Chapter 110: Tranquil Recluse

Chapter 110: Tranquil Recluse

“Excellent poetry!”

Seeing the couplet on the door, Mu Feng’s eyes lit up. He subconsciously read it aloud and nodded repeatedly.

All pursuits are inferior, only scholarship is esteemed!

Official rank and riches are precarious—today one might be a high official in the Capital City, tomorrow perhaps a prisoner. Wealth and honor are like passing clouds—today one may indulge in luxury, tomorrow perhaps end up destitute on the streets. Only the principles learned and understood from books can accompany a person throughout their life, regardless of wealth or poverty, nobility or low status!

First rank!

Setting aside official rank and riches, abandoning wealth and honor—this is the true first rank, and none other.

“To come across such a residence in this remote countryside is indeed fate. Shuang’er, since we’ve stopped, why not go in and pay a visit?”

After a moment’s thought, Mu Feng decisively stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Jing Wushuang hesitated a little. Although she wished very much to spend more days on the road with Mu Feng, they were complete strangers here, and she worried that knocking on the door so abruptly might be too rash. “Brother Mu Feng, will this… be all right?”

“It will be fine!”

Mu Feng shook his head firmly and continued, “The handwriting reflects the person; similarly, one can understand the owner’s character from the details of a residence. The ancients said, one can eat without meat, but cannot live without bamboo. Bamboo, especially the elegant green bamboo, is like the gentleman among all things—upright, respectful, and possessing its own integrity, hence it is also called the gentleman bamboo. To plant such a vast expanse of bamboo around the residence, unlike some upstarts who fill their yards with thorny cacti or only care for splendid decorations, shows that the owner is certainly not a worldly person. Since he is learned and courteous, what is there to fear in paying a visit?”

Within books, there are golden houses; within books, there are beauties like jade. Mu Feng had loved reading since childhood, but he never studied rigidly. Under his mother’s guidance, he learned from a young age to infer from details. The low-key, refreshing Annex Courtyard, the elegant couplet, and the vast stretches of green bamboo all indicated the owner’s transcendent and refined nature.

In this remote countryside, amidst low and humble thatched huts, suddenly encountering such a residence and such an owner naturally aroused his interest in visiting.

“Well said, truly well said—‘one can eat without meat, but cannot live without bamboo.’ When friends come from afar, is that not a joy? Please come in, young gentlemen!”

Indeed, as expected, as soon as Mu Feng finished speaking, a hearty voice came from inside the courtyard. Then, rustling footsteps approached, the heavy gate creaked open, and a middle-aged man in a blue robe appeared before them. His expression was serene, his gaze spirited, and he sported a long beard. A green flute hung at his waist, giving him an air of an immortal. After opening the wooden door, he smiled, cupped his hands in salute.

“I am Mu Feng, a Jianning Scholar, traveling for studies. I have taken the liberty to visit; please forgive my rudeness, sir!”

Mu Feng cupped his hands and bowed. Seeing the middle-aged man’s immortal-like demeanor, he knew he had guessed correctly.

One cannot judge a person by appearances—that is true, and nothing in the world is absolute. But the true meaning of this phrase should be understood in reverse. It actually means that a person’s character can mostly be inferred from their appearance.

Appearance arises from the mind—if someone often harbors darkness and hatred in their heart, they will inevitably be isolated, cruel, resentful everywhere, with a gloomy expression and a dull complexion. Conversely, if one strives to do good, is forgiving whenever possible, not overly critical, and not impulsive when faced with matters, their appearance will naturally be kind, their affairs will go smoothly, and their face will be radiant.

Why do some people say that couples look alike? It’s because after being together for a long time, their lives become harmonious, their views and beliefs on many matters align, and their hearts are united. Over time, gradually, to outsiders they appear almost indistinguishable. At that point, people no longer remember their individual appearances but their shared heart as a couple.

“Mu Feng, the Mu Manor disciple Mu Feng who was recently titled Jianning First Scholar?” The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows and looked Mu Feng up and down with some surprise.

Hearing this, Mu Feng was also surprised. He hadn’t expected that even in this remote small village someone would know his name. “Yes, that is this humble one. The title of Jianning First Scholar is merely an official designation, an empty reputation. I’m afraid I’ve made you laugh, sir.”

“Hahaha, what a rare guest, a rare guest indeed!”

The middle-aged man laughed heartily. “Young Master Mu, please, welcome to the First Rank Studio! Don’t call me sir. Before a talent like you, how could I, Wen Jun, have the qualification to be called sir? I’m accustomed to quiet and usually keep to myself. From now on, just like others, call me Tranquil Recluse or Tranquil Solitary. Come, please come inside!”

“Very well, then we’ll trouble you. Please!”

Mu Feng did not stand on ceremony and stepped inside.

Outside the courtyard was a vast bamboo forest; inside, green bamboo was everywhere. Although the sun was blazing, walking on the path with swaying bamboo shadows felt exceptionally cool. Led by the middle-aged man, Tranquil Recluse, the two soon arrived at a pavilion with red pillars and green tiles, facing a clear lake. Lotus leaves floated on the water. A gentle breeze passed, the bamboo forest swayed, the blue waves rippled, making one feel refreshed and calm.

Tranquility, elegance, and serenity—no wonder he was called Tranquil Recluse!

Looking at the surrounding scenery, Mu Feng nodded. If he weren’t in a hurry to travel, he would truly like to stay in such a place for many days, forgetting the pressures upon him and the filth of the mundane world.

After they took their seats as host and guests, Tranquil Recluse lightly clapped his hands. A maid came over with small steps carrying a tea tray and poured a cup of hot tea for each. After whispering a few instructions in her ear, Tranquil Recluse waved his hand, signaling her to withdraw. On this hot noon, a pavilion, a bamboo forest, a lake, and a cup of clear tea—it was a rare enjoyment.

“Young Master Mu, are you a bit curious how a wilderness dweller like me knows your name?” After taking a sip of tea and looking at the refreshed Mu Feng, Tranquil Recluse smiled.

“To be honest, I really am a bit surprised.”

Mu Feng answered frankly. His intuition told him that this middle-aged man was surely not simple, and he secretly guessed his true identity.

“On the day you were titled Jianning First Scholar, your essay ‘Do Not Ask Heaven’ had already spread. Now, throughout the entire Jiangling Prefecture, who does not know of it, who is not impressed?” Tranquil Recluse personally poured Mu Feng another cup of tea and continued, “The ancients said, there is an order in learning the Way, and different skills have their specialties. Compared to a true scholar like you, we old bones are truly ashamed. We cannot help but admire you.”

“Brother Wen, you are too modest. To set aside official rank and riches, to abandon wealth and honor—you are the true scholar. Compared to you, I fall far short. I don’t know when I will attain such a state of mind as yours!” Mu Feng’s expression was sincere; these words were not merely polite but came from genuine admiration.

The world is so vast, scholars are as numerous as the hairs on an ox. But those who can reach the level of Tranquil Recluse are absolutely rare, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Not to mention anything else, merely this mindset of being content with simplicity is enough to put to shame the many who seek fame and to make countless scholars who single-mindedly pursue rank and riches feel they cannot catch up.

“It’s nothing. Some things, once experienced, one regards lightly.” Tranquil Recluse smiled faintly and then asked, “Young Master Mu, with such talent at a young age, you must have gone through all the books in Mu Manor over the years. I wonder, which books have you read?”

“I’ve read many books, but remembered only a few. Brother Wen, I’m afraid I’ve made you laugh!” Mu Feng smiled and took a sip of the green tea in his cup.

“Hahaha, good, that is a true scholar. Unlike the common scholars who read many books, memorize every one by rote, and end up becoming pedantic bookworms!”

Tranquil Recluse laughed heartily. Looking at the frank and upright Mu Feng, he felt deep respect.

Hearing about someone is not as good as meeting them. Upon hearing Mu Feng’s words, he understood that the latter was indeed not undeserving of his reputation. With such talent and integrity, no wonder he could write an essay like ‘Do Not Ask Heaven,’ no wonder he was titled Jianning First Scholar!