Chapter 35: Braiding Small Braids
In front of the already-raided Duke of Gong’s mansion, an intense tug-of-war was underway.
The participants were the current emperor, Fu Xun, and the Court Clerk Han Min, with General Wei Gui serving as both referee and staff.
In the audience were two spectators: the young scholar Liu Ting and the young Chancellor Jiang Huan.
Later, when Wei Huan arrived by carriage, one more spectator joined.
Wei Huan was a few years younger and had never seen such a scene before—
Han Min tugged his sleeve back forcefully. “What are you doing? Let go! I want to speak to my senior brother.”
Fu Xun seemed effortlessly relaxed as he held him back. “Say it here. Where else would you go?”
“I don’t want to say it here. I want to whisper to my senior brother. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re the emperor now, I would—”
I’d hit you!
General Wei Gui, trying to mediate, quickly hushed him: “Han Min, you can’t say that now.”
Fu Xun didn’t mind; he actually laughed out loud.
Han Min tried to calm himself. Although he wanted to fight with Fu Xun like before, it was impossible now.
He pressed down on his own hand, muttering to himself: “Han Min, stop. The people of Great Qi don’t deserve this.”
Of course, Fu Xun eventually let go, allowing him to speak quickly and return.
Han Min ran to Liu Ting’s side, grabbed his senior brother’s arm, and led him aside to talk.
Liu Ting tilted his head and sighed. “Were you like this when you lived in the palace? You should have moved out earlier and gone home.”
By “home,” he meant the Liu residence.
The elder scholar Liu was Han Min’s mentor, and the Liu family was, in a way, his second home.
Han Min glanced back, scratched his head, and whispered, “It’s not always like this… I don’t know what’s gotten into him today. Usually… he’s pretty good.”
“Oh?”
Liu Ting smiled at him.
Han Min didn’t notice, hesitating. “I only found out the day before yesterday that Senior Brother Jiang Huan moved into Senior Brother’s house… Could it be…”
The Liu family had existed for over a century and was the most famous Confucian scholarly family in Great Qi. Elder Scholar Liu was also the best elder scholar in the academy.
Although they had disciples everywhere, the Liu family never served in government. Liu Ting himself was just an academy scholar.
Not entering officialdom meant no court responsibilities—a reason for the family’s longevity.
Thus, Han Min had never worried much about the Liu family.
Now that Jiang Huan lived there, he felt uneasy, fearing the Liu family might get drawn into court politics.
Politics were unpredictable and treacherous. The Liu family could remain independent, and Han Min didn’t want to see his elderly teacher get involved.
Seeing his expression, Liu Ting guessed his worry.
“No worries,” Liu Ting explained. “Jiang Shibing is staying there as my grandfather’s student, with grandfather’s permission.”
Han Min nodded thoughtfully. “Ah… that’s good.”
It wasn’t that he was paranoid. He was close to Liu Ting and hadn’t spoken to Jiang Huan for years, so now their relationship was a bit distant.
Having experienced the Han family’s raid, he naturally leaned toward Liu Ting and cared about the Liu household.
Liu Ting feigned anger. “You’re still worried about our family? I heard from Jiang Shibing that the other day in the hall, you went in alone and scolded the Duke of Gong to his face?”
“It was urgent,” Han Min said quickly as Liu Ting’s expression stiffened. “I know my mistake…”
He muttered quietly, “Next time, I’ll dare to do it again.”
Liu Ting sighed, reached out, and flicked his forehead. “Why didn’t you move into the Liu residence when I asked you to?”
Han Min rubbed his head. “I mentioned it to His Majesty earlier, but the Duke of Gong hadn’t been dealt with yet. His Majesty said the Duke of Gong held a grudge, and leaving the palace wasn’t convenient. I didn’t want to trouble you all, so I didn’t go.”
“Now that the Duke of Gong has been dealt with, you should move, right? Grandfather has reminded me many times.”
“I know. I’ll visit Master in a few days.”
“Move in earlier. Grandfather misses you.”
Han Min nodded repeatedly. “I know. I miss Master too.”
Liu Ting then asked, “Do you remember what happened this June?”
Han Min couldn’t recall. “Huh? What day?”
“You’re twenty this year, little junior brother.”
“Oh, right.”
Han Min suddenly understood.
Liu Ting was exasperated—how could he forget such a thing?
Han Min hugged his senior brother’s arm and pouted. “I thought I was still eighteen.”
Liu Ting chuckled, then straightened his expression. “Old Han, the historian, isn’t in Yong’an. June was too rushed, and at his age, traveling would be too much. Grandfather wants to hold your coming-of-age ceremony. Your room is already prepared, so he keeps urging me to bring you home.”
Han Min replied, “Got it. I’ll tell Fu Xun and move out of the palace in the next few days.”
Hearing this, Liu Ting sighed again and gave serious instructions: “Don’t behave with His Majesty as before. I remember how you used to fight—just thinking about it gives me a headache. Sometimes I wonder, if you fought him in the palace, what would happen? You couldn’t be saved.”
Han Min extended his hand, clenched it, and said firmly: “Senior Brother, rest assured, I’ll control myself.”
Liu Ting sighed a third time and asked, “Did you finish the pills I gave you? I handed them to Old Physician Liang this time. He’ll deliver them to you at court tomorrow.”
“Okay, thank you, Senior Brother.”
Liu Ting continued with careful instructions: “It’s hot lately, but nights are still cool. Don’t kick off your blanket, don’t open all the windows…”
Han Min repeated, “Senior Brother, I’ll soon be eighteen.”
Liu Ting was momentarily choked. “Anyway, move back quickly. I feel better knowing you’re under my watch.”
“Yes, I’ll tell His Majesty when I return.”
Seeing the time, Liu Ting pushed Han Min’s arm away. “Shall we go back?”
“Okay.”
Han Min turned to leave, felt in his sleeve, found nothing, then took out a sheet of paper from his portable writing pouch.
He folded it into a little frog and drew two round eyes with the tip of his pen.
He handed it to Liu Ting. “Please give this to Master for me.”
Adorable.
Liu Ting rubbed his head. As Han Min walked away, he still reminded him: “Remember what I said.”
Han Min waved back. “I remember, Senior Brother. I’m leaving now.”
He turned and saw Fu Xun already in the carriage.
The carriage curtain didn’t move. Wei Huan waved, and Han Min lifted his robes and walked over.
Everyone bowed. The palace carriage slowly drove away as dusk fell.
The bronze bell chimed. Fu Xun sat upright in the carriage, hands on his knees.
Han Min glanced at him, wanting to mention moving out of the palace.
But seeing his serious expression, he hesitated—was Fu Xun thinking? Should he speak?
After a moment, Fu Xun asked, “What did Liu Ting just say to you? That you must remember?”
Exactly what Han Min wanted to say. “Oh, he said…”
But Fu Xun didn’t let him finish, cutting him off.
He sneered: “I knew it. The Liu family has always wanted to marry Liu Yu to you.”
Han Min froze. “What?”
What nonsense is he talking about?
Liu Yu was Liu Ting’s younger sister, Elder Scholar Liu’s granddaughter, whom Han Min had met a few times.
Fu Xun continued: “Liu Ting’s sister married your uncle. Marrying his younger sister to you would make your families even closer. Not a bad idea.”
Fu Xun assumed Liu Ting wanted to say this, so he stopped them from speaking.
Fu Xun’s expression grew slightly cold. Han Min silently wrote a question mark in his heart.
What on earth was he talking about?
Han Min tried to explain: “Senior Brother didn’t…”
Fu Xun folded his arms, calmly: “Your family hasn’t been rehabilitated yet. Though your background isn’t prestigious, you’re a good person. They’re interested in you, maybe even considering you as a son-in-law.”
“No wonder Liu Ting brought you clothes last time. They were probably sewn by Liu Yu, Second Miss Liu. Didn’t she bring you anything this time?”
“Oh, perhaps you agreed already, so no need.”
Han Min frowned. Fu Xun seemed crazy.
He signaled Liu Ting and said loudly: “Senior Brother didn’t tell me this. Also, I’m not even an adult yet.”
Fu Xun’s eyes brightened but his tone remained calm: “Good.”
Was it better that Liu Ting hadn’t told him, or that Han Min wasn’t an adult yet?
Han Min couldn’t understand.
He said, “Senior Brother wants me to move to the Liu residence. In June, Master wanted to organize my coming-of-age ceremony.”
“I see.”
Fu Xun leaned back, glancing at Han Min.
He was small, slightly frail, delicate features, pale face, red lips.
Fu Xun smiled. “You’re about to become an adult.”
Han Min nodded. “Yes.”
Fu Xun’s mood improved, and so did the atmosphere in the carriage.
Han Min took the opportunity to say: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for letting me stay in the palace these days. It was inconvenient, worrying about the Duke of Gong’s grudge. Now that he’s gone, should I… move out? Master is waiting at the Liu residence.”
Fu Xun looked at him. “If you move out, will you sleep well at night?”
“Then I’ll need Your Majesty to send me that small incense burner.”
“And?”
“And…” Han Min raised his sword. “This sword, please send it too.”
Fu Xun frowned again.
He didn’t understand—how could he be inferior to a sword?
The rest of the journey was silent.
Back at the palace, Han Min ate lightly, then hid in the side hall to write to Tongzhou.
After meeting the Duke of Gong today, he finally understood. He wanted to complain to his grandfather and mention the coming-of-age ceremony Master would organize.
A coming-of-age ceremony should be organized by a respected elder; Elder Scholar Liu was perfect.
There was another matter he needed to tell his brother—
The previous death of Crown Prince Fu Lin was also related to the Duke of Gong.
He didn’t know the details yet. Once Jiang Huan finished investigating Fu Quan, the records would clarify everything.
After finishing the letter, Han Min took out his manuscript:
“Stories of His Majesty and the Top Conser”, Volume 1.
The story involved the imperial censor, spanning four volumes, which he had finished before.
So he replaced the emperor with the top scholar as the protagonist.
The emperor was ironclad, the court ever-changing.
But the manuscript was unfinished, stuck at the first meeting in the Golden Hall.
He would continue it in his spare time.
Unaware, night deepened. Eunuch Yang came to urge him to sleep. He was engrossed in writing, barely responding.
After repeated urging, Han Min put down the brush, muttering “I’ll sleep soon,” and shielded the candlelight with the manuscript.
Eunuch Yang, sleeping outside, saw the candle extinguished and assumed he was asleep.
Han Min wrote quietly, even slowing the ink grinding.
He slept late that night. When his eyes grew blurry, he set the brush down and napped on the desk.
When he awoke, it was still dark outside, and the candle was burned out.
He rubbed his sore neck and went to bed for better rest.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of Funing Palace, Fu Xun tossed and turned, unable to sleep—
Why hadn’t Han Min come over?
Was he asleep hugging his sword again?
The next morning, Eunuch Yang entered and saw the candle burned out, realizing Han Min had stayed up.
Not knowing what he was doing, he didn’t call him, instead tidying the scattered manuscripts and quietly closing the door.
As usual, Fu Xun encountered Eunuch Yang in the corridor on the way to the training grounds.
He beckoned him over, like before.
“Sleeping?”
“Mm, stayed up late last night, still haven’t risen.”
Fu Xun glanced at the side hall. Han Min slept soundly on the couch.
Looking again, he saw the sword hung in front of the canopy.
Fu Xun was satisfied—it hadn’t beaten him yet.
He sat at the couch, running fingers through Han Min’s black hair.
Thinking that Han Min would soon bind his hair for the coming-of-age ceremony, Fu Xun disliked it—
Then he couldn’t pull Han Min’s hair anymore.
Han Min slept drowsily, sensing someone touching him. He struggled in his dream and finally half-opened his eyes.
Sleepily, he whispered, “What are you doing?”
Fu Xun was braiding his hair. Seeing him awake, he straightened his expression. “Woke you? Sorry, sleep a bit more. I’ll stay here.”
Those words had extraordinary power over Han Min.
He laid back and slept again.
Fu Xun scratched his chin and continued braiding.
After a while, Han Min woke fully. Fu Xun withdrew his hands casually.
“Awake?”
“Mm.”
Han Min sat up, yawned, and sincerely thanked him. “Thank you for staying with me, Your Majesty.”
Seeing the ten small braids, Fu Xun smiled faintly but spoke seriously. “No need to thank me.”
Han Min felt something was off and reached to touch his hair but was stopped.
He changed the subject: “Weren’t you supposed to move to the Liu residence tomorrow?”
“Yes, I…”
“The Duke of Gong’s remaining supporters haven’t been dealt with. Your confrontation in the hall angered them. Wait until they’re gone before leaving the palace.”
He then gave examples of assassins’ cruel methods.
Han Min had heard these words before.
Eventually, Fu Xun said: “Wei Huan will accompany you. He’s quite skilled.”
Han Min nodded. “Okay.”
“Wei Gui isn’t that good.”
“Why? I think he’s fine.”
“You two stick together too much. Not good.”
Ah, that was the reason. Han Min had thought he criticized Wei Gui’s martial arts.
“Do you want me to take Yanzhi (the eagle, a.k.a Turnip Head) or leave it here?”
“You want to keep it?”
“I’ll give it to you.”
Han Min thanked him. Outside, Eunuch Yang knocked: “Your Majesty, Lord Jiang and Lord Chu have arrived with urgent reports.”
Fu Xun stood. “You can sleep a bit more.”
Han Min nodded. Fu Xun opened the door and saw Eunuch Yang and the little eunuch waiting.
He glanced at Yang, then the little eunuch. “Back?”
“Yes,” the little eunuch bowed.
“Han Min will move to the Liu residence in a few days. You two…”
They quickly replied together: “Thank you, Your Majesty. We will do our best.”
Truly master and disciple—competing in thanking the emperor.
Fu Xun waved: “Go serve.”
Han Min, still sleepy, only saw the little eunuch enter.
Seeing him, he asked casually: “You’re back? Is your sister’s matter… all settled? No need to rush back.”
“Returned this morning. Sister’s matter handled, no need to worry, Master.”
“General Wei told me. My condolences.”
The little eunuch knelt and bowed. “Master, your favor… hasn’t been thanked yet.”
Han Min hurried: “Stand up. You just returned. Want a few days’ rest?”
The little eunuch shook his head. “I’ll follow Master Han.”
Eunuch Yang chuckled: “Still childish.”
The little eunuch took the tea cup, mumbled: “I’ll follow Master Han. You can’t chase me away.”
“Wasn’t it agreed you’d be chief eunuch after I leave the palace? Now, how will you be chief eunuch?”
He shook open Han Min’s robe. “Don’t need it now.”
Han Min tugged his robe, went to the mirror. “What’s wrong with you?”
The little eunuch handed him a cloth. “The palace is dangerous. Not suitable for me.”
Realizing his slip, he didn’t continue.
Han Min thought: ‘Probably “cannibalism.” This little eunuch has matured quickly.’
He sat before the bronze mirror, combing his hair.
The little eunuch timidly held up a braid. “Master, this…”
Slap! Han Min hit the comb on the table and brushed his hair.
Ten messy braids—crooked, ugly.
He knew the hands that did it—this clumsy style was familiar.
Fu Xun had done the same when he studied at the academy.
Annoyed, Han Min refused help. The little eunuch timidly suggested: “Shall I undo them?”
After undoing two, Han Min grew angrier, grabbed his hair, stood, and left, rolling up his sleeves.
Enough!
Meanwhile, Fu Xun was in the study with Jiang Huan and Chu Yu.
Earlier, at Fengqian Hall, he had the ministers who pressured the Duke of Gong write petitions.
He leafed through them, amused.
“Jiang Huan, have you read your father’s petition?”
Jiang Huan replied: “I stayed at the Liu residence these days. Haven’t read it.”
Fu Xun handed him some: “Read these too.”
Chu Yu: “Let me see too.”
Fu Xun waved: “Go ahead.”
He piled the petitions on the desk and rested against the railing, rubbing his nose.
Suddenly, the study door was pushed open forcefully.
The door slammed. Fu Xun frowned, then saw Han Min, braids in place, and couldn’t help smiling.
Han Min came to find him with his ten or so little braids.
He strode forward, slammed his hand on the desk, and glared resentfully at Fu Xun.
Jiang Huan and Chu Yu turned to look at the same time, and Fu Xun waved his hand at them: “It’s alright, you can continue watching.”
The two of them slowly turned their heads back.
What’s so great about “The Untamed”? This one is better.
Fu Xun suppressed a laugh, looked at Han Min, and asked knowingly, “What’s wrong?”
Han Min tossed his hair, flicking his braid in front of Fu Xun: “What are you doing now? Your Majesty, when I woke up, were we still studying at the academy? How old am I? How old is Your Majesty?”
Seeing his angry expression, Fu Xun found it amusing.
When Han Min got angry, his almond-shaped eyes widened, making him look like a rabbit that had been provoked and was about to bite.
Because he was interesting, Fu Xun had always liked to provoke him.
Fu Xun touched the tip of his nose, covering the corner of his lips that hadn’t fallen: “When I was watching you sleep, I got a little bored, so…”
Han Min dared not scold him, much less hit him. He wanted to shout at him, but before he could finish, it came out as—
“Aww!”
“Pfft—”
Fu Xun couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Afraid that Han Min would be angered and leave, he quickly grabbed Han Min’s hand: “Actually, it looks quite good.”
“I look good because I look good, not because my hair looks good.”
He nodded repeatedly in agreement: “Yes, yes, you look good.”
Han Min forcefully pulled his hand back, and said defiantly, “If Your Majesty dislikes me and doesn’t want me to stay in the palace, I’ll just go back to the Liu family. Anyway, I’m just an eyesore to you here. You find fault with everything about me. Yesterday you messed with my clothes, today you messed with my hair…”
Fu Xun was shocked. It was all over.
Han Min’s eyes were red at the corners. Having provoked Han Min so many times, he naturally knew what Han Min’s red eyes meant.
He was really angry.
“No, I’ll take it off for you…”
Han Min slapped his hand away: “You just know I won’t fight back now. I was wrong before, I shouldn’t have fought with you, I will never dare to do it again. Your Majesty is magnanimous, please forgive me this time.”
He turned and saw Jiang Huan, and said, “Senior Brother Jiang, wait for me when you leave the palace. I’ll go back and pack my things now. We’ll go to the Liu family together today.”
What should Jiang Huan respond to?
The atmosphere was off when they started arguing. Jiang Huan kept his head down, intently reading the petition.
Han Min added, “Senior Brother Jiang has changed too. He used to always try to mediate disputes. Now that Fu Xun has become emperor, he doesn’t dare to do so anymore.”
Jiang Huan looked up helplessly and said knowingly, “Don’t try to provoke me like that. There’s a difference between ruler and subject, and I can’t persuade you now.”
Han Min crossed his arms and grumbled, “Yesterday, Senior Brother Liu told me to move to the Liu family home as soon as possible. Today, I begged Senior Brother Jiang to wait for me, but he refused. I wonder what Senior Brother Liu will think when he finds out about this once I get to the Liu family home.”
Jiang Huan paused, then changed his mind: “Okay, I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait for you at the palace gate. If I don’t see you, I won’t go back to the Liu family.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang.”
However, Han Min was still angry and ignored Fu Xun. He bowed to him, casually said “Your subject takes his leave,” and turned to leave.
An angry person may exhibit certain subtle behaviors.
Fu Xun regretted driving Han Min away in anger and didn’t dare to chase after him, fearing he would provoke Han Min even more.
He casually picked up the roster on the table: “Chu Yu, roster of officials…”
Chu Yu was overjoyed and was secretly laughing. He whispered to Jiang Huan, “This is hilarious! I’ve really seen something new today. This is the first person who dares to speak to the Emperor like this. If it were anyone else, they would have been dragged away and beheaded long ago. Lord Han is really interesting.”
Fu Xun casually picked up a stone paperweight and tossed it at his feet.
Chu Yu jumped back and missed.
“Don’t provoke Han Min.”
—This is what Fu Xun, who provoked Han Min the most diligently and the most formidable, said.
