After Ding Dachui left, Chu Zhao continued studying the registers. The officials who had appeared at the Grand Tutor’s banquet were familiar to her from the daily court sessions and memorials, but she had never learned about them in detail.
She didn’t know where they came from, who was in their families, or where they lived in the capital.
Much less did she know the relationships between officials—classmates, relatives by marriage, or neighbors.
Looking at the register, Chu Zhao noted that among the officials who attended the banquet last night, two lived next door to each other, two reminisced about a shared teacher while toasting, and two sat opposite each other exchanging cold smiles and sarcasm, apparently due to a rift caused by their children’s failed marriage arrangement.
Ding Dachui’s surveillance had been hasty, and the information wasn’t detailed, but even so, she could learn about these officials through it.
She even found that one official kept dozens of dogs at home—
This seemingly refined official had quite an unusual hobby.
Surveillance was indeed a powerful tool, allowing her to understand the people in court rather than being completely controlled by the Grand Tutor.
She didn’t want to suspect Deng Yi like this, but Liang Qiang’s matter had made her extremely uneasy.
In that lifetime, Deng Yi had been Xiao Xun’s Grand Tutor.
In this lifetime, Deng Yi had originally chosen Xiao Xun as well, but she had acted first and used Xiao Yu to gain entry to the palace.
Who knew if Deng Yi might suddenly open the palace gates for Xiao Xun next?
Chu Zhao’s hand gripped the register tightly. It wasn’t that she minded Deng Yi’s past or that she doubted him; she just wanted to be prepared when facing future disagreements with him, so she wouldn’t be caught off guard like this time.
Yes, just that—
“Sister.”
Xiao Yu’s voice rang out.
Chu Zhao came back to her senses and saw Xiao Yu standing not far away, looking at her somewhat nervously.
“A-Yu, are your lessons over?” Chu Zhao quickly smiled.
Xiao Yu nodded: “I saw that Sister was busy—did I disturb you?”
Chu Zhao was about to beckon him over, but then glanced at the scattered registers on her desk. These matters of secret surveillance—
“A-Yu has been sitting in class for half the day.” she stood up and walked toward Xiao Yu. “I’ve also been busy for half the day. Let’s go to the training ground and practice archery.”
Xiao Yu nodded happily: “Good.” His gaze didn’t look at the desk at all.
…
…
Early summer was pleasant. As dusk settled lazily, the evening banquets were already becoming lively.
Fine wine, delicious food, and the melodious singing and dancing of courtesans filled the air. Sitting in the best private room of the Lotus Pond Pavilion, one could overlook the entire expanse of clear water.
The lotus flowers had not yet bloomed, with only green leaves dotting the water, but it was still a delightful sight.
Liang Qiang sat by the window, gazing thoughtfully at the water, until a young gentleman placed a hand on his shoulder.
“A-Qiang, what are you looking at?” After several cups of wine, the young man’s eyes already showed signs of intoxication as he looked out with Liang Qiang.
Liang Qiang smiled: “Looking at the pond. I haven’t seen such beautiful water for a long time.”
In Yunzhong Prefecture, even if there were ponds, a young master doing hard labor wouldn’t have the mood or opportunity to look at them, thought the young gentleman. But when one was in high spirits, there was no need to reopen old wounds. He patted Liang Qiang’s shoulder and smiled: “A-Qiang has always loved this pond. Back then, you even jumped in, causing the proprietor to throw us all out of the restaurant.”
This comment made all the young men in the room laugh, and Liang Qiang laughed too. Those carefree, youthful days of mischief.
“A-Qiang, jump in now,” someone shouted. “The proprietor wouldn’t dare throw us out this time.”
Others immediately joined in: “That’s right, A-Qiang is now a Guerrilla General.” “A Guerrilla General who has had an audience with His Majesty.” “A guest of the Grand Tutor.”
Even the waiters who came in to serve wine and dishes smiled when they heard this.
“If General Liang is in the mood, we’ll prepare clean clothes for you,” they smiled.
Hearing the flattery throughout the room, Liang Qiang didn’t jump into the pool to wash off the dust, but he didn’t reject the compliments and flattery either. He raised his wine cup.
“Come on, let’s be fair. I shouldn’t be the only one enjoying this. Let’s see who gets too drunk to stand, and we’ll throw them into the pool.”
The private room instantly became even more boisterous, with everyone pouring drinks for each other. Wine flowed in like water. Liang Qiang didn’t know how much he had drunk. He seemed drunk, yet somehow still lucid. It was as if he had returned to those proud days of his youth, but now his promotion and honors made him even prouder. He seemed to be laughing heartily, yet also felt nothing at all.
The merriment in this room was because of him, yet sitting there, he felt detached. He stood up, swaying as he walked toward the door.
“Where are you going, A-Qiang?”
“To the washroom? Let us attend to you. No, I’ll personally attend to Young Master A-Qiang.”
Amid the chaotic shouts from the room, Liang Qiang ignored them all and walked out.
Outside the door stood more than a dozen guards, their cold demeanor indeed separating this area into a different world.
A few young men staggered out from inside.
“A-Qiang, we’ll accompany you—” they said, then looked up and saw the stern guards. They stopped, laughed awkwardly, and said, “A-Qiang is a general now, with so many guards. You don’t need us to accompany you.”
Liang Qiang smiled at them and nodded calmly: “I don’t need you. Go back and drink.”
The young men watched as Liang Qiang walked slowly outward, with a guard following behind him.
“A-Qiang is indeed different from before.”
“He has killed many people. Have you noticed? Even when A-Qiang smiles, it’s frightening.”
“I’ve decided to ask my father to double the gift for the Liang family.”
The men whispered among themselves, watching Liang Qiang turn the corner and disappear down the corridor. Then they looked at the guards standing outside the door, feeling a surge of bloodthirsty energy, and quickly retreated inside.
Liang Qiang didn’t go to the washroom. After turning the corner, he stopped at a pavilion platform and leaned against the railing, gazing at the water. This was also a good place to enjoy the scenery.
The guard stood behind him, silent as stone or wood, neither asking nor speaking.
“Is there a requirement for my return date?” Liang Qiang suddenly asked.
The guard said: “No, General may do as you please.”
Liang Qiang turned to look at him and said: “These past few days, I’ve attended many banquets. Those who promote me, those who court me—they’ve all appeared. But there’s one person I haven’t seen, which is truly regrettable. I wonder if I might meet him?”
He had thought that coming to the capital would allow him to meet the person behind all this, but until now, that person had not appeared.
The guard looked at him and said: “When it’s time to meet, you’ll meet.”
When is it time to meet? What does that mean? Never mind. He had come to the capital. If that person wanted to see him, they certainly could. If not, then they simply didn’t want to or couldn’t be bothered. Liang Qiang smiled self-mockingly. He was just a tool, after all, who might die at any moment, not worth meeting.
He was about to turn around when a waiter hurried down the opposite corridor, holding a cup of wine, calling from a distance, “General Liang, please wait.”
Liang Qiang looked over. The waiter approached, smiling: “General Liang, a guest would like to offer you a cup of wine.”
A toast?
Liang Qiang frowned.
He was now the talk of the capital, not because of his military achievements, but because he contended with the Xie family for recognition, the Grand Tutor’s support, and even the Empress arguing with the Grand Tutor over him, causing a sensation throughout the city—everyone wanted to get to know him.
“If it’s a toast,” Liang Qiang said coldly, “what kind of toast is it if the person doesn’t come?”
He, Liang Qiang, wasn’t someone just anyone could toast. Having said this, he turned to leave.
“General,” the waiter hurriedly blocked his way, flattering him: “This wine isn’t from our establishment. It was personally brewed by that person. He doesn’t dare come in person for fear of disturbing the General’s drinking pleasure. The fine wine might not taste so fine anymore.”
Who was this strange person? Liang Qiang frowned.
The waiter didn’t wait for him to ask but pointed across, “That guest over there.”
That one? Liang Qiang instinctively looked in the direction indicated, across the railing, across the emerald-green pool water of the central hall, to the opposite side.
A young man in blue clothes sat by the window, one hand on the window frame, the other holding a wine cup. Just as Liang Qiang looked over, he also turned his head, smiled slightly, and raised his cup.
The entire pond seemed stirred by a breeze, its green waves rippling.
Liang Qiang’s expression was surprised, and he blurted out: “Third Young Master Xie?!”
…
…
For many young men, becoming someone like the Third Young Master Xie was a dream.
Liang Qiang was no exception. From the moment he learned of the Third Young Master of Dongyang, he had admired this young gentleman.
Unfortunately, Xie Yanfang had always been in Dongyang, so the young men of the capital could only hear of his name but never see him in person.
Liang Qiang was luckier than others. Because of the Crown Prince, the Xie and Liang families were to discuss a marriage alliance, and he had a chance to become brothers with the Third Young Master Xie—
Of course, before his delight could peak, the fate of the Liang family suddenly reversed because of this matter.
First came the refusal of the marriage, then harsh words, followed by retaliation—though perhaps it couldn’t be called retaliation, just a casual sweeping away of unnecessary people, confiscating some property, clearing some space.
With a light flick of a finger, the graceful young master had toppled the Liang family, which had enjoyed prosperity in the capital for three generations.
Now, though he had exchanged his life for a chance at redemption, he knew he was no match for Xie Yanfang. If not for the Grand Tutor’s strong support and the Xie family’s concern for their reputation, he might not be standing here now.
Of course, he had no intention of opposing Xie Yanfang—at least not now.
He knew his limitations, so he didn’t mention the Xie family at all and avoided their residence.
Unexpectedly, Xie Yanfang had appeared before him and even offered him a toast.
What was this about? What did it mean?
Liang Qiang felt like he was stepping onto the battlefield for the first time—shocked, at a loss, panicked. If the friends in the private room could see him now, they would surely say that General Liang had none of a general’s bearing.
The young man across the way drained his cup in one gulp, made a gesture of emptying the cup, and then smiled.
“General Liang,” the waiter’s voice sounded in Liang Qiang’s ear, “please.”
Liang Qiang didn’t look at the waiter but instinctively glanced at the guard beside him. The guard’s expression was wooden, as if he saw nothing.
Liang Qiang looked at the wine cup presented before him, reached out to take it, and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy sweetness rolled down his throat, making his whole body feel as if it were burning. He exhaled deeply, then looked across again—
The window opposite was closed.
It was as if that young gentleman had never appeared.
Liang Qiang looked at the empty cup, the lingering wine fragrance in his mouth. Had he been seeing things?
“Who did you say gave me this wine?” he couldn’t help asking the waiter again.
The waiter smiled: “The Third Young Master Xie.” As if afraid Liang Qiang didn’t understand, he added, “The Xie family of Dongyang, His Majesty’s uncle, Vice Censor-in-Chief Xie Yanfang.”
As this string of titles rang in his ears, Liang Qiang realized he hadn’t been seeing things. He took a deep breath and asked again: “Why did the Third Young Master Xie—”
“This is a restaurant, after all,” the waiter smiled, taking back the cup and picking up where Liang Qiang left off. “Just as Young Master Liang can come here for a feast, Third Young Master Xie can also come here to entertain.”
With that, he left with the cup.
Liang Qiang stared at his empty hand, then glanced at the tightly closed window opposite. This—
He didn’t know what he was thinking, or what he should be thinking. He even had a strange notion, but how could that be possible?
His gaze inevitably turned to the guard.
The guard looked at him and said: “General, you’ve had your drink. Let’s go back.”
Liang Qiang stared at the guard for a moment, about to say something, but finally opened and closed his mouth without speaking. He slowly walked back. Outside the private room, several young men were poking their heads out, seemingly looking for him. When they saw him, they called out happily.
“Why were you gone so long?” “A-Qiang, did you fall into the latrine?” “You didn’t even drink that much.”
Liang Qiang ignored their teasing and walked past them into the hall.
The young men exchanged glances. “Why does he look so lost?” “Could he have seen some beauty?” They chuckled as they also went in, closing the door, separating the inside from the outside.
…
…
The door of the private room was gently pulled open. Steward Cai entered, followed by a man wearing a flowered robe.
“Young Master,” Steward Cai said, “he’s here.”
Sitting by the window, playing with a wine cup in his hand, Xie Yanfang nodded, put down the cup, and looked at the man who had entered.
Without raising his head, the man immediately knelt: “Qi Bo pays respects to the Third Young Master.”
Xie Yanfang said: “Don’t you have a Great Xia name?”
The man hurriedly said: “Yu Shang pays respects to the Third Young Master.”
Xie Yanfang smiled: “Have you finished all your trading?”
The man raised his head, his expression respectful and grateful: “All the grain has been sold. Thank you, Young Master.”
Xie Yanfang said to Steward Cai: “Go fetch some good wine to welcome Yu Shang.”
Steward Cai looked at the empty wine pot in front of him and scolded gently: “Young Master, you’ve finished what we brought. You’re not allowed to drink anymore.”
With that, he pulled open the door and walked out, hearing Xie Yanfang laugh behind him, telling Yu Shang, “I’m good at everything except holding my liquor.”
Steward Cai smiled as he closed the door, separating the inside from the outside.