Chapter Fifty-Five: Admiration Misplaced

Cui Changxiao had merely offered a suggestion, never expecting the other party would take advantage of his words. What? She wanted him to help select gifts, to act as a guide? He wasn’t quite sure what this “guide” entailed, but he supposed it meant helping to pick out a few suitable presents.

Was the Dowager of the Song Prime Minister’s residence always so forward? After all, this was only their first proper meeting.

Though he felt a little bewildered, the etiquette instilled in Cui Changxiao since childhood would never allow him to refuse. He agreed with a smile, inquiring about the sort of gifts she wished to send as he chatted with Song Ci.

What began as a perfunctory exchange of pleasantries gradually took a surprising turn for Cui Changxiao.

“The Dowager has seen those foreigners before? You actually know what they look like?”

Cui Changxiao was quite astonished. He had only mentioned that by the Eastern Sea, there were people of remarkable appearance—eyes of various colors, aquiline noses, golden hair—so very strange to behold.

But Song Ci not only knew how to describe them, she even called them “Westerners.”

Song Ci, unfazed, chuckled and boasted, “You see, I’m already half a step in the grave. What haven’t I seen? Back during the wars, I encountered all sorts of odd people and happenings.”

If Old Master Song had been present, he would most likely have spat and called her a liar. “You old woman, since when have you ever met any Westerners?”

Cui Changxiao quickly offered a respectful salute. “I was remiss. The Dowager is truly a woman of broad experience.”

“Broad experience is too generous. Most of what I know is mere hearsay. How could I compare to your freedom, wandering the world?” Song Ci sighed with envy.

Oh, how she too longed to be young again—debating the ways of the world over wine, galloping through the dust of distant roads.

But reality, alas, would not allow it.

Cui Changxiao laughed. “Dowager, do you not find me unambitious and unaccomplished?”

Elders usually believed that earning honors through the civil examinations and becoming an official brought glory to one’s ancestors—not, as he had done, squandering his literary talents in a life of wandering.

“I heard you took first place in the provincial exams in your year. If that is unaccomplished, then I must be utterly illiterate. You favor a carefree life—that is simply a matter of personal ambition. Besides, what is wrong with traveling the rivers and mountains? All that you have seen, heard, and experienced are your own, true life’s journey. How could hearsay or reading in books compare?”

Song Ci smiled as she spoke. “Only when you have witnessed something with your own eyes does it become truly convincing, don’t you agree? When your heart is broad, you find your own world. Having seen every flower, every blade of grass and tree in this world, with greater experience, mountains and valleys take shape within your soul, and rivers and mountains are written upon your brow.”

Cui Changxiao’s heart stirred, his gaze shining.

“What a phrase—mountains and valleys within the heart, rivers and mountains upon the brow. Dowager, I am enlightened by your words.”

At some point, several scholars had gathered on the floor of the painting pavilion. Standing by, they overheard Song Ci’s remarks and, in unison, saluted her with cupped hands.

Song Ci glanced over her shoulder and saw a few students dressed in matching robes. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Oh, don’t put me on a pedestal! I wasn’t lecturing you; I was simply rambling. The Cui lad comes from a distinguished family, with money enough to travel the world without worry. Those born to humbler circumstances, with little means, had best focus diligently on their studies and strive for honors. Of course, don’t become a bookworm—locking yourself away leads nowhere. If you can’t travel far, then observe what is near. Whatever you do, don’t imitate him, wandering wherever the wind takes you and blaming it on my teaching. I won’t take the blame for that!”

The crowd: “…”

Cui Changxiao’s lips twitched. The admiration that had just welled up in his chest was, after all, misplaced!

Meanwhile, Granny Gong, watching Song Ci, felt something was amiss. She frowned slightly as she saw the anxious maid hurrying over from Song Ruqi’s side. After hearing the report, she approached Song Ci and whispered, “Dowager, it seems there is a dispute among the young ladies.”