Chapter 118: The Young Master of the Ouyang Family

Ouyang Fa and Zhang Yue took their respective seats as host and guest.

Ouyang Fa smiled and said, "Since we are waiting, allow me to whisk some tea for you, Third Brother!"

"I would not dare impose."

Ouyang Fa chuckled, signaled for the tea set to be brought out, and began to prepare the tea for Zhang Yue himself. He took a tea cake stamped with a dragon and phoenix pattern, wrapped it in clean paper, and pounded it into fragments. He then placed the pieces into a stone mortar, ground them into a fine powder, and finally sifted the powder through a tea sieve.

Although Zhang Yue was not well-versed in the art of tea whisking, he knew that for the best results, the powder had to be as fine as possible. Ouyang Fa was meticulous, sifting the powder twice until it was perfectly refined. If Zhang Yue had felt a hint of impatience while waiting earlier, watching Ouyang Fa's focused movements calmed his heart. The rhythmic sound of the tea powder passing through the sieve felt as tranquil as the chirping of birds in an empty mountain.

By this time, the water in the kettle had come to a boil. Ouyang Fa added a ladle of cold water, waited for it to reach the second boil, added another, and just as the third boil approached, he lifted the kettle from the stove, waiting until the sound of the water ceased entirely. He rinsed the tea bowl with hot water, added the powder, mixed it with a little water to form a paste, and then added the rest of the boiling water, whisking it steadily with a tea scoop.

Before long, a bowl of tea appeared, the surface covered in a layer of froth as white as congealed snow. Zhang Yue had whisked tea a few times at tea houses with Peng Jingyi and his fellow students, but no tea master he had ever encountered possessed a skill as refined as Ouyang Fa's. Zhang Yue sighed inwardly, reflecting that the wealthy were not only skilled at play but also possessed impeccable taste.

After finishing the bowl of tea, Zhang Yue felt a profound sense of comfort and ease throughout his body. "My heartfelt thanks for your hospitality, Eldest Young Master."

Ouyang Fa laughed. "It was merely a small effort. Since you have arrived in the capital, have you had a chance to look around?"

Zhang Yue took a sip of tea and replied, "Not yet. I have been focused on preparing for the Imperial Academy entrance examination, so I have spent my time studying in the inn."

"To arrive in Bianjing and witness such prosperity, yet never step outside your door—that is truly admirable," Ouyang Fa remarked.

Could Zhang Yue admit that his lack of funds was the reason? Instead, he said, "I am but a person of shallow learning, so I dared not neglect my studies."

"Oh?" Ouyang Fa’s smile faded. "If you were unsure of your chances for the Imperial Academy, why not come here sooner? My father could have offered you some guidance."

One had to know that Hu Yuan and Li Gou, both currently teaching at the Imperial Academy, had been personally recommended by Ouyang Xiu. With his prestige, it would have been effortless for him to secure a spot for someone.

"I would not dare to trouble Master Ouyang with such trivial matters," Zhang Yue replied.

Ouyang Fa shook his head. "You are too modest. Success in examinations depends on heaven, one's own efforts, and the favor of the examiners. Even if an essay is brilliant, if it does not suit the examiner, it will not be chosen. Conversely, if an essay is mediocre but aligns with the examiner's taste, there is always a chance."

Zhang Yue thought to himself that the entrance exam was not difficult for him, and there was truly no need to trouble Ouyang Xiu. He smiled and said, "Then I must thank you for your kind intentions."

Seeing a flicker of displeasure on Ouyang Fa's face, he added with a hint of reproach, "Third Brother, you are a protégé of Master Boyi and Master Biaomin. To my father, you are like family. If they knew that we had failed to assist you properly, would that not make my father look bad in front of his two old friends? Have you considered that?"

Zhang Yue thought, *What kind of logic is this? Not asking for help has somehow become my fault?*

"You are joking, Eldest Young Master."

"I am not. Being so distant is truly unnecessary."

"You are right. I was being too timid," Zhang Yue said with a smile. He took a sip of tea and continued, "Since you love tea, you must understand a truth: tea is born to endure wind, rain, sun, and frost. After being picked, it is pressed into cakes, ground into powder, turned into a paste, and then rolled and scalded in boiling water. Only after suffering such torment can it become a fine cup of tea. Is a person not the same? Would you not agree, Eldest Young Master?"

Ouyang Fa was stunned. He realized that Zhang Yue was using this analogy to offer him a gentle lesson. In that moment, Ouyang Fa looked at the young man with new eyes, sensing that he was no ordinary person.

Just then, a servant approached and whispered into Ouyang Fa's ear. Ouyang Fa nodded and apologized, "Third Brother, I am truly sorry. My father had intended to see you, but he just heard that Councilor Wu fell ill after court and has gone to visit him. I fear he will have no time today."

The relationship between the Wu family and Ouyang Xiu was well known, so it was perfectly reasonable that he could not see him.

"It is no matter," Zhang Yue said. "As far as I know, your wife is a daughter of the Wu household, is she not?"

Ouyang Fa smiled. "Indeed."

"In that case, I shall not delay you further and will take my leave."

As he spoke, Zhang Yue took out a tea bowl. "My teacher said that Scholar Ouyang loves tea, and although we in Jianzhou have little else, we have plenty of Jian ware. A relative of mine happens to be in that business. As simple mountain folk, we do not know what constitutes a true treasure, so I hope you will accept this for Master Ouyang to appreciate."

Ouyang Fa was delighted when he saw the quality of the Jian ware. "You are very thoughtful, Third Brother. I will accept this on my father's behalf."

"I have one more item—though it is hardly fit for elegant company, please take it as a token of my regard." Zhang Yue produced a few Shoushan stone seals, carved with auspicious phrases such as "Righteous Conduct," "Achieving Ambition," and "Auspicious Journey."

"And these are?" Ouyang Fa asked, intrigued.

Zhang Yue laughed. "They are just casual seals I carved myself. Usually, seals made of bronze or jade are meant to signify endurance, but they require a master craftsman. Since our Min region produces Shoushan stone, I found it perfect for carving. I made a few for fun; I hope you and Master Ouyang will not find them crude."

Ouyang Fa burst into laughter. He picked up a seal and examined it, praising it repeatedly. "Fine stone, and such ingenious design!"

"I am ashamed to say that I have never been one for serious study or literary composition, but I have a fondness for such trinkets. My father also preferred such delicate crafts over gold and silver."

Ouyang Fa played with the stone, which felt as warm and smooth as a maiden's skin. He ordered a servant to bring red ink paste and pressed the seal onto a piece of paper. The characters were clear and vibrant—the seal script seemed to leap off the page like a dancing dragon.

"Excellent seal script!" Ouyang Fa exclaimed. He then called out, "Quickly, fetch my third brother!"

He turned to Zhang Yue. "No wonder Master Boyi wrote that your seal script inherited his true mantle. Had the court not abolished the examination on calligraphy, you would surely have been granted an official post based on your writing alone."

"You are too kind. I am glad you enjoy it."

Soon, Ouyang Fa’s third brother, Ouyang Fei, arrived. He was close in age to Zhang Yue. "I was just pondering some phrasing for a rhapsody; why did you call me, brother?"

"There is an important guest. Come and meet Third Brother Zhang."

After Ouyang Fei exchanged greetings, Ouyang Fa smiled. "You have been helping Father compile the *Record of Ancient Inscriptions*, have you not? Do you know that this is a protégé of Master Boyi?"

Ouyang Fei’s expression changed instantly. He bowed respectfully and said, "Father once said that when he encountered difficulties while compiling the *Record*, he would always consult Dr. Yang and Master Boyi. Now that I have met Master Boyi’s protégé, I finally have someone to learn from."

Zhang Yue recalled that Zhang Youzhi had spoken to him about Ouyang Xiu’s *Record of Ancient Inscriptions*. Ouyang Xiu had taken advantage of his official position to observe and transcribe ancient inscriptions from public and private collections, ranging from the Zhou Dynasty to the Five Dynasties. Whenever he could not decipher an inscription, he would consult Yang Nanzhong and Zhang Youzhi. Ouyang Fei, known since childhood for his encyclopedic knowledge and love for epigraphy, had been assisting his father with this very project.

Upon learning that Zhang Yue was a student of Zhang Youzhi, Ouyang Fei pulled him to a seat, even more excited than his brother. He was particularly taken with the Shoushan stone seals, unable to put them down. It was not just the rarity of the stone, but Zhang Yue’s ingenuity and the quality of his seal script that captivated him.

Ouyang Fa warned, "These were gifts from Third Brother Zhang for all of us; you may only choose one!"

Ouyang Fei asked reluctantly, "Third Brother, do you have any more of these? I know they are not easily made, but I am willing to pay—two strings of cash, no, three strings for each one, if you would sell them to me?"

Zhang Yue was startled; this was incredibly lucrative. Ouyang Fa chimed in, "Third Brother, how much money do you even have in a month?"

"If it comes to that, brother, lend me some money, and I will pay Third Brother back later!"

The three of them burst into laughter.

"Do not worry, my friends," Zhang Yue said. "As long as I have Shoushan stone on hand, I will carve them for you. There is no need for money."

Both brothers were overjoyed.

When Zhang Yue stood to leave, the brothers insisted he stay for more tea. As they talked, they found they had much in common. Ouyang Xiu and Ouyang Fei had studied many ancient inscriptions for their *Record*, and Zhang Yue, in order to master seal script, had been given many rubbings to copy by Zhang Youzhi. They were so engrossed in their conversation that the brothers were reluctant to let him go.

Finally, Zhang Yue insisted he could stay no longer. Ouyang Fa asked for his address, and both brothers walked him to the gate. A servant appeared carrying a tray with five or six strings of cash and a silver ingot.

"You have many expenses in the capital, Third Brother," Ouyang Fa said. "Take this as a small token of our friendship. When my father has some leisure time in a few days, we will invite you over again for a proper gathering."

"I dare not accept... but I thank you both," Zhang Yue replied.

Ouyang Fei added with genuine regret, "When you return, you must see the paintings and calligraphy in my father's collection. We shall talk more then."

"I certainly will," Zhang Yue promised.

With the money and silver in hand, Zhang Yue took his leave. Though he had not met Ouyang Xiu, he had hit it off with the two young masters and made some excellent new friends.