Sorry for disappearing for months. Got involved in real life works really bad that I had to concentrate on them first. This is unedited.
Chapter 3: First Time Encountering Mister
Modern people travelled back to the ancient time, actually there was nothing interesting waiting for them.
First, many things were not easy. For examples, no electricity, no flush toilet and no internet. Especially that last one, for a university student, it was equivalent to wanting his or her life.
And more painful than killing someone was living with sins, like staying in the jail.
Ancient time lifestyle for a modern girl, was similar to living in jail. In the morning when the sun rose, taking bath and dressed up, went to parents to give greetings, finished breakfast, return to own room, not reading books would be playing little music or make several embroideries of mandarin ducks . In conclusion, without any unexpected situation arose, not a step was allowed outside the house.
The past several days, Madam Xie and the others treated me like a fresh novelty, would always visit me and conversed with me. I in passing also understood a little about this world. After a long time, Madam Xie returned to the ancestral hall to continue copy Buddhist sutras, great aunt also busied herself with her own stuffs.
I'm extremely bored, the small attic had no diversion, so under Yun Xiang's suggestion, went to seek Third Elder Sister Zhao Ke.
Xie Zhao Ke lived in Moon Plucking Pavilion[1], very appropriate name. She was like the moon in the sky, didn't know in the future who would come and pluck her away.
Moon Plucking Pavilion compared to my Nourishing Heart Pavilion was larger a bit and had more dignified air. I had yet to enter, already heard a pleasant music sounds. It turned out that Xie family had invited a special person to teach Xie Zhao Ke temperament songs and dances.
Xie Zhao Ke's maidservant Bao Ping saw me coming, quietly approached me, "Fourth Young Miss, Third Young Miss still had to practice a piece before allowed to take a rest."
I asked, "She had to practice every day?"
Bao Ping said, "Third Young Miss doesn't had it easy, had to practice poetry and lyrics, songs, literary, history and classics, need to know how to do the four arts[2], even culinary and needlework must not left behind."
I'm wrong, I always thought that only the modern professional women were the most pitiful, not only need to gain income and give birth, even light bulbs needed to change by herself, never knew that ancient time gifted females did not have good life too, all versatile skills need to be learnt and mastered, just for the sake of pleasing a man with unknown appearance.
Xie Zhao Ke currently was playing qin. Today, she wore a snow white skirt, pale green waistcoat, black hair coiled up, revealing a slender white neck, whole person beautiful, elegant and delicate like a budding young lotus.
Both were same family siblings, why had so different appearance? Heard that Second Madam Xie when alive was an absolute beauty as well.
I watched her fully immersed in practising, felt not proper to disturb her, and could only bring Yun Xiang to go back.
I asked Yun Xiang, "Where can we find some books to read?"
Yun Xiang looked at me as if she was looking at a weird creature.
"What's wrong?"
"Young Miss, you…. When do you can read words?"
Now only I remembered that Xie Zhao Hua was mentally ill for more than ten years, of course would not be able to recognise words. Could only make up some stories, borrowed strength from ghosts and gods, said, "I guess the Heaven pitied me, let me recovered my intellect, also made up for my weakness."
Thankfully Yun Xiang was easy to trick, actually believed me, and brought me to the Xie family library pavilion.
Xie family in the end was a prominent scholar family, had a large library, was divided into different parts according to the category and arranged orderly. The bookshelves were without a speck of dust and insect-proof incense was added.
I dispatched Yun Xiang away, self randomly skim through, quickly found the Annals of the Great Qi Country, excitedly sat on the wooden floor to start reading it instantly.
Now divided into four, Qi Country located at the east, so that unknown immortal called it as Eastern Qi. The east side of the Eastern Qi was Xuan Sea, facing north was the Liao Country and facing west was the Qin Country. Further west also had the Li Country with no boundary. This was a world in which all powers were of equal footing.
Among the four countries, there was a river called Hong River[3] that flowed through all of them, when the Hong River flowed into the borders of the Eastern Qi, was called Bi Luo River[4]. Both the sceneries at the banks of the Hong River was picturesque, an outstanding place for countless touring, honeymoon, recuperating and meeting sessions. Eastern Qi valued literacy, for a thousand years had produced numerous outstanding young scholars, had major contributions in making endless stream of new inventions in science and technology. Might be due to geographically facing the sea, people mostly eat fish which was beneficial to the brain.
Eastern Qi greatest threat was the Western Liao, just like Song Dynasty with its headache distant country, Western Xia Dynasty. A nomad nation, everyday facing the snow disasters, the next spring would go to the south to plunder, their old ones and children also need to be feed, and everyone had their own misfortune. Eastern Qi had never produce someone like Emperor Wu[5], I reckoned inside the imperial court were messed up quarrels between those who advocated peace and those who advocated war.
I heard Yun Xiang said, the Emperor's body was not well, the Crown Prince was dead. My father was the Grand Tutor for the Crown Prince, now that the Crown Prince was dead he didn't know what he should be doing. Actually, in the eyes of the whole Xie family, was just a really normal high social ranking family. The combined struggle between the imperial sides seemingly did not implicate our family much.
While I was staying at this peaceful place enjoying my life, waiting for the day that immortal return me to my original body.
"Who?" someone asked behind me.
I turned my head around.
A man was standing against the light, broad light greenish blue scholar robe suspended gently, the sun outlined a long silhouette.
"Who are you?" he asked again.
I stood up, said, "I'm Xie Zhao Hua."
"You are Xie family Fourth Young Miss?"
I nodded my head.
He entered, clasped his hands to salute me, "This humble one is Song Zi Jing, interrupting Fourth Young Miss, hope will forgive this humble one's error."
I had heard this name before. The family had invited a private tutor to teach "Guo Fu" and two Ma cousins. Yun Xiang once mentioned him with both her eyes in spring.
Mister Song straightened his waist but his head was still lowered as if something that shouldn't be around had grown on my face.
I was curious, approached him.
Song Zi Jing was around 20, fair and clear skin, slender and beautiful eyebrows, a pair of phoenix eyes with the end raised slightly, straight nose bridge, lips mild and moist, really was a typical delicate scholar. In fact, being stared strongly by me like this and yet still calm, was really a bona fide virtuous man, a bearing like chrysanthemum.
I smiled while retreating a step and said, "Mister Song teaching those nephews of mine must be very tiring. Now is after class?"
Song Zi Jing politely raised himself slightly, "Yes, come here to seek some books."
"So coincidence, I'm here to find some books to read, but not familiar, does mister know where I can find the collections of short fiction books?"
"What?" he tilted his head while looking at me, didn't understand what I'm saying.
I changed the way I asked, "If not, fabled stories or supernatural myths also can."
Song Zi Jing looked at me in astonishment. I now remembered, ancient time girls if not sneakily looking at The Peony Pavilion would be reciting the passed down story of a chaste and pure woman. Reading essay and other materials in any case was not something I should be doing.
However, Song Zi Jing was just looking at me, then lowered his head and extended one of his hands, "Fourth Young Miss, please come over here."
His figure was tall, had an elegant bearing and a light tea smell.
He brought me upstairs. Upstairs was slightly small, well-lit, all four sides had fairly low bookshelves. Parts that were not eye-catching, were actually arranged several rows of fabled stories, traditional opera scripts and others.
I happily selected a few books, hugged them and lowered my head to him as sign of gratitude.
He civilly returned me a smile, "Fourth Young Miss doesn't have to be courteous."
I ran downstairs step by step, suddenly stopped, turned around to ask him, "When mister is conducting a class, can I listen too?"
Song Zi Jing thought for a moment, said, "Of course can."
I said, "Then, I'll be coming tomorrow."
When Yun Xiang knew that I met Song Zi Jing, her whole face turned red.
I smiled, "Mister Song really is a person like the eucalyptus against the wind. I'm curious, why he didn't take the imperial examination, instead coming here to teach children?"
Yun Xiang was a good making of an intelligence operator, told me, "Originally Mister Song is one of our Eastern Qi Four Great Talented Scholars, many families pursue him to be their son-in-law, to wear out the doorstep. This reputation travelled until the capital Imperial Granduncle family, causes that Zhao Young Miss to fall in love with him. I heard that that Zhao Young Miss is fat and ugly, lazy and stupid, insisting on marry Mister Song. Imperial Granduncle can only come to him to ask for the marriage. But what sort of person is Mister Song, of course he disdained Zhao Young Miss and rejected the offer on the spot. This issue, didn't know who spread it but now everyone know about this joke of Zhao Young Miss. Imperial Granduncle was angered, later when Mister Song came to the capital for the imperial examination, he bribed the examiners so that no matter what would not let Mister Song passed the examination. Mister Song refused to give in initially, tried the examination four years already but failed all of them. On the fifth year, he didn't enter the examination hall but composed on a wall outside the hall. Our Master had long admired his ability, hearing the news hastily came over, saved him from the beatings of the government officers and arranged him to stay in the mansion to teach."
She said all these in one breath, I hurriedly poured her a cup of tea. "That Imperial Granduncle ill-treated future officer, the Emperor didn't know?"
Yun Xiang finished the tea in one mouth, lowered her voice to say, "The Emperor's body is not well all along, staying deep in the palace to recuperate, the country affairs are controlled by Prime Minister Li and Imperial Granduncle. All these I heard from Master and Eldest Young Master last year when I was helping at the study room occasionally."
Never thought that that gentle and cultured Song Zi Jing was also a very determined person.
I then asked, "Then, Mister Song had yet to marry?"
Yun Xiang while blushing said, "He…. Although he didn't mention that marriage issue, but with the current chaotic situation, which…. Which family actually dared to take him as…. As a son-in-law? Everyone is afraid of the Imperial Granduncle."
Poor Song Zi Jing, no wonder he didn't raise up towards my molestation at his eyebrows, must be very scared of the creatures called female.
The next day, I gave my greetings to Madam Xie, told her I wanted to go to the private school to listen. Madam Xie then was astonished that I was literate and later was extremely happy.
Xie family private school was opened for family and relative children to study, including that "Guo Fu" young miss, Xie Ling Juan and those Ma family siblings, there were several young children too.
Xie Ling Juan that little friend when saw me came here, was first astonished and then turned unhappy, in the end was a little scared of me. I guessed elder brother had admonished her, knew that I'm her senior, no longer dared to bully me like in the past, this child could still be taught.
Today, Song Zi Jing wore a spotless white unlined long gown, wide sleeves and lapel, simple but elegant, without a speck of dust. I gave him a greeting according to the custom, he nodded faintly, just like a calm and poised scholar. I sat at the end, behind a group of little radishes.
First, they examined the homework from yesterday, the little friend Xie Ling Juan had a problem with her character but her schoolwork was rather good, it looked like eldest brother's family teaching was very strict. There were several children were lazy and didn't do their work, now couldn't hand theirs over.
Song Zi Jing this person, used popular terms to explain, was a queen [receive/accept/get/stand]. Although he looked as if he was too weak to withstand a gust of wind, the method he used to punish was firm and ruthless. Just saw him [indifferently/weakly] like a light willow said, "Tomorrow make up then."
Those children released a relaxed sigh. Then, Mister Song added a sentence, "All students must copy yesterday homework fifty times, tomorrow hand them over."
Among the starving refugees swarming over the land[6], those few children who didn't finish their homework were at once became the target of criticism.
Now children, did you understand already, this was called punishment for being related, representing one of the feudal society dark culture. Mister Song was also doing this for the good of you all, getting to know this society's bad human side early.
I raised my hand. Song Zi Jing asked, "What?"
I said, "Teacher, do I need to hand them over too?"
Song Zi Jing without a change in his expression, uncomfortably said, "Fourth Young Miss is a newcomer, so doesn't have to do so."
I secretly smiled.
Starting the lecture class, lecturing on the story of [Zhang Huai Lay Frozen]. I didn't know this Zhang Huai person, laid on ice to get fish to cure his mother illness, since my childhood I already heard a similar story before which was hardly different with Song Zi Jing's story.
Song Zi Jing's lecture exceeded my expectations, very lively, used poetries to make the sentences easy to understand, sometimes used as allusions for idioms, those children in a short time would remember. I had to admit, he was a great teacher.
After finishing the story, he asked those children their thoughts. Those children knew that was to teach them to be a child filial to their parents. Only one boy who voiced differently from the others as he said, "That Zhang Huai is very stupid."
[History was to promote advancement from these inharmonious voices.] I excitedly looked at him, he was a young child between eleven and twelve years old who wore a big red rounded embroidery design clothes, face like a Guan jade, exquisite facial features, eyes like the stars on a cold night, bright red cinnabar lips, just like a ceramic doll.
Song Zi Jing smiled slightly and asked, "Little Ling, care to explain it?"
Little Ling fluently said, "Zhang Huai used his own body to melt the ice and died due to frostbite, the loss outweighs the gain. If I am him, will make a hole in the ice, save time and energy."
Song Zi Jing and I nodded our heads tactically. Teacher Song asked more, "Are there any other opinions?"
I didn't know how I offended Xie Ling Juan that she actually nominated me, "Little aunt has one."
Song Zi Jing unexpectedly pushed the boat along with the current and said, "Fourth Young Miss, please do share some of your thoughts."
I actually didn't have any preparation, this simple story didn't mention a more detailed background gist. In an instant, I felt as if I returned to the university lecture hall, being selected by the teacher to recite the names of all the acupoints using the head of a human figurine, crow flying inside the mind, forgot even the names of the four limbs until unable to say anything.
Xie Ling Juan actually wanted to see me embarrassed myself, snorted and snickered.
Thanks to her snort, I regained my conscious and gave her a sly smile, "I had no opinion, and just have an extra knowledge. The carp is one of the most common freshwater fish, the Canon of Shen Nong Herbs called it as the 'Elder of the All Fish'. From the medical usage angle, carp is balanced in nature, sweet in flavour, a spleen-returning decoction, stomach channel, has the ability to fortify the spleen and nourish the stomach, disinhibit water and disperse swelling, promoting lactation and quieting the foetus, relieving cough and panting and other similar effects. Especially, the fish head contains rich amount of lecithin, this is useful for nourishing to maintain the cerebrum, also beneficial to enhance memory. That is why, smart people love to eat fish but prefer the fish head more. This really make sense."
Song Zi Jing was reverently amazed as he stared at me, as if I'm an outer space alien. Those children that were sitting were stupefied, however that I believed was due to they didn't understand what I said earlier.
Xie Ling Juan whispered softly, "To be smart will have to eat fish then?"
I nodded my head, "This is the way."
Her expression turned complex as she seemed lost in thought, just like Shin-Chan realised that courting girls was similar to eating green pepper.
I smiled and asked Song Zi Jing, "Is teacher satisfied with my answer?"
Song Zi Jing in the end didn't make things hard for me as he said, "Although is an irrelevant answer but also give the listeners new knowledge."
I excitedly sat down.
After the class, just as I was following the other children to leave, Song Zi Jing called me.
"Fourth Young Miss, the Canon of Shen Nong Herbs that you mentioned earlier…."
I knew he would ask about this and had already thought of an appropriate reason, smoothly said, "I just remembered seeing it in a medical book but I cannot remember which book. So, I just casually make it up."
Song Zi Jing smiled faintly, "So it is like that. However, Young Miss never touch the medic before, this lowly one doesn't know, when Young Miss learn it?"
That faint smile of his was like a moon emerging from the clouds, like a [pure reflecting light], made my little heart beat like crazy, unconsciously grinned and said, "Learn it in dream."
Song Zi Jing dumbfounded.
I laughed and continued, "Teacher Song, I see your body condition is not really good, looks exhausted due to blood deficit. Let me teach you a way to overcome the blood deficit, very suitable for weak people like you. Steeps one liang of membrane of chicken gizzard for six hours, adds two liang of dangshen, use gentle fire to boil them in clear soup for an hour, and then eat fish and drink soup. Telling today, to learn and apply in daily life, these are called absorbing knowledge. Teacher should try it out."
Song Zi Jing continued to be in daze. I waved my hands at him with a smile, turned my body and skipped out of the courtyard.
I didn't walk far before seeing a fairy immortal surrounded in a golden halo approached. That was my sister whose beauty rivalled Xi Shi[7], Xie Zhao Ke.
Xie Zhao Ke when seeing me, was startled, even when her apricot eyes opened slightly and her arched eyebrows knitted slightly, she was very mesmerising.
I explained to her, "Staying in the courtyard is too boring, mother then told me to learn from Teacher Song instead."
Xie Zhao Ke made an 'oh' sound, "Is Teacher Song gone already?"
"No, he is still in the school packing."
Just as he was mentioned he came out, respectfully said, "Third Young Miss."
Xie Zhao Ke's glance was resplendently dazzling, wandered about for a split second, if I was a man, would had been instantly killed by that look. Just saw her sending longing signals bashfully, her pretty curved eyebrows, cheeks like pink peaches, cherry lips slightly pursed up, acted coyly and bashfully, an appearance of whose budding love sprouted.
"Teacher Song…. The weather today is cold, I sewed a cloak for you…. At night when you're studying, remember to wear it."
Good gracious, so it was actually like this!
I suddenly understood, didn't willing to be a light bulb, I made an excuse and left first.
Returning to the Nourishing Heart Pavilion, Yun Xiang specially welcomed me to ask me, "How…. How was it? Young Miss, today what did Teacher Song do?"
I really pitied her, touched her head, "Good girl, now the situation is grim, intensely competitive, mother is afraid you is in a hopeless situation. Better to have a change of heart, find another person. Remember, he is too rich to be a good match."
Yun Xiang didn't understand completely, "Young Miss, are you becoming an idiot again? You're saying that Teacher Song is not a good person?"
I shook my head while walking away.
Xie Zhao Ke liked Song Zi Jing, without doubt. Did Song Zi Jing like Xie Zhao Ke too?
No matter liked or not, before getting official rank, there would be no development with Xie Zhao Ke. Xie Zhao Ke and Song Zi Jing had a matching talent and appearance, Xie family didn't despise the poor and curry favour with the rich but Xie Patriarch wouldn't go and offend Imperial Granduncle.
Mentioning this, I had a sense of crisis.
That great immortal just said that when the time came would bring me back, this was nonsense, still had to wait until when? Ten days, ten months or ten years? If I was brought back to my original body when I had already became an old woman, what about the time difference between the two worlds? If I'm going to wait that long, I would not be able to avoid the marriage arranged by the Xie family, marrying my husband regardless of his identity?
Although I didn't marry my love interest Zhang Zi Yue but I still couldn't marry an unfamiliar man.
Thinking up to here, decided to make a plan, need to quickly find a chance to leave the Xie mansion. At worst would become a nun, no matter since already spent eight lifetimes as a nun, already close with Buddha teachings, took care of each other.
Just like this, thinking here and there, already nearing New Year.
[1] 摘月阁
[2] Lute-playing, chess, calligraphy and painting
[3] Red River
[4] Blue Sky River
[5] Han Wudi, Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (141-87 BC)
[6] Pitiful victims
[7] A famous beauty of late Spring and Autumn Period