Chapter 372 — Complaints
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Ji Yong no longer wished to do the job.
But if he quit, never mind that his great-grandfather defended him at every turn — he would likely be the first to show him no mercy.
The monthly allowance from the family coffers, the Ji clan's resources — none of it would ever tilt his way again.
With his third-place laureate's name and his credentials from compiling the Wenhua Daxun, what else could he possibly do?
He mulled it over for a long while in the Hanlin Academy.
First, food, clothing, and expenses must not be stinted; otherwise what meaning was there in living?
Beyond that, the serving boys and maids had to be kept — surely he was not going to pour his own tea and water?
Then there was the money for traveling about, which had to be ample; he had no wish to live at others' mercy, scraping by on writing fees and the like.
When all was said and done, it was money that made the trouble.
How was he to get his hands on money?
Somewhat distracted, Ji Yong returned to Yuqiao Lane.
On the way he saw a household celebrating a wedding.
He took a detour.
But he heard the onlookers saying something about "a local official from the northwest who has borrowed the Yingzhenguo Estate to take a son-in-law," and he recalled how a few days earlier his mother had said vaguely something like "what a coincidence — whatever you do, don't run into him."
He halted, lost in thought.
It must be Dou Zhiwei's uncle, Zhao Si, marrying off his daughter.
Given the affection between Dou Yan and her uncle, she would surely be there to help.
Should he mention this to Dou Yan?
The thought had barely flashed by when his feet, acting on their own, carried him through the lantern-hung, ribbon-decked gate.
Unexpectedly, he did not see Dou Yan — he saw Song Yan instead.
What rotten luck!
Ji Yong rubbed his still-heavy head and asked the master of ceremonies, "Where is Lord Zhao? I have something to say to him."
The master of ceremonies knew that Ji Yong was a son of the Ji family of Yixing up ahead, a young third-place laureate, a lofty Hanlin scholar of boundless prospects; he dared not be negligent, and hurriedly led Ji Yong to Zhao Si.
Zhao Si was talking with several of his fellow examination graduates; seeing Ji Yong come in, he was rather surprised.
Fortunately, those fellow graduates of Zhao Si's either served in the Hanlin Academy or held the post of supervising secretary in the Six Ministries. All men of letters, they knew Ji Yong, the young man who had passed both examinations with such success; someone was sure to introduce Ji Yong to Zhao Si, and others greeted him.
With a gentle smile and modest bearing, Ji Yong returned each courtesy in turn, elegant and graceful, every inch the well-bred son of a great house.
Zhao Si found himself favorably disposed toward him.
Ji Yong asked openly to see Dou Yan: "We are cousins, but as we have grown older, and my cousin is now another man's wife, there is cause for suspicion, and we must avoid it. I would ask Uncle to send someone to lead me to my cousin, so that I may speak a few words with her."
A gentleman does nothing shameful in the dark.
His open, forthright request made everyone present nod inwardly in approval.
Zhao Si too showed a measure of appreciation, but still said, "Whatever you have to say, you may say it through me."