Chapter Twenty-One: Wu Yu

Cui Xiu ultimately did not manage to stay at home for long. He had hoped to spend more time with his family, cherishing these rare moments of warmth and affection. Yet, before he was ready to seek work in Anyuan County, someone came to find him.

The visitor was none other than Wu Xiu. Seeing Wu Xiu, Cui Xiu understood that Wu Yu must be out of danger.

“How is your young master?” Cui Xiu asked out of courtesy, even though he already had his guesses. He was more curious about Wu Xiu’s purpose for seeking him out in Gaoyun; after all, the affair in Liu Family Village was something he’d rather not be entangled with again.

“Thank you for your concern, sir. My young master is well and has returned home,” Wu Xiu replied, a note of relief in his voice. The reason was obvious—if anything had happened to Wu Yu, he himself would not have fared well, even though Cui Xiu had warned him and he had tried to prepare an escape route for himself on his way back to the Wu family.

Before Cui Xiu could ask further, Wu Xiu, aware of the abruptness of his visit, explained directly, “I have come for two reasons: first, to thank you for your kindness, and second, on behalf of my young master, to invite you to Anyuan.”

Wu Yu? Inviting me?

Cui Xiu was puzzled. He had only interacted briefly with Wu Yu, and it was clear the man was proud by nature. He’d heard Wu Yu had become even more aloof after failing the exams. For him to suddenly invite Cui Xiu to Anyuan was truly unexpected.

Could something have happened? Or was there another reason...

Cui Xiu felt no particular delight at this invitation. Even though the Wu family wielded considerable influence in Anyuan and Wu Yu’s help might aid his martial pursuits, he was not eager to get involved.

With a slight frown, Cui Xiu regarded Wu Xiu, who, though young, was far more mature than Cui Ping, Cui Xiu’s own younger brother. After some thought, he asked, “Your young master is inviting me?”

Cui Xiu’s question was direct, and Wu Xiu could only smile wryly. “I don’t fully understand the details myself, but it probably has something to do with Liu Family Village. However, you needn’t worry, sir. It shouldn’t be anything bad. After that incident, my young master’s temperament has changed a great deal; he’s much more mature now.

“He said he simply wishes to invite you for a drink, to thank you for saving me. He said that if not for you, perhaps he wouldn’t have made it back at all, so he wants to host a feast in your honor.”

Was it really that simple?

Cui Xiu did not believe he had played a particularly vital role, and even if he had, the Wu clan, being a powerful family in Anyuan, had no need to treat him as a benefactor.

After all, no outsiders were aware of what had truly happened.

But reasoning aside, since they had come personally to extend the invitation, he could hardly refuse. He still needed to make a living in Anyuan, and declining now might close off his opportunities there.

“I did not expect your young master to be so gracious. I will go tomorrow. Please inform him,” Cui Xiu finally said after some thought.

Wu Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. For Cui Xiu to accept was the best outcome; otherwise, he himself would have been in a difficult position.

Without further ado, Wu Xiu soon took his leave.

...

“Ah Xiu, are you going to the county town?” His mother, Madam Xu, unaware of the dangers he had faced on his journey home, simply assumed an old classmate had come to see him.

Her tone was tinged with reluctance—after all, Cui Xiu had only just returned home.

“Mother, a friend has invited me to the county town. He might help me find work or offer me guidance in my studies. The county isn’t far—I’ll visit often,” Cui Xiu reassured her.

Madam Xu could say little more. It wasn’t that she didn’t want her son to venture out, but she worried for him. Fortunately, Cui Xiu’s younger siblings were still little, so their presence would keep her from dwelling too much on his absence.

...

The next day, Cui Xiu bid farewell to his family, taking with him the belongings his mother had packed, and left Gaoyun village.

His brother Cui Ping and sister Cui Jia were both unhappy, on the verge of tears, reluctant to let him go.

Cui Xiu felt a pang of sorrow as well. In his previous life, aside from his grandmother, he had no real family. Now, these gentle family bonds were a rare comfort he was loath to leave behind.

But he knew if he wished to preserve such a life, he would have to work hard. In these troubled times, who could say what the future might hold?

If he let himself grow complacent in this warmth, refusing to strive, then when calamity struck, regret would come too late.

Setting his resolve, he made his way swiftly, reaching Anyuan County in just half a day.

Though Wu Yu had invited him, Cui Xiu first found an inn to settle in. His family had given him two taels of silver; even if he failed to find work, it would be enough for him to live in the county for a long while.

Of course, he had no intention of idling his days away.

After securing his things—keeping his short staff close at hand, with little else to carry—he headed straight to the Wu residence.

Announcing his name and stating he was a friend of Wu Yu, the servants went in to report.

Not long after, Wu Yu himself, accompanied by Wu Xiu, came out to greet him.

It appeared Wu Yu held Cui Xiu in some regard, for otherwise he would not have come in person.

“Brother Cui, thank you for waiting!” Wu Yu’s manner, as Wu Xiu had suggested, seemed to have changed—Cui Xiu could detect none of his former arrogance.

“Not at all. I was honored to receive your invitation, Brother Wu,” Cui Xiu replied, lowering his own posture. Wu Yu’s family background aside, his status as a licentiate alone made him someone Cui Xiu could not afford to offend. Besides, he still did not know Wu Yu’s true purpose in inviting him, and it was worth playing along just to find out.

“Brother Cui, you are too polite. This is not the place to talk. I have reserved a private room at Drunken Moon Pavilion to welcome you properly,” Wu Yu said with practiced ease, though he was even younger than Cui Xiu.

“Brother Wu, you are too generous.”

“Haha, I hope you will not refuse me this honor. Please, Brother Cui!”

“Please.”

Now that he was here, Cui Xiu would not refuse or say anything to spoil the occasion.

With a slight smile, he followed Wu Yu to Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Drunken Moon Pavilion was the finest restaurant in Anyuan County, though as a small town, it boasted only three or four such establishments. It was not particularly lavish, but famed for its wine and tranquil setting.

Wu Yu had sent someone ahead to wait for them. As soon as they were seated in a private room, the dishes began to arrive.

The Wu family’s status as a great clan was evident—Wu Yu spared no expense as host.

The dishes served were the finest available in Anyuan County, rarely seen elsewhere.

“Brother Cui, please drink. This wine I have specially prepared, the famed Penglai Spring from Shaoxing—extremely rare, even my father is reluctant to drink it. I was only able to procure it today thanks to your honor.”

Wu Yu was exceedingly cordial, treating Cui Xiu less like a poor scholar and more as if he were a scion of a noble house.

Cui Xiu felt a little out of place, not because he was unused to such occasions—his previous life in the workplace, though lacking in motivation, had exposed him to many such scenes—but rather because Wu Yu’s attentiveness seemed somewhat excessive, out of the ordinary.