Jinting Han people

Chapter 30: Inexplicable Engagement (4k)

A few days later, Liu Xian went to Shouyang Mountain again to pay a visit to Mr. Ruan.

It was around 9:00 PM when we arrived. Little Ruan Gong had just woken up and was lying on the bed, bored, tuning the strings of his zither. Opposite him, a small pot on the brazier was stewing diced beef, and a pot beside it was boiling rice wine, filling the bedroom with intoxicating aroma and gurgling sounds.

Seeing Liu Xian coming, Little Ruan Gong was very happy. He patted his bed and said with a smile: "Come, Biji, play a few songs! Later, we can drink some good wine and eat meat! If there is a beautiful woman by your side, life is the ultimate happiness, nothing more than this."

Little Ruan Gong always had this magical power to relax people. Liu Xian couldn't help but smile when he saw his lazy look. After a nod, Liu Xian took the Wutong Qin and casually played "Viewing the Sea".

The prelude to this piece is distant, like a gentle breeze caressing rocks, clouds and the setting sun, transitioning from tranquility to absolute stillness. At this point, the music shifts abruptly, and from the silence, waves suddenly rise, like the rising tide at night. Gradually, one wave rises higher than the other, one string becomes more rapid than the next, and the clamorous clamor seems like a myriad of surging waves, filling the listener with a sense of unease and turmoil. And at this point, the music shifts again. The mountains and rivers pale in comparison, and the elegant music emerges unrestrained, like a bright moon rising high, illuminating the vast ocean.

When Liu Xian played this part, he could no longer suppress his emotions and could not help singing:
"Looking eastwards at Jieshi, I can see the vast ocean. The water is so calm, and the mountains and islands stand tall.

There are many trees and lush grass. The autumn wind is bleak and the waves are rising.

The sun and moon seem to be emerging from it. The stars and the Milky Way seem to be emerging from it.

Fortunately, even singing praises one's aspirations. "

After singing the song twice, Liu Xian's hands suddenly stopped like heavy rain, the sound of the piano stopped abruptly, and the only sounds in the room were broth, wine, and boiling water.

"Hey!" Little Ruan Gong hit Liu Xian on the head with his tail and scolded him, "You little brat, how many times have I told you! At the end, you slowed down the tempo a little bit and sang half a note lower! You almost turned a perfectly good song, 'Viewing the Sea,' into 'The Turtle's Longevity.' Why can't you remember it?"

Liu Xian was used to this and apologized repeatedly, saying, "Students are not like teachers. They really don't know how to listen to music. Even if they practice hard alone, they always make mistakes."

It turns out that Little Ruan Gong's greatest skill wasn't writing or discussing profound ideas, but music. It was said that he could instantly discern the pitch of any five notes with a single sound, earning him the nickname "divine understanding." Around Luoyang, only the current Minister of the Central Secretariat, Xun Xu, could rival him, but he was always inferior, earning him the nickname "secret understanding." Unfortunately, Liu Xian lacked this skill, and despite years of studying with Little Ruan Gong, his musical accomplishments were minimal.

Ruan Xian felt very sorry when he saw that Liu Xian didn't take it to heart. He shook his tail and sighed, "How can it be so difficult? You, you, just have too many distractions and can't concentrate, so you ended up like this. Practice with me again! Otherwise, when you meet others in the future, don't tell others that I taught you music!"

After saying this, he sat up from the couch, took down the bamboo flute from the wall as accompaniment, and then asked Liu Xian to play the song again.

Xiao Ruan Gong was truly a divine interpreter. Liu Xian's solo earlier had been quite beautiful, but compared to Xiao Ruan Gong, there was a world of difference. Xiao Ruan Gong's playing was like a god controlling the air, perfectly smooth and effortless, the music swirling and mellow, without the slightest sense of stickiness.

Under his guidance, Liu Xian suddenly realized his many shortcomings. As he played the melody again with his two fingers, it was like a river breaking through the ice, rushing through. Many flaws he hadn't noticed before were now not only clear to him but also transcended along with Xiao Ruan Gong's tune. By the end of the performance, even though the sky was gloomy, his heart was filled with joy and light, as if a thousand-foot-long radiance was brewing from beneath his fingers.

After playing this time, Young Master Ruan was much more satisfied. He was about to praise Liu Xian when someone knocked on the door. Then he heard Ruan Xuan, who was chopping wood at the door, shout, "Sir, a guest has arrived!"

The person who came was a thin middle-aged man in plain clothes. He introduced himself as Sun Jing and said that he was a servant of Cao Zhi, the Duke of Juancheng. He came on the orders of the Duke of Juancheng and wanted to invite Mr. Ruan to his house for a chat.

When he heard that it was Cao Zhi's servant, Little Ruan Gong was stunned. He first glanced at Liu Xian, then asked suspiciously, "Could there be another accident in Luoyang?"

"No, no, didn't our master come to you for help a few days ago? Your words relieved his worries. And sure enough, just last night, His Majesty issued an imperial decree, releasing all the imprisoned doctors and commuting their death sentences!"

"Oh!" Little Ruan Gong reacted and smiled, waving his dust tail. "This is good news! Did Zhongrong send you here specifically to announce the good news?"

"Not really." Sun Jing lowered his head and said, "My master said he had a happy event to discuss with you. He had originally planned to come in person, but when the news came out yesterday, he was so overwhelmed with grief and joy that he accidentally caught a cold. As a result, he couldn't leave, so I had to invite you over to discuss it."

"Huh? Happy event? Is it urgent?"

"My Lord, it's not urgent, but the sooner the better. If you have time, I've got an oxcart ready to take you there right now."

At this point, it was difficult for Little Ruan Gong to refuse. He adjusted his hair slightly, stood up and said, "Since that's the case, I'll leave now and come back quickly." Then he asked Liu Xian, "I saw that you had a very pleasant conversation with Duke Juancheng last time. Do you want to go with us?"

Liu Xian thought for a moment and politely declined, "The Duke of Juancheng said he had something to discuss with the teacher. What am I supposed to do there?"

"Alright." Ruan Xian nodded slightly, "See you tomorrow then!"

After saying this, he donned a cloth robe, took a bowl of broth, and a pot of hot wine, and leisurely climbed into the oxcart. Liu Xian practiced swordsmanship at Ruan Manor for another two hours before returning home on horseback. As for what the Duke of Juancheng wanted to discuss with the young Duke of Ruan, that was beyond his consideration.

The next morning, Liu Xian rushed to Ruanzhuang again. Young Master Ruan had already returned. Hearing his student's footsteps, he immediately called Liu Xian in. Liu Xian bowed respectfully to his teacher as usual. Looking up, he saw Young Master Ruan smiling particularly cheerfully. "The world has been unified and peaceful for many years now," he said. "We old men are getting old, and it's time to think more about the next generation."

Liu Xian was confused by what Little Ruan Gong said, and didn't know how to respond. He simply asked, "Teacher, what do you mean..."

Little Ruan Gong did not continue to guess riddles with him, and said with a smile: "Biji, I was thinking of introducing a marriage to you."

"Ah! This..." Liu Xian was genuinely surprised after hearing this and couldn't help but say, "I really haven't thought about this."

Young Master Ruan stroked his beard and laughed. "When family backgrounds are compatible and marriages are well-matched, longevity and prosperity are achieved. The great families of the Central Plains have been intermarrying with each other for nearly a hundred years now, with clear streams flowing freely and noble families alike. This determines a person's future. As your teacher, how could I harm you?"

This topic was obviously too unfamiliar to Liu Xian. He didn't know how to refute it for a moment, so he just lowered his ears and waited to see what Little Ruan Gong would say next. Little Ruan Gong seemed to be savoring a masterpiece, and said with a sense of pride, "Guess which marriage I have found for you?"

Liu Xian was somewhat baffled, but looking at his teacher's expression and recalling his experiences in Ruanzhuang over the past few days, an incredible thought flashed through his mind, leaving him in disbelief yet unable to escape. After a moment's pause, Liu Xian cautiously asked, "Could it be... the Juancheng public family?"

"Yes! Hahahaha..." When young Ruan Gong saw Liu Xian's expression, he slapped his knees and laughed wildly. For a moment, his beard was all messed up, as if willow catkins were stuck on his face. He was just like an old child.

After a long moment, he finally recovered and said to Liu Xian, "He was here that day and listened to your brilliant speech. It's truly unforgettable. And when the emperor later acted just as you predicted, he was even more moved! Yesterday, he specifically asked me to come over, saying you were young and heroic, possessing unparalleled talent. He's been discussing whether he could make you his son-in-law."

Being praised is undoubtedly a very joyful thing, but when it comes to lifelong happiness, it requires careful consideration. For a moment, happiness, entanglement, confusion, resistance... all kinds of emotions surged into Liu Xian's heart, and then he had all kinds of imaginations, but these thoughts were too complicated to make any sense of, and ultimately he was left with a blank.

It took Liu Xian a long time to come back to his senses. He looked at little Ruan Gong, but still didn't know where to start.

Little Ruan Gong saw his predicament and said with a smile, "I know you have many doubts and concerns, but Duke Juancheng and I have discussed this for a long time and have probably discussed everything. You can speak freely."

Liu Xian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Teacher, I'm only twelve years old. Isn't it too early to get married..."

"It's okay. It's indeed too early to get married, but you can get engaged first! This is something that the elders need to worry about. After the engagement, it won't be too late to get married again after another three or four years."

"But our two families marrying each other... isn't it too unbelievable..."

Young Master Ruan had obviously anticipated this question and had already prepared an answer: "What's so incredible about that? I know you think Liu Bei and Cao Cao fought for decades, so how could the descendants forget their ancestors' hatred? But don't forget, didn't your maternal grandfather, Zhang Fei, also marry Xiahou Yuan's niece? And wasn't Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, also adopted by Cao Teng from the Xiahou family? So, your ancestors did have an intermarriage!"

"The war has been over for many years. What future generations should consider is continuing to live a good life. This is the best way to repay their ancestors. And I heard that Liu Bei was a free and easy person. Maybe if Lord Xuande were still alive, he would praise you highly if he heard that your great-grandson married Cao Mengde's great-granddaughter!"

This statement was impeccable and completely convinced Liu Xian that his imagined great-grandfather was indeed the same character as what Little Ruan Gong described. But in a flash, he thought of a thorny political question and asked:

"Even so, wouldn't a marriage between our two families arouse the emperor's... suspicion?"

"On the contrary, it will dispel suspicion." Young Ruan Gong knew this was the most crucial issue and said with unusual seriousness, "Your family has great influence in Bashu, but in Luoyang, you are just an ordinary family. For the emperor, as long as you don't try to return to Xichuan, there will be no suspicion."

"If your family agrees to this marriage, firstly, it will show that you have no interest in your homeland and only want to manage your family and integrate into the capital, which is naturally a good thing for the emperor. Secondly, it will also show that your family does not bear grudges, even letting go of the decades-long dispute between Cao and Liu, and naturally does not remember the hatred of the previous generation's destruction of the country. Thirdly, the emperor is a man who cherishes old ties. The Duke of Juancheng and he are childhood friends and are very close. He will love you and take care of you."

At this point, Young Ruan Gong paused, his expression growing more solemn as he emphasized, "Do you remember our conversation two years ago? Normally, you would have no chance of becoming an official. When you come of age, the emperor would give you a sinecure, and that would be enough to get by. But with the support of Duke Juancheng's family, you can enter the government through the normal channels. Biji, this may be the most precious opportunity of your life. If you miss it, you'll never get it again! You must seize it!"

With the teacher's guidance, Liu Xian felt that the fog surrounding these issues had been miraculously dispelled.

The prospect of marriage, officialdom, and the unpredictable future of career and prospects all seemed to suddenly become clearer and brighter. Liu Xian had a premonition that this marriage was destined for him. But then Liu Xian suddenly thought of another question, one of the most important in marriage.

Young Master Ruan talked for a long time, and when he saw that Liu Xian was silent, he asked him, "Avoiding illness? What do you think?"

Liu Xian pursed his lips and asked softly, "I wonder how old she is and what her name is?"

"Oh? Haha, I forgot to mention it. She's the youngest daughter of the Duke of Juancheng. She was born the same year as you, two months younger than you. Her name is Shang Rou, nicknamed A'Luo. By the way, don't tell anyone her name."

"A'Luo! Cao Shangrou." Liu Xian silently repeated the name in his mind. Will the person behind the name become his wife in the future? This made him feel uneasy.

Meanwhile, Little Ruan Gong was making final arrangements. He said, "After you return today, you won't have to come for the next few days. In about three days, I will personally visit your parents at the Anle Mansion and discuss matters with them in detail. Prepare the betrothal gifts and other items within this month. Next month, I will go to the Juancheng Mansion to propose marriage!"

"Also, since we're getting married, I can't call you by your nickname anymore. I should give you a courtesy name."

Little Ruan Gong talked to himself, pulled out some yarrow from somewhere, and started to tell fortunes.

It's a well-established tradition for teachers to divine for their students and then choose a suitable character based on the hexagram, wishing them a smooth life. Divination is simple: six lines form a hexagram, forming Qian on top and Kun on the bottom, which is the hexagram of Fu. The hexagram's text reads: "Fu is a bad person, unfavorable to a gentleman's integrity; great things go, small things come."

"Huh?" Little Ruan Gong was startled and asked curiously, "Why is this an ominous hexagram? Qian is on top and Kun is on the bottom. The host side is Yin and the guest side is Yang. This means that you are controlled by others and have no freedom."

He looked at Bi Ji and patted his head, saying, "Oh, yes, yes, you are the prince of Anle, and you are still suspected by the court. This is indeed the omen."

After a moment's thought, he added, "The Fu hexagram has nine lines, all indicating that you will face many setbacks in your life. However, as long as a gentleman adheres to the righteous path, remains vigilant in times of peace, and perseveres, everything will eventually pay off. In that case, the character I choose for you should ideally reflect this hexagram and help you overcome these hardships..."

After saying this, Little Ruan paced around the bed, pondering. After a while, he murmured, "To overcome disasters, the best way is to say, 'The highest virtue is like water. Water benefits all things without contention, remaining where others dislike it, and therefore close to the Tao.' But your great-grandfather already took the name Xuande, so using it again would be a bit repetitive. It would be better to use the saying, 'Great success is like a deficiency, yet its use is not exhausted. Great fullness is like a rush, yet its use is endless.'" Little Ruan had an idea, and finally said, "Let's call him Huai Chong."

And so, without any warning, in the first month of the fourth year of the Taikang reign, twelve-year-old Liu Xian, also known as Liu Huai Chong, was suddenly and inexplicably preparing to get married. But on his way back to contemplate, a mountain mist swept over Liu Xian, causing his face to change. He then thought of a very difficult and difficult question:
He was unsure of his father Liu Xun's attitude.

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(End of this chapter)