Shen Gonghai, full from food and wine, led his three brothers, stepping to the beat of the setting sun’s drum, swaggering toward Yanlai Tower. The meal just now had been extremely satisfying. Zuixian Tower’s signature dish of hand-grabbed mutton was truly excellent—fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry, and without even the slightest trace of mutton smell. It was said that this establishment’s chef had learned the craft from the Yun family at great expense.

“Not quite good enough. Once, I had the honor of studying late in the library with Prince Wei, Master Hypatia, and Marquis Yun. Marquis Yun’s family sent over a large pot of mutton, and I was invited to dine together. The flavor of that pot of mutton was truly unforgettable. However, Marquis Yun first fished out a pine wood stick from the pot—I don’t know why. Just now, when I saw the shopkeeper lift the pot and fish out the meat, this step was missing, so I knew they had only learned the superficial aspects, not the essence. In the future, if I want to eat good mutton, it’s still best to go to the Yun residence.” Shen Gonghai picked his teeth while showing off proudly.

Zhu Zong laughed heartily and said: “The Yun residence’s food is the finest in the realm. This younger brother once saved two drowning children, and the Academy gave me a string of cash. I could have asked Scholar Yuanzhang for an inscription, or Scholar Yushan for a postscript, or even asked Scholar Lishi for a painting or Scholar Zhao Yanling to prepare tea. I had difficulty deciding. Seeing how my father had labored ceaselessly for me all these years, eating without relish, my heart couldn’t bear it, so I took that string of cash and asked Marquis Yun to make four cold dishes, four hot dishes, and one soup, requesting my father to taste them.”

“Who knew that my father and mother would actually sweep all these dishes clean? I sat to the side and just ate two bowls of white rice. After eating, my father said this was the ultimate delicacy of the mortal world—even if he died right then and there, it wouldn’t be a loss.”

“Haha, who among you has this younger brother’s honor? You must know that back then, Prince Wei fought tooth and nail to take first place in the Academy, won the money, and treated the Empress to a meal—it was only four more dishes than this. Hahaha.”

“Zhuzong, at that time you should have asked Scholar Yuanzhang for an inscription, Scholar Yushan for a postscript, or asked Scholar Lishi to make an ancestral portrait. That would have been truly glorious. One meal and it’s gone—such a waste.”

“What waste? I think Zhuzong did right. Bringing glory to our ancestors is our generation’s business. Being able to ask Marquis Yun to personally cook—I think this is indeed the first choice. If it were me choosing, I’d also choose a big feast.”

Hearing Yuan Jia’s words, Shen Gonghai threw his head back and laughed heartily, saying: “This sky is naturally meant for us to fly freely in. Let’s not speak of the past—we should look forward. Today we revel at Yanlai Tower. In ten years, we brothers will gather again at Yanlai Tower to see who is truly the hero.”

Four young men wearing Academy robes stood at the brothel entrance speaking of their heroic aspirations, drawing sidelong glances from passersby. A busybody angrily said: “In a brothel, there’s only one way to prove yourself a hero—who dares battle this old lady?”

Shen Gonghai glanced at that plump figure, sighed deeply, and was the first to step into the building, never mentioning the word “hero” again. Walking inside, he didn’t see Huan Niang’s figure. Without a target to show off to, he inevitably felt somewhat disappointed.

Just as he was about to shout, he saw a woman in red approaching. She laughed before speaking, her handkerchief fluttering chaotically like flowers. Her smile was much more radiant than Huan Niang’s, yet far from making people feel as comfortable as Huan Niang did. He frowned and asked: “Where did Huan Niang go? Did she reform and marry?”

The woman in red said with a smile: “Huan Niang met with disaster and was sent away by the authorities. Isn’t that her over there, squatting at the base of the wall? Not worth bothering with her. If the authorities hadn’t taken pity on her, she might have been exiled.”

The smile disappeared from Yuan Jia’s face. He frowned and asked: “Do you know what crime she committed?”

“Oh my, young master, Huan Niang is just an old woman. Surely you’re not her patron? Look, which girl in the courtyard isn’t beautifully dressed and pleasing? Why ask about a criminal woman?”

After hearing this woman’s words, Yuan Jia knew he couldn’t find out more. He walked directly out of Yanlai Tower and came to the opposite eaves. He saw Huan Niang filthy all over, her whole body wrapped in a tattered quilt, trembling as she looked at Yuan Jia. Her eyes were full of terror. Without waiting for Yuan Jia to ask questions, she kept kowtowing, urgently saying: “Young Master Yuan, this old woman was blind and forced Yuan Bao’er to receive clients, profaning the official’s wife. Please spare this old woman.”

Shen Gonghai covered his nose in disgust and said: “Yuan Jia, forget it. Sister-in-law fell on hard times back then—it was forced by circumstances. Yanlai Tower is what kind of place? Sister-in-law knew what it was when she sold herself. Can’t blame Huan Niang. If we continue to haggle with such a destitute old woman, it damages our dignity.”

Yuan Jia shook his head and said: “The grievance is settled, but the kindness hasn’t been repaid. A real man looks up without shame to heaven—gratitude and grudges are clear. When she was successful, naturally I wouldn’t pay attention to her. Now that she’s fallen on hard times, not helping her would violate our teacher’s instruction.”

Zhuzong nodded, pulled out two silver ingots from his bosom and threw them in front of Huan Niang, then urged Yuan Jia to go inside quickly. A person like Huan Niang’s kindness is easy to repay—just give silver.

Seeing Huan Niang clutching the silver and not letting go, Yuan Jia felt reassured. Twenty strings of cash would be enough for Huan Niang to do some small business and support herself. All of Yanlai Tower’s small pastries came from Huan Niang’s hands—opening a small shop wouldn’t be a problem.

Unexpectedly, two big men rushed out from the street side, snatched the silver from Huan Niang’s hands, and even kicked the loudly wailing Huan Niang to the ground, preparing to leave. Yuan Jia immediately flew into a rage. He flashed forward and blocked the strong man, saying: “How can a person be so shameless? The silver was my friend’s reward to Huan Niang. What justification do you have for such robbery?”

The big man wasn’t afraid. One of them cupped his hands and said: “Young master, I see you’re also a scholar. It’s best you don’t meddle in this matter. We naturally have our reasons for doing things. This old woman has done evil all her life and deserves this retribution. We are simply carrying out heaven’s will. She is destined only to beg for food. Wanting silver money is absolutely impossible.”

Shen Gonghai glanced at the waist token the strong man intentionally or unintentionally revealed. His heart filled with cold dread. He grabbed Yuan Jia and whispered in his ear: “Bai Qi Si.”

Yuan Jia looked at the strong man curiously, cupped his hands and said: “Nothing cannot be spoken to others. May I ask which article and clause of the ‘Great Tang Code’ Huan Niang violated? I have also studied the law thoroughly. Why have I never heard of such a punishment? Could it be you’re carrying out private punishment?”

The strong man chuckled: “The reason you can roar loudly before me is because you’re wearing Yushan Academy’s robe. Now that you’ve donned the cap, you’ve already graduated. You just finished the major examination and are only waiting for the imperial announcement before a green robe adorns your body—a bright future ahead. Want to go to a brothel? Go. Want to seek pleasure? Go seek it. It’s best not to meddle in this old woman’s affairs.”

Shen Gonghai wanted to drag Yuan Jia away. Zhuzong and Yao Si had the same intention. Bai Qi Si in the hearts of Great Tang people was like the existence of evil spirits. For Huan Niang to fall to such a state, she must have offended the imperial family. Keeping her life was already extra mercy. Yuan Jia provoking them would lead to no good end.

“Confucius spoke of benevolence, Mencius spoke of righteousness. The Academy didn’t teach me how to be a shrinking turtle. If Huan Niang broke the law, naturally there is grand state law to deal with her. Execute, flay, preserve, or release—punish according to legal provisions. What justification is there for hiding and skulking while placing a person in such circumstances?”

“Master Yun often says that life’s greatest punishment is nothing more than depriving a person of their means of livelihood. You forcibly suppress someone who can support themselves into becoming a beggar. Could it be you regard our Great Tang law as nothing?”

“Bai Qi Si? Even before His Majesty’s presence, I, Yuan Jia, must ask—when did the Great Tang establish a legal provision forbidding others from supporting themselves?”

The leading strong man was rendered speechless by Yuan Jia’s questions, but fierce light flashed in his eyes. It seemed that as long as Yuan Jia still didn’t retreat, he would make his move. Yuan Jia said again to the big man: “I don’t care who gave you this order. Listen well—I’ve decided to hire Huan Niang as my family’s cook. Under the bright sky and daylight, I don’t believe you can do anything to me. Ten days from now, His Majesty will personally issue our graduation certificates. At that time, I will personally ask His Majesty whether the Great Tang Code has been revised.”

Wild joy suddenly appeared in Shen Gonghai’s eyes. He stepped forward and said: “I just pondered the Tang Code again—indeed there is no such provision. Brother Yuan Jia advocates righteous action and distinguishes right from wrong. This younger brother deeply admires it. How can such a grand event lack my Shen Gonghai’s presence?” He spoke each word forcefully and clearly, transmitting into the ears of all the spectators watching the excitement.

Huan Niang wept gratefully. The girls in Yanlai Tower also shed pearly tears, looking at the elegantly dressed Shen Gonghai with extremely longing eyes. As for Yuan Jia, who had just spoken righteously, he automatically became a bystander.

The strong man pointed at Shen Gonghai and said: “I hope you still have this backbone in Bai Qi Si’s dungeon.” Having said this, he moved to chain up Shen Gonghai. Yuan Jia became even more enraged and said loudly: “All of this was caused by me. If you want to chain someone up, chain me. What does it have to do with my friend? I want to see whether Bai Qi Si’s dungeon still enforces the Great Tang Code or not.”

Shen Gonghai quickly put the chains from the strong man’s hands around his own neck, pointing at Yuan Jia and saying: “Don’t interfere with my rise to fame. Although you’re my close friend, if you block my path to advancement, I’ll be impolite to you just the same. The current Majesty is an enlightened ruler for all ages—how could he let me die unjustly in Bai Qi Si’s dungeon? I’m speaking out with direct remonstrance—there’s nothing wrong. After His Majesty knows, he’ll praise me and punish these household slaves. With such a good opportunity, if I don’t compete for it, who will?”

Yuan Jia angrily flung his sleeve. Zhuzong wanted to step forward but hesitated repeatedly. Yao Si had already darted into the crowd, putting on an appearance of being uninvolved, stretching his neck to look inside. The expression of “none of my business” on his face was so obvious. His friends were generously and righteously struggling against power, yet he acted as a friend when eating and drinking, but when trouble came, ran faster than anyone. Many onlookers looked at this fellow with contempt, but Yao Si’s face remained unchanged and his heart didn’t skip a beat.

The strong man pointed at Yao Si and said to Shen Gonghai: “Look at your friend—how wise he is. If you also learn from him, I will definitely forget what just happened. We’ll pretend this matter never occurred. How about it? This is your last chance.”

“Bullshit! If Yao Si doesn’t extricate himself, how can he help us escape punishment? How can he inform the world of your filthy deeds? I was just a step slow. Going to your dungeon with you is nothing. Do you think we brothers haven’t lived in the Academy’s black room? The hardest part falls to the person running around outside seeking help. Don’t think Academy people are as filthy as you.”

Yao Si cursed loudly: “Zhuzong, you bastard! Will you die if you shut your stinking mouth? Now you’ve made it so I have to run.” Having said this, he disappeared in a flash.