The sixth day of the fourth month, Second Quarter of Xu.
The Yao residence, in the lane east of the Great Ming Gate.
Wang Kan was Song Jing's disciple.
Song Jing, a respected elder among the Upright Officials, shared the bond of fellow service with Yao Zhen.
Among the Upright Officials, Kou Yuan's renown might have flourished, but Song Jing's had not faded away.
Thus, with Wang Kan coming through their shared scholarly connection, Yao Zhen had no reason to refuse him entry.
Led by a servant of the Yao household, Wang Kan soon reached Yao Zhen's private chamber for discussing affairs.
The room was small, books lining all four walls, a single lamp on the desk.
Yao Zhen sat behind the desk, a wolf-hair brush in hand, his head bent over a calligraphy copy.
Wang Kan entered without speaking and merely stood by the door, watching quietly.
Yao Zhen did not look up either. His brush continued moving over the paper, stroke by stroke, neither hurried nor restless.
"Zhanzheng, have you come here by night to admire my calligraphy, or to discuss affairs?"
Yao Zhen finally set down his brush and raised his head.
He was just over fifty, bearded, neither thin nor stout.
Only then did Wang Kan step forward and cup his hands. "To admire your calligraphy, and to discuss affairs."
With that, Wang Kan glanced at the xuan paper on the desk.
"Duke Yao, are you copying the 'Admiring the Worthy' chapter of the Yan Family Instructions?"
Yao Zhen's brows stirred slightly. "You recognize it."
"I have read the Yan Family Instructions. I dare not claim a thorough understanding, but I still remember some of its words."
As Wang Kan spoke, his gaze settled on those few lines, and he recited softly:
"To dwell