Chapter Seventy: Granted Office and Released Home

Page 1 of 3

(P.S.: A new day—please send your recommendations ^_^)

Previously, many influential officials and nobles had been turned away under the pretext of the imperial summons. Who could it be at a time like this? Du Shiyi was in no mood for pleasantries and asked with some irritation, “Whose invitation is it?”

“It’s…” There was a slight pause from Zhuying outside the door, as if she needed a moment to compose herself. After a while, she spoke cautiously, “It’s an invitation sent by order of Princess Yuzhen.”

Princess Yuzhen?

The words had barely left her lips when even Cui Jianxuan, who had been eavesdropping next door, was startled. He hurried forward to open the door, just as Du Shiyi himself opened it and took the invitation card from Zhuying. Without further ado, Cui Jianxuan strode over to have a look. Seeing that the card simply stated that a banquet would be held at the villa on the eighth day of the second month and cordially invited the esteemed guest to attend, he frowned in consternation. After a moment, he muttered angrily, “That noble lady doesn’t even know you, Du Nineteen. She wouldn’t have sent an invitation for no reason—this must be some trick of Ninth Sister’s! I knew she wouldn’t agree to help so readily; turns out she’s laying a trap for you!”

“It’s nothing.”

Du Shiyi pinched the thin card between his fingers. Looking back into the room, he saw that Thirteenth Lady Du was about to speak but hesitated, unable to hide her concern. Turning to Cui Jianxuan, he said, “By the way, Eleven, when you go back, pass on a word to Fifth Lady. Tell her I appreciate her good intentions, but if she has any suggestions, I hope she’ll discuss them with me, her older brother, before persuading Thirteenth Lady directly. Though I may be unworthy, at least I can distinguish right from wrong. If her intentions are kind, I would never fail to appreciate them!”

This cryptic remark left Cui Jianxuan utterly perplexed. Yet he noticed Thirteenth Lady Du, upon hearing it, shuddered and hastily turned away to wipe her tears. Recalling how she had accompanied Fifth Lady Cui to the southern market earlier and had seemed somewhat out of sorts upon returning, he suddenly began to grasp the situation. His elder sister must have said something to Thirteenth Lady Du, while Ninth Sister incited the noble lady to invite Du Shiyi to the villa banquet. Why couldn’t his sisters ever stay out of trouble!

With this thought, Cui Jianxuan turned and left without another word. Seeing him move so swiftly, Du Shiyi was taken aback. After a moment’s thought, he hurried after him and caught him by the shoulder at the gate. “Just pass on my words as they are. Don’t get into an argument with Fifth Lady. As the eldest brother, I have only this one younger sister, and even if she has suggestions, she should speak to me directly. As for the noble lady’s invitation, there’s no need to question Ninth Sister either. It’s just a banquet, not a walk through fire and blades!”

Cui Jianxuan’s anger had largely dissipated because of Du Shiyi’s words. He glared at him, then said irritably, “You think I’m so capable? Those two are impossible to deal with—if anyone’s to question them, it’ll have to be Grandmother or Mother! I really don’t know what quarrel you and they have gotten into… Go tell Thirteenth Lady that I apologize on behalf of Sister and Ninth Sister, and beg her not to cry anymore! Ah, if only I had such a worry-free younger sister…”

Watching Cui Jianxuan mount his horse and ride off after leaving these words, Du Shiyi couldn’t help but laugh. The frustration that had weighed on him was suddenly much lighter.

To speak fairly, it was more suitable for Thirteenth Lady to stay with the Cui family in Yongfeng Lane, Eastern Capital, than to return to the thatched cottage at Junji Peak or the old home at Fanchuan. Mount Song was lonely, Fanchuan desolate, and he now had so much to study that, when he lost himself in his books, it was easy to neglect his sister. Besides, the things women needed to learn were beyond him, and the elders among the Du clan were not necessarily capable of teaching her with full dedication.

Page 2 of 3

Yet, apart from considerations of gain or loss, he truly did not wish to see his sister so sorrowful. Moreover, Fifth Lady Cui’s way of bypassing him and persuading Thirteenth Lady directly was hard for him to accept!

After Princess Yuzhen’s invitation arrived and Cui Jianxuan had only just left, the usually quiet and elegant inn at Quanshan Lane once again welcomed envoys from the palace. Counting the imperial summons, the carriage sent by the Secretariat to bring Lu Hong to court, and now this latest party, the innkeeper had, in just a few days, witnessed spectacles rarely seen in a lifetime. Though busy, he had grown numb to it all. Thus, when everything was finally prepared and he retreated to the corridor, he saw Pei Ning and Du Shiyi supporting Lu Hong out of the room, but Lu Wangzhi, who was always amiable and approachable, was nowhere to be seen. The innkeeper could not help but feel curious.

“In the time of Emperor Yao, all was entrusted to Xu You; in the age of Great Yu, the wise counsel of Bo Cheng was heeded. Thus, even the Son of Heaven has those he cannot command, and feudal lords have those they cannot befriend. The meaning of the ‘Retreat’ hexagram is indeed profound! The recluse Lu Hong of Mount Song holds himself aloof, his spirit pure and unwavering; dwelling in seclusion to fulfill his aspirations, walking in righteousness to realize his way; lying amid clouds and valleys, many years have passed. Is it not written: ‘When the worthy recluse is raised, the people of the world are drawn to him’? Hence the imperial message, with all due ceremony, invites him to serve; awaiting his loyal counsel to benefit governance. But he stands apart, difficult to sway, calm in his conduct, pure in his heart, resolutely declining honor and favor, thus nurturing custom, not yielding his will, and preserving his person. Yan Ling of Kuaiji could not be called subdued; Wang Ba of Taiyuan returned home in illness. It is fitting, therefore, to grant him the title of Remonstrance Councillor and allow him to return to the mountains, with an annual stipend of a hundred bushels of rice and fifty bolts of silk for his medicines, to be delivered to his place of seclusion by local authorities. Should he become aware of matters concerning the court, he is to report them in writing.”

The previous day, after Lu Hong left the palace, he had only briefly said that he had firmly declined office before the Emperor, who had allowed him to return to the mountains. He did not mention not bowing before the throne or other details to his disciples. So, when Pei Ning and Du Shiyi received this imperial edict, both breathed a long sigh of relief, and Lu Hong himself closed his eyes in profound release.

In the room behind, Lu Wangzhi stood by the window, having heard the entire reading of the edict. A smile of immense relief spread across his face.

Thinking of the anxiety of these past days, Du Shiyi felt completely exhausted after seeing off the imperial envoy. The Emperor possessed all under heaven, yet could not bend the will of a single recluse! That said, who knew what Lu Hong had felt in his audience with the Emperor? Still, for the Emperor to so swiftly grant him office and allow his return to the mountains—Dou Shilang had truly rendered great help!

Thirteenth Lady Du and Zhuying had not left their room. Having secretly listened to the reading of the edict, Zhuying was overjoyed and hurried to soothe Thirteenth Lady’s swollen eyes with a wet cloth. After several applications, she whispered, “Mistress, if you have any concerns in the future, please discuss them with the young master. Earlier, when he heard you planned to stay in the Eastern Capital, his expression was terrible! We spent two years at Junji Peak, didn’t we manage then? Now that Master Lu has an official post and can return to the mountains, there’s nothing more to fear, and the young master can focus on his studies in peace…”

“Enough,” Thirteenth Lady abruptly interrupted, her voice resolute as she said, “I have already told my brother: he need not worry about me; you and Tian Mo may go with him, but I will remain in the Eastern Capital.”

“Mistress!”

“If you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stand in your way.”

Du Shiyi had paused outside the door for some time. Now, as he entered, his decision was made. Thirteenth Lady, though young, had a rare tenacity and stubbornness. Had she not, she would never have taken him to Mount Song to seek treatment at so young an age, nor knelt in desperation before the temple at Songyang. This time, Fifth Lady Cui’s words had only triggered her resolve to remain in the capital; the real reason lay deeper. The young girl still saw him as the bookish scholar of old, easily discouraged by setbacks, and thus wished desperately to help him in her own way!

“However, this time Tian Mo will return with me to Mount Song, and Zhuying will stay with you.” Seeing Thirteenth Lady ready to object, he sat down beside her and said with a smile, “There are students at the academy who bring attendants, but not maidservants. Even if Zhuying returned with me, she would still have to stay in the thatched hut. In contrast, Tian Mo can move in with me, and since he enjoys farming, he can continue to cultivate the land. Here in the capital, would you rely on the Cui household’s servants? Don’t be stubborn—if you are, I will go against your wishes and take you away myself!”

Thirteenth Lady glanced at Zhuying, saw her pressing her hand to her chest in earnest entreaty, and finally nodded. After a long silence, she asked, “When will Master Lu return to the mountains?”

Page 3 of 3

“The day after tomorrow, the eighth of the second month. Senior Brother and Third Brother say it’s best not to linger, lest the situation change. I’ll see them off, attend the banquet at Princess Yuzhen’s villa, and then return to Mount Song myself.” As he spoke, Du Shiyi rose and, pausing at the door, turned back. “Thirteenth Lady, if you regret your decision now, it’s not too late to change your mind.”

“My word is given—I have no regrets!”

“Very well. Luoyang is less than two hundred miles from Mount Song. When the New Year comes, I’ll bring you back to the mountain to celebrate together.”

With her mind made up, Thirteenth Lady Du felt much lighter in spirit. That evening, as Du Shiyi returned to the foreign tavern in the southeast corner of Quanshan Lane where he had previously met Dou Shilang, he was far more at ease. It was still early, and only about half the tables were occupied. As before, Dou Shilang was surrounded by his retainers, who had claimed the neighboring seats. As Du Shiyi approached, they glanced at him for a moment before turning away as though nothing had happened.

“I owe this outcome to you, Dou Shilang.”

As Du Shiyi took the seat across from him and spoke quietly, Dou Shilang smiled wryly. “Thank me if you wish, but you’d best express your gratitude at the banquet to the noble lady herself. Word from the palace is that if she hadn’t happened to be at Xuanzheng Hall, Master Lu and His Majesty might have come to blows! Luckily, she intervened, and I urged a few others to speak for him before Prime Ministers Song and Su. After Master Lu left the palace, even the Prime Ministers told His Majesty that since Lu preferred to teach in the mountains, why not grant his wish? Thus, it became a tale to rival that of Emperor Guangwu and Yan Ziling.”

He lowered his voice, “Truth be told, Master Lu’s entry to the palace was most extraordinary. He did not bow to the Emperor, and His Majesty praised him for accepting nothing—not only did he emerge unscathed, but even I was holding my breath… but honestly, Master Lu is a true recluse!”

Only now did Du Shiyi learn the full details of Lu Hong’s audience at court, and he was both astonished and moved. After pressing Dou Shilang for every detail, he finally breathed a deep sigh of relief and produced a scroll from his sleeve, presenting it respectfully. “Dou Shilang, you have helped me greatly and asked for so little in return. Besides these three pieces of music, if ever I can be of service, I will spare no effort!”

Though he had his own reasons and wanted the music, Dou Shilang had not come away empty-handed. At the very least, the recluse from Zhongnan, an acquaintance of Dou Xiguan, could now easily obtain a post at court, and the other officials who took the opportunity to do favors had also benefited. Smiling, Dou Shilang accepted the scroll and personally poured Du Shiyi a cup of wine.

“Think nothing of it. In the future, perhaps I will have cause to seek your help, Du Nineteen. I cannot go to see Master Lu myself, so let this cup serve as my farewell to him!”