Chapter 3: Scholar Village

Early the next morning, when Di Jiang woke up and saw that the bed beside her was still empty, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry. Had the boy frozen to death after spending the entire night outside?

“Shopkeeper, we should get going,” Wen Yao urged her.

Di Jiang sighed, turning her head back repeatedly as they left. “I’m still a little worried about him…”

“What’s there to worry about? Can we possibly worry about everyone we meet?” Wen Yao couldn’t bear it anymore. She came over, helping Di Jiang walk out while saying, “Life and death are predestined; wealth and fortune are in heaven’s hands. We can only do so much when fate crosses our path. If he ran away, it means we weren’t meant to be involved. We can’t take responsibility for everything, can we? Otherwise, what use would the Stars of Fate be? What use would the Ten Kings of Hell be? Whatever is destined in one’s life, we shouldn’t interfere with.”

Di Jiang wanted to laugh inwardly but managed to keep a straight face, asking solemnly, “How have I never seen you so philosophical before?”

“Because I’m hungry…” Wen Yao scratched her head and smiled. “Now that it’s finally dawn, can we go to town and eat something good?”

Di Jiang was speechless, frowning coldly and laughing, “You… One day you’ll die from overeating!” Thanks to Wen Yao’s antics, she almost forgot about the boy. The three quickly descended the mountain.

The town at the foot of the mountain wasn’t large, consisting of about five hundred households. At the center of the town was a private school, and most of the other houses were built against the mountain, one connected to another, suggesting close-knit neighborly relationships. Remembering what the young man had said last night—that Scholar Village didn’t even have a private school—Di Jiang realized Scholar Village must be even smaller than this town.

The trio found a noodle stall, sat down, and ordered five bowls of noodles: one for Di Jiang, one for Shuxiang, and three for Wen Yao.

As Di Jiang watched Wen Yao wolf down her food, she turned to Shuxiang with an expression of reluctance. “We still have three more days of travel ahead. After finishing your meal, go to town and buy some provisions in case there are no inns along the way, and Wen Yao starts complaining about being hungry again.”

“Yes.”

Shuxiang quickly finished his noodles, then went alone to the town’s bun shop to buy steamed buns. Meanwhile, after finishing their meals, Di Jiang and Wen Yao sat under a tree at the village entrance, waiting for Shuxiang.

The sun hung halfway in the sky, its rays warming their bodies, making it hard to keep their eyes open. While they basked in the warm sunlight, Di Jiang suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure running towards them. It seemed he had been running all the way, as his face was flushed red.

It was the youth from the mountain shrine last night. He stopped in front of Di Jiang.

“Sister…” The youth began, then immediately corrected himself, “Auntie?”

Di Jiang chuckled. “You might as well call me Di Jiang.”

“I am younger and cannot address you by name. I’ll call you Sister Di,” the youth said, bowing deeply.

Di Jiang smiled and nodded, helping him up. Her fondness for him grew even more. She thought to herself, “In these uncultivated mountains and villages, the youth’s behavior is remarkably respectful and appropriate. He truly is a humble and polite child.”

Di Jiang smiled and asked, “Where did you go last night?”

“I…” The youth hesitated, unable to say anything coherent after much stuttering. Finally, he pulled out a bag from his waist and said, “At first, I didn’t want to see you again. I thought it shameful for others to know about my family background. But after thinking about it for half the night, I decided that no matter how much I dislike my mother, my father is still there. Please take this bag of eggs to him and let him eat more. When I return next time, I hope to see him gain some weight.”

With a bitter smile, the youth continued, “My name is Pan Yuelang, and my father’s name is Pan Xingui. You can ask anyone in the village, and they will know.”

Pan Yuelang avoided looking at Di Jiang as he spoke, clearly feeling embarrassed. Seeing his demeanor, Di Jiang knew he was prideful and sensitive, so she refrained from asking further questions. She simply took the eggs and carefully placed them in her luggage. Though small, the eggs carried immense sentiment. Despite his destitute situation, Pan Yuelang had saved these eggs to send to his father, showing deep respect and love for him.

Di Jiang’s affection for him deepened. She had always liked filial children.

Di Jiang nodded solemnly. “I will deliver them to your father personally and tell him that you are doing well, so he doesn’t need to worry.”

“Thank you… Sister Di.” Pan Yuelang blushed, feeling as if he had been seen through.

Di Jiang smiled again. “I am a doctor, living at the end of South Street in Taiping Prefecture. If you ever visit Taiping Prefecture, you can come find me.”

When Pan Yuelang heard the words “Taiping Prefecture,” his eyes sparkled with longing. Clearly, he yearned for that place, but he said, “Taiping Prefecture is too far. I fear I may never reach it in my lifetime.”

“Who knows what the future holds?” Di Jiang’s eyes were filled with warmth. Beside her, Wen Yao pouted jealously.

Pan Yuelang continued, “But my mother says that as long as she lives, she won’t allow me to leave her side. She says I am only fit for farming and fishing. Even coming here to study was the result of my father begging for three years. Now that I’ve come out, I don’t want to go back. But my father is still there, so eventually, I must return to Scholar Village to care for him until old age. Otherwise, leaving him alone would be unfilial.”

Di Jiang felt a wave of bitterness. She wondered what Pan Yuelang’s mother had done to make both her husband and son feel so inferior. What had she done to them?

Though angry, Di Jiang couldn’t show it in front of Pan Yuelang or comment on it. She said earnestly, “Don’t let short-sightedness cloud your mind. If you dislike your current life, look farther ahead. How do you know there isn’t a place for you elsewhere?”

“Can I really go?” Pan Yuelang’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but his heart had already flown to the imperial city. Every scholar dreams of taking the imperial exams, becoming an official, and serving the people as a local magistrate. Pan Yuelang was no exception.

Di Jiang naturally understood his thoughts and smiled. “If you want to, no one can stop you, right? Besides, it’s beneath the emperor’s feet, where scholars from all over gather. Once you’re there, you won’t have to live under anyone’s shadow anymore.”

Pan Yuelang’s eyes brightened and dimmed alternately. Di Jiang seemed to see the humiliation he and his father had endured over the years. Finally, he nodded heavily and declared loudly, “I want to go to Taiping Prefecture. I want to live a life above others. I want the neighbors to stop mocking my father!”

“Good child.” Di Jiang laughed heartily and waved her sleeve in front of him. A golden mark quickly seeped into his forehead.

This golden seal was proof of entry to Su Medical Hall. With this mark, he could freely enter and exit without being constrained by ghostly energies.

“When you go to Taiping Prefecture, remember to come find me.”

“Mm!”

Afterward, Pan Yuelang ran back to the town just as Shuxiang returned. Thus, the three set off for Scholar Village.

Along the way, Wen Yao kept trying to say something but held back. After a long while, unable to contain herself any longer, she asked, “Shopkeeper, how can you let an ordinary mortal freely enter and exit our shop?”

“How do you know he’s just an ordinary mortal? When we meet again, he will no longer be a caged bird, but rather…” Di Jiang smiled and didn’t continue.

“What?”

“Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed.”

Wen Yao’s anxiety was like ants on a hot pan. She pleaded, “Shopkeeper, please tell me!”

“You’ll know when the time comes.” Di Jiang looked mysterious.

“Aiya, I hate it when the shopkeeper speaks in riddles!” Wen Yao stomped her feet in frustration, pestering Di Jiang all the way. “Then at least tell me, is Pan Yuelang’s future good or bad? If this keeps up, I’ll surely burst!”

Seeing how persistent Wen Yao was, Di Jiang said, “I’ll say it again: suffering ends suffering; enjoying blessings dissipates them. Whatever hardships he endures now will bring him greater blessings later. Do you understand?”

“Oh, I get it!” Wen Yao nodded repeatedly, satisfied. “That young man is handsome, honest, and has endured hardships since childhood. If he achieves success one day, it truly shows that diligence pays off. It makes one happy to think about.”

“Indeed…” Di Jiang finished speaking and didn’t continue. But she knew that destiny was unpredictable. A slight deviation could lead to vastly different outcomes. Any mishap along the way wouldn’t be the result she wished to see.

After three more days of travel, the three finally reached the border of Scholar Village.

Scholar Village, an ancient small town nestled deep in the mountains, was embraced by a clear shallow river flowing through it. Ancient stone slabs connected one to another, and water flowed slowly from all directions. Surrounded by four mountains, the winding river created a serene scene. The low dwellings by the shore reflected in the river, forming a natural landscape painting.

To enter Scholar Village, one must pass through Nan Hua Gate.

Nan Hua Gate stood between two mountains. Passing underneath, one could see the gate’s weathered appearance and rust-streaked surface.

Entering through Nan Hua Gate, one could see batik banners fluttering in the wind on either side of the road, resembling rainbows that made the ancient city exceptionally fresh. Many ginkgo trees lined the streets, and the winding alleys stretched endlessly. Walking leisurely on the long stone paths, one couldn’t see the end.

Compared to the fast-paced Taiping Prefecture, the quiet tranquility of this small village was its greatest charm.

The three sat on stone stools by the riverbank, leisurely watching the stone bridge spanning the river ahead, finding a unique kind of pleasure in it.

Several young girls squatted by the riverside, using washing mallets to wash clothes. The clothes in their baskets had already been washed, but many still lay scattered around.

Di Jiang observed them intently, and several of them also glanced back at her.

They bore no ill intentions, merely curious. The village population was small, and Di Jiang’s group were obviously new faces—beautiful new faces.

Di Jiang noticed that most of them wore locally unique batik jackets, their eyes unblemished by worldly dust. In groups of three or five, they chatted and laughed, their smiles genuine and heartfelt.

Living in such beautiful scenery, they possessed simplicity and tranquility. The gentle flow of life here might not be any worse than Taiping Prefecture.

Sister Mei must have been such a woman once.