In the Hongtai Hall, under the light of massive candles, Yin Shilin distributed the winter imperial examination questions he had composed to the ministers of the Inner Court. Pei Yan carefully reviewed them and praised them, “Scholar Yin’s questions are truly proper and rigorous, covering all aspects.”
Dong Fang also commended them, then turned to Tao Xingde and said, “Minister Tao, ah no, Scholar Tao, what do you think?”
Tao Xingde, who was no longer serving as the Right Chancellor but had entered the Inner Court as a Grand Scholar, seemed somewhat distracted. He responded with a startled “Ah” and hastily nodded, “Good, good.”
Dong Fang said, “Since everyone has no objections, I’ll submit these questions to His Majesty for royal approval.”
Prince Jing stood up, smiling, “Now that it’s settled, I’ll take my leave. The Flower of Jinshi Li is waiting for me at the Changyin Pavilion.”
Everyone knew of his refined tastes and his fondness for associating with scholars and artists. This Flower of Jinshi Li was a renowned talent he had been keen on befriending lately. They all said, “Please go ahead, Your Highness. We should be heading back as well.”
As the ministers left the hall, Dong Fang reorganized the memorial once more. Just as he was about to go to the Yanhui Hall, he noticed Tao Xingde still sitting in his chair, looking dazed. He approached and tapped Tao Xingde’s left shoulder, “Scholar Tao!”
Tao Xingde jumped up suddenly, his face pale. Dong Fang asked in surprise, “Scholar Tao, are you ill? You look terrible.”
That night, an unexpected incident occurred. Prince Jing and a group of scholars and artists were drinking by the stove, composing poetry and painting at the Changyin Pavilion by the Xiao River. They had also called for some singing girls to accompany them, playing instruments and singing, creating quite a refined atmosphere.
Among the singing girls at the Changyin Pavilion was one called “Little Water Fairy,” who was exceptionally beautiful and skilled at playing the pipa, making her a favorite among guests.
Unexpectedly, Pan Hui, a military officer from Marquis Su Hai’s army, came to the Changyin Pavilion with his brothers to enjoy their leave. These military men were used to having their way and specifically requested “Little Water Fairy” to accompany them. Upon hearing that she was already with a group of scholars, they headed straight to the third floor of the Changyin Pavilion without hesitation.
The scholars, relying on Prince Jing’s presence, naturally refused to yield. Both sides began hurling insults, with one side using crude language and the other more subtle barbs. Prince Jing, who preferred to travel incognito, had only brought a few attendants and found it inappropriate to intervene directly or reveal his identity in time.
Pan Hui, known for his hot temper, grew increasingly angry as the verbal sparring continued. Eventually, he resorted to violence. The third floor of the Changyin Pavilion was left in shambles, with several scholars injured. In the chaos, Prince Jing was pushed out of a window and fell into the Xiao River outside the pavilion.
Fortunately, it was the dead of winter, and the river’s surface had a thin layer of ice. Prince Jing survived but broke his left leg in the fall.
The next morning at court, a Censorate official reported that Marquis Su Hai had failed to maintain discipline in his troops, allowing his subordinates to frequent brothels and even injure Prince Jing. The Emperor was furious, and Marquis Su Hai prostrated himself before the throne to beg for forgiveness. However, as the recent conflicts had just ended, the Emperor, after consulting with the Inner Court, ordered Marquis Su Hai to withdraw his 30,000 troops to the Jinshi Pass garrison in the capital region, with plans to further withdraw them to Cangping Prefecture after the New Year.
As Prince Jing’s leg injury was severe and he was bedridden, the Emperor ordered him to rest at home and excused him from attending court sessions and preparing for the Winter Solstice imperial ancestral worship ceremony.
Just as Prince Jing was injured, a eunuch in the palace contracted chickenpox. The Emperor ordered the Imperial Hospital to urgently prepare remedies and isolate the infected group. Despite all precautions, the Crown Prince developed a high fever one day, with blisters appearing on his body.
The Emperor grew anxious and personally visited the Crown Prince’s residence. Perhaps due to the Emperor’s grand benevolence, the Crown Prince’s chickenpox began to scab over after a few days. To prevent scarring, the Chief Physician Zhang of the Imperial Hospital advised the Crown Prince to avoid drafts until he was fully recovered. Thus, when the Crown Prince was well enough to attend court, he wore thick cloaks and veils, becoming an unusual sight in the imperial court.
As Beijing faced one crisis after another, news arrived from Minzhou that Marquis Zhen Bei, Pei Zifang, had been injured after falling into a ravine.
Pei Zifang, on a mission to Liangzhou by imperial decree, encountered a sudden snowstorm while passing through Lianchi Ravine in Minzhou. His horse lost its footing, and he fell into the deep ravine. Fortunately, Pei Zifang’s martial skills were exceptional. He managed to grab onto icy boulders along the cliff face, sliding several zhang before avoiding a fatal fall. He was eventually rescued by his attendants but was severely injured and unable to walk. After resting for two days in Zhengyuan County, he resumed his journey, but due to his leg injury, he had to travel by sedan chair, naturally slowing his progress.
When news of Pei Zifang’s injury reached the Wang Manor, Pei Yan had just returned from the palace and went straight to the Butterfly Garden. Lady Pei smiled as she handed him the confidential report. After reading it, Pei Yan smiled and said, “Uncle’s situation is under control, and I’ve made all the arrangements on my end.”
“Good,” Lady Pei replied softly as she returned to her desk and began writing unhurriedly. When she finished, she said, “Young Lord, come take a look.”
Pei Yan approached the desk and read aloud, “Flying flowers dance like swords towards the sky, transforming into cloud dragons soaring to the heavens.” He then praised, “Mother, your calligraphy is beyond my reach.”
Mother and son exchanged smiles. Lady Pei put down her brush and said, “You can go with peace of mind. I’ll hold down the fort in Beijing. If the situation becomes dire, don’t worry about me.”
“Mother!” Pei Yan called out.
Lady Pei gazed at the gloomy sky outside the window and spoke slowly, “Throughout history, those who achieve great things must always make sacrifices. Just remember to be decisive, adapt to changing circumstances, and once you make your move, be ruthless and unwavering!”
“Yes,” Pei Yan clasped his hands and replied solemnly, “I will heed your teachings, Mother.”
Lady Pei smiled faintly and took another letter from the desk. Pei Yan opened it and read carefully, exclaiming in surprise, “So this Master Ye is actually from the Qingliu faction?”
“Yes, the Qingliu faction has always been an influential force in our dynasty, though they’ve had little involvement with the martial arts world. However, forty years ago, the pillar of the Qingliu faction at the time, Grand Scholar of the Inner Court Hua Xiang, gained the support of the ‘Heavenly Sound Pavilion.’ The Qingliu faction and the ‘Heavenly Sound Pavilion’ made an agreement that every ten years, the ‘Heavenly Sound Pavilion’ would send twenty disciples with outstanding martial arts skills to secretly serve as guardians for the Qingliu faction. This matter was highly confidential. I only recalled it because I found Master Ye’s background mysterious, so I sent a message to your grand-uncle asking him to investigate discreetly, which is how we uncovered this information.”
Pei Yan smiled and asked, “How is Grand-uncle doing?”
Lady Pei glared at him, “The Southern Hermit had retired from the martial arts world and was living peacefully. Last year, you dragged him out to preside over the martial arts conference, and this year I’ve pulled him out to investigate the ‘Moon-Embracing Tower.’ How do you think he’s doing?”
Suddenly, Pei Yan remembered something and exclaimed, “So it was them!”
“Who?”
“Last year, during the incident at the embassy, when I took Ziming to examine the bodies, we were attacked by martial arts experts with impressive skills. I’ve been wondering what faction in the capital had such powerful martial artists. Now I realize it must have been Master Ye’s people. It seems the ‘Moon-Embracing Tower’ has always been used by the late Empress’s faction for gathering intelligence.”
“Indeed. They follow the orders of the ‘Heavenly Sound Pavilion’ to assist the Qingliu faction, so naturally, they protect the Crown Prince born to the late Empress. If you face Master Ye in combat, you must not underestimate him.”
“I understand, Mother.”
After several days of snow, the vegetables they had bought were used up. Jiang Ci had no choice but to dress in men’s clothing and smear her face with ash from the stove. As she stood up, she felt another wave of discomfort in her stomach. After a bout of dry heaving, she suddenly raised her head, shocked at first, then overwhelmed with joy.
She took her pulse but still couldn’t be certain. She changed back into women’s clothing, applied a small black mole to her face, put on a cloak, picked up a bamboo basket, and left the small courtyard.
The streets after the heavy snow were extremely difficult to navigate. Jiang Ci walked carefully, turning into a medical clinic.
“Congratulations, it’s a slippery pulse.”
Jiang Ci left the clinic, looking up at the cold, gray sky, unable to suppress a smile. Finally, they would no longer be just two lonely cats.
However, that night, Wei Zhao didn’t come. Nor did he come for several nights after.
Jiang Ci’s symptoms became more apparent. She longed to see him, to tell him this news that would surely delight him, but for several days in a row, he didn’t come to the small courtyard.
She went out to buy vegetables several times, slipping into teahouses and listening to the idle chatter of the common people. Hearing that all was quiet in the capital and that both the Prince of Loyalty and Filial Piety and the First-Class Duke of Loyalty and Bravery still enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, she finally felt at ease.
As the evening lamps were lit, Cui Liang walked slowly through the snow-covered East Market. Even knowing the chances were slim, he still found himself looking around instinctively.
It had been over three years. He thought he could forget, but when he saw that flash of goose yellow that night, he realized some things could never truly be let go.
But what good was holding on? He was about to leave the capital to travel the four seas and explore the world. Hadn’t he promised her he would write a travelogue for her to read?
Judging from her clothing and manner of speech, she was a young lady from a noble family – dignified yet serene, but with the playfulness and cleverness of an ordinary girl. Her long hair always caught his attention, distracting him when he wrote poetry. She would then gently point out the flaws in his work caused by his wandering mind with her soft-spoken words.
When she calmly and gracefully said she could no longer come to the East Market, he finally understood that he and she were like two clouds in the sky, meeting briefly and parting just as gently.
Someone rushed past him, causing Cui Liang to stumble. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly as he discreetly slipped the paper ball the person had pressed into his hand into his sleeve.
Cui Liang browsed the East Market for a while before entering a teahouse on the street. A waiter enthusiastically led him to a private room on the second floor, and soon his relaxed figure appeared in the window facing the street.
After a while, Cui Liang stood up and disappeared from the window. Several men crouching on the street below were startled and were about to enter the teahouse when they saw his silhouette reappear at the window, so they squatted back down.
Cui Liang had switched clothes with Yi Wu, letting him sit by the window while he quickly slipped out through the teahouse’s back door. A carriage was waiting for him there. Cui Liang quickly got in, and the driver urged the horse forward. The carriage made several turns within the city before stopping in a deep alley.
Cui Liang alighted, and the driver drove the carriage away. As Cui Liang looked around, unsure of his location, he suddenly felt a tightness around his waist. A rope flew through the air, wrapping around his waist and lifting him into the air. Someone caught him and began sprinting across rooftops in the darkness, darting east and west before gently landing in a courtyard.
Feeling dizzy from being carried on the person’s shoulder during the swift journey, Cui Liang quickly said as they landed, “Brother Xiao, please put me down.”
Wei Zhao smiled as he set him down and cupped his hands in greeting, “Ziming, I apologize for the rough treatment.”
Cui Liang straightened his clothes and looked around, asking, “Where are we?”