Chapter Thirty-Two: The Onset of the Storm (Part One)

Dou Wei did not reside within the city of Luoyang, but rather in the ancestral home located in his clan’s village.

The night was pitch dark, with no stars in sight. Yet the old family residence was ablaze with light. Outside the vermilion gate, two lanterns swayed in the wind, their flames flickering angrily. A feeble, elderly horse was tethered to the mounting post, snorting weakly.

The oil-covered carriage came to a halt before the old house. The servant hurried forward, helping Dou Wei alight.

“Has Master Li left yet?” Dou Wei glanced at the scrawny horse by the gate, asking the question seemingly offhand.

The servant quickly replied, “Master Li is in the pavilion in the rear garden, waiting for your return...”

“Oh. Unload the carriage. I won’t be going out tonight. Whoever comes, tell them I’m not here. Do you understand?”

In truth, at such a late hour, few would come. Dou Wei’s instruction was simply to make clear: tonight, he would see no one.

The servant hastily agreed, calling others to unload the carriage and tend to the horse. Dou Wei entered through the main gate, passed through the front hall and courtyard, slipped through a side door into a narrow passage, turned several corners, and made his way straight to the rear garden. There, candlelight flickered within the pavilion.

Li Ji sat in the pavilion, staring blankly at a chessboard scattered with unfinished moves.

“Nine Lang, have you found a solution?” Dou Wei entered the pavilion. Li Ji had not even noticed him.

Only when Dou Wei sat opposite and spoke did Li Ji come to himself.

“Uncle, how did things go?”

Seeing Li Ji’s anxious expression, Dou Wei was slightly surprised. He raised his brows and replied in a low voice, “It’s all been settled. Everything’s been made clear. The boy will have no further trouble.”

Afterwards, he hesitated.

“Nine Lang, do you know the child’s origins?”

Li Ji bit his lip and nodded. “I know. He is the grandson of a servant from the Zheng family.”

Dou Wei suddenly snorted. “Since you well know his lowly birth, why did you take him as your student? Nine Lang, do you realize that if word gets out, your elder brother will be ridiculed by many? How could you be so reckless?”

Li Ji remained silent.

After a moment, he replied softly, “Uncle, do you think anyone will spread the story? If someone truly did, my head would have fallen long ago, so what need have I to worry about such things?”

“You…”

Dou Wei was momentarily lost for words, closing his eyes. “Rest assured, no one will ever know. I’ve already had Zheng Renji send that grandfather and grandson back to Xingyang. I doubt they’ll ever return.”

“Uncle…” Li Ji’s eyes went wide, staring at Dou Wei. “How could you do such a thing?”

“Nine Lang, I did it for your sake.

If the boy remained in Luoyang, you would be exposed sooner or later. That would do neither you nor the child any good. Now that he’s gone... I took great pains at the Zheng household today. Unless Grand Scholar Zheng has lost his wits, he won’t make trouble for the boy in the future. This way, you’re safe, and the boy will have an easier life.

If you let him stay in Luoyang, and you are exposed, he’ll be implicated. Wouldn’t that harm him?”

Li Ji fell silent!

Indeed, he understood Dou Wei’s thinking—he still looked down upon Zheng Yanqing’s birth.

Yet, Dou Wei’s reasoning was not without merit. Thanks to his efforts today, even if Zheng Yanqing returned to Xingyang, his life would not be too hard.

Li Ji let out a long sigh, picked up a chess piece, and placed it on the board.

“Uncle, do you know why I took him as my disciple?”

Dou Wei was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head. “I truly would like to know.”

“You know that I once had a family, and a son.”

Dou Wei’s face twitched, nodding. “Of course I know... Because of that, you remain single, refusing to remarry.”

Li Ji said, “Uncle, do you know what my son’s name was?”

“You never said. I don’t know.”

Li Ji spoke softly, “His name was Yanqing.”

“Ah?”

“Yan speaks, actions follow, celebration brings auspicious clouds and phoenixes.” Li Ji’s eyes reddened, tears glimmering. “Zheng’s grandson is also named Yanqing. The first time I saw him, I nearly thought he was my dead son... Later, I learned he was the offspring of a Zheng family servant, but I couldn’t help myself. Whenever I’m with him, I feel as if he were my own child... Though I know, my son must have long since become nothing but bones in an old grave.”

Dou Wei said, “Nine Lang, don’t grieve too much. You cannot be blamed for what happened.

Afterwards, I had people inquire. They found only Xiaoyu’s corpse. Xiaoyu’s brother surely took the child and fled. Perhaps the boy is still with his uncle somewhere, waiting for a chance to find you.”

Li Ji forced a smile, saying nothing more.

He gazed at the chessboard, sorrow etched deeply on his face.

Dou Wei could not bring himself to say more, sighed, and stood. As he passed Li Ji, he spoke softly, “Nine Lang, the dead are gone, the living remain. So many years have passed; it’s best to let things go.

As for Zheng’s boy, I’ll help you keep an eye on him.

Take care at the academy, and don’t dwell on these matters… Your brother wrote from Chang’an that the health of the one there is much worse than before. When he is gone, things will settle. When the opportunity comes, he’ll find a way to send you to Xiazhou, and matters will improve. If you still miss Zheng’s boy then, I’ll put aside my pride, ask Scholar Zheng for him, and send him to you. But for now, stay calm, and avoid further trouble.”

Dou Wei’s words were those of an elder.

Li Ji made no comment, picked up a chess piece, and slapped it onto the board. For a long time, he moved no more.

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Zheng Renji sat in the rear hall, his temples throbbing as though his veins would burst.

Madam Cui sat just below him, while Cui Daolin and Cui Sheng knelt on the floor. Outside, Zheng Weishan stood guard with clan warriors, preventing anyone from approaching the hall.

“Speak. What is going on?” Zheng Renji kept his eyes closed, not even lifting his lids, asking coldly.

He was no fool. He had simply trusted Madam Cui too much, preferring to avoid trouble and thus ignored household affairs.

But today, he had lost considerable face.

First, the ancestral jade belt was stolen, then he was scolded by Zheng Yanqing, and in the end, his belt was still missing.

At this point, even a fool could sense something was amiss.

Madam Cui pressed her red lips together, head bowed, lost in thought. Cui Daolin and Cui Sheng knelt pale and trembling.

“You all had plenty to say earlier. Why so silent now?” Zheng Renji reined in his anger, snarling, “Madam, as I see it, you know the most about this matter. Shouldn’t you explain?”

Madam Cui raised her head. “Without rules, there can be no order.

Our household has lowly servants who do not know their place, relying on the old master’s favor to defy propriety. If they are not properly disciplined, they will become a threat. I know you dislike that grandfather and grandson, but for the old master’s sake, you can’t act. I only wished to ease your burdens and thus devised this plan.

You saw for yourself—the wretched brat has no respect for you, and should have been dealt with long ago. It’s infuriating that these two useless servants ruined everything, letting that brat benefit.”

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Originally, I meant to update after midnight, but I can’t keep it up. I’ll post this now as tomorrow’s first update. Truly, age is catching up with me; my energy isn’t what it used to be… Please forgive me, everyone! And do consider recommending and bookmarking.