“That’s a good proposal!” Liu Ao’s line of sight shifted to Dong Xian “We were just about to select a suitable official position in the imperial court for you. The Empress Dowager is considerate. Shengqing, from now on you’ll be Xin’er’s teacher.”
“I dare not disobey your will, Your Majesty.” Dong Xian said respectfully to the Empress Dowager. “I’ll do my best to confer Ruism on His Highness Xin.”
“Wait!” Hearing someone suddenly shout everyone turned to look at the speaker. Liu Xin walked in front of Wang Zhengjun, reminding coldly, “Your Majesty, thank you very much for your consideration, but my estate houses a worthy teacher. Lord Dong needs rest, I think it’d be best to let him recuperate in the palace.”
Letting Dong Xian enter the palace ran counter to her thought thus Wang Zhengjun angrily replied, “What? Xin’er, you aren’t satisfied with the person I picked for you?”
“Aunt, you’re overthinking. His Highness Xin does not mean this.” Wang Mang stood up to smooth things over, and stated, “I returned to Chang’an in a haste and I haven’t had time to tell you yet, Your Highness Xin. I impeached your former teacher for the crime of insulting the imperial court in his poems. I had him sent back to his hometown after seizing his estate and dismissing him from office.”
“What? Teacher Xu was expelled from the capital?” Liu Xin was startled, a light glinting in his black pupils. “Uncle Mang, can you truly prove that Teacher Xu did this?”
Wang Mang chuckled lightly, “His poems and texts included insinuations insulting the imperial court. Your Highness, you’re too young to understand. Lèse-majesté is punishable by death, if serious. Not taking his life, means opening the net on one side.”
“Teacher Xu taught me orthodox Ruism I’ve never heard him insult the imperial court. Your Majesty you must investigate this matter thoroughly…” Liu Xin looked at Dong Xian, standing to the side, out of the corner of his eyes. He still saw that gentle and light smile, as if nothing under the heavens could move his heart.
Liu Ao stood on the side, listening to their exchange for some time, then decided in a deep voice, “Regardless of Teacher Xu’s lèse-majesté, he is old and ought to return to his hometown and retire. Xin’er, We shall issue an edict ordering Dong Shengqing to teach you on his behalf.”
“No need for such troubles.” Dong Xian walked forward and replied, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to issue an edict for my sake. I shall teach His Highness Xin for three months first and after three months, if he isn’t satisfied with my lectures, it won’t be an issue to look for a replacement.”
His casual and confident tone was like a written challenge of war, tightening Liu Xin’s heart.
Liu Ao laughed out loud and ordered, “Alright! As you wish! However you’re wounded at the moment, don’t worry too much. It’d be best if you’d move into Weiyang Palace. Xin’er, no need to return to your estate, live in the palace complex from now on.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After Dong Xian finished speaking, he turned around to meet Liu Xin’s stare, who thought, Dong Shengqing, let’s see who will live high and look down in the end! To Liu Xin, the look in Dong Xian’s eyes was blatant arrogance and aggression; though he did not like to confront others, he’d never run once conflict occurred. Clearing his throat he continued, “Thank you, Your Majesty, I’ll let Lord Dong be my teacher for now.”
The wise may be cornered by their own ingenuity; cleverness may overreach itself. Wang Zhengjun wanted to send the two of them out of the palace complex yet they ended up staying instead She was about to speak up to oppose the Emperor’s order, when the inner palace’s Chief Steward rushed toward them.
The Chief Steward fell to his knees and admitted in a terrified tone “Reporting to Your Majesty the Emperor, reporting to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager… Her Highness Consort Xi gave birth…”
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 Ao was overjoyed, hastily asking, “She gave birth? Is the baby a boy or a girl?”
“C qglcmf, yea… yea Jbcrbga Wl’r ybvs kjr abb kfjx jcv atf ewylilmji mbgv kgjqqfv jgbecv atf mtliv’r ifur veglcu vfilnfgs.” Ktf Jtlfo Vafkjgv gfqilfv lc j agfwyilcu abcf, atfc abbx j vffq ygfjat jcv jvvfv, “Lfg Llutcfrr tbnfgfv yfakffc ilof jcv vfjat atfc olcjiis ujnf ylgat ab j qglcmf lc qjlc; yea yfmjerf bo lctfgfca vfolmlfcms atf mtliv… vlfv joafg tjio jc lcmfcrf ralmx’r alwf.”
Liu Ao’s joy turned to rage, he kicked the Chief Steward who knelt on the ground, loudly yelling, “You mean Our child died?”
Scared out of his wits, he nodded his head to admit the truth.
The long-awaited happiness turned to nothingness, as if he’d been teased by the Gods. Liu Ao felt furious and annoyed, beside himself with wrath; he loudly yelled “Heed Our order, throw that Consort Xi into the Cold Palace.”
Dong Xian sighed softly, he felt sorry for the concubines kept in the inner palace. They ardently awaited a night of spring with eyes like autumn waters, yet after a single night of spring beside their beloved sovereign, the wait still continued ceaselessly. The Emperor’s concubines were mere vessels to vent his lust or tools to carry on the family line. The prince’s premature death lead to the misery of his mother consort, who’s still in confinement.
A slight smile appeared on the corners of Wang Mang’s lips, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Liu Xin lowered his head, he stayed silent and listened to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager curse Consort Xi. I’ve never understood why the human heart can be split into several halves. I don’t have the heart to become emperor, being emperor means turning one’s back on too many people. If I were to ascend the imperial throne, I’d definitely not keep countless concubines.
“Useless! Utterly useless! She usually drank so many Lingzhi tonics to supplement her body, yet she couldn’t even keep a child in her womb. None of these women in the inner palace are any good!” Wang Zhengjun’s anger raged. All of my preparation and anticipation came to nothing!
Noticing her rage, the maid accompanying her appeased in a gentle tone, “Your Majesty calm your anger, it’ll only harm your health. In Changle Palace the Pekingese gave birth to three small puppies yesterday.” Wang Zhengjun loved dogs, so her burning rage dowsed once she heard her maid’s comment.
The entrance to the gardens erupted in noise.
Zhao Feiyan, the current Empress rushed over after receiving a report. Dressed in golden phoenix patterned robes, with willow brows and cherry lips, Zhao Feiyan possessed a pure and perfect beauty. She was a compassionate woman, her heart ached when she heard that Consort Xi lost her dear child. She arrived in haste not worrying about the Emperor nor Empress Dowager’s anger; asking, “Your Majesty, how is Consort Xi? She’d be devastated by her child’s premature passing. Allow me to accompany her.”
Liu Ao was in a bad mood, dismissing her with a deep voice, “No need to comfort her, We’ve made arrangements already.”
Zhao Feiyan wanted to ask again, yet the Empress Dowager slowly stood up and said to the maid beside her, “Help me back to my Changle Palace, the inner palace has truly taken a turn for the worse.”
Everyone present stood up and sent off the Empress Dowager and her entourage in unison. Dissatisfied with the Empress’ low status as a dancing girl, Wang Zhengjun disdainfully said, when she walked past her, “Even the Pekingese in Changle Palace can give birth to offspring, hmph! Worse than a dog…”
Zhao Feiyan’s face turned as pale as paper, she had a peaceful quiet personality and couldn’t bear such humiliation from others especially from her own mother-in-law. Looking at the Empress Dowager leave with her entourage in a mighty manner, the aloof Mother to the Realm had reddened eyes glistening with tears like a little girl. Unable to stand steadily, she leaned back slightly and fell against a man’s broad chest. Startled Zhao Feiyan turned her head and met eyes as serene as water.
“Your Majesty, your complexion appears to be awfully pale; are you alright?” Wang Mang smiled briefly and placed his hand on her waist, he said to he maid accompanying her, “Come over, the Empress needs support.”
Wang Mang spoke kindly and considerately, yet Zhao Feiyan had a hunch in her heart. She softly replied, “I was in a hurry just now, no need to worry. Lord Wang, thank you for taking care of me.”
Liu Ao was still upset over the loss of his son, he didn’t notice the slightest change in his surroundings. Turning around to face Zhao Feiyan, he added blankly, “Return to your palace, if you’re feeling unwell. No need to be concerned about Consort Xi.”
“Yes.” Zhao Feiyan agreed quietly but the disappointment in her beautiful pair of eyes couldn’t be concealed. She turned back to glance at the Emperor yet met Wang Mang’s eyes instead. She hastily turned her head away and left without another word.
Dong Xian had watched the entire scene. Seeing the sly smile on Wang Mang’s lips, he felt pity for the harmless empress.
Liu Ao’s rage subsided slightly, he said to Liu Xin, “We shall grant you Yuyang Palace, you and Dong Shengqing shall live in it from now on. We’ll send someone to your estate to inform the servants of your new residence.” After he finished speaking, Liu Ao retreated to a side room to take a rest.
Wang Mang patted Liu Xin on the shoulder, smiled and said, “Your Highness Xin, His Majesty seems to like you very much; you must live up to his expectations.”
Liu Xin had long noticed that Wang Mang’s thoughts weren’t so simple, he had never left a good impression on him. Forming a faint smile, Liu Xin refused to respond.
Wang Mang glanced at Dong Xian, smiled and walked away. The inner palace’s Chief Steward, who’d just escaped a calamity wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and politely said to them, “Your Highness Xin, Lord Dong, allow this servant to take you to Yuyang Palace.”
Liu Xin didn’t leave with Dong Xian and excused himself, “I will return to the estate first to take care of some matters.” Then he left by himself.
Yuyang Palace had always been the imperial residence of the crown prince. It’d been left idle because Liu Ao lacked an heir to pass on the throne. Considering the Emperor’s arrangements, it was clear that he attached great importance to his nephew. The palace wasn’t as magnificent and impressive as Weiyang Palace, yet Yuyang Palace’s architecture was still remarkable.
Dong Xian took the time to look around their new residence, when he was about to tour the gardens he noted a tall and straight man walk toward him; the man carried a bundle in his hands, he wore the clothes of a servant and appeared to do odd jobs around the palace complex. This servant is walking usually fast… Dong Xian thought that something seemed off. He could not help but touch the soft whip wound around his waist with one hand.
To his surprise, when the man neared him he didn’t intend to stop and simply passed by. In a hurry, he walked straight towards the palace gate. If they don’t receive the order, palace servants aren’t allowed to walk this fast.
Dong Xian noticed that he carried a lot of things in his hands, but he didn’t look like he left the palace to do business. Thinking it strange, he shouted, “Halt!”
The man jolted for a moment then hurried onward.
Living in the deep and desolate palace was like being trapped in a golden cage. Year after year there’d be disobedient servants who tried to escape. Though they’d be sentenced to death if they were caught, their lives that likened a prisoner’s prompted them to fly like moths to the flame again and again.
Dong Xian didn’t dare to act rashly and thought of the man’s stern face and his choice to escape during the day. Serving in this imperial palace means regarding death as home. If I insisted on stopping him, I’m sure he’d fight to the end.
“If you want to leave why not choose another time and place? Even if you pass my scrutiny, the guards standing at the gateway won’t let you go.”
As soon as he spoke, the servant finally stopped; there wasn’t anyone around thus Dong Xian approached him and added, “Are you so anxious to leave the palace, because one of your relatives is sick?”
Hearing his question, the man in front finally turned towards him. His facial features appeared ordinary yet his ink-black eyes glinted with profound insight. Dong Xian did not avoid his gaze, he prepared to reach out for the bundle and advised, “Don’t carry anything, it’s too obvious. At a glance, anyone can notice you’re trying to run away.”
He tried to grab the bundle, but the man quickly moved aside.
Dong Xian abruptly laughed out loud and teased, “What’s the matter, Your Highness Xin? If you really don’t want me to tutor you, you can request His Majesty to find a replacement for me.”
Hearing this, the man in front turned around, his regal manner revealing the air of a ruler.
Dong Xian said, “Your Highness Xin, this is a simple matter. You were startled when I asked you to hand over the bag in your hands. If you weren’t on guard against me, an enemy, you would not’ve moved away in an instant.”
“Don’t you have any reservations before you make a move?” Once the man opened his mouth his voice sounded like Liu Xin’s “Why did Wang Mang’s no. one spy reach out for something but end up defeated?”
Liu Xin felt a little annoyed, what he wanted to prove hadn’t been verified. The incident of pulling the bundle away was a key point. The moment Dong Xian reached out his hand, he made an overly hasty move. I thought he’d try to grab it… this is what my institution as a martial artist told me. My movement speed is fast, yet unexpectedly Dong Xian’s perception is so profound he can force me to reveal my real identity!
Liu Xin was a few years younger than Dong Xian, yet they were about the same height. Staring straight at him, Liu Xin’s manner seemed imposing.
On my first day as his tutor, my student already fights me with his might and majesty. Dong Xian was slightly surprised, but he smiled and stated, “Your Highness Xin, do you want me to teach you today?”
“Wang Mang’s spy shouldn’t be so straightforward.” Liu Xin coldly declared, “Lord Dong, although I may not be well-read in the classics, I am knowledgeable. Who knows how learned you are… Is there still anything significant you can teach me?”
“It’d be best if there’s nothing I can teach you, Your Highness. The color blue is made of indigo, yet is more vivid than indigo.” Dong Xian calmly continued, “If the student surpassed his tutor, I can rest assured.” He ignored the thorns in Liu Xin’s words, as if there were nothing to it.
Fire requires water, rigidity requires softness. Liu Xin gazed at Dong Xian, meeting his beautiful pair of dark eyes. The smoke of battle filled the sky yet no spark was lit. “Then, I will wait for you to teach me.” Liu Xin pursed his lips, turned and left. Where I live doesn’t matter much… My heart is as serene as a pool of stagnant water anyway.
A trace of curiosity flashed across Dong Xian’s calm face, as he thought, It appears this task will be quite difficult to deal with.
