Chapter Thirty-Five: The Calming of the Storm (Part Two)

As Dou Wei and Li Ji sighed deeply, Zheng Yanqing and Zheng Shian were kneeling in the rear hall of Anyuan Hall.

Master Zheng held in his hands the piece of calligraphy Yanqing had written in the tavern on Mount Wan’an, and his heart was stirred by waves of shock. Even when he learned that Zheng Yanqing was the "Goose Young Master," Master Zheng had not examined the matter too closely. He was more concerned with how Yanqing’s reputation as the "Goose Young Master" could benefit Anyuan Hall. As for Yanqing’s true talent, or how remarkable his goose-themed style was, Master Zheng cared little. With the Zheng family’s status, making Yanqing the most sought-after celebrity would require no effort at all. The key was a good entry point—find it, and even the ordinary could become renowned. Yet that entry point was elusive. Otherwise, with all the aristocrats in eastern China, how was it that only Zheng Yanqing emerged? Lacking material, it was hard to promote anyone. But Yanqing had enough material: he was only eight years old and could bear the title of prodigy; he had created the goose-themed script, a style never before seen, bold and distinctive, already forming its own school; his goose poems and the Eight... were enough for him to establish himself in the literary world. With so many advantages, if Zheng Yanqing could not be made a star, then the Zheng family’s three hundred years as a notable eastern clan had been for nothing.

"People beg for offerings to please their arrogant wives; scholars would rather burn to death than accept a noble title." Master Zheng looked at Yanqing with a complicated expression, unable to speak for a long time. If Yanqing were not already famous, just those two lines alone would have caused Master Zheng to kill him without hesitation. To write such words was proof of a fierce and upright character. This was pride that ran deep in the bones—it would not be easy to make him submit. If it were not for the issue of the Tang Ni Jade Belt, Yanqing’s lines would have brought Master Zheng to his feet in praise, raising his esteem even higher. But now, the phrase "scholars would rather burn to death than accept a noble title" left Master Zheng uneasy.

Yanqing knelt quietly behind Zheng Shian, head bowed and silent. Yet Master Zheng could sense in him a wildness, a rebelliousness that was hard to control.

"Shian, Renji knows his mistake now. You must not blame him further." Master Zheng decided to start with Zheng Shian, setting aside the poem and speaking softly, "You have followed me through life and death; I know what kind of person you are. Renji was misled by that shrew, causing you grievance. Let me apologize on his behalf." With these words, Master Zheng clasped his hands and bowed to Zheng Shian. Even though Zheng Shian’s heart had turned cold, the sense of hierarchy was ingrained in his bones.

He dared not accept Master Zheng’s courtesy, hurriedly turning aside and exclaiming, "Master, I was born a person of the Zheng family and will die as one. What does a little grievance matter? Please don’t do this, or I’ll be mortified to death."

"Shian, I’ve told you, stop calling yourself a servant. Your family has served the Zhengs for generations; your father and grandfather’s bones are buried beside those of my father and grandfather. I have never considered you an outsider. In fact, your mother is my aunt, so we should call each other brothers. If you keep referring to yourself as a servant, you’re not treating me as family."

It was true that Zheng Shian’s mother was a member of the Zheng clan, though in terms of blood relations, she was distantly related to Master Zheng; perhaps not even eight degrees removed. Her status could not have been high, otherwise she would never have married Zheng Shian’s father. Still, kin is kin. Since Master Zheng had exposed this connection, Zheng Shian could not protest further. The form of address could change, but the rites of hierarchy must remain.

Master Zheng said, "I have submitted a document to the county office, confirming your family as of fourth rank. It is good that you’ve returned—soon it will be Qingming, and I’ve spoken with the other branches. During the ancestral rites, you should formally rejoin the clan."

Hearing this, Zheng Shian was overjoyed. When returning, he had worried about earning enough to buy Yanqing a respectable status. Now, the problem was solved: status assured, and the chance to rejoin the Zheng family. With their support, Yanqing’s future would be much brighter. Zheng Shian quickly led Yanqing forward to thank Master Zheng. Years of wishes fulfilled, past grievances vanished like smoke.

Outwardly, Yanqing appeared delighted. Yet in his heart, he cursed Master Zheng: he had hoped to use this opportunity to draw a clear line between his grandfather and the Zheng family. But Master Zheng, with a flick of the wrist, had resolved the matter easily. Though Yanqing could not yet guess Master Zheng's true intentions, he vaguely sensed that he and his grandfather were being used. At this thought, Yanqing clenched his teeth in anger.

"Yanqing, your uncle was at fault this time. Don’t take it to heart. The trouble came from that Cui woman’s meddling; I will send someone to Luoyang and have your uncle divorce her. A troubled household is always a nuisance."

Yanqing quickly replied, "Master, please do not. It was my fault; I should not have spoken such rebellious words. Your kindness to my grandfather and me is as deep as a mountain, and we could never repay it. As for the lady, please let the matter rest. The young miss cannot be without her mother, and if the eldest son blames us for this, how could we stand in the future?"

Enough is enough. Even if Master Zheng truly wanted to do it, Yanqing had to stop him. After all, Zheng Renji and his wife had a good relationship. If Lady Cui were divorced over this, Renji might not speak, but the resentment in his heart would run deep. Since they could not escape the Zheng family, there was no need to make an enemy for nothing.

Master Zheng truly was a master—no wonder he could lead Anyuan Hall.

"If Yanqing says so, then let it be." Master Zheng sighed inwardly: this boy, young as he is, understands the subtleties and weighs the advantages. If Yanqing had not stopped him, divorcing Lady Cui would offend not only Zheng Renji but the power behind her as well. If this boy could sincerely help Hongyi, the Lianshan branch might well control Anyuan Hall in the future, perhaps even reach the pinnacle of the Classics Hall. But how to win his loyalty remains a question. Earlier considerations were insufficient; it’s best to draw him in further. With such character and breadth at this young age, he is bound to achieve greatness.

Thinking this, Master Zheng smiled and said, "Shian, you must be weary from the journey. Take Yanqing and rest. Once the ancestral rites are over, you and Yanqing should return to Luoyang. Renji may be capable, but I am not fully at ease. I have ordered him to allocate a hundred acres of good land to your family as a gift for rejoining the clan; do not refuse. Luoyang is prosperous, and Yanqing will broaden his horizons there, mingle with scholars, and benefit greatly in his studies."

Zheng Shian was deeply grateful, thanking Master Zheng repeatedly before leading Yanqing away. As they left the rear hall, Yanqing could not help but glance back, seeing Master Zheng’s gentle smile. In his heart, he cursed: This old man, so cunning—he’s the real fox!

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