fake gentry

It was three quarters past Chen Shi (7:45 AM).

A two-shafted oxcart was approaching Taoping, driven by a burly and imposing monk. Judging from his appearance, he was clearly a martial monk.

Zhu Faqian remained dressed in a black robe, letting the oxcart move slowly along. Behind the oxcart followed four attendants, all dressed in black robes and straw sandals, some carrying scripture boxes, others holding tin staffs, their steps unhurried and unhurried.

Gu He's carriage followed closely behind, with six servants in blue robes following behind, some carrying whisks and others carrying a zither.

Gu He was dressed in a moon-white silk robe with wide sleeves, a green jade belt around his waist, and a jade-handled whisk in his hand.

Upon arriving at Taoping, the monk in charge stopped the oxcart. Zhu Faqian swept the entire Taoping area and noticed several laborers sweeping. He then looked away, smiled, and got off the cart with Gu He.

Chen San quickly came out to greet them and bowed deeply to the two men: "Greetings, Master Gu and Master Zhu. My young master went to the thatched cottage of Ge Xianweng behind the mountain early this morning. He will be back after noon. Please come into the courtyard and sit for a while."

"Ge Zhichuan?" Gu He asked, slightly displeased. "Is Ge Zhichuan still in Lushan?"

"Ge Xianweng built a hut in the back mountain to refine elixirs."

Gu He and Zhu Faqian exchanged a glance, neither of them saying anything. They each brought a close attendant and followed Chen San into the thatched hut.

Chen San led the two into the main hall and instructed Aheng and Aling to serve tea. The tea and teaware were all sent by Zhou Guang yesterday, and they were fine celadon porcelain.

Gu He picked up the teacup, glanced at it, and frowned slightly, but still took a sip and nodded gently. Fa Qian, however, looked at the uncollected hemp paper and writing materials beside him, and the inkstone still contained half a pool of ink.

His gaze fell on the writing on the hemp paper and then remained still.

Gu He put down his teacup and looked at the screen in the main seat, his whisk resting in his arm as he twirled the three strands of his beard.

"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there. Water is not sacred for its depth, but for the dragons that inhabit it."

He suddenly smiled and said to Zhu Faqian, "Master, Xie's son seems to be avoiding the world. How old is he? How could a mere twenty-year-old have such insights?"

Zhu Faqian remained silent, his gaze not on the "Ode to the Humble Abode." He was looking at the low table when he suddenly stood up and picked up the piece of hemp paper.

Four lines of text were written on the hemp paper.

No Bodhi tree, nor stand mirror.

There is nothing, where can the dust be.

Zhu Faqian's hands began to tremble.

"The body is a Bodhi tree, the mind a bright mirror stand. Constantly wipe it clean, lest dust alight." He murmured, his voice slightly hoarse. "And this verse... is true enlightenment! So that's how it is. Since there is originally nothing, where does the dust settle? Since the bright mirror is not a stand, why must it be constantly wiped clean?"

He looked at Gu He, his lips moving for a long time before he finally spoke: "That day, Benefactor Xie broke through my mental barrier with four lines of Buddhist verse, and only a few days later, he actually wrote another verse. If he is not a reincarnation of a Buddhist disciple, how could this be?"

Gu He also noticed that Zhu Faqian's condition was somewhat off. He was secretly alarmed, but at the same time, he smiled and said, "Master Zhu has lost his composure today."

Zhu Faqian suddenly said, "Only today do I realize that I am the one who is truly persistent."

Gu He didn't actually have much affection for Zhu Faqian, after all, he was a member of the Langya Wang clan. The northern and southern aristocratic families were naturally at odds, but these past two days he had been staying at the Wang clan's villa, and the younger generation of the Wang clan respected him greatly, so he couldn't bring himself to make sarcastic remarks.

"I think Xie Fengzhi's calligraphy is unique. Although his skill is still shallow, it is spacious in some places and impenetrable in others. In the future, he will be no less than Wang Yi and Wang Shijiang."

Zhu Faqian returned to his desk and sat down, picked up his teacup and took a sip. Chen San brought in two bowls of ice cream on a lacquered tray, which immediately attracted Gu He's attention.

The small celadon bowl, with its milky white ice crystals inlaid with red and yellow dried fruit crumbs and wisps of steam rising from it, is a delight to behold.

"What is this?"

"Looking back, this thing is called Bingsu, a summer snack to cool off. It is made by making ice from mountain spring water and mixing it with cheese, honey, and fruit pieces."

"Ice? Where did ice come from in the summer? How strange! Send it over immediately."

Gu He, somewhat disregarding his image, scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth, the coolness seeping from the tip of his tongue to his throat.

The whisk stopped wagging and ate several bites before looking up at Chen San and asking, "Was this also made by your husband?"

"Yes."

Gu He, somewhat flustered, said, "This child isn't a Buddhist disciple; perhaps he's a reincarnation of a star spirit?"

Zhu Faqian also scooped up a spoonful, then lowered his head and ate the whole bowl of ice cream, spoonful after spoonful.

Just after noon, a voice came from outside the courtyard: "My lord is back!"

Zhu Faqian and Gu He immediately got up and walked out of the courtyard. They saw Xie Hong walking from the path behind the mountain, followed by a handsome young man and several servants. He and the handsome young man were carrying a basket filled with the wild mushrooms they had picked, while the servants behind them were each carrying a sack.

He seized all of Ge Hong's saltpeter.

Xie Hong and Xie Shang's hemp shoes were covered in mud from the mountains, their faces were sweaty, and a few bits of grass stuck to their robes. When Xie Hong saw Gu He and Zhu Faqian, he was taken aback at first, then handed the bamboo basket to Xie Shang, quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply to the two of them: "I originally thought that Master Gu and Master Zhu would not arrive until after noon. I was impolite."

Gu He laughed and said, "Young Master Xie, there's no need for that. It was our presumption. Your arrangements are extremely thoughtful. The tea is excellent, and the ice cream is even more exquisite. I feel more at ease here than in a grand mansion."

Zhu Faqian pretended not to hear this. He bowed deeply to Xie Hong but did not say anything.

But who was Xie Hong? He immediately smiled at Zhu Faqian and said, "Master Zhu, are you suffering from the heat? I will have my servants bring you another bowl of chilled pastries."

Zhu Faqian shook his head: "I am not interested, young man. Why not become a monk with me? What about the Wang family of Langya? What about the Xie family of Chenjun?"

Xie Hong almost stumbled.

Gu He and Xie Shang were also stunned, staring at Zhu Faqian in shock.

Xie Shang's face turned bright red in an instant.

Before coming, he had heard his father, Xie Kun, talk about Xie Hong's demeanor on Huangshi Rock. He was shocked and longed to meet this cousin.

In his view, the Xie family of Chenjun already had enough of his father and his discussions on metaphysics to enhance their family status and reputation.

Just like Xie Kun and Xie Pou, one mingled in the circle of celebrities, and the other mingled in the imperial court; this is the way to ensure the long-term success of a family.

Through these two days of interaction, Xie Shang became even more certain that Xie Hongyuan was even more capable than he had imagined.

He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, even Director Wang praised him, so naturally he could see further than his peers.

If Xie Hong had been alive, the Xie family of Chen Commandery would surely have soared to great heights.

Master Zhu actually asked him to become a monk?

This is digging up the Xie family's ancestral graves.

Xie Shang had a momentary urge to curse, but he forced himself to hold it in.

Gu He snapped out of his daze and looked at Xie Hong with a smile, waiting to see how he would answer.

Xie Hong suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Master Zhu, I already have someone I love. I am too attached to worldly affairs, and I value the continuation of my family line. I cannot leave home."

Zhu Faqian was clearly unwilling to give up: "Who does Fengzhi admire? I will have my elder brother act as matchmaker for you. It's not too late for you to become a monk after you have children."

Xie Hong nearly coughed up blood.

A slight thought crossed his mind.

It seems that the four Buddhist verses he wrote last night had a huge impact on Zhu Faqian.

That was written by Huineng more than three hundred years later. Who was Huineng? He was the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. In terms of fame and Buddhist practice, he far surpassed Zhu Faqian.

He had only written it down casually, but he did not expect Zhu Faqian to react so strongly.

"Master Zhu, is there a way in this world to have it all, to be true to both the Buddha and to your beloved?"

Zhu Faqian's face instantly contorted in pain, while Gu He burst into unrestrained laughter, saying, "Feng Zhi's quick wit is unparalleled in Jiangzuo."

Xie Shang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and his eyes immediately lit up with an alarming brightness.

I'm afraid I can never match my brother's talent.