Guo Wengan raised his cup to drink with him, set down his wine cup, allowed the other to pour him more wine, and swayed his head slightly drunkenly as he said, “Mount Qinglian is one of the top spiritual plant sects in the cultivation world, and the Wen family ancestor was precisely its founding patriarch.
That Wen family ancestor was quite extraordinary. Instead of passing the sect leader position to his own son, he passed it to an outsider, to his own disciple. To avoid internal sect disputes, he even ordered his son to leave the sect and barred him from interfering in its internal affairs, effectively turning his own son into an idle man.
The Wen ancestor left a family rule stating that as long as Mount Qinglian exists, the Wen descendants must never practice cultivation, so that future generations would not use his name to put the sect in a difficult position.
One could say that this ancestral rule has weighed heavily upon all subsequent Wen generations.
Out of gratitude, Mount Qinglian has silently stood behind the Wen family. When Wen descendants face disasters, the sect never turns a blind eye, offering considerable support. This is precisely why the Wen clan has flourished and survived for over two thousand years to this day.
Since the descendants of the Wen ancestor could not pursue martial arts, literary pursuits flourished in their place. Just think about it, two thousand years of collected books across generations. How could a single study possibly hold them all? They naturally had to build a library. Thus, within the Wen estate, a library named the Wenshu Pavilion was constructed, containing a truly encyclopaedic collection.”
Nan Zhu’s eyes lit up. “In that case, the Wen family library should have the most complete provincial gazetteers preserved?”
Guo Wengan took a small sip from his cup. “They might not call them provincial gazetteers exactly, but since the Wen family has survived through chaotic times until now, their records of Ningzhou’s various changes should be the most comprehensive. Their clan has specialists dedicated to compiling texts, who constantly update the records. What was it you were looking for again?”
Nan Zhu smiled with a touch of boldness. “Ancestral homeland.”
Guo Wengan said, “Ah, yes, the ancestral homeland. You should be able to find places corresponding to ancient names in the Wen library. However, getting into the Wen library might not be so easy.”
Nan Zhu promptly asked, “What makes it difficult?”
Guo Wengan replied, “How shall I put it? In short, many of the collections date back over two thousand years and are extremely valuable. It is not a place where idle or unrelated persons can freely enter and exit. I do not know the exact details, but I only know that even Wen family members cannot come and go as they please. It seems there are strict family rules.”
Nan Zhu tentatively asked, “Are outsiders strictly forbidden from borrowing books?”
Guo Wengan said, “Not necessarily. It depends on who the person is. A library, after all, if they can afford to build one within their estate, it is to gather literary prestige. If a current top scholar actually came, his brilliance would bring them honour. They would certainly open the doors for you, let alone allow you to borrow books.
Furthermore, the Wen family cannot avoid worldly conventions. If a high-ranking imperial official truly wished to visit, the Wen family would likely find it hard to refuse. As for others, those without greater status than the Wen family, they must simply follow the Wen family rules.”
The current top scholar? Nan Zhu stroked his chin, subconsciously thinking of someone whose reputation seemed no less than that of the current top scholar, though he wondered if that would actually work.
Guo Wengan, having drunk a bit too much, began to ramble slightly. “Speaking of the Wen family, I wonder if they will be chosen as the chief priests for this year’s grand deity worship ceremony.”
Nan Zhu was momentarily taken aback. “What deity worship ceremony?”
“You do not even know that? You truly are a complete outsider. Ningzhou’s maritime trade is thriving, and many rely on the sea for their livelihood and wealth. Naturally, they worship the Sea God. Under this custom, aside from numerous small and large sacrifices held every year, the merchant guilds across Ningzhou jointly organise a grand ceremony once every three years. Since it is a grand ceremony, there must naturally be chief priests to recite prayers and the like.”
“I see. Is there any particular significance to who takes the turn as chief priest?”
“The Wen family relies on Mount Qinglian and might be considered the premier clan in Ningzhou. However, across generations, there have inevitably been emerging families with their own backing. They may not aim to steal the number one spot, but they certainly do not fear Mount Qinglian. Though their wealth and lineage history may not match the Wen family, they are not necessarily willing to bow to them. Through fierce competition, the Wen family has occasionally lost the chief priest position.”
“Ah, I understand. For the triennial grand ceremony, whether a family becomes chief priest concerns their reputation. Is that correct?”
“Exactly.” Guo Wengan nodded, and raised his cup to clink with Nan Zhu’s. “Legend has it that in earlier years, families competing for the chief priest position engaged in both open and covert struggles, even resorting to physical fights. Their backing cultivation sects got involved, causing such widespread disruption that no one could live in peace. Eventually, the local government stepped in as a mediator, and the rule became literary contests only, no martial contests allowed.”
Taking a sip of his wine, Nan Zhu poured another cup for him and asked curiously, “What constitutes a literary contest?”
Guo Wengan replied, “It is simply poetry, ci, and fu compositions. Outstanding young scholars from each family with literary talent compete, while respected veterans from Ningzhou’s literary circles serve as judges. The winning family becomes the chief priest for that term. Normally, given the Wen family’s deep cultural heritage, they win about two out of every three times. This time, however, the Wen family might be in a bit of trouble.”
Nan Zhu could not help but look him up and down a few more times, wondering how a mere minor clerk could see through the successes and failures of such grand families. He asked, “Brother Guo, how can you be so certain?”
Guo Wengan chuckled. “That proves you are an outsider. You do not know this, brother, but the Wan family is one of the clans constantly competing with the Wen family. The Wan family holds a powerful card. The second-place scholar in the imperial top tier from last year’s capital examination is from our Ningzhou, and he is set to become the Wan family’s future son-in-law.
I hear that this second-place scholar will soon return home to visit his family as per custom. More importantly, he will marry the Wan family’s daughter. After the wedding, he and his family will likely settle in the capital. Timing it perfectly, the Wan family supposedly arranged the wedding date long in advance. There is a nine out of ten chance they will borrow the scholar’s literary talent to gain an edge over the Wen family.”
Nan Zhu looked doubtful. “Are not only the descendants of each family supposed to compete? Can they bring in outside help?”
Guo Wengan countered, “Who would dare openly claim a son-in-law is not part of the family?”
“…” Nan Zhu was speechless. Fine, he conceded that point, but still held doubts. “Is the second-place scholar guaranteed to win?”
Guo Wengan said, “A second-place scholar officially appointed by the imperial court. Are we to believe he would lose to a group of local examinees? Where would that leave the court’s face? High-ranking Ningzhou officials will be watching coldly from the sidelines. As for the literary veterans serving as judges, anyone willing to show their face at such an event is hardly a stubborn traditionalist.
Besides, that second-place scholar truly possesses extraordinary talent. Have you heard of the metropolitan exam top scorer who achieved perfect marks in all four subjects? That is the very same third-place scholar famous across the realm.”
“Ah… I have heard of him.” Nan Zhu gave a dry smile, his laughter somewhat insincere, thinking to himself, More than just heard of him. He teases me every day. He is right next door, pricking up his ears to eavesdrop on our conversation right now.
Guo Wengan continued, “Someone who ranks alongside that third-place scholar in the imperial top tier. How could he be anything less than excellent? I hear he has a good relationship with that third-place scholar and even worked with him at the Censorate in the capital. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. He will not be far behind. With a person of his backing coming to compete, the Wen family’s chances of winning are slim. I fear the Wen family themselves have lost their confidence.”
Nan Zhu merely said “oh” a couple of times on the surface. Hearing someone praise Old Fifteen to the skies made him feel slightly nauseous.
Next door, Mu Aotie, who had been listening intently, watched Yu Qing’s reaction.
“Second-place scholar…” Yu Qing frowned and thought for a moment before muttering the man’s name. “Yin Jizhen. Is he from Ningzhou?”
He seemed to remember Yin Jizhen mentioning it, but he had almost forgotten the man’s name, so it was only natural that he could not recall his hometown.
But what good would remembering do? He silently shook his head. He definitely would not meet him anyway, and there was no need to exchange pleasantries. They were not on the same path to begin with, and he certainly did not want the other man to know where he was.
After eating and drinking their fill, Nan Zhu escorted the clerk downstairs, hired a carriage to take him away, and only then returned upstairs, slipping into his two junior brothers’ room.
As soon as he entered, he asked, “You both heard that, did you not?”
The two junior brothers nodded.
Nan Zhu gestured towards Yu Qing with his chin. “Well? I suppose you will have to visit that Wenshu Pavilion of the Wen family personally.”
Yu Qing replied, “I am in an unfamiliar place. What good would my personal visit do? A prominent family like this undoubtedly keeps a few skilled guards for protection.”
Nan Zhu remarked with surprise, “I must say, you are clever when you want to be, but when you are dense, you just cannot see the obvious. Walking in like this, of course you cannot get in. Did you not hear what he said? A top scholar can definitely enter. Your identity as an exam proxy should be no worse than a top scholar, right? It would be a waste not to use it. Might as well make temporary use of it.”
Yu Qing’s eyes instantly widened. “Nonsense. If I could use that identity freely, would I need you to remind me? Even if I went straight to their door claiming to be A Shiheng, they would still need to believe me.”
Nan Zhu said, “Can you not write poetry and essays? Write some out to prove it to them. They love that sort of thing anyway. You would be catering to their tastes.”
That truly hit a sore spot. Yu Qing rolled his eyes, unwilling to argue about it. “Have you forgotten Qin Jue? And there is also that Xuan-rank demon cultivator named Bai Lan, who seems to have been hunting me for revenge. The A Shiheng identity cannot be used recklessly. Our presence here must not be made public. Do you understand?”
Since neither option seemed viable, the three decided to drop the subject.
There was no point staying there either. They settled the bill, left, and casually asked for the location of the Wen family estate along the way.
Regardless of whether they had a chance to enter the Wen library, they needed to gather information first. At the very least, they had to scout the area around the Wen estate.
Hearing that travelling by boat was more convenient, the three left the inn, boarded a boat from the water alley, stated their destination, and left the rest of the route to the boatman.
After nearly an hour, they disembarked near the Wen family estate.
To be precise, they were outside the side gate of the Wen estate, the same gate used for moving large goods in and out.
A crowd had already gathered outside the gate, seemingly reading some sort of notice.
The three senior and junior brothers squeezed their way through to look. It was a recruitment notice for servants.
The notice stated that the Wen family was recruiting one hundred male servants, with a three-month probation period. After passing probation, they would have the opportunity to become official Wen family retainers.
Many could not read and did not know what the notice said, so those who could read it aloud for everyone.
Quite a few people were eager to try after hearing it, which showed that the remuneration for Wen family servants was quite good.
“Ho, prominent families really are different. Recruiting over a hundred servants at once. How lavish.”
“What is so strange about it? The triennial grand ceremony is about to begin, and they will need a lot of hands. Every time this happens, the Wen family is short-staffed and has to hire a temporary batch. Once the ceremony is over, hmph, very few actually stay on permanently.”