Chapter 125: Kindred Spirits

Gou Ye then added, "As the saying goes, one does not visit a temple without a cause. Surely, Young Master Changfeng, your painstaking efforts to find me are about more than just a simple social call?"

Noticing the exclusionary tone in Gou Ye's words, Xuanyuan Changfeng smiled lightly. "I have come today truly to pay my respects to Young Master Gou. You may be aware that I hold a modest reputation among the scholars in the capital..."

Before Xuanyuan Changfeng could finish, Gou Ye waved his hand dismissively. "Young Master Changfeng, please do not misunderstand. I have not been in the capital long, and I am truly unfamiliar with your esteemed reputation."

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Changfeng felt a flash of awkwardness. He had been so courteous, only to be rebuffed by Gou Ye. He could not help but ask, "Brother Gou, have I offended you in any way? Why have you repeatedly slighted me since I stepped through that door?"

Gou Ye chuckled heartily. "Do not misunderstand, Brother Changfeng. I truly had no intention of slighting you; I simply did not know. However, I have heard members of my merchant clan mention that a certain Young Master Changfeng claims to be the foremost talent in the capital."

This was the wrong thing to bring up. At the mention of this, Xuanyuan Changfeng’s face darkened further. Hadn't he just lost to Gou Ye recently? Was this a deliberate jab at his title? No longer feeling the need to be polite, he retorted, "Yes, I have indeed made such a claim. But I fear that the title of the capital's foremost talent is now destined to fall to you, Young Master Gou."

Gou Ye feigned shock, waving his hands frantically. "Oh, oh, oh! Young Master Changfeng, please do not say such things. I am wholly unworthy of such a title. Furthermore, a gentleman should be humble; one should not go about labeling oneself so casually. If one is eventually surpassed by another, wouldn't that just be a laughingstock?"

Xuanyuan Changfeng’s face flushed with anger. Gou Ye’s words were clearly implying that he was arrogant, self-aggrandizing, and ridiculous. He shot back, "Each generation produces its own talents. I lost this round, yes, but shouldn't a young man have the spirit of youth? As a scholar, if one is full of learning but lacks the courage to show any sharpness, how can one dare to discuss statecraft or confront the treacherous when entering the imperial court? While I have labeled myself, it was in the hope that scholars everywhere would foster a competitive spirit, rather than settling for mediocrity and gloating over minor achievements. I, Xuanyuan Changfeng, see nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, if one day I surpass you, I will dare to call myself the capital’s number one talent once again."

With that, Xuanyuan Changfeng turned his head away, fuming. He rose to offer a gesture of departure, but Gou Ye quickly pressed him back into his seat, offering an apologetic smile as he shouted, "Laifu! Bring tea!"

In truth, Gou Ye did not truly dislike Xuanyuan Changfeng. He had merely assumed that anyone who dared to proclaim themselves the "number one talent" must be an arrogant, shallow individual. Yet, observing him today, he found the man’s temperament quite commendable; even when provoked, he had shown restraint. Most importantly, the final sentiment he expressed resonated with Gou Ye’s own belief that "if a young man isn't spirited, can he even be called young?" In this light, Xuanyuan Changfeng possessed a distinct character that suited Gou Ye's temperament.

Watching the indignant Xuanyuan Changfeng, Gou Ye bowed solemnly. "I offer my sincerest apologies, Young Master Changfeng. To be honest, I did look down upon you earlier. It was not a personal slight, but my own prejudice in assuming you were like those hypocritical, self-important scholars. Having met you today and heard your words, I realize it was I who judged a gentleman with the heart of a petty man. Hehehe, but do not be angry—we might say we have come to know each other through this clash. That you were willing to lower yourself to visit me today shows the true breadth of your character, Young Master Changfeng. You are a real man, and in this, I am inferior."

Gou Ye’s repeated apologies softened Xuanyuan Changfeng’s expression. He chuckled, looking at Gou Ye and saying, "I must say, brother, you are truly a difficult man to fathom." The two men locked eyes and burst into laughter.

Their subsequent conversation turned to poetry, prose, and the classics. Hearing that Gou Ye intended to take the imperial examinations next year, Xuanyuan Changfeng even led him to the study to mark the key passages in the Four Books and Five Classics that he believed would be essential for the upcoming exams.

As they spoke, Gou Ye realized that Xuanyuan Changfeng was indeed different from the average pedantic scholar. He lacked that stuffy air, and his discourse was filled with original insights. He did not hesitate to criticize the literati he disliked, though his barbs remained artfully subtle. What surprised Gou Ye most was that his views on the current state of the Ming Dynasty perfectly aligned with his own. Though a scholar, Xuanyuan Changfeng believed that the scholarly class had become too dominant; he felt that the state’s extreme preference for civil over military affairs was not necessarily a good thing for the future and could one day spell disaster.

In an era defined by such stifling literary convention, to possess such clear-eyed awareness made Gou Ye realize that this man was truly profound. If he were to enter the imperial court, he would surely leave a significant mark on the pages of history.

To Xuanyuan Changfeng, Gou Ye was equally intriguing. In this era, Gou Ye was the first person who not only dared to listen to such radical views but also expanded upon them, detailing the nation's strengths and weaknesses with such clarity that Xuanyuan Changfeng broke into a cold sweat. Gou Ye was far bolder than he was; he even found himself glancing at the door, fearing they might be overheard. It was at that moment that he truly began to re-evaluate Gou Ye, and for the first time, truly acknowledged his brilliance.

They talked for a long time, during which Gou Ye even invited Xuanyuan Changfeng to join his family for a midday meal. Seeing Gou Ye’s beautiful and virtuous wife, and the skilled Guo brothers by his side, Xuanyuan Changfeng felt a surge of genuine envy. He began to shed his reserve, returning to his natural, free-spirited self. In the Gou household, where there were no tedious formalities or rigid rules, this easygoing atmosphere suited everyone, and they all took a liking to him.

Watching Xuanyuan Changfeng eat, Gou Ye was suddenly reminded of Gu Shen. He felt a pang of longing, wondering how his brother was doing and if he was perhaps sitting down to a meal, thinking of him as well.

Meanwhile, back in Zhengan County, at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Wanxiang was keeping Gu Shen thoroughly entertained with the help of two maidservants. Beaming, he said, "Rest assured, Miss Wan, I will certainly help you with your matter." Just then, he sneezed and muttered, "Eh? Who could be talking about me?"