Chapter 86: Making Friends Through Poetry

One man wanted chicken to eat; another had stewed chicken sitting in front of him yet had no appetite at all, sighing again and again.

Canglu County seat was a remote place. There were no truly erudite great scholars here. Even if one appeared, a small county could never keep him for long; he would have left already.

Lin Shangpo counted as a fairly learned man within the county seat, so he too had received an invitation.

Meat and vegetables had been arranged together on the table. Lin Shangpo picked up his chopsticks, then set them down again. He took up the invitation lying beside him and studied it repeatedly as though hoping flowers might bloom from the paper.

At last he left the table with the invitation in hand, abandoning his wife and children over dinner, and paced beside the bamboo grove outside the house. Madam Lin soon followed.

"An invitation from the Commandery Princess is something others couldn't obtain even if they wanted one. Why are you so worried?"

Lin Shangpo shook his head and sighed.

"The capital is where true famous scholars gather, where men of broad learning and refinement are found. What hasn't the Commandery Princess seen before? Where would a remote place like this find anyone truly accomplished in poetry and lyrics? No matter how I look at it, 'making friends through poetry' feels like an excuse. Haven't you seen what's happened in Canglu County lately? Nearly every wealthy household has been confiscated. That prince is obviously gathering wealth. Our family is fairly well-off. I'm afraid this invitation means no good banquet and no good meeting!"

Madam Lin immediately became nervous.

"Then what do we do?"

Lin Shangpo sighed again.

"What can we do? If they've set their eyes on us, I'm afraid running won't help either..."

The Su Residence, with its whitewashed walls and dark-tiled roofs, was one of the few old distinguished households in the county seat.

Its patriarch, Su Dekang, was a well-known learned man in Canglu County. In his younger years, he had studied in the capital and was said to have been a classmate of one of today's powerful regional officials. His ancestors had also produced senior court officials, and the family's present prosperity could be regarded as inherited grace from those forebears. Su Dekang had been among those who went out to welcome Shang Chaozong previously.

He had traveled there by carriage, only to witness a bloody scene and then be forced to walk all the way home. At his age, being made to walk such a distance had nearly cost him his life.

Fortunately, he had survived the journey, and the Su Residence was one of the few wealthy households that escaped confiscation. They had passed through the crisis with more fright than harm.

A steward walked through the courtyard beside Su Dekang, who leaned on a cane. The steward held an invitation and asked, "Master, what does the Commandery Princess mean by arranging this gathering to make friends through poetry?"

Su Dekang struck the ground lightly with his cane and snorted.

"What else could it mean? They've committed too much killing and want to win over people's hearts, so they're deliberately putting on a show for everyone to see."

The steward asked, "Master, then are you going or not?"

Su Dekang thought for a while and sighed.

"I'm caught between both sides. If I don't go, the lives of everyone in this household may be in danger. But if I go, Commandery Prince Yongping is plainly a rebellious subject harboring treasonous ambitions. Once the imperial army arrives, he'll inevitably collapse. When that happens, the Su family will have been branded as associating with rebels. We may be purged along with them..."

As evening approached, Canglu County seat experienced a small stir because of the dozen or so invitations that had been sent out.

At Quiet Ink Studio, Lu Shengzhong stood at the entrance repeatedly cupping his hands and exchanging courtesies, finally managing to send away the neighboring shopkeepers who had come to watch the excitement. Naturally, it was all because of the invitation.

People in the surrounding shops had seen mounted soldiers deliver an invitation to Lu Shengzhong. The moment they heard the soldiers say it came from the Commandery Princess, amazement and curious onlookers were inevitable. Once he had peace again, Lu Shengzhong returned behind the counter and opened the invitation.

He studied it carefully for a while, then tucked it into his sleeve and carried on as though nothing had happened. When night fell, there were two lanterns hanging outside the shop. He lit only one. About one hour later, a customer entered the shop. The man stayed quite some time before leaving... Early the next morning, Niu Youdao opened his door. As expected, Shang Shuqing was already waiting outside.

"Good morning, Master Dao."

"Good morning, Commandery Princess."

Nothing more needed to be said. Niu Youdao first opened every window in the room, demonstrating perfect propriety, then sat down of his own accord before the dressing table. Shang Shuqing naturally stepped behind him and began arranging his hair. Normally, whenever she came, she would discuss some matter while she worked. This time, however, she said nothing at all, even after she had finished arranging his hair.

In the end, Niu Youdao looked at her reflection in the mirror and asked, "Commandery Princess, aren't you planning to ask me anything?"

Shang Shuqing asked in return, "Would Master Dao tell me if I did?"

Niu Youdao said, "I haven't really hidden anything from you. The people handling the arrangements are all yours."

Shang Shuqing replied, "And yet I'm still completely confused."

Niu Youdao said, "You've troubled yourself like this for me every day. I truly feel rather guilty. How about I invite the Commandery Princess to watch a little show in return?"

Shang Shuqing's bright eyes blinked. She smiled.

"All right!"

The golden light of the rising sun spread across the forested slopes.

At the foot of the mountain outside the city, those who had received invitations the previous day arrived in various ways. Some came by ox cart, some in sedan chairs, and some on foot. Lu Shengzhong came on foot, wearing a soft cap. His gaze swept his surroundings from time to time.

He had heard a little news the previous night and knew he was not the only person who had received an invitation. That put him somewhat more at ease.

Everyone who had received an invitation was now waiting inside a long pavilion at the foot of the mountain. Invitation in hand, the arrivals greeted one another.

The county seat was only so large. Even if those present were not personally familiar with one another, most had met before or at least recognized each other. Only Lu Shengzhong seemed somewhat out of place. No one knew him.

Once they learned he was the new proprietor of Quiet Ink Studio, someone inevitably asked where the old proprietor had gone. Naturally, Lu Shengzhong had already prepared a story. As they waited, expressions varied. Some stood stiff-faced and silent. Others looked grave. Still others were visibly excited. The topic of discussion was naturally the Commandery Princess's gathering to make friends through poetry. Lu Shengzhong said little.

He maintained a faint smile and treated everyone courteously while listening to their discussions. Inwardly, however, he muttered: Make friends through poetry? Without my poem, would this gathering even exist? He could understand why Shang Shuqing had arranged a group event. She was, after all, an unmarried woman. Meeting him alone would be inappropriate. What he did not know was what form this poetry gathering would take.

He had brought the second of the two poems Song Yanqing had given him. Surely that would attract Shang Shuqing's attention even more.

Would Niu Youdao appear?

If he did, would there be an opportunity to strike? And if Lu Shengzhong struck, could he escape safely afterward?

As his thoughts turned endlessly, a personal guard in ordinary clothes entered the pavilion and cupped his hands toward everyone with a broad smile.

"Honored guests, apologies for making you wait. We've been remiss."

"No matter, no matter!"

Some returned the courtesy. Others remained silent. The personal guard did not waste words. He extended a hand in invitation.

"Everyone, the Commandery Princess invites you in. Please follow me."

The group left the pavilion one after another. They were then informed that accompanying servants and means of transport were not permitted inside the mountain. Everyone would have to proceed on foot, as that was the rule here. There was nothing they could do. People like them had little choice in such matters. They could only comply.

Some who still had the leisure to appreciate the scenery praised it all along the way, speaking of spiritual mountains, beautiful waters, and a land that concealed dragons and crouching tigers. Su Dekang, however, was far too old to share their enthusiasm.

The mountain road was not rough and had no stairs, but it wound steadily upward. He was effectively climbing the entire way, which was naturally difficult at his age. Fortunately, people willing to respect the elderly were not lacking. Several younger men supported him on either side.

At last they reached the heavily guarded mountain estate, situated near the summit where the entire county seat could be viewed in the distance.

As everyone entered the estate, the man kneeling beside one side of the gate drew quite a few puzzled looks. No one knew what mistake he had committed. He looked thoroughly haggard. The guests were led to the estate's main garden. The personal guard smiled at them again.

"We've prepared a private room for each honored guest to rest in. Brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are provided inside. The Commandery Princess first asks everyone to leave behind a little of your calligraphy. Poetry, lyrics, songs, or fu are all acceptable. You have about one hour. After that, the Commandery Princess will come and meet everyone so that all may appreciate the works together."

Whether anyone agreed or not hardly mattered. A group of servants was already waiting nearby. Each servant invited one guest to follow. One man, plainly enthusiastic, cupped his hands toward the others.

"Gentlemen, we'll meet again in about one hour!"

Lu Shengzhong followed a servant into the deeper reaches of the garden. From the moment he entered the estate, his peripheral vision had been quietly studying the internal layout. He was eventually led to a secluded little pavilion deep within the garden. The servant invited him inside, poured tea, told him to make himself comfortable, and withdrew. Lu Shengzhong looked around. Tea and refreshments had been prepared. On the desk, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were arranged neatly. He slowly circled the room.

He touched neither the tea nor the refreshments. Then he went to the writing desk and began grinding ink in the water-drop inkstone.

He was just preparing to write down the second poem Song Yanqing had given him when footsteps sounded outside. Four people entered. One was a woman wearing a veiled hat. One was a middle-aged man cradling a sword, his white hair silver as frost and his expression calm.

One was a young man with a faintly languid air. After entering, he casually planted the sword in his hand on the floor. Beside him stood a tall young man with an icy expression. A single glance was enough for Lu Shengzhong to roughly identify all four.

When Shang Chaozong first arrived in Canglu County and entered the city, Lu Shengzhong had stood among the crowd and recognized Niu Youdao then. He had not expected to meet his target the moment he entered the estate. But he did not dare act. The white-haired man cradling the sword made his nerves tighten. Lu Shengzhong feared that the slightest abnormality might be noticed.

Seeing the group enter, he hurried around the long desk and saluted them, performing the mannerisms of a scholar convincingly enough. Niu Youdao smiled warmly and gestured toward Shang Shuqing.

"Mr. Fang Ping, I presume? This is the Commandery Princess."

Lu Shengzhong hastily saluted.

"This humble one pays respects to the Commandery Princess!"

Shang Shuqing inclined her head slightly. Inwardly, she wondered what sort of show Niu Youdao had invited her here to watch. Niu Youdao extended a hand and invited Shang Shuqing to sit behind the desk. He and Yuan Gang stood guard to either side of her. Bai Yao, meanwhile, shifted without expression until he stood behind Lu Shengzhong. The position made Lu Shengzhong deeply uncomfortable.

"I hear Mr. Fang Ping writes rather fine poetry?"

Niu Youdao asked with another smile.

Lu Shengzhong answered modestly, "I wouldn't dare claim that. Nothing I've written belongs in an elegant hall."

Niu Youdao laughed.

"I've composed a poem myself and would like to ask Mr. Fang to offer some guidance."

Lu Shengzhong replied politely, "I wouldn't dare speak of guidance. I'm all ears."

Niu Youdao seemed to consider his words briefly, then recited with a smile:

"Once I had known the vast sea, no other waters seemed like water;
Save for the clouds of Mount Wu, no other clouds seemed like clouds.
Passing through the flowers, I scarcely turn to look—
Half because I cultivate the Dao, half because of you."

He smiled at Lu Shengzhong.

"What does Mr. Fang think of this poem I composed?"

"..."

Lu Shengzhong stared at him in astonishment. Is he trying to pressure me into letting him plagiarize the poem and claim it as his own? Shang Shuqing also turned a suspicious look toward Niu Youdao.

[End of Chapter 86]