Chapter 25 – Choosing a Teacher

Fang Zixing acted quickly, delivering the Dragon Scale Sword to Bamboo Branch Workshop that very night.

Xu Chun was delighted to see Fang Zixing making a special trip to deliver the sword. “It’s troubling, Big Brother Fang, for you to make a special trip to bring it over. Please convey my thanks to Ninth Brother on my behalf. Is he well? Has his vision recovered? I’ve had some detoxification pills prepared here. Big Brother Fang, would you please pass them on to Ninth Brother? Also, there are some healing medicines here for you to keep.”

Fang Zixing couldn’t help but laugh at how Xu Chun seemed to be in such a hurry to speak, as if fearing he would leave immediately. “Take a look at the sword first. Ninth Master said he felt this sword was suitable for you and specifically asked me to deliver it to you.”

But Xu Chun hurriedly instructed Donghai to fetch the two boxes of medicine they had just prepared and hand them over to Fang Zixing. “There are instructions for usage and dosage on each package. The red box is for Ninth Master, and the green box is for Big Brother Fang and the brothers.”

Taking the boxes, Fang Zixing replied, “Ninth Master’s eyesight has recovered, and his health is robust. Little Duke, you needn’t worry too much about him.”

Only then did Xu Chun take the Dragon Scale Sword and begin to play with it in his hands. Seeing the sharkskin scabbard adorned with golden rubies, he drew the sword and saw the narrow blade gleaming coldly, emitting a chill that almost seemed to bite. He couldn’t help but praise it: “What a fine sword!” With a smile on his face, he said to Fang Zixing, “Such a treasure, why doesn’t Ninth Brother keep it by his side for protection?”

Fang Zixing explained, “This sword is called Dragon Scale, rumored to have been crafted by the great master Ouzhi. Ninth Master has other swords around him, and he specially picked this one out to give to the Prince.”

Xu Chun sheathed the sword, filled with joy and unwilling to part with it. “Please convey my gratitude to Ninth Brother for me.”

Fang Zixing thought to himself, This is an imperial favor, find an opportunity to thank him yourself. He looked at the box of medicine in his hand again and realized that while the emperor’s gift of the Dragon Scale Sword was indeed a profound imperial favor, this young duke’s sincerity toward the emperor was equally rare. Those detoxification pills were likely worth their weight in gold and were probably kept by traveling merchants for emergencies along their journeys. After using one pill on the emperor, another had been prepared, which surely hadn’t been easy to obtain.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xu Chun, Fang Zixing was ready to leave when Xu Chun grabbed his hand with a smile. “Big Brother Fang, tomorrow I’m hosting a banquet for Prince Shunqin, but I can’t think of any suitable guests to invite. I wonder if Big Brother Fang is available tomorrow? Could you attend the banquet? If so, I’ll give you an invitation right now, or perhaps Big Brother Fang could bring some friends along. It’d be a chance to relax.”

Fang Zixing hesitated. “Who else is Prince inviting?”

Xu Chun replied, “Afraid of disrupting the peace, I’ve only invited the third son of General Weizhen’s household, Liu Sheng, and the second son of the Pingyuan Marquis’ household, Li Xiangyu. I haven’t invited anyone else.”

Fang Zixing said, “I have something going on at home and can’t go, but I’ll ask around. If there are any suitable friends, I’ll let them come with your invitation,” as he needed to consult with the emperor.

Xu Chun, without suspicion, said happily, “That’s great.” He promptly took a floral invitation card and handed it over personally. “Please do ensure that your esteemed friend attends. The venue is at the White Brook Estate at the foot of Deer Horn Mountain outside the capital. There’s a map drawn on the back of the invitation.”

Taking the exquisite invitation, Fang Zixing saw a white crane printed on the cover and smiled, bowing to bid farewell. But as soon as he stepped out, he ran into Sheng Changzhou. Upon seeing him, Sheng Changzhou’s expression turned uncertain, but Xu Chun, who was behind him, didn’t notice. He looked up and smiled at Sheng Changzhou. “Cousin. Big Brother Fang, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Sheng Changzhou, who has just come from Minzhou to visit my mother in the capital. And this is Big Brother Fang Zixing, a friend of Ninth Brother’s.”

Fang Zixing smiled and greeted him as if meeting for the first time. “So you’re Young Master Sheng. Nice to meet you, nice to meet you.”

Fang Zixing laughed. “Just call me Zixing. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll head back now. Another day, I’ll have a long chat with Prince and Young Master Sheng, head of the Eastern House.”

Sheng Changzhou bowed to him and escorted Fang Zixing out. Then, Xu Chun excitedly showed Sheng Changzhou the Dragon Scale Sword. “Changzhou Brother, look. Ninth Brother specially had Big Brother Fang send this over, saying he felt it was suitable for me.”

Sheng Changzhou took the sword and played with it in his hands, observing the sharp blade that could sever hair with a mere breath. He praised it. “Indeed, what a fine sword. Does it have a name?”

Xu Chun replied, “It’s called Dragon Scale Sword.”

As Sheng Changzhou was about to return the sword to its scabbard, his hand paused slightly upon hearing this. He smiled. “It suits Youlin well.”

Xu Chun’s eyes narrowed into a smile as he carefully tucked the sword into his waistband. “It’s truly a case of hearts beating in unison.”

Sheng Changzhou couldn’t help laughing. In his mind, the other party had learned his childhood nickname and had gone to great lengths to find this sword as a gift. It was clear they had put some thought into it. Seeing Xu Chun in the throes of his first love, Sheng Changzhou felt somewhat vexed. Youlin was already so devoted, and this Ninth Master was treating him with such care, even sending him a sword. It was causing Youlin to become increasingly infatuated.

He asked, “Shouldn’t we head out to the White Brook Estate now? I took a quick look around earlier, and everything seems to be arranged.”

Xu Chun nodded. “Right, I just gave Big Brother Fang an invitation. I’ll need to prepare an extra seat for tomorrow.”

Sheng Changzhou asked, “Is your Ninth Brother coming?”

Xu Chun shook his head slightly. “No, he doesn’t like meeting people. Big Brother Fang said he would ask his friends if they could come.”

Sheng Changzhou nodded. “Alright.”

The two of them tidied up and set off in a carriage out of the city to make arrangements for the banquet.

Meanwhile, at Prince Shunqin’s Mansion, after returning to the mansion, Xie Fei was immediately summoned to Prince Shunqin’s study. Prince Shunqin Xie Kai looked at him and asked in detail about the events of today’s audience with the emperor.

Xie Fei recounted everything in detail. Xie Kai said, “They left you waiting at first, then granted you the honor of dining together when the time came? What was the emperor’s expression like? Could it be that the eunuchs deliberately caused trouble, had not clearly passed on the message? Perhaps the emperor originally wanted you to accompany him for lunch, but the eunuchs didn’t relay the message, leaving you waiting in vain?”

Xie Fei replied, “Eunuch Su was smiling the whole time, and he’s never been the type to abuse his power. It doesn’t seem likely. Rather, I feel that the emperor kept staring at me intently during his meal and while viewing the paintings, as if evaluating something. When he assigned me a task, his expression was rather indifferent, clearly in a foul mood.”

Prince Shunqin sighed. “The relationship between the empress dowager and the emperor isn’t good. For you to handle this mission, success will be a blessing, but failure will be a disaster.”

Xie Fei replied, “Regardless, we should remain loyal and dedicated to our duties. Father, there’s no need to worry too much. Now that the imperial family is all in the capital, it saves the emperor from having to suspect us.”

Prince Shunqin nodded. “The emperor has been deep and reserved since his youth, his heart unfathomable. Even the regent fell into his trap back then. Now, even Empress Dowager, his birth mother, is treated thus. You mentioned entering the palace today, and my heart has been in my throat ever since. Do you know that Grand Secretary Li Meiyao was impeached today and is currently suspended from his duties, reflecting on his actions at home?”

Xie Fei was startled. “What did Grand Secretary Li do wrong?”

Prince Shunqin replied, “I heard he submitted a memorial a few days ago, somehow angering His Majesty. The emperor was displeased and reprimanded him, temporarily suspending him from his duties and sending him home to reflect. I tried to gather information, but it was airtight. It seems the emperor berated him in front of the court, yet not a word of it leaked out.”

Xie Fei remarked, “The emperor’s temperament is indeed quite reserved; it’s hard to fathom.”

Prince Shunqin added, “Tomorrow, aren’t you going to attend Prince Jingguo’s banquet? Since Grand Secretary Li is suspended from his duties at home, he must be bored. You could invite him. Anyway, that Prince Xu is renowned, known for his expertise in the ways of food, drink, and pleasure. Let him unwind. After all, he once did us a favor.”

Xie Fei replied, “Normally, we’re afraid that the emperor might suspect us of fraternizing with court officials, so we don’t dare get too close. If I invite him, he may not come.”

Prince Shunqin suggested, “Give it a try. It’s at least a gesture of goodwill.”

Xie Fei nodded. “Alright, I’ll send someone to invite him right away.” After a moment of silence, he continued, “Father, the reason you had me get close to Prince Xu was to connect with the Sheng family through him, right?”

Prince Shunqin replied, “Yes. Now that we’re all residing in the capital, expenses are huge. We might as well find ways to increase income and reduce expenditure. The Sheng family are maritime traders with many connections. I heard from my retainers that you had a pleasant conversation with him that day. Now that he’s returning the hospitality, it seems he’s also to your liking. You can associate with him.”

Xie Fei exhaled deeply and said softly, “He’s a good kid, quite different from what the rumors say, making me feel ashamed.”

Prince Shunqin laughed. “Since you can still associate with him, isn’t that better? Although the expenses of the mansion are high, it’s not a problem for the time being. Just treat him as a close friend and interact with him. I know you don’t like mundane affairs, so just follow your heart and make friends.”

Xie Fei bowed in acknowledgment. Prince Shunqin gave him a few more instructions before letting him go. Xie Fei then ordered someone to deliver an invitation to Li Meiyao.

On the other hand, after Fang Zixing returned to the palace, he presented the invitation and the two boxes of medicine to Xie Yi. Xie Yi said, “Since it’s for you, take the medicine. What’s the invitation for?”

Fang Zixing explained Xu Chun’s intentions, and Xie Yi took the invitation, examining it. He then asked, “Besides Xie Fei, who else did he invite?”

Fang Zixing replied, “I heard he also invited the third son of General Weizhen’s household, Liu Sheng, and the second son of the Pingyuan Marquis’ household, Li Xiangyu, as well as Young Master Sheng of the Sheng family.”

Xie Yi showed little interest. “All just a bunch of drunkards and gluttons. This is all for the sake of investigating the roots of that royal merchant. I suppose Sheng Changzhou can’t reveal everything and can only socialize for a bit. Well, Xie Fei wouldn’t dare claim credit that isn’t his.” He took the box and opened it, picking up the vermilion-colored pill wrapped in wax under the lamp, scrutinizing it closely.

Su Huaian, beside him, chuckled. “Your Majesty, do you want to have the medicine verified by the imperial physicians?”

Xie Yi sneered. “No need. Without them, I might live a few more years.” He handed the pill to Su Huaian. “Sew it into a sachet. I’ll carry it with me from now on.”

Su Huaian laughed. “Your Majesty truly trusts Little Duke Xu.”

Xie Yi replied, “Being a maritime trader, once they set sail, they spend months or even years at sea. Naturally, they have emergency lifesaving remedies. Even their doctors are unconventional, bold in treatment, unlike the imperial physicians who are cautious and conservative, only seeking to avoid mistakes. By being unconventional and bold, they can actually heal illnesses and save lives.”

Fang Zixing asked, “Your Majesty, what about this invitation…?”

Xie Yi thought for a moment and said, “Aren’t you and Shen Mengzhen old friends? Give the invitation to him and have him go.”

Fang Zixing glanced at Xie Yi secretly. “Doesn’t Your Majesty dislike Shen Mengzhen for his frivolous and unrestrained nature?”

Xie Yi replied, “Though he’s detestable, he does possess talent. Pass him a message. I’m planning to find him a disciple. Have him observe at the banquet tomorrow and report back to me who he wants to take as his disciple.”

Fang Zixing asked, “Is Your Majesty thinking of having him teach Prince Xu?”

Xie Yi replied indifferently, “Let’s see first. Xu Chun, this person, naturally endowed with beauty, yet for some reason, he’s a mess when it comes to learning. Ordinary lectures and teaching methods may not be able to teach him. Let’s see if they are destined to have a teacher-student relationship.”