Chapter Thirty-Seven: Once Again, the Voice of Maitreya

The fourth year of Ren Shou, late March.

In history, Emperor Wen of Sui passed away this year, leaving behind the legend of Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, murdering his father. Yet, for now, Emperor Wen still trusts and relies on the Crown Prince, with no rumors of discord between father and son.

Zheng Yanqing still remembers that it was this very year when Emperor Yang began the grand reconstruction of Luoyang and established it as the Eastern Capital.

Emperor Wen’s death and Yang Guang’s ascension marked a turning point for the Sui dynasty.

Yanqing began to ponder: what path should he take in the future? He couldn’t even control his own fate, so what power did he have to change the destiny of the Sui dynasty? Moreover, Zheng Yanqing’s own origins remain a mystery. He didn’t know what grudges or debts might exist between his family and the Yangs of Sui. Rather than seeking their favor, it might be wiser to draw closer to the Li family of Tang.

Once, he was just a household servant, unqualified to associate with the Li clan—one of the eight great pillars of the state. But now...

Though the disparity in status remained vast, he finally had a foundation to approach the Li family. It seemed the Zheng and Li families were connected by marriage. When their family returned to Yingyang to rejoin the clan, Yanqing had vaguely heard that Li Jiancheng, eldest son of Li Yuan, was betrothed to Zheng Liyuan, eldest daughter of Zheng Yuanzhou, son of Zheng Yizhi (Wang Pangshou). Li Jiancheng was now seventeen (though actually fifteen), and Zheng Liyuan was sixteen—they were both of marriageable age. In other words, their wedding could not be far off.

He must make a name for himself before Li Jiancheng’s wedding, if he hoped to draw the attention of Li Yuan.

As Zheng Shian considered how to become a wealthy landowner, Zheng Yanqing’s eyes were already set on the future.

Upon reaching Luoyang, according to custom, Zheng Renji ought to be the one to greet them.

But for reasons unknown, Zheng Renji did not come to meet Zheng Shian and his grandson, sending only Zheng Weishan in his stead.

“The eldest young master is unwell and cannot leave his bed, so he sent me to receive you both,” Zheng Weishan explained to Zheng Shian.

In truth, Zheng Shian knew that Renji’s illness was but an excuse. After the great commotion that had occurred, Zheng Renji’s reputation had suffered greatly. Had it not been for Master Zheng’s timely remedy, the Zheng family might have been swallowed by scandal.

Now, with Zheng Shian and his grandson returning to the clan, Renji’s pride as the eldest son must have been deeply wounded.

Originally, tradition dictated that upon returning, they should first pay their respects to Renji—especially since there was still the matter of land allocation to settle. Skipping this formality would be improper. Yet Renji had delegated everything to Weishan and refused to let them come to the old house. There was no question of any welcome banquet or feast in their honor.

Zheng Shian quickly said, “Thank you, Weishan. My grandson and I will rely on your support while we’re in Luoyang.”

Weishan smiled. “Why do you say that, Uncle? Not to mention you are my elder, but with Yanqing’s reputation these days, I fear it’s we who will soon be seeking your guidance.”

Having said this, he retrieved two boxes and placed them on the carriage.

“What is this?” Zheng Shian asked curiously, opening one. He started in fright.

Inside, lined with lime, were two ghastly pale severed heads. Yanqing leaned over for a look and saw that the heads belonged to the father and son, Cui Daolin and Cui Sheng.

Regarding the aftermath at the Zheng estate in Luoyang, Master Zheng had not said a word. But Yanqing knew that since Master Zheng wanted to win over him and his grandfather, he would have to provide an account for this affair.

He had not expected, however, that the Zheng family would kill the entire Cui father and son!

This was a grand gesture—no matter what resentment Zheng Shian had held in his heart, it all dissipated at the sight of these two heads.

Yanqing, too, felt secretly relieved. If not for his rising reputation and the intervention of Hedouling Dou Wei, which made Master Zheng wary of acting rashly, he and his grandfather might have lost their lives already. A household servant, after all, was merely an appendage of the master’s family, a piece of property. Though their status now allowed them to have household registration, their standing had hardly changed—they were like ants, crushed at a whim.

He would have to be even more cautious in the future…

“Uncle, it’s all been investigated. These two slaves incited discord and stole the eldest young master's treasure, attempting to frame you. The eldest young master and his wife were misled and wronged you. Just a few days ago, when Cui Junshu, the Si Chao Envoy of the Cui family, passed through Luoyang, he summoned the lady and gave her a thorough scolding.”

The Si Chao Envoy was a diplomatic position, akin to a future ambassador.

Cui Junshu was a leading figure of the Cui clan of Qinghe in Zhengzhou. Since Cui Junchao had been implicated in the affair of the Hidden Crown Prince, the Cui family had suffered a great blow. Cui Junshu’s intervention meant the Cui family as a whole was involved. Clearly, they, too, had noticed Yanqing.

Zheng Shian said repeatedly, “There was no need for this, truly no need…”

He was an honest man; whatever anger he had previously felt was now entirely gone.

Weishan said, “Each family has its rules, as does the state. The Cui father and son got what they deserved. Please, Uncle, don’t trouble yourself over it… Yanqing, this is something Mr. Yan asked me to give you. He also asked me to pass on that since you are the ‘Goose Prince’, he will not show mercy regarding the wager you made the other day.”

With this, Weishan had someone bring a basket of books and set it before Yanqing.

Inside were the various notes and drafts Yanqing had left behind. It was obvious that Yan Shigu had sorted them and now returned them complete.

“Mr. Yan also said you are gifted, a rare talent in a hundred years. It is all the more reason to devote yourself to the proper path, not to entertain yourself with tales and fables. You yourself have said: poetry and stories are a sideline, history and classics are paramount. If you want to read anything in the future, just tell him. He’ll see what he can do.”

Yan Shigu was indeed a true gentleman.

Yanqing smiled slightly. “Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Yan, Uncle Weishan. I will remember his words and never let him down.”

In other words, Yan Shigu would not be taking Yanqing as a student!

Zheng Shian felt a pang of disappointment—and anxiety. Yan Shigu was a renowned scholar, steeped in family learning. If he was serious, could Yanqing possibly be his match? It was unsettling…

But Yanqing himself was calm, showing no trace of alarm.

Weishan led Zheng Shian and his grandson around the outskirts of Luoyang, not entering the city, but following the Yi River southwest.

On the way, Zheng Shian suddenly asked, “Weishan, has the eldest young master’s Tangni jade belt been found?”

Weishan shook his head with a bitter smile. “No, it hasn’t.”

“Oh?”

“Do you know Mao Xiaoba from the manor?”

Both Zheng Shian and Yanqing nodded.

“He was in league with the Cui father and son. Cui Sheng gave him the Tangni jade belt, intending for him to place it in Yanqing’s study. But perhaps Mao Xiaoba discovered that the jade belt in Yanqing’s study was identical to the one he held, and coveted it. He didn’t place the eldest master’s belt there, but kept it for himself. That very night, when the young master’s men went to the manor, Mao Xiaoba had already vanished—taking the Tangni jade belt with him.”

“Oh? Has Mao Xiaoba been found?”

Weishan wrinkled his nose, shaking his head with a wry smile. “I later questioned Mao Wang. He said Mao Xiaoba was keen on martial arts but his family couldn’t afford lessons. Earlier, a White-Clad Maitreya preacher came through, saying he was recruiting disciples. Mao Wang guessed that Xiaoba might have taken the jade belt to join the White-Clad Maitreya… The White-Clad Maitreya appears and disappears unpredictably, and since this is just speculation, the authorities have no way to investigate.”

The White-Clad Maitreya—again, the White-Clad Maitreya.

Yanqing had a premonition that Mao Xiaoba had likely joined some heretical cult.

“And what about Mao Wang and the others?”

Weishan replied, “Mao Wang’s family suffered because of Mao Xiaoba… The young master ordered Mao Wang’s family expelled from the manor. Steward Lü was thrown in the Luoyang prison. Mao Xiaoba’s sister was divorced and sent home, and now lives by begging around the manor.”

Zheng Shian sighed, “Mao Wang was an honest man, ruined by his own son.”

“Yes, I think so too. Who would dare hire him now, after all that?”

Mao Wang had been a tenant farmer with no land or property of his own. Now expelled from the manor, life would be harsh indeed.

Yet Yanqing said nothing. Sitting beside Zheng Shian, he listened in silence, his thoughts on the White-Clad Maitreya.

Where could Mao Xiaoba be hiding now?

A cry of grief echoed in his heart—dear reader, don’t forget to recommend and bookmark this story…