The Scent of Incense

After breakfast, Zhang Ju arrived at the Prince's Residence.

"Have you learned anything at court, sir? The old madam has been worried these past few days. A thief even broke into the residence yesterday, giving her still more to fret over..." Chen He ventured to ask on the way.

"I was just about to tell my aunt." Zhang Ju's brows twitched. "You say a thief broke into the residence? Could you tell me more?"

Chen He's expression did not change. "You'll have to ask her yourself, sir. It really isn't my place to say."

Zhang Ju immediately gave up asking and instead inquired what else had been troubling his aunt lately.

Only then did Chen He bring up the story.

Zhang Ju said, "A good friend of mine is very fond of that story. We discussed and critiqued it at my home a few days ago."

"That's good. You can tell the old madam about it in a moment."

"Thank you for the tip, Brother Chen. I've just acquired some fine tea. I'll send you some in a few days, and you can tell me what you think."

"Of course, of course."

As they spoke, the two reached the hall in the rear quarters. Zhang Ju straightened his clothes and hat before entering to pay his respects.

"We're family. Must you always be so formal?" Chen Cuo's Mother gestured to a place beside her and told Zhang Ju to sit.

After bowing, Zhang Ju knelt down and chatted with Chen Cuo's Mother about family matters for a while. At last, she asked about the matter at hand.

"Have you found any definite news about Eldest Son, nephew?"

"I have heard a little, Aunt." Zhang Ju answered at once. He had been distracted that day and failed to get any information from his three friends, but he had since made up for it and learned something. Even if Chen Cuo's Mother had not summoned him, he would have visited in a couple of days. "A few people at court have indeed been spreading slander. They even submitted a memorial, saying some unpleasant things."

Chen Cuo's Mother grew tense. "They submitted a memorial? That makes things difficult. If there's no other way, I'll have to swallow my pride, call in some favors, and ask someone to smooth things over."

"The key to this matter still lies with His Majesty." Zhang Ju cupped his hands toward the west. "His Majesty still trusts the prince. No matter how great the difficulty, it will only be temporary."

Chen Cuo's Mother seized the opening to ask, "What did His Majesty say? Do you know?"

"His Majesty has not replied." Zhang Ju told her what he had learned.

Chen Cuo's Mother breathed a little easier. She asked about other matters, but Zhang Ju knew little and could not answer.

"You've gone to such trouble, nephew. At a time like this, you're the only one I can rely on. Not like Second Son, who spends his days carefree, knowing nothing of hardship." Chen Cuo's Mother did not press him further.

Remembering Chen He's hint, Zhang Ju said, "The young lord hasn't been idle, either. Thanks to 'The Painted Skin,' he's gained a measure of fame in Jiankang City."

"I was about to ask you," Chen Cuo's Mother said. "What exactly is going on with Second Son's story?"

Zhang Ju praised it. "'The Painted Skin' flows beautifully, its language is exquisite, and its story carries a profound message. My friends and I all think highly of it. Quite a few people are already placing it alongside Lu You's 'Green Studio,' saying it stands among the very best tales of the strange."

Chen Cuo's Mother was startled. She truly had not expected Zhang Ju to praise it so highly.

"Someone actually compared Second Son's story to Lu You's?"

Chen Cuo's Mother took pride in her own standing, but she knew Lu You's reputation and Public Esteem. She knew that, for all his air of being above worldly affairs, he held considerable sway in Jiankang City. Even several of her close friends and many noblewomen often spoke of him, their words full of admiration and praise.

Whenever that happened, Chen Cuo's Mother would add a word or two of agreement. She had also heard that, thanks to Lu You, Lu Qiong, and others, the Lu Household was showing signs of rising again.

And now her younger son, whom she had looked down on, was being compared to someone like him!

"And that's not all. Since yesterday, seven or eight out of every ten teahouses in the city have been performing 'The Painted Skin.' They've arranged no fewer than nine different tunes for it, and audiences never tire of hearing it. It's no exaggeration to say it's known in every street and alley! It may even be more sought after than the stories in 'Green Studio.'" Zhang Ju had clearly done some looking into it over the past two days. "And this is only the beginning. Given time, its influence will grow greater still!"

Chen Cuo's Mother was silent for a long while. At last, she said, "To think Second Son had such talent." Surprise and gratification filled her voice. Then she thanked Zhang Ju and said he was praising Second Son too highly.

Zhang Ju shook his head. "That was merely an assessment, not praise. In a few days, I'm afraid there'll be far more praise to come. Speaking of which, several friends and I would like to invite Second Son to a Literary Gathering and discuss the story with him. I don't know whether he would agree."

"He'll agree, he'll agree." Chen Cuo's Mother's eyes lit up. "Why wouldn't he agree to such a fine opportunity?" She understood perfectly well. Such gatherings were mostly attended by people of high Local Rank and great prestige. Even powerful court officials were sometimes invited to judge and critique the works. They were ideal places to build a reputation and make a name for oneself.

Before Lu You withdrew to live outside the city and cultivate his reputation, he too had attended several. They had made him famous, and several members of his clan had benefited, their official careers flourishing.

"With things looking grim for Eldest Son, this is the perfect chance for Second Son to help raise his standing." Chen Cuo's Mother was beside herself with delight. As soon as Zhang Ju left, she summoned Chen He and asked where Chen Cuo had gone.

"He said he was going to look for a temple, but he hasn't sent word of which one." Chen He answered her question, then asked, "Shall I bring the young lord back?"

"No hurry, no hurry." Chen Cuo's Mother's brow relaxed, and for the first time in days, she smiled sincerely. "Let him clear his head. It'll do him good to pray to the Buddha, too. With the gods and Buddhas watching over him, things will go more smoothly."

Chen He nodded to show he understood.

Chen Cuo's Mother sighed. "I truly never expected Second Son to have such ability. But it's a good thing. Writing has always been a way to open doors. If he can become a man of letters, he can gain influence. With the family in peril, it would be our good fortune if his literary reputation allowed him to forge ties far and wide!" Gratification showed on her face as she finished speaking.

After a while, though, worry returned to Chen Cuo's Mother's face as she thought again of her eldest son.

Just then, Chen Jiao came to greet her. Noticing something amiss with her mother, she took the initiative and asked what was wrong.

Chen Cuo's Mother did not want to discuss these matters with her daughter. She merely said it was nothing.

Chen Jiao did not believe her. Her eyes darted, and she smiled. "Mother, have you heard? Second Brother has become famous in Jiankang City. Even I'm basking in his reflected glory."

"Oh?" At the mention of her younger son, Chen Cuo's Mother's worries eased a little. "Is it because of that story?"

"You've heard about it too, Mother?" Chen Jiao was slightly surprised. Seeing her mother's expression brighten, she pressed on. "Several of my close friends have read Second Brother's 'The Painted Skin,' and they all love it. They've begged me to ask him for more copies. Some have even started dreaming about him. Perhaps it won't be long before someone comes to propose marriage!"

Chen Cuo's Mother finally smiled faintly. She tapped her daughter's forehead and said, "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not making it up," Chen Jiao protested. "Whenever I used to gather with my friends, I was just there to make up the numbers. Everyone wanted the two Lu sisters to tell stories about Literary Talent Lu. But yesterday, the tables finally turned. They crowded around me, asking about Second Brother. Oh, and they asked me to find out when he'll write something new. Do you know, Mother?"

Chen Cuo's Mother smiled and shook her head. "You'll have to ask him yourself. How could I tell him what to write?"

"Then I'd better hurry," Chen Jiao said solemnly. "Soon, even more people will be clamoring for 'The Painted Skin.' Who knows how many will go to visit Second Brother? If I wait too long, people outside the family might hear about his next story before I do."

Part of what she said was meant to please her mother, but she meant it sincerely as well. After taking her leave, she returned to the rear courtyard and told her personal maid to find a chance to ask.

The maid said, "Don't worry, miss. I know Cui Ju at the young lord's residence. I'll go and ask her in a little while."

"Go on, then! Hurry!" Chen Jiao said happily. Then she complained, "Second Brother, honestly. Last time he came to the residence, he didn't even come to see me, and I helped him before."

The maid offered a few words of reassurance, then found a chance to leave the residence and hurried through the streets and alleys.

"This is the residence!"

Not long after the maid passed, a little white pig appeared at the corner of an alley. Little White Pig was no bigger than a washbasin, and Little Dark-Green Turtle clung to the pig's back.

Little White Pig spoke in a human voice. "There's the scent of incense offerings here, but no one's collecting them. They must be unclaimed offerings. Let's follow the smell and have ourselves a feast! Oink! Oink!"