When The Snow Falls In Autumn Chapter 33

Chapter 33

In the afternoon at the west window of the library, the light was filtered by the thick clouds, making it appear thin and even. It was no longer as clear-cut and sharp as the previous few days.The shadow of the camphor tree has also faded, and is vaguely printed on the oak tabletop, almost blending into the wood grain.There was a dullness in the air before a rainstorm, and the smell of old books and papers became heavy.

Ye Qiulan arrived ten minutes early.The table by the window was empty.She chose the seat where Ling Xueqing had been sitting yesterday – on the inside, facing away from most of the reading area, which was quieter.As she sat down, she could smell a very faint scent of cedar that might have lingered on the back of the chair, or maybe it was just psychological.She put the canvas bag on the chair next to her and took out the textbook “Ancient Chinese Philology”, her notebook, and the few copies of information about the loss of “Hedong Collection”.The edges of the document were roughened by her.

It was two minutes to three o’clock, and the familiar footsteps sounded behind me, slowly and slowly, stopping at the table.Ye Qiulan raised his head.

Ling Xueqing changed into a light blue pinstriped shirt today, with the sleeves rolled up to her forearms, revealing her clear wrists.She held a dark blue hard-shell folder and a thermos cup in her hands.His eyes passed over Ye Qiulan’s face, he nodded slightly, and after saying hello, he sat down opposite her – where Ye Qiulan usually sat.

“First clarify the scope and source of the existing fragments.” Ling Xuequing opened the folder and pulled out a piece of A4 paper. On it was a list she made in extremely fine handwriting. The items were clear, and the collection number and brief characteristics were also marked.”Based on the clues mentioned in class, I went to the Special Collections Department to confirm in the morning. The three items that can be accessed directly are mainly these three.” She pushed the list to the middle of the table.

Her entry was direct and efficient, without any pleasantries or foreshadowing, instantly pulling the two into a collaborative state.Ye Qiulan calmed down and got closer to take a look.The list is extremely detailed, with brief notes on the approximate paper size of each fragment, the main surviving chapters, and the known path of collection and circulation.This obviously took a lot of effort to sort out.

“You found it so quickly?” Ye Qiulan was a little surprised.The access procedures for the Special Collections Department are not simple.

“Yeah. I happen to know the assistant over there.” Ling Xueqing said calmly without saying much.She took out a few more pages of copy paper from the folder, which was a photocopy of the first page of one of the fragments. The handwriting was illegible, but it could be seen that it was in the style of Tang Dynasty running script.”This is the fragment that is suspected to be Liu Zongyuan’s handwritten “Essay on Sacrifice to Disciples”, which is the most controversial. Authenticity is the key.”

Ye Qiulan took the photocopy and carefully read the handwriting on it.The content is tragic, but the writing style has a kind of swaying strength.She doesn’t know much about calligraphy appraisal, but it doesn’t feel like an ordinary copy.”Do you think… it’s really possible?”

Ling Xueqing did not answer immediately.She picked up her thermos cup, unscrewed it, but instead of drinking it herself, she turned the lid upside down, poured half a cup of warm water into it, and gently pushed it to Ye Qiulan’s hand.The movements are natural and smooth, as if they have been done thousands of times.Then she said: “Just looking at the photocopy, it’s difficult to achieve this level of coherence in writing and emotional infusion. But you need to look at the physical paper, ink color and seal. More importantly,” she tapped an inconspicuous, seemingly water stain on the edge of the photocopy with her fingertips.The light yellow halo mark left behind, “The shape and location of this pollution mark are similar to the known preservation conditions of several early copies of the Song Dynasty’s “Hedong Collection”. If it is a forgery by later generations, and even such details are copied, the cost will be too high and it will be of little significance.”

Her analysis is calm and objective, and progresses step by step.Ye Qiulan listened, and the admiration in his heart increased.She picked up the half cup of warm water and drank it in small sips. The water was moderately warm and slid down her dry throat.She noticed that Ling Xueqing was using her own cup lid.

“So, the focus of our team’s report can be on proving the authenticity of this core fragment?” Ye Qiulan put down the cup lid and asked.

“It can be used as a breakthrough.” Ling Xueqing nodded, “But the report cannot only talk about authenticity. It must be placed within the framework of the overall compilation of “Hedong Collection”. We need to plan a feasible compilation path: using this possibly authentic fragment as the fulcrum,Combined with other auxiliary fragments and historical records, we can speculate on the possible content scope and search direction of the lost parts,” she said while quickly drawing a simple tree diagram on her notebook, placing the core fragments in the center and extending several clue branches.

Her thinking was terrifyingly clear.Ye Qiulan looked at the logic diagram that was gradually taking shape. The feeling of being led to think in class in the morning came back, but this time it was deeper and more specific.She took out her notebook and started recording and adding.”In terms of historical records, the records in “Chongwen General Catalog” and “Junzhai Shuzhi” need to be compared, as well as the scope of the “Complete Tangwen” collection…” she said while writing down a few key words.

“The Complete Collection of Tang Wen is incomplete and has been tampered with by the Qing Dynasty, so its reliability must be compromised.” Ling Xueqing immediately pointed out, “The focus should be on the bibliography of the Song and Yuan Dynasties and the citations of similar books. Especially “Wenyuan Yinghua” and “Tang Wencui”, although the collection is limited, they are of recent times and have high fidelity.”

“There are also sentences that may be quoted in epitaphs and stone inscriptions,” Ye Qiulan added, his eyes shining slightly, “Liu Zongyuan had a wide circle of friends, and his articles were sometimes used or mentioned in the epitaphs of his contemporaries or descendants.”

Ling Xueqing raised her eyes and looked at her, her eyes moving slightly, as if she was a little surprised, but also approving.”This is very important. It can be used as a supplementary search direction. But the workload will be huge and screening is required.”

“I can take charge of this part.” Ye Qiulan volunteered.She is no stranger to this kind of trivial but patient work of crawling and combing documents. When restoring ancient books, she often needs to find background information.

Ling Xueqing did not immediately agree or object.She looked at Ye Qiulan, her gaze resting on her eyes that were particularly bright due to her devotion for a moment, then lowered her eyes, added the branch “Epitaph/Stone Carving Citation Search” on the tree diagram, and put a small question mark next to it.”Do a preliminary screening first to determine the feasibility and scope. Don’t rush into it.”

“Understood.” Ye Qiulan nodded vigorously.Receiving Ling Xueqing’s approval, even if it was just acquiescence, gave her a small, solid sense of accomplishment.

Based on this preliminary framework, the two began to further refine the division of labor and steps.Ling Xueqing is mainly responsible for the application for physical inspection of the core fragments (if necessary), sorting out the main line of authenticity argument, and systematic comparison of Song and Yuan bibliographies.Ye Qiulan was responsible for assisting in organizing the contents of the fragments, preliminary screening of clues on the epitaphs, and writing the first draft of the report.

The discussion was getting better and better, and occasionally there were differences of opinion. Ling Xueqing was always able to quickly grasp the key points and use concise and powerful logic to convince Ye Qiulan, or absorb her reasonable suggestions and adjust the plan.Ye Qiulan also gradually relaxed and put forward his own ideas. Although it was a bit immature, Ling Xueqing would listen carefully before giving an evaluation.

Time passed quietly with the rustle of the pen across the paper and the occasional low-pitched conversation.The sky outside the window was getting darker, the clouds were low, and faint thunder could be heard in the distance.The lights were turned on in the library, and a warm yellow light enveloped their corner.

Just when Ye Qiulan lowered his head to sort out a note about a vague seal on a certain auxiliary fragment, he caught a glimpse of Ling Xueqing suddenly stopping writing from the corner of his eye, with the tip of his pen hanging above the paper.

She looked up.Ling Xueqing’s eyes fell on the copy of information she had spread out and brought from home.In the corner of the document, there is a line of very small annotations made by Ye Qiulan in pencil, which are conjectures about the possible connection between a certain place name and a lost article by Liu Zongyuan. The handwriting is so scrawled that it is almost legible.

Ling Xueqing looked at it very intently and frowned slightly.Then, she stretched out her hand and pointed her finger next to the line of annotation: “Where did you see the reference to ‘Lingling Guishui’?”

Ye Qiulan was stunned for a moment and took a closer look.”Oh, this… I accidentally saw it in a very old photocopy of local chronicles when I was looking up the route of Liu Zongyuan’s demotion. It said that when Liu Zongyuan was in Yongzhou, he had visited historical sites along a tributary of ‘Guishui’, and there were inscriptions, but the contentIt’s lost.I just wondered if it might be related to his lost landscape travel notes…” She explained, her voice getting smaller and smaller, because this was just a very marginal and even a bit whimsical association, and she didn’t expect Ling Xueqing to notice it.

Ling Xueqing was silent for a moment, tapping her fingers on the table unconsciously.Her eyes became a little distant, as if she was quickly recalling and relating something.”What’s the name of that local chronicle? What year is it from?”

Ye Qiulan tried to recall: “It’s called “Yongzhou Old News Collection”. It seems to be a private compilation in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. It is not widely circulated. I accidentally opened it in the corner of the ancient book reading room in the school library.”

Ling Xueqing immediately took out a blank piece of paper from her folder and wrote down the title of the book.”The end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty are far away from the Tang Dynasty, but if we compile local ancient stone inscriptions or oral information, we may have retained some clues.” She looked at Ye Qiulan, and there was something else in her eyes. It was no longer a purely academic examination, but a kind of… similar to the glimmer of discovering an unexpected treasure.”This direction can be followed in depth. In particular, the specific direction of the ‘Guishui’ tributary is compared with the geographical description in the existing Yongzhou poems of Liu Zongyuan. If there is a more specific spatial positioning, it may provide us with a new angle to speculate on the subject matter and content tendencies of his lost works.”

Not only did she not deny this seemingly far-fetched conjecture, but she gave it strategic value.Ye Qiulan’s heart was beating fast and his cheeks were a little warm.”I…I’ll check the book carefully when I go back to see if there are any more detailed records.”

“Yes.” Ling Xueqing nodded, “Be careful to distinguish between the original records and the compiler’s conjectures. Copy or take pictures of the relevant passages and bring them over next time.” She paused and lowered her voice, “This discovery is very valuable.”

Very valuable.These four words fell lightly, but they aroused a huge echo in Ye Qiulan’s heart.Not because of praise, but because Ling Xueqing recognized a possibly trivial but unique clue that she independently discovered with such a solemn attitude.

Outside the window, the long-brewing rain finally fell.First, sparse and heavy raindrops hit the leaves of the camphor tree, making a crackling sound, and soon became a dense raindrop, rushing against the glass windows.There was a slight commotion from other students in the reading area, and someone got up to close the window.

The sound of rain cut off the outside world, wrapping their world in an even quieter place.The light looked increasingly warm in the mist of water vapor.

Ling Xueqing picked up the pen again and added the words “local chronicle clue (leaf)” to the end of an originally blank branch on the tree diagram, and drew a circle behind it to show its importance.Her handwriting was still neat, but Ye Qiulan noticed that when she wrote the word “ye”, there seemed to be an extremely subtle pause on the tip of her pen.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and the sky was as dark as evening.The library’s closing announcement sounded in advance, reminding everyone to pay attention to the weather and leave the library as soon as possible.

The two began to pack their things.Ye Qiulan carefully put away the information and closed the notebook.Ling Xueqing also organized the folders properly.The rain curtain outside the window formed a vast expanse of white.

“It’s raining too much,” Ling Xueqing glanced out the window, then at Ye Qiulan’s thin shirt and canvas bag without an umbrella, “I brought an umbrella. I’ll take you to a place where you can shelter from the rain first.”

Ye Qiulan wanted to say that he could wait for the rain to lighten up, or use his bag to hold it up and run back, but seeing that Ling Xueqing had already held the umbrella in his hand (it was a large, dark blue straight-bone umbrella), he swallowed his words again.”…Thank you.”

They walked out of the reading area together.The library hall was crowded with students taking shelter from the rain, and the hum of conversation mixed with the noise of the rain.Ling Xueqing opened her umbrella and motioned for Ye Qiulan to come closer.

The space under the umbrella instantly becomes private.The sound of rain hitting the umbrella was deafening, and the splashing water vapor brought a cool feeling.Ye Qiulan stood next to Ling Xueqing, and could clearly feel the warmth coming from her arms through the thin shirt, and the scent of cedar that seemed clearer in the humid air, enveloped her densely.Her heartbeat accelerated involuntarily.

Ling Xueqing held an umbrella and protected Ye Qiulan as she walked into the rain.The rain was so fierce that a curtain of water quickly formed along the edge of the umbrella.Ling Xueqing tilted the umbrella slightly towards Ye Qiulan, and her other shoulder was quickly wet by the falling rain, and the dark blue cloth became darker.

They walked in silence, crossing the flagstones that had been washed by the rain and crossing the puddles of water.The rain made small splashes on the ground, wetting Ye Qiulan’s calves and the edges of his canvas shoes.But she didn’t feel the chill. She only felt that the small space under the umbrella was safe, warm, and full of the clear presence of the people around her.

Ling Xueqing stopped under a corridor with wide eaves.”This can lead to the dining hall and dormitory area, and there are rain shelters.” She put away her umbrella and shook off the water droplets on it.A large piece of her left shoulder was wet, and her shirt clung to her skin, outlining a clear shoulder line.

“…Your shoulders are wet.” Ye Qiulan looked at the dark water stains and felt tight.

“It’s okay.” Ling Xueqing brushed it carelessly with her hand, but the water stains did not fade much.She looked at Ye Qiulan, “If you go this way, you shouldn’t get wet.”

“Yes.” Ye Qiulan nodded, but stood still.The rain was pouring, and students occasionally ran past under the corridor.She looked at Ling Xueqing’s shoulders that were wet by the rain and her still calm face. The words “thank you” rolled in her throat, and what she finally said was: “Then… I will sort out the clues about the local chronicles as soon as possible.”

“Okay.” Ling Xueqing responded, his eyes lingering on her face, “There’s no rush. Be careful on the road.”

“…you too.”

Ling Xueqing nodded, opened the umbrella again, turned around and walked back into the rain.The dark blue figure quickly disappeared into the white rain curtain, and only the sound of steady footsteps was swallowed up by the sound of rain.

Ye Qiulan stood under the corridor, looking at the direction in which she disappeared, and did not move for a long time.The canvas bag on the shoulder was a little heavy, containing all the results of their afternoon discussion, as well as the local chronicle clues that Ling Xueqing solemnly marked with the word “ye”.The coolness brought by the rain gradually seeped in, but the warmth in my heart that was recognized and included in the joint plan persisted, pulsing slowly and clearly with the fading sound of rain.

The rain gradually became lighter, turning from pouring to pattering.The sky is still gloomy.She took a deep breath of the air that was scented with rain and vegetation, tightened the bag on her shoulders, and headed towards the dormitory area, walking into the shadow of the continuous corridor.