TSLSILMH Ch 15

Chapter 15

 

Ximo was unaware of the matter between Xie Shu and Yu Chuxi. Seeing that his master had lingered in place for quite some time, clearly fond of this peach blossom, he spoke up:

“Master, why don’t we pick a branch?”

This suggestion was exactly what Xie Shu had been thinking. However, after pondering for a moment, he shook his head and said:

“It’s still early now. Later, we have a poetry gathering to attend. If I watch it wither and scatter in my hands, that would be a pity.”

Hearing this, Ximo was puzzled.

“Master, it’s just a peach blossom. If it stops looking nice, we can simply pick another.”

Xie Shu cast him a faint glance and said:

“Although this peach grove does not lie within the Western Garden², someone has still taken pains to plant and tend it. If I truly wished to take one branch back for viewing, I’m sure its owner would not begrudge me once they knew. But why treat it with such careless disregard?”

Ximo seemed to understand somewhat and nodded. These days, his master’s manner of speech and conduct had changed greatly from before, yet what he said and did made Ximo genuinely convinced—there always seemed to be some deeper truth in it.

So Ximo no longer said anything, quietly waiting for his master to finish admiring the blossoms. The two then returned the way they had come.

What they did not know was that once the master and servant had walked away, two figures appeared from behind a small hill in the distance.

These two were both young men, clad in brocade, bearing themselves at ease, as though they were merely strolling through their own courtyard.

The one on the left looked to be about twenty years old, tall and well-proportioned, with a proper, open, and warm demeanor.

The one on the right appeared younger, yet was strikingly handsome, his bearing even more distinguished. Folding shut the fan in his hand with interest, he said:

“This person’s words are rather amusing. Cousin, do you know him?”

This man was none other than the Third Prince of the dynasty, named Shao Zhen, eighteen years old. His purpose in coming to Jinling³ this time was to take charge of the Emperor’s southern tour⁴—a task carried out in secret, unknown to outsiders.

The other man was naturally Gu Yuanke, the host of the Western Garden Poetry Gathering and also Shao Zhen’s cousin.

Gu Yuanke easily understood the meaning behind Shao Zhen’s question. This poetry event was, in truth, also an opportunity to discreetly select and recruit promising people for Shao Zhen’s future use.

At present, the Gu family was greatly favored at court because of their ties to the Third Prince’s mother, enjoying abundant honor and wealth. Gu’s father occupied one of the most lucrative positions in all of Jinling. But prosperity thrives like flowers over silk and a blazing fire over oil;⁵ if the Gu family could not advance further in the future, its fate would be easy to imagine.

Thus, Gu Yuanke could only follow his father’s lead in supporting the Third Prince’s rise to power.

Shao Zhen was indeed gifted and intelligent, but having been doted on since childhood in the palace, his temperament tended towards emotional caprice. Even for Gu Yuanke, his own cousin, great caution was needed in his presence.

Choosing his words with care, Gu Yuanke’s usually genial face took on a touch of shrewdness:

“I know this man. His name is Xie Shu…”

Realizing that Shao Zhen had taken a liking to Xie Shu, Gu Yuanke was a little surprised. But recalling that Xie Shu’s manner and bearing far outshone most others, and that his speech earlier had been refined, Gu could understand it.

Yet precisely because of this, Gu Yuanke found it somewhat troublesome to explain.

Gu knew of Xie Shu not merely because he paid attention to Jinling’s talented young men, but also because Xie Shu had once caused quite a stir—years ago, when the immensely wealthy Yu family sought a son-in-law, he was the first to take the initiative and become their “live-in son-in-law”⁶.

After passing the county-level exam to become a xiucai⁷ at the age of fourteen, Xie Shu’s name failed to appear in the next two provincial exams. He even withdrew from the Jinling Academy of Studies, and thereafter faded entirely from public view.

Clearly, his talent was limited, his temperament lacking. Not at all the fine jade they sought… yet, judging from his conduct just now, perhaps there was more to the story.

“Xie Shu?”

Shao Zhen frowned slightly. He had never heard of this person, though this did not surprise him. He asked casually:

“Could he be from the Chen Commandery Xie clan⁸?”

Having been raised amidst luxury, Shao Zhen could recognize at a glance that Xie Shu’s clothing and accessories suggested a notable background.

The Chen Commandery Xie clan was a famous aristocratic family⁹.

Although the empire had begun selecting officials via the imperial examinations, few people could actually afford to study. Most high offices were still dominated by great clans, with the gulf between them and common families evident even in attire.

For that reason, Shao Zhen’s question was an entirely common assumption.

Seeing that he was guessing further and further from the truth, Gu Yuanke shook his head and revealed:

“No… not so.”

After Gu finished speaking, Shao Zhen’s expression darkened.

Gu was about to add, “But judging from his conduct just now—” when Shao Zhen waved a hand impatiently:

“No need to say more, cousin.”

That the man he had immediately taken an interest in was actually such a person left him disappointed, even irritable.

Meanwhile, Xie Shu arrived at the gate of the Western Garden to find a sizable crowd already gathered. Among them, several people faintly resembled faces he had previously seen in a painted scroll.

As he approached, many could not help looking his way.

The lingering chill of early spring was still in the air. Situated on a hillside, the Western Garden was kissed by a morning breeze that carried a touch of cold.

Most people wore padded cotton robes—somewhat bulky, but warm enough. In contrast, Xie Shu was draped in a dark blue cloak, his light furs and headgear only enhancing his tall, straight figure.

His brows were like distant mountains, his features refined and unworldly, his eyes like bright stars. When he lifted them, it was as if sunlight fell upon him.

Zhang Enshi paused in surprise before regaining his senses. It had been three years since he last saw Xie Shu, and in that time, the latter’s demeanor and bearing had changed immensely—now exceeding his former self in every respect.

Then, Zhang laughed bitterly in his heart. Of course—after all, Xie Shu had married the son of Jinling’s richest family, making them now as far apart as heaven and earth.

A few days ago, when Zhang received word that Xie Shu would attend, he had been mildly flattered; their acquaintance had never been close, and Xie Shu had never replied to his letters before, yet this time his words were sincere.

But just now, when he had mentioned it to several former classmates, none had cared.

Zhang beckoned to him with a smile, and Xie Shu confirmed his guess—this was indeed Zhang Enshi. The man looked several years older than Xie Shu, his features unremarkable but bearing a steady, honest air.

Xie Shu nodded slightly in return and allowed a small smile.

The others, however, said nothing, their attitudes tinged with aloofness. Unlike Zhang, they had no interest in inviting Xie Shu over.

Back when they had been classmates, relations with him had never been friendly.

When Xie Shu had left, words had been exchanged sharply. It was not entirely their fault—after all, who asked Xie Shu to marry into the Yu family? A little gossip was inevitable.

So when they learned he would be here today, they could not resist reviving the old sneers. Seeing him now, they even felt a trace of resentment.

Judging from his attire, Xie Shu was clearly being well kept by his wealthy husband!

One former classmate, Xu Shengkai—who had always clashed with him—could not resist a mock smile:

“Xie Shu, three years without a glimpse of you, and you’ve finally emerged? Tell us, how is life in the Yu household treating you?”

Xu had long heard of the fiery temperament of the Yu family’s young master, so his tone carried a measure of schadenfreude.

At his words, those nearby quickly caught on, whispering among themselves: so this was the man who had given up the path of officialdom to take a shortcut—marrying into the Yu family!

Their eyes inevitably held contempt. The saying “within literati circles, jealousy runs deep”¹⁰ applied here as well.

Zhang Enshi, suddenly anxious, pulled at Xu’s sleeve. This was a poetry gathering—an open squabble at the gate would be disgraceful.

Besides, Xu’s words were too much. Even if they had been classmates once, such open humiliation was ill-mannered.

Having spoken, Xu realized belatedly that Xie Shu now had the Yu family as backing. Offending him might not end well.

His expression stiffened, but still he kept his neck stiff, unwilling to back down.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Xie Shu showed no visible reaction at all. His expression did not change in the slightest. He only raised an eyebrow and said:

“Not bad.”

The words came like wind through the ear—dissolving the earlier tension without a trace.

Xu, finding himself punching into air, felt strangely frustrated.

He did not believe the calm was genuine—surely it was just putting on a brave face. Yet, when someone shows complete indifference to your mockery, your amusement evaporates.

No one pursued the matter further. Once everyone had gathered, they handed in their name posts to the gate boy and entered the Western Garden.

Upon stepping inside, they were collectively struck by the beauty before them.

Built by the water, the garden was encircled by a clear stream, with winding stone steps like drifting clouds. Following the boy through the zigzag galleries, their feet trod on snow-white pebbles, like walking on carved jade.

Around them, each pavilion and courtyard was exquisitely arranged—every rock, every blade of grass appeared purposely placed for appreciation.

Everyone wore looks of yearning, yearning to compose poems on the spot to convey their excitement—everyone except Xie Shu, whose expression remained calm, though his anticipation for the gathering grew.

Before long, they emerged from the twists and turns and reached the day’s venue: a pavilion beside the water.

Willows stood in rows along the stream, interspersed with peach and apricot trees in full bloom—spring in all its splendor. Petals drifted on the water’s surface, swirling gently.

Inside and out of the pavilion, everything was arranged to perfection. Numerous maids bustled about, setting fine wine and delicacies on tables along the bank.

Though the host had yet to appear, many guests had already arrived.

Participation in the poetry gathering did not require any particular official status—anyone with learning could attend. But most were students preparing for the keju¹¹ exams—mainly tongsheng¹² (licentiate candidates).

Those who had obtained the title of xiucai—like the group from Jinling Academy—already had the official scholar’s status as shengyuan.

In the Qing Dynasty equivalent setting (here, the fictional “Qing”), any aspirant to the provincial exam had to first be registered as a shengyuan in an official school.

Thus, most of those present already knew one another.

Before long, Zhang Enshi exclaimed:

“Look, isn’t that Wang Jing, the favored pupil of Master Zuo Ran? He came first in last year’s provincial exam—he’s the jieyuan¹³!”

The provincial examination (xiangshi) was the hurdle they all faced next. Held only once every three years, it consisted of three sessions. Passing it made one a juren, qualified for government office.

The difficulty was formidable: in Jiangnan, where Jinling lay, only a few dozen were admitted each time from the entire province. To win first place—the title of jieyuan—was a measure of extraordinary skill.

Xie Shu glanced at Wang Jing—a tall, lean man with a reserved face—surrounded by many admirers.

Soon several other famous local talents arrived. Xie Shu recognized none, but recalled their records from prior research, silently matching each name to its face.

Zhang Enshi’s group finally decided to sit mid-row—not ostentatious, but not invisible either.

Xie Shu followed suit, unconcerned, lost in his own thoughts.

Before coming to the poetry gathering, he had only a general concept of the keju system. Now, being amidst it, he felt its unspoken influence.

Everyone here regarded the pursuit of official rank as their primary task—much like the modern-day striving for advancement.

Xie Shu himself had once had a knack for exams. Later, as a postgraduate, he had dealt constantly with classical texts, even studying the imperial examination system in depth.

He knew well that, unlike in modern times, the keju was not a path open to all—but for those who walked it, it was a road to the top.

These days, he had been pondering what occupation suited him in this era.

There seemed little he could do—except that reading came easily to him.

He was not motivated by lust for fame or wealth, nor by envy of others.

But suddenly, he thought of his husband.

There was little he could give him. But this—perhaps—he could.

Notes

2. Western Garden (西園) – a presumably private or aristocratic estate, location of the poetry gathering.

3. Jinling (金陵) – historical name for present-day Nanjing, China.

4. Southern tour (南巡) – imperial inspection tour to southern provinces, historically undertaken by Chinese emperors.

5. “Flowers over silk, fire over oil” – Chinese idiom meaning “great prosperity and extravagance.”

6. Live-in son-in-law (贅婿) – a man who marries into a wife’s family, often regarded as humiliating in traditional Chinese society.

7. Xiucai (秀才) – lowest degree in the imperial examination system, also called shengyuan.

8. Chen Commandery Xie clan – a historically famous aristocratic family in China.

9. Aristocratic family (士族) – hereditary gentry clans who dominated politics and culture before and alongside the examination system.

10. “Within literati circles, jealousy runs deep” (文人相輕) – idiom meaning that scholars tend to belittle each other out of rivalry.

11. Keju (科舉) – the imperial examination system of imperial China.

12. Tongsheng (童生) – candidates who had not yet passed the county-level exam.

13. Jieyuan (解元) – top scorer in the provincial examination (xiangshi).