Chapter 175 — Coincidence

The bowls and chopsticks were laid out afresh in the private room.

Zheng Zhaokun made the introductions.

"This is Young Master Gu of the Yunyang Earl's household." He gestured smilingly at Gu Yu, then introduced the man in blue opposite Gu Yu—a man of ordinary looks but a gentle bearing. "This is the heir of the Yan'an Marquis's household." Only last did he indicate the handsome man beside Gu Yu. "And this is the Marquis of Jining."

He Yu was taken aback.

He knew that Dou Zhiwei's betrothed was the Marquis of Jining, but his pride had always kept his curiosity in check—he did not know Wei Fan.

Never had he expected to meet the man on an occasion such as this.

No wonder Ji Yong had looked a little odd a moment ago.

Without betraying a thing, He Yu flicked a glance at the woman of the demimonde who had her arms twined around Wei Fan and was all but hanging off him, then turned his eyes to Wang Yu.

Civil officials and the titled aristocracy were two separate circles; when they did mingle, it was no more than casual acquaintance. Even so, he had heard of the heir of the Yan'an Marquis's household—a man famed for his generosity and chivalry. How had he come to be mixed up with Gu Yu?

He could not help giving Wang Yu another look or two.

By now Zheng Zhaokun had introduced Ji Yong and He Yu to Gu Yu and the others.

"This is Ji Jianming, newly made Tanhua of the imperial examination," said Zheng Zhaokun, now a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, "and his uncle is Vice Minister Ji—my superior's superior." He chuckled, his tone tinged with banter that gave no offense, but rather a certain warmth. "His father is the Right Vice Commissioner of the Transmission Office, Prefect Ji of Huai'an—the compiler's ninth uncle."

There were too many officials surnamed Ji; they had to be distinguished by their posts.

Wang Yu's eyes flickered despite himself.

Huai'an was likewise one of the stretches of the canal to be dredged this time.

It had nothing to do with him or Gu Yu, to be sure, but the Canal Defense Command was headquartered in Huai'an. If they meant to get a hand in the canal-shipping trade, or in the Jiangnan silk manufactories, they could hardly avoid dealing with the Canal Defense Command—and the Prefect of Huai'an thus became one of the men they could not afford not to cultivate.

Wang Yu at once felt a distinct appreciation for Zheng Zhaokun's tact.

Zheng Zhaokun had no notion of what was in Wang Yu's mind. He merely thought that since Gu Yu and the others had taken on the canal dredging, it could only do them good to know a few officials connected with river works. All his own attention, however, was fixed on He Yu.

When he and He Yu had clashed just now, Ji Yong had stood by with folded arms. Clearly this young gentleman who called himself "He" was more than capable of handling such a dispute. A family named He in the capital, and so handsome besides... he thought of Vice Minister He's youngest son... The order of introductions followed rank and seniority. By rights, Ji Yong, a graduate of both the provincial and metropolitan examinations and now the honored Tanhua, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, stood immeasurably above a young Master He with no degree to his name. But the world's affairs were simply unreasonable—the more a man had to his name, the more he feared being slighted, and the more he loved to contend over such vanities. Young Master He, too, must not be given offense!

Zheng Zhaokun had no choice but to feign ignorance. Smiling, he cupped his hands to He Yu, then said to Gu Yu and the rest, "This gentleman is a friend of Minister Ji's." Then, looking at He Yu, "I have not yet asked your honorable name."

He Yu smiled faintly. "I am a friend of Jianming's." Of the rest, he had no wish to say more.

Wang Yuqing rose to entertain them, his manner warm without being excessive—a manner that readily won people over.

Gu Yu was another matter. He sat shelling peanuts to go with his wine, laughing low into the ear of the woman beside him. His behavior was willful and unrestrained, a sharp contrast to Wei Fan's stiff constraint, as though he wished to refuse and could not.

He Yu could not help frowning.

How could this man surnamed Wei be so small-minded?

However ill at ease he might be, he need only play his part and carry the occasion off. Why such simpering and squirming?

What a waste of the Dou family's Fourth Miss... a pearl fallen in the dust... a clever wife yoked to a dull husband...

He was wondering whether he ought to exchange a few words with Wei Fan and so relieve the man surnamed Wei of his awkwardness, when he saw Ji Yong raise his cup and be the first to toast Wei Fan. "Marquis of Jining! Now that I think of it, we are kin!"

He would not rest until he had startled the room, and every man present looked at him in astonishment.

"The Fourth Miss of the Dou family lost her mother in childhood and was raised by my aunt," Ji Yong said with a smile. "She has always been close to our household. By the order of things, you ought to call me 'cousin'!"

Wei Fan understood all at once. He hastened to rise with his cup and, with proper deference, addressed him as "Cousin."

Ji Yong laughed heartily and drained his cup at a draught.

Zheng Zhaokun and the others applauded, crying out that Minister Ji was truly a bold fellow, while the women of the demimonde vied with one another to fill Ji Yong's cup.

Ji Yong only gazed at Wei Fan with a smiling face.

Wei Fan had already drunk a good deal, but to refuse now... that too would be out of place. He gritted his teeth and drank it down in one breath.

"Good!" Ji Yong clapped his hands and pointed at Wei Fan's cup. "Fill it up! I'll drink another with the Marquis of Jining!"

The woman seated beside Wei Fan poured for him, all but settling herself into his lap.

Wei Fan pushed her away at once and could not keep from glancing toward Wang Yu.

Wang Yu knew he had drunk about all he could today and feared he would lose his composure. Smiling, he lifted his cup. "This cup, let me drink with Minister Ji!" And with that he drained it. "To Minister Ji."

The woman beside Ji Yong smirked and carried a cup to Ji Yong's lips.

Ji Yong took no notice of her whatever. He snatched back his own cup, set it on the table, and clamped a hand over it. "One thing at a time," he said with a laugh to Wang Yu. "Since this cup is yours to me, I shall do as courtesy bids and drink it—but that is a separate matter from the Marquis of Jining." With that he drained the cup too, then motioned to Zheng Zhaokun. "Fill it up for me—this cup I drink with the Marquis of Jining!" And as he spoke he gave He Yu a kick under the table.

He Yu could not suppress a smile.

He thought of how, when the Chen family had come to look him over, his eldest brother-in-law had set him ten couplets in a row. Only when he had matched every one of them without a stumble had the man's face turned agreeable.

So Ji Yong meant to drink Wei Fan under the table!

He Yu was the youngest at home and had married the Chens' youngest daughter; as a rule he was one of those who got drunk under the table. The chance to put someone else under it was rare, and his interest was instantly kindled. He raised his cup to Wang Yu. "Heir of the Yan'an Marquis's household! I have long heard your name, though this is the first time I have laid eyes on you. To you, my lord." And without waiting for Wang Yu to respond, he drank it off in one gulp.

Then he gestured to the woman seated beside him: "Fill the young marquis's cup to the brim!"

The woman, with a coy laugh, poured wine for Wang Yu.

Wang Yu had no choice but to take up the challenge.

He Yu then dragged Gu Yu into it as well.