Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Shop

“Thank you for your appreciation, Elder, but I still wish to take the entrance examination for Cloud Hidden Academy.”

“That’s perfect then. This is your Headmaster,” the rotund old man said.

“What?” Banxia’s hopes were dashed. Was this really the legendary teacher of the Son of Heaven? He didn’t seem the part at all.

“Are you thinking that reality doesn’t match the rumors?” the old man continued. “He may not be the most reliable person, but his erudition is genuine. You’ll learn much from him.”

At that moment, a young man in a long robe approached the thin old man. “Master…” he began. Not a single fight today—remarkable.

“Chenchen, this is the little junior brother I tricked—ah, no, found for you… What was your name again?”

Did he just say “tricked”? This really did not inspire confidence.

“Student Gan Sui…”

“Oh, Sui Sui, peace and safety—what a fine name.”

Gan Sui did not wish to speak further and would have thrown a Chinese dictionary at him if he could. The thin old man didn’t notice.

“Greetings, junior brother. I am Duan Chensha. You may simply call me Senior Brother Duan. Will you be joining the academy today?”

“No, we’re just here to look around. There’s still rice to be harvested at home, so it’ll be another half month before I can come.”

When fortune falls from the sky, one must catch it.

“Harvesting rice… I haven’t done that in years. I want to go too—it’ll be fun.” The thin old man sounded genuinely excited.

Gan Sui barely had time to refuse before Duan Chensha interjected, “Master, that’s not possible. It’s the student testing period for the next month. You have to remain at the academy.”

“That’s why being Headmaster is such a drag. Qing, why don’t you take over as Headmaster?” The thin old man looked hopefully at the rotund one.

The fat old man’s expression went blank in an instant. “I’m too shallow in learning to bear such responsibility. Please choose someone else.”

“Well then, Chensha, would you like to be Headmaster?”

“Master, if you mention this again, I’ll have no choice but to leave for study abroad, to show that I have no designs on the position.”

The thin old man wore the look of one resigned to the fact that nobody wanted the thankless job of Headmaster.

Banxia: This feels less like an esteemed academy and more like a farce.

Gan Sui: Truly, all scholars have their peculiarities.

“Would you like to tour the classrooms, junior brother?” Duan Chensha shifted the topic.

“No, my wife and I still need to check out some shops in town, so we have a place to settle.”

“There are shops around the academy as well. Would you like to see them?”

“We just came from Steward Wang’s place. He said there’s a queue. We’re in a bit of a hurry, so we’ll look elsewhere.”

“No need for those formalities with our own people. I’ll take you to Wang Xiaoshan directly.” The thin old man—no, the Headmaster—grabbed Gan Sui and led the way back, with Duan Chensha following unhurriedly, clearly used to his eccentric behavior.

As usual, Gan Sui went to knock on the door. The youth who opened it scowled, “You again? Didn’t I tell you—” He started out impatient, but then noticed the Headmaster behind Gan Sui.

He immediately straightened, adopting a near-reverent attitude. “You’ve arrived, sir. Please come in.”

The speed of his transformation left Banxia in awe. The Headmaster, abandoning his earlier playful demeanor, now wore an inscrutable expression. “Is Steward Wang at home?”

“Yes, yes, the master is in. Please, have a seat in the main hall and enjoy some tea. I’ll fetch him immediately.”

And so the group was ushered inside.

Once in the house, Banxia realized the courtyard was a hidden world of its own. Humble on the outside, but within, pavilions and towers, each step revealing a new vista. Clearly, Steward Wang had not held back in his extravagance.

The steward swiftly came to greet them and ordered the best sparrow-tongue tea to be served. Banxia knew little of tea, but even she found it fragrant and refreshing.

Steward Wang soon appeared. “Teacher, you’ve come.”

So he, too, was a student of the Headmaster.

“I’ve brought your junior brother to visit,” the Headmaster said, gesturing to Gan Sui. “He’ll likely be my last disciple.”

Wang Xiaoshan scrutinized Gan Sui. His robe was plain, signifying humble origins, but his features were fine and his bearing impressive. No wonder he had caught the master’s eye.

He bowed his head. “Anyone chosen by Master is bound to be exceptional.”

“It’s your junior brother’s first time visiting. As your senior, I ought to prepare a gift. Is there anything you want?” Wang Xiaoshan was generous with his own people, smiling like a benevolent Buddha.

“Your junior brother is looking to rent a shop nearby. As his senior, you should help him make arrangements so he doesn’t get taken advantage of,” the Headmaster said directly.

“As you wish, Master. There’s a two-story shop at the street corner—bustling area, perfect for any trade. It happens to be vacant these days. Junior brother, why don’t you take a look? If it suits you, just take it.”

“Thank you, senior brother.” Gan Sui did not stand on ceremony. In these times, hierarchy among teachers and students was strict; they were all in the same boat, sharing both honor and loss. Such matters were mere trifles.

As they spoke, a student from the academy arrived. “Headmaster, there’s an imperial decree. You and Master Chuan are requested to receive it together.”

“I’ll have the household prepare a carriage at once.”

The Headmaster, Master Chuan, and Duan Chensha all departed, with the Headmaster reminding Gan Sui to report to the academy soon.

Gan Sui agreed, watching them leave.

“Master is quite fond of you, junior brother. How did you come to meet him?”

“I just played a game of chess with him earlier.”

That was all it took? Wang Xiaoshan was incredulous, but considering his master’s eccentricities, perhaps it was possible.

Wang Xiaoshan was about to show Gan Sui the shop when guests arrived. “No need to trouble yourself, senior brother. Just have someone show us around.”

Wang Xiaoshan instructed the steward, “Take care of whatever my junior brother needs. Answer any questions thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir,” the steward replied sincerely.

“Then I won’t accompany you. Do come by whenever you’re free, junior brother.”

Gan Sui responded promptly. After some polite exchanges, he left the residence.

At the door, the same young servant greeted Gan Sui with an eager, flattering smile, helping him into the carriage with care. Gan Sui and Banxia exchanged a smile—connections and influence certainly made life easier.

The shop was excellent. The previous owner had taken good care of it, leaving it spotless. Best of all, there was a small courtyard out back, planted with flowers and greenery. Banxia surveyed the little garden, larger than their own at home. “We can bring the goat here to graze, and keep a couple of chickens. But not ducks—the smell is too much.”

Gan Sui had no objections. Upstairs, the living quarters were spacious, with small windows. Banxia was instantly taken with the place, and seeing her delight, Gan Sui decided on the spot.

“Is there anything you need to furnish the place? I know all the shopkeepers here and can buy whatever you require,” the steward offered.

Banxia had originally wanted to open a hotpot restaurant, but Gan Sui thought the food business would be too taxing, with too many complications. He suggested a general goods shop, more like a modern supermarket. Banxia liked the idea, and they settled on it. She made a list for the steward, explaining the use of each item. The steward, understanding and efficient, reassured them that everything would be arranged.

Gan Sui handed him five taels of silver.

“No need, sir. The master has instructed me to do my utmost.”

“Master’s orders are one thing, but you deserve something for your efforts. Surely you don’t think it’s too little?” Gan Sui replied.

“Thank you for your generosity,” the steward said, accepting the silver.

Gan Sui and Banxia did not linger and returned to their inn.

After bathing, Banxia lay on the bed. “I can’t believe everything went so smoothly.”

Gan Sui took a cloth to dry her hair. Banxia was always lazy about it, preferring to let it air dry, but her hair was long and thick, taking ages. She didn’t mind sleeping with damp hair, but had caught a cold once in early spring because of it. Since then, Gan Sui took it upon himself to dry her hair every time.

“It’s all thanks to you. If it were just me, I’d have stayed far away from those two old men. Is this what they call the luck of the simple-minded?”

“You’re the simple one. Your whole family is simple-minded.”

Gan Sui laughed, and only then did Banxia realize she was part of his family too.

Sensing that teasing any further would provoke her, Gan Sui changed the subject. “I’ve made some inquiries about Master Chuan. He was once a high official, but after instituting new laws, he offended the powerful. His wife and daughter were assassinated. After avenging them, he retired to the countryside. I never expected to meet him here.”

“He sounds remarkable,” Banxia sighed. “But serving as an official must be terribly difficult—one misstep and your family suffers.”

Gan Sui paused. “Don’t worry. I will never let you face such danger.”

“Even if there is danger, it doesn’t matter. This life is already borrowed time. To live and die with you is a blessing.”

Banxia rarely spoke so tenderly; Gan Sui found it deeply warming. Even years later, amidst the shadows and intrigues of the imperial court, he would recall this night and draw strength from it.

“Hero…”

“Hm?”

“Can you dry the other side now? This side’s about to catch fire from all the rubbing, while the other’s still dripping.”

When it came to ruining a moment, Miss Banxia had lost none of her skills.

Gan Sui tossed the cloth onto her face. “Do it yourself. I’m done.”

“I will, I will,” Banxia muttered. “Let’s head home tomorrow.”

“You don’t want to look around a bit more?”

“We’ll be living here from now on. If we get tired of it, there’ll be nothing new left to see. I miss our little goat. Let’s go home tomorrow.”

“That works. We’ll leave early, stop by the fishmonger in the county to arrange for them to come collect the fish the day after, and see if we can hire people in the village to harvest the rice. Now that we have money, we can offer a higher wage.”

“Hui-niang is expecting a baby. Tomorrow I’ll go to the county and buy a silver locket for the child.”

Gan Sui fell silent. He’d married only half a month later than Tian Defu, and now that man already had a child, while he was still limited to holding hands and hugging. Comparisons really were odious.

He turned and kissed Banxia on the forehead. “Goodnight kiss. Go to sleep.”

Banxia touched her forehead; the warmth lingered. He was simply… too much.