Chapter 5: The Probing of Du Ruhui

However, Fang Yiai seems to be showing off, and indeed, he is. Yet, Fang Yiai does not understand how his father, Fang Xuanling, could possibly know the poem he recited. What surprises Fang Yiai even more is seeing his father, whom he rarely encounters, being so arrogant. Is this really the same composed Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty that he remembers?

Fang Xuanling, upon seeing this, quickly said: "Keming, do not speak of the world’s nephews; each generation has its own fortune. We need not worry so much."

Fang Yiao listened to Dong Xue's words and couldn't help but chuckle. This girl can't even tell a lie. Fang Yiao deliberately wanted to tease this maid, pretending to have a serious expression: "Are you trying to lie to the young master?"

Fang Yiai looked surprised: "I wonder what Uncle Du is looking for me for."

Du Ruhui laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Noble nephew, you are so troubled; your uncle would like to share in your troubles as well"

In this way, a young scholar, in an attempt to compose a poem about sorrow, forced himself to feign a sorrowful demeanor, which vividly came to life on the paper. This is why Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling could not help but laugh heartily.

Fang Xuanling laughed heartily upon hearing this, but only Fang Yiai understood its meaning. What Fang Yiai later said was: In youth, one is unaware of the taste of sorrow and enjoys looking far and wide. Enjoying the view from high places, one attempts to express sorrow in a new poem, despite not truly feeling it.

Du Ruhui chuckled lightly and waved his hand, saying, "It is not a matter of great importance; I have come this time to taste the 'delicious enough to be moving' creation invented by my esteemed nephew."

Young master, we are not ill

Fang Yiai could not help but smile wryly. Although the wine of the Tang Dynasty was not strong, only about a few degrees, he had nonetheless consumed a great deal. He had indulged too much yesterday afternoon, drinking excessively, and could not blame anyone else for his discomfort.

"Dear nephew, this poem is filled with sorrow. You are merely a young child, how could you have such sorrow?" Upon hearing these words, Fang Xuanling felt a pang of anxiety. Could this child's deep sorrow, akin to that of a scholar, be related to me as a father? Have I been unjust to the child in daily life?

Fang Yiai did not know what Fang Xuanling was thinking, but since Du Ruhui asked in this manner, he must have had a purpose. Thus, he thought, why not recite another poem? With this in mind, Fang Yiai spoke: "Uncle Du, there is no need to say that. I, your humble nephew, recently came across a poem, and my father happened to be here as well, so let us evaluate it together."

As Fang Yiai entered the main hall, he noticed a lean middle-aged man with sharp eyes, exuding an air of competence. Behind him stood a boy of about eleven or twelve years old. This boy was looking around, and when he saw Fang Yiai approaching, he subtly made faces at him, indicating a sense of familiarity.

Whether it is Fang Xuanling in the hall or Du Ruhui below, both wear expressions of anticipation, especially Fang Xuanling, who appears even more anxious, resembling a child eager to show off that he still has candy to enjoy

Fang Yiai looked curiously at Dong Xue and said, "Dong Xue, why are both you and Dong Mei's faces so red? Could it be that you are unwell?"

Fang Yiao felt a surge of anxiety, wondering if he would be responsible for taking in these two young girls. After all, he was only thirteen and lacked the capacity to commit a crime. He then asked, "What’s wrong? What’s going on?"

Winter snow curled its head, timid and hesitant. Fang Yiai found it amusing and had Dongmei sit in front of him: "Dongmei, you say, the young master wants to hear the truth."

Brother Xuanling, I understand, it's just that I am quite upset. It seems that I can only teach him slowly.

Fang Yiai整理了一下情绪，便吟道："If I gain, I shall sing high; if I lose, I shall rest. With much sorrow and much hatred, I remain indifferent. Today there is wine, today I shall get drunk; tomorrow's worries will come with tomorrow's worries." After reciting, he said no more.

At this point, an unintentional exchange of glances occurred between him and Fang Xuanling on the stage. Fang Xuanling's eyes were already filled with mirth. It turned out that Du Ruhui had long been aware of his old friend's intentions, which is why he had spoken to test the waters. However, the outcome was quite satisfactory.

Du Ruhui pondered for a long time: "I know this poem is exceptionally good, yet I am at a loss as to how to critique it. I can only discern from this poem that the virtuous nephew possesses quite the demeanor of a wild scholar."

Fang Xuanling, with a humble expression, said: "This is merely a work of my child's scribbling, and does not deserve such praise. I only hope that this unworthy child does not cause me any trouble."

Young master, please don't! We said.

Headache. This is the first sensation that Fang Yiai feels as he opens his eyes.

After being reprimanded by Du Ruhui, Du He kept looking at Fang Yiai with a resentful expression. Fang Yiai felt a chill in his heart from being stared at and, not knowing the extent of Du He's psychological shadow at that moment, could only turn his face to the side and pretend not to see.

At this moment, Fang Yiai's heart was quite complex. Could it be that he had already become corrupt since arriving in ancient times? Although it was common for young masters in ancient times to take their personal maidservants into their rooms as concubines, he had no such intention. With this thought in mind, Fang Yiai couldn't help but ask, "Is this true?"

Fang Yiai pondered for a moment, as if organizing his words: "Du Shishu, how can writing poetry be as simple as eating and drinking, where one can just have it whenever? The essence of an article is naturally formed, and it is only occasionally grasped by a skilled hand"

Winter Snow, unaware of Fang Yi'ai's thoughts, continued to speak for herself: "But the young master is so bad. When we lose, the young master makes us call him 'husband' and even makes us kiss him"

Fang Yiai rolled his eyes upon hearing this. As the esteemed Right Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the head of all officials, he was sought out just for hot pot. Fang Yiai truly wanted to point at Du Ruhui's nose and ask, "Can you still aspire to something greater?"

Dongmei looked at Fang Yiai with a curious gaze, and finally gritted her teeth, forcing out a few words from her throat: "The young master kissed both me and Dongxue." After saying this, she tightly clutched the corners of her and the book's clothing and fell silent.

Young master, you are awake. This is the hangover soup I prepared for you

Beside him, Du He observed Fang Yiai with a serious demeanor, thinking that Fang Yiai was putting on an act, yet still spoke with utmost respect: "I have met Brother Fang."

Du Ruhui pondered for a moment: "What Fang Xianzhi said makes sense. My assertion may indeed be somewhat forced, but the writings of Xianzhi are naturally gifted, and the occasional brilliance contained within them is quite philosophical." Fang Xuanling, sitting in the hall, stroked his beard, and although Fang Yi'ai did not recite poetry, such exquisite lines could still serve as corroboration of Fang Yi'ai's authenticity.

Fang Xuanling, in a moment of humility, caused great distress to Du He. Du Ruhui shouted at Du He, saying: "You worthless thing, learn from your brother Fang, and you wouldn't be so lacking in progress."

Fang Yiao was left dumbfounded, and after a long while, he finally regained his composure. He couldn't help but blame himself in his heart: Why did I drink so much yesterday? I remember nothing at all, what a regret. With this thought, he fixed his gaze intently on the winter snow.

Fang Yiai felt a wave of amusement within; these two young girls were truly so adorably naive, they wouldn't even refuse the advantages they gained. He playfully tapped Winter Plum on the head, laughing heartily as he left under the embarrassed and annoyed gazes of the two girls. Although in ancient times, the personal maids of young masters would often be taken as concubines, Fang Yiai had no intention of doing so. He regarded these two maids as if they were his own sisters, teasing them occasionally. Their future happiness would ultimately depend on their own choices.

Dongmei also appeared timid and hesitant. At this moment, Fang Yiai was even more curious, thus becoming more serious: "If you two do not speak, I will dismiss you and not allow you to serve me. I will have the spring breeze and spring rain by my mother's side serve me instead"

Du Ruhui, with a smile on his face, said: "Before I speak of my intentions, I wonder if my esteemed nephew has any poetry to share, so that I may indulge my eyes with the pleasure of literature."

The winter snow, unable to withstand Fang Yiai's gaze, blushed and asked, "Young Master, why are you staring at me?"

"Fang Xianzhi, I have come this time specifically for you"

Fang Yi'ai stepped forward, first greeting Fang Xuanling, and then paying his respects to Du Ruhui: "I have met with you, Uncle Du, and Brother Du."

Fang Yiai continued to gaze at Dongmei's face, and the blush on her delicate neck immediately spread to her cheeks. However, she still could not bring herself to reject Fang Yiai, obediently closing her eyes. Yet, her fluttering eyelashes revealed her nervousness.

Dongmei replied: "Of course it is true, and moreover, the young master also, also."

Du Ruhui laughed heartily upon hearing this: "What is there to be concerned about? My esteemed nephew, just speak your mind."

The maid does not know either

Fang Yiao felt a pang in his heart upon hearing this; this poem was one he particularly liked in his previous life. It was composed by Luo Yin, who had a tumultuous career, failing to pass the imperial examination despite ten attempts. The poem's themes reflect considerable hardship, resonating with Fang Yiao's own state of mind in his past life. However, he did not expect that the profound meaning contained in this poem would be directly perceived by Du Ruhui.

Even if Fang Yiai knows nothing, he understands what this means. The ancient times were better; even the act of kissing was initiated by the girl. Fang Yiai gently pecked at the charming face of the girl amidst the winter snow. A smooth sensation filled his mouth, accompanied by a hint of youthful fragrance.

Fang Yiai inexplicably said, "I can't remember what happened when I kissed you yesterday; could you let me kiss you again?" After saying this, Fang Yiai immediately regretted it

Fang Yi'ai looked at the two considerate young maidservants and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that life in ancient times was truly good. Dongmei sat at Fang Yi'ai's bedside, helping him sit up against her chest, while Dongxue fed him soup with a spoon.

Fang Yiai's heart inexplicably began to race; was this scene too alluring? Fang Yiai caught a glimpse of two young maidservants from hetushu.com, their faces also flushed with a hint of pink. He couldn't help but be surprised; could it be that these two young maidservants were shy? But how could they still behave like this if they were shy?

The demeanor of Du Ruhui beside him, regarding Fang Yiai's understanding of propriety, was not surprising. Instead, he remarked to Fang Xuanling: "My nephew Fang Shi is quite knowledgeable about propriety. He truly deserves to be the one who wrote the elegant lines, 'I know it is not snow from afar, for there is a subtle fragrance coming.' Brother Xuanling, you have taught your son well"

Upon approaching, Fang Yi'ai immediately recognized who these two individuals were. The middle-aged man seated was Du Ruhui, known for his strategic acumen, serving as the Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Like Fang Xuanling, he was a high-ranking official of the second class, esteemed among the ministers. The youthful figure behind him was one of Fang Yi'ai's unruly companions, Du Ruhui's second son, Du He. At the age of twelve, Du He was equally a source of concern for Du Ruhui, notorious for his penchant for causing trouble.

Dongmei also cast a glance at Fang Yiai, and the intention in her eyes was clear to Fang Yiai. The young master clearly knew this yet still asked why. Fang Yiai felt a wave of grievance in his heart; he truly had lost his composure. However, if he were to speak of it, not only would no one believe him, but he would also be looked down upon.

Fang Yiai calmed his mind: "Du Ruhui is joking, how could my esteemed nephew have so many worries? It is merely that 'the young do not know the taste of sorrow, they love to ascend the upper floors, they love to ascend the upper floors. To compose new verses, they feign sorrow.'"

The little face, which had already turned red from the winter snow, became even redder, yet surprisingly, she主动 leaned her face closer.

The rosy hue on Dongxue's face was even more pronounced: "Young Master pulled me and Dongmei to drink yesterday. He suggested playing Truth or Dare. The loser of rock-paper-scissors had to choose between truth or dare." At this point, Dongxue shot Fang Yiai a glance, a glance that was charming and lovely, yet Fang Yiai felt somewhat guilty.

Then why are all of your faces so red

Fang Yiai asked repeatedly: "I wonder what important matter brings you here, Duke Du?"