Chapter 125: Matchmaking

Watching Ouyang Xiu stroke his beard and laugh heartily at him, Zhang Yue felt quite awkward. This was not what he had expected at all; how had this meeting turned into a matchmaking session?

Nearby, Ouyang Fa also replied respectfully, "With the Third Young Master’s appearance and his current status as a student at the Imperial Academy, finding a match should not be difficult. Later, I will speak with my wife and see if she can arrange a good marriage for him."

Ouyang Xiu smiled. "Indeed. Family background is secondary; what matters most is finding a virtuous and modest woman."

"I will keep your teachings in mind, Father."

Being praised so highly by Ouyang Xiu and Ouyang Fa, Zhang Yue flushed with embarrassment. In his previous life, he had been handed countless "good guy" cards, but in this life, it seemed his luck had finally turned. Naturally, he owed this change to the reflected glory of his second elder brother.

How did his contemporaries describe Zhang Dun’s appearance? Wei Tai once said, "His bearing is pure and refined, truly like a man among immortals," and the *History of Song* records that he was "heroic and handsome." Such a description was far beyond that of an average passerby; the praise was written directly into the history books. As Zhang Dun’s younger brother, Zhang Yue naturally shared a similar resemblance (which was quite convenient for satisfying the readers' need for immersion).

It was no wonder that even a grand master like Ouyang Xiu felt compelled to act as a matchmaker upon meeting him! Zhang Yue couldn't help but think to himself: so, the only difference between being a serial failure at matchmaking and having a legend like Ouyang Xiu personally intervene was this face. He had wrongly blamed his lack of financial power all along. At this moment, he finally had a slight epiphany.

How should he put it? He never expected to be appreciated by a great man in this way, but it was a decent method nonetheless. After all, one's "face" is also a part of one's inherent strength. Thinking of this, Zhang Yue felt relieved. Since that was the case, he might as well walk the path of matchmaking with peace of mind. With this thought, he couldn't help but feel eager for what the future might hold.

Zhang Yue said, "I have arrived in Bianjing all alone. Although this is my first time meeting you, Scholar Ouyang, you feel just like an elder of my own family. I will follow your instructions in all things. My only concern is that I fear troubling you and Brother Bohe too much; I truly feel ashamed in my heart."

Ouyang Xiu laughed. "Drink your tea, Third Young Master, or it will grow cold."

Zhang Yue picked up his teacup as instructed, only to hear Ouyang Xiu stroke his beard and say, "You say this is our first meeting and that you fear troubling me, but what you don't know is that I feel as if we are old friends at first sight. It is truly a case of 'Xiu already knows you, but you do not yet know Xiu (shame).'"

*Pfft!*

Zhang Yue nearly spat out his tea. Though he managed to hold it back, a few droplets still landed on his sleeve. Zhang Yue thought to himself, *Scholar Ouyang, you are definitely doing this on purpose. Are you trying to see me make a fool of myself?*

Ouyang Xiu laughed aloud, while Ouyang Fa stood by, trying to suppress his own laughter.

Zhang Yue hurriedly said, "I have been rude, please forgive me... I have always held you in high regard, Scholar Ouyang, which is why I fabricated that story. I never intended to bring it up, but at the time I was truly too angry, so..."

Ouyang Xiu smiled. "It is no matter; you have a clever mind. When I read that passage, I felt as if I were there myself, empathizing as if I had truly written those three poems! Haha, 'Xiu already knows you, but you do not yet know shame.'"

Zhang Yue’s face turned bright red. He cursed inwardly, wondering who had been so loose-lipped as to relay that incident to Ouyang Xiu, only for the man to use it to tease him now. Yet, this was exactly the Ouyang Xiu he knew—witty and natural, just like the man who wrote the *Account of the Old Drunkard's Pavilion*.

Ouyang Xiu then straightened his expression. "Enough, let us put the jokes aside. Tell me, how have Boyi and Biaomin been lately?"

Zhang Yue composed himself and replied cautiously, "The two gentlemen have generally been in good health, though when I left Min to bid them farewell, Master Boyi was not feeling well."

Ouyang Xiu sighed. "I fear hearing news of old friends, yet I cannot help but ask. I heard from Fa'er that you encountered some dangers on your way from Min."

Zhang Yue said, "Thank you for your concern, Scholar. The journey from Xianxia Ridge to Quzhou and then by boat to Hangzhou was uneventful, but on the Huai River, we encountered river bandits. Fortunately, we were traveling with the eldest son of Governor Wu and had his guards, so we escaped without harm."

"Tell me more about the encounter with the bandits, and what were the local customs and conditions like along the way?"

Ouyang Xiu and Zhang Yue engaged in a back-and-forth conversation. Seeing that the atmosphere was pleasant, Ouyang Fa hoped Zhang Yue would fully display his talents, so he excused himself and withdrew.

After Zhang Yue finished answering, Ouyang Xiu added, "I hear you have also inherited the true essence of Boyi’s seal script. Write a few lines for me to see."

"As you command." Zhang Yue stood up immediately.

After Zhang Yue finished writing a few seal script characters, Ouyang Xiu looked at them and remarked, "When Boyi went to the capital to transcribe the Stone Classics, several seal script experts were unconvinced. He picked up his brush and drew a chessboard on several joined sheets of paper, and everyone was left in awe."

"Others have tried to imitate him since, but only you have mastered it. You may carry on his mantle; Boyi can be said to have a successor now. Third Young Master, write some regular script for me!"

Zhang Yue complied. Once finished, Ouyang Xiu smiled and picked up his brush to write a few words. His brush barely touched the ink, yet the characters flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water.

Zhang Yue sighed in admiration. "I have always been puzzled by how to transition from dry brush strokes to the 'flying white' technique. I have learned much today."

Ouyang Xiu laughed. "What is 'flying' but not white resembles clerical script, and what is 'white' but not 'flying' resembles seal script. My work can hardly be called 'flying white'; it is merely a superficial imitation. The true master is the current Emperor. It is excellent that you incorporate seal script techniques into your regular script, but your ink usage lacks a bit of that 'dryness that cracks the autumn wind and moisture that holds the autumn rain.' Sit!"

Zhang Yue took Ouyang Xiu's words to heart. He felt that Ouyang Xiu’s mind was very sharp; he would only outline a few points or ask broad questions, as if he were examining Zhang Yue from every conceivable angle. Zhang Yue found it somewhat difficult to keep up, and the prepared responses he had planned were rendered useless.

After the two sat down again, Zhang Yue said, "My knowledge of literature is quite shallow, but Master Xujiang, who oversees the Imperial Academy, wants me to switch from the Classics to the Imperial Examination. I am at a loss and seek your guidance, Scholar Ouyang."

Ouyang Xiu smiled. "Actually, it is not just about those poems. In addition to Boyi’s letter, I have also heard your name from Master Hu at the Imperial Academy. When I was seventeen, I read the works of Han Tui-zhi and found his language profound, grand, and boundless, as if it were a vast, lovable ocean. The literary path of the Han family is honored by all generations and transmitted throughout the world."

"In truth, writing essays is not difficult. Since you respect the theories of Han Tui-zhi, why not study his writing style as well? As for Li Taibo, he is a man of sharp tongue but a kind heart. Do not worry about being marginalized by him due to his past grievances with your master."

Zhang Yue said, "I have received your instruction."

Ouyang Xiu nodded. "I shall go and change my robes first." With that, he left Zhang Yue in the room.

At this moment, Ouyang Fa returned, and Lady Wu stepped forward to help him change. Ouyang Fa remarked while fastening his collar, "Father intends to keep Zhang San for a family meal later. Go to the kitchen; Zhang San is from your hometown, so see if the dishes suit his taste."

Lady Wu asked, "Oh? So Father thinks highly of this Zhang San?"

Ouyang Fa smiled. "Indeed. Zhang San is a protégé and nephew of Master Boyi and Master Biaomin. Duke Xun once supported Father, so Father will naturally help the Zhang family’s younger generation as much as he can."

"I know Father is close to the Zhang family, but one must see if the person is worth the effort. If he is like mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall, wouldn't all that help be in vain?"

Ouyang Fa laughed. "Rest assured. Putting Father aside, you can trust my judgment. He won't be bad. By the way, Father mentioned that he wants me to find a match for Third Young Master Zhang in the capital. I told him you are well-informed and surely know many young ladies of marriageable age, so I asked you to arrange a match for him."

Lady Wu smiled. "You are quite something. Are you afraid I am bored at home? You are deliberately creating work for me?"

Ouyang Fa chuckled. "You are a lady of a prominent family; it is because you can find a good woman for him that I asked you. Father mentioned that family background is secondary; what matters most is finding a virtuous and modest woman."

Lady Wu said, "Family background is easy to handle, but finding someone truly virtuous and modest is not. Besides, did you even ask if this Third Young Master Zhang is already betrothed back home?"

Ouyang Fa laughed. "Of course I asked. He said no."

"And you believe him? Some men, once they enter the Imperial Academy or pass the examinations, feel they are superior and divorce their original wives. That has happened before."

Ouyang Fa said, displeased, "How can you speculate about others without cause?"

Lady Wu smiled. "Fine, fine. Let's just say I am a woman judging a gentleman by my own standards."

Ouyang Fa said, "I know you won't let me down. The custom of 'snatching a son-in-law' after the announcement of the exam results is prevalent in the capital. It won't be hard to find a match for someone with his looks and talent. I believe that if he passes the Imperial Examination in the future, he will be highly sought after, and we won't have the chance to arrange a marriage for him then."

*Looks and talent.* Lady Wu pondered these words before saying, "What do you mean 'if he passes'? If Father didn't have a daughter, would you suggest marrying an Ouyang girl to him just because he passes the exam?"

Ouyang Fa laughed. "What would be wrong with that? When Father passed the exam, Scholar Xu married his daughter to him. If Third Young Master passes the exam one day, and we have an Ouyang daughter, she could marry him too."

Lady Wu laughed. "Goodness, you are so obsessed with having a brother-in-law! But finding a match for Zhang San is not difficult. I just need to see him first to make up my mind."

Ouyang Fa said, "You are right; I was thoughtless. Father will have him dine in the side hall shortly. I will walk him through the Moon Gate and the covered corridor; you can wait in the side room and take a look from behind the curtain."

Lady Wu replied, "That will do. I will go to the kitchen first."

Lady Wu went to the kitchen, ordered the cook to add two dishes from their hometown, and then waited in the side room. Before long, she saw Ouyang Fa walking toward the side hall with a young man along the covered corridor.

Lady Wu held her round fan to her face, peering through the gap in the curtain to carefully observe the young man. She then muttered to herself, "He truly has a handsome appearance. No wonder, no wonder..."

After Ouyang Fa and Zhang Yue passed by, Lady Wu stepped out of the room and called her personal maid. "Go to my room and bring the osmanthus tea to serve the son-in-law and our guest."

"Yes, the one that Seventeen just brought back from our hometown."