Chapter 10: A Friendship Forged Through Conflict

Yu Chaoran had craned his neck early, waiting anxiously outside the yamen. Only when Yu Lang finally emerged, whole and unharmed, did his heart settle back into its place.

What surprised Yu Lang was Yu Chaoran’s indifference toward Zhang Jiuling, the former Grand Chancellor; he seemed rather uninterested in engaging with him. Yu Chaoran carefully re-bandaged the wound on Yu Lang’s chest, meticulously checking for any hidden injuries.

Zhang Jiuling managed a wry smile. “When I used to give your son, Yu Jia’ao, a hard time, you never seemed this concerned.”

Yu Chaoran sighed. “Perhaps it’s age; my heart isn’t as hard as it once was. Besides, having lost a son, I can’t bear the thought of losing a grandson. You really are cold-blooded, though—you knew Li Yu was a madman and still let Lang’er be locked up with him.”

Zhang Jiuling replied, “I truly could do nothing. My favored protégé, Magistrate Xie, has already thrown in his lot with Li Linfu. Since I lost my office, my influence in Yangzhou has dwindled. Besides, the Chief Secretary of the Yangzhou Governor’s Office, Li Shangyin, is known for his ironclad impartiality—he wouldn’t grant me any favors.”

“In any case, you’ll cover the wine money tonight, won’t you?”

He laughed. “The Yu family was once a house of great wealth. Yu Jia’ao’s extravagance in Chang’an, spending fortunes for a beauty’s smile, is still talked about. Has it really come to this, that you’d ask a poor old man like me to pay for your wine?”

“There’s a long story behind that…”

All eight of Zhang Jiuling’s guards had been detained at the county office; he had not a single servant with him. He and Yu Chaoran strolled home together, chatting as they went.

Yu Lang, hugging the newly purchased wine, was already scheming. To him, the wine of the Tang era was truly foul—murky, unclean, with a sickly-sweet odor and pitifully low alcohol content. In an age where the elite were so enamored of wine, if one could produce a unique vintage, it would surely be advantageous. Yet, to build proper distillation equipment on his own was nearly impossible.

Shaking off these idle thoughts, Yu Lang greedily breathed in the fresh air, feeling for the first time how wonderful freedom truly was. Then he remembered Yu Dan, still trapped in the dark prison. With Zhang Jiuling now powerless, he wondered if there might be another way to rescue Yu Dan.

Down Changning Street, a crowd had gathered, drawn by the commotion. Even the vendors lining the street craned their necks to see what was happening.

“You scholar, you clearly groped that girl’s behind—why don’t you admit it?” boomed a burly man with a bristling beard, his voice rolling like thunder.

The scholar had an upright, dignified face—refined but unflinching—and looked nothing like a lecher. “Where did this madman come from, spouting such nonsense?”

The burly man turned to the onlookers. “You all saw it, didn’t you?”

“We saw, we saw!” the crowd jeered, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

These so-called witnesses were plainly just there for the fun, and Yu Lang had little patience for such behavior. He squeezed his way into the throng.

Zhang Jiuling and Yu Chaoran could only pause, exchanging amused glances.

Yu Lang tilted his chin at the bearded man. “Where’s the young lady? Are you that lady? Did this scholar just grope you?”

The crowd burst into laughter, finding the newcomer’s audacity entertaining.

The burly man rolled up his sleeves at once. “What’s wrong with your eyes, boy? How could a great man like me be a young lady?”

Yu Lang’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “But you keep talking about a girl being groped, and I see no girl—just you making a scene. Isn’t it reasonable to suspect you’re the one?”

“Exactly! Where’s the girl? Which girl got groped—come out and speak!” The crowd was getting excited.

The bearded man stepped forward, but the scholar protected Yu Lang, standing in front of him. Though not tall, he radiated a calming strength. “A gentleman reasons, not fights. If you’re upset, direct it at me. Don’t trouble this young man—he only spoke out of justice.”

Yu Lang all the more believed that such a courageous and responsible scholar could never commit such a vulgar act in public.

The bearded man grumbled, “You’re just a boy. For a young lady, reputation is everything—she’d never dare come forward.”

Yu Lang sneered. “By that logic, I could accuse you of murder. The dead don’t care for reputation either, and they’re even less likely to come forward. Shouldn’t you turn yourself in?”

“You little rascal, what twisted logic is that?” The bearded man, honest to a fault, was clearly flustered by Yu Lang’s quick retorts. Had his opponent been a grown man, they might have fought it out, but with a youth, bullying would only make him look bad.

Just then, a young woman in her prime stepped from the crowd and curtsied gracefully. “Brother Lei meant only to help me; please don’t blame him.”

The scholar seemed to recognize her. “Xue, why did you follow me here? Aunt will worry.”

Lei Wanchun, the burly man, snorted, “If not for this heartless scholar, you’d have had no reason to follow him a thousand miles. Even a stone would soften. Had you not met me, you’d have fallen prey to bandits! The feelings are mutual—just marry her! What are you afraid of? All scholars are cowards.”

The crowd quickly realized that this Lei Wanchun had staged the whole scene out of sympathy for the girl.

The scholar sighed. “Marriage is a matter of parental command and matchmaker’s word. Aunt disapproves; I cannot force it.”

Lei Wanchun spat. “Now I see—you’re in love with her mother instead. Don’t worry, young lady. I, Lei Wanchun, have many friends in the martial world—every one a fine young man. No need to hang yourself on this crooked tree.”

“Young man, are you all right?” The scholar, observant as ever, noticed Yu Lang standing dazed and speechless.

Suddenly, Yu Lang threw himself at the girl, crying out, “Ning Xue, Ning Xue! It’s me, Yu Lang! Do you remember me? I thought I’d never see you again! Waaaah!”

The girl was startled at first, but quickly regained her composure. She didn’t suspect this youth of being a rogue; perhaps he truly mistook her for an old acquaintance. Then again, something felt off—a boy of thirteen or fourteen, what “vast seas” could he possibly have crossed?

Yu Lang’s behavior was certainly inappropriate, yet no one intervened, for his tears seemed so sincere that no one doubted him.

Hiding nearby, Qingqing, who had been enjoying the spectacle, couldn’t restrain herself any longer. She rushed over and gave Yu Lang a sharp kick. “What’s wrong with you!”

Qingqing smiled faintly, regarding Ning Xue with a hint of caution. “Sorry, this fool sometimes loses his head around pretty elder sisters.” Though Qingqing herself was only thirteen or fourteen, she spoke with remarkable poise, purposely emphasizing “elder sister” to stress the age gap between them.

Ning Xue gently helped Yu Lang up. “It’s all right. It’s better than being ignored by a block of wood.”

The scholar was magnanimous and took no offense, only managing a wry smile. His upbringing and study of the classics had left his life with few choices.

“Scholar Zhang,” Zhang Jiuling called, parting the crowd as he approached.

The scholar started, then quickly bowed. “Student Zhang Xun greets Chancellor Zhang.”

“No need for formality. I hear you’ve recently received an official posting—headed out to take up your duties, I presume?”

Zhang Xun replied, “It’s all thanks to your guidance that I was able to fill the vacancy as magistrate of Qinghe County.”

Zhang Jiuling shook his head. “You studied diligently for ten years and earned your jinshi degree—your talents should be put to use. If you hadn’t received a proper appointment, it would have chilled the hearts of scholars everywhere.”

The onlookers whispered among themselves. They might not know who Chancellor Zhang was, but the title of jinshi was enough to make anyone envious. “To rise from a farmer’s hut to the emperor’s court in a day”—such was the lifelong dream of countless scholars. Yet here was a young man, already a jinshi, and not just any, but a “flower snatcher,” handpicked for his talent and appearance, now filling a magistrate’s post—his future was surely bright.

“Imagine how picky that scholar’s aunt must be to reject someone so talented and handsome!”

“Probably some rich landlord fancies the girl. No matter how bright a future, he’s still poor right now. Women, what can you do…”

Zhang Jiuling then pulled the disgruntled Qingqing forward. “This is my granddaughter Qingqing. The young man is Yu Lang, son of an old friend. We’re all family here. Please forgive any rudeness.”

Zhang Xun hurried to assure him that there was no need for apology.

Yu Lang, regaining his composure and realizing that now was not the time for recognition, steadied himself. “Since we’ve met in such a way, Scholar Zhang, Miss Ning Xue, and Brother Lei Wanchun, why not come to my house for a drink?”

Lei Wanchun grinned broadly. “Drinks sound perfect!”

“How could there be a drinking party without me?” Li Bai rode up swiftly on a fine horse, scattering passersby in his wake. Two rows of wine pouches hung from his saddle, filled with who knows what fine vintages he’d found.