Chapter Thirty-Two: The Sudden Downpour

Liu Ping said, “Why keep us in suspense? Hurry and tell me.”

Wang Hong smiled but did not answer directly. Instead, he began, “There was once a renowned scholar who lost his wife in middle age and never remarried, wholly absorbed in official duties. Years passed, and his son took a wife. The scholar was brilliant, but his son amounted to very little, leaving the daughter-in-law disappointed. One summer day, as the scholar was reading in his study, the daughter-in-law brought him tea. She wore a gown as thin as a cicada’s wing, and the scholar was profoundly stirred.”

“The daughter-in-law also admired him, and gazed at him tenderly. The scholar stared in a daze, and she asked him with a smile why he was staring. He said not a word, but quickly wrote upon the dusty table: ‘Within the blue gauze curtain, a lute lies silent; though spring is bright, I dare not play.’”

“The scholar was rather lazy, and the table was covered in dust, so the words stood out clearly. The daughter-in-law saw them and swiftly added two lines: ‘If you would play a tune, the fat waters would not flow beyond the family field.’ Blushing, she fled.”

“The scholar stared at the table, his heart itching with delight. Just then, his son returned. The scholar hurriedly wiped the table. His son asked what he was doing. The scholar replied, ‘Scraping ash.’”

Liu Ping was stunned as he listened to the story. “So, that scholar’s son was cuckolded by his own father?!”

Wang Hong said nothing, but snapped open his folding fan, revealing two characters: Indeed.

“Unbelievable! This news is outrageous!” Liu Ping felt at a loss for words. He could only imagine a thousand sheep stampeding through his mind. He had been rather annoyed at that scholar, but now he only felt pity.

A truly unfortunate soul.

Now understanding, he quickly realized the meaning of the previous anecdote: “Scraping ash and stealing tin—‘tin’ and ‘daughter-in-law’ sound alike, it’s a hidden pun. So that’s it.”

Wang Hong smiled, saying nothing.

“Is this really true?” Liu Ping still found it hard to believe.

Wang Hong replied, “Nine out of ten, it’s true. If nothing goes amiss, that scholar will resign from the Tianqi Academy in a few days. He won’t be able to bear the disgrace.”

Liu Ping could only shake his head, unsure how to comment.

Shaking his head, Liu Ping and Wang Hong rode their horses, making their way out of the prefectural city.

Mountains stretched endlessly, grand and towering; forests thick and lush covered the slopes.

Liu Ping glanced at Wang Hong’s box and asked, “Are the bows and arrows ready?”

Wang Hong smiled, “Do you forget who I am? Everything’s been prepared. The finest horn bows, a thousand taels of silver each—I brought two, one for each of us, and ten quivers of excellent arrows.”

Hearing this, Liu Ping couldn’t help but marvel. Truly, the wealthy never hesitate—a thousand taels is nearly a million by modern reckoning, and he bought two without a care.

Wang Hong opened the box and tossed a bow to Liu Ping.

Liu Ping caught it, examining the bow about a meter and a half long, beautifully designed, perfect lines, and exquisite craftsmanship.

For a thousand taels, it was no ordinary item. The bow was made of the finest horn, wood, and animal glue, crafted through hundreds of steps by a famed artisan over a year.

Looking at it, Liu Ping couldn’t help but admire, “What a splendid bow!”

Wang Hong said, “If you like it, then take it. I can’t use two at once.”

Liu Ping accepted without pretense, “Very well, I owe you a favor.”

Wang Hong laughed, “Ha, your favor is worth far more than a mere bow. I’ve made a profit, indeed.”

Hearing the compliment, Liu Ping shook his head, “You have a lot of faith in me, it seems.”

Wang Hong replied, “You underestimate yourself. Don’t mind my extravagance—this is the eye of a merchant’s son, a long-term investment. Even my father would praise me.”

Liu Ping said, “I was almost moved, but now your words reek of money.”

Wang Hong tossed over a jade thumb ring, used to protect the right thumb when drawing the bow. “No, no, I meant nothing of the sort.”

“It was only a jest.” Liu Ping shook his head, took the thumb ring and slipped it on, then drew his whip and pointed at the dense forest ahead. “Wang Hong, shall we compete?”

Wang Hong looked into the distance and laughed, “Why not?”

The two spurred their horses, soon arriving at the edge of the forest.

“Whoa—” Pulling the reins, Liu Ping carefully slowed his horse, scanning the surroundings. Wang Hong quickly joined him.

Just as Wang Hong was about to speak, Liu Ping gave him a meaningful glance.

Wang Hong immediately closed his mouth, following Liu Ping’s gaze, and saw a plump gray rabbit not far away.

“That wild rabbit is fat—must be five pounds,” Wang Hong whispered, handing an arrow quiver to Liu Ping.

Liu Ping nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and aimed at the rabbit, squinting slightly, quietly gauging the wind and the humidity of the forest air.

Watching Liu Ping’s stance, Wang Hong unconsciously held his breath, his eyes fixed on the rabbit.

At the academy’s archery class, Liu Ping hadn’t been the best, but whenever he shot, his arrows always found the bullseye. He was known as the little sharpshooter.

Suddenly, a snake slid swiftly along a branch above the rabbit, sensing danger.

The snake’s movement snapped a dry twig, which landed beside the rabbit.

Startled, the rabbit bolted.

“It’s running, Liu Ping!” The rabbit turned and darted off, quick as lightning, nearly out of sight. Wang Hong could no longer contain himself and called out.

Liu Ping said nothing, the aim of his arrow following the rabbit’s movement.

Suddenly, his fingers released.

Whizz!

The arrow vanished, streaking after the rabbit. Hearing the bowstring’s hum and the arrow’s sharp flight, Liu Ping muttered, “Should be a hit.”

He and Wang Hong hurried over. The rabbit was pinned to a tree root, its legs twitching feebly, clearly dying.

Wang Hong gave a thumbs-up, “Hit it! You really are a sharpshooter, Liu Ping!”

Liu Ping said, “Such precise shots are draining—I can manage only three. What kind of archer can shoot just three times? Still far from mastery.”

Wang Hong understood and wasn’t surprised. “It’s not an exam—just shoot as you like. We’re here to relax.”

Liu Ping said, “Noted, though I doubt I’ll be very accurate.”

Wang Hong dismounted, picked up the prey, placed it in a special basket, and said, “Ha, no matter! Isn’t that what I’m here for?”

Liu Ping replied, “Just now you called me a sharpshooter—now I’m merely your foil?”

Wang Hong said, “Naturally. Who else am I?”

Liu Ping said, “Your skin grows thicker by the day.”

Wang Hong put on a serious face, “My father always said, a thick skin is no fault. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He mounted again, soon spotting more prey.

A yellow-and-white fox.

“Let it go,” Liu Ping said, stopping Wang Hong from drawing his bow.

“You’re right, such small prey hardly showcases my greatness.” Wang Hong nodded, “I wonder if there are big cats here—that’s the game worth hunting.”

Liu Ping said, “If there is, I’ll be the first to flee, leaving you to wed the tigress.”

Wang Hong pulled a face, “Why wed a tigress and not be eaten? I’d never obey a tigress. And how do you know it’s female? It could be a male.”

“If it’s male, you’d be the bride. Refuse? Ha, a tiger’s fury leaves no choice—will you obey or not?” Liu Ping teased, but suddenly fell silent, pointing at something.

Not far off was a muntjac, making Wang Hong beam with delight. “A muntjac here? What an unexpected prize!”

He quickly drew his bow, aiming at the animal.

The muntjac had short forelegs, long hind legs, small hooves, large ears, gray-black coloring, and wide, blinking eyes, unaware of the danger about to descend.

Whizz!

The arrow struck, hitting its haunch. It fled in panic, but after a few steps, collapsed.

“Haha, got it! This prey outweighs your rabbit, Liu Ping,” Wang Hong crowed, “though you spotted it first.”

He pulled out the arrow, placed the animal in the basket, and suddenly looked up. “Eh?”

A large raindrop smacked his head.

He reached up; sure enough, it was wet.

“Bad luck, Liu Ping, it’s about to rain.” Wang Hong hurriedly mounted.

“Indeed, we must find shelter quickly.” Liu Ping noted the suddenly gloomy sky, nodded, “Let’s go.”

“Right.”

They left the forest, searching for shelter—no doubt a nearby village.

Liu Ping, sharp-eyed, spotted smoke. “There!”

But it was too late; both were soaked to the bone by the cold rain, leaving Liu Ping speechless. If only there were a weather forecast, this wouldn’t have happened.

“A weather forecast…wait, I could befriend a dragon, couldn’t I?” Liu Ping mused whimsically.

But then he shook his head at his own thoughts. “Rather than seeking out dragons, learning to read the skies might be wiser. Still, if I caught a young dragon girl and made her my personal weather reporter…that could be quite nice.”

“Liu Ping, what are you muttering about?” Wang Hong asked.

“Nothing.”

“We’re here—let’s shelter,” Wang Hong pointed at a house at the village entrance.

“Eh?!” As he looked, Liu Ping glimpsed a dense surge of gloomy energy across the village, startling him. He peered closely, but saw nothing further.

“An illusion?”

“Liu Ping? What’s wrong?” Wang Hong asked, puzzled.

“It’s nothing, let’s go.”

The arrival of two scholars in blue robes prompted the host to greet them with respect.

Liu Ping quickly helped him up, saying, “No need for such ceremony, elder. We are guests; it’s not right for the host to bow to his guests.”

The host was quite hospitable, promptly bringing towels, ginger tea, and dry clothing, and even set up a small stove.

The warmth dispelled the chill, and Wang Hong sighed, “Lucky to find this house, else we’d have suffered.”

Outside, the rain still fell, the sky growing darker.

“Looks like we won’t be able to return today.” Wang Hong muttered, handing the muntjac and rabbit to the elder. “Elder, we’ll stay the night at your house. Please prepare these animals for us—we’ll gladly pay you for your trouble.”

The old man shook his head, “That’s a small matter, no need. But as for lodging…that may be a bit inconvenient.”