Chapter Forty-Five: If Fate Allows, We Shall Meet Again

Zheng Yanqing arrived at the academy as usual and began tidying up the classroom. Once he had finished, Dou Fengjie arrived at the school gate in his family’s carriage, carrying a small bundle.

"Yanqing, have some cakes."
He opened the food box, revealing four sweet pastries.
Yanqing grinned, took one, and sat shoulder to shoulder on the steps with Dou Fengjie, enjoying breakfast together.

Now, Yanqing was a unique presence in the Dou family’s academy. Children of the same age wanted to play with him, but none dared approach. Ever since Yanqing returned, the elders would warn them, "Don’t provoke that child from the Zheng family in your academy. He’s the famous Goose Young Master. Though he’s your age, he’s already renowned."
Sometimes, when the children wanted to go out and play, the adults would sternly rebuke them:
"Look at Goose Young Master! Even with such fame, he seeks advice from his teacher after class. All you do is play. When you can compose poems as well as his ‘Ode to the Goose,’ then we’ll leave you be."

Because of this, the children both respected and feared Yanqing, harboring a touch of envy as well.
Gradually, Yanqing became isolated, much like Dou Fengjie. Not only in the elementary classroom, but even the students in the middle and inner halls were warned by their teachers not to provoke Zheng Yanqing.
Within the whole academy, Dou Fengjie was Yanqing’s only companion. Sometimes, Yanqing wondered if this was a case of "misery loves company."

"Zheng Yanqing!"
Suddenly, the sunlight dimmed. Someone stood before Yanqing.
Dou Fengjie instinctively shivered, scooting back and hiding behind Yanqing.
Yanqing looked up, displeased, and said, "Dou Xiaowen, you’re blocking my sun."

The one standing there was Dou Xiaowen—one of the Dou clan who had once bullied Dou Fengjie and was later taught a lesson by Yanqing. Dressed in a blue cotton robe and cloth shoes, hands behind his back, he looked rather sheepish.

"Oh!"
Dou Xiaowen quickly stepped aside and glanced at the sweet cakes in Yanqing and Dou Fengjie’s hands, swallowing hard.

"Are you hungry?"
Yanqing knew Dou Xiaowen’s family wasn’t well-off. He was the youngest of seven brothers, and the family lived off a small plot of land allotted by the Dou clan. Sending Dou Xiaowen to school was no easy feat. Breakfast? For poor families, filling their stomachs was enough; breakfast was a luxury, barely imaginable.

Dou Xiaowen blushed, saying nothing.
"Have a cake," Yanqing offered, holding out the food box.
Dou Fengjie, behind Yanqing, poked him lightly, as if to ask why he was offering the cake.

"I’m not hungry," Dou Xiaowen said, shaking his head, though his eyes remained fixed on the cakes—famous Luoyang pastries, after all.

Yanqing smiled, "Just eat, no need for talk. Are you here for something? Eat first, then tell me."

Dou Xiaowen hesitated, then suddenly snatched a cake and devoured it in two bites.
Yanqing couldn’t help but laugh. "There’s one left. You have it, too."

"Well…"
"Enough, eat it. The teachers will be here soon."

Dou Fengjie was a bit disgruntled but did not object. To him, a few cakes were nothing, but to Dou Xiaowen, it was like celebrating the New Year. After finishing the last cake, Dou Xiaowen hesitated, then suddenly knelt before Yanqing, preparing to kowtow.

"What are you doing?" Yanqing was startled. "It’s just a few cakes—no need for this!"

"Zheng Yanqing, I’m here to fulfill my promise."
"Promise?"
"Yesterday, the teacher spoke about the importance of keeping one’s word. I once fought you, and the loser was supposed to kowtow three times to the winner. I didn’t do it then. But I should keep my word."

"Is that why you came to see me?"
"Yes!"
Yanqing let out a sigh. "Forget it, I’d already forgotten."

"That won’t do," Dou Xiaowen said anxiously. Though the middle hall mainly taught the classics, other teachings were sometimes included.
Yesterday, he’d been deeply moved by the story of Ji Bu, whose promise was as valuable as gold. He thought that was how a true man should be. That was why he rushed to the academy early, knowing Yanqing always arrived first, determined to fulfill the promise and finally be at peace with himself. To his chagrin, Dou Fengjie was also present, and he ended up eating two cakes before he could even offer his bows, making him all the more embarrassed.

But with Yanqing stopping him, he had no way to complete the ritual and grew more anxious.

Yanqing said, "Dou Xiaowen, I don’t need your three bows. We study together as fate would have it, and you’re my senior; there’s an order to things here—let’s not break the rules. How about this: grant me three favors instead, and let those count as your bows. How does that sound?"

Dou Xiaowen nodded eagerly.
"What are they?"
Yanqing scratched his head. "I haven’t thought of them yet. I’ll let you know when I do."

"Alright, whenever you decide, just tell me. Whatever you ask, I’ll do it." With that, he tore off three cloth buttons from his robe and handed them to Yanqing. "Keep these. If you ever need anything, no matter who it’s for, show these buttons and I’ll do it, come what may."

Yanqing laughed and accepted the buttons.
By then, more students had arrived. Dou Xiaowen nodded to Yanqing and headed off to the middle hall.

"Yanqing, why did you give him the cakes?"
Yanqing glared, "I wanted to. Are you unhappy about it?"

Dou Fengjie pouted. "Well, if you said so, then so be it… By the way, the cake shop has a new variety—it’s delicious. I’ll bring you some tomorrow?"

"Alright. I want three."
"Okay, okay!" Dou Fengjie nodded eagerly, making Yanqing laugh again.
He might be timid, but he was a good-natured and interesting companion. With him, Yanqing could recapture some rare moments of childhood innocence.

Zheng Shian had said as much, and Li Ji had said it too. Even Du Ruhui had remarked that Yanqing was clever but lacked a child’s playfulness. But after all, where does a forty-year-old find childishness? Still, time with Dou Fengjie was genuinely enjoyable.

"Come on, class is starting! The teacher will be here soon!"

Yanqing slung an arm around Dou Fengjie’s shoulders and they headed for the classroom. Not long ago, they were about the same height, but now Yanqing was a whole head taller. This little fellow was worth befriending, especially since he was from the Dou family. Yanqing’s fondness for the Dou clan far exceeded his feelings for the Zhengs.

——————————————————————————

Once seated in the classroom, Yanqing carefully arranged his sand tray.
Even as the famed Goose Young Master, gifted in Yan style calligraphy, the fundamentals of calligraphy could not be neglected. Elementary studies focused on these basics.

Yanqing was meticulous, cherishing the ancient culture embodied in the supple tip of his brush—soft on the outside, firm within. That, to him, was the spirit of the brush, the essence of the culture.

Just as he finished his preparations, an old man entered the classroom. Yanqing had seen him on his first day at the academy; he knew this elder was a clan elder of the Dou family and the academy’s head.

"Mr. Li had to leave the academy last night due to unforeseen circumstances. Until a new teacher arrives, I’ll be substituting," the old head announced gravely, sparking a flurry of whispers among the students. Though Li Ji hadn’t been at the academy long, he was deeply respected. The news of his departure threw the class into chaos. Yanqing, too, was stunned.

The teacher… gone?
How could it be!
Just yesterday afternoon, they’d shared sour plum soup together, chatting away.
How could he leave without a word?

In that instant, Yanqing felt hollow, as if something precious had vanished from his life. He sat dazed at his desk; the head called his name three times before he heard.

"Yanqing, Yanqing!"
"Ah? What is it?"
"The teacher is calling you…"

Yanqing finally came to himself, quickly stood, and bowed respectfully. "Teacher, you called for me. How may I serve?"

The head, knowing of the bond between Li Ji and Yanqing, did not scold him.
He held out a letter. "Zheng Yanqing, this is a letter Mr. Li wrote for you before he left."

Yanqing hastily stepped forward to receive it, bowed, and returned to his seat.

"Also, the items in Mr. Li’s study are to be left for you. After class, go and take stock, and arrange to bring them home… Now, let’s begin the lesson."

To be fair, the old head had considerable learning; otherwise, he wouldn’t have held his position.
But to Yanqing, his lessons lacked something indefinable, some essential flavor.
His mind was in turmoil, and he could not focus on the class. He barely noticed when it ended.

"Yanqing, are you alright?"
Dou Fengjie, seeing Yanqing’s unstable mood, quietly asked after him.

"I’m fine," Yanqing replied, sitting alone in the empty classroom for a long while before regaining his composure.
"Fengjie, may I borrow your family’s carriage today? The teacher left me some things; I’ll need your help, I’m afraid."

"What are you saying? Of course. Shall I come with you?"

Yanqing and Dou Fengjie left the classroom and made their way to Li Ji’s quarters.
The door stood ajar, and Yanqing’s heart pounded.
Was the teacher playing a trick on him? Perhaps he was inside, waiting to catch him off guard.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gently pushed the door open.
The room was empty. A bow case hung on the wall, several dozen books lined the shelves, and a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone sat on the desk. There was nothing else.

Yanqing’s legs nearly failed him; he almost collapsed, steadying himself against the door frame.

"Yanqing, should we move all these things?"
He nodded, and Dou Fengjie hurried out to find help.

Yanqing sat on the doorstep and opened Li Ji’s letter. The handwriting was not particularly elegant, but steady—just like the man himself. The letter explained that, due to a sudden matter, Li Ji could not say farewell in person, and he hoped Yanqing would understand and continue to study diligently.
His learning already surpassed that of his peers—even the best students in the inner hall might not compare.
There was little more for him to gain by staying at the academy.
Li Ji urged Yanqing to settle his mind and focus on true learning, not to be swayed by fleeting fame.

"Yanqing, my student, do not let my departure breed indolence in your heart.
Do not forget your wager with Yan Zhou. Though your teacher is far away, I still think of your ‘Three Kingdoms.’ Rejoice not in external gains, nor grieve for personal losses; cultivate yourself and walk the great path, that is the true way. Do not always build walls, but remember: excess is as bad as deficiency… If fate allows, we will meet again."

Every line was filled with deep concern—even a touch of worry that Yanqing’s character was too uncompromising.

Unconsciously, Yanqing’s eyes grew moist. Tears slipped silently down his cheeks, soaking the letter.

Though he had an adult’s disposition, Yanqing could not help but feel a deep sorrow at the words.
Li Ji, a man with whom he had no blood ties, had cared for him no less than Zheng Shian.
Yet now, he had left without even a word of farewell!

Yanqing wanted to cry, but the tears would not come.
His appearance frightened Dou Fengjie, who rushed over and grasped Yanqing’s arm. "Yanqing, Yanqing… what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!"

"I’m alright," Yanqing said, wiping his nose and forcing a smile. "Let’s have the books loaded onto the carriage."

He stepped forward and took down the bow case from the wall, recalling that it was Li Ji’s most treasured possession.
He gently stroked its soft fur, then looked around the room once more.
In the past few months, he had spent his happiest days here.

"Yanqing, we can go now."
"Wait a moment. I have something to discuss with the head."

"What is it?"
Yanqing smiled. "Starting tomorrow, I won’t be coming here to study any longer…"

——————————————————————————

(Author’s note omitted.)