Chapter 363: Reunion

Bustling and crowded.

This was Pan Yun's first impression after entering the city.

Wang Cong had been to Changzhou Prefecture before, but never during this season; he was startled by the crowds, then said, "Little Xiao Shishu, your hometown is incredibly wealthy."

Pan Yun sighed enviously, "I didn't expect it either—too bad my family isn't among the rich."

In her memory, her father had always been poor.

Wang Cong first found a large inn to stay at, and during dinner, he asked the innkeeper about the location of Jintai Academy.

The innkeeper sized them up, saw they were all wearing Daoist robes, and couldn't help asking, "Are the Daoist priests also attending Jintai Academy's Lantern Festival poetry gathering?"

Wang Cong glanced quickly at Pan Yun, then smiled, "I've heard of it—we just want to join the festivities."

The innkeeper pointed them the way and chuckled, "Though the Lantern Festival poetry gathering doesn't start until tomorrow, many have already gathered; just follow this street straight ahead, turn right at the third intersection, go all the way to the end, then turn left and walk a hundred steps or so—you'll be there."

Wang Cong thanked him with a smile.

After the man left, he asked Pan Yun, "Do you want to change your clothes?"

He and Tao Yanbai wore Daoist robes and didn't stand out, since scholars often wore them too.

Normally, when he went out dressed like this for business, few guessed he was a Daoist; instead, they respectfully called him a Confucian merchant, assuming he was a scholar.

But for a woman to wear a Daoist robe is different.

Among women in the world, only Daoist priests and lay devotees wear Daoist robes.

Pan Yun touched the hat on her head and asked Wang Cong sincerely, "What kind of civilian attire would suit this hat of mine?"

Wang Cong glanced at her hat and fell silent.

Seeing Miao Zhen: "The strict gender separation among scholars means if we change into women's clothing, we may not be allowed into the poetry gathering—but as Daoist priests, there are fewer restrictions."

Tao Yanbai: "Why don't you both change into men's clothing?"

Miao He looked disgusted, "No, men's clothing is ugly."

Seeing Miao Zhen also said, "We'd have to spend money to buy new clothes."

Wang Cong waved his hand, "Forget it, let's go like this. If anyone asks, say I'm bringing you to broaden your horizons."

The four nodded in agreement.

The five of them packed up, changed into better Daoist robes, and went out.

Jintai Academy was a famous academy in Changzhou Prefecture; its headmaster was a Metropolitan Graduate, and besides him, there was another Metropolitan Graduate, Mr. Xu, five Provincial Graduate, and all the other teachers held the rank of Licentiate.

Pan Tao held the Provincial Graduate rank; after joining the academy, he quickly established himself and even became the most popular teacher among students, after the headmaster and Mr. Xu.

Wang Cong asked around and was immediately approached by a scholar who, delighted, asked, "Brother, are you also here to have your essays reviewed by Mr. Pan?"

"Ah?" Wang Cong quickly replied, "I dare not hope for such a privilege—I've accumulated questions over years of study and wish to seek answers from Mr. Pan."

The scholar praised him, "Brother, with such a thirst for knowledge, you will surely achieve great success."

He said, "Mr. Pan is over there—look where the crowd is thickest, that's where he is."

Pan Yun couldn't help exclaiming, "Mr. Pan is this popular?"

The scholar glanced at Pan Yun, then noticed the three of them; though he found it odd that three Daoist nuns were at the academy, he didn't ask further, instead explaining, "Mr. Pan is very kind—he answers any question or essay brought to him, whether from a Jintai student or not."

"If he can't answer, he openly admits it, then goes to find books or consults other teachers, and returns with the answer to tell the questioner," he said, "With such generosity from the master, how could we not revere him deeply?"

Pan Yun gasped—when had her Second Uncle become so enthusiastic toward students?

Wang Cong thanked the scholar and pulled Pan Yun toward the noisy crowd.

Jintai Academy was vast, with pavilions, terraces, towers, and even an artificial stream introduced into its grounds.

A creek ran through the entire academy, water murmuring, rock formations framing views; though it was the first month, flowers dotted the landscape—every step a bloom, every ten steps a scene—a classic Jiangnan garden, clearly very wealthy.

Though voices sounded close, as they walked along the path, they passed through a moon gate, a rock garden dominated by artificial hills, then three more gates, before the view suddenly opened up into a vast courtyard.

Beyond the obstructing trees lay a lake, with a small island in the center, trees shading it, an artificial hill rising from it, and atop the hill, a pavilion.

Several small boats floated on the lake, each occupied by people; Pan Yun's sharp ears caught their voices debating poetry.

Along the lakebank stood an open pavilion, now filled with scholars; even the railings, the trees beyond them, and the flowerbeds were crowded with people, all listening intently to one man speaking inside.

Pan Yun looked up and saw a young man standing among them, like a pine on a cliff—tall, elegant, clear-featured, yet radiating gentleness.

Pan Yun immediately smiled, her eyes bright with joy—it was Second Uncle!

As Pan Tao spoke, his gaze flickered and met Pan Yun's from across the lake.

He blinked, feeling the girl was strangely familiar, but couldn't recall where he'd seen her.

He paused, his heartbeat quickening involuntarily; he quickly looked away and said gently, "Regarding the 'Compendium of Nature and Principle,' there is an excellent essay by Hedong's Xie Jingxuan—I once copied and preserved it, and it's stored in the Reading Pavilion; those interested may go read it."

Pan Tao bowed and said, "I have urgent matters to attend to—I must take my leave." Though the scholars felt disappointed, they all bowed respectfully to bid him farewell.

Pan Bai, seated among the crowd, saw his father hurrying out and leapt up to follow, "Father, wait for me…"

Pan Bai caught up to his father, "Father, where are we going… ah?"

Pan Bai stared wide-eyed at the figure before him and exclaimed in confusion, "Little sister?"

Pan Yun glanced at Pan Bai, her eyes only slightly red, then immediately turned back to look at Pan Tao, barely holding back tears, "Second Uncle…"

Pan Tao regarded her skeptically, "Miss, have you mistaken me for someone else?"

Pan Yun sniffed, swallowed her tears, and said, "Second Uncle, I've come from Mount Sanqing—Father must have told you. I'm now a Daoist priest at Mount Sanqing."

Pan Tao finally recognized her.

"It really is you, Yun'er," Pan Tao exhaled deeply, immediately grasping her to look at her, "You—you're well, well, very well—you've grown up."

Pan Tao's eyes were red, "Seeing you safe and healthy, I'm at peace."

Pan Bai murmured, "You've changed so much…"

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When the uncle and niece had calmed down, Pan Bai walked over to Pan Yun and gestured, amazed, "How did you grow so tall? Your face is rounder, your complexion better—this… in two years you've improved this much?"

Pan Bai looked at her hat, "Why are you wearing that hat?"

Pan Yun said, "My head gets cold, so I wear a hat."

Pan Yun asked Pan Tao, "Ershu, are there still people watching you all?"

Pan Tao shook his head. "Since the Mid-Autumn Festival two years ago, I no longer had the feeling of being watched. On top of that, when I moved your mother's coffin back from Jingcheng, I set up an empty grave beside her…"

He paused, then said, "The small grave has no headstone, but everyone in the clan knows it was set up for you. After we returned to the countryside, we kept a low profile. Apart from sending your father and brothers some clothes and silver, we barely contacted any old official acquaintances, and the people watching us disappeared."

Pan Yun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Ershu, you've done very well. Leave the matter of clearing our name to me. Don't get involved any further."

She said, "Grandmother is already advanced in years and needs you and your wife to look after her. Father often feels guilty. As the eldest son, he has never been able to serve and care for Grandmother, and the heavy burden of the household has always fallen on you, Ershu. He feels deeply ashamed…"

Pan Tao stopped her and said with a smile, "When it comes to filial duty to parents, what does it matter who's the eldest or the second son? It's simply what heaven decrees. Tell your father not to dwell on it. The family has me."

Pan Yun agreed, her eyes reddening.

She hesitated, as if wanting to say something.

Pan Tao asked, "Do you want to pay your respects to Grandmother?"

Pan Yun nodded.

Pan Tao said, "We live in the old residence now. It's crowded there and eyes are everywhere, so it wouldn't be good for you to show up. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I'll bring Grandmother out to stroll the streets, and we'll find a tavern to meet."

Pan Yun agreed, then asked, "Ershu, where is my mother's grave?"

"In the ancestral burial grounds, toward the south side. There's a headstone, and beside it a small grave mound." Pan Tao paused, then said, "Although it's out in the wilds and generally no one goes there, if someone were to happen upon you…"

"I know. Don't worry, Uncle. I won't go pay my respects during the day."

Pan Bai: "Going at night? That's nothing but a pile of graves. Aren't you scared?"

Pan Yun pointed at the Daoist robe on her body and said, "Who's scared of whom is not yet certain."

Pan Bai looked at the Daoist robe on her and said nothing.

Only then did Pan Tao emerge from his emotional state. He looked toward Wang Cong and said with a smile, "You must be Yun'er's senior brothers and sisters, yes? Over these past two years, we've relied on the few of you to look after Yun'er."

The group immediately jumped back, waving their hands repeatedly. Wang Cong hurriedly explained, "Mr. Pan, you've misunderstood. We're all junior disciples. This is our little martial grandmaster."

Pan Tao's hand, mid-gesture of greeting, paused. He turned to look at Pan Yun. "These are your martial nephews?"

"Yes, Ershu. Didn't my father tell you? My martial brother is the Abbey Master, and I am the first-generation closing-door disciple of the Sanqing Abbey."

That, he really hadn't been told.

The two of them exchanged letters but didn't dare say much. Regarding Pan Yun, they only mentioned her in a sentence or two, and after that stopped bringing her up.

Pan Tao hadn't expected his niece to be so capable. Especially seeing Wang Cong and the others all following behind Pan Yun, he was certain she truly commanded authority and that they were genuinely respectful.

Pan Bai, even less able than Pan Tao to keep things to himself, clicked his tongue and said, "Little sis, you're really impressive now."

Pan Yun: "So-so, I guess. Oh right, Third Brother, I have something for you."

She fished a pouch from her sleeve, opened it, and began pulling out yellow talismans. "This is a Safety Talisman—I've already threaded a cord through it, wear it around your neck. This is a Fortune Talisman—carry it on you, your luck with money will improve. This is a Study Talisman, actually it's a Clarity and Tranquility Talisman—carry it on you too, it'll help your studies…"

Pan Bai, used to this, stuffed the talismans straight into his clothes. "Got it, I'll remember all that."

Pan Yun: "Third Brother, you really must wear them. These talismans are different from the ones I drew before. Back then I didn't have any yuan-power, but now my cultivation is higher, and the talismans I draw are very effective."

(End of chapter)