Chapter 7#
Qu Zhao’s First Glimpse of Her Husband’s Calligraphy, Xiting Was Quite Taken with It…#
Pei Jintang’s handsome face flushed slightly, and he quickly moved away from between them, but still stood by Pei Xiting’s side. Qu Zhao, seeing his expression as if facing a great enemy, couldn’t help but smile and said to Pei Xiting, “One hundred taels?”
The brushes, ink, paper, and pigments were all prepared by the Crown Prince 府 (Prince’s mansion). Excluding the cost of materials, this price was quite high. Pei Xiting didn’t refuse the profit and asked, “Does Minister Qu have any requirements?”
Qu Zhao said unmodestly, “Paint me as outstandingly handsome and incomparably dashing.”
“That’s hardly a requirement, Minister Qu is already exceptional—no matter how you’re painted, it would be impossible to make you look ugly,” Pei Xiting said.
Qu Zhao sighed, “Then you haven’t seen the world. Some painters’ hands were turned into earthworms—crooked and twisted, not even resembling a human form.”
“I only put brush to paper when I have the heart, and when I do, I seek excellence,” Pei Xiting said. “I accept this commission.”
Qu Zhao smiled and left.
Pei Jintang breathed a sigh of relief, sat down, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, and teased, “A hundred taels for one painting—you’re raking it in!”
Pei Xiting said, “Only if it’s painted well can the money be earned easily.”
The Crown Prince employed people regardless of family background or origin, valuing ability and virtue more. The Dali Temple (Supreme Court) was an important yamen (government office), and Qu Zhao’s position there was not due to his aunt, the Empress, but to his true ability. With a figure like that, one would do well not to offend them.
Pei Xiting scanned the field listlessly. A group of richly dressed young men were gathering in preparation, while outside the field, girls were seeing off the Flower God. Colorful willow branches and embroidered fabrics, gauze skirts and tassels, created a continuous patchwork of vibrant colors against the green mountains and grasslands.
Suddenly a whistle sounded, and the people on the field began to line up. Someone came over with a tray and asked if they wanted to place bets.
The tray was outlined with gold lacquer in the middle, with two camps—left and right—each bearing flower notelets with names written on them. Pei Xiting glanced over and saw Qu Zhao on the left.
“One hundred taels,” he bet on Qu Zhao.
Pei Jintang was surprised, “You haven’t even gotten the money yet, and you’re spending it already?”
Pei Xiting looked at Qu Zhao, who was chatting and laughing with the Crown Prince (Prince) of the Zong family, and said, “I came here to work anyway. If I win the bet, it’s pure profit; if I lose, no loss either.”
Pei Jintang examined the nameplates on the tray, “On Minister Qu’s side, there’s the Prince of Ning’s Crown Prince ; on the other side, there’s the young Marquis of the Shangguan family and the young Marquis of the Mei family. They’re all top-tier players… I’ll bet on this side.”
He bet fifty taels on Shangguan Jie’s side and only spoke after the two attendants had left, “I saw that Jingzhu is on the same team as the young Marquis of Shangguan. If I don’t bet on him, he’ll be upset. Jingzhu is a sensitive person—he always likes to overthink things and secretly cries.”
Tears—a must-have accessory for the green tea type. Pei Xiting gave a light snort, “He secretly cries? Then how would you know?”
Pei Jintang said, “I happened to see it.”
“‘Always happens’—so you’ve ‘happened to see’ it quite frequently.”
Pei Jintang felt that Pei Xiting’s words had hidden meaning, but he couldn’t grasp it, so he scratched his head and asked, “Are you mocking me?”
Pei Xiting: “…”
Green tea and white lotuses indeed have their Exclusive attack targets—like Pei Jintang, who’s a bit dim-witted.
Pei Xiting shrugged and decided not to enlighten Pei Jintang any further. When the drum sounded, he began to paint.
The horse race was simple in form: three laps, whoever finished first won. But there were obstacles along the way, and the two teams could also obstruct each other. Although the rules forbade bringing weapons onto the field or injuring others, once the race started, people didn’t hold back. Occasionally someone fell off their horse and was swiftly carried away by the well-trained, ever-ready “medical team.”
Qu Zhao galloped at top speed, currently in second place, momentarily overlapping with Shangguan Jie from front to back. His pottery-red riding outfit was very conspicuous. At twenty-one, with well-defined eyebrows and a high nose bridge, he had the refreshing, open-hearted face of a spring breeze. When he jumped his horse over an obstacle half a man’s height, the whole field cheered.
As the horse’s front hooves landed, Qu Zhao remained steady in his shoulders and arms, a smile on his face, a glint of light in his eyes, radiating spirited charm.
Pei Xiting’s eyes moved back and forth, his hands busy. By the time Qu Zhao came over an hour later, he had set down his brush.
Qu Zhao leaned in to examine the painting and felt the most outstanding aspects were two points: the colors were bright and layered, and the skin tones were soft and vivid. The lines were varied and subtly detailed, with strands of hair and the hem of the robe fluttering in the wind, giving the entire piece a sense of flowing motion.
He clapped his hands in approval and patted Pei Xiting on the shoulder, “Don’t feel bad about losing that hundred taels. I’ll compensate you, and add fifty more.”
Pei Xiting wore an expression that said, “So you lost, huh?”
“You didn’t know?” Qu Zhao was broad-minded and didn’t care much about winning or losing. He shrugged, “We competed three rounds. My team won one and lost two. In the third round, we lost by one person.”
Pei Xiting had been focused entirely on his painting and said upon hearing this, “What a shame.”
“The two teams were about evenly matched; it really came down to that one person’s win or loss.” Qu Zhao had someone move the painting and the painting table into the awning. He tilted his head and looked at Pei Xiting, “Do you have a grudge against the young Marquis of Shangguan?”
Pei Jintang had gone to the restroom a quarter of an hour earlier, so Pei Xiting didn’t have to worry about him hearing and then pestering him with questions. He washed his hands as he asked, “Why does the Minister ask that?”
“During halftime, the young Marquis came over and asked me why I asked you to paint for me.” Qu Zhao produced a folding fan like a magician and snapped it open with a “shua.” “His tone didn’t sound friendly toward you, so I just made a random guess.”
Pei Xiting dried his hands and, as he stood up, his waist made a cracking sound. He clicked his tongue, made a fist, and pounded his lower back, then looked at Qu Zhao, “How about Minister Qu gives a ruling: what did I do to offend the young Marquis?”
Qu Zhao used the fan to cover the lower half of Pei Xiting’s face, only looking at his eyes, and said, “According to this minister’s judgment, something like… attempted to take by force… but failed.”
Pei Xiting said, “Clear soup, great magistrate.”
Qu Zhao corrected, “It’s ‘clear sky, great magistrate.’”
“…”
Pei Xiting couldn’t be bothered to explain internet slang to this Great Yong native with no internet access. He flicked the fan away from his face with a finger and examined it carefully, saying, “This fan face with the willow and summer cicada is ordinary, but the four characters ‘Xun Feng Ru Xian’ (The breeze enters the strings) are truly slender and forceful, with hidden and exposed strokes complementing each other. In motion, galloping like wind and mast; in stillness, dignified and serene—a wonderful artistic conception. Is this Minister Qu’s calligraphy?”
Qu Zhao said, “Your expression betrays that you don’t believe I could write such characters.”
Indeed you do, Pei Xiting said sincerely, “Certainly not.”
“Then I’ll tell you.” Qu Zhao leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret, “This fan of mine is a court fan, and as for the fan face, it’s the personal brushwork of the Eastern Palace.”
So it was the Crown Prince’s calligraphy. Pei Xiting had the thought, “That makes sense.” He smiled and said, “To receive such a fan is enough to show that Minister Qu is valued by His Highness.”
“Indeed, it was a gift from the Crown Prince when I was promoted to Minister last year.” Qu Zhao changed the subject, “But you just said the painting on this fan face is ordinary?”
Pei Xiting said earnestly, “You misheard. I said it’s like the work of a divine brush.”
Although even the Crown Prince was dissatisfied with his own painting, who else would dare to tell the truth?
Qu Zhao laughed heartily and was about to scare Pei Xiting for fun when he suddenly heard a shout of “Qu Lianhai!” He turned to look and saw the Crown Prince approaching.
“Been looking for you.” Zong Rui stopped in front of the two. “Are you coming hunting with me, or are you going to weave colorful ropes with the girls? They’re going to play ‘Dou Cao’ (Grass-Fighting Game) later. You’d better pick the latter—the Empress Dowager has instructed that today we must strong-arm you into finding a wife.”
“No, I’m madly in love with the Crown Prince . As long as you don’t marry, I’ll never give up!” Qu Zhao, under Zong Rui’s murderous gaze that was disgusted enough to kill, cast a pitiful, sidelong glance at him, then quickly moved his head aside to dodge the Crown Prince ’s lethal iron fist—clearly well-practiced in handling such attacks.
He turned to Pei Xiting, “Are you coming hunting?”
Pei Xiting did want to go for a spin but was worried about falling into a den of beasts in the hunting grounds. As he hesitated, he heard Shangguan Jie say from a few steps away, “Come on in with us. If you really can’t ride, have Lianhai carry you.”
His voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for the surrounding people to hear. The crowd had already been curious when they saw Minister Qu talking to Pei Xiting and painting with him, and now that the young Marquis said this, they suspected an unusual relationship between the two and secretly perked up their ears.
“Hey, I wouldn’t mind, but the horse would definitely have a problem. It’s all work—why should it have to do double the effort? It’ll be exhausted!” Qu Zhao said with a laugh.
“No matter. My horse wouldn’t dare to complain. Third Young Master Pei,” Shangguan Jie stared at Pei Xiting, “I’ll take you.”
Saying he couldn’t ride would be deceiving the Prince of Ning; saying he didn’t want to ride would offend Shangguan Jie. Although Pei Xiting didn’t mind offending Shangguan Jie, if he did so in public, countless sycophants and followers of Shangguan Jie would cause trouble for him, and when word got back to the Pei family, he’d probably get an “education package.”
Pei Xiting looked back and said, “Thank you for your concern, young Marquis. Although I’m not as skilled as you all, I can manage a few rounds.”
Shangguan Jie had already looked into Pei Xiting thoroughly and was certain he didn’t know how to ride, so he sneered, “You can’t just ‘walk’ in the hunting grounds, or else you’ll be eaten by tigers and wolves, bones and all.”
Qu Zhao dramatically hugged Zong Rui’s arm, feigning timidity, “There are tigers and wolves on this mountain? I’m not going in—I’m scared!”
“This hunting ground has never housed tigers or wolves. We’re just playing for fun.” Zong Rui peeled Qu Zhao off with disgust and turned to tease Shangguan Jie, “Did you bring tigers and wolves up the mountain with you today?”
Shangguan Jie said with great seriousness, “Indeed, I lead a wolf on my left and carry a tiger under my right arm. Whether we catch anything depends on everyone’s luck.”
“Your Highness, set a prize!” Qu Zhao patted and thumped the Crown Prince ’s shoulder with his fist.
Zong Rui wore an expression that said, “You’re talking nonsense.” He was already tired of dealing with this annoying creature and said, “The top three will be decided by the number of prey. The prize I offer won’t be a measly three or eight taels.”
“A prize alone won’t do. Reward and punishment should go hand in hand. I think the last three should be punished, and let the top three decide the punishment for the last three,” Shangguan Jie said.
Zong Rui didn’t mind, and seeing that Qu Zhao also had no objection, said, “Fine, but we’re all here to have fun, so don’t go overboard. This year, I’m in charge of the Qixia Banquet (Summer Beginning Banquet). Don’t make me get scolded in front of the Crown Prince.”
Qing Lingling ground her teeth behind them, but she also knew that Zong Rui had already shown restraint. With this one sentence, he at least protected Pei Xiting to some extent.
Pei Xiting understood perfectly but said nothing.
Shangguan Jie and Zong Rui left. Qu Zhao glanced at Pei Xiting, “Want to come with me?”
A single painting being worth that much money was already beyond normal bounds, which was not a good thing. Qu Zhao was definitely a smiling tiger. Dealing with someone like that, who is warm on the surface but cold inside, requires the most caution and a sense of boundaries. Pei Xiting smiled and said, “Thank you for speaking up for me, Minister Qu. I won’t trouble you further for now.”
Qu Zhao raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening, “The young Marquis wasn’t lying to you. Tigers and wolves really do eat people. And I can see it’s already poised to strike.”
“Tigers and wolves eat people, but people also kill wolves and slay tigers. Who’s afraid of whom?” Pei Xiting bowed and turned away.
Qu Zhao watched Pei Xiting’s tall, lean figure merge into the crowd, then suddenly sensed something and looked back.
A gyrfalcon streaked across the sky, fast as a shadow, diving into the green mountains at the end of the racecourse. It landed on the grey tiles of a pavilion built atop a cliff and dropped a flying note.
Yu Shaoyun caught it and said, “Your Highness, down below, they’re placing bets on the outcome of the hunt. Would you like to join in the wager?”
The Crown Prince continued reading his book without speaking. The woman sitting across from him, wearing an indigo dress with golden flowers and a blue jade flower crown, seized the chance to pull her troubled, conflicted gaze away from the chessboard and looked up. “Whose names are there? Let me see.”
Yu Shaoyun walked over to her with the list, bent down, and said, “Your Majesty, please look.”
Empress Qu looked to the side. “The top three that are most heavily bet on are Rui’er, Zhao’er, and Shangguan’s second son. The bottom three are mostly bets on the Prince of Ning’s fifth son, the Minister of Works’ fourth son, and the third son of the Pei family, the Minor Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices… Hmm, the first two are regulars in the bottom three. But this child from the Pei family, it’s the first time I’ve seen his name.”
“This Pei San is here for the first time. He looks gentle and frail, not like someone who runs horses and draws bows. However,” Yu Shaoyun smiled, “looking the part and being the part are two different things.”
“Indeed, we can’t judge by appearances.” Empress Qu looked up at the Crown Prince. “Fuchuan, who are you betting on?”
The Crown Prince turned a page and said, “No one.”
“Oh, just pick one at random. Since we’re here, join in the fun.” Empress Qu urged, “Hurry!”
The Crown Prince said casually, “Pei Xiting.”
Empress Qu corrected, “We can’t judge by appearances.”
“Mm,” said the Crown Prince. “I’m betting he won’t be in the bottom three. If I win, you won’t push me to take a consort this year.”
Empress Qu raised a delicate brow and said displeasedly, “The selection of the Crown Princess is a major matter. How can you decide so casually? Besides, whether I push you or not, you don’t listen anyway!”
The Crown Prince said, “You said yourself that me not listening and you not saying are two different things.”
“Oh dear,” Empress Qu said sarcastically, “Men with power and influence are insufferable. You’re the great king after all.”
The Crown Prince said, “You can rebel against me and become the great king yourself.”
Empress Qu said in anguish, “Unfilial son!”
The Crown Prince said, “You scold correctly.”
“…Hmph!” Empress Qu glared at the Crown Prince angrily, looked him up and down a few times, and finally, two years after the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, voiced the terrifying suspicion that had been rising from the bottom of her heart to her throat, then swallowed back down and hidden in her belly countless times:
“Noble and towering Crown Prince, tell me honestly—do you have some hidden illness? Don’t be shy! Speak up early, treat early! Don’t be afraid of losing face; we can seek treatment in secret. And if anyone catches wind, we can say it’s—
She raised her finger to point at Yu Shaoyun and said decisively, “It’s Xiaoyun who’s ill!”
Yu Shaoyun immediately pledged loyalty, “Your humble servant swears to protect His Highness’s face!”
The Crown Prince said, “If you’re referring to impotence, no.”
He simply loathed the feeling of being consumed by lust, and refused to become a slave to it, even for an instant. But if there need be no lust, then why bother doing that sort of thing with anyone? He didn’t need an heir.
At that moment, the disgust and resistance in the Crown Prince’s eyes almost solidified. But Empress Qu misinterpreted it, suddenly recalling a certain trend in the capital.
“You’re not…” She looked at the Crown Prince, then at Yu Shaoyun, who was always by his side and was also strong-featured with thick eyebrows and big eyes. Back and forth, she felt suspicious and alarmed.
Yu Shaoyun felt that she seemed to be thinking something terrifying, and considerately comforted, “Your Majesty, the establishment of a Crown Princess is a major matter. His Highness will decide as he sees fit. Why trouble yourself?”
Since His Highness won’t listen anyway, aren’t you just wasting your breath?
Empress Qu had only suspected before, but hearing these words now, she was seventy to eighty percent convinced—Yu Shaoyun jumping out to say this was surely to cover up for His Highness!
The sky is falling!
Empress Qu clutched her chest, shaking her head and sighing repeatedly, leaving Yu Shaoyun utterly bewildered. Even the Crown Prince looked up at her and said again, “I have no hidden illness.”
Empress Qu slammed the table, taking the opportunity to mess up this chess game she was destined to lose, and retorted, “I’d rather you had one!”
The Crown Prince didn’t understand. “Oh.”
“Hurry and send Lu’er to my palace. Don’t let him be corrupted by you all,” Empress Qu said.
The Crown Prince said, “Definitely some other day.”
Empress Qu rolled her eyes, “Don’t you dare try to brush me off for the thirty-thousand-and-first time! Not that I’m judging you, but you’re too strict with Lu’er. He’s only nine years old, and you keep him cooped up in the Eastern Palace all day studying and practicing martial arts, with none of a child’s joy. Are you trying to raise a second…”
She caught herself and stopped.
“A second me?” the Crown Prince said calmly. “He is of imperial blood. Studying and practicing martial arts are his duties. Otherwise, what—let a playboy or a fool sit on the throne? I protect him, keep him from facing danger and being schemed against. That’s already leniency. If he can’t even bear the hardship of studying and training, then he can take a stick and a bowl and go out begging. If he gets killed on the road, he can go down early to join his parents.”
“You… cruel!” Empress Qu was both sad and worried. “Can you please not speak to children like that? What if he harbors resentment against you? After all, regarding the matter with the Second Prince back then, there have been rumors unfavorable to you over the years. When three men make a tiger (repetition makes people believe rumors). Lu’er is just a child—he might not have the detachment to resist gossip!”
“Then let him come and kill me…” As the Crown Prince placed a black stone, his index finger flicked a white stone away. Like a snowflake, it whizzed past Empress Qu’s temple and collided head-on with a silver flying knife midair—“Pata!"—both shattered into pieces and scattered on the ground.
Empress Qu turned sideways and saw a white-clad assassin crash heavily from the woods behind her, a blood-stained white-feathered arrow piercing through most of his back from behind.
Bai Tang, carrying a quiver on his back, jumped down from a tree farther away, saluted her with clasped hands, then adjusted the mask on his temple and climbed back up the tree.
“…If he could, that is,” the Crown Prince said calmly.
Empress Qu: “…”
She turned her head back and sincerely consulted the Crown Prince, “That assassin looks very familiar. They’re dressed exactly like those white-clad assassins who tried to assassinate me last time—are they in the same group? I’m genuinely curious—do these assassin organizations hand out uniform clothing?!”
“Perhaps,” said the Crown Prince. “If the chance arises next time, I’ll keep one alive to satisfy your curiosity.”