Ch 8: Completion of Book, How Dull

I snatch the final booklet off the pedant's hand, "Finally!" I smile happily to the pedant, who expresses his sense of relief with a dutiful nod. "Finished product!"

I want to thank Xiu Ying, who managed to help me convince Yuan Zi Yan's parents that inviting a pedant to "teach me" will somehow serve as a torturous method for me.

I would like to give a round of applause to Xi Ning, who always provide treats for me. I want to thank the pedant for keeping up with my bull crap and outrageous requests.

Last but not least, I want to thank my parents for mating and allowing this clutter of cells to develop into a fully capable human being!

Muah!

I kiss the booklet and dance together with the pedant in harmony. Wait—why is he dancing too?

"I am so glad this is over, Elder Miss. That was one of the most difficult pieces I've put together."

I nod, "Thank you. This will blossom into great success."

"Great success? Don't tell me you're actually going to publish this booklet?"

I had my mouth wide open, "Of course I will! Why do you think I had you write it? No worries, I won't leave a name. It will be anonymous. I will disperse copies of it across the town for free. The elocutionists will do their job." 

The pedant sighs, "This old fellow prays that yamen (government offices) won't arrest me with the introduction of this book. I think it's perhaps the time to move to Yangzhou anyways."

"What! Is it that bad that you will have to move away?"

"Yes, Elder Miss. Now if you'll excuse me." He took his things and scurry away.

I scratch my head, "The Ming Dynasty must have had controversial texts. I don't think mine is that controversial, is it?" I shake the thoughts off, "I'll have to find a way in which they cannot track it was the Yuan household who dispersed the tale."

**

"Kya, look! It's the imperial military guards!" A young maiden cheers as she stares at the guards, who ride their horses and pass by the stands.

A young guard by the name of Wu Lan Jun glances around the town, uncomfortable to the stares of the females. His co-commander Xu Kai, questions the commotions. "Did something occur?"

"No idea, Sir. I can ask for you," Wu Lan Jun swerves his horse and asks a young lady about the ruckus.

"Ah, sir. Haven't you heard? Someone dispersed a booklet about the romance between a brocade-clad commander and a daughter from an affluent family. Since most of us can't read, we relied on the city's elocutionist. Now, the tale is spreading throughout the city. It's a must-read!"

"I see," Wu Lan Jun laughs nervously, "Do you perhaps know the author?"

The lady shakes her head, "No one knows who wrote the book itself. It is so popular now that none of us know where it really began."

They conversed quite a bit about the context of the booklet. Soon, the conversation ends. After thanking the lady, Wu Lan Jun returns to the co-commander and informs him about what the lady told him.

"What's even more surprising is the fact that the brocade-clad guard's name is Kai Xu. Co-commander, that is quite close to your-"

Xu Kai coldly glances at Wu Lan Jun, causing him to shut his mouth.

"Ahah.." Wu Lan Jun laughs it off, "I mean it's totally different from your name, Sir."

"Romance between a brocade-clad guard and a daughter from an affluent family, huh? Send men to investigate the author." Co-commander Xu Kai resumes to ride the armored horse through the streets.

"How dull."