SEHE Chapter 53

Sincerity 

The wind carries floral tidings, rain washes away spring dust.

Pei Yanci had Brother Wuli deliver the visiting card from the Prince’s mansion. When he returned, he brought news from Xin Hai: Cui Nan and Gu Xing had already reported to the Military Governor’s Office in Yongzhou.

Yongzhou bordered Anjing City, both belonging to the Capital Region. Jiang Yi had essentially done Pei Yanci a favor by letting the two stay close to the capital, so they could frequently return to the capital during their leisure time.

In just a few short days, Xin Hai had already begun renovating the tavern according to his requirements. The courtyard was simple enough – under the existing layout, they only needed to repaint the walls and replace the tiles, move in some new furniture, and after drying for two days it would be ready for occupancy. He first cleaned up several rooms, brought over the children he had purchased to live there, and began teaching them some basic fingering techniques to help them get started quickly.

Pei Yanci had Brother Wuli run another errand to Great Scholar Fang’s residence, asking him to notify the Song uncles and nephew that the courtyard was ready, and they could tell the examination candidates still lingering in the city to choose a date to move over.

After that banquet, not many examination candidates had returned home – about forty remained in the capital. They came from ordinary or even impoverished backgrounds. In the Great Yu dynasty, successful candidates gained few substantial benefits, much like scholars – they were exempt from bowing to officials below the rank of Circuit Commissioner, only needing to bow in greeting, and they and their families were exempt from corvée labor.

This was actually part of the aristocratic families’ “well-intentioned scheme.” Every three years, these examination candidates traveled from various states across Great Yu, and travel expenses and lodging alone cost considerable money – completely beyond what poor families could afford. In the end, since the founding of Great Yu when the Founding Emperor established the imperial examination system, the aristocratic families had worked from this inconspicuous angle to greatly limit opportunities for many impoverished people at the bottom to advance themselves. The examination system gradually became another legitimate and proper opportunity for the wealthy and powerful families to enter officialdom.

These examination candidates had received an opportunity and would stay in Anjing for a while longer. Whether the theater could ultimately be established was unclear to them, but Pei Yanci had previously paid for their inn lodging, and now provided them with room and board – this had already given them considerable benefit.

Those examination candidates reciprocated the favor, and within two days some had completed their assignments, giving Pei Yanci several interesting stories – some were folk tales of ghosts and supernatural legends, others were deeply moving love stories, all widely circulated in their rural areas and quite entertaining to read. After Pei Yanci read through them once, he had Xin Hai keep a closer watch recently to quickly arrange them into puppet plays, as he might not have much time to visit the tavern to check on progress in the near future.

Because the Wang family had already replied to the visiting card, he took gifts and Gu Jiuqing’s orchid painting to visit the Wang family mansion.

His original intention was to meet Crown Prince Attendant Wang Lingche, but when he arrived at the Wang mansion, it was Wang Lingche’s little uncle who received him.

“Che’er must perform Buddhist devotions and recite sutras daily. Right now he’s in the Buddhist hall,” Wang family’s little uncle said with a pretentious face showing a trace of guilt that quickly disappeared, then smiled and continued, “I hope Chief Steward Pei won’t take offense.”

Pei Yanci raised an eyebrow and got straight to the point. “His Highness recently wants to abolish the old tax law and introduce new tax law measures. Is the Wang family willing to support His Highness?”

“His Highness values the Wang family and wishes to join hands with us to jointly promote such great undertakings – this gives the Wang family an excellent opportunity. Moreover, the new tax law represents revolutionary reform, benefiting the country and people, achieving merit in the present age and bringing benefit for a thousand autumns. Our Wang family also wants to follow His Highness and accomplish some real achievements. However, looking at the current situation,” 

He paused in his speech, his expression unchanged, continuing calmly. “The tax law reform has been debated for over ten days, with the eunuch faction and the Zheng family throwing mud at each other and engaging in disputes. This is actually not the situation His Majesty wants to see. If His Highness can produce concrete new measures, not to mention our Wang family – His Majesty would certainly issue direct orders for implementation.”

“The measures will be forthcoming in due time. Wang Daren need only wait quietly for good news,” Pei Yanci said, though he had yet to see anything concrete himself. “If His Majesty hesitates, how would the Wang family speak up at court sessions then?”

Wang family’s little uncle picked up his tea cup with a smiling expression. “As long as the measures benefit the country and people, we naturally will support them.”

Seeing that after such a short conversation he was already showing signs of wanting to send him away, Pei Yanci looked around at the five or six servants waiting in the great hall, then looked at his counterpart with increasingly sharp eyes. “Can Wang Daren’s attitude completely represent the Wang family?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The person I came to see today is Attendant Wang. You accepted the visiting card from the Crown Prince’s mansion, yet won’t let me see Attendant Wang. Does the Wang family think His Highness has just taken power and is easy to fool?”

Wang family’s little uncle’s expression immediately stiffened slightly. He was accustomed to speaking this way in official circles, and others had always been politely cooperative – this was the first time he’d encountered someone so blunt.

Before he could speak, Pei Yanci, who couldn’t conceal the cold mockery at the corner of his mouth, said, “So Attendant Wang won’t even see me and directly made excuses, only having you come out to receive me. The Wang family shows such disrespect to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Even a seventh-rank official at the prime minister’s gate carries weight, let alone someone who was the Crown Prince’s confidant. Even if just a servant, he was still a servant from the Crown Prince’s presence – that carried considerable weight.

He had sent the visiting card two days ago. What was one purpose of visiting cards? To ensure the host family would also be free at that time to receive guests. Yet when he arrived at the Wang family, they said Wang Lingche was in the Buddhist hall at this time – this was disrespectful.

Wang family’s little uncle’s expression could barely hold, and he set his tea cup down heavily on the table. “The Wang family is being disrespectful? I am a fourth-rank Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites – doesn’t this rank carry more weight than a Crown Prince Attendant?”

His nephew was so well-behaved, how could he understand dealing with these old foxes in official circles? If Wang family head Master Gui Jingbo came to receive guests, it would seem like giving too much face to Pei Yanci, a mere servant. After thinking it over, the Wang family had him come out instead.

Honestly, he had some resentment about meeting a servant from the Crown Prince’s mansion.

Speaking of disrespect, wasn’t it the Crown Prince who first failed to regard their Wang family with proper respect?

“In that case, it seems my status has caused Wang Daren to feel slighted, so please have Attendant Wang come out to meet – his status matches mine.”

The eldest legitimate grandson of the distinguished Wang family, the future heir of the Wang family, could never have status equivalent to a mere servant, no matter what.

Wang family’s little uncle’s expression was poor, and he was even less willing to call for someone. “Lingche truly has no time right now. Don’t forget it’s His Highness the Crown Prince who seeks our Wang family’s support. If you really want to meet and discuss tax law matters, then have His Highness come another day.”

“Is he truly busy, or is your Wang family deliberately making things difficult? Since he took the position of Crown Prince Attendant, he should be responsible to His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness didn’t summon him to come, but instead lowered his stance to have me visit the mansion – this already shows consideration for the Wang family’s face. If he truly doesn’t want to hold this office, our Highness won’t force anyone against their will – let him sever worldly ties and properly become a monk.”

Wang family’s little uncle hadn’t expected him to lose his temper so completely, and was momentarily intimidated.

Behind them, a serene sandalwood fragrance somehow appeared.

Both men looked toward the window behind them.

A tall, slender man in white robes stood at the window, backlit, his jade-like handsome face carrying a kind of humble and peaceful tranquility. A black mole on the left side of his nose bridge added an inexplicable touch of charm.

His straight, lean figure perfectly filled the white silk robes, ethereal as a banished immortal, majestic as a jade tree. His hands clasped at his waist held a string of simple purple sandalwood prayer beads. Looking closely, those full, soft lips seemed to be silently murmuring Buddhist scriptures.

When Wang Lingche saw that face turning toward him, a flash of surprise briefly crossed his clear eyes before immediately returning to calm, revealing a hint of simple honesty.

Pei Yanci didn’t miss that trace of surprise in his eyes, nor did he miss those clean, bright eyes that seemed capable of easily seeing through everything.

“I presume this must be Attendant Wang. Crown Prince’s mansion Chief Steward Pei Yanci greets you, daren.”

“Chief Steward?” Wang Lingche’s clear voice, like spring water flowing over stones, carried some confusion and disbelief.

“Precisely. Could Wang Daren move to the inner hall for detailed discussion?” Pei Yanci extended his arm inward in invitation.

Wang Lingche glanced at his little uncle, who frowned with worry and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

He gave a reassuring look and pulled his mouth into a slight smile.

Pei Yanci watched the two without speaking.

“Lingche, you finished reciting sutras much faster than usual today. Today we have an honored guest at the mansion, specifically looking for you. You see, Buddhist affairs still can’t compare in importance to worldly matters. Even if it takes a bit more time, Buddha won’t blame you.”

Wang family’s little uncle was speaking to Wang Lingche, but the content was explaining to Pei Yanci while also criticizing his faults.

Wang family’s little uncle continued. “We’ve already discussed most matters here. If you have other business, go attend to it first. Uncle is here to keep company.”

“It’s fine. Since they’re looking for me, I should come out to meet them.” With that, he walked around to the front entrance.

Pei Yanci spoke at the right moment. “Daren, having been in official circles for years, you should understand – some things can be said to your Wang family, but some things can only be discussed with people from the Eastern Palace.”

He said leisurely, “This is also for your own good, daren.”

Little Uncle Wang also understood this principle, especially regarding sensitive places like the Eastern Palace.

However, he was somewhat worried about Wang Lingche.

“Does Wang Daren want to stay here and listen?”

Wang family’s little uncle looked embarrassed, snorted coldly, and left.

“You all may leave as well.” Wang Lingche dismissed the surrounding servants. “Standing here too long will inevitably make your feet sore. Go rest first. If we need anything, we’ll call for you.”

The surrounding servants all took their leave.

“Attendant Wang truly required countless calls to finally appear.” When only the two remained, Pei Yanci said with a half-smile, “Compassionate and benevolent, treating servants kindly, yet leaving me aside – it seems Pei is unworthy and cannot catch Attendant Wang’s eye.”

“That’s absolutely not the case. Speaking shamefully, daily devotions cannot be abandoned. Today, thinking that someone from His Highness the Crown Prince was coming, I finished half a double-hour early.” His tone was gentle, his eyes like mountain springs.

“If one truly has Buddha in their heart, what does it matter whether one performs devotions or not? Attendant Wang’s compassionate heart requires deeper cultivation.”

Wang Lingche’s face showed some embarrassment. “After studying for three years, I still haven’t gained Buddhist affinity. I still need constant mindfulness, reminding myself to maintain inner peace and not argue with vulgar and evil people.”

Pei Yanci raised an eyebrow. “Does Attendant Wang think I am a vulgar person or an evil person?”

Wang Lingche immediately panicked and hurriedly explained, “I absolutely didn’t mean that. I was just saying my own cultivation isn’t sufficient, that I can’t maintain a peaceful mindset. Chief Steward is very good.”

His attitude was sincere, and his appearance and nature were both well-behaved and pure, which instead made himself seem like a bully picking on him.

Pei Yanci, accustomed to seeing people who habitually used manipulative tactics in official circles, was meeting someone so genuinely sincere for the first time and felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.

“Just now your little uncle said the Wang family doesn’t plan to support His Highness’s new tax law reform?” Pei Yanci directly dug a trap.

“Although they don’t approve, I actually do approve.” Wang Lingche said, “The Book of Changes says that the revolutions of Tang and Wu were in accordance with Heaven and responsive to the people. The Founding Emperor’s laws have existed for over two hundred years. Proposing new laws at this time is precisely following Heaven’s mandate and responding to the people’s hearts.”

“You each hold different views – who can represent your Wang family’s intentions?”

“We’re all Wang family members – why must anyone represent anyone else? During the pre-Qin period, the various philosophical schools each expressed their own views. In our dynasty, His Majesty rules with enlightenment – surely individual thoughts shouldn’t be suppressed.” Wang Lingche said with confusion.

“You support His Highness’s views – can you produce concrete, effective measures to lend His Highness a helping hand?”

“I have limited talents and shallow learning,” Wang Lingche said shamefully. “My family arranged this position for me, but actually I have no heart for official career. I only wish that someday I could abandon all worldly constraints and become a lamp before Buddha’s seat as a Buddhist disciple.”

“Since you have no heart for this, shouldn’t you resign from office and give those who want to accomplish something a chance?” Pei Yanci’s words became increasingly sharp, his language cutting and elevated, pressing closer step by step, invisibly giving his opponent a strong sense of oppressive intimidation.

“I would like to, but I fear disappointing my parents and causing them worry – this would violate filial piety.” Wang Lingche, whether from reading too many books or reciting too many sutras, showed no fear, looking apologetic toward him. “Currently the court has surplus official positions, with too many people buying and donating their way into office. Actually, my position wouldn’t be missed – there are still many opportunities for capable people.”

“……” You really dare to speak out about everything without any reservation.

He somewhat understood his little uncle’s worried expression before leaving.

****

After leaving the Wang mansion, as Pei Yanci was about to board his carriage, his peripheral vision caught sight of clothing hastily retreating at the mouth of the alley ahead.

Entering the carriage, Shuangjiang immediately stepped aside and bowed in service before him.

“What time is it?” Pei Yanci leaned back against the hidden cushion, eyes slightly closed, speaking lazily.

“Nearly noon. Chief Steward was inside for a full double-hour. Your timing control was absolutely precise.”

Pei Yanci lifted a corner of the carriage’s small curtain with his index finger. Shuangjiang immediately said: “The Zheng family’s people have been there the whole time. They noticed when Chief Steward entered and exited.”

“Tell your Chief Overseer to change the focus to Wang Lingche’s little uncle.” Pei Yanci lowered his finger from the curtain, supporting his head with one hand.

“Yes. Chief Steward, does that Attendant Wang seem difficult to deal with?”

“Not exactly difficult, just… too sincere.”