Chapter 63 – Water Pavilion

The weather in August was unbearably hot. Xu Chun had been eating vegetarian meals for many days, coupled with the emotional highs and lows he had experienced, which left him somewhat unable to withstand the summer heat. His digestive system was out of sorts, and he felt a sense of frustration and restlessness in his heart. Doctor Zhou came to see him and simply said it was due to his inherent weakness and the effects of the summer heat. He prescribed some cooling and yang-restoring decoctions and ginseng reed pills for him to take, but still, he remained listless throughout the day.

Lady Sheng was worried, but fortunately, she now had control over the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion. She ordered people to modify the open pavilion by the lake in the back garden. They transformed the roof into a water pavilion, guiding a stream of water to cascade down the pavilion’s spine and into the water below. Underneath the pavilion, they built a veranda and side rooms, surrounded on all sides by water and well-ventilated, intending for Xu Chun to spend his days there reading and resting this summer.

While Lady Sheng was busy both inside and outside, Xu Chun began to worry about her, saying, “It’s not a big deal. We can just place several ice mountains in my room. Mother has been so busy these past few days. Now that there’s no entertaining to do, you should take more breaks.”

Lady Sheng smiled at his childish remark, “Even though we’re in mourning, we can’t neglect the seasonal gifts. The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and although we won’t celebrate, we still need to prepare the gifts. Furthermore, the mansion needs to be tidied up. Although we won’t celebrate, there are plenty of housewives to manage things. This small dukedom won’t tire me out. Besides,”

Lady Sheng’s face lit up with renewed vigor, “I should take this opportunity to plan the layout of the mansion’s courtyards and gardens according to my own preferences. I’ll have diagrams drawn up and send them out for procurement. Once the mourning period is over, we can start the renovations immediately. I’ve disliked those old, rotten buildings and dilapidated pavilions for a long time. The wood isn’t of good quality either, standing there obstructively and affecting the fengshui. Wait and see how skillfully your mother will transform the gardens to be both comfortable and beautiful. When that happens, you can entertain guests and friends with pride.”

She looked around at the lush trees and plants in the courtyard and sighed, “Twenty years have passed; it’s about time I enjoy myself.”

Xu Chun noticed that after enduring for so many years, Lady Sheng had finally taken charge in recent days, and her demeanor was completely different from before. Her spirit was vibrant, far removed from the perpetually furrowed brow and wooden expression of a wronged woman. He was delighted, “Mother has endured much hardship and made great contributions. It’s time for you to show the prestige of a Duchess of the Jingguo Duke. I’m looking forward to the gardens you’ll create.”

Lady Sheng chuckled but then remembered something and whispered a reminder, “However, there’s something you need to pay attention to. Even though we’re still in mourning, several matchmakers have already come to privately discuss marriage prospects for you and your older brother. I’ve been using the mourning period as an excuse to put them off, but they’ve mentioned that they just want to give us a heads-up. If we’re interested, we should start discussing it. Both you and your older brother aren’t young anymore. In the past, your grandmother wouldn’t let me interfere, but now, I can’t avoid seriously considering it.”

Xu Chun’s smile immediately faded. Lady Sheng’s heart sank, knowing that he must be unwilling. She sighed, “I’m fine with it, but your father is easily swayed. If the other party has significant influence, he might not be able to refuse them and could end up agreeing. I’ve repeatedly told him that we must be cautious about marriage matters and not make promises lightly. But you should make plans sooner rather than later.”

Xu Chun said, “Mother… I prefer men, so you only need to consider marriage arrangements for Big Brother and Third Brother. As for the two younger sisters, find them good families as well.”

Lady Sheng didn’t know what to do with this son for a moment. Seeing Xu Chun’s pale complexion, she deeply regretted bringing up the topic. She vaguely responded, “Regardless, your father has to observe three years of mourning and won’t be socializing much. You’re still young, so we can delay it for a few more years. Think it through carefully… If it really doesn’t work out, we can talk to your grandfather’s side and find a cover story, claiming that it’s your cousin… I don’t care about these things. But you… you’re too young, and I fear you might make a mistake. You will inherit the dukedom in the future, so it’s better not to publicize it… Your father is also naive…”

As she spoke, her heart ached, and her eyes reddened. The mother and son had been estranged for a long time, and now that they wanted to confide in each other, they couldn’t be too light or too heavy-handed. She knew that she couldn’t persuade him at this moment, so she could only drag it out for now.

Xu Chun’s eyes also turned red, but he didn’t know how to tell his mother about Ninth Brother. Regardless, he would never betray Ninth Brother in his life. However, he couldn’t explain these things to his mother and could only say softly, “Mother, please rest well. I’ll go and review my studies.”

Thinking about Ninth Brother, Xu Chun was even more uncertain about how to face him. If he tried to act as if nothing had happened and continue to hang out with Ninth Brother, how could he deceive himself? But if he confessed to Ninth Brother, what would he be? Would he prostrate three times and bow nine times upon seeing him? Or would he continue as before, accompanying Ninth Brother when he came to visit, and doing his own things when he didn’t? Neither a minister nor a concubine… Memories of the “Biographies of Favored Attendants” he had read flooded his mind. He sighed deeply, his heart in turmoil.

The water corridor was ready, and he indeed went to the water pavilion to rest and read. It was cooler there. The Sheng brothers also came to visit him, saying that they had to wait for some goods before leaving the capital, and since they had free time, they came to share some jokes with him. His illness had slightly improved, and he still remembered Fang Zixing’s friendship. He asked Donghai to search for expensive medicinal treatments for wounds and eventually sent them through Wufu, pretending not to know where Fang Zixing lived.

That day, Chunxi reported that Zhuangyuan He and Fan Mucun and Zhang Wenzheng had arrived at the mansion gate. The three top scholars came together, firstly to discuss proofreading and selecting illustrations for the book manuscripts, secondly, having heard that there were many out-of-print books here that were going to be printed, they volunteered to write prefaces and proofread. Lastly, they heard that he wasn’t feeling well, and since it was a day off, they came to visit him.

Xu Chun hurriedly ordered someone to bring them to the water corridor in the back garden. He quickly changed his clothes while ordering people to arrange tea and fruits to welcome the guests in the water corridor.

When the three of them entered, they saw the water wheels on the corridor, guiding the waterfall from the hillside into the top of the water corridor. The water flowed through the corridor, dripping down the eaves from small holes on the sides of the roof, forming a stunning crystal curtain of water. Walking along it, the cool breeze penetrated their bodies, the sound of water was soothing, lotus leaves danced on the water, the faint fragrance of lotus filled their nostrils, distant rocks were rugged, and flowers and trees were lush. Above the water corridor were three large characters, “Beautiful Rain Corridor (Juanyu Corridor),” even Zhang Wenzheng exclaimed in admiration, “What a wonderful water corridor.”

Entering the inner water pavilion within the corridor, there was a signboard with the words “Arriving Phoenix Pavilion (Laifeng Pavilion).” Judging by the handwriting, it seemed that Xu Chun had written it himself. The floor was made of bamboo mats, and stepping barefoot onto them felt cool and smooth. In the center of the main hall stood an ice mountain, and the gentle breeze made the three men who had just come in from the scorching heat feel refreshed.

Seeing Xu Chun smiling as he greeted them, dressed in a thin, flowing white silk robe and wearing wooden clogs barefoot, Zhang Wenzheng said sourly, “You’re truly enjoying yourself!”

Xu Chun laughed, “The arrival of the three top scholars brings an abundance of literary spirit, making it even cooler.”

Zhang Wenzheng teased He Zhishu, “Look at that mouth of his, getting better at speaking every day, but he does seem to have lost weight. Has he really been ill?”

For a moment, Xu Chun merely smiled and invited the three of them to sit in the upper seats of the water pavilion, saying, “It’s just a bout of summer heat, causing a lack of appetite.”

Fan Mucun stood in front of the water pavilion for a while, admiring the calligraphy. “Siyuan’s writing is excellent, with the bones of gold and jade, upright and dignified.”

Xu Chun was pleasantly surprised. “Really? I’ve practiced for a long time, and I’ve only picked out a couple of decent ones. To hear such praise from the third-place scholar, I’m relieved.”

He Zhishu observed the furnishings in the hall, where a long table had been set up, and the book manuscripts had been brought over. There were also several boxes of new books. Picking one up, he commented, “It’s evident that you’ve practiced for some time. The aura of wealth and nobility is evident, showing the style of a master.”

Zhang Wenzheng took slices of lotus root and snow pears lying in a pile of snow and ate them while laughing. “Siyuan, the Zhuangyuan is mocking you. These literati pride themselves on their integrity and refuse to flatter the wealthy, nor will they indulge in empty compliments. They use terms like ‘aura of wealth and nobility,’ ‘style of a master,’ and ‘elegant dignity’ to avoid giving direct praise.”

He burst out laughing, and He Zhishu lightly coughed a few times before he couldn’t help but laugh as well. For a moment, even Fan Mucun couldn’t help but chuckle. “Zhang Wenzheng’s mouth is indeed relentless. The Prince Consort comes from a noble background, untouched by hardship. That’s a good thing. I think this calligraphy will develop its own character with more practice. He Zhishu’s praise is perfectly reasonable, yet you’re nitpicking.”

Xu Chun also laughed, and He Zhishu said, “Dongye, your words are melancholic. You also come from a distinguished family, versed in literature and poetry. Why are you lamenting in front of me, a humble scholar?”

Fan Mucun sighed. “After my father passed away, I took his remains back home. Along the way, I traveled extensively and covered thousands of miles. Indeed, traveling is better than reading alone.”

Moved by this, Xu Chun picked up a poetry collection, pretending to admire Fan Mucun’s father, Fan Wending, seeking advice on poetry, and became intimately involved in conversation with Fan Mucun.

Fan Mucun saw him in a white robe with a silver hairpin, dressed in mourning attire with no gold or jade accessories. However, under the thin and translucent silk, one could see a bracelet on his left arm, made of gold and jade, his eyes clear as water, and his elegance came naturally. For a moment, Fan Mucun couldn’t help but feel a slight stirring in his heart, recalling the Emperor’s questioning that day. Such a charming figure, it was no wonder the Emperor had harbored doubts at the time.

He felt a bit guilty towards Xu Chun and thus earnestly guided him in poetry and literature, quite unlike his former aloof demeanor.

He Zhishu and Zhang Wenzheng, unaware of the underlying situation, thought that Prince Xu was open and likable, known for his good relationships. For a moment, the three of them seriously discussed the book manuscripts.