Xiao Xiangzi was proficient at grinding ink, and did so quickly and finely.

Chu Jiubian walked to the desk and sat down.

Since the purpose was to spread his name, the poems must naturally be top-quality. And in the Great Ning Dynasty, from top to bottom, everyone valued reputation more than life.

Therefore, if Chu Jiubian wanted to be looked up to by scholars and intellectuals, the poems he wrote could not be too down-to-earth, but should instead reveal the character, nobleness, and tenacity of a scholar.

Xiao Xiangzi was serving at his side. Seeing that Chu Jiubian seemed to be immersed in thought, he didn’t disturb him, and just directed a meaningful look at the two palace maids who were standing nearby.

These palace maids were named Shui Qing and Shui Yun. They had known Xiao Xiangzi for many years, and understood what he meant with just that one look. He wanted them to prepare some tea and snacks for Chu Jiubian.

Thus, the two of them silently left through the door.

Chu Jiubian noticed their interaction, but didn’t pay it any mind.

After a while, he finally decided on what he would write. 

No longer hesitating, he dipped the brush in ink and began to write.

On the rough, yellowed paper, a few lines of vigorous and powerful words slowly emerged—

A golden cup of the purest wine costs a thousand coins

A jade plate of delicacies costs a million…..^[1]

Xiao Xiangzi’s gaze fell upon the first page. At first, he was just curious about what Chu Jiubian was going to write, and thought to take note of it to report to his master later.

However, when he saw the sharp brushstrokes of Chu Jiubian’s handwriting, he couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly: Good! This handwriting was just as good as Lord Ning-wang’s.

And when he read over the content carefully, his round eyes suddenly widened, and he couldn’t help but move closer.

“I would cross the Yellow River, but ice chokes the ferry. I would climb the Taihang Mountains, but the sky is blind with snow…..” He unconsciously read it aloud, and the scene before him seemed to have transformed from the scorching heat of summer to a world of ice and snow.

*

*

Cining Palace.

On a large lounging couch reclined a graceful woman with her eyes closed. She was around forty years old, wearing a light golden palace dress with her long hair tied up in a simple bun adorned with gorgeous gold ornaments.

There was a small basin of clear ice on the low table beside the couch, which had already slightly melted.

A palace maid knelt in front of the low table, holding a palm-leaf fan that she waved again and again to send the cold air forward.

Matron Liu walked in slowly from outside the hall, clad in a dark-colored dress and with a letter in her hand. She stopped in front of the couch and called softly: “Mistress, the family has sent some more ice. This servant has already sent it to the prince.”

The woman she referred to as “mistress” gradually opened her eyes.

Matron Liu reached out to help her sit up. The young palace maid immediately came forward with a teacup, and Matron Liu helped the woman rinse her mouth.

When the woman had finally gotten over her sleepiness, Matron Liu handed her the letter and said: “This is a letter from home. Please have a look.”

The woman took the letter and sneered: “Ice has been delivered three times in one day. What is it they want from me?”

Matron Liu smiled: “The family is just concerned for you and the prince. Besides, only our Xiao family is able to enjoy ice every day. I’ve heard that only the main room in Yangxin Palace has ice on a daily basis, and His Little Majesty cries at night because of the heat.”

There was a smile in the eyes of Empress Dowager Xiao Ruohan, and she opened the letter to read it.

There were only a few lines of words, speaking about the events of the morning court session.

Minister Xiao had brought up the issue of dam construction, forcing Qin Xiao to come up with a way to refill the Imperial Treasury. The letter also said that if Qin Xiao really managed to raise the money and handed it over to the Ministry of Works, they would see if there was a chance to let Jiannan-wang go out to practice his skills and win over the common people.

At the end of the letter, it mentioned the strange man who had appeared in the throne hall yesterday.

The man was not an assassin sent by the Xiao family, but after some investigation, it was discovered that he was also not affiliated with any other forces. The Xiao family wasn’t even able to find any information regarding the man’s identity.

It was as if the other party had really appeared out of thin air.

Xiao Ruohan closed the letter and handed it to Matron Liu, who read it before putting it into her sleeve.

She looked at Xiao Ruohan and asked with a slight frown: “Mistress, I heard yesterday that the man possesses the ability to predict celestial phenomena and claims to be a god. Since the family is unable to uncover his identity, could it be that…..”

Xiao Ruohan glanced at her and said with a smile: “Rumors in the palace are always spread by those with ulterior motives. How can you believe them?”

“It is this one’s ignorance.” Matron Liu’s brow relaxed. “It is only that our people reported just now that Ning-wang sent that person to Yaotai Residence. This servant feared that the other party did indeed possess some sort of supernatural power, and that this would give Ning-wang an extra advantage. But now, it seems that Ning-wang may have done this on purpose.”

“Qin Xiao never does anything without a reason.” Xiao Ruohan’s eyes chilled slightly. “What god, ah, what supernatural powers, ah? He’s just trying to intimidate everyone.”

For all anyone knew, Qin Xiao could have hired that person himself and deliberately had him fall from the sky during the coronation ceremony and claim to be a god. Later, the man would stand at Qin Xiao’s side to confirm the illusion that the young Emperor Bai Lihong had been recognized by the gods.

The common people were ignorant, and might just believe it.

Matron Liu understood as well, and lowered her voice: “Perhaps Ning-wang also knows that the young emperor’s ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and feels insecure.”

Xiao Ruohan looked into the distance, unable to keep herself from thinking of the past.

When she was still the empress, that old bastard Chengzong indulged in sensual pleasures and had many concubines in his harem who gave birth to one son after another.

Chengzong himself was not very capable, but his sons were each more outstanding than the other.

This also led to the fact that once the princes grew up, a struggle for the throne was inevitable.

Xiao Ruohan herself had no children. Fortunately, she chose each step carefully and was able to use the power of the Qin family to send Yingzong, who was not of Xiao family blood but was the most useful to her, to the seat of power, and she then safely became the Empress Dowager.

However, the Qin family possessed a 30,000-strong army, which was a sharp blade in the struggle for the throne. And after gaining power, they became the biggest threat to Xiao Ruohan and the entire Xiao family.

As long as the Qin family continued to exist, the Xiao family would not be able to completely control Emperor Yingzong.

Fortunately, Yingzong was close to Xiao Ruohan, so under her repeated instigations, he and the late empress Qin Feng gradually became estranged, and the Qin family became a major concern for him.

Everyone naturally changed over time – especially the emperor.

Yingzong changed as well, and became even more paranoid and superstitious.

He was wary of the Qin family’s military power, and was also anxious about several major families and vassal kings. Although he was grateful to Xiao Ruohan for caring for him and his mother when he was young, he did not completely trust and rely on the Xiao family.

He became a solitary person, and although he attempted to balance the relationships between these forces, his ability was limited and the results were unsatisfactory.

Those who were not family could not be of one mind.

Xiao Ruohan had no expectations that Yingzong would take care of her in her old age, so she brought the eldest prince born of a Xiao family girl and Yingzong to live with her.

She had thought that when the eldest prince, Bai Lihai, grew up a little more and the power of the Qin family was further eroded, she would find an opportunity to replace Yingzong and put Bai Lihai, who had the blood of the Xiao family, on the throne.

But Xiao Ruohan was not the only clever person in the world. That woman Qin Feng was evidently craftier and more willing to take risks.

Qin Feng had long known that Yingzong coveted the Qin family’s military power, but she had always put on a facade of innocence and harmlessness, promoting jealousy between her and Concubine Duan, among others. Making herself appear like a love-brained person caused Yingzong to lower his guard. 

Yingzong did have feelings for her, so his heart softened under her gentle attacks.

Thus, Qin Feng finally had the opportunity to give birth to the fifth prince, Bai Lihong – a prince with Qin family blood.

At that time, the eldest prince Bai Lihai, who had been raised by Xiao Ruohan, was already thirteen years old. And in order to appease the Xiao family, Yingzong made Bai Lihai a king.

But such a method was unable to appease the Xiao family or anyone else.

When a prince with Qin family blood was born, various forces began to stir.

Everyone knew that a storm was coming.

But reputation was more important than anything else, and everything must have a legitimate reason, so no one wanted to be the first to take the lead. Everyone waited for a suitable opportunity, and this stalemate lasted for three years.

Just after fifth prince Bai Lihong celebrated his third birthday, when all forces were on edge like drawn bowstrings, something unexpected happened!

Emperor Yingzong and his Empress Qin Feng, who were only in their thirties, were assassinated in their bedrooms. 

Almost at the same time various forces heard the news, the Imperial Guard composed of the former Qin family army surrounded the palace, captured batches of so-called assassins, and killed them all.

Blood flowed in front of Shenwu Gate for three days and three nights.

Afterwards, Qin Xiao went before all of the officials with the bloodstained Crown Prince Edict, confirmed Bai Lihong’s orthodox status, and sent him to the throne.

The officials naturally didn’t believe him, but after taking a look for themselves, they found that the words had indeed been written by Yingzong himself, and the Imperial Seal was also present.

Everyone knew there was something fishy about the matter, but they simply could not find any evidence.

The spies stationed in the palace by major forces might have known something, but they were all killed by Qin Xiao as assassins, leaving no evidence behind.

Xiao Ruohan understood everything clearly. Others might not have understood Qin Feng, but she had fought with her for many years and truly had a grasp of the other person’s methods.

She was certain that Qin Feng was most likely responsible for Emperor Yingzong’s death, and that there had been no assassins at all.

But Qin Feng herself perished as well, making it impossible to find any evidence against her. Most of the Qin family’s direct descendants had died in battle, and the only ones left were the Qin Xiao and Qin Feng brother and sister.

Ask anyone off the street how much Qin Xiao cherished and protected his elder sister, and they would know.

Therefore, even though others had spread the rumor that Qin Xiao and Qin Feng had joined forces to murder the emperor, few people would believe it.

Because everyone felt that Qin Xiao would be unwilling to let his only blood relative die. After all, even when Qin Feng fell and sprained her ankle, Qin Xiao had gone to Yingzong and kicked up a fuss, so how could he allow her to die in such a tragic way?

Qin Feng was clever, and may not have told Qin Xiao that she would die.

Qin Xiao and the Qin family would have had a chance to protect her, but at that point, the Qin family would have proven their wicked ambitions.

When it came to Qin Feng’s life, Qin Xiao, the head of the family, would naturally set aside any so-called reputation and integrity.

But once their reputation was in tatters, the spittle of great scholars would be able to drown the Qin family, and the military achievements and prestige they had built up over the years would be destroyed.

So Qin Feng died.

This eldest daughter, who was held in the palm of the Qin family’s hand, preserved the glory of the Qin family with her death and the hideous gash across her throat, paving the way for her son to ascend the throne with her own blood.

But now, Qin Xiao, the seemingly spoiled brat of the Qin family, seemed to have become a different person overnight. He was once the decadent son of a wealthy family, but had grown into the powerful and cunning official he was today.

Compared to what others said about him “growing up overnight,” Xiao Ruohan believed that Qin Xiao had been like this from the beginning, and his previous unreliable character was just an illusion. Otherwise, Qin Feng would not have dared to die so easily.

“The Qin family.” Xiao Ruohan’s expression was grim.

They were truly formidable.

Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Matron Liu quickly changed the subject and said in a gentle voice: “Mistress, if the dam repairs are successful, won’t our family’s prince win the support of the common people?”

Xiao Ruohan’s tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

She raised a hand, and Matron Liu immediately stepped forward to help her up.

The two of them walked slowly through the palace. Feeling much calmer, Xiao Ruohan said: “In previous years, the money for dam construction never reached the local areas. If A-Hai goes this year and the dam is completed, who among the common people won’t remember his kindness?”

“That’s right, our family’s prince is the best.”

Xiao Ruohan chuckled and said: “That child is good, but a little too kind and honest. Have someone cook some of his favorite dishes this evening. I must teach him how to behave, or else he will be bullied when he goes out.”

“Yes.”

The two of them walked out of the hall, their eyes fixed on the horizon.

*

*

The scorching sun after the rainstorm made everyone feel hot and stuffy.

A white pigeon flew across the streets of the Imperial City under the hot sun, flapping its wings as it flew into a courtyard with towering gates.

A servant reached out to receive the white pigeon and took the message from its talons, then handed the bird off to someone else to be fed while he quickly headed toward the study.

Inside the study, the Minister of Revenue, Su Sheng, placed the black chesspiece in his hand on the board with a frown.

Opposite him sat Councilor Fan He in a breathable black outfit. He stroked his beard with his left hand, placed a white piece with his right, and then picked up his teacup with a smile.

Su Sheng stared at the board for a long time, then shook his head and laughed: “Xiansheng, your chess skills have improved again.”

“So have My Lord’s,” Fan He said with a hint of meaning.

Su Sheng met his gaze and burst out laughing.

Just then, a servant called out from outside the hall.

“Come in.”

The servant entered with a bow and handed a message to Su Sheng before exiting the hall again.

Su Sheng quickly read the contents of the message and handed it to Fan He.

After reading it, Fan He slipped it into his sleeve pocket.

“My Lord and the prince are steadily becoming closer,” he said.

“It seems the task of building the dam is best left to Jiannan-wang.” Su Sheng took a sip of tea and said meaningfully, “This is a major undertaking that will benefit the common people. I’m sure he will earn quite a good reputation.”

“I hope so.” Fan He smiled and asked, “By the way, has My Lord heard the news about that man yesterday?”

“You mean that fellow who predicted the rain?”

“Right.”

“What happened?” Su Sheng immediately became curious.

As a first-rank official, he was standing closest to Qin Xiao and that person the day before, so he heard the rain prediction with his own ears.

He had also looked at the sky. The sun was shining brightly, and there were almost no clouds to be seen. There was no way it was going to rain.

So later, when he witnessed the rain come as predicted in Fengtian Hall, he could not hide his terror.

A gleam appeared in Fan He’s eyes: “That person predicted what time the rain would stop. Exactly.”

Su Sheng’s heart skipped a beat: “Really?”

“It is absolutely true.”

Su Sheng had a sudden realization: “No wonder Qin Xiao invited him to Yaotai Residence. There must be something extraordinary about him.”

Fang He stroked his beard and said: “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” Su Sheng asked quickly.

Fan He: “Qin Xiao believes in nobody and nothing but himself. He released that person and sent him to Yaotai Residence like a parade, as if he wanted to announce it to the world.”

“You mean Qin Xiao did so deliberately to use that person as bait?” 

“That’s right. If that man really can predict celestial phenomena, then he might have other abilities.” Fan He said in a weighty voice: “Such a person is very desirable.”

“If that is the case, should we send someone to make contact with him?”

Ever since Qin Xiao’s three day and three night slaughter of the “assassins,” most of the spies planted in the palace by various forces had perished, and the only ones left were very well hidden.

Now that the Imperial Guards were guarding the palace rigorously, it was very difficult for outsiders to insert their own people.

Therefore, if any forces wished to contact that man, they must use hidden tactics, which stood the chance of being discovered by Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao, who was determined to completely wipe out all of the spies planted in the palace by the major forces, ah.

Fan He frowned, saying after a moment’s thought: “Let’s wait a while.”

They would see how everyone else reacted first.

*

*

“No reaction?” Qin Chaoyang looked at An Wuji in surprise.

The other man nodded, saying: “There has been no movement at all. Those old fools are all overly cautious.”

Qin Chaoyang raised his eyes toward the person in the main seat.

Qin Xiao sat in the wide chair in the study, holding a palm-sized piece of saltpeter wrapped in a handkerchief.

There was no trace of surprise on his face. It seemed he had expected this.

“My Lord,” An Wuji said with an anxious frown, “If those people don’t take action, how will we be able to root out those hidden agents?”

Qin Xiao said in a mild voice: “I never expected them to take the bait so quickly.”

The fact that Chu Jiubian successfully predicted the weather twice didn’t prove that he was capable of more. Those people wouldn’t take such a gamble.

“Then what should we do?” An Wuji asked.

“Naturally, we should increase the stakes.” Qin Xiao glanced at the saltpeter in his hand. 

He didn’t know what Chu Jiubian planned to do with the saltpeter, but he could see that the other party did indeed possess some abilities that were different from those of ordinary people. Who knew – with the help of this saltpeter, he might be able to create another “miracle.”

Of course, using Chu Jiubian to expose the hidden spies was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. If it failed, it was no big loss. He would just figure out another method.

Suddenly, a palace servant’s voice came from outside the study: “My Lord, a palace servant from Yaotai Residence has an important matter to report.”

The three people in the room were somewhat taken aback.

“Send them in,” Qin Chaoyang said.

Soon after, the palace maid Shui Yun entered the hall and bowed in greeting.

Qin Xiao set down what he was holding and asked: “What is it?”

“Answering My Lord, the young master wrote down two poems and claims they were written by the Immortal Poet Li Bai and the Scholar of Serenity, Li Qingzhao. Eunuch Xiao Hong told me to pass them on to you.”

“Poetry?” An Wuji asked curiously. “Written by an Immortal Poet and a Scholar of Serenity? Quickly, tell us.”

---

[1] This poem is called “The Hard Road” or “Hard is the Way” by the famous poet Li Bai. ⮐

---

Consider donating via Kofi here.

Chapter 6 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 8