Chapter Ninety-Two: The Hidden Design Revealed

The prominent gentleman was a tall, broad-shouldered man of imposing countenance, with three slender wisps of beard and a face that seemed made to command respect. He was about forty years of age, dressed in a black robe edged with gold, and wore a scholar’s cap. His belly jutted out a little, but at a glance one felt an authority that did not need anger to be formidable, a presence of unmistakable dignity.

When Huangfu the gentryman saw him, he cupped his hands and said with a smile, “A pleasure to meet you, Master Li. This old man greets you respectfully.”

Noticing Chen Jianchen standing behind him, that Master Li asked, “Sir, and who might this be?”

Huangfu stepped aside and introduced him. “This is Chen Jianchen, a stipend scholar from Minghua Academy in Jiangzhou. His courtesy name is Liuxian, and this old man counts him among his cherished younger friends.”

In truth, the two had met only once before, yet Huangfu’s introduction was so carefully phrased that no slight might be cast upon Chen Jianchen. He could not afford to lose face by seeming to value him too little.

Sure enough, Master Li at once broke into a broad smile and said warmly, “So that is how it is. If he is the honored friend of Sir Huangfu, then he is my friend as well. Come, come inside at once.”

Earlier, in the rush of events, Chen Jianchen had not learned much of this Li Yifeng from Xianger. Now that he saw the man for himself, his first impression was that Li had the bearing of a born commander, generous in manner and flawless in conduct, clearly not someone easy to deal with.

He said, “We have come uninvited and with no proper notice. Please forgive our intrusion, Master.”

Li Yifeng laughed aloud and waved a hand with easy grandeur. “What talk is that, Liuxian? You and I are both scholars. Is it not said that all readers under heaven are classmates? There is no need for such formal distinction. Since you speak so, I shall have to make you drink for it.”

With that, he laughed again.

Soon they entered the grand saloon of the painted pleasure boat. It was spacious beyond measure, with more than ten tables set within and every seat occupied. The room rang with voices and bustle.

Li Yifeng led Huangfu and Chen Jianchen to an empty table, ordered a maidservant to pour tea and bring wine, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then went off to attend to other guests.

At a convenient moment, Chen Jianchen asked, “Sir Huangfu, are you and Master Li very close?”

Huangfu smiled. “Only acquainted through business.”

At once Chen Jianchen understood. It was merely a commercial relationship; Huangfu and Li Yifeng were not personal intimates. He asked again, “Sir, I take it this Master Li already holds official rank?”

Huangfu took a sip of tea and said, “No. He passed the provincial examination last year and ranked second among the degree holders. He could have been assigned a post in the county seat, but he declined it himself.”

From the way he said “declined,” Chen Jianchen caught the implication immediately. He knew very well how such things worked in the Heavenly Mandate Dynasty. Once a man passed the examinations, the Ministry of Personnel would arrange an official appointment for him. Yet depending on his rank and his social origin, even official service came in many tiers.

Ordinary degree holders were usually assigned rather modest posts, most often as clerks or deputy magistrates. Better ones might become subprefects or assistant magistrates, while those who could go straight to county magistrate were very rare.

Thus there arose a choice of sorts. For example, if a degree holder had passed the examination but could not yet be assigned a good black gauze cap, he might refuse the appointment for the time being and wait, keeping his hopes alive.

Of course, such hope would never be granted by sitting idly like a rabbit waiting beside a stump. It required much maneuvering, much expenditure, and the vast pressure of wealth.

Still, Li Yifeng had passed the examinations, and in any case an official career was now inevitable. That was why people addressed him as “Master.” In this world, titles were all carefully weighed: a lesser scholar might be called “Sir,” but a degree holder could be styled “Master” or “Lord.”

Since Chen Jianchen had cast aside his fixation on the rigid patterns of the examination essays and had turned his mind toward office and advancement, he had made a thorough study of such matters and understood them deeply. After all, in this mortal world the greatest power came from authority. Only by grasping it could one truly extend one’s vision and carry out one’s ambitions. Without rank, no matter how wildly one leaped, one could never amount to much.

There is an old saying: if an official cannot act for the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes. But if one is at home selling sweet potatoes, one can hardly act for the people at all.

That was the truth of it.

From Huangfu’s answer, Chen Jianchen immediately gained a rough sense of Li Yifeng’s background, and also a deeper understanding of his temperament and ambition.

Huangfu’s eyes flickered. Suddenly he asked, “Young Master Chen seems quite curious about Master Li.”

Chen Jianchen gave a light laugh. “Of course. Master Li’s degree-holder background is precisely what all men of letters seek with burning desire.”

He let the matter pass with a single deft line.

Huangfu gave an understanding “oh” and said with a meaningful smile, “Young master is trying to fool this old man. Though I am unworthy, I have some skill in reading faces. From what I see, Liuxian, you are a man of wealth and status, but certainly not one who would eagerly cling to such things. Would you truly bow your head for the sake of one degree?”

Those words stirred Chen Jianchen. This mysterious gentryman truly was no ordinary fellow. He answered smoothly, “Sir flatters me. As the saying goes, ‘For ten years no one asks after the cold window; once you rise, the whole world knows your name.’ To study well and then serve in office is the pursuit of us scholars.”

Hearing this, Huangfu smiled in a way that held something inscrutable and did not press further.

Only then did Chen Jianchen breathe easier. Seizing an opening, he said he wished to stroll about and take a look, then took his leave from the table.

Watching his departing figure, Huangfu’s face took on a pensive look. In a voice so low it could barely be heard, he murmured to himself, “This boy is open-minded and perceptive, free and unrestrained, never petty or narrow. He is the perfect choice.

“No matter what, daughter, your father will bring him back to serve as your teacher.”

Once outside, Chen Jianchen immediately called Xianger over and gave her instructions in a low voice.

Though still young, Xianger was very quick-witted. Moreover, having spent her days serving aboard the Bird-Singing Pavilion, she had seen and heard much, and long since developed a clever, nimble disposition. After receiving Chen Jianchen’s orders, she nodded repeatedly.

The two then pretended to be idly wandering, searching everywhere for Miss Lu’s whereabouts. Yet after the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, they had found nothing at all. Their hearts could not help but grow restless, especially Xianger, who was nearly in tears with anxiety.

Since they had been gone too long, they were bound to arouse suspicion. With no other choice, Chen Jianchen had to lead Xianger back.

By then, nearly every table in the center hall of the pleasure boat was occupied. The banquet had fully begun, cups were crossing and refilling, voices rose in a roar, and the place was full of life and noise.

Chen Jianchen returned to his seat and chatted idly with Huangfu. Then Xianger, who stood behind him, secretly pinched his back with her little hand.

The girl had no sense of restraint, and the pinch hurt quite a bit.

Chen Jianchen turned slightly and saw Xianger making covert gestures to him. Following the direction of her hand, he noticed two women entering through the center hall doorway.

The one in front was heavily painted, laden with gold and silver ornaments, and moved with a little twisting step. She looked like a young girl, though by age she could have been the girl’s mother.

The woman behind her was the one truly full of springlike vitality. She had a graceful figure and wore plain clothes, but even from the shape of her body alone she was already a beauty of rare quality. Unfortunately, a thin veil covered her face, leaving only a pair of lovely crescent brows and a pair of bright eyes that shone like stars beneath them.

From Xianger’s reaction, Chen Jianchen immediately knew that this woman was none other than her mistress, Miss Lu.

His gaze sharpened as he closely watched every movement of Lu. As soon as she entered the center hall, she naturally lowered her head a little, her slender jade hands cradling a guqin.

The weapon must be hidden in that instrument.

Chen Jianchen quickly reached this conclusion, for there was nowhere else on Lu’s person where a blade could be concealed. The best hiding place was clearly within the ancient zither itself.

It seemed she had prepared with painstaking care and come fully ready.

As the two women entered, everyone in attendance turned to look. Most of the gazes fell on Miss Lu, and among them were many who looked upon her with greedy intent.

Li Yifeng was the first to rise. He stepped forward to the woman at the front and asked, “Madam Zhang, is this the Miss Lu you mentioned, the one who has come to perform a piece on the lute?”

Madam Zhang smiled. “Indeed. Miss Lu’s skill on the zither is truly unmatched, a wonder rarely heard in this world.”

Li Yifeng laughed heartily. “Madam Zhang speaks rather extravagantly. If this young lady’s playing is so marvelous, how is it that I have never heard of her before?”

Madam Zhang replied, “Miss Lu is not from these parts. She merely passed through Suzhou. It was only because her travel money ran out that she graciously consented to perform a piece and earn a little compensation.”

“Oh?” Li Yifeng said, regarding Lu. “So that is how it is.”

Madam Zhang answered, “How could there be any falsehood in that—”

But Li Yifeng cut her off. “Miss Lu, you answer me.”

Lu bent slightly and said, “This humble woman would not dare speak falsely.”

Her voice was soft and tender, like the first cry of a yellow oriole. One heard it and felt one’s ears go gently numb with sweetness.

Li Yifeng laughed. “Good. But since you have come to perform, why not remove your veil and let me feast my eyes?”

A wave of jeering laughter broke out behind him at once.

Madam Zhang said softly, “Master, Miss Lu is not one of the boat’s regulars, so—”

“Shut up!” Li Yifeng snapped. “Since this young lady has come aboard to perform her music, she must follow the rules of the boat. Quickly remove your veil and let me and all the honored guests have a look. Heh, young lady, there is no need to be afraid. I have always been reasonable. If you truly are pleasing to my eye, there shall be a handsome reward.”

Lu lowered her head even further, her hair dark as cloud-shadow. “This humble woman’s features are plain and crude. I would not dare frighten the master or the distinguished guests.”

Li Yifeng could hardly fail to hear the evasion in her words. He let out a cold snort. “So much needless talk. Must I act myself?”

He stepped forward, making as if to tear away the veil covering her face.

At the very same moment, Chen Jianchen clearly saw that Lu’s right hand was quietly hidden beneath the base of the guqin, as though she had already grasped some blade. Even her arm was trembling faintly.

She was waiting for Li Yifeng to come close, so that she could draw the weapon and strike him by surprise. By then there would certainly be flashing steel and spilled blood.

“Miss, I have finally found you!”

At this critical instant, Xianger behind Chen Jianchen could hold back no longer. Throwing Chen Jianchen’s instructions to the winds, she rushed forward without permission and in a few quick steps came right up to Miss Lu.