"When you so righteously break out in protest of my friend's debauchery, please do the same for the men here who have done worse to their slaves and commoners. Now, no one is purer than others. If you go pointing finger’s one is certainly going to come pointing at you – But I hear no just criticism of that kind? When the great sages in the past talked of human nature, they never only talked of promiscuous sons, but also failures of masters in dealing with their servants, of dealings of husbands with their wives and of the kindness that froths from human nature that should be maintained between a slave and a liege! Who speaks with kindness to a servant? Forget being kind to slaves, who of us treat them more than a beast?”

“Well pointed out.” Someone couldn’t help but agree with Master Su RuHui, “Just recently, wasn’t it your young nephew, Master Huang Dan, who kidnapped a village maiden? The whole family died as a result of such blatant plundering in clear daylight – I wouldn’t say more but please, don’t play this hypocritical charade over here. This is a company of learned men.” 

Finally, this new revelation seemed to have sucked away all color from Master Huang Dan and some of the people following behind him. Deciding to not make things worse for himself, he turned to Master Wei and said spitefully -

“I will see how long you can support that face, Master Wei! You don’t dissuade me. You will always be the same bug crawling in the lowest rungs of society as you were years before, a lunatic on the loose, eating dirt and whatnots. Everyone tells me you have healed, recovered, but look – what does he have in his eyes? Does he look sane? Do sane people talk like this after being insulted? Do you see any change over his face– no color, no blushing. Doesn't that remind you of stones? And he says he hasn’t turned into one- what a farce!” Huang Dan pointed his fingers at Master Wei, then cleverly fell back on his feet. He wrestled his arms away from his captives and straightened his ruffled shirt.

“Literate people do happen to talk like me, Master Huang, if you excuse me. I am a scholar, even a stained one.”

“Unlike an imbecile like you, he does know words. Take my words if not his.” Master Su RuHui said as he took another peeled grape into his mouth.

“You- !” He once again lunged at them.

There was much persuading done on both sides. For a moment it looked like it would end up in an outright brawl, but some sane people held both the parties down. Finally, under the coercion of having his father angered, one of the parties conceded a truce.

As soon as the inflamed man had found his way out, persuaded by his company, the spectators all started moving away. “What a character! He will die in some corner some of these days - if that hot temper doesn't come flattening down, I tell you.”

“Indeed.”

At this moment there was bustling outside and then the screens opened to let in a crowd of curious looking young boys.

Young men in their silk apparels and fresh faces had sauntered inside the hall. As if they knew that a while later this Hall would welcome all the great men in town to hold the most renowned capping ceremony to ever take place in Jinghai’s history - they appeared excited to behold such an spectacle! There was much to talk of at length here!

Soon, the voices inside the hall jolted a notch higher, abruptly becoming akin to noise – finally all the great faces in Jinghai had appeared on stage! The Old Master Wei walked briskly along with his companions, all looking somber and grave, as they took to their seats at the highest table over the northern part of the hall. For a while there was only silence, till the old men were settled appropriately and then began another round of greetings and congratulations.

Master Wei gracefully sat down once more. His friend had risen up to greet the elders, and another occupant had overtaken a seat on his left.

It was Master Huo Yuxun, the newly arrived Chancellor, appointed to the county's Yamen. The Magistrate had been quite smitten with this new addition to the town and had but good things to say about him. Of course! With a father as the Head of the Imperial Academy of Capital, his prospects are anything but successful. In fact, being sent to Jinghai was a sign of his lack of any favor thereof. Or perhaps, there were other intentions.

Master Wei squinted his eyes thoughtfully while caressing the ring on his left hand.

"My lord, there should be no doubt about the auspiciousness of this year for your clan! From being promoted to a formal member of the Imperial consulate to having an official position in the county, and now earning the Second prince’s favor for your daughter - Such joyful news one after another - ha ha ha!" followed a well-natured laugh.

"Your son too, I might say. I heard he had been accepted by Master Rong? The Head Teacher at Imperial Academy who had once taught the second prince in his early years? Congratulations to him and also you. Such a bright future you have in your children." Master Wei saluted Master Huo.

"Where, where, he tries to follow in the precedents of those of his senior brothers, like that of your son. Hopefully there will be such happy opportunities for him to celebrate further down in life.” There was much silence between them, but looking at his face, always ready to say something but refraining, master Wei couldn’t help but finally ask him to confide in him.

The confidence that was given was of such nature – “It might appear abrupt, but for the cheer in the air– what do you say, my lordship, could I have the grace to accept one of your daughter’s hands for this son of mine? Again, quite an abrupt preposition, with nothing proper about it! There is no official gift, or words from the elders. But hear my reasons for this daring!” Here he tried to hide his blush, he looked around to see if any ears were at hearing distance. “I have heard of their reputation spread as far as the capital. No doubt, such noble houses as of yours can guide but only such talented and capable youngsters! This is indeed abrupt, but a word from you will go a long way. Rather than a pompous show of elaborate rituals that will make all of it public, for both our privacy’s sake and my deep hopes that you will agree and allow me to follow this proposal with all the legitimate ceremonies without the worry of dishonoring you; I finally decided over this crass method. I hope I haven’t offended you too deeply?"

Master Huo said this, in a melodious trill and a single breath, quite characteristic of himself; swiftly replacing another wet handkerchief in his hand-pockets. The heat of the moment had started to touch up to him. What else could be hoped of with all the braziers burning, and young and boisterous energy wafting from all around in the air? Deep inside he regretted his choice of place, as he began to feel the increasing need of fresh air! But…he did need this marriage!

“No, you haven't. In fact, I like this approach of yours - as it keeps many things under cover. After all, it's a matter of my daughter’s reputation.” Master Wei assured as he looked on, bewildered. Never in his life had he seen such a…straightforward proposal. He really had to look afresh at the man who had uttered such madness.

Apart from his stout figure one wouldn't notice anything cordial about the man, or anything affable. His face, though round, didn't give the feeling of being agreeable to any extent, while his jumping brows always peered with strained tolerance. The calculation could be seen flickering, sparkling in his round eyes - quite deep, but it was definitely there.

Master Wei who was observing him with decided air, now felt completely speechless. How should he define such a man? Straightforward? Even that couldn’t capture his image. 

"As for the proposal – I think you are mistaken on some accounts. There will come a time, of course, when your son himself can find his names recounted among those well-known people of Dajin, he can truly ask for any hand in marriage around the world. It’s not commonplace to enter the Imperial Academy. But I might add, regretfully as I do so, that the youngsters in my family are still too young. Marriage? I have never thought of that, I confess. You haven’t spent much time in Jinghai I fear. I think you must be under some misapprehension about their ages. The oldest after Wei Ziya, the one engaged to the second prince is only a child of twelve. She doesn’t enter society for two or three more years – it’s inappropriate to think of a future so far away from them. I fear I cannot betroth her before she is appropriately old. Jinghai has never favored child marriage - especially in recent years they have become much of a past relic. My father was a great proponent himself against such practices at his time at court."

"Master Wei Houyu, there is no need to go so deep into this matter as thus, is there? I find it completely irrelevant as of what your father had previously thought regarding such noble and traditional practices of early engagement! You must realize, I come with the knowledge that one of your sisters did actually have a prior engagement settled at birth.”

The man said, “I am sorry to dampen your spirit with recollection of departed ones, but I have definitely heard, your sister was just ten when she was engaged to our emperor, wasn’t she? Although the most unfortunate things happened to the maiden, don’t tell me there is no precedent in your house! Because that would be a blatant lie! If it can be done once, why not twice - a promise suffices, I demand but a word of you. A little freedom for the young man and maiden to know each other…yes, is it difficult to grant even that? But the look in your eyes tells me you don’t agree for even that somehow! I say, Master Wei. Let them be and decide who to love now. And such love as in their age, allows them to form a noble attachment for life! Far from impure alloys added in adulthood. I have personal experience, having grown up together with my wife. You must agree to this." There was much beseeching in his voice as he looked into Master Wei’s eyes.

"I hear you.” Wei Houyu replied softly, pronouncing each word clearly. “I, to tell you the actual truth, am very insecure about my children’s future. What with the death and disappearances of quite a few relatives of mine now, I can't but be meddlesome for their security. You deem it all well and fine, but I see it as letting a child be separated from her home earlier than she needs to be! As a father of a daughter, what I send to you is a piece of my flesh. Any amount of time spent in their company is less, and just suddenly sending them away –? Don’t tell me you don’t have such plans of taking her away to the capital. Because I will be the first to refute you. You come here asking them to be allowed to form a bond - but a bond can only be forged on constant contacts between them. If one remains here in Jinghai and another in the capital - what makes this relationship different from that of a cold contract? To inculcate this building relationship, you do have to bring them together or your whole belief behind early marriage lies null and void – and inexcusable. You alluded right. My sister did eventually fall into a quagmire of her own making – which, in my opinion, would have been completely averted had she been allowed to follow her heart. Engaged as she was as a child, she had no opportunity to grow and love her betrothed. For her perhaps, it was not more than a cold piece of dictate. I see it as an unfit folly. When she ran away from home, we only know the cause of it being a warm love she held from another gentleman. Imagine – What a fierce struggle must have reigned over her conscience – on one hand the dictates of morality, while on the other a deep human feeling that is never in our own control. No one seems to think of that. It's been years but there is no news, no leads whatsoever. Though we know she was lost, we have taken her as dead, for all that matters! – but can you imagine the pain it caused us all? And all this folly, just because of a prior engagement!”

After a moment of silence, he turned and asked.

“Have your men in the capital found any leads in the case? About the one who kidnapped her? What about my youngest sister Hua'er…" Master Wei took a sharp breath and ceased to complete his sentence. He just looked down into his palm and awaited a cold sentence.

‘Tch, pretentious as ever.’ Master Huo's eyes flashed with sarcasm but he soon melted it into a sympathetic face looking as the most empathetic well-wisher.

"My deepest condolences for such grave loss! As for leads in the lost case, hope is all but futile alas! The previous six years stand too cruel for all the victims. No sign, and no leads. But sometimes, such sadness is the affair of the world, isn’t it? Everyone must suffer something or other in their lives to some extent, albeit varying by degrees. Such misfortune, as one falling over your sister is not common at all. But what with this much worry in your breast, one expects you will cease to let your sons out of the threshold for their safety altogether! I don’t see you doing that, do I?! Why not give these young people a chance? Wei Lina, your daughter of whom I speak of in-kind regard is of noble birthright, with your Weijia’s good nurturing. She will grow up to be a good matron, and I ask for her hands for my equally well-situated son! Is there any implausibility in this affair?"