The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 067 Arranging Marriage
Once off the dock, Tang juren immediately dressed Tang Shen in a brand new embroidered robe. He wore a carved crown on his head, jade embedded boots on his feet, a gemstone belt around his waist, and even held an antique fan from the previous dynasty. Not even when Tang Shen was appointed as the tanhua in Zichen Hall by the emperor did he dress so grandly!
The Tang clan, both those familiar and unfamiliar to Tang Shen, showered him with various gifts.
When the large procession finally arrived at the Tang ancestral shrine, Feng Bi was already holding a heap of ornate boxes.
Tang Shen followed Tang juren and the Tang clan's patriarch into the ancestral hall. Both sides were lined with grand armchairs, filled with uncles and elders from the Tang clan. Tang juren first knelt and said, "Before our Tang ancestors, we announce that Tang Shen of the second branch of the Tang family has excelled in the imperial exam as the third-ranked scholar, bringing honor to our clan. As his uncle, I am deeply gratified. With this excellent son, our Tang clan is sure to prosper for a hundred years!"
The patriarch of the Tang clan stood before the ancestral tablets, opened the family genealogy, and began reading the clan rules after stopping at Tang Shen’s name.
In this era, passing the imperial exam was a matter of great honor for one’s family. If someone became the top scorer, the very next day, sixteen bailiffs would carry a plaque declaring the top scholar’s return as they accompanied the new top scholar back to his hometown, a process called "Returning Home by Imperial Decree." Yao Shan, the top scorer from Tang Shen’s same cohort, had already done this, though his family was in Shengjing, so it was a local affair, causing little delay.
Tang Shen, on the other hand, had become the third-ranked scholar the previous year, and it had been a full year and a half since he had last returned to Gusu. The Tang clan had waited anxiously every day, nearly to the point of going to Shengjing to fetch him in person to ask if he still intended to come home.
Now that Tang Shen had finally returned, how could the Tang clan treat this matter lightly?
Tang juren, brimming with excitement, said, "Shen'er, our Tang clan has only ever produced one third-ranked scholar, let alone any other successful imperial exam candidates. You are the pride of the Tang clan. As your uncle, I must thank you!"
Tang Shen replied, "We are one family. There's no need for such words."
Tang juren’s eyes reddened with joy, and though he wanted to say more, he hesitated. In the presence of the newly appointed tanhua, now a fourth-rank official, he felt too timid to continue.
That evening, the Tang family hosted a three-day-long banquet.
Everyone in Gusu came to the Tang household to offer congratulations, not for the food, but to bask in the joy and good fortune of the third-ranked scholar.
Gusu had always been a land of talented people, a blessed place with a long history of prosperity. However, even in such a place, only five individuals had ever passed the imperial exam during the Kaiping era, and only one had ranked second.
After the three days of celebration, Tang Shen finally had time to rest. But on the fourth day, just after the banquet ended, the governor of Gusu paid him a visit.
The newly appointed governor of Gusu was surnamed Jia and had passed the imperial exam in the third year of Kaiping. Without any powerful backing in the capital, Governor Jia had spent over twenty years serving as a county magistrate and governor in remote regions after passing the exam. It wasn’t until he was over fifty that Chen xianggong appointed him to Gusu, where he could now enjoy a peaceful retirement in this prosperous land.
Governor Jia was a fourth-rank official, as was Tang Shen. But his rank paled in comparison to Tang Shen's.
A local official couldn’t compare to a capital official, and even an ordinary capital official couldn’t compare to an official of Qinzheng Hall.
When Governor Jia personally came to visit, Tang Shen didn’t find it odd. He received him with courtesy and hosted a banquet for him in the flower hall. After several rounds of wine, Governor Jia cautiously congratulated Tang Shen and inquired about recent events in Shengjing. Then, after a while, he said, "Tang daren, while visiting your esteemed residence today, I actually brought someone with me."
Tang Shen asked, "Oh, and who might that be?"
Governor Jia ordered a bailiff to fetch an elderly man from the prefectural office. When Tang Shen saw him, he was momentarily stunned. After scrutinizing the man carefully, he suddenly exclaimed, "Village Head Uncle?!"
The village head of Tang Family Village stood in the hall, visibly nervous.
News of Tang Shen’s return to Gusu had spread far and wide, and the Tang family had hosted three full days of banquets in his honor. The villagers of Tang Family Village had also heard the news and had urged the village head to make the journey to the city. They weren’t looking to curry favor with Tang Shen, but rather to request a calligraphy piece from him.
Tang Shen said, "Village Head Uncle, it’s been five years, and I almost didn’t recognize you."
With that, Tang Shen stood up, walked forward, and helped the village head sit down.
The village head protested, "This is inappropriate!"
At the table sat the governor of Gusu and Tang Shen, the third-ranked scholar—how could he possibly dare sit? However, just as he was about to stand, a slender yet strong hand gently pressed down on his shoulder, preventing him from rising. When the village head turned around, he saw Tang Shen smiling at him.
Though Tang Shen smiled warmly, his undeniable official authority lent him an air of gravity that made it impossible to refuse.
Just as Tang Shen had nearly failed to recognize the village head, the village head had also struggled to recognize Tang Shen.
No one could have predicted that, after five years, the boy who used to sell fruit juice at the village entrance would transform into the young man standing before them now!
The village head accepted the gesture and sat down, and Tang Shen instructed Feng Bi to bring out an extra set of chopsticks and bowl.
After some small talk, Tang Shen learned of the village head’s request and couldn’t help but laugh, "That joke Ah Huang made all those years ago—who would’ve thought everyone took it seriously? There’s really no need to change the village name to Tang Family Village, but since it's already been done, so be it. You’ve come all this way to ask me to write the characters 'Tang Family Village,' correct?"
The village head nodded.
Tang Shen thought for a moment and then asked Feng Bi to prepare ink, paper, and brush. He swiftly penned the three large characters for "Tang Family Village."
As soon as he finished, Governor Jia exclaimed, "Magnificent! What superb calligraphy! Such boldness, like the strength of pine, with strokes flowing like dragons and serpents. Truly majestic!"
Tang Shen touched his ear, thinking, that’s a bit much. Flattery only works if it’s believable, you know.
Governor Jia, eager to flatter Tang Shen, and the village head, unable to discern good calligraphy from bad, were both convinced that Tang Shen’s writing was otherworldly. The village head thought, the handwriting of the tanhua truly is different from ordinary scholars. After we carve this into the stone tablet at the village entrance, I’ll secretly keep the original as a family heirloom and pass it down to my son!
With the village head's visit, Tang Huang also came out from the back courtyard to greet him and reminisce.
After four busy days, on the fifth, Tang Shen finally had some time to truly rest.
But he had barely rested for two days when the New Year arrived.
On New Year’s Eve, Tang Shen and his sister went to Tang juren’s house to celebrate, spending the holiday together. Both Tang juren and Tang Yun, the eldest son of the Tang family, felt too intimidated to speak to Tang Shen as they had before. Only Madam Tang treated him as she always had. She placed a piece of fish on Tang Shen and Tang Huang’s plates, saying, "May you have abundance every year."
The Tang family had many relatives in Gusu, but Tang Shen didn’t need to visit them personally. On the second day of the New Year, they all came to the Tang household to offer their greetings.
After sending off wave after wave of visitors, Tang Shen returned to his study and began writing.
While still in Shengjing, Tang Huang had begged her brother to write her a copybook. However, Tang Shen had been too busy with his duties at the Qinzheng Hall and his glass-making experiments to have time. Now that he had completed his glasswork and was back home on leave, he finally had time to write a proper copybook for his sister to practice her calligraphy.
On a piece of rice paper, Tang Shen neatly wrote, "The sky was black and the earth was yellow, The universe was vast and a dark whole. The sun rises and sets and the moon is regularly round, Stars spread high above without a toll.…”
After finishing a full copy of the "Thousand Character Classic," Tang Shen stared at the characters for a long time. He whispered, "Majestic, bold as pine, strokes like dragons and serpents? In truth, it’s merely an imitation of Wang Zifeng's form, without capturing his essence."
Tang Shen's early calligraphy lessons were under Mr. Liang's guidance, giving him his first insight into the art. At that time, his style was not yet set, and Wang Zifeng gave him a copybook by Zhong Taisheng, which taught him how to master the horizontal strokes, hooks, and dots. When he truly learned to express the essence of a character, he studied Wang Zifeng’s script.
In this world, there are students who surpass their masters, but Tang Shen’s talent in calligraphy could not match that of Wang Zhen. In fact, looking at the entire Song Dynasty, few could compare to Wang Zifeng of Langya! This man was like a prodigy born once in a millennium, a master of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Outside the courtyard wall, the neighbors began setting off firecrackers. Listening to the crackling sounds, Tang Shen suddenly found himself missing Wang Zhen. What could Wang Zhen be doing now?
Tang Shen's thoughts drifted, and after a while, he suddenly snapped out of it, wondering why he was inexplicably missing Wang Zifeng. Shaking his head to dispel such odd thoughts, he returned inside to sleep.
The court's spring holiday lasted more than twenty days, ending only on the 18th day of the first month. Tang Shen planned to return to Shengjing on the 10th.
On the 6th, he went to dine at Tang juren's house. Madam Tang discreetly kept him behind and sent Tang juren’s concubine-born daughter and Tang Huang to play in another courtyard, effectively sending Tang Huang away. Tang Shen was confused as he sipped his Biluochun tea, wondering if there was trouble at the Zhenbao Pavilion that Madam Tang wanted to discuss privately.
At that moment, Madam Tang said, "Shen’er, you're eighteen this year. Have you taken a liking to any young lady?"
Tang Shen: "..."
He nearly spat out the hot tea. Fortunately, after three years in Shengjing, spending time around people like Wang Zifeng, that cunning old fox, and Emperor Zhao Fu, who was as dangerous as a tiger, Tang Shen had developed strong mental fortitude.
Steadying himself, he replied, "Eldest Aunt, I haven't considered such matters. I am still young and have not yet come of age, so there is no rush for marriage."
Madam Tang smiled and said, "Your eldest cousin had already been engaged at your age and just got married earlier this year. Since your parents are no longer here to handle such matters, it's my duty to take care of it for you. But you're right; you're not like that rascal Tang Yun. It's not easy to hold office in the capital, so it’s fine to delay it for a few more years. But Shen’er, what about Tang Huang’s marriage? Do you have any thoughts?"
Tang Shen frowned slightly, setting down his tea cup, and replied seriously, "I truly haven't thought about it."
Madam Tang said, "Huang'er is already fourteen this year, and she will come of age next year. It’s time for her to marry. If you're okay with letting me handle it, I've already looked into some good suitors from Gusu and Jinling for her. But if you have someone in mind for her in Shengjing, I'll follow your lead."
Tang Shen said, "There's no rush. I'll ask Tang Huang about it first."
Madam Tang was taken aback.
The marriage of a young lady was usually decided by her parents, but recalling that Tang Shen loved his sister dearly, she relented and said, "Alright, I’ll leave it to you. But Shen’er, I’ve also looked into some eligible ladies from Gusu and Jinling for you. If you have time, come by in the next couple of days, and I’ll tell you more."
Tang Shen: "..."
Tang daren, a man who not only navigated the treacherous political waters of the imperial court with tact and skill, but also remained unflustered in the face of suspicion from the emperor. But now, confronted with Madam Tang's well-intentioned efforts to arrange a marriage for him—he fled. The next day, he found an excuse and went to Jinling.
Tang Shen, accompanied by his page boy, fled to Jinling in haste.
After serving Tang Shen for three years, the Feng Bi had come to understand his master's thoughts well, knowing full well that this trip to Jinling was to avoid matchmaking. However, since they were already here, Tang Shen thought for a moment and said, "Let us go to Jinxiu Pavilion."
The master and servant arrived at Jinxiu Pavilion, where they found the shop bustling with people buying soap. After a while, Tang Shen noticed a piece of calligraphy hanging in the shop. His eyes widened, staring at the words in disbelief.
Feng Bi saw his master's reaction and read aloud, "‘Mist envelops the cold water, and moonlight shrouds the sand.’ Gongzi, is something wrong with this calligraphy?"
Tang Shen, half-amused, half-exasperated, said, "I never imagined that my connection with my senior brother would begin with this!"
"Is it the little boss Tang from Gusu?"
Tang Shen turned around to see the shopkeeper of Jinxiu Pavilion looking at them cautiously. When Tang Shen faced him, the shopkeeper was overjoyed, bowing in respect, and said, "It really is you, little boss Tang. Oh no, I should now call you Tang daren. It's been four years since we last met in Jinling. How fortunate I am to see you again!"
Tang Shen replied, "It’s been four years. How have you been, Shopkeeper Fang?"
"I’m honored you remember my name," Shopkeeper Fang said excitedly. "I’ve been well. The soap and Golden Wisp products at Jinxiu Pavilion have been selling wonderfully. I believe Accountant Lin has already informed you of this. I noticed you were looking at that calligraphy earlier. It was personally inscribed by Wang Zhen, the eldest gongzi of the Wang family of Langya. I hear that Wang daren is your senior brother. Have you come to Jinling to visit him?"
Tang Shen was stunned, "Senior Brother Zi Feng is in Jinling?"
"Indeed, Wang daren returned to Jinling for the New Year this year!"
Half an hour later, Tang Shen stood in front of the grand and imposing gates of the Wang family mansion in Wuyi Lane, wearing a hesitant expression.
...So why exactly was he standing here?