Chapter Fifty-Six: Expelled from the Sect

Taking a concubine? Zhang Zhong looked at Li Sanjian’s smug expression and was so furious he could barely contain himself.

How old are you, really? The girl you’re about to take as a concubine is still a child… and you, you dare take a concubine? Zhang Zhong longed to lash Li Sanjian across the face with his whip.

Like master, like disciple, he lamented inwardly.

Su Shi’s life was not without romantic entanglements, but Su Shi was a renowned scholar, celebrated throughout the land. Some amorous affairs might be excused in a figure of such stature. But you, Li Sanjian, you’ve only just begun your career and you’re already taking a concubine? This is… this is outrageous… this is sheer arrogance, Zhang Zhong thought to himself.

Su Shi had many concubines throughout his life, and rumors of his affairs abounded. Yet, he harbored little affection for these women, his heart forever mourning his late wife, Lady Wang.

“Ten years dead and living drift apart, I do not think of her, yet cannot forget. A thousand miles away, her lonely grave, nowhere to tell my sorrow. Even if we meet, should we know each other? My face dust-covered, my hair like frost. At night my dreams return me home, beside that little window, she is at her toilette. We gaze at each other wordless, only tears falling like rain. I know where my heart will break each year—on the moonlit night, at the short pine ridge.”

These immortal lines, “Riverside City: Written on the Night of the Twentieth,” were composed by Su Shi in memory of his late wife.

When Su Shi was exiled to Lingnan, whether out of remorse or because he could no longer support his many concubines, he sent them all away. One, named Spring Lady, even dashed herself against a tree in grief and died.

Now, only one concubine, Wang Chaoyun, remained by Su Shi’s side, caring for his daily needs.

Indeed, Su Shi had many concubines, but his literary fame and extraordinary talent naturally drew admirers. Yet what are you, Li Sanjian? Not even sixteen, and already taking a concubine? And a child at that...

Zhang Zhong’s disdain was plain on his face.

“Uncle Zhang… I haven’t agreed,” Li Sanjian stammered, seeing Zhang Zhong’s meaning. “I told them… I told them it must be with my mother’s consent… only then…”

What? You still need your mother’s consent? Why not just refuse outright? Do you think they would dare force you? Did I lead my men here for nothing? Zhang Zhong fumed inwardly.

He swung his whip in the air and growled, “How will you explain this to your teacher? You’re… you’re an arrogant little brat!”

With that, Zhang Zhong gave his horse a fierce lash and rode off, unwilling to pay any further attention to this hopeless fellow.

“Why… why was he like that?” Li Sanjian, left in the dust, stared after Zhang Zhong’s retreating figure in confusion.

He thought to himself, Isn’t it only that perhaps, just perhaps, I might take Wang Wen into my household, and maybe not for a long time yet—does that enrage Zhang Zhong so? As if I’d desecrated his ancestors’ graves? Li Sanjian was utterly perplexed.

“Ah, Li, perhaps you don’t know,” one of Zhang Zhong’s men sighed. “The magistrate has been dismissed by the court. He’s leaving tomorrow, and today he forced his way here to demand you be handed over.”

What? Dismissed? Leaving Qiongtai? Li Sanjian stared blankly at the distant dust, speechless for a long while.

………………

It had been over a year since Li Sanjian last saw Su Shi, and his heart was pounding as he arrived at Su Shi’s residence.

Su Shi had only instructed him for a little over a year, but Li Sanjian had learned much in that time. Moreover, he admired Su Shi deeply and was sincerely grateful to him.

In this world, not all learned men are willing to teach those born into poverty.

“Your disciple Li Sanjian requests an audience with my revered teacher!” Li Sanjian called loudly outside the residence.

In the past, whenever he came, the gate would open at once, and after announcing himself, he would enter. But today, the door remained firmly shut, which surprised him.

He called out three times before the battered door opened a crack. Su Shi’s son, Su Guo, peered out, his face grim.

“Li… you should go. Father… will not see you,” Su Guo said awkwardly.

“Why is that?” Li Sanjian asked, startled. “I… I am Li Sanjian. Why does my teacher refuse to see me?”

“I know who you are,” Su Guo sighed. “But you should leave. Father will not see you. Not only that, he also said…”

“What else did he say?” Li Sanjian asked anxiously. “Brother, please speak plainly.”

Puzzled, Li Sanjian reviewed his conduct—had he done anything wrong? He had always observed the proper courtesies. Why would Su Shi refuse to see him?

He could not fathom it.

“Father said you… are unbearably arrogant, lacking restraint, and…” Su Guo hesitated.

“And what else?” pressed Li Sanjian.

“Father said not only will he not see you today, but he will never see you again. He also forbids you from calling yourself his disciple. From now on, you are as strangers. You would do well to take care of yourself,” Su Guo finished, letting out a long sigh.

He, too, could not understand Su Shi’s reasoning. Was it because Li Sanjian had achieved first place in the provincial exams? Because he was honored with a banquet by the officials of Guizhou? Because he had just returned and already taken a concubine? Was that enough for Su Shi to expel him?

None of these reasons held up, Su Guo thought.

Unless one’s student had committed grave evil or earned one’s bitter hatred, it was rare to cast a disciple out so completely. Henceforth, the two would be strangers, perhaps even enemies, depending on their natures.

Moreover, for all Li Sanjian’s flamboyance, he had brought honor to Su Shi’s name as the top provincial exam candidate—an honor not granted to all.

Stunned, Li Sanjian stood before Su Shi’s gate, staring at the battered door, speechless.

It was as if he had been struck by lightning, or doused from head to foot with icy water.

He reviewed the past year’s actions again and again. He had done nothing so terrible—so why had Su Shi spoken so harshly?

This hurt worse than death. He wanted to weep, but no tears would come. He longed to rush inside and demand an explanation from Su Shi.

“Ah, Li… go now. Don’t ever mention you were once my father’s student again,” Su Guo said, unable to bear the sight of him thus, patting his shoulder in consolation.

“Once a teacher, always a father. Once a teacher, always a father. Once a teacher, always a father!” Li Sanjian muttered, repeating the words three times.

“Go now,” Su Guo urged again.

Li Sanjian shook his head, his legs giving way. He knelt before Su Shi’s door, crying, “Master, please accept your disciple’s farewell. Whether you acknowledge me or not, I will always be your disciple, and you will always be my revered teacher. I will remember your kindness all my life and never forget it.”

With that, he knocked his head three times upon the ground and departed in bitter tears.

He never did learn why Su Shi had treated him so.

“Li… Li…” Su Guo watched his figure disappear, wanting to call out—but though he opened his mouth, no words came.

………………

“Father, was this really necessary?” After Li Sanjian left, Su Guo questioned Su Shi. “That child is pitiful enough—why must you be so heartless?”

“What do you understand?” Su Shi glared at him. “Shut the door. No visitors.”

Su Guo sighed and turned to close the door.

Suddenly, Su Shi was seized by a violent fit of coughing, his face turning ashen.

“Father, take care of yourself!” Su Guo hurried over to support him.

“I’m fine,” Su Shi waved him off. “You go… No, I’ll go myself.”

“Father, where are you going?” Su Guo asked.

Su Shi closed his eyes, and after a long pause, said, “I’m going to see Gao Er.”

………………

“Jian, here’s what we’ve managed to collect for your journey. Keep it safe.” Fu Gui handed a small bundle to Li Sanjian.

Li Sanjian accepted it in silence and placed it on the table without a word.

Fu Gui sighed inwardly. It had been two days now, and Li Sanjian had done nothing but sit in a daze, absent-minded, with a copy of the Analects on the table before him, but not turning a single page.

Fu Gui had heard about the rift between Su Shi and Li Sanjian, but could not fathom Su Shi’s intentions. Nor did he dare ask—Su Shi, though disgraced, was still an official; what right had people of their humble standing to question him?

“Where’s Third Brother?” At that moment, Wang Wen came skipping in.

“He’s… over there,” Fu Gui replied, gesturing at Li Sanjian.

“Third Brother, what’s wrong?” Wang Wen, seeing his vacant look, so unlike his usual lively self, was alarmed and hurried over.

She shook him for a long while before finally rousing him. Li Sanjian looked at her blankly. “Why are you here?”

“Never mind me—what’s happened to you?” Wang Wen pressed.

Li Sanjian gazed at her for a long moment, then suddenly burst into tears. “Wen’er, Wen’er, my teacher… he’s cast me off. What did I do wrong? Oh heavens, can you tell me?”

For three days Li Sanjian had pondered, but could not understand why Su Shi had done this—why he had suddenly expelled him, why he had been so merciless.

At the height of his grief, he could not hold back and wept bitterly.

Since coming into this world, he had never cried so hard, nor felt such sorrow.

“Don’t cry, Third Brother! If you cry, I’ll cry too… If he doesn’t want you, so be it. You’re the best there is. If he rejects you, it’s his loss. I want you—Wen’er will want you for a lifetime.”

Wang Wen sobbed, gasping for breath, crying even more sorrowfully than Li Sanjian…