Chapter 79: Headache, Itchy Hands
At the post station, a young servant hurriedly crossed several thresholds and stopped at a door, raising his hand to knock.
Someone inside responded, and only then did he push the door open and enter.
The Duke of Guangning and Princess Rongning were sitting at the table, looking at him.
The Duke of Guangning’s gaze was anxious and fearful, while Princess Rongning was calm and composed. Behind them, a screencast a vague shadow.
The young man dared not look further and lowered his head. The princess asked, “What did the Duke of Xin Mansion say?”
“The mansion received the letter,” he replied. “It said, ‘Since the morning court at the beginning of the month, the prince has rarely received visitors.’”
Zhao Cun anxiously asked, “Nothing else?”
“Nothing else.”
Zhao Cun’s anxiety grew; he was about to ask more when Zhao Yin held him back.
Zhao Yin raised his hand, signaling the servant to leave, and shook his head at his brother. “Brother, calm down.”
Hearing the door close, the figure behind the screen stepped out.
It was Ji Heng.
He sat beside Zhao Cun, slapped the table, and said, “I don’t know what uncle is thinking. Even now, after everything, does he still insist on sticking with this emperor?”
Zhao Yin said, “Young Master Ji, could you recount everything you know carefully once more?”
“Of course. That day my uncle brought me out of the Dali Temple, I thought the emperor was incompetent. I speak frankly, so I told my uncle this. My uncle didn’t say much at the time. That night, I found out the emperor had overheard my words. My uncle was suspected and had to kneel for hours before the emperor finally let him go. Later, his military command was taken back; he no longer even needed to attend court sessions.”
He was clever, conveniently omitting the fact that he had been beaten, protecting his own dignity.
He paused, then continued, “I told you all this only out of anger for my uncle, not for any selfish reason. I truly cannot stand the emperor. My uncle has no son, and yet the emperor refused to make me heir, even going so far as to have someone teach me to write ‘Ji’ and ‘Li’. My uncle and I have grown distant because of his schemes.”
Zhao Yin smiled: “Young Master Ji, you are a great meritorious subject. In the future, when a new dynasty is established, your position will naturally be secured. A mere heir’s seat could never match your worth.”
Ji Heng laughed so hard his eyes disappeared and bowed: “I am grateful for the princess’s concern. I will take my leave now. My uncle has been keeping a close eye on me these past days, afraid I might run off.”
After he left, Zhao Cun turned to his sister: “Rongning, what do you think?”
Zhao Yin said, “Brother, rest assured. Just go to Duke of Xin Mansion on the date mentioned in the letter.”
“But Duke of Xin hasn’t replied.”
“Duke of Xin has served three emperors, is the adopted son of the late Emperor of Qi, the adopted brother of the previous emperor, and the uncle of the current Qi ruler. He cannot humiliate himself by refusing. No reply is tacit consent.”
Hearing this, Zhao Cun finally relaxed a little.
Zhao Yin stood, lightly placing her hands on his shoulders, and whispered: “Brother, you know me well. I repay kindness and avenge wrongs. Our father never cared for us, and now he still tries to sow discord between us. We supported each other in the Cold Palace, and that’s why we have what we do now. If he insists on marrying me off to the Qi ruler, I do not resent you, only our father for inciting it.”
“Brother, even if Father promised you thousands of households, so what? Even if you were made a prince in Song, you’d still be under his control. Now, going on this mission to Qi is our best opportunity.”
Zhao Cun turned to her: “I understand.”
Zhao Yin smiled and held his hand firmly: “Brother, we will always be closest siblings. Only if you are well can I be well.”
“Of course.”
“As soon as we seize the Qi throne, you will be equal to Father. History has no record of this yet.”
Over the past two weeks, Zhao Yin had said many things, each sentence confident and unwavering. Zhao Cun believed her but also wanted to prove he was not inferior to his sister. After a few more words, he left for Songzhu Pavilion to listen to Young Master Yun play the qin.
The neighbor of the Han family’s estate had wanted to sell their house, but it was bought by Fu Xun to become part of Han’s garden.
The house across the street had been vacant for some time, only recently bought by Wen Yan.
After the new residence was completed, and with Xie Yan about to take office in the three counties of Lijiang, they picked a good day to invite a few familiar officials to a casual meal at Wen’s house.
Since Han lived opposite, Han Min went to Wen’s house early that morning.
Soon, Chu Yu and the others arrived, and the group took the opportunity to tour Wen’s residence.
Wen Yan’s expression was cold; the house was rather unremarkable, a standard square layout.
In the back garden, a straight stone path extended to the end, flanked by rows of bamboo trees—very much Wen Yan’s style.
Han Min laughed: “So straight! Truly fitting for you, Wen Bianzhang.”
The house was small; they finished touring quickly. It was not yet mealtime, and a few familiar officials had not yet arrived, so they sat in the pavilion, enjoying some snacks.
Han Min asked, “Which officials did Bianzhang invite? Surely not all from the Censorate? With them and Bianzhang here, we’d hardly need to speak.”
Chu Yu feigned a sigh: “Look, even before they arrive, you chatter endlessly. When they do come, who could compete with you?”
Han Min ignored him, looking at Wen Yan instead.
“Minister Yu, Ministers Chen and Hu from the Ministry of Rites, and Scholar Ning from the academy.”
Wen Yan had few friends; these were merely gentlemanly acquaintances.
Scholar Ning was different. In the past, when Wen Yan studied at the academy, though he was taught personally by Elder Scholar Liu, he had also received guidance from Scholar Ning.
He thought: “Scholar Ning mentioned a promising student recently; he brought him for us to see. The student wrote a decent essay, so he brought it along.”
He said this, and Liu Ting seemed a little embarrassed.
“Bianzhang, indeed Scholar Ning, has a promising student and often mentions him at the academy.”
Han Min rested his chin on his hand: “Really?”
Liu Ting looked at him and whispered: “That student was introduced by you.”
“When did I—”
Han Min paused, then remembered.
A few days ago, he asked Senior Brother Liu to check for openings at the academy; he didn’t want to leave Han Li at home.
So the student whose essay was praised by Scholar Ning—was it Han Li?
Han Min knew Scholar Ning, and from what he had seen of Han Li’s essays before, they shouldn’t have been praised so highly or introduced to court officials at a banquet.
He didn’t know why.
Liu Ting added: “I’ve been busy, so I haven’t read his essay. Once Scholar Ning arrives, we’ll see.”
Han Min nodded, thinking perhaps Scholar Ning had taught Han Li well, improving the essay. He told himself to relax and wait.
After a while, instead of Scholar Ning and Han Li, Fu Xun arrived.
Fu Xun wore casual clothes and brought no guards.
He wasn’t particularly interested in Wen’s house, preferring Han’s, especially Han Min.
After a short stay, he pulled Han Min to tour Han’s newly built garden.
Chu Yu was puzzled: “So why did the emperor come to Wen’s house? Just to pick someone up and leave?”
In Han’s garden, rocks and bamboo were arranged in tiers.
A patch was set aside for Grandpa Han to grow flowers, and another for Han Shi to practice walking.
Recently, Physician Liang had come daily to do acupuncture and therapy on Han Shi’s legs. Now, Han Shi could walk a short distance without holding the wall.
Without disturbing the family, Han Min strolled through the garden with Fu Xun.
Walking side by side on the gravel path, Han Min pointed left: “Those flowers are Grandfather’s. The season is over; we’ll see them next year.”
Then he pointed right: “Behind those bamboos is elder brother…”
Han Shi’s voice suddenly sounded: “Min’er, guests?”
At previous meetings, Han Shi had sensed Fu Xun’s subtle hostility. Han Min hadn’t had time to restrain him when Fu Xun bypassed the bamboos and went out.
Fu Xun nodded slightly, greeting: “Brother.”
Han Shi remained, saluting: “Your Majesty, thank you.”
Too formal. Don’t call him that.
Han Min went around the bamboo and pushed his elder brother’s wheelchair: “Brother, sit.”
After sitting, Han Shi held his hand: “Let’s go; you escort me back.”
“Eh?”
Han Shi looked at Fu Xun: “Min’er is clumsy. Better you go to Wen’s house with Ministers Wen and Chu.”
Fu Xun replied: “No need.”
Han Min pushed his brother back to the room. Fu Xun stayed by his side, chatting and laughing, making Han Shi’s temples vein with frustration.
Headache, itchy hands.
By noon, Wen’s household began the meal.
When Fu Xun and Han Min arrived, everyone stood and bowed.
Han Min noticed, but Scholar Ning and Han Li were not there.
After sitting, Chu Yu brought a cup of wine and moved to sit beside him.
“The servant said Scholar Ning and Han Li had an incident on the road and might be late.”
“Mm.”
“I also want to see how much Han Li’s essay has improved.”
Indeed, the street to Wen’s house was blocked. Scholar Ning’s carriage was stuck in the middle, unable to move.
Scholar Ning, middle-aged and slightly overweight, was steady and composed.
Han Li sat in the carriage, fists clenched on his knees, trying to suppress trembling, but Scholar Ning noticed the sweat on his temples.
“What’s wrong?”
Han Li shook his head: “Teacher, don’t worry. Maybe it’s too stuffy in the carriage.”
Scholar Ning smiled, lifting the curtain.
This student was introduced by Han Min through Liu Ting. Liu Ting warned that Han Li’s essays were mediocre but he was proud and needed guidance.
At first, that was true. After writing two or three essays under Scholar Ning’s instruction, they were rigid, dull, and lacked inspiration.
Later, Han Li submitted an essay that was greatly improved, nearly a leap forward.
It included new reform content, which Scholar Ning loved, reading it repeatedly. Recently, he even took Han Li to a banquet, where officials praised him highly.
So when Wen Yan invited them, he planned to bring Han Li, thinking they were similar in age and would get along.
But Han Li’s sweat showed he was not as confident as at the previous banquet.
This was because, upon entering the carriage, he learned they were going to Wen’s house.
With Wen Yan there, Han Min’s friends would naturally be present.
When they read the essay, they would notice that the phrasing and style were very similar to Han Min’s work.
Author’s note:
Big brother: Headache (Baicai is silly), itchy hands (wants to hit the pig).
