Chapter 62: Even an Unworthy Disciple Must Meet the Master

A fifth-rank official in charge of the prime minister’s residence described precisely the glory associated with such positions at the doors of powerful nobles. Though they were not noble figures, though they were even merely servants of others, though they were theoretically paid meager salaries… it was sheer delusion to think one could enter and meet the powerful without flattering them first. Thus, whatever the masters had, the gatekeepers had as well. Whether it was gifts or other forms of tribute, these gatekeepers became some of the most sought-after positions in large mansions.

This was true in other families as well, and so it was in the Du family. It was just that Du Zhen had only returned to officialdom half a year earlier, and the members of his family had just come to the capital from eastern Zhejiang. Knowing full well that their master could leave them behind for seven or eight years at a time, indifferent and heartless, they hadn’t yet developed such strong motives for profit. But now that they had suddenly become wealthy, pride naturally appeared on their faces.

So when they saw three riders stop at the gate, the two gatekeepers became indifferent—given their master’s firm instructions, they didn’t know how many opportunities they had already missed, so naturally they were unenthusiastic. Before they could even hear clearly what the visitors said, one of them spoke up.

“Sir, it’s not that we want to disrespect you, but our master has given orders. We’re hosting some friends at home today and won’t see any outsiders. Please go back.”

Faced with such a routine refusal, Zhang Yue merely smiled. Thinking of that simple residence in Yushu Alley, and recalling that Du Zhen back then had only two apprentices and an old servant, he gained a deeper understanding of the saying “times change rapidly.” In just a few months, his mentor had become a highly influential figure, while his once-powerful uncle had been imprisoned by the Jinyiwei. Life was truly like a play.

“Please convey a message—say it’s an old friend of Mr. Du… Lord Du, who has come to visit.”

He had originally wanted to say “disciple,” but fearing he might cause trouble, he vaguely changed it to “old friend.” Yet this small change only led to the gatekeeper looking at him with a mocking expression.

“Young master, judging by your appearance, you can’t be more than fourteen or fifteen. How could you possibly have any connection with our master? To speak frankly, these days many people come to establish ties of being from the same hometown, generation, or clan with our master, but I never met a single one of them when I was in my hometown! Even if they truly are from the same place, generation, or clan, where were they when our master was in trouble? Please go back, young master. Both Scholar Shen and the other Scholar Shen are inside right now. Even if you claim to be your master’s disciple, they don’t have time to see you.”

Aren’t I Du Zhen’s disciple? Zhang Yue was left at a loss after hearing what the gatekeeper said, but since it was just complaining rather than showing contempt, he pulled Liansheng, who wanted to argue, behind him. After pondering for a moment, he asked again, “Since Lord Du isn’t averse to outsiders, could you please pass a message to Moyu and Mingdi in your household? I’m from their hometown.”

The gatekeeper, Yueshan, was originally from Zhangyan in eastern Zhejiang, so at first he felt a strange aversion toward this noble young man with a peculiar accent who came to try to befriend their master. But when he heard that the man was from the same hometown as Moyu and Mingdi, he began to doubt. Most of the family members had come from eastern Zhejiang, with only those two apprentices being bought by the master in Kaifeng. It was said the master had stayed in Henan for a long time—could it be that this man really had an old connection with the master?

Thus, becoming more cautious, he ordered another gatekeeper, Lao Wei, to keep watch at the entrance while he rushed inside. As a senior member of the Du family, he wasn’t allowed to enter the main hall, but when a maid heard he was looking for Moyu or Mingdi, though she grumbled a bit, she still helped him search diligently and soon brought Mingdi over.

After Yueshan explained a few words, Mingdi suddenly exclaimed in shock and rushed outside without even having time to explain anything. Seeing this, Yueshan felt even more that this noble young man had an extraordinary background. He quickly chased after him. The maid who had gone to find them couldn’t help but laugh at the strange situation.

“Third young master, it really is you!”

Seeing a nimble figure dart out quickly from the Du family’s gate and hearing that familiar voice again, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but smile. After several months apart, Mingdi’s rough cloth clothes had been replaced with clean blue satin robes—not luxurious, but far neater than before, and he also seemed taller and stronger. When the man knelt to bow, Zhang Yue quickly pulled him up and said with a smile, in a low voice, “It’s hard to get into the master’s house. No one believed me when I said I had business with him, so of course I had to carry you out!”

“Third young master, the master was just talking about you with the two Shen scholars. If he knew you came, he’d be overjoyed!” Mingdi was about the same age as Zhang Yue. Over the years of serving Du Zhen, he had not only learned to read and write but also gained much insight. Winking, he also lowered his voice and said, “Those two at the gate are easy to deal with. Just watch me!”

Yue Shan, who had chased after them, saw Mingdi bowing to the people and realized he might have mistaken the person. So when Mingdi stepped forward to explain, Yue Shan smiled broadly and let them pass without a word. It wasn’t until all four of them had gone in that he shook his head at the astonished Old Wei and said, “Today, this person is different from the others. Besides, with Mingdi as a guarantor, we don’t need to worry.”

Zhang Yue followed Mingdi through the screen door into the outer courtyard. Seeing the two giant locust trees, wide enough for four people to hold hands around, he was slightly stunned. He thought that though this house wasn’t as grand as those of noble families like the Duke of Ying, it was still orderly and imposing, especially with those two huge locust trees, which were truly rare.

Along the way, Mingdi kept talking nonstop, mainly about how the master had been when he first arrived in the capital, how he was now, and what he would be like in the future… Hearing those familiar reflections, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but recall the days when he studied classics and history under Du Zhen, and he teased him a bit playfully. When they reached the hall, Mingdi went in to announce their arrival, while Zhang Yue waited at the steps.

“Who is that young man?”

“I don’t know! It was Mingdi who brought him in. Just now, Old Yue at the gate even called Mingdi out for him.”

“Judging from his fur coat, he definitely isn’t from a humble family. And after coming in, he didn’t look around at all.”

“Could it be that our master is out there… Ahem. Anyway, our master was really heartless back then, leaving his wife and daughter behind for ten years.”

Zhang Yue had extremely sharp ears; he could hear every whisper of the maids in the corridor, which made him smile bitterly. He had always thought Mr. Du was learned and intelligent, and given his aloof demeanor, he had assumed he must be a bachelor or widower. Who would have thought Du Zhen actually had a family? Now, as he rushed over eagerly, he had become the subject of gossip.

Fortunately, this period of being judged didn’t last long. Before long, Mingdi came out smiling and gestured for him to come in. Zhang Yue then entrusted Liansheng and Lianhu to him and adjusted his clothes before stepping up the steps.

A maid had already stepped forward to lift the door curtain. As he bent down to cross the threshold, he immediately saw Du Zhen standing in the center. Though it had been several months since they last met, Du Zhen’s iconic icy expression hadn’t changed much. He didn’t show much joy upon seeing Zhang Yue, merely nodding lightly, as if they had never been apart.

When Zhang Yue stepped forward and bowed, Du Zhen finally showed a slight smile and nodded again, saying, “You’ve met Scholar Shen the Younger before. This must be your first time meeting Scholar Shen the Elder. This is Grand Secretary Yang. They are all your senior teachers—why don’t you go and pay them your respects?”

Zhang Yue had long heard of Scholars Shen Du and Shen Can, but upon learning that the middle-aged man sitting aside was none other than a high-ranking official surnamed Yang from the cabinet, he was greatly surprised. Such a powerful figure allowed him to meet so easily? Just as he was confusedly stepping forward to bow, he heard Du Zhen say lightly, “Brother Shiqi, Brother Min—these are the talented brothers I mentioned to you before. Though I’m only mediocre, I’ve been responsible for his initial education in classics and history. I’ll surely need your guidance in the future.”