Chapter Nineteen: Speak of the Storyboy, and He Appears

“If you fail the exam, I will personally deliver a red invitation letter to the official media, contact the fiancé, and publish a formal apology in the pawnshop’s announcement column,” Ye Wuji declared, rising to his feet with a solemn expression as he faced Shen Wanshan. “But the legitimate wife? Absolutely not!”

“Do you know what a noble title is better than I do? Why do you involve yourself in this?” Shen Wanshan ground his teeth fiercely. “I am the richest man in Jinling, am I to be outdone by a mere insignificant title?”

Ye Wuji’s words landed with weight. “You initiated the attempt to break off the engagement. I, Ye Wuji, must keep my honor and cannot betray others!”

“Fine, fine, fine!” Shen Wanshan snapped three times, grinding his teeth and stamping his foot. “Then let’s see how you, Ye Wuji, manage to place in the top three!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The two men struck their palms together in solemn vow. Shen Wanshan swished his sleeves and stormed out of the courtyard in a huff.

Ye Xiu looked uneasy. “Father, isn’t this bet a little too risky?”

“Shen Wanshan is a businessman; he’s like a donkey searching for a donkey. Who knows, he might be secretly pleased as he leaves,” Ye Wuji said.

Watching Shen Wanshan’s retreating figure, Ye Wuji mused, “The autumn provincial exam and the grand imperial exam are scheduled closely, with less than a year to go. He can afford to wait. Besides, whether I pass or not, he stands to lose nothing.”

“What about that cheap father-in-law of yours? Can he wait?” Ye Xiu asked again.

“I have a feeling this whole matter was stirred up by Master Xie to test the loyalty of you and me,” Ye Wuji said as he took a deep sip of tea. “This damn ‘matching of families’ has ruined so many people!”

At that moment, a man burst into the courtyard and kowtowed deeply before Ye Wuji.

“Master Ye, we finally found you!” he said.

“Your humble servant pays respects!”

Ye Wuji and his son were taken aback, confused by the formality.

Once they recognized the man’s face, Ye Wuji hurriedly helped him up. “Didn’t I give you the name Li Weishan? Why do you still call yourself ‘dog boy’?”

“Master Ye, my father said a lowly name helps with survival,” Li Weishan’s eyes reddened. “Master Ye, I inquired at more than a dozen pawnshops before learning your whereabouts. My father sent me to Jinling to find you, to serve you in your old age as repayment for your great kindness.”

“Father, what’s going on here?” Ye Xiu was utterly bewildered.

“His father, Li Erlang, was a classmate of mine,” Ye Wuji scratched his head. “His family was poor and couldn’t afford schooling, so I supported him. That boy worked hard, passed the imperial exam, and became a county magistrate.”

“Brother You’an, when my grandfather passed, it was Master Ye who paid for the funeral. After my father passed the imperial exam, he was a backup official. Master Ye personally arranged for him to become a magistrate.”

“What about your father?” Ye Xiu asked, puzzled.

“He passed away,” Li Weishan broke down in tears. “A year ago, a plague broke out in the county. My father was always on the front lines and eventually contracted the disease and died. Because he was an honest official, he didn’t save much. Before he died, he told me to come to Jinling to find Master Ye. I have been traveling and begging for over half a year to get here.”

Seeing Li Weishan’s boyish face of about twelve or thirteen, Ye Xiu’s eyes lit up. “Father, our house has enough rooms, and we just replaced the furniture. Why not let him stay? He can be your personal attendant for now and accompany you to the Jinling Academy to study. When the time comes, he can take the imperial exams and have a path forward.”

“That’s true,” Ye Wuji wiped the tears from Li Weishan’s face. “Weishan, you can stay with me and study at the Jinling Academy. How does that sound?”

“I will follow Master Ye’s orders in all things,” Li Weishan nodded earnestly.

***

After becoming acquainted, Ye Xiu took Li Weishan out to purchase an umbrella suitable for a scholar, along with other travel necessities.

They also rented a sedan chair from a pawnshop, along with the porter to carry it, costing three taels and six qian per month.

They didn’t require food or lodging; the porter would arrive at the Ye residence at agreed times daily.

It wasn’t that Ye Xiu wanted to flaunt luxury with a sedan chair, but after the robbery at home, many things suddenly became clear to him.

The Ye family had truly fallen on hard times; issues they never cared about before were now glaringly apparent.

When too weak, lacking manpower and family influence, one cannot accomplish great things alone.

Thus, they had to package their father properly.

No matter how fallen the Ye family was, their dignity must never be compromised; not a single element of decorum could be lost.

Carrying their bags, they returned to Wulong Lane.

Ye Xiu went straight to the butcher’s shop.

Old Zhao, the butcher, sat outside sipping tea, while Zhao Yide was busy cutting beef and mutton.

“Nephew, you’re here?” Old Zhao beamed, already picturing him as a future son-in-law.

“Yes, I came to discuss something with you,” Ye Xiu said bluntly. “When can you reopen?”

“Anytime,” Old Zhao sipped his tea and immediately guessed Ye Xiu’s true intention.

“Uncle Zhao, both my father and I are weak and helpless; you saw what happened with the robbery,” Ye Xiu pointed to Zhao Yide. “Brother Zhao has a noble rank, and his future achievements are far beyond running a butcher shop. Why not let him move into my house and travel with me for now? When opportunities arise, he can be restored to military service. What do you think?”

“What does your father think?” Old Zhao asked.

“Uncle Zhao, my father only cares about the exams; I can decide the rest.”

“Son, your father has no objection. What about you?” Old Zhao looked to Zhao Yide.

Zhao Yide scratched his head and smiled broadly. “Dad, I think it’s a good plan.”

“If I hadn’t fallen ill, my son would have long since followed General Yu north to slaughter the Japanese invaders. I know a butcher shop limits him,” Old Zhao stood and patted Zhao Yide’s shoulder. “From now on, let him work well with your nephew; he’ll make a name for himself!”

“Yes!” Zhao Yide nodded firmly.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhao!” Ye Xiu bowed deeply.

Father and son Zhao didn’t even ask for pay and had Zhao Yide pack his things to move into the courtyard.

A side room was tidied up for Li Weishan and Zhao Yide to live in.

***

Ye Xiu offered to lend a hand but was refused by both.

Standing in the yard, he surveyed the surroundings.

The rainy season was approaching; the bare earth floor needed tiles, drafty windows required repair, and the dilapidated walls had long bothered Ye Xiu.

He instinctively patted his pocket and frowned: It’s not even my house, why should I renovate it?

But upon reflection, the location was excellent, and the neighbors were congenial.

If he bought the place and made some minor renovations, it would be much cheaper than buying a new home in this area.

Excited by the thought, Ye Xiu rubbed his hands together. “We’ll find time to visit the pawnshop and buy this house.”

“No need to go to the pawnshop,” Zhao Yide made the beds. “Just go directly to Old Captain Jia. That way, you save a lot on agent fees.”

“I’ve long wanted to avoid middlemen.”

Ye Xiu’s heart leapt as he opened the gifts from Shen Wanshan.

Inside were smoked bamboo shoots from Mount Emei, Jinhua ham, Longjing tea from Shifeng, candied fruits from Hangzhou, dried fish from Guangzhou...

The items were valuable but impractical for an ordinary household.

He thought about selling the ham and dried fish at the Shen family’s general store, then selling them back to Shen Wanshan, but decided against it.

Putting on his apron, Ye Xiu soaked a few slices of smoked bamboo shoot and took out some pork.

He decided to make his signature dish: braised pork with smoked bamboo shoots.

To his surprise, Li Weishan could cook.

“Brother, my father not only taught me to read but also survival skills. I’ve been cooking since I was little,” Li Weishan said.

Having said that, Ye Xiu handed him the spatula.

His skill was such that even the cook of a wealthy household would be envious.

He even knew how to caramelize sugar.

Soon, four dishes and a soup were served, and everyone took their seats.

“Today’s feast is mainly to welcome and celebrate our virtuous brother Weishan!” Ye Xiu raised a jug of wine. “Let’s all drink freely!”