Chapter 175 — Coincidence
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
The bowls and chopsticks were laid out afresh in the private room.
Zheng Zhaokun made the introductions.
"This is Young Master Gu of the Yunyang Earl's household." He gestured smilingly at Gu Yu, then introduced the man in blue opposite Gu Yu—a man of ordinary looks but a gentle bearing. "This is the heir of the Yan'an Marquis's household." Only last did he indicate the handsome man beside Gu Yu. "And this is the Marquis of Jining."
He Yu was taken aback.
He knew that Dou Zhiwei's betrothed was the Marquis of Jining, but his pride had always kept his curiosity in check—he did not know Wei Fan.
Never had he expected to meet the man on an occasion such as this.
No wonder Ji Yong had looked a little odd a moment ago.
Without betraying a thing, He Yu flicked a glance at the woman of the demimonde who had her arms twined around Wei Fan and was all but hanging off him, then turned his eyes to Wang Yu.
Civil officials and the titled aristocracy were two separate circles; when they did mingle, it was no more than casual acquaintance. Even so, he had heard of the heir of the Yan'an Marquis's household—a man famed for his generosity and chivalry. How had he come to be mixed up with Gu Yu?
He could not help giving Wang Yu another look or two.
By now Zheng Zhaokun had introduced Ji Yong and He Yu to Gu Yu and the others.
"This is Ji Jianming, newly made Tanhua of the imperial examination," said Zheng Zhaokun, now a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, "and his uncle is Vice Minister Ji—my superior's superior." He chuckled, his tone tinged with banter that gave no offense, but rather a certain warmth. "His father is the Right Vice Commissioner of the Transmission Office, Prefect Ji of Huai'an—the compiler's ninth uncle."
There were too many officials surnamed Ji; they had to be distinguished by their posts.
Wang Yu's eyes flickered despite himself.
Huai'an was likewise one of the stretches of the canal to be dredged this time.
It had nothing to do with him or Gu Yu, to be sure, but the Canal Defense Command was headquartered in Huai'an. If they meant to get a hand in the canal-shipping trade, or in the Jiangnan silk manufactories, they could hardly avoid dealing with the Canal Defense Command—and the Prefect of Huai'an thus became one of the men they could not afford not to cultivate.
Wang Yu at once felt a distinct appreciation for Zheng Zhaokun's tact.
Zheng Zhaokun had no notion of what was in Wang Yu's mind. He merely thought that since Gu Yu and the others had taken on the canal dredging, it could only do them good to know a few officials connected with river works. All his own attention, however, was fixed on He Yu.
When he and He Yu had clashed just now, Ji Yong had stood by with folded arms. Clearly this young gentleman who called himself "He" was more than capable of handling such a dispute. A family named He in the capital, and so handsome besides... he thought of Vice Minister He's youngest son... The order of introductions followed rank and seniority. By rights, Ji Yong, a graduate of both the provincial and metropolitan examinations and now the honored Tanhua, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, stood immeasurably above a young Master He with no degree to his name. But the world's affairs were simply unreasonable—the more a man had to his name, the more he feared being slighted, and the more he loved to contend over such vanities. Young Master He, too, must not be given offense!
Zheng Zhaokun had no choice but to feign ignorance. Smiling, he cupped his hands to He Yu, then said to Gu Yu and the rest, "This gentleman is a friend of Minister Ji's." Then, looking at He Yu, "I have not yet asked your honorable name."
He Yu smiled faintly. "I am a friend of Jianming's." Of the rest, he had no wish to say more.
Wang Yuqing rose to entertain them, his manner warm without being excessive—a manner that readily won people over.