Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 41: Change Your Tunic

He had reached the moon gate that served as the garden's entrance when she called out, "Wait!"

His stomach, however, issued a low grumble of protest, and he chose to ignore her call. She didn't follow him, but he sensed her gaze on his back. He held his head high and maintained an even stride until he was out of the kitchen courtyard.

He made his way to the stables, where he ended up retching into a pile of straw. The stairs leading up to Boluo's upper alcove seemed insurmountably steep, so he opted for a clean, empty stall for his night's rest.

Even drunk late, Wuyi was remarkably resilient, especially when one feels the weight of expectations of someone like Boluo, who would smack their expectations out of him if Wuyi did not behave according to his teachings.

Wuyi rose at dawn, knowing Boluo would return by the afternoon. After washing up in the stables, he decided his three-day-old tunic needed to be replaced. His awareness of its condition heightened when, in the corridor outside his chamber, he encountered the lady again. She scrutinized him from head to toe.

"Change your tunic," she instructed, "and inform Mistress Jizao that your silk trousers are unsuitable; they make you look like a crane."

"Good morning, my lady," he responded, more out of astonishment than courtesy. He concluded she was quite eccentric, even more so than Lady Jizao. His best course of action was to indulge her whims. He expected her to continue on her way, but instead, she held him captive with her gaze.

"Do you play any musical instruments?" she inquired abruptly.

He shook his head in silence.

"You must know noble arts, then?"

"No, my lady."

Her expression turned contemplative. "Then you must have been taught to recite the zenith texts, the verses on herbs, healing, and arts of astro-navigation?"

"Only those arts related to the care of horses, falcons, and hounds," he replied, almost truthfully. Boluo had insisted he learn those. Master Chao had taught him verses about poisons and antidotes, but he'd warned him they were not common knowledge and should not be recited casually.

"But you must paint, surely? Or have been instructed in the art of poetry? Or perhaps you are learning some noble art? Have you begun cultivating?"

Wuyi was utterly bewildered, and he was so nervous that he forgot to mention he indeed was learning calligraphy. "My lady, I believe you've mistaken me for someone else. Perhaps you're thinking of Li Jun, the lord's nephew. He's only a few years older than I am—"

"I am not mistaken. Answer my question!" she insisted, her voice tinged with urgency.

"No, my lady. The teachings you speak of are reserved for the well-born. I have not been taught them."

With each of his denials, her expression grew more troubled. Her lips tightened, and her eyes clouded over. "This is unacceptable," she declared, spinning around in a swirl of silk robes. She hurried down the Hall of Orchids, leaving him standing there, puzzled.

He retreated to his chamber, changed his tunic, and donned the longest pair of leggings he owned. Dismissing the lady from his thoughts, he immersed himself in the day's chores and lessons.

A few days later, Chao summoned Wuyi. He entered Chao's chamber, where Chao sat behind an intricately carved lacquered wood desk, surrounded by scrolls and inkstones. The room was filled with the scent of agarwood incense.

"So, she has taken notice of you," Chao finally spoke, breaking the silence. "I won't inquire how you've managed to capture her attention, but she approached Lord Congming and insisted that you be given every formal education befitting a young master of a noble house."

Wuyi felt disoriented. Wasn't he receiving education befitting nobles already? The silk hangings on the walls seemed to sway. Who was this lady who could influence Patriarch Congming? She must be powerful, too.

While Wuyi pondered The Statue of Knowledge activated passively in his mind. It took the statue some time but it came up with an answer, clearing Wuyi's doubts.

"Lord Congming, of course, declined her request," Chao spoke again bringing Wuyi out from his thoughts. "He tried to explain the impracticality of such a move. He told her you are being given proper education already. Besides, he has directives from the Yuanjing Clan regarding your upbringing. Interfering would be dangerous.

Yet, she insisted, claiming her words carry weight as she too is connected to the Yuanjing Clan. She warned that ignoring her would bring complications for the Luyao family."

"So, she's linked to the Yuanjing Clan," Wuyi mused.

Chao nodded. "Indirectly. She serves your family, I believe. She's here on separate matters, but fate led her to you. Her name is Lady Meixiu. Or maybe she pretended to have separate matters while what she really wanted to do is see you so she can report to the clan."

Wuyi felt uneasy about Lady Meixiu's interference. Strangely, he found himself agreeing with Lord Congming's assessment. He was unprepared for the responsibilities and complexities of noble life. He was content with his current training and lifestyle. He sought stability, not added complications. What he wanted most was freedom, not more ties to anything related to Yuanjing.

"They all seem to think they know what's best for me," Wuyi sighed.

"Indeed," Chao said. "Lady Meixiu was not easily dissuaded. 'Prepare the boy,' she told Lord Congming. 'And when he's ready, judge for yourself.' Such audacity is typical of someone from the Yuanjing Clan."

"So, what am I to do?" Wuyi inquired.

"For better or worse, your life is about to change," Chao responded, a mixture of irritation and excitement in his voice. "You'll miss some of your regular training, but you'll gain other forms of education. Whether this is to your benefit or detriment, only time will tell. You are not the only one who will begin this new training.

Recently, demonics have been too active on the borders, so they will select a few more kids to train. Mostly it is done when they are older, but they will begin earlier this time to reduce the burden on the clan. But I agree with Congming; her orders might get me and Boluo in trouble, too, not just you."

Wuyi asked, "Why you and Boluo?"

Chao shook his head and sighed. "Before, it was Boluo. But now, even me. Whether we like it or not, we have become your guardians and teachers who protect you. For general folks, they know about Boluo, but Yuanjing knows about me too, I am sure. You were going to get permission sooner or later.

It was going to happen anyway, but I did not expect this soon."

"Reports about you will be sent to the clan that Xuan's bastard has been given approval in advance. If anyone in Yuanjing dislikes the notion, we will be the first ones to face the wrath of them after they are through with you."