As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like drawing silk thread. Prince Shao’s chronic headache ailment had been lingering and recurring, like a dull knife cutting flesh, tormenting him until he was emaciated and nearly died on his sickbed. However, since courier Huo Qi Lang arrived carrying the carp letter, his condition seemed to improve gradually like snow melting in spring.
Perhaps because he slept peacefully every night, the vital energy depleted by his headache torment could accumulate, and his appetite improved accordingly. Peaceful sleep nourished his spirit, and proper diet nourished his body – his overall complexion improved.
Gradually, Li Yuanying could temporarily leave his sickbed to sit at a desk reading or writing a few characters. Occasionally, when his headaches weren’t so severe, he could even put on a cloak and stand in the courtyard for a while. Though he hadn’t recovered his former vigor, it relieved those who cared about him from constant anxiety.
When medicine proved ineffective, Prince Shao’s condition could still forcibly reverse course. People secretly speculated that either Princess Wanshou’s miraculous survival had transmitted good fortune to her brother through the carp letter, or the hardy wandering knight Huo Qi had blocked invisible evil spirits for him. Countless people placed high hopes on him, secretly believing that in the mysterious workings of fate, heavenly mandate and fortune were beyond words.
On this day, the household steward received a visiting card from Military Governor Liu Kun and personally delivered it to Li Yuanying – it was an invitation to the annual martial demonstration.
Youzhou Garrison was located at the northernmost edge of the Great Tang territory, bordering Khitan and Xi lands. Not only did it need to guard against the other two Hebei garrisons, but it also had to defend against warlike nomadic tribes, bearing the responsibility of frontier defense. The military governor held a grand event every year to display military might and stabilize foreign relations.
Since the supplementary stipend was sent from Chang’an, everyone knew the emperor’s changed attitude toward Prince Shao. Therefore, even knowing Li Yuanying was still ill, Liu Kun respectfully sent an invitation, hoping he would attend as a Tang imperial prince rather than as a subordinate of the Youzhou prefect.
Madam Li worried: “When you first arrived in Youzhou last year, you were in good health and participated once. You shouldn’t go this year.”
However, household steward Li Chengyin said: “If prefects from various states cannot attend due to military duties, they all send deputies. If the Great King is not seen, it might arouse suspicion.”
Huo Qi interjected from the side: “Is the martial demonstration one of those occasions where various armies send some skilled elite soldiers to compete? I could disguise myself as the Great King and participate.”
Everyone focused their gaze on her as she spoke spiritedly: “Military formation archery is not my forte – I can’t match Jiu Niang’s unfailing arrows – but drawing a three or five-stone bow, or wrestling and flag contests are no problem. I’d definitely win the championship for the Great King, bringing fame to Youzhou and intimidating foreign tribes.”
Everyone looked at each other, and Yuan Shaobo directly ordered: “Shut up first.”
Huo Qi was startled: “What? Doesn’t the Great King want to attend?”
Li Yuanying said calmly: “First, I participated in polo last year and was then banned from competition. Second, I’m not skilled in military arts – my role is just to sit nearby as a symbolic ornament representing the court. If you made a move, people would immediately see something amiss.”
Huo Qi Lang was astonished. Household steward Li Chengyin said with a face full of pride: “Last year the Great King rode Jade Bridle Stallion, leading Yuwen Rang and others against the Khitan polo team – five against ten, achieving great victory despite being outnumbered. The foreign tribes thought polo was a skill Tang princes were naturally good at, so this year they simply refused to compete. The Khitan Khan wanted to trade eight hundred horses for it, but the Great King flatly refused.”
Huo Qi Lang was completely puzzled: “Did that barbarian chief want to marry the Great King? But doesn’t marriage alliance usually involve sending princesses over?”
Yuan Shaobo’s face turned slightly green: “He wanted to trade eight hundred horses for Jade Bridle Stallion.”
Huo Qi Lang suddenly understood: “Oh oh oh! Cough, I thought… if I really had eight hundred horses…”
Li Yuanying slowly closed his eyes and sighed almost imperceptibly.
Huo Qi Lang smiled awkwardly for a while, steadied herself, and glanced at Li Yuanying. When he was bedridden during his illness, always lying or reclining, he gave the illusion of being frail and fragile. Now that he could temporarily leave his sickbed, she could see his tall, imposing stature – he was one of the rare men who could meet her gaze at eye level when standing. Polo was a dangerous and intense competitive sport. His ability to defeat skilled nomadic horsemen in this event showed his exceptional skill.
Huo Qi Lang couldn’t help imagining Li Yuanying’s invincible appearance galloping across the polo field before his illness – compared to his current gaunt, sickly appearance, it would be another kind of beauty.
She asked again: “Jiu Niang’s archery skills are miraculous – doesn’t the Great King like them?”
Everyone remained silent. Li Yuanying said calmly: “As an imperial prince, being skilled in military arts creates a somewhat displeasing sense of threat to the Son of Heaven. Therefore, it’s best not to be proficient or enthusiastic about them. Cockfighting, polo, music and dance – such frivolous noble pursuits are safe activities. As a princess, Bao Zhu is further from the center of power and can freely choose her own interests.”
Huo Qi thought these people, despite having boundless wealth and status, couldn’t even play to their heart’s content and had to constantly consider the emperor’s thoughts – how utterly boring. She said regretfully: “Then disguising myself as the Great King would just mean riding a fine horse for show, then sitting there in a daze.”
Li Yuanying stared at her for a moment, then said coldly to the others: “Even if the appearance were similar, her words and actions would be full of flaws – it would be difficult for her to take my place.” He then sternly warned Huo Qi Lang: “Don’t you dare think about Jade Bridle Stallion.”
Due to her absurd and reckless statements and unreliable behavior, Yuan Shaobo, Li Chengyin and other retainers immediately agreed: “We also think so. This is a diplomatic activity – having a substitute go would be too risky.”
Madam Li insisted: “The weather has turned cold. Sitting in the open air in cold wind for so long is very inappropriate. Security comes before success – you’ve finally shown signs of improvement. If you catch cold again and damage your foundation, it would be a terrible loss.”
Li Yuanying pondered for a moment, then told the steward: “Reply that I won’t participate in the martial demonstration, but will only attend the post-competition banquet.”
The matter was thus decided, and Huo Qi Lang’s disguise plan was once again excluded.
Feeling bored, after her shift ended she specifically ran to the royal mansion’s stables. In the large private stall belonging to Jade Bridle Stallion, she saw the top-tier famous horse that even the Khan desired. It was a stallion with blue-white coloring, beautiful and well-proportioned build, solid muscle and bone structure. Its four slender long legs moved with light steps, carrying quiet dignity mixed with some pride – its temperament resembled its master.
Huo Qi Lang rested her arms on the fence, watching the beautiful Jade Bridle Stallion proudly raise its neck while a dedicated servant braided its mane. She thought boredly: The person can be ridden, but the horse can’t be – it seems the nickname “heir” isn’t wrong. This is indeed Li Yuanying’s most precious possession.
The martial demonstration wouldn’t be held for another seven or eight days – no rush. Huo Qi Lang finally welcomed her first rest day. After her shift ended, she excitedly returned to the quarters, took off her royal mansion guard robe, and changed into her own short, fitted outfit, planning to go out and have fun for a whole day.
However, she saw her colleague Yuwen Rang also changed into civilian clothes, positioning himself beside her with expectant light flashing in his eyes.
Huo Qi Lang asked puzzledly: “Do you need something?”
Yuwen Rang said cheerfully: “What a coincidence – I’m also on leave today.”
Huo Qi Lang frowned slightly and asked: “You wouldn’t want to accompany me, would you?”
Yuwen Rang smiled: “The Great King runs a strict household. Since following him to Youzhou, I’ve rarely had opportunities to go out. Today I’m fortunate to travel with a martial world hero – I’d also like to see the world.”
Huo Qi Lang snorted: “I’ve always traveled alone – I’m not used to partnering with people.”
Yuwen Rang restrained his playful expression and said half-smiling: “You’re a straightforward person, so I won’t beat around the bush. Your leave is linked to mine. If I don’t accompany you, you probably can’t step out of the royal mansion gates.”
Huo Qi Lang’s face darkened as she sneered: “If I want to leave, what difficulty is there in climbing walls? As long as you can keep up, feel free to chase.”
Yuwen Rang said unhurriedly: “Brother, don’t be hasty – let me explain clearly. This is an order from superiors, who worry you might drink too much and say inappropriate things. They specially sent me to look after you. You can go wherever you want to enjoy yourself – I’m just a small attendant who definitely won’t spoil your mood.”
Huo Qi Lang felt extremely displeased and was about to beat him down when she saw Yuwen Rang open a box and take out four bolts of white silk, saying frankly: “As long as you take me along, today’s expenses will all be covered by the inner treasury – charged to the mansion’s official account.”
Seeing the pure white silk cloth, Huo Qi Lang’s irritated mood immediately calmed. She crossed her arms and studied Yuwen Rang for a moment, thinking this fellow was quite handsome and proper-looking – taking him out wouldn’t be embarrassing.
She’d never partnered with anyone before because her fellow disciples were either annoying or poor kids, or practitioners of the Ruthless Way. Since today there was a wealthy patron covering expenses, this allowance was free money if not spent.
Being naturally carefree and never thinking deeply about anything, she immediately changed her tune with a smile: “Sounds good, sounds good. Share drinks when drunk, share money when available.”
Yuwen Rang then packed the silk cloth into a large bag to carry. The two left the royal mansion together without riding horses, strolling around the residential wards.
Youzhou was a northern military stronghold. Though trade flourished, entertainment activities were far less rich and colorful than Chang’an. Huo Qi Lang first found a fruit shop in an alley, went in and chatted with the female shopkeeper for a long time, making her beam with joy and delight, and received two small paper packets of raisins as gifts.
Huo Qi Lang came out clutching the gifts and tossed one packet to Yuwen Rang: “I found out – come on, let’s go to Tanzhou Street.”
Like Chang’an, Youzhou city used the ward system, divided into twenty-six enclosed wards as residential areas. Ward gates opened at dawn and closed at night, while trade activities concentrated in the northern market. Chang’an had Eastern and Western markets; Youzhou had the Northern Market. The Northern Market section of Tanzhou Street was the most prosperous and bustling commercial district.
Seeing the orderly rows of merchant houses and shops with goods from all corners of the world, both felt as if they’d returned to the capital, their hearts filled with joy.
Yuwen Rang came from a wealthy Chang’an family. Being both clever and worldly, he was trusted by his superior and ordered to accompany Huo Qi. On one hand, as stated, they worried she might speak inappropriately after drinking and cause trouble. On the other hand, this wandering knight hadn’t completely gained Prince Shao’s trust. His mission was like a military supervisor monitoring a regional military governor – to secretly investigate whether she had any treasonous contact with enemies.
Huo Qi Lang was always broad-minded. Since someone was paying, she was completely unpolite, directly leading Yuwen Rang into a luxurious tavern. In a second-floor private booth, she ordered a table of fine food and wine and began drinking heartily.
After leaving her master, she made a living taking jobs – serving as temporary bodyguard or escort, or acting as matchmaker for men and women. She did all kinds of work. When she earned money, she’d engage in cockfighting and dog racing, gambling and heavy drinking until she’d squandered everything, then take on more jobs penniless. Her days passed freely and happily – she’d never stayed anywhere as long as Prince Shao’s mansion.
Today, finally having one day off, she’d long planned how to eat, drink and make merry. Yuwen Rang watched her drink like pouring water and thought no wonder superiors sent someone along – he’d probably not only have to pay but also carry her back drunk.
As time approached noon, more and more customers filled the tavern. Nobles, generals, and Hu and Han merchants from various tribes spared no expense in the wine shops for social and business purposes. Huo Qi Lang sat on the second floor drinking and chatting with her companion when she suddenly saw a group of wealthy merchant-dressed customers enter. Among them was a middle-aged man with a round white face and full beard who looked somewhat familiar – she couldn’t remember where she’d seen him.
Being a disguise expert, she immediately saw through the thick fake beard. However, in this era both men and women loved beauty, and wealthy people went to great lengths to modify their appearance. Besides investing in clothing, wearing wigs and dyeing beards was common, so she didn’t take it to heart.
Seeing the seats seventy percent full, the tavern owner had musicians play current popular tunes and called out a group of beautiful Silla slave girls to dance in the center of the main hall. These women brought by Silla traders could sing and dance well. All attention in the venue was drawn to them, and Huo Qi Lang immediately forgot about the bearded man.
Author’s Note:
This isn’t a brothel! It’s roughly equivalent to a bar or restaurant with band and girl group performances.