novelSusiti Chapter 5 The daughter of the famous well, whose name is Minami
Chapter 5 The daughter of the famous well, whose name is Minami
Mingjing Mansion is located in Qingpingfang in the east of the city. Unlike the mansions of noble families with carved beams and painted rafters, the gate of the mansion is painted with a calm vermilion lacquer. There are no stone lions, but only a black plaque with gold characters that reads "Passing down poetry and etiquette in the family".
The bluestone path in front of the door has been worn smooth as a mirror by the years, with velvety moss growing in the gaps.
The carriage stopped at the alley entrance, and Tian Heng, carrying the pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets carefully wrapped in brocade, walked to the front of the mansion.
Seeing his distinguished attire and bearing, and noticing the royal guards faintly visible at the alley entrance in the distance, the old gatekeeper hurriedly went inside to report.
Moments later, the gates of the Mingjing Mansion swung open.
Mingjing Ning, dressed in a dark blue casual suit, was the first to come out to greet them. This current head of the Mingjing family was nearly fifty years old, with a lean face, three long strands of beard that were meticulously groomed, and eyes that revealed elegance and wisdom.
Behind him followed his wife, Lady Liu, and then the servants and stewards of the household, standing in order, their manners impeccable yet not obsequious.
"This old minister, Ming Jingning, along with his family, respectfully welcomes Your Highness, the Prince of Qin." Ming Jingning bowed, his voice calm and clear.
Tian Heng quickly stepped forward and offered a helping hand: "Uncle, there's no need for such formalities. Today, I, Heng, am here as a junior, so please don't stand on ceremony."
During the pleasantries, his gaze had already passed over the crowd and landed on the girl standing quietly under the corridor.
It was Minami Nai.
Today she wore a moon-white dress embroidered with magnolia blossoms, with a light blue half-sleeved outer garment. The fabric was soft gauze, a tribute from Jiangnan, and her movements were like being enveloped in light smoke.
Her long, black hair was not styled in an elaborate way, but loosely tied into a hanging bun, secured with a plain silver hairpin inlaid with pearls. Matching pearl earrings dangled from her ears, swaying gently with her slight nods.
At the age of fifteen, her figure was still slender, but one could already glimpse her future beauty.
The most captivating feature was her face; her eyebrows were naturally dark without makeup, her lips were naturally red without lipstick, and her skin was as smooth and lustrous as jade, seemingly glowing faintly in the dim light of the corridor.
Especially her eyes, clear as autumn water, with slightly upturned corners, full of affection when still, and sparkling when moving, exuding indescribable charm in every glance.
Tian Heng grew up in the palace and was used to seeing all kinds of beauties. The imperial concubines were graceful, the concubines were beautiful, and the palace maids were pretty. He had also occasionally seen the portraits of the "Ten Beauties of Great Xia" that were popularly rated, and they were all considered to be stunningly beautiful.
But seeing Minami standing quietly under the corridor, I finally understood what "natural beauty" truly meant. Compared to her innate and ethereal charm, even those meticulously dressed beauties seemed a bit contrived.
He suddenly remembered that the Grand Tutor had mentioned that true scholarly families never participated in the evaluation of "beauties".
It wasn't that the women in the clan were less beautiful, but rather that these families valued family traditions and upbringing when they arranged marriages, and appearance was a secondary consideration.
Moreover, each family is deeply intertwined, and any inappropriate evaluation could easily lead to discord. Therefore, the compilers all tacitly agreed not to include the legitimate daughters of scholarly and wealthy families.
"My name is Jingnan. I greet Your Highness, the Prince of Qin." The young woman stepped forward gracefully and curtsied.
His voice was like a stream striking jade, clear and melodious, each word carrying just the right amount of respect and distance.
Tian Heng regained his composure, concealing the amazement in his eyes, and said gently, "Nan'er, there's no need for such formality."
He took out a bright yellow scroll from his sleeve. "I have come today because I have a decree from the Emperor that I must convey to you in person."
Mingjing's expression turned solemn, and he quickly dismissed everyone around him, leaving only his wife and Mingjing Nan in the main hall.
After all the servants had left and the doors and windows were closed, Tian Heng unfolded the imperial edict and slowly recounted the matter of the bestowed marriage.
Mina listened quietly, her eyes lowered, only her slightly trembling long eyelashes betraying her thoughts.
After Tian Heng finished speaking, she looked up at him, her eyes showing joy, but without the shyness and panic of an ordinary woman. Instead, she asked softly, "Your Highness's trip to Youzhou is at the Emperor's behest. I suppose... it's not just as simple as guarding the northern frontier?"
Tian Heng felt a slight tremor in his heart. After a moment's consideration, he decided to no longer conceal the truth:
"Uncle Shi is probably more aware of the situation in the capital than Heng. The Cui, Lu, Li, and Zheng clans are entrenched in the court. Father... intends for me to avoid disaster and also to leave a way out for Great Xia."
"The problems plaguing the aristocratic clans are indeed a chronic illness of the Great Xia Dynasty." Mingjing Nan nodded slightly, her tone calm as if recounting a common occurrence.
"I once overheard my father talking with several of his uncles. The Cui and Lu clans not only control the imperial examinations and official careers, but also secretly acquire land from displaced people. Last year, when Hebei was flooded and the victims were displaced, there were rumors that a branch of the Cui clan had bought up thousands of acres of land at extremely low prices."
She paused, then looked directly at Tian Heng. "Although the barbarians of the Northern Frontier are fierce, they are ultimately an external threat. The real problem lies within. Your Highness's journey to Youzhou will likely involve not only guarding against external threats but also against internal ones."
Tian Heng was stunned. These words were insightful and penetrating; even many officials in the court might not have seen them so clearly.
He couldn't help but take a closer look at the girl in front of him. She still had that gentle appearance, but her clear eyes held such insight.
"Nai Minami
Strength: 66, Command: 67, Intelligence: 98, Politics: 100, Charisma: 105
Peak Nai Minami
Strength: 70, Command: 72, Intelligence: 100, Politics: 103, Charisma: 105
"You're absolutely right." He nodded slowly, his expression becoming serious.
"The local powerful clans in Youzhou and the forces in the capital are deeply intertwined. My purpose in going there is to establish a firm foothold and then gradually make my move."
His gaze swept over the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the hall, and he suddenly recalled an old story. He smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I once heard the Grand Tutor mention that the ancestors of the Mingjing family were not from the Great Xia. It is truly not easy for them to have achieved their current status in the literary world."
Mentioning her family history, Mina's eyes shone with genuine light. She bowed slightly, her voice soft yet clear:
"Your Highness is very knowledgeable. My ancestors, the Jing clan, were not from the Great Xia, but came from the Dongyi tribe beyond the East Sea."
According to clan records, our ancestor displayed exceptional talent and intelligence from a young age, but deeply felt the tribe's limited knowledge. At the age of sixteen, disregarding the advice of his clansmen, he sailed alone across the sea, enduring three months and countless near-death experiences before finally reaching the Eastern Sea Prefecture of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Her words revealed her reverence for her ancestors:
At that time, the Great Xia was in the midst of the flourishing of "Northern Learning". Master Kong Fu opened a lecture hall in Langya, attracting students from all over the country.
Although my ancestor couldn't speak the local language and had no money, he knelt outside the school for three days, pleading with the teacher. Finally, his essay, "On the Tide of the Sea," caught the teacher's eye, and he was exceptionally accepted as a disciple.
Tian Heng nodded: "Mr. Kong Fu founded the 'Northern School' and advocated 'practical application to the world,' which made him famous throughout the country back then."
"That's right," Minami continued. "Our ancestor studied extremely hard, day and night without stopping. He had a remarkable ability—to have a photographic memory."
Mr. Kong Fu had a collection of three thousand volumes, which my ancestor read through in three years and was able to understand and master.
What's even more remarkable is that he combined the astronomical and calendrical knowledge of the Dongyi tribes with the Confucianism of the Great Xia Dynasty, proposing the theory that "celestial phenomena correspond to human affairs, and sea tides correspond to calendrical calculations," which amazed the teacher, who exclaimed, "To teach the most talented people in the world is the greatest joy."
Her tone gradually turned to one of感慨:
"However, after completing his studies, my ancestor did not seek fame or official position, but instead lived in seclusion on the shore of the East China Sea, where he opened a school to teach students."
He established three rules: first, students should not come from any particular background; second, he would not accept large sums of money; and third, his disciples were not allowed to participate in factional struggles. Initially, only a few fishermen's children came to learn from him, but as his reputation grew, impoverished students from within a hundred miles flocked to him.
"Such a magnanimous heart is truly admirable," Tian Heng said sincerely.
Minami smiled faintly:
"Through the painstaking efforts of three generations of ancestors, the Mingjing family's learning gradually took shape. By the time of my great-grandfather, the eight-character family motto of 'inclusiveness, pragmatism and truth-seeking' had been clearly put forward."
The family members were required to be proficient in classics and history, as well as have knowledge of arithmetic, agriculture, water conservancy, and even military strategy.
Each generation selects the most outstanding member to travel the world, compiling their observations and experiences into a book, which is then stored in the family academy.
She looked up at Tian Heng, her gaze clear:
"Therefore, Your Highness, the reason why the Mingjing family has achieved what it has today is not because of power and wealth, but because of the knowledge and reputation accumulated over a century."
For this reason, the family's ancestral precepts strictly forbid: Disciples of Mingjing may serve as officials in the imperial court, but must uphold their principles and never participate in factional struggles; they may pursue scholarship and write books, but their writings must be substantive and they must never engage in empty talk that harms the country.
Tian Heng stood silently for a long time, then bowed deeply: "Listening to Nan'er's words is better than reading for ten years. The vision and character of the Mingjing family's ancestors, and the way the family has been passed down, all inspire my sincere respect."
Minami quickly stepped aside to avoid the curtsy, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Your Highness is too kind. I was merely recounting my family history."
She paused, her expression turning serious.
"Speaking of Youzhou, I have been reading through my family's collection of books in recent years and have seen my grandfather's notes describing the local customs and products of Youzhou. The land there is barren and the people mostly make a living by raising livestock, but there is coal and iron underground and medicinal herbs in the mountains. If managed properly, it may not be impossible to become prosperous."
She walked to the table in the hall, picked up paper and pen, and began to sketch casually:
"Youzhou has a terrain that is high in the north and low in the south, with three main rivers. If water conservancy projects are built and water is diverted for irrigation, tens of thousands of hectares of arable land can be added."
"Moreover, if the border trade in the northern frontier is managed properly, customs duties can be a major source of revenue..." She said as she drew, and although it was just a simple map, she clearly marked the mountains, rivers, cities, and passes.
Tian Heng was shocked.
Although the map was simple, it largely matched the map of Youzhou he had consulted recently, and even included many more details about people's lives. He couldn't help but ask, "How did Nan'er know all this?"
Minami put down her pen and said softly:
"In the family library, there are thirty-six volumes of handwritten notes recorded by family members who have traveled to Youzhou throughout the ages. I... finished reading them all last year." She raised her eyes, her gaze as clear as ever.
"Considering that His Highness's fiefdom is in the north, perhaps it will come in handy."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Mingjing Ning and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing the relief and emotion in each other's eyes.
A warm feeling welled up in Tian Heng's heart, and he solemnly handed the brocade box to Ming Jingnan:
"This is a gift from your mother. She said... she remembers all the principles that daughters of the Su family should know, and she will treat you the same way."
Minami took the brocade box, her fingertips lightly touching the satin surface, trembling slightly.
She didn't open it immediately, but instead looked up at Tian Heng, her eyes full of earnestness: "Your Highness, the foundation of Youzhou cannot be built in a day, so please don't be impatient. If you encounter difficulties, you can..."
She paused, her voice soft yet firm, "You may write to my daughter to discuss this. Although the Mingjing family has no power, they have accumulated knowledge and connections over a century, which may be of some help to Your Highness."
She added, "There is one more thing I must tell you, Your Highness: the journey is long, and you must be wary of traps set along the way. Be extremely careful with your food, drink, and daily life. Those people in the capital... will not let Your Highness gain a foothold in Youzhou easily."
These words were both tender and insightful.
Tian Heng gazed at her and suddenly understood why his father had chosen her as the Princess Consort of Qin. This was not just a marriage, but also a way for him to find a partner to stand shoulder to shoulder with.
"Alright." He nodded emphatically, saying each word clearly, "I will remember your words today. Once Youzhou is at peace, I will personally send someone to fetch you. From now on, we will face any storms together."
Minami bowed gracefully: "Your Highness, I am here, awaiting your good news."
As Tian Heng left Mingjing Mansion, dusk had fallen. Looking back, he saw lanterns lit up under the eaves of the mansion, casting a warm glow. In the glow, a figure in moon-white stood quietly, possessing both captivating beauty and worldly wisdom.
Finding such a good man was not only his good fortune, but also the good fortune of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The carriage slowly drove away from Qingpingfang. Inside the carriage, Tian Heng closed his eyes and pondered.
Minami's words echoed in his ears, and the simple yet accurate map of Youzhou appeared in his mind. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and gave an order to the attendant outside the carriage:
"Change course and head to the Su residence. Also, order the Imperial Guards to assemble outside the North Gate at dawn three days from now."
"yes!"
As night deepened, the lights of countless homes in the capital city gradually illuminated the night. Meanwhile, three thousand miles to the north, the land known as Youzhou quietly awaited its new master.