Chapter 84: CH 84

After drinking a few cups of wine, Teacher Lu began chatting to Cui Xie about past affairs that had happened when they were teacher and student.

Cui Xie was afraid of a slip of tongue if he were to talk too much, so while Teacher Lu was still speaking, he just quietly listened and memorized those details. When it was the time for him to speak, he forcibly shifted the subject and asked Teacher Lu: “It has been two years since I have been at the Residence and just after coming home, Second Brother was ordered to go to the South under Imperial orders. Later, there were many matters to handle at home and as such, I have not had the chance to inquire about my younger brothers’ learning progress. Teacher Lu has been teaching them for the past two years, but don’t know if  my younger brothers still listen to the lessons?”

Teacher Lu pondered for a spell.

“Cui Heng is inferior to you….not as good as when I taught you. Always running around all day outside, and I never really see him study. Cui He still has some cleverness and I’ve taught him 《Three》《Hundred》《Thousand》. After reading them a few times, he can remember them. I started teaching him last year, and this year, he is now able to memorize these three books by heart. He has now started to study different calligraphic styles and the rime dictionary.”

He suddenly jerked his head up and glanced at Cui Xie, “Are you afraid that I will be unable to teach and delay your two younger brothers?”

Cui Xie hastily replied, “Do not dare. With Teacher’s talent, it is an honor for the Cui Residence to have Teacher Lu remain in the Residence to teach us ignorant children.”

Snorting, Teacher Lu said, “No need to sweet-talk me, I know I delayed the child prodigy. Perhaps you had yet to understand things properly back then or maybe my teaching style was not suitable, but it caused you to dislike learning. Even with just these two faults, it made it so your true potential was unable to shine under my guidance. Changing to another fated teacher, only then was your true talent able to shine brightly and be polished.”

Cui Xie wanted to comfort him and tell him that he had been busy tending to the ill and had no time to study. It had not been because he had thought Teacher Lu was a poor teacher. But, thinking about how Teacher Lu was much more familiar with the original Cui Xie than himself, he swallowed those words back. According to what he had mentioned before,  he cautiously explained, “I did not study as much before and did not work as hard as I did when I was residing at the ancestral home.”

Not detecting any flaws, Teacher Lu softly hummed, “When it comes down to it, it is because I failed to teach you well. I delayed such a child prodigy, how can I dare to delay the second one? Do not worry, as for those two, I must…the second child prodigy from the Cui Residence will be born of my hand!”

Teacher Lu originally wanted to mention the two of them, but Cui Heng was too old and it didn’t seem like he could have a change of heart and study hard. Hence, it was better to concentrate on the younger one.

Cui Xie raised up his wine glass to express his thanks and then used his sleeve to cover up the awkward smile on his face.

He and the two other sons of the Cui family were not real brothers. Learning methods, comprehensive ability and golden cheats was not something that could be inherited from Cui da-ren. If Teacher Lu truly believed that he was a genius and that the other children in the family had similarly gifted genes, then he may be sorely disappointed in the future…..

It was better to think of how he learned in elementary school and try to help Teacher Lu as much as possible.

Cui Xie toasted the Teacher with another cup of wine and brought up his intentions of having Cui Qi learn from the other, “…..I have been with him day and night for a few years and see him as my younger brother. Now that his family have been bought out of servitude and are good citizens now, I hope that he can remain in the Residence to read a few books and learn some knowledge. Hoping that the Teacher will not treat him like a servant.”

Teacher Lu responded indifferently, “I do not care who he is. What needs to be taught will be taught. But, you should make it clear to him in advance, that while it is fine to teach some painting, calligraphy and literary works, I don’t know how to paint like the Cui Beauty. Just hearing it, that frivolous name is detestable. If he likes to learn those, he might as well find another master, don’t come to me.”

That was not necessary…..Only this beauty portrait did not need to be taught. Cui Xie was of one mind with him and echoed, “I also don’t like those frivolous people who openly talk about the Cui Beauty. Then I can rest assured to leave him in your hands!”

While Teacher Lu was arrogant, he had a straightforward character. Cui Xie drank with him all night and after coaxing and consoling the other, he would answer whatever Cui Xie asked and was easy to get along with. After drinking happily to the point where one’s ears were burning hot to the touch, Cui Xie called a servant to escort Teacher Lu back to his quarters and helped the other to bed. Then, Cui Xie headed back to his own courtyard.

Upon his return, the courtyard was silent and peaceful, but the bedroom was still lit with a lamp, glowing with a warm yellow color, as if it was waiting for Cui Xie’s return.

When Cui Xie entered, he saw Cui Qi sitting at the table, tracing the rough draft of the painting using thin tracing paper. Using the rough draft, one could trace it several times. First, draw the rough outline of the entire portrait, then carefully outline the areas that needed to be colored separately. With these partitions scattered on the paper, it was more convenient for the artisans to use different printing blocks to color the painting.

Even without Cui Xie’s teaching, Cui Qi was already much more meticulous than him.

Cui Xie quietly walked over and silently watched from behind for a while. Seeing that the other was engrossed with tracing Cao Cao’s armor set and hadn’t noticed him, Cui Xie went to the outer room to grab a new candlestick. After lighting it, he set it down on the table.

Cui Qi immediately raised his head and called out “Da-ge”. Cui Xie smiled, sat next to the empty space at the table next to the other and said, “From now on, you will study and paint with Teacher Lu in the morning. In the afternoon, I will ask the shopkeeper of the cosmetics shop to mentor you. Although the Southern goods shop is better, I do not want you to be mistreated. Hence, the cosmetics shop is a better choice.”

Cui Qi wanted to get up from his seat to thank him, but Cui Xie pressed him to the seat with just the palm of his hand and laughed, “ Why are you being so polite to me? Sit down quickly. Compared to your thanks, I am much happier seeing you painting so diligently.”

Cui Qi clenched his brush tightly, a slight gleam appearing in his eyes. In a low voice, he said, “I will definitely learn to paint well and become a good apprentice so as to not let down our efforts.”

Cui Xie gave a ‘hmm’ in response and took the freshly cut paper and charcoal pencils from the table. Suddenly recalling the past, his lips slightly curved up,  “It is like we have gone back to time when we were in Qian’an. We both did our own things, not disturbing the other, yet did not feel too bored since we had someone to accompany us.”

Cui Qi grinned, “Assistant Shopkeeper Ji has already gone back. Since I was going to be alone in that courtyard and that it would be inconvenient to shuttle paintings back and forth, I simply decided it was better to draw in your quarters. But, the Residence is really disordered right now. I am an outsider, yet no one cared if I came in or not.”

“That’s because I already established that you are not an outsider. If an outsider really trespasses, just watch to see if Songyan stops them or not.” Cui Xie peeked at him with a smile, “Even though we have finally returned home, our relationship seems to be the same as it was in Qian’an.”

Cui Qi’s complexion blushed with shame and he nodded with a smile, lowering his head to concentrate on sketching the bits and pieces of color blocks.

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With his help, Cui Xie no longer needed to redraw the first two paintings by himself and write down the printing sequence or method word for word. He only needed to move his mouth and point.

Cui Xie was like a manga artist with an assistant.  His elegant demeanor seemed to be quite different when he brandished his brush. After swishing a few times with the brush to draw the frame, he started to make a draft of the illustrated scene in which the topless Xu Chu fought against Ma Chao.

Cui Xie had already painted the topless Xu Chu for Young Master Wang in the past. At that time, he had carefully designed the clothing design so that Xu Chu was half uncovered and the clothes were tucked in at the waist. Now, it was simply a different scene of riding a horse and wielding a sword. The horse was similarly drawn to the sketches he had done when doing the portrait of Colonel Xie. This reference had been based on a quick sketch he had done at the Wang Residence’s racetrack during his morning drills. Standing sideways, the person sitting on top of the horse conducted himself with great strength and the horse’s front hooves were halted in midair. The muscles rippled and were stretched taut. There was the bitter biting cold of the battlefield emanating from the painting.

Ma Chao’s part was much simpler.  These past two days, he had just drawn the scene of Ma Chao deploying troops to avenge and wipe away hate. Putting the brush to paper, his movements were practiced and skillful. Currently, there was no need to change the stance too much. It would be enough to just change Ma Chao’s gesture of holding a war banner to him thrusting forward with a spear instead. Then, it would be good enough if his sad expression was converted into one where the man’s eyes were widened and a murderous spirit poured out from his furious gaze.

This evening, Cui Xie finished two drafts of double-page spreads. Seeing that there was only one chapter left before the volume was completed, some happiness sprouted in his heart: “Once your father and Shopkeeper Ji visit, there will be enough illustrations for this volume and I can finally publish a new volume. These days, because I have not been at home much, I have not made much progress. The readers probably hate me to death.”

Cui Qi laughingly said, “They won’t hate it once the new volume releases. Da-ge, these paintings are getting better and better. It looks as if the horse is about to leap out of the painting. It is much better than when you drew those beauties.”

This did not necessarily mean Cui Xie drew them well, but he noticed that after training in the martial arts, he had become full of vitality and the horses that he painted were also full of vigor. Thinking about this, the portrait he had gifted to Colonel Xie had been much too insufficient. During the New Year, he ought to draw him a new portrait as a gift…

By then, Cui Xie should be able to compose a poem by himself?

His train of thought abruptly stopped and he watched as Cui Qi left. He then washed up and blew out the light, reviewing the notes taken at the Imperial College in the shadows of night.

The days after were more or less spent the same way. After two days of recitation at the Imperial College, it was time for the lecture examination and the students were asked to go up to the stage to repeat the contents of the lectured material; After two more days of recitation, a symposium was held and both the Libationer and Director of Studies alternated turns in giving lectures. There was not much homework assigned after class, and any more was dependent on one’s own initiative. Generally, only good students would study as if one’s life depended on it, but for bad students…as long as one did not fear the proctor’s rod, one could afford to adopt an indolent and lazy attitude.

Cui Xie was lucky. He had avoided being drawn for the lecture examination and there was only a single occurrence when he had been picked by the lots drawn by the Libationer to recite. On the stage, he recited a hundred characters from《The Great Learning》, a hundred characters from 《Eulogies of Zhou》in the 《Classic of Poetry》, and a hundred characters from《The Great Announcement compiled by His Majesty》. In addition to Zhu Xi’s commentaries and annotations, these were all things he had been familiar with for a long time and he had no trouble reciting them.

Five days later, all members of the Cui Residence received their new garments for the season. The two sets of yesa, robes and boots he had ordered were also finished.

The tailor he had hired had waited for Cui Xie at the Residence all afternoon and had insisted on meeting in person. He personally unfolded the clothes, revealing a resplendent, newly improved yesa: the garment had been embroidered with a round golden pattern of flowers all over, very close fitting because it had been taken in the waistline. Four robe loops were sewed into the waistline to hold certain sized belts and there were thirty-six different pleats around the hem of the robe. Linked together by threads, the stitching had flattened the pleats to form a very tight embellishment. The waist and skirt had also been made with a piece of golden-colored sheepskin, which was particularly gorgeous and brilliant when shaken out.

Cui Xie had been dazzled by this show, so much so that lights seemed to flicker before his gaze. Only after squinting was he able to make out the style of the robes——they were slightly different from what he had seen in the movie, but it was also luxurious and elegant. Compared to present fashion trends, it was much more delicate than the usual yesa. It would naturally look better once worn on the body.

Letting out a sigh of satisfaction, Cui Xie moved closer to examine the front and back of the clothes, opening up the cuffs and laying out the pleats to see the quality of the stitching. The tailor could not stop boasting: “Don’t know how Young Master came up with such a beautiful robe design. I love it so much that in the process of making it, I hated that I could not just make another set for me to try. I also made two sets of extremely airy, widening petticoats out of respect for the Young Master. They are fastened on the interior and will certainly prop up the skirt so that the hem of the robe can be wider to sweep across the floor and make it more beautiful.”

Cui Xie could not imagine how the hem of the robe was to be widened, but hated that Xie YIng was not right in front of him so he could make the other try it on immediately. The tailor observed Cui Xie’s change in countenance and saw that Cui Xie seemed satisfied. He then boasted, “Young Master, do not worry, this servant has been a tailor for many decades and the proper amount to let down the hem was measured and areas that needed to be more fitted were trimmed down. Once it is on the body, it is sure to be a good fit and easy to use while moving.”

Cui Xie caressed the hem of the skirt and recalled how the Jinyiwei nimbly dismounted from their steeds and he let out a soft hum.

He then took a look at the red ones, then the white ones, went through all the short jackets and underpants to be worn underneath, looked at the simple cloak adorned with an embroidered hem before finally taking a look at the leather belt and boots.

Although these two items had not been made by the tailor, they were  made by artisans that had been found by the man. The tailor similarly boasted, “These leather belts and boots are made from calfskin specially bought from the Hui people by the cobbler, the oldest of the Hu family. The leather is thin and glossy, much more comfortable to wear compared to ordinary leather! The Hui people have raised cattle for many generations. Even if one were to kill the cattle in the temples, the Han people cannot get their hands on such good leather. “

Cui Xie felt the sleek and delicate leather belt and boots, but he could not discern where exactly it was good, but he could tell they were exquisitely made and should be quite comfortable to wear. His heart was satisfied, but he showed an insipid expression: “This is meant to be a gift. Whether it is good, it is not up to me to decide. If the person who wears it says it is, I will naturally order more things from your business in the future.”

The tailor grinned, “Guarantee there is nothing amiss with it! Such a trendy new design, who would not love it? As long as that person wears it out, in just a couple of days, the city will be clamoring for tailors to make such garments! According to this servant, this one thinks that the Young Master should also have two sets for himself? Otherwise, when the time comes that everyone is wearing this yesa with a tight waistline, and you do not have a set, won’t you seem like a bumpkin?”

There was no such thing as copyright in the Ming Dynasty. Books could be printed casually and clothes were made according to whoever looked best at the time. Colonel Xie was handsome and had a good figure. If he went out in such an outfit, he could naturally attract the entire city to follow suit.

But, there was no need for Cui Xie to make such a set for himself yet. Colonel Xie had gifted him several new robes that he had yet to wear yet.

Cui Xie shook his head and smiled, “You may return. I will not prevent you from using my design for others, but you cannot take the initiative to solicit it upon meeting someone. You must let these two sets be worn out first. If it looks good, others will naturally beg for you to make it and you can make it for them then.”

The tailor’s grin was so wide that the man’s eyes had almost all but disappeared into his face. He bowed again and again, “It is the Young Master that cares for us artisans. I guarantee that the precious person Young Master has in mind will not have their limelight robbed. Even if someone tries to copy it, I can guarantee that it will not be as exquisite or cost-effective as mine!”

That was hard to say. These garments did not have cloud shoulders, decorated sleeves and knees, so it wasn’t that great in theory. But the robes were meant to flatter the wearer. With Colonel Xie’s long legs and thin waist, it was true that the other would always look better than others.

Cui Xie sent the tailor back home and asked Zhang mama to fumigate the clothes thoroughly with a smoker. The next day, he would ask Cui Qi to send them over to Colonel Xie’s Residence in person, on his behalf.

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