Chapter 9:
Gratitude for One’s Teacher
BY THE TIME the sky paled, the snowstorm had stopped, and Xiahou Lian finally saw Dai Shengyan and Xie Jinglan arrive. Surprisingly, Xie Bingfeng accompanied them. His square jaw was tense, and when he saw Xiahou Lian’s pale, nearly lifeless appearance, a hint of guilt flashed across his face. Given Xie Bingfeng’s past hypocrisy, however, Xiahou Lian couldn’t shake the feeling that it was an act.
Dai Shengyan felt Xiahou Lian’s forehead and neck. “You have an excellent constitution, my young friend. To think, you spent the entire night in this drafty shed, and you aren’t feverish.” He took off his own cloak and wrapped it around Xiahou Lian.
The cloak was made of mink fur, and its soft fluffiness against Xiahou Lian’s face restored some warmth to his frozen cheeks.
Dai Shengyan’s words were pointed, and Xie Bingfeng reddened slightly. He walked over to Xiahou Lian and patted his head. “You’re fine now.” He sighed. “The mistress really is too harsh. You’re just a child. Although you made a mistake, she shouldn’t have punished you so severely. Since you’re all right, go back and get some rest. And don’t break any more rules.”
What Xie Bingfeng said sounded comforting, but each word reinforced that Xiahou Lian had deserved punishment; he had broken the rules, and the Xie family, in their mercy, was letting him go. Hearing him, Xiahou Lian almost coughed up blood. He wanted to make a retort, but Xie Jinglan grabbed his hand, shaking his head slightly.
Xie Jinglan hadn’t been shut in the shed, yet his face was even paler than Xiahou Lian’s, devoid of all color—as if the one locked inside all night had been him.
Xiahou Lian was worried. “Are you all right?”
Before Xie Jinglan could respond, a shrill female voice rang out. Everyone turned to see a tall, thin woman approach alongside several maids. Her eyes were cold, her nails bright red. It was Lady Xiao. “A mere servant, yet nonetheless so esteemed, for the head of the Xie family and the great scholar Dai to hurry here at the crack of dawn. Seeing a crowd gathered at such an early hour, I thought the shed might’ve caught fire! Speaking of the shed, this is all my fault. I acted too harshly, locking this child up for the night. Shall I apologize to him directly?”
Xie Bingfeng looked pained but forced himself to reply, “Let’s put this matter behind us. The boy has been scolded and punished. Let him go back and rest. The Xie family has strict rules, yes, but we’ve always treated our servants kindly. Remember that next time.”
It would’ve been better if he’d said nothing. Lady Xiao bristled like a cat whose tail he’d stepped on, her expression darkening. She smiled coldly.
“Yes, you’re right. I manage the house incompetently, and I mistreat our servants; both things bring you shame. But I will remember the family teachings and strive to be kinder in the future. That said, this Xiahou Lian has a clever tongue, and I find myself rather fond of him. Why not let him stay and entertain me? What do you think?”
Both Xie Jinglan and Xiahou Lian felt a chill run down their spines, instinctively stepping backward to hide behind Dai Shengyan. Xiahou Lian glanced nervously at Xie Jinglan, whose expression was also full of worry.
Dai Shengyan subtly shielded them. “Unfortunately, I’ve already purchased this child,” he said calmly. “He’s my servant now.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Lady Xiao asked in astonishment.
Xie Bingfeng nodded. “As I said, Teacher, if you like this child, you may have him. As a gentleman, I would never ask for payment; money changing hands brings discord.”
Lady Xiao smiled, a hand over her mouth. “What a coincidence! I also like this child very much. I still have his deed of sale. If I insist on keeping him, will Dai-xiansheng challenge me over it?”
Dai Shengyan’s expression finally turned grave.
The atmosphere in the shed was stifling. With five people inside, the space was cramped, and Xiahou Lian struggled for air. He no longer felt cold; in fact, it seemed a little too warm. The smell of rotting wood, mixed with the odor of Lady Xiao’s perfume, only made it harder to breathe.
Dai Shengyan placed his thin, bony hand on Xiahou Lian’s head. That hand was so shrunken, it felt like a tree branch. The weather was frigid, the earth frozen. Only Dai Shengyan’s palm still radiated gentle warmth.
But that slight warmth was enough, and Xiahou Lian calmed down.
Dai Shengyan stroked his beard and spoke slowly. “To be honest, I find this child exceptionally bright and talented. With proper guidance, he could become a great scholar or military strategist, capable of bringing peace and security to our nation. Whether he carries on the teachings of Confucius and Zhu Xi or follows in the footsteps of Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi, he will become a sage of unmatched greatness, a model for all generations to come. I trust you wouldn’t let such talent go to waste.”
A sage of unmatched greatness? A model for generations to come?
Xie Bingfeng and Lady Xiao looked at Xiahou Lian. A string of mucus had run from his nose to his lip. He sniffed hard, and the snot disappeared, leaving a shiny trail.
Xie Jinglan and Dai Shengyan couldn’t help averting their eyes a little.
Although embarrassed, Xiahou Lian said brazenly, “Maybe Confucius was also a snotty kid when he was twelve.”
“By twelve, Confucius could already set up and carry out sacrificial zudou rites,” whispered Xie Jinglan.
“What’s a zudou rite? Some kind of tasty bean?”11
Xie Jinglan didn’t dignify that with a response.
Having served as an official for many years, Dai Shengyan had mastered the art of lying through his teeth. Convincing himself that he saw the shadow of a great sage in the slouching Xiahou Lian, he continued, “This child is naturally gifted. I’ve seen countless people in my life, so I’m absolutely sure of that. I’m determined to take him as my disciple. If the mistress struggles to part with him, I’ll have no choice but to invite the esteemed prefectural magistrate himself to join us so that he can have a constructive discussion with the mistress.”
Jinling’s prefectural magistrate, Su Zhuocheng, was one of Dai Shengyan’s countless disciples. The magistrate was known for his unquenchable thirst for talent. If they involved him, they would be handing Xiahou Lian over themselves.
Now it was Lady Xiao’s turn to look displeased. She could oppress others with her power, but Dai Shengyan could likewise bring his seniority to bear. Xiahou Lian was indeed an official servant of the Xie household—if they refused to let him go, he would never be able to leave the residence. Even so, etiquette took precedence, and Dai Shengyan was the nation’s foremost scholar. If the Xie household refused to release Xiahou Lian, they’d gain notoriety for suppressing someone talented.
Even if that person hadn’t learned to recite a single poem nor to read the words of a single sage.
“My wife is being rude,” said Xie Bingfeng. “Please don’t listen to her. I know you never discriminate when it comes to accepting pupils. Discovering a beloved disciple in humble circumstances is inspirational, and it isn’t something my wife ought to try to prevent.” Xie Bingfeng turned to look at Lady Xiao. “Lady, it’s early in the morning and chilly outside. You should head back and rest.”
Lady Xiao snorted coldly. “Then allow me to congratulate Dai-xiansheng on his new beloved disciple. I hope the child lives up to your expectations and becomes a man capable of governing the country and protecting the people!”
Xiahou Lian was very self-aware; he figured it’d be a miracle if he didn’t upend the country. As for him governing it, he feared the country would quickly collapse under such circumstances.