Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The young secretary of Xuanwu City was named Wang Lian. At twenty-one, he had passed the provincial exam and was appointed to his current position. He had not given up on the imperial examinations and continued his studies while serving as an official, preparing to sit for the metropolitan exam. In ancient China, one could prepare for the exam while working as an aide, but it was not permissible to take it while serving as an official. In this world, however, it was possible.
He was not from Xuanwu City but from Nanyuan Commandery, yet his exceptional talent had already earned him a considerable reputation. There were even rumors that he was related to the Jin Clan of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. But when had Shen Lang come to know this secretary?
Quite some time ago, Wang Lian, the young secretary of Xuanwu City, had personally tutored Shen Lang for about half a month. Recalling this past event brings to mind one indispensable person: the woman every young man in Xuanwu City dreamed of, rumored to be the greatest beauty in the region, the so-called princess of Xuanwu City—the noble daughter of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, Jin Mulan.
Jin Mulan, who enjoyed hunting with her soldiers, was out as usual at the foot of a mountain when she encountered a large black bear. At that moment, her warhorse startled, bolting forward against her command. Ignoring her orders, the maddened horse galloped into a populated alley, right where the slow-witted Shen Lang was standing.
He was in the middle of the path, guarding a line of ants, worried they might be trampled. He was telling passersby to avoid them, intending to leave only after all the ants had crossed.
The warhorse, no longer under Jin Mulan's control, charged madly down the middle of the path, with the wounded black bear in hot pursuit. Just as Shen Lang was about to be trampled into a pulp by the horse, the young lady of the Count's Estate swiftly dismounted, grabbing the massive horse with one hand and saving Shen Lang's life.
Not only that, but Jin Mulan also swiftly drew her sword and beheaded the pursuing black bear. Her martial prowess was truly formidable.
Shen Lang lost consciousness from the impact of the collision with the warhorse. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured, but his loss of consciousness prevented him from fully grasping the situation. Moreover, Jin Mulan was clad in armor from head to toe, her face concealed by a visor, so Shen Lang did not know she was the noble daughter of the Count's Estate.
But the Shen Lang of today, recalling the memory, could easily deduce her identity as Jin Mulan of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate based on her armor and the banners of her retinue. At the time, Jin Mulan felt responsible for Shen Lang's injuries and did her utmost to care for him.
She spared no expense, sending a physician from the Count's Estate and using precious medicinal herbs to treat him. She even personally checked on his condition and nursed him for several days.
Jin Mulan was of such high status, hailed as the princess of Xuanwu City, that her nobility was incomparable to someone like Xu Qianqian. At the time, Shen Lang's status was as insignificant as an ant's; he would have had no recourse even if her warhorse had trampled him to death, let alone merely injured him. But the noble lady not only sent a physician to treat him but also came to see him in person. It was a true testament to the saying that the Count of Xuanwu's Estate cherished the people as their own children.
At that time, Wang Lian had just passed the provincial exam but had not yet been appointed as secretary, so he was staying at the Count's Estate as a guest. Though he was a distant relative of the estate and a rising star who had passed the exam, the gulf in status between him and Jin Mulan was so vast that he rarely had the chance to meet her.
He admired Jin Mulan, so when he heard she had gone to see Shen Lang, he too went to Shen Lang's home to pay a visit. Upon learning that Shen Lang was studying at the town's school, he offered to tutor him personally. He was certain that if Jin Mulan were to see him in such a scene, she would undoubtedly be deeply impressed.
However, despite Wang Lian's diligent teaching for over half a month, Shen Lang's knowledge did not improve, and there was no sign of Jin Mulan. Eventually, he continued teaching only until Jin Mulan became preoccupied with her military duties. Judging that there was nothing more to gain, he gave up tutoring.
In any case, Wang Lian and Shen Lang had once had a master-student relationship of sorts, which was enough to be called a fateful tie. Thanks to this connection, Shen Lang had boldly demanded a competition with the Xu Clan in front of Wang Lian and had spectacularly claimed victory.
Of course, there was a secret to all this... In truth, Secretary Wang Lian disliked Zhang Jin. Shen Lang knew this because, back when Wang Lian was tutoring him, he had occasionally overheard him speak ill of Zhang Jin. In the end, everything had gone according to Shen Lang's plan.
***
When Shen Lang addressed him as "Brother," the secretary's brow furrowed slightly. He ignored Shen Lang's question and said.
"Neglecting your studies to meddle with dyes... have you fallen so low, student?"
His words could not be called prejudiced. In this world, scholarship and the martial arts were held in the highest esteem.
The Great Yan Dynasty treated both civil and martial pursuits as equally noble, considering them the exclusive domains of the absolute ruling class. Thus, the military and civil examinations were held in equal honor. A dyer, by their standards, was a completely lowly profession.
Just moments ago, the Xu Clan's master dyer, despite being quite successful, was not addressed by his name but simply as Master Xu.
The secretary spoke to Shen Lang without any particular intention. In the past, he had taught Shen Lang for over half a month solely to curry favor with Lady Jin Mulan. Because of this, he vividly remembered Shen Lang as being as dull as a pig and knew better than anyone that he was not cut out for studying.
Wang Lian turned his head and shot Shen Lang a glance.
"Lady Jin of the Count's Estate is the scion of a century-old noble house, an existence of incomparable dignity. Her name is not for a country bumpkin like you to utter."
After speaking, Wang Lian turned and left. The disdainful expression on his face was plain to see. His earlier move against the Xu Clan was merely an opportunity to pressure them due to his grudge with Zhang Jin; it had nothing to do with any past connection to Shen Lang. Even though he had taught Shen Lang for over half a month, he felt no bond with him whatsoever.
*What a ridiculous peasant, trying to use this opportunity to associate with me? The nerve of this vulgar, ignorant fool, indulging in such vain fantasies!*
Wang Lian sneered at him and rode his horse home. Shen Lang knew full well that the secretary looked down on him and gave no thought to their past connection. Wang Lian's attitude was not unexpected.
***
After Secretary Wang Lian left, Lin Mo, the owner of the Brocade Pavilion, spoke.
"Shen Lang, you've won. You've completely humiliated the Xu Clan. But this is by no means good news for you."
Tian Thirteen of the Black Clothes Gang said flatly.
"Shen Lang, you're finished."
"The Secretary was hostile toward the Xu Clan, so he pressured them. He wasn't trying to protect you. If you find yourself in trouble or danger in the future, he won't help you. You haven't forged any relationship with him."
Shen Lang was well aware of this. Secretary Wang Lian was young and ambitious, from a prestigious background; he wouldn't give a dirt-poor peasant a second thought. Using him to pressure the Xu Clan today was enough.
According to Shen Lang's plan, Wang Lian was more likely to become a rival contending for something rather than an ally.
Of course, deepening the feud with the Xu Clan when his family's safety was not yet secure was not a good thing. But Shen Lang's primary goal was to buy time.
Given just a little time, Shen Lang could execute a plan that would turn his current situation on its head. If his plan succeeded, he could completely reverse his circumstances and even rise to a position higher than theirs. When that day came, the Xu Clan, the Lin Clan, and Tian Heng wouldn't be able to touch a hair on his head. On the contrary, they would fear him persecuting them.
Shen Lang looked at the rainbow brocade in his hand. The value of this dye was the centerpiece of his entire plan. Xu Qianqian, more than anyone, would understand its worth and would surely seek him out in the near future.
Shen Lang was confident. Today's events had been perilous, but in the end, hadn't everything gone according to his plan?
***
Not long after Shen Lang left Lin Mo's Brocade Pavilion, Xu Qianqian appeared as expected. Her carriage pulled up before him, and soon, her soft voice followed.
"Shen Lang, I underestimated you. To think you learned to dye for my sake. Any woman would be deeply moved. But why didn't you tell me?"
The old Shen Lang had been infatuated with Xu Qianqian, wanting to give her everything. It was only natural for her to think he had deliberately learned to dye just to be useful to her.
Creating dyes was a craft. It was often the case that a simple-minded, stubborn fool, through countless experiments, would discover a perfect formula, rather than a clever person. Xu Qianqian's voice grew even softer.
"If you had been honest with me, you wouldn't have suffered such humiliation or been kicked out of our family. Ah, of course, our engagement would still have been broken. I must marry Young Master Zhang Jin, after all. But you could have remained with the Xu Clan, serving as a master craftsman. What do you say? If you wish, I'll take you in even now. For old times' sake."
Shen Lang said nothing. Xu Qianqian, her eyes soft, spoke in a coquettish tone.
"Shen Lang, if you serve our family, you'll receive ten gold coins every month. That will be more than enough to feed your family. If you just hand over the secret formulas for the purple and rainbow dyes, I will provide you with the finest dye workshop and help you focus solely on your craft. With the help of our Xu Clan, you could surely become the greatest master craftsman in Xuanwu City. You once told me you wanted to give me everything. Doing so is how you can help me."