Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Child Resembles His Mother, Lady Zhao

(Ps: The origin of Wang Wei's ranking does indeed come from that poem by Chu Guangxi, where Wang Thirteen Wei is mentioned. Someone actually managed to track that down, which is truly impressive... Please support me with a recommendation vote, thank you all!)

The House of Benevolent Persuasion was situated in the second northern quarter of the second eastern street along Dingdingmen Avenue, while Yongfeng Quarter lay in the sixth northern quarter of Changxia Gate Avenue. Thus, in order to arrive at Yongfeng Quarter before the curfew, Du Shiyi had all but leapt to his feet the moment he received the invitation. From Lu Wang, he learned that what had been delivered to Lu Hong were a letter of greeting from Cui Jianxuan and a heap of gifts from the Cui family, but there had been no request for his esteemed teacher to visit for a banquet; this invitation was meant solely for himself. The accompanying Cui servants had already been sent back by Lu Hong with a reply, leaving Du Shiyi filled with suspicion.

Yet, having attended the unrelated banquet at the residence of Duke Bi last night, he knew he could not possibly refuse the Cui family’s summons now. Resigned, he had two horses prepared for himself and Tian Mo, and departed at once.

Exiting through the north gate of the House of Benevolent Persuasion, he headed south on the third eastern street from Dingdingmen, then west along Jianchun Gate Avenue, turned into Changxia Gate Avenue, and proceeded to the second quarter south—Yongfeng Quarter. He had intended to enter by the north gate, but upon learning he was to visit the residence of Duke Zhao, the gate official smiled and advised, “If you are visiting the Duke Zhao’s house, you may follow the quarter wall southward. For officials of rank three or above, the main gate may open onto the quarter wall. The Duke Zhao’s main entrance is on the southern quarter wall of Yongfeng, and as the curfew has yet to fall, that gate is open. After curfew, guests must use the gate within Yongfeng itself.”

Last night, when he attended Duke Bi’s banquet, Du Shiyi hadn’t paid much attention to such details. Now, recalling past visits to prominent houses with senior members of his own family, he realized the truth of this custom. Having thanked the official, he rode south along the quarter wall, and after circling around, he saw, built into the rammed earth wall, an unobtrusive black-topped gate. Though the pillars flanking the gate were modestly adorned, there was nothing of the ostentation typical of noble mansions. Yet, along the vast quarter wall of Yongfeng, this was the only gate, and with four servants standing guard, the dignity of the household was unmistakable.

As expected, when Du Shiyi and Tian Mo announced themselves, one of the servants beamed and said, “Ah, Master Du, the host has been awaiting your arrival. Please, remain mounted; I shall lead you inside.”

Passing through the black-topped gate, Du Shiyi understood what “remain mounted” meant. The outer rammed earth wall and gate were merely the exterior of Duke Zhao’s residence; forty paces ahead, the white-walled, red-doored main entrance was the true gate of the estate.

The stone-paved pathway led through a broad courtyard, flanked east and west by a row of low, plain buildings, likely quarters for the guards and servants. Nearing the main gate, he saw on either side two racks holding ceremonial halberds, six per rack, draped in red and black covers, each topped with a fluttering banner that snapped in the cold wind. Beyond the racks, atop a raised platform, stood a two-story, three-bay gatehouse with black tiles, red doors, white walls, and eaves adorned with a pair of upturned ridge ornaments, which glowed magnificently in the setting sun.

Only upon reaching the main gate did Du Shiyi dismount. He instructed Tian Mo to tend to the horses and took a brocade box from him. The servant guiding him, still smiling, went to fetch a middle-aged man, introducing him as Steward Xiao. Having just visited Duke Bi’s residence last night, Du Shiyi was now accustomed to such grandeur. Even as he approached the main hall, he noticed that the building, perched atop a lofty stone foundation, was even more extreme than Duke Bi’s—supported by pillars on all sides but with no walls, open, airy, and bright. From outside, he could see a wooden screen at the center and a low, long couch in front, with servants busily moving furniture, presumably preparing for the evening’s festivities. He betrayed not the slightest surprise. Clearly, if he were to meet a senior member of the Cui family, it would not be in this hall.

Indeed, Steward Xiao paused briefly before the main hall, then smiled and said, “The banquet hour has not yet arrived; madam is in her chamber.”

Bypassing the main hall, they reached the second gate. The Cui household was strict about its doors; here, Steward Xiao stopped and withdrew, leaving Du Shiyi to be received by a middle-aged woman wearing a short jacket over a pomegranate-colored skirt. She greeted him with a smile, introduced herself as Madam Fu, and walked ahead.

This was evidently the inner quarters of the Cui family. Although Du Shiyi had memories of entering the homes of nobles and lords, except for his own family elders, he had never before been led directly into another family’s private residence. Along the way, many young and beautiful maids knelt to greet him, some casting curious glances. Disliking the feeling of being stared at like a monkey, he simply met their gaze openly and without embarrassment; seeing even a few maids with teasing eyes, he found it tiresome and withdrew his attention.

“Master Du, we’ve arrived at the chamber.”

Compared to the open main hall, the chamber was enclosed with walls and orderly rows of maids at the door. Following Madam Fu up the steps, Du Shiyi composed himself and entered. At the threshold, he heard Madam Fu announce his arrival, and a thick curtain was drawn aside, revealing a head peeking out. The child, with a round, tigerish face, was none other than Cui Wei’s son, the little chubby Cui Twenty-Fifth, whom Du Shiyi had met in Dengfeng County. More than a year had passed since their last meeting, and the boy had grown taller. Though he quickly withdrew his head under Du Shiyi’s gaze, upon entering, Du Shiyi saw him standing proudly, chest out, like a little adult.

“Twenty-Fifth, you mustn’t be so rude. Go and bring Master Du over!”

Upon hearing the gentle voice, Du Shiyi looked up, but in the dim light could only make out, before the screen, the vague outline of a middle-aged woman. As the little chubby glared at him with some hostility and reluctantly led the way, Du Shiyi followed. Approaching, he finally saw her clearly and could not help but marvel inwardly.

He had always found Cui Jianxuan’s features more feminine than masculine, especially those striking phoenix eyes. Now, upon meeting Lady Li, wife of Duke Zhao, he understood what it meant for such traits to be inherited. Though she must be at least in her early forties, her skin was fair and delicate, her hair dark as clouds, with a vivid red ornament on her brow, and those phoenix eyes radiated a charm that made her seem barely twenty. Yet, as her expression shifted to composure, all seductive allure transformed into dignified grace—so swiftly that one could barely adjust. Under her gaze and mild reproach, the little chubby nervously apologized, stubbornly claiming that he missed Master Du after so long, which made Du Shiyi, despite knowing he must not be rude on his first visit to the Cui household, smile involuntarily.

Though Lady Li was admonishing Twenty-Fifth, seeing Du Shiyi amused by the child’s blatant fib, she greeted him warmly, “Master Du Nineteen, there’s no need for ceremony. Speaking of which, Twenty-Fifth’s father is soon to be transferred, so he and Lady Seventeen have been sent to the Eastern Capital for a while. He does frequently mention you.”

“I never mention him! It’s just that he took away my Eleventh Brother…”

The little chubby muttered, but seeing Lady Li’s eyes flash with authority, he fell silent, shot Du Shiyi a resentful glance, and said, “I’m going to see Grand Aunt in the back!”

Watching him storm off, Du Shiyi pondered the phrase “took away,” recalling how, during his first visit to Dengfeng County, the boy clung to Cui Jianxuan like a puppy, imitating everything about the Eleventh Brother. His expression became odd, but in Lady Li’s presence, he quickly suppressed the thought. Once she motioned for him to sit, he had little time to dwell on the affairs between the Cui brothers, focusing solely on responding to Lady Li’s wide-ranging questions.

She jumped from his family circumstances to his studies at the cottage, from his and Cui Jianxuan’s pipa lessons with Pei Ning, to the reason he once took the lead in grasshopper-catching. Lady Li seemed a master at probing for information, weaving her inquiries seamlessly into casual conversation. Had he been an inexperienced youth, she would have easily uncovered his background. But Du Shiyi was prepared, mixing truth and fiction in his answers; by the end, seeing her thoughtful smile, as if satisfied with him, he abruptly stood with the brocade box.

“Madam, before Brother Cui Eleven returned to the Eastern Capital, I borrowed some silver from him, intending to repay it sooner, but his trip home lasted over a year, so I was delayed until today. As copper coins are inconvenient to carry, I’ve converted the sum to gold in Dengfeng.”

Seeing Lady Li’s surprised expression, Du Shiyi went directly to Madam Fu and handed her the box without hesitation. Then he stepped back and bowed again. “Yesterday, my senior brother and I had just arrived in the Eastern Capital with Master Lu, when Duke Bi insisted on hosting us. I was forced to attend in my master’s place, drank somewhat too much, and then Wang Thirteen escorted me back to the inn. Unable to resist my senior brother’s invitation, the three of us drank and talked late into the night. I am still suffering from a hangover. Madam’s invitation today is a great honor, but I truly cannot endure any longer and beg your permission to take my leave.”

Lady Li’s expression changed. She scrutinized Du Shiyi and then smiled, “What, Master Du, you intend to leave without seeing Brother Eleven?”

Before Du Shiyi could reply, a voice called from outside, “Du Nineteen, at last you’ve arrived!”