Immortal Travel of Longevity-Chapter 85: Not Troubled by Poverty

The morning rooster crowed.
Morning dew slid down the tree and dripped onto the lotus leaf in the jar below.
Yun Xiang stood waiting at the doorway early, not daring to enter.
Only when sounds came from inside did she dare ask: “Has Sir woken up?”
Chen Changsheng paused inside, got up, and went to open the door.
Seeing Yun Xiang, he asked: “How long have you been waiting here?”
“Yun Xiang just arrived,” she said.
Chen Changsheng could tell it wasn’t true, but he didn’t call her out. “Come in,” he said instead.
But Yun Xiang replied: “I’ll fetch water to help Sir wash up.”
“No need. I’ve already washed,” Chen Changsheng stated.
“When did Sir…”
Yun Xiang paused. But when she looked at Sir’s face, it was indeed perfectly clean.
“Sit,” said Chen Changsheng.
Yun Xiang saw the chair still in its place from last night. She hesitated, afraid to sit.
Chen Changsheng glanced at her. “Afraid?” he asked.
Yun Xiang nodded silently.
Chen Changsheng looked at her. “Not troubled by poverty. Not yearning for wealth. I, Chen, possess no money, little learning, and no titles. Truly, I am not much different from you. Fundamentally, we are all mortals. No one is worth more than another.”
Yun Xiang was puzzled. “But Yun Xiang is just a servant,” she said.
“What’s wrong with being a servant?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Yun Xiang didn’t know how to answer.
She only understood half of what Sir said. Partly clear, partly lost.
Chen Changsheng spoke: “Sit and read aloud.”
After hesitating, Yun Xiang carefully sat down.
Chen Changsheng brought out the same book from last night.
“Continue from where you left off yesterday.”
“Okay.”
Yun Xiang turned the pages, found her place, and resumed reading:
“To be sincere is not just completing oneself. It is also how things become complete. Completing oneself: that’s benevolence. Completing things: that’s knowledge. These are virtues of our nature, uniting the outer world with the inner way. Hence, timely action is appropriate.”
“Now, consider water. Even a small scoop of it can grow… it can grow unimaginably vast…”
Chen Changsheng prompted: “…giving life to giant turtles, flood dragons, fish, and turtles.”
Yun Xiang stared at those two characters, memorizing them silently.
She looked up. “Has Sir memorized this entire book?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I never memorized it.”
“But then how…”
Chen Changsheng smiled playfully. “I have an extra eye that sees words on the page.”
Yun Xiang chuckled. “Sir is joking.”
Yun Xiang thought her teacher was truly remarkable. From the very start, whenever she stumbled over a word, he could supply it.
He had probably memorized this book long ago.
They read for about half an hour.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside.
“Sir Chen!”
Tang Mingjing walked in. Seeing Yun Xiang seated, reading to Sir, he paused in surprise.
Yun Xiang flustered. She quickly set down the book and stood up.
Bowing her head, she said, “Greetings, young master.”
Tang Mingjing glanced at Yun Xiang, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
Chen Changsheng asked: “Why so early?”
“Oh!” Tang Mingjing snapped back to attention. “I came to invite Sir to the main hall for breakfast.”
“Ah, time for meals already…”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Keep reading here,” he told Yun Xiang. “We’ll continue when I return.”
“Yes, Sir,” Yun Xiang agreed.
Tang Mingjing didn’t remark, simply gesturing. “Sir Chen, this way, please.”
Tang Mingjing led the teacher towards the main hall.
As they walked, he glanced back at Yun Xiang in the room, an unreadable thought in his eyes.
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In the main hall, the table held a large spread. Even breakfast was exceptional here.
As expected of a merchant’s house — truly lavish.
“Sir Chen, please sit,” Tang Shijie gestured for Chen Changsheng to take a seat.
Present were only Tang Shijie, his son, and Chen Changsheng.
“Apologies for the grand meal, Master Tang,” Chen Changsheng said.
“Just simple fare, hardly worth mentioning.”
Once seated, they ate slowly.
About halfway satiated, the conversation started.
“I hear Sir Chen is traveling to Shangjing this time?”
“Just wandering aimlessly. I might head even further eventually.”
“Journeying under heaven, Sir?”
“Not quite that,” Chen Changsheng said. “I won’t cover so much ground.”
Tang Shijie nodded. “Earlier, your timely words saved my son. I haven’t thanked you properly. Now that you are in Yan County, I, Tang, must fulfill my duty as host. If you’re not pressed to leave, perhaps stay a few more days?”
Chen Changsheng regretfully replied: “I thank you, Master Tang. However, I have business requiring my departure. I likely cannot linger long. Next time, I vow to stay longer.”
“Ah, is that so…” Tang Shijie sighed softly. “Truly a pity.”
After a few more pleasantries, Chen Changsheng raised the main subject.
“Speaking of which, yesterday your esteemed son mentioned the Jade Pendant. I am very curious about its origin. Might Master Tang know?”
“Mingjing asked me yesterday too. This matter likely requires my Father.”
Therefore, after breakfast, Tang Mingjing took Chen Changsheng to find Tang Shan.
Though Tang Manor was large, only two generations lived there. Older generations lived independently. Tang Shijie had often invited Tang Shan to live with them, but Tang Shan always refused, saying he didn’t want to be a bother.
So they had always lived separately.
Tang Mingjing’s grandfather lived outside the town perimeter. Tang Shan had once earned money by digging lotus roots to support the family. Now too old for such work, he had built a house near the Lotus Pond and lived there quietly.
“Grandfather!”
Tang Mingjing called out.
“Coming!”
An old voice answered from inside the house.
The door creaked open.
An elderly man dressed simply appeared. He stooped slightly, his hair white. On his shirt, over the chest, was an embroidered lotus flower.
Tang Shan looked at Chen Changsheng. “This is…”
Tang Mingjing explained: “Grandfather, this is Mr. Chen. He once saved my life. He came to ask you about the Jade Pendant.”
Chen Changsheng cupped his hands respectfully. “I, Chen, visit rudely. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
Tang Shan waved dismissively. “Not at all. Come in.”
They entered the house.
Tang Shan walked slowly. “Mingjing, which Jade Pendant do you mean?”
Tang Mingjing took out the Jade Pendant and showed it to him.
When Tang Shan saw it, he froze. He stared intently at Chen Changsheng.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Chen Changsheng asked: “Why are you looking at me like that, honored elder?”
Tang Shan snapped his gaze away. “It’s nothing,” he shook his head.
“Sit first.”