TSLSILMH Ch 20

Chapter 20

 

Yu Chuxi was going over accounts when he heard the servant’s report. The brush held between his fingers trembled slightly, causing an abrupt streak of ink to fall on the paper.

The servant, unaware of Yu Chuxi’s discomfort, continued reporting in detail: “News has spread throughout the markets that Master Xie’s talent in poetry is unparalleled. At the poetry gathering, he composed that peach blossom poem in a single stroke. Although Cui Cheng, known as the ‘Poetry Demon,’ took the prize, he later confessed everywhere that he was no match for Master Xie…”

Yu Chuxi’s mood gradually calmed. He carefully encircled the ink blot with his brush, smoothing the edges.

The servant glanced furtively at Yu Chuxi’s expression and continued: “People are also saying outside that this peach blossom poem was written by Master Xie for you. At that time, he even personally requested a branch of peach blossom from Young Master Gu.”

While speaking, the servant looked toward the celadon-glazed porcelain vase on Yu Chuxi’s desk, which held a brightly colored peach blossom, its petals like rouge.

Yet, the poetry gathering had been several days earlier; it was impossible for the flower to remain so fresh.

The servant put aside his thoughts. After all, reporting on the poem was not the task he was sent for.

Unnoticed by the servant, Yu Chuxi’s gaze drifted, pondering: On that day, not only had Xie Shu brought home a peach blossom, but he had also written a poem?

What kind of poem was it?

Suddenly, Yu Chuxi asked: “Did you copy down that poem?”

The servant nodded and carefully produced a sheet of paper from his sleeve, placing it gently on Yu Chuxi’s desk.

Although he found the rumors circulating in the city exaggerated, anyone who had served with Yu Chuxi for three years would know the true relationship between the young master and Xie Shu.

Still, the servant, hearing the poem’s popularity, had dutifully copied it despite little understanding of poetry, now finding it timely.

Seeing Yu Chuxi silently reading without comment, the servant did not press further but privately marveled that Master Xie’s poetry must indeed be excellent—so exquisite that even his lord refused to part with it.

After a while, Yu Chuxi returned to himself. His long lashes flickered as he accepted the paper, adopting a quietly chilly tone: “Is this all you discovered?”

The servant’s heart tightened. He bowed his head quickly and said: “No, my lord. I completed the investigation you commanded.”

Speaking quickly and clearly, he explained:

“Master Xie’s family lives in the west, in Pingle Lane. They keep to themselves and have a simple household of only three people. Master Xie’s father, Old Master Xie, used to be a civil official in the capital. He came to Jinling ten years ago and has since retired. Master Xie’s biological father was a kind man from the capital as well. Since Master Xie’s parents passed from illness four years ago, Master Xie has been alone in the household.”

Yu Chuxi listened silently, though the servant’s words were long-winded.

Realizing he’d missed the main point, the servant shifted tone:

“The Xie family’s relations with neighbors are peaceful. Old Master Xie often assists a nearby family, so the two houses are closely connected.”

Upon this, Yu Chuxi’s expression darkened slightly.

The servant chose his words carefully:

“That family’s surname is Wei, with five members. They are not well regarded in the neighborhood. The Wei family often drinks and gambles, neglecting their duties, so others avoid them… However, the heads, Wei father and Wei mother, have two sons, continuing the lineage, and also a shuang’er¹ who is quite beautiful…”

At this, the servant hesitated.

Actually, shuang’er were rare. When a family had a shuang’er, the neighbors knew. Some shuang’er were sought after as brides, others not so much…

The key factor was the red birthmark that marked a shuang’er.

Coincidentally, Yu Chuxi himself was a shuang’er, and with a distinctive red mark. The servant hesitated over whether to continue.

But then he thought: the young master was a great person; such things would not trouble him.

So, seeing Yu Chuxi made no move to stop him, the servant continued cautiously:

“The shuang’er’s name is Wei Qingtong. She is eighteen this year. Due to her rare red birthmark, centered on her brow, she is nicknamed ‘Little Guanyin’ by outsiders. She and Master Xie grew up as neighbors, almost like siblings. Oddly, Wei Qingtong has yet to be betrothed, for reasons unknown. And Master Xie has returned to their old home periodically over the past three years…”

The servant trailed off. Though details were unclear, Yu Chuxi grasped the implications, and the servant stopped speaking.

Wei Qingtong…

The name struck a chord within Yu Chuxi, evoking a pang of pity.

Perhaps because he had long suspected, when told this, Yu Chuxi felt the dust settle.

So Xie Shu truly had someone—his childhood playmate and the one he loved?

A myriad of thoughts rushed through Yu Chuxi: absurd, laughable, hateful; even he didn’t realize how jealousy could warp a person beyond recognition.

But thinking of Xie Shu, he calmed himself and asked the key question:

“What of the drowning incident before?”

The servant, caught off guard by the directness, hurried on:

“From what I’ve learned, Master Xie fell into the Qinhuai River half a month ago. He was on a boat trip when another vessel accidentally struck him, knocking him into the water. Although details are scant, my lord, you might not know—on that day, the Qianqiu Festival, many took boats on the river. Wei Qingtong was also out that day…”

These rumors had spread farther than imagined.

Pingle Lane lay west of Jinling city, where hundreds of households lived amidst hills and valleys.

Among them was a narrow alley locals called Taoni Lane, a genteel name replacing its original “Taoni” meaning “Pottery Mud” Lane.

The alley was narrow and dark with yellow mud walls.

Most homes had low courtyard walls, making neighbors privy to each other’s affairs. Except for one square courtyard long unoccupied, families had lived here for generations and were well acquainted.

One morning, several families had finished morning chores and gathered to gossip eagerly about the latest rumors.

The subject was none other than their former neighbor and owner of the vacant courtyard—Xie Shu.

Who could have thought that former neighbor had become so famous in Jinling? Now, everyone talked.

Though Master Xie was a scholar, well known to them all, few expected such success.

Even when Xie Shu was not present, they took the opportunity to reminisce.

Lost in their chatter, they failed to notice a drunken old man staggering toward them.

At his approach, all showed looks of distaste.

There was one household everyone habitually avoided.

That was the Wei family, residing at the dead-end of the lane.

The old man was Wei Laotou, in his forties but appearing closer to sixty.

That morning, he had returned cursing. The night before, he had lost all his money at the gambling den. Worse, they refused to extend credit without collateral.

They demanded his shuang’er, whom he had to pawn off just to secure the debt.

He had offered his last treasure, a translucent red stone, but the gambling house owner only relented grudgingly, refusing to cover his losses and even beating him before throwing him out.

Wei Laotou cursed himself bitterly, wishing he had pawned the stone first.

His frustration grew as money ran dry—how would the family survive the coming days?

He grumbled, wondering why Xie Shu had yet to come.

For those years, Xie Shu had given the family many gifts, but Wei Laotou knew it was only for someone’s sake; he would never sell off Wei Qingtong indiscriminately.

Luckily, Wei Qingtong always listened to him…

Yet why hadn’t Xie Shu come for so long?

As Wei Laotou approached, he overheard whispers that Xie Shu had recently gained fame attending a poetry gathering—and attracted the notice of noble officials.

Wei Laotou brightened, relieved. He had feared that if Xie Shu left the Yu family, he might lose his means—but now he could rest easy.

He wanted to inquire more, but the cold glances from neighbors roused his anger, and fueled by drink, he shouted:

“Enough hiding! You all know who Xie Shu is? Someday, I’ll be his father-in-law!”

His drunken boast brought laughter:

“Xie Shu is already married into the Yu family and is their ‘riding dragon son-in-law.’ The head of the Yu family is truly his father-in-law!”

Just then, Wei Qingtong stepped out, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger. These people knew nothing—how could they say such things? No matter the Yu family’s wealth, Xie Shu did not love that man…

They paid him no mind, continuing:

“Now Xie Shu even writes love poems for his husband. Wei Laotou, say—why would he want to call you father-in-law?”

Wei Laotou’s face turned red with anger:

“It’s nonsense love poems! He loves my Wei Qingtong!”

The crowd’s tone changed, no longer mocking so openly. Everyone knew Wei Qingtong; burdened by family, she had not yet married.

Some even recalled honest families wanting to marry her, but she rejected all suitors.

Remembering Wei Laotou’s words, they wondered quietly: Was Wei Qingtong really waiting for Xie Shu?

But Xie Shu was married already—what was he doing?

Though neighbors pitied Wei Qingtong, none had thought otherwise.

But now that Xie Shu was renowned and deeply in love with his husband, and he and Wei Qingtong had known each other since youth, no official engagement existed. Would anyone believe they suited each other?

Noticing the change in their expressions, Wei Qingtong stopped paying attention to gossip. She ran to her father, helped him stand, and said urgently:

“Dad, stop saying such things! You’re ruining my reputation!”

Wei Laotou sobered somewhat. Of course, he would not sully Wei Qingtong’s name; she must stay pure and unmarred for her future marriage.

After leading him into the house, the crowd dispersed.

Inside, seeing her drunken husband return, Wei Laotou’s wife scolded:

“Where did you gamble again? Didn’t you leave any money for the boys?”

She then turned to Wei Qingtong sharply:

“Qingtong, it’s been so long since you last saw Master Xie. If he hadn’t promised me he’d marry you, I’d have given you to another long ago.”

Wei Qingtong lowered her head silently, pain flashing in her eyes.

That morning, while buying groceries, she’d overheard the rumors. At first, she hadn’t believed them.

How could Xie Shu write love poems for another man? He only loved her.

Yet now, she wondered if Xie Shu might regret it.

She still remembered the day he had seen her but pretended not to, stepping onto the Yu family’s carriage. Though they needed to avoid suspicion, she had still been heartbroken.

With the Yu family’s wealth sufficient for generations, what did it matter if he stayed with someone he did not love?

Thinking of the stories she would inevitably hear about Xie Shu’s loving relationship with his husband, Wei Qingtong could no longer bear it.

Xie Shu had promised her they would soon divorce, yet she dared not tell her parents.

They hoped Xie Shu would secure more property for the family through the Yu household.

But Wei Qingtong didn’t want things to drag out in uncertainty.

At eighteen, Xie Shu was the best match she had. If she listened to her mother and married another as a concubine, she might as well follow Xie Shu.

Resolved, Wei Qingtong decided to find a chance to meet Xie Shu and urge him to finalize the divorce.

Meanwhile, Xie Shu was reviewing his studies in the library.

Recently, he strictly adhered to the schedule he had set, rising early to exercise. His mornings were spent repeatedly reciting sections from the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, Book of Changes, and Spring and Autumn Annals. Afternoons were devoted to detailed commentary on the Four Books—Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, and Mencius.

The Da Qing Dynasty had a popular and visually engaging activity called “rolling scrolls.” After exams, there was a Ministry of Personnel review based on four criteria: demeanor (body), speech, calligraphy, and literary judgment.

The first two were like an interview. “Calligraphy” meant writing skill; “judgment” referred to literary talent.

Thus, Xie Shu had to practice calligraphy and painting; his daily schedule was tight, except for evenings after dinner, when he played board games with his husband—the only leisure time he allowed himself.

Each time, his mood was lightened.

Exiting his study, he went as usual to knock on Yu Chuxi’s door. He wondered if his lord had finished his duties.

Just as he raised his hand, Yu Chuxi suddenly flung the door open with force.

Luckily, Xie Shu reacted quickly, steadying the door, looking at Yu Chuxi with mild helplessness.

Who had angered his lord today?

Yu Chuxi had not expected to see Xie Shu standing outside. Seeing him so different from usual unsettled the expression on his face. Burdened by worry and annoyance caused by the same person, he could not wear a pleasant face.

Yet when Yu Chuxi looked at Xie Shu and saw a faint smile on his lips—like spring breeze rippling a tranquil river—he suddenly thought perhaps he could trust him once more.

He was so sure, so convinced, as he looked at Xie Shu lowering his brow softly, containing a hint of indulgence.

FOOTNOTES

1. Shuang’er (雙兒) – In historical Chinese often used to describe a male with feminine traits or third-gender identity, frequently beautiful and delicate, but socially limited.

2. “Live-in son-in-law” (贅婿) – A man married into his wife’s family, typically with lower social standing and less autonomy.

3. “Qingyunlu” (青雲路) – A classical metaphor for the imperial examination as a path to social advancement.

4. The Four Books (四書) and Five Classics (五經) – Core Confucian texts essential for the imperial examinations.

5. Ministry of Personnel’s examination criteria: demeanor (身), speech (言), calligraphy (書), literary judgment (判) – The comprehensive standards for evaluating candidates during and after imperial exams.