Chapter 112
The preferences and dislikes of the Emperor were of utmost importance in the heart of a eunuch.
Though Chief Eunuch Gao had not personally received any gifts from Cui Xie, and even the exquisite beauty portraits presented to the Emperor had been won by his nephew through genuine talent and learning, his concern for Cui Xie was no less than that for his other adopted sons who often sent him money and other gifts.
To ensure Cui Xie met the Emperor’s expectations, Chief Eunuch Gao took it upon himself to inquire about the Cui family from the Daxing County Magistrate. He also quietly procured Cui Xie’s examination papers from the Hanlin Academy. Moreover, he discreetly asked his nephew and adopted son, Gao Su, to visit the Cui Residence after finishing his court duties, to advise Cui Xie on managing his household affairs properly—especially pertinent in the case of the return of Cui Xie’s younger stepbrother, to ensure no blunders occurred that could lead to gossip.
Gao Su smiled reassuringly at his adoptive father and confidently patted his chest, saying, “Father, this is a small matter. Rest assured, I will ensure that Cui anshou handles everything impeccably.”
Though he spoke casually, his dedication to the Imperial mandate was as earnest as his father’s. Given the sensitive nature of revealing Imperial court affairs, Gao Su waited until nightfall before changing into a set of inconspicuous blue robes. He then chose a modest carriage and made his way to the Cui residence, discreetly knocking on their gates under the cover of darkness.
At that moment, Cui Xie was currently lounging on the sofa, engrossed in Xue Xuan’s 《Records of Reading》1. When Cui Xie was in Qian’an County, although Teacher Lin had thoroughly explained Zhu Xi’s 《Collected Commentaries on the Classic of Poetry》, his teachings were more focused on exegesis rather than philosophical interpretations, as he was not a master of Neo-Confucian thought himself. However, the approach at the Imperial College was different. Here, exegesis was a prerequisite known to all students before enrollment, and the instructors, all being advanced scholars and jinshi, focused more on philosophical interpretations.
This interpretation was not just about memorizing the works of Cheng and Zhu. Although the Ming Dynasty revered Zhu Xi’s annotations, each master of classical studies developed their own philosophical theories based on Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. Although the true leap in the Ming Dynasty philosophy, breaking free from the shackles of Neo-Confucianism, would come with the emergence of Wang Yangming, ‘a hero of a thousand years’ and the birth of the School of the Mind, there were still numerous significant theories to learn before this person’s epoch-making appearance.
When Vice Director Lin lectured on the Classic of Poetry, he would reference commentaries made by Song dynasty scholars and eminent figures of the current dynasty. Cui Xie could not solely rely on these fragments in his notes and also had to consult the works of these scholars, borrowing them to understand a more comprehensive interpretation.
As he was deeply absorbed in the book, Little Songyan suddenly entered the study and cautiously approached him, saying with a tremble, “Young Master, an official from the Jinyiwei is outside looking for da-ge, claiming to have urgent matters to discuss.”
Immediately, Cui Xie straightened up, ready to rise from the sofa, his eyes sparking with intensity. He closed the book and asked, “From the Jinyiwei? Is it a Xie-daren?”
Little Songyan shook his head, “No, his surname is not Xie, it is Gao.”
Cui Xie’s enthusiasm instantly waned at the mention of someone unfamiliar. Little Songyan, recalling the time their entire household had knelt at the door to receive the Imperial decree, and how many had been cast out of the residence, clung to him anxiously and asked, “Is this not the familiar official the Young Master knows? Could it be that our family is in trouble again and has attracted the Jinyiwei for an investigation?”
Cui Xie was not sure either, but he suspected that it was not a serious matter. If it was about confiscating their property, the authorities would have already barreled through their gates. Considering the lowly status of Advisor Cui, a minor official, the residence did not have enough status to have the Jinyiwei waiting in their Flower Hall.
As the visitor had specifically for him, could it be related to Colonel Xie?
Having just confessed his feelings recently, Cui Xie’s thoughts inevitably drifted towards Xie Ying. Unable to control his wandering mind, he decided not to resist and left the book aside to meet the guest in the outer courtyard.
Upon seeing Gao Su, he immediately recognized him–the ‘Idler Amidst Books’ from the bookstore, the nephew of Chief Eunuch Gao, who had won the painting of Da Qiao. Could it be that he knew of the connection between the Cui family and the Peace of Mind Study, and was seeking to buy or commission original pieces through this relationship?
Numerous thoughts whirled through Cui Xie’s mind, yet his expression remained placid and composed. As he entered, he greeted with a bow and a smile, “Young Master Cui meets Gao da-ren.”
Gao Su, who was enjoying the milk tea and pastries of the Cui Residence, put down his teacup and stood up returning the gesture and pushing forward a gift of four colored ribbons as a token of courtesy. He said politely, “There is no need for such formalities, Scholar Cui. I have long heard of your name and it is my honor to meet you. I have heard about your acts of filial piety and benevolence—your donations to the Daxing County almshouse and the elderly bed you made for your Grandfather. I came especially to meet you.”
Cui Xie was momentarily puzzled by Gao Su’s intentions, pausing briefly before revealing a professional smile, “Da-ren, you flatter me. The little I have done merely stems from following my heart, nothing worthy of such high praise.”
Although Company Commander Gao was here to offer guidance, he could not reveal the Imperial scrutiny or make the Emperor’s intentions too explicit. Pretending to be personally curious, he inquired, “What does this elderly bed look like? Could this official perhaps see it?”
Cui Xie, though somewhat wary of him, stood firm on matters of principle and shook his head, “The day has grown late, and the elders in my family should be resting. If da-ren wishes to see it, I can have one made and sent to da-ren’s residence tomorrow. Though named the bed for the elderly, it is suitable for anyone. The bed is furnished with a goose-feather mattress, which is both soft and breathable. When one wishes to sit, a chain can be pulled to raise half of the bed, allowing one to sit or lean comfortably without moving. It is especially relaxing when one is feeling lethargic.”
As Gao Su listened, he could almost feel his bones yearning for the comfort provided by such a bed, wishing he could lie in it for an entire day. However, he was here on official business, bearing the Emperor’s expectations and his adoptive father’s instructions. He needed to handle this task efficiently and gain Cui Xie’s goodwill, so he could not accept such a gift. Shaking his head, he said, “No need for that. This official heard from the Daxing County Magistrate about your exemplary filial piety in caring for your grandparents, and I merely wanted to see for myself. There is no need for you to send the bed. I can obtain the design from the County magistrate and commission one for myself.”
Cui Xie, realizing that Gao Su’s visit was not about paintings or urgent matters, but rather resembled a journalist’s deeper investigation following an accolade for good deeds, he began to speculate. Connecting this with the identity of Company Commander Gao Su’s adoptive father….
He wondered if perhaps the County Magistrate of Daxing County had reported his actions and the Imperial court had sent an official from the Jinyiwei to investigate, maybe even intending to erect a monument in his honor?
—Little did he know, the Emperor had something much more significant in mind for him than just a mere material reward.
As Cui Ying pondered over Gao Su’s intentions, Gao Su was also assessing the youth. Although he had not seen the elderly bed, he had witnessed Cui Xie’s filial piety toward his grandparents. Excluding his relationship with Chief Eunuch Gao, Gao Su’s own status as a company commander in the Jinyiwei with a stipend was enough to command respect from most, barring those traditionalists who would rather die than speak to a Jinyiwei. Anyone else would likely have been eager to present their elders to him at once. Cui Xie’s insistence on not disturbing his grandparents during their rest was a testament to his deep filial respect.
Nodding slightly, Gao Su inquired further, “Don’t know how many valiant sons and precious daughters are in your esteemed household? I noticed several living quarters occupied in the outer courtyard, but I am curious about their occupants.”
Cui Xie, regaining his composure, adopted the demeanor he used for public speaking and sincere interviews when he had been a student who had received interviews regarding financial aid before. He straightened his back and with earnest generosity, smiled at Gao Su, “In the outer courtyard, resides Lu juren, a teacher previously hired by my Father for my brothers and I. Also, there is my adoptive brother, Cui Qi, who has grown up with me and is currently studying under Teacher Lu’s guidance.”
The fact that the young proprietor of the Peace of Mind Study resided in the Cui Residence affirmed the close relationship rumored outside. Indeed the bond between master and servant in the Cui family was as strong as said…
Gao Su, having hoped to glimpse the Peace of Mind Study’s drafts of the Three Kingdom series or any beautiful portraits within Cui Qi’s quarters, found the timing unsuitable to pursue such matters. Reluctantly setting aside his curiosity, he inquired of Cui Xie, “I have heard you have two younger brothers. Why have I not seen them around?”
“My younger brother is still young and although he is officially studying with Teacher Lu, he cannot live independently and stays with his mother in the inner courtyard.” Cui Xie’s face adopted a shade of sorrow as he looked into the distance and said, “As for my other brother, the son of my former stepmother, Xu furen, he was sent away due to her criminal transgressions and was exiled. He will not return until later this year after sending her off.”
Gao Su had specially visited from the Eunuch’s residence, just to remind Cui Xie to care for this brother. He quickly advised, “I have heard that the southern climate is humid and prone to epidemics, and the journey back is long and arduous. Even if your brother survives the return, his health may be severely compromised. Please, when he returns, treat him gently and not too harshly.”
Cui Xie, finally grasping Gao Su’s true purpose, his heart brightening.
He looked at Gao Su and smiled reassuringly, “Rest assured, da-ren. I am not one to be harsh with my family. I have already ensured that my shu siblings receive the proper education, and it will be no different for the di son on his return. However, given his growing age, I cannot allow him the same freedoms as before and will ensure that he receives a good education.”
Relieved, Gao Su smiled, “That is exactly how an elder brother should behave. But, I have heard your family had to sell a property. Is your household managing alright? Do you face any difficulties?”
Another concerned leader eager to assist an impoverished family it seems.
Familiar with this pattern, with a knowing smile, Cui Xie shook his head, “There is no need for such worries. Though we own only two small shops, their sustainment is partly thanks to the Peace of Mind Study. Using their color printed paper to wrap the goods has attracted some guests. Moreover, we have a clever clerk who learned to distill floral dew. In a few months, we should be able to produce fragrances comparable to foreign perfumes, ensuring our shop’s continued self-sufficiency.”
He was well aware that their homemade floral dew could not compete with imported ones. To succeed, they would have to rely on packaging, but this added to the cost, unlike the high-quality, high-priced strategy of their scented soaps. Convincing the females in high-ranking household’s like Company Commander Gao Su’s to recommend their products among noblewoman would be far more effective than any hard-fought marketing campaign.
Gently clapping his hands, Cui Xie stood up, “Please wait a moment, da-ren. I will have someone fetch a bottle.”
At this, Gao Su realized that the pleasant scent permeating the residence was not incense, but the fragrance of distilled floral few. His interest piqued, he asked, “Your family distills it themselves?. Could I perhaps be shown where you make this floral dew?”
Cui Xie hesitated slightly, “It is just in my courtyard, but the space is quite cramped and uncomfortably hot, I would not impose such conditions on you…”
What cramped, what hot, as long as there were new things to watch, that was good!
This Cui Xie was truly remarkable. Not only was he sensible and well-educated, but he also crafted such wonderful things. When Colonel Xie wore the new robes Cui Xie had designed, it was the talk of the town for months. If he, Gao Su, could get my hands on this new floral dew, wouldn’t it also be the envy of the other Jinyiwei for months?
Eagerly, Gao Su urged Cui Xie to lead the way to his courtyard to see the distillation of the floral dew.
Since the Double Seventh Festival, when Cui Xie first discovered the potential of flower dew, he had taken Cui Liang to their cellar to test the fragrances of various stored batches. They had painstakingly selected three bottles with the most promising scents. These were the earliest batches, each produced with different methods—steaming over water, immersing in water, or from crushed petals—yielding slightly varying intensities of the same pure floral dew.
Comparing their product to commercial floral dew, they found that their products only lacked in concentration. They then embarked on refining the process to intensify the scent. Cui Liang was currently experimenting with adding dried petals to already fragrant water for multiple extractions. At this stage, Cui Xie could only offer support by giving him a promotion, raising Cui Liang’s salary and assigning more skilled family members to assist, enabling the youth to delve deeper into his research, to his heart’s content.
Upon entering the kitchen, Gao Su found no one in sight, but was soon enveloped in a steamy mist mingled with fresh floral scents, compelling him to step outside and fan his nose for fresh air as he took a deep breath, “This fragrance is overwhelming, no wonder you cautioned me against coming. The floral waters I’ve used over the years are nothing compared to this. How do you even manage to live in this courtyard?”
Cui Xie gently rubbed his nose and said with a smile, “The kitchen is indeed quite stifling due to the heat, but outside it is rather tolerable, not much more intense than ordinary incense. This was initially a spur-of-the-moment idea, and I just had people come and set it up here. Over time, I got used to it and did not bother moving it elsewhere. If you find it uncomfortable here, Gao da-ren, would you prefer to return to rest in the main hall?”
As Gao Su uttered a dismissive ‘nevermind’ and waved his hand, intending to leave directly, his eyes caught a glimpse of a large bookshelf through an open window of the main room. The shelf was a very pale yellow-white color, resembling willow or elmwood, unlike the rosewood commonly seen in the hall. The modest appearance of the shelf lent an air of simplicity and poverty-strickeness to the room.
Drawn in by the sight, Gao Su approached the open window. The closer he got, the more apparent it became that none of the furniture in the room was made of rosewood; everything was made of affordable wood. The designs were decent, featuring a narrow ‘Qian’an style’ bed and a large wardrobe, but nothing else seemed to stand out as particularly noteworthy.
With a keen eye accustomed to finer things, Gao Su could instantly tell that all the furnishings in the room were inexpensive, lacking even in style. Even the Cui Resdience’s flower hall had not been like this. It made him wonder why Cui Xie, who was in charge of the household affairs, was living with such inferior furniture?
Puzzled, Gao Su could not help but ask, “Your parents…your former stepmother, she had you living in a room like this?”
Cui Xie shook his head repeatedly, clarifying, “No no, it was not like that. This was my own doing after the fact. Originally, she did provide me with fine furniture, but after my stepmother left, she took most of the furnishings from the main courtyard. Seeing the main courtyard so empty did not seem right, and our household could not afford to replace them with equivalent items at that point, so I moved the furniture from my room, which had been part of my late mother’s dowry, to the main courtyard.”
Gao Su stared at him, speechless with dumbfoundment.
.Cui Xie, mistaking his belief, felt the need to dispel any misunderstandings and said with a wry smile, “If da-ren does not believe me, da-ren is welcome to see the main courtyard for yourself. Although my father serves an official elsewhere, he is still the head of this household. As his children, how could we only concern ourselves with our own comfort, leaving our parents’ rooms unattended?”
Gao Su shook his head, his facial muscles twitching slightly, and said, “It is not that I doubt you, I’m just….astonished to find such a filial son in our Great Ming Dynasty.
He patted Cui Xie’s shoulder sympathetically and added, “I should have realized, with your family in the position of having to sell assets, you must be nearing the end of your means. If anyone should criticize you, I will speak on your behalf! After all, your family’s circumstances are no longer the same as they once were…”
No, Cui Xie really wasn’t trying to play the victim!
What he wanted to show in front of others was actually the image of a young man who was actively striving and ambitious!
After a moment of silence, Cui Xie wiped his face and tried to explain earnestly, “Many thanks for da-ren’s concern, but my family is managing quite well, at least we do not struggle for food and clothing. Actually, this type of furniture is quite popular in Qian’an County. The carpenter who made our furniture told me that many in the capital also favor this style. It may look a bit plain, but it is incredibly comfortable to use. If da-ren does not believe me, da-ren is welcome to try sitting on it.”
Gao Su looked at him with a mix of sympathy and disbelief, knowing full well that while wealthy families might use similarly padded duck and goose feather cushions with narrow beds, their frames were usually intricately carved from high quality redwood, quite unlike the simple willow wood frames used in rural residences.
Having said and inquired all that was necessary, fulfilling his father’s expectations, Gao Su felt it inappropriate to stay longer as night was approaching. As he prepared to leave, Cui Xie handed him a freshly distilled bottle of jasmine dew, inviting him to smell it, “This flower dew is not fragrant upon initial distillation and requires several more processes. I will tie a red ribbon around this bottle as a reminder for extra care in its preparation. It should be ready by mid-October, and I will ensure it is delivered to da-ren’s residence. Would that be agreeable, da-ren?”
Gao Su usually lived with Chief Eunuch Gao, but he could not reveal his usual residence, so he suggested an alternative, “You can deliver it to the manager of Brocade Cloud Pavilion located in the north of the city. He will pass it on to me. And I will arrange for someone to send you the payment.”
Cui Xie pointed out that since Gao Su’s family was willing to act as a spokesperson for their product, it made no sense for him to accept any silver in return. He said, “You saw how we distill it ourselves, it is of our own creation, not some precious import worth a fortune. Please, take it as our gift. Our family still runs a shop and can afford a teacher, we are not so impoverished.”
Gao Su was reluctant at first, but eventually delightedly accepted the gift. In truth, floral dew was not so rare, but its uniqueness lay in the fact that he had witnessed its distillation, smelled its fresh scent and even tied a red string around the bottle himself. It would be several months before its true fragrance was fully developed, making it a one-of-a-kind treasure.
When it became the talk of the capital, even envied by the Jinyiwei, would it not be his turn to bask in admiration?
Just a few days after his departure, the Ghost Festival approached. The enigmatic and elusive Tranquil Bamboo Hall released new editions of the 《Diamond Sutra》and 《Great Compassion Mantra》, along with images of the white-robed Guanyin, which were sold at stalls outside temples both large and small, causing devout believers from the capital, Tongzhou and Qian’an to scramble to bring them home.
In a time when everyone trekked mountains for temples to pray, buy Buddha statues, incense, flowers, candles and offersings, Cui Xie stood apart, choosing not to partake in these traditional superstitious activities. Instead, he donned the clothes he had briefly worn during the Double Seventh Festival as well as a freshly laundered white tunic, sprinkled with the mature fragrance of jasmine essence. Cui Xie found himself seated in a carriage, once again headed towards the secluded villa of the Xie family.
Footnotes:
- Xue Hedong’s 《Records of Reading》: Xue Hedong, also known as Xue Suan, was a Confucian scholar of the early Ming Period. His philosophy was influenced by neo-confucian thought and the aim of all philosophy, in his words, were ‘to return to one’s own character’. HIs most important writings are the Records of Reading. ↩︎
TN: Hope you are all doing well, have a great weekend and stay safe! My parents are staying over the weekend and we are going on a daytrip into the city! very excited to spend time with them after a couple of months. hope you all are enjoying spring weather! ❤ Enjoy the chapter!
Huge Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a college student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!
Twin Dragons Translations 
Thank You for the new chapter (♡´艸`)
LikeLiked by 1 person