Chapter Five: The Second Master of Anyuan Hall (Part Two)

Duoduo stood up. “I’m going to wash the clothes… Little Scholar, don’t overthink things. It’s best to keep your feet on the ground.”

Though Duoduo was usually rather aloof and her words sometimes sharp, she had a good heart. Perhaps she felt her earlier words had been too harsh, so she offered this comfort.

Zheng Yanqing smiled and rose as well. “Then I’ll prepare some tea. Grandfather will be back soon—it’ll help him relax.”

Zheng Shi’an enjoyed drinking tea, though his method differed from how it would be done in later generations. In his previous life, Yanqing also loved tea, but mostly brewed it with boiling water. People in the Sui Dynasty, however, favored simmering tea.

Yanqing had started learning the art of tea-making at the age of four. Now, his skills were so refined that not only did his grandfather, Zheng Shi’an, appreciate them, but even Zheng Dashi would sometimes ask him to prepare tea.

He brought out a small brazier to the veranda of the main hall and soon had a fire going. While adjusting the heat, Yanqing used a tea grinder to crush yesterday’s dried tea cakes into fine, even powder. Grinding tea was no simple task; it required patience and steady, uniform pressure. Only with even force could the tea powder retain its flavor. It had taken Yanqing three months to master this skill.

As Yanqing set the tea kettle on the brazier to boil water, Zheng Shi’an returned home. His expression was far from cheerful—his plump face was so clouded with gloom it seemed about to drip.

“Grandfather, you’re home early today!” Yanqing quickly stood to greet him. After living in this era for five years, he’d grown accustomed to his role.

Just play the dutiful grandson!

From initial awkwardness, he now found it second nature and felt no embarrassment.

Zheng Shi’an forced a smile. “Yanqing, don’t trouble yourself. I’m not thirsty today.”

Yanqing could sense his grandfather’s heavy heart.

He hurried down from the veranda, took Zheng Shi’an’s hand, and said, “Grandfather, Old Wang the water seller said there’s a new spring found at Huancui Ravine. I had Aunt Xu keep two buckets—I was going to brew you a bowl of Longevity Tea… Please, come sit.”

In the Sui Dynasty, tea connoisseurs were particular about the charcoal and water used. The “Sage of Tea,” Lu Yu, had not been born yet, and the world’s famous waters had yet to be ranked, but those skilled in tea still classified water by quality: mountain water was best, river water second, and well water the worst. Among mountain waters, spring water and gentle streams were most prized. Wealthy families would use mountain water for brewing tea, giving rise to the special trade of water sellers.

Near Xingyang, the water from Huancui Ravine was the finest.

Springs were rare and valuable—sometimes a single spring was worth a fortune.

Zheng Dashi’s love for tea had influenced Zheng Shi’an to become particular as well. After a day’s toil, to return home and drink a bowl of tea brewed by Yanqing was a true happiness. The “Longevity Tea” Yanqing mentioned was one such special tea.

Holding Yanqing’s small hand, Zheng Shi’an felt his mood ease.

He lifted his robe and sat on the veranda, watching Yanqing boil water.

When fish-eye bubbles appeared on the water’s surface, Yanqing took a pinch of salt and added it to the kettle—this was known as the first boil in tea-making. The quantity of salt was crucial, as it directly affected the taste of the tea.

“Grandfather, you seem very tired?”

Zheng Shi’an reclined against a pillar and, hearing Yanqing’s question, managed a contented smile. “I’m alright, not too tired.”

“Grandfather, did something happen at the house today?”

“Oh?”

“I saw you weren’t in a good mood… Aunt Xu says, when one is upset, it helps to talk to someone about it.”

Yanqing put on a grown-up air as he asked naïvely.

“Worried?” Zheng Shi’an couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re far too young—what use would talking to you be… Watch the fire, the water’s nearly at second boil!”

“Oh!” Yanqing dropped the subject and focused on the kettle.

Yet after that laugh, Zheng Shi’an’s mood seemed to brighten.

As the water in the kettle bubbled like a spring, Yanqing ladled out some to reserve, then took bamboo tongs to stir the water, pouring the tea powder into the center of the whirlpool. Instantly, froth bloomed and rich tea fragrance filled the courtyard, making Zheng Shi’an inhale deeply, his worries easing further.

“Yanqing!”

“Yes?”

The kettle boiled, foam flying.

Yanqing poured the reserved water back in to stop the boiling, and soon aromatic tea flowered in the pot.

“What do you think of Luoyang?” Zheng Shi’an’s sudden question startled Yanqing.

He was dividing the tea when his hand trembled, scattering the precious tea flower—a key part of the brew. If it scattered, the tea might be ruined. Luckily, the kettle was already off the fire and only the portion being served was disturbed. Still, Yanqing found it odd.

Are we going to Luoyang?

Yanqing silently poured a bowl of tea and set it before Zheng Shi’an.

For this adopted grandson, Zheng Shi’an was very satisfied, though he sometimes felt Yanqing was too reserved—unlike other children his age. Every conversation with him felt like speaking to an adult.

Of course, Yanqing mostly listened, rarely speaking.

Seeing Yanqing’s surprise, Zheng Shi’an smiled, but the smile soon faded. He said softly, “Today the master told me—the Second Master is coming home!”

Second Master?

Yanqing was not unfamiliar with the title. In fact, he’d long known of this figure in the Anyuan Hall.

The story of the Second Master stretched back to Zheng Dashi’s ancestors. The Dashi family belonged to the sixth branch of the Zhengs of Xingyang, descended from Zheng Lianshan. Lianshan was famed for his valor, and his eldest son Zheng Xianhu was also renowned. Zheng Xianhu’s son, Zheng Wei, had once surrendered to the Liang Dynasty during Northern Wei, later returning at the end of Wei. When Northern Wei split, Zheng Wei raised troops to support Western Wei, and many of the clan followed, including Zheng Ding and Zheng Rongye, who were originally servants of Lianshan but were included in the family records for their merits.

Zheng Rongye later died in battle, while Zheng Wei achieved great fame and was appointed Grand General, commander of Jiangling’s defenses, and military governor of fifteen prefectures. This was the height of the Anyuan Hall branch’s prosperity. Zheng Ding was also granted the title of Vice Minister of the Guards and was posthumously honored as a high official.

The Second Master Zheng Shi’an spoke of was none other than Zheng Ding’s son, Zheng Chang.

He held real power in Anyuan Hall and had long followed Prince Yang Liang, rarely at home. Yanqing knew of him but had never met him. The news of his return did not seem strange to Yanqing.

After all, if a man returns to his own home, what’s unusual about that?

“The master said it seems Second Master fell out with the Prince of Han in Taiyuan and has been dismissed from office. He worries Second Master will be in low spirits and plans to have him take over affairs at Anyuan Hall…”

Now Yanqing understood!

Zheng Shi’an was unhappy because he was to relinquish his authority. It was understandable—since the reign’s beginning, Zheng Shi’an had managed all matters at Anyuan Hall, second only to Zheng Dashi himself, with Zheng Renji and Lady Cui only nominally above. To surrender all power at once would make anyone uncomfortable. Yet he couldn’t oppose Zheng Dashi.

To be a servant, perhaps the hardest part is the powerlessness to control your own fate.

“The master also said that after New Year, the Eldest Young Master might be appointed as Registrar of the Eastern Bureau in Luoyang and wants me to go support him.”

The Eldest Young Master naturally referred to Zheng Renji.

Yanqing asked in confusion, “Isn’t the Eldest Young Master in Chang’an? Why is he suddenly taking a post in Luoyang? What kind of position is this Registrar? Is it a promotion or a demotion? And if you go to Luoyang, what about me?”

Zheng Shi’an smiled gently. “It’s a promotion, of course. Luoyang is under the Prefect of Henan, and the Registrar of the Eastern Bureau is a higher fifth-rank position. In less than five years, the Eldest Young Master has risen from an eighth-rank Interpreter to a fifth-rank official—his future is bright… As for you, the main reason the master wants me in Luoyang is actually because of you.”

“Me?” Yanqing was surprised.

He’d been in the Zheng family for five years but had little contact with Zheng Dashi. Only in recent months had Zheng Dashi asked him to brew tea a few times, during which he’d say nothing, merely read or rest with eyes closed.

What did this have to do with him?

“The Young Master is growing up, and after years of following the Eldest Young Master around, he’s had little stability. Once settled in Luoyang after New Year, it’s time to hire him a tutor. The master wants to find him a companion, and after much thought, he thinks you’re the most suitable. Besides, the Young Madam is expecting and will need looking after.”

No wonder Zheng Dashi had him brewing tea a couple of months ago—it wasn’t just for the tea, but also a kind of assessment.

“What about Aunt Xu and Duoduo?”

“The master’s intention is for them to stay at the ancestral home.”

Yanqing grew anxious at this. “But if Duoduo doesn’t go, who’ll teach me the Dragon Subduing Skill?”

Zheng Shi’an chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ve spoken to the master—Aunt Xu and Duoduo will come with us. But in Luoyang, they’ll have to stay in the outer quarters and can’t work in the inner residence. Yanqing, how’s your Dragon Subduing Skill coming along?”

“Oh, so-so!”

“No slacking off… And when you’re in Luoyang, don’t let anything slip in front of the Eldest Young Master.”

Zheng Shi’an sipped his tea and chatted with Yanqing, his mood improving greatly. After a time, Aunt Xu announced that the meal was ready.

“Yanqing, don’t speak of this to anyone—not even Aunt Xu or Duoduo. The Second Master will be back in about ten days. Once I’ve handed over to him, we’ll prepare to depart… Still, it’s strange—at the start of the year, when the Prince of Han petitioned to strengthen Taiyuan’s defenses, the Second Master wrote that he was getting along well there.”

As Zheng Shi’an rose, he muttered softly.

But those words planted a strange thought in Yanqing’s mind: Could Zheng Chang’s return have another purpose?