Chapter 21: Watching You

The clear sounds of reading drifted on the wind. Among the voices were children, youths, and young adults alike. In clusters of courtyards, each adorned with green bamboo and pines, workers moved about—some watering the flowers and plants, others busily preparing meals.

Amidst the fragrance of ink and books, a bundle of gifts lay outside the door. Fang, the village head, Lu Dashan, and Su Tang stood just inside, while within the house, a man in his forties sat upright at the head of the room.

He wore a short beard and a blue robe; his hair was bound with a jade hairpin. His visage was scholarly and refined, his dark eyes gentle, and his voice flowed like a clear stream.

“Uncut jade cannot become a useful vessel. I have taken you as my pupil not because of ceremony, but for your cleverness.”

“Thank you, teacher,” the young boy kneeling on the mat replied respectfully.

Master Fang nodded slightly, picked up a purple-black inkstone from the table, and handed it to the boy. “When I succeeded as a scholar, my own teacher bestowed this upon me. It has no famous name, only the meaning of uprightness. Now, I give it to you, hoping you will discipline yourself in the days to come.”

“Yes,” the boy answered again, accepting it with both hands.

Master Fang looked at him, a gentle curve rising at the corner of his lips. “Earlier, I forgot to ask—do you have a courtesy name?”

“Not yet,” the boy replied.

“May I give you one?” asked Master Fang.

“Thank you, teacher.”

“Your given name is ‘Inkstone,’ carrying the strength of stone and a certain sharpness. Yet in life, one must balance firmness and gentleness. I shall name you ‘Serene Depth’—for still water is clear, and so too should your mind be. You possess the virtue of earth that bears all things, as well as the wisdom of water that understands all.”

“Your pupil, Serene Depth, accepts your guidance,” the boy answered.

Though only a few words were spoken, Su Tang, who stood by as witness, felt she had gained much insight. Even the act of naming carried such meaning. No wonder the village head had begged repeatedly for this teacher—his dignified appearance was matched by his breadth of knowledge. It was said he had taught in Peaceful Town for six years, producing ten scholars and two tribute students.

Even his own teacher’s inkstone was gifted to the young master, showing his faith in the boy’s potential.

Now that the apprenticeship was sealed, Serene Depth would remain in the study hall, while Fang, Lu Dashan, and Su Tang could only take their leave.

Lu Dashan looked back again and again, unable to hide his reluctance. But Serene Depth followed the master into the study hall without a backward glance.

“Children grow up just like this,” the village head sighed.

“I’m not used to it,” Lu Dashan said, scratching his head.

“Habit will come,” the village head patted him. “Earlier, I argued and pleaded for the teacher to accept your son, and he said he would see when the boy arrived. Who knows what was said in private, but now he has accepted him so readily, even passed on his teacher’s inkstone. Truly, I envy you!”

“Heh, it’s good fortune. It was the village head who gave Serene Depth this chance. Otherwise, who’d have known he had the talent?”

“Serene Depth? You call him so affectionately, as if it were a name often used,” the village head teased.

“Is that so? Well, the teacher really does know how to name,” Lu Dashan replied, a bit dazed.

“Don’t call him old; the teacher dislikes it,” said the village head.

“Oh, right,” Lu Dashan answered quickly.

They reached the entrance to the study hall.

The village head turned to Su Tang, who had been silent, “Today, let’s finalize the contract at the tavern. What do you think?”

Su Tang agreed, turning to Lu Dashan, “Father-in-law, would you accompany me?”

Lu Dashan hesitated, but the village head said, “I won’t let your daughter-in-law suffer a loss, but if you go, it’s even better.”

“Alright then.”

*

Inside the study hall.

“Serene Depth, sit there,” Master Fang said.

“Yes,” replied Serene Depth, bowing and taking the seat indicated.

There were six or seven other children, eight or nine years old, who watched him walk to his place.

“Seek me after class,” Master Fang said, turning to leave.

At the lectern stood an elderly scholar, over sixty years old, who continued his lesson from earlier.

Some students listened intently; others whispered quietly, their voices as faint as flies, but their eyes were on Serene Depth.

The old scholar seemed unaware, carrying on with his teaching.

Serene Depth appeared not to notice either, opening his book.

When the lesson paused, a student stood, “Master Feng, I have a question and request a fellow pupil to answer.”

The old scholar glanced at Serene Depth by the window and nodded. “Go ahead.”

The student turned to Serene Depth, “Just now, Master Fang called himself ‘teacher.’ So, Serene Depth, have you become his pupil?”

Serene Depth looked up at him but said nothing.

The student immediately breathed heavily.

The other pupils exchanged glances, quietly laughing.

The old scholar said, “According to the study hall’s rules, when a fellow pupil asks, you should rise and reply.”

Serene Depth stood, supporting himself on the desk, and answered with two words, “Jealous?”

The student’s face flushed, cheeks puffed as he retorted, “To be chosen by Master Fang is exceptional, but today I only ask—‘If you possess fine jade, will you hide it away, or seek a worthy merchant to sell it? What does that mean?’”

At this question, all the pupils fell silent, staring at Serene Depth.

Serene Depth looked back at the student, a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his lips.

...

On the streets of Peaceful Town, people moved in all directions; doors and windows were half open, the sounds within cut off from the outside world. In the tavern, as ink dried on the paper, the village head cried out with satisfaction, “Excellent.”

The contract was in duplicate; one copy for Su Tang, the other for the village head and Treasurer Zhao, each signed and sealed. On one side, twenty taels of shining silver; on the other, a recipe copied by Su Tang the previous night.

Silver in hand, recipe obtained.

Yet Treasurer Zhao glanced at the recipe, noting ingredients his own chefs could not identify, then looked at the twenty taels of silver; the more he thought, the more uneasy he felt, his mouth tight as he said, “I heard your young master went to school and was accepted by Master Fang?”

“Mm,” Lu Dashan replied, glancing at him, “What of it?”

“Hmph, if not for me, your son would never have had this chance. If he truly earns honors in the future, you’ll owe me a proper thanks!” Treasurer Zhao huffed.

Su Tang replied gently, “You are right. If you hadn’t valued our recipe, my husband would not have had such an opportunity. But we have no one else to send to the study hall, so please don’t covet it further.”

On hearing Treasurer Zhao’s words, the village head’s expression cooled, and he turned to glare at him, “What did you do now?”

Treasurer Zhao was startled, “I didn’t do anything!”

“Then who was watching my sister yesterday?” Su Tang asked.

“Who?” the village head pressed.

“How should I know?” Treasurer Zhao blurted, his eyes flicking to Lu Dashan, whose gaze had grown fierce, then turned angrily to Su Tang, “Don’t speak without proof—who watched you, and who is your sister?”