Chapter Forty-Four: Overbearing Authority

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PS: Ranked forty-second on the weekly recommendation list—how embarrassing, with over five thousand favorites. Surely it can’t be that dire… But seeing so many familiar names ranked even lower than mine, alas… Still, I must keep asking for recommendation votes.

Early in the morning, an ox cart came to a halt at the back gate of the county magistrate’s official quarters. The driver, without so much as lifting his head, descended quietly and stood by. Du Shisan Nian struggled to suppress her reluctance, drawing a deep breath to steady herself. “Brother, now that the days grow steadily colder, it must be even chillier in the mountains. Please take good care of yourself and wear extra layers.”

As always, Du Shiyi reached out to pat her head, but when she turned away with a gentle pout, he realized the girl no longer wished to be treated as a child. Instead, he pressed her shoulder firmly. “Don’t worry, I’m not as frail as I once was, unable to withstand the wind and rain. But you, now that Prefect Cui and his lady have said it’s inconvenient to stay in the mountains during the snow, you should remain here for a few days. When the snow clears and the skies brighten, we’ll talk again.”

He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Don’t forget what I told you this morning. Once I’m back at the cottage, I must devote myself to my studies. The rest, I leave to you!”

“Rest assured, brother!”

Though still young, Du Shisan Nian had managed household affairs since her wet nurse Qiu Niang left when she was around eight. By ten, except for matters requiring the elders’ presence, she ably handled most things at home. Yet compared to her previous responsibilities, what her brother discussed with her in the courtyard that morning was of an entirely different nature. She nodded resolutely, replying, “I’ll do everything you asked. I won’t let you down.”

“Don’t speak of disappointment.” Du Shiyi straightened and finally couldn’t resist ruffling her hair. Seeing her twin locks of hair adorably askew, he smiled, “Don’t force yourself. Remember, all else is but dust. You, my sister, are what matters most to me! Take care now—I’m leaving.”

He waved to the teary-eyed Du Shisan Nian, turned, and climbed onto the ox cart. As soon as he was seated, he noticed Cui Jianxuan across from him, watching with amusement. He grumbled, “What’s so interesting?”

“I have an older sister and a younger one too,” Cui Jianxuan replied, though his expression was slightly awkward. Quickly recovering, he went on, “But you and your sister are unusually close. She listens to your every word, and you dote on her terribly…”

Before he could finish, Du Shiyi interrupted, “She’s my only sister. And it’s thanks to her that I’m alive at all.”

Cui Jianxuan was taken aback. Though his tongue was often sharp, his mind was keen; he knew this was no joking matter and changed the subject with a forced laugh. As the cart exited the city gate, Du Shiyi said quietly, “Have the cart head to the market. Cui Eleven, before we return, I need your help with something.”

“Oh?” Cui Jianxuan eyed him suspiciously, but when Du Shiyi beckoned, he leaned in to listen. After hearing him out, his brows furrowed. “He’s not even a close acquaintance. Why are you going out of your way for him? Since when did you become so charitable?”

“If it were only him, I’d not bother. But he has a wife and children at home.” Du Shiyi hesitated, then smiled, “As for that hundred strings of cash, I’ll owe you for now.”

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“What’s money? Does it fill the belly?” Cui Jianxuan muttered, but seeing Du Shiyi laugh, he scowled, “Fine. Locust catching was one thing, now Gongsun’s place is another. You just love meddling in others’ affairs. Well, I’m always up for some excitement. Besides, once we’re back, it’s just reading and lectures—half a day won’t matter.”

With his assent, the driver dared not disobey, and the ox cart turned toward the market. When they stopped outside a tavern, Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan disembarked. The proprietor, already alerted, greeted them personally with two attendants, then had the attendants settle their retinue downstairs while he led the guests to the second floor. He further dusted off the window seats and invited them to sit, serving two cups of sugarcane juice, and inquired solicitously, “What would you gentlemen like? We have all manner of fine wine and dishes…”

Before he could finish, Cui Jianxuan cut him off impatiently, “Enough chatter. Just serve your best.”

“Yes, yes!”

The proprietor hurried away, and Cui Jianxuan let his legs dangle from the couch, stretching lazily, clearly bored. But when he saw Du Shiyi draw two copper balls from his pouch, he remembered Gongye Jue’s instructions from yesterday. Watching as Du Shiyi deftly rotated the heavy spheres in his palm, Cui Jianxuan couldn’t help but leap up, curious, and after pestering for the secret, snatched them for himself.

Content with the distraction, Du Shiyi turned his gaze to the window. Soon enough, he spotted Wu Jiu approaching with a well-dressed steward in tow. Knowing the main party had arrived, he sipped his sugarcane juice and glanced at Cui Jianxuan. By now, Cui Jianxuan’s movements were much more practiced—perhaps because of his sword training and nimble fingers, he was quickly mastering the trick. At that moment, a coarse voice rose from downstairs.

“Wu Jiu, if you dare lie to me, I’ll skin you alive! As if some noble would come to a dump like this—what, an ox cart is supposed to fool me… ah!”

Du Shiyi smirked—clearly, the man had been blocked by the Cui retainers below. After a stern rebuke, the gruff voice immediately softened, with an obsequious note. The ensuing low conversation was indistinct from upstairs, but Du Shiyi cared little how the matter was handled and sipped his drink, his mind drifting to other thoughts.

“Master Du, Wu Jiu is downstairs, claiming to be your servant and bringing another man who wishes to see you.” The Cui family retainer, who had seen Wu Jiu at the magistrate’s office the day before, was dubious. “If he’s lying, I’ll have him thrown out at once!”

“No need for that, he’s just recently entered my employ. Ask what he wants.”

The man stared in surprise, then hurried off. He returned shortly, looking perplexed. “Wu Jiu says the one below is a steward from the Xu family in the east of the city. He’s offering himself as a bondservant to you, with a promissory note. Yet when he told the Xu steward, the man didn’t believe him…”

“His belief is none of my concern. A mere steward wants to see me over such a trifling matter? Tell Wu Jiu to come up and send that man away. If there’s anything to discuss, let his master come himself.”

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For the sons of great houses, taking on new servants was the most ordinary of affairs. Thus, the Cui family retainer found nothing amiss in Du Shiyi’s imperious manner; on the contrary, he thought it natural and went downstairs. Soon, his booming voice could be heard, drowning out the protests below. In moments, Du Shiyi saw the well-dressed steward depart in haste, looking flustered. Footsteps pounded up the stairs—Wu Jiu appeared, taking the steps two at a time.

Seeing Cui Jianxuan engrossed with the copper spheres, Wu Jiu recalled how the Xu steward’s arrogance had turned to servility and swallowed hard before kneeling and knocking his head to the floor. “Master…”

“No need for words,” Du Shiyi interrupted, his tone indifferent. “Stand aside and wait until the others arrive.”

At that moment, the proprietor himself brought up the food and wine, personally attending to their needs. Only then did Cui Jianxuan turn his attention away from the copper balls, stretching his wrists and exhaling deeply. “Remarkably heavy, but quite intriguing. As Gongye Jue said, mastering these should make one twice as effective at playing the pipa or practicing swordplay!”

He took a sip of wine, found the taste merely passable, and lost interest. Glancing at the ordinary fare on the table, he was even less impressed and impatiently dismissed the proprietor before asking, “How much longer must we wait here?”

“What, is the place too small and the food too plain?”

“It’s not the size. In the Eastern Capital, I’ve dined at tiny establishments in Yongfeng Ward that serve superb fare! This one is just too mediocre, hardly worth a mention. Since coming to Dengfeng, I haven’t tasted anything truly good. Even the venison at my Seventh Uncle’s yesterday was bland—novel, but nothing more… Ah, but thinking of it, nothing compares to those crispy locusts you made at Songqu’s place—delicious, though few dare try such things!”

“As you say, the kitchens of noble houses may produce exquisite dishes, but often they are all show and little substance. Cui Eleven, my family possesses a cookbook never shown to outsiders—are you interested in trying it?”

“Of course!” Cui Jianxuan slapped the table, his face lighting up. “Show me at once!”