Wang Mang knew his aunt’s character well. As expected, Wang Zhengjun was enraged when she heard Dong Xian sing the third stanza. Wang Mang laughed lightly, It’s a shame that she didn’t hear the final two stanzas–
‘Cycles of rebirth and restauration never change,
Oh, when will our realm be restored?
Trust that in this world there’ll always appear a worthy one!’
The officials sitting at the tables blow stayed silent, the entire audience stayed silent, even Liu Ao was stunned.
Wang Zhengjun stood up, glanced at the guests sitting below, and said to Dong Xian, “Today is my birthday, whoever dares to make me unhappy, won’t ever be happy again in this life!”
“Lord Dong didn’t sing anything inappropriate…”
Liu Yun was partial to Dong Xian and hesitantly spoke up to support him. However when he saw Wang Zhengjun glare at him angrily, he was too scared to speak.
Wang Zhengjun turned her head back toward Dong Xian then walked down from the elevated main table. In the beautiful eyes of the one opposite her, lay no fear. Even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, he’d be unfazed.
In an instant, his pair of black pupils overlapped with another pair from years past. The same brightness, the same fearlessness, as if they saw through the world of mortals.
Why? Why’re you still so proud?
Wang Zhaojun never had the chance to meet Emperor Yuan, yet when she was sent off to the Xiongnu why’d she still smile so happily? As if she felt at home wherever she was.
Dong Xian has no one to depend on either, does he think he’s Zhao Feiyan? That Liu Ao’ll help him out too? Sadly that son of mine doesn’t look like he’d lend a helping hand. Who can he rely on now? Why isn’t he afraid of power nor position?
Bewildered, Wang Zhengjun unhurriedly walked up to Dong Xian and asked in a low voice, “Who is the ‘beauty’ you sang of in that song of yours?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager the titular ‘beauty’ in this official’s song refers to the wife of the Xiongnu’s Huhanye Chanyu, Wang Qiang.”
“What’s Wang Qiang’s birth?”
“She was originally a court lady of the late Emperor Yuan.”
Seeing her chance, Wang Zhengjun sneered and said, “Since she’s just a simple court lady, how can she be worthy of the title ‘beauty’? Lord Dong, aren’t you regarding her too highly?”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
The tense atmosphere was abruptly broken by a third person, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the voice’s origin. The third party who caught their attention was Liu Xin.
He stood up and argued, “Our Great Han has ample food and clothes, the weather is temperate. In comparison the Xiongnu are short of food and fodder, and their climate is dry. Back then, the late Emperor Yuan formed a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu he didn’t pick a princess nor a clanswoman, unwilling to let them suffer such hardship. Wang Qiang married for Great Han’s sake, she has received the Xiongnu people’s love and respect. The far-off frontier region has been at peace with the North for an entire generation. Wang Qian is truly worthy of the word ‘beauty.’”
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.
Liu Xin’s argument convinced most people present. Even Liu Ao praised, “Xin’er’s reasoning is sound. Empress Mother, why upset yourself over this minor matter?”
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Wang Zhengjun was stunned still, stared straight at him, then said, “Like teacher, like student. After spending some time with Lord Dong, you have a high notion of your duty, Xin’er.”
Finally, the tense atmosphere eased slightly. Wang Zhengjun nodded, walked back to her table and stated, “Since you all think so I must be overthinking. Lord Dong please return to your seat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Wang Zhengjun looked calm, yet she was burning with anger on the inside. Great, Dong Xian! She secretly scolded herself for lacking a thorough plan then turning against public opinion.
I should’ve known that Dong Xian isn’t a fuel-efficient lamp like Zhao Feiyan.
On the tables, wine goblets and staking chips lay intertwined. Song and dance entertained all evening, yet the previous incident let Liu Xin ‘carry his heart and hang his gallbladder’ out of fear. After lunch, dinner would be served. The period in between was a good opportunity for officials to flatter and fawn on each other.
The size of Changle Palace was no less than Weiyang Palace, where Liu Ao lived. Liu Xin originally intended to stay far away from Dong Xian as soon as the banquet ended. But after that one song he stayed by his side for some reason and accompanied him across half of Changle Palace.
This is the work of demons or gods!
Along the way a few attendees naturally came forward to chat with them, so the two didn’t talk much. They were about to reach a tranquil rock garden when Wang Mang reached it before them. Liu Xin glanced at Dong Xian indifferently, he had followed him with a quiet disposition. Now that they met Wang Mang here, he wondered if the two agreed to meet beforehand.
“Shengqing, you’re an exceptionally talented teacher. Xin’er stood up for you so soon, I didn’t even need to intervene.”
Liu Xin scoffed at Wang Mang’s words. That song obviously was written by you, Wang Mang! You and Dong Xian may stand on the same side, yet– Liu Xin didn’t dare to lean back and enjoy this act of ‘killing with a borrowed knife’ that might harm Dong Xian, even though he had known that Wang Mang would excuse Dong Xian’s actions by pretending to be a benevolent person.
Seeing through his thoughts, Wang Mang smiled slightly and stated, “I’ll take my leave and give you some space.”
Though there’s a trivial change in this grand game of qi, Liu Xin speaking up for Dong Shengqing proves that with every step my plan is coming to fruition. Isn’t this the most important move in the entire game?
Under the heavens, few people are aware of the fact that the Liu Imperial Family’s rivers and mountains are like loose leaves scattered away by the winds. The Han Empire is on the verge of collapse! I’m afraid that Liu Ao won’t see a son in this life, thus the greatest potential threat is none other than Liu Xin. How can one mountain tolerate two tigers?
The North Star shifts aside and a new five-colored star shines bright. How can the starry skies possess two Sons of Heaven? If one isn’t destroyed the realm won’t be firm.
“Lord Wang, you’re leaving so soon? Why don’t we continue our conversation?”
From beginning to end, the one who broke Wang Zhengjun’s taboo in public was non other than Dong Xian, who acted as free and easy as ever.
“No need, I intend to congratulate Consort Rong, née Yu!”
Wang Mang and Dong Xian exchanged glances. Liu Xin saw their exchange and thought, These two are plotting a conspiracy! Liu Xin casually remarked, “Uncle Mang, take care” then turned them a blind eye.
After Wang Mang left, Liu Xin was more at ease. He looked at Dong Xian standing to his side and softly said, “Teacher…”
For the first time Liu Xin addressed him as him as his teacher. Dong Xian was surprised by his student’s sudden enthusiasm, so he asked with a smile, “What’s wrong?”
“Why’d you sing that song? You obviously didn’t write it.”
Out of loyalty? Out of obedience? Because your body and mind were bought by Wang Mang? If Wang Zhengjun refused to listen to anyone’s advice out of anger, wouldn’t you lose your life?
Liu Xin truly thought that Dong Xian followed Wang Mang’s orders because he was waiting for him to usurp the dragon throne of Great Han, then he’d be hailed as a founding hero. However, if you lose your life now, how can you enjoy fame and fortune in the future? Liu Xin did not understand, he was still puzzled after pondering a hundred times.
“Not everything needs an answer. Your Highness, you’re too young, you don’t need to get to the bottom of everything.”
Dong Xian didn’t want to answer yet Liu Xin didn’t yield and added, “I heard you were raised by your elder sister-in-law since childhood. Does she live in Uncle Mang’s estate? Why don’t you take her to Yuyang Palace?”
Liu Xin’s stubbornness made him look like a child. The wide off the mark question, pierced into the center of contradiction.
Dong Xian laughed out loud, “Thank you, Your Highness for your kindness. My elder sister-in-law is seriously ill, merely the treasured collection of Lingzhi from the Wuyi Mountains, in the Grand Marshal’s Estate can relieve her symptoms so she cannot recuperate elsewhere.”
So, you’re following his orders to repay your sister-in-law’s rearing grace. Liu Xin sighed silently, his impression of Dong Xian improving greatly. Although he almost understood, he still asked, “If I saved your sister-in-law, would you be loyal to me?”
Dong Xian was taken aback by the hypothetical question.
Staying silent, he turned around to look at the rockery in front of them. A waterfall sprang forth from a spring atop the artificial rock garden, the cascading water reflected their two tall figures. The one standing to his side appeared to be quite anxious. Dong Xian saw him stretch out his hands and grab his shoulders to face him.
“I’m asking you! If I saved her, would you risk your life and limb for me too, in spite of your own safety?”
Liu Xin was actually a little afraid of Dong Xian’s answer. If he replied no it’d prove that he couldn’t compare to Wang Mang in his heart; if he replied yes it’d only prove that all was built on the thought of ‘saving my elder sister-in-law.’
Nothing more.
Dong Xian’s thoughts were in chaos. The hands holding onto his shoulders were so strong, even though he still had his martial arts skills, he couldn’t get rid of his grip at all.
How’s this possible!? Liu Xin is only seventeen years old, he should be a young and ignorant youth.
For the first time, confusion lay in his beautiful eyes.
Dong Xian didn’t respond, he had no way of answering.
Liu Xin waited a long time for him to respond, the flickering flames in his eyes fading. Dong Xian stood in a daze, his slender eyebrows creased, his sullen eyes shrouded in evening mist. Liu Xin’s long fingers caressed Dong Xian’s cheeks, then wandered to his chin. He smiled and said, “Actually, you’re really beautiful it’s a pity you were born into these troubled times.”
Dong Xian felt touched. He had wandered the world, hearing countless compliments, yet they couldn’t compare to these plain and simple words of comfort at this moment.
Liu Xin let go of Dong Xian’s shoulders and said “The palace is too boring, I’ll take you to a place that’s a thousand times more interesting than this banquet.”
Dong Xian came back to his senses. Hearing Liu Xin speak, he hurriedly asked him, “Where?”
Liu Xin chuckled cheekily, “Just follow me.” Having spoken, he took Dong Xian’s hand into his own and pulled him along.
He’s still young, after all. Dong Xian couldn’t persuade him, his hand was firmly held in the other’s hand, so he had no choice but to let himself be pulled along.
The two ran to the main gate of Changle Palace. Noticing two figures rush over, the guards guarding the gateway immediately stepped forward and asked, “Are you leaving Changle Palace?”
Liu Xin took out his imperial token and stated, “I am Liu Xin. Lord Dong and I have a matter to attend to and must leave early. Please report to the Empress Dowager on our behalf.”
The entire court knew that the Emperor valued Liu Xin, Dong Xian was a favorite of the Emperor’s as well. One of the imperial guards snuck a glance at Dong Xian, then asked Liu Xin, “Your Highness, since you’re departing, do you require us to prepare a carriage for you?”
“No need, you only need to report on our behalf.”
After Liu Xin finished speaking, he left Changle Palace along with Dong Xian.
Dong Xian followed Liu Xin all the way from the rock garden to a relay station; at the capital’s relay station Liu Xin rented two horses then turned to Dong Xian and explained, “I want to show you some wonderful scenery yet the passing scenery is a sight to behold too. If we sat in a carriage wouldn’t it be difficult to see?”
The two rode along the earthen road on horseback Liu Xin in front, Dong Xian following behind. Noticing the horses’ hooves trot on the path toward Xiyue Mountain, he loudly called out to Liu Xin, “Your Highness, aren’t you taking me up Mount Hua? I’ve been there dozens of times already.”
“Just keep up.” Liu Xin didn’t look back, rushing onward on their path, with a lash of his whip. Expecting to see a strange yet interesting sight Dong Xian let loose of the restraining reins held in his hands and allowed his horse to rush after the one afore.
