Chapter 26 Knot

Chapter 26: Knot

The three-day spring hunt concluded, and the entourage began its return journey. The procession of carriages was just as grand and spectacular as before, but the moods of the people inside varied greatly.

While spirits had been high on the way there, on the return trip, over half the party had heavy dark circles under their eyes. Compared to them, Jiang Yanzhou, who had started sleeping in the afternoon and continued catching up on rest through the night, actually looked quite refreshed.

Jiang Yanzhou had suggested keeping a closer eye on the Prince of Jin these past few days. Xiao Yunlang had heeded the advice, but over the three days, they hadn't witnessed the Prince of Jin privately meeting with any foreign envoys.

Either he truly hadn't colluded with the enemy yet, or he had already done so but was being exceptionally discreet, avoiding detection.

Upon returning to the capital, Minister Wei was impeached by multiple parties regarding the incident at the detached palace. Pending the investigation's conclusion, he was relieved of his duties and ordered to remain at home awaiting inquiry.

For Emperor Yonghe, there was some good news. Before the departure date for the various foreign delegations, the King of Wuzi finally relented, sending a letter agreeing to sign the relevant documents.

This was also good news for Xiao Yunlang. No matter how busy he was, he made time to personally verify the clauses of the agreement.

According to the original course of history, this matter would have been concluded a year later. Now, thanks to Jiang Yanzhou's strategy at the Lantern Festival banquet, it had been moved up by a full year.

The tide of history was quietly shifting towards a better direction.

While the entire court was bustling with activity, Jiang Yanzhou, conversely, found some free time on his hands. He could finally take to the streets for a proper stroll!

He had promised to understand the cultural landscape and the hustle and bustle of the Qi Dynasty capital, to observe the daily life in its streets and alleys, but he had never found the opportunity. Now, with no pressing matters at hand and he wasn't bedridden, he could finally appreciate the scenes of common life in the Qi Dynasty at his leisure.

However, Jiang Yanzhou's appearance was too striking. Last time, he had clashed with the Wuzi envoy at the crowded Renxin Hall pharmacy, and many people had seen him then. To avoid trouble, Jiang Yanzhou still wore a veil when going out.

This time, he remembered to bring silver with him.

He had brought the chest containing banknotes, broken silver, and gold leaves—from the Jiang family—from the storehouse into his room. He took some broken silver and banknotes. The amount didn't look like much, but it was more than enough as long as he didn't buy anything extravagant.

The nobility lived in extravagance, spending lavishly, but an ordinary family could get by on just a dozen copper coins a day. Jiang Yanzhou was familiar with the cost of goods in the Qi Dynasty; he was not someone ignorant of the hardships of common folk.

He considerately said to Feng Lan, "Last time at the brothel, you gave silver to the madam. How much did you spend? I must repay you."

How could Feng Lan accept his money? "We bodyguards can get reimbursed for expenses on official business. There's no need for you to worry, Young Master."

Jiang Yanzhou, fearing he was just making an excuse to refuse, asked doubtfully, "Really?"

"Of course. The household keeps records," Feng Lan said. "His Highness the Crown Prince has always been generous with us."

Since there were records, it couldn't be false. Only then was Jiang Yanzhou reassured and put his money pouch away.

They still used an unmarked carriage when going out. Parked at a street corner, it blended into the bustling flow of people, inconspicuous.

The streets of the capital were naturally lively.

Shop banners fluttered, teahouses and taverns stood row upon row, and the crowds were packed shoulder to shoulder. When street performers struck their gongs and drums, applause and cheers instantly erupted, filling half the street.

Hawkers and peddlers called out incessantly. The sweet, savory, and spicy aromas of various snacks wafted out, vying for attention, enticing passersby and making their mouths water.

Jiang Yanzhou was like a child who had never seen the world; even the most ordinary things on the street could hold his attention.

But he only looked; he didn't buy.

Several times, Feng Lan was ready to pay, but Jiang Yanzhou would put the item down and move on to the next place.

Feng Lan was puzzled: He thought Jiang Yanzhou seemed to genuinely like those things? And they were all inexpensive trinkets; buying them all wouldn't cost much.

"Young Master," he couldn't help but say, "I brought enough money today. If you like them, you can certainly buy them."

Jiang Yanzhou shook his head beneath his veil. "I just enjoy looking. I don't necessarily have to possess them."

Feng Lan didn't understand: Wanting to obtain what one likes is human nature.

But then he remembered the collection of famous artifacts piled on the study's curio shelf and in the storehouse. Among them, only one small palace lantern had earned a place in the Crown Princess's bedchamber.

It seemed that 'liking' also had its hierarchies. Only a select few, truly special things, could find a place in one's heart.

Feng Lan felt a sense of clarity and said no more.

Jiang Yanzhou looked around for a long time without buying a single thing. It was only in a jewelry shop that his eye was immediately caught by a tassel.

This was an accessory shop under the renowned clothing house, Qiansi Fang. Many of the clothes Jiang Yanzhou wore nowadays were made by Qiansi Fang.

The tassel he picked out was a vibrant, bright red. Below an intricately woven 'peace knot' hung silky, flowing strands smooth as spring water. The peace knot itself was exquisitely crafted, even woven with gold thread.

Made with genuine gold, it shimmered with a fleeting light, instantly radiant.

The moment Jiang Yanzhou saw it, he thought of Xiao Yunlang.

The current fashion favored wearing green jade or white jade, with purer colors being most prized. But Xiao Yunlang eschewed pure colors, preferring jade pendants where red seeped into mutton-fat jade, with carvings following the color patterns.

When Xiao Yunlang wore such jade, the nobility of the white jade and the solemnity of the blood-red hue were fully displayed on his person. It was the man who enhanced the jade, not the jade that supported the man.

If paired with such a tassel, it would surely look even better.

Just picturing Xiao Yunlang's figure in his mind, Jiang Yanzhou couldn't help but make an impulsive purchase, acquiring the first trophy of today's shopping trip.

Because it contained gold thread and the craftsmanship was excellent, it cost a full thirty taels of silver—absolutely considered a luxury for common folk.

But the Crown Prince, a scion of the imperial family, had seen all manner of fine things. After buying it, Jiang Yanzhou snapped out of his impulsive shopping fervor—

How was he going to give this tassel to Xiao Yunlang?

Although Jiang Yanzhou had never had anyone to give gifts to before, he understood that gift-giving depended on both the item and the occasion. Given his relationship with Xiao Yunlang, only festivals and holidays were suitable for gift-giving.

There was no special occasion now, and presenting just a single tassel by itself wouldn't be appropriate either.

Jiang Yanzhou sighed. It seemed he could only wait for the next holiday, prepare some more substantial gifts, and slip the tassel in among them.

Such a small thing—he didn't know if Xiao Yunlang would even take a liking to it.

He carefully put away the tassel. After visiting two more shops, he went to a teahouse to rest.

The pastries in the teahouse smelled wonderful and came in many varieties, but a single taste revealed they were far inferior to those in the Crown Prince's residence.

A storyteller in the teahouse was narrating a tale of a wrongful case being overturned. He had just reached the part where the protagonist was wronged, his reputation damaged, drawing scorn from those around him.

Reputation...

Jiang Yanzhou recalled how Xiao Yunlang's reputation had been slandered by the noble families.

He had earlier wanted to do something for Xiao Yunlang personally, but hadn’t found the time.

The noble families had deliberately spread rumors, with premeditation and on a large scale, using their advantage of having many disciples and scholars.

Simply finding a few people to put in a good word for the Crown Prince wouldn’t be of much use.

As for writing novels or having storytellers in teahouses spread the word—that was even more out of the question.

You could privately and quietly discuss the royal family, pretending to “unintentionally,” spread gossip, but if you dared to print it on paper or have a storyteller shout it publicly, the moment you opened your mouth, patrol soldiers would be at your door to haul you off.

Jiang Yanzhou stirred the tea foam in his cup, pondering: He still had to rely on the literati.

He had already done enough walking for the day and couldn’t afford to tire his legs further. Plus, once he started thinking about this, he lost interest in checking out shops, so it was time to head back.

He remained deep in thought all the way back to the residence until a servant announced that Wei Wuyou had come to visit.

Wei Wuyou was here?

Jiang Yanzhou came back to himself and hurriedly said, “Please show him in quickly.”

Wei Wuyou, who had been disheveled and reeking of alcohol at the brothel the other day, was now neatly dressed, without a trace of alcohol about him, having tidied himself up properly.

To Jiang Yanzhou’s surprise, Wei Wuyou had brought not one painting, but two.

One was a portrait of Jiang Yanzhou. Although he had already seen it, he had to admit that Wei Wuyou had absolutely beautified him—it was too pretty, with such an exquisite aura that it would be beautiful even if it weren't of him.

The other painting, surprisingly, depicted Xiao Yunlang.

Wei Wuyou hadn’t even had the chance to observe Xiao Yunlang carefully but, relying on the impression from those few glances, had dashed it off, capturing his spirit vividly.

Banners blotted out the sky as a young man reined in his horse atop rugged rocks, treating treacherous terrain as flat ground, his long blade unsheathed, his gaze peerless and commanding.

Where the blade pointed, it seemed as if all under heaven had submitted, and tribute came from the eight directions.

Though he wore no crown or splendid robes, he already exuded the aura of an emperor.

With just one glance, Jiang Yanzhou was immediately captivated.

He truly understood now the expressive skill of Wei Wuyou’s painting.

Jiang Yanzhou hardly dared to reach out, even tracing the lines from a distance, fearing he might disturb the painting’s essence.

If there had been tempered glass nearby, he would have immediately set up a display case to protect it, hanging it on the wall to admire every day.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.

Because this painting was meant to be given to Xiao Yunlang via Jiang Yanzhou, and it also conveyed Wei Wuyou’s response.

Wei Wuyou was willing to re-enter public life.

No matter what lay ahead, at least he no longer had to drown himself in alcohol to numb his pain, eventually dying of melancholy.

Jiang Yanzhou reluctantly and with great difficulty tore his gaze away from the painting, also feeling happy for Wei Wuyou—this was like a rebirth. “I understand Young Master Wei’s meaning. I will convey it to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Wei Wuyou cupped his hands in salute. “Thank you.”

“If, after returning to office, you can smoothly be assigned to Cangzhou…” After all, this was something that hadn’t happened in history. Jiang Yanzhou didn’t know how far Wei Wuyou could go after surviving, as no one could predict it.

In this world, while some shone like stars, others struggled merely to survive. Jiang Yanzhou couldn’t help but worry for him. “The official circles in Cangzhou are a mixed bag. Young Master Wei, if you encounter any trouble, put your safety first.”

After all, this was the leading figure of the *decadent school*, who had spent years stuck in his own stubborn ways, even writing poetry about sacrificing himself in a clear pond.

“Thank you for your kindness, Crown Princess. Although I haven’t achieved any notable political accomplishments in my years as an official, I’ve seen through the ways of officialdom,” he joked openly about himself, his outlook now broad and clear. “Isn’t that what I’ve learned?”

Seeing that Wei Wuyou had truly come to terms with things and his spirit had greatly changed, Jiang Yanzhou felt reassured.

They parted on good terms, both satisfied. As Wei Wuyou was about to leave, Jiang Yanzhou stared at him and suddenly thought of something.

A literatus—wasn’t Wei Wuyou precisely a widely renowned great literatus?

An idea struck him, and he asked, “If I wanted to host a poetry gathering, would you be willing to attend?”

When nobles hosted poetry gatherings or appreciation banquets, they usually had their own agendas. Wei Wuyou understood this clearly but still cupped his hands without hesitation. “I would be delighted.”

If so, Jiang Yanzhou had an idea to restore Xiao Yunlang’s reputation.

*

“You want to host a poetry gathering?”

Xiao Yunlang had been busy day and night again recently. He had returned to the residence today to pack a few sets of clothes, planning to stay at the Dali Temple duty quarters for a few days.

Xiao Yunlang had originally gathered his things without intending to stay, but Jiang Yanzhou came to discuss Wei Wuyou’s matter with him.

The Crown Prince, estimating the time, had the kitchen prepare a meal so they could eat before he left.

Steamed Eight-Treasure Duck, tender and fragrant, drizzled with a shrimp and green pea sauce—the rich, savory flavors seeped in perfectly, ideal with rice.

Paired with a few dishes like shredded chicken with bird’s nest, seasonal fresh vegetables, and soup, it was just right for two people.

When busy, Xiao Yunlang ate casually, but today with Jiang Yanzhou, they enjoyed another leisurely meal.

Jiang Yanzhou mentioned Wei Wuyou—the painting would be delivered to Xiao Yunlang after mounting—and then brought up the poetry gathering.

“I’ve never hosted one before and don’t know much about it,” Jiang Yanzhou asked humbly. “Choosing a venue, sending invitations—what are the conventions for these?”

A servant was dismantling the Eight-Treasure Duck nearby. Xiao Yunlang raised his hand to signal him to step back, took the spoon and silver chopsticks himself, and methodically began to separate the duck meat. He asked, “What kind of poetry gathering do you want to host? Who do you want to attend?”

Jiang Yanzhou answered without hesitation. “A poetry gathering where both poor students and students from noble families can come, as long as they’re willing.”

Jiang Yanzhou had thought it through clearly: to contend for Xiao Yunlang’s reputation, both groups of literati needed to be present. With the spring imperial examinations approaching, many students had already arrived in the capital to study.

With Liu Hexuan there, poor students would surely come attracted by his fame. Adding Wei Wuyou would also draw noble students eager to join the excitement.

“Then there’s no need to send invitations.”

As Xiao Yunlang dismantled the duck, he placed a piece of succulent duck leg meat and a spoonful of sauce-soaked glutinous rice into Jiang Yanzhou’s bowl, instructing him. “I assume you’ll invite Ziyu and Wei Wuyou. With them present, there’s no worry about attendance. When the time comes, just spread the word and let people bring their own identification name cards.”

Jiang Yanzhou listened attentively, pausing his eating. But Xiao Yunlang took the spoon and placed it in his hand. “Keep eating. Listen while you eat.”

Only then did Jiang Yanzhou scoop up a spoonful of glutinous rice mixed with the savory meat sauce. The preserved winter bamboo shoots and dried scallops added just the right amount of umami, creating rich layers of flavor.

One spoonful made flowers of joy bloom around Jiang Yanzhou once again.

As he ate, Xiao Yunlang continued. “I have a garden on North Street, bought through someone years ago. No one knows it belongs to the Crown Prince’s residence. The scenery is nice, suitable for hosting banquets. You can use it. Have Steward Wang select a few experienced hands to manage the banquet arrangements—how to set up, how many guests to accommodate, how to receive and entertain them. They know what to do.”

Xiao Yunlang found watching Jiang Yanzhou eat truly enjoyable; it made him eat a few more bites himself. He tasted the shredded chicken. “Also, assign twenty household guards to prevent anyone from causing trouble under the pretext.”

What should have been a complicated matter was arranged thoroughly and thoughtfully by Xiao Yunlang in just a few words. Jiang Yanzhou’s worries instantly vanished, and he picked up the small bowl of shredded chicken with bird’s nest.

Although it's medicinal cuisine, it's refreshing and sweet with a pleasant aftertaste. He'd had his fill of medicinal dishes back at his mansion, which shattered his previous assumption that such cuisine was mostly bitter and bland.

After talking about his own meal, it was time to talk about Xiao Yunlang.

"How is the case going? How many days will you be staying? Should I have Feng Yi and the others bring meals from your residence for you?"

As he asked, Jiang Yanzhou thought about it—the Crown Prince was there on official duty—so he added, "Include the other officials working on the case with you as well."

The official compound was nothing like home; even the Crown Prince couldn't be picky. Jiang Yanzhou, savoring his own tasty food, was already worrying in advance about Xiao Yunlang's dining situation.

Xiao Yunlang's porcelain spoon lightly tapped—these words hit home, just like something a family member would say, not something any of his other advisors would utter.

But Jiang Yanzhou's gaze was pure and natural; he probably didn't even realize it himself.

Xiao Yunlang gave a light cough: "I'll only stay for three to five days. There's a lot of preliminary paperwork for this case. There's no need to send meals; the compound's mess hall surely won't starve the officials."

The matter of the Imperial Guard's death had been settled. His fellow soldiers testified that he had left his post without permission and was fond of drinking, so they closed the case, ruling it a drunken drowning.

There were two reasons for keeping the assassination attempt under wraps: first, although the Emperor had begun activating the Embroidered Uniform Guard and had grown displeased with the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he wasn't about to sideline the Imperial Guard entirely just yet.

Even if this assassin from the Imperial Guard were still alive, if he clammed up and refused to talk, the Emperor might mistakenly believe the assassination attempt was the Crown Prince's attempt to muddy the waters.

So it was better to suppress the assassination matter and use his life to show the Emperor the lax discipline and poor management within the Imperial Guard, thereby punishing more of its officers.

The second reason was to avoid giving the Prince of Jin another opening.

The lawsuit over the palace repairs wasn't settled yet; the Jiang and Wei families were going at it tooth and nail, and the Prince of Jin was growing desperate. Xiao Yunlang had no intention of handing him an opportunity.

Not even a shady one.

Although this meant Consort Li's family wasn't implicated in the plot against a prince, her brother had already been suspended from duty for negligence. Her family had only one official in court; once he was gone, it would be hard to get back in.

Emperor Yonghe might actually mean it when he talked of raising her son as his heir.

After all, he always believed he could live a very long time. The Ninth Prince was young, but that was precisely the point. Once a prince grew up, he would appear differently in the eyes of a vigorous and powerful father.

Just like the current princes—they were all rivals for power, not sons.

Emperor Yonghe was most wary of interference by the empress's clan. If he ever truly intended to establish the Ninth Prince as heir, Consort Li's good days would come to an end.

Consort Li came from humble origins and knew little of state affairs, unlike the Empress and the Noble Consort, who understood the situation clearly.

Jiang Yanzhou listened as Xiao Yunlang spoke of court matters. He still didn't have much of an appetite compared to others, so he finished eating first, set down his chopsticks, and watched Xiao Yunlang eat.

He had met Wei Wuyou earlier and rushed to see Xiao Yunlang before he left. The tassel he'd bought on the street was still tucked in his sleeve.

Jiang Yanzhou's hand gently played with the tassel inside his sleeve; the cool strands now warm from his fidgeting. He stared at Xiao Yunlang, gradually lost in thought.

When Xiao Yunlang finished eating and set down his chopsticks, he noticed Jiang Yanzhou's gaze. If it were anyone else, one might think he was simply daydreaming or spacing out, but Xiao Yunlang had a sudden insight and asked, "Do you have something else to tell me?"

Jiang Yanzhou's hand, fiddling with the tassel, jerked slightly. He instinctively replied, "Nothing... well, just make sure to rest properly while on duty."

Xiao Yunlang looked at him thoughtfully, making Jiang Yanzhou lower his eyes. The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze and said, "Alright. Although it's warmed up these past couple of days, you still need to take care of your health. Have fun at the poetry gathering."

If he had time, he might even go in disguise to take a look.

Jiang Yanzhou pinched the tassel, thinking to himself that when Wei Wuyou's painting was framed and ready to be given to Xiao Yunlang, he could say he was adding a touch of color and give the tassel as well. There was no need to wait for a specific occasion.

Hanging onto this tassel was somehow messing with his head... Weird.

He never expected that buying a tassel could lead to such troubling thoughts.

As Jiang Yanzhou left the northern courtyard, he pressed a hand to his chest and thought: I don't understand.

Better to give it away sooner. Once it's given, he probably wouldn't keep thinking about it.