Chapter 35
After the midday banquet, Fang Yu did not stay much longer. There wasn't really a place here for socializing and networking; it was better to return early so he could read for a while in the study with Qiao Hezhi. So, he found Li Yun to bid his farewell.
"Brother Fang, why are you in such a hurry? Is there some inadequacy? Why not stay for the evening meal before returning?"
Fang Yu said, "Brother Li, your generous hospitality is truly considerate, and the wine and food were excellent. It's just that there are some matters at home to attend to this afternoon; otherwise, I would shamelessly stay longer to enjoy some fruits."
"The New Year season is indeed busy. In that case, I won't insist on keeping Brother Fang. There will be plenty of time in the future; another day I will host at Qionghua Tower, and we can drink and have fun together." Li Yun exchanged a few polite words, then pulled Fang Yu aside to a less crowded place, saying, "Actually, I had something to ask of you today, but with so many people, I couldn't break away. Only now did I find a moment to speak with Brother Fang."
"What is it? Please, Brother Li, speak freely."
"Before the New Year, Brother Fang gifted me a pencil. In my spare time, I studied writing with it. Before the New Year, a relative from the capital came to visit and found this pencil of mine novel; they insisted I gift them some..." Li Yun said helplessly, "So I have no choice but to trouble Brother Fang. Could you find out exactly where to find or buy them?"
Fang Yu thought it was something major. "There's no place to buy them on the market. These are made by my fulang's maternal relatives. Today, I actually brought along two finely crafted ones. If that's not enough, Brother Li, just give me a number, and I'll relay it when I return."
"That would be excellent!" A smile lit up Li Yun's eyes, and he gave Fang Yu a proper, deep bow: "Thank you, Brother Fang."
On the way back, Fang Yu thought that the pencil, originally made for his own convenience, actually had some market potential. He should find some time to discuss with Lin Xuan, and if they made more, it could very well become a business venture. They could make some in advance first; if anyone inquired and wished to purchase them, they could explain that the production period was quite lengthy. By delivering the goods at a pre-arranged future date and setting a high price to sell, and they could earn some silver.
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A day of busyness. When the guests had all dispersed from the Education Commissioner's residence, it was already xushi (7-9 PM). The household was busy with cleaning and tallying accounts, no less busy than when the guests were present.
The steward led the accountant in tallying and registering the gifts received today. After seeing off the guests, Li Yun went to retrieve the gift Fang Yu had sent.
It was no lie; before the New Year, his cousin had indeed visited Yuncheng and had persistently asked him for the pencil as a gift. People in the capital were particularly fond of novel, unseen trinkets, largely because their households were affluent and had ample disposable income to indulge in such curiosities. Furthermore, since the pencil was an item used by scholars, it was held in even higher regard..
Fortunately, Fang Yu was also generous and sent him more, saving him from having to wait longer for them to be made.
"Young Master, these are the gifts sent by Fang Xiucai."
The steward carried three brocade boxes over to Li Yun. During festivals, the household received many gifts, no shortage of rare treasures, valuables, gold, and jade. The gifts listed by Fang Yu were rather ordinary among them. The steward hadn't paid much attention when receiving them, merely ensuring they weren't shabby or disrespectful before placing them among the many presents. It was rare for the Sixth Young Master, who seldom bothered with such matters, to personally inquire. The steward searched high and low before finally finding the gifts from the Fang family scholar.
"Is there anything improper?"
The Education Commissioner, having socialized all day, came over and, seeing his son here examining gifts, couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing improper. Fang Xiucai's gifts have hit the mark for me, which is why I rushed to get them." Li Yun smiled at his father. Seeing his father's curiosity, he immediately opened the gift box. Seeing two wooden pencils lying in the grooves of the box, they looked rather impressive against the red silk backdrop.
Li Yun took them out. These pencils were indeed exquisitely crafted. The pencil body was over an inch longer than the one Fang Yu had casually given him before, and the end of the barrel even had hollow-carved patterns, as if specifically made for gifting.
"What kind of writing instrument is this? I've never seen one before; the workmanship is remarkably fine and clever." The Education Commissioner held the pencil, examined it for a moment, and offered praise, followed by a sigh of regret. "The craftsmanship is excellent, but it's made from common wood. If it were crafted from sandalwood or pearwood, the material would be more worthy of the skill displayed."
Li Yun couldn't help but laugh at his father: "Father, that's vulgar, only seeing sandalwood as precious. The wood casing of this pencil needs to be shaved away periodically as it's used. Using sandalwood would be too extravagant. Besides, if the wood is too hard, it's also not good for sharpening."
The Education Commissioner stroked his beard and smiled: "After all, you young people know more about these novelties."
"My cousin thought it was quite a novel curiosity when he saw me using it and has been pestering me for one. Now I can give these to him, saving him from writing more letters pestering me."
"My term in Yuncheng is almost up. It won't be long before we can return to the capital. Then you can bring it back for your cousin yourself; no need to send someone specially to make a trip."
"Yes." Li Yun placed the pencils back in the box and told the servant to take good care of them. Seeing Fang Yu had sent two other items—Fangrui Xueyue tea was one thing, he often drank it—he was somewhat surprised: "Why did he send snacks too?"
"Could it be pastries from the Changhong shop in the north of the city?" He opened the box and saw it contained watermelon seeds, arranged on a round tray divided into five sections, which was truly unexpected. "What's different about this? Are watermelon seeds fashionable this year, or is there some auspicious meaning inside?"
Li Yun casually grabbed a handful and put one in his mouth. Without shelling it, he first tasted an unusual flavor. His eyes lit up, and he said to his father: "Salty!"
The Education Commissioner saw his son's expression and also took one seed. His eyebrows moved: "Nonsense, this clearly has a tea flavor."
Father and son simultaneously looked at the watermelon seeds in the box. They each took a seed from a different position, then cracked them open and tasted different flavors, finding great amusement in the discovery: "No wonder they're called Five-Flavored Watermelon Seeds; they truly have five flavors!"
"This young scholar you've befriended is truly interesting, one could say quite ingenious!" The Education Commissioner laughed heartily a few times: "A Fu, take these Five-Flavored Watermelon Seeds to my study. The County Magistrate is coming for tea tomorrow; they'll be just right to crack open and share with that old fox over tea."
Seeing that they were being taken away entirely, Li Yun said: "Father, aren't you leaving any for me?"
"Go ask your friend for more. Young people are easier to talk to. Surely you don't expect me, with my old face, to beg a young person for snacks? That would be laughable if it got out."
Li Yun watched his father walk away, hands clasped behind his back, and shook his head. Fortunately, he had thick skin. After all, he could shamelessly go over and snatch a couple of bites of the food made by someone's fulang; asking for snacks would be even easier to bring up.
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