Chapter Forty-Nine: The Distant Carriage and the Majestic Horse

Profound and unforgettable love?

In his previous life, Xu You held a high position, navigating the glamorous and intoxicating world of fame and fortune, commanding a staggering amount of wealth that left others breathless. In that era, possessing money was tantamount to wielding power, and beauty often accompanied both authority and riches.

Thus, he was never short of women.

From radiant young beauties to alluring women of charm, from noble-born ladies to humble yet graceful maidens, he had encountered countless kinds of women, yet never had his heart truly stirred.

Only occasionally, in moments of boredom and leisure, would he recall a day from many years ago—a morning bathed in glaring midsummer sunlight.

He had just started high school, a boy in his early teens, still growing rapidly, his appetite burgeoning exponentially. The money kindly provided to him barely covered tuition and basic living expenses, never enough to ensure he ate his fill every meal. In those times, the country was just emerging from a catastrophe; the economy had yet to develop enough for a high school student to support himself through part-time work.

So, one morning after breakfast, he returned to the empty dining hall to scavenge for leftover food. There was no shame or pity in this; for an orphan raised in hardship, merely having the chance to sit in a bright classroom and change his destiny was already a rare blessing. Eating what others discarded was a small price to pay.

This routine continued for some time. That day, as usual, Xu You timed his entrance until the other students had left and crept into the cafeteria, heading straight to the northeast corner. He had discovered that on Mondays and Wednesdays, many steamed buns remained uneaten there, occasionally even meat-filled ones. As expected, he found a half-eaten bun and greedily savored it—the fullness and satisfaction that spread from throat to stomach to heart were a joy no immortal could refuse.

Finishing the bun, Xu You searched for more food. Just as he took a step forward, he heard a soft sound and looked down to see a pristine white bun crushed underfoot.

Hesitating briefly, he crouched to pick it up, about to eat it, when a gentle voice called from behind.

Turning, he saw a girl whose delicate beauty seemed otherworldly.

She wore a pale blue dress, her long hair resting on her shoulders, holding a fast-food cup and two steamed buns in her hands, staring at him in surprise.

Time seemed to freeze. The girl appeared as if descending on a cloud of rainbow light from the heavens, while Xu You, disheveled and grimy, knelt in the depths of misery, gazing upward at paradise.

After a moment of stunned silence, the girl smiled softly and slowly offered one of her buns to him. Her eyes were filled with sincerity—no pity or sympathy, only pure kindness and the innocence of goodness.

Xu You stood, shook his head, and turned away. Over the next three years, he glimpsed that girl many times in the crowd but never stopped or stared. Calm and natural, he walked on, knowing what he could and could not have, what he deserved and what he did not.

After graduating from university and entering the workforce, Xu You heard from an old classmate that the girl had married and was living happily. By chance, Xu You, now a rising star in finance, secretly helped her husband resolve a serious financial crisis, always remaining in the shadows.

Later, surrounded by many beautiful women of extraordinary grace, Xu You found that only when he remembered that morning and the girl’s smile did his heart beat anew—strongly and peacefully.

Creak.

The door opened and closed. Xu You emerged from his time-traveling memories to find the pale, elegant woman who had just been there had quietly departed, leaving behind a faint, enchanting fragrance.

On the desk before him lay a sheet of pristine rattan paper, the ink still fresh, bearing a line of delicate calligraphy:

“The carriage rolls afar, the horses neigh; I long for you and cannot forget. My lord, you too are a man of sorrow!”

This was not a love poem from Zhan Wenjun to Xu You, but rather two wounded souls briefly sharing a silent moment, recalling their own memories and reaching a subtle emotional resonance.

In their previous lives, they might have become close friends. But here, constrained by customs, no matter how free-spirited Zhan Wenjun was, she remained a woman. So she left a written message and departed, adding a certain poignant charm.

The door opened again. He Ru entered, like a nosy neighbor eager for gossip, glanced at the paper on the desk, smiled wryly, and clicked his tongue:

“Impressive! Sincerity outshines cunning. Seventh Lord is well versed in Han Feizi’s teachings—just a few honest words have stirred Zhan Wenjun’s admiration.”

Xu You groaned. “Stop talking nonsense, or be careful someone overhears. If Madame Guo wasn’t so gracious earlier, she would have kicked us out. Without Guo Mian as a stepping stone, what would become of you?”

He Ru knelt on the cushion, carefully examined the paper, and said thoughtfully, “Zhan Wenjun is straightforward and chivalrous, yet her handwriting is gentle and charming. Surely deep down, she longs for a loving companion. Seventh Lord, if you meant it as a joke before, now you might consider seriously—marrying her would be beneficial for us.”

Seeing He Ru wasn’t joking, Xu You sat upright and spoke gravely, “No. Zhan Wenjun’s position is too complicated—there’s Guo Mian ahead and Du Jingzhi behind. Guo Mian is tied to the King of Jiangxia, Du Jingzhi to the Taoist priests. None are easy to deal with. We are weak and isolated. Stirring trouble from afar is one thing, but getting deeply involved could be disastrous.”

“Of course. I’m talking about the future, not now.” He Ru smiled slyly. “Or has Seventh Lord become so eager that you want to ‘relax and strip away your cloak, undisturbed by dogs barking’ tonight?”

“Relax and strip away your cloak, undisturbed by dogs barking!” This line from “Zhao Nan: The Wild Deer” in the Classic of Poetry is a famous rustic love poem, roughly meaning: “Take your time, don’t be nervous! Don’t rustle my skirt! Don’t let the dogs bark!”

From his words and tone, one could guess how repressed He Ru was. Xu You snorted coldly. “If you had anything else to say, I wouldn’t bother refuting you. But this poem was explained by Zheng Kangcheng in his Zheng Commentary as a chaste woman asking a nobleman to treat her politely, but he behaved rudely and forcefully. So you’re using this poem to mock me as the nobleman and Zhan Wenjun as the chaste woman?”

“Heh, Zheng Kangcheng…” He Ru sneered openly. “Those scholars have been ensnared by the sage way. A simple poem about a girl’s youthful longing becomes a moral treatise under their explanation. The girl transforms into a chaste maiden, the nobleman into a despicable man; mutual affection becomes rude coercion; eager desire turns into stern refusal. How sad and ridiculous!”

“You even dismiss Zheng Kangcheng? Know what I like most about you? This courage to scorn all sages!” Xu You laughed. “Yet Zheng Kangcheng was a great Confucian scholar; his interpretation may not be entirely wrong. Listening to all sides brings clarity; partial belief leads to darkness. Don’t be too extreme.”

Zheng Kangcheng was the great classicist Zheng Xuan. Zhu Xi once said, “Kangcheng was truly a great scholar.” Xu You agreed with this and quoted it to caution He Ru.

He Ru smirked. “Great scholar? The opening of the Doctrine of the Mean says ‘Heaven’s mandate is called human nature,’ then ‘Following nature is called the Way.’ This poem clearly follows nature, yet these scholars deliberately distort it to prove their doctrine. Isn’t that like covering your ears while stealing a bell? Pathetic and laughable!”

Xu You smiled. “If you lived another few thousand years, you’d thrive and find like-minded companions.”

He said this because after the May Fourth Movement, scholars like Gu Jiegang, Hu Shi, and Yu Pingbo rehabilitated and affirmed “Zhao Nan.” He Ru’s views, while not centuries ahead, aligned better with later interpretations.

He Ru missed Xu You’s implication, and Xu You did not explain further. He stood and burned the paper on the desk.

Better to destroy something that might cause trouble. Watching the flickering flames, he said lightly, “Don’t mention Zhan Wenjun again.”

He Ru was momentarily stunned, then looked at Xu You, composed himself, eyes forward, and solemnly said, “Agreed.”

That night, several ox carts departed Qiantang under cover of darkness, heading to Mingyu Mountain, thirty miles away.

The mountain was small, spanning only a dozen or so miles, but rolling and densely forested, with beautiful scenery.

“...To the west in the mountain, there’s a sheer cliff where water cascades down over ten zhang, plunging into a clear jade-green pool. Coming from Yixing, you’ve never seen such a spectacular sight. After a short rest, I’ll take you there, how about that?”

Speaking was Bai Hua, who accompanied this trip into the mountains, while Wan Qi led the convoy ahead. Since meeting Xu You, Zhan Wenjun had not appeared, busy with unknown matters.

Xu You sat upright on the ox cart, swaying with its movement. Qiufen was on the cart behind, tending to Lushuang, squeezed beside Bai Hua, a lively girl oblivious to gender distinctions, chattering away and alleviating the loneliness of the journey.

“Better to wait a few days when there’s more leisure.” Xu You smiled. “We came here on important business. It’s best to stay secluded in the estate to avoid attracting unwanted attention and trouble.”

“The hidden residence is very discreet. Besides, Mingyu Mountain is a private estate of the Guo family; no one enters lightly. Even locals around the mountain and marshes dare not casually gather water or grass. You can rest assured.”

Powerful families owned forests and lakes; wealthy households controlled mountains and seas. The practice of sealing and claiming land was a hallmark of the social order then. Xu You disapproved but said nothing in Bai Hua’s presence.

“That’s excellent!” Xu You shifted topics. “Why isn’t your wife here?”

Bai Hua replied, “Someone came from Fuchun County. Madam went to receive guests and couldn’t come.”

Fuchun County?

The Zhu family of Wu Commandery had sent people!

Zhan Wenjun had finally received her first ally!