After Rescuing The Sickly White Moonlight - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

When Zheng Yanzhang heard the news that Liang Yi’an was to marry a daughter of the Gu family, he was in the middle of sparring with Zheng Zhili. It was Zheng Mingtang who had picked up the gossip; she returned to the ancestral home and recounted it to the Old Madam as if it were a lively theatrical performance, her description vivid and immersive.

The Old Madam sat to one side cracking melon seeds, watching the two boys scuffle like kittens while listening to her granddaughter spin the tale like a professional storyteller.

Lin Yu had gone out with Uncle Zhang. He was being quite mysterious; even Zheng Qingyun didn’t know what he was up to.

Zheng Mingtang continued her detailed play-by-play of the Hundred Flowers Banquet: “The Crown Prince and Miss Gu met under a peach tree. As the wind blew, petals drifted down, and they bumped into each other ever so gently—clink! Miss Gu caught the Prince’s eye instantly. Love at first sight! They say the Prince is about to ask the Emperor for a marriage decree, though they say Miss Gu’s status is a bit low for a Crown Princess.”

Thud—

Distracted, Zheng Yanzhang missed Zheng Zhili’s movement. Zhili’s fist connected with his chest, knocking him to the ground.

The physical pain didn’t pull him out of his thoughts; his mind was entirely consumed by Mingtang’s words. Zheng Zhili was startled and rushed to help his eldest brother up; he hadn’t pulled his punch, and there would surely be a bruise.

The Old Madam looked at them with a beaming smile. “Oh my, Yanzhang, you’ve lost your focus. Zhili, hurry and take your brother back to apply some medicine.”

Zheng Zhili complied immediately, pulling Yanzhang away. Yanzhang remained silent, his expression unreadable. Noticing her cousin’s unusual reaction, Zheng Mingtang smiled slightly and turned back to chat with the Old Madam about other things.

Uncle Zhang had taken Lin Yu across nearly the entire city, but Lin Yu still hadn’t found what he was looking for.

Seeing Lin Yu’s disappointment, Uncle Zhang comforted him: “Young Master, there’s no rush. Why don’t you come with me to the workshop? By the Emperor’s grace, the Zheng family is permitted to use the government workshops for ironwork. The Old Madam mentioned making a lightweight spear for Miss Mingtang to practice with. It should be finished by now; let’s go pick it up.”

Lin Yu’s heart stirred, and he followed Uncle Zhang.

The spear made for Zheng Mingtang was light, engraved with exquisite patterns, and looked very nimble. Master Blacksmith Wang handed it over carefully. “We could have sent someone to deliver this to the manor. Why did you come in person?”

After checking the item, Uncle Zhang replied, “We were passing by. Have you been busy lately?”

Master Wang grinned. “It’s been alright. Well, I’ll be getting back to work then. Safe travels.”

Watching the craftsmen nearby swinging hammers against glowing iron, Lin Yu called out to Master Wang: “How long does it take to forge a dagger?”

Master Wang thought for a moment. “Depends on the design, Young Master. Anywhere from half a month to a year.”

Uncle Zhang asked, “Young Master, do you want a dagger?”

Lin Yu shook his head. “Not for me. I want to give one to Qingyun.” He turned back to the blacksmith. “Master Wang, if I may be so bold, I would like to learn how to forge one myself. Would you be willing to teach me?”

Uncle Zhang grew anxious. “Young Master, that’s extremely dangerous! Whatever design you want, we can just have it made. Why do it yourself?”

Lin Yu reassured him, “It’s alright, Uncle Zhang. I know what I’m doing. I’m just asking.”

Master Wang looked flustered. “Young Master, I wouldn’t dare. If you need something, we can follow your instructions. It would be terrible if you got hurt.”

Lin Yu was persistent, Uncle Zhang was protective, and Master Wang was afraid. Eventually, Lin Yu proposed a compromise: “How about this? I’ll strike it a few times myself so I can say I made it. Uncle Zhang, I’ll watch the process and keep myself safe, okay?”

Perhaps because Lin Yu usually seemed so reliable, Uncle Zhang eventually agreed. Lin Yu struck while the iron was hot: “Uncle Zhang, this is a surprise for Qingyun. Don’t tell anyone except for the three of us.”

Master Wang, who had been a silent observer, piped up weakly: “And… and me too…”

“And Master Wang,” Lin Yu corrected. Uncle Zhang nodded.

When they returned to the manor, Guan Qi informed them that Zheng Yanzhang was tired and had retired early to rest before his departure the next day.

Zheng Zhili, however, was full of restless energy. Ever since Yanzhang had placed A-Cheng Yu by his side, Zhili had noticed the boy knew some martial arts and had been itching for a spar. Today, he finally got his wish.

The two used the training grounds as a ring, with Lin Yu, Zheng Qingyun, Zheng Mingtang, and the Old Madam as the audience. A-Cheng Yu was clearly outmatched; in just a few moves, he was pinned to the ground by Zheng Zhili.

As A-Cheng Yu limped away to tend to his injuries, Zheng Qingyun watched his retreating back, a glint in his eyes. He looked at Zheng Zhili, who was wiping away sweat; sensing the gaze, Zhili winked at him.

That afternoon, five heads huddled together in a side room. Zheng Zhili had dragged Zheng Yanzhang out of bed, insisting his “minor injuries” were nothing. Yanzhang looked like he wanted to hit him again.

“A-Cheng Yu is faking it,” Zheng Zhili stated firmly.

Zheng Qingyun nodded. “His moves are sharp and efficient. He isn’t the type to be defeated by Second Brother in just two moves.”

Lin Yu added, “He has calluses on the web of his right hand and rough palms. Every finger has calluses of various sizes. Though he has few visible scars, the ones he does have aren’t normal; they look like they were made by a blade or a whip.”

Zheng Yanzhang recalled a detail he had overlooked: “When I first met him, he said he was fainting from hunger, but his eyes and physical condition didn’t match someone who hadn’t eaten for that long.”

Zheng Mingtang propped her chin on her hand. “Cousin, do you think he’s intentionally trying to swindle you?”

Zheng Qingyun laughed. “Big Brother, you’ve been ‘claimed’ by a squatter.”

Zheng Yanzhang shook his head serenely. “Not me. I’m leaving tomorrow. The one he’s ‘claimed’ now is Zhili.”

Zheng Zhili fumed: “I refuse!”

Lin Yu said philosophically, “Second Brother, look at it this way: you might be stuck with him, but you also gained a servant. Just keep him close and watch him. If all else fails, ask Uncle for help.”

Only then did Zheng Zhili sit back down.

The next day, they saw off Zheng Yanzhang.

The willows in the courtyard were swaying; spring was now in full bloom. Lin Yu joked, “We won’t pluck a willow branch for you, Big Brother. Safe travels.”

Zheng Yanzhang smiled. “No need to see me off too far. Zhili, if you want to take the Martial Arts Examinations, practice hard and aim for the top. Qingyun, I’ll wait for you in the capital.”

Physician Chen had suggested that Zheng Qingyun stay in the warm south for a few years until his health fully recovered. The family agreed. After Zheng Zhili returned to the capital next year, Lin Yu and Zheng Qingyun would stay at the ancestral home with the Old Madam. Fang Wenqiu had also sent word that he would arrive soon, telling them to prepare for his assessments.

As the carriage disappeared, they returned to the house. Zheng Mingtang’s mother, Yuan Xiu, had returned to visit the Old Madam. Mingtang immediately skipped to her mother’s side to whisper secrets.

Zheng Qingyun and Lin Yu didn’t disturb them, quietly returning to their courtyard. Lin Yu planned to find Master Wang today; he still wanted to forge that dagger for Qingyun.

Just as he was about to leave, he saw A-Cheng Yu standing under a jujube tree with a blade of grass in his mouth, whistling leisurely. Lin Yu smiled like a clever fox. He turned to Zheng Zhili and whispered, “Borrowing A-Cheng Yu for a bit, Second Brother.”

Zheng Zhili waved a hand dismissively.

Zheng Qingyun watched Lin Yu leave with a thoughtful expression. Recalling their late-night conversation a few days ago, he immediately understood what Lin Yu was up to. He smiled with satisfaction, beginning to look forward to “Brother Yu’s” gift.

Zheng Zhili watched Qingyun’s shift from deep thought to a wide smile and felt completely baffled.

A-Cheng Yu was equally baffled when Lin Yu called him away. Though he had been at the Zheng Manor for ten days, he mostly interacted with Uncle Zhang, Zheng Yanzhang, and Zheng Zhili. He had known Yanzhang had three brothers, but only upon arriving did he realize one was not a biological brother, though they were closer than blood.

He looked at the boy standing before him—shorter than himself—and asked, “Young Master Lin, is something the matter?”

Lin Yu walked ahead, his voice floating back: “Accompany me on an errand.”

A-Cheng Yu didn’t ask further. He hadn’t spoken much with Lin Yu and wasn’t sure what kind of person he was, so he didn’t pry.

They walked through the streets until Lin Yu made several turns, leading them into a deserted alleyway. Following behind, A-Cheng Yu felt a strange chill down his spine.

Shing—

A faint sound—the sound of a blade being drawn from a scabbard. Lin Yu pricked up his ears, his hand sliding into his robe. A-Cheng Yu looked around alertly. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he shouted at Lin Yu: “Watch out!”

He lunged toward Lin Yu as a blade pierced the air, aimed straight for them. A-Cheng Yu pushed Lin Yu aside and twisted to dodge the thrust. The two stood back-to-back.

Four or five men in black appeared, surrounding them.

“If the ruler regards his ministers as his hands and feet, the ministers will regard the ruler as their belly and heart. If the ruler regards his ministers as dogs and horses, the ministers will regard the ruler as a stranger. If the ruler regards his ministers as dirt and weeds, the ministers will regard the ruler as an enemy. Your Highness, do you understand?” [1]

The Grand Tutor holding the book asked. His hair was white, but his spirit was vigorous and his voice resonant.

Liang Yi’an thought for a moment and replied: “As a ruler, one must love the people as one’s own children. Ruler and minister must work hand-in-hand without suspicion. Just as water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it; the same is true for the relationship between a ruler and his ministers.”

The Grand Tutor nodded with satisfaction.

Ruler as ruler, minister as minister, father as father, son as son. Between a wise ruler and a loyal minister, the most important things are loyalty and trust.