Though the two of them had run into the rain together, Liu Xin just stood aside and watched, with no intention to help. Thunder rolled and lighting flashed across the dark sky, the rainwater cut through the land as easily as a sword splitting bamboo. Rain was dripping down the headpiece on the crown of his head and along his handsome face, even his eyes seemed shrouded in thick mist.
Liu Xin could make out Dong Xian’s silhouette searching for the pendant in the thicket and rockery. Recalling his reckless and arrogant expression, Liu Xin found it ridiculous. He’s clearly a ‘broken flower, withered willow’ yet his temperament is as pure and perfect as ever.
Standing in the heavy rain, Liu Xin couldn’t avoid shivering. He felt chilled to the bone, caught up in his thoughts, A person’s appearance can be deceitful in many ways…
Dong Shengqing seems to obey me on the surface, yet this merely proves the depth of his scheming mind.
I mustn’t be fooled by him.
On the opposite side, Dong Xian held his petite paper lantern and carefully scoured the garden. The lantern’s light flickered to and fro in the wind. Though the flame wasn’t exposed to the rain it dwindled to its last embers, emitting last glimmers of light.
Rain gathered in large puddles, the tiny raindrops repeatedly rippling the puddles’ surface. In this weather, it was difficult to distinguish anything on even ground, let alone among grass and trees. Dong Xian searched every corner of the rockery, yet found nothing of note. Remembering the direction Liu Xin had thrown the pendant, he walked farther into the thicket.
The white robe he wore was damp with water, sticking to his body, he felt like a block of ice. Dong Xian breathed in and out, exhaling white mist on his hands. Glancing back, he noticed Liu Xin upright in the downpour.
Unwilling to give in, Dong Xian turned around and continued scouring the gardens for Liu Xin’s precious pendant. Dong Xian knelt next to a tree, looking at every nook and cranny. His hands were cut several times by the sharp weeds and barbed shrub that grew on the ground. Rainwater painfully seeped into the wounds on his fingers, connected to the heart.
Dong Xian bit his lower lip but still refused to stop searching.
Liu Xin wanted to force him to submit, while Dong Xian used his actions against him, impeding him in turn. Both of them were extremely stubborn; if the pendant wasn’t found, neither of them would return. Liu Xin and Dong Xian had to remain in the heavy rain and be blown by the wind.
All of a sudden Liu Xin couldn’t feel the raindrops falling on his head anymore. Shifting his sight, he noticed Zhiwei holding up a paper umbrella for him.
Zhiwei’d seen Liu Xin diligently stay in the study all day and read reports; only now had she heard from the other servants that he’d gone to Lord Dong’s courtyard. Zhiwei had rushed to them in worry.
Seeing Liu Xin standing still in the downpour from a distance she hurried over to shield him with an umbrella. Zhiwei took out her handkerchief and wiped away the water on his robes, asking, “Your Highness Xin, why’re you in the rain, what if you catch a cold? Return to your courtyard, alright?”
The figure in white was still searching fervently yet revealed an intangible indifference.
Frowning, Liu Xin declared, “I won’t return until he returns.”
Confused by his reply Zhiwei followed Liu Xin’s line of sight and immediately exclaimed, “Lord Dong! Why doesn’t he have an umbrella either? What’s he looking for?”
Limbs numb from the biting cold downpour, Liu Xin replied in a low voice, “I lost my jade pendant in the garden and ordered him to look for it.”
“Isn’t it just a jade pendant? It won’t matter, if we look for it tomorrow. Lord Dong recently recovered from a cold…” Zhiwei glared at Liu Xin, “Your Highness, you didn’t drive him into the rain to humiliate him, did you?” Zhiwei felt too anxious to speak politely, Lord Dong is of poor health!
Hearing her accusation Liu Xin silently glanced at the slender silhouette in the torrential rain, She’s right, I should be worried.
Zhiwei couldn’t stand to see him suffer, so she hastily handed Liu Xin the umbrella and hurried to Dong Xian.
A girl’s graceful figure gradually became clear in the pouring rain. Dong Xian saw Zhiwei and softly said, “You’re here too?” He stood up too fast, suddenly felt a little lightheaded and leaned against a tree to stabilize.
Zhiwei held him and asked anxiously, “Lord Dong, you only recently recovered, why’d you argue with His Highness? He told you to fetch him an item in this heavy rain and you actually listen to him?”
She lent her small arms to support him with near infinite love. Dong Xian didn’t reveal his emotions or intentions, pushed aside her arms and smiled, “Since I’m His Highness’ teacher, I should take his words seriously. I agreed thus I must complete the task.”
Despite the downpour, Dong Xian was still smiling his slight smile. In the drizzling rain, he appeared as sacred and solemn as the green bamboo shrouded in mist in the realm of immortals.
Zhiwei admired him in her heart and worried about his health so she said, “Go change out of these drenched clothes, I’ll search for the pendant in your stead.”
Dong Xian didn’t seem to hear what she’d said and continued to search. Fumbling in the grass with his long fingers, his hands trembled from the freezing temperature. Zhiwei repeatedly tried to persuade him but he didn’t listen, so she took the paper lantern from his hand and illuminated the ground in front of them.
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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From the corner of his eye, he abruptly saw Dong Xian walk towards him. He seemed exhausted, his complexion as pallid as paper. Seeing him staggering forward, nearly falling to the floor, Liu Xin was about to catch him when Zhiwei helped him instead.
One step, she was only one step ahead of me.
“Found it?”
Once the words left his lips, he sounded needlessly ruthless. Dong Xian smiled slightly, held up the precious jade pendant in his hands and said, “Your Highness, I’m afraid the jade pendant was broken in half when it was thrown out. I didn’t find the part with the tassel.”
“Your Highness it’s too time consuming to continue scouring for the other half. Now that it’s winter, what’ll I do if you catch a cold by remaining in the rain.” Liu Xin didn’t try to think about whether Zhiwei’s ‘catch a cold’ truly referred to him, or to Dong Xian.
Liu Xin took the pendant from Dong Xian without hesitation. The two characters ‘Liu Xin’ were engraved in the piece of green jadeite, from right to left. Only the half with the character ‘Liu’ was left; the broken edge of the engraved pendant was extremely sharp, it hurt to hold it the palm of his hand.
Liu Xin still treasured it, nonetheless.
Dong Xian, drenched from head to toe, couldn’t suppress his severe shivers from the freezing weather. He bit his lower lip till it bled but didn’t feel any pain, numb with cold.
At the sight, Liu Xin’s heart ached. In fact if Dong Shengqing said a single soft word at first, I would’ve relented. Surprisingly, the man may be soft to the touch, yet he’s tough as nails. He even took the initiative to walk out into the torrential rain.
“Your Highness, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Scattered ashes and dispersed smoke.
In an instant the little goodwill that had just been built up was wiped out by his lukewarm attitude. Looking at the back of Dong Xian leaving, Liu Xin loudly yelled, “Halt!”
Dong Xian turned his head toward him, his eyes resigned, as if he accepted the misfortunes decreed by fate. Standing upright in the rain his entire silhouette seemed to be enveloped in a silver aura, ethereal and transcendent.
Liu Xin didn’t dare look into the pair of dazzling black pupils His sight shifted aside, as he said to Zhiwei, “Prepare an empty wing room for him. I’ll let him live in the main courtyard, at least for now. That dilapidated hut of his is too shabby to live in. If he gets sick again, outsiders will say I mistreat Uncle Mang’s men.”
Zhiwei had intended to make a similar proposal, hearing her master’s instructions, she repeatedly agreed and hurried to make arrangements with the other attendants.
Only Liu Xin and Dong Xian remained in the garden.
Despite Liu Xin’s mention of Wang Mang, Dong Xian didn’t comment on the court’s factional strife. He indifferently replied, “No need to bother, Your Highness Xin. I prefer peace and quiet, not large courtyards were servants come and go.”
Unrestrained by nature, Dong Xian didn’t want to be an eye-sore to Liu Xin, who despised him deeply. He tactfully turned to leave. Unexpectedly, before he took a single step toward his own courtyard, someone grabbed his wrist.
Dong Xian secretly scolded himself for not recovering from his illness in time; his lower body lacked strength, he was easily pulled under the paper umbrella by Liu Xin.
“You tired of living?!” Liu Xin roared in rage, “That chamber of yours is damp and dilapidated, how’ll you dry your wet robes over a small stove?” The moment he touched Dong Xian’s wrist, he noticed his body was cold like a block of ice. Anxious for his poor health, Liu Xin pressed Dong Xian’s hands between his two palms, rubbing them against each other, trying to keep him warm without success.
Dong Xian found it funny to see him hold his hands like this. Who’s the one responsible for this in the first place? Looking at Liu Xin from up close Dong Xian noticed the strong and chiseled contours of his handsome face. The moment Liu Xin’s eyes met his, Dong Xian lost himself in his pair of pitch-black pupils.
Ready for action, like a little leopard.
Only now that they were so close to each other, did he notice that Liu Xin was a tad taller than him. He thought to himself, He didn’t grow taller overnight, did he? His hands could completely enclose his ten fingers.
Dong Xian continued to make excuses to leave, yet Liu Xin obstinately clung to his course. He held the umbrella in one hand supported Dong Xian with the other and pulled him along. Once they walked out of the large garden, the attendants waiting at the entrance led them to the wing room arranged for Dong Xian.
“You ought to take care of your health here, feel free to return after you recovered.” Liu Xin didn’t have much to say, after he’d helped him into the room, he said a single sentence and exited.
Hot water and a washtub had been prepared for him. Unused to being served by others during bathing he sent the servants out. Dong Xian untied his damp garment and washed his whole body with hot water till he gradually warmed up.
Dong Xian slowly sat down on one side of a chaise, loosening his long hair that fell down his back like a waterfall. A glimmer of green gleamed in the tie he’d bound his hair with. Dong Xian carefully took the item out of the hairtie: It was a broken half of a green jade pendant, engraved with the character ‘Xin.’
Dong Xian looked at the jade pendant for a long time, a light chuckle escaping his lips. After a moment, he hid it from sight.
The torrential rain and his recent cold caused Dong Xian high fever for a night and a day. When he woke up again, Zhiwei was to his side along with several maids. Noticing that he was awake, Zhiwei hurriedly gave him a medicinal concoction and stated, “The imperial physician examined you a moment ago. Quickly, drink the medicine he prescribed. His Highness Xin is still young he doesn’t know how to handle things correctly, why’re you both so stubborn?” Zhiwei cautioned, “Lord Dong, you only have one body, you must take proper care of yourself.”
“Liu Xin is no different from an ordinary youth. If he lacked a sense of proportion, he wouldn’t let me live here.” Dong Xian thanked Zhiwei and took the medicinal concoction.
“Speaking of which,” Zhiwei added. “Lord Dong you haven’t held many lectures for His Highness Xin, yet your tempers seem to be carved out of the same mold… Neither of you would back down a single step.”
Dong Xian was woken up with a start, he looked languid and lazy in posture, but the delicate charm between his brows could not be concealed. He sat up straight and stated, “I’ve been here for a while already, yet I haven’t imparted any knowledge to him What is Liu Xin up to? Is he planning to torment me again?”
Hearing him, Zhiwei smiled and reassured, “At this time, His Highness should be reading in the study, he isn’t a prankster. For the first time since we were children, I’ve seen him argue for the sake of arguing with another.”
Dong Xian pursed his lips and shook his head.
Thinking that he didn’t believe her, Zhiwei explained, “Lord Dong don’t think that he’s trying to throw you out. After you felt feverish last night, His Highness left to invite an expert imperial physician for you! In my opinion, he doesn’t truly hate you.”
“Since you say so, it must be true.” Dong Xian assented with sad eyes, not trusting her thoughts. “No need to worry about me. Zhiwei, you personally serve Liu Xin you’d better go back early, you’ll be talked about otherwise.”
The man in front of her abided by the restrictive customs and convoluted rules of the realm, keeping male-female interactions to a minimum. Zhiwei covertly glanced at Dong Xian’s beautiful pair of eyes, as serene as a lake without a single ripple. Zhiwei’s thoughts had a bittersweet taste Which girl wouldn’t fall for him? Sweet because Dong Xian acted refined and upright at all times. Bitter because he appeared to be too far away from her. Even all her enthusiasm wasn’t enough to leave a trace of affection in his heart.
Thinking of this, Zhiwei sighed and slowly said, “I’ll take my leave first. Do you have any orders, Lord Dong?”
The girl’s loneliness caught his eye, he felt a little apologetic. Dong Xian politely replied, “This wing room has all I need. But, it’s too spacious and a bit boring.”
Zhiwei didn’t quite understand his meaning, she still nodded her head and said, “I’ll tell His Highness. Lord Dong, rest well.” After she finished speaking, she took the medicine bowl and left.
To Dong Xian’s surprise, Liu Xin came to see him in person. Although he voluntarily paid him a visit later that day, Liu Xin’s attitude was cold like always. At the moment, Dong Xian looked out the window and enjoyed the view of the garden by himself.
Liu Xin opened the door, remarking, “Zhiwei relayed you’re bored of this place, but I think you’re in a good mood.”
Dong Xian turned around, saluted him and said, “I’m merely looking at the palace garden, it’s but a casual pastime.”
“Lord Dong, you’re the tutor Uncle Mang recommended me. As I said, I won’t treat you badly.” Liu Xin walked to a table and clapped his hands twice. “Teacher, this student must relieve your boredom, right?”
The moment he clapped his hands, women in flowing gowns gracefully moved through the open entrance. Each woman was as charming as a flower, the youngest merely a maiden. They all were well trained experts, once they entered the wing room they divided into two groups; one half made music, the other danced. The tune was played in Jiangnan’s light and quick xiaodiào style. Light gauze swayed with each move, the dancers dazzling to the eye. Their dance choreography could rival the dances performed at imperial palace banquets.
Song and dance as flawless as seamless heavenly clothes.
Dong Xian was surprised by the skillfully prepared program. Seeing Liu Xin sitting to the side with a serene expression, Dong Xian smiled and sat beside him; the two admiring the dance and music with peace of mind.
The moment the performance was completed the dancers and musicians saluted them in unison. Liu Xin looked at Dong Xian, explaining, “These women were recruited from across the realm, they practiced their song and dance skills since youth. Generally, you can only enjoy their performance during palace banquets.”
“Lord Dong, your thoughts?”
Dong Xian looked at the youthful faces with heavy make-up, turned to Liu Xin and asked instead, “Your Highness, have you ever seen Empress Zhao dance?”
Hearing him ask, Liu Xin was taken aback. Zhao Feiyan, the present empress, had been a mere dancing girl called Zhao Yizhu serving in Princess Yang’a’s estate. When Zhao Feiyan danced, she resembled a deft flying swallow, therefore she’d changed her given name.
Liu Xin didn’t reply, yet Dong Xian added, “At the time, the Emperor admired Zhao Feiyan’s peerless song and dance, so he brought her into the palace. A while ago, I was fortunate enough to witness the Empress’ superb dance performance; compared to these women’s choreography, like simple swallows perching on branches, Empress Zhao is a golden phoenix soaring among the clouds.”
With a wave of Liu Xin’s hand the women exited one by one. He thought that Dong Xian changed his approach and continued to confront him. He’s seen the most impressive dance under the heavens, so how can other people’s dances surpass it? The brief euphemistic comment rendered the entire performance a failure.
“Could it be that you want the Empress to dance for you, Lord Dong? To relieve your boredom, perhaps?” Liu Xin knew he did not think like this, but he deliberately created a dilemma for him.
Surprisingly Dong Xian smiled a leisurely smile. He rose and walked to the shelf to select a silk scroll. Returning to the table, he unrolled it and handed it to Liu Xin. “Your Highness, no need to bother the Empress. I’ve my own way of entertaining myself.”
Liu Xin glanced down, he held the Annals of Xiang Yu in his hands. Though Liu Xin loved this text, after reciting Records of the Grand Historian a while ago, he felt his forehead ache from reading the title alone.
Dong Xian pointed to a passage and said, “Today, I only want you to read this excerpt for me, Your Highness.”
Liu Xin knew the text by heart. Skimming the content of the silk scroll, he guessed the topic of today’s lesson. Liu Xin looked up and questioned, “The Feast at Swan Goose Gate?”
Dong Xian nodded, silently sat down next to him and listened
Liu Xin assumed that he might be acting on a whim; this time, he didn’t trouble Dong Xian, took the silk scroll and read aloud, “The Duke of Pei’s troops were stationed in Bashang, he did not have the chance to meet Xiang Yu. Cao Wushang, the Duke of Pei’s military officer, secretly sent a messenger to Xiang Yu who relayed, ‘The Duke of Pei intends to be King of Guanzhong…’”
After he read the entire text, Dong Xian had brewed tea and poured a cup for Liu Xin, praising, “Feast at Swan Goose Gate is a thousand characters long at least. Your Highness Xin, you’re smart and talented, you didn’t make a single mistake.”
Liu Xin didn’t accept this as correct, “I memorized this event. Thanks to you, Teacher, I’ll never forget it even if I wanted to… after you asked me to write out the Basic Annals from memory.”
Accustomed to his confrontational character, Dong Xian did not take him seriously, took a sip of tea and added “The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet will be held in a few days. Are you prepared?”
After reading the Feast at Swan Goose Gate, he immediately mentioned Wang Zhengjun’s birthday, the implication apparent. Liu Xin narrowed his eyes and replied “Uncle Mang will arrange everything. I don’t need to prepare anything in particular.”
In the imperial palace, although they appeared high and thick, the walls had ears. After exchanging a few words, Liu Xin knew his implied meaning. Sitting up straight, he changed the subject, “Uncle Mang sent a servant to deliver a letter, saying it’s for you, Lord Dong.”
Dong Xian took the letter Liu Xin handed him. Upon careful look, the red seal stamped on the letter seemed neat and tidy, the letter hadn’t been opened. Liu Xin, I’m afraid that you’ve wanted to read this letter even through the envelope.
Dong Xian smiled at the thought.
Wang Mang is a cautious and calculating man. If this were a confidential letter, he’d never send a servant to deliver it. Since it was handed to Liu Xin, it won’t matter if he reads it too. After thinking about it for a moment, he tore the envelope open in front of Liu Xin.
“It’s a song…” Dong Xian skimmed the lines then handed it to Liu Xin. Liu Xin was aware that a confidential letter wouldn’t be handed to him. He looked at the letter and read aloud,
“In Gaixia, Chu, men rush about as a song resounds,
Qin’s rivers and mountains are about to change hands,
The Liu Clan’s proud sons rise to power.
Honoring Ruism, banning the Hundred Schools,
Emperor Wu of Han heralds a golden age.
Hatred among flowers, blades among rouge,
A generational beauty journeys beyond the frontier.
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 poem’s composition appeared ambiguous, on the surface it praised the prosperity of the people and country. Liu Bang and his descendants ruled Great Han. During Emperor Wu of Han’s reign military prowess and academic advancements were at their peak. However, once one took a careful look, the stanzas ‘hatred among flowers, blades among rouge’ and ‘a generational beauty journeys beyond the frontier’ seemed to scold Wang Zhengjun, the Empress Dowager, for forcing Wang Zhaojun to depart with the Xiongnu delegation out of jealousy for her beauty.
The final stanzas seemingly alluded to the rise and fall of past dynasties, yet to Liu Xin they implied that a certain man couldn’t wait for the day the Han Dynasty fell into ruin.
Considering the rhythm and style, the poem was meant to be sung. Liu Xin put down the letter and questioned, “The so-called ‘worthy one’ in this song… is Uncle Mang referring to himself?”
Compared to Wang Mang, Liu Xin is still too inexperienced. Dong Xian didn’t voice his thoughts One day, once you think the ‘worthy one’ refers to you, then you’ll naturally understand.
