Chapter 205: Chapter 94 Master and Servant_3
Rumors had spread through the various departments in and out of the palace, down the alleys of Donglou Street, and even reached the emperor’s desk via the Imperial Censorate, naturally, they also made their way to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion at Vermilion Bird Gate.
In the courtyard of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, by the pond and rockery, groups of fish leisurely swam about—golden helmets, ink eyes, brocade coats, plum blossom patches...At a glance, the waters shone with a glinting golden twilight, murmuring rhythmically.
The literary officials of the present court were particularly fond of raising cranes and admiring fish, with the refined scholars of the Liang Dynasty following suit, often nurturing these creatures within their courtyards and studios. Yet, the fish and cranes in the homes of others paled in comparison to the rare specimens found in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion; when it came to such treasures, the Grand Preceptor’s garden was unparalleled.
It was in the afternoon when someone hurried along the corridor by the pond and entered a tea room not far from the poolside, head bowed.
In the tea room, an engraved sand teapot adorned the table, and someone was holding an ancient scroll, taking a brief rest by the window. Clad in a loose, dark-colored crane cloak, with a lotus crown atop the head, and with white hair that dangled to the shoulders, that solitary figure from behind bore the air of an immortal.
The newcomer was a short-statured steward who, after swiftly entering the room, stood at a distance behind the black-robed elder and spoke in a low voice, "Master, the rumors outside are getting worse and worse."
In recent days, the Fan Family’s affairs had been the talk of the town, and it was difficult to feign ignorance even if one wished to.
The elder gave no response.
"If these rumors continue to spread, I fear they may tarnish the reputation of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion..."
"It doesn’t matter," the elder continued to hold the scroll, his voice steady and unhurried, as if the matter being discussed was irrelevant to him, "The Fan Family has no connection with our mansion, let the rumors be."
"But..." the steward lowered his head and said, "This matter concerns the young master."
The elder’s hand, turning the pages of the book, paused abruptly.
"In the second month of the year before last, the young master accidentally injured a good woman at Fengle Building. Afterward, when the woman went home, she would not let the matter rest; her family went up to Shangjing to the Trial Court, and the Examiner Official Fan Zhenglian, upon understanding the circumstances, took the initiative to help and settled the matter thoroughly."
"As the matter was sudden and the young master was also anxious and uneasy, this servant took the liberty to hide it from you, master. I did not expect it to cause such a big disaster now. Please, master, punish me," the steward said, and immediately prostrated himself on the ground upon finishing.
Silence fell upon the room.
After a long while, the elder spoke lightly, "Get up; you are not to blame for this."
It was merely the death of a good woman—a minor matter that the servants should handle. Indeed, the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion would not have dealt with it differently even if time were reversed.
"The rumors are very loud. I fear that Fan Zhenglian is making a last-ditch effort to drag down the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion. The imperial family is particularly concerned with the tribute scholars’ case. If exploited by someone with an agenda, once Fan Zhenglian opens his mouth, and the young master’s matter becomes public, it will ultimately harm the young master’s reputation," the old steward advised earnestly.
The man in black pondered silently for a moment, then said amiably, "Then let’s silence him."
The steward’s expression grew serious, "Yes."
"Go."
The steward stood up from the ground, ready to leave the tea room, but was called back by the person inside, "Wait."
"What are your orders, master?"
The ancient scroll was put aside on the table, and the man in black picked up the sand teapot, filling the tea cup in front of him. He then slowly began to speak.
"That good woman’s family, go and investigate further."
The steward was taken aback, "Master, do you suspect there’s an issue?"
"The rumors are odd, and Fan Zhenglian has been mixed up in officialdom for years. Even if he were to find the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, he wouldn’t have made such a public spectacle. This matter isn’t his doing." He took a shallow sip from the tea cup brought to his lips, then drew a handkerchief to dab away the tea at the corner of his mouth before continuing, "There are many in Shengjing keeping a close eye on the Qi Family. If they got wind of the good woman’s situation, it would likely be used against us as a blade."
"Go investigate that family’s recent circumstances, where their relatives are, and if you find them, question them thoroughly."
"Yes."
As if remembering something else, the elder put down the tea cup, "That miscreant beast, for committing such shameless acts and sullying our name, confine him to his room for a month to reflect in front of the ancestral shrine." He then sighed, "Ultimately, it is my failure to discipline my son."
The steward quickly responded, "At the time, the young master was young, and he has since recognized his error, living with daily remorse. Master, you have good intentions for the young master, and he will eventually understand."
With his back to the steward, the elder shook his head, "Enough. You may go."
The steward got up to leave, but then hesitated and spoke again, "Master, if we are to investigate that good woman, should we still proceed with the plan to seal Fan Zhenglian’s lips?"
The incense burning on the desk continued to smolder, and within the swirling blue smoke, the figure’s stature seemed to loom even larger, like an aloof immortal manipulating mortal fates with casual banter.
He spoke calmly, "Of course."