Chapter 36: The Whole Village’s Hope
At that time, Han Min had hurried to the capital carrying only a writing kit and a few sets of clothes to change into.
Now, as he was leaving, there wasn’t much to take with him either.
He stormed back into the side hall, grabbed a few pieces of clothing from the trunk, and tossed them onto the bed.
He organized a small bundle and also packed up the manuscripts and ink piled on the writing desk.
Little Jizi and Eunuch Yang ran up and down after him.
Han Min tied the writing kit around his waist and turned to them: “The Emperor doesn’t like me. I’m going to live with the Liu family. The Liu family is not like the palace…”
Eunuch Yang wasn’t afraid of him. Pinching his cheek, he said: “What nonsense are you talking? We already agreed this morning. I’ll go with you. Honestly, I’m old. When the Emperor ascended, I begged him to let me leave the palace. Now I get to go out with you. Outside the palace is better than inside. Would Old Liu refuse to take me in?”
Han Min smiled shyly: “That’s good then.”
He turned back to packing, and Eunuch Yang sighed, helping him fold the clothes.
“But you can’t leave in a huff. That’s not good. You and the Emperor have always bickered like this. Leaving angry… it’s just like before, isn’t it?”
“It’s different now,” Han Min said, folding his arms. “He’s Emperor now. If we’re always together, he bullies me and I can’t retaliate. If this keeps up, we’ll end up hating each other, and the ruler and subject will be at odds.”
He didn’t explain further, glancing at the long sword hanging in front of the canopy, then at Little Jizi, who was still following him.
“Do you have something to say?”
Little Jizi said slowly, “Young Master, I just think we should first undo the braid on your head.”
Only then did Han Min realize that after leaving the study, his hair hadn’t been properly arranged.
He smiled foolishly, scratched his head, and sat in front of the mirror.
Little Jizi carefully helped him undo the braid, lowering his head respectfully.
Han Min twirled a braid in his fingers and casually asked, “Does your sister have any living relatives?”
Little Jizi shook his head: “No.”
“I see,” Han Min said reassuringly. “The Duke of Gong has been imprisoned. Everything he did will have consequences.”
Little Jizi lowered his gaze, looking only at his hands. He whispered, “The only mistake was that we were servants.”
Han Min paused, then patted the back of his hand.
After helping straighten his hair, Little Jizi picked up the wooden comb.
Han Min tentatively asked, “Do you still want to learn to read?”
Little Jizi paused, then nodded: “I still remember the characters you taught me before, Young Master.”
“Good. In a few days, I’ll compile a character book and teach you properly.”
“Thank you, Young Master.”
After a while, Han Min rested his head on his hand and spoke softly: “Every era has its own suitable system. It cannot be changed overnight, by one person or one event.”
Little Jizi put down the comb and picked up a greenish-blue hair ribbon.
His mood was low, and he only replied, “Little Jizi understands.”
Han Min turned, took the ribbon from his hand, and began tying his hair while saying: “But it’s not impossible to change.”
Little Jizi asked: “When will the time come when everyone is treated as a person?”
He quickly wiped his eyes and turned to help Eunuch Yang fold the clothes.
Han Min hurried after him, putting an arm around his shoulder: “It’s alright, don’t be sad.”
Little Jizi tilted his head, leaning on his shoulder, perhaps crying. Han Min looked at him and just patted his back.
After a moment, Little Jizi stepped back repeatedly: “I overstepped.”
“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Han Min said with a smile. “I’ve leaned on Eunuch Yang’s shoulder too.”
—
By noon, they had packed everything.
Although Han Min was still angry, out of courtesy, he went to bid farewell to Fu Xun.
As he stepped out, Wei Huan was waiting outside. Seeing him, he cupped his fists: “Master Han.”
Han Min waved him off: “Don’t call me that. I’m not used to it.”
“Second Brother Han.”
Wei Huan smiled and took the bundle from Little Jizi.
“The Emperor asked me to go with you to the Liu Residence. From now on, I’ll follow Master Han.”
Han Min asked casually: “Who is still with the Emperor?”
“My brother.”
When Han Min went to say goodbye to Fu Xun, Fu Xun was in the corridor feeding the hawk.
As Wei Huan had said, his older brother Wei Gui was now wearing a sword at his waist, standing next to Fu Xun, holding rabbit meat for the hawk.
Han Min bowed to Fu Xun and suddenly noticed Wei Gui carefully cutting the raw rabbit meat into small pieces—
Come, General Wei is cutting meat for Turnip Head.
The scene was extremely amusing.
Wei Gui noticed the smile in Han Min’s eyes and didn’t realize it, smugly giving him a glance.
Fu Xun frowned and lifted his hand, calling Turnip Head from the wooden perch.
The hawk flapped its wings and gave Wei Gui a little peck.
Wei Gui reacted quickly, turning his head, but a feather still brushed his hair.
Fu Xun glanced at him and said calmly: “Sorry, go fix it.”
Wei Gui wiped his face, smiling, unconcerned, and praised the hawk’s vitality before stepping aside. After he left, only Han Min and Fu Xun remained in the corridor.
They had quarreled that morning, and the atmosphere was tense.
Han Min was still angry and didn’t want to speak.
Fu Xun wanted to talk but didn’t know what to say, fearing he would further anger Han Min.
Finally, Han Min spoke, though only with formal words, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking me in these past days, sparing me from the Duke of Gong’s cruelty. I will do my utmost to ease Your Majesty’s burdens in the future.”
He raised his hands in a bow.
Fu Xun tugged lightly on his drooping sleeve, “Han Min, don’t—”
Han Min looked up and continued: “Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will never let personal grievances affect official matters.”
But that was not what Fu Xun wanted to say.
Finally, Fu Xun turned, took down the wooden perch hanging under the eaves, and handed both the hawk and the perch to him.
Han Min took them. Turnip Head flapped its wings and perched on the wooden frame. He gently scratched the feathers on the hawk’s neck.
The hawk’s injuries had healed, though some spots were still featherless, especially on one wing and its back.
After a while, Han Min said to Fu Xun: “I shall take my leave. Jiang Huan should still be outside the palace gate; it’s not good to keep him waiting.”
Fu Xun nodded coldly: “Go then.”
Han Min carried the wooden perch down the steps, his writing kit swinging at his waist.
Fu Xun now deeply regretted it, extremely regretted it.
He had been coaxing Han Min to stay in the palace for a few more days, but a dozen or so braids ruined everything.
Had he known, he would have helped untangle Han Min’s hair when he woke. He could have spoken to him gently while doing so. Han Min might have even thought he was careful and considerate, and that fixing hair didn’t hurt.
Now he had nothing.
Eunuch Yang, Little Jizi, and Wei Gui waited at the bottom of the steps. Seeing Han Min, they followed.
Coincidentally, Wei Gui had just finished fixing the hawk’s disheveled feathers.
He saw Fu Xun looking toward Han Min and asked: “Han Min has moved to the Liu residence?”
“Yes.”
“That’s great…”
Fu Xun looked at him, face dark. Wei Gui quickly corrected himself: “Well, not so great either.”
For Wei Gui, it was indeed good.
Having watched them bicker since childhood and worried about Han Min in the palace, he could finally relax. And now Han Min was no longer bound by palace restrictions, he could visit anytime.
Fu Xun must have realized this too, his gaze darkening.
“Your brother followed him, so I transferred you here.”
Wei Gui cupped his fists: “Understood.”
“Eunuch Yang and Little Jizi went with him as well.”
Only half-spoken—
If you said more, you’d be reassigned as a eunuch.
Wei Gui reluctantly closed his mouth.
Outside the palace gate, two carriages were parked. Jiang Huan and Chu Yu were standing and talking, mostly Chu Yu.
“Master Han is really interesting. I’ve never seen anyone talk to the Emperor like that. Have you?”
Jiang Huan crossed his arms: “No.”
He didn’t want to wait for Han Min here at all.
Clearly it was their quarrel, yet they dragged him in.
Not pleased.
Chu Yu continued: “And the Emperor was the one to provoke him first! I’ve never seen the Emperor provoke anyone. Have you?”
Jiang Huan: “No.”
“I think it’s extraordinary, like a scene from a play, though I’ve never seen it in real life. Jiang Huan, have you?”
“No.”
“You’re so boring. All you can say is ‘no’? How do you normally write essays like that?”
Jiang Huan ignored him, looking toward the palace gate.
Han Min came out.
The midday sun shone on the gray palace walls, casting moving shadows.
The sunlight made his plain clothes appear more vivid.
Chu Yu stepped forward, waving: “Master Han!”
Han Min replied: “Lord Chu.”
Chu Yu hurried over, linking arms with him: “Let’s go, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Han Min greeted Jiang Huan, and Chu Yu draped an arm around him, calling out to Eunuch Yang and the others: “Please take a seat in my carriage. Let the three of us talk, shall we?”
Eunuch Yang intended for Han Min to make connections in the court and stand firm; Little Jizi and Wei Huan had no objection.
Eunuch Yang smiled: “Of course, though what about your carriage, Lord Chu?”
Chu Yu pointed to a nearby, extremely luxurious carriage: “That one.”
It was large, gilded, inlaid with jade, with embroidered curtains.
Since it was still the three-year mourning period for the previous emperor, it was draped in a thin white veil—a costly summer fabric.
The light veil gave it the appearance of a faint mist, making it even more splendid.
Chu Yu said: “What’s wrong? Oh, the carriage is modest; sorry for the inconvenience.”
He held Han Min’s hand and headed toward the Liu family carriage.
The Liu family was noble and respectable, but their carriage was simple.
With Jiang Huan in the middle, Han Min and Chu Yu on either side, the three literati formally met.
Han Min lifted the curtain and glanced at the rear carriage: “Lord Chu, this…”
Chu Yu scratched his head awkwardly: “When I came to Yong’an for the exam, my father got this for me. Too silly, I don’t like riding it.”
Jiang Huan added: “You don’t know, his family runs an escort agency; they’re wealthy.”
Chu Yu waved his hands: “Not much. My father just thought that since we finally have a scholar in the family, it’s hard-earned, so he gave everything to send me for the exam.”
The hope of the whole village—Chu Yu.
Han Min said: “Lord Chu is truly free-spirited…”
“Master Han, you’re polite. My courtesy name is Zhuo Shi.”
“Zhuo Shi, thank you. I… haven’t taken a courtesy name yet.”
Chu Yu paused, then burst out laughing.
“You’re exactly the kind of scholar I imagined when reading books.”
He sized Han Min up: “Born to a scholarly family, elder is a historian, mentor is a teacher. Young, talented, principled, handsome, and poor…”
“Hmm?”
Han Min interrupted: “Are you mistaken?”
Chu Yu stopped, resting his head on his hand: “I’m not cut out to be a scholar. I like pretending to be one on stage.”
Han Min was about to speak when Jiang Huan warned: “Don’t talk to him. Mention opera and he’ll obsess; you won’t be able to stop him.”
“Oh.”
Han Min nodded, half-understanding.
Finally, Chu Yu said: “My father always says scholars must be poor but principled. Our family isn’t like that. If it weren’t for earning a living, he’d spend all his wealth.”
Han Min felt something was off with that remark.
At the Liu residence, the carriage entered through a side gate. A child at the corridor looked and ran into the courtyard:
“Great-grandfather, Young Master, Second Young Master Han is here!”
Then Liu Ting hurried out with others.
He stood before the carriage, took Han Min’s hand, and helped him safely to the ground.
Han Min tightened his hand and softened his voice: “Senior Brother.”
Liu Ting smiled, pretending to sigh: “Still like a child.”
Author’s Note:
Old Fu left in the palace now regrets it—deeply regrets.
It’s just a simple, ordinary group of scholars. No need for His Majesty to be jealous.
The chubby student raised his support sign: “Our scholars come from Dingyuan! The Seven Sons of Dingyuan determine heaven and earth!”
Old Fu: “And six more like this holding hands with my wife!” (In a fit of rage, overthrowing the feudal system.)
