were reportedly specialties from Dingqiao, Jing County. Out of thirty days in a month, Chen Fu spent at least twenty-five outside, visiting temples to burn incense one day, fishing by the stream the next, and dining and listening to music with the other second-generation rascals of Jing County the day after. He led a carefree life, almost as if he were retired before reaching forty.

How could one describe it? Chen Fu's peaceful life was possible only because Xianjin bore the burden.

Since the cakes contained lard and fish, neither Xianjin nor Chen Jianfang could eat them. The thirty cakes ended up in Chen Fu and Zhang Wenbo's bellies.

Chen Fu liked Zhang Wenbo very much and opened a jar of plum wine to share with him. As he became slightly tipsy, he pointed at Zhang Wenbo and chuckled. "…I like you, scholar. You're not rigid! Flexible! Always smiling!"

Seeing Zhang Wenbo's soft satin jacket, fine silk trousers, and the large, translucent jade pendant hanging from his waist, Chen Fu laughed even more heartily. "And rich!"

Chen Fu paused, then leaned forward and smiled sincerely. "You're the perfect choice for my son-in-law!"

Chen Jianfang's hand trembled as she picked up her chopsticks.

Zhang Wenbo sobered up instantly, waving his hands frantically. He was terrified!

Who doesn't dream of spring in their youth!

But it had to be spring!

He had seen Boss He calmly deduct half a coin from Zhou Ergou! He had witnessed Boss He scolding people! Just now! Without using foul language, but still delivering a harsh reprimand!—almost pointing at someone's nose and accusing them of freeloading!

His business demeanor always reminded him of his father…

He dreamed of spring, not of his father!

Xianjin raised her eyebrows and glanced at Chen Fu.

Chen Fu's drunkenness dissipated by half… He took a sip from his cup and wondered: How could such a gentle and serene person like Ainiang give birth to such a formidable daughter…

The drinking session continued until curfew approached. As the host, Xianjin, and as an acquaintance, Chen Jianfang, saw Bo'er off together to the entrance of the Chen family's ancestral home, and they sent servants to ensure that she arrived safely at her mountain courtyard.

Xianjin stood in the doorway for a moment, letting the heat dissipate from her face before turning back into the room.

Chen Jianfang scrutinized her carefully but couldn't detect any loneliness or hidden concerns from the girl's words or her silhouette. Still, she remained uneasy and whispered, "…Don't take what those people said this afternoon to heart."

Xianjin was preoccupied with her thoughts. Hearing Chen Jianfang's words, she was initially taken aback but soon understood her meaning and laughed. "I don't care at all—a group of old pests doing someone else's bidding. These are just minor business tactics; I'm not going to get genuinely upset."

Being called a slut was nothing.

Her nouveau riche boss's father had been called far worse when competing for business, yet he still maintained a smile.

Chen Jianfang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Don't worry about endless matters beyond your control; enjoy the limited cups of life while you can… Miss He's broad-mindedness and lack of fussiness impresses me greatly."

Receiving praise from a beneficiary of the feudal era left Xianjin feeling somewhat flattered.

Xianjin raised her eyes and saw the sought-after bachelor's gaze, reminiscent of stars, which suddenly reminded her of the cherry blossom tucked within the *Great Wei Law Code*. She quickly averted her gaze, cleared her throat, and walked into the corridor.

Chen Jianfang followed silently behind.

For a moment, Xianjin regretted being a considerate boss—why did she let Suo'er go back early to rest?

If there had been someone else around, the atmosphere between the two wouldn't have been so… awkward…

The best way to break the awkwardness was to make small talk.

Xianjin recalled the interim assignment given by Qiao Shanchang and casually mentioned, "…He wants me to write about 'learning,' without any constraints on form, content, or quality. Just my thoughts on the whole thing."

Hearing Xianjin refer to studying as "the whole thing," Chen Jianfang couldn't help but chuckle. Her voice remained low, as if afraid to wake the sleeping servants in the ancestral home. "The topic of learning is quite broad. If you're writing an essay, you need to find a specific angle to start."

Xianjin agreed. "I plan to approach it from the perspective of theory and practice."

"Unity of knowledge and action, advocating seeking truth from our hearts, is a typical concept of the school of mind." Chen Jianfang nodded. Talking about writing essays invigorated her. "Unfortunately, the Imperial Academy is heavily influenced by the cabinet. When I left, whether it was the Hanlin Academy, the cabinet, or the Imperial College, they all believed in Master Zhu's 'knowledge before action.'"

Ultimately, it boiled down to the debate between the schools of mind and reason.

Xianjin remembered a period during the Ming Dynasty when scholars fiercely debated the doctrines of Zhu Xi, Lu Jiuyuan, and Wang Yangming regarding the school of reason, the school of mind, and whether knowledge should precede action or if they should be unified.

Do they exist today as well?

Xianjin smiled and asked, "I perceive that Qiao Shanchang is also of the School of Mind."

Extremely willful, and going with the flow.

Chen Jianfang chuckled and nodded, "Master Qiao, I'm quite unaccustomed to 'merely talking in the air without substance'."

It is essentially a stance against the theory of learning before doing.

Xianjin asked again, "What about you? Do you have the surname Li or Xin?"

Chen Jianfang gazed deeply at Xianjin, and after a long pause, he shook his head gently, "If the chief examiner's surname is Li, then so is mine; if it is Xin, then mine is Xin as well. I am but a humble scholar, not yet free to choose sides or take a stand."

Never expected Chen Jianfang to say something like that...

Xianjin was stunned.

Chen Jianfang stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of stability as if he were a drum filled with lead. Even if cast into water, regardless of the height of the waves or the depth of the troughs, he would never frivolously float on the surface.

If there is spare time, we could visit the thatched cottage together. The collection of books at home is too limited to be of much use.

Chen Jianfang spoke softly, "Master Qiao is teaching you to read, even in the mountain academy, it is a very precious opportunity to cherish."

Xianjin, of course, was aware.

Though she was unaware why Qiao Shanchang held her in such high regard, having a renowned scholar and great Confucian to accompany her in reading and writing was, even if she would later prove to be of no use and unqualified to take the imperial examinations, a wonderful memory and opportunity for growth for her.

Xianjin nodded eagerly, "If you don't mind my dullness, I am indeed very willing."

The girl pronounced the word "slow-witted" with a nasal tone, which indeed gave off a kind of endearing dullness.

Chen Jianfang unconsciously curled the corners of his mouth, "Then, shall we meet tomorrow afternoon?"

Xianjin shook his head, "There's something going on at the shop."

"The day after tomorrow afternoon?"

Xianjin shook his head again.

"Three days later?"

Xianjin pondered for a moment, but still shook his head.

Chen Jianfang inquired again, "Has the shop been very busy lately?"

Xianjin chuckled, scratching his brow, "Not too busy, just some personal matters to take care of."

Chen Jianfang waited quietly for the continuation of the conversation.

Xianjin stood in the gallery, her heel unconsciously kicking the bottom of the red-lacquered railing.

She really does act like a stubborn donkey that's lashing out...

This thought inexplicably flashed through Chen Jianfang's mind.

Xianjin began to speak hesitantly, "I need to take care of Song Kee—though I'm not angry, I still want retribution down to the last detail, and I must repay every grudge! Otherwise, I'll have trouble sleeping at night and eating my meals... It's bad for my health, very bad."

Chen Jianfang: "…"

Alright, can he take back that remark about her being "open and free-spirited, not bothered by trifles"?