Chapter 137: Meeting Guanyin

Chapter 137 Seeing Guanyin

Zheng Shanci thought to himself how fortunate it was that his face was handsome.

Yu Lanyi felt drowsy. "The pork noodles were delicious. I want them again tomorrow night. Anyway, Xiao Pingan eats rice porridge—he doesn’t need regular meals."

Zheng Shanci: "We should also make a bowl of spicy-sour soup to go with the rice porridge."

Ever since Zheng Shanci started feeding him soup, Xiao Pingan had gotten used to drinking it.

When Yu Lanyi woke up in the morning, he felt at ease. He had only ever kept one thing from Zheng Shanci—not counting his secret savings.

Yu Lanyi went to check his secret savings. After saving for many years, he had accumulated a hundred taels. After Zheng Shanci’s promotion, his salary increased to fifteen taels per month, and the next payday was near.

He could save up to a hundred fifteen taels now.

After Zheng Shanci handed over his fifteen-tael salary to Yu Lanyi, the steward would issue him twenty-five taels as his monthly allowance. Since he ate and lived at home, usually dining in the household kitchen, he barely spent anything—aside from occasionally accompanying Yu Lanyi to the capital’s night markets or going out with the whole family on days off, and buying toys for Xiao Pingan.

The income from the food stalls, snack shops, cloth shop, and scent shop all went to the steward. If there was any need, he could withdraw money from there.

He rarely spent more than ten taels a month, except when buying jade or hairpins for Yu Lanyi, which were pricier.

...

The next morning, Zheng Shanci went to teach Xie Cheng and Xie Dan.

"Knowing where to stop brings stability; stability brings tranquility; tranquility brings peace; peace brings reflection; reflection brings attainment."

Zheng Shanci brought out a wooden bucket and had Xie Cheng and Xie Dan leave the study. He used a ladle to pour water from a full bucket into the one in his hand.

"This bucket has a limited capacity. When you shout 'stop,' I will stop. Remember, the goal is to fill the bucket as much as possible without letting the water overflow."

The bucket in Zheng Shanci’s hand had one plank shorter than the others.

"Each of you can only shout 'stop' once."

Xie Dan found it very interesting. He moved closer to Zheng Shanci, leaning in to observe the water level in the bucket.

Xie Cheng also approached and was the first to shout "stop." The water stopped just below the short plank.

Zheng Shanci asked, "Second Prince, do you want to continue adding water?"

Xie Dan thought for a moment and said, "Keep going."

The water continued to rise, and Xie Dan shouted "stop" just as it was about to overflow.

The water level held steady, and Xie Dan beamed.

Zheng Shanci set the bucket down. He didn’t praise or criticize but began explaining the lesson.

"Knowing where to stop requires self-awareness. His Royal Highness the Eldest Prince understood that stopping the water at this level would give him a sense of security, while the Second Prince dared to take risks and called 'stop' at the last moment. Both choices reflect an understanding of what 'knowing' means. After 'knowing' comes 'stopping'—restraint and discipline. In pursuing our goals, we must also abide by principles, or else the water will spill."

Zheng Shanci added a little more water, and it began to leak from the short plank.

Xie Cheng listened to the sound of flowing water, feeling a spark of understanding. Xie Dan listened as well, growing calmer.

"Stability brings tranquility," Zheng Shanci set down the ladle.

"Do not blindly chase your goals. Do not lose your inner balance. Maintain awareness of where to stop." Xie Cheng looked at the bucket and reached out to touch the short plank.

After the class, Xie Dan poked Xie Cheng's back with a brush, "Brother, I find Lord Zheng's teaching quite interesting. I can follow his explanations, and his attitude toward us is very gentle."

Xie Dan was starting to like Zheng Shanci. He had always believed that a man should be like Yu Zhangxing—a master of martial arts. But now, he sensed a different kind of strength in Zheng Shanci, one he had also felt in Chief Grand Secretary Wei, though the two gave him different vibes.

Xie Cheng nodded, "Lord Zheng is a good teacher."

In the morning, they had two lessons, and Zheng Shanci taught them another passage from *The Great Learning*:

"Knowing what comes first and last brings you closer to the Way."

Zheng Shanci explained that everything has its core and periphery, its end and beginning. Understanding the sequence brings one closer to the essence of things.

He took out two seeds he had prepared. "These are camellia seeds. Please plant them, care for them diligently, and observe them."

Xie Cheng took a seed from the lectern—small enough to hold in his palm. Xie Dan eagerly ran up to get his. The palace had imperial gardens, but they had never paid much attention to the flowers there. Since childhood, the gardens had always looked the same. Now, holding a camellia seed from Zheng Shanci, they found it a novelty.

Both carefully stored the seeds away.

Xie Dan raised a question, "Lord Zheng, if all things have roots and branches, and affairs have beginnings and ends, then surely people must have roots and branches, beginnings and ends too."

Xie Cheng had also considered this—a person's beginning is birth, and their end is death. Yet, he had never witnessed death. Emperor Wuming and Wang Fengjun had shielded the two princes from bloody punishments in the palace. The servants around them had grown up with them, still young and free from illness, so they knew nothing of life and death.

"Your Highness is correct. People do have beginnings and ends. As for their roots and branches, everyone prioritizes differently, and that is not for us to judge."

"If fate were to end right now, what could we do?" Xie Cheng pondered. Though he had never faced life and death, he knew the pain of losing a father. Despite Wang Fengjun's kindness, he still longed to meet his birth father.

"Fate sets boundaries. Within finite time, let your heart remain unshaken by the winds."

After finishing the lesson, Zheng Shanci returned to the Taichang Temple.

Xie Cheng took careful notes and told a eunuch to carry his books. Xie Dan followed him, "Brother, Father will test us on our studies again tonight."

"Today, we’ll go straight back to our quarters to review." Xie Cheng decided not to play after class.

Xie Dan responded with a grudging agreement.

That evening, after Emperor Wuming finished reviewing memorials, he remembered his two sons and summoned them. He called the elder in first, leaving the Second Prince waiting outside the Coiling Dragon Hall.

Xie Dan wanted to press his ear to the door but thought it beneath a prince. So he stood properly outside.

Xie Cheng first bowed to Emperor Wuming, who tested him with a few basic questions—all of which Xie Cheng answered without hesitation.

When it came to reciting texts, Xie Cheng already knew how to memorize them well.

Emperor Wuming asked a few follow-up questions, and Xie Cheng answered thoughtfully, sharing insights that impressed the emperor. With a wave of his hand, Emperor Wuming said, "You may leave now. Call Xie Dan in."

This time, Xie Cheng escaped reprimand. He called Xie Dan inside.

Xie Dan emerged shortly after—he too escaped reprimand. The two happily headed to Kunning Palace for a midnight snack.

"Father had the servants make wontons tonight." Xie Dan loved bite-sized wontons served in hearty bone broth. He’d polish off the dumplings and slurp up the broth.

At the palace, Wang Fengjun had the two sit down, and servants brought each prince a bowl of wontons. Xie Cheng dug in with his spoon.

Wang Fengjun was midway through her bowl when Emperor Wuming arrived.

Xie Dan gulped down the rest of his soup.

"What smells so good? Get me a bowl too."

The attendant filled a bowl for Emperor Wuming, and the family shared a late-night meal together. It was rare for the two princes not to be scolded, and Wang Fengjun was spared Xie Dan’s tearful complaints.

After finishing their meal and bidding farewell, the two princes left. Only Emperor Wuming and Wang Fengjun remained in the hall, and it seemed the emperor would stay the night. Emperor Wuming was only in his thirties, naturally handsome, and his civil administration and military achievements were both exceptional.

Lying in bed, he thought for a while, "In a few more years, when Xie Cheng and Xie Dan are older, I’ll name the crown prince."

Wang Fengjun said nothing, feigning sleep.

When Emperor Wuming received no response after a while, he turned to look at Wang Fengjun, who appeared to be fast asleep with steady breathing. The emperor had no choice but to give up, slipping an arm around his waist and holding him as they slept.

...

Upon returning home, Zheng Shanci played with Xiao Pingan, who tossed the ball back and forth with him. Yu Lanyi, watching, itched to join in. The three took positions in a triangle and began passing the ball.

"Ha!" Xiao Pingan let out a childish shout with each kick.

Yu Lanyi softened his kicks, and when Xiao Pingan missed the ball, the child waddled off to fetch it before happily kicking it again.

They played like this until evening.

Xiao Pingan fed himself with a spoon, then insisted on sleeping with Yu Lanyi that night.

Yu Lanyi refused, "Though Pingan is growing up, he’s better off sleeping alone—I fear waking him at night."

Xiao Pingan didn’t understand, so Wu Shi carried him to his room. The child peered over her shoulder, lip quivering, looking pitiful.

Zheng Shanci smiled and patted his head.

Children went to bed early. Since Zheng Shanci had the day off today, he and Yu Lanyi had agreed to visit the night market.

It had been a while since they strolled through the capital’s night market. Yu Lanyi spotted a few curiosities he fancied, which Zheng Shanci bought and carried for him.

Yu Lanyi looped his arm through Zheng Shanci’s, curious about every novelty they passed. Not far away, a troupe had set up a stage for opera. Among the capital’s famous troupes, one happened to be performing a play that interested Yu Lanyi, so he dragged Zheng Shanci along to watch.

In ancient times, watching opera was akin to modern-day TV dramas. Zheng Shanci ordered a pot of tea and three plates of snacks. The tea and snacks in the opera house were pricier than those in ordinary teahouses, and just getting in cost six taels a head.

Yu Lanyi found a seat in the main hall—he disliked private boxes, preferring the lively atmosphere of the common area, where he could munch on melon seeds, nibble on pastries, and casually enjoy the performance.

After watching an opera, Yu Lanyi was buzzing with excitement, chatting and laughing with Zheng Shanci as they left.

Zheng Qingyin had also been invited to the opera by Shi Xuan that evening. Since he was hesitant to go alone, he brought Lin Geer along. Shi Xuan had given Zheng Qingyin three tickets, one of which he passed to an embroidery worker at the fabric shop who loved opera.

Lin Geer was a theater buff since he was little, so when Zheng Qingyin invited him, he came without hesitation. By the time the show ended, it was already late. The two bought some night-market treats before heading home for a good night’s sleep.

Zheng Qingyin’s mind wasn’t on the opera. He glanced around and spotted Shi Xuan to his right, separated by a few people. After a brief look, he turned away.

Shi Xuan wasn’t focused on the opera either—his gaze was only for Zheng Qingyin.

Once the performance ended, Zheng Qingyin and Lin Geer left the opera house together. Lin Geer gushed about the performance, and Zheng Qingyin occasionally chimed in. His elder brother and sister-in-law had been arranging blind dates for him—some with sons of pharmacy owners, others from scholarly families—but Zheng Qingyin couldn’t see eye to eye with them.

As for the sons of officials, they would size him up head to toe, pleased with his appearance, then immediately suggest he needn’t work outside the home—just keep house and pop out babies.

Zheng Qingyin’s father and Mr. Zheng had also been introduced by a matchmaker. Both had been willing at the time, so they gradually grew closer. But in the capital, Zheng Qingyin found these arranged meetings grating.

Most of these meetings fizzled after one encounter, and so far, he hadn’t found anyone satisfactory.

After Zheng Shanci's leave ended, he was dining in the hall when he took a sip of soup and asked them to tell him of the capital's promising young bachelors.

"I don’t know everyone in the capital, but I want to find a good match for my younger brother. I don’t have strict requirements about family background—just a modest estate would suffice. The rest depends on my brother’s own preference."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ziqi said, "There are quite a few suitable young men in our clan. I’ll speak with them after my duties today."

Shi Xuan cleared his throat and laid down his chopsticks. "Brother Zheng, I’m still unmarried. If possible, I’d like to meet your brother and see if we suit."

Xiao Gaoyang, who was eating Kung Pao chicken, jabbed his chopsticks toward his face.

Cui Ziqi gaped.

All the friends at the table were stunned. Du Ning was the most surprised and blurted out, "Are you really Brother Shi?"

Seeing the sincerity in Shi Xuan’s eyes, Zheng Shanci replied, "Our family doesn’t have many demands regarding the groom's family. The only condition is that Qing Yin must continue working at the fabric shop."

"I’ll be on duty at the palace, and he can work at the fabric shop—that suits well." Shi Xuan’s reasoning was clear.

Though Zheng Shanci found this slightly odd, Shi Xuan had always left a good impression on him.

After returning home from duty, he arranged for a free day so Shi Xuan and Qing Yin could meet and see if they suited.

That day, Yu Lanyi had just visited Lv Jin at the Cui residence. Now with child, Lv Jin, now in the later stages, rarely went out. Yu Lanyi bought roast duck to share with him—they'd been childhood friends and both loved it.

The two happily ate the roast duck, satisfied.

On Lv Jin’s table was a storybook by Cui Ziqi. After reading a few pages, Yu Lanyi was captivated, and Lv Jin gifted him a copy.

Though Yu Lanyi had always enjoyed romance novels, this was the first time he had read one like this—he found it extraordinary. After returning home, he set the book aside, had dinner, and then turned over in bed to read.

Zheng Shanci said, "Do you know what Brother Shi told me today?"

Yu Lanyi, who had been about to turn away, was immediately drawn in. He sat back down next to Zheng Shanci and urged, "Tell me."

Zheng Shanci recounted Shi Xuan’s proposal.

Yu Lanyi mused, "Could Shi Xuan have set his sights on Qing Yin? They’ve barely interacted."

"But if it works out, it would be great. Theirs is a family of scholars, so there’s no need to worry about other issues."

Hearing this, Zheng Shanci relaxed. Still, he’d need time to adjust—if his friend really became his brother-in-law, he wasn’t sure how to feel.

But this was merely an introduction—whether it would lead to anything was still uncertain.

That night, Yu Lanyi had Zheng Shanci read him the story. Zheng Shanci paused as his fingers touched the pages—he had already read Brother Cui’s story.

"I visited Lv Jin today and saw this book on his table. After reading a few pages, he gave it to me."

Zheng Shanci began reading to Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi lay obediently on the pillow, tilting his head to listen. His legs kicked lightly under the covers, lifting and sinking the quilt.

Though he listened attentively, sleepiness eventually overtook him. He asked Zheng Shanci to put the book down and fisted his collar to pull him close for sleep.

Zheng Shanci kissed Yu Lanyi’s forehead and tucked the quilt around him.

The weather was turning cold again. Holding Yu Lanyi, warm and cozy, Zheng Shanci fell asleep.

At the end of the year, the Ministry of Revenue was busy calculating budgets and annual expenditures. Over at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the ceremonial procedures had already been rehearsed several times and were now well-prepared. Zheng Shanci had initially been excited but after participating in the rehearsals a few times, he had grown numb.

At the year-end ceremony, Lord Hu led the rituals, and Zheng Shanci returned to his position without any mishaps. Emperor Wuming presented offerings to Heaven, while Chief Grand Secretary Wei read aloud the prayer to be burned. By the time the entire process concluded, nearly half the day had passed.

Zheng Shanci watched as Chief Grand Secretary Wei finished reciting the prayer and burned it.

He shuddered—this was nothing like the rehearsals. Zheng Shanci felt solemnity and reverence. The civil and military officials stood silently in their designated positions, with only the emperor towering above all. Wang Fengjun stood to the left, flanked by two princes, all dressed in solemn ceremonial robes.

Even the youngest, Xie Dan, kept his gaze downcast in respect and obedience.

Once Emperor Wuming departed for the palace, the officials dispersed.

Zheng Shanci went to check the ceremonial vessels.

Assistant Minister Xie noticed Zheng Shanci approaching, and the two exchanged greetings before counting the vessels together. Assistant Minister Xie was from the imperial clan, and his post at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was largely honorary. He was quite content with the leisurely duties and held no grudge toward Zheng Shanci.

With no ambition or conflicting interests, Assistant Minister Xie got along without issue.

People often clashed over disputes of interest, but Assistant Minister Xie had no such problem, so he and Zheng Shanci coexisted peacefully.

Zheng Shanci spent a tranquil year-end at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

On his day off, Zheng Shanci had already informed Zheng Qingyin that his matchmaking meeting would be with Master Shi. Zheng Qingyin returned home to change outfits several times before settling on a simple green robe and a subtle hairpin for the occasion. At the appointed time, he arrived at the reserved room.

Master Shi wore deep blue robes that accentuated his tall, upright figure.

Zheng Qingyin grew bashful upon seeing him, and Master Shi asked what tea he preferred.

"Green tea," Zheng Qingyin replied.

The waiter brought a pot of green tea along with three plates of pastries. "Esteemed guests, enjoy your meal," he said before closing the door.

Zheng Qingyin dared not meet his eyes—his heart and body seemed to thrum in sync.

Master Shi was also nervous. "Brother Zheng mentioned you were considering potential matches, so I asked him to arrange this meeting," he said.

Zheng Qingyin murmured assent.

Master Shi took a sip of tea, muttering Buddhist verses under his breath. Then he looked at Zheng Qingyin. "We can spend some time getting to know each other first. If you find me suitable, we can seal the betrothal. I’ve already made my family’s stance clear."

His tone was gentle. "You’ll have your freedom."

Hearing this, Zheng Qingyin’s heart swelled. Their conversation went smoothly, and his impression of Master Shi was favorable.

When he returned home, Lin Geer and Mr. Zheng eagerly asked how it went.

"Master Shi was very kind," Zheng Qingyin mumbled, ducking his head in embarrassment before retreating to his room.

"Seems like he’s smitten with him," Lin Geer remarked, recognizing the signs of infatuation. Mr. Zheng, knowing how these things go, understood immediately—this was the first time Zheng Qingyin had returned from a matchmaking meeting in such a state.

Unable to wait, Mr. Zheng hurried off to Zheng Shanci.

After playing with his grandson for a while in the courtyard—Mr. Zheng always took hot water instead of tea—he beamed and said, "Qing Yin seems quite smitten with Master Shi from today’s meeting. Since the boy is too shy to speak up, it’s up to you and Lan Yi to mediate."

Yu Lanyi quickly agreed. "Don’t worry, Father. If both parties are willing, things will proceed smoothly."

Mr. Zheng turned to Zheng Shanci. "I heard Master Shi is the Director of the Board of Rites and comes from a scholarly family—their status is higher than ours, which makes me a little uneasy."

"The Shi family has upstanding principles. Lan Yi and I will handle it," Zheng Shanci reassured him.

Yu Lanyi thought of Shi Xuan with some emotion. They had grown up together in the capital.

The family’s sons and daughters alike were taught by a private tutor at home, while the boys also had to attend school. Shi Xuan was an eccentric—he rarely spoke to others, though he got along well with Mei Huai. What stuck with Yu Lanyi most was from when he was seven or eight years old. He had taken money from Mr. Yu to buy sweets and saw Shi Xuan walking down the street with a book in hand. Someone accidentally knocked him to the ground, but Shi Xuan immediately got up, paying no mind to the person apologizing, and simply walked away with his book.

Yu Lanyi used to think Shi Xuan was foolish, but now he somewhat understood him. Shi Xuan simply saw no need—these people weren’t worth his emotions. He only cared about what mattered to him.

As it turned out, Shi Xuan grew up obsessed with Buddhist scriptures. Yu Lanyi wasn’t particularly surprised when he heard this. After all, Shi Xuan had always been an eccentric, different from the other noble youths in the capital—and because of that difference, he was labeled strange.

He moved into a Buddhist temple, and when others tried to dissuade him, they nearly ended up being persuaded to become monks themselves.

Now older and wiser, Yu Lanyi saw nothing wrong with Shi Xuan’s decision to live by his convictions.