Chapter 85: Untying the Knot and Inspiring Elegance

The flames grew ever fiercer, and every minute stretched into an eternity for those caught in the turmoil.
“We should retreat for now, before the fire reaches this side…” Wen Tailai, who had been stunned by the blaze, suddenly remembered something. The panic and anxiety that had gripped him vanished in an instant, replaced by a faint, sardonic smile at the corner of his lips.
Such trickery—did they truly believe that burning it all would conceal the loss of the official seal?
Wen Tailai glanced at Ye Chang, wondering if this scheme was his idea. But no, today Ye Chang hadn’t had the chance to be alone with the county magistrate—this must have been Yuan Gonglu’s own plan.
Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!
Wen Tailai was already plotting how to use the magistrate’s seal to further expose Yuan Gonglu’s crime. Just then, a chorus of shouts rose from the crowd: “He’s out! He’s out!”
Yuan Gonglu emerged from the fiery ruins, ash-smeared and singed, even his beard and hair scorched. But in his arms he clutched a box—everyone recognized it as the one used to store the official seal.
Yet the box looked different than usual; it was sealed on all sides with strips—prompting many to chuckle inwardly. The magistrate was in such a hurry, sealing the box before the year-end closure, no wonder he’d been neglecting his duties these past few days.
Only Wen Tailai's eyes seemed to bulge out of his head, as if something inside was forcefully pushing them.
He wanted to shout: That’s just an empty box!
But he dared not. If he spoke out, the consequences were obvious—Yuan Gonglu would surely ask how he knew it was empty.
Compared to losing the seal, attempting to curry favor with a superior was a far greater taboo in the bureaucracy; if the matter escalated, Yuan Gonglu would be at most accused of negligence, but Wen Tailai could be exiled, or worse, lose his life under interrogation.
“No matter, let him put on his act for now. Soon enough, when the office is sealed for the year, we’ll see how he maintains this charade. Hmph, one who acts with a guilty conscience will eventually be exposed!”
Wen Tailai ground his teeth as Yuan Gonglu approached.
“Fortunately, I managed to rescue the seal,” Yuan Gonglu panted, sweat streaming down his face—the wine he’d drunk earlier now seeping through his pores. He surveyed the crowd and spoke again, “The fire is fierce; the buildings behind the office are likely lost. I had hoped to host you all for a pleasant day, but we must end it here. Please, return home.”
The guests were secretly grateful not to be asked to fight the fire, admiring Yuan Gonglu’s tact. As they prepared to leave, Yuan Gonglu called out, “Ah, Wen Clerk!”
Wen Tailai jolted, his body trembling as he turned, “Does the steward have further instructions?”
“My lodgings are ruined by the fire; I’ll find an inn for the night. But the official seal cannot be handled carelessly.” Yuan Gonglu fixed his gaze on him, “I entrust it to you. Guard it well—do not falter!”
He spoke each of the final four words slowly and emphatically, and with each one, Wen Tailai’s brow grew slick with cold sweat.
In an instant, he was as drenched as Yuan Gonglu, as if hauled from a river.
“Sir… I fear…”
“I trust you,” Yuan Gonglu said, pressing the seal box into Wen Tailai’s hands before he could object. Wen Tailai, unable to resist, stared dazedly at Yuan Gonglu, clutching the box.
Yuan Gonglu waved his hand, “All constables, use iron hooks to pull down the fire-damaged buildings on either side, lest the flames spread. Clerks, return home.”
The constables hurried to hook the buildings at designated points—a common practice for fire emergencies, so that the structures could be pulled down to stem the blaze.
Wen Tailai stood bewildered, the seal in his arms, until a colleague nudged him, “Filthy smoke everywhere—why linger? Go home!”
“He’ll want to stay a bit longer; see, the steward values him so highly, the seal entrusted to him alone!”
“Indeed, who would have thought Wen would be the most trusted among us!”
Voices of envy and jealousy reached Wen Tailai’s ears, making him want to cry. If only he could decline such “trust” and “responsibility”!
He had no choice but to leave, clutching the box. As soon as he departed, Yuan Gonglu hurried to Ye Chang’s side, “Will he fall for it?”

“This is not a scheme of darkness, but an open strategy—he cannot help but be caught in it,” Ye Chang smiled. “You gave the seal to him publicly; when the box is opened and the seal is missing, he’ll be accused of theft. He cannot bear such a charge!”
“Are you certain?” Yuan Gonglu, though convinced, couldn't help but ask again.
“Absolutely,” Ye Chang replied. “That Wen Tailai, though he knows his wife has been unfaithful with you, doesn’t dare confront you directly, only acting behind the scenes. He is not one to shoulder consequences. Such a man, upon returning home, will inevitably place the real seal back in the box.”
“Ye Chang, words cannot express my gratitude!” Yuan Gonglu steadied himself and bowed deeply. “It’s late, and you cannot return home tonight. Come with me; I will see you well accommodated.”
With Yuan Gonglu’s arrangements, Ye Chang spent a comfortable night, though Xiang’er, the little maid, was fussy about her bed and woke up still groggy the next morning.
As soon as they rose, Yuan Gonglu was waiting at the door. Ye Chang greeted him with a smile, “You’re early, steward.”
Yuan Gonglu faced him, eyes bloodshot. He forced a smile, “I did not sleep a wink all night… Ye Chang, I beg you—stay by my side today. If anything happens, I must rely on your wisdom.”
Ye Chang sensed his lingering anxiety. Having helped him this far, Ye Chang saw no harm in staying for the final step.
He accompanied Yuan Gonglu back to the magistrate’s office; the main building was intact, but half of the rear structures had collapsed.
By the time they arrived, all the clerks and constables were assembled.
“Where is Wen Tailai?”
Seated at the head, Yuan Gonglu’s first words were to inquire after Wen Tailai.
“I am here,” came a frail voice. Ye Chang looked over and saw Wen Tailai had aged ten years overnight, with streaks of white at his temples.
His eyes, too, were bloodshot—clear evidence of a sleepless night.
Ye Chang shook his head and sighed inwardly: Yuan Gonglu was to blame for seducing another’s wife, and Wen Tailai’s retaliation was understandable. Still, Ye Chang was friends with Yuan Gonglu and had no ties to Wen Tailai.
Helping a friend rather than upholding justice is simply human nature… Still, he thought to advise Yuan Gonglu not to pursue vengeance against Wen Tailai.
“Wen Tailai, last night’s fire caused me to entrust you with the seal for safekeeping. Have you brought it today?”
Yuan Gonglu asked, though the answer was obvious; Wen Tailai had been clutching the box since yesterday. At the question, Wen Tailai’s face twitched, and he replied in a voice near tears, “I have.”
“Present it, then.”
“Yes.”
Wen Tailai stepped forward and handed over the box, which Yuan Gonglu seized as if snatching it away. Weighing it, he knew at once that the once-empty box now held something inside.
He was ecstatic but still anxious, and tore the seals from the box with trembling hands. Wen Tailai, silent, stepped back several paces, his eyes nearly aflame.
Yuan Gonglu opened the box, and the official seal was revealed. He stroked it with trembling fingers, unable to suppress his joy.
Not only had the seal returned, but so had his future. He resolved to keep the seal tied to himself at all times—even when bathing.
He lifted his face, casting a cold gaze at Wen Tailai, who lowered his head, unable to meet his eyes. Yuan Gonglu sneered, ready to lash out, but saw Ye Chang make a gesture from across the room.
Now, Yuan Gonglu felt both gratitude and trust toward Ye Chang. Seeing the gesture, he changed his mind, “I have no official business today. I’ll accompany Ye Chang to purchase New Year goods—everyone else, attend to your duties.”
Wen Tailai shuffled out of the office, hunched and diminished, like a withered old man. Watching him, Ye Chang felt even more sympathy.
After the others had left, Yuan Gonglu, clutching the seal, ran up to Ye Chang, unable to hide his smile, “Just as you predicted, he brought the seal back!”

“Judging by his character, it’s hardly surprising,” Ye Chang replied.
“Now that the seal is recovered, I must settle accounts with him!” Yuan Gonglu said through clenched teeth.
“Steward… it is better to resolve enmity than to perpetuate it. In my opinion, you should…”
“Ye Chang, your kindness is admirable, and your wisdom I respect deeply, but when it comes to dealing with others, I am far more ruthless!” Yuan Gonglu interrupted him. “Even if I wished to reconcile, he must be willing. Besides, he surely suspects you advised me to recover the seal. Though he cannot harm me now, when I leave office, he will surely seek revenge against you! For your sake, I must deal with him!”
Now that the seal was back in his hands, Yuan Gonglu was emboldened, even criticizing Ye Chang’s gentle nature. Ye Chang was left speechless; though he sympathized with Wen Tailai, he knew Yuan Gonglu spoke the hard truth.
Wen Tailai neither glared at him with resentment nor uttered threats of future revenge, but his endurance and restraint in the face of humiliation suggested he was a man who would not forget. Such a person, given the chance, would surely seek vengeance.
“Still… let him have a way out,” Ye Chang insisted, “His crime is not deserving of death.”
As he spoke, Ye Chang’s face reddened.
It was true—the crime did not warrant death. As long as Wen Tailai was not killed, Yuan Gonglu could use other means to neutralize him and prevent future retaliation.
Yuan Gonglu, in a good mood and grateful for Ye Chang’s clever plan, did not argue further, “I only mean to remove him from office; that will suffice. You need not trouble yourself.”
They chatted a bit more, but Ye Chang’s spirits remained low, and Yuan Gonglu soon bid him farewell. As he accompanied Ye Chang out of the office, Yuan Gonglu could not resist saying, “Ye Chang, your ingenuity is boundless and your courage remarkable, but you must guard against excessive compassion.”
Ye Chang nodded with a bitter smile. His temperament was shaped by experiences from another life; some things were not mere softness, but instinct.
Retrieving the New Year goods he’d stored at the Tan family shop, Ye Chang led Xiang’er north toward Wuze Pond. Though it had only been a night away, Ye Chang found himself missing Wolong Valley.
“Why are you so gloomy, sir?” Xiang’er asked as they traveled, tilting her head from atop the donkey. “We’re almost home!”
“If I did something wrong—helped a bad person, for example—how would you feel?”
“You mean helping the steward Yuan? He’s not bad. He’s a good official; he’s treated our family well, and the villagers say he’s one of the rare kind ones. You helped him rightly; he’s not a bad person!”
Before Ye Chang could reply, Xiang’er continued, “Besides, the steward is good to you, sir. If he’s good to you, then he’s a good person!”
Ye Chang suddenly realized the girl was far more open-minded than himself.
Yuan Gonglu had indeed wronged Wen Tailai, but just as Wen Tailai’s offense was not capital, Yuan Gonglu’s error did not warrant losing everything. Wen Tailai’s revenge was excessive, but Yuan Gonglu was friendly to Ye Chang, so helping him was only natural.
Finding his own excuse, Ye Chang shook his head and let the matter go. Looking at the goods loaded on the donkey, he said cheerfully, “When we get home, we’ll write spring couplets!”
“What are spring couplets?” Xiang’er asked, puzzled.
Ye Chang was taken aback, then recalled that while paired verses had long existed, the custom of spring couplets was introduced by Wang Anshi and not before the Five Dynasties era. At this time, people posted “peach charms” on their doors, not couplets.
“It’s the peach charm.”
“But isn’t that for the first day of the New Year?”
“The first day… From now on, our peach charm will be up by New Year’s Eve—not waiting for the first day!” Ye Chang swept away his worries, “I shall once again lead the fashion!”
Xiang’er didn’t understand this “leading the fashion,” but she could sense Ye Chang’s mood had brightened. As they traveled, Xiang’er reached out from the donkey’s back, grabbing Ye Chang’s hand—the warmth was reassuring.
That was enough. Whatever happened to others mattered not to Xiang’er—her happiness depended on Ye Chang’s.