Miss Truth

Sang Chen stuffed the chess score into the old man’s hands, along with the chess pieces and board into the basket. Too hurried to collect money, he slung the basket over his shoulder and said, "Wife, I have packed up."

Ran Yan nodded and turned to walk out of the crowd.

"Young sir." The elder holding the chess score stood up and called out.

Sang Chen stopped in his tracks, looking at him curiously, "What does the elder wish to say to this junior?"

The elder bowed with a sweep of his sleeve, "Young sir is extraordinarily talented, and I admire that greatly. May I inquire the name of...?"

Sang Chen hastily returned the courtesy, "I am Sang Chen, styled Sui Yuan, the new Tutor from Zhou Family Village."

"Sang Sui Yuan?" The elder’s eyes brightened but then he asked with some disbelief, "May I ask who is the young sir’s teacher?"

After a brief consideration, since he had many teachers, including those Doctors from the Imperial Academy and the great scholars of Chang’an City he should call teacher, Sang Chen realized that only one had truly imparted knowledge to him and said, "My benefactor is Master Huai Jing from Xingshan Temple."

The elder’s face lit up with joy and he enthusiastically said, "I have long respected his great name. In a few days, I will certainly pay a visit!"

Sang Chen replied, "I will await the elder’s esteemed visit at home in two days’ time."