Chapter 818: Seeking a Master

The weather in Guangzhou remained unbearably hot in August, but in the capital, autumn was already setting in, with people needing to cover themselves with quilts in the early mornings and evenings. Early one morning, Jingguan was sound asleep under his quilt when he suddenly heard someone calling his name. Startled, he jumped up and saw Yong’er, the maid attending to him, by his side. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.

“Don’t worry. It’s still early; the young mistress hasn’t come yet!”

In Jingguan’s eyes, his father was either away on official duties or returned late from work. Even when he was home, he was always kind and affectionate, truly a loving father. In contrast, his mother was strict about his studies, tolerating no carelessness. She set strict rules for both waking up in the morning and going to bed at night. He had once tried to stay in bed, but after being scolded twice by his mother, he never dared to be lazy again.

With Yong’er’s help, Jingguan got dressed. He checked himself in the mirror several times to ensure his appearance was proper before hurrying out of the west wing room. He knew his father would leave for court at the first hour of the day, so he could at least sleep until the second hour—something his father had specifically instructed, saying children needed to sleep at least five hours at night. As he stepped outside and saw the still gray sky, he thought about how his parents had said they would take him to seek a master that day, and he felt excited.

It was only a short walk from the west wing room to the main house. As soon as he entered through the main door, he saw not only his mother but also his two aunts. He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. Morning inspections usually involved questions about his studies, so he answered several questions energetically. Seeing his mother nod in satisfaction, he breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the door curtain was lifted, and Sannan entered, wearing a light green Lu silk jacket with a front closure.

“Mother, brother, first aunt, second aunt…”

Sannan called each of them one by one, then stepped forward, took Du Wan’s hand, and looked at Jingguan with big eyes. “Mother, today brother is going to seek a master. Can I go with aunt to watch?”

The little girl was only five years old. Du Wan knew it must be Zhang Jing’s instigation, but seeing her daughter’s eager expression, she softened her heart and nodded. “It’s fine if you go, but you must be obedient. Don’t run around or be mischievous. In a year, you’ll be going to school too.”

Hearing this, Sannan was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. Seeing that everyone in the house had gathered, Du Wan led them out of the courtyard and headed to Zhang Zhuo and Lady Sun’s place. After greeting them, they had breakfast together. Since Zhang Yue had said he would ask for leave after the morning court session to personally take his son to the Duke of Ying’s residence to meet Liang Jin and become his disciple, the whole family chatted and joked indoors. Before long, someone came to announce that Fang Jing had arrived, and Lady Sun quickly ordered him to be brought in.

Fang Jing was now in his early twenties. His once round, cheerful face had lost its childishness, and he was almost as tall as Zhang Yue. Being a distant relative of Lady Wang and someone whom Zhang Yue supervised in his studies, there were few restrictions in their interactions. After greeting everyone, he smiled and said, “I’ve long heard that Lord Liang has a profound family background and outstanding talent, so I planned to go there with Xiao Li and Xiao Rui to join the fun. Could you please take us along as well?”

“If such a large group goes there, others might think it’s a move rather than a visit to learn from a master,” Zhang Zhuo joked, tugging at his beard before nodding. “Since your brother Yue has agreed, how could I stop you from going? Autumn is perfect—by then, your brother will be busy returning to the government office, and you guys, being around the same age, can enjoy the scenery and chrysanthemums.”

Soon, Zhang Yue, who had attended the morning court, rushed back. Usually diligent at the Ministry of War, he rarely took leave, but for his eldest son’s apprenticeship, he took a short break. Naturally, he agreed easily. Seeing so many people about to go, he couldn’t help but smile wryly, thinking it resembled a picnic more than a master-apprentice visit.

The Zhang family lived in the West City, and the Duke of Ying’s Park was also in the West City. The shortest route led along the North Street of the Imperial Wall—what would later be called the base of the Imperial Wall—then across the Buliang Bridge over the Yu River that flowed out of Shichahai, and finally through Andingmen Street into Tieshizi Hutong. Although it seemed like a trip from West City to East City, it only took about twenty minutes by carriage. Having received the news in advance, the butler Rong Shan was already waiting at the west gate of the Duke of Ying’s Park. When he saw the carriages and horses approaching, he quickly let the group enter through the west gate and personally took charge of Zhang Yue’s horse. To his surprise, Zhang Yue dismounted and walked in with him.

“Uncle Rong is quite old; such welcoming duties should be done by the younger people.”

“How could Young Master Yue say such things? It’s rare to see so many people gathered. Though I’m old now, I still enjoy the lively atmosphere.” Rong Shan hadn’t expected Zhang Yue to have risen to such a high position yet still treat him as politely as before. He was overjoyed but remained cautious, staying half a step behind as they walked, continuing, “Let me inform Young Master Yue that there’s good news at home—Madam Wu in the back courtyard is pregnant. My wife added more people to take care of her last night. My lord, who has spent his life in military service, has long suffered from having no descendants. Now that there are descendants, both he and my wife are very happy. The back courtyard is filled with children’s voices— isn’t that lively?”

In his earlier years, Duke Zhang Fu’s biggest concern was the lack of heirs. Now that sons and daughters were being born one after another, it’s easy to imagine how happy Zhang Fu, who was over fifty, must be. Zhang Yue nodded in agreement with a smile, thinking to himself that he still had few children and needed to work harder. When they entered Wuying Hall, he heard laughter and chatter coming from the west, realizing that it must be his mother and wife chatting with others. He paused briefly until Jing Guan rushed out after him, after which he led everyone into the east room.

There were also quite a few people in this room. Besides Zhang Fu and Tianci Liang Lin, Fang Jing stood there with Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang, all smiling. After Zhang Yue bowed, Zhang Fu said with a smile, “Originally, it was thanks to you that Tianci could have Master Liang as his teacher. Now your whole family has to make the effort to come here.”

“Uncle, haven’t you heard the laughter and chatter over there? On the way here, I thought this isn’t really a master-apprentice ceremony—it’s more like an outing. I suppose they heard that your garden was just built, so they came to take a look, under the pretext of joining in the fun. Besides, this place is large and close to various guild halls, which is more conducive for Master Liang to study and make friends. It’s just that so many mischievous boys need Master Liang’s guidance—quite a task indeed.”

Liang Lin wasn’t good at speaking. Hearing this, his face turned slightly red, and he quickly offered some humble remarks. At that moment, Zhang Yue asked Jing Guan to step forward—before formally performing the master-apprentice ceremony, the teacher needed to test the disciple. Liang Lin didn’t hesitate and asked questions from The Analects and some Tang poems. Hearing Jing Guan’s precise answers, he felt pleased and couldn’t help asking another question.

“When the world is governed by righteousness, rituals, music, military campaigns—all come from the emperor.”

“When governance thrives for a generation, power is centralized in one person.”

At that moment, not only Liang Lin but even Zhang Yue was surprised. It was then that Jing Guan honestly said, “That’s an eight-legged essay model that Uncle Fang read. I happened to remember both the topic and the way to approach it.”

Everyone then started laughing. Fang Jing, feeling embarrassed, touched his chin and said, “Last time I failed the imperial examination, I often had those two brothers recite the writings of our predecessors while studying. I never expected it would help them remember them. I didn’t realize Jingguan had such a good memory—he actually remembered them all. Brother Zhang San, it’s possible your son might surpass you in the future!”
Seeing that everyone else in the room was smiling, Zhang Yue didn’t want to act like a father and scold his son at that moment, so he didn’t respond. Instead, he bowed to Liang Gen and said, “Young Master Liang, although my son has ordinary aptitudes, I have always been strict with him at home. It’s his fortune to study under you now. I don’t expect him to necessarily pass all the challenges in the imperial examinations. I only hope he will have integrity, strive for progress, inherit the family business, and set an example for his siblings.”
Liang Gen himself had solid knowledge and writing skills, but he knew he was not as learned as those great scholars. The Zhang family could be considered the most prominent family in the capital today. With such connections, there was no teacher or scholar they couldn’t invite. Hearing Zhang Yue’s words, he finally understood. The Liang family had a long tradition of scholarship, and integrity had always been a key focus in educating their descendants. Seeing that Duke Ying of Britain, Zhang Fu, also nodded at him with a smile, he nodded back firmly.
“Please rest assured, Lord Zhang.”
Li Guoxiu and Rui Yixiang exchanged glances and then understood why Zhang Yue wanted his eldest son to study under Liang Gen. They had already suspected that Zhang Yue valued integrity more than knowledge, and now they were even more convinced of this.
While the men in the east room were discussing the apprenticeship, the women in the west room were talking about the memorial day for Zhang Yu, the King of Hejian and Lord of Loyalty and Valor, in December. Although it wasn’t an exact date, this year happened to be Zhang Yu’s 85th anniversary of death. It was also the first day that ended in five since the new emperor ascended the throne. According to tradition, a grand ceremony was required, and officials from the Ministry of Rites would be sent to attend the memorial.
When Zhang Yu was first posthumously granted the title of Duke of Rong, three generations of his ancestors were also honored. During the Hongxi era, he was further posthumously titled King of Hejian with the posthumous name Lord of Loyalty and Valor. Although no kingship was granted for three generations prior, Zhang Zhuo’s grandfather, who was also Zhang Fu’s grandfather, had been granted the title of Duke of Rong. Therefore, Lady Wang invited the Sun family to come and help with the ceremony.
The Sun family initially wanted to decline, but unable to refuse Lady Wang’s kind invitation, they finally said, “Since my sister-in-law trusts me, I’ll come and help. But you know I’m clumsy, so I’ll have to bring my wife along to help too.”

“It would be best if Wan’er could come. By then, there will be countless nobles and noblewomen coming and going, and I won’t have enough time to handle everything. The second and third families are unreliable—how dare I let them take charge?” Lady Wang said as she went to check on Du Wan, adding, “The date is December 25th. Remember that well. I’m afraid you’ll need to come and help your mother-in-law half a month earlier.”
Du Wan calculated the date and remembered Zhang Yue mentioning that the emperor would be inspecting the borders, with Duke Zhang Fu also accompanying him. She hesitated for a moment. Seeing that Lady Wang seemed unaware, she didn’t dare bring up this matter rashly and quickly agreed. When a maid came to announce that it was time to go to the main hall to learn from the master, she quickly supported Lady Sun and followed behind Lady Wang.
As they passed through the corridor, Lady Sun fell a few steps behind and whispered to Du Wan, “Previously, there were few people in the inner courtyard, and one maid was enough to manage things, with finances handled by Gao Quan. Now there are dozens more people in the family. If both of us come here, who will take care of household affairs? What about matters in the inner courtyard or weddings within the family?”
Du Wan also knew that the memorial ceremony for the King of Hejian this time would be quite complicated. Lady Wang disliked the Zhang family deeply and likely wouldn’t allow them to get involved. Moreover, since Lady Wang treated Zhang Yue like her own nephew, she and her mother-in-law had no choice but to go. After quick thinking, she glanced at Zhang Jing, who was behind her giving instructions, and immediately had an idea.
“Let Sister Jing give it a try. Keep Amber and Qiuhen to help her, and they can take care of household affairs. Didn’t Mother say before that she wanted her to learn how to manage a household?”
Lady Sun was surprised by Du Wan’s suggestion and froze for a moment. Turning to look at her daughter, she remembered that just a few days ago she had lamented in private that her daughter was almost of marriageable age. Realizing it was time for Zhang Jing to learn household management, she nodded gently. Even when they reached the back room of Wuying Hall, she remained thoughtful. Her daughter was a pampered princess now, but if she got married and ended up with a difficult mother-in-law, what would happen?
Also, should the future husband be a scholar or a military officer? A scholar’s family was simple but often poor; a noble family was prestigious but had complicated family dynamics with many sisters-in-law. If it were like her own experience back then…
“Pay respects! Offer the ceremonial gifts!”

As a loud voice rang out, Jing Guan respectfully stepped forward and presented Liang Jin with six offerings of cured meat, celery, scallions, lotus seeds, red dates, and longan, followed by four deep bows. Watching this scene, Zhang Zhuo couldn’t help but look at Zhang Yue, thinking of how he had once wanted to hold a grand celebration to invite all his relatives and friends, but due to Du Zhen’s request, only he was present when Zhang Yue became a disciple. Back then he had felt it was unfair to his son, but now it seemed that the principle of “accumulating slowly for sudden release” had begun back then.

Once the disciple-taking ceremony was complete, Jing Guan officially became part of Liang Jin’s household. Lady Wang had already ordered a feast prepared in the kitchen—men at one table and women at another. Liang Jin, who couldn’t handle alcohol well, turned red after just three drinks and refused to drink any more. Zhang Yue then gave him a signal, asking Jing Guan to assist him in going to the back courtyard, while he took the opportunity to leave with Zhang Fu as well.

Once in the quiet back area, Zhang Yue quickly repeated to Zhang Fu what the emperor had said in his incognito visit the previous day. Zhang Fu stood there for a moment in thought before saying solemnly, “The emperor never speaks in jest. If that’s the case, the Meng family will be safe. This way, your aunt will also be relieved, as it was she who arranged the marriage between your elder sister and her husband. However, the matter of patrolling the borders still needs discussion. Since the emperor has made up his mind, it seems inevitable, but it’s best for you not to go this time. You’re in the Ministry of War now, with a different status. Since I’m going, it’s better if you don’t follow. One must be cautious—three people can create a tiger, and many voices can turn gold to dust.”