Han Ji

In the study, Xun Shuang was looking at an account book. Seeing the two enter, he closed the book and gestured for them to sit down.

The tea was ordinary Jing tea, but it was brewed properly. After a few sips of hot tea, I felt warm all over.

"I heard you've been proofreading the 'Han Dynasty Official System' at the Dongguan Academy lately?" Xun Shuang asked casually.

"Yes. The official correspondence of the Guanglu Xun Department involves a lot of official etiquette, and I think it would be easier for me to understand it better."

"Hmm." Xun Shuang put down his teacup. "A junior official with a salary of three hundred shi (a unit of grain) has many trivial matters to attend to, and his studies are easily neglected. It's a good thing that you took the initiative to go to the Eastern Pavilion."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Master Xun."

"Is your salary enough?" This question is asked casually, like an elder caring for a younger person.

"It's enough," Liu Bei replied frankly. "I have some land in Zhuojun, which my elders help manage, and I get some income each month. With my salary, it's enough for my daily expenses."

Xun Shuang glanced at him, nodded, and asked no further questions. He then turned to the recent discussions in the court about the performance evaluation of prefectures and counties, asking Liu Bei how he assessed his subordinates when he was in Lujiang. Liu Bei answered with examples, his explanations clear and logical.

Throughout the conversation, Xun Shuang maintained a calm and composed demeanor, neither overly enthusiastic nor distant. His questions focused primarily on practical matters, occasionally touching upon current affairs but only touching upon them superficially. Liu Bei understood this attitude—as a lowly official of only three hundred shi (a unit of grain), from an unremarkable family, he wouldn't even have the right to sit here and drink tea if not for his status as a disciple of Lu Zhi. Xun Shuang's willingness to meet and converse with him was already a form of observation and consideration, done out of respect for Lu Zhi.

Just then, very light footsteps sounded outside the door. A knock followed.

"Come in," Xun Shuang said.

The door opened. Xun Cai walked in carrying a lacquer tray. She wore a plain blue robe with a moon-white half-sleeved outer garment, her hair was tied in a simple bun, with the rest of her black hair hanging down her back. Her eyes were lowered, and her steps were light and silent.

She first changed her father's tea to hot tea, then refilled Lu Zhi's cup, and finally walked up to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei stood up.

Xun Cai slightly raised her eyes. For a fleeting moment their eyes met, time seemed to stand still. Something flashed quickly in her eyes—surprise? Confirmation? Or something else? Too fast to grasp. She quickly lowered her eyes again, gently placing the teacup on his table.

"Young Master Liu, please have some tea."

The sound was very soft, like a feather falling on snow. But as she set down her teacup, her sleeve slipped down slightly, revealing a jade bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet touched the edge of the lacquer tray, making a very crisp clinking sound.

Liu Bei's breath hitched.

"Thank you," he said softly, and sat down again.

Xun Cai curtsied and was about to leave when Xun Shuang suddenly spoke up: "Cai'er, it's a rare treat for Uncle Lu and Young Master Liu to come. Play the piece you learned the other day for us to hear."

Xun Cai stopped in his tracks and turned around: "Yes."

Two years had passed, and she had grown taller, the childishness in her eyes had faded, replaced by a more composed demeanor. She lowered her eyes, walked behind the zither, sat down, and began tuning the strings.

The sound of the zither began.

It's not a famous piece, and the melody is somewhat unfamiliar. The tone is clear and melodious, and the technique is skillful. The music conveys the flowing expanse of mountain mists and the obstruction of a stream encountering rocks. But overall, it is restrained and subtle, as if many words are on the tip of one's tongue, but are slowly swallowed back down.

As Liu Bei listened, he recalled the "Yi Lan Cao" that had drifted over the wall two years ago. Back then, the music was solitary and rebellious; now, the rebelliousness remained, but it had learned to contain itself, to navigate within a limited space.

The song ended, its lingering notes still echoing.

Xun Cai pressed down on the string and looked up at his father.

"It's acceptable." Xun Shuang said calmly, "You may leave."

She rose, picked up her zither, and bowed. As she retreated to the doorway, she paused almost imperceptibly, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the direction where Liu Bei was sitting before quickly looking away and pushing the door open to leave.

The moment the door closed, a few gusts of cold wind blew in.

Xun Shuang turned to Liu Bei: "What does Xuande think of this tune?"

"Xun Jun's zither skills have improved significantly." Liu Bei carefully chose his words, "The artistic conception in his music... has become even more profound."

"To be patient and reserved..." Xun Shuang repeated the word, picking up the now-cold tea. "Yes, as people grow up, they must learn to be patient and reserved."

A soft, rustling sound came from outside the window. It was snowing.

Xun Shuang looked out the window for a long time before turning back to Lu Zhi and saying, "The snow is getting heavy. Zigan and Xuande, why don't you stay for a simple meal before you leave?"

Lu Zhi put down his teacup, which had long since gone cold, and stood up: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Ciming. I still have some matters to attend to at home, so it is inconvenient for me to stay any longer."

Xun Shuang did not try to stop him, but got up to see him off.

They were escorted to the study door when Xun Shuang stopped. The steward held an umbrella and led the two out of the mansion.

As Liu Bei walked through the second courtyard, he subconsciously turned back.

In the misty snow, he saw a slender figure standing by the second-floor window of a small building in the distance. Dressed in white with dark hair, she was like a stroke of light ink against the backdrop of pure white.

The figure stood still, facing this way.

Liu Bei turned around and tightened the collar of his fur robe. Snowflakes hit his face, instantly turning into icy water droplets.

Once inside the carriage, Lu Zhi spoke: "His attitude today was better than I expected."

"Master Xun was kind and generous."

"It's not about being lenient," Lu Zhi shook his head, "it's that I think you have potential."

The carriage moved slowly through the snow.

"Xun Cai is a concubine's daughter," Lu Zhi suddenly said.

Liu Bei's heart skipped a beat.

"Given your current status, it's not impossible for you to marry the illegitimate daughter of the Xun family if you were to consider marriage," Lu Zhi said bluntly. "But the prerequisite is that you establish yourself. A position with a salary of three hundred shi (a unit of grain) isn't enough; it takes time and opportunity."

"The student understands."

"Lord Ciming had Xun Cai play the zither today, not only for you to hear, but also for her to play." Lu Zhi closed his eyes to rest. "You should understand the meaning of the music. The road ahead is long, so don't be arrogant or impatient, take it one step at a time."

The carriage stopped at a small courtyard south of the city. As Liu Bei alighted, Lu Zhi lifted the curtain: "Around the New Year, those who need to make visits to the Imperial Secretariat and the Eastern Pavilion should do so. If you need more money, come find me."

"Enough for the students."

Lu Zhi waved his hand, "Go."

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Liu Bei stood in the snow for a moment. Snowflakes landed on his face, feeling cool and refreshing.

Back inside, Zhang Wu had already prepared the meal: a pot of steaming mutton soup and two crispy baked flatbreads. The charcoal brazier was burning brightly, making the room warm and cozy.

"Doctor, what about the Xun family..." Zhang Wusheng said, preparing soup.

"That's good." Liu Bei sat down and picked up the soup bowl. The rising steam blurred his vision.

He recalled the music from earlier that day. He recalled the fleeting glance Xun Cai gave him as he left. He recalled the word "remain silent."

Yes, let it lie dormant.

He had the support of the industries in Zhuojun, the guidance of his teachers, the reputation he had earned in Lujiang, and a starting point of three hundred shi (a unit of grain measure), which, while not high, was substantial. Compared to those completely poor scholars, he was already in a much better position.

The thought of Xun's illegitimate daughter... crossed his mind briefly, without causing much of a stir. He knew that door wasn't completely closed, but it wasn't wide open either. Everything depended on how far and how steadily he could go.

The snow fell heavily, and everything outside the window was a blurry white.

Liu Bei slowly finished the mutton soup, feeling warm all over. The road ahead was long; there was no rush. He would take it one step at a time, and what was meant to be would come.