Chapter 35: Xue, the Great Benefactor

"Slap!"

"Brother Li, look at me, what a fool I am!"

At that moment, perhaps feeling his sincerity was still lacking, Murong Kai suddenly smacked his own forehead with force, seemingly unbothered by any pain, then looked at Li Yuanjing with utmost respect and spoke:

"Brother Li, you can rest assured. I am willing to stake my very life and fortune as a guarantee that I will spread this poem and calligraphy, along with your great name, throughout the length and breadth of our Da Qian!"

Li Yuanjing was somewhat taken aback by Murong Kai's enthusiasm and generosity. He knew his poem and calligraphy were valuable, but he hadn't expected them to be worth so much—Murong Kai had even offered him ten thousand taels...

However,

Li Yuanjing quickly recovered from his shock and excitement. If he were already famous in Da Qian and possessed sufficient power, not to mention ten thousand, he would have dared to ask for a hundred thousand taels. But as it was, Li Yuanjing was little more than a powerless ant with no backing.

If he were to covet Murong Kai's silver now, perhaps the young man wouldn't mind, but what about his father, that wily old fox Murong Mubai? Surely he would blacklist Li Yuanjing at once!

Moreover,

In this forsaken village of Quanzi, could Li Yuanjing even protect so much silver?

By comparison, though silver was tempting, it was far wiser and safer to further his own development, ideally while flying the banner of the mighty Murong family.

He hurriedly smiled and said,

"Young Master, your generosity is more than I deserve. Since you are fond of this poem and calligraphy, it is the blessing of this piece itself. Please allow me the honor of gifting it to you."

"This..."

At these words, not only was Murong Kai stunned, but Zhao Bingchun was left speechless as well. Though Zhao Bingchun would never have agreed to Murong Kai's earlier offer of ten thousand taels, he was certain this calligraphy was worth at least a thousand.

Who would have thought...

That Li Yuanjing, a youth not yet twenty, would possess such magnanimity, able to resist the temptation of ten thousand taels and present this piece as a gift to Murong Kai?

In that instant,

Zhao Bingchun's estimation of Li Yuanjing rose by leaps and bounds. Though the poem was a sentimental one, crafted to suit the prevailing themes of Da Qian, Li Yuanjing himself was clearly a man of exceptional talent.

"Brother Li, how can I possibly accept this?"

Murong Kai's eyes reddened with emotion, his hands trembling as he searched for words.

Li Yuanjing was about to speak, when—

Just then, Yuniang finished cooking and brought the food over.

He quickly smiled and said,

"Young Master, it's not a matter of whether you can or cannot accept it. As I said before, there is a certain affinity between us. How can a friendship between gentlemen be tainted by gold and silver?"

"Come, Young Master, honored elders, though our humble home is simple, my wife and I have some skill in cooking. Please, have a taste of what we have prepared."

Murong Kai had been about to say more, but as the egg soup and crispy fish were brought out, the tempting aroma made his stomach growl in spite of himself. With cheeks flushed, he could only clasp his hands in thanks and sit down, too embarrassed to say more.

Zhao Bingchun fared little better, hastily picking up his chopsticks and eating with care.

But as soon as he tasted the crispy fish, Zhao Bingchun was transfixed, his aged eyes widening in disbelief as he looked at Li Yuanjing.

"Yuanjing, how is this fish so delicious? In over fifty years, I've never tasted anything so fresh and flavorful..."

Murong Kai, hearing Zhao Bingchun praise the fish, quickly took a large bite himself—and was immediately astonished, turning to look at Li Yuanjing in amazement.

Li Yuanjing smiled and said,

"Please, take your time. Not only is the flesh edible, but the bones are as well—they've been stewed until soft, and are even tastier. But do be careful not to choke on any fish bones."

At this, Murong Kai and Zhao Bingchun said no more, and simply began to eat heartily, a look of inexpressible satisfaction spreading across their faces.

When the meal was over, Murong Kai could not help but burp contentedly, then, somewhat abashed, clasped his hands to Li Yuanjing and said,

"Brother Li, I truly cannot express in words the gratitude and friendship I feel for you today..."

Li Yuanjing returned the gesture with a smile.

"Young Master, you praise me too highly. For you and the honored elders to visit me today and help me resolve my debts is the greatest kindness I could ever hope to receive."

"As it is said, 'A gentleman’s friendship is as light as water, a petty man’s friendship as sweet as wine.'"

"To have met you and the honored elders today is the greatest fortune of my life."

As he spoke, Li Yuanjing bowed deeply to Murong Kai and Zhao Bingchun.

"A gentleman’s friendship is as light as water, a petty man’s as sweet as wine?"

"Well said! Wonderfully said!"

Murong Kai burst out laughing.

"Meeting Brother Li today is the greatest good fortune of my life—we must drink to our hearts' content!"

Zhao Bingchun also laughed.

"Judging by your attire, Yuanjing, it seems you have not yet participated in the county examination. Will you be taking part next spring?"

Li Yuanjing had been waiting for this question, and respectfully bowed.

"Honored elder, you see clearly. My parents recently suffered misfortune, and I have not had time to review my studies. If all goes well, I will certainly do my best next spring."

Murong Kai and Zhao Bingchun exchanged a glance, remembering the recent tragedy in Li Yuanjing's family, both feeling a touch of sympathy.

Yet observing Li Yuanjing’s character, it was clear that simply offering him gold and silver would have been a lesser path...

After some thought, Murong Kai smiled.

"Brother Li, with your talent, not just the county exam, but the prefectural, provincial, even the palace examination—you have the ability to take first place in them all!"

Zhao Bingchun also praised him with a smile.

"When the day comes that you make the honor roll, we must have a proper celebration."

But just as their conversation was growing warmer and more intimate, Master Ma, the attendant outside, hurried in and respectfully reported,

"Young Master, honored elders, Philanthropist Xue of Iron Ox Town is here—he says he has urgent business to discuss with you..."

"Hmm?"

"That man named Xue?"

Murong Kai instantly frowned in displeasure.

Zhao Bingchun, however, remained calm, as if everything was under control.

Li Yuanjing guessed what was happening and quickly signaled to Yuniang to hide in the room.

He smiled at Murong Kai and Zhao Bingchun.

"If you have official matters to discuss, I will not intrude."

Murong Kai scoffed.

"Brother Li, what official matters could we possibly have at a time like this? Since this Philanthropist Xue has rushed over, let us meet him together."

Zhao Bingchun nodded with a smile.

Li Yuanjing quickly signaled to Yuniang to slip away to the kitchen under the pretense of clearing the dishes.

Once Yuniang had left, Li Yuanjing smiled.

"I will leave it to you, Young Master, to decide."

Murong Kai gave a cold laugh and said to Zhao Bingchun,

"Sir Zhao, would you mind sending someone to bring in this so-called Philanthropist Xue?"

…

Soon after,

Philanthropist Xue, dressed in a fine deer-hide coat but sweating profusely, hurried into the room.

Yet at that moment, he dared not even glance at Murong Kai or Zhao Bingchun, let alone Li Yuanjing. As soon as he entered, he dropped to his knees with a thud, bowed his head to the floor, and cried out,

"Young Master, honored elders, I—I have committed a grave offense..."