Fifth, dear nephew, you wouldn’t want to bear the stain of being unfilial, would you?

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“Mingtang, I shall take my leave first,” said Yan Wuxu.

“Alright, you’ve worked hard these past few days, Captain Yan,” replied Ouyang Rong.

“You’re too polite, Mingtang. Just call me Wuxu or Yan Liu.”

“Is Yan Liu your sixth brother in the family?”

“Yes. I have five elder sisters above me.”

Ouyang Rong smiled as he saw Yan Wuxu out, teasing, “Looks like you’ll be busy being an uncle from now on.”

“Hehe,” Yan Wuxu scratched his head.

“From now on, I’ll just call you Sixth Brother,” Ouyang Rong decided.

“Alright, Mingtang!” Yan Wuxu instantly perked up, full of energy; calling him Sixth Brother felt much more familiar.

But as Yan Wuxu was halfway out the door, he hesitated, recalling something. “Mingtang, I was really flustered earlier and spoke harshly to your aunt. May I go back in and offer her a cup of tea to apologize?”

“Aunt is not a fragile woman,” Ouyang Rong shook his head. “Besides, she hasn’t even had a chance to thank you properly for saving me that day. Your act of saving a life is a far greater kindness.”

Yan Wuxu quickly waved his hands. “No, no, Mingtang is just very fortunate. Honestly, I’m ashamed—I wasn’t the only one who jumped in to save you that day…”

“At that time, the water level at Butterfly Creek surged violently with treacherous currents and hidden reefs. Even the most experienced fishermen found it difficult. You were injured on the head by one of those reefs. Among the men who jumped in, there was a very brave fellow who directly pulled you out from the whirlpool, though he also seemed hurt.”

Ouyang Rong lowered his head thoughtfully, then nodded, “Once I’ve rested for a couple days and return to town, I’ll make sure to thank that hero properly.”

He seemed to recall something. “Before you fell into the water, when we just met, didn’t you ask me for a calligraphy piece?”

“Yes, that did happen, but I was foolish then. Please don’t take it to heart, Mingtang—you’re an important person and shouldn’t be casually asked for calligraphy. My father also scolded me afterwards,” Yan Wuxu hastily explained.

“Come tomorrow and collect it.”

Yan Wuxu’s face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth as if to say something, hesitated, then finally couldn’t help but speak: “Mingtang, I, Yan Liu, have always admired two kinds of people: one, the upright officials who plead for the people and punish the wicked; two, the chivalrous heroes of the jianghu who ride the roads, rob the rich, and aid the poor. I was never smart with books like my sisters, so I can’t be the first. As for the second, my father was opposed to it. He wouldn’t even allow me to join the army, calling soldiers lowly and gambling with their lives for fame. He only wants me to take over his position in the county office, to get by and wait for death here.”

“Mingtang, I heard you spoke out for the people and angered the nobles in Luoyang, so you were demoted to Jiangzhou. On that day, you took office alone, riding a skinny horse, and stood on Longshou Bridge publicly declaring that in these four years you would fix the flood problems and bring justice to the six thousand households of Longcheng County. I, Yan Liu…”

The tall man, standing eight feet, choked up slightly at this point.

Ouyang Rong suddenly asked, “Don’t you ever wonder if I’m just putting on a show, shouting slogans, and then leaving after four years?”

Yan Wuxu shook his head. “Some colleagues say that in private, but I don’t believe it. Because I don’t believe someone who dares to speak the truth loudly to the Empress in the Golden Dragon Hall would come to our poor backwater and lie to a bunch of ignorant poor folk.”

Ouyang Rong’s expression shifted slightly. He looked up and smiled gently, “So that day when you fell into the water, you jumped in without hesitation?”

“It wasn’t just me—it was all of us.”

Ouyang Rong patted Yan Wuxu on the shoulder. “Sixth Brother, I understand.”

With that, the indigo-clad constable left.

As he was still there, a graceful woman slowly emerged from the inner room, approached Ouyang Rong from behind, and softly draped a cloak over his shoulders.

Yet she said, “Tanlang, this rough county clerk can’t even hold a knife steady. What’s the use of you humoring him and listening to all his nonsense? It’s childish and a waste of your time.”

Madam Zhen frowned, glancing outside. “And doesn’t he know you’re still weak? How can you stand out in the wind so long? Thoughtless. Oh, Tanlang, the abbot just took your pulse and said it’s still unstable—you need to take some tonic medicine these days. The medicine will be brought soon.”

“Childish…” Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and asked, “Aunt, do you think… jumping in to save your nephew is just their duty?”

Madam Zhen raised her rounded chin, “Of course. Tanlang, you’re a disciple of the Son of Heaven, an imperial official, the head of a county. How can their lives be worth more than yours? Not even a fraction. If they didn’t jump in to save you, would it mean they’re plotting rebellion? If anything happened to you, they’d all be implicated!”

Ouyang Rong smiled. “Then if the Emperor ever fell into water like me, should I jump in at once to save him?”

Madam Zhen immediately said, “You? No.”

“But isn’t the life of the Emperor more precious than that of a county magistrate?”

Madam Zhen cunningly replied, “The current Emperor is a woman. Men and women don’t have physical contact. It should be the palace maidens who jump in to save him. Tanlang, remember to keep your distance.”

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“What if it’s a man then?”

Madam Zhen paused, glanced outside, and muttered with a crooked smile, “You little brat, don’t go foolishly jumping in either. You can’t even swim. Just make a show of it. There are plenty of loyal ministers without you!”

Ouyang Rong looked at her, but she showed no sign of contradiction and seemed more certain. “Tanlang, you’re born noble—maybe even the reincarnation of a literary sage. That’s why you’re different. The exact reason? I’m just a woman and can’t explain it well, but just listen to me. I won’t harm you. If you don’t listen… that’s unfilial!”

“A nephew famed throughout the land for loyalty and filial piety… you wouldn’t want to be called unfilial, right?” Madam Zhen smiled.

She took the reluctant Ouyang Rong to the table and poured him a cup of warm tea.

Holding the cup, Ouyang Rong quietly studied Madam Zhen through the steam.

She wore a pale blue diagonal-collar jacket and a goose-yellow silk skirt. The long skirt was tied above the calves for ease of movement. Over this, she wore a half-sleeve jacket, a fashion borrowed from noble ladies in Luoyang’s aristocracy—an official’s wife’s attire.

Madam Zhen was the daughter of a military household, her childhood name Shuyuan. Her father was once a captain in a border regiment, passing down some spear techniques and martial arts. But the family declined, and she married into the Ouyang household. Unfortunately, Ouyang Rong’s uncle died shortly after his wedding.

Madam Zhen had a classic gentlewoman’s rounded face, which in common parlance was the image of a dignified and capable housewife. Yet a faint mole at the corner of her mouth added a hint of allure. Though in her middle age, she remained full-bodied and elegant.

Her sharp, phoenix-shaped eyes gave off an intimidating aura.

This was indeed true.

By memory, she had always been somewhat fierce and also sly and calculating—one who could cause uproar over half a stalk of rice in the village.

No wonder. After all the young men in the family died early, she and Lady Zhao raised Ouyang Rong, supporting his studies. Besides some aid from the clan, these two women were formidable forces.

Only in recent years, with Ouyang Rong’s success in passing the imperial exams in Luoyang, did their branch become the core of the Nanlong Ouyang clan. Their reputation soared, and with a mother’s pride, Madam Zhen became untouchable. The family’s land and servants no longer lacked anything, and they no longer needed to fuss over trifles. She had truly earned respect among the village women.

In fact, the original self—or rather, the current fusion of two lifetimes’ memories—was somewhat afraid of Madam Zhen. Normally, his mother Lady Zhao played the stern role while Madam Zhen was the milder one, alternating in disciplining him.

Now it was just the stern face left.

“Tanlang, why are you staring at Aunt? Don’t you recognize her?”

“No, I’m looking at… an interesting tower.”

“A tower?” Madam Zhen glanced outside while pouring tea. “The temple’s pagoda is quite tall. Who knows how much silver was spent building it? These temples really are wealthy.”

She suddenly turned and asked, “Tanlang, why after our argument today didn’t you explain that Meng something’s principle to me?”

“What Meng something?”

“You know, that ‘the people are the foundation, the ruler is secondary.’ Before, you’d always explain it to me each time.” Madam Zhen’s eyes were puzzled.

Ouyang Rong put down his cup calmly, “Because your nephew has grown up.”

Madam Zhen set down her utensils and sat upright, observing him silently for a while before sighing.

“He’s indeed grown up. Just now you knew to drop your pride and persuade others, not arguing with me over right or wrong. Looks like being demoted isn’t all bad; it’s made you more mature. That’s good—an official must be deep-minded so subordinates will respect him.”

She flicked her pinky to tuck hair behind her ear and suddenly changed the subject. “Since you’ve grown up, maybe it’s time to think about marriage? You’ve already delayed three years for mourning.”

Ouyang Rong was a bit annoyed. He wasn’t ready to discuss family matters. He just wanted to understand the strange new presence suddenly appearing in his mind—something that might determine if he could return home.

Fortunately, at that moment, a shining little monk appeared in the courtyard carrying a tray.

“Master, your medicine,” he said.

Ouyang Rong immediately took it, disregarding the heat, and downed it in one gulp, almost clinking heads with the little monk.

“Good medicine,” he praised, then turned to Madam Zhen. “Aunt, your nephew feels a bit dizzy again. The medicine is strong. I’ll lie down for a while. You’ve traveled all day, you should rest early too.”

Madam Zhen looked at him, nodded, gave a few more instructions, then left.

Before going out, she said without turning back, “Tanlang, don’t forget your mother’s last two wishes: first, to pass the imperial exams; second, to marry a woman from one of the five noble families!”

After she left, those last words echoed lingeringly.

Even the short-haired little monk glanced at the calm-faced Ouyang Rong in disbelief.

Good heavens, the county magistrate wants to marry a woman from the five noble clans? That’s even harder than marrying a princess from the Li or Wei families! Sometimes those noble clans look down on marrying their daughters to the royal family…

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As the little monk prepared to take the medicine bowl and leave, Ouyang Rong suddenly called out, “By the way, Xiufa, I have a favor to ask.”

“County magistrate, no need for such politeness. Whatever a poor monk can do, just say it,” Xiufa replied.

Ouyang Rong lowered his head, pondering.

“That night when I fell into the underground palace… besides your senior brother Xiuzhen, there was an old man covered in sores and a mute woman missing a finger. They looked pitiful. Could you ask the Bian Tian Hospital to take good care of them, especially the old man? See if those sores can be treated.”

“No problem. The Bian Tian Hospital is funded by the county office. Rest assured, County Magistrate. I’ll speak to the senior brother in charge; he will take care of them.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ouyang Rong smiled, watching the spirited little monk depart.

With that matter settled, he closed his door and lay down, clothed on the couch.

Closing his eyes, visions of auspicious clouds and mist, overlapping mountain peaks came before him. At the far end stood a very familiar merit tower, its gates already open…

…

After leaving Sanhui Temple, Xiufa returned the bowls to the kitchen.

He then went to the chanting hall to join the senior monks in the afternoon session of sutras and incense offering.

After class, he turned left upon exiting, passed through several grand halls adorned with Buddha statues, and found the master receiving incense guests. Xiufa busied himself serving tea and accompanied the master in interpreting fortune sticks and dreams for more distinguished visitors.

By evening, the crowd thinned. After the master finished, Xiufa prepared to go eat vegetarian food. On the way, he suddenly remembered something and turned to visit Bian Tian Hospital.

On the nighttime road, the little monk muttered to himself, mimicking the master’s manner and tone from the afternoon. Suddenly, he paused.

“Amitabha, female benefactor… huh? Why did the master call the county magistrate’s aunt ‘female bodhisattva’ this morning, but this afternoon called that earnest, pockmarked woman ‘female benefactor’? Strange, very strange. Could there be some special meaning?”

Xiufa pondered for a long time, then shook his head regretfully. “Buddhist teachings are too profound, hard to fathom… I’ll ask the master tomorrow.”

Soon, the little monk, still pondering the master’s “profound dharma,” arrived at Bian Tian Hospital. No one was on duty.

“Senior Brother Xiudu?” he called four or five times before someone answered.

“Here, here, I’m here,” slurred a middle-aged monk staggering out of a room, his face flushed red in the night.

“What’s that smell?”

Xiufa sniffed and pointed at Xiudu, “Why does it smell sour?”

“The quarantine room is stuffy, all sweaty.”

“Oh, Senior Brother, don’t catch a cold from sweating,” Xiufa nodded, not suspecting anything.

Then the little monk carefully repeated Ouyang Rong’s request, emphasizing that it came from the county magistrate and must be done well.

Xiudu belched drunkenly and promised, finally getting the little brother to leave. As the youth went off, Xiudu slapped his own face, sighed, “This is truly my last drink.”

He turned to go fetch more wine but suddenly froze midway.

“There are two old men with sores, and one mute woman. But sores all over and missing a finger… does Bian Tian Hospital have such patients? And they fell into a well a few days ago like the county magistrate? How come I didn’t know?”

“I checked a few days ago; only Senior Brother Xiuzhen was there. Strange…”

Xiudu grumbled as he returned indoors.

“The county magistrate’s illness is getting worse… hiccup, one more drink.”

…