Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Ode to Lime (Part One) – First Release

In fact, as early as yesterday, when Zheng Weishan escorted Yan Qing to his residence, he had already given him a warning.

"Yan Qing, you need to be careful. Now that you've returned, word will surely spread throughout Luoyang by tomorrow. There have been plenty of people wanting to visit you lately. If they learn you've come back, they'll likely rush over immediately."

"Looking for me?" Yan Qing feigned innocence, widening his eyes at Zheng Weishan.

He certainly understood the intentions of those wishing to visit him. There were only two kinds: those who wished to witness his talents, and those who sought to climb higher by defeating him. After all, Zheng Yan Qing was still young; even if he could write a fine hand, compose a couple of good poems and a clever essay by luck, how capable could he truly be? Prodigies have always existed, and those who could recite poetry at seven or eight aren't unheard of. Yet prodigies as extraordinary as Yan Qing were rare. With the deliberate promotion by the Zheng family, Yan Qing was regarded as a master. As the saying goes, a tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled. Many eyes watched him; anyone who could best him would surely become famous. This naturally attracted a restless crowd.

Zheng Yan Qing wanted to find out exactly who wished to call on him.

Zheng Weishan scratched his head, smiling wryly. "I could hardly remember them all. But I do recall two in particular. The eldest young master was very courteous to them. One is named Wang Tong, from the Wang clan of Hedong, quite proud and seemed somewhat unimpressed by you. The other, I can't recall his name, is the son of an official."

Wang Tong? Yan Qing found the name unfamiliar.

Fortunately, Zheng Weishan had paid attention and explained, "Wang Tong is from Longmen in Jiangzhou, a member of the Wang clan from Taiyuan. His father, Wang Long, presented the ‘Essentials of Rise and Fall’ in seven chapters to the Sage in the early years of the reign, earning praise and becoming a scholar at the National Academy. Wang Tong himself is talented; last year, he travelled west to Chang'an and presented ‘Twelve Strategies for Peace,’ but the Sage did not accept them. Later, with a recommendation from Lord Xue Daoheng, he was appointed as a scribe in Shu Prefecture, but dissatisfied, he resigned and returned home.

Now he studies the Book of Changes with Master Yu Zhonghua. He has tried several times to call on you for advice, but Master Yan refused him. Oh, and his brother is also quite famous. Last year, when they went to Chang'an together, the Duke of Yue praised him as a ‘prodigy and immortal youth.’"

Yan Qing mused that the Duke of Yue, Yang Su, was liberal with his praise for ‘prodigies.’ From what he knew, Han Qinhu's nephew Li Jing had been praised, as had Li Mi of Pushan. Then there was Yan Shigu and Yan Qing himself… Ha, so prodigies were everywhere, not worth much after all.

"What’s his brother’s name?"

"I think it's Wang Ji..."

"Oh!" Yan Qing’s heart skipped a beat. Wang Tong… he remembered now!

Wang Tong’s brother Wang Ji would later be known as Master Five Measures, with his ‘Biography of Master Five Measures’ praised by Li Chunfeng, the early Tang historian, as ‘Dong of the South among winehouses.’ As for Wang Tong, his reputation was not insignificant; after his death, he was honored as ‘Master of Letters.’ But what truly made Yan Qing remember the name Wang Tong was not him, but his grandson, Wang Bo, one of the Four Literary Masters of the early Tang.

Yet this man hardly showed the qualities of a ‘Master of Letters’!

Yan Qing, a mere child, thought Wang Tong must be considerably older, yet he came seeking advice? To call it ‘seeking advice’ was generous; to put it bluntly, he was here to challenge. Was this really Wang Bo’s grandfather?

Yan Qing’s opinion of Wang Tong diminished further.

And so it was, early in the morning, someone was already at the door!

Yan Qing was somewhat displeased and stepped onto the threshold. The doorman was a robust servant sent by Zheng Dashen, named Zheng Fu.

He was nearly fifty, but still healthy and sharp-eyed.

He had spotted Yan Qing early and hurried over, "Young master, where have you been this early? There are guests at home."

Though it had been some time, Yan Qing still found it odd to hear others call him ‘young master.’

Two months ago, he had to call others ‘young master’; now others addressed him as such. This reversal of identity felt unsettling. Yet he knew he must adapt, for now he was no longer a servant of the Zheng family, but a member of the clan.

"What guests?"

"Oh, there’s the young lord and Young Master Xu, and two others I don’t recognize."

Xu Shiji? Zheng Hongyi?

What brought them here...

Yan Qing said, "Uncle Fu, thank you for your trouble!"

He then strode inside. Little did he know, that single ‘Uncle Fu’ invigorated the old man at once. They said Zheng Yan Qing was eccentric and arrogant, but clearly he was not. At least in Anyuan Hall, which young master would address him as ‘Uncle Fu’?

Zheng Fu’s little thoughts were unknown to Yan Qing.

As Yan Qing entered the front hall, he heard a familiar burst of laughter from within.

"Brother Du!"

Yan Qing immediately recognized the voice. Could it be Du Ruhui and Zhang Zhongjian visiting?

He hurried into the hall.

Du Ruhui, in azure robes and black boots, was speaking with Zheng Shi’an.

Beside him stood a young man of similar age, with a solemn expression, also dressed in azure robes and black boots.

Unlike Du Ruhui, the young man seemed disinclined to speak.

Xu Shiji and Zheng Hongyi sat nearby, occasionally conversing with Du Ruhui, but the young man remained silent.

"Yan Qing!"

Du Ruhui was delighted, running over to pick Yan Qing up.

"Ha, where did you go so early?"

"I went to the riverbank for morning practice..."

"Heh, let old Du have a look. Hmm, in just a few months, you’ve grown much taller… and more famous! All of Guanzhong now discusses your poetry and your handwriting. The little fellow of old is now the renowned Goose Young Master."

Du Ruhui’s praise left Yan Qing somewhat embarrassed.

Afterward, Yan Qing greeted Xu Shiji, then bowed to Zheng Hongyi.

"Young lord, you’re here as well!"

Zheng Hongyi nodded earnestly. "Brother Yan Qing, Master Yan said I can come here to study after school from now on."

"To study, or to listen to stories?"

"Yes, yes, stories first, then study."

Clearly, the dispute from over a month ago had not affected Zheng Hongyi’s attitude toward Yan Qing. He still called him ‘brother’ as before. Little did he know, it was precisely this ‘brother’ that had once prompted Lady Cui’s decision. But now it mattered little; since Yan Qing had returned to the clan, this ‘brother’ was fitting.

"Yan Qing, I didn’t know about what happened before."

This was the first time Xu Shiji had seen Yan Qing since the ‘Jade Belt Incident.’

For that occasion, where he hadn’t stepped forward to help, Xu Shiji still felt guilty. Yan Qing grinned and embraced him tightly.

Yan Qing had grown swiftly in these two months.

Previously, he was a full head shorter than Xu Shiji; now only half a head shorter.

His affectionate gesture warmed Xu Shiji’s heart, and his face broke into a radiant smile.

"Yan Qing, let me introduce you: this is my closest friend, Fang Xuanling."

"Brother Fang, greetings..."

Yan Qing smiled and stepped forward to pay his respects, but midway through the gesture, he froze and blurted out, "You’re Fang Xuanling?"

Since Yan Qing entered, Fang Xuanling had observed quietly.

"You know me?"

"Ah, I’ve heard your name… You passed the imperial examination at eighteen, said to be the youngest successful candidate in this dynasty."

"Oh!"

Yan Qing’s words struck Fang Xuanling right where he was proudest; a smile spread across his face.