In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1002 Meeting is difficult, parting is even more difficult; I too am a traveler.

Although Su Wan rejected Xu Guan that day
But for the next three days, he would go to a teahouse after finishing his official duties.

Sometimes I'd join in the tea ceremony around the fire, and sometimes I'd just watch quietly.

The two did not interact much, at most exchanging glances and smiles.

But it was precisely this feeling of being both close and distant, of being able to admire from afar, that made Xu Guan unable to resist.

So much so that while he was on duty today, his mind was filled with Su Wan's every smile and frown.

A gentle breeze, carrying a touch of coolness, drifted into the office through the window, ruffling the pages of the books on the desk.

Xu Guan stared blankly at the documents on the table, which recorded the local customs and traditions of Kunming, as well as the prosperity of the Dali Kingdom period.

He was completely absorbed in reading the black and white text on the yellow paper.

At some point, the words on the pages seemed to transform into Su Wan's appearance, as if she were quietly gazing at him.

Xu Guan's tightly pursed lips gradually lifted, and he looked somewhat infatuated.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Young Kong Yue appeared at the door and, seeing Xu Guan's absent-minded appearance, became curious.

He carefully and stealthily approached the table, then suddenly shouted in a low voice:
"what!"

Xu Guan was originally immersed in recalling Su Wan's voice, appearance, and smile.
Suddenly startled, I jumped in fright.

The infatuation in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of bewilderment.

Only after recognizing Kong Yue did he breathe a sigh of relief and roll his eyes.
"Brother Kong, what are you doing? Don't scare people."

"Hahaha, what are you thinking about, Brother Xu? Could it be Miss Su?" Kong Yue teased.

Xu Guan's cheeks flushed slightly, and he said with a hint of embarrassment:
"Brother Kong, the court session has not yet ended, so please do not wander around. If Lord Liu sees you, he will scold you again."

Kong Yue waved his hand dismissively:

"Lord Liu went to the Imperial Academy and Mingdao Academy today, saying he wanted to discuss the compilation of history."

I've heard that compiling history requires gathering learned scholars from all over the country to work together.

Brother Xu, you've been organizing Yunnan documents for the past few months, and you've read so many historical materials. You're truly a leading figure in the Hanlin Academy.

If history were ever to be written, you would certainly be included!

Upon hearing this, Xu Guan's eyes widened suddenly, a surge of joy welled up in his heart, and his face showed shock.

He understood that whether it was the former Song Dynasty, the former Yuan Dynasty, or any other dynasty throughout history,

Those who could participate in compiling history were all exemplary and model scholars.

If you cultivate it well, you will be remembered in history.

Even if one behaves in a conventional manner, one can still accumulate prestige among officials and scholars, paving the way for future promotions.

Today, Song Lian and Wang Yi, who compiled the History of Yuan during the Ming Dynasty, are renowned scholars known throughout the land.

The thought of having the opportunity to join them,
Xu Guan's breathing became rapid, and he quickly pressed for an answer:
"Brother Kong, is this true?"

"How could it be false? Today, Master Liu went to the Beijing Middle School to discuss it with those old teachers."

Kong Yue spoke in a low voice.
"To be honest, Mr. Liu is already eighty years old this year, he's getting on in years."

Even if he were to oversee the compilation of history, the real work would still be done by young people like you, Brother Xu.

Among the young people in the Hanlin Academy, who is more suitable than you, who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations six times in a row?

A huge weight was lifted from Xu Guan's heart.

He thought and thought, but couldn't find anyone more suitable than himself.

Historical writing has always been a collaborative effort involving three generations: the old, the middle-aged, and the young.
The purpose is to guide the younger generation and pass on knowledge, and I am undoubtedly the best candidate for the younger generation.

Thinking of this, Xu Guan calmed down and cupped his hands, saying:
"Thank you for informing me, Brother Kong. I am extremely grateful."

"Oh, I didn't come to see you today to talk about that."

"Why is that?"

"I received news from Qingfeng Teahouse that Mr. Su will be leaving Beijing in a few days. I came here specifically to invite you so we can go to the teahouse together."

"What? Leaving the capital?" Xu Guan looked shocked, a strange emptiness settling over him.

Seeing his expression, Kong Yue suddenly laughed and raised an eyebrow:

"Brother Xu, have you been without a woman for a long time and are you feeling restless?"

No problem, after we finish our tea today, I'll take you to the Lotus Pavilion for some relaxation.

Look at you, your face is covered in pimples. You can't keep holding it in like this.

"No, no, no!" Xu Guan waved his hands repeatedly, pressing for an answer.

Why does Mr. Su want to leave Beijing?

"How would I know? That's just how the news spread."

Aren't you familiar with her? Just go and ask her!

Not to criticize you, but based on your status and reputation,
Which woman in the capital could resist you? You need to be bolder.

Xu looked at Kong Yue and suddenly felt something was absurd.
The man in front of me had spent years mingling in the streets and his mannerisms were unlike those of a scholar; instead, he had the air of a scoundrel. Yet, he was working at the Hanlin Academy.

This contrast is truly bizarre.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his thoughts, and said in a deep voice:

"Thank you for informing me of this news, Brother Kong. Let's go for tea together today; it's on me."

"Alright! That's what I was waiting for! After tea, it's your treat to go to Lotus Pavilion!"

Kong Yue was very blunt, his tone full of generosity.

Xu Guan shook his head helplessly. His generous manner made it seem like he was the one treating.

On the banks of the Qinhuai River, at Qingfeng Teahouse.

Night had fallen, and a gentle breeze added a touch of chill to the teahouse.

Outside the building, however, it was bustling with activity. Many scholars had arrived early and were waiting there, just to catch a glimpse of Mr. Su's talent.

In the past few days, Su Wan's reputation has been spreading throughout the Qinhuai River and even the capital.

Now there are rumors that she is going back to Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Even people who weren't initially interested wanted to join in the fun.

These people have nothing to do all day long, yet they have more money than they can spend without having to work.
What I search for every day is nothing more than new and interesting people and things.

Finally, Qingfeng Teahouse opened its doors.

Tea drinkers flocked in, and the spacious hall was soon filled with people.

Various tea snacks were laid out on the table, and waiters dressed in neat clothes moved among the crowd.

Many people looked at the VIP seats in the front row, their faces showing confusion.

Who is this for?

Just then, a shout came from the doorway:
"Lord Xu of the Hanlin Academy has arrived!"

Lord Xu?
Many people turned around upon hearing the sound.

Some merchants looked puzzled, wondering who this Master Xu was.

But most of the scholars present stared wide-eyed.

Is that Scholar Xu? He actually came too!
A young man in his twenties with a thick beard walked in slowly, bowed to the crowd, and went straight to the front row of private seats.

The innkeeper personally stepped forward to greet him, smiling as he asked:

"Young Master Xu, would you like Biluochun tea again today?"

Xu Guan nodded, then looked at Kong Yue beside him:
"what do you drink?"

"Just like you, I'm not picky."

The shopkeeper smiled and agreed.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen, the tea will be here shortly."

Just as the shopkeeper turned to leave, Xu Guan stopped him and asked curiously:
Is it true that Mr. Su is leaving the capital?

The shopkeeper smiled, nodded, and looked regretful.

"Young Master Xu, it's true. The anniversary of Mr. Su's mother's death is approaching."

The employer arranged a carriage for Ms. Su so that she could return to her hometown to pay her respects.

Although Mr. Su's family has fallen on hard times, he comes from a family of scholars and refined manners.

Although our boss is a rough man, he deeply respects this gesture.

"I see." Xu Guan nodded repeatedly, then asked,

"When will you leave?"

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, gave Xu Guan a meaningful look, and said softly:
"I was supposed to leave this afternoon, but Mr. Su said he wanted to stay another night, saying there was still an old friend he hadn't seen."

These seemingly ordinary words, however, were like a small sword, piercing deeply into Xu Guan's heart.

His breath caught in his throat, and a powerful thought surged through his mind.

Could this old friend be me?

Was she waiting for me? Was she saying goodbye? In an instant, a complex mix of thoughts flooded his mind, making him feel uneasy and flustered—a kind of panic he had never experienced even during the imperial examinations.

By the time he came to his senses, the shopkeeper had already turned and left, leaving only his back view.

Seeing this, Kong Yue, who was standing to the side, laughed and teased:

"See, I told you so!"

With Brother Xu's reputation, who among the women of the Qinhuai River can't he win over?

This Mr. Su, he's clearly interested in you!

"really?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Xu Guan's eyes, and then he suddenly became somewhat insecure.

Kong Yue found his "getting the benefit and then acting innocent" attitude quite distasteful and scoffed:
"If you don't like me, do you think you like me?"

Xu Guan thought about it carefully, nodded almost imperceptibly, and muttered to himself,
Too
The second floor of Qingfeng Teahouse is even more tranquil than the first floor.

A layer of dark-patterned gauze curtain blocked the window, and the night breeze, carrying the dampness of the Qinhuai River, slipped in through the gaps, causing the gauze curtain to sway gently.

Shen Zhengxin placed his hand on Su Wan's slender waist. The brocade fabric of her clothes was already soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her thin back.

His chin rested on her shoulder, his breathing heavy. His gaze, peering through the gap in the gauze curtain, fell upon the people sitting upright on the first floor, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Look at how many of them are so devoted to you."

Su Wan's cheeks flushed, her fingertips gripping the bronze carvings on the windowsill tightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum:

"Boss, there's someone downstairs."

"What are you afraid of?"

Shen Zhengxin chuckled and tightened his grip even more.

"The window gap is so narrow that they can only see your aloofness, not your current appearance."

He leaned down to Su Wan's ear, his hot breath tickling the back of her ear, his tone filled with the pleasure of control:
"I like it this way, having someone else's dream girl pinned down."

Watching him fawn over you like a fool.

Go downstairs later and get things done properly.

Ask him who paved the way for his six consecutive wins.
Ask him again about the things he said at Zuixianlou, and who taught him to say them.

Don't give anything away. He's feeling sorry for you right now, so take this opportunity to expose his true colors.

Su Wan closed her eyes briefly and nodded gently:
"I've noted it down."

After a while, Shen Zhengxin stopped what he was doing, waited a bit, and then left, satisfied.

"Go change your clothes, don't let anyone notice anything amiss. Remember, you are a lady from a prominent family in Suzhou and Hangzhou."

"Yes"

When Su Wan got up, her waist was still a little sore.

She took out a plain white dress from behind the screen. The color was lighter than the previous moon white, and the neckline was embroidered with a few strands of silver thread, which made her face look even more aloof.

She tidied her hair in front of the bronze mirror.
She tucked the stray hairs behind her ears and then dampened the corners of her eyes with cold water.
Suppressing the lingering flush, she lifted her skirt and tiptoed downstairs.

Just as the tea party on the first floor was about to begin, Xu Guan was restless.

His gaze remained fixed on the stairwell.

Only when he saw that white figure appear did he suddenly sit up straight, even his breathing became soft.

As Su Wan walked through the lobby, her steps were still as light as if she were walking on clouds.

As she passed Xu Guan's table, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
The dazed look in his eyes from the second floor was gone, replaced by a faint detachment, yet concealing a subtle warmth.

It looked exactly like when they first met, which made Xu Guan's heart flutter.

Xu Guan's heart clenched instantly, his hand unconsciously gripping the teacup tightly, and he didn't even hear what Kong Yue was saying beside him.

Seeing that he was absent-minded, Kong Yue followed his gaze, smiled, and nudged his arm:
"Are you stunned? Wait until she comes on stage, then you can get a good look."

Xu Guan's cheeks flushed, but he didn't refute her. He just quietly raised his eyes and watched Su Wan walk into the stage.

Before long, the sound of a piano rang out; it was the same piece they had played when they first met, "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank."
But tonight's melody is paler than usual, as if covered by a thin layer of frost, revealing a hint of sorrow at parting.

Xu Guan listened intently, sensing that Su Wan's music concealed her innermost thoughts.

It was as if he had something to say, but swallowed it back.

The tea party was shorter than usual.

Su Wan only played two pieces of music and recited two lines of poetry before leaving, citing feeling unwell.

Xu Guan quickly stood up, just about to call out to her,

Su Wan turned her head and glanced at him, her eyes showing a hint of hesitation and a hidden suggestion, before following the waiter to the backyard.

"What are you still standing there for?" Kong Yue gave him a shove.
"They've already given you the message, why aren't you going?"

Xu Guan then realized what was happening and hurriedly followed, forgetting even to greet Kong Yue.

The private room in the backyard is the same one as last time.

The bamboo curtain was half-rolled up, and the reflections of the lanterns on the Qinhuai River shattered on the surface of the river, drifting into the private room and landing on Su Wan's white dress.

She had already poured two glasses of osmanthus wine.
Upon seeing Xu Guan enter, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, and he rose and bowed.
"Young Master Xu."

"Mr. Ms. Su."

Xu Guan's heart raced even faster. He found a seat and sat down.

His gaze fell on the hem of her skirt, so white and flawless, that it inexplicably tugged at his heartstrings.

Su Wan picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and spoke in a softer voice than usual:
"Young master, is your visit today about my impending departure from the capital?"

Xu nodded, his tone tinged with urgency:

"The shopkeeper said, 'Is the young lady going back to her hometown to pay respects to her mother? When will she depart?'"

"I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Su Wan's eyes darkened, and her fingertips lightly traced the rim of the glass.
"I lost my father at a young age, and only my mother is left."
She's gone now too.
"The capital is vast, but there's nothing to hold me back. I'd rather return to Suzhou and Hangzhou, and live a quiet life in my old house."

The implied sense of parting in his words pierced Xu Guan's heart like a needle.

He recalled the grievance of being the top scholar in the imperial examination yet being deliberately alienated by the emperor, and the glory of his classmates.
Looking at Su Wan in front of him, he felt that the two of them were both in the same boat.

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

“Miss Su, there’s no need to be so discouraged. With your talent, you will eventually meet someone who understands you if you stay in the capital.”

Su Wan smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness:

"I am but a woman in distress. It is my great fortune to have met someone like you, sir, who is willing to listen to me play the zither and recite poetry with me."

But the young master is the top scholar in the imperial examination, and his future is limitless.
"I am but a humble waiter in a teahouse, worlds apart from you, sir."

Xu Guan panicked and quickly said:

"How can Miss Su belittle herself?"

In my opinion, this young lady is exceptionally talented!
I was in the Hanlin Academy, facing those old gazetteers and documents every day, and I didn't even have anyone I could talk to.

"If it weren't for the chance to compose poems with the young lady after the court session, my days would be so dull."

Seeing his urgent tone, Su Wan's eyes flashed with understanding, and she poured him another glass of wine:

"Young master, you have achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations six times in a row, the first person in history to do so. If you did not have the help of a benefactor, how could you have had such a smooth journey?"
Last time, the young master mentioned that the headmaster of Mingdao Academy, Scholar He, is your teacher; you could ask him for help.

Mentioning this made Xu Guan even more depressed.

He held the wine glass, his fingers trembling slightly.
"To be honest, young lady, I don't know what the teacher has been busy with lately. I've tried to visit him several times, but I've been turned away each time."

Su Wan feigned surprise:

"How could this be?"

"I'm thinking, with the capital in chaos right now..."

The teacher and Mr. Liu were protecting me, letting me escape this storm in a secluded place and avoid being implicated.

Of course, this is all just my speculation, and I don't know if they really think that way.

Su Wan nodded, then asked:
"Young Master Xu, which official are you referring to as Lord Liu?"

"It was Tantan Weng. He was a good friend of the teacher and often gave me guidance on my studies before the imperial examinations."

But ever since I entered the Hanlin Academy, he's acted as if he doesn't recognize me.
That's how I guessed they were protecting me; please don't tell anyone else.

Su Wan smiled, leaned forward slightly, and helped Xu Guan tidy his disheveled hair.
Their eyes met, and she smiled gently.
"Don't worry, Young Master Xu, I'm leaving the capital soon and I won't tell anyone."

She picked up her wine glass and gently touched it to Xu Guan's glass:

"I'll be leaving tomorrow, young master. I wish you great success and prosperity in the future."

When your reputation reaches Suzhou and Hangzhou, I will be happy for you.

Looking into the affection in her eyes, Xu felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and even sobered up a bit.

He wanted to say something, like asking her to stay.

But when the words reached his lips, he remembered his current situation and ultimately swallowed them back.

He could only pick up his glass, drink it all in one gulp, and whisper:

"Miss Su, I will remember you."

(End of this chapter)