Chapter Fifteen: The Mysterious Deduction of Merit

“See, I told you those two would get along splendidly.” Mistress Zhen smiled as she watched the handsome young man and beautiful lady behind them exchanging lively conversation. She found the sight quite pleasing and said to Xie Xun, who was also glancing back.

“Wanwan’s temperament is just a bit too serious and rigid,” Xie Xun sighed. Such a disposition would hardly be a flaw in a young man.

“Serious and rigid? I know that well. Isn’t Master Tan just like that? Mr. Xie, let me tell you, I’ve spent countless times disciplining him because of that nature... it’s quite exhausting,” Mistress Zhen began sharing her ‘parenting experience’ with Xie Xun. He was momentarily taken aback; a scholar like him, who spent every day immersed in matters of state, clan, and academy, never expected to find himself conversing about domestic affairs with a woman—but it was a refreshing change.

Xie Xun smiled warmly.

Mistress Zhen then slowly unfurled a map of the Yan Kingdom.

“No wonder your daughter said one of her wishes was to meet my Tan. Their personalities are indeed similar—both remarkable gentlemen. Surely, they will recognize a kindred spirit in each other. Privately, they’ll have much to talk about and will quickly become close friends.”

The aunt had forgotten that only a few days ago, she had scolded her nephew for being a stuffy, useless gentleman.

“Perhaps. Beyond Wanwan, many junior disciples at the academy also admire Lianghan and hope to meet him. That is the example the senior disciple should set,” Xie Xun nodded.

Admiration from academy juniors? What use was that compared to the slightest fraction of goodwill from this noble lady of the Xie family, Mistress Zhen thought disdainfully, though she smiled in agreement.

After a moment’s thought, she spoke quietly, “Though I am but a woman, I have long admired the elegance of the Jiangzuo Xies. I have heard they are remarkable figures among the Jiangzuo gentry?”

Xie Xun waved his hand dismissively. “That is just flattery from outsiders. I dare not claim such distinction.”

Mistress Zhen pressed on, “Do you think my Tan is such a figure?”

“Lianghan is certainly one of the most talented young men at the academy,” he replied.

“That’s good, that’s good.”

Puzzled by why his pupil’s aunt would discuss such matters with him, he considered for a moment. “Madam, do not belittle yourself. Lianghan is only twenty years old and already holds a county official post. Truly a dragon among men. Many older jinshi peers remain stuck in Luoyang, indulging in wine and women.”

Yet, those good-for-nothings had already married and started families, while this dragon remained single. The woman had long been displeased with this situation. So she ceased probing and spoke plainly.

“To be frank, madam, I saw your daughter and genuinely liked her—cultured, sensible, as if stepped right out of a celestial painting… I wonder… does Wanwan have a marriage arrangement?”

The question cut to the heart of the matter.

Xie Xun raised his eyebrows slightly, glanced at Mistress Zhen, and after a brief pause, replied slowly, “Not at present. Previously, a young man from the Cui family sought her hand, but her mother declined. Afterwards, she was busy with her studies…” He looked up at the overcast sky and nodded. “I will not keep you any longer today. The journey has been tiring. Wanwan and I will return to rest. Madam, if you have time tomorrow, please come with Lianghan. We will have breakfast at Donglin Temple and continue our conversation then.”

Mistress Zhen was in no rush. She smiled, “Of course I have time. Tan longs to spend more time with Mr. Xie and the young lady. Here in Longcheng, he lacks good friends and mentors. Usually, he keeps everything to himself. Your arrival is a true blessing…”

“No trouble at all. Please rest well, sir. We shall talk again tomorrow,” Xie Xun smiled.

…

“Auntie, what are you laughing at?”

“Am I laughing?”

“Don’t deny it—you’re beaming.”

“Are you looking for a beating? Auntie laughing at you now too?”

“I just feel something’s up.”

“?”

On the way back to Sanhui Courtyard, Ouyang Rong noticed Mistress Zhen chuckling now and then and felt somewhat speechless.

“Auntie, what were you and the teacher talking about earlier?”

“Adult matters are best not pried into. What were you and Wanwan discussing?”

“Wanwan? How can you, an outsider, call her by her nickname? Trying to get close? And you shouldn’t pry into junior matters either.”

“Oh, you’re asking for it…” Mistress Zhen said teasingly.

Ouyang Rong folded his arms and twisted away from her playful swats.

After a moment, he glanced at her with suspicion. “You didn’t mention that matter to the teacher, did you?”

“What do you mean? Auntie doesn’t understand.”

The more Ouyang Rong thought about it, the more certain he was—especially seeing the curve of that moled smile on the woman’s lips. “How am I supposed to face the teacher now?”

He took a deep breath.

“What do you mean face him? Once you’re the son-in-law, you’ll see him every day. Just wait; the answer will come tomorrow. It’s likely to happen!”

Mistress Zhen chuckled, tapping the tip of her finger stained with rouge against his wooden head. “See? You young ones are too shy. When you like someone, you keep it bottled up. Opportunities must be seized. Miss this chance, and it’s gone forever. If your family hadn’t grasped the chance to arrange your match back then, would you have such a gentle, caring aunt like me? Not a chance.”

“Nephew feels… this is all the more reason to be cautious.”

Mistress Zhen frowned and regarded Ouyang Rong. “How is that? Tan’s been talking more lately.”

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

Mistress Zhen: “…” Is that a roundabout insult?

Ouyang Rong suddenly calmed and seemed no longer angry at Mistress Zhen’s meddling, silently staring ahead.

“Why the long face? Auntie wonders—Wanwan has such excellent qualities, especially considering the future prosperity of your descendants’ household. Don’t young men like this anymore? Strange indeed.”

“There’s also her character. Auntie tells you, such serious and reserved women are treasures—pure and conservative. They may seem dull and distant, but once you win their heart or they commit to you, they are loyal, devoted wives who never waver, no matter what. They are also virtuous, managing the household well, bringing fortune and children. I hear she’s talented too; their children will surely be bright and well-nourished—twins even wouldn’t be a problem…”

“Auntie,” Ouyang Rong interrupted.

“What is it?”

He shook his head gently. “You’re underestimating the young lady. She would never fancy anyone.”

Especially not someone who, upon first meeting, failed to fit her ideal of a true gentleman… Ouyang Rong smiled inwardly.

Mistress Zhen waved dismissively. “Parental arrangements and matchmakers’ words are what count. What the teacher says is final. The young lady won’t insist on anything. As long as your teacher is satisfied, that’s what matters.”

Ouyang Rong made no effort to explain the rumors he’d heard: of the young lady rejecting a marriage proposal through poetry and lightly insulting the Cui family’s son. He changed the subject and reminded her:

“Auntie, be ready tonight. Tomorrow morning we’ll escort the teacher to Penglang Ferry. We’ll also move back down the mountain to the county office.”

Having accomplished their purpose at Donglin Temple, Mistress Zhen no longer detained Ouyang Rong. She nodded but kept up her chatter.

“Tan, rest assured this time. This noble lady of the Xie family is dependable. Auntie has vouched for you. It won’t be like last time, when you ended up with an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.”

Ouyang Rong, about to slip away, paused.

“What white-eyed wolf?”

“That childhood betrothed your mother chose for you from her family side.”

“You mean that too?”

“Forgotten? When you were weak and sickly as a child, often fainting in bed, we got you a childhood bride to watch over you and practice embroidery. But every time your mother and I checked on you, your arms were full of needle pricks, bleeding from her stabs! The room was always a mess.”

Even after all these years, Mistress Zhen’s brows knitted in anger. “That ungrateful white-eyed wolf was a mute orphan adopted from your mother’s Zhao family. She seemed quiet and obedient at first—we thought she’d be a companion for you. But when we weren’t around, she did such a cruel thing, trying to murder her young husband.”

Ouyang Rong pondered, faint memories surfacing: waking in pain from needle pricks, his mother and Mistress Zhen often furious at a frail little girl, scolding and beating her, while she curled in a corner sobbing softly.

“What happened then?” he asked curiously.

“Sold her, of course. I wanted the clan elders to put her in a pig cage, but a wandering Taoist came to take her instead. Your mother sold her and even made a silver tael. No idea which poor family ended up with that little white-eyed wolf.”

Mistress Zhen shook her head. “That’s how we learned—some children are born bad to the core.”

Ouyang Rong muttered in agreement, “Hmm, maybe some kind of antisocial personality…”

He glanced at the sky, and the two parted ways to visit Ashan and Aoqing’s family. Suddenly, a series of dull wooden drumbeats echoed in his ears: “dong dong dong...” Ten beats in total, marking ten o’clock.

He froze, looking around the empty temple courtyard, face full of surprise.

“What about my merit points?” he muttered, stunned.

…