Chapter Nineteen: Yan Qing Begins His Studies

On the surface, the matter had been handled properly, and it seemed to have no impact on Zheng Renji’s appointment as Assistant to the Eastern Office. Yet Zheng Renji knew full well that this incident was enough to leave him utterly disgraced.

The cause of his humiliation was neither his rivals nor the powerful aristocratic clans of Luoyang, but rather the fault lay with Cui Daolin. Of course, Zheng Renji was also aware that the disruption of the Tianjin Bridge market must have originated from Lady Cui. Privately, he could blame Lady Cui, but in the end, it was Cui Daolin who failed in his duties.

“Have Zheng Shian come to the old residence to see me!” Zheng Renji ordered his escort, his face dark and brooding.

He climbed into the carriage, only to see Lady Cui gently rocking their newborn daughter in her arms, his anger swelling yet unable to be vented.

“Madam, did you have Cui Daolin forcibly relocate the Tianjin Bridge marketplace?”

Lady Cui nodded, “Yes, I mentioned it to you before. There are many problems with our properties in Luoyang; they need some rectification.”

“But why didn’t you inform me before moving the market?”

“I did tell you. You said to let me make the decisions… What, did Cui Daolin not carry it out?”

Zheng Renji gave a bitter smile, “It would have been better if he hadn’t. The issue is, he did, and nearly caused a disaster. I should have explained it more clearly to you. If you moved others from Tianjin Bridge, that would be one thing, but there are certain people you must not touch… They were the fierce tiger retainers of our ancestor, who decreed: ‘As long as An Yuan endures, the fierce tigers shall remain.’ Even if you relocate them, there must be a proper arrangement. Fortunately, I managed to suppress the matter; otherwise, it would have been troublesome.”

Lady Cui was startled on hearing this.

But she quickly recovered, saying to Zheng Renji, “I didn’t know, and Cui Daolin wasn’t aware either. Why didn’t Steward Zheng intervene?”

Naturally, Lady Cui sided with her own family and tried to absolve Cui Daolin of blame. She also knew that Zheng Renji disliked Zheng Shian, so she sought to shift the blame onto him.

Zheng Renji’s gaze sharpened, his tone cold, “I will question Zheng Shian, but Cui Daolin must also be punished.”

“Daolin is new to Luoyang and has never been involved in family affairs before. He has served us diligently for years and is quite reliable… Hmph, in my opinion, Zheng Shian must be holding a grudge. He was sent to the estate and simply washed his hands of everything. He knew about the Tianjin Bridge issue but refused to inform Daolin. Isn’t that clearly setting you up for embarrassment? I just don’t understand why father values him so highly.”

“Enough. I’ll handle this matter fairly.”

Though he said he would be fair, Zheng Renji had already made up his mind.

Upon returning to the old residence in Luoyang, he wasted no time in having Cui Daolin seized and subjected him to a harsh scolding.

At that moment, Zheng Shian arrived as well.

“Steward Zheng, are you comfortable at the estate?”

One must maintain appearances, so Zheng Renji greeted Zheng Shian with a pleasant demeanor, motioning him to sit before speaking gently.

Zheng Shian remained calm, bowing, “Young Master, all is well at the estate.”

“Steward Zheng, I know you are uncomfortable. In fact, sending you to the estate was a carefully considered decision. The harvest there has been poor these past two years, and I’ve heard that some managers have been tampering with things. You were sent by father and have served our family for many years. I am well aware of your abilities. Affairs in Luoyang are complicated, and you are getting on in years. Constant toil is not a good thing…”

Zheng Shian was surprised, “Young Master, I assure you I am not uncomfortable. I truly am not as capable as before. Sometimes my energy falters and my mind wanders. The affairs of Luoyang are complex; when I first arrived, I was anxious and sleepless, fearing I might make a mistake and trouble you. After Steward Cui arrived, things became much easier for me, and life at the estate is pleasant.”

That’s rather different from what Cui Daolin said.

Zheng Renji scrutinized Zheng Shian, finding not a hint of dissatisfaction on his face.

But he did not trust Zheng Shian’s expression. People like Zheng Shian, who have served others their whole lives, are masters of reading faces. To discern his true thoughts from his expression was simply impossible.

“If so, why, knowing about the Tianjin Bridge issue, did you not inform Daolin?”

Zheng Renji’s face hardened, his voice instantly stern.

I knew you’d use this as your argument… but Yanqing, my clever grandson, guessed right. Luckily, I am prepared.

Zheng Shian looked innocent, his eyes wide, “Young Master, you are wronging me.”

“Oh? How am I wronging you?”

Zheng Shian replied, “From the very beginning, when Steward Cui spoke of this matter, I voiced my opposition, but he wouldn’t listen. Knowing he might not heed my words, after I went to the estate, I had someone deliver a letter to Steward Cui, detailing the issues of Tianjin Bridge and the estate. Later, when the old soldiers came to the door, I tried to dissuade them as well. I thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly… I don’t know how they learned you would come today. I even stopped more than ten of them at the estate.”

“You’re lying!”

Cui Daolin, who had been listening on the side, was pleased when Zheng Renji questioned Zheng Shian. But when Zheng Shian’s words turned, shifting the blame towards him, he couldn’t contain himself and retorted loudly, “Steward Zheng, when did you ever send a letter? I know nothing of it!”

“If Young Master doubts me, he can ask the messenger.”

The angrier Cui Daolin became, the more respectful and humble Zheng Shian appeared.

Yan Shigu, silent at the side, furrowed his brow, clearly displeased by Cui Daolin’s insolence.

Zheng Renji glared fiercely at Cui Daolin. “Since the old steward says so, bring the messenger here.”

Zheng Shian nodded, gave the messenger’s name, and withdrew.

Zheng Renji would have his men fetch the messenger, ensuring Zheng Shian could not collude with him beforehand.

Cui Daolin, flustered, kept making assurances on the side.

Zheng Shian stood with hands respectfully lowered, calm and measured.

Just in demeanor, the difference was evident.

Yan Shigu shook his head, rose, and bowed, “Elder brother, this is your family affair. Forgive me for not lingering. I’ll take my leave.”

“Forgive me for making you laugh!” Zheng Renji smiled, seeing Yan Shigu out, then sat in the main hall.

After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the messenger was brought to the hall.

“I ask you, did the old steward ever have you deliver a letter to Steward Cui?”

The messenger scratched his head, thinking, “Four days ago, the day Steward Zheng arrived at the estate, I happened to come into town to buy goods. He indeed had me deliver a letter to Steward Cui.”

Cui Daolin grew agitated, “Master, he’s lying; I’ve never seen him before.”

“Silence!” Zheng Renji snapped, then gently asked, “Think carefully; do not lie.”

“Master, I am not lying. Steward Zheng did have me deliver a letter.”

“But Steward Cui says he never met you.”

The messenger replied, “I didn’t meet Steward Cui either… When I said I’d come from the estate, the gatekeeper wouldn’t let me in. Just then, a young master happened to come out, so I handed him the letter, asking him to pass it to Steward Cui… Ah, I recall, that young master’s surname was Xu. The gatekeeper called him Young Master Xu.”

“Xu Shiji?”

Zheng Renji was puzzled.

He knew Xu Shiji was at the old residence.

Xu Shiji was the son of Xu Gai, his longtime friend. Though from humble origins, he was still addressed as ‘young master.’ Since the messenger mentioned Xu Shiji, then Zheng Shian’s claim must be true?

“Bring Shiji here.”

Zheng Renji immediately ordered for Xu Shiji to be brought.

In fact, he had already seen Xu Shiji upon entering the house, and even before coming to Luoyang. Zheng Renji was quite fond of Xu Shiji, finding him clever and insightful. Though born of a humble family, his talents were evident. Otherwise, he would not have agreed to Xu Gai’s request to let Xu Shiji stay at his residence.

“Shiji, have you ever seen this man?”

Xu Shiji looked puzzled, staring at the messenger for a long while before suddenly recalling, “I remember now, I did see him. A few days ago, he said Steward Zheng had a letter for Steward Cui, and I happened to be there, so I took the letter.”

“Did you hand the letter to Steward Cui?”

Xu Shiji shook his head, “Steward Cui wasn’t at the residence then. I met Brother Cui in the back, so I passed the letter to him. The man told me it was from Steward Zheng, very important; I repeated that when I handed it over… Then I went to practice, and only met Steward Cui that evening. He seemed drunk at the time, so I didn’t ask about the letter… The next day, I forgot all about it. That’s all.”

“I see!” Zheng Renji nodded, then said kindly, “You may go now. Prepare yourself; in a few days, you and Hongyi will pay your respects to Master Yan and study well. You’re older than Hongyi, so remember to guide him.”

“I understand!” Xu Shiji bowed and withdrew.

By now, it was clear Zheng Shian had not lied.

Since Zheng Shian spoke truthfully, the problem lay with Cui Daolin.

Zheng Renji’s hatred for Cui Daolin was intense, but in front of Zheng Shian, he would not chastise him.

“Old steward, you truly have worked hard these days.”

“Heh, it is merely my duty. There is no hardship.”

The more humble Zheng Shian appeared, the more uncomfortable Zheng Renji felt. It’s not that the goods are bad, but that comparison makes it worse. Back in Chang’an, he thought highly of Cui Daolin. Yet, compared to Zheng Shian, Cui Daolin was lacking, both in conduct and ability.

After all, Zheng Shian came from Anyuan Hall, and father’s trust in him was not unfounded.

But…

Thinking of Zheng Shian’s physical disabilities, Zheng Renji felt a distaste. Yet he could find no fault in Zheng Shian, so he smiled and asked, “I believe your grandson came as well?”

Zheng Shian’s heart stirred, and a hint of hope rose within him.

“Yes, Young Master, Yanqing indeed accompanied me. He now resides at the estate…”

Zheng Shian still hoped that Zheng Yanqing could study alongside Zheng Renji’s son, Zheng Hongyi. After all, it was a form of security. With Hongyi’s support in the future, it would be beneficial.

But Zheng Renji waved him off, “Zheng Yanqing, yes, I recall. Your little grandson is seven this year, isn’t he?”

“Young Master, he turned eight after the New Year!”

In ancient times, age was often counted from conception. A newborn was considered one year old, and after the New Year, another year was added. By the time a child was truly one year old, he would already be counted as three. Zheng Shian wasn’t sure when Yanqing was born, so he recorded the time he adopted Yanqing on the road, which happened to be year’s end.

By this calculation, Yanqing’s actual age was six, but it was recorded as eight.

Zheng Renji nodded and smiled, “Eight years old, the right age for schooling… Old Zheng, our estate is not far from the Hetouling clan’s ancestral village. I hear they are establishing a clan school… Well, I’ll speak with the Hetouling family and have Yanqing attend their village school nearby. What do you think?”

On hearing this, Zheng Shian was deeply disappointed.

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A new week begins. Brothers, I hope for your continued support!