Chapter 40 – Terrifying Beauty

The moment Xu Chun entered the Qianqiu Pavilion, he was greeted with jeers. “The host is late! He must drink as punishment!”

“Three cups as punishment!”

Xu Chun could only smile as he clasped his hands and made a round of bows. “Apologies, apologies. There was an issue with an elder at home that delayed me. I’ll drink, I’ll drink.” As he spoke, someone brought over a large goblet filled to the brim with wine.

Upon seeing it, Xu Chun panicked. He stretched out his hand to stop them, laughing as he said, “Please, let me have a smaller cup, a smaller cup. Your little brother really can’t handle much alcohol.”

Everyone jeered, “So many people are waiting on you, at least one cup!” The heir of the Plains Marquisate, Xiong Wenfu, and the grandson of the Prince of Ying’s family, Xie Ji, were already rolling up their sleeves and eager to force him to drink.

Xie Fei finally smiled and said, “Everyone, spare Siyuan. In truth, today’s gathering was supposed to be hosted by me. Unfortunately, every major private room in the capital’s various taverns has been booked recently, leaving no choice. But Siyuan offered to host and find us a private room.”

“It’s not easy to secure such a spacious private room, such a great location for watching performances, and these exquisite dishes and snacks. Which of these isn’t wonderful? Spending money and effort, only to be punished with drinks, even I feel bad about it.”

At this point, the heir of the Guide Marquisate, Su Linyu, also chimed in support. “We haven’t even discussed business yet. How can we get Siyuan drunk?”

Only then did everyone laugh and let Xu Chun off the hook, replacing the large cup with a small one. Xu Chun drained three cups in one go, and immediately, a flush rose to his face, his eyes somewhat dazed.

Xie Fei ordered him to sit by his side, smiling as he said, “I’ve gathered everyone here for the Dongyuan Festival during the Dragon Boat Festival. According to tradition, these skills are presented to the Emperor. Not many teams from the Imperial Academy are participating this year, so I thought we should form one. We’ll register for archery at willows, cuju, polo, and dragon boat racing, competing for glory before His Majesty.”

Everyone agreed, and the second son of the Xuande Marquisate, Yuan Guangqing, took a brush to record names. They started discussing who would sign up. Xu Chun was always mediocre in both literature and martial arts; he wasn’t proficient in archery, cuju, polo, or dragon boat racing, nor was he particularly robust. With the rush of three glasses of wine, he didn’t speak, quietly nibbling on snacks.

In the end, they discovered that the dragon boat team couldn’t be completed. It turned out that those rowing dragon boats had to know how to swim, but few people in the north knew how. After going around and around, only those who could swim had signed up first, still leaving one spot open. Seeing that Xu Chun was constantly drinking tea, Xie Fei asked him, “Siyuan, do you know how to swim?”

Xu Chun replied, “I learned some from my cousin when I was young, but I haven’t swum in a long time. I can only say that I won’t drown, barely.”

Xie Fei made the final decision. “Then it’s settled! You’re in! This way, the dragon boat team will be complete. There’s still half a month left! You can practice well at home! Besides, you’re the host, it wouldn’t make sense if you didn’t participate.”

Everyone jeered, “Isn’t that right?”

Xu Chun knew that they only pulled him in to make up numbers because he had money, which would be convenient for rehearsals. These imperial clan and noble children seemed bright on the surface, but in reality, they were tightly restrained by their families. But he had long been accustomed to people befriending him for his wealth since childhood and didn’t think much of it. He merely smiled and said, “If the older brothers aren’t worried about little brother dragging you down with his weak strength, then little brother will try his best.”

With the team assembled, everyone was delighted. Xu Chun had privately arranged for the most exquisite and visually appealing new operas, such as “The Peony Pavilion” and “The Jade Pestle Story,” to be performed.

When the actors came on stage looking absolutely stunning, their costumes extravagant, the music was extremely refined, picking only the flute and the xiao to play softly. The music was ethereal, echoing into the clouds. When they began to sing, their voices were clear and resonant, stopping the clouds in their tracks. Applause erupted.

Xie Fei was surprised. “Normally, I only hear that the plays at the Qianqiu Pavilion are good and interesting, but the crowd is too mixed, and the location is a bit off. I didn’t expect that coming today, it’s actually not bad. It seems I should come more often in the future.”

Xu Chun smiled. “It’s good if the heir is satisfied.” With this praise, it was inevitable that these nobles would come and book seats here more often in the future. The guests he invited today would eventually earn back the cost. Thinking of this, Xu Chun’s smile became especially sweet.

Xie Fei said, “I’ve already said not to call me heir. Look at this table, there are so many heirs. Even you are an heir. Call me Fei Yu instead.”

Xu Chun readily agreed. “Brother Fei Yu, would you like some sour grape yogurt to sober up?”

Xie Fei found Xu Chun to be truly forthright and skilled at socializing. He smiled and asked him, “Why didn’t you invite your brother today?”

Xu Chun replied, “He’s just waiting to be assigned his official post and will soon be dispatched out of the capital, so there are many things at home. But if Brother Fei Yu sends him an invitation, he’ll definitely come.”

Xie Fei laughed. “That’s strange. Why would he come if I send him an invitation? Clearly, I’m closer to you than to your brother. We’ve only met a few times.”

Xu Chun replied, “Didn’t Brother Fei Yu recommend my brother to His Majesty?”

Xie Fei covered his mouth and coughed awkwardly, laughing. “That wasn’t something I specifically mentioned. It was because of the butterfly painting your brother drew at my place last time. When His Majesty asked me to appreciate paintings with him, he caught sight of this painting and praised me for painting well. How could I take credit for Brother Xu’s work? I hurriedly explained that it was painted by the heir of the Jingguo Duke’s household, and I only painted the butterfly. His Majesty praised it for its high quality and wonderful artistic conception, saying it was painted very well.”

Xu Chun was taken aback, blushing as he said, “Brother Fei Yu is really flattering me. How could my few strokes enter the eyes of His Majesty?”

Xie Fei replied, “How could that be? That painting is still in the palace! It doesn’t seem like His Majesty plans to return it to me. Later, when he summoned me to attend chess games, after I made a few moves, His Majesty asked if I’d painted anything recently. I said I’d painted some flowers and birds, and he asked if the heir of the Jingguo Duke’s household, who is good at painting, had any new works. Unfortunately, you were sick at the time, so I could only tell His Majesty that you drank a few cups more than usual due to your brother passing the imperial examination and becoming a jinshi, and you fell ill. That’s why His Majesty was curious that both brothers in the Jingguo Duke’s household were so talented, leading to the commendation of your brother at the Qionglin Banquet.”

Everyone laughed. “Isn’t that a beautiful story?”

The heir of the Guide Marquisate, Su Linyu, laughed. “I’d say that Siyuan’s banquet was well-deserved. If it weren’t for Fei Yu’s efforts, how could the Jingguo Duke’s household enjoy such glory today?”

Everyone jeered, “A toast! A toast!”

Xu Chun had no choice but to stand up and offer a toast. Xie Fei hurriedly smiled. “It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s discerning eyes. I dare not claim credit for what is not mine. Let’s drink together, everyone, let’s drink together.”

The atmosphere at the banquet heated up, drinking until the moon was high in the sky. Host and guests alike enjoyed themselves thoroughly before dispersing.

After that, apart from attending the Imperial College to mark attendance and write assignments, Xu Chun added another task to his daily routine—practicing dragon boat racing with the dragon boat team members. And when he returned to Bamboo Branch Workshop, he didn’t slack off either, picking up swimming again. Fortunately, the four attendants were all locals from Minzhou, highly skilled swimmers, practicing swimming with him in the lake behind Bamboo Branch Workshop every day.

On this day, Xie Yi finished reviewing memorials unusually early. Seeing the fine weather, he decided to take advantage of the sunset and visit Bamboo Branch Workshop. He rode his horse leisurely to the back door of Bamboo Branch Workshop and saw Chunxi and Donghai standing on the bank under the willow tree, watching the lake. Hearing the sound of hooves in the distance, they looked up and hurriedly bowed to him. “Ninth Master.”

He couldn’t help but be greatly surprised. Riding on his horse, he asked the two pages, “What are you doing here?”

Chunxi replied, “Replying to Ninth Master, our heir said he joined the dragon boat team and will participate in the northern garden display of skills during the Dragon Boat Festival. For the past few days, he’s not only practiced dragon boat racing but also said he must improve his swimming skills. Now Xiachao and Qiuhu are accompanying the heir in the lake, taking advantage of the strong sun today. The water is warm, making it less likely to catch a cold.”

Xie Yi smiled slightly. “That’s true, every year there are dragon boats that capsize and people fall into the water. One mustn’t participate without knowing how to swim. Your heir has such a small frame, isn’t he going to hold the dragon boat team back?”

Chunxi laughed. “Isn’t that right? But according to what the heir said, counting them all, most are landlubbers. Our heir at least learned to swim in Minzhou, so he was chosen to fill in the numbers. Winning the dragon boat race isn’t expected. We just hope not to embarrass ourselves.”

Xie Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. Sitting on his horse, he also looked towards the center of the lake. Sure enough, he saw three people swimming toward this side. The ones on the left and right were presumably Xiachao and Qiuhu, judging by their skillful strokes. Obviously, they were protecting Xu Chun, who was in the middle, struggling to wave his arms.

Xu Chun splashed through the water, panting heavily. Seeing Xie Yi, he was delighted and called out from afar, “Elder Brother Nine!”

Then he buried his head and swam to the shore, splashing water as he followed Chunxi and Donghai onto the shore, soaking wet. He smiled at Xie Yi. “Elder Brother Nine! You’re here!”

The sunset was brilliant, the golden glow of dusk enveloping the youth’s tall and slender body in a luminous sheen, full of vitality. He was approaching adulthood, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with firm muscles. Droplets of water rolled down, revealing smooth and delicate skin, like a spring willow at its finest.

Those eyes, a blend of the clarity of amber and the sweetness of honey, looked at him with the same warmth and frankness as before, seemingly ready to offer everything to him at any time.

Xie Yi’s gaze fell on the youth’s slim waist and long, straight legs. Suddenly, a very strange feeling welled up from the depths of his heart, akin to the accumulated thirst of years, or perhaps a shudder emanating from the depths of his soul. It was like a sweet reward, yet also a cruel judgment.

Suddenly, he felt fear, like when he was a child hunting and encountered a tiger in the forest. It lay hidden in the grass, its golden vertical pupils locking gazes with him for a long time, silently retreating in the stillness of his shock.

It was an existence capable of destroying everything about him, yet it possessed a beauty that shook his soul.