In the Hall of Attaining Knowledge at the Knowledge and Practice Institute, Wei Zhilin was toying with a porcelain bottle. A heavy chest stood at his feet, holding several jars of aged wine. The red silk around their seals had faded to yellow, suggesting they had been stored for quite some years.
The porcelain bottle in Wei Zhilin's hand was only three inches tall, like white mutton-fat jade, warm and smooth to the touch. Its stopper was also wrapped in red silk, and as his hand moved, liquid could be heard sloshing inside.
Wei Zhilin pressed his thumb against the stopper, gently pushed and flicked it up, and opened the bottle. An intensely rich aroma of wine wafted out, filling the entire room within moments.
Wei Zhilin took a small wine cup from a drawer and poured with his wrist suspended in the air. The wine flowed from the bottle in a perfectly straight, slender stream, filling the cup in an instant. It was the golden hue of amber, richly fragrant, its scent perfuming the room.
He picked up the cup and took a delicate sip. The wine tasted fresh and fragrant, sweet and mellow. Closing his eyes, he let the heavenly nectar roll between his tongue and teeth before slowly swallowing. A thread of fire seemed to descend through his chest and belly; at once, every pore opened, and comfort spread throughout his body.
"Fine wine!" A booming voice came from outside, and Cheng Zi Ya strode in. "Senior brother, why didn't you call me over to share such fine wine?"
He stood with his hands on his hips, his nostrils twitching and delight written all over his face. When he spotted the wine jars in the chest on the floor, his eyes lit up.
"Judging by the aroma and these jars, this wine must have some years on it. Where did you get it, senior brother?" Cheng Zi Ya chuckled and reached out without ceremony to grab a jar.
"Zi Ya, you remember that student named Yue Chunxi, don't you? He was serving as a militia commissioner in Shanxi, but an imperial decree transferred him to Suzhou. Yesterday, he passed through Luoyang and made a special visit, bringing me these ten jars of Apricot Blossom Village Aged Wine."
Cheng Zi Ya slapped away the sealing clay, tore off the worn red silk, and leaned in to take a deep sniff. Raising the jar, he gulped down several great mouthfuls in succession, then released a satisfied breath. Wiping the wine from his lips, he praised it loudly. "Fine wine indeed!"
Cheng Zi Ya took another two great gulps, set down the jar, and told Wei Zhilin about his visit to the chancellor's residence and Chancellor Ding Fengyuan's condition. Worry creased his brow. "Minister Ding fell ill early last winter. His Majesty sent an Imperial Physician to treat him, and Master went to visit him as well... After returning, Master told me that Minister Ding's pulse seemed similar to the Former Emperor's when he was ill."
At this point, he took another swallow of wine and continued, "Master said that the innate Ziwei energy I cultivate could help Minister Ding, so he had me visit every month to channel vital energy through his acupoints... It worked well at first, and Minister Ding's condition improved considerably. But lately, it's become less and less effective. Following Master's methods, I've tried several different prescriptions to restore his health, yet they've had little effect... I've never encountered a simple case of cold in the lungs and coughing blood that was this difficult to treat... I just can't understand why his illness is so strange."
Wei Zhilin stroked his beard and nodded. "Our venerable master possesses extraordinary medical skill, yet even he was at a loss back then. It seems Minister Ding's illness... isn't merely cold in the lungs and coughing blood. Those two renowned Apricot Grove Physicians in the Capital are equally helpless. There is... something strange about this indeed. Poor Minister Ding spent half his life toiling away, only to find himself bedridden in his later years, suffering such torment. Zi Ya, you must keep looking for a way. Even if we fail, we can only do all that lies within human power and leave the rest to Heaven!"
"Rest assured, senior brother. Minister Ding's character and integrity command admiration. It is already a tremendous honor for me to assist in his treatment! Just now, from outside the door, I saw you drinking alone with grief on your face. You've never been one to drink. What has troubled you so deeply?" Cheng Zi Ya asked with concern.
"Zi Ya, just now... I was thinking of your second senior brother. Like you, he loved wine as much as life itself. For more than ten years, we've sent people everywhere to inquire, yet there's been no word of him. Master has wandered far and wide all these years, but in truth, he's also been searching for him in secret. Rumor in the martial world says he died long ago in Qin Prefecture City. Others say he went to the Far Western Lands and was imprisoned by experts of the Buddhist Sect. But... I don't believe it. I have a feeling he's still alive... he must still be alive! I don't believe anyone in this world could harm him! Even those old monsters whose reputations rival Master's could defeat him easily enough, but killing him would be no easy feat!"
As Wei Zhilin spoke, his emotions grew impossible to contain. His eyes reddened, and he struck the table heavily. "Zi Ya... if Xiang Shou were here, Master wouldn't have to toil so hard. If Xiang Shou were here, he could shoulder much of the institute's work for us. If he were here today, the three of us brothers would raise a great cup together..."
Cheng Zi Ya's face darkened, and he took a fierce gulp of wine. "Senior brother, what did I tell you back then? Second senior brother's divine prowess is unmatched beneath Heaven. How could he so easily... Last time, at the Drunken Immortal Tower, some fellow was spouting nonsense about him dying in Qin Prefecture. I slapped him unconscious... Whenever I see scum like that, I'll beat them. We brothers are as close as hands and feet. Anyone who wants to take your life or second senior brother's will have to step over my corpse first. My second senior brother must have suffered so much all these years, or he must have some hardship he can't speak of. Otherwise, why... why has he still not come to see us?" Cheng Zi Ya grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, until he finally burst into tears. Though tall and imposing, he sat there bawling, slapping his own face with one hand as though throwing a tantrum, just like a child.
No one could have imagined that Cheng Zi Ya, the world-renowned head of the Practice Division of the Knowledge and Practice Institute, would reveal his true feelings with the innocence of a child, bursting into tears without any trace of his usual imposing dignity.
Tears glistened in Wei Zhilin's eyes as he gently comforted him. He brought out the fine wine in the porcelain bottle for Cheng Zi Ya to taste, and after Cheng Zi Ya finally managed to stop crying, the two sat beside a low table and drank together.
"I heard those two youngsters Master specifically mentioned were put in confinement. Can they withstand it? The heavenly cold iron Master gathered from the Far Northern Lands is no ordinary material. It can restrict the circulation of vital energy. They must be suffering!" Recalling the amusing incident that had recently spread throughout the Knowledge and Practice Institute, Cheng Zi Ya could not help asking.
Wei Zhilin stroked his long beard and narrowed his phoenix eyes. "I've already sent people to observe them in secret. Their foundations are sound, and both have reached the peak of the Qi Transformation Realm. Besides, the confinement quarters are more than twenty zhang above the sealed chamber. The cold is considerably weaker there, making it just right for their cultivation. It may seem these two youngsters have turned misfortune into fortune, but I arranged it deliberately. They both have outstanding aptitude, yet they still need tempering. This was Master's intention as well. Cultivating in confinement will benefit them greatly. Only with foundations as solid as bedrock can they build lofty towers and grand halls in the future."
Cheng Zi Ya nodded in agreement, glanced outside the door, and lowered his voice. "How has that man been lately? Have you gotten anything out of him?"
Wei Zhilin shook his head. "No. He's still the same, refusing to say anything. After more than twenty years locked inside, he's only grown more savage. Without that sealed chamber forged from heavenly cold iron, we might not be able to hold him."
It was late autumn in the imperial capital, Luoyang City, and the morning breeze carried a chill. Through the thin mist, a few roosters crowed in Chongwen Ward. Gradually, the cries of vendors and porters rang out through the alleys. Pedestrians appeared on the streets in twos and threes, with the occasional sedan chair among them and horse-drawn carriages clattering past. The entire city slowly stirred to life and bustle.
Gu Qingzhou had risen very early that day. Dressed in white brocade patterned with flowers, with the Gold-Thread White Jade Belt around his waist and the Pear Blossom Fox Fur Cloak over his shoulders, he stood tall and graceful, handsome and dashing-the very image of the verse, "On the country path, a man like jade; a young lord unmatched in all the world!" Women passing along the street could not resist stealing glances at him, while some of the older women watched him with gazes that were bolder and more ardent still.
Gu Qingzhou bought two steaming baskets of Wang's Hot-Water Dough Dumplings and walked to the entrance of the Knowledge and Practice Institute. Students in assorted attire arrived one after another. He looked this way and that, waiting for a long time before finally spotting a black carriage in the distance.
His eyes brightened, and he jogged over to the carriage. The driver hurriedly reined in the horse. Several fingers, pale and slender as tender scallions, emerged from the black carriage and lifted the curtain, revealing a lovely face of cool, delicate beauty.
Adoration filled Gu Qingzhou's face as he spoke softly. "Wenruo, I've been waiting so long for you. I brought your favorite hot-water dough dumplings. Look, they're still warm!"
Ding Wenruo's lovely face remained expressionless. Her dark brows drew together slightly as she looked at Gu Qingzhou. "Duke Gu, please do not do this again. I cannot accept such attention. Please give your studies priority."
Gu Qingzhou's expression did not change, his gaze entranced. "Wenruo, do you know? I entered the Knowledge and Practice Institute entirely because of you. Wherever you go, I'm willing to follow. Wenruo, my heart is utterly sincere. Can you truly not see it?"
Ding Wenruo's pretty face turned cold. She lowered the curtain, and her icy voice came from inside. "Please conduct yourself with dignity, Your Grace. Do not pester me again."
The driver shook the reins, and the carriage rumbled past Gu Qingzhou.
The morning sun rose, casting its golden light over the gathered onlookers and over Gu Qingzhou's face, as still as an ancient well.
He turned toward the students gathered nearby, waved his sleeves, and roared, "What are you staring at? Get lost, get lost, get lost! Stop bothering me... all of you, get the hell out of here!" Inwardly, he sighed. I've done so much for her, yet she's never been moved. Would it kill her to feel touched just once? Even if she only pretended and lied to me, it would still be wonderful. But what can I do? She's the woman I've set my heart on. She may be cold, stubborn, and barely willing to acknowledge me, but I like her! I refuse to believe I can't move your heart...
Sunlight streamed through the latticed classroom windows, falling on Ding Wenruo's serene face. Her skin was snow-white, her cheeks so delicate they seemed liable to break at the slightest breath or touch. Jet-black bangs covered her forehead, and her clear eyes remained attentive as she listened to the teacher's lecture.
At the front, Yan Zhongjie was teaching Guanzi: The Five Supports. "The people understand virtue, but do not yet understand righteousness. Thus, illuminate proper conduct to guide them toward righteousness. Righteousness has seven forms. What are these seven forms? Filial devotion, brotherly respect, kindness, and generosity, to care for one's kin; reverence, loyalty, and trustworthiness, to serve one's sovereign..."
The students all listened intently, while Gu Qingzhou gazed spellbound at Ding Wenruo ahead of him. Sometimes she raised her brush to take notes; sometimes she knitted her brows in thought. Even the way she frowned was so beautiful.
He watched with relish, but after a while, his eyelids grew heavy. Having risen rather early that day, he was getting sleepy. He stared dazedly at her a little longer, then gradually lost the struggle and finally fell asleep over his desk.
Seeing Gu Qingzhou sleeping soundly at his desk, Yan Zhongjie thought of his background and sighed inwardly...
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