Chapter 104: The Head of the Du Family

Du Ziguì smiled warmly as he extended an invitation to Liu Yītiáo. “Brother Yītiáo, I would be honored if you would visit my humble residence for a chat. Might I have the pleasure of your company?”

His smile was sincere, and his eyes locked intently on Liu Yītiáo’s, clearly hoping for an affirmative response.

Though inwardly displeased with Du Ziguì, Liu Yītiáo remembered the old saying—“Don’t strike a smiling face.” The Du family was the most influential household in Sanyuan, so he dared not offend the young master too much. After a moment’s thought, he nodded in agreement, deciding to postpone the matter of buying grain seeds.

“Brother Yītiáo,” Du Ziguì asked while mounted on his horse, “earlier in Brother Helan’s chamber, you mentioned a device that enables Brother Helan to move freely. What kind of thing is it? I’ve pondered it at length but cannot fathom it. Could you kindly enlighten me?”

Liu Yītiáo sat sideways on his donkey, crossing one leg over the other, and cast a glance at Du Ziguì with a smile. “It’s merely a simple walking stick, designed specifically for someone like Brother Helan who has a broken or disabled leg and cannot bear weight on one side. If you’re interested, Young Master Du, in a few days I can send you one.”

“Ah, no need for that. Thank you for your kindness,” Du Ziguì replied awkwardly. Accepting Liu Yītiáo’s walking stick would be tantamount to inviting a curse on himself. Knowing that Liu Yītiáo was reluctant to reveal more, Du Ziguì wisely refrained from pressing further.

Sanyuan’s county seat was not large, and with Liu Yītiáo’s swift donkey and Du Ziguì’s fast horse, they soon found themselves before the gates of the Du estate.

The household servants eagerly greeted their young master’s return, taking the reins from Du Ziguì and Liu Yītiáo and leading the animals to the stable.

“Brother Yītiáo, please,” Du Ziguì gestured with his hand, stepping forward to lead the way.

“Young Master Du, thank you,” Liu Yītiáo bowed slightly and followed him into the Du family mansion.

The Du family had risen to prominence through literary achievement. Du Yan was renowned across the land for his exquisite writings, marking the family as a scholarly household. The decor of the estate was refined and elegant, markedly different from the martial styles of the Gongsun and Yang families. The courtyard was adorned mainly with symbolic plants like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, with occasional peculiar pines and strange stones placed alongside the walls.

Liu Yītiáo followed behind Du Ziguì, admiring the gardens and nodding appreciatively. Though only a few plum blossoms were currently in bloom, the true splendor would emerge in spring when the entire estate would be lush and verdant, with greenery covering at least sixty percent of the area—a truly delightful place to live.

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“The overall design of this residence was personally arranged by our family patriarch,” Du Ziguì said with a smile, noticing Liu Yītiáo’s evident pleasure at the scenery. “If Brother Yītiáo is interested, I’d be happy to accompany you on a tour. Please, follow me.”

Liu Yītiáo remarked, “So it is the handiwork of Old Imperial Censor Du himself. No wonder.” Then he waved his hand dismissively. “But there’s no need to wander about now. It’s still early in the first lunar month; nature has yet to renew itself. Everywhere looks much the same at this time. Let us first pay our respects to Uncle Du.”

Upon hearing this, Du Ziguì slowed his pace and replied, “You are correct, Brother Yītiáo. The most splendid display in the estate occurs between March and April, when flowers compete in bloom and greenery flourishes, truly a feast for the eyes. However, there is one spot inside the residence that I am sure you will appreciate. My father is there now. Please, come with me.”

“Oh?” Liu Yītiáo’s interest was piqued. Could there be some rare treasure within the Du estate? He gestured for Du Ziguì to lead the way. “Please, lead on, Young Master Du.”

The Du estate was vast, covering over a hundred acres. It took them a full ten minutes to walk from the front courtyard to the rear garden.

There, Liu Yītiáo was struck by a stunning sight.

The rear garden contained a grove of plum trees—some forty to fifty in number—blanketing the area in a sea of pink blossoms, breathtakingly beautiful.

Liu Yītiáo stood dumbfounded. He had seen such things before; grander and more magnificent plum groves at parks and tourist spots did not impress him. What had he not seen in his travels?

But those were all funded and constructed by the state or local governments, built for public enjoyment. This plum grove, however, was a private creation by the Du family purely for their own pleasure.

Extravagant—truly decadent. The first thought that came to Liu Yītiáo’s mind was the word “extravagance.”

Maintaining such a grove must cost at least a hundred strings of cash annually, yet they were willing to spare no expense for the sake of a few fleeting views each year. Was this the life of the wealthy in ancient times? Such wastefulness! Thinking of the tenant farmers under his command who had once gone hungry, no wonder the later poet Du Fu penned the line, “In gilded gates, wine and meat rot, while on the roads lie bones frozen stiff.”

Seeing Liu Yītiáo lost in thought, a glint of disdain flickered in Du Ziguì’s eyes. A farmer was a farmer—so easily intimidated by a sight like this. He wondered if Gongsun Wenda and Gongsun Helan had insight in their judgment, and how they could have favored him.

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“Brother Yītiáo,” Du Ziguì called out, “my father is in the Plum Blossom Pavilion within the grove. Let us go there now.”

“Oh, please lead the way, Young Master Du,” Liu Yītiáo snapped out of his reverie and followed him into the grove.

“General! Du Ji, you’ve lost again, ha ha ha...” Laughter rang from within the plum grove, revealing a game of chess underway.

“Master, if it were Go, I might still put up a fight, but this chess is strange indeed,” Du Ji said, moving a piece. “The moves are peculiar and feel ineffective. My skill isn’t enough; I’m no match for you.”

“I know your skill is lacking, but there’s simply no one else suitable to play,” Du Xian sighed. “Those two old fellows I used to play with have no time now. Yang Bofang has gone to Chang’an and won’t return anytime soon. Gongsun Wenda is troubled by some difficult family matters and cannot come. Otherwise, with my skill, would I bother replacing you with a poor player like you? I’m only afraid I’d get worse the more I play.”

“Father, are you worried there’s no one to play against you?” Du Ziguì stepped into the pavilion and smiled. “As luck would have it, I’ve brought a chess master for you. If you’re not afraid to lose, why not give it a try?”

“Oh?” Du Xian waved for Du Ji to step aside and looked with interest at Liu Yītiáo behind Du Ziguì. “Ziguì, are you referring to this young gentleman? Is his skill truly higher than mine?”

This was Du Xian. Liu Yītiáo appraised him carefully.

Short in stature, slightly plump face, small but bright eyes, and a few wisps of light beard below his chin—at first glance, he bore the air of a refined scholar.

Noticing Du Xian’s gaze, Liu Yītiáo smoothed his clothes, stepped forward, and bowed deeply. “Your nephew, Liu Yītiáo, pays respects to Uncle Du!”