gnovel Chapter 91, that one, is the 3rd Hermit.
Chapter 91, that one, is the 3rd Hermit.
Chapter 91, that one, is Mikami Koji.
Yang Zhengdao overestimated the literacy rate of the Tang Dynasty.
Most of the attendants and guards at the literary gathering were only literate; it was too much to ask them to transcribe the 40,000-character "Lianping Chun".
Fortunately, Li Tai had enough followers, and with their mutual support, they managed to make thirteen copies by late afternoon. Li Tai and Yang Zhengdao each received two copies, and the rest of the group each received one copy.
Yang Zhengdao believes that similar copying scenes must have been playing out simultaneously in other parts of Chang'an.
Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Conference came to a successful conclusion.
Everyone had gained a lot. They rubbed their sore wrists, clasped their hands in farewell, and parted ways.
Unexpectedly, Yan Xianfu stepped forward and invited, "Master Sanshang, my humble abode is located in Quchifang next to Furong Garden. If you have the time, I would be honored to visit you."
Yang Zhengdao was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected the Yan family to live in such a remote place.
In Chang'an, the closer a location is to the imperial city, the more valuable it is. The Kong family lived in Pingkang Ward, but compared to them, the Yan family seemed even more refined and noble.
Yan Xianfu seemed to notice the surprise on Yang Zhengdao's face, so he smiled and explained, "Back then, my grandfather thought Qujiangfang was quiet, so he settled here."
Which young man doesn't yearn for a life of luxury? Yan Xianfu was no exception, which is why he offered this explanation.
Yang Zhengdao naturally knew that the old man Yan Xianfu mentioned was Yan Silu, the eldest son of the great Confucian scholar Yan Zhitui and a leading figure in classical studies.
He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Great sages choose their dwellings based solely on virtue and tranquility. To be able to enter your esteemed residence is a path my heart yearns for in governance."
Given the Yan family's noble status, they would not casually invite people to their home. Yan Xianfu's invitation was naturally something they were eager to accept.
Moreover, Yan Silu's four sons each achieved great things, and during the Zhenguan era, the Yan family was extremely noble and distinguished.
Yan Xianfu's eldest uncle, Yan Shigu, was a Zhongshu Shilang (a high-ranking official in charge of secret documents) who was in charge of drafting imperial edicts. His second uncle, Yan Xiangshi, was one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's court and served in the Secretariat.
Both of them were key members of Li Er's secretariat, and could be considered Li Er's most trusted confidants.
Yan Xianfu's father, Yan Qinli, was the third son and served as the military advisor of Yongzhou. His youngest uncle, Yan Yude, was the attendant to the crown prince.
Maintaining a good relationship with the Yan family would naturally be of great benefit.
Therefore, Yang Zhengdao took the initiative to get closer to Yan Xianfu.
"Young Master Yan, once we leave this Hibiscus Garden, please don't call me the Hermit of the Three Realms again. If you address me like that in front of the four scholars, wouldn't I be utterly ashamed?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Xianfu laughed heartily. He also felt that referring to Yang Zhengdao as the "Three Visits to the Hermit" in front of his uncle was somewhat frivolous, so he asked, "I wonder if Young Master Yang has a courtesy name?"
Yang Zhengdao naturally didn't have a courtesy name yet, so since the goal was to get closer to him, the more intimate the address, the better.
"I don't have a courtesy name yet, but we're about the same age and hit it off immediately, so you can just call me Adao."
Yan Xianfu hesitated for a moment and did not tell Yang Zhengdao his courtesy name.
"In that case, you may call me Afu."
Leaving Furong Garden and heading west, you'll find Quchifang.
The neighborhood was indeed quiet and spacious, with sparse houses, and each family even had a vegetable garden in front of or behind their house.
Before long, they arrived at the Yan family's residence.
The Yan residence is located in the southwest of Quchifang. Although it does not occupy a large area, it is well-maintained.
Yan Xianfu led Yang Zhengdao through the gate, and after passing through a corridor in the front yard, they came to a courtyard.
An old locust tree grows in the courtyard, and there is a stone table and benches under the tree, with several books scattered on the table.
Yan Xianfu turned around with a smile and said in a low voice, "I'll take you to see my uncle first. He should be in the study in the east wing."
Yang Zhengdao nodded.
The door to the east wing was ajar. Yan Xianfu stopped outside and called out softly, "Uncle, Xianfu has brought a friend to visit."
After a moment of silence, a deep, aged voice came from inside: "Come in."
Upon entering, Yang Zhengdao met Yan Shigu, a renowned scholar of classical studies and textual exegesis.
He was nearly fifty years old, dressed in brown, with several books spread out in front of him. When he saw someone coming to visit, he put down his pen and got up.
After exchanging greetings and pleasantries, Yan Shigu smiled and said, "I was fortunate enough to see the complete poem 'Song of Everlasting Regret' written by the Hermit Sanshang at the Sage's place. It is truly a masterpiece of poetry, a unique gem among Yuefu poems."
Yang Zhengdao blushed and quickly bowed.
"I am acquainted with Afu, and you, Master Yan, are like an elder. I am extremely honored to receive such praise from you. However, I am unworthy of the title of Layman in your presence."
Yan Shigu smiled and nodded.
"If we consider it as a matter of close friendship, I will accept your address of 'elder'; if we consider it as a matter of poetic talent, you are entitled to call me 'layman'."
Yang Zhengdao was secretly delighted. This gesture of goodwill was obvious, so he had no choice but to go along with it.
He bowed again, saying, "Uncle, I have learned a great deal from Zhengdao!"
Yan Shigu smiled and pointed his finger at the air: "Little rascal!"
Upon leaving Yan Shigu's study, Yan Xianfu repeatedly expressed his amazement.
"Ah Dao, I never expected that my uncle, such a serious person, would be so close to you."
"Do you usually bring friends over to your home?" Yang Zhengdao was also curious about Yan Shigu's attitude towards him.
"How could that be! My home is in such a remote area, this is the first time I've brought friends over."
Yang Zhengdao understood; it was probably because he called Yan Xianfu "Afu" that Yan Shigu believed the two of them were truly close friends.
What Yang Zhengdao didn't know was that Yan Shigu had recently given Yan Xianfu the courtesy name Zhouqing, intending to groom him as the next head of the family.
Having both a courtesy name and a nickname deepened Yan Shigu's misunderstanding.
However, in Yang Zhengdao's view, Yan Xianfu was a person he could get along with.
After his unrestrained performance at the literary gathering, Yan Xianfu was the first to stand up and cheer for him.
A person's aspirations in becoming a certain type of person will generally influence the type of person they admire.
In such a noble family with strict etiquette, the thing Yan Xianfu most wanted to do but dared not do was probably what he praised Yang Zhengdao for saying: "A true scholar is one who is true to his nature."
Then, Yan Xianfu took Yang Zhengdao to the study in the west wing to pay their respects to Prime Minister Yan.
Because Yan Xiangshi already admired Yang Zhengdao, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, he also called out to his second uncle.
Yan Xiangshi was around forty years old and had a gentle personality. Yan Xianfu was completely at ease in his presence.
So Yan Xianfu took out the poetry collection from today's literary gathering and showed it off to Yan Xiangshi.
"Second Uncle, both the preface and the closing chapter are masterpieces by Adao."
Yang Zhengdao quickly replied modestly, "Second Uncle, please don't listen to Afu's exaggeration. It's just a young man's playful remark, don't take it seriously."
Yan Xiangshi accepted the poetry collection with a smile, but his smile vanished after only glancing at the preface.
He shook his head, his eyes showing appreciation: "No, no. In terms of the most exquisite lines, this preface is no less impressive than the Orchid Pavilion Preface. Wang Xizhi's preface is best for the line 'Those who come after will view us as we view those who came before.'"
As he spoke, he pointed a finger onto the paper.
"And this phrase, 'Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not becoming seductive,' will likely be surpassed centuries from now. Adao truly deserves the elegant title of the Hermit of Three Ascents!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengdao inwardly gave Yan Xiangshi a thumbs up, thinking how sharp his judgment was.
In terms of fame, in later generations, "emerging from the mud unstained, cleansed by the clear ripples without becoming seductive" is indeed more famous than "those who come after us will view us as we view those who came before."
Now that Yang Zhengdao has accepted this high praise on behalf of Zhou Dunyi, he naturally feels embarrassed and humble.
"Second Uncle, please don't make fun of Zhengdao!"
After leaving Yan Xiangshi's study, Yan Xianfu gave a mysterious smile.
"Let's go to where I live first."
"Huh? Aren't you going to pay your respects to your father and your fourth uncle?" Yang Zhengdao asked, somewhat surprised.
Yan Xianfu patted his chest, looking embarrassed, and said, "My fourth uncle has very sharp eyes; it would be bad if he found out!"
Yang Zhengdao naturally knew that Yan Xianfu was hiding "The Spring of the Curtain Screen" in his heart.
Turning into a blue brick path and passing through a round doorway, you arrive at a small courtyard.
"Adao, sit in the courtyard for a while, I'll go and hide the manuscript!"
Yan Xianfu was about to turn around when he stopped and anxiously instructed, "If anyone comes, Adao, please hold them off for me, especially Xiao Jiu. Don't let her barge in."
Yang Zhengdao found it amusing to see Yan Xianfu looking so guilty.
"Afu, you don't need to be so careful. Kong Huiyuan isn't afraid, so what are you afraid of?"
"Yes, I know. As Adao said, every word is full of lust and infatuation, every sentence is a wake-up call, and we should look at it with a critical eye. But Yan Xianfu is still afraid that his father will beat him."
Yang Zhengdao winked at Yan Xianfu: "Use your Yan family's scholarship to criticize and annotate such strange articles."
"Great idea!" Yan Xianfu's eyes lit up. In an instant, he could think of many rules in his family's education that could be used for criticism.
Love without education is often ineffective. This refers to Cui Qing's insatiable demands.
"A household should not be filled with treacherous spirits." This refers to the rivalry between the three women, Lian, Ping, and Chun, for the emperor's favor.
No wonder my uncle called Adao a "little rascal"!
"Xianfu has learned a lot!" Yan Xianfu bowed to Yang Zhengdao, and the two smiled at each other as they stood up.
The next head of the Yan family has been led astray!
As Yang Zhengdao watched Yan Xianfu leave in high spirits, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
With commentaries from the Yan family's school of thought, this is truly a great Confucian scholar explaining the classics to me.
When Shandong scholars were arguing about Han's "Lianping Chun," they probably had to carefully consider their wording.
Not knowing how long it would take Yan Xianfu to properly hide "Spring Screen Curtain", Yang Zhengdao began to survey the small courtyard.
The yard wasn't big; there was a large jar in the corner with a few koi fish.
Yang Zhengdao sat down on the stone bench and looked at the fish.
Just then, a clear voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Fourth brother! I heard you're back?"
Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a young girl stepping in through the round doorway.
The girl was thirteen or fourteen years old, with a pair of almond-shaped eyes full of liveliness.
Perhaps she had walked too fast, for her cheeks were flushed, making her look especially charming and lovely in the afternoon sun.
Wearing a peach-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), she had a petite figure and a slender waist, yet still possessed an elegant and graceful posture. The little baby on her chest must have been quite well-shaped.
Oh—I'm sorry!
Yang Zhengdao immediately looked away, silently apologizing to Afu in his heart.
The girl clearly hadn't expected a strange man to be sitting in the courtyard. She paused, glanced at Yang Zhengdao, and then ignored him, continuing to walk inside.
Yang Zhengdao then remembered Yan Xianfu's instructions.
Is this the Xiao Jiu that Yan Xianfu was talking about?! He really is going straight in.
He quickly got up to stop her: "Is it Miss Jiu?"
"Huh?! How did you know—"
The girl was taken aback at first, then smiled slyly: "Oh, I know! It was my fourth brother who told you to stop me."
As she spoke, she twisted her body and tried to go around Yang Zhengdao and into the house.
This little Jiu is too clever!
For Afu's sake, I have no choice but to become a lecher!
Yang Zhengdao immediately hugged Xiao Jiu's slender waist.
This feint successfully scared Xiao Jiu away.
Like a cat with its fur standing on end, she took several steps back, her face flushed with embarrassment, and pointed at Yang Zhengdao.
"You—you—you lecher!"
Ah, just as I expected!
Yang Zhengdao stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Little Ninth Lady, let me explain my excuses—let me hear my explanation."
Xiao Jiu crossed her arms and took a step back: "Who are you?"
Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to stand still and bow: "I am Yang Zhengdao. I am here today to attend a literary gathering with your fourth brother and am just passing by to pay you a visit."
Xiao Jiu lowered her guard slightly, then rolled her eyes and threatened in a fierce but childish way, "Then tell me what Fourth Brother is doing hiding there, or I'll tell my master that you're impolite."
Looking at Xiao Jiu pouting, Yang Zhengdao felt quite helpless.
Are you sure you want to listen?
When Xiao Jiu heard that there was a chance to fool him, she immediately beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes! I'm sure."
"Then I'll tell you, but you have to promise me you won't tell anyone."
Xiao Jiu laughed when she heard this. This person is so silly. I am a woman, not a gentleman. Even a little donkey can catch up with me.
She nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes! I agree."
Yang Zhengdao took a deep breath. "Afu, I'm sorry!"
"Your fourth brother didn't change his clothes in time and soiled his pants."
"Ah—" Xiao Jiu was first shocked, then disgusted. "Yan Xianfu is so disgusting!"
Just then, Yan Xianfu peeked out of the house and was spotted by Xiao Jiu.
Xiao Jiu originally only believed three-tenths of Yang Zhengdao's words. She wasn't stupid; how could she possibly believe the words of a lecher?
But after seeing her fourth brother's thieving appearance, she immediately believed him completely.
"Ninth Sister, you're here!" Yan Xianfu greeted Xiao Jiu while secretly giving Yang Zhengdao a thumbs up.
Yang Zhengdao immediately blinked, as if to say, "We're brothers for life, no need to thank me!"
As Xiao Jiu saw Yan Xianfu step forward, she immediately covered her nose and took a step back.
"Fourth brother, have you taken a bath?"
"Huh?!" Yan Xianfu looked confused. He sniffed around uncertainly and found that he didn't smell anything.
"What do you mean?!"
Before Xiao Jiu could speak, Yang Zhengdao preemptively answered, "I told Xiao Jiu's wife that I have an old acquaintance who is planning to open a hot spring bathhouse, which is why she asked this question."
"Yeah!"
"Ah? Yes! That's exactly what I meant." Xiao Jiu covered her nose and dodged again.
Yan Xianfu looked at Xiao Jiu with a puzzled expression. This was really strange!
He then formally introduced her to Yang Zhengdao: "This is my second uncle's youngest daughter, the ninth in her family, named Chun Chun."
"Stupid!?" Yang Zhengdao couldn't help but blurt out.
"You're the stupid one!" Xiao Jiu immediately snapped!
Yang Zhengdao stared at Xiao Jiu, completely bewildered. What did that mean?
Yan Xianfu looked at Yang Zhengdao with a blank expression. "You don't know?"
Xiao Jiu wondered what kind of literary gathering these four brothers had attended today.
Her gaze swept over Yang Zhengdao and Yan Xianfu, her face full of disdain.
One was filthy and immoral, the other was crude and ignorant.
"Their government is sluggish, and their people are simple and honest. Don't you know that? How could the Hermit of the Three Realms be sitting at the same literary gathering as you?"
Huh?! What's going on?! My little fangirl?!
Yang Zhengdao opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain. He really hadn't read that sentence before!
Who names their daughter with such classical allusions?!
The Yan family! Oh, alright! Sorry to bother you!
At this moment, Yan Xianfu suppressed a laugh and coughed lightly: "Ninth Sister, that—he is the Hermit of the Three Realms."
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