Chapter 84: Exposing the Truth

Du Zhen’s residence was located across from the former Prince of Zhongshan’s Mansion on Xu Mansion Street, while Yang Shiqi’s home was just one street away, at the west end of Gongyuan Street. As a high-ranking official, Yang Shiqi rarely interacted with officials from the six ministries; most of those who visited him were pure scholars and civil servants. He was already renowned for his integrity and scholarship, and during the imperial examinations, many scholars tried to submit their papers to him. Yet, due to his impartial and upright character, he did not take on many disciples.

It was cold that day, but the weather was pleasant. With the Lantern Festival approaching on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the streets were bustling. The lanterns hung at Yang’s residence’s entrance from the previous night had not yet been removed, and at that moment, the butler Yang Zhong was directing two servants to take them down. In just a short while, several young scholars arrived. He greeted each of them with a smile, feeling pleased for his master.

His master was simple by nature and not interested in wealth; instead, he favored those talented scholars who came to seek his guidance. It was said that another former student would be visiting today. It was rare for such a young man to be outstanding enough to earn his master’s personal approval and a given name. Lost in thought, he forgot about removing the lanterns and stuck his head out to look outside again.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from the end of the alley. Soon, a black horse without a single spot rushed over and stopped right in front of the gate. As soon as the horse stopped, a young man dressed in a sky-blue robe and covered with a sky-blue velvet cloak jumped down from the horse and walked up with a smile.

Yang Zhong had already met four or five scholars that day—some who came on foot, some in sedan chairs, and some on horseback. But those who came on horseback usually rode slowly once they entered the alley and often needed help getting off, so where did this man’s briskness come from? Curious, he hurriedly went to greet him. When the man introduced himself, Yang Zhong was even more surprised.

“Is Master Zhang here alone?”
“I sent two attendants to handle some matters temporarily, so I came alone.”

As Zhang Yue spoke, he glanced at the large black horse, clearly admiring its beauty. His first horse had been given to him by his father, Zhang Zhuo, after he became Du Zhen’s disciple. It was a young horse of average breed, but he had grown attached to it over the years. He hadn’t brought it along to Nanjing this time.

The horse brought today was given by Duke Ying of Britain yesterday; he and Zhang Chao and Zhang Jiu each received one horse as a sort of compensation. Indeed, the medicinal ointment from yesterday was miraculous—now, as long as he didn’t engage in strenuous activity, his shoulder hardly felt anything at all.

Yang Zhong, accustomed to officials and scholars who came and went in palanquins, had little knowledge of fine horses. He simply found the horse majestic and splendid, so he ordered his servants to take it in and take good care of it. Then, as per Yang Shiqi’s instructions, he planned to lead people in himself. But just then, he suddenly heard the sound of whips and wheel noises outside. Looking over, he saw a green carriage with a lion’s head design and embroidered belts; a string of silver bells hung in front of the carriage curtains, adding an air of elegance.

Seeing the coachman jump down and help someone out of the carriage, Yang Zhong was surprised. He quickly explained to Zhang Yue beside him, “It’s Scholar Xiao Yang. I must go greet him. Please wait a moment, Young Master Zhang!”

Zhang Yue stared at the person getting off the carriage. The man was in his early forties, wearing a blue-green robe with wide sleeves, a green sash around his waist, and an agate inlaid in his warm hat. With a smile on his lips and a handsome appearance, he seemed born to be called a scholar. Even if he were slow to understand, he could guess that the only one who could be called Scholar Xiao Yang was Yang Rong, the Hanlin Scholar.

Yang Rong, walking up the steps, also saw the young man inside. But in the next moment, his gaze fell on a black horse led in by a servant. His eyes lit up, and ignoring everything else, he stepped into the house and called out to the servant. He then began to examine the horse thoroughly from head to toe before finally sighing deeply.

“I never expected that among the fine horses the Oirats just presented to the emperor, Brother Shiqi would get one first!”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue was shocked. Sure enough, Yang Zhong examined the black horse in surprise before saying with a smile, “Scholar Xiao Yang must be mistaken. This horse doesn’t belong to our master; it was brought by this Young Master Zhang.”

“Oh?” Yang Rong was slightly surprised. He turned to look at Zhang Yue, his face showing a thoughtful expression. “On the New Year’s day, the Oirats brought twenty-four horses in total, and I was fortunate enough to see them. The emperor granted five horses each to Duke Ying of Britain and Duke Cheng of the State as rewards, saying they should give them to their family members for riding. Since your surname is Zhang, are you a relative of Duke Ying of Britain?”

Zhang Yue never expected to encounter a civil official who could identify horses; by now he was deeply regretful. If he had known this, he wouldn’t have come out with the intention of testing horses—why bring out such a precious horse at all? Now, with Yang Rong exposing his identity, various looks were directed at him. Thinking there was no need to hide, he simply told the truth: “I am Zhang Yue, the nephew of the Duke of Ying.”

“As expected!”

Yang Rong laughed heartily and examined Zhang Yue’s face and body with interest. Yang Zhong, however, was completely unprepared to find that the person his master was treating so specially was actually the Duke of Ying’s nephew. His expression turned strange, and he ordered a servant to lead the way while he stared at Zhang Yue’s back, trying to discern something extraordinary from his ordinary appearance.

It was well-known throughout Nanjing that Yang Shiqi’s household often gathered young scholars who had not yet entered official service to exchange literary works. Hearing that Yang Rong had suddenly arrived and happened to meet Zhang Yue at the gate, he was also puzzled.

Since the two served as officials in the same hall and were both Hanlin scholars in the Grand Secretariat, he couldn’t just sit idle. He got up and went to the study door to greet them. After exchanging greetings with Yang Rong, he saw Zhang Yue approaching to pay his respects. He nodded slightly as a response, but before he could speak, Yang Rong spoke up.

“Brother Shiqi, this is the first time I’ve heard that your literary gatherings can even invite the descendants of the Duke of Ying. I’m afraid more people will come here out of admiration from now on!”

Yang Shiqi was well aware of Zhang Yue’s background, but he was displeased that Yang Rong revealed it in front of everyone. Yet he kept a calm expression and merely replied with a few polite words. Turning around, he saw the five young scholars in the room staring at Zhang Yue with mixed emotions of confusion and suspicion, which made him smile faintly.

Noticing the hostile looks, Zhang Yue remained calm and remembered what he had said before Emperor Zhu Zhanji—scholars often had an arrogant attitude due to their talent, but that seemingly haughty or presumptuous demeanor could often be dampened significantly with a splash of cold water. Today, it was Yang Shiqi who wanted to introduce him to some friends; he just hoped nothing unexpected would happen.