Chapter 96
Peace of Mind Study, renowned for its meticulous reproductions of Cui Beauty’s paintings, has opened a branch in the capital city!
It is located in the very same place where the owner of the Cui family’s Southern Goods Shop burned his old stock and donated it to the almshouse!
The shop displayed life-sized portraits of Xiao Qiao and Lady Sun, the characters in these paintings resembling those in the original 《The Six Talents and their Commentaries on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms》. Yet, they were distinct, clearly not mere copies from the book, but the masterpiece of a skilled artist capable of capturing Cui beauty’s style.
Even before its official opening, the Peace of Mind Study had already created a buzz in the capital, pushing it into the limelight. The Imperial College’s attendants eagerly discussed those two beauty portraits, the posture and stunning beauty of the two figures in the paintings. On the day the study officially opened, many students, having heard from the attendants about the long queues outside the shop and the rapid sale of books, were anxious as ants on a hot pan. They wished they could sprout wings to fly to the new store and gather enough money to buy a set of the newly released Three Kingdoms illustrated novels and works.
After the teaching assistants left the students to study by themselves in the morning, several students became restless and sighed incessantly, their minds preoccupied with thoughts of Xiao Qiao and Lady Sun displayed on the walls of the Peace of Mind Study. The Hall Chief on duty could not tolerate it any longer, waving the review book in front of them and said, “Tonight, during the sign-off, if anyone is found lacking in their review studies or is merely doing a poor job by imitating the text, they will be taken to the Disciplinary Hall to await their punishment. Everyone, please focus and at least go through your lessons properly.”
The more anxious the others became, the more calm and collected Cui Xie seemed. Spreading out a piece of his paper and grinding his ink, he wrote each character meticulously and neatly, as if it had been printed from a Song dynasty block print. Hall Chief Ning, pointing at Cui Xie’s work and admonished the others, “You are all not young anymore, but your temperament is no better than that of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, acting like a headstrong youth carrying a hot coal pot.”
A young student in his twenties grinned and joked “Young Master Cui has never carried a hot coal pot. His composure is more like someone who has embraced bamboo with a calm heart, one naturally will feel cool.”
“Then you should get one too. Go to the storage room and fetch your bamboo then, I’ll just pretend I didn’t see you leave.”
Another student pretended to stop him and directed his words to Hall Chief Ning, “Hall Chief should not let him go. If he leaves, he is definitely going to sneak off to see the beauties at the Peace of Mind Study!”
The young student grimaced, “It is too difficult to buy books from the Peace of Mind Study. If you are even a little late, they will be sold out and it’s uncertain when they will restock. No one is allowed to buy more than one set per person, or else we could pool our funds together and hire someone to queue up for us. Looking at Young Master Cui’s calm and collected demeanor, he must have already arranged for his family to line up for him. We who are alone in the capital without servants are at a disadvantage…once school is over, it will be too late…”
His gaze bored into Cui Xie’s figure, the youth still engrossed in writing, he pouted and asked, “Hezhong, haven’t you seen the illustrations from the《The Six Talents and their Commentaries on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms》? Knowing that they’ve released a new book, don’t you feel eager?”
Of course not. Seeing how anxious you all are to buy it, it seems that Cui Xie did not need to worry about sales at all.
Cui Xie’s lips curled up into a mysterious smile and he spoke in hushed tones, “I have already seen the new book and indeed, it is quite good. There is this part where Cao Cao, hosting a grand feast at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and just as he is about to write a poem about it, he hears the news of Liu Bei acquiring Jingzhou and accidentally drops his brush. Talented Scholar Tang wittily remarked, ‘Wind and rain sweeps through the town as the Double Ninth Festival approaches, disrupted by the rent collector, leaving even Cao Cao unable to pen a single line, so weary he was.’ ”
“What!”
“How were you able to see the new books’ commentaries already?! Their shop was only displaying the beauties and was set to start selling the books today!”
Cui Xie smiled meaningfully. Hall Chief Ning appreciated the commentary, unpacking it, “ ‘The whole city is in turmoil as the Double Ninth Festival approaches refers to the story of a poet from the lake in Huangzhou, whose inspiration that struck during the Double Ninth Festival was interrupted by a landlord collecting rent, leaving only this famous line. The wry comment mocks Cao Cao’s mental disarray upon hearing of Liu Bei’s conquest of Jingzhou, unable to even complete a single line. Such clever commentary, truly characteristic of talented scholar Tang!”
Another student asked in pleasant surprise: “Worthy little brother Cui has the books at home? Could you bring it for us to see? Do you have any extra copies that could be passed on to us?”
When Hall Chief Ning left, Cui Xie set down his brush and raised his chin, indifferently saying, “I can get several copies of books from the Peace of Mind Study if I so desire. The owner of that shop used to be a servant from my family and his son is like a brother to me. When I donated the Zhirong bookstore for it to be established into the county library, his family took in the artisans who had nowhere else to go, buying the original shop’s printing blocks and manuscripts to open the Peace of Mind Study. I often help them out with suggestions before they publish books.”
What a revelation! This is the person who had donated the Zhirong bookstore! He was the originator of the popular and fashionable beauty portraits and beauty note paper!
In the 《Qi’s Documented Travels》issued by the Magistrate of Qian’an County, it was recorded how Cui Xie donated his late mother’s dowry to encourage more studying for the county’s students. Many people who had read the travelogue had felt it had been a pitiful matter, thinking Cui Xie was squandering valuable resources. How did they not realize the Peace of Mind Study in Qian’an, after inheriting all the printing blocks and plates from the Zhirong bookstore, must also be related to him!
Later, even Hall Chief Ning could not help but ask, with a trembling voice, “That Peace of Mind Study, is it yours?”
Cui Xie shook his head, “Of course not, the owner of that shop is no longer associated with my family. When I was returning to my ancestral home to prepare for the Imperial examinations, I was gravely injured due to an unfortunate event encountered on my journey. A servant father and son pair from my household took great care of me, saving my life. Once I arrived at my family’s ancestral residence, I freed them from their servitude as a way of repaying their life-saving grace and taught them how to make a living and advised them on some business ventures. After earning some money, they still consider me as part of their flesh and blood, maintaining constant contact with my family after opening the study. They will always consult me first whenever they release a new book or painting.”
“Such a benevolent master and a loyal servant, truly rare…”
Suddenly, one of the students made a connection, “They specifically opened their business where the old Cui family’s Southern Goods shop was and that store also had the Cui surname…”
Cui Xie grinned and explained, “Yes. That shop was losing too much money and we could not afford to keep it in operation. I thought that instead of transferring it to someone else, it would be better to give it to people close to me to manage. It just so happened, they wanted to move from Tongzhou to Beijing to open another branch, so they bought the store from me. This way, it is also convenient for me to help them with their plans and endorse new publications.”
By removing the word ‘endorse’ from ‘plan and endorse’, it would truly reveal the work he did for the Peace of Mind Study.
With the study’s grand opening in the capital and Cui Qi still living with him every day, it was only a matter of time before people figured out the relationship between the two families. He might as well give a heads-up to avoid suspicion when such truths were eventually uncovered.
The books published by the study were elegant literary works. The Three Kingdoms series was published due to high demand from readers and had nothing to do with the ‘Cui Beauty’ anymore. He had deliberately altered the style of the new book’s illustrations, favoring a more subdued color palette, using detailed, fine lines for sketching clothing patterns, applying the nail head and rat tail brush technique1, which made the lines more powerful looking. Coupled with his wrist strength from martial arts training, this added more depth to his strokes, making these new illustrations distinctly different from his previous beauties’ paintings.
As long as he insisted that he was simply imitating the current most popular style, nobody would associate him with the Cui Beauty.
With a light smile, Cui Xie bowed to his classmates, “If you all want to acquire the new book, I can ask the store for a few copies. You can bring them into the dormitories, allowing everyone to enjoy the new book and save some money as well. Isn’t that the best of both worlds?”
Hearing that he had even sold a family-owned shop, they felt uncomfortable accepting free books from him and unanimously declined his gracious offer, preferring to pool money together to buy the merchandise, only requesting that he help them acquire a few copies. After a few polite exchanges, seeing their genuine interest in the books, Cui Xie assented, “The Imperial College is not a place for business transactions. I will have their clerk bring a few copies to the front gates tomorrow. You can buy a few copies from him after class at noon.”
Hearing this, the students were instantly invigorated. Those with money desired to buy several sets while those without sufficient funds planned to pool their resources with others. They were no longer anxious or distracted, even managing to successfully solve problems from 《The Nine Chapters of Mathematical Art》.
The craze for the new 《The Six Talents and their Commentaries on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms》book was not just limited to the Imperial College; even court officials, neglecting their duties, were seen flaunting the eagerly sought-after books in their offices during broad daylight.
Sun Yingjue had sent someone to fight their way through the crowd to grab dozens of books. He secretly carried a box full of books with both hands to the Northern Administrative Division, ostentatiously displaying his success, boasting loudly, “Don’t be shy, everyone, come and get a copy! This one has a large illustration of ‘Zhou Yu’s Three Fits of Rage’ where Minister Zhou coughed up blood, Xiao Qiao attended to him at his side. Now that is true affection, tender and soft as water….tsk tsk tsk, it has a different flavor compared to the Xiao Qiao displayed in the store.”
Seeing a lack of enthusiasm, Heir Apparent Sun found it odd and questioned them while offering books, “Why don’t you all want such a good book? Weren’t you all eager to grab it just a few days ago? Or did your servants already buy it for you? But you will only be able to read it in the evening when you return home, not immediately as I have it here.”
Several officials and Colonels gave him a look of bewilderment: “Last night, Colonel Xie sent his people everywhere to deliver copies of the books, he did not deliver them to your residence?”
“What? He already has the new book?” Sun Yingjue was so surprised that his jaw hung down, speechless. After a moment, he indignantly vented to Xie Ying, “You grabbed the books last night? How did you do it? They said they weren’t finished making the books yet and absolutely refused to sell them in advance!”
Xie Ying smiled but said nothing.
Officer Yao cocked an eyebrow, “Why didn’t you consider who that store’s original owner was? Buying someone’s store, wouldn’t it be natural to give a few new copies to the owner? That person even made new garments for Xie-xiong before, what is a book compared to that?”
Sun Yingjue spat in frustration, “Why can’t I ever have such luck, to encounter such grateful and considerate people on my official trips…”
After complaining, he remembered the main point and slammed the book on the table, he angrily questioned, “You distributed books to everyone else yesterday, why didn’t you send me one?”
Xie Ying’s lips curve upwards, revealing a helpless smile, “I sent someone to your residence first thing yesterday, but wasn’t Heir Apparent out enjoying music at that time? The Old Marquis had someone receive the books, what happened to them after that, I have no inkling.”
Sun Yingjue fell silent for a while, then wiped his face and sighed, “Huh, I returned late yesterday and my father did not even scold me. I guess he felt guilty for intercepting my book. Ah, what can I do, I cannot get angry with my father as his son…”
Then he looked at Xie Ying again, “I guess I will have to give the book to someone else then. Who else did you send the books to?”
Xie Ying replied, “I prioritized you all first and there are a few old family friends I also plan to send copies to. I need to head to the store later this evening to buy a few more sets and see if there are any new merchandise for sale.”
While others sent their servants to make purchases, not even deigning to go personally, Xie Ying, after wrapping up his duties for the day, rode alone to the eastern part of the city to visit the store opened by Cui Xie’s former servants. To his surprise, the crowd in front of the store had not dispersed even now. The streets were bustling with people either heading in to buy books or returning with their purchases. Many were so engrossed that they read the books right on the street, engaging in animated discussions about the commentaries and illustrations inside.
Some individuals, foregoing the books altogether, opted instead to purchase the newly released dress-up card sets from the store, openly praising their quality in the streets and comparing them to the displaying the same conscientious craftsmanship of the renowned Cui Beauty from back then. They also remarked nostalgically on the quiet departure of the Cui Beauty and the heartless decision of the bookstore owner, who had not preserved the woman’s boudoir as a memento, but had donated it to establish a library instead.
Xie Ying, privy to the inside story, discreetly bowed his head as he proceeded forward, suppressing his laughter. As he neared the bookstore, the throng intensified. Dismounting his steed, he led it by the reins, his gaze drawn to the sign of the ‘Peace of Mind Study’, which glowed faintly red under the slanting rays of light from the late afternoon sun.
Upon reaching the storefront, he caught a glimpse of the silhouettes of two beauties side by side hung on the wall, amidst the bustling crowd within, filled with the sounds of purchases and the clinking of coins. Yet, he suddenly felt no need to enter.
Having come on a whim, he was content to leave as his interest waned quickly, turning towards a less crowded path. Passing by an alley next to the store, a flicker of color peeked out from the corner of his eye. Instinctively, he glanced inside—
There, quietly parked outside the side gate of the store, was a small white horse. Seated atop was a young scholar dressed in a green robes and a soft cap, looking intently in his direction. The youth possessed a distinct, ethereal elegance and a vibrant spirit, remarkably handsome and strikingly familiar.
As their eyes met in the air, Cui Xie called out first, “Xie—”
Before he could finish speaking, realizing the crowd around them, Cui Xie spurred his horse forward to meet the visitor, inquiring with a hint of excitement, “Xie-xiong, what brings you here? If there is a particular book you desire, just let me know. I can arrange for it to be delivered to you. This place is rather crowded…”
Cui Yuan and Shopkeeper Ji, who were at the doorstep seeing off Cui Xie, approached Xie Ying to greet him politely and offered the two to take their conversations inside the courtyard. Cui Xie gestured towards the residence, “Would you care to join me inside for a moment, Xie-xiong? Although the courtyard houses some clerks and artisans, there are still tranquil spots devoid of people where we can converse peacefully.”
Xie Ying, recalling the bustling scene inside the shop, shook his head and declined, “You are occupied with your business, it would not be right to ask you to divert your staff for my sake. Besides, I am not in need of such formalities. If you feel it improper for me to have come for nothing, perhaps you could accompany me for a stroll outside, I can see for myself how well you ride now.”
“Of course.”
Cui Xie agreed without hesitation, gracefully turning his horse around in the alleyway. He addressed Cui Yuan and Shopkeeper Ji, instructing, “I will be accompanying Colonel Xie out. Please inform my family that I will not be returning for dinner this evening.”
Cui Yuan acknowledged with a series of affirming sounds and even offered to provide some money for the outing. Cui Xie, with a wave of his sleeve and a face full of smiles, he declined, “I have no need for Uncle Yuan’s money, I have brought my own funds. You all should head back, as the store is quite busy. We will be leaving now.”
It was unusual for him to venture out, but today, concerned about the new store’s opening and its operations, he had come to check up on it after classes, only to unexpectedly encounter Colonel Xie also visiting his store – a serendipitous, fateful meeting. Usually reluctant to spare time for leisure, Cui Xie decided to seize the opportunity presented by Colonel Xie’s visit for an excursion so as to make Xie Ying’s trip not in vain.
Exiting the narrow valley onto the main road, he gently pulled on the reins and turned around and smiled, “Where shall we go?”
Xie Ying, observing Cui Xie’s cyan everyday robes, the uniform for the Imperial College, he felt a tinge of regret and answered, “Let’s first head out of the city to relax. Tomorrow is Lord Guan Yu’s birthday and tonight, performances and acts will likely start outside various temples worshiping Guan Yu as celebrations start. After our walk, we can find a nearby temple to enjoy the festivities.”
- nail head and rat tail brush technique: This is one of the techniques of painting pleats on clothes of ancient Chinese figures. The beginning and end of its lines resemble nail heads and rat tails, hence the name ↩︎
TN: Hope everyone is doing well, long time no see!! I am finally back from hiatus and planning on resuming my normal schedule of posting once a week on Sundays for TMD. I’m sorry it took me so long to come back, I’ve been super busy with grad school applications and my senior year, but I am glad to be back 🙂 This will be the last chapter for today, hopefully having a few extra chapters somewhat makes up for my absence!
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 (∩˃o˂∩)♡
LikeLiked by 1 person