Feng Yi was not one to stand on ceremony. The apprenticeship ceremony for his four disciples was kept simple, with only sincere intentions and proper etiquette required.
In less than three quarters of an hour, everything was completed.
Gazing at the four disciples standing before him, Feng Yi couldn’t suppress his beaming smile. He presented each with a jade pendant as an apprenticeship gift.
When it came to the youngest, Xu Yue, Feng Yi removed the jade pendant from his own waist and personally fastened it for the child:
“This was bestowed upon me by my elders in the year I passed the Jinshi examination. I give it to you today, hoping that Yue Ge’er will surpass his master.”
The jade pendant was only palm-sized, yet its texture was luminous and fine as frozen mutton fat, carved into the shape of auspicious clouds with exquisite craftsmanship—truly a first-rate treasure.
Inequality, not scarcity, is the real concern.
Xu Yue instantly felt several pairs of eyes turning toward him. He smiled faintly, clasping the jade pendant to admire it, and said in his childish voice:
“Thank you, Master. This jade pendant is truly beautiful.”
Landlord Xu grew anxious inwardly. “A tree that stands out in the forest will be struck by the wind.” Among fellow disciples, if Yue Ge’er drew too much attention, how could the others view him favorably?
Feng Yi, however, felt even more pleased with his young disciple.
He had never cared for the empty talk of those who schemed for petty gains. The sage taught moderation to prevent extremes and to maintain impartiality in conduct, not to serve as an excuse for those who sought to please everyone.
Those who provoke no envy are mediocrities!
If you fear even the slightest distinction now, how will you face the countless trials and competitions in the examination hall later? If you don’t strive to excel, will anyone simply yield to you?
That would be utterly ridiculous.
Those who hesitate at every step, fearing both wolves ahead and tigers behind, will never achieve much, no matter how talented they may be.
After Scholar Feng presented his gifts, it was the disciples’ turn to offer their apprentice’s gifts.
The Wen family head served as the county magistrate, the He family was immensely wealthy, and the Xu family were landowners—naturally, the gifts they prepared were lavish.
In addition to the essential six gifts for apprenticeship—dried meat, celery, dried longan, lotus seeds, red dates, and red beans—each family presented unique offerings.
The Wen family’s finest gifts were precious Five-Knife Xuan paper and a Huzhou calligraphy brush. The He family made a grand gesture by presenting the deed to the very residence they were in.
The Xu family, through Landlord Xu, offered more conventional gifts: silks and satins, pastries, fine wine, and game.
Compared to his three fellow disciples, Xia Yu’s family were mere farmers who had only recently achieved subsistence. After procuring the six gifts for apprenticeship, Father Xia had no resources left for anything more.
He glanced apologetically at his son. Xia Yu tried to console himself, knowing his family had no savings—even the six gifts had been a strain. He shouldn’t compare himself to the others.
Yet… a faint bitterness still lingered in his heart.
He looked at Xu Yue—a jade-like, adorable child who barely reached his chest, clutching the jade pendant in his fair, tender hand. The colors harmonized beautifully.
Unlike himself, this was clearly a young master raised in privilege, who also possessed extraordinary talent.
Thinking of his own circumstances, Xia Yu felt heaven was profoundly unfair.
Once the apprenticeship ceremony concluded, though Feng Yi was reluctant to part with Xu Yue, he had to let the child return home.
Outside the Feng residence, Third Master Wen spoke with Landlord Xu in an exceedingly friendly manner, repeatedly inviting him to visit.
The Head of the He family went further, clasping Landlord Xu’s hand and addressing him repeatedly as “Uncle,” until the old man’s face flushed crimson. Landlord Xu dearly wanted to say—
“You might even be older than me—why call me Uncle?”
Once inside the carriage, Landlord Xu remained exhilarated. As an obscure landowner who spent his days checking accounts and managing tenants, he never imagined he would receive such distinguished treatment from one of the county’s most prominent figures.
To whom did he owe this honor?
To the prized colt of the Xu family—Xu Yue!
“At dawn, a farm boy; by dusk, in the emperor’s court.” With Yue Ge’er’s extraordinary talent, his future prospects were limitless. Who wouldn’t want to invest in him before his rise to prominence?
“Yue Ge’er, you’ve truly brought honor to your grandfather today,” Landlord Xu exclaimed, holding his beloved grandson with deep emotion. Xu Yue pursed his lips shyly, his eyes crinkling into a smile as he spoke in childish tones:
“Are you happy, Grandfather?”
“Of course I’m happy, immensely so! I must have accumulated blessings over three lifetimes—no, the Xu family’s ancestral graves must have emitted auspicious smoke for eighteen generations to be blessed with a child like you.”
As he spoke, a sudden realization struck Landlord Xu, accompanied by regret. Indeed, Yue Ge’er was the Reincarnated Star of Literature. Would such a celestial being descend into just any ordinary family?
Perhaps the Xu ancestors had played a role in this, but he, unaware of their efforts, had failed to offer them sufficient incense. Could it be that due to inadequate homage or ancestral displeasure, Yue Ge’er had been born into a female body?
What a grave oversight!
Regretful, Landlord Xu resolved to renovate the ancestral graves upon returning home and offer abundant incense and sacrifices to the ancestors. May they bless Yue Ge’er’s smooth journey through the imperial examinations, free from any mishaps.
…
Magistrate Wen was the youngest son of an aristocratic family. In this era of peace, where civil officials were esteemed over military ones, families like the Wens had long lost real power and could only live as leisurely nobles. As such, Magistrate Wen was entrusted with his family’s high hopes, seen as the one who could restore their former glory.
Shortly after attaining the Jinshi degree, he was appointed to Danyang County, a prosperous district, and his brother, Third Master Wen, was sent to assist him. As long as no mistakes were made, Magistrate Wen was certain to be promoted after the triennial evaluation. Thus, he worked diligently and conscientiously, still handling official matters close to noon.
Suddenly, a servant announced, “Your Honor, Third Master has returned.”
Magistrate Wen set down his brush and permitted entry.
No sooner had Third Master Wen taken a seat than he launched into an animated account of all he had seen and heard that day. His tone was full of awe and astonishment. After finishing, he took a large gulp of tea and concluded, “Who would have thought that a small place like Danyang County would produce a prodigy like the Xu child? It seems this land truly nurtures exceptional talents.”
Magistrate Wen, more composed, remarked, “Early brilliance does not guarantee future success. However, Scholar Feng is an excellent mentor. If he can nurture Xu Yue properly, the boy may yet leave his mark in history.”
Third Master Wen pondered for a moment, detecting a hint of envy in his brother’s words. He chuckled inwardly—both were Jinshi scholars, so it was only natural for his brother to feel a twinge of jealousy upon encountering such extraordinary talent.
Magistrate Wen harbored another regret: in three years, when he would be due for promotion, Xu Yue would only be six years old, too young to participate in the imperial examinations. Thus, the boy could not contribute to his record of educational achievements.
Nevertheless, his third son shared a peer relationship with Xu Yue. As the saying goes, “Good teachers and helpful friends”—it would be wise to encourage more interaction between his son and Xu Yue.
However talented Xu Yue might be, he was, after all, merely a three-year-old child. Magistrate Wen did not dwell on the matter for long and soon returned to his administrative duties.
The summer harvest was approaching, requiring grain to be stored, weighed, and transported—a tedious and troublesome process. In the past, to simplify matters, the local government would assign a wealthy household to assist. This was far from a desirable task.
If the tax quota was not met, the wealthy household had to make up the shortfall and transport the tax revenue for the government free of charge. A single misstep could easily lead to financial loss.
Magistrate Wen looked over the list of wealthy households drafted by his clerk, which prominently included the Xu family. After a moment of contemplation, he struck it off with a vermilion brush.