Chapter 120

What does it feel like to have money in your pocket?

It is a sense of complete security, a feeling of being entirely unruffled. Although living in Bianjing is no easy feat, if one spends frugally, this money could last until the end of the year.

Zhang Yue tucked the heavy purse securely into his robe and headed back to his inn, planning to take Huang Haoyi and Tang Jiu out for a bit of revelry. He had not gone far down Baokangmen Street when a group of men suddenly blocked his path.

Zhang Yue instinctively clutched his pocket and looked up at them, blurting out, "Old Steward!"

He was startled. The man was none other than the old steward from the household of Zhang Yu and his second aunt—the very person who had once suspected that Zhang Yue had only passed the county examination by riding on the coattails of Zhang Dun’s reputation. Zhang Yue had dreamt of this man a few times, usually waking up with his teeth gritted in resentment.

However, seeing the man surrounded by a formidable retinue, Zhang Yue put on a bright smile and bowed. "Isn't this the Old Steward? What a pleasure, what a pleasure."

The Old Steward also beamed. "Young Master San, you traveled all the way to Bianjing without even a word to your family. It is truly disappointing."

Zhang Yue laughed. "I have been busy, very busy. I intended to pay my respects in a couple of days. I hope you will convey my regards."

Zhang Yue tried to move past, but several burly servants stepped forward to block his way.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The Old Steward’s smile did not reach his eyes. "Since you have arrived in Bianjing, yet refuse to see your uncle, aunt, or your own brother, it would spread that you are lacking in filial piety and fraternal duty. For an official family, reputation is more important than life itself. Since we have chanced upon you, we will naturally escort you to the manor. Please forgive our rudeness, Young Master."

Without further ado, the strong men ignored Zhang Yue’s protests and forced him into a carriage. Inside, two large men sat on either side of him, while the Old Steward sat opposite, staring him down.

Zhang Yue offered a strained smile. "This carriage is quite spacious."

The Old Steward laughed heartily. "Young Master San is a clever man; I thought I would have to waste more breath."

Zhang Yue replied, "Not at all. You have walked more bridges than I have walked roads; I am merely here to follow your instructions."

The carriage began to move. Outside the curtains were the bustling markets of Bianjing, but with the men flanking him, Zhang Yue could not look out and was forced to stare at the Old Steward’s weathered face. Though he longed to stomp on that face, he managed to squeeze out a faint smile.

"Young Master San is a man who understands the situation, which reminds me of my own youth," the Old Steward said. "There are some things you might not want to hear, but I must say them."

"Please, Old Steward, speak freely."

"I grew up in Pucheng. My family was poor; if I hadn't sold myself into servitude, my younger brother would have starved. When I was six, the Master took me in and saved my life. I learned a lesson then: if you cannot survive in one place, you must move. If you die, others will simply take your place. It is better to move on; trees die if they stay put, but people can thrive if they move."

"In the Master’s household, even a servant has food to eat and clothes to wear. I no longer had to worry about starving to death. But there were many servants in the courtyard. At first, I treated the other servant boys well, thinking to repay the Master’s kindness. But they didn't appreciate it. If you try to please the Master, others will beat you and trip you up; if you don't, the household will not tolerate you. Before long, I learned to fawn on the powerful and trample the weak. If you are uniformly kind to everyone, even a dog will not respect you. Whether one should be kind or not depends entirely on the person."

At this, the smile faded from Zhang Yue’s face. "Please, continue."

The man smiled. "Later, the Master recognized my talent, and I became the steward. Many in the manor liked me, and many did not. But when I handle affairs, I never look at who I like or dislike. Because the person you like today may turn against you tomorrow, and the person you dislike may one day become closer than a brother—it all comes down to interests. Is there anyone who ignores interests and remains consistent?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yue felt a flicker of inner turmoil.

The Old Steward chuckled. "There are. But I have lived more than half a century, and I have yet to meet one."

Zhang Yue found this perspective oddly refreshing. "Old Steward, your insights surpass those of many ministers in the court!"

The Old Steward stroked his beard and smiled. "You flatter me, Young Master. These words would have rotted in my gut, but we hit it off, didn't we?"

"One should not be too rigid. How can a man walk the world without suffering grievances? Being impulsive for the sake of pride brings only short-term satisfaction, followed by long-term regret. In this world, the sooner one understands how to lower one's head and cast aside notions of honor and shame, the smoother one's path becomes."

"It is a pity that so many keep 'benevolence and righteousness' on their lips until they have wasted half a life on the wrong path. By the time they want to turn back, it is too late. These people, when young, refuse to hear the truth; they must be coddled. Why should I waste the truth on such fools? But you, Young Master, are a clever man, which is why I speak my heart."

"These are golden words of wisdom," Zhang Yue replied. "I have learned much."

*Deep down, he thought, these words are worth pondering.*

The carriage stopped. Zhang Yue saw the plaque reading "Zhang Manor" and felt a weight lift from his heart.

The Old Steward observed Zhang Yue’s expression and added, "We have arrived. One last piece of advice: never think too well of others. The higher your expectations, the greater your disappointment. If you treat everyone as a villain, the world suddenly becomes much clearer."

Zhang Yue glanced at him and smiled. "The foolish wife of Kuaiji looks down on Mai Chen; how could we be such short-sighted people?"

"What?"

Zhang Yue laughed. "You are right about everything, Old Steward."

With that, he hopped out of the carriage and dusted off his sleeves. The Old Steward was right, but only for the majority. For Zhang Yue, it was different. Some people spend their whole lives trying to understand the world without ever understanding themselves.

And who is Zhang Yue, Zhang Sanlang?

He has a cheat code!

With his fear vanished, Zhang Yue puffed out his chest, hands behind his back, and strode inside... only to trip over the high threshold. He had been too careless!

***

At the Ouyang residence, Ouyang Fa left his father’s study and returned to his quarters. His wife, Mistress Wu, greeted him immediately. "Why were you talking with Father for so long?"

"We were getting along well, but then Master Anding arrived to pay a visit," Ouyang Fa replied.

"So late?"

Ouyang Fa nodded, his expression somber. "Yes. The Master has been in poor health for a long time and has long wished to retire. He only stayed on at the Imperial Academy out of a sense of duty to Chancellor Fan’s trust and respect for my father."

"Apart from medicine and basic expenses, he spent his entire salary supporting the students of humble origins at the academy. Who among them hasn't received his kindness? Now that he is leaving, where will they find such a teacher?"

Mistress Wu said, "You have studied under him for many years. See him off with a sincere heart so that your relationship as teacher and student is not in vain."

Ouyang Fa was moved. "You are truly a wonderful wife. That is my intention as well."

Mistress Wu blushed. "We are married, why speak of such things? Anyway, what did Father want with you?"

"Nothing much. He just told me to be diligent and not to be like other officials' sons who rely on their family status for appointments and refuse to study."

Mistress Wu asked, "You hesitated just now—did Father use the Wu family as a warning?"

Ouyang Fa’s face changed. "You are sharp, my lady. Nothing escapes you."

Mistress Wu sighed. "It cannot be helped. Do you think I don't know what is whispered in the streets? They say the men of the Wu family are all inferior to the women. But do they know how my sisters, who married into the Chancellor’s house, are faring today?"

Ouyang Fa replied, "My lady, marriage is ultimately about status. I don't mean to imply you married above your station, but the Wu family’s standing is still a step below the Han, Lu, and Pang families."

Mistress Wu looked at him. "Are you saying you only married me because our status matched?"

Ouyang Fa gave a dry laugh and changed the subject. "By the way, did you know that besides talking about his retirement, the Master also mentioned someone to Father?"

"Who?"

"Zhang Sanlang!"

"Him again?" Mistress Wu was surprised. "Is it good news or bad?"

Ouyang Fa smiled. "The Master showed Father the essay Zhang wrote for the Imperial Academy entrance exam. What do you think?"

"Even Master Anding thinks so highly of him? How long has he been in the capital?" Mistress Wu seemed lost in thought. She added, "What do you think of him?"

Ouyang Fa pondered. "I have only met him once. But he is a clansman of this year’s top scholar, Zhang Ziping. And there is something else I just found out: his own brother is Zhang Zihou, the one who rejected his appointment!"

"The one who scored lower than his nephew and then refused the office?"

Ouyang Fa laughed. "Yes. Tell me, what kind of people are Ziping and Zihou? Their kinsman wouldn't be mediocre, would he? Otherwise, Master Boyi and Master Biaomin would not have recommended him to Father."

"Father has been too busy to see him, but after what I and Master Anding said, he has sent an invitation for him to visit the manor."

"Father is going to see him personally?"

Mistress Wu paced in thought. "If that Zhang Zihou is such an unruly person, can his brother be any better? Tell me, is he married?"

Ouyang Fa was stunned. "How would I know that? Why are you asking about such details?"

"I..." Mistress Wu paused. "It’s hard to explain to you right now. Never mind."

She was lost in a flurry of thoughts. If her suspicion were true, then...

Seeing her furrowed brows under the lamplight, Ouyang Fa found her more beautiful than ever. He couldn't help but say, "My lady, it is late. Let us retire."

He blew out the candle. In the darkness, Mistress Wu said coldly, "Don't you dare sleep in this bed tonight! Go to the study!"