Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Man Cai didn't really get it, but did as he was told. After returning, he added, "The next courtyard has been making noise for half the night, and has finally quieted down."

Lian Xiusheng asked why.

Man Cai grumbled, "Through the wall, I heard that Third Brother broke out in a rash after sleeping in your room, sir. Then Qiong Hua openly and behind our backs began cursing our courtyard, cursing us out in the worst way. They think their people are too precious for anyone to even touch. If you ask me, sir, we should go back to how we were before: steer clear of their courtyard to avoid trouble."

"In that case, tell Jin Cai to find some useful stuff in the storeroom and send it over," Lian Xiusheng said calmly, still reading his book, unbothered by the whole thing.

Man Cai then went to relay his master's words. Their courtyard had only himself and Jin Cai as servants—no maidservants, not even a male bed servant. Most maids are over at Fourth Madam's place and rarely came here. If they did, it was either Jin Chai, Yin Chai, or some older maid. The younger maids wouldn't dare come near the master.

So the chores in this small courtyard were mostly handled by the two servants, Jin Cai and Man Cai. For social interactions, Jin Cai handled them—he was hard to sway, indifferent to favors—while the small tasks and minor duties fell to Man Cai.

When Jin Cai received the master's instructions, he filled a large crate and carried it over to Penglai Pavilion.

Qiong Hua hadn't slept yet and was still fuming with nowhere to vent. She pointed a finger at Jin Cai's nose and gave him a thorough scolding.

Jin Cai, unlike Man Cai who would cry and whine, kept a deadpan face. "If you won't take it, then I'll go report back to my master."

"..."

Qiong Hua's face turned green with rage. She stomped her foot. "Wait right there!"

Lian Cheng hadn't slept either. He was lying on the bed reading a picture book, having already learned quite a number of characters. Qiong Hua entered the room, stopped behind the folding screen, and said that the next courtyard had sent things over again.

"What did they send?"

"It's in a big chest—we don't know yet what's inside."

Lian Cheng said, "Then let's take it. Come back and tell me what it is after you've seen it."

Qiong Hua left. It was quite a while before she returned and reported the contents to Lian Cheng.

"Half a crate of books—Sister Tong Xue went through them all. They're novels, plays, and scripts—easy to read and understand. Also, a gold-dusted fan, a fan with gold-leaf painting, a belt set of tortoiseshell and white jade, several silk handkerchiefs, and two bolts of pale moon-white brocade with gold thread all over. Quite generous, isn't it?"

After hearing this, Lian Cheng put down his book. "He's got so many nice things. Do we have any in our courtyard?"

"He's got more social connections than we do, and the people he deals with are all high and mighty. Many things we can neither get our hands on nor even see."

As long as the provenance was fine, Lian Cheng went back to reading. "Then put it in storage, please."

"Master, you should get to sleep early. Reading at night is bad for your eyes," Qiong Hua urged.

"Of course, of course," Lian Cheng promised easily, but he ended up staying up late that night anyway.

The next day, as usual, he slept until the sun was high in the sky, then went to Orchid Garden to endure an earful of nagging from Zhang Shi. After a free meal, he offered his opinions: the flowers arranged in a few vases in the garden were too extravagant and lacked elegance; the incense burner should not be placed on the same table as the flower vases; and large flowers should go in large vases while small flowers in small vases to avoid top-heaviness. Qiu Fang got so annoyed by his comments that she chased him away with a broom.

"Master, instead of your lessons, you come here to meddle with our work—you deserve a beating!" Qiu Fang scolded, half smiling.

"I can't be bothered with the teachings of Confucius and Mencius," said Lian Cheng as he gathered snow and rolled it into a snowball. He threw it at Huqiu's boot. "I'd rather spend that time with my mother. The tutor must be stroking his beard, satisfied."

Huqiu didn't hold back either. He threw a snowball straight back, hitting his master right in the face.

"Bold as brass!" Lian Cheng packed an even bigger snowball and threw it at Huqiu.

Master and servant started a full-on snowball fight in the middle of the courtyard, no decorum from the master and even less from the servant. In the end, a huge armful of snowbowled Lian Cheng over, leaving him sprawled in the snow, unable to get up for a while.

Qing Zhu and Qiu Fang found it too much. They chased the two out of the garden. Qiu Fang, wearing a short green jacket, stood at the gate and looked at the two panting figures below her. "Yesterday, master slept in Sixth Brother's courtyard for quite a while. Did you feel any discomfort afterward?"

Lian Cheng blinked as snowflakes clung to his lashes. "No, none at all."

"Good."

Lian Cheng narrowed his eyes. "Mother is truly all-seeing and all-hearing, to even know this."

Qiu Fang smiled. "So be careful with your actions, master."

"Mother knows—that's fine. It's nothing important. Even if it were, she's my mother. If she wants to know, I don't need anyone spying on me—I'd tell her myself. Sister Qiu Fang, please set her mind at ease," Lian Cheng said, and then he dragged Huqiu off, running away. His cloak swirled in the snow like spring blossoms, like butterflies.

Qiu Fang went back inside. Zhang Ailian was drinking her medicinal brew. Qiu Fang repeated Lian Cheng's words verbatim to her mistress. Zhang Ailian, who usually had little expression, couldn't help but smile. "He's sharp-witted. So thoughtful—it'll be hard for me to discipline him from now on. If I ever ask about what goes on in his courtyard again, he'll accuse me, his mother, of not trusting him."

"Master takes after you, mistress—naturally clever," Qiu Fang said.

Zhang Ailian smiled but didn't say anything more. Her mood seemed improved. Qiu Fang stayed and chatted with her for a while longer. When she was about to leave, she said, "Second Sister-in-Law returned to her mother's house a month ago and there's still no word of her coming back. The Shuli Pavilion is cursing every day, saying they want Second Brother to divorce her. Should we send someone to the Chen family to ask?"

"She'll always return before New Year's. No rush."

Reassured, Qiu Fang went out through the curtain.

-

At just that moment, on Lian Cheng's side, Huqiu was also recounting this ugly affair.

"I hate to say it, but the people in Shuli Pavilion are all as rough as Second Madam," Huqiu said, supporting his master to keep him from falling, while speaking in a low voice about other courtyards. "I heard that Second Sister-in-Law's match was made back when the old master of the Lian family was alive. Her father is currently Minister of Revenue, her brother is Commissioner of the Office of Transmission, and her elder sister is a palace consort. Her mother's family, though not of the highest rank, has five censor officials among them. Now our family is in decline, and Second Brother keeps failing the exams. Second Sister-in-Law is furious that he's useless and hasn't made anything of himself. She took her son and went back to her family's home a month ago, and still hasn't returned."

Lian Cheng: "If she were being matched now, Second Brother probably couldn't aspire to such a wife."

"Master and Eldest Brother hold rank of no small importance, but they just don't hold real power," Huqiu said.

Lian Cheng understood—in ancient times, high-level officials of the first or second rank weren't everywhere. From entering government to retiring, reaching third or fourth rank was already impressive, and entering the Grand Secretariat was fate.

Even he, the legitimate son by birthright, was nothing but a figurehead. According to the line of succession—first by law, then by age—a legitimate son without achievements or followers could be toppled by the lightest wind.

The Lian family appeared as a grand, prosperous household, but inwardly it was hollow. Without Lian Xiusheng suddenly rising to prominence, the Lian family's glory would likely have begun a steep descent from this generation onward.

No wonder everyone in the household, from top to bottom, curried favor with Lian Xiusheng and acted according to his moods.

Lian Cheng didn't give much thought to Second Brother's affairs. The novel never later mentioned how his relationship with his wife developed. With such an ugly falling out, a divorce was probably inevitable. All he knew was that Second Brother was bent on passing the exams, but until the day their home was confiscated, he never succeeded. It was a sad thought.

"Second Madam came from a rural peasant family. The master liked that the chickens she raised always brought victory in battle, so he married her into the family."

"Is she still raising them now?"

"Yes, she has a small hill fenced off at the estate for them. Their meat is delicious."

Then he added, "Fifth Madam has the deepest pockets in our household. Her family's business is huge. I wonder how much New Year's money she'll give master this year."

Master and servant walked and talked, discussing half the household. Lian Cheng managed to learn a lot about the people and matters. Fearing he wouldn't remember any more, he told Huqiu to pause and continue when there was free time.

Soon they were approaching Penglai Pavilion. Ahead of them came a group of people dressed completely differently from what Lian Cheng would normally see. He quickly scanned their clothing, footwear, and accessories: golden embroidered black gauze caps, python robes, and black leather boots, like an ominous cloud descending, making the walls on both sides seem narrow and cramped.

Lian Cheng quickly led Huqiu to the side, bowing his head without a word, waiting for the procession to pass.

But the embroidered official's robe stopped right in front of him.

"Is this perhaps the Third Lang of the Lian family?" A slightly shrill voice was deliberately softened but still unpleasant.

"Reporting to the Venerable Eunuch, that is correct."

The old eunuch revealed a smile. "Third Lang of the Lian family doesn't seem as ill-mannered as the rumors suggest."

Lian Cheng parted his lips, revealing a few snow-white teeth, his countenance like fine jade, innocent and endearing. "I am honored by your praise, Venerable Eunuch."

The old eunuch cast a deep glance at the young gentleman before leading his entourage off in a grand procession.

After they had departed, Lian Cheng slowly straightened up. Soon after, the sound of drums and gongs rang out outside.

The emperor's grace was vast and would not come in silence.

"Y-young master, are they... from the palace?" Huqiu asked from behind, his voice trembling like a sieve. "Young Master, how can you be so c-calm?"

"He is a man, and I am a man. No need to be afraid."

Lian Cheng felt little more than revulsion. These men, closest to imperial power, had eyes stained with a lack of humanity, viewing people as mere straw dogs and the realm as the ruler's private treasury. Growing up under the red flag, Lian Cheng could not stomach such sights.

Back at Penglai Pavilion, Lian Cheng silently vowed to overthrow feudal society, beginning with finishing the Four Books and Five Classics.

Half an hour later, he collapsed onto the couch. No one can resist the tide of the times; we are but mayflies in the morning and evening.

He continued reading his picture books, surprised to find so many vernacular novels of worldly life in this era. Though many characters were hard to recognize, reading more helped him remember them, saving him the trouble of learning them separately.

-

Thus passed a few days. Lian Cheng had learned quite a bit. As he was digesting it all, a commotion broke out in his courtyard.

Lian Cheng put on a cloak and walked to the steps. Jin Cai, dodging Qiong Hua who was cursing the heavens and earth with fury, came to the master of Penglai Pavilion. "Third Brother, yesterday our young master informed the Madam. The Madam approved breaking through the wall between Penglai and Yiqiu, so that the two young masters can visit each other easily. If you nod, the masons can start work immediately."

Qiong Hua rushed over. "Leaving aside that each courtyard has its own rules and customs, breaking the wall will disrupt the feng shui, and even the flowers and trees may struggle to survive. Besides, a solid fence keeps out stray dogs; open up the courtyard, and who knows what riff-raff might wander in. Are you saying our young master is not as favored as yours, so he dares not make decisions on his own?"

Jin Cai replied, "If Third Brother is unwilling, just inform the Madam. It's no big deal."

Qiong Hua cursed him again, saying he was like a door god sold in an alley—just putting on a show.

Lian Cheng asked, "I spoke with Sixth Brother a few days ago, but he never mentioned breaking through the wall."

"Yes," Jin Cai said. "Our young master worried the freezing weather might cause you to slip and catch cold while running around. With the wall gone, it would be convenient for you both to visit each other."

That made sense. Both courtyards were large, but their gates faced different directions. Every time Lian Cheng wanted to gather information, he had to take a long detour. Even though they were in the same mansion, it was as distant as a bed from a charging cable, keeping Lian Cheng from checking on what Lian Xiusheng was up to these days.

"Then break it through," Lian Cheng said. "Make it look decent."

Upon receiving the order, the masons set to work. Though Qiong Hua was displeased, she stood silently to one side.

"If you're going to break it, make it big and bright. Don't make it the size of an egg, as if our young master were a dog crawling through a doghole."

The two courtyards had always been at odds, known throughout the mansion. Hearing that they were about to merge, everyone came to watch the excitement. They didn't see Lian Cheng but gathered in the courtyard, offering comments.

Sometimes it was several madams. Second Madam and Fifth Madam came early; later, a never-before-seen Third Madam arrived, asking if a feng shui master had been consulted, lest smashing the wall offend the local spirits, which would be most improper.

Then came the young masters. Second Brother first suggested inscribing a few characters on the wall for elegance. Qiong Hua, with veiled sarcasm, said his writing implements would bring bad luck to her young master, so he slunk away. Eldest Brother didn't come himself but sent a servant to ply the masons with good food and drink. Eighth Brother and Ninth Brother, still young, came to look, then ran off to Sixth Madam, demanding gardens like this for themselves, getting her so riled up that she hit them with an itch-scratcher.

Two sisters also visited once and chatted with Tong Xue outside. Fifth Sister wanted to enter Lian Cheng's room, but Tong Xue stopped her, saying the young master had been diligently studying and shouldn't be disturbed. Fifth Sister said nothing, but Seventh Sister stomped her foot and left in anger.

Lian Cheng simply stayed in his room, eating snacks and reading, while Tong Xue handled the guests. He had nothing to worry about.

But there were times when even Tong Xue couldn't keep people out. She followed the visitors in and announced, "The young master and young miss from Aunt Lian's family are here. Please, young master, sit up and have some hot tea with them."

"Don't trouble yourself. My sister and I will leave soon," Ceng Gui said. As he finished, Lian Cheng yawned and walked out from behind the marble screen, hair loose, wearing fine plain silk and a lilac brocade cloak. He collapsed onto the beauty couch without a care.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he scrambled up and bowed to the young gentleman and lady before him, shedding his frivolous demeanor for unusual deference. "Cousin Ruzhuo, Cousin Miaozhen."

"You've been quite comfortable lately, not coming to share tea or wine, and I haven't heard of you going out. All this time, you've been holed up in your room with your studies," Ceng Gui said, finding a seat.

Lian Cheng quickly replied, "Not at all. Just reading some random books to pass the time. If I go out, I'll only make Mother unhappy."

Ceng Yi, holding a round fan embroidered with red plums and white snow, leaned against the couch. "If not for studies, then could it be lovesickness? Which family's young lady? Tell your cousin, and let me hear."

The two bantered back and forth, pressing Lian Cheng until sweat beaded on his forehead. Unfortunately, their roles in the novel were few—one disappeared without a trace, the other became a nun—leaving Lian Cheng at a loss.

Luckily, Tong Xue entered with a teapot and a food box. She deftly poured several bowls of hot tea, set out pastries, thin crackers, and fruits from the box, then greeted the visitors. "Elder Brother Ceng, Second Sister Ceng, enjoy some tea and chat."

Ceng Yi fanned herself. "I don't like bitter tea."

Lian Cheng had already started eating. "It's sweet. Pine nuts, red dates, and such. No bitter tea in my courtyard."

The three siblings finally sat at the table, chatting in the room as warm as mid-spring.

Ceng Gui and Ceng Yi had been forcibly brought back by Lian Biyun from her husband's family. Though registered in the Lian family genealogy, they were nominal members. The whole household still treated them as outsiders, except for the original Lian Cheng, who was closest to them, even closer than his own siblings.

"I heard recently that you were going to study. I was just feeling relieved when I also heard you angered Master Mei into returning to his hometown. What made you do such absurd things?" Ceng Gui laughed. "Master Mei is the most pedantic. He must be furious."

Ceng Yi hid half her rosy face behind the round fan, unable to contain her laughter. "This is like Tang Fatty hanging in a vinegar vat. Cheng Geer, what do you say?"

"Soured," Lian Cheng said, slumping onto the table. "Tough luck for him."

"Don't be willful. Any plans for the future?" Ceng Gui asked.

"Not yet."

Ceng Yi said, "Next door is Xiusheng. After the New Year, have him help you. For now, enjoy yourself at home. Once you're a grown man, you won't have so much time for playing around."

Lian Cheng found their words far more pleasant than others'. Before he knew it, they had chatted for almost an hour. When the siblings took their leave, Ceng Gui pulled a crabapple-patterned sachet from his sleeve, and Ceng Yi wrapped a gold-threaded pearl hairpin in a handkerchief. Both handed them to Lian Cheng.

"This is ambergris, very hard to come by. I don't have much, so don't let the other brothers see it, or they'll call me biased," Ceng Gui said, gentle and refined, similar to Lian Feng but more so.

"Cousin feels the same. But what brothers and sisters are they to me?" Ceng Yi fanned the hairpin. "I had this made specially for you at the shop when I commissioned my headdress. Keep it. Even if others find out, let them come to me."

Lian Cheng also had Tong Xue pick several nice items from the storeroom as gifts for the siblings.

After they left, Lian Cheng held the sachet to his nose. It didn't smell good—a fishy odor. He decided to try it in the incense burner later.

Ceng Gui had said not to let the other brothers see it. But such incense didn't need to be seen; once burned, anyone with a nose could smell it. In wealthy families, the young ladies and gentlemen had noses sharper than dogs'.

In the evening, Lian Cheng crouched by the incense burner on the low table with his servants, studying it. They had found over twenty kinds of sachet incense from the storeroom, and Lian Cheng was more meticulous than when studying.

He flipped through a book. "Use aloeswood and sandalwood as base... add a little musk, borneol..."

Qiong Hua sat cross-legged on the floor, holding a dish, sweat beading on her nose. "Young master, slow down! I haven't found the aloeswood yet! How much?"

"I think three qian."

Huqiu sat beside her, pointing. "This is sandalwood."

"Don't you tell me. I know that myself."

Tong Xue was up above, grinding the incense into a fine powder, ignoring their bickering.

Outside, heavy snow fell. Inside, it was as warm as spring and full of noise. Some people arrived through the snow, but they didn't notice, all absorbed in their work.

"Knock, knock."

Someone knocked on the window by the couch a couple of times.

Lian Cheng first thought of an assassin, but then felt there was no point in assassinating him. He crawled over and pushed the window open with force, shivering from the sudden blast of wind and snow. It took him a while to clearly see the person who had knocked.

The visitor was draped in wind and snow, holding a red silk-lined, gold-embellished oilpaper umbrella. Snow had collected on his angular features. If not for his official robe and brocade fur coat, he would have seemed like a celestial being.

"Xiu Sheng? Why are you outside so late?" Lian Cheng leaned on the windowsill, his eyes were like autumn pools. "Why haven't you called me over to sleep with you these past few days?"

Lian Cheng exuded a strong fragrance, making Lian Xiusheng cover his nose and mouth in discomfort. "The Hanlin Academy kept me busy. I come home too late to disturb anyone. Third brother, what are you doing?"

"Blending incense," Lian Cheng said.

Lian Xiusheng said, "Ambergris?"

Lian Cheng was taken aback. He could tell that from just a whiff?

Lian Xiusheng asked again, "The compound incense I had someone deliver to you last month already contains ambergris. Why are you making it yourself?"

Lian Cheng blinked, with a few snowflakes blown in from the window sticking to his face, looking very innocent.

Lian Xiusheng asked further, "Third brother, who gave you the ambergris you used tonight?"