Chapter Thirteen: A Visitor Arrives at Cold Garden

  In the first year of Tongtai in Southern Chu, on the sixteenth day of the first month, the King of Yong summoned a banquet for all officials as his heir was about to embark on a distant journey. Zhe did not attend the banquet. During the feast, General Huwei Qin Qing privately requested an audience and accused Zhe with rumors. Zhe advised him with courtesy, and Qing retreated in shame.

  The Book of Southern Chu · Biography of Jiang Suiyun

  I stretched my waist comfortably, and in the past few days, I received news that the prince had taken the bait. This way, I can temporarily put aside these troublesome things. In fact, today, the entire Yong Wang Fu was busy to death. Who let the heir apparent take over as the king of Yong? According to convention, King Yong would summon a banquet for all officials. I'm not interested in such things, so I asked for leave from His Highness and planned to read the few rare ancient books that King Yong gave me in the Cold Garden. His Highness understood my dislike for noisy gatherings, because today many royal nobles would come to attend the banquet. In this way, the outer courtyard of the Yong Wang Fu might be too chaotic. After all, many people among them have the qualifications to stroll around the palace, as long as they don't approach a few restricted areas, it's fine. To prevent someone from disturbing me, His Highness specially dispatched someone to guard the gate for me, not allowing others to enter without permission. In fact, His Highness meant that I might as well hide in the back house, but I didn't respond. Anyway, there are people guarding outside the Cold Garden, what am I afraid of?

  Xiao Shunzi knows my temper best, so as soon as he gets up in the morning, he opens the doors and windows to let out the stale air from the night before. Then, he lights a fragrant incense burner, while I change into a loose-fitting long gown and drink the scented tea that Xiao Shunzi has prepared for me. It's truly a divine way to spend the day.

  After a while, I unintentionally glance up and see Xiao Shunzi holding a silver knife, carving a piece of white jade. This is a habit he has recently developed. Ever since I forced him to carve a wooden doll for Ronglan last time, he suddenly became fond of carving. Now, whenever he has nothing to do, he picks up his knife and starts carving away.

  I once asked him why he had suddenly become interested in this, and he mysteriously told me that he had discovered it was a good way to practice his skills. Lately, he had been feeling like his martial arts skills hadn't been improving, but then he found that by trying to carve a perfect wooden doll, his movements became more fluid and natural. It seemed that he had stumbled upon a new method of practicing his skills.

  Although I don't understand the connection between carving dolls and martial arts, I do grasp the underlying principle. Watching Xiao Shunzi's knife strokes change from stiff and clumsy to smooth and flowing, I can sense that he has indeed made some progress. At least, the things he carves now seem to come alive in his hands.

  So, I bought a bunch of ordinary jade blocks for him to play with. This bookend on my desk is actually something he carved just a few days ago.

  I looked at him and suddenly laughed, saying: "Xiao Shunzi, although you like carving, but it's not necessary to practice every day. Today the prince is entertaining guests, there are acrobatic performances and music in front, go take a break."

  Xiao Shunzi said calmly: "There are too many people outside today, I don't feel at ease with you alone."

  I smiled and said, "You're being too cautious, this is the Yong Wang Fu, I'm just a minor vassal, who would come to assassinate me? Alright, go have some fun, don't forget, you're only twenty years old, don't always act like an old man, or I'll be guilty of that."

  Xiao Shunzi glared at me, but after all, he was still young and those tricks were quite attractive to him. However, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease about him. I smiled and said: "How about this? You call Hu Wei in and let him take your place as my bodyguard here. Will that make you feel better?"

  Xiao Shunzi looked at the teacup on the bookcase and said: "But someone has to serve the tea."

  I helplessly said: 'Xiao Shunzi, don't forget it was me who taught you how to make tea. Alright, go have fun, today you're not allowed to follow me. The flower lanterns will be lit for three days, and last night you protected me is enough. Today you should go out and take a good stroll around, don't stay cooped up in the mansion all day. I'm not going out, there won't be any danger.'

  Xiao Shunzi finally nodded and said: 'Alright, I'll go call someone now. Young master, don't worry about it, just focus on reading your book, I'll take care of everything.'

  I watched his back, and smiled with relief. Is that right? A twenty-year-old kid, what's the point of being so mature? He should be happy and carefree instead. Although when I was twenty, because this little brat stole my living expenses, I had to take the imperial exam and become a top scholar, but does he have to torture himself like that?

  After seeing off Xiao Shunzi, I continued to indulge in the book. When Hu Wei came in to pay his respects, he saw that I didn't react and quietly retreated without disturbing me, not knowing that the moment closest to death in my life was about to arrive.

  Qin Qing was responding to his colleagues while thinking about his concerns. Today, he came to the banquet on behalf of his father, but he didn't want to chat with those old foxes, so after hastily congratulating King Yong, he ran to the outside pavilion and watched the acrobatic performance on the high platform, but he didn't see it at all, his mind was full of the images of Princess Chang Le and Jiang Zhe.

  At that time, he eloped with the princess, but was sternly rejected. At that time, he was young and reckless, speaking without thinking, accusing the princess of being unfaithful and disloyal, and coveting the honor of being a queen of Southern Chu. The princess left in tears, but her proud figure still made him regretful. Unfortunately, he didn't have the chance to apologize, and then he was severely scolded by his father and thrown into the army camp. He fought his way out with every sword and spear, becoming a four-star Tiger General, but unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to fight in Southern Chu, where he had been harboring hatred for years. The princess returned, knowing this, he was both happy and sad. What he most hoped for was to lead the army to break through Southern Chu, then personally kneel before the princess to apologize, but now there was no such opportunity.

  After the princess returned, he had asked his mother to enter the palace to convey his intentions, but it was a cold water on his head. The princess seemed to have no feelings for him anymore. He was heartbroken and clung to his last hope, participating in the martial performance, but ended up with a tie against that pale face. Although he knew this didn't mean he wasn't as good as Xia Houyuanfeng, Qin Qing knew he had completely lost any chance of reconciling with the princess. After the competition, he was locked in the ancestral hall by his father to kneel as punishment for the conflict between him and that Southern Chu traitor. Qin Qing deeply resented Southern Chu and, in a fit of anger, even hated their people. Jiang Zhe, this person, had a reputation for being arrogant, yet he still managed to justify his surrender. Ridiculing him a few times was nothing, but his father had actually enforced family law and severely reprimanded him. Qin Qing still remembered the scene where his father scolded him with an iron face.

  "You scoundrel, I don't blame you for your past foolishness, nor do I blame you for your unprovoked anger. But how dare you publicly humiliate a virtuous scholar? If this continues, what future can the Qin family speak of? Do you know what a grave mistake this is? Jiang Zhe is no ordinary talent. He served as an advisor to the Duke of De and easily took over Shu. With one long song, he sent the King of Shu to his death. With one memorial, he made the ambitious scholars of Da Yong tremble with fear. This man is a national hero! And you dare to lightly humiliate him just because he's a surrendered minister? Do you know that if this man had a slightly narrower heart, your life would be in his hands?"

  Although I was not convinced, I still had to lower my head and admit my mistake in front of my furious father. It wasn't until yesterday that he finally let me out, sighing and saying: "You little slave, tomorrow the Duke of Yong is hosting a banquet, you'll go on my behalf to congratulate the Crown Prince on his appointment as governor, remember, be sure to find an opportunity to see Jiang Sima and apologize to him. If this person holds a grudge against you, it's likely to be a great disaster. I've inquired about it, the Duke of Yong regards him as a trusted advisor, even the Duke of Qi respects him greatly, neither of these two nobles are ordinary people, which shows how formidable he is. If you can't get his forgiveness, your younger siblings will probably be dragged down by you in the future."

  So she came to the Yong Wang Fu with a heart full of resentment, originally thinking that she would just randomly admit her mistake and be done with it. But just now, she had learned some news that almost made her faint. The Chang Le Princess actually had a private relationship with that shameless surrendered minister.

  It was a coincidence to learn the news, and after meeting Prince Yong, he represented his father to express his congratulations. Although he was awkward, he still brought up the matter of apologizing to Jiang Zhe. Prince Yong agreed with pleasure, but said that Jiang Si had always been weak in body and might not be able to receive guests until the afternoon, so he asked him to take a walk first. He reluctantly agreed, muttering to himself about the useless scholar, while admiring the scenery inside Prince Yong's mansion. However, after walking for a short distance, he discovered two eunuchs whispering behind a grove of pine trees. He had no intention of eavesdropping, but a sentence he overheard unintentionally made him stop in his tracks immediately.

  It was a eunuch who proudly told his companions that when Princess Chang Le came to the Wang Mansion, she had a secret meeting with Jiang Sima. It turned out that the two of them already had a private relationship in South Chu. If it weren't for him serving Jiang Sima on orders, he might not have known about this earth-shaking matter. He also boasted that Jiang Sima gave him 1,000 taels of white silver and said that if he kept his mouth shut, when Jiang became the imperial son-in-law in the future, he would make the eunuch the general manager.

  Qin Qing was so angry that he almost fainted, and it took him a while to come back to his senses. When he wanted to ask questions, the two eunuchs were already gone. Qin Qing stood there, thinking back and forth. If the princess had married Wei Yuan or Xia Hou Zuo Feng, he would have been sad but also resigned to it. But if the princess really had a private affair with that weak scholar, he absolutely wouldn't accept it. Thinking about it, the princess had always been gentle and kind since childhood, so she must have been seduced by Jiang Zhe. If not for the fact that Prince Yong had spoken first, Qin Qing would have gone to question Jiang Zhe immediately. Therefore, during the following time, whether watching acrobatics or doing something else, Qin Qing's heart was not in it. At noon, Qin Qing saw that most of the mid-to-low-ranking officials had arrived and found a guard to take him to see Jiang Zhe. The guards had already received orders from Prince Yong, so they took Qin Qing to the Cold Garden.

  Although Qin Qing was furious, he was after all a tiger son of the military gate and had come this far with growing curiosity. Since Jiang Zhe was the Sima of Tian Ce Fu, and the long historian Shi Tuo was going to Youzhou to assist the crown prince, then in the Yongwang Fu, this person was the one who was under one person and above all others. However, as they walked further, it became increasingly desolate, like a remote guest house. Unconsciously, Qin Qing asked the leading guard: "Why does Jiang Sima live in such a secluded place?"

  The guard smiled and said: "General Qin doesn't know, Jiang Sima likes quietness, so he specially chose to live in the cold garden. If there's nothing, even the garden gate is rarely out?"

  Qin Qing's mind had already been filled with suspicions, and she couldn't help but think wildly. This person lived in a remote place, could it be that he wanted to secretly meet the princess?

  Upon arriving at the Cold Garden, Qin Qing found that it was indeed heavily guarded. He saw over a dozen guards himself. The guard leading him explained their situation to the guard in front of the door, who went inside and came out after a while saying: "The Marquis requests General Qin's presence."

  Qin Qing walked into the cold garden, and indeed saw that it was also quiet and deserted inside. It seemed that Jiang Zhe really liked cleanliness. At a glance, he saw Hu Wei standing outside the door of a elegant pavilion. Hu Wei was a trusted subordinate of King Yong, Qin Qing was very clear about this. It seemed that King Yong attached great importance to Jiang Zhe, perhaps Jiang Zhe and the princess's matter had King Yong's support. Qin Qing's anger in his heart became even more intense.

  I was reading a book when suddenly Hu Wei came in to report that Qin Qing, the general, had come to see me. I was taken aback - this man had been rude to me in public, what did he want now? I didn't feel like seeing him, but then I thought that if it wasn't something important, why would the King of Yong arrange for him to meet with me? So I put down my book and didn't even bother changing clothes. After all, it wasn't official business, just a brief meeting, so I didn't see the need to go to any trouble.

  After a while, Qin Qing walked in and stared at me blankly as soon as he entered. I was puzzled, waved my hand to let Hu Wei go out, and asked: "General, what brings you here? Please forgive the humble attire of this official, for it is customary to be casual in one's own residence. General, please take a seat."

  Qin Qing sat down quietly, looking at the young man in front of him. The young man was wearing a loose and comfortable green robe, his long hair not tied up, but simply held back by a hairpin. His expression was leisurely and calm. Qin Qing had a strong feeling that this young man was not an ordinary person from the mortal world. Did he really have a private relationship with the princess? Qin Qing wondered.

  I looked at the handsome general who had been silent for a long time, and couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. I coldly said: "General, what's going on? If there's nothing, please excuse me, my body is weak and it's not convenient to sit for long." After finishing speaking, I picked up the teacup and took a sip of this top-grade Mengshan tea. This was indeed a rare treasure among tributes, even Prince Yong only had a few taels of it, and he gave half of it to me as my favorite. Usually, only on such leisurely days would I brew a cup. Who knew that just after I took a sip, Qin Qing coldly asked: "Did you really have an affair with Princess Chang Le?"

  "Pffft!" The tea water in my mouth all sprayed out, I stared blankly at Qin Qing, stuttering a bit as I asked: "General Qin, what did you say?"

  Qin Qing looked at me coldly and said: "I'm asking you if you have a private relationship with Princess Chang Le."

  I unconsciously played to my strengths, not bad, Hu Wei is far away and shouldn't have heard, why would there be such a question? I looked at Qin Qing and asked: 'General Qin, forgive me for speaking directly, what relationship do you have with the princess?'

  Qin Qing's face turned bright red as soon as she heard it, and she said: "Nothing?"

  I felt the hairs on my body stand up, knowing that this person had murderous intentions. However, thinking it over and over again, I couldn't let Hu Wei come in. If such rumors were to spread, I'm afraid even the King of Yong wouldn't be able to protect me. I calmly said: "Since General and Princess have no relation, asking about Princess's private matters is a bit inappropriate. However, since General has asked, if I don't answer, it would seem like I'm hiding something. This matter can only be asked once, so I hope General will think carefully before asking."

  I looked at Qin Qing's face and felt that there was still room for maneuver, so I continued: "Zhe Ben is a surrendered minister of Southern Chu, and it's not unreasonable for the general to despise me. However, Zhe's only good quality in his life is being chaste and self-disciplined. Except for his late wife, he has never had any private affairs with other women. If the general scolds Jiang Zhe for surrendering, no matter how angry he gets, he still has to listen. But this kind of filthy language, although it's just a passing rumor to me, I still can't tolerate you speaking like that."

  Qin Qing's face changed again and again, coldly saying: 'Do you dare to swear?'

  I smiled disdainfully and said calmly: "General, Jiang Zhe's body can face the heavens and the people, I will not make such an oath. However, I might as well speak plainly, Zhe and the princess have met and spoken only twice. Once was in Southern Chu, when I was ordered to pay respects, and once was recently, when we coincidentally met at the Yong Wang Fu. The princess is a member of the royal family, and was previously the queen of Southern Chu, with Zhe having a lord-subject relationship with her. If General Qin considers this as a private affair, then there would be no one in the world who is clean and innocent."

  Qin Qing calmed down, and he could tell that although my words were harsh, not a single one was false. He thought to himself that he had come to rebuke me after hearing rumors, but ended up getting his head cracked open and bleeding instead. How could he still follow his father's orders to apologize to Jiang Zhe? So he cupped his fists and said: "I was wrong, I heard it from two eunuchs in the palace, please forgive me, Sir Sima."

  A chill ran down my spine, and I immediately shouted: "Hu Wei!"

  Hu Wei immediately pushed the door and entered, I coldly said: 'Someone has spoken nonsense, angered General Qin, you immediately go and bring them to see me. General Qin, what do these two people look like, where did you meet them.'

  Qin Qing originally didn't want to say, but seeing the icy coldness in Jiang Zhe's eyes, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart and told him about the two men's age and appearance. Hu Wei listened thoughtfully and said: "Sir, I know these two people, they are eunuchs sent by the palace. May I ask, sir, did you bring them here?"

  I thought for a moment and said: 'Today the prince is hosting a banquet, it's not possible to disturb the guests, you take these two people into custody, and wait for the prince to deal with them.'

  After Hu Wei left, I looked at Qin Qing and said calmly: "General Qin, listen to my advice. Your esteemed father's honor and prestige today are not due to his power and influence over others. I've heard that the Great General of Pacifying Distant Lands is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he must act, and when he acts, he must succeed. What is most admirable about him is that he handles matters with justice and decisiveness. If someone has committed no fault, even if they are just a lowly soldier, he will not treat them lightly; if someone has committed a fault, even if they are from the imperial family or a noble relative, he will not show favoritism. General, you can think about your behavior over these past few days and see if there is anything worth boasting about. I'm not speaking out of turn, but I truly cannot bear to see the decline of the Great General's legacy."

  Qin Qing should have been angry, but he felt that what Jiang Zhe said was similar to what his father usually said, and he didn't dare to argue. He thought about how he had been confused by anger and jealousy for many days, and the more he thought about it, the more ashamed he became. As a member of a noble family who had received strict teachings from his father, although he was momentarily confused, it wasn't in his nature. After thinking it over, he felt a sense of clarity in his heart and respectfully bowed down to say: "Thank you, sir, for your teachings. I, Qing, have wronged you in the past, please forgive me."

  I was shocked and didn't expect him to be so knowledgeable and willing to change, so I couldn't help but stand up and say: "General, such a great courtesy, I don't dare to accept it. If there's any offense, please forgive me."

  Mr. Qin said calmly: "Sir, originally I wanted to listen more to your teachings, but I was ordered to come and congratulate you. The banquet is about to start, so I must go out to congratulate His Highness King Yong. If there's an opportunity in the future, please teach me again."

  Unexpectedly, I turned hostility into friendship and, overjoyed, personally escorted him out of the Cold Garden. After seeing him walk far away, I suddenly heard someone rebuke: 'Who dares to trespass in the Cold Garden? Don't you dare tie your hands up.'