Chapter 152 City Streets 52

Chapter 152: The City and Its People 52

Liu Guyu picked up the painting. Noticing several dusty footprints on the portrait, he didn't scrutinize the subject's appearance, but merely brushed off the marks and dust with his sleeve before rolling the painting back up.

Cui Lanfang, engrossed in eating a baked sweet potato, didn't notice his actions. Halfway through, she began to sigh again.

She had truly lost her temper earlier, blurting out whatever came to mind. Now, having regained her composure, she realized her indiscretion.

Cui Lanfang looked at Liu Guyu with a mix of embarrassment and guilt. "Gu Yu," she said, "Mother didn't mean it that way. I was just flustered and spoke without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."

Liu Guyu, holding the painting, tilted his head and smiled at Cui Lanfang, as if he truly hadn't taken offense.

He even asked, "What shouldn't I take to heart? Erlang's marriage, or what Mother said about Erlang and me?"

Cui Lanfang thought he was deliberately teasing her, making light of her slip of the tongue. Her old face flushed red with embarrassment. "You!" she exclaimed, "Now you're making fun of your mother too!"

Liu Guyu's shoulders shook with laughter. He asked casually, "Mother, you're quite open-minded. Would you really be fine if there were something between us?"

Cui Lanfang was taken aback, not expecting such a question from Liu Guyu. For a moment, she was speechless.

After a long pause, she finally said, "What's wrong with that...?"

She actually allowed herself to imagine it.

Next door, Xingniang's son, Qing Zhu, was about to get married. In a couple of years, Xingniang would likely be holding a grandchild.

All her children were now of marriageable age. Cui Lanfang was only human—how could she not long for grandchildren?

Cui Lanfang pondered. If it were truly Gu Yu... Oh, she'd be laughing even in her sleep!

Just the thought made her chuckle, her eyes brightening.

She continued, "What's wrong with that...?"

Liu Guyu replied, "But our identities are awkward... Since when does a younger brother marry his elder brother's widower?"

Liu Guyu, being from modern times, had more open views and naturally saw no issue. But Cui Lanfang was a traditional woman of ancient times. Liu Guyu had assumed she couldn't accept such a relationship, never expecting her to actually start smiling at the thought.

Cui Lanfang, not sure what she was thinking, first sighed, then said, "Not long after Da Lang's death was reported, I gave you the 'Letter of Release.' Erlang and Banban never called you their brother's widower, and I never saw you as my son's husband. I've always treated you like my own son!"

Liu Guyu gave a slight smirk and quipped, "Your *own* son? Well, that makes it even more impossible!"

Cui Lanfang glared and swatted him on the back.

It was only then that she understood why Xingniang was often both exasperated and amused by her own daughter.

Cui Lanfang exclaimed, "Oh, you! Now you're just spouting nonsense!"

Once her irritation subsided, she added, "Besides, you and Da Lang never even met. What kind of true husband and husband were you? When I gave you the 'Letter of Release,' it was to set you free, so you wouldn't be held back from finding a good match. As for who that good match is... well, that's up to you to decide."

As she spoke, Cui Lanfang gradually began to understand, a sudden clarity dawning on her as if something had clicked into place.

She opened her mouth as if to ask more, but noticed Liu Guyu had already quietly stood up, holding the painting, and was sidling toward his room.

"Hey, that child... What are you doing with the painting?!"

*

Fushui Town, Bamboo Cottage.

Lv Shiwen had his own residence in Fushui Town and didn't often stay at the academy. This time, upon returning from his travels, he was staying at his own home.

Literary scholars and men of refinement often enjoyed naming their homes, and Lv Shiwen was no exception. But he was an easygoing man, opting not for obscure or difficult characters, instead choosing the simple name "Bamboo Cottage."

The Bamboo Cottage was located in a secluded alley, with bamboo planted throughout the courtyard and a small bamboo house built within.

When Qin Rongshi arrived, Lv Shiwen personally brewed tea and told Jixiang to prepare a meal.

Teacher and student sat facing each other. Lv Shiwen asked a few questions about studies, and Qin Rongshi answered each one fluently.

Lv Shiwen smiled with satisfaction, then took a bite of Camellia Cake and nodded. "Excellent. Your comprehension is outstanding. The provincial exams are held once every three years, and you're in luck—next autumn there will be one. Apply yourself diligently and take it. For you, the provincial exam shouldn't be difficult. Once you pass the provincial level, take a few years to deepen your knowledge before heading to the capital for the spring metropolitan exam."

"By my calculations, you'll be nineteen next spring. If you pass in the autumn, it would be an early coming-of-age gift for yourself."

"I've already chosen a courtesy name for you in advance, though I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend your capping ceremony."

Qin Rongshi immediately said, "Of course you must attend my capping ceremony, Teacher!"

Lv Shiwen, however, waved his hand with a smile and sighed. "I'm old. During my travels this year, I was sick twice. Ah, it really took a lot out of me. After this, I probably won't travel anymore. I'll just stay in this small town and retire."

Qin Rongshi immediately frowned, leaning forward slightly as he asked urgently, "You fell ill, Teacher? Why didn't you mention it in your letters?"

Just as he said this, Jixiang entered carrying the meal, commenting as he walked, "The master always shares good news but keeps hardships to himself. You should know that by now?"

He had fallen ill twice, once in the north during winter. The weather there was bitterly cold, with continuous heavy snow that was knee-deep. The old gentleman had to rest for over half a month to recover.

It just shows his age. He was nearing seventy, but thanks to his previously robust health and regular exercise—he had always maintained habits like practicing tai chi and the Five Animal Exercises in the mornings—he managed to recover after a long period of rest.

After that, Jixiang nagged him daily. When they returned to Fushui Town, the academy’s headmaster and other teachers also weighed in, all saying he was too old for further travels.

They also mentioned that Fushui Town was an excellent place to settle and retire—not too hot in summer, the winters aren't unbearably cold, and neither too remote, with bustling markets and lively neighborhoods. After repeated persuasion from everyone, Lv Shiwen finally had to give in.

Qin Rongshi glanced at Lv Shiwen’s increasingly gray hair and said immediately, "Teacher, you must take good care of your health. At your age, it’s better to stay in town. If you ever feel bored, you could always teach at the academy."

"With you here in town, I can write to you."

Lv Shiwen had previously loved traveling and never stayed in one place for long. Qin Rongshi never knew where to send letters, only ever receiving correspondence from Lv Shiwen.

Lv Shiwen smiled and nodded, then pointed at Qin Rongshi and Jixiang, laughing. "Alright, alright! You two are ganging up on me!"

"Teaching would be good! That's my old trade! And don’t worry, with an old man like me around, even if your friend can’t pass the imperial exams, I’ll drag him through it kicking and screaming if I have to!"

Qin Rongshi chuckled, immediately picturing Xie Baozhu’s fretful expression. He cupped his hands in gratitude and said, "Then I thank you on Bao Zhu’s behalf."

Lv Shiwen stroked his beard and smiled, but his hand, hidden in his sleeve, stealthily reached for the plate, aiming for the last piece of Camellia Cake.

Jixiang, with a quick hand, snatched the plate away and scolded sternly, "No more! Just how many have you had! Even if there isn't much sugar, you can’t keep eating like this! Are you going to eat your meal or not?"

Jixiang was Lv Shiwen’s bookboy. Though nominally master and servant, Lv Shiwen had no wife or children, and their relationship was more like grandfather and grandson. It was precisely because of their closeness that Jixiang dared to admonish him.

Jixiang put the plate away and set the meal on the table. His cooking skills were quite good—three dishes and a soup, all lightly prepared but well-presented and appetizing. The meal looked suited for an elderly person.

He continued grumbling, "Sir, I'm pleading with you. There were six pieces on this plate, right? And you’ve eaten them all?"

Lv Shiwen immediately pointed at Qin Rongshi and flatly denied, "Nonsense! Rongshi is here too!"

Qin Rongshi also nodded to Jixiang and said promptly, "I only had one piece... I even advised the teacher to eat less earlier, but before I knew it, there was only one left."

He looked guilty, as if ashamed he hadn't kept a better eye on his teacher.

Jixiang stared wide-eyed at Lv Shiwen.

Lv Shiwen: "...Hey, you two boys! Alright, alright, enough talk. Let's eat, let's eat."

He called for the meal, but Jixiang didn't sit down. Instead, he took the remaining Camellia Cake from the basket and hid it in the kitchen.

Lv Shiwen shouted, "What are you doing?"

Jixiang: "I'm hiding them! So you won't sneak a bite behind my back!"

Lv Shiwen: "Hey! I'm not a child! Why would I sneak food?"

After safely storing the Camellia Cake, Jixiang finally sat down. The three of them picked up their bowls and began to eat.

Qin Rongshi still seemed a bit uneasy and said to Jixiang, "I'll be returning to the city in a couple of days, so I won't have the chance to stay by our teacher's side to take care of him. If our teacher gets sick again, Brother Jixiang, please write to me. That way, he won't just tell us the good news and hide the bad."

Lv Shiwen was known for being stern and dignified in public, but at home, he was relaxed and informal, not adhering to the rule of not speaking during meals.

Hearing Qin Rongshi's words, Jixiang immediately nodded and replied, "Of course! I’ll definitely write to you four times a month, telling you everything! If our teacher doesn’t behave, I’ll let you know!"

Lv Shiwen glared, his beard quivering, and said, "What good will telling him do? I'm the teacher! What's he gonna do, discipline me!"

Jixiang looked helplessly at the old gentleman and added another bowl of winter melon and meatball soup for him, saying, "Teacher, you must eat some meat! Although a vegetarian diet is healthy, you can’t eat like a rabbit."

As it turned out, while Qin Rongshi might not be able to control Lv Shiwen, Jixiang certainly could.

Lv Shiwen drank his soup and, halfway through, suddenly turned to Qin Rongshi and said, "Come to think of it, you’re almost nineteen. Isn’t it time you got married?"

Qin Rongshi and Jixiang both looked at him but didn’t respond immediately.

Jixiang tilted his head toward Qin Rongshi and muttered under his breath, "He was just urging me the other day, and now it’s your turn!"

Lv Shiwen, being old, wasn’t as sharp of hearing as before and didn’t catch his whisper.

He continued, "I don’t know what your plans are, but when I served as an official in the court, I had some connections. Someone who knew I’d taken on a favorite student once inquired about you. If you’re interested, I could help you choose a family with good morals."

Qin Rongshi paused, immediately put down his chopsticks, and cupped his hands toward Lv Shiwen, saying, "Teacher, I already have someone in mind."

His sudden statement startled Lv Shiwen, but he quickly regained his composure. A figure flashed through his mind, though it was unclear who he was thinking of, and his expression grew even more astonished.

At first, Lv Shiwen was too shocked to speak. After a long silence, he seemed to come to a realization on his own: "You... well, never mind. Such an amazing person—who wouldn’t like them?"

Qin Rongshi feared that his teacher, being old, might not accept it and worried that the shock might cause him to fall ill, which would be his fault. So, he hadn’t dared to speak plainly. To his surprise, Lv Shiwen guessed correctly right away.

Lv Shiwen added, "In that case, I’ll turn down all those inquiries. Since you have your own plans, I won’t say more."

Neither the teacher nor the disciple spoke explicitly, but they understood each other without saying anything. Qin Rongshi lowered his head and whispered, "I thought you would scold me for being out of line."

Lv Shiwen laughed and waved his hand, saying, "If you’re not reckless when you're young, when will you be?"

Dayong had an open-minded society, and such matters were not uncommon. At most, they might attract a few comments from others. A hundred years ago, it might have affected one’s official career, but the current emperor had once taken one of the previous emperor’s consorts as his own. With such a precedent, who in the court would dare to bring up similar issues?

Jixiang didn’t understand the riddle between the teacher and disciple and pouted, muttering, "Teacher, why do you only pressure me? Why not pressure him?"

Lv Shiwen glared at him and scolded, "How old is he, and how old are you? Other men your age already have children old enough to run errands!"

Jixiang was five years older than Qin Rongshi and had indeed reached the age for marriage and starting a family.

Lv Shiwen was stubborn, and one reason he decided to settle down this time was for Jixiang’s future.

He had been traveling around all the time, taking Jixiang with him. Without stability, it was hard for Jixiang to meet young women and settle down.

After the teacher and disciple had caught up and finished their meal, Qin Rongshi bid farewell and left.

Only after leaving the bamboo hut did he open the note Lv Shiwen had given him—the courtesy name his teacher had chosen for him in advance.

—Guanfu.

"All things arise, and I observe their return."①

...

He hurried back to the village in his mule cart. By the time he reached home, it was already dark. As he entered the village path, he saw a lantern lit at his doorstep. Drawing closer, he realized it was Cui Lanfang holding the lamp, waiting for him.

Qin Rongshi quickly flicked the whip twice, urging the mule cart forward, then jumped off and hurried over to ask, "Mom, why are you waiting out here? It’s so cold outside."

Cui Lanfang shook her head and smiled, "I just came out. You hadn’t returned, so I came to check."

Qin Rongshi first led the mule into the shed, then took the lantern from Cui Lanfang and supported her as they walked inside. As they went, he asked, "Where’s Liu Guyu? I brought him some new snacks from town. He always likes these."

Cui Lanfang gave him a disapproving look and said, "You’re so grown up now, yet you’re becoming more and more improper. How can you call Brother Liu by his full name?"

Qin Rongshi paused slightly but didn’t explain. Instead, he smiled faintly, pulled a wrapped package from his robe, gave a large portion to Cui Lanfang, and tucked the rest away as he turned to leave.

He added, "You and Banban can share these. I’ll take the rest to him."

But after just two steps, Cui Lanfang grabbed his sleeve.

Cui Lanfang said, "Don’t go. He seemed troubled today and didn’t eat much for dinner."

Qin Rongshi immediately frowned and asked urgently, "What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did someone come matchmaking again today?"

Cui Lanfang recounted what had happened during the day. When she looked up, she saw Qin Rongshi frowning, his expression unusually grave.

Cui Lanfang sat down in a chair and looked up at her son, who had grown into a tall young man. Her expression was uncharacteristically serious.

She said, "Erlang, tell me the truth. Are the two of you hiding something from me?"

-----------------------

Author's Note: ① From Laozi's "Tao Te Ching"