Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  The spring winds brought people joy and urged on the horses. Fan Xian, who had been resting on Cang Mountain for an entire winter, finally decided to leave with his family. Altogether, they packed into six carriages, and that was only for a portion of the luggage. When descending the mountains, the likes of Guo Baokun were nowhere to be seen, and there were no other unpleasant happenings. All of the female family members seemed to be drunk on spring breeze. 

  Fan Xian was in excellent spirits. To him, this “hibernation” in Cang Mountain was a much-needed adjustment; he made much improvements in both martial and spiritual aspects. Gazing far ahead, he could see the foot of Cang Mountain was already turning green, and the sky seemed to be full of signs of life. 

  The sky was currently clear, but there were some dark clouds in the distance. Strangely, behind them, blue sky and white clouds could still be seen, giving viewers a sense of a heavy dark layer. 

  With the clopping of horse hooves, the carriages meandered down the mountain path. Having gone around the shaded side, the group was suddenly showered by intense sunlight. Piercing through the clouds, it was almost intimidating. 

  Turning his eyes back down to the earth, Fan Xian smiled to his wife. “Staying in the mountains for so long, you must be pent up.” 

  Lin Wan’er asked, “Pent up about what?” Fan Xian wasn’t quite expecting that. “While the mountain is good, the sights are only snow and trees. Eventually you get tired of seeing them. Wan’er, do you miss the bustling life back in the capital?” 

  Lin Wan’er smiled meaningfully. “In the capital, it’s either the palace or one of the various courtyards. Besides, you know I didn’t live too long in the prime minister’s manor. I never had many chances to go outside. While the life in the mountains is a bit dull, it’s more comfortable than the sight of those palace walls.” Knowing her husband cared for her very much, Wan’er felt a sense of warmth in her heart. She giggled, “Also because the mountains had you.” 

  Before Fan Xian could react, Wan’er became shy and turned her face away. 

  Fan Xian laughed and thought to talk about something else. “After the spring examinations are over, I guess the Imperial court will send me on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi.” 

  It became quiet in the carriage. Only the sound of horses and the wheels could be heard coming in from outside. After a while, Lin Wan’er said, “Don’t worry, I will be in the capital.” 

  Fan Xian thought for a moment and said, “I think I’m bringing Wang Qinian. If anything comes up, first ask father for advice. If Fei Jie is still in the capital, you can also go to him for help. I already conveyed everything to Teng Zijing. Of course……” He smiled. “Nothing should happen.” 

  Once they returned to the capital, they discovered the remnants of the colored lanterns and the paper scraps from firecrackers. In the streets, people walked around in new clothing, intoxicated by the festive atmosphere. Fan Xian regretted going to the mountains and missing out on the lively festival. 

  Arriving at the Fan manor, there was more ruckus as they had to unload everything. The couple saluted their parents and met up with relatives. Fan Xian discovered that the Fan clan was exactly as they say. While no relatives held a high position in the Imperial court, they all seem to have a place in the various government buildings and led very comfortable lives. 

  Days later, Fan Xian first led Wan’er back to her manor and greeted his father-in-law and bid farewell to Dabao. Then he went to visit King Jing. With no time to rest, he was treated twice by vice-minister Ren Shao’an of Honglu Temple and vice-minister Xin Qiwu of Taichang Temple; as the two were officials who had been through much with Fan Xian, he could not refuse them. 

  Soon, it was the second month of the lunar year. The various aspiring students already entered the capital. Those with money stayed at inns. Some lived with relatives. Those without money made do in the bookstores in the suburbs of the capital. Eventually the dormitories of the Imperial college opened to accommodate those students without a place to live. 

  The examination was held by the Board of Rites, and students were to take it on one of the three days of the second month: the ninth, twelfth, or the fifteenth day. When Fan Xian got there, the time was already close. But fortunately, his position didn’t hold much substance; it was something His Majesty came up with. The Imperial college never had any intention to assign him anything anyway so naturally he had no need to go to lectures; it was a quiet life. 

  Occasionally the other students would come to his room and look at him with greedy eyes, resembling a pack of hungry wolves. 

  \r \r \r 

  With a sharp noise, Fan Xian opened the fan in his hand and started stirring up the still-cold spring air. The students took the hint and backed off. Fan Xian smiled at them,. “Everyone, I am still young, I wouldn’t take on a responsibility as important as teaching. Should you continue to bring this up, you will embarrass me.” 

  The students took note of Fan Xian’s interesting way of speech. For someone of his reputation, a fifth-ranked official at the age of seventeen, Fan Xian wasn’t the type to look down on those below him. That took away some layers of intimidation. Someone joked, “Sir Fan, you were the one who mentioned style at Yishi Inn, and now you are here waving a fan.” 

  Fan Xian laughed, “So what? I simply enjoy messing around. You shouldn’t hold what I say against me.” 

  All the examiners and related personnel had been chosen. Fan Xian’s age and rank alone were enough to be somewhat intimidating, but he was still far from matching those important roles. Nevertheless, his fame as a poet had spread far and wide. Even though he swore to never compose poetry again, few took him seriously. The students always wanted to bait something out of him. Should they really obtain something, it would be an unexpected reward for them. 

  The “Banxianzhai Poetry Collection” was already a national bestseller, which was why all the students from outside the capital were all curious about this young man. Some were more straightforward than others, and managed to find the location of Fan manor. But upon arriving at the gate, staring at the stone lions, even they couldn’t gather the courage to knock when they saw what kind of household Fan Xian came from. 

  Only a few days into his stay at the Imperial College, Fan Xian followed the Fourth Bureau to check up on the various students who had come to the capital to take the examination. He discovered much suffering among the poorer students. Despite the Imperial court ordering all the books stores and local temples to accommodate them, life could still be difficult for some. Some of them didn’t even have enough money to buy food. 

  Remembering Wu Zhu’s story back in Danzhou, Fan Xian was slightly shaken. He took some silver out of the book department’s budget and asked the shopkeepers at Qingyu Hall to make those poor students’ lives more comfortable. While not an earth-shattering act of kindness, Fan Xian still wouldn’t let those students know he was their benefactor. Upon returning home, Fan Xian complained about this situation to his father, who had been promoted to Director of the Board of Rites. 

  Fan Jian was a tad surprised that his son cared for such matters. Other than feeling glad, he was more assured regarding Fan Xian’s safety and future. 

  On the seventh day of the second month, two days before the examination, Fan Xian felt bored and snuck out from the Imperial College. He really couldn’t put up with those students who weren’t diligent yet still brought him poems. Some of those students were old enough to be his father, which made things quite awkward. 

  Outside the city walls, Fan Xian watched the clear water in the moat and began to relax. In fact, until recently, not very many people in the capital knew what he looked like, so it was very liberating for him to walk in the streets, especially under the red walls of the palace. He eyed those walls and the intimidating guards standing on them, “So what? I snuck in once.” 

  The tower in the far corner belonged to the Imperial troops; it was where Yan Xiaoyi launched his arrow from. 

  Fan Xian withdrew his gaze and shook his head. Yan Xiaoyi had been relocated to the north as a general. If he were to go to Northern Qi, he would have to pass through Yan Xiaoyi’s domain. Naturally, Fan Xian did not want to expose himself as the assassin on that night. 

  He arrived at Tianhe Avenue, not too far from the palace. The flowing waters to the side were still warm, while the golden characters on the building gate shined. Fan Xian pretended not to notice and passed by. 

  “Say, Sir Fan, to think it would be so hard for me to see you. You sure have become a celebrity in the capital.” 

  Fan Xian turned around with an embarrassed smile. Crown Prince Jing sat on top of his horse, smiling at Fan Xian. Fan Xian saluted him. “It is an honor to see you, Prince. I only wanted some peace and quiet. It was sheer coincidence which brought me to you.” 

  “Not coincidence.” Li Hongcheng waved his horsewhip, “I chased you all the way from the Imperial College.” 

  Fan Xian was a bit startled, but immediately regained his composure, “What is the matter, Prince?” 

  The prince smiled, “Today, someone wishes to invite you out for a feast.” 

  “Who?” Fan Xian asked bluntly. Something seemed wrong. 

  “The Second Prince.” Li Hongcheng replied. 

  Fan Xian shook his head in frustration. This second prince, who had never made contact before, now made his move. There was no way Fan Xian could get out of this one.

  hapter 159: The Second Prince 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  It was a secret banquet located on a pleasure boat upon the Liujing River, just as before. The outside of the pleasure boat looked exceptionally elegant, but without the gaudy romance-novel feel there had been on the other side of the river. At that moment there were neither clouds nor rain over the river. The scene was bathed in a majestic pale red light, and under the light winds, the waves softly lapped the riverbanks as if the river were breathing. Compared to the other side, where one could hear faint sounds, this pleasure boat, arranged by the Second Prince, seemed a much more serene and worldly place. 

  Fan Xian and Li Hongcheng, Crown Prince Jing, chatted and laughed as they walked to the riverbank. With their bodyguards leading their horses, the two men helped each other onto the boat. There was a smile on his face, but deep in his heart, he sighed. This prince seemed to be a thoroughly elegant man, but he did not know why he was not content to act as prince in peace. Why did he feel the need to provoke such affairs within the Kingdom of Qing? 

  On the slightly wet boards of the boat, Fan Xian’s feet were just about to step onto the side of the ship when he suddenly heard the sound of a string being plucked. He did not feel somber at all. He instead felt pure-hearted and cordial as the song arose. “Leaving the clear water and green hills, I came to a cottage with a bamboo fence. The wild flowers bloom on the edges of the road. Wine is brewed in vessels in the village, and I drink to complete intoxication. Even though drunk, the mountain children do not mock us, chrysanthemums stuck randomly in my white hair.” 

  A smile curled the corners of Fan Xian’s lips, and he entered alongside Li Hongcheng. As he listened to the song, he felt more and more curious as to what kind of person this Second Prince was. 

  The beaded screen parted, Fan Xian saw only a young man wearing a blue-green jacket, sitting in an odd fashion upon a chair. His head was slightly tilted to one side, and his eyes were lightly closed, with a look of satisfaction on his face as he listened to the song of the woman singing in the corner. 

  Without having to ask, he knew that this young man was the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Qing, son of the Emperor and Imperial Consort Shu. 

  The Second Prince was sitting in an odd position indeed. He was in a half-squat on top of the chair, looking a lot like a peasant resting in his field. His blue-green jacket covered his legs, but more oddly, looking at his drunken expression and elegant facial features, one suddenly felt a feeling of refined tranquility, as if he had long tired of the comings and goings of this world, and was reflecting purely on the song. 

  Fan Xian’s first thought on seeing the Second Prince was: “This man gives me a familiar feeling.” His second thought was: “This man is exhausted, and so is his spirit.” His third thought was: “This man’s thoughts are deep.” He had his belief in his ability to look a man in the eye, but it was still an awkward scene. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Li Hongcheng had long since quietly taken a seat, and Fan Xian was standing in the middle of the room, looking at the Second Prince, unsure of how to address him. 

  The Second Prince seemed to only care about listening to the music, and had completely forgotten about his own guests. Of course, considering his status, it was only natural that he would make Fan Xian wait. 

  The tune finally came to an end, and the songstress carried her guqin in her arms, bowed sincerely to the three men in the room, and quietly withdrew to the rear chamber. 

  And the Second Prince, squatting on his chair, still seemed to be lost in the music. He remained there for a long time. His eyes were still closed. His right hand, hanging in the air, slowly moved to the side to feel a plate of grapes left upon a small table; pinching the grape stalk between his fingers, he took a bunch. Suspending them in mid-air like a child, he raised his head, parted his lips and teeth, and unhurriedly bit at a very green grape. He chewed for a moment, and then swallowed. His throat trembled pleasurably as he swallowed; it seemed that he even found eating a grape to be a thoroughly satisfying experience. 

  Fan Xian was neither nervous nor angry. He watched the Second Prince with a smile on his face. His eyes were calm, but he did not let the Second Prince get away with any petty tricks. He tried to figure out from looking at him what kind of person this Second Prince was. 

  A long while later, the Second Prince sighed, slowly placing the grapes back onto the plate before he finally opened his eyes. He seemed to have only just discovered that the guests he had invited had arrived on the boat. There was the unavoidable flash of a smile in his eyes, and his lips curled into a slightly-embarrassed grin. 

  Fan Xian’s heart skipped a beat. That familiar feeling was getting more and more intense. 

  The Second Prince calmly regarded Fan Xian, who stood before him, before he suddenly spoke. “Since you’ve arrived, why don’t you take a seat?” 

  Crown Prince Li Hongcheng sat to one side, smiling as he sipped his tea, saying nothing to help Fan Xian. With a gentle smile, Fan Xian bowed and cupped his hands in salute to the Second Prince. “Since Your Highness is seated, I did not dare take a seat without making my salutations.” 

  The Second Prince smiled as he looked at Fan Xian. “I have never welcomed you; you need not salute me.” 

  Fan Xian laughed. “Your Highness need not welcome your servant; your servant must salute Your Highness.” 

  The Second Prince smiled and shook his head, wiping his grape-juice-stained hand willfully on his blue-green jacket. “It is only you and I and my brother Hongcheng upon this boat. Furthermore, you are my younger sister’s husband; there is no need for such talk of servants and Highnesses.” 

  Fan Xian chuckled, cupped his hands in salute, and did not say anything more, going back to sit down next to Crown Prince Li Hongcheng. Since the Second Prince was fond of trifling with scholars’ feelings – even though he wasn’t very good at it – taking a seat would be fine. 

  \r \r \r 

  In truth, the first few words the two of them exchanged had no particularly deep meaning to them, but Fan Xian felt it was still quite marvelous. Because the Second Prince spoke particularly slowly, and the rhythm of his speech every time he opened his mouth was half the speed of the average person’s, any conversation with him would arouse sudden feelings in the listener. And what Fan Xian found even more interesting was that the longer he looked at the Second Prince, the more familiar he felt. But he didn’t know where this feeling of familiarity came from. He was certain that it was not because of his relationsihp with Wan’er. 

  “This boat was built with my own money. What do you think?” The Second Prince seemed to have some fervant desire to know how Fan Xian felt about the boat. Fan Xian forced a smile, only now sizing up the decorations on the boat. He found that whether it was structure, or the green flowerpots in the corners, or the art and calligraphy hanging on the slanting walls, this pleasure boat did not seem like a pleasure boat at all, but more like a library. He couldn’t help but shake his head and laugh. “Your Majesty, this pleasure boat is thoroughly peaceful. I don’t know if ‘pleasure’ is the right word for it.” 

  The Second Prince smiled gently, and raised his head to look him in the eye. “Silence is good.” 

  Fan Xian suddenly felt that this conversation was slightly boring and arduous. He was about to fix Li Hongcheng with a look that suggested he was asking for help when Crown Prince Jing spoke just in time. 

  “I say, can the two of you not speak so wearily?” Li Hongcheng laughed as he changed the subject. 

  The Second Prince chuckled. “Do you see?” he said to Fan Xian. “Do not presume that the sons of the royal family are boring people. In any case, you and Wan’er are already married. We are family. We should see each other more often from now on.” 

  Li Hongcheng interjected: “Even if it were in a princely palace, you are the Second Prince. Meetings would likely be dangerous.” 

  The three of them all knew that some months back, Fan Xian had been attacked on Niulan Street by assassins from Northern Qi on his way to attend dinner with the Second Prince. The three men looked at each other, thinking of all the things that had happened over the past few months. They could not help but become aware of an indescribable feeling, and at once, all three began to laugh. 

  After their laughter had subsided, the lid had probably been taken off that incident. Fan Xian laughed bitterly. “Your Highness,” he said to the Second Prince, “though you did not set up a Feast at Hongmen, it is quite terrifying when going to dinner means facing such danger.” [1] 

  The Second Prince and Li Hongcheng were somewhat stumped by the words “Feast at Hongmen”, but they did not show it on their faces. Naturally, they had never heard the tale, but hindered by their status as nobles, they did not wish to ask about it. The Second Prince smiled. “Do not call me ‘Your Highness’. Just like Wan’er, you may call me ‘second brother’.” 

  Fan Xian’s face did not change, but he felt somewhat vexed. Getting too familiar…… seemed like it would have its problems. Seemingly having guessed that he was worried about something, the Second Prince dangled his hands in front of his knees, and smiled, still half-squatting. “There’s no need to be too cautious about everything. Wan’er was the baby of the palace. Remember, now you have one more older brother, still on the western border playing with his cavalry. I am still hidden away inside the Imperial Academy, editing books. As for the Crown Prince, the third brother, it’s only right you be closest to him. How can you be so distressed about having a few extra relatives?” 

  Fan Xian laughed. These royal relatives, of course, were a great source of troubles. “It is my great fortune,” he said. “But not calling you ‘Your Highness’ feels rather improper to me.” 

  The Second Prince laughed bitterly. “Ask Wan’er what she calls me when you get back home.” 

  Their pleasantries finished, the feast began. On the table were some fresh seasonal vegetables and elaborate appetizers. Fan Xian ate happily. He had long had a plan drawn up, so after they had gotten to know each other, he was able to relax a little. At the table, the three chatted about the comings and goings of various people within the capital, and of the works of luminaries of the past; it was a pleasant conversation. Sure enough, the Second Prince was greatly influenced by Imperial Concubine Shu. In matters of literary research, he and Fan Xian echoed each other to a large extent. Sitting to the side, Li Hongcheng made a few choice interjections, but they could not avoid bringing up the topic of Count Sinan’s glorious success that year. Although there were some inappropriate topics of conversation between the Second Prince and Fan Xian, the atmosphere remained convivial. Fan Xian nevertheless tried to avoid the topic and save face, speaking of stories from Danzhou and things he had learned by the wayside. 

  When the banquet had concluded, having each gotten something out of it, the Second Prince and Fan Xian parted happily. 

  The Second Prince did not see him off. All this time, still squatting on his chair, he seemed to have kept this position without moving. His shadow, still watching Fan Xian and Li Hongcheng, disappeared in the boat doorway. Finally, he sighed gently. 

  “Your Highness,” asked one of his followers respectfully, “what are your thoughts on young Master Fan?” 

  The Second Prince smiled. “My sister’s husband is too cautious. He has not a drop of the arrogance and violence of young men raised in the Kingdom of Qing. In truth, I am skeptical that the young master Fan, who gave such a raucous poetry recital in the palace hall, was the same one that I met today.” 

  Having said this, he lowered his head, as was his habit, and his finger stretched out to the side to feel for a bunch of grapes. Seeing this, his follower knew that His Majesty was thinking on most important matters of state, and did not dare disturb him. He hurriedly and silently departed. 

  Some time later, the Second Prince slowly raised his head. There was confusion in his eyes. In truth, he had not been considering grand matters of state at all. He had been thinking about Fan Xian’s phrase “Feast at Hongyan”. As a child, he had read the classics together with his mother, but he still could not remember any story about a “Feast at Hongyan”. 

  “My sister’s husband is a learned man indeed. It seems I must go back to my books.” 

  With his white teeth, the Second Prince chewed at the green grape he held in his mouth. The juice was sour and sweet. 

  [1] “Feast at Hongmen” is a Chinese idiom named after a historical event in 205 BC, which means to set up a banquet with the aim of murdering a guest.