Chapter 63: My Teacher is the Governor

In the capital city of Shenjing today, the light drizzle paused for a couple of hours around noon, as if the sky were taking a rest. By the afternoon, however, the fine, dense rain began to fall once more.

The Eastern Suburbs.

Raindrops tapped rhythmically against the roof of the small Jiang family courtyard, producing a faint rustling sound. In the inner courtyard, a half-withered pear tree stood lonely in the rain; though it appeared somewhat desolate, it was quietly being nourished back to life by the shower. Two red gauze lanterns, hanging outside the main gate, swayed gently in the breeze like a pair of large red eyes admiring the curtain of rain.

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats emerged from the misty rain, growing closer and closer.

Bao Yan, a first-rank imperial guard of the Prince’s Estate, came riding toward the Jiang residence astride a tall steed equipped with an oilcloth saddle cover. He wore a waterproof felt hat coated with grease on the surface to keep out both rain and cold. The brim hung low, yet it failed to conceal his sharp, piercing gaze. He was clad in a thick oilcloth coat made from tung oil-soaked fabric, which gleamed faintly in the rain. On his feet, he wore waterproof boots crafted from tanned oxhide and lined with felt, which he shifted lightly in the stirrups.

A carriage accompanied Bao Yan, its wheels churning the muddy dirt road with a dull, heavy thud.

The carriage stopped outside the Jiang gate. The curtain was lifted, and a man stepped down. Twenty-nine years of age, he possessed a fair complexion, a full face, delicate eyes, and a benevolent expression. He had sparse facial hair, a somewhat wide mouth, and wore a plain, unadorned robe. In appearance, he looked half-scholar, half-merchant, yet with a hint of a cook about him. If he were to change into the clothes worn by a butcher, he would pass completely for one...

This was Qu Jishan, styled Yuanchang.

Holding an oiled paper umbrella, Qu Jishan stood alongside Bao Yan beneath the eaves of the Jiang residence. After the two waited for a short while, Jiang Nian hurried out from the inner rooms to greet them.

Once Jiang Nian and Bao Yan exchanged pleasantries, Bao Yan gestured toward Qu Jishan and said to Jiang Nian, "This is Mr. Qu, whom His Highness the Prince has personally engaged to be your private tutor for the imperial examinations."

Qu Jishan smiled faintly and addressed Jiang Nian in a clear, resonant voice, "Since I am here to instruct you in the arts of the imperial examinations, let us dispense with overly formal courtesies. May I simply call you 'Little Nian'?"

Jiang Nian hastily cupped his hands in salute and replied, "That is only proper. Please, Teacher, come inside."

Jiang Nian ushered Bao Yan and Qu Jishan into the residence, while instructing his pageboy, Dong Feng, to lead their attendants to the front-facing side rooms for hospitality.

Qu Jishan walked toward the main hall in the company of Jiang Nian, his steps light and unhurried. From time to time, he cast a glance at Jiang Nian, and occasionally surveyed the aged, modest courtyard, feeling a mixture of curiosity and puzzlement.

Earlier that day, the Prince of Zhongyi had suddenly summoned him and his father, Qu Tai, explicitly instructing him to tutor a young scholar in the imperial examination curriculum for the next month. Furthermore, he was required to report to the young man’s home every morning for lessons, continuing until the fourth watch of the afternoon before dismissing the class.

He had originally assumed this young scholar must be the scion of some illustrious and wealthy noble household, yet unexpectedly, the youth resided in such a timeworn and humble dwelling. Though somewhat surprised, Qu Jishan did not harbor the slightest trace of contempt.

After all, the Prince of Zhongyi had made it clear to both Qu Tai and Qu Jishan that this young man was someone very dear to him, strictly enjoining Qu Jishan to instruct him with the utmost dedication and without any negligence.

***

Jiang Nian led Bao Yan and Qu Jishan into the main hall. Once the three were seated, Jiang Nian personally poured a cup of tea for his new teacher, Qu Jishan, and thoughtfully served Bao Yan as well.

After a brief conversation, Bao Yan rose to take his leave. Jiang Nian then invited Qu Jishan into the study, where the tutor was to commence instructing him in the arts of the imperial examinations starting today.

A wave of quiet exhilaration surged within Jiang Nian's heart.

He knew that although the Great Daqing dynasty ruling this world had been founded by Han Chinese, many aspects of its society closely resembled the Qing dynasty of his past life.

He also knew that during the Yongzheng era of his previous life, there had been a renowned father-and-son pair of high-ranking statesmen: the father named Yin Tai, and the son named Yin Jishan.

Naturally, it dawned on him that the teacher who had come to instruct him in the imperial examinations was, in all likelihood, the counterpart of that brilliant, incorruptible Viceroy Yin who had governed frontier provinces for over thirty years in his former life...

At this thought, Jiang Nian bowed slightly, his tone laced with deep respect: "I am profoundly grateful that you would condescend to instruct me, Teacher. I shall apply myself with the utmost diligence and spare no effort, so as not to fail your teachings."

With that, he produced two hundred-liang silver notes, presented them with both hands, and said, "These are the initial tuition fees I offer to you, Teacher. I hope you will accept them with a smile."

Seeing this, Qu Jishan waved his hands in refusal, his voice remaining clear and resonant: "How could I possibly accept this? Not only am I here by royal decree and thus have no business taking your formal introduction gift, but even if I were to accept remuneration, how could it be such a vast sum?"

Jiang Nian insisted, "If Teacher refuses to accept this, how could I have the face to receive instruction from you? Please do not decline."

After a brief exchange of polite refusals, Qu Jishan ultimately yielded to Jiang Nian’s sincere persistence and accepted the two hundred taels of silver notes.

Qu Jishan’s father, Qu Tai, had served as an official for many years, and upon this recent arrival in the capital, had even been appointed as a Junior Vice Minister of the Grand Secretariat, holding the second-rank. Yet Qu Tai had always governed with strict integrity, and with a large family to support, they were far from wealthy. Two hundred taels of silver was a substantial sum of money to Qu Jishan. With these funds, his personal financial strain would be greatly eased, allowing him to better prepare for the upcoming metropolitan examination during the special imperial decree session.

The gaze Qu Jishan cast upon Jiang Nian grew even gentler.

He found this young scholar increasingly enigmatic—living in a weathered little courtyard, yet enjoying an exceptionally close relationship with the Prince of Zhongyi, and casually offering a two-hundred-liang tuition gift upon their very first meeting.

***

The fourth watch of the afternoon—equivalent to four o'clock in the afternoon—was the designated hour for officials of the Great Daqing to conclude their daily duties during the summer schedule.

Qu Jishan’s tutoring sessions with Jiang Nian were likewise scheduled to conclude at the fourth watch of the afternoon.

The drizzle had ceased, and the sky looked as though it had been thoroughly cleansed. The clouds parted to reveal the sun, whose gentle rays cast a warm, golden glow over the small Jiang courtyard. Water droplets still dripped slowly from the eaves, making soft, delicate sounds as if accompanying the tranquil peace of the post-rain clearing.

Inside the study, Qu Jishan’s eyes were filled with undisguised praise as he said to Jiang Nian, "Your memory is truly extraordinary and exceedingly rare. In the span of a mere two hours, you have absorbed what would take an ordinary person several days to learn. It is genuinely astonishing."

Jiang Nian smiled faintly and replied with modest grace, "You praise me too highly, Teacher. Were it not for your peerless learning and crystal-clear explanations, I could never have made such rapid progress."

These words came entirely from the bottom of his heart. Although he had only been under Qu Jishan’s tutelage for a single afternoon, he had already benefited immensely. Though Qu Jishan was currently only a provincial graduate, he already possessed the erudition of a metropolitan graduate, coupled with an exceptional mastery of imperial examination strategies and techniques.

Jiang Nian cordially invited Qu Jishan to stay for the evening meal, but Qu Jishan declined with a polite smile, saying, "I must return home to keep my family company. Let us conclude our studies for today; I shall return tomorrow morning to resume the lessons."

Not wishing to press him further, Jiang Nian respectfully escorted Qu Jishan out to the main gate. After exchanging a few parting pleasantries at the threshold, Qu Jishan boarded his carriage and departed.

Having seen his teacher off, Jiang Nian returned to the inner courtyard and found Xue Baochai standing quietly beside the half-withered pear tree.

The post-rain sunlight washed over Xue Baochai, casting a soft, luminous halo around her elegant, unpretentious dress. She had been gazing up at the sparse branches and leaves of the pear tree, but sensing Jiang Nian’s footsteps enter the courtyard, she quickly turned her head to look at him.

In the serene, rain-washed inner courtyard, the two of them exchanged a gentle, knowing smile as their eyes met.

A sudden ripple stirred in Jiang Nian’s heart. He recalled that in the original novel, after Xue Baochai arrived in the capital, she lodged in the Pear Blossom Courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion—while the inner courtyard of his own humble, weathered dwelling happened to feature a pear tree.

Was this not, in its own way, a wondrous and destined affinity?

*To think that this half-withered pear tree almost seems to be summoning Xue Baochai here to lodge...*

Jiang Nian sighed softly to himself with a quiet sense of wonder.