Chapter Thirty-Two: Autumn Winds and Rains Bring Endless Sorrow (Part One)

As a senior servant, Yang Kuan could hardly fathom the complicated and hesitant state of mind that now beset his master, Yang Qi.

When it came to the marriage of his daughter, Yang Xueruo, Yang Qi found himself vacillating between Kong Sheng and Zhou Chang, unable to settle on either. Were it not for the tempting offer of “half the family fortune” from the Yixing Zhou clan, perhaps he would not be so torn—his inclination was still toward Kong Sheng, whom he believed destined for great things.

Zhou Chang’s advantage lay in the formidable wealth and power of the family standing behind him—a grand house among the Southern aristocracy. If Yang Qi were to accomplish his ambitions, he would undeniably require an unceasing flow of resources, and the Zhou clan’s willingness to join forces was a timely boon. Yet Zhou Chang’s talent and character, in Yang Qi’s estimation, fell somewhat short. Considering his only daughter, he could not ignore the importance of her future happiness.

Kong Sheng, on the other hand, possessed the advantage of reputation and learning. Yang Qi knew better than anyone that, if he were to recommend Kong Sheng, the latter would have no trouble securing an official position on the merits of his name alone. Moreover, Kong Sheng was an informal disciple of Sima Chengzhen, known as Master Baiyunzi, who was well-connected among the powerful in the capital; with such a patron’s direct recommendation, Kong Sheng’s prospects could be even more promising.

Yet Kong Sheng’s disadvantages were glaring. He was a fallen scion, alone in the world, with no support—his future clouded by uncertainty and change.

Thus, after much deliberation, Yang Qi remained undecided.

There was, however, another crucial point: regardless of whether he chose Kong Sheng as his son-in-law, Yang Qi’s desire to keep Kong Sheng close and have him serve the Yang family grew ever stronger.

Kong Sheng, adept in both letters and arms, endowed with innate strength and a fearless temperament, could, in times of great enterprise, become the vanguard of the Yang clan, charging into peril for the family’s ambitions. From this perspective, Yang Qi was loath to see harm befall Kong Sheng. On the contrary, he would spare no effort in winning him over, securing his unwavering loyalty to the Yang house. For Yang Qi, if he could not use a marriage alliance as a means to draw Kong Sheng in, then he would rely on the old friendship between their families.

By evening, news quickly spread that Yang Kuan, the chief steward of the Yang estate, had openly crossed the city to the Shunsheng Inn to deliver food and wine to Kong Sheng. The story soon reached another inn, turning the faces of Zhou Chang and his father ashen. It was clear to all: Yang Qi’s actions were deliberate, and his intentions plain to see. Zhou An felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow from the Yang family, reeling, his body limp and his mind clouded with shame and anger he could not voice.

Meanwhile, Prefect Liu, upon hearing the news, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad he had not acted rashly—else matters would have grown difficult to contain. His son, Liu Nian, had already been confined under strict orders, forbidden to leave and stir up further trouble.

Yang Kuan instructed the servants to deliver the food and wine to the Shunsheng Inn, departing in haste without entering to speak with Kong Sheng. Little did he know, Yang Xueruo’s maid, Hongmian, was in Kong Sheng’s room at that very moment. Caught off guard, she broke out in a cold sweat in her attempt to hide.

Gazing at the box of food and wine the inn’s servant brought in, Kong Sheng’s calm expression flickered with a hint of emotion. Even a fool could see Yang Qi’s intention to curry favor, but as to why he would do so, Kong Sheng had to consider carefully.

Hongmian, however, was visibly delighted. Her own master had sent someone to deliver food and wine to Kong Sheng—surely this meant the prospect of Kong Sheng becoming the Yang family’s son-in-law was not impossible after all.

She giggled, saying, “Young Master Kong, our lord and lady truly treat you with the utmost kindness. You mustn’t be ungrateful. Oh, and hurry up and write a reply—the young lady is waiting for me to bring word back!”

Kong Sheng only pondered in silence.

Growing impatient, Hongmian complained, “Hey, Kong Sheng—Kong Sheng! Did you hear me?”

Kong Sheng looked up at her, exhaled, and spoke gently, “Miss Hongmian, I must read your lady’s letter carefully before I can reply. Go on ahead. Come back for my answer tomorrow afternoon.”

Hongmian stamped her foot. “You’re just putting it off! No—write back immediately, the young lady is waiting!”

Kong Sheng’s brow furrowed, his voice lowering. “Hongmian, to dash off a hasty reply would be to insult your lady’s generous intentions. Would you have me do such a thing?”

Momentarily at a loss for words, Hongmian pouted, then turned away, sulking as she left.

Once she was gone, Kong Sheng closed the door, his expression a mix of helplessness and gravity. In recent days, Yang Xueruo had repeatedly sent Hongmian to express her affection, her passion so fierce that Kong Sheng found it difficult to resist.

He harbored no deep resentment toward Yang Xueruo herself. The scorn and contempt he had endured from the Yang household in the past was not without cause—given how dissolute he had once been, what kindness could he expect in return?

Thus, even when the Yang family had forced him to break off the engagement in public, Kong Sheng accepted it with equanimity. The dissolution of the betrothal was what he had wished for all along. It was only Yang Qi’s hypocritical and calculating methods that he found contemptible.

Kong Sheng’s “counterattack” at the Wangjiang Tower poetry gathering was, in truth, merely an effort at self-redemption, not an act of revenge against the Yangs.

What he had not foreseen was that this would kindle a steadfast and passionate affection in the Yang family’s young lady. Though the new Kong Sheng felt little love or fondness for Yang Xueruo, when a beauty of such talent and grace extended her affections time and again, he could hardly bring himself to rebuff her harshly.

Yet deep down, Kong Sheng wished to sever all ties with the Yang family, to bid farewell to his former life once and for all. To become their son-in-law again was simply impossible. Besides, whether Yang Qi’s intentions for a renewed engagement were genuine remained unclear.

More importantly, Kong Sheng knew he would not remain in Jiangnan much longer. By the beginning of the next year at the latest, the seeds he had sown would bear fruit. Should word come from the court, he would be fully absorbed in the undertakings ahead—now was not the time for romantic entanglements.

He neither had the time nor the inclination for such matters.

He had already declined Yang Xueruo’s affections courteously in a previous reply. Yet she only redoubled her efforts. The open-heartedness and relentless pursuit of love typical of Tang dynasty women astonished him.

Even if he continued to refuse her gently, Yang Xueruo would likely pay no heed. In a sense, she was a resolute and spirited girl—once she had chosen her ideal partner and her life’s direction, she would not easily be swayed. She believed Kong Sheng’s rejections stemmed only from old resentments over past humiliations, and hoped her persistence and gentle affection would heal his wounded heart. The more he declined, the more determined she became.

Realizing this, Kong Sheng could only laugh wryly.

He unfolded Yang Xueruo’s letter. Her delicate script and sincere expressions of affection were like a gentle stream, like a soft spring rain nourishing his veins. He sighed softly, stepped out into the corridor, and gazed up at the boundless autumn night sky. His thoughts drifted, growing more elusive and uncertain with each passing moment.