Chapter Five: When Trouble Arises Without Warning

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Skirting around the Taiqing Pond and passing through a winding corridor, at the end of which stood an arched gateway, one would see a stone bridge upon stepping through the arch. The private academy lay directly opposite the bridge. Mingchu clung tightly to Yuewu’s hand, reluctant to let go.

"Miss, go on inside. I’ll come fetch you later," Yuewu said, patting her gently on the head.

Mingchu took the paper and brush, dragging her feet as she walked in. Before the age of four, her mother often taught her poetry, but in the years since her mother’s passing, she had scarcely read or studied, with no one to guide her.

This was her first time in this place, and she felt awkward all over.

The room was already filled with students, most of whom were unfamiliar faces. Mingchu guessed they must be descendants of the collateral branches of the Jiang family. The teacher was a thin-faced old man who, seeing Mingchu dawdle, bellowed, "Sit down quickly!"

Startled, Mingchu hunched her shoulders and shuffled past him. Jiang Mingwan, seated in the second row, whispered, "Fifth Sister, come sit by me." Mingchu hurried over and squeezed herself in, winking playfully at Jiang Mingwan.

Jiang Mingwan was the fourth young lady of the Jiang household, daughter of the second concubine, two years older than Mingchu. She was beautiful, versed in poetry and song, and one of the few in the palace willing to be close to Mingchu.

As the teacher moved to the back, Jiang Mingwan leaned in to whisper, "Fifth Sister, I haven’t seen you in days. I’ve wanted to come find you, but Mother never lets me."

"I’ve just been..."

A sharp crack interrupted her as the teacher’s ruler struck Mingchu’s head. "What are you chatting about? Would you like to chat with me instead?"

Mingchu bowed her head deeply, her cheeks flushed. Jiang Zhenyuan, seated behind, covered his mouth to stifle a laugh.

"Hmph." The teacher twirled his moustache as he walked away. "Today we begin with the first poem in the National Odes, ‘Guan Ju’. Confucius said: ‘Why do you not study poetry? Poetry may inspire, observe, unite, and express grievances. In daily matters, serve your father; in distant matters, serve your ruler; and know the names of birds, beasts, grasses, and trees.’"

"Teacher, the Preface to the Mao Poems says: ‘Thus rectifying right and wrong, moving Heaven and Earth, stirring ghosts and spirits—nothing is closer than poetry.’ Is this meaning the same as what you just said?" Jiang Mingwan stood respectfully to ask.

"Excellent, excellent. A teachable child indeed." The teacher nodded repeatedly, his gaze full of praise.

Jiang Zhenyuan scoffed to the boy beside him, "What’s so impressive? I know birds, beasts, and plants without studying poetry."

"Silence! What are you babbling about? Jiang Zhenyuan, you’re always the one talking. If you speak again, you’ll stand outside!" The teacher’s moustache bristled with anger. Jiang Zhenyuan was notoriously mischievous, careless with his studies, and always the first to disrupt the class.

Jiang Zhenyuan dared not utter another word. He would not risk provoking this irascible old man.

The teacher drew a deep breath. "A gentleman cultivates himself so that violent and crooked temperaments do not reside in the body. Thus, I must not be irritable."

As the teacher exhaled, his moustache billowed upward. Mingchu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

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"What are you laughing at?" The teacher’s voice sounded abruptly overhead; Mingchu cursed her luck.

"You again! Laughing without cause during my lesson is a grave disrespect! Go home and copy ‘Guan Ju’ ten times. Recite it to me tomorrow morning!"

Mingchu inwardly groaned.

"Now, let us begin with ‘Guan Ju’..."

At last, the long lesson ended. Mingchu quickly packed her brush and paper and prepared to leave.

Jiang Mingwan tapped her shoulder. "Fifth Sister, come have dinner at my place tonight."

"No, Aunt doesn’t seem to like me visiting, and the nurse is waiting for me."

Jiang Zhenyuan deliberately raised his voice, "Oh my, someone’s really embarrassed. First day at school and already punished by the teacher!" His companions echoed, "Yes, truly shameful."

Mingwan whispered, "Fifth Sister, let’s hurry and go." She grabbed Mingchu’s hand, ready to leave.

"We’ll go too." Jiang Zhenyuan waved his hand. As he passed Mingwan, he intentionally bumped into her. Mingchu glared at him in annoyance and discretely stuck out her leg.

Jiang Zhenyuan, swaggering and never watching his step, cried out, "Ah!" He tumbled forward, arms flailing, and landed with a thud, his nose reddening from the impact.

"Jiang Zhenyuan, look at your foolish self," Mingchu mocked, leaving hand-in-hand with Mingwan.

"Why are you all standing there? Help me up! Mingchu, you wretched girl, just wait till I teach you a lesson," Jiang Zhenyuan roared.

"Fifth Sister, you shouldn’t have done that. He’ll surely tell the mistress, and then Mother will scold me," Mingwan fretted, rubbing her fingers uneasily.

"Don’t worry, it was my doing. It has nothing to do with you."

Mingchu spotted Yuewu descending from the bridge and ran over with Mingwan.

"Fourth Sister, let me introduce you—this is Yuewu," Mingchu said affectionately, tugging Yuewu’s sleeve.

"Yuewu? What a graceful young man," Mingwan whispered in Mingchu’s ear.

"Mingchu, stop right there! If I don’t settle things with you today, I’m not Jiang Third Young Master!" Jiang Zhenyuan rolled up his sleeves and charged after them, several boys in tow.

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Without a trace, Yuewu shielded Mingchu behind him. Mingwan’s face turned pale, and she slipped away, unnoticed, across the bridge.

Jiang Zhenyuan stared at Yuewu in surprise. "You—you’re that fellow from the other day..."

Mingchu cut him off, "Enough with the this and that. His name is Yuewu, and he’s mine!"

"Father actually gave him to you? How is that possible?"

"Don’t be so surprised. Yuewu, let’s go." Mingchu made a playful face at him.

"Mingchu, stop right there!" Jiang Zhenyuan lunged, aiming to grab Mingchu’s shoulder. Instantly, Yuewu’s gaze turned cold; he stepped to the left, lightning quick, and locked Jiang Zhenyuan’s wrist.

Mingchu hadn’t realized what happened, only hearing Jiang Zhenyuan’s wail, "It hurts!" In truth, Yuewu had not used much force; he didn’t wish to cause trouble for Mingchu.

Jiang Zhenyuan’s mouth twitched. "Let go of me." The boys behind him wanted to help, but Jiang Zhenyuan ordered, "No one move!"

Yuewu looked to Mingchu, releasing his grip only when she nodded.

Jiang Zhenyuan cradled his reddened wrist, muttering angrily, "You two are really something. Just wait and see." Mingchu regarded him with disdain.

Green Robe stood on the other side of the bridge. Seeing them, she hurried over. "Fifth Miss, so this is where you were. I’ve searched everywhere. Madam requests your presence in the hall for dinner."

Mingchu exchanged a glance with Yuewu. She nodded, "I understand."

Jiang Zhenyuan gave Mingchu a once-over, snorted, and led his group away. Mingchu instructed Yuewu, "Go back and tell the nurse she needn’t wait for me tonight."

Mingchu seldom dined in the hall; in fact, the second concubine and Fourth Sister usually ate in their own rooms. Unless something significant happened, everyone rarely gathered together.

So she was genuinely puzzled why she’d suddenly been summoned.