Chapter Thirty-Four: Rejected

“A gentleman is cautious in what cannot be seen, and fearful in what cannot be heard. Nothing is more manifest than what is hidden, nothing is more apparent than what is subtle. Therefore, a gentleman is vigilant when alone.” In a small classroom, Liu Hong, the chubby boy destined to become the second disciple of Master Liaochan, was reciting the text with much flourish, his head swaying to the rhythm of the classics. His efforts drew approving nods from the teacher seated at the front.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and a young servant, no more than ten years old and dressed in a scholar’s tunic, burst in. Ignoring the startled stares of the entire class and the teacher’s murderous glare, he gasped, “Young Master, your senior sister has arrived. The old madam, as well as the master and mistress, have summoned you home at once.”

At the sight of the teacher’s fiery gaze, the chubby boy quickly apologized, snatched his servant, and dragged him out. Any longer and the teacher would have chased them out with a ruler.

“Senior sister? Since when do I have a senior sister?” The chubby boy had clearly forgotten his time at Xuanguang Monastery and had never heard his family mention such a thing. His curiosity was piqued.

“I couldn’t say, Young Master,” the servant replied, wiping sweat from his face. He had served in the Liu household for two or three years but had never heard of his master having a teacher, let alone being the disciple of the famous immortal of Xuanguang Monastery. After a moment’s thought, he added, “But your senior sister is really beautiful, like an immortal descended from the heavens. They say she’s a princess from the imperial court, and apparently she knows magic.”

Before he could finish, the boy gave him a sharp knock on the head. “Don’t talk nonsense, or Father will have you flogged.” Liu Hong chided, though he himself grew ever more curious about this “senior sister.” Without delay, he dragged his servant and hurried home.

“Wait for me, Young Master!” The poor servant, barely recovered from his previous dash, was forced to pick up his heavy feet and chase after his master once more. Truly, a hard life!

Meanwhile, Yunhua sat in Liu Manor’s parlor, elegant in her Daoist robe and jade hairpin, sipping tea. Regardless of whether the Liu family acknowledged her as the senior disciple, none dared show her the slightest disrespect. Xuanguang Monastery was no longer the obscure, dilapidated temple it once was. Now, as the eldest disciple, her master was a court-appointed national guardian, and she herself was the adopted daughter of the current empress and the imperial sister of the emperor. However wealthy and influential the Liu family might be, they would not dare treat Yunhua as some impoverished relative come to call.

Yunhua chatted with the old madam and the mistress, but as the conversation wore on, she sensed something amiss. All she heard were tales of how clever Hong’er was, how the teacher had declared he would surely place in the imperial exams, and how many noble families were vying to arrange marriage alliances with him. The more Yunhua listened, the more out of place it sounded. If Liu Hong truly went up the mountain to cultivate, what meaning would worldly riches or exam success hold for him?

There was no need for blunt words; Yunhua already understood what was in the hearts of these two women. Setting down her teacup, she asked calmly, “Does Master Liu share these views as well?” No matter how the women hinted or hedged, it was always Master Liu who decided the family’s affairs. Suppressing her impatience, Yunhua’s expression darkened. What did the Liu family take Xuanguang Monastery for? Had it not been for a prior promise, did they really think her master was so eager to take their son as a disciple? With her master’s reputation and cultivation, a single word would draw crowds of hopeful followers.

“This…” The two ladies, caught up in their own arguments, faltered at Yunhua’s change of tone, anxiety written across their faces. After a long pause, one finally gritted her teeth and said, “Though my husband has many sons, this one is the only legitimate heir. He is clever and favored by the provincial examiner. We still hope he will bring glory to the family name. We beg for your and Master Liaochan’s forgiveness. The Liu family is willing to pay ten thousand taels of silver to redeem our promise.”

Yunhua saw that the matter was laid bare, and it was now as if they were accusing her master of forcing them to accept an unwanted arrangement. Since when did her master have to beg anyone to accept disciples? Even when the then Crown Prince, now Emperor, had wished to apprentice, her master had refused. To be thus belittled today! Yunhua let out a cold laugh. “Ten thousand taels of silver is nothing to us. We could have as much as we wish.” As she spoke, she lightly tapped the rim of her teacup. In an instant, the pale porcelain cup transformed, gleaming with gold, the remaining tea inside turning to a solid lump of gold. The room fell silent in awe.

“Since your family cannot bear to let your son seek the Dao, I will report to my master and treat your previous promise as a jest, not to be counted. After all, those who seek the Dao must do so with sincerity; it cannot be forced. I have imposed enough, so I shall take my leave.” With that, Yunhua glanced toward the neighboring room, where Master Liu was eavesdropping. Plainly, the whole family had reached an agreement. Seeing that words were futile, she rose, left the hall without another glance, and vanished from the front courtyard, leaving no trace.

“Mother, this… this…” Madame Liu was the first to recover, her words faltering. The old madam’s face was complicated as she murmured, “Perhaps we have been too rash in this matter.”

“Mother, where is my senior sister? Where is she?” Just then, a small boy burst in from outside. It was Liu Hong, the chubby second disciple Yunhua had come to find. Alas, he was a moment too late, and fate would not let them meet.

Madame Liu and the old madam exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain how to answer. In the end, it was Master Liu, entering with embarrassment, who asked, “Did your teacher permit you to leave?”

“I reported to him; he did not object,” the chubby boy replied, his eyes darting. But that was obviously a stretch—no objection did not mean permission. Yet the family was too distracted to press the point.

“Eh?” Suddenly, the boy spied a beautiful golden teacup on an empty table. He rushed over and examined it, exclaiming, “This is real gold! Where did it come from? It’s so lifelike, even the tea leaves are inside.”

“Your senior sister has already left. You should return to your studies. From now on, don’t leave without permission before class is dismissed,” Master Liu scolded, his voice tinged with shame, eager to put the day behind him. After a lifetime in business, he had truly broken faith today. In weighing gain and loss, had he not mistaken the casket for the pearl and failed to recognize true worth?

“Oh.” Sensing the somber mood, the chubby boy agreed and quietly took his leave, bidding farewell to his grandmother and mother.

Outside, he caught up with his servant, who was gasping for breath. “Why did my senior sister leave so suddenly? Something’s not right at home. Go find out for me, and keep it secret. I’ll wait for your news at the school—be quick about it.” With that, Liu Hong paid no mind to his servant’s weary despair at having to run back again, and strolled away, leaving the poor boy standing at the door, on the verge of tears.