Chapter Twenty-Three: The Embarrassment of Xu Jingzong

“Ah!”

Although Chen Ying was not easily frightened, he nearly cried out in alarm. But unexpectedly, the woman in white, with snow-like robes and flowing hair, was even quicker to scream than him.

It turned out that some mischievous soul had poured out the foot-washing water onto the floor, and the woman in white slipped suddenly towards Chen Ying.

Fortunately, Chen Ying reacted to her cry, and reached out to steady her, helping her regain her balance.

This woman was none other than the lovely proprietor of Xu’s Inn.

“Thank you for your timely help, sir!”

“No need to thank me!”

Suddenly, Chen Ying noticed that the innkeeper was wearing a gauzy dress, and a faint, indescribably alluring fragrance drifted from her. Chen Ying blushed and said, “Please be careful, innkeeper Xu. It would be unfortunate if you were hurt.”

Innkeeper Xu smiled softly, her voice gentle as silk. “I’ll remember that.”

For a moment, Chen Ying was slightly dazed. Women who smiled always gave the feeling of spring, but Innkeeper Xu was the finest of them all.

Suddenly, Chen Ying realized it was late at night, and here he was alone with her in such quiet, which was rather improper. He clasped his hands and said, “It’s getting late. Rest well, innkeeper Xu! Good night, and sweet dreams!”

“Good... night!” Innkeeper Xu hesitated, then said, “Sir Chen, are you perhaps planning to buy a house in Chang’an?”

Chen Ying recalled that during his drinking with Ma Sanbao, they had discussed buying a house, and Innkeeper Xu must have overheard.

He nodded. “That’s indeed my intention. Is it possible that you have a property to sell?”

Innkeeper Xu replied, “It’s not mine, but my cousin has a house he wishes to sell.”

Chen Ying said, “I don’t have much ready cash. I’m not sure if I can afford a suitable place.”

“My cousin’s residence has three courtyards and forty-seven rooms. It hasn’t been repaired for three years and is somewhat dilapidated, but the price is not high—just a thousand strings of cash.”

Chen Ying had little concept of the cost of things in this era, but tonight’s dinner, with over twenty dishes and at least twenty pounds of beef and lamb, plus wine, cost merely seven taels of silver—about seven hundred coins. Even though the atmosphere in Chang’an was tense, prices weren’t exorbitant.

Such a meal in later times would cost at least several thousand yuan.

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Chen Ying sighed inwardly: whether now or in future times, property was always outrageously expensive.

He hesitated. “I’m sorry, but I truly don’t have a thousand strings of cash.”

Innkeeper Xu said, “Why not go take a look at the house tomorrow morning? Perhaps my cousin will be willing to lower the price.”

Chen Ying nodded. “That sounds reasonable.”

---

Early the next morning, Chen Ying left Liang Zan, Chen Huairen, Zhao Yuanqiao, and Li Chuyi to watch over their valuables, while he, Zhang Huawei, You Ziying, and Ma Sanbao harnessed the carriage and followed Innkeeper Xu to view the house.

Setting out from Xu’s Inn, they traversed streets and alleys for about half an hour before arriving at the second house in Yongchang Ward. The residence faced south, with a grand blue plaque in gold lettering above the gate reading “Xu Residence.” The vermilion gates were shut tight, adorned with bronze rings in the mouths of fierce beasts.

Innkeeper Xu stepped forward and knocked softly on the rings. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the wooden doors slowly opened.

A maid of about sixteen or seventeen, with her hair styled in twin buns, peered out. “Who are you looking for…”

Before she could finish the question, she saw Innkeeper Xu at the door and immediately ran up in delight, grabbing her hand. “Second Mistress, you’re here! I’ve missed you!”

She even rested her head on Innkeeper Xu’s chest, acting spoiled.

Innkeeper Xu asked, “Lan’er, is Master home?”

“He is!” Lan’er glanced uncertainly at Chen Ying, Ma Sanbao, Zhang Huawei, and You Ziying. Her gaze lingered on Chen Ying, her eyes dreamy and infatuated. This bold little maid made Chen Ying feel a bit embarrassed.

Innkeeper Xu explained, “Master wanted to sell this residence, and these gentlemen happen to be looking for a house, so I brought them to see it.”

“Please wait here!” With Innkeeper Xu present, Lan’er wasn’t wary of the guests and opened the gate, letting everyone inside. She then darted off to the inner quarters like a gust of wind.

Innkeeper Xu led Chen Ying and the others into the mansion.

She said, “This house was acquired by my uncle in the past. My cousin is in urgent need of funds and is forced to sell.”

Chen Ying nodded in understanding.

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Innkeeper Xu continued, “The mansion is about forty-eight paces wide and sixty-seven paces long, divided into three courtyards: front, inner, and rear, with forty-seven rooms, a stable, a granary, a rear garden, and a pavilion.”

Chen Ying observed the house—it wasn’t very large, but it was exquisitely built. However, after years of neglect, it had grown shabby. The paint on the pillars had peeled, leaving them mottled and unsightly.

Just then, a pale, tall, and thin scholar, led by Lan’er, the maid, approached Chen Ying.

“Cousin!”

“Second Mistress!”

The scholar clasped his hands to Chen Ying. “May I ask your name and place of origin?”

“I am Chen Ying.”

“I am Xu Jingzong of Gaoyang.”

“What?” Ma Sanbao and Zhang Huawei were indifferent, but Chen Ying nearly choked on his own saliva. “Xu Jingzong!” Instantly, a storm raged in Chen Ying’s heart.

He hadn’t expected that the house he intended to buy belonged to Xu Jingzong.

He vaguely recalled Xu Jingzong being a minister of the Tang dynasty. How could he now be reduced to selling his house?

In truth, Chen Ying was unaware that although Xu Jingzong was one of the Eighteen Scholars of Prince Qin’s Mansion, his fate was plagued with hardship. In literary talent, he was no match for Yu Shinan, Cai Yungong, Xue Shou, Xue Yuanjing, or Chu Liang. Yu Shinan, together with his brother Yu Shiji, had studied under Gu Yewang. His elegant writings earned him the admiration of Xu Ling: “Renowned in his time, some even compared him to the Two Lu of Jin.” Chu Liang, at eighteen, visited Minister Xu Ling, who was impressed by his talent. Later, the emperor summoned him to compose poetry; the likes of Jiang Zong, masters of verse, were all in awe of his skill. Xue Yuanjing, together with Xue Shou and their cousin Xue Deyin, were known as the “Three Phoenixes of Hedong.”

In scholarship, he was outshone by Kong Yingda, Lu Deming, Gai Wenda, Yan Xiangshi, Yao Silian, and Li Shousu. Kong Yingda, summoned by Emperor Yang to the Eastern Capital, debated with the scholars of the Imperial Library; though the youngest, he stood out from the elders, who, jealous of his prowess, secretly sent assassins after him, forcing him to hide in Yang Xuangan’s house. Such was his eminence. Lu Deming, whom Wang Shichong wanted to appoint as tutor to the Han prince, sent Xuanxu to his house bearing gifts, but Lu Deming, refusing, feigned illness and never spoke to him. Gai Wenda, learned in ancient histories, was especially versed in the Three Schools of Spring and Autumn, and, together with his kin Wenyi, was called “the Two Gai.”

Yao Silian, son of Chen’s Minister Yao Cha, was a master of the “Han Book” and famed for his historical scholarship. Li Shousu was an expert in surnames, known as “the Genealogist.” Yan Xiangshi, brother of Yan Shigu, was renowned for his Confucian learning.

In strategy, he fell short of Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Li Xuandao, Su Shichang, Yu Zhining, Su Xu, and others. Fang’s plans and Du’s decisive actions were famous in history. Thus, Xu Jingzong’s status among the Eighteen Scholars of Prince Qin’s Mansion was rather awkward.