Chapter Fifty-Four: Painting the Walls

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“Are you certain you've never heard of this Meng Haoran?”
At this moment, Wu Ning stroked his chin, brows tightly knit, gazing at the poem on the wall.
“This Meng Haoran, his poetry is carefree, his prose elegant; I imagine he cannot be an unknown person. Alas, I am isolated and uninformed, and truly do not know him.”
“Unexpected...” The old man looked down at the infant in his arms.
“Unexpected, that such a talent shares a name with my grandson.”
“Hmm...”
Wu Ning fell silent, thinking: That can't be right, can it?
Meng Haoran, such a prominent figure—not only did Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji, who visited earlier, not recognize him, even this old man knows nothing of him?
No one in the Tang Dynasty knows Meng Haoran? Are you all so lacking in culture?
Could it be...
He glanced up just in time to see the baby in the old man’s arms flash a charming smile at him.
This child is called Meng Hao, courtesy name Haoran... from Xiangyang!
Could it be that I am the one lacking in culture?
“Ahem.” Wu Ning nearly choked on the thought, coughing harshly.
“Well then...”
“Are you certain, elder, that in Xiangyang there is no renowned poet sharing your grandson’s name?”
“None!” The old man was adamant.
“To be honest, young sir, the Meng family is fairly well-known in Xiangyang. If there were such a person, I would surely know of him.”
“Oh...” Wu Ning nodded expressionlessly.
A prominent family in Xiangyang, that must be correct.
Suddenly, he shouted loudly, “Wu Li!”
“Here!”
“Come and paint over the wall!”
“...”
“It’s nothing!”
Wu Ning feigned nonchalance, pointing at the wall, “It must be some insignificant nobody, deceiving the world with stolen fame. Pay it no mind, elder, just pretend you never saw it.”
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and stiffly exited the guest room. Once outside, he furtively wiped a cold sweat from his brow.
Ignorance truly is frightening!
Wu Li entered carrying a bucket of lime, muttering discontentedly, “The guests haven’t left yet; what’s the point of painting the wall now?”
“Bah, that Wu Old Nine, only knows how to order people around!”
“...”
“!!!!”
The old man had been puzzled—he hadn’t left yet, so why paint the wall?
And what did he mean, ‘pretend you never saw it’?
But as Wu Li grumbled, the old man suddenly shivered.
“Young man, what did you call the innkeeper?”
“Wu Old Nine!” Wu Li replied confidently, “He’s ninth in his family, two months younger than me.”
“Of course we call him Wu Old Nine, what else?”
“...”
The old man grew unsettled. Wu Old Nine... Wu Nine... Fifty-nine!
Could this youth be the Wu Nine spoken of by Immortal Xiao, the one who would be found ‘at fifty-nine’?
But then, it didn’t make sense. How could a boy from a mountain inn possibly help my grandson? How could he be that Wu Nine?
...
——————————
The days that followed were ordinary yet filled with hope.
The elder of the Meng family ultimately returned to Xiangyang, but before leaving, he entrusted an old friend in Fangzhou to keep an eye on Wu Ning.
Though it was unlikely that Wu Ning was the one, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
The charcoal kiln had started storing materials; although it was the busy autumn season and everyone was occupied with the fields, the clan leader had given strict orders, so people still managed to gather some dry branches on the mountain, albeit slowly.
Several inns in the valley had thriving business this year, and after the New Year, a few more shops would open with Wu Nine’s help. If the kiln could revive, not only would the valley folk have a good New Year, they’d have future prospects as well.
Fourth Uncle Wu Changlu was busier than ever.
After the training of two thousand provincial troops concluded, he received orders to take his men to the border of the province and await further instructions.
Word was, the imperial envoy would reach Fangzhou in early October.
What irked Wu Ning was that Fourth Uncle had taken Wu Qi with him—not to join the army, but to send him to his maternal uncle’s family.
This year was Wu Qi’s uncle’s fiftieth birthday. Though the families had drifted apart since Wu Qi’s mother passed, a fiftieth birthday could not be missed.
Wu Ning could only curse his luck; of all times to celebrate, did it have to be now, when things were so busy?
Recently, his Seeking Jade Residence no longer needed pilgrims to sustain its business. With Wu Chengsi, Wu Sansi, and Princess Taiping about to arrive, not only was his high-end inn with only two rooms fully booked, even the city’s large inns were packed.
Fangzhou was full of scholars in literary robes; the streets teemed with aspiring poets, all waiting for the Wu brothers to arrive, hoping to catch their eye and secure a bright future.
Wu Ning had no qualms about this—corrupt official selections and factionalism had nothing to do with him.
He only knew that with these people around, he’d never have to worry about business.
It was only a pity that Wu Qi was absent, depriving him of free labor.
Li Wenbo was busy all day, and though Chef Luo managed the meals for three households, since he lived in the city, he wasn’t present in the morning or evening, leaving Wu Ning to struggle alone.
There was no help for it; Wu Ning had to start persuading them.
“Why don’t you two move to the valley? You’re never at the inn in the mornings and evenings—how can I manage alone?”
“That won’t do!” Chef Luo glared. “We agreed at the start that mornings and evenings weren’t my responsibility. You can’t go back on that now!”
Li Wenbo was troubled too; like Luo Li, he had his elderly mother at home who needed morning and evening care.
“Master...” he pleaded, “my mother is frail. Neighbors help during the day, but if I lived in the valley...”
He meant his mother couldn’t be left alone.
“Are you daft?” Wu Ning shot Li Wenbo a sideways glance. “Tell me, what’s most sought-after in Fangzhou right now?”
Li Wenbo didn’t hesitate, “Guest rooms, of course.”
“Even so, Wenbo can’t abandon his mother just to run an inn!”
“With your brains, you should give up business and go home to raise children!” Wu Ning scolded him.
“Just bring your mother to the valley. City houses are in such demand; rent yours out and make a tidy sum. Isn’t that perfect?”
Li Wenbo thought it over—he was right!
“Is it appropriate?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Wu Ning raised his eyebrows.
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“Seventh Brother’s house has a few rooms empty; tidy up one or two and move in for now!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for a physician to treat your mother’s illness.”
“This...” Li Wenbo’s eyes grew moist.
Though he had come to the valley for Wu Ning’s wages, this master truly was generous.
“No ‘this’ about it!” Wu Ning slapped Li Wenbo’s shoulder. “It’s settled!”
Leaning close, he pointed a brow at Chef Luo. “He... is up to you!”
Li Wenbo caught on immediately, “Rest assured, master!” He nodded vigorously. “Leave it to me!”
And so...
Chef Luo, bewildered, moved to the valley and went from a city dweller to a country bumpkin, all in a haze.
By the time he realized, it was too late.
“I’m over twenty and still haven’t married; now I’m a countryman, how will I ever find a wife?”
...
——————————
By mid-October, the imperial envoy finally arrived in Fangzhou.
Wu Ning was too busy to go and see.
They said that on the day they entered the city, half of Fangzhou’s populace gathered on the official road outside, hoping to glimpse Princess Taiping.
Wu Ning could only scoff—such country folk! It’s just a princess, what’s there to see? It’s not like he hadn’t seen one before!
Well, actually, he hadn’t.
But he heard the spectacle was magnificent, and the princess looked distinctly different from city women.
Moreover, her highness was beautiful, and many were mesmerized at first sight.
...
No matter how vivid the rumors, Wu Ning had no time to dwell on them.
At this moment, Wu Old Nine stood in his courtyard, hands on hips, full of confidence.
“No more, truly no more! All the inns in the valley are full—there are no guest rooms left.”
Lei Ji and Du Gu Ao, standing before him, looked distressed. “Young master, help us out, or we’ll have to sleep outdoors!”
“I can’t help you!” Wu Ning spread his hands. “I can hardly evict guests to make room for you, can I?”
“But I wonder,”
Wu Ning eyed Du Gu Ao, “aren’t you a local? How come you have nowhere to stay?”
Du Gu Ao nearly wept.
He sighed, “Fate is against me—my house was requisitioned!”
Well, then!
Wu Ning rolled his eyes. See? Even prominent city families have their unlucky days!
The imperial envoy brought so many attendants. How could a temporary residence built in half a year accommodate them all? Who knows how many wealthy families were temporarily displaced?
“I can’t help unless you two want to share a room with me.”
Unexpectedly, Lei Ji blurted, “That’s fine too!”
Wu Ning: “...”
He looked at Chef Luo, “See that? People are desperate for rooms!”
“Aren’t you glad your master helped you earn a pile of silver?”
...
——————————————
Meanwhile, another man stood quietly in Chou Uncle’s house, watching Wu Ning through the window.
He was about thirty, dressed in a python-robe with a green sash and black cap with swallow wings; his fair face carried the gentility of a scholar, but his eagle eyes lent him an air of vigor.
“So... that’s the boy?”
Chou Uncle nodded, “Yes... that’s the boy!”
The scholar turned to Chou Uncle, amused, “With your talent, Changzhu, why would you need me to teach him?”
Chou Uncle shook his head, “I cannot teach him.”
“Oh? Why?”
“He’s too much like someone.”
“Who?”
“The man I once was.”
“The man you once were...” The scholar was startled. “The old Helan Minzhi?!”
“Yes!”
Chou Uncle nodded, “This boy is exceptionally gifted—he is destined for greatness.”
“Unfortunately, he resembles the former me too closely. I fear he’ll become another version of myself.”
“Another version?” The scholar was even more surprised. “How so?”
Chou Uncle gave a twisted smile, enunciating each word: “A child’s game!”
“He’s too arrogant, too clever, so that the world seems to him little more than a child’s play.”
“Understood.”
The scholar looked out the window at Wu Ning, “Another rule-breaker.”
“Heh.” Chou Uncle smiled bitterly, “He’s not a rule-breaker—he has no rules at all!”
“Hahaha.” The scholar laughed, “How interesting!”
“Tell me, Changzhu, how should I guide him? Shall I keep him by my side, or take him as a disciple?”
“Neither,” Chou Uncle replied. “I want you to leave the court for now, and teach him wholeheartedly!”
The scholar fell silent, lowering his head in thought.
After a long pause,
“Very well! I’ll do as you ask.”
...
The scholar agreed so readily, Chou Uncle felt a pang of guilt.
“Boyu, if you still have ambitions, you could postpone this for a few years.”
“No need!” The scholar waved his hand graciously. “You risked your life to help me succeed when you were unjustly accused.”
“Without you, Changzhu, there would be no Jinshi Chen Zi’ang.”
“This favor, I must repay!”
Chou Uncle was deeply moved, and bowed in respect, “Thank you, brother!”
Chen Zi’ang helped him up, “There’s no need for thanks between brothers.”
His eyes showed nostalgia, “Most old friends, after your misfortune, ended up exiled to the south; now I’m the only one left in the capital, and I’ve long wished to leave.”
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Hearing this, Chou Uncle grew even more remorseful, “I brought misfortune upon them!”
“Nonsense,” Chen Zi’ang comforted, “If they knew you were still alive, they’d be overjoyed!”
“...”
Chou Uncle was silent for a long time before finally asking, “And what about her...”
His gaze wavered, unable to ask yet unable to hold back.
“How is Youyi... these days?”
Chen Zi’ang replied, “Rest assured, brother, sister-in-law is well! All these years, she refused to remarry, always waiting for you.”
“One day, when your name is cleared, you’ll see her again!”
“!!!”
Chou Uncle felt a wrenching pain in his heart, shutting his eyes tightly.
“Tell her... to remarry!”
...
“Let’s not speak of this!”
Chen Zi’ang knew that the more he said, the more uncomfortable his brother would feel.
He changed the subject, “Wu Chengsi and his brother have come to Fangzhou as well. Brother, you should be cautious.”
“In my opinion, you’d be wise to avoid them.”
Chou Uncle wiped a tear from his eye, “You needn’t worry, Boyu. I have my own plans.”
He watched Wu Ning in the courtyard, wild and unruly.
“Boyu, you’d best consider how to rein him in.”
Chen Zi’ang was unconcerned, “He’s just a child; discipline him and he’ll mature.”
“Hehe.” Chou Uncle chuckled dryly, “Boyu, don’t treat him as a child.”
He pointed to the guest room, “By the way, Boyu, go check the guest room. There’s a poem you left there.”
“Hmm?”
Chen Zi’ang raised his eyebrows. When did I leave a poem here?
Seeing that boy lead two scholars into the room, Chen Zi’ang became intrigued, left Chou Uncle’s room, and walked to the guest room.
Upon entering, he exclaimed, “Oh! What a poem!”
“Before me, no ancients; behind me, no followers.
I contemplate the vastness of heaven and earth, and stand alone, moved to tears.”
Signed: Chen Zi’ang!?
Chen Zi’ang scratched his neck, puzzled:
Did I write this??? When did I write this?
Such fine lines—if only I had!
He gazed at the poem on the wall, shaking his head with a bitter smile, “This child truly treats everything as a game.”
“Innkeeper!” he called loudly, “Bring ink and brush!”
“Coming!”
Wu Ning ran out, holding the inkstone and brush.
He knew without asking—when guests were inspired, they would compose poems on the wall.
He thought, fill the wall with poetry, so I won’t get caught for forgery!
“Please, sir!”
Wu Ning personally prepared the ink.
Chen Zi’ang took up the brush, pondered briefly, then wrote beneath the famous lines attributed to Chen Zi’ang, four bold verses.
“Zi’ang travels south, stays in a mountain lodge, only after sighing over past and present does his heart settle.
Who could have guessed that Chen Boyu was already here, pretending on the wall!”
Wu Ning’s eyes lit up. Finally, someone dared to ‘reply’ beneath that poem!
He focused and read:
“Zi’ang travels south, stays in a mountain lodge, only after sighing over past and present does his heart settle.
Who could have guessed that Chen Boyu was already here, pretending on the wall!”
After finishing, Chen Zi’ang tossed the brush aside, watched with satisfaction for a moment, then gave Wu Ning a playful smile, “Innkeeper, savor the three flavors within. I... take my leave!”
With that, he strode out and headed down the mountain.
...
Wu Ning held the inkstone, his face contorted.
“Who could have guessed that Chen Boyu was already here, pretending on the wall?”
What’s that supposed to mean?
What the hell do you mean by that!?
“No, come back!!”
He rushed out, but the man was already gone.
He stood bewildered in the courtyard, “Who the hell was that? Here to cause trouble?”
Chou Uncle emerged from the house, smiling, “Whether he’s causing trouble or not, I do know who he is.”
“Who is he!?” Wu Ning stared, “I’ll go find him!”
Chou Uncle replied slowly, “The chief historian of Princess Taiping’s household...”
“Chen Zi’ang.”
“Eh???” Wu Ning was stunned.
Chen, Chen, Chen, Chen Zi’ang??
He instinctively glanced back at the room—damn, caught again?
“Wu Li!!!”
He roared.
“Here...”
“Paint the wall!”
...
.
———————————————————
Two chapters combined.
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