Chapter 18 – Three Laughs

Xie Yi saw Xu Chun’s face flushed red as he reached out to snatch the book. He pulled the book closer, refusing to hand it over. “What’s wrong? What kind of book can’t I see?” The light from the glass window illuminated the young man’s anxious face, making him look extraordinarily lively. Xie Yi became mischievous and teased, “Is it some sort of scandalous book?”

Xu Chun was so flustered that he broke into a sweat even in the dead of winter. He cursed Xia Chao in his heart while looking pitifully at Xie Yi. “It’s a storybook from the lower-class publishing house… somewhat obscene and vulgar. Don’t let it sully Eldest Brother Jiu’s eyes.”

Xie Yi slowly flipped through a page, an amused expression on his face. “No problem, let me see what it’s about. You haven’t read it?”

Xu Chun was utterly embarrassed, but he didn’t dare snatch it forcefully. “No.”

Xie Yi turned another page and saw the handsome youth riding a horse under blossoms. He met a wandering swordsman who acted heroically. They hit it off immediately, sharing a kindred spirit. They then linked arms and traveled together, drinking and having fun. That night, they slept in the same bed. Xie Yi couldn’t help but laugh when he understood. “So it’s a south wind book—looks like my history reading the other day wasn’t thorough enough.”

Xu Chun wished he could bury himself in the ground. “Eldest Brother Jiu, believe me, I haven’t read it. A poor scholar came to our publishing house the other day to sell his book. He claimed his family was impoverished due to his mother’s illness, and he urgently needed money. I wanted to help him but was worried about hurting his pride as a scholar, so I casually mentioned we needed south wind books. I gave him a deposit, but actually, whether he wrote it or not didn’t matter. I didn’t expect the scholar to be so trustworthy; he submitted the book yesterday. Our publishing house sent it over, but I didn’t plan on printing it. I just had someone store it…”

Xie Yi slowly flipped through a few pages, a smile playing on his lips. “The writing talent isn’t bad, with elegant language and graceful style.”

Xu Chun stammered as he explained. “I saw his extraordinary bearing and decent literary talent. Unfortunately, his future was hindered by his gambler father. Moreover, he’s been a regular customer at our publishing house, always transcribing books for money. He’s not the type to shirk work and indulge in pleasure. Indeed, he was at his wit’s end; his father had accumulated gambling debts and broken his leg, and his mother was ill. Creditors were pressing him during the New Year, leaving him homeless. In desperation, he wrote a few erotic books, probably because he heard they could fetch good money. He came that day, trying to hide it, and seeing his genuine plight, I paid him to help him out.”

He explained in detail, fearing Xie Yi would misunderstand him. Seeing Xu Chun’s eyes reddening from worry, Xie Yi knew he spoke the truth and asked, “Where’s your publishing house located?”

Xu Chun replied, “It’s called the Idle Cloud House, situated by the lake in the eastern part of the city. Eldest Brother Jiu can visit there for tea and leisure reading whenever you’re free.”

Xie Yi slowly repeated Xu Chun’s earlier appraisal of the scholar. “Extraordinary bearing, hmm?”

Xu Chun looked at him, somewhat puzzled, with lingering redness in his eyes.

But Xie Yi thought back to the day when this hedonistic young man had also expressed his admiration upon their first meeting, approaching him without reservation. His voice carried a hint of ridicule. “You also came up to me the first time we met, didn’t you? Did you also fancy this poor scholar at first sight? It’d make for a good story of recognizing a hero amidst the common folk.”

Xu Chun panicked. “How could he compare to you? How could Eldest Brother Jiu think of me as such a frivolous scoundrel? If I ever had such thoughts, may I be struck dead by lightning the moment I step out!”

Xie Yi’s expression darkened. “I was merely joking with you. Why did you resort to cursing yourself? If I didn’t care, how would it affect me? If I did care, would I be happy with you demeaning yourself like this?”

Xu Chun was taken aback. After a moment, he said awkwardly, “I just wanted to say that Eldest Brother Jiu is different from others. It was Eldest Brother Jiu who joked with me first…” His voice grew softer, and he fell silent.

Xie Yi reflected on his own behavior and realized he had indeed been momentarily disrespectful. Having ascended the throne at birth, he had been strictly educated since childhood in the manner of an emperor, never revealing his emotions. For some reason, when he was with this youth, he lost his composure. With a serious expression, he bowed and apologized. “It was my fault. Although you’re young and untaught, you are generous and righteous, acting with a sense of chivalry. I shouldn’t have suspected you like that; I owe you an apology.”

Xu Chun blushed fiercely upon receiving Xie Yi’s praise for his chivalrous nature. He was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of where to place his hands and feet. Fortunately, the carriage stopped, and Spring Tide outside reported, “Young Master, we’ve arrived.” He hastily leaped out of the carriage, ordering someone to assist Xie Yi.

Xie Yi glanced at the book in his hand and took out the other books wrapped in silk from the drawer, carrying them down. Fang Zixing was indeed waiting beside the carriage, and Xie Yi handed the stack of books to him. Confused but obedient, Fang Zixing accepted them, and Xie Yi instructed, “Take them back.”

Fang Zixing understood and quickly passed the bundle of books to a trusted subordinate, who carefully stored them away. Five Blessings held an umbrella nearby, shielding Xie Yi from the wind. Xie Yi lifted his gaze to see a tall building ahead, faint sounds of music drifting from within. They had exited at the back of the building. An experienced steward approached to bow to Xu Chun and was promptly dismissed by Spring Tide. They then proceeded along a path leading to the back staircase of the building, ascending all the way to a private room on the third floor. Upon entering, they found a viewing platform with a railing by the window, facing the central stage.

On the elevated stage, several women dressed in pink robes were dancing. Xie Yi sat down, and a table was already prepared with various delicacies and fragrant tea. Xu Chun picked up the menu and asked Spring Tide, who had followed closely behind, “Did you check? What good dishes does the kitchen have today?”

Spring Tide replied, “Xia Xia went to take a look. They suggested bear paws, which should be acceptable. They’ll prepare honey-braised bear paws. We’ll also choose some mutton soup and fresh vegetables. See if Eldest Master and Young Master have any preferences. There’s also the performance list. Let me know what you’d like, and I’ll have them perform.”

Xu Chun handed the menu and performance list to Xie Yi. “Eldest Brother Jiu.” His ears were still warm, and his gaze toward Xie Yi carried a touch of intimacy. Receiving praise from the person before him made him feel that everything he had endured these days had been worth it. He was content.

Xie Yi said, “Just pick whatever you like; I’m not picky.”

He didn’t have the luxury to be picky. Educated strictly according to imperial standards since childhood, he couldn’t show any preferences in clothing, food, housing, or travel. He mustn’t develop any peculiar tastes. Emperors who loved music and theater were often associated with the downfall of a dynasty. He knew self-restraint, as his tutors had explained the reasons behind these rules.

Xu Chun, aware that Eldest Brother Jiu had never been particular about food or clothing these past few days, suggested, “They make pretty good meat dumplings here. Eldest Brother Jiu, try them.” He passed the menu to Spring Tide again and took the performance list to offer to Xie Yi. “Eldest Brother Jiu, what play do you want to hear?”

Xie Yi replied, “Just pick what you like.”

Xu Chun pondered for a moment and chose a play titled “Autumn Fragrance’s Smile.”

Xie Yi hadn’t watched many plays. The Empress Dowager had seen some peaceful operas during her birthday celebrations when he was young. Curious about Xu Chun’s choice, he asked, “Autumn Fragrance’s Smile?”

Xu Chun confirmed, “Yes, Eldest Brother Jiu, have you heard the story? Tang Xiucai’s three smiles led to marriage. This is a troupe from the south. I heard it once before, and their singing and acting were excellent. They really brought the flirtatious scholar Tang Xiucai to life.”

Xie Yi repeated, “Tang Xiucai?”

Xu Chun explained, “Tang Bohu, the one who excelled in poetry and painting, known as the Six Solitudes Hermit.”

Xie Yi understood. “The one who wrote ‘May I die among flowers and wine.'” He knew Tang Bohu but wasn’t familiar with the tale of the three smiles. It seemed to be a folk story, but none of his grand scholars had ever come forward to tell him about it.

Xu Chun nodded. “I have one of his paintings of a lady, very fine. If Eldest Brother Jiu is interested, we can appreciate it after we return.”

As the dances on the stage below ended and the curtain fell, Xie Yi asked, “Can I see the script?”

Xu Chun promptly instructed Spring Tide, “Have someone bring the script for Eldest Brother Jiu to read. Choose one with large print to avoid straining his eyes.” As tea was served, Xu Chun hurriedly poured a cup for Xie Yi personally.

Xie Yi noticed floating plum fruit in the tea and asked after taking two sips, “Did you add cassia bark?”

Xu Chun, who had been staring at him, smiled. “It’s Phoenix Dancong tea, naturally fragrant. When preparing the tea, I added a little bit of cassia bark and plum fruit, as recommended by Doctor Zhou. It’s good for replenishing yang energy and generating saliva. The aroma is quite unique, right? Eldest Brother Jiu likes aged tea, right? And you particularly like natural floral, fruity, and tea aromas, not artificial incense. Am I right?”

After finishing, he grinned with twinkling eyes, seeking approval.

Xie Yi was taken aback. During his convalescence these days, he hadn’t shown any particular preferences for tea or food. He drank whatever tea was served. How did the other party figure it out? So those orchids weren’t coincidental but deliberately delivered? And the constant supply of Buddha’s hand fruit… But no one dared ask the emperor about his preferences in front of him; that was a grave offense, akin to spying on the emperor’s actions.

Xu Chun refilled Xie Yi’s tea cup, pleased with himself for revealing the secret. “When Eldest Brother Jiu encounters a taste you don’t like, you drink tea or soup quickly. If you like it, you sip more slowly. The meat dumplings here are made with extremely thin skin and delicious broth. Eldest Brother Jiu, try them later; you’ll definitely like them.”

Xie Yi remained silent, picking up the script to read. Xu Chun didn’t feel embarrassed at the lack of response and personally peeled a pomelo, scooping out the flesh and placing it on a plate next to Xie Yi. Then, he started peeling pine nuts. Xie Yi noticed that they were all things he liked to eat, surprised yet puzzled about how Xu Chun could discern his preferences in such a short period of ten days. Simply judging by the speed of eating wouldn’t be enough to reach this level of understanding. It could only mean that the other party had indeed been paying close attention to his every move.

Xie Yi ignored him and focused on watching the play unfolding below. Before long, he became engrossed. Tang Xiucai’s three smiles and his encounter with Autumn Fragrance—the flirtatious scholar disguised himself as a servant in a noble household, a handsome scholar transformed into a lowly servant, engaging intimately with the beautiful and graceful maidservant. When he reached the line where Tang Xiucai exclaimed, “How could such a woman recognize a learned man in the dust!” Xie Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Indeed, it was a play that this hedonistic youth would enjoy.

Actually, Xu Chun hadn’t finished watching this play before. Hearing this line now, it was such a coincidence that it echoed Xie Yi’s earlier jest about recognizing heroes in the common folk. He blushed and felt uneasy.

Fortunately, Xie Yi had already privately reflected on his own behavior and apologized to Xu Chun. He wouldn’t continue to criticize him on this matter. Instead, he thought to himself that since this youth enjoyed saving people from the lower classes and a child handled large sums of money, he would inevitably attract greedy and unscrupulous individuals if he encountered them. There was no reliable elder to guide him. It was inevitable that he would have to spend some effort guiding him, as a way to repay the great service he had rendered these past few days.