Chapter 49 Toasting the Eastern Wind

Xu Yougong’s proposal received unanimous approval.

Ye Wuji understood that this was a test for him.

He cast a grateful glance at Xu Yougong.

From beginning to end, this man had always lent a helping hand to the Ye family, never taking advantage of their misfortunes.

“Wuji’s son is a partner in the tavern,” Ye Xiren said cheerfully. “Guests are honored guests; let Chongyuan set the topic. Wuji will be fulfilling his duties as host.”

“Today, with the tavern officially opening, it’s truly a triple celebration,” Kong Chongyuan mused. “Since the tavern is a Ye family business, why not make this elegant room the theme?”

“Then I shall compose a poem to the tune ‘Waves Washing Sand.’ If there are any faults, I humbly ask for the esteemed teacher’s correction.”

Ye Wuji pushed open the window and gazed out at the beautiful scenery, a rough outline already forming in his mind.

Thanks to his photographic memory, he recalled a fitting poem from the “Collection of Upright Poetry” that the Mountain God had prepared for him.

“Got it!” Ye Wuji turned slowly. With deliberate calmness, he began:

“Raising the cup, I toast the east wind, let us take our time.
Beneath the drooping willows on the golden eastern path of Jinling.
This is where we once strolled hand in hand,
Wandering through fragrant blossoms.”

Excellent!

His opening lines drew spontaneous applause.

Kong Chongyuan was amazed to find that Ye Wuji not only excelled in prose but was also a master of poetry.

Suddenly, it struck him that the man known as Jinling’s greatest talent was none other than Ye Wuji.

The crowd’s joy contrasted sharply with the awkwardness of Xie Dashen, who had no choice but to attend.

After all, Kong Chongyuan was the examiner for this autumn’s imperial test, and Xie Dashen was the chief examiner.

Xu Yougong’s lips curved in a slight smile: truly, like father, like son; the elder’s son was no ordinary man.

Wang Yuanhui stroked his graying beard, pride shining in his eyes: Ye Wuji had been my pupil since childhood. This is the advantage of proximity. Kong Chongyuan, it’s not too late for you to make your move.

Ye Wuji sipped his wine and continued, reciting:

“Partings are bitter and hasty, this sorrow endless. This year’s flowers outshine last year’s red.
Alas, next year’s blooms will be even more splendid—
But with whom shall I share them?”

Ah!

Everyone gasped, sinking into deep contemplation.

It wasn’t that Ye Wuji’s poem was lacking, but that it struck so perfectly to the heart.

People like Ye Xiren and the others had many friends, yet opportunities to gather were rare.

The poem’s first line was a prayer to the east wind, hoping to extend the company of friends.

Then, using Jinling’s splendid scenery, it recalled the past moments of strolling hand in hand amidst blooming flowers.

Finally, it expressed the pain of parting after joyous reunion, the lingering longing for friends, and countless hopes that when next year’s blossoms bloomed, friends would return to share the moment again.

“An elegy on sorrow and parting, expressing the transient nature of life’s meetings and farewells,” Wang Yuanhui was the first to speak. “A masterpiece, the pupil surpasses the master. I must admit, I am truly growing old; henceforth, it will be the young men’s world.”

---

“From present memories to past reflections, from beauty to yearning,” Xie Dashen sighed deeply, “Partings are bitter and fleeting, bringing endless melancholy. Treasure the present, cherish those before you.”

Ye Xiren grew increasingly pleased with Ye Wuji. “Chongyuan, what do you think?”

“Moved by the flowers, longing for friends; past joys fade quietly, future meetings linger softly. The sentiment and tone are as vibrant as a rainbow.”

Caught up in enthusiasm, Kong Chongyuan raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. “This bears a resemblance to the great scholar’s line of raising a cup to invite the distant moon—may the moon be full and unblemished. A kinship of artistic spirit.”

“To receive such praise from you all, my elder would be deeply gratified,” Xu Yougong raised his cup. “Gentlemen, drink heartily!”

Everyone raised their glasses together: “Drink freely; no one leaves sober!”

By midday, the neighborhood was abuzz with contented chatter and full bellies.

The women helped clear away the remnants, while the men took their leave one by one.

Ye Xiu and Qi Santai exchanged thoughts on the issues they had discovered and sought solutions.

Upstairs, the group had become so merry they even started playing drinking games in the elegant room.

The lively clamor resembled a gathering of spirited youth.

Curious, Ye Xiu asked, “Uncle Qi, would they be this happy without a courtesan to entertain them?”

“Men find pleasures beyond women,” Qi Santai chuckled. “I bet some big shot composed a top-tier poem that brought them such joy. They’ve already downed three jin of imperial jade liquor...”

Ye Xiu called to a servant and handed him two taels of silver. “Seasonal fruits and ice, prepare two more platters for them.”

“All right, master, I’ll handle it right away.”

“Uncle Qi, I have important matters to attend to. I’ll leave this place in you and Brother Zhao’s care.”

The servant departed. Ye Xiu slapped his forehead. “Make sure they all get home safely.”

That day, the bigwigs drank heavily.

Even Xu Yougong was carried home on someone’s back.

Only in such unguarded moments, free of schemes and rivalries, could they shed all pretense and reveal their true selves.

---

Early the next morning.

The Ye family courtyard sprang to life again.

Having been reinstated, Ye Xiren planned to show his face at the government office before departing.

With Li Weishan’s help, he washed and dressed in his long-lost official robes.

As he stepped out, Ye Wuji and Ye Xiu were already waiting in the yard.

“Sir, that aura has returned,” Ye Wuji appraised him from head to toe. “You look ten years younger.”

“Mr. Ye, the sedan chair is ready outside.”

Ye Xiu pointed toward the courtyard exit, where attendants stood ready.

Scholars had their dignified airs, yet officials even more so.

Ye Xiren fretted about how to reach the office; as a third-rank Left Censor-in-Chief, he certainly couldn’t walk.

Unexpectedly, Ye Xiu had quietly arranged everything.

Outside the courtyard stood four sedan bearers, two holding signs reading “Silence” and “Make Way,” one umbrella bearer, and a man beating a gong.

“Sir, time was tight; this is all I could arrange,” Ye Xiu smiled. “Before you leave Jinling, this will have to do.”

“You’re a good lad!” Ye Xiren was moved to tears.

Now, he had all the dignity due.

The three stepped out; Ye Xiren settled into the sedan chair.

“Your Excellency, departing!” the gong-beater announced, striking thirteen blows.

It was a signal for all civil and military officials and the public to make way.

The sedan chair slowly left Wulong Alley. Ye Wuji and Ye Xiu finally exhaled deeply.

Turning, Ye Xiu noticed Ye Wuji’s eyes fixed intently on the chair.

Only when it vanished from sight did he reluctantly return to the courtyard.

“Father,” Ye Xiu asked, puzzled, “You seem reluctant to see Mr. Ye go?”

“I envy his sedan chair,” Ye Wuji murmured, his eyes full of longing. “When I used to go out, my carriage had three layers of soft cushions; my sedan was carried by eight bearers. Now suddenly to ride a shoulder litter, it feels hard to bear.”

“Well, you’ll have to work for it yourself,” Ye Xiu took a sip of cold tea. “Even if I could buy you an eight-bearer sedan now, you’d have to dare to ride it to the academy.”

“True enough. If the academy’s scholars saw me, I’d be scolded. In the past, when I went there, my sedan or carriage would stop on another street, and I’d walk the rest of the way.”

Ye Xiren sighed, then his eyes gleamed with resolve. “Once I pass the exam, you must buy me a sedan! From then on, when I ride, it will be a proper sedan, not a shoulder litter.”

“Uncle will surely succeed,” Li Weishan smiled knowingly, teasing Ye Xiu. “Brother, you’d better prepare yourself for the expenses!”