Chapter 31: Turning on Heels and Running

"Why is it that when someone loses and refuses to admit it, one cannot speak of it? What is the matter with that?"

"What is the matter with that..."

"With that..."

Zhu An was so furious he could practically explode. He had lived a charmed life, smooth sailing all the way, and had never been pushed into a corner like this. He stared at the face of the young boy across from him, itching to land a punch, but with everyone watching, he couldn't afford to lose face.

He took a deep breath to steady himself. "I am not refusing to admit it. It is perfectly reasonable for me to suspect that these couplets weren't composed by you, right? You look to be no more than five or six. Even if you started your education at three, you've only been studying for two or three years. You haven't even finished the Four Books, so how could you possibly match a palindrome couplet?"

"Look at all the seniors here. Which one of them hasn't studied more than you? They couldn't match it, yet you did? You must have prepared the second halves of these couplets in advance!"

The more Zhu An spoke, the more convinced he became of his own logic. By the time he finished, his tone was one of absolute, ironclad certainty.

The proprietor of the Crane Pavilion also looked at Wang Chengzue with suspicion. He remembered this young master had tried his hand at the couplets before. The reason the memory stuck was that the young man had only managed three, then hit a wall and was mercilessly mocked by his companions. At the time, the proprietor had thought the young man lacked talent. Furthermore, those three couplets were nowhere near as brilliant as the ones displayed today. Could it really be that, after suffering a crushing defeat, he had gone home, received guidance from a master, meticulously prepared these responses, and then come back for revenge?

The onlookers began whispering and pointing. Wang Chengzue broke into a cold sweat. He couldn't help but blame Wang Xuezou for being too arrogant and offending people. Now, he was the one left to clean up the mess. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "This young master..."

Wang Xuezou tugged at Wang Chengzue's robe to stop him. The two of them were nine and five; this was merely a spat between children. If they played it out, it was fine, but if adults got involved, things would get complicated. That boy was well-dressed and familiar with the shopkeeper; it wouldn't do to offend him too deeply. So, instead of letting his uncle speak, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh! Why won't you just admit that there are people in this world more capable than you?"

Wang Xuezou stood with his hands behind his back, looking weary and unnervingly mature. "Come, let the storm rage even harder! If you don't believe me, feel free to propose a challenge!"

Zhu An sneered. "Have it your way! Don't go crying when you lose."

"Whoever backs down is a dog."

***

Zhu An often played with couplets at home with his father, so he had some foundation. His eyes swept the room, and when he saw a waiter passing by with a platter of meat, his eyes lit up.

"First line: Big fish and meat, eaten with delight; the universe in my belly, spinning at my might!"

Magistrate Zhu and Master Zhou, who had been upstairs, had descended at some point. The crowd was so engrossed in the spectacle that they hadn't noticed them. Hearing his son's couplet, Magistrate Zhu smiled. "To come up with such a line on the spot, that's not bad."

Zhou Mingli, however, kept his eyes fixed on Wang Xuezou. If his student couldn't handle this, he would have to step in.

Wang Xuezou scanned the room as well. Seeing someone nearby holding a bowl, eating and watching the fun, he grinned.

"My second line: Small onions and garlic, by my side to stay; the world in my mouth, joy in every way!"

Zhu An widened his eyes. Unconvinced, he pushed further. "Let the theme be 'Autumn'. My first line: Autumn winds arise, yellow leaves dance."

"Autumn moon shines bright, white frost congeals."

"Willow threads brush lightly against the green-wave shore!"

"Peach blossoms bloom faintly in the spring breeze garden."

...

As the two went back and forth, the murmurs of the crowd died down. Zhu An’s face darkened with every exchange. Magistrate Zhu and Zhou Mingli stood together in silence.

"I lost," Zhu An admitted with difficulty. Once the first word was out, the rest was easier. "I lost, and I am convinced! My previous promise stands. I am at your disposal. Tell me, what do you want me to do?" He braced himself for humiliation.

Wang Chengzue was dazed, standing on the platform in a fog. Wang Xuezou glanced at him, knowing his uncle was of no use now, and spoke up: "Rest assured, I won't ask you to do anything immoral. As for the rest, I haven't decided yet."

Zhu An felt a weight lift. He nodded listlessly, clearly devastated by the day's events. He waved weakly at the proprietor. "When you decide, tell the shopkeeper here, and I will fulfill your request. Manager Qiu, I leave the rest to you."

Manager Qiu nodded and respectfully saw them to the door.

***

Wang Xuezou trotted over to the manager. "Just give me the money. Can I keep the meal for next time? I don't have enough time today."

The manager looked at the child, who barely reached his waist, and didn't dare underestimate him. "Don't worry, young master! My shop is right here; you are welcome whenever you wish."

With that, he had a waiter bring out twenty taels of silver. "Although others have matched the couplets before, none were as exquisite as yours. The extra ten taels are because our hospitality today was lacking; please forgive us."

The manager was keen to cultivate a relationship with someone who showed such talent at such a young age, so he was naturally generous.

That was an extra ten taels! Wang Xuezou didn't put on airs by refusing. He took it openly. "Then many thanks, Manager. It’s getting late, so I won't linger."

He had to leave quickly, lest his uncle remember to ask for the money. He stuffed the silver into his pocket and bolted.

Seeing this, Wang Chengzue suddenly snapped out of his trance. Ignoring everything else, he chased after him. "Xuezou, wait!"

Just as Wang Xuezou burst through the doors of the Crane Pavilion, he felt his collar being grabbed and lifted into the air. He was shocked, his legs kicking in the air to no avail. He turned his head and realized that it wasn't Wang Chengzue holding him, but Little Wu. He let out a sigh of relief. "Brother Little Wu, what are you doing?"

Little Wu tilted his chin. Wang Xuezou looked ahead and saw Master Zhou standing there, watching him quietly.

...

Wang Xuezou followed Master Zhou back to the schoolhouse like a frightened quail. Along the way, he brainstormed feverishly, trying to figure out how to explain how he had never learned to compose couplets yet managed to show off at the Crane Pavilion. He had a belly full of excuses prepared, but when they arrived at the school, Master Zhou simply handed him a copy of the *Analects*.

"I know you have nearly mastered your introductory texts and the characters. However, one must not neglect the foundations. From now on, in addition to studying the introductory texts with the others, you will join Zhao Xing and the rest in studying the *Analects*. You must be able to read them fluently and recite them by heart. Every day after class, you will write one sheet of large-character calligraphy, which I will inspect."

"...Yes."

The excuses he had prepared felt like hitting a cotton ball.

"Go."

"When the student finishes copying the book, I will return it to you."

Wang Xuezou bowed respectfully and retreated. When he returned to the dormitory, Zhao Xing and Qi Xian looked visibly relieved. "We were waiting for you at the alley entrance. We were just about to go looking for you, but Little Wu told us to come back first because you were with the Master. We came back, but were you worried about us?"