Chapter Six
At the hour of Mao, Gu Yuren arrived at the Prefectural Office’s paper-folding bureau. Just as he was about to begin work, Su Zhaomo, the chief official of the bureau, approached and said, “Brother Yuren, everyone has the day off today; there’s no need to work.”
This Su Zhaomo was the childhood friend mentioned by Cai Chengyou. He was a degree-holder in his fifties, with a character very much like Cai’s, fond of befriending talented young men. Gu Yuren was his dear friend across generations.
Three years prior, after Gu Yuren sat for the provincial examination, he and his junior apprentice Qi Guang went to the capital for the spring examination but failed. Upon returning to Yangcheng, he never went back to the salt fields. Ten years earlier, he and his childhood sweetheart and junior apprentice Qi Qiongqiong had been betrothed. After failing the exam, his father Gu Datong came to Yangcheng to urge him to marry, but Gu Yuren resolutely declared, “Without achieving honor, I shall never marry!”
Gu Datong had been an imperial guard who often maintained order at the spring examinations, familiar with the endless nature of the imperial examination system. “Achieving fame before marriage” was easier said than done. Seeing that Qi Qiongqiong was already in her twenties, delaying marriage would waste her youth. Gu Datong resolved not to indulge his eldest son any longer, saying, “Yuren, if you insist on not marrying, I will cut off your daily allowance and the funds for your journey to the capital.”
Gu Yuren replied, “Father, I know I am an adult now and will no longer rely on you. I will earn my own living and the expenses for the journey.”
This angered Gu Datong to the point of nosebleed; “Why did I give birth to such a stubborn mule, just like his mother!”
He immediately visited the Qi family’s salt shop to inform his junior apprentice Qi Weiru and his junior sister-in-law Yin Yuanyuan. The two in-laws advised him to calm down, “Brother Gu, you should not be angry. It’s good the boy aspires for fame. If he wants to wait before marrying, so be it; it only means our daughter Qi Qiongqiong stays at her mother’s home a few more years.”
Yet when Qi Qiongqiong heard of this, she comforted the elders, “Father-in-law, father, mother, I am willing to wait until Brother Yuren passes the metropolitan examination to marry; it’s not a hardship!”
These words reached Gu Yuren, filling him with both joy and shame: joy at having such a soulmate, shame at failing to achieve success and making his fiancée wait and waste her youth. He regretted his past words to his father. He wished to marry Qi Qiongqiong, but once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.
Gu Yuren was also a dear friend of Cai Chengyou, who helped him secure a clerical post at the Prefectural Office’s paper-folding bureau, with a monthly salary of one shi of grain. He rented a house on the street before the office, working and studying diligently. But the salary barely covered his living expenses; after nearly three years, the funds for his journey to the capital remained uncertain.
Gu Yuren was skilled in both literary and martial arts, inheriting his father’s strengths but excelling more in martial skills. His literary talent was comparable to Qi Guang’s but paled in comparison to his younger brother Gu Yusheng’s. In martial arts, Gu Yuren surpassed both Gu Yusheng and Qi Guang by dozens of times. Su Zhaomo had advised him to sit for the military examination. After careful thought, Gu Yuren secretly resolved to do so but dared not tell his father, who, strangely, forbade both sons from taking the military exam. Gu Yuren knew that he must inform his brother and Qi Guang, as the three had prepared for exams together. Also, since his journey funds were still unsettled, he hoped Qi Qiongqiong could help—after all, she was his future wife.
He had long planned to visit the Qi salt shop but had yet to do so.
Now, hearing Su Zhaomo announce the day off, Gu Yuren thought: why not take this opportunity to visit the Qi salt shop?
He respectfully asked Su Zhaomo, “Sir, I have a personal matter to attend to and would like to take an extra day off. May I?”
Su Zhaomo replied, “Brother Yuren, you’ve been helping at the bureau for nearly three years, and this is your first personal leave. As your superior, if I don’t approve, what kind of man would I be? I grant you two days of personal leave plus one official day off. Handle your affairs and return promptly in three days.”
Gu Yuren bowed in gratitude, “Thank you, Sir.”
Leaving the bureau, Gu Yuren first bought some gifts at the market, returned to change clothes, hired a horse-drawn carriage, and headed to the Qi salt shop.
The driver was a taciturn middle-aged man who held the reins silently as Gu Yuren climbed aboard, then climbed up himself, nodded quietly, and the carriage moved off without a word.
Seated inside, Gu Yuren lost himself in thought.
“I’ve helped at the bureau for nearly three years, yet today is my first time visiting the Qi salt shop. Will Qi Weiru and the others shut me out? Is it because it’s far? No! Both places are in Yangcheng; a half-day carriage ride can go back and forth easily, yet I never went! Qi Weiru and Yin Yuanyuan, though my future in-laws, are also my elders and teachers who taught me swordsmanship as a child. I haven’t visited them in over two years—what kind of disciple am I? Surely they think me unfilial and unworthy. As for Qi Qiongqiong, my childhood sweetheart and fiancée, we trained in martial arts together since youth. To maintain family honor and avoid suspicion, I haven’t even glanced her way these two years. She must think me heartless. But what exactly am I doing at the Qi salt shop today? To arrange my travel funds for the capital exam. Will she help me?”
“To such an ungrateful man, even I wouldn’t help,” Gu Yuren muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Feeling the emptiness of his money pouch, he rubbed his hands together and continued, “Alas, I have been too impulsive these two years. The exam draws near. No choice—I must shamelessly ask Qi Qiongqiong for help. If she agrees, wonderful; if not, I’ll not blame her.”
The carriage finally arrived at the Qi salt shop.
Gu Yuren had worried needlessly. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by everyone, big and small.
Feeling overwhelmed, he handed the gifts to the steward Chen Ren at the door and asked him to distribute them according to the names on the labels. Chen Ren often joked with Gu Yuren, and now looked over the gifts, asking, “Young Master Gu, where is the gift for your old servant?”
Gu Yuren took a pack wrapped in brown paper from his pocket and handed it to Chen Ren. “Uncle Chen, you often suffer from back pain. This is a medicinal wine mix prescribed by a famous old Chinese doctor in the street before the office. It contains chicken blood vine, angelica, jade bamboo, cooked rehmannia, and more. Try making wine with it and see if it helps. If so, I’ll get more.”
Chen Ren gratefully accepted the package, tears in his eyes. “Young Master Gu, I was joking before, didn’t expect you to be serious!”
Gu Yuren proceeded to the main house, hoping to see Qi Weiru, but a young servant said the master was out early on business. When asked about the mistress, the servant smiled, “She and the eldest miss are in the storeroom, tallying accounts. I’ll take you there.”
Though Gu Yuren knew the way, he followed the lively servant who chatted as they walked. “Sir, this morning the mistress and miss were both thinking of you. What luck you really came!”
“Really? How have they been these two years?” Gu Yuren asked.
“They and Master Qi, young ladies, and Qi Guang have all been well, but our eldest miss grows older each year. The mistress worries daily about her marriage, adding many gray hairs.”
Gu Yuren realized the servant’s words were meant for him, thinking, “My vow ‘no success, no marriage’ hurt Qi Qiongqiong deeply. Even this servant sympathizes with her. I must marry her before going to the capital.”
He quietly followed the servant.
After a while, the servant glanced back and chuckled, “Sir, you and your younger brother either disappear for years or come together!”
“Is my brother Gu Yusheng here too?” Gu Yuren asked.
“He and Miss Xiao Guimu came yesterday by chance, stayed overnight, and left early this morning. Haven’t returned yet,” the servant said.
“Do you know where they went?” Gu Yuren asked.
“The mistress said they went to the prefectural office to see you… Oh dear, Sir, didn’t you meet them?”
“No, the office is closed today. I left early to come here.”
The servant comforted him, “They probably didn’t find you and will return soon.”
Gu Yuren nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
The servant stopped and pointed ahead. “Here’s the storeroom.” He called out, “Mistress, miss, Sir has arrived.”
Inside, Yin Yuanyuan heard and hurried out, asking, “Where is Yuren?”
Gu Yuren bowed and greeted her. Yin Yuanyuan took his hand and scanned him up and down with delight. Smiling broadly, she said, “After two years, our Yuren has grown tall and handsome, fair and plump!”
Qi Qiongqiong stood at the storeroom entrance, quietly observing her fiancé. She thought, “Compared to two years ago, he’s darker and thinner. Why does Mother say he’s plumper and fairer?”
Gu Yuren, a clever man, heard Yin Yuanyuan’s words and immediately knelt, bowing deeply. “Honored mother-in-law, today I come to humbly request permission from you and father-in-law to marry Sister Qi Qiongqiong.”
Yin Yuanyuan asked, “But wasn’t your vow ‘no success, no marriage’?”
Gu Yuren answered, “Mother-in-law, that was youthful folly. Now my vow is: marry first, harmonize as husband and wife, and soar together.”
“Meaning?” Yin Yuanyuan inquired.
“To speak frankly, these past two years, I’ve constantly thought of Sister Qi, longing to be with her daily. I deeply regret my impulsive vow, knowing it wasted her youth and was irresponsible. Now, since we are betrothed, I must take responsibility. Besides, we both practice martial arts and share a chivalrous heart, aiming to serve our country and people. Thus, I wish to marry Sister Qi and live in harmony, soaring side by side.”
“Have you given up on fame?” Yin Yuanyuan asked.
“Of course not. I still desire honor; with it, it’s a bonus. Without it, it won’t deter our determination to serve the country.”
Yin Yuanyuan smiled, “Well said. But two years ago, you deeply hurt your father. Can you visit the salt fields soon and repeat these words to him?”
“I will return tomorrow,” Gu Yuren promised.
“Then arise. If your father forgives you, ask him to prepare the wedding!”
Gu Yuren happily said, “Thank you, Uncle Yin!”
“Stop calling me Uncle Yin,” Yin Yuanyuan teased.
Immediately, Gu Yuren corrected, “Thank you, Father-in-law.”
Gu Yuren had a virtue: sharp wit at critical moments. When he misspoke, he quickly corrected himself; though usually taciturn, when faced with sharp tongues or embarrassment, he often escaped with clever words.
Yin Yuanyuan laughed joyfully and returned to the storeroom, flipping through the ledgers, glancing at her eldest daughter beside the counter. “Yuren, you just upset the accounts we spent half the day tallying. I must punish you.”
“How?” Gu Yuren asked.
“Currently, it’s fashionable for sons-in-law to help their mothers-in-law with chores. Since you’re here, you and your future wife will recount the accounts together. Are you willing?”
Gu Yuren looked affectionately at Qi Qiongqiong and smiled, “Mother-in-law, your son-in-law is most willing.”
After Yin Yuanyuan left, Qi Qiongqiong didn’t immediately start the accounts. She first fetched their treasured Beiyuan tea from the storeroom, handing it to the servant to brew. When the tea arrived, she invited Gu Yuren to sit on the sofa.
After a cup, Gu Yuren set down his cup, glanced toward the window, and said, “Sister Qi, it’s almost noon. Let’s finish the accounts quickly.”
Qi Qiongqiong smiled and said, “They were done long ago.”
“Why?” Gu Yuren asked.
Qi Qiongqiong laughed teasingly, “You’re so dumb! Mother made this an opportunity for us to be alone.”
Gu Yuren rubbed his head, “Thank you, Mother-in-law!”
Qi Qiongqiong sipped tea, then set down her cup and said, “Don’t flatter yourself so sweetly! She’s not your mother-in-law yet. Gu Yaren, after two years’ absence, what brings you to the Qi salt shop today?”
Gu Yuren was about to say he came to seek permission for marriage, but when he glanced at Qi Qiongqiong, he saw her give a sidelong look he had seen before—whenever he had wronged her. He pondered why she had to pretend, then asked, “Must I say it directly?”
“Of course,” she replied.
“The exam is approaching, but I have yet to secure travel funds. I came today to ask for your help.”
Qi Qiongqiong laughed heartily, “Gu Big Brother, though absent two years, you’re still you—my original Brother Gu Yuren!”
Hearing her laugh, Gu Yuren hesitated and asked, “Sister Qi, will you help me arrange the funds?”
She ceased laughing. “Your funds don’t need my help.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Didn’t you say we will marry? After that, Uncle Gu will naturally arrange your funds.”
Gu Yuren said, “But there’s one more thing.”
“What is it?” she asked.
Lowering his voice, he said, “I’ve decided to take both the civil and military exams this time.”
Qi Qiongqiong quickly replied, “But Uncle Gu has always opposed you and Brother Yusheng taking the military exam!”
Gu Yuren said angrily, “I never understood why Father forbids us. Sister Qi, you know my brother may have a chance with the civil exam; as for me, I’m merely making up numbers no matter how long I try. But the military exam is different! You know my martial skills best. My superior, Su Zhaomo, a former civil exam graduate turned military official, also advised me to take it. He said I might not top the military exam, but he’d bet on me making the first division. So I’ve decided to take both, but must keep it from Father.”
Qi Qiongqiong said, “Tricky! Looks like I must secretly prepare some funds for you! But I have conditions.”
“What conditions?” Gu Yuren asked.
She smiled slyly, “You must teach me the Neon Rainbow Sword Technique that Uncle Lou Mingxuan taught you as a child.”
This Neon Rainbow Sword Technique was a foundational style passed down by the legendary swordsman Lou Sanfeng. He taught it only to his only daughter Lou Mingxuan; Lou Minggan taught it only to eldest son Gu Yuren.
Gu Yuren hesitated slightly, then said, “I already taught it to my brother, and he understands it. I will teach you this afternoon.”
After lunch, Yin Yuanyuan told steward Chen Ren it was a joyous day and ordered him to send a carriage to Yang Prefectural Academy to fetch Qi Guang home to celebrate together. She also instructed the cook to prepare more fine dishes for the children’s needs.
After parting ways with Cai Chengyou, Gu Yusheng looked westward and said to Xiao Guimu, “It’s late; let’s return to the Qi salt shop.”
Xiao Guimu immediately complained, “My foot hurts! My foot hurts!”
Gu Yusheng asked, “It was fine earlier; why now?”
“After walking nearly all day with you, pain is inevitable,” she said, rubbing her calf.
After a while, Gu Yusheng asked, “Feeling better? Can you walk?”
“If it were your foot, could you walk?” she retorted.
“What shall we do?” he asked.
“My foot can’t walk home anymore. Please rent a carriage for us.”
“Who pays?” Gu Yusheng asked.
“You,” she said.
“I’m renting it; why should I pay?” he protested.
“Because I paid for the wine earlier,” she said.
“The lunch was on Cai Chengyou’s tab; why pretend to be rich?” he said.
“Before the toast, Cai didn’t say he’d treat! I’m pretending for your sake. You still owe your own share. Now pay me!” she demanded.
“Fine, fine! I’ll pay for the carriage,” he said, waving to the coachman across the street.
“That’s fair—no one takes advantage,” she said.
“Enough talk! The carriage is here. Get in,” he said.
“My foot hurts; help me up,” she said.
Supporting her, Gu Yusheng said, “You’re always trouble when we go out!”
As she sat, Gu Yusheng leapt aboard.
“Hey!” she scolded, “You stepped on my toes, you shameless scoundrel!”