Chapter 64: The Capital’s Memorial

Chapter 64: The Memorial from the Capital

Zheng Shanci arrived at the Lan County yamen and asked the yamen runner to announce him.

County Magistrate Fang was still drinking tea, fanning himself. Upon hearing the yamen runner's report, he put down his teacup, feeling puzzled. He stood up, adjusted his official robe, and chided, "Hurry up and invite Lord Zheng in."

What could Zheng Shanci want from him? County Magistrate Fang felt a headache coming on, hoping it wasn't anything troublesome. Even when Zheng Shanci extended the road to Lan County's gates, he couldn't be bothered to care.

Whatever Lord Zheng had to say, as long as it didn't involve him, he was fine. He just wanted to muddle through his term as a clueless official and coast through life.

County Magistrate Fang muttered under his breath.

The yamen runner ushered Zheng Shanci in, and the two magistrates exchanged pleasantries. County Magistrate Fang was startled upon seeing Zheng Shanci—he hadn't expected him to be so young, a handsome, tall gentleman.

"Please have a seat, Lord Zheng. My apologies for the lack of preparation. If you had informed us of your visit to Lan County in advance, I could have prepared better," County Magistrate Fang said politely.

"I came to Lan County to discuss Xinfeng County merchants doing business here. I wanted to inform you in advance."

"Ah..." County Magistrate Fang's expression relaxed. "This matter? No problem. Lan County and Xinfeng County are neighboring counties. In the past, the distance and sandstorms hindered travel, so there wasn't much interaction. Now that Lord Zheng has built the road, Lan County is more than happy to welcome merchants from Xinfeng County to open shops here. I treat all merchants equally. Their setting up shops in Lan County is a blessing for us."

Hearing Magistrate Fang's words, Zheng Shanci felt much more at ease. "With Magistrate Fang's advice, I feel reassured. Xinfeng County has long been isolated outside Qingzhou, a remote area only bordering Lan County. In the future, I will need Magistrate Fang's guidance. After all, I've only been in office for a little over a year, while Magistrate Fang has been in the officialdom for many years. There's much I need to learn from you."

County Magistrate Fang felt reassured, his smile more genuine. "Elder Brother, you flatter me. We're both county magistrates; no need for such formalities. It's almost noon. Let me treat you to lunch at Chun Chi Lou. We can talk over lunch."

Zheng Shanci smiled and cupped his hands in gratitude. "Then I'll trouble you, Elder Brother Fang."

County Magistrate Fang had never met someone like Zheng Shanci before—approachable, with a gentle yet firm demeanor. Though not as shrewd as the old foxes in the officialdom, Zheng Shanci was still new to his post. With the right opportunities, he might become one of those old foxes in the future. But why dwell on that? In a remote place like Xinfeng County, what opportunities could there be?

County Magistrate Fang invited Zheng Shanci to Chun Chi Lou, serving the restaurant's signature dishes. Zheng Shanci wasn't picky, but he found the food unremarkable, almost identical to what he had eaten at Qian Wei Lou in Xinfeng County. The flavors were the same too. It seemed most restaurants served the same dishes. When officials dined out, it wasn't about the food but about connections and socializing.

After a few drinks, County Magistrate Fang said to Zheng Shanci, "Brother Zheng, no matter how much you try here, the court doesn't care about small officials like us. After finally passing the Jinshi exam, it's better to settle down and live a stable life."

Zheng Shanci didn't argue, smiling as he agreed. "Brother Fang is right. But I'm still young and unwilling to settle just yet. Let me give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll accept my fate and focus on being a magistrate in Xinfeng County."

County Magistrate Fang could understand this sentiment. At Zheng Shanci's age, it was common to feel restless. But such efforts were often futile.

As they drank and talked, Zheng Shanci got a glimpse of County Magistrate Fang's personality—he liked to avoid trouble and disliked getting involved in matters. As long as he wasn't dragged into anything, he was content. He just wanted to coast through his term as a magistrate, enjoying his life with his wives and concubines, all from wealthy families in Lan County. County Magistrate Fang had married into a prominent local family upon arriving in Lan County, maintaining good relations with the city's elite. He had no interest in climbing the official ladder, content with his comfortable life after passing the Jinshi exam and being appointed as an official.

After a while, the two parted ways.

Zheng Shanci hadn't drunk much. When he returned to the inn, Wang Fu had the kitchen prepare some sobering soup. After drinking it, Zheng Shanci felt much better.

"I'll rest for a bit. You can go and relax outside."

Wang Fu nodded. "Call me if you need anything, my lord."

After resting, Zheng Shanci went to lie down. Meanwhile, Yu Lanyi went with Xu Geer to a pear garden. Lin Geer loved listening to operas. In the past, she could only catch glimpses of performances in town. Now, sitting in a chair, snacking on melon seeds and drinking tea while choosing from the opera repertoire, she felt thrilled. Zheng Qingyin had only heard snippets of operas at temple fairs, performances meant for the wealthy. Back then, he was too preoccupied with making a living to pay much attention.

The opera depicted the lives of its characters. Neither Zheng Qingyin nor Lin Geer could read, but after seeing the opera repertoire, Zheng Qingyin felt the urge to learn. He decided to ask his second brother about it when they returned to Xinfeng County.

Yu Lanyi read the names of the operas aloud, growing more puzzled as he went.

"*Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl*, *A Red Apricot Branch Peeking Over the Wall*..." He wasn't a diligent student, but even he could tell these didn't sound like proper titles.

He picked a more decent-sounding one, a story about a wealthy young master and a commoner. Since it was just the four of them, he asked Xu Geer what was going on.

Xu Geer explained that they had booked the entire place.

Alright then. Yu Lanyi settled in, snacking on melon seeds and watching the opera.

At first, it seemed quite normal. The two young actors on stage were handsome, and their singing was excellent, clearly the result of hard work. The lingering emotions were especially strong, with their eyes full of feeling.

Xu Geer said it was a great spot, and he wasn't wrong. Yu Lanyi had been watching operas since he was four years old, though he couldn't understand them back then. Every year on his father's birthday, his father would invite famous opera troupes from the capital, as his grandmother also enjoyed listening to operas.

As a boy, he was mischievous and didn't find operas particularly entertaining, but after listening for a while, he began to find them interesting. In the morning, he even tried to mimic the opera singers by practicing his singing.

The Marquis of Changyang gave him an earful, spanked him, and told him not to wail like a ghost early in the morning. It was extremely embarrassing.

Lin Geer also enjoyed it. He was so engrossed that when he saw the wealthy young man and the servant finally understanding each other's feelings, he dabbed at his tears. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes widened.

He saw the two people on stage kissing each other.

What the... what is this?

Yu Lanyi was also stunned.

Zheng Qingyin's face turned completely red.

Yu Lanyi: "Alright, that's enough."

Xu Geer gave them a look, and they quickly left the stage.

As for whether such operas existed in the capital, they certainly did, but Yu Lanyi had never encountered them before. Yu Lanyi's face turned red with embarrassment, feeling that such a public display was totally embarrassing.

"Xu Geer, is this what you meant by a good place?" Yu Lanyi asked, his face still red.

Xu Geer figured Yu Lanyi wasn't into it and explained the situation, then took them somewhere else to have fun.

Even as they played elsewhere, Yu Lanyi was still lost in thought, and Lin Geer and Zheng Qingyin were also absent-minded. Xu Geer felt a pang of regret, thinking he shouldn't have taken them to watch the opera, as it had clearly left them all in a daze.

When they returned to the inn, Lin Geer felt that he couldn't watch operas anymore. Even though it was just a kiss on stage, it still felt embarrassing to watch.

Yu Lanyi went back to his room, where Zheng Shanci had sobered up and was sitting in the inn drinking tea. Seeing Yu Lanyi return, he smiled and asked, "How'd it go?"

Yu Lanyi, feeling guilty, replied, "It was alright."

He felt that no one in the world could compare to Zheng Shanci. Yu Lanyi suddenly realized that this was how he truly felt.

"Since everything's settled, you can stay in Lan County a bit longer if you want, and I'll stay with you. If you want to go back, we'll go back," Zheng Shanci said softly, noticing that Yu Lanyi hadn't drunk any water yet, so he poured him a cup of tea.

"Your lips are dry. Have some tea to wet them."

Yu Lanyi clung to Zheng Shanci and wouldn't let go. "Zheng Shanci, you treat me so well. I won't be able to leave you in the future."

Zheng Shanci patted Yu Lanyi's head, his voice clear and bright, "Then stay with me."

Yu Lanyi didn't hit Zheng Shanci.

"Alright, you have to always stay by my side, whether we're in Xinfeng County or in the capital. We'll go back together to see my father and my dad, as well as my eldest brother. You haven't met everyone from the Duke of Ying's household yet, nor have you met everyone from the Marquis of Changyang's household."

There were way too many relatives, and Zheng Shanci hadn't even met half of them.

"Then it's a deal," Zheng Shanci said, smiling.

Yu Lanyi: "Zheng Shanci, if one day you reach the pinnacle of officialdom, will you still treat me this well?"

He understood his own status, something he was born into, and he had never been anxious about it; in fact, he took pride in it. But when he asked, he always hoped that this person loved him for himself, not for anything else.

Zheng Shanci: "Of course. That goal is too grand; I haven't reached the pinnacle of officialdom yet. If I ever do, nothing will change."

The kind of stability County Magistrate Fang sought might not be what he desired. He always wanted his Yu Lanyi to be proud of him.

Xu Geer, who hadn't fancied any man this time, could only return disappointed, hoping to catch another one later.

Back in Xinfeng County, before Zheng Shanci could start his work, Zheng Qingyin came to his study to find him.

"Second Brother, I want to learn to read," Zheng Qingyin said, glancing up at Zheng Shanci before lowering his head again, his heart still fluttering with nervousness.

Zheng Shanci smiled, "Alright, I'll ask Lord Jiang if there are any women or young men who can teach you to read and write."

Zheng Qingyin couldn't help but smile a little, then asked shyly, "Second Brother, you don't object?"

"If you want to learn, then learn. As long as you're happy, that's what matters. Learning to read and delving into more books, I fully support it. I'm truly happy for you," Zheng Shanci said, noticing Zheng Qingyin still seemed a bit dazed, and then suddenly thanked him.

"Why stand on ceremony with your second brother? If there's anything, just tell me, and I'll help you," Zheng Shanci treated Zheng Qingyin like a child who needed to be doted on, and indeed, he was still a child.

Zheng Qingyin nodded.

As he walked out of the study, his steps felt much lighter.

...

Imperial Censor Li returned to the capital, feeling as if a ghost were chasing him all the way from Xinfeng County without a single stop. Upon returning home, before his wife could even show her delight, Imperial Censor Li went straight to his study to write a memorial.

The memorial didn't say much else; it heaped praise on Zheng Shanci. After finishing the memorial and submitting it, he felt a wave of relief and promptly fainted.

His wife cried out in alarm, "Master!"

"Don't call me master; I'm not dead yet, merely exhausted."

The memorial was submitted to the cabinet, and from there, it was presented to Emperor Wuming's imperial study.