The proprietor of Xianwei Tower naturally treated the county magistrate’s personal visit with utmost courtesy. Without a second word, he immediately offered up the finest private room in the establishment.
Seeing how quiet and elegant the room was, Tao Mo was delighted. His only regret was that the guest he was entertaining was not Gu She. He thought that if he could sit in this private room with Gu She, drinking wine and playing Go together, it would surely be one of life’s greatest pleasures. With that thought, his enthusiasm for the banquet diminished by three parts, while his anticipation for tonight’s game with Gu She increased tenfold.
The proprietor observed his expression and, seeing that his thoughts were elsewhere, took the initiative to recommend several of Xianwei Tower’s famous dishes.
Tao Mo agreed to each of them.
The proprietor then asked about the number of guests and when the dishes should be served.
Tao Mo answered casually.
Unfortunately, his answers differed greatly from reality.
He had assumed that, at most, he would be entertaining Yi Yu and perhaps Peng Xiang as well. Yet when he actually entered the room, Yi Yu, Peng Xiang, Mu Chun, Adviser Jin, and Hao Guozi were all present without exception.
Tao Mo stared blankly. “You all…”
Mu Chun said, “Come to think of it, I’ve been in Tanyang County for quite some time now, yet I’ve never once visited Xianwei Tower. Had our master not been treating us today, I fear I would still be lingering outside the door, longing for a chance to enter.”
Adviser Jin said, “I’ve been here before. The previous magistrates treated me.”
“You all wait here for a moment.” Flushing bright red with embarrassment, Tao Mo hurriedly rose to summon the proprietor, ordering additional place settings and several more dishes.
When he returned, Adviser Jin and Mu Chun were already deep in an animated conversation.
Yi Yu sat elegantly to one side. He had always been beautiful, but seated before the pale ink landscape painting behind him, his striking beauty appeared all the more enchanting and alluring.
As if sensing Tao Mo’s gaze, Yi Yu lifted his head and offered him a faint smile.
Tao Mo immediately felt warmth surge through his chest. Memories and old feelings from the past flooded his heart, causing his cheeks to redden.
“Young Master, sit down first.” Hao Guozi shot Yi Yu a displeased glare before pulling Tao Mo into a seat.
Once seated, Tao Mo found himself directly opposite Mu Chun. Mu Chun’s appearance was by no means inferior to Yi Yu’s, but his features were refined and gentle rather than dazzlingly seductive. Looking at him, Tao Mo’s turbulent emotions immediately settled.
Mu Chun said, “The rest of us are merely here to accompany the meal. Today, Young Master Yi Yu is the honored guest. Whatever you wish to say to our master, please speak freely. There’s no need to mind us.” As he spoke, he truly stopped paying attention to Yi Yu and Tao Mo, instead pouring tea for Adviser Jin. The two of them proceeded to drink tea in place of wine.
Yi Yu’s gaze shifted. Looking past Hao Guozi, he smiled at Tao Mo. “I had originally intended to prepare a few of my specialty dishes as a gesture of gratitude for your hospitality. I never expected you would go to such expense again.”
“Not at all, not at all. As the host, I should be the one extending hospitality.” Tao Mo awkwardly lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Yi Yu said, “It’s only been a short while since we last met, yet your literary refinement has improved tremendously.”
Tao Mo’s face reddened. Though he was a county magistrate, aside from setting Mu Chun and Adviser Jin aside, every person present possessed greater literary talent than he did. Yi Yu’s remark was clearly flattery. He hurriedly replied, “I don’t deserve such praise. In truth, these few polite phrases were things I learned years ago at Qunxiang Tower.”
Yi Yu covered his mouth and laughed softly. “If it weren’t for your photographic memory, how could anyone else manage such a feat?”
A photographic memory?
Adviser Jin could not help glancing at Tao Mo.
Tao Mo smiled bitterly. “I can remember things, but I don’t understand their meaning. It’s of little use.”
Mu Chun suddenly interjected, “When it comes to learning, one should properly attend an academy. Places of the marketplace are full of all manner of people. Picking up a few superficial tricks there is one thing, but one cannot truly pursue scholarship in such places.”
Yi Yu turned toward Mu Chun. From the very beginning, he had sensed that the man was subtly targeting him at every opportunity, and at this moment that suspicion was confirmed.
Ignoring the undercurrents flowing beneath the conversation, Adviser Jin nodded in agreement with Mu Chun’s opinion. “Exactly so. If our master truly wishes to rise through the ranks, he ought to study some books.” This remark came from genuine sincerity. No matter how capable an illiterate man might be, he could at best become a competent subordinate to high officials; he could never become a great administrator governing a region in his own right. Adviser Jin knew very well that what the Emperor truly valued were scholars who had come up through the imperial examinations. Officials like Tao Mo, who had purchased their positions through donation, could at most hope for a transfer to a somewhat better county. Promotion beyond that would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Knowing that both men meant well, Tao Mo also thought of Gu She. Although Gu She had never recited poetry or composed verse in front of him, there was no need to ask to know that he must be profoundly learned. If Tao Mo wished to befriend him, then he ought at least to learn to read and write. After pondering the matter, he said, “Both advisers make a great deal of sense. If Adviser Mu has the time, could you please find a tutor for me?”
Mu Chun had not actually expected to persuade him so easily. After a brief moment of surprise, he smiled and said, “Very well.”
The topic that Yi Yu had worked so hard to introduce was completely swept away by this discussion of learning and study. He did not become annoyed. Instead, he simply listened leisurely to their conversation, occasionally casting a glance toward Tao Mo.
After several such exchanges, Tao Mo began to feel uneasy and took the initiative to speak. “When are you planning to buy a house?”
Peng Xiang’s face darkened.
Tao Mo immediately realized that his words sounded as though he were trying to hurry them away and hastily added, “If you need any help, I can assist as well.”
Yi Yu smiled. “Thanks to you, I have a temporary place to stay and can take my time choosing a house.”
“Yes, yes, yes. One should certainly be cautious.” Tao Mo took another sip of tea.
In a strange tone, Hao Guozi remarked, “It’s not as if you’re opening a business. What is there to choose? Feng shui? Whether the place brings good peach-blossom luck?”
Yi Yu lowered his eyes and, when he spoke, there was a faint tremor in his voice. “I only wish to find a place where I can spend the rest of my life.”
Tao Mo frowned and gently tugged at Hao Guozi’s sleeve.
Mu Chun said, “Adviser Jin knows Tanyang County better than anyone. Do you have any recommendations?”
“That depends on Young Master Yi Yu’s preferences.” Adviser Jin’s tone was neither warm nor cold. Having spent many years at the county yamen, he had developed his own way of judging people. Though Yi Yu appeared refined and well-mannered, the traces of the pleasure quarters still lingered in his every gesture. His background was obvious without needing to ask.
Before Yi Yu could reply, Mu Chun smiled and said, “A person as detached from the mundane world as Young Master Yi Yu naturally ought to live somewhere elegant and refined, far removed from worldly vulgarities.”
Adviser Jin shot him a half-smiling glance. “Now that you mention it, a place does come to mind. It’s located at the foot of Liu Mountain, ten li east of Tanyang County. The deed is still at the county yamen. If Young Master Yi Yu likes it, I can arrange everything immediately.”
Mu Chun looked at him, and the two shared a silent understanding.
Yi Yu, however, did not take the bait. Smiling, he said, “There’s no hurry. I’ll have a look at it another day before deciding.”
Just then, the waiter finally began serving the dishes.
Everyone picked up their chopsticks and stopped talking.
After leaving Xianwei Tower, Tao Mo had intended to return directly to the county yamen, but Mu Chun dragged him off under the pretext of making an inspection tour around town. The responsibility of escorting Yi Yu and Peng Xiang back to the yamen naturally fell to Adviser Jin. Since Adviser Jin had no interest in wandering the streets anyway, he did not refuse.
Thus, the group of six split into three pairs and headed off in different directions.
The moment Yi Yu disappeared from sight, Hao Guozi immediately began criticizing him.
At first Tao Mo simply listened in silence, but when Hao Guozi’s comments became increasingly unreasonable, he could not help interrupting. “He finally managed to leave Qunxiang Tower. Why be so harsh on him?”
“Finally managed?” Hao Guozi said. “How do you know how he got out? People in that line of work either leave to marry respectably or get thrown out. Who knows what shameful thing he might have done?”
Mu Chun suddenly said, “That’s certainly possible.”
Tao Mo stared at him. “Why would Adviser Mu say such a thing as well?”
Mu Chun smiled faintly. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Hao Guozi nodded vigorously. “I think we’d better keep our guard up around him. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Young Master comes here to take office, and he just happens to follow along? In my opinion, shouldn’t we investigate him?”
“Investigate him? How?” Tao Mo frowned.
Hao Guozi looked at Mu Chun.
Living up to expectations, Mu Chun replied, “If Yi Yu was previously bound by a contract of sale, our master could send someone to inquire at the place where he used to work and determine whether he escaped illegally.”
Hao Guozi clapped his hands. “Excellent idea.”
Tao Mo frowned. “Absolutely not. If he truly escaped, how could I bear to send him back?”
Mu Chun said, “Our master would only be investigating, not taking action. In truth, a person who leaves home and travels alone must have his reasons. Our master might as well investigate those reasons too. If there truly is some difficulty, perhaps you could lend him a helping hand.”
Hao Guozi’s eyes rolled thoughtfully. “Exactly, exactly. Whether it’s good news or bad news, let’s investigate first and talk later!”
Tao Mo hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. “Very well.”
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