Chapter 48: Two Dynasties, Top Scholar
Han Min looked at Wen Yan sincerely and nodded heavily.
“Mm, that’s right. Pine Smoke Ink Guest really is a little rascal.”
Wen Yan frowned as he looked at him. “If you don’t know how to curse, you don’t have to speak. He’s clearly—”
“Polished but unscrupulous, shameless, stirring up trouble…”
The real ability of the Censor.
One idiom after another came out from him, and Han Min’s eyes grew misty with tears.
—I’m almost crying here, and you still kept talking.
Wen Yan finally noticed Han Min’s expression.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Han Min rubbed his eyes. “I feel sorry for you.”
Now Wen Yan felt a little embarrassed and didn’t continue speaking. He raised his hand to pat his shoulder, comforting him instead: “It’s alright. It seems Pine Smoke Ink Guest didn’t specify which Censor it was; I was overthinking it myself.”
Well, he wasn’t overthinking—he was just following the way you wrote it.
Han Min carefully said, “Then don’t be angry.”
“Okay.” Wen Yan picked up his chopsticks and grabbed some food. “Have you eaten enough?”
“No.”
Wen Yan picked out the fish bones before putting the fish meat into his bowl. “Eat quickly.”
Han Min swallowed it with tears. “Thank you, Bianzhang. Bianzhang is really kind.”
Knowing the inner story, Mr. Ge and Xie Yan tried their best to maintain ordinary expressions.
Xie Yan raised his hand to pour wine for Mr. Ge, stifling a laugh. “Sir, please.”
Then the wine pot was turned toward Chu Yu, sitting next to Mr. Ge.
Chu Yu quickly moved the wine cup in front of him away and didn’t even look at him.
“I don’t drink. Later I’ll carry A-Yan downstairs and help push his wheelchair—I’m afraid of jolting him.”
Another “A-Yan.”
Xie Yan was slightly stunned, withdrew his hand, and poured wine for himself.
Meanwhile, Wen Yan was unhappy about The Emperor and the Censor, and Han Min nervously covered his vest.
On the other side, Chu Yu and Xie Yan, reunited after a long time, glared at each other—anger burning in Chu Yu’s eyes.
Halfway through the meal, the person outside banging the gong and shouting at Pine Smoke Ink Guest had been calmed by others. Between wiping his tears, he took out the newly released The Emperor and the Third-Rank Scholar: Volume One.
Curious bystanders asked, “Aren’t you a fan of the Censor?”
The man cried, “What can I do if Pine Smoke Ink Guest isn’t writing anymore? I’ll just make do with this.”
Everyone laughed uproariously and then dispersed.
The situation upstairs at Zui Xian Ju was still tense, and the meal was difficult.
Han Min thought about it and, unable to bear the atmosphere, tugged on Xie Yan’s sleeve to step outside for a moment.
The two of them stood by the wall reserved for scholars to write poems in Zui Xian Ju.
By the window seats, Wen Yan and Chu Yu sat face to face.
Han Min asked, “What’s going on between you and Chu Zuoshi?”
Wen Yan also asked, “Are you and Xie Yan old acquaintances?”
A cross-room dialogue began.
Xie Yan leaned against the wall: “I used to be his study companion.”
Chu Yu picked up bamboo chopsticks: “He used to call me Young Master.”
Xie Yan: “Chu Yu came from a wealthy merchant family, refined, lively, and fond of pleasure.”
Chu Yu: “Xie Yan was a servant in my household, quiet, reclusive, and proud.”
Xie Yan: “He couldn’t focus on studying, so my father assigned me to accompany him. That’s how I learned to read and write.”
Chu Yu: “I didn’t like studying, but Xie Yan loved it, so I gave him all my homework to do.”
Xie Yan: “When I was sixteen, I accompanied him to the exams, but unexpectedly, he became the top scholar.”
Chu Yu: “We agreed it was just a formality, but he became the top scholar!”
Xie Yan: “Becoming the top scholar as a servant brought superficial glory, but among other candidates, it was often embarrassing.”
Chu Yu: “One time at a gathering of scholars, he even publicly said he didn’t know me!”
Xie Yan: “Chu Yu took my servitude contract from his father and returned it to me.”
Chu Yu: “If he wanted the contract, he could have asked. Instead, he told others he didn’t know me. I wasn’t short of study companion—just a gesture and candidates from here to the capital would line up for me.”
Xie Yan: “Because of him, I became the top scholar of Song.”
Chu Yu: “Because of him, I became the third-rank scholar of Qi.”
Xie Yan sighed: “He’s a good person.”
Chu Yu sneered: “He’s a nuisance.”
—End of dialogue.
Han Min was stunned.
He asked Xie Yan, “Did you intentionally aim to pass?”
“Chu Yu originally had no interest in fame. His father wanted him to take the exams, so he said he would go along with me as a formality. I thought if I passed, maybe I wouldn’t have to remain a servant, so…”
“You deceived him?”
No wonder Chu Yu was angry with him for nearly ten years.
Han Min clenched his fists.
Xie Yan lowered his gaze, brow furrowed: “I was young and proud, always feeling unrecognized behind him.”
“What about after you got the servitude contract?”
“After getting it, I suddenly didn’t know where else I could go besides the Chu family.”
Han Min wanted to say something, but then remembered Xie Yan was only sixteen at the time. Besides being skilled in scholarly knowledge, he might have been unaware of other matters. Perhaps it was a matter of a single choice.
Xie Yan said, “In Song, the scholars and the court were monopolized by aristocratic families. As a servant, I naturally couldn’t enter. I also looked down on them, so I came to Qi.”
Han Min sighed lightly and put an arm around his shoulder: “It’s fine. Meeting again shows fate isn’t finished. Find a time to sincerely apologize to him.”
“I know.”
Han Min suddenly remembered: “Wait. You came to Qi ten years ago. Zuoshi took the exams last year, and he’s been here a few years. You never sought him out?”
Xie Yan choked and finally said, “I did.”
“How did you find him?”
“I participated in last year’s exams with him.”
That was a peculiar way to find someone. Han Min examined him suspiciously.
“Last year’s exams, you… took them again in Qi?”
“Yes, I wasn’t seeking fame, just accompanying him again.”
“Did you enter the palace exam?”
Xie Yan nodded: “I did.”
Han Min was amazed.
He recalled last year’s imperial exams, the same year as Chu Yu.
That year, there was only the second-rank and third-rank scholar, no top scholar.
One of the three palace exam candidates hadn’t even entered the palace. The seat of Zichen Hall remained empty, let alone the palace exam.
So last year’s top scholar position was vacant.
This led everyone to assume that the absent candidate was the top scholar.
This matter was widely discussed in Qi.
Some said officials from lower ranks had offended the arrogant top scholar due to poor manners; others said the top scholar was just playing and left after a while.
Some even said that the top scholar was actually Xie Dingyuan, who had been Song’s top scholar ten years ago.
But since Qi’s court was worse than Song’s, he left without even attending the palace exam.
Now, the first half of that theory was correct.
Xie Yan, top scholar of Song at sixteen, participated in Qi’s imperial exams ten years later.
Two dynasties, top scholar: Xie Yan, Xie Shanshi.
Han Min asked again: “Why didn’t you attend the palace exam?”
Xie Yan answered: “The old emperor knew who I was. He thought non-Qi people were untrustworthy and secretly had me detained, not allowing me into the palace.”
“That’s too much!” Han Min exclaimed, then suddenly recalled: “But Chu Yu is also from Song?”
He didn’t doubt Xie Yan. If the former emperor disliked Song people, yet personally designated Chu Yu as third-rank scholar, it was suspicious.
Xie Yan said lightly: “The Chu family is immensely wealthy. The old emperor valued their money. After he became third-rank scholar, the Chu family moved all their assets to Qi.”
Han Min understood: “I see.”
Xie Yan smiled lightly: “Unfortunately, the old emperor passed away before properly securing him. He’s not stupid and knew the emperor’s time was up, so he aligned with the current emperor. I overthought it.”
“But that’s unfair to you. Why not take the exams again in a couple of years? Or I could tell the Emperor…”
Xie Yan didn’t want to continue, standing and waving his hand: “Let’s go back.”
As he was about to leave, Han Min grabbed his sleeve.
“Look.”
He pointed to the wall Xie Yan had leaned against.
It was filled with scholars’ inscriptions, and the spot he leaned on was Chu Yu’s poem from last year’s exams.
—“One river tide flows flat as a mirror, two stars move apart, each shining.”
Han Min tapped on “two stars move apart”: “See, he’s still thinking of you.”
Xie Yan laughed bitterly: “Not thinking, just grudging and competing.”
—
They returned to the window seats.
At that moment, Mr. Ge held a wine cup in one hand and comforted Chu Yu with the other.
“He was young back then. But he’s annoying even now, don’t get angry…”
Seeing Xie Yan, he stopped speaking.
Knowing Chu Yu and Xie Yan had history, but Chu Yu was angry, the others didn’t rush to reconcile and instead separated them.
The latter half of the meal was lighter, plates messy—mostly due to Mr. Ge’s exploits.
He poured the last drop of wine from the pot. “Finished eating? If so, let’s disperse.”
Still keeping Chu Yu and Xie Yan apart, Mr. Ge said: “Little Xie had some wine, not convenient. Little Han, you take him back. Little Wen has leg problems too, Little Chu, you take him.”
Chu Yu agreed, summoned a servant, picked up his new friend Wen Yan, and left without looking back.
The servant pushed a wooden wheelchair behind.
Han Min sat, looking at Xie Yan: “A-Yan, do you regret it?”
Xie Yan glanced at him helplessly: “You…”
Han Min said slowly: “If you hadn’t deceived him, the one in his arms would be you. That servitude contract you needed as top scholar—where is it now?”
Sensing something was wrong, Xie Yan threatened: “If you dare write a story about me and him, I’ll write that the Emperor discovered about you and have you dragged into the palace—a Spring Night Short Story.”
Han Min shivered: “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”
Xie Yan grabbed his collar: “Come, take me back.”
“You’re not drunk.”
As he spoke, Xie Yan leaned on his shoulder: “Now I am.”
Han Min prepared to take Xie Yan back to Jianguo Temple.
Exiting Zui Xian Ju, Mr. Ge followed for a while, then after a street said: “I’ll go first.”
Han Min asked: “Where to?”
“Eat another meal.”
“Huh?”
“After that dinner atmosphere, even delicacies tasted like cardboard. I’ll eat properly myself. You take Xie Yan back.”
Mr. Ge walked off, waving without looking back.
Han Min supported Xie Yan: “Let’s go.”
They walked side by side.
Han Min asked: “You really don’t want to serve in government anymore?”
Historically, scholars could never separate from the court, at least not from people’s livelihoods.
He thought Xie Yan staying in Qi’s capital rather than secluding in mountains was a sign.
But Xie Yan said: “No need. I’ve seen both kings of Qi and Song—mediocre men. Without a sage, we scholars must maintain our virtue. I’ve decided never to serve.”
Han Min instinctively objected: “It’s not as you think; the current emperor is actually quite good.”
Han Min thought of Fu Xun and nodded firmly: “He’s a wise ruler, much better than the former emperor. If you’d come earlier, you’d have seen Emperor Dezong—he too was wise.”
Xie Yan asked: “You wrote in your story that the emperor was wise?”
“The story isn’t real.”
“Then why were you nervous in front of the Censor and the third-rank scholar?”
Han Min couldn’t answer.
After a pause, Han Min asked: “Since you think the world is in chaos, sages absent, and both Song and Qi have foolish rulers, why not warn Zuoshi and watch him become third-rank scholar of Qi?”
“Song and Qi contend. Compared, Song is already on its last legs.”
Even between bad and worse, choosing the worse seems better.
Xie Yan rubbed his brow, slightly drunk.
Han Min said: “Fine. If you don’t want to serve, that’s okay. What are your plans now? You can’t stay at Jianguo Temple forever.”
“Not bad. The abbot once asked if I wanted to shave and inherit the temple. Studying the sutras these years has been enlightening.”
“Okay.” Han Min paused, “But before you shave, you still need money for food and lodging.”
“I’ll keep writing stories.”
“You’re top scholar of two dynasties. What stories? You should write Five Years of Exams, Three Years of Practice.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s… a guide on preparing for exams. You could also write sample essays into a booklet—much better than your stories.”
They returned to Jianguo Temple.
In the narrow meditation room, Xie Yan flipped open a sutra: “Sit.”
Back home, the cat Xie Yan raised jumped through the window and rubbed against Han Min’s leg.
Xie Yan, slightly tipsy, ignored it and leaned on the couch, picking up a sutra.
Han Min, heart aching, held the cat, stroking its fur.
The system inside the cat nudged Han Min’s hand and reached for Xie Yan’s robe.
Han Min realized the system liked Xie Dingyuan’s handwriting. He brought the cat closer to Xie Yan.
“Hello, hello, I really like your writing.”
Xie Yan glanced at him, then petted the cat.
The system squealed: “That’s his hand! He touched me!”
Han Min warned: “Don’t talk so weirdly.”
The cat ignored him, fur bristling, claws flailing. Han Min held it, tail thrashing.
“Remember, you’re a cat now, not a dog.”
Xie Yan put down the sutra, curiously watched, then patted the cat: “Years of listening to sutras, no improvement.”
The system, without any shame, broke free from Han Min’s restraints and lay down in front of him with a thud, revealing its soft belly.
Han Min sighed: “Can’t you be a little restrained?”
Xie Yan covered it with the sutra and looked at Han Min: “About Chu Yu…”
“I can’t help you. I’ll try to see what happens. If we can’t be friends, then let’s just forget about it to avoid making him even more unhappy.”
Xie Yan resolutely said: “I don’t want to.”
Han Min frowned: “You little brat, you’re pretty arrogant. You lied to him yourself, and now you’re telling me you don’t want him?”
Feeling guilty, Xie Yan paused for a moment and said, “You seem to have a good relationship with him.”
“That’s because I’m nice.”
Xie Yan picked up the sutra from the struggling system: “Fine.”
Han Min finally softened: “I’ll teach you a trick—Zuoshi is very susceptible to being coquettish.”
“How to act cute?”
“How come you can’t even do this? I can’t teach you anymore.”
Xie Yan put down the sutra again: “Show me how to do it.”
Fine, one time.
Han Min held the system: “Watch closely.”
He blinked, tears in his eyes.
“Zuoshi, I’m sorry, I was wrong, terribly wrong.”
He pressed the cat’s paw to his chest: “You hit me, but don’t be angry with me. Don’t forget your old friends just because you have new ones, little system.”
The last line was for the system, hence the name: “Little System.”
The system sighed, nuzzling his hand: “Don’t worry, you’ll always be my favorite.”
Xie Yan looked at them as if they were idiots, then turned over to face the wall, silently grieving alone.
—
Three palace attendants rotated duties. Han Min followed Fu Xun several times, becoming more familiar.
At Fu Xun’s instruction, the Ministry of Works also sent craftsmen to repair the old Han family residence.
Han Min had visited, treated them to meals and drinks.
Today, Han Min was on duty again.
The emperor’s day was very regular.
At dawn, Han Min entered the palace. Fu Xun practiced swordsmanship; Han Min stood nearby. Fu Xun reviewed memorials; Han Min sat nearby.
When Fu Xun ate lunch, Han Min ate along.
The Empress Dowager, hearing Han Min was on duty, sent “Harmony Between Emperor and Minister” pig’s trotters soup via the old lady-in-waiting.
Han Min thanked her, waited for everyone to leave, and sat beside Fu Xun.
Just as he started to pick up food, the old lady returned.
Han Min quickly dropped food into Fu Xun’s bowl and obediently sat.
The old lady said: “The Empress Dowager misses Lord Han. When the emperor has time, take Lord Han to Ci Ming Hall.”
Fu Xun agreed: “Alright.”
“Old servant takes leave.”
After she left, Fu Xun picked food for him: “Next time, let mother send something different.”
Han Min was surprised: “Can the Empress Dowager change the dishes?”
“What would you like?”
“Anything.”
After a while, Fu Xun said: “Don’t go back tonight.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll go to the Duke of Gong’s residence. Jiang Huan compiled all of the Duke of Gong’s deeds over the years for signatures, including matters with your elder brother and mine at the hunting grounds.”
Former Crown Prince Fu Lin died chasing a white tiger; Han Min’s elder brother Han Shi and uncle Han Zhongqi, one dead, one injured.
So this matter was also related to the Duke of Gong.
Upon hearing this, Han Min became serious, putting down his chopsticks.
Fu Xun held his hand on the table: “Don’t be afraid.”
Han Min nodded blankly: “Mm.”
The system spun in place: “Let go! Release me!”
Author’s note:
Min-Min: Fu Xun, who doesn’t behave like a schoolboy, is quite handsome.
