In the late autumn of the first year of Yuanyan, across thousands of mountains the leaves’ colors changed into shades of gold and yellow; wherever the wind blew, fallen leaves were caught in the breeze and flew for a few li.
On the outskirts of Chang’an, a group of riders rushed across the hunting grounds of the imperial family. Hooves clopping on the ground, leaving swirls of dust in their wake. The riders drove a young fawn into a corner, which paced back and forth to dodge the horses’ hooves. The fawn realized that it wouldn’t be able to escape from the hunters, after pacing back and forth a few more times, it stood still in their midst. Even so, the opposing side did not take any pity on it. In an instant, an arrow pierced the fawn’s body and the bloody prey fell into the grass.
“Your Majesty, I shot another one!”
Liu Yun told his servant to take away the game, then rode his horse to the stone pavilion outside the hunting grounds in a rush; the nineteen-year-old gave his report in a respectful yet familial way, he proudly showed off his skills.
The man in a long gown sat upright in the center of the stone pavilion, though he wasn’t standing he still looked dignified and imposing. Seeing that the stone pavilion was filled with the game Liu Yun had hunted, he couldn’t help but feel pleased. Emperor Liu Ao had reigned for many years, yet no one in his harem had given birth to a prince for him. So, without a better option, when he went hunting to amuse himself, he took his nephews along.
His eyes inadvertently caught a glance of a figure standing in the corner of the stone pavilion, Liu Ao frowned and questioned, “Xin’er, why don’t you go hunting too? Take a look, your cousin brought back a lot of game.”
Hearing his name, Liu Xin raised his head. Starry pair of eyes made his youthful face look outstandingly handsome. He looked young, yet Liu Xin stood aloof from worldly affairs. Throughout the hunt, he had never left the pavilion.
“Your Majesty, forgive this nephew, he feels a little unwell.” Liu Xin stood up. He was a few years younger than Liu Yun, his cousin, but had an advantage in height. Although he wasn’t fully grown yet, he already had a tall stature.
Liu Yun snorted in distain and coldly stated, “Xin’er’s health is poor, it’d be better to avoid seeing a scene of slaughter.”
Ultimately, Liu Xin was only a boy of seventeen, noticing the blatant contempt on his elder cousin’s face he was provoked into competing. He grabbed his bow and arrow, aimed at his cousin’s Ferghana horse grazing outside the stone pavilion and shot.
The hunting horse’s head was hit by the arrow, it neighed and raised its hooves, galloped a few paces then fell to the ground.
“You…” Liu Yun was burning with rage, seeing his beloved horse being killed, and grabbed Liu Xin’s collar, “How dare you kill my horse! I’ll make you pay!”
“Oh? It turns out that this is your horse, Cousin Yun. I didn’t know.” Liu Xin had an innocent expression, in contrast Liu Yun felt like he had no room to advance or retreat.
“Xin’er!” Hearing Liu Ao’s roar, the pair of boys reluctantly stopped arguing. In a low voice, Liu Ao said, “Xin’er come over, let Us take a look at your hand.”
Liu Xin agreed, walked a few steps and stretched out his hand for the emperor. Liu Ao pulled on his left hand and stretched out his thumb and forefinger, then smiled all of a sudden.
“You practiced horseback archery recently, didn’t you?” Not waiting for his reply Liu Ao answered the question himself. “The abrasion between your thumb and forefinger can be clearly seen. The tiger’s mouth holds the bow in place and is often injured by the nock once the arrow is shot, all archers have this abrasion.”
Liu Xin couldn’t keep the emperor in the dark, so he lowered his head and said, “Your Majesty, this nephew lacks talent, after practicing for half a month, he hasn’t made much progress.”
“Xin’er, don’t belittle yourself, you can kill a horse with only one arrow after practicing for half a month, you’re a genius.” Liu Ao happily praised.
Liu Xin smiled slightly yet didn’t continue the conversation. In contrast, Liu Yun worried when he heard this, quickly walked to Liu Ao and knelt down to his feet.
“Your Majesty, Cousin Xin started training in the martial arts not long ago, this nephew would like to compete with him to see how far he’s come.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Liu Ao had canceled the cumbersome court etiquette because they were on the outskirts of the capital. The moment he noticed Wang Mang, he granted him a seat.
“Cousin, you finally came back. Not a day passes without the Empress Dowager missing you greatly.”
Wang Mang politely took a seat, cupped his hands in salute, and answered, “Your Majesty, I rushed over to greet you as soon as I returned to the capital. Later on, I’ll go to Changle Palace to greet my aunt.”
Wang Mang was the maternal cousin of the Emperor but their ages were ten years apart. He had come of age only recently, yet thanks to his aunt, the Empress Dowager, and his own ingenuity, he rapidly rose in the ranks of the imperial court.
Liu Ao was in a good mood, he couldn’t be bothered with the two boys, instead he inquired, “For this mission, We ordered you to thoroughly investigate the feudal princes’ fiefs.”
Wang Mang picked up a cup of tea placed on the stone table, took a sip and said, “I recorded the amount of enclosed land that has been claimed by the feudal princes. Your Majesty, as you’ve stated in the past, I only brought a few capable officials along to inspect in secret, then invited each feudal prince for a talk. They were aware of the matter’s importance and didn’t dare to disobey your orders, they all voluntarily returned the land. Some were so afraid of the dragon’s wrath, they began writing their resignation letters on the spot.”
Liu Ao was overjoyed. In one move, he reduced the influence of the Wang Family and thwarted the feudal princes’ power grab both were dangers lurking in the dark. He then inquired, “Cousin Mang you took Dong Shengqing along this time, you two should have returned to the capital together. Why didn’t he come to see Us over the last few days?”
Wang Mang abruptly appeared full of regret, he let out a sigh, and said, “Shengqing… he was slightly injured…”
“Lord Dong is injured?” Liu Yun shouted from aside, and the others were startled by his sudden interruption. Sensing the tense atmosphere and seeing Liu Ao’s stern expression, he didn’t dare to make a sound and stepped back.
“Where is he injured, how is his injury? Wouldn’t it be better to bring him into Weiyang Palace and let the imperial physicians take care of him?” Liu Ao asked him in a lowered voice, seething with anger.
“He isn’t in critical condition, only the tendon of Shengqing’s right wrist was severed by the sword of the Prince of Xianyang, in resistance to being summoned. The cut isn’t deep, but it ruined his martial arts.”
Hearing this Liu Ao was unable to restrain his rage and roared loudly, “The Commandery Prince of Xianyang?”
“After we revealed that we were your men Your Majesty, the Prince of Xianyang deeply regretted his previous actions and his use of force. He has written his letter of resignation, his is willing to retire and live in seclusion.”
“No need to have him hand it over. We want to see his head roll within three days!” Liu Ao didn’t hesitate to make this order, once a pair of proud and bright eyes abruptly flashed through his mind, as beautiful as the stars in the sky.
Beautiful beyond belief.
Dong Shengqing.
He was an immortal banished from the heavens to the mortal realm, yet someone dared to harm him!
“Your Majesty, please appoint me. In three days, this nephew will certainly bring back that guilty prince’s head and present it to you!” Liu Yun’s blood boiled, he cupped his hands and asked for the emperor’s order.
Liu Ao sounded his agreement.
To the side, the maid Zhiwei pulled on the sleeve of Liu Xin’s robe and whispered, “Even though he lost his martial arts, he can still make His Majesty lose his temper and act against one of the imperial descendants, that Lord Dong is amazing!”
Liu Xin wasn’t interested in the topic, he casually responded, “So what?”
Zhiwei had served Liu Xin since she was a child. Well aware of his half-hearted interest in most matters, she explained, “That Lord Dong’s name is Dong Xian, styled Shengqing. It’s said that not only is he proficient in civil and martial arts, but the people who’ve seen him even state that his devastating beauty can cause the downfall of a country, he’s a sight to behold!”
Liu Xin and Zhiwei had spent a lot of time together since they were little, they knew each other well and didn’t follow the strict rulesets of ordinary masters and servants. He asked again, “What do you want me to do?”
“What else could I mean my foolish Master?” Zhiwei winked at him with her clever eyes, then explained in a low voice, “Right now Dong Shengqing is highly valued by the Emperor, you must think up a method to get close to him. The Emperor doesn’t have an heir, maybe he’ll make you the crown prince.”
“I didn’t expect that you’re such a scheming maid.” Liu Xin laughingly scolded, then turned his head and pulled on Zhiwei’s ear. “You only see things at a superficial level, we didn’t see that Dong Xian lose his martial arts. He has a close relationship with Wang Mang, things aren’t as they seem.”
Zhiwei nodded her head and silently praised, Little Master’s thoughts are thorough, he already guards against others.
On the opposite side of the stone table, Liu Ao could not stop worrying and said, “Now that Shengqing lost his martial arts, let him move into Weiyang Palace and be protected by the Imperial Guard.”
“Your Majesty, rest assured.” Wang Mang raised his cup and sipped his tea again, then said, “Shengqing is a genius, at age six he could recite Records of the Grand Historian in its entirety; he may not be able to assist you, Your Majesty, in military matters, but Shengqing is proficient in astronomy, geography and politics he can still work in a civilian post for our Great Han.”
Hearing that Dong Xian was about to enter Weiyang Palace, Liu Yun felt complacent. Remembering the competition, he then tucked on Wang Mang’s sleeve and pleaded, “Uncle Mang, you came back just in time. Xin’er mentioned he practiced horseback archery. I want to race against him, please ask for His Majesty’s approval in my stead.”
Wang Mang looked at Liu Yun, then smiled a knowing smile, “Fine then. Your Highness Yun, your horse was shot dead, right? Feel free to ride mine instead.” He looked at Liu Xin and asked, “Your Highness Xin, would that be alright with you?”
Liu Yun’s eyes glinted provocatively, Zhiwei’s heart skipped a beat and she uneasily tugged at a corner of her master’s clothes. Liu Xin lightly patted her hand, saluted Liu Ao and Wang Mang, then strode straight to his hunting horse.
Liu Yun followed him out of the stone pavilion and mounted Wang Mang’s war horse. Equal in youth, equal in valor.
Seeing that the two of them were ready and eager to head out, Liu Ao loudly declared, “Three li east of the hunting grounds is a lake with five-colored pebbles in it. Ride your horses from this stone pavilion to the lakeside, pick up a colorful pebble, and ride back again. We will reward whoever returns first!”
“Yes!” Liu Xin and Liu Yun said in unison.
Liu Ao waved, the steeds raised their hooves and neighed.
“Hyah!”
The pair of boys pulled on their reins, lashed their whips, and galloped forward. Zhiwei had a lump stuck in her throat, Master may be really quick-witted but he trusts others too easily and has no schemes up his sleeve. If something happens along the way–
“You’re called Zhiwei? Come, take a seat.”
Liu Ao ordered her to take a seat. Zhiwei felt slightly shocked but she didn’t dare to refuse and sat down beside them.
“You’ve been taking care of Xin’er for a long time now, what does he like to do in his free time?”
“Your Majesty, His Highness Xin is an eager learner and asks a lot of questions, yet this servant can’t say what he loves most.” Trembling with terror, Zhiwei answered the question, then took a deep breath and continued, “Since the Prince and the Princess Consort passed away, His Highness lost all interest.”
Liu Ao sighed. Back then, Liu Xin’s father, Liu Kang, fought against the northern barbarians and was killed in battle. Not long after, unable to bear the pain of eternal parting, his wife followed him by throwing herself into a river. At a young age Liu Xin had been abandoned by his parents in the world of the living. Liu Ao was fully aware of Liu Xin’s innate talent, yet he could not think of a way to make up for the wounds in his heart.
“Then… at present, in the palace, who’s the scholar teaching him?”
Liu Ao’s question instantly attracted Wang Mang’s attention, he answered, “An elderly scholar surnamed Xu, that old fellow’s home was raided by me yesterday. He let His Highness Xin write essays on some demagogy subjects, instead of teaching him the proper doctrines.”
Zhiwei was startled and said, “Lord Wang, you had Teacher Xu’s house searched? His Highness respects him very much, he said that he isn’t afraid of authority and dares to speak his mind.”
Wang Mang smiled dismissively, “That’s just because Xin’er is still too young to understand. No need to worry, I’ve chosen a more erudite teacher for him already.”
The horizon was set ablaze, tinting the sky a deep red.
In the darkness, however, the karmic ties of love and hate began to take form.
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Translator’s Note:
Jovial Records of the Bamboo Beauty is a novel I hold dear.
When I first read it, I couldn’t put it down and ended up rereading it a few days later.
My first language isn’t English or Chinese, so translating can be challenging for me. But I promise to complete this translation project.
Please take a look at the first few chapters of Bamboo Beauty.
If you’ve read till here, I think you might like Liu Xin and Dong Xian too. 
Historical Accuracy
Asuka T mentions the following in her preface: “My writings borrow from history, but not in their entirety. […] Everyone, this is a work of fiction, don’t read it if you expect a historically accurate account.”
If you’re interested in the topic, I recommend listening to this podcast about Liu Xin and Dong Xian.
Audio Drama
The fanmade audio drama can be found here, episode 01 covers chapters 01-03.
Qingyin only produced this one pilot episode, unfortunately.
Thank you for your hard work, looking forward to seeing where this novel goes
Thank you for your kind words!
You are so very welcome, as someone who can only understand English,no matter how hard I try, I am reliant on such wonderful people as yourself who translate books found in languages I can’t understand to ones I can. Thank you to you and all the other wonderful translators and editors for all your hard work. I personally appreciate it greatly