Chapter 41.1 Knowledge of Deputy Magistrate’s Residence
The maid introduced Shen Shaoguang in a low voice, "That is our Master." Then she led her over and informed Lin Yan that this was the shop owner of Shen Indelible and she was here to deliver congee to the Elder Madam.
Shen Shaoguang curtsied towards Lin Yan.
Looking at Shen Shaoguang and the food box in her hand, Lin Yan ordered the maid, "You can send the porridge to Elder Madam, I have something to say with Shop Owner Shen."
The maid was a little surprised but quickly acknowledged his order.
Shen Shaoguang raised her eyebrows slightly, glanced at Deputy Magistrate Lin before handing the food box to the maid, and said with a smile, "Please relay to the servants of the Elder Madam that this porridge needs to be consumed while it is hot. It can be reheated when cooled but the taste will suffer a bit."
The maid nodded and walked away quickly while carrying the food box.
Shen Shaoguang boldly maintained her stance, waiting for Deputy Magistrate Lin to speak. However, in her mind, she was wondering if her matter of helping Miss Chu incriminate Huan Seven was discovered. Was the crime detection rate extremely high during the Tang Dynasty? Most importantly, did this matter go so far as to alarm the executive ‘deputy mayor’ of Chang'an City? Shen Shaoguang mulled over the contents of <Tang Code> in her mind. Were there any provisions regarding infringement of citizens’ rights of honor and reputation?
Lin Yan truly wanted to ask some questions regarding this matter. Although he had not personally witnessed Deputy Minister Shen's upright and unyielding plea before the Emperor, Grand Chancellor Li’s descriptive words had already painted a clear picture. As his beloved daughter, and as a maiden, should uphold her integrity and avoid using such mischievous tactics.
However, recalling the contents of the chuanqi, Lin Yan was in a dilemma on how to begin this conversation, and in a seldom seen instance, he began to mutter to himself irresolutely.
On the contrary, Shen Shaoguang had already made up her mind. Deputy Magistrate Lin had neither proof nor evidence, so she can just feign innocence for now.
Lin Yan turned to look at Shen Shaoguang. She was wearing a navy blue Sichuan brocade dress with dark patterns, the collar lined with black fur. Her expression was dignified, with a rather majestic presence.
Lin Yan pursed his lips and decided to forgo the questioning. If the accusation had been falsely assumed, it would damage the girl’s reputation. If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, with her ability of ‘excessive intelligence, unheeded advice; excessive eloquence, glossed-over wrongdoings[1]’, he was bound to not get any leads. Moreover, Huan Seven did have some shortcomings in moral conduct, so he was deserving of such a lesson.
"Miss, please come this way." Lin Yan gestured with his hand.
Shen Shaoguang followed right behind him.
The two of them walked their way down the piazza.
The plants in the courtyards on both sides of the piazza were all withered, and the remaining snow in the shade had yet to completely melted away, giving it a feeling of winter desolation. They occasionally passed by some servants, all of which would bow to Lin Yan and stay aside to make way.
Shen Shaoguang was looking at the hundred flower-carved railings that ‘she’ had never finished counting as a child. If Deputy Magistrate Lin wasn't present, she would really like to touch these petals again.
"Miss, are you content in the haunts of the common people?"
Shen Shaoguang: "..."
The same question was asked once again. Was this the reexamination to the previous local happiness survey?
Shen Shaoguang faked a smile. "But of course. In this current state, where the earth is clean and the waters are clear, Chang'an City is populous, affluent, and tranquil..." She casually repeated the ‘correct answer’ from last time.
Lin Yan turned to look at her, with a hint of solemnity in his eyes.
His look made it difficult for Shen Shaoguang to continue to jest. After a moment of silence, she said, "It's not bad. My limbs are still intact, all my basic needs are met, so you can say that I’m quite content."
Lin Yan nodded and then continued to walk.
Shen Shaoguang suddenly could no longer keep herself collected. Why are you asking about my happiness when I’m the daughter of a convicted official living hand to mouth? We’re all born to survive. A psychological need such as happiness is not something anyone can just pursue!
"Deputy Magistrate, you have already asked this question two times. I presume you have been inspired by Zhuangzi and Huizi's debate on the joy of fish above the Hao River[2], and wanted to personally verify this theory?" Shen Shaoguang, who compared herself to a fish, asked with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Lin Yan stopped and turned to look at her. Shen Shaoguang continued to smile as she stared back at him.
Lin Yan pursed his lips and replied, "You overthink, Miss. I just—" He wanted to say ‘hope that you are living a comfortable life’, but it sounded a bit too flirtatious; to say he hoped everyone was living comfortably would be too perfunctory. Thus he could only shut his mouth, turned back, and continued to walk forwards.
Listening to his half-finished words, Shen Shaoguang inwardly laughed. Heh, he sounded so cordial and dear, if I were just a bit more narcissistic, I would think that you had feelings for me...
Shen Shaoguang understood what he meant and received his kindness. It seemed that after hearing about her father that day, Deputy Magistrate Lin felt some sympathy, so he wanted to make sure that she, the descendant of Deputy Minister Shen, was doing well.
Shen Shaoguang turned to look at Lin Yan and said with a somewhat unrestrained smile, "Deputy Magistrate, as a son of nobility, it may be assumed that you’ve never suffered from frozen hands and feet."
"When I was in Lateral Courts, there was always an insufficiency of charcoal. During the depths of winter, my extremities would become inflamed, at worst fester and boil. The constant cold was fine, but my skin would crack, albeit the pain was tolerable. The only thing I never liked to experience again is to walk too close to the charcoal fire. Alas, my wounds would become extremely itchy and unbearable." Therefore, it would be better to not act upon your impulse solicitude.
Lin Yan glanced at her from his peripherals, Shen Shaoguang raised her eyebrows and smiled back. Lin Yan pursed his lips and looked away.
When writing current affairs to the Emperor, and even during imperial court meeting debates, Lin Yan could speak with reason and basis. However, he always felt tongue-tied when facing this clever and eloquent girl, so he simply shut up and acted as a silent guide.
After they both fell silent, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Shen Shaoguang looked at her ‘former home’ and then at Deputy Magistrate Lin’s silhouette on her front right side, feeling a little regretful for her blunder just now. I actually discussed emotional issues with a half-baked man... Must have been too busy recently and under too much stress. Let’s close during the Lunar New Year and relax for a few days!
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Footnotes:
[1] excessive intelligence, unheeded advice; excessive eloquence, glossed-over wrongdoings (智足以拒谏，言足以饰非) - Is quoted from the <Records of the Grand Historian>, a monumental history of China that is the first of China's 24 dynastic histories. This phrase was used to describe King Zhou of Shang and its meaning was that ‘being too smart will make one overlook other's advice, and being too good with words will make it all too easy to cover up one's mistakes’.
[2] Zhuangzi and Huizi's debate on the joy of fish - This is a story from the writings attributed to the Chinese Philosopher Zhuāngzǐ (庄子) from Warring States period (476–221 BC) containing stories and anecdotes that exemplify the carefree nature of the ideal Taoist sage, and one of the more famous passage in that whole collection. Basically the story goes:
Zhuangzi and Huizi were strolling along the bridge over the Hao River. Zhuangzi said, “The minnows swim about so freely, following the openings wherever they take them. Such is the happiness of fish.”
Huizi said, “You are not a fish, so whence do you know the happiness of fish?”
Zhuangzi said, “You are not I, so whence do you know I don’t know the happiness of fish?”
"I'm not you", said Huizi, "so I certainly do not know what you do. But you're certainly not a fish, so it is irrefutable that you do not know what the joy of fishes is."
"Let's go back to where we started," said Zhuangzi. "When you said, 'How do you know what the joy of fishes is?' you asked me because you already knew that I knew. I know it by strolling over the Hao."
You can read about this philosophical debate here - https://www.lookingforwisdom.com/hui-shi/
Or watch this very well made video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nMCrj3soDU