Great Tang Idyll - Chapter 127

The night was hazy, and lanterns reflected in the water, casting soft, crimson glows on the pavilion under the winter sky.

At “Between the Water and Clouds,” from the second-floor window, one could look down at the artificial lake, which showed no signs of ice. The family of the old man who had arrived a few days prior was also present. At first, they had found it odd, but during the day, they had seen workers using charcoal braziers to keep the lake’s surface warm, and when any thin ice formed, someone would immediately clear it away.

At this time, a few lanterns were hung on boats drifting in the lake, illuminating the surroundings and accentuating the solitary pavilion in the middle. The scene was dreamlike, with the wintry starry sky as a backdrop.

A young girl of about sixteen or seventeen, with her hair in double buns, pressed her small hands against the window, standing on her tiptoes to peer down. Her large, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Grandpa, look! Look! There are lanterns below. It’s so beautiful,” she exclaimed, freeing one hand and pointing excitedly down as she turned to the old man.

The old man, already familiar with the scene below, stood up, walked over to his granddaughter, and looked where she pointed. He touched her head and said, “I see it, I see it. I think it’s wonderful. Let’s come to see this often in the future.”

“Father, are you really planning to retire?” asked a man sitting by the table, responding to the old man’s comment.

“Kang’er, it’s not that I want to retire. My health isn’t what it once was. Staying in that position any longer could harm both the country and the people. It’s better to find a place with a good view and enjoy it in my leisure time.” There was a hint of helplessness in the old man’s voice. Seeing his granddaughter looking up at him with a puzzled face, he added, “Before, I didn’t know where to go, but now I do. It’s here, at ‘Between the Water and Clouds.’ Watching the scenery and tasting the food—this can be our place. I don’t think they’ll charge me too much. Isn’t that right, little girl from the Wang family?”

His last few words were directed at Aunt Wang, who was standing nearby. She remained silent, but her assistants, Dazao and Xiaozao, nodded. Xiaozao, eager to speak, said, “You’re right, my lord. In the future, you won’t have to pay a single coin. The Zhang family wouldn’t dare refuse.”

“Hehe, young lady, you’d better not let the Zhang family hear you talk like that, or they might throw you out. The Zhang family isn’t the same as before. Tomorrow, I’ll let you meet their children. After the New Year, you’ll have stories to share when you return.”

The old man doubted that the head of the Zhang family still feared confrontation. Judging by what the family had achieved over the past two years, either the head of the family was highly capable, or there was an expert guiding them.

Aunt Wang, however, thought little of the Zhang family and remarked, “My lord, even if the Zhang family is stronger now and holds a seventh-rank official position, it’s nothing in the eyes of others. When they come to the capital next year, won’t they still rely on the Wang family for support? Otherwise, who would host the poetry and wine gatherings for them?”

The old man looked at Aunt Wang, his family’s manager, with a hint of disappointment. He shook his head and said, “If you still think that way, don’t bother meeting the children tomorrow. Observe how the Zhang and Wang families manage their affairs. Ordinary people could not accomplish what they’ve done.”

Aunt Wang didn’t dare contradict him, so she muttered, “It’s just a manor. How can they have such skills? With only a hundred residents, do they think they can reach the sky?”

The old man chose not to say more and turned to his son. “Kang’er, you should go tomorrow as well. You’ve only just arrived, so you don’t yet know what the Zhang and Wang families are like. Learn from your cousin and go observe Little Luoshui and the pier.”

“Father, I understand. If the Zhang and Wang families differ from other places, then those behind them must be remarkable,” the son replied, standing up respectfully.

Pleased with his son’s response, the old man smiled, sat back down, and looked at the bubbling hot pot on the table. He picked up a slice of mutton with his chopsticks, blanched it in the pot, dipped it in sauce, and ate it. After savoring it, he remarked, “This way of eating is unlike anything I’ve tried. The mutton melts in your mouth, with no gaminess at all. It won’t be long before everyone’s eating it this way.”

“You’re absolutely right, my lord,” agreed the old lady at the table. “I’ve lost a few teeth and thought I couldn’t eat this meat, but it’s so tender that I could chew and swallow it easily. The chefs at ‘Between the Water and Clouds’ are exceptional.”

The old man’s son quickly blanched two more slices and placed them on the old lady’s plate. “Mother, enjoy. This meat is fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry. You should have some.”

He also placed a piece of braised pork on her plate. It was bright red, caramelized with white sugar, and made with five-layered pork belly blanched with hawthorn juice.

The old lady looked at her son, then at her granddaughter, and then at the lively atmosphere in the room. She smiled happily and said to the old man, “I heard there’s tension between the new magistrate of Sanshui County and the Zhang and Wang families. Perhaps you could advise them? If the magistrate resorts to harsh measures, it may not end well for the Zhang and Wang families.”

She seemed genuinely concerned about the families. After all, a magistrate still held significant power.

As she spoke, she looked at Aunt Wang, her intention clear. Aunt Wang understood but pretended not to. Meanwhile, Xiaozao and Dazao glanced at each other, nervous but afraid to speak up.

The old man thought for a moment and replied, “Don’t worry; it’s New Year’s Eve. Who would be so inconsiderate as to cause trouble at a time like this? After the New Year, when Zhang Zhong takes the prefecture exam, he’ll earn the title of a Juren. Since we’re close to the capital, he can take the Spring exam this year.”

In a few months, as long as nothing happened to the Zhang and Wang families, with the support of those in the capital, the manors would have had little to worry about, as long as Zhang Zhong could prove his abilities.

“Father is right. This place is close to the capital. Once he obtains the Xianggong title, which permits him to take the exam, he could immediately head to the capital, unlike those who live farther away and might not arrive until a year after receiving the title. If something were to happen along the way, it could be even more troublesome. However, his Xianggong ranking mustn’t be too low. Father, could you help him find a way?”

Kang’er agreed, intending to assist the Zhang family so that, if his father chose to live here in the future, the Zhang family would take good care of him.

The old man smiled and said, “Kang’er, they don’t need my help for this sort of task. If you look at the paintings and calligraphy on the walls, you’ll see how much effort the Zhang family has put in. Before the exam, Zhang Zhong’s name will be known to everyone.

They submitted their technique for growing vegetables in winter, so people in cold climates could enjoy fresh produce during the season. The Zhang family didn’t seek any official rewards, so they must be doing this to build a good reputation.”

Kang’er realized the Zhang family had planned ahead. Since Zhang Zhong’s calligraphy and paintings were displayed at “Between the Water and Clouds,” he imagined it would be the same at Little Luoshui. Promoted so publicly, even if Zhang Zhong wasn’t exceptionally talented, he was still better off than those scholars who couldn’t secure help, no matter how hard they tried.

“Hmph! I doubt Zhang Zhong will get first place in the prefecture exam. Each prefecture has its top scholars, and many first-place winners from recent years will gather in the capital. Do they think the Spring exam is that easy?” Aunt Wang muttered again, showing disdain for Zhang Zhong, Zhang Xiaobao’s father. She always had something sarcastic to say but didn’t seem to hold back from eating the dishes on the table.

Dazao and Xiaozao, unable to interrupt, whispered to each other.

“Dazao, you’ll see the little master tomorrow. What do you think he looks like? Will he be as silly as Zhang Zhong? Will you even be able to speak in front of someone like that?” Xiaozao pondered Zhang Zhong’s features, imagining a blend of him and Zhang Xiaobao, and asked Dazao.

Dazao, less imaginative, shook her head. “How would I know? I heard the young miss of the Wang family is very lively. They say she and the young master met right after they were born. They insisted on staying together and would cry if separated. They’ve been living at the Zhang residence this whole time.

If I had grown up with someone like that, it would’ve been wonderful. We could play together, grow up together, and if someone bullied me, he would defend me. I’d wash clothes and cook for him, and then… then…”

Dazao trailed off, her voice growing softer, her cheeks turning red.

Xiaozao, hearing this, was taken aback. She gazed out at the night scenery, eventually turning to smile at Dazao. “Dazao, do you wish you’d grown up with Erkui from our household? I know what you’re thinking.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m referring to the young miss of the Wang family! Erkui is so clumsy; I don’t like him. What does he have to do with me? I never thought about him. You don’t know this, but last month, he went out with the others, but when he returned, he tried to catch a fish. The river was already frozen, and he fell in. Isn’t he foolish? And in October, he…” Dazao denied Xiaozao’s suggestion but began recounting incidents involving Erkui as though she were counting treasured memories. Xiaozao was left astonished.

Many things always seemed to happen at night. In Zhang Xiaobao’s yard, Wang Juan rested her chin on her hand, while Zhang Xiaobao kept his eyes wide open, tapping his cheek with his finger. Neither wanted to sleep that night.

As the hours passed, the servants hurried to the door, calling out to Shiliu and Yingtao, who stood guard, “Go inform the young master and young miss that Young Master Li has arrived.”