Chapter 124: The So-Called Way of Officials

Immortal Travel of Longevity

Xian Yue smiled. “I know you. You are Junior Minister Chang.”

Chang Shan snapped back to reality and hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting. “Chang Shan pays his respects to Princess.”

Xian Yue stepped forward and shook her head. “Junior Minister Chang doesn’t need to be so formal. I am from the Underworld now. I ceased being a princess long ago.”

Chang Shan was stunned.

It suddenly dawned on him!

Right!

Years earlier, this Young Master Xian Yue had been executed by imperial decree.

So what he was seeing now was…

Dread filled Chang Shan’s heart as he looked towards Mr. Chen.

He should have realized it sooner. Mr. Chen couldn’t have been dispatched in such a simple manner.

But regarding just how capable the gentleman truly was, he had never seen the full extent. Surely, he must be an Immortal.

Chang Shan then invited the gentleman and the princess into his residence.

Once seated, he ordered servants to bring some fruit and Preserved Fruit.

Chang Shan could now clearly see Xian Yue. He felt somewhat unsettled; after all, he had never truly believed souls lingered in this world after death.

The group talked as they sat in the courtyard.

The Maids and servants of the residence found it strange.

“This is really weird.”

“Yet, it feels like there are three people,” remarked one, “even though only two sit at the table.”

“Right? Earlier I saw Master talking to an empty stool.”

“Don’t linger here. Let’s go quickly!”

The servants had their suspicions but dared not voice them, deciding it was just their imagination.

“By the way, who is that man sitting with the Master?”

“Master calls him ‘Mr.’ Perhaps he was Master’s tutor before?”

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“Must be.”

This gentleman hadn’t required any servants’ attention upon arrival, which made the household staff worry he might be difficult to get along with.

Yet after interacting with him, they found him exceptionally kind and easygoing when he spoke, lacking the imposing authority their Master possessed.

Moreover, the gentleman was very handsome. Sometimes, the Maids would blush with shyness upon seeing him, uttering only a few words before hurriedly scurrying away.

Xian Yue sometimes witnessed this and couldn’t help but tease him, smiling, “Mr. Chen, you seem to be quite popular with the girls.”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng replied helplessly, “I really haven’t done anything.”

Xian Yue looked at him. “It’s just that you, sir, don’t realize it yourself.”

Chen Changsheng sighed. Maybe he really didn’t understand.

The afternoon of the following day.

Chen Changsheng went out again. He had an appointment at the Teahouse yesterday and couldn’t miss it.

Xian Yue didn’t go with him, choosing to stay at the residence.

She thought that while she had the chance, she might go outside to explore, to see the sights beyond the Imperial Palace, unsure how long such opportunities would last.

Arriving at the Teahouse, Chen Changsheng looked up to find Liu Huaizhang already seated in yesterday’s spot, apparently having arrived early to wait.

“Sit quickly!”

Liu Huaizhang invited Chen Changsheng to sit. A Teahouse attendant promptly served tea.

After sitting down, Chen Changsheng asked, “How long have you been here?”

“I only just arrived myself.”

Liu Huaizhang smiled. “Young friend, have some tea.”

Chen Changsheng expressed his thanks, took a sip of tea, and then, like the day before, resumed narrating the Journey to the West from where he had left off.

Liu Huaizhang listened to Chen Changsheng’s storytelling, occasionally commenting when he encountered parts he found particularly good or bad.

The tales of the Journey to the West naturally led him to bring up many problems existing within Great Jing.

Without exception, all touched upon matters of the Imperial Court, nation, and family.

Be it listening to the story or drinking tea, Liu Huaizhang’s mind remained constantly fixed on matters of state and country. Not for a moment did his concern wane.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the patches on Liu Huaizhang’s robe. “Your seniority must hold considerable rank, sir, to know so much. Yet why…”

Liu Huaizhang looked down at his heavily patched clothes. “Don’t laugh, young friend. I simply maintain that clothes are meant for wearing, regardless of their condition. A few more patches mean little.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Elder, you have money for tea here, yet lack means for new clothes?”

Liu Huaizhang returned the smile. “The tea is courtesy of the Manager, a gesture of kindness. Otherwise, I couldn’t bring myself to afford tea here.”

“Really?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head slightly. “But as an official, you receive a stipend, do you not?”

Liu Huaizhang sighed wearily. “Aye, wholly withheld.”

“Did some offence occur?”

“Indeed. I repeatedly contradicted the Son of Heaven in Court. Once, twice, thrice. My stipend is likely withheld until the day I die.”

Chen Changsheng couldn’t help a small laugh. “Elder, avoiding execution itself counts as fortune.”

Liu Huaizhang shook his head. “Beneath the gaze of that Court, I never uttered falsehoods. Right is right, wrong is wrong. I refuse to twist truth like others do.”

Chen Changsheng asked, “Why not try adapting your approach?”

Liu Huaizhang smiled faintly. “The Court requires ministers bold enough to speak plainly. Although I frequently stand against the majority of officials, this is my way of serving.”

“The way of officials?”

“Precisely.”

Liu Huaizhang nodded solemnly. “Within the Imperial Court, there must be someone who does not blindly follow the crowd. Such a person will face contempt, disdain, endure covert obstacles, and even invite mortal peril.”

Chen Changsheng studied him. “One could nearly term this a path inviting demise?”

Liu Huaizhang nodded after hearing this. “A path inviting demise, indeed.”

He understood deeply the road he had chosen.

That Court possessed every kind of person: loyal ministers, sycophants, those drifting with the tide. Amidst such a scene, a steadfast pine tree must stand.

And he, Liu Huaizhang, was that pine tree.

Chen Changsheng drank some tea. “So the elder had long since made his decision.”

Liu Huaizhang raised his teacup, merely saying with a quiet smile, “Drink tea.”

Chen Changsheng raised his cup in acknowledgment, then downed the tea like one might a strong liquor.

In his heart, a thread of profound respect unfurled.

The way of officials.

These four words gained deeper meaning within his thoughts.

…

At twilight, patrons gradually dispersed from the Teahouse.

Taking his leave, Liu Huaizhang arranged to meet again at the Teahouse two days hence, explaining some business prevented his attendance the next day.

Chen Changsheng agreed, bidding farewell until their promised meeting.

Exiting the Teahouse, they set off on different paths.

Chen Changsheng glanced back. Tipping his head, he took a deep sip from his wine gourd.

“What a formidable path of governance.”

Laughing quietly, he then made his way back to the Chang residence, savoring the Autumn Moon Brew.

Upon arriving at Chang Shan’s home…

Xian Yue observed Mr. Chen return in visibly high spirits. She inquired, “Sir, did something bring you particular delight today?”

Chen Changsheng answered with a broad smile, “I heard someone expound upon four words.”

Puzzled, Xian Yue asked, “Four words?”

Chen Changsheng offered no further explanation, already beginning to sip his wine as he strolled deeper into the courtyard.

Xian Yue blinked, comprehension dawning, then hurried after him with further questions.

“Sir! What were those four words?”

But to the end, the gentleman did not reveal them, seeming rather more occupied with his drink.