Chapter Seventy-Seven: A Perfect Union

The Four Treasures of the Study have always been beloved by scholars, and Wang Wei was instantly captivated when he first saw this precious inkstone. Though he hailed from a prominent official family and had frequented the noble households of both capitals, his expenses were considerable, and he doubted that such an inkstone could be purchased for merely ten or twenty thousand coins. He thus struggled to restrain his impulse and glanced at Du Shiyi, seeking his opinion.

“This is indeed a fine inkstone. If it were brought to the residence of a prince or noble, solely by virtue of its quality, it might fetch a handsome price. However…” Du Shiyi abruptly shifted his tone, pausing before he asked, “You still have over a dozen other inkstones. If someone were to buy this one merely to keep it locked away, your remaining inkstones would still pile up at home, never seeing the light of day. In both capitals, stone inkstones are not widely circulated; most are made from stones from Xuanzhou and Qingzhou. The Duanzhou inkstones are famed only in southern lands. Do you understand?”

Yang Zongwan, remembering Du Shiyi’s kindness in returning the inkstone he found and the warm words that had comforted his heart, had harbored great hope. But at this moment, Du’s words were like a cold douse, chilling him to the core.

He stood dazed for a moment, then forced a bitter smile. “Thank you for the reminder, sir. I have been too ambitious, thinking the two capitals gathered all the talents of the realm and that these Duan inkstones would find their purpose here. It seems now, it was but an empty dream. I followed Prime Minister Song from Guangdong, traversing mountains and rivers to the north, exhausting all I had. Now, with the ten thousand coins from this inkstone, I can pay off my debts for lodging and food, with little left, not to mention the journey home. If you like the inkstone, name your price.”

Seeing Yang Zongwan so dispirited and Wang Wei’s face also changed, Du Shiyi smiled. “You misunderstand me. I am not taking advantage of your plight. I mean, Duan inkstones are not well-known in the north, and that is a major reason they do not circulate here. But another is the lack of good ink suited for them—it’s like pairing a fine horse with a worthy saddle. Tell me, aside from this one, how many Duan inkstones do you have?”

“Uh… there are twelve others,” Yang Zongwan replied hesitantly after a pause.

“To you, that may seem a lot. But if Duan inkstones become renowned, they will hardly suffice.” Seeing Yang Zongwan’s mouth drop open in disbelief, Du Shiyi continued with a smile, “So, you lack the funds for the return journey—I can provide them. Go back to Duanzhou and gather the finest inkstone stones—not finished inkstones, but raw stones. Then return to the Eastern Capital. Don’t rush to carve them; simply store them for now. As for expenses and travel costs, don’t worry—I’ll send Wu Jiu to accompany you home. If you wish to spread the fame of Duan inkstones, I can help you do just that!”

“Are you serious?” Yang Zongwan could scarcely believe his ears. When Wu Jiu had come for him, he had already embellished the reputation of his master, claiming Du Shiyi hailed from the illustrious Du clan of Jingzhao, was mentored by the recluse Lu Hong of Mount Song who had refused imperial summons, and was acquainted with the Cui family of Yongfeng Lane, as well as renowned in Duke Bi’s household. Yang had arrived full of hope, only for it to be dashed, then revived in an even brighter vision—such ups and downs were hard to process.

Noticing Yang’s stunned look, Du Shiyi smiled sympathetically. “In any case, go back and consider it.”

“No need for consideration!” Yang Zongwan declared firmly, taking a deep breath. “I am already a man with nowhere to turn, and yet you have shown me such favor. I only hoped to find a kindred spirit for this treasure inkstone, but now I can seek a soulmate for Duan inkstones themselves. How fortunate I am! Therefore, I will leave this precious inkstone here with you, prepare for the journey, and soon entrust all the stone inkstones to your care before setting out!”

Dealing with such a straightforward person, Du Shiyi felt at ease and content. He nodded with a smile, escorted Yang to the door, and watched Wu Jiu lead him away. When he turned back, he saw Wang Wei still gazing at the Duan inkstone, inspecting it from every angle as if unable to part with it. Sitting cross-legged beside him, Du Shiyi was met with Wang Wei’s raised head and his question: “The round-trip to Guangdong and the cost of gathering inkstone stones—this is no small sum. If I am not mistaken, Du Shiyi, your family is not particularly wealthy. Such a large amount…”

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“Fifty strings of cash will suffice for travel expenses. I happened to have one hundred when I left Mount Song, just in case. As for collecting inkstone stones, combined with travel costs, it will be at least two hundred strings, which is beyond my means. But Cui Eleven of Yongfeng Lane will surely be willing to help.”

Wang Wei was startled at how Du Shiyi discussed such a risky undertaking as if buying a scroll of books, so lightly and casually. He looked at the Duan inkstone for a long time, finally abandoning further inquiry with a helpless smile. “I have been alone in the two capitals, with heavy expenses, and now I am to welcome Fifteen here. My home has three younger brothers and a sister. Even if I wish to help, I am afraid I cannot.”

“You exaggerate, brother Wang. I tend to do things in unconventional ways, often leaving others speechless. With your mother and siblings at home, I dare not pull you into this. But before this is accomplished, I ask you to keep it secret. As for ink craftsmen, please keep an eye out for me.”

Such a small request, Wang Wei gladly agreed. After sitting a while longer, he took his leave. Not long after, Du Thirteen and Bamboo Shadow returned. These past days, she had been a bit downcast, but after visiting a Buddhist temple, she seemed to have fulfilled some wish and was in high spirits, chattering about her temple experiences as before in Du Shiyi’s room. She soon grew sleepy, struggled through lunch, and retired for a nap. Du Shiyi instructed Bamboo Shadow to keep watch and wrote a letter for Tian Mo to deliver to the Cui family for Cui Jianxuan. Tian Mo did not return until evening, just before curfew, bringing only a simple message from Cui Eleven.

“I’ll follow your lead!”

Having been warned by both Cui Fifth Lady and Wang Wei about the Liu family, Du Shiyi remained indoors for the next few days, occasionally guiding Du Thirteen in her calligraphy. During this time, Cui Jianxuan came by quietly, left some gold and two followers as his trusted aides, and departed immediately. Du Shiyi sent Wu Jiu to fetch Yang Zongwan again, learned he was ready, and assigned Wu Jiu and the two Cui followers to accompany him south with the funds, while Du Thirteen was to take the temporarily stored inkstones to the Cui residence for safekeeping.

Having received word from Du Fu, he wrote another letter, sending it via courier to Xianzhou, Xiping County. With all matters settled, Wang Wei recommended two skilled ink craftsmen, and by mid-February, Lady Du De of Qi State had greatly improved in health. After consulting, Cui Taizhi and Cui Ezhi decided that Cui Jianxuan should accompany Du Shiyi back to Mount Song for further study.

On departure day, though the Cui family did not hold a grand feast, they arranged a small farewell banquet in Lady Du De’s quarters. This was the first time Du Shiyi met Madam Li of Zhao State, mother of Cui Jianxuan, Fifth Lady, and Ninth Lady. Li had married Cui Ezhi young and bore him three sons and two daughters. Though no longer youthful, her phoenix eyes still reflected her former grace. She was gentle by nature and not in robust health, her face pale, but when speaking of Cui Jianxuan, her cheeks would flush.

“Du Shiyi, I entrust Eleven to you.”

“Madam, rest assured, I will take good care of him.”

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While replying, Du Shiyi glanced at Cui Jianxuan, who gloomily downed a cup of wine. He recalled how Lady Du De, Fifth Lady, and Ninth Lady had all subtly warned him not to let Jianxuan cause trouble, and could not help but smile. On the opposite side, Du Thirteen was also drinking, so he addressed her, “My sister will be staying at the Cui residence, and I am truly grateful. She is my only sibling, and not only did she accompany me to Mount Song to seek a physician, but for nearly two years lived alone in the mountains, never complaining of hardship. I owe her much. I hope she may find joy among Fifth Lady and Ninth Lady.”

“Brother…”

Seeing Du Thirteen finally look up, her eyes glistening with tears, Du Shiyi raised his cup with a gentle smile. “Thirteen, don’t forget what you said when you wished to stay behind.”

“I won’t forget.” Du Thirteen watched her brother finish his wine, bit her lip hard, and forced back tears, replying word by word, “Brother, focus on your studies and do not worry about me. I will take good care of myself!”

When it was time to depart, Cui Jianxuan, disliking trouble, ordered the family’s various luggage to be packed separately, sending two men to accompany the ink craftsmen and slowly deliver everything to the Lu residence at Xuanyan Peak. He himself, with Du Shiyi, only brought one attendant and Tian Mo, and once out of Eastern Capital Luoyang, they galloped along the official road. After riding hard for over ten miles, Jianxuan finally reined in his horse, exhaling in relief. “Within the city, except for envoys, no one can gallop, and the endless etiquette and rules are suffocating! Now I can finally breathe—what a relief!”

“Aren’t you even a little sentimental about leaving your family?”

Du Shiyi was still thinking of Du Thirteen’s forced smile, and seeing Jianxuan’s attitude, could not help but find the boy heartless. Yet as he spoke, Jianxuan grimaced. “Fourth Uncle and Father glare at me whenever they see me—I fear them most. As for Sister and Ninth Lady, I’m glad to be away from them. Of course I miss my grandmother and mother, but if I stayed home, I’d only give them headaches. You know as well as I do, unless I avoid outsiders, I tend to offend people whenever I speak!”

Jianxuan spoke of his faults as if they were virtues, and Du Shiyi was so exasperated he whipped his horse and left him behind, riding ahead. But soon, he noticed a crowd blocking the road ahead as if something had happened. Frowning, he found a middle-aged man and asked, only to receive a sigh in reply.

“I heard that Fourth Young Lord Jiang of Duke Chu’s household had his horse startled, and it ran straight into the wheat fields by the road. The servants are down there rescuing him, but it’s unclear how things stand!”