The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 028 First Meeting Part 2

The passenger boat had just docked at the Shengjing pier when Tang Shen, still inside the cabin, heard the bustling sounds of people and carriages. Yao San picked up three chests and, together with Tang Shen, left the cabin. Upon stepping outside, Yao San looked at the scene before him, stunned in place, and exclaimed after a long pause, "This, this is Shengjing?"

Even Tang Shen, who had seen the prosperous cities of later generations, was momentarily taken aback before saying, "This is Shengjing!"

Heavenly jade capital in the sky, five cities and twelve towers. Carriages and people bustling, pavilions and palaces clustered.

After disembarking, Yao San found a donkey carriage to take them to a nearby middleman agency. The roads in Shengjing were exceptionally wide, allowing eight carriages to travel side by side from the pier to the market district! Although it was March and Shengjing had not fully entered spring, the streets were crowded with pedestrians, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares never ceased. There were two-story buildings, three-story buildings, and Yao San, lifting the curtain of the carriage, was amazed to see a four-story building.

The carriage driver chuckled and said, "You two don't sound like you're from Shengjing. Are you from the south?"

"We're from Gusu Prefecture," Yao San replied. "What place is this with a four-story building?"

The driver proudly answered, "This is our Shengjing's largest restaurant, called Qianli Tower."

Tang Shen mused, "Qianli Tower? Is it named after the line 'to see a thousand miles, go up one more story'?"

The driver said, "You guessed it right. Little gongzi must be a scholar."

The driver took them to the middleman agency. Although Shengjing was wealthy and the cost of living was high, Tang Shen was not short of money. With sufficient funds, things were easier than when he had first arrived in Gusu with limited means. Tang Shen had the agent find a spacious house in a good location, renting it for five taels of silver a month.

Yao San was a bit distressed, "What kind of house costs five taels of silver?"

Tang Shen pondered, "Brother Yao, why don't we buy a house?"

Yao San's eyes widened, "Little boss, the agent said this house alone would cost four hundred taels of silver to buy!"

Tang Shen thought for a moment, "That's true. If I rank in the top three in the palace examination, I'll be granted an imperial residence. No need to rush to buy a house."

Yao San: "..."

He felt like he didn't quite understand what the little boss was saying.

No, the little boss will surely rank in the top three!

... Probably.

Yao San busied himself cleaning the house and buying some necessities.

That evening, Tang Shen groomed himself carefully. He took his calling card and Liang Song's letter to the Fu Residence. Fu Xiru's reputation was also prominent in Shengjing, and Tang Shen easily found the place by asking a few people. However, this time he didn't visit directly but handed over his calling card along with Liang Song's handwritten letter.

"I am Tang Shen, Tang Jingze, from Gusu Prefecture. I will visit Fu daren tomorrow."

The doorman accepted the name card, and Tang Shen turned and left.

The next day, Tang Shen got up early and washed himself thoroughly. Since Aunt Yao was not around, he could only use a silk band to tie his long hair at the back of his head. He took out the Gusu style embroidered robe he had brought specifically and carried Gusu specialty pastries, a box of original soap, scented soap, and essential oils. Tang Shen and Yao San then headed to the Fu Residence.

The doorman knew he was coming and welcomed him in. "Tang gongzi, please come in. Daren has been waiting for a long time."

Tang Shen slightly bowed, "I made daren wait for so long; I am late."

Seeing Tang Shen dressed in brocade and jade, appearing polite and dignified, the doorman had a good impression of him and said, "Tang gongzi, you are too considerate. Daren habitually gets up before dawn every day to feed the birds and water the flowers. He is now reading in his study."

The doorman led Tang Shen to the study and knocked on the door. Before he could speak, he heard a displeased voice inside.

"You little rascal, I asked you to find a book for me, and here you are being lazy. You deserve a beating, don’t you?"

Immediately followed by a boy’s aggrieved voice, "Sir, you were just sleeping. While you slept, I went to find the book. When I returned, you were still sleeping. I looked at you and became sleepy too, yet you’re blaming me first."

"I was sleeping because I was tired. I wake up before dawn every day!"

"To tease birds and admire flowers..."

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing, nothing."

The doorman knocked again, and there was a flurry of commotion inside. After a moment, an elderly voice called out, "Wen Shu, go see who it is."

Soon, the study door opened, and a small, fair, and thin boy of about eleven or twelve poked his head out. "Uncle Zhang, why are you here?" He then saw Tang Shen behind the doorman, his eyes widened, and he quickly shut the door with a bang, turning around and said, "Oh no, sir, it's Tang Shen from Gusu!"

"What? How come he is so early!"

Another bout of clattering sounds followed, and the boy named Wen Shu opened the door again.

The little boy, lowering his head, said, "Tang gongzi, sir has been waiting for you for a long time."

Tang Shen: "..."

Whatever you say.

Tang Shen smiled slightly and said to Yao San, "Wait outside." Then he entered.

It was a south-facing courtyard with two gates. As soon as he entered the study, Tang Shen smelled a faint scent of ink. There were four birdcages on each side of the main door, with slender golden chains tying four colorful birds. Seeing Tang Shen, they chirped noisily. In the center of the study was a carved incense burner. On the left was a Taishan stone screen, and on the right was a large bookshelf.

Halfway through, Tang Shen heard a cricket chirping. Turning his head, he saw a cricket gourd in one of the shelves’ compartments!

Tang Shen refocused and walked forward. On the Luohan couch sat an elderly man with white hair. This old man was secretly observing Tang Shen and quickly averted his gaze when Tang Shen looked at him, feigning nonchalance, "You must be the student Liang Bowen mentioned, who once said, 'The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone'?"

Sir had mentioned this to Fu Xiru?

Tang Shen nodded, "I am Tang Shen from Gusu, it is an honor to meet Mr. Fu."

Fu Xiru held a book, pretending to read it, without noticing that it was upside down. "Liang Bowen left in a hurry. As you know, during that period, many old friends passed away, and I couldn't visit them all. Hmm? What do you have in your hand?"

"Some specialties from Gusu." Tang Shen said, taking out the pastries, soap, and other items one by one.

Fu Wei seemed unreliable, but seeing the pastries, he said nothing and showed interest in the finely packaged essential oils. "I've seen this before."

Wen Shu, the boy, said, "Wang xianggong brought one from Jinling."

Fu Wei clapped his hands, "Right! Zi Feng once brought one for me, called Golden Wisp? Golden Mist under the misty moon and cold water."

Tang Shen laughed, "It should be Golden Mist of the snowy willow."

"Golden Mist of the snowy willow? Vivid and beautiful, a good name, fitting!"

Thus, the distance between the two became closer.

Fu Wei gradually sat up straight, "You just arrived from Gusu. How is your stay in Shengjing?"

Tang Shen: "I arrived in Shengjing yesterday. I’ve gotten used to it so far."

Fu Wei pricked up his ears.

Oh? Arrived yesterday and visited him today?

Fu Wei asked, "I heard you are fifteen this year and already passed the xiangshi exam?"

Tang Shen: "Indeed. I am unworthy of the praise."

Fu Wei: "I also heard you can recite the Analects backwards?"

Tang Shen: "..."

Fu Wei: "And I heard you can recite the Four Books and Five Classics backwards?"

Tang Shen: "Yes, just an insignificant talent."

Fu Wei suddenly laughed heartily, "I am the Master of Insignificant Talent, and you knowing some insignificant talents is wonderful! Eh, Jing Ze is here, what are you rascal doing? Why not serve Jing Ze some hot tea."

Wen Shu immediately poured Tang Shen a cup of hot tea. Tang Shen thanked him and was about to drink when Fu Wei said, "Aren't you going to offer me tea first?"

Tang Shen paused, looked up at Fu Wei.

Fu Wei sat in his seat, winked at him and smiled.

Tang Shen immediately stood up, holding the tea cup with both hands. Wen Shu placed a cushion on the floor, and Tang Shen knelt on it, raising the cup high, "Please, sir, have some tea!"

Fu Wei took the cup, sipped, "Wonderful!"

Thus, the apprenticeship ceremony was complete.

Now as teacher and student, Fu Wei became more casual, "Jing Ze, you don’t know, this past year Liang Bowen has always written to me, boasting about his excellent student! I have a student with a perfect memory, and he must have one who can recite backwards, really angering me. By the way, you really can recite the Analects backwards?"

Tang Shen smiled wryly, "Indeed."

"Good, good. Recite a passage for me."

Tang Shen: "..."

These old scholars are so unreliable!

Thinking this, Tang Shen obediently recited a passage backwards. Fu Wei praised him repeatedly, and time flew by. Wen Shu reminded, "Sir, it’s time to water the flowers."

Fu Wei nodded, turned to Tang Shen, "I should go read."

Tang Shen: "..."

Fu Wei: "If you need anything in Shengjing, come find me. If I can't do it, your senior brother will. You can leave now, but come anytime if you need me. I have plenty of time."

"Yes, sir."

Tang Shen was about to leave when Fu Wei said, "Wait, Jing Ze, if you have time, help me find a book."

Tang Shen wanted to become closer with Fu Wei, of course he wouldn't refuse. "What book?"

Fu Wei sighed, "It’s called 'Tales of Weijing,' a miscellaneous book. I remember it being on that bookshelf, but I can’t find it. I love listening to… I mean, I love reading this book. Wen Shu, did you not put it back in the right place?"

Wen Shu shouted grievances, "Sir, you clearly put it away yourself, why are you blaming me."

The three searched but couldn’t find it. Fu Wei huffed, "Go find Fu Qin."

Tang Shen and Wen Shu left the study.

Just outside, Yao San approached. Wen Shu complained to Tang Shen, "Tang gongzi, you don't know, our sir has a strange temper. Though I’m called Wen Shu, I’m actually best at playing the qin. We have someone who is best at reading and finding books but he is called Fu Qin. It's just that I want to read every day, and he wants to be a music master every night. But his music... you’ll hear it, it’s terrible. I’ll find him now. Goodbye, Tang gongzi."

Wenshu ran off. Yao San watched in surprise, "Is this Fu daren's page boy? How… odd."

Tang Shen laughed, "You mean eccentric."

Yao San scratched his head, and they left the Fu Residence.

Exiting the study's door, they entered the garden.

Unlike Gusu’s residences, which often had ponds and lotuses, the Fu Residence's garden had many exotic flowers and strange rocks, possessing a unique beauty. Walking around, Tang Shen and Yao San got lost.

Yao San: “Little boss, should I ask someone?"

Before Tang Shen could reply, a continuous, melodious qin sound reached them. They followed it, bypassed a rockery, and passed through a stone gate to see a pavilion with eaves and round roof. The pavilion stood over a manmade pond with a few koi. The pavilion was suspended over the pond, accessible by a wooden corridor.

In the pavilion, a young man in a white robe played the qin.

From a distance, his appearance was unclear, but the music was exquisite, like an immortal playing under the moon.

Even Yao San, who knew nothing about music, was captivated. Tang Shen had heard a lot of modern classical music, but this low and gentle melody was entirely different, possessing a unique charm. However, he didn't get completely lost in the music; his eyes were fixed on the person in the pavilion. Suddenly, Tang Shen stepped onto the wooden corridor and entered the pavilion.

The moment Tang Shen walked into the pavilion, the music abruptly stopped.

The young man's appearance was as beautiful as jade, with bright, clear eyes. After being in this era for so long, Tang Shen had never seen such a handsome man. His features were delicate yet not effeminate, and his demeanor was cool and ethereal, like an immortal from the moon! He lifted his head and quietly looked at Tang Shen, pressing down on the still-vibrating strings with his hands. His long black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his white brocade robe, although seemingly simple, had intricate silver embroidery on the sleeves, each stitch showcasing the superb craftsmanship of top-tier embroiderers.

The two of them looked at each other for a moment.

Tang Shen suddenly smiled and said, "Are you the page boy, Fu Qin?"

The young man playing the qin paused, then slightly smiled without denying it.

Tang Shen said, "Sir has been looking for you. He has a book called Tales of Weijing.' He couldn't find it anywhere and wanted you to help find it."

The man's eyes flickered slightly before he finally spoke, his voice pleasant and carrying a hint of a gentle smile, "I understand."

Tang Shen replied, "That's good, then. I'll be off." With that, he turned and left.

Tang Shen walked up the wooden corridor without looking back and left the pavilion. He could clearly feel a gaze, almost tangible, hotly fixed on him, unwavering, until he left the secluded little garden.

After they left the Fu Residence, Yao San finally reacted, “Little boss, was that really Fu daren's page boy Fu Qin? He doesn't look like it. That page boy Fu Qin's clothes were too fine, much better than the ones worn by Wen Shu's. And his playing wasn't bad either. Although I, Yao San, don't understand music, I found it pleasant!"

Only then did Tang Shen take a deep breath, his previously tense body finally relaxing.

"Of course, that wasn't Fu Qin."

Yao San exclaimed, "What?"

Tang Shen narrowed his eyes and said word by word, "He is my only senior brother, Wang Zhen, courtesy name Zi Feng."

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 028 First Meeting Part 1