In the afternoon, Zhiwei quickly came to Yuyang Palace to take care of organizational issues, she was allocating rooms and items when she saw Dong Xian walking along a winding corridor; her cheeks flushed red instantly. She hurried to Liu Xin’s chambers, seeing him studying by himself she inquired, “Master, does Lord Dong live in Yuyang Palace too?”
Liu Xin didn’t look up, he only sounded a response.
Zhiwei couldn’t conceal her joy and asked again, “Why does the Emperor allow Lord Dong to live with you?”
Liu Xin put down the book he held in his hands and said in a calm manner as his eyes glinted, “I must’ve fallen for someone’s shrewd scheme. That person’s intentions are unpredictable, you should stay away from him and anyone he’s associating with.”
Although she knew that he guarded against Wang Mang, not Dong Xian, Zhiwei still felt a little wronged when she heard him, she pouted and said, “Master, you’re too biased, you had next to no contact with him. How can you know whether he’s a good or bad person?”
The thread of love had already wrapped around her heart. She couldn’t stand hearing others badmouthing Dong Xian; once she finished speaking, she hurriedly ran out the room again.
Liu Xin shook his head, How can a carefree girl like Zhiwei worry about this troubled world? Unfortunately, I’m different. I may be determined to stand aloof from worldly affairs, but I’ve been born into the imperial family.
I don’t dare to lead a leisurely life.
Expecting his end, he expressed his lament.
Dong Xian strolled through the gardens, he’d already chosen a secluded courtyard for himself. Though it was near the garden, it seemed a bit shabby. Presumably, no one other than him would want to reside in it. Dong Xian preferred peace and quiet, he was glad about finding a deserted side courtyard where no one would come to disturb him.
The servants hastily carried items from one room to another. Dong Xian avoided them, unhurriedly wandering about Yuyang Palace. The sound of people rushing about became distant.
Dong Xian reclined in a pavilion by himself and admired the gardens. The scenery was a pleasant sight, a few yellow orioles perching on the branches above were cheerfully chirping a song; the yellow orioles sang merrily yet they didn’t see the poisonous snake slowly slithering up the tree trunk from behind. The snake stuck out its split tongue and hissed without sound. Thinking that it was about to catch its luscious prey, the snake straightened and leaped up–
Swish–
A soft whip was drawn and lashed against the tree trunk; the whiplash resounding in the air. The fragile branches were broken in an instant and the startled oriole flew afar. Dong Xian’s whip wound around the snake, spun it a few times, then yanked it hard toward the ground; the poisonous snake was severed into several pieces of flesh that lay limp on the ground.
The soft whip was hastily retracted by a pair of fair hands. Its wielder cautiously glanced around and after confirming no one noticed his actions, he swiftly wound his whip around his slender waist again.
Dong Xian raised the wide sleeve covering his right wrist and revealed a hideous sword wound, Wang Mang’s sword slash was accurate and ruthless, his strike would’ve severed the lifegate of any martial artist. Thankfully, the heavens pitied me, my tendons are deeper than others’ thus the sword slash didn’t harm me. A marionette has no right to oppose its puppeteer’s will, but it isn’t obliged to tell him everything openly.
This is the Gods’ gift!
Dong Xian swore he’d never reveal his remaining martial arts skill if not absolutely necessary. Reminded of his sister-in-law’s rescue by the previous scene, Dong Xian was unwilling to watch on and intervened.
‘Lord Dong lost his martial arts.’ If the court thought this true the charade became fact. What’s more I don’t require my martial arts for my current task.
Dong Xian had been sitting in the pavilion for half a day yet Liu Xin didn’t send a single servant to summon him. Dong Xian was glad to be at ease, spending the afternoon in a free and easy manner. Recalling Liu Xin’s suspicious stare he chuckled lightly “Liu Xin, you may be exceptionally clever, unfortunately you’ve been born into troubled times. You’re destined to remain a mere qi piece in this dispute, unless you replace Wang Mang…”
As the sky darkened, Dong Xian returned to his secluded side courtyard. The chamber was still as messy as before, the servants likely focused on tidying up the main courtyard and forgot about this remote side courtyard. Dong Xian didn’t care for their lack of attention; he cleaned up a little, lit a candle then sat at a table to read the Classic of Poetry.
The candle’s flickering light tinted Dong Xian’s features in a distinct beauty, alternating between light and dark. Engrossed in reading the wooden slip, he forgot the time. The night deepened, the candle burnt down but no one had asked him to attend dinner.
Dong Xian didn’t feel very hungry and decided to rest for the night; he didn’t even have a blanket to cover himself and the bed boards creaked when he walked over and laid down. Dong Xian decided against calling an attendant and removing his white robe he instead snuggled against the bedside to sleep for a bit. He had fallen asleep for a while when the sweeping wind seeped into the room, the bedside did little to shield him from the gusts of wind. Dong Xian stretched out his hand to fasten his neckline, but the cold wind still chilled him to the bone. He couldn’t help but curl up on the hard bed.
The door to the room was abruptly pushed open, Dong Xian raised his head and saw a girl in servant clothes standing outside the door holding a bamboo basket.
Zhiwei had been busy cleaning up all day, after hastily eating dinner, she suddenly recalled that she hadn’t seen Dong Xian for some time. Grabbing a few leftover dishes, she swiftly searched all of Yuyang Palace until she finally found him in this deserted side courtyard.
“Lord Dong, why’re you here? I’ve already prepared a proper room for you.” Dong Xian looks so bright and elegant! When she met his eyes, Zhiwei was too shy to continue speaking.
Dong Xian sat up and said, “Thank you for visiting me, Miss. I haven’t eaten all day and am a little hungry.”
Zhiwei placed the bamboo basket containing the leftovers on the table. Noticing that the bed wasn‘t covered with a quilt, she was about to anxiously fetch one for him. Dong Xian hastily held her back and added, “Take a seat first. I can’t eat so many dishes by myself, why don’t you stay and have a meal with me?”
Zhiwei slowly nodded and softly stated, “My name is Zhiwei. Lord Dong, you may call me by my given name.”
“So you’re Zhiwei! Wang Mang mentioned to me that you’re His Highness Xin’s personal maid.” Dong Xian sat down at the table, handed Zhiwei a pair of chopsticks and signaled her to sit down too.
He spoke in a kind tone, so Zhiwei no longer hesitated out of politeness and sat at the other side of the table.
Noting her not moving her chopsticks, Dong Xian picked up some dishes and placed them in Zhiwei’s bowl, he asked, “What kind of literature does His Highness Xin usually like to read?”
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.
Zhiwei felt flattered and explained “Master likes to read a lot! I don’t recognize everything he reads, but he often reads Records of the Grand Historian.”
“Records of the Grand Historian?” Dong Xian raised his eye-brows, “Then, does he prefer the emperors’ biographies in Basic Annals or the dynastic chronicles in Hereditary Houses?”
Zhiwei rolled her eyes and replied, “Master seems to love the Annals of Xiang Yu the most.”
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“I prefer peace and quiet, few people will come to disturb me here.” Dong Xian declined Zhiwei’s proposal. Out of worry, she went out then brought back a cotton-wadded quilt, a basin filled with warm water and some other common items. Only then was she slightly satisfied with the state of the chamber.
“Miss Zhiwei, it’s getting late. I shouldn’t keep you anymore. If you need my help in the future, feel free to ask.”
Hearing him express his thanks to her, Zhiwei was pleasantly surprised. She hastily said, “Then, would you paint a portrait for me?” As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. How can I, a maiden take the initiative to ask for a portrait? Zhiwei was too shy and ashamed to speak. Under the mellow candlelight, Dong Xian appears as beautiful as a painting. I should be satisfied with this single memory.
Dong Xian thought Zhiwei wanted her own portrait made, so he said with a light smile, “Miss Zhiwei, do you want me to draw a portrait of you? Well, sit down. I’ll draw it right away.”
Taken aback briefly, Zhiwei was too embarrassed to explain, she mumbled, “No… I want you… to draw greenery, please.”
“Greenery?” Dong Xian unrolled a scroll and asked, with a brush in hand, “What plants do you like?”
Zhiwei was simply talking nonsense, she couldn’t think of a response on the spot. Glancing at the gallant and charming man before her, she casually said, “Lord Dong how about… you paint a picture of bamboo for me.”
“It turns out you like bamboo, that’s really rare among girls.”
Seeing him skillfully grasp the brush’s handle, Zhiwei’s heart warmed. Elegant demeanor, slender brows and thin figure. Dong Xian’s entire body appeared enveloped in an aura of immortal qi he resembled the green bamboo hidden in the realm of immortals far from mortals’ reach.
“I drew this painting in a hurry. Thank you, Miss Zhiwei, for your kindness. I’ll repay you properly in the future.” Dong Xian handed the painting to Zhiwei after the ink had dried, and asked, “At what time did His Highness’ former teacher tutor him?”
“Master is an eager learner, so he took the initiative to invite Teacher Xu once a day.” Zhiwei gladly received the artwork and after estimating that the third watch had passed, she reluctantly bid farewell.
Dong Xian nodded and opened the door for her. After he had sent Zhiwei away, he walked to the table and calmly wrote a few chapters of the Annals of Xiang Yu. A look of helplessness in his eyes, Dong Xian said to himself, “The Hegemon of Western Chu was a fearless hero, of obstinate and self-opinionated character. That brat is descended from the Duke of Pei, but he doesn’t mind the taboo and regards Xiang Yu as his role model…”
Thinking of their future discussion, a strong interest suddenly surged in his heart. Dong Xian laughed out loud at the thought, Maybe I’m thinking too much.
Liu Xin was not happy about residing in Yuyang Palace. For two whole days some of his imperial cousins, whom he had little contact with came to visit him. If they had a good attitude, they’d flatter and fawn on him; if they had a bad attitude, they’d coldly sneer at him out of envy.
The dishes of the palace complex were all rare and delicious; it was a pity that Liu Xin grew tired of them after only two days and had no appetite for the table full of delicacies in front of him. In the past once he behaved like a picky eater in his private estate Zhiwei’d patiently persuade him until he ate a wholesome meal. Today she stood at his side, not speaking a word. Liu Xin wasn’t used to her silence, so he turned around and asked, “What’re you thinking? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Zhiwei came to once Liu Xin called out to her, “Master, it’s been two days! Why won’t you invite Lord Dong for a lecture? You used to review your assigned readings every day.”
Liu Xin put down his chopsticks, not responding. At present, he reviewed his readings as before but without a teacher to guide him. Liu Xin was prejudiced against Dong Xian, not only had he been sent by Wang Mang to spy on him, he even had an arrogant and aloof attitude. Liu Xin thought, Dong Shengqing is beautiful beyond belief! He works for that Wang Mang, shouldn’t he look like a poisonous snake? Why does he have the appearance of an immortal?
While his thoughts were in chaos, Zhiwei asked again, “Why not invite Lord Dong to dinner?”
“No need, he’ll eat by himself when he’s hungry.”
Liu Xin’s assumption was groundless.
Hearing him Zhiwei heatedly thought, For two days now, no one cared if Dong Shengqing received his meals on time or not! He doesn’t adhere to the important rule of ‘three meals a day.’ If I didn’t deliver them, he’d go hungry!
Zhiwei brought over the bamboo basket and picked out a few dishes he might like then placed them on the basket’s blue lining. Not sparing a glance at Liu Xin and his half-eaten meal; Zhiwei turned around and ran out.
Liu Xin had grown up with Zhiwei, the two of them could be considered childhood friends. He was usually lenient toward her, yet witnessing her insist on her will at this moment, he felt a little uneasy.
At a loss, he sat alone at the large table.
After an incense stick’s time Zhiwei returned to the dining room. Seeing her place the untouched dishes back on the table. Liu Xin sarcastically said, “He won’t eat? What a schemer.”
“Lord Dong mentioned that he’s been feeling feverish lately. To recover his health, he only drinks herbal tea and plain congee. Lord Dong shouldn’t eat too much meat and fish.”
Liu Xin didn’t like Dong Xian. Hearing Zhiwei’s explanation he merely thought that he was purposefully putting on airs. Liu Xin added in a low voice, “Go tell Dong Shengqing to come over to the study, I want to attend class.”
Long and slender fingers stroked across the stacks of bamboo scrolls and slips. Dong Xian picked up a stack to examine it. The bamboo surface was smooth and the strings at the hinges looked loose, indicating that the scrolls and slips were often read.
When he was about to take a closer look at the content of the slip in his hands the sight in front of him suddenly swayed. Dong Xian took a deep breath and barely stabilized his body; the hectic pace over the past few days left him fatigued, he felt dizzy from time to time.
I did not expect that this small leopard with claws and fangs, would seek me out so hastily. Entering Liu Xin’s personal study on the third day surprised even Dong Xian.
The door was suddenly pushed open, Dong Xian turned back and saw Liu Xin standing in the doorway. Liu Xin sized him up, he had yet to say a word and was already exceedingly cautious.
Dong Xian stood up and allowed him to seize him up. Seeing Liu Xin’s critical look, he joked, “Your Highness would you like to search my body again? I came alone and have no helper.”
Liu Xin walked up to him and asked instead, “You don’t take a bite of the dishes delivered to you because you lack an appetite, right? Seeing you strolling around Yuyang Palace these past two days, you don’t seem to feel unwell.”
Dong Xian acted surprised and lightly raised his thin lips, “It turns out that you noticed me, Your Highness. It appears Yuyang Palace isn’t as extensive as I thought.”
The two silently fought a fight of oppression; though Liu Xin was young he possessed a deterrent qi between his eyebrows. No matter what, the qi he exuded was blocked by Dong Xian’s calm and collected attitude like an invisible barrier. Like a ray of light shining on a water surface, the light reflected in all directions but couldn’t cause a single ripple.
Liu Xin looked away, walked to the desk, sat down and said, “Let’s start class, did you prepare a subject in advance?”
The opposing side withdrew from battle. In this round, Dong Xian definitely defeated Liu Xin’s forces.
Seeing Liu Xin’s indifferent attitude, Dong Xian suppressed his smile and said seriously, “Your Highness Xin, since you are listening to my lectures… Please call me ‘Teacher’ during class from now on.”
Startled, Liu Xin’s eyes glinted like a flash of lighting. Dong Xian caught onto his reluctance, his doubts dispelled thoroughly.
It wasn’t that Liu Xin had no respect for his teachers, to him Dong Xian was an entirely different type of person. Narrowing his black eyes, he stared at Dong Xian for some time then slowly whispered, “Teacher…”
Lips curving into a calm smile, Dong Xian thought, I did not prepare a script in advance. So, he simply stood before Liu Xin, who sat at his desk, and asked, “I heard that you like Records of the Grand Historian, Your Highness Xin. Did you know that this work was nearly burnt? The publication of its content forbidden, because it criticized the court.”
Liu Xin replied, “The late Emperor Wu made great achievements throughout his reign; due to his countless contributions to the court and the public, it was inevitable that he’d end up overly proud and paranoid in his later years.” Dong Xian’s simple ques-tion seemed to expose the scars of the Han Empire, yet Liu Xin didn’t speak in a roundabout way, he openly expressed his opin-ion on the matter.
His thoughts draw blood on the first prick, Dong Xian thought to himself.
“Emperor Wu’s actions can be divided into ‘seven parts good and three parts bad.’ Considering your tone, this division doesn’t seem fair.” Dong Xian slowly stated “During the compilation of The Records of the Grand Historian countless changes occurred in the imperial court; after General Li Guangli surrendered to the Xiongnu, Sima Qian came forward to intercede and enraged the Emperor, receiving punishment is reasonable.”
To gain a firm foothold in the imperial court, one must go though a transformation. Some words should never be spoken out loud, even if they’re the truth; sweet words are always a hundred times more pleasant than words from the heart.
Liu Xin retorted angrily, “Li Guangli’s defeat by the Xiongnu was the inevitable result of the late Emperor Wu listening to the opposing officials’ slander and suppressing his military rank and recourses. For the completion of Records of the Grand Historian two generations of the Sima Family exhausted their efforts. For you… Teacher to say this, I can’t help but sigh.”
These simple and passionate thoughts let Dong Xian secretly laugh in his heart yet he said in a serious tone, “You mean to say that it’s a matter of course to submit to the Xiongnu after defeat? Haven’t you heard the saying ‘The Xiongnu aren’t exterminated, how can we settle down?’”
Without his knowledge, this person had warped his meaning. Liu Xin didn’t insist on arguing and, coming up with a new idea, said instead, “Teacher, can I ask you to change the topic?”
Gaining the upper hand, Dong Xian didn’t intend to end their argument easily and added, “The Basic Annals in Records of the Grand Historian record the reigns of a total of twelve emperors. Strictly speaking, the Hegemon of Western Chu who you admire can’t be regarded as an emperor who unified the Central Plains.” If the conversation isn’t congenial, saying even half a sentence is too much.
Liu Xin snorted, didn’t want to listen to the lecture anymore, and waved his hand, “Lord Dong, I think we’ll end this class for today. I feel a little tired.”
The moment the lecture ended, Liu Xin addressed Dong Xian differently. Be my teacher? Dong Shengqing, you aren’t worthy! You’re just a spy sent by Wang Mang.
Dong Xian had long prepared for his response, he pursed his thin lips and said with a smile that wasn’t a smile “Alright, that’s all for today.” Noticing Liu Xin get up to leave, Dong Xian again added, “Your Highness don’t be so hasty, I haven’t assigned you your homework yet.”
Liu Xin was startled, turned around and asked, “What did you say?”
“It should be a simple assignment to you, you merely need to write the Basic Annals from memory.” Dong Xian stretched out his fingers to count, “Your Highness, I’d take an average person about half a month to memorize Basic Annals. However, you’re familiar with the work and should be able to accomplish this task in three days.”
If one failed to exert restraint and revealed one’s talent too early, it’d be difficult to become powerful in the end. Historically, the rulers who failed because of this weren’t few.
Dong Xian had instructed Liu Xin to write Basic Annals from memory, the work was full of fascinating insights into the reigns of past emperors; the tight three-day deadline was simply a small punishment.
Unexpectedly, Liu Xin smiled a leisurely smile as he listened to him speak. He sat back down at his desk and said, “This won’t take me three days. I memorized the annals long ago, I can easily recite them from memory.” Intending to surprise Dong Xian, he spread out a blank bamboo scroll.
However, he noticed him walking out the chamber and heard him retort, “Your Highness, take your time, I’ll take my leave.”
“Lord Dong class hasn’t ended, right?” In annoyance Liu Xin placed the writing brush and black ink stone on the opposite side of the desk and said, “I want to use this brush and ink, come help grind ink for me.”
The ingenious role change reduced the opponent’s status to a mere courtier. Dong Xian turned his head and glanced at Liu Xin After a moment, Dong Xian smiled slightly, walked to the table, took the inkstone and ground it gently. Dong Xian’s actions were neither humble nor overbearing.
The precious jasper inkstone only needed to be ground a few times till the ink thickened enough. Dong Xian handed it to Liu Xin and added, “Your Highness, I’ve prepared the ink.”
Seeing that he obeyed his orders, Liu Xin felt a little pleased. He dipped the brush’s tip into the black ink, then wrote a single stroke. “No, grind it again!”
After going back and forth a few times the ink finally reached Liu Xin’s preferred concentration; he had initially intended to let Dong Xian return yet the other insisted on staying till he finished the task. Basic Annals was thousands of characters long, Liu Xin was aware that Dong Xian retaliated against him for instructing him to grind ink. Liu Xin was angry yet he had a strong sense of self-esteem, so he silently wrote after a moment.
Seeing Liu Xin write the strokes at a tremendous speed, Dong Xian smiled a knowing smile. Subduing an unruly little leopard is easier said than done.
The entire afternoon the two held each other back, neither of them leaving the study. In the evening, Zhiwei came to call them to eat. However, there wasn’t a response from within the room.
Swish–
Only the sound of a brush writing on paper could be heard.
In the middle of the night, Liu Xin finally finished recounting Basic Annals in its entirety. Dong Xian had stood for most of the day without drinking a drop of water, his body was already weak from standing. Liu Xin looked up, noticed his pale complexion, and asked, “Are you alright?”
“Did you finish writing from memory?” Dong Xian changed the topic, but when he spoke his voice sounded horribly hoarse. Liu Xin put the bamboo scroll on the desk, stood up and said, “If you’re tired, return to your room and read it there.”
The other’s pair of eyes appeared to be above worldly politics and pursuits, they repelled his approaches without pity. Liu Xin couldn’t stand Dong Xian’s provocative gaze and angrily added, “If you want to correct it here, that’s up to you!”
“You hate me?” Dong Xian didn’t speak loudly, yet Liu Xin was stunned by these three short words.
“No, I don’t…”
“Then why do you always make things difficult for me?”
Dong Xian asked him in a rather pitiful manner, his face pale and bloodless. After staying silent for a while, Liu Xin answered, “Because you’re following Wang Mang’s orders.”
An unexpected response, that’s to be expected. Dong Xian let out a light chuckle, thinking, I can’t hide anything from Liu Xin.
Liu Ao had no sons and there wasn’t an heir to throne for the time being. Amongst the imperial nephews, Liu Xin was the one Liu Ao was most satisfied with. Wang Mang had made countless contributions to the court and the Emperor thought highly of him yet he didn’t know that Wang Mang was the biggest threat to the Han Empire. The miliary might controlled by Wang Mang could change the dynasty in an instant.
Winning the world by war isn’t too difficult yet making the world obey you isn’t a simple task. If Wang Mang abolishes Liu Ao and directly ascends the imperial throne his title will be illegitimate. As Confucius said, ‘If the name is incorrect, then words will not follow.’ When the time comes, rebels would rise up from among the people and revolt against the new regime.
If Wang Mang assists Liu Xin and waits for him to ascend the imperial throne, then he can force the Young Master to abdicate according to popular sentiment. Wang Mang’s plan is logical.
However, Liu Xin is already wary of him.
“Him sending you to my side is nothing more than a scheme; to make me place my complete trust in you, to control my actions from afar.” Liu Xin coldly retorted, “Return and tell Wang Mang that he’s spying on the wrong person. I’ve no intention of being the crown prince.”
Dong Xian stayed silent.
He didn’t speak because there was nothing to say aloud. I’m nothing more than a mere qi piece in this grand game of his. I’m only responsible for assuring my own Master achieves his great aim by seizing the Young Master.
“So, that’s how it is.” Dong Xian’s voice sounded hoarse, the five short words seemed like a response to Liu Xin, but also like a response to himself.
Liu Xin stepped out of the study then turned his head and said to him, “Let alone, if you don’t reveal all your cards, how can I trust you? I know you still possess your martial arts skill, so you need not pretend in my presence.”
The truth was awe-inspiringly revealed by Liu Xin; a trace of surprise flashed across Dong Xian’s eyes, yet vanished instantly. He smiled slightly and asked, “Why’re you so sure?”
This time Liu Xin didn’t reply yet sneered instead.
Gradually his tall figure disappeared from Dong Xian’s sight.
