Chapter 10: The Great Scholar’s Suspicion

In a tea room, the sliding shoji doors were drawn open on both sides, revealing several clusters of green bamboo planted outside. The shadows of the bamboo danced across the redwood floor under the sunlight, swaying gently as a cool breeze passed through.

Zhongli You and Gu Qingqiu, two esteemed scholars, sat opposite each other at a chessboard, the black and white pieces interlaced across the grid. Nearby, a brazier boiled water vigorously, while Yuan Bin crushed tea cakes and brewed the tea over the flame.

"What a fine poem—ten years sharpening a sword, the frosty blade yet untested! Truly excellent!" Gu Qingqiu could not help but praise. "Is it really composed by Jiang Han?"

"Teacher, absolutely. I set the theme, and he composed it on the spot," Yuan Bin replied.

Gu Qingqiu pondered for a moment before saying, "This young man has concealed his talent for over ten years? Yet what purpose does such concealment serve? Had he revealed his genius and participated in the imperial examinations to achieve rank, he would not have suffered disgrace or been rejected by the Gu family in marriage. This makes no sense."

"Indeed," Zhongli You nodded. "But when I asked why he chose commerce over the examinations, do you know what he said?"

"Oh? What did he say?"

"He said, 'How could I bow and scrape to serve the powerful, when it stifles my joy?' He also said, 'I am but a simple man—why bow for mere five bushels of rice?' He refuses the imperial path out of disdain for the sycophancy in official circles."

Gu Qingqiu’s eyes brightened. So this boy possessed such an unyielding spirit?

As the tea boiled, Yuan Bin poured the freshly brewed tea for both gentlemen.

Gu Qingqiu asked, "What about the Ninth Princess?"

Zhongli You lifted his cup, gently blowing on it before speaking, "The Ninth Princess has come of age, and the Emperor intends to arrange a marriage for her. Most likely to one of the noble heirs. But the princess has her own thoughts... it seems Jiang Han has caught her eye."

Gu Qingqiu shook his head, "Even if the Ninth Princess is fond of him, would His Majesty permit her to marry a commoner? Though the Jiang family is scholarly, they are still commoners compared to a princess, especially since he is an illegitimate son."

Zhongli You smiled and sipped his tea, "What if this young man were accepted as a disciple by a great scholar?"

After a pause, he added, "This youth is extraordinarily talented, concealing his brilliance for over ten years—a perseverance beyond imagination! You know I prefer a life of wandering and avoid entanglements; taking on disciples could risk leading them astray... You are the head of the Hidden Sect and a great scholar of our time. If no one else will, then accept him as your disciple."

The Hidden Sect, a power outside the imperial court, embraced the Taoist philosophy of “the small recluse hides in the wilderness, the great recluse hides in the city,” hence its name. Although outside the court, it was the greatest sect of the martial world.

Few knew that Gu Qingqiu, a renowned scholar, was also the sect leader of this formidable Hidden Sect.

---

Gu Qingqiu was moved. He admired Jiang Han’s talent; anyone capable of composing such poetry was truly gifted. Taking him as a disciple would be a fine choice.

Zhongli You’s suggestion was clearly for the sake of the Ninth Princess. Zhongli You also served as her tutor; if Jiang Han were recognized as a disciple of a great scholar, no one could disparage his background when he married the princess.

Just as Gu Qingqiu was about to agree, a messenger arrived outside.

“The head of the Dark Fragrance Academy, Jiang Zhensheng, requests an audience.”

“Oh? Jiang Zhensheng has come? Please show him in,” Zhongli You said in surprise.

Soon Jiang Zhensheng entered the tea room. Upon seeing Gu Qingqiu, he immediately recognized him as one of the great scholars and hurriedly said, “Jiang humbly greets Great Scholar Gu.”

Gu Qingqiu smiled and nodded in response.

“After being inspired by the great scholar that day, I composed an essay and dare to seek your correction,” Jiang Zhensheng explained. Encouraged by Zhongli You’s previous words, he had spent several days laboring over this essay, preparing to enter the imperial examinations.

Zhongli You smiled and took the essay, reading it carefully before offering thoughtful critiques.

Jiang Zhensheng was deeply moved. Zhongli You was truly a scholar of great renown, and his precise observations on Jiang’s work convinced him that under such guidance, success in the examinations was assured.

Unfortunately, Zhongli You preferred wandering the world and had never formally accepted disciples.

After a half hour of conversation, Jiang Zhensheng was ready to take his leave. At that moment, Zhongli You suddenly took up a brush and wrote four lines of poetry on paper.

“Take a look at this poem. What do you think?”

Jiang Zhensheng read it and immediately showed admiration, “An excellent poem! Truly magnificent! Great Scholar Zhongli, your talent is extraordinary!”

Zhongli You shook his head, “This poem was not written by me, but by a young man.”

Jiang Zhensheng was taken aback. He quickly went through the names of famous talents in his mind, wondering if it could be a disciple of the great scholar.

“Who is this gifted youth?” he asked curiously.

Zhongli You chuckled, “It was written by Jiang Han.”

Jiang Zhensheng’s face showed disbelief, “Which Jiang Han?”

Zhongli You replied, “Your younger son, Jiang Han.”

Gu Qingqiu watched Jiang Zhensheng closely, sensing that Zhongli You was testing his reaction.

Jiang Zhensheng was first startled, then laughed, “Great Scholar Zhongli, do not jest... my troublesome son could never have composed such poetry.”

Zhongli You said, “The poem is indeed by Jiang Han.”

Jiang Zhensheng shook his head repeatedly, “Impossible, absolutely impossible! My wayward son is foolish—he could never write such verses!”

Zhongli You and Gu Qingqiu exchanged a glance.

Worried that Zhongli You might not believe him, Jiang Zhensheng forced a bitter smile and said, “A bright moon in the sky, an old frog by the pond. It hops and jumps, trampling a row of rapeseed flowers... This was the poem my wayward son wrote at fifteen!

“So, Great Scholar Zhongli, the poem you speak of could not possibly be by him! I stake my very life on it!”

Zhongli You frowned. Even Jiang Zhensheng did not believe Jiang Han capable of such poetry. This young man was hiding his talents so deeply that even his own father was unaware.

“Where did you obtain this poem?” Jiang Zhensheng asked.

“A youth of eighteen or nineteen composed it this morning... The earlier 'Longing' was also by him,” Zhongli You said.

Jiang Zhensheng shook his head, “Then it is even more impossible that my son wrote it! If Jiang Han could compose such poetry, I would write his name backward!”

...

After Jiang Zhensheng left, Gu Qingqiu pondered quietly for a moment and then shook his head.

“Even his father insists it’s impossible that Jiang Han composed it... That is strange.”

Zhongli You said, “This boy is hiding deep within! Even his own father does not know of his talents!”

Gu Qingqiu glanced at Zhongli You. “This young man’s words and his father’s differ greatly... If he simply disliked currying favor with the powerful, there would be no need to conceal his talents for so long. A few poems to show his skill would suffice, and he would not be the laughingstock he is today. Where there is abnormality, there must be mischief! Therefore... I shall not accept him.”

Zhongli You frowned, “Are you still doubting Jiang Han’s true talents?”

Gu Qingqiu said, “His contradictions are too great to ignore...”

“If you won’t accept him, I will,” Zhongli You said.

“Then you may,” Gu Qingqiu replied calmly.

Zhongli You looked at him and said, “Do not regret it later.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingqiu smiled faintly, “I, Gu Qingqiu, have lived a life of honor and clarity, never regretting a thing. Besides, my disciples are not lacking for one more talent.”