The sixth year of Qinghua was a year of great joy for the Qi family of Jiangzuo, for the Left Prime Minister’s second son had been personally selected by the imperial brush as the second place scholar in that year’s spring examinations, marking the beginning of Jiangzuo’s literary achievements.

What manner of household was the Qi family? With such joyous news, they naturally had to celebrate grandly. At the end of March, when the spring flowers had not yet fully faded, the main Qi family opened their mansion gates and held a grand banquet on a spring evening for numerous guests.

The four great families maintained close relations with one another, so naturally Shen Qian, the head of the Shen family, was among those invited. Though he had never been enthusiastic about socializing, the matter of the Qi family’s second son placing as second scholar was indeed momentous, and he could not afford to slight Qi Zhang’s face, so he made time to attend the banquet.

At the banquet, wine cups were raised in toasts, and guests moved about exchanging drinks, yet Shen Qian remained somewhat aloof, holding a tea cup and drinking alone on the elevated corridor bridge, not engaging in conversation with others.

He had drunk alcohol in his earlier years, but no longer touched it. After tonight’s banquet ended, he still had to return to his small courtyard to see his beloved wife and child. His daughter Wenwen had just passed her fifth birthday and would be asking him for a birthday gift.

At the thought of his wife and daughter, Shen Qian’s expression softened considerably. He looked up at the moon to estimate the time, feeling that this banquet was particularly difficult to endure.

At that moment, laughter came from the other end of the corridor bridge: “How can Changxuan be so lazy, stealing away alone to this place?”

Shen Qian turned upon hearing this and saw that the newcomer was Han Shousong, the head of the Han family. He smiled and called him “Elder Brother,” and when the other approached, added: “Changxuan is not good at socializing, so I can only temporarily avoid here—what brings Elder Brother to this place?”

Han Shousong laughed upon hearing this: “Today’s main character isn’t us anyway, so why must we muddy the waters? It’s good to avoid, good to avoid.”

Shen Qian smiled in agreement.

The two heads of great families conversed together on the corridor bridge. People passing below occasionally caught glimpses of their figures and naturally wanted to approach and flatter them, but just then the Left Prime Minister arrived, accompanied by his remarkable second son.

The fourteen-year-old second young master Qi still had the appearance of a youth, yet his expression had already shed its childishness. Even while surrounded by crowds, he remained calm and modest, showing no trace of arrogance or conceit, which was truly admirable.

Standing on the corridor bridge, Shen Qian watched this young man from afar, feeling somewhat moved.

He knew of this second young master of the Qi family—possessing dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like grace, with the wisdom of a celestial being. It was only unfortunate that he was born in today’s Jiangzuo, and particularly into a flourishing great family. With the great tide being irreversible, he feared that in the future this youth would ultimately be trapped in the mire, like himself at this moment, constantly walking on thin ice with no way to escape.

Shen Qian took another sip of tea, his gaze toward the youth concealing a sigh as he lowered his eyes.

Just then, another commotion arose: the young master of the Han family, Han Feichi, jumped out from somewhere and was making a fuss below, saying he wanted to compete with the second young master Qi and have everyone present witness it.

Both young masters had gained fame in their childhood and were called prodigies. Such excitement naturally drew laughter from the guests, with continuous applause and cheering—it was truly lively.

Han Shousong on the corridor bridge had originally appeared lazy and leisurely, but upon seeing that it was his own son causing trouble in public, he immediately stood in shock, straightening up at once, his face full of embarrassment and shame. He explained to Shen Qian: “Ah, this… Zhongheng, this child, truly so competitive yet lacking in social understanding. How can he stir up such trouble today? This, this, this…”

Seeing Han Shousong’s such distress, Shen Qian naturally offered him a way out, consoling him: “Zhongheng is young, this is just childish speaking without restraint, mere play among children. Elder Brother need not take it too much to heart.”

Though Shen Qian spoke these comforting words sincerely, for Han Shousong they provided little real comfort. He forced himself to remain on the corridor bridge for a while longer, but before long couldn’t help but run back to the banquet, wanting to restrain his son whose blood had rushed to his head.

But how could youthful spirit be easily restrained? By the time Han Shousong returned to the banquet, his youngest son had already spoken much nonsense, the Qi family’s second young master had already agreed to compete in recitation with him, and even the book to be recited had been chosen by Han Feichi—it was that obscure and difficult History of Qin.

Shen Qian watched helplessly as Han Shousong frantically paced at the banquet, becoming even more embarrassed after seeing his son defeat the second young master Qi, repeatedly apologizing to Qi Zhang. The Left Prime Minister waved his hand dismissively on the surface, claiming not to mind, but there was indeed some displeasure in his eyes, probably also feeling that Han Feichi was inconsiderate and had embarrassed his son.

These small matters were quite interesting and could draw a smile from Shen Qian, but he had no interest in watching further. He only wished wholeheartedly for the banquet to end so he could return to see his daughter. Seeing no sign of conclusion despite long waiting, he felt increasingly bored and simply called for a servant to bring him a small couch, beginning to rest on the corridor bridge.

Before long, he heard some commotion in his ears, presumably someone had come below the bridge.

He heard a young voice that sounded somewhat annoyed, saying indignantly: “Second Brother, that Han Zhongheng was so tactless, why did you let him win? Second Brother could recite the complete History of Qin when he was eight, yet that blind fool actually thought he had won! Bah!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qian opened his eyes.

He was very close to the people below the bridge, though they could not see each other, but it wasn’t difficult for him to guess that the speaker below was the second young master Qi’s brother, perhaps the third son of the Qi family, Qi Jing’an, or perhaps the fourth son, Qi Jingkang.

He said the second young master could recite the History of Qin at age eight? Shen Qian had watched that competition clearly just now. The young master of the Han family had a photographic memory, reciting several pages word-perfectly in the time of one incense stick, while the second young master Qi’s defeated appearance was so natural that even he had thought he truly fell short.

So it was all an act?

Shen Qian found it somewhat interesting. Then he heard another calm voice respond: “Zhongheng is young, and moreover, competing for victory brings no benefit—Jing’an, remember not to speak carelessly in front of others.”

This must be the second young master’s voice.

Advancing and retreating with propriety, with a humble heart—truly a rare good temperament. In this vast world, there are countless wonders: many are eager to learn and ask questions, many have exceptional natural talent, many are diligent and progressive. People having any of these qualities is not rare; what is rare is achieving fame in youth yet still maintaining simplicity and purity, without a heart for showing off through fierce competition and displays of superiority—if this is so, then Master Wang Qing, that great Hanlin scholar, praising this second young master Qi whenever he meets people is not without reason.

The two brothers soon left from beneath the corridor bridge, but before long Shen Qian heard footsteps again. Looking up, he saw that the newcomer was none other than today’s protagonist, the second young master Qi himself.

He was somewhat surprised, and the second young master also seemed not to have expected another person in this secluded place. Still, he properly walked before Shen Qian and performed a bowing ceremony, saying: “Uncle.”

Due to Shen Qian’s long avoidance of social engagements, he was not well acquainted with the sons of great families. He had only seen Qi Ying a few times before and had barely exchanged a few words with him in total. Qi Ying knew this uncle’s temperament and, upon seeing him here, had no intention of engaging in conversation. After completing the courtesies, he was about to take his leave, but unexpectedly this usually aloof uncle seemed particularly talkative tonight. As he was about to depart, the uncle suddenly asked: “Jingchen could recite the History of Qin at age eight—was it because you admired the great achievement of the ancient Qin in unifying the realm under six kings?”

This question was rather abrupt, and the conversation had already revealed that he had heard the earlier dialogue between himself and his third brother. Qi Ying was somewhat surprised, thought for a moment, and answered: “Such trivial skills come only from practice and are truly not worth mentioning, sullying Uncle’s esteemed ears.”

This was an answer that didn’t directly address the question yet was related to what was said—a clever response. Upon hearing this, Shen Qian smiled and waved his hand, following his words: “Eavesdropping was my fault, and I should apologize to you, nephew.”

Qi Ying respectfully said he dared not accept such courtesy.

But Shen Qian was still interested in his previous question and didn’t hesitate to ask again, this time slightly changing his wording: “The Qin’s sweeping of the six states was an unprecedented achievement that indeed makes all ambitious men of the world yearn for it. If Great Liang had such momentum, the success of the Northern Expedition would be just around the corner.”

Within the main house, lanterns were bright as day, and joyful voices continued without cease on all sides, yet that youth standing on the corridor bridge seemed somewhat detached, as if not part of this splendid scene.

He said: “Though the Qin’s great enterprise was magnificent, the dynasty lasted only fourteen years, passing through merely two generations. Conquering the six states caused the common people to suffer and the state to lose its way. In this junior’s opinion, the faults probably outweigh the merits.”

These words were somewhat unexpected to Shen Qian.

The merits and faults of Qin were established in history, and individuals having their own opinions was not unusual. However, now that Great Liang had been forced to move south and settle in a corner, the entire nation was eager to discuss the Northern Expedition and unification. Given the current situation, the people of Jiangzuo naturally held Qin as their standard.

Yet Shen Qian had never dared to agree with this view.

Qin’s unification brought chaos to the world, and afterward it had no power to govern effectively, resulting in the loss of power in the second generation and triggering great turmoil again. Later generations only saw the magnificent sight of a great nation newly established, but not the white bones of refugees and the starving—how pitiful and lamentable!

This second young master Qi… truly had a compassionate nature.

Shen Qian paused, then remembered something else, subsequently showing a slight smile and saying: “The second young master achieved fame at a young age, and this spring examination has amazed the world. I heard that during the palace examination, you spoke with His Majesty about unification strategy and earned great praise from His Majesty.”

These words had some meaning of pointing out contradictions, as if saying Qi Ying’s words and actions were inconsistent. Yet that young man was somehow so mature that upon hearing this, he didn’t even move his eyebrows, and even smiled faintly, saying: “To write with a brush, one must first dip it in ink—Uncle, you make me laugh.”

To write with a brush, one must first dip it in ink.

These words stirred something in Shen Qian’s heart.

He seemed to somewhat understand this young man’s meaning. He had his own principles in his heart and perhaps indeed did not approve of the so-called great enterprise of Qin. However, he knew that to realize his aspirations, he must first be within the official court. Only by holding real power in his hands could his thoughts and ideals take root and bear fruit. For this, he was willing to speak against his heart and willing to sacrifice more things in the future.

He was that brush, and for the sake of the world in his heart, he was willing to be stained with black ink.

Shen Qian felt some admiration in his heart, while also understanding how this young man before him differed from himself. Shen Qian considered himself worldly-wise, but he neither had the determination to control destiny nor wished to tarnish his reputation, ultimately only observing all worldly affairs with folded arms.

But this second young master Qi was different from him… Perhaps in the end, he could have another kind of world.

At this moment, Qi Ying had already bid him farewell. As the youth was turning to leave, Shen Qian called him back again. Qi Ying only heard this uncle speak to him warmly: “The History of Qin is magnificent, but I fear it is obscure and taxing to the mind. If Jingchen has time, he might read some literary collections, such as those of Master Baopu and other worthies—they have the effect of purifying the heart and calming the spirit.”

Qi Ying raised his eyebrows, not expecting Shen Qian to suddenly say this. After a pause, he bowed again and said: “Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance.”

That night, after the banquet ended, Shen Qian finally returned home.

The place he returned to was not the golden and jade-adorned high gates of the Shen family, but that secluded small courtyard on the outskirts of Jiankang City. When he returned late, Lady Wei was still waiting for him, though his daughter Wenwen had already fallen asleep. The five-year-old little girl was delicately carved like jade, beautiful as a porcelain doll.

He smiled and kissed his sleeping daughter, then talked through the night with his beautiful wife about his recent experiences. He also casually mentioned that young man he had spoken a few words with tonight, still feeling moved, especially when looking at his little daughter, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat bitter, thinking that his Wenwen should marry such a man in the future—xiao xiao su su, zhan ran ruo shen, with the best birth and upbringing, and moreover the best vision and breadth of mind.

Only such a person could be worthy of his most precious daughter.

It was only a pity… he was incompetent and could not give his only beloved daughter a proper status, making what should have been a natural marriage arrangement become like flowers in a mirror and moon in water—visible but unattainable.

In the house, a single lamp flickered like a bean, the swaying small candlelight illuminating this family that had been long separated, and at this time no one could glimpse the mysteries of fate.

Those seemingly ethereal so-called delusions would ultimately transform into concrete cause and effect.

Thread by thread, intertwined for a lifetime.