Chapter 3, Start Over

Upon returning home, Wang Yuan quickly began to busy himself. Since he intended to establish himself in this era, he certainly could not allow himself to fall into despair. In later years, Wang Yuan was a person with a regular lifestyle, paying great attention to his clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Looking at the dilapidation of his home and his own appearance, Wang Yuan found it completely intolerable

At the time of settling the bill, Wang Yuan insisted on paying, resolutely refusing Huang San's persistent attempts to take over the payment, as he had a slight understanding of Huang San's family situation. Huang San bore a heavy burden; an adult in his family was bedridden, and he had two younger sisters aged around twelve or thirteen. The family's livelihood relied solely on Huang San's meager monthly salary of two guan as a porter, barely managing to make ends meet, with every penny needing to be accounted for.

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded, took a few sips of the thin soup from the bowl, swallowed a few bites of the sesame cake, and suddenly looked up to ask: "Sanlang, since others do not welcome me, why are you so kind to me?"

Huang San slightly opened his mouth, seemingly reluctant to continue speaking, but seeing Wang Yuan looking at him with a questioning gaze, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue.

Wang Yuan's eagerness to pay for the meal made Aunt Wen, the owner of the breakfast shop, regard him with slightly more humility. When Wang Yuan said goodbye to her as he was leaving, although Aunt Wen did not return the greeting, she also no longer gave him her disdainful glare.

Wang Yuan took a cold shower in the west wing, washed his hair as well, and then changed into freshly ironed clothes that carried the scent of sunshine. He sat in the small courtyard, sheltered from the wind and basking in the sun, allowing the sunlight to dry his hair. Since the duties of the street official would not commence until sunset when the drum was struck, there was still plenty of time. Wang Yuan simply closed his eyes in the sunlight, quietly contemplating, allowing his body and mind to relax

Wang Yuan gently set down the sesame cake in his hand, frowning as he looked at Huang Sandao: "Are you saying that my current predicament is actually caused by myself?"

Wang Yuan wore a look of bewilderment, with fragments of memories floating in his mind, yet they could not be organized together, making it difficult to form a coherent and clear recollection

Er Lang, this cannot be blamed on you. I secretly inquired about this matter; it was those delinquent youths, the idle men on the streets, and Aunt Wan San Niang from the Qiu Yue Pavilion who set this trap. They first wanted you to become infatuated with that Lan Xin Hui, leading you to sell your possessions to meet her, spending all your money on her. When you found yourself in dire straits, they would not even let you enter the Qiu Yue Pavilion. At that time, you were also blinded by infatuation, ignoring the advice of many. Aunt Wen from this shop once tried to stop you and earnestly advised you, but you insulted her with your words, nearly driving her to despair. When you were in dire straits, they would not even let you enter the Qiu Yue Pavilion. You were also blinded by infatuation, ignoring the advice of many. Aunt Wen from this shop once tried to stop you and earnestly advised you, but you insulted her with your words, nearly driving her to despair. I also advised you every day at the beginning, but you scolded me mercilessly, and over time, everyone became unwilling to associate with you. Your large family mansion and the clothing store were sold to others; in less than three years, all your wealth was consumed by that bottomless pit.

Wang Yuan shook his head and said: "That won't happen. I remember that my family used to be quite wealthy, and my parents seem to have passed away three years ago. I don't know how it has come to this now."

Wang Yuan murmured: "So it turns out that the entire family fortune of Nuo Da has been completely squandered by himself?"

Wang Yuan suppressed a smile and waved his hand, saying: "I am fine, no need to worry about me. Now I have figured out what kind of person I am. You were right to tell me, so I wouldn't have to endure others' disdain without knowing why. Do not worry, all of this is in the past."

On the way back, Huang San pointed to a three-story wooden shop across the intersection and showed it to Wang Yuan. The sign on the wooden building read 'Zhao Ji', whereas it originally bore the characters 'Wang Ji'. Wang Yuan knew that it was this very person he had possessed who had handed over this property to someone else at an extremely low price of one hundred and twenty guan. Although he was well aware that this matter had nothing to do with him, Wang Yuan still felt a pang of regret that he could not shake off.

It is a pity that Erlang was originally very intelligent, excelling in poetry and writing, and could be considered a little scholar of our Yong'an Fang. The former Fangzheng had even mentioned recommending you to the Mingfu of Chang'an County, asking the Mingfu to support your participation in the imperial examination. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances arose, and both the esteemed gentleman and the respected elder passed away due to illness, leaving Erlang all alone in a once happy family

Thus, Wang Yuan took all the clothes and bedding that emitted a damp and musty odor out of the room and laid them out to dry in the warm sunlight. He filled several large buckets with clean water to soak the dirty laundry for washing before hanging them out to dry. He then began to tidy up the yard, removing weeds and dead branches from the trees. He leveled the path leading to the house.

Wang Yuan's expression was strange, and he suddenly burst into laughter, saying: "So this guy is truly a prodigal, and a remarkably dim-witted one at that; this rascal squandered the family fortune completely before I arrived, isn't this just adding to my troubles? What a scoundrel."

Wang Yuan squinted his eyes with a hint of malice, but at the same time, another thought intruded into his mind, causing his brows to furrow once again.

Having been busy from the morning until the late afternoon, Wang Yuan, drenched in sweat, finally had a moment to catch his breath. The dilapidated courtyard was now completely different from before; although it was still in a state of disrepair, it was much cleaner and tidier, and was basically presentable.

After the passing of his esteemed parents, Erlang, lacking supervision, became somewhat negligent in his studies. This alone would have been bearable, but the young rascals and idle youths both inside and outside the neighborhood, seeing Erlang's affluent family background, deliberately befriended him, leading him astray. Initially, their aim was to swindle money from Erlang for indulgence and entertainment, and later they took him to the restaurants in Pingkang Fang. Being young and naive, Erlang was unaware of their treacherous intentions. Moreover, the one named Lanxin Hui from Qiuyue Pavilion was exceptionally cunning, causing Erlang to fall into this trap from which he could not extricate himself.

In the fourth year of the Tianbao era, Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji had been in power for over thirty years. By age, he should be an old man in his sixties. It is likely that the marital life of such an elderly man marrying Yang Yuhuan would be quite poor.

Wang Yuan nodded slightly. Although the person beside him was infatuated and not very intelligent, from this matter, he could still be seen as someone with a certain character, not entirely devoid of merits.

Ah, it seems that Erlang only remembers the good things, yet he cannot recall any of the outrageous things he has done himself. Huang San shook his head and sighed, took a bite of the sesame cake and chewed a few times, then continued: "Your family is certainly very wealthy; my parents are your family's workers, and we have played together since childhood. You should remember this, right"

There were also Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Wei who lived during this period. Wang Yuan suddenly realized that he was living in the same time and space as so many well-known ancient figures, and he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable excitement, with his heart racing uncontrollably

That is enough, I will speak directly. Your esteemed family originally belonged to the prominent households of Yong'an Lane, and your esteemed father ran a clothing store on the roadside across from here. He is humble and honest, and his business is quite prosperous. Your esteemed father was originally a scholar, but unfortunately did not succeed in the imperial examinations, which left him quite dissatisfied. Therefore, he hopes that you can study hard, become an official, and bring honor to the family. You began your studies at the age of six. When you were studying, I was working as a young servant in your family’s residence with my parents, and we played together every day. You treated me very well, often giving me pastries to eat.

After discussing these matters with Huang San, Wang Yuan gained a deeper understanding of his situation. Although the job of a craftsman is somewhat unsatisfactory, it seems that for now, he should continue with it and focus on securing a meal before seeking other alternatives. Progress must be made step by step.

It is now the twelfth month of the fourth year of the Tianbao era. Future generations, having watched numerous films and television dramas about this period, would know, even without deliberate memorization, that at the beginning of this year, the stunningly beautiful Yang Yuhuan was brought into the imperial palace by Li Longji from a Daoist temple, transforming from the Daoist nun Yuzhen into a noble consort. At this moment, living in the imperial palace of Chang'an, sharing the same sky, is truly an incredible thing.

Huang San's gaze revealed a hint of amusement, looking into Wang Yuan's eyes filled with genuine affection. Wang Yuan understood; no wonder Huang San's words and actions exuded a sense of warmth, as it turned out they were childhood playmates.

Huang San glared and said: "Is there even a need to ask? Erlang's family has treated our Huang family very well. My mother has told me since I was young that when my parents fled to the capital, if it weren't for the esteemed gentleman and Madame Wang taking them in to work in the shop, they would have starved to death long ago. Moreover, Erlang has also been very good to me. Even when he was infatuated with that Lan Xin Hui and did not heed my advice, just when my mother passed away, Erlang still sent three guan of money to help us with the funeral arrangements upon hearing the news. At that time, our family had no income; if it weren't for that three guan, how would we have managed to get through? And Erlang has been very good to me. Even when he was infatuated with that Lan Xin Hui and did not heed my advice, just when my mother passed away, Erlang still sent three guan of money to help us with the funeral arrangements upon hearing the news. At that time, our family had no income; if it weren't for that three guan, how would we have managed to get through? Now that Erlang is suffering, regardless of how the world treats him, I, Huang San, must support Erlang; otherwise, am I still a human being?"

Er Lang, this Lan Xin Hui is a courtesan from the Qiu Yue Pavilion in Ping Kang Fang. You did not know her originally, and your parents were very strict with your upbringing while they were alive. By the way, Er Lang, you wouldn't have forgotten your parents, would you

Huang San comforted, "Er Lang, do not blame yourself. In youth, who has not made mistakes? It is enough that you have come to this realization now."

Wang Yuan straightened his posture, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed

In this day and age, there are still figures like An Lushan and Shi Siming... The An-Shi Rebellion occurred in the fourteenth year of the Tianbao era, which means that within less than ten years from now, the world will descend into chaos. Wang Yuan muttered to himself, seemingly lost in thought

Perhaps due to the past few days of waking and sleeping repeatedly, even though he got up very early today, his mind was quite clear, constantly turning over thoughts. At one moment, he contemplated the actions of the young man he had possessed, integrating them with the known fragments of memory; at another moment, he speculated about the beauty and allure of the courtesan named Lan Xin Hui, wondering what kind of enchanting charm could make this gentleman so infatuated. As he pondered, he suddenly recalled something, and in shock, he abruptly sat up from the thick straw mat.

Huang Sansong let out a sigh and said: "It is best that Erlang can think this way. It is all in the past; let us start anew together. Erlang is even two years younger than I am, which is the prime time for a young person to strive for success. With Erlang's intelligence, he is sure to achieve great things in the future"

Huang San noticed that Wang Yuan was speaking somewhat erratically and anxiously said: "Er Lang, are you alright? I should have known better than to talk to you about this. It would have been better if you had forgotten these matters. Er Lang, Er Lang, do not be sad; as long as you are alive, that is what matters. Money is merely an external possession."

The two individuals chatted and consumed two bowls of noodle soup and eight sesame cakes completely. Huang San ate three cakes, while all five sesame cakes unknowingly ended up in Wang Yuan's stomach, clearly indicating that Huang San was making an effort to ensure Wang Yuan ate more