Chapter 5, Noble Families and Beautiful Women

Zhang Yuandao: "Thank you, gentlemen. I have recently begun reading the 'Collected Exegeses of the Spring and Autumn Annals,' all thirty volumes are on my desk, please—" At the same time, he instructed Wuling to prepare tea for the two gentlemen.

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "You are not mistaken. Granny Ma is surprised that at such a young age, you are so sharp-tongued, which is why she widened her eyes to look at you closely."

Zhang Yuandao: "I only heard 'Spring and Autumn' a few days ago, and I also know that 'Zuo Zhuan' is a line-by-line explanation of 'Spring and Autumn'. Mr. Fan recited 'In the fifth year of spring, the Duke shot a fish and a hawthorn', but he did not read the explanation of this line from 'Zuo Zhuan'"

The young girl quickly stepped forward and asked, "Young Master, what is the matter?"

Zhang Yuan gave a few instructions, and the little girl nodded like a chick pecking at rice. She then walked to the door of the lady's bedroom and asked in a crisp voice: "Madam Ma, what is your husband's family name?"

The young lady Yiting sent Granny Ma back and said to Madam Zhang, "Madam, that Granny Ma was muttering all the way back, saying something about a good match being missed, and that in the future, if the young master wants to marry, he won't be able to find someone as good. She also said that you will definitely regret it."

Fan Zhen is an extremely smooth person. Upon hearing this, he burst into laughter and said, "I was just testing you on purpose. Haha, since Young Master Jie is so earnest and eager to learn, how could Fan not focus on reciting?"

... ...

Fan Zhen said: "The Young Master Yan Ke has asked us to come and read to Young Master Jie Zi to relieve his boredom. I wonder what book Young Master Jie Zi wishes to read, whether it is a collection of unofficial histories or a novel?"

Wang Ke lowered his voice and said: "The Grand Master's family and over thirty guests from the library are coming to read for Young Master Jiezi. Everyone is eager to attend, and both Zhan and Fan are competing to come. Little Wu, do you know the reason behind this?"

Aunt Ma was taken aback and replied, "My surname is Niu."

With a light tap of his knuckles on the mahogany desk, Zhang Yuan spoke up: "Mr. Fan, did we miss a section?"

Madam Ma smiled apologetically, engaging in a lengthy discussion about trivial matters in the neighborhood, and only took her leave in the evening

One person earns five coins of silver a day! Wuling exclaimed, "If that continues for a month, wouldn't two people earn thirty taels of silver? My goodness, you in the West are truly wealthy

In the study, Fan and Zhan took turns reciting the "Spring and Autumn Annals with Commentary" for Zhang Yuan, switching every fifteen pages. When it was Zhan Shiyuan's turn to read, Fan Zhen stood up and paced back and forth, casting a cold glance at Zhang Yuan, the blindfolded youth sitting quietly at the other end of the desk, listening intently.

In the room, Mrs. Zhang of the Lü family asked, "Aunt Ma, is that Miss Niu a relative of your family?"

After leaving the study, Wuling spoke with Wang Kecan in front of the corridor

What Granny Ma did not explicitly state was: if Zhang Yuan's eyes truly cannot be cured, then he is likely to be unable to marry a girl from a respectable family. The only opportunity to settle the marriage is while he is still undergoing treatment and before outsiders are aware of the situation. The Zhang family of Shaoxing is a prominent clan; once the engagement is established, reconsidering the marriage and pursuing legal action would require careful consideration.

Madam Ma was clearly feeling frustrated. She had originally prepared a plethora of tactful remarks, certain that she could sway Lady Lü's heart. However, unexpectedly, a young girl threw her off balance with just a couple of questions, causing her to reveal her true intentions directly.

Zhang Yuan could no longer hold back and called out: "Rabbit Pavilion—"

Wuling shook his head and said, "I do not know"

"Are you listening? You haven't fallen asleep, have you? That would be a waste of breath. Although I can earn five coins, this is just too boring, and it makes my mouth dry from talking so much"

These two scholars, one surnamed Zhan, named Shiyuan, and the other surnamed Fan, named Zhen, are both in their thirties and hold the status of Tongsheng. Zhang Yuan's father, Zhang Ruiyang, was also a Tongsheng. One should not underestimate the status of Tongsheng, as it is not merely a title for those who have read a bit of books. To be recognized as a Tongsheng, one must pass examinations at both the county and prefectural levels, and only those who succeed can be called Tongsheng. Furthermore, if one can pass the Dao examination presided over by the educational commissioner, they become a student member, also known as Xiucai. Therefore, although Tongsheng is not an official title, those who have successfully navigated the county and prefectural examinations must possess a certain level of knowledge, earning them more respect than ordinary uneducated scholars.

Grandma Ma did not guard against this little girl and casually replied: "My surname is Niu."

Zhan and Fan are outsiders, and it would not be appropriate to shut the doors and windows and read by lamplight. Zhang Yuan, therefore, continued to wear his eye mask and met with Zhan and Fan in the study of the west building. He could not see them, only hear their voices. Zhan Shiyuan's voice was slow and measured, occasionally interrupted by a cough or two, while Fan Zhen's voice was sharp and thin, resembling that of a eunuch

The tone of the mother conveyed displeasure, as if no mother would allow someone to speak of her son in such a manner, as if her son were incapable of marrying a wife

The rabbit pavilion reported back, saying: "Young master, Granny Ma said that the girl’s surname is Niu."

The warm-hearted Granny Ma not only identified problems but also solved them. She recommended the daughter of a family in Zhi Shui Alley to Mrs. Zhang, née Lü. The girl was well-mannered, skilled in needlework and embroidery, and came from a family that had farmed for generations with a reputable background. As long as the Zhang family offered a generous bride price, the good match should be successful

Wang Ke chuckled lightly and said, "That is not my Xi Zhang; it is the Third Young Master who is wealthy—ah, Xiao Wu, why does your young master seem like a different person? Not only has his chess improved significantly, but his demeanor and speech have changed a lot as well. Don't you think so?"

... ...

Madam Ma felt a bit awkward; she had not intended to reveal her true intentions so early. However, since Madam Lü had already inquired, she could not conceal it any longer. She smiled and said, "Madam, let me tell you in detail. That time at the Great Good Temple when I encountered you, I heard about the young master in your household suffering from an eye ailment. I thought to myself that the Zhang family from Shanyin is a scholarly lineage, and they certainly should not hastily arrange a marriage just because the young master has poor eyesight. I then considered my husband's niece, who is quite good; her family background is respectable, and what is more, she has a gentle disposition. If, by chance, the young master’s eyesight does not improve, that girl would never look down on him."

Being ambitious is not just something to be said; it requires effort and can be exhausting. However, for her son, who has always been playful and lazy, to express such sentiments has brought great joy to Zhang's mother, Lu.

Zhang Yuandao: "Mother, this old woman keeps chanting and praying, yet her heart is truly malicious, wishing for my eyes to never heal. She revels in my misfortune. We should not allow this midwife to enter our home again. Mother, do not worry; my eyes will definitely get better. In fact, I can already see things now, but I must follow the doctor's advice and wear an eye mask. In another month, I will be able to stop wearing it, then I will study diligently, achieve success, and marry a renowned and beautiful wife, thus bringing honor to you as well."

"Yes, indeed, what the lady said is true; Young Master Zhang Yuan's eyes will surely recover"

Mother said: "My child is only fifteen years old this year, there is no rush to discuss marriage, and his eye condition will surely improve. Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Ma."

Fan Zhen nodded secretly, having devised a plan in his mind. When it was his turn to read, he began to skip lines, making it much easier to finish fifteen pages. Zhan Shiyuan was drinking tea and, without paying attention, could not discern the difference. As for the young Zhang Yuan, the "Spring and Autumn Annals with Commentary" was inherently complex, and even if he concentrated, it would be impossible for him to notice any omissions in the text.

Zhang Yuan silently smiled, thinking to himself: "I have become a defective product, a pitiful creature, just because my eyes are ill. They want to offer me some cow girl or horse girl, as if it were a blessing. Hmm, they do not despise me; I should truly be overwhelmed with gratitude."

Zhang Yuan nodded and said, "Also surnamed Niu, very good"

The little girl walked away cheerfully with a sound of "Oh".

Madam Zhang, of the Lü family, understood the meaning behind Granny Ma's words, and felt displeased in her heart

Wuling Road: "It will definitely get better. The young master can see things now, but he is afraid of the light and still needs to rest for a while."

On the second day, at the hour of Chen, Wang Kecan arrived at the door with two guests from Xizhang. The young servant, Wuling, had been waiting for them and was overjoyed. Now, both he and Zhang Cai felt relieved, as they no longer had to study, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted off their shoulders

The little girl asked again: "Is the girl from Zhi Shui Alley that Granny Ma mentioned surnamed Niu or Ma?"

Fan Zhen read: "In the spring of the fifth year, the public offered fish and hawthorn. In April of the summer, the Duke Huan of Wei was buried. In autumn, the Wei army..."

Wuling Road: "Young master, is there something wrong with your eyes? Your temper and disposition seem to change quite a bit."

Fan Zhen was taken aback, thinking: "How does this young man know that I missed a section?" She asked, "Has this young master read this book before?"

Wang Kecan asked: "Will Young Master Jiezai's eyes get better? Otherwise, it would be such a pity"

The "Spring and Autumn Annals" is one of the Five Classics, while the "Zuo Zhuan" serves as an interpretation of the "Spring and Autumn Annals". The "Collected Exegesis of the Spring and Autumn Annals" edited by Du Yu of the Western Jin Dynasty also compiles previous commentaries on both the "Spring and Autumn Annals" and the "Zuo Zhuan". Fan Zhen is even lazier than the young servant from Wuling; the latter merely avoids reading the small annotations, whereas Fan Zhen skips over large sections of the "Zuo Zhuan" entirely.

The young girl at the rabbit pavilion approached and said: "Young Master, why did Granny Ma glare at me so fiercely when she left? Did I ask something wrong earlier?"

Madam Ma said to the Lü family that Zhang Yuan is currently suffering from an eye ailment, and it would be wise to hastily arrange a marriage for him, as a precaution for any unforeseen circumstances

Wang Kecan, whose voice resembled that of a young girl, said: "That is because the Third Young Master mentioned that those who come to tutor Young Master Jiezai will receive five coins of silver per person per day. Isn't that reason enough to compete for the opportunity?"