Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 29: My Master is a Juren
The main hall of the Huang Mansion.
It was far more opulent than the halls of the Li Mansion or the Shan Mansion.
The furnishings were exquisite. Some of the porcelain decorations bore the red stamp of an Official Kiln, and the calligraphy and paintings hanging on either side were the works of contemporary masters. The free-spirited landscape painting in the center of the hall, in particular, was from the brush of the renowned Ouyang University Scholar.
Wei Tu believed his demeanor would make it clear to a shrewd man like Master Huang that he had no intention of clinging to the Huang Family’s wealth.
"Brother Wei, you seem to have an interest in painting and calligraphy?" Master Huang asked with a smile. He knew that some Martial Artists from poor backgrounds were particularly fond of playing the cultured gentleman, even if they didn’t understand the art.
Wei Tu shook his head.
He knew Master Huang must now hold a stubborn prejudice against him.
It was just like when he was buying his freedom; Mrs. Li Tong had to hear him say twice that he planned to take the Military Examination before she finally understood what he meant.
And he had spoken very clearly and methodically at the time.
Master Huang’s expression soured slightly. He set down his teacup. "Brother Wei, are you perhaps hoping I will hire a famous master for you? To teach you Martial Arts and Military Strategy, so you can make up for your shortcomings in the upcoming examinations..."
Master Huang had to admire Wei Tu for instantly grasping the relative importance of fame and fortune. A bit of money was nothing compared to the glory of becoming a Martial Scholar.
’Once you become a Martial Scholar, the sky’s the limit. A little wealth would be easily obtainable.’
Still, Wei Tu’s perceived greed made Master Huang a little uncomfortable. It meant the Huang Family would have to give up much more to satisfy him.
「As the sun set in the west.」
Outside, a bleak north wind began to blow, making the withered bamboo branches and leaves in the courtyard CREAK and rustle.
Pale yellow sunlight streamed through the shutters, illuminating the surprise on Wei Tu’s face so clearly that even the maidservant standing outside the door could see it.
Wei Tu looked at the portly man seated in the host’s chair and said earnestly, "You need not trouble yourself with this matter, Uncle. I have a master to guide me. There is no need for the Huang Mansion to hire anyone else..."
’He really couldn’t understand how Master Huang had jumped from their conversation to the idea of hiring a famous master for him. It was very strange.’
"A master? He’s probably not a famous one. But that makes sense. With your level of skill, you couldn’t have achieved it without a master’s guidance."
Master Huang wasn’t surprised by Wei Tu’s reaction. The consensus among the Gentry was that Wei Tu lacked a *famous* master, not that he lacked a master altogether.
The difference was a single word, but the distinction was enormous.
Hearing this, Wei Tu solemnly rose to his feet and bowed to Master Huang. "Uncle, my master is indeed a famous master. I must ask you to choose your words more carefully."
If Master Huang had merely belittled him, it would have been one thing—it wasn’t uncommon for relatives to get along poorly. But Shan Wuju was his master, and insulting one’s master was a very serious offense.
At best, it would lead to animosity. At worst, a fight to the death.
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.
Outside the door, the second branch’s maidservant, Cuiliu, who had been keeping watch, grew anxious. Wei Tu’s words were a direct contradiction of Master Huang.
She knew that for the Second Mistress, Wei Hong, to persuade Master Huang to even acknowledge Wei Tu as a nephew must have taken considerable effort.
In terms of status, Wei Tu was no match for the immensely wealthy Master Huang. The fact that Master Huang was willing to acknowledge him as a nephew was an opportunity the Second Mistress had worked hard to secure...
But now, with these words, Wei Tu had undoubtedly squandered all of the Second Mistress Wei Hong’s efforts and might even bring trouble upon her.
How could she not be worried and anxious?
"Yes... I was rude." Master Huang’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning ugly, but he maintained his etiquette and did not lose his composure.
He picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and then shot a look at the maidservant beside him, signaling her to show their guest out.
However—
Just as the maidservant was about to speak and escort Wei Tu out under the pretext of Master Huang feeling unwell, Wei Tu spoke again.
"Uncle, my master is Shan Wuju of Sanyuan Town. Master Shan should be considered a famous master..."
Wei Tu said slowly.
Inside the hall, the maidservant who was about to speak immediately froze. She stood obediently to the side, lowering her head.
The title of Martial Scholar.
It was not particularly noteworthy in the presence of high-ranking officials, as there were many titles superior to it.
But Master Huang was not an official. He was just an ordinary merchant. Although his wealth was considerable in the County Town, he was not a magnate who could socialize with officials as an equal.
Furthermore, unlike a Scholar from the Literary Examination who had to wait for an appointment from the Ministry of Personnel to become an official, a Martial Scholar could be directly appointed as a Military Officer and hold a local post.
Master Huang had to be polite even when facing a Scholar, let alone a Martial Scholar.
"So... Brother Wei’s master is Shan Wuju. It seems... your uncle guessed wrong. I almost turned a good intention into a bad deed..." Master Huang’s expression changed again, his face breaking into a wide smile.
He once again raised his teacup and took a sip of the Cloud Mist Tea—worth three taels of silver per ounce—to wet his throat and conceal his embarrassment and alarm.
A Disciple of a Martial Scholar was, in himself, nothing special. He wasn’t the Martial Scholar’s own son, so he wouldn’t inherit his wealth or reputation.
But... a Disciple of a Martial Scholar who could lift a "five-hundred-jin" stone was a different matter entirely.
That was a potential Military Examination Master!
A Military Examination Master who was not yet thirty, and even younger!
Since ancient times, the common folk do not contend with officials.
Master Huang knew the consequences of offending a future Local Military Officer. Even if the officer’s jurisdiction didn’t cover him, officials protect each other, and authority could be "borrowed."
When that time came, even if Wei Tu couldn’t destroy the Huang Family, causing them to suffer a heavy blow would be a simple matter.
As for the truth of whether he was really Shan Wuju’s disciple... Master Huang didn’t think Wei Tu would dare to lie or joke about such a thing.
Besides, if it weren’t true, Wei Tu wouldn’t have so easily refused his offer to hire a famous master for him just now.
"You’re too kind, Uncle." Wei Tu sat down again and also took a sip of the Cloud Mist Tea.
His composure when facing the Li Family and the Huang Family after arriving in the County Town stemmed not only from confidence in his own martial prowess, but also from confidence in his backing.
This backing was enough to allow him to speak on equal footing with the head of the Li Mansion and Master Huang.
"Brother Wei, now that you’re participating in this year’s Military Examination, are you confident you’ll achieve a title?" Master Huang’s expression had returned to calm as he asked with a cheerful smile.
"It’s hard to say..."
"With an A+ result in the stone lifting at the County Examination, I should be recommended for the Prefecture Examination even if I perform poorly in the other subjects..."
"However, the competition in the Prefecture Examination is fierce. Your nephew can’t be confident that I’ll be able to secure the candidate status needed to proceed."
Wei Tu said, shaking his head.
As he spoke, he was careful with his words, changing his self-address from "I" to "your nephew" to show a degree of intimacy.
Inside the hall, the two of them chatted freely, their conversation lively.
「A short while later.」
Wei Hong walked in briskly, leading a half-grown boy in green robes. She came to Wei Tu’s side, admonished the boy, and said, "Yuan Shan, quickly greet your cousin..."
A quarter of an hour ago, she had heard from the maidservant Cuiliu that Wei Tu was a disciple of Shan Wuju. Without a moment’s delay, she had rushed to the rear courtyard, woken the sleeping Huang Yuanshan, and told him to pay his respects to this nephew from her side of the family who now had such a promising future.
"Cousin."
Huang Yuanshan mumbled, his face showing a hint of reluctance.
"You child." Wei Hong twisted Huang Yuanshan’s ear, frustrated by his lack of enthusiasm.
"Aunt, Yuan Shan is still young," Wei Tu said with a smile.
It was only then that he noticed Wei Hong had changed her makeup; it was different from how she looked when he had seen her at the Chenghuang Temple.
Wei Tu didn’t know this was the "Golden Mink" makeup style Wei Hong had deliberately applied to please him. He just assumed that wealthy households had numerous etiquettes, and changing one’s makeup was required before meeting guests.
So after a single glance, he looked away.
