Chapter 51 -45: That Confucian Scholar
The Lanxi Lin estate, though vast, was not as opulent as Zhao Rong had imagined.
It was uniformly understated and low-key.
Consisting only of intermingling black, white, and gray.
Amidst the misty rain in the mountains.
This expanse of continuous architecture.
From a distance, appeared as undulating horse-head walls, shimmering black tiles and white walls, and vaguely reflective screen walls.
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There were also numerous archways resembling gateways. Eaves soaring, ridge-beasts fluttering, and the beams and columns were adorned with openwork carvings of dragons, lions, cranes, and deer.
After disembarking from the carriage, Zhao Rong paused to observe the impressive number of archways, erected to honor achievements, academic successes, virtuous governance, and loyalty and righteousness, showcasing the family’s notable deeds.
Signaling the virtues and accomplishments of every Lin-named scholar over seven hundred years.
It’s no wonder they produced such scholars.
Lin Wenruo subdued his usual smile and gave Zhao Rong a tour of the archways without delving into the deeds of his ancestors or the highly esteemed inscriptions upon them.
The two scholars moved through the estate with few words, stopping occasionally.
The crowd waited at a distance, watching the tall archways shelter the silhouettes of the two men with their umbrellas.
Soon, a large group of stewards and servants emerged from the estate to welcome their master and the distinguished guest.
“Ziyu, later I’ll show you around my humble abode,” said Lin Wenruo with a hooked corner of his mouth, walking shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Rong. He leaned slightly to speak, followed by a large retinue, pacing slowly toward the interior of the estate.
“It’s a pity the rain isn’t enjoyable today, but if it stops tomorrow, I’ll make sure you have a great time in Lanxi.”
Zhao Rong listened and, hearing these words, neither accepted nor declined the offer.
Suddenly, a servant clad in dark blue hurriedly approached from behind and reported softly at a not-too-distant place, “My lord, Prime Minister Qin with a group of his excellencies is waiting in the Haitang Hall.”
“Tell old Qin and the others to wait a moment, I’ll be there shortly,” Lin Wenruo instructed without turning his head. After a pause, he added, “And let the kitchen prepare their dinner.”
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He then resumed the conversation with Zhao Rong right where they had left off.
Receiving the order, the servant departed as usual.
He didn’t find anything improper about making the current Prime Minister and a retinue of high officials wait for a lowly Seventh Grade Imperial Censor.
“If Wenruo has matters to attend to, you don’t have to accompany me. Just have someone lead us to where we can rest,” said Zhao Rong, looking at Lin Wenruo, speaking earnestly. “If the rain stops tomorrow, I’ll take my leave. I shouldn’t trouble you further, Brother Wenruo.”
“What are you talking about, Ziyu? If you speak like that again, I’ll get angry. It’s just some minor matters. After I show you around the estate, I’ll deal with them,” Lin Wenruo feigned anger, and then sighed.
“Recently, there have been endless quarrels in the court, very annoying. They won’t even let me have some peace at home.”
Seeing his response, Zhao Rong found it improper to decline further and nodded.
Each of the three men had a separate courtyard for rest. After settling them in, Lin Wenruo offered to give them a tour.
Liu Sanbian and Su Xiaoxiao both declined, the former knowing that their host’s enthusiasm wasn’t for him, so he didn’t want to intrude. Before parting, he reminded Zhao Rong not to neglect that day’s cultivation, as a Martial Artist cannot afford to slack even for a moment.
The little Fox Demon, still sulking, felt that her good intentions had been treated like nothing. Her head was still aching.
Remembering this, the Fox Demon sniffed and glared at Zhao Rong who was once again being affectionate with Lin Wenruo.
Zhao Rong caught a glimpse of treachery and glared back, not expecting the Fox Demon to stand her ground. She puffed up her cheeks, her eyes growing even wider.
Zhao Rong raised his eyebrows, noticing how bold the sullen creature had become, now even showing resistance when bullied.
Shaking his head and not dwelling on it, Zhao Rong placed his book chest in his own room, situated in an elegant courtyard lush with willows and staggering rocks, and started wandering with Lin Wenruo.
“Ziyu, that young companion of yours is a girl, isn’t she?” Lin Wenruo asked with a curved smile.
“Just a girl.”
“Such beauty in men’s attire, if she were to dress as a woman…” Lin Wenruo plucked a Mu Jin from a branch that had reached into the gallery, crushed it gently, and sprinkled it into the pond by the path, rippling the water slightly. He turned to Zhao Rong with envy and said, “Ziyu, you’re quite fortunate with the ladies.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, it’s not what you think. She’s just a silly girl, utterly ridiculous. Anyone could deceive her with a few sweet words, making her dizzy with confusion. Whoever ends up with her has their work cut out for them—they’ll have to watch her day and night,” said Zhao Rong earnestly.
As if not hearing him, Lin Wenruo let out a soft sigh, “Could it be that all men adept at poetry are so popular? In the Academy too, a certain someone skilled in verse was highly favored by the ladies and adored by the teachers, making us classmates very envious.”
“Now you’ve got the same charm, attracting ladies to throw themselves at you, inciting the envy of us bystanders,” he continued.
Zhao Rong widened his eyes. “Nice one, Lin Wenruo. If I hadn’t heard about your harem of over a dozen beauties, I might have believed your nonsense. You’re teasing me now.”
Although he didn’t know who he was referring to, Zhao Rong got the implication.
“What did they say about me?” Lin Wenruo blinked curiously.
“They said you’re like a hungry ghost in color, taking so many beauties, changing them nightly, always the bridegroom.”
“What do you think, Ziyu?”
“They’re talking nonsense.”
“Ziyu truly understands me.”
“We shared the same bed last night.”
“…”
As the two strolled along leisurely, they passed exquisite pavilions and towers, crossed through serene and beautiful pool galleries, and arrived at Lin Wenruo’s study.
The study was named ‘Youwei Zhai.’
Located amidst a quiet garden, the study occupied a large space. Inside, there was a large rosewood desk with a marble top, which housed various renowned calligraphers’ scrolls and dozens of precious ink stones, along with brush holders filled with brushes standing like a forest.
A huge Ru ware vase on the side was stuffed full of white chrysanthemums that resembled crystal balls. A large painting entitled ‘Mist and Rain’ hung on the central part of the western wall, flanked by a pair of couplets.
“Cultivate oneself and establish one’s name, achieve reason and find peace in one’s heart.”
The part that took up the most space in the study was the bookshelves, which almost filled half the room.
“There are indeed some Zhongnan spiritual objects and exotic treasures at home, but those are too vulgar for us Confucian scholars. It’s better to bring Ziyu here to appreciate more refined things.”
The various elegant scholarly tributes in the study made Zhao Rong dazzled.
Lin Wenruo chuckled softly and took out his treasured celebrity calligraphy and paintings, ancient books for Zhao Rong to appraise, and Zhao Rong did so with great interest.
Sharing common interests, the two did not feel bored at all. Time flew swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already dusk. Due to the rainy weather, it seemed dark, but the Lin residence was brightly lit, as bright as daytime.
Zhao Rong said goodbye to Lin Wenruo, pleading fatigue from his travels as an excuse and declined Lin Wenruo’s invitation to a banquet, then left for his accommodation first.
Lin Wenruo watched Zhao Rong leave, his figure elongated by the corridor lights in his eyes.
“Is it still not possible?”
Lin Wenruo exhaled softly, turned, and returned to the study. He walked straight to the desk and picked out several distinctive and elegant scholarly items. There was a beautifully crafted brush washer, an ivory paper knife, and he also selected several ancient books to set aside.
He put all these aside on their own.
These were the items that person had lingered on with his gaze.
Lin Wenruo leisurely left the study and headed towards Haitang Hall. When he arrived, the Prime Minister Qin and other dignitaries had been eagerly awaiting for a long time. Seeing him finally arrive, they all breathed a sigh of relief, feeling reassured as if they had found their pillar of support.
“Young master.” The crowd bowed in greeting.
Lin Wenruo smiled and nodded before he stepped forward to help up the oldest man among them.
“Old Master Qin, I’ve told you many times there’s no need for such formalities. You were my father’s teacher, and you’ve supported the Lin family for many years, why do you still stand on ceremony?” Lin Wenruo’s smile was tinged with helplessness.
“I heard you’ve not been feeling well lately. Later, Qingchi will send some tonics to your residence. Please don’t refuse them again. Your health is important, you can put aside your tasks for a while.”
Prime Minister Qin was deeply moved and trembled slightly, tears streaming down his face. He swore to exhaust himself for the Lin family of Lanxi and the state of Zhongnan Country until his dying breath.
Afterward, Lin Wenruo exchanged pleasantries with everyone for a while before they began to discuss serious matters.
An hour later, this covert “mini-court meeting” ended, and everyone dispersed, leaving Lin Wenruo alone in the Haitang Hall.
Lin Wenruo picked a chair at random to sit down and rest with his eyes closed.
Even when alone, he still sat with a straight back and a proper posture.
He looked around the empty hall and tapped a finger lightly on the back of his chair, filling the place with rhythmic tapping sounds.
“Master was right in his guess. Qin Shiru indeed harbors a double heart; he bets on both sides, standing with our master while secretly courting Qingjingzi. It’s his second son who’s pulling the strings from behind.” From the darkness where light failed to touch behind Lin Wenruo, a voice spoke. “There are probably many more like him in the court.”
“The usual rule, send them down.” The man in the chair continued his tapping, a slight smile curling his lips. “Neat and orderly.”
“Yes, master. It will be sent to the Qin residence along with the tonics later.”
“Keep investigating.”
“The instructions have been given, and we have people watching.”
“You’re doing well.”
“It’s because the master’s foresight is like divination.”
Then, the hall fell silent for a while, save for the rhythmic tapping.
“Master.”
“Speak.”
“Would you like me to investigate that group you brought back, especially the Confucian scholar?”
As the voice fell.
The rhythmic tapping suddenly stopped.
The hall fell silent.