Hua: Still attempting to upload everyday ಠ⌣ಠ
Chapter 33.1: Ningzhou – Xiao Pei goes to Jiangnan
You Zong hadn’t lied. The document building usually had very little work, and with Lu Mang, such a diligent and efficient superior, Pei Xiting, who was nominally a clerk but in reality more of a personal artist for the Longhe Division and His Highness the Crown Prince, was particularly fortunate. He spent almost every day slacking off.
He was in the document building, drinking iced coconut water and eating half a watermelon taken from the well, idly flipping through an introductory book on the zither, intending to learn the instrument. He didn’t need to master it or even delve deeply into it; he just wanted to learn one piece: the “Lotus Pond Dew” that His Highness the Crown Prince had played on Chaohua Mountain that day.
Regarding his sudden grand ambition, Yuan Fang once interviewed him: What are you after?
What Pei Xiting was after was simple. The image of the Crown Prince playing the zither that day lingered in his mind. The background music is inextricably linked to the beautiful scene, the lingering sound echoing in his ears, never ceasing.
Yuan Fang didn’t get it, and Pei Xiting couldn’t quite explain it either. Doing something didn’t need a very clear reason in itself; if he wanted to do it, he just did it.
Although Lu Mang was audacious enough to secretly write fictions about the Crown Prince, he had no idea that his subordinate was boldly harboring all sorts of fantasies about the Crown Prince. He kindly suggested, “You still need to find a reliable teacher; otherwise, you won’t even realize if you’re learning the wrong way.”
“I plan to first read through the introductory knowledge and scores of the zither and then find a teacher to teach me so that I won’t be completely ignorant in front of the teacher,” Pei Xiting said with some regret. When he was a child, he only knew how to sit aside and play in the mud when his grandfather played the zither and didn’t take the opportunity to learn.
Lu Mang drank his lotus seed soup and said, “Speaking of the zither, Fourth Young Master Zhao is quite skillful.”
Pei Xiting said, “The autumn imperial examinations are coming soon; I shouldn’t bother him.” Lu Mang then remembered this and asked curiously, “Aren’t you preparing for the autumn examinations?”
“I plan to work in the Longhe Division until I retire… and then take leave for old age.” Pei Xiting scooped up a spoonful of watermelon and ate it.
This job provided both prestige and a promising future. More importantly, there were plenty of opportunities to slack off. The superior was good, the benefits were good, and there were no complicated interpersonal relationships or environments. It was perfect; only a fool would leave.
Lu Mang smiled. “The document building only has me as a seventh-rank official in charge. If I don’t leave, you’ll always be without rank.”
“Rank and power aren’t necessarily directly proportional anyway, and I don’t care about rank at all. I only value the reputation and environment of the Longhe Division. As for the imperial examinations,” Pei Xiting shrugged, “I’m not very interested. Taking exams for a full nine days will ruin a person.”
Lu Mang couldn’t refute this. Exams were indeed torturous. Every year in the examination hall, many candidates would collapse due to weather, food, mood, and various other reasons that caused their bodies to fail them. For scholars who wanted to enter officialdom or change their fate through the imperial examinations, this bit of hardship was nothing. But for someone like Pei Xiting, who clearly had no interest in officialdom, there was no need to suffer for no reason.
Pei Xiting flipped through the pages of the book, making small marks with his brush, studying quite diligently, until someone knocked on the door and called him out.
Standing in the pavilion outside the document building was none other than Yu Shaoyun.
Pei Xiting walked over, cupped his hands, and said, “Commander Yu.”
Yu Shaoyun got straight to the point and directly conveyed the imperial decree, “His Highness has dispatched Pei-wenshu to Jiangnan.”
What can a painter do in Jiangnan? Of course, it’s painting. During the rainy season in Jiangnan, under the damp, misty rain, the pink walls and black tiles, as well as the green water and willow banks, create a different kind of ethereal atmosphere.
Pei Xiting said, “I’ll ask Chief Clerk Lu for leave later.”
Yu Shaoyun took out a purse from his sleeve and handed it to Pei Xiting. “Five silver ingots for Pei-wenshu’s travel expenses on this trip.”
“Many thanks for His Highness’s sponsorship. I will bring back paintings that will satisfy His Highness.” Travel expenses were quite the pleasant surprise, so Pei Xiting accepted the purse without hesitation. He happened to bump into You Zong when he returned to the document building.
Their division was secretly pursuing the fake Third Miss Wang and eventually discovered her whereabouts in the area of Jiangnan East Road.
“I need to go to Ningzhou. Please take care of the division’s affairs for me while I’m gone, the usual procedure.” You Zong had often gone out before, and he simply gave Lu Mang a brief explanation.
Lu Mang readily agreed but asked with doubt, “My lord, why do you need to pursue this fake Third Miss Wang personally?”
“This person has been fleeing everywhere, using several decoys along the way to mislead the division’s investigation. There must be accomplices helping her. The situation is unclear, so it’s best for me to go personally,” You Zong said.
Pei Xiting, who was listening nearby, asked, “My lord, can you take me with you?”
Although Lu Mang didn’t know about His Highness’s decree, he strongly agreed with letting his subordinates gain experience outside. Hearing this, he said, “You have my permission.”
You Zong asked, “Do you want to go on official business, or do you want to go sightseeing?”
“Just now, Commander Yu came over and said that His Highness has sent me to Jiangnan to paint,” Pei Xiting said. “You know my current situation. It’s unknown how many people are watching me, so I think it’s safer to follow you.”
You Zong smiled. “So you’re treating me as a bodyguard?”
Pei Xiting smiled subtly. “If you don’t mind, I can also assist you. Besides, His Highness gave me a large sum of money. If we travel together, I’ll cover your food and lodging.”
“Alright then,” You Zong said, “but I’m going on official business. Traveling with me won’t be like a leisurely outing, so you’re not allowed to complain about being tired.”
Pei Xiting swore he would absolutely not complain about being tired and would listen to all of his lordship’s arrangements. You Zong nodded in agreement and arranged to leave the city after dark.
After settling his current tasks, Pei Xiting returned to his courtyard to inform Yuan Fang, telling him not to follow.
Yuan Fang asked, “Why?”
“Aren’t you unable to leave Yejing?” Pei Xiting said.
Previously on Baiyou Mountain, Yuan Fang had mentioned using the “hiding in plain sight” strategy. Perhaps that was indeed the reason he wanted to stay in Yejing, but there might be other reasons.
Pei Xiting had no intention of prying into his secrets. “I’m traveling with Lord You, so safety is guaranteed. You don’t need to follow me; just stay and watch the house.”
Yuan Fang looked at Pei Xiting’s busy figure, paused for a moment, and then said, “You Zong is going on official business; he can’t protect you all the time. The reason I said I couldn’t leave Yejing before was to hide in plain sight, but also because I was avoiding someone. Yejing is too big and too prosperous. You can run into an official on any street. There are too many rules under the emperor’s feet, and I used to dislike this place the most, so I thought hiding here would be unexpected, but I was still found.”
This was his way of confiding in Pei Xiting, so Pei Xiting asked, “Debtors?”
“No,” Yuan Fang thought for a moment. “More like creditors.”
“Judging from what you said earlier, this creditor is an old acquaintance who knows you well,” Pei Xiting said with some concern. “He found you, so what happens now? Will he use violence to demand repayment?”
“He won’t kill me; I just don’t want to go back with him,” Yuan Fang said. “I’ll go pack my things.”
Pei Xiting didn’t refuse again and asked, “You and Lord You shouldn’t have fought before, right?”
“Don’t worry, he hasn’t seen me,” Yuan Fang returned to his room, quickly packed a floral cloth bundle, tucked his dagger into his boot, used a stick to hoist the bundle, and went out to load it onto the carriage.
About an incense stick’s worth of time[mfn]Should be around 5 minutes.[/mfn] later, You Zong returned to his own courtyard, quickly packed his luggage, and locked the door.
Recently, there had been a lot of rain in Jiangnan, so Yuan Fang put two umbrellas in the carriage. The two men met, and Yuan Fang bowed and said, “Greetings, Lord You.”
You Zong had known for a while that Pei Xiting had a follower in his courtyard, but this was the first time he had seen him. He looked the man up and down but said nothing, stepping onto the carriage with the help of the footstool.
Yuan Fang raised his hand to adjust his straw hat, his brow furrowed slightly. You Zong’s gaze just now, neither light nor heavy, seemed to see right through him.
His shoulder was pressed, and he turned to let Pei Xiting get into the carriage. Then he put away the footstool, sat on the coachman’s seat, and drove towards the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Pei Xiting sat facing You Zong and asked, “My lord, you didn’t bring any capable subordinates with you?”
You Zong flipped through a notebook he was using to pass the time and said, “Aren’t I bringing you?”
“I didn’t expect you to value me so highly,” Pei Xiting heard the teasing in You Zong’s words and raised an eyebrow. “Alright, I will do my best to share your burdens.”
You Zong remained noncommittal.
The carriage stopped midway. Pei Xiting said, “My lord, please wait a moment; allow me to inform my family of my departure.”
Soon, Pei Jintang, having received the message, came out and spoke to Pei Xiting in front of the carriage, “How does a clerk like you end up with a long-distance assignment?”
He was so envious!
“Take this.” Pei Xiting gave the silver notes to Pei Jintang. “Two hundred taels, one hundred for you to spend, and one hundred to help me pass on to Qing Lingling.”
Pei Jintang was puzzled. “Why are you giving me money? And Qing Lingling as well? Wait, when did you get to know Qing Lingling and even have financial dealings with him?”
“Don’t eat too much, and don’t ask too many questions. Haven’t you run out of money?” Pei Xiting dodged Pei Jintang’s hand as he tried to return the money. “Just consider it my commission to you. When I’m not around, help me look after my yiniang.”
Pei Jintang might not know everything about Pei Xiting, but he knew one thing: Pei Xiting didn’t like repeating himself and was impatient with dragging things out with people. He folded the two silver notes, tucked them into his belt, and said, “Alright, I’ve latched onto a wealthy sponsor now. Don’t worry, I’m here. Just go and do your official business with peace of mind.”
Pei Xiting didn’t say much and returned to the carriage.
Before Yuan Fang drove away, Pei Jintang followed along, giving a word of advice: “Be safe and don’t trust strangers when you’re out. There are many swindlers outside; be careful not to get swindled out of your pants!”
“I know. Go back.” Pei Xiting replied to the outside through the window, closed it, and turned to meet You Zong’s gaze. “My lord, you can ask me anything.”
You Zong said, “Why didn’t you say goodbye to your parents?”
Pei Xiting hadn’t even thought of that. After all, if he stepped into the Pei family, according to the rules, he couldn’t bypass the head of the family and only see Bu Suying. He hadn’t met Father Pei since transmigrating, and as for Wang-shi, he was even more reluctant to listen to her endless lectures.
“It’s getting late. I don’t want to disturb Father and Mother, or waste too much time since we’re in a hurry. My second brother will convey my regards anyway,” he said.
You Zong didn’t say anything, and they quietly left the city.
The small carriage smoothly disappeared into the night. Occasionally, cicadas chirped. Pei Xiting yawned, pushed the pillow further inside, and lay down.
With You Zong and Yuan Fang accompanying him, Pei Xiting could have slept soundly, but the carriage was really uncomfortable compared to a bed. The jolting woke him up twice, so he simply sat up, took out a packet of sleeping powder from his baggage, swallowed some, quickly tidied up the paper packet, and fell unconscious.
You Zong: “…”
He picked up the paper packet that had fallen onto the carriage floor and placed it on the low table. He glanced at Pei Xiting’s peaceful sleeping face, then turned his gaze to the outside of the carriage.
Yuan Fang seemed to sense something. He paused his drinking, subconsciously reaching for the dagger tucked into his boot.
A moment felt like it stretched into an eternity until the sound of turning pages came from inside the carriage. Only then did Yuan Fang take another sip of water and fasten the water bag.
Traveling from Yejing to Ningzhou by carriage would take about half a month even without stopping day and night. Therefore, the next day, after Pei Xiting woke up, he carried his small bundle and painting box and followed You Zong onto a boat. The boat sailed smoothly with the wind and arrived in Ningzhou during the season of “misty grass along the riverbank and willow catkins filling the city.”
“Looks like a steam sauna…” Pei Xiting muttered to himself on the boat, taking off his thin coat and putting it on his arm as he followed You Zong to disembark.
Pei Xiting gave one umbrella to You Zong and held the other as they went ashore.
On the shore stood two rows of errand officers dressed in raincoats and cloaks, with a shed set up next to them. Under the shed, two clerks were checking the identities of those coming ashore. Pei Xiting looked through the rain curtain and saw that the dock where people were boarding boats in the distance also had an official rain shelter.
