Chapter Twenty-Four: The Porcelain Doll Sisters

In truth, the awkwardness that Xu Jingzong faced extended far beyond what was visible. After Yuwen Huaji murdered Yang Guang, Xu Jingzong's father, Xu Shanxin—Minister of Rites of the Sui Dynasty—refused to join the traitors and was slain by Yuwen Huaji. Xu Jingzong barely escaped death in Jiangdu and fled to Wanggang to seek refuge with Li Mi, who appointed him as a secretary. Yet, scarcely a month had passed when Li Mi suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Wang Shichong, leaving him with little more than twenty thousand battered troops.

Seeing Li Mi's ship sinking, Xu Jingzong escaped from Liyang and made his way to Chang'an, hoping to join the Tang court.

However, upon arriving in Chang'an, Xu Jingzong discovered that neither his father's former students and officials nor his own relatives and friends would acknowledge him.

Living off what remained was not a sustainable path. Thus, Xu Jingzong resolved to sell the old mansion that Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, had bestowed upon his father.

His plan was to use the proceeds to bribe his father's old acquaintance, Feng Deyi, now a secretary in the central secretariat of the Tang.

Chen Ying was unaware of Xu Jingzong's current predicament, but he knew that Xu Jingzong truly rose to prominence in the middle and later years of Li Shimin's reign, and during Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi's time, Xu's greatest achievement was his support of Empress Wu. Wu Zetian became the only female emperor in history, and Xu Jingzong's contribution was indispensable.

Chen Ying silently labeled Xu Jingzong a "treacherous minister" in his mind. For someone as opportunistic as Xu Jingzong, it was best not to form deep ties—or one might end up counting coins for him after being sold out.

Xu Jingzong fixed his gaze steadily on Chen Ying, and when Chen heard his name, a hint of aversion flashed across his face. Though Chen hid it well, the keen-eyed Xu Jingzong caught it.

Xu Jingzong carefully searched his memory and was certain he had never met Chen Ying before. Why would Chen dislike him? Had he offended him in the past?

Xu Jingzong was perplexed.

Could it be...?

An enormous doubt arose in Xu Jingzong's heart. Perhaps his disgraceful conduct in Jiangdu had spread to Chang'an?

When Yuwen Huaji killed Yu Shiji, Yu Shinan knelt before Yuwen and offered himself in Yu Shiji's stead, earning universal acclaim for his righteousness. Meanwhile, when Yuwen Huaji killed Xu Shanxin, Xu Jingzong was seen dancing and pleading for mercy alongside Yuwen, earning the contempt of all.

Chen Ying asked, "May I inquire, Master Xu, what price you set for this mansion?"

Xu replied, "The house, together with four servant girls, two cooks, one odd-job man, a coachman and a stable hand, totals thirteen hundred strings of cash."

Chen Ying truly coveted such a mansion. In his former life, he was a penniless commoner, laboring for years yet remaining proletarian. With the Tang dynasty flourishing, the value of such a property would only rise, making this the best time to buy—both affordable and advantageous.

Chen Ying said, "To be frank, I do not have nearly that much money at hand."

Xu Jingzong's price was actually quite fair—a bargain, really. He had already made inquiries: to secure Feng Deyi's assistance required a thousand strings of cash, plus another two hundred for various expenses. If he put the property up for sale through an agent, it had been listed for half a month already, and no one had even asked about it, let alone bought it.

Of course, this misfortune was compounded by Xu Jingzong's bad luck. With Prince Qin Li Shimin's defeat at Qianshuiyuan and Wang Shichong threatening Tongguan from Luoyang, all of Chang'an was in turmoil. Families fled the city in droves—no one would buy a house at such a moment. Having finally found someone interested, Xu Jingzong was unwilling to let the opportunity slip.

Xu Jingzong said, "Business is all about asking high and settling low. If the mansion still pleases you, Lord Chen, please name your price."

Chen Ying pondered, "This house is rather ordinary, after all. If we can't strike a deal, let friendship prevail. My final offer is eight hundred strings."

Xu Jingzong's face stiffened.

He needed twelve hundred for his connections, and had a surplus of about a hundred and eighty. If he reduced the price by that amount, he could still sell to Chen Ying, but Chen's offer was far below his minimum.

Seeing Xu Jingzong's expression, Chen knew he had bargained too hard.

Indeed, Xu Jingzong replied, "To be honest, Lord Chen, I am in urgent need of funds and forced to sell my ancestral home, but your offer is simply too low..."

"That's a shame, then."

Chen Ying led Ma Sanbao and Zhang Huaiwei toward the door.

After walking a dozen steps, Chen glanced back to find Xu Jingzong making no effort to stop him.

"Damn," Chen cursed inwardly. "Xu Jingzong really doesn't play by the usual rules."

But Chen was genuinely fond of this mansion—especially the four servant girls that came with it, all around fifteen or sixteen, fair and graceful, not stunning beauties but certainly charming enough. Having these young maids attend to him daily would be a dream come true.

Seeing Chen's lingering gaze, Ma Sanbao suggested, "If you truly can't raise the money, you could borrow some from Princess Pingyang and repay her when convenient. With your life-and-death bond with her, I'm sure she would oblige."

Chen replied, "Let us discuss that another time."

What was said without intent was heard with purpose. When Xu Jingzong overheard Ma Sanbao mention Chen Ying's life-and-death friendship with Princess Pingyang, his face lit up with joy. Secretary Feng Lun and Feng Deyi had some influence in the Ministry of Personnel, but even if they found him a post, it would be a minor one. Truly connecting with Princess Pingyang would be far better than bribing Feng Lun.

"Wait..."

"What advice do you have, Master Xu?"

"Advice is too strong a word!" Xu Jingzong's manner shifted dramatically, a broad smile breaking across his face. "Since Lord Chen is here, why not stay for a cup of tea before leaving?"

"That sounds agreeable."

Chen Ying silently rejoiced—he hadn't expected Ma Sanbao's casual mention of "Princess Pingyang" to carry so much weight.

Xu Jingzong led Chen Ying and the others along the garden path toward the tea room.

Entering the tea room, Chen Ying was quietly astonished.

The tea room was spacious, about a hundred square yards. In the center stood an ancient bronze stove, clearly aged. Xu Jingzong instructed Lan'er, "Lan'er, prepare the tea!"

"Yes, sir!"

Lan'er gave a graceful bow and flitted out like a butterfly. Soon, she returned carrying a tray, accompanied by two maidservants in green silk skirts. They were twin sisters, delicate as porcelain dolls, their beauty mesmerizing Chen Ying.

Seeing Chen's rapt attention, Xu Jingzong felt a surge of pride.

Lan'er knelt at the table, her demeanor solemn. The twins moved with exquisite grace—one placed charcoal in the stove, then set a bronze kettle atop it. The other, with slender fingers, gently placed a tea cake into the kettle.

Every gesture was imbued with an ineffable charm.

Zhang Huaiwei's eyes widened in amazement, his breath quickening.