Chapter Fifty-Two: A Youth Misspent If Not for Romance (Part Two)

Lately, the number of scholars and gifted youths arriving in the capital to participate in the imperial examinations had been steadily increasing. Along both banks of the Qinhuai River, whether taverns, teahouses, or pleasure boats of the courtesans, all opened earlier than usual.

Just past the midpoint of the afternoon, the banks of the Qinhuai River were already bustling and lively.

In a spacious and elegantly appointed private room on the second floor of Drunken Red Dust, the eldest prince Jing Min was seated at the place of honor, conversing with a group of scholars preparing for the examinations. Each of these more than ten men was accompanied by a beautifully adorned woman. Among them was Wang Youwei, who, while chatting with the prince and the others, also took every opportunity to fondle the courtesan clinging to his side, causing the beauty in his arms to blush and breathe in short, coquettish gasps.

Yin Ruxin, though seated demurely at the prince's side, pouring tea and wine for him and occasionally bestowing a charming smile, was nevertheless praised alongside the prince by these scholars. She found it all quite tedious and responded only with polite smiles.

"Before coming here today, I heard that Master Hongdao of Daoen Temple passed away in meditation this morning," remarked a scholar named Qian Zhimian.

"I heard as well," said another, Zhang Lie, nodding. "It was said that Master Hongdao achieved enlightenment and release thanks to a single remark from the current Crown Prince's tutor."

Yin Ruxin, too, had heard of the matter between Yang Yaozong and Master Hongdao. When she first learned of it, her heart swelled with pride and joy, only to later pout in mock annoyance at him. Since that intimate night on the Qixi Festival, when she and Yang Yaozong had whispered sweet nothings to each other, he had vanished without a trace for over twenty days. Outwardly she pretended to be cross, but she understood that Yang Yaozong was surely busy, so her heart remained full of sweet happiness. Now, hearing those around her bring up the matter again—especially as it concerned Yang Yaozong—her eyes grew bright with excitement. Anything about Yang Yaozong, whether good or bad, she delighted in hearing. Of course, she most enjoyed hearing good things said about him; if anyone spoke ill or slandered him, she could have killed that person a thousand times over in her heart. And if that didn’t suffice, perhaps her sister Yin Ruyun might truly carry out such a vengeance.

"Don’t exaggerate! I don’t believe for a moment that a single sentence could allow Master Hongdao to pass away so peacefully," scoffed a scholar named Zhou Yuanjian, taking a sip of wine offered by the beauty at his side.

"Whether exaggerated or not, I’ve heard that the Crown Prince’s tutor answered Master Hongdao’s three questions—about past, present, and future—with three songs that recounted his own life. The tune is said to be rather strange, but it makes clear that the tutor never wished to serve in office, yet, held back by mortal ties, ultimately chose to enter officialdom. In time, he’d again choose to leave the court and live in seclusion," Zhang Lie replied, then hummed, reciting: "How can one who holds the realm in his heart ever be carefree? I wish only to grow old with her. When the sword is drawn, who laughs at debts and grudges? I wish only to hold her in my arms tonight. In the guesthouse of the mortal world, the wind is sharp as knives and the rain falls in fate’s rhythm. Let others compete for glory; I bow only for her. I cross deserted villages and wild bridges, seeking ancient paths beyond the world, far from worldly clamor. Willow catkins drift as I take her hand and wander free." Zhang Lie raised his cup, drank, and smiled. "That’s all I’ve learned to sing of it so far. I’d very much like to meet this intriguing Crown Prince’s tutor, to hear how all three songs go. And I wonder—does the 'her' in the songs refer to the lady of the Southern Palace, she of the Qixi Festival’s verse, 'If love between two hearts can last for all time, does it matter if they are together morning and night?'"

Yin Ruxin had also heard of Yang Yaozong’s three songs recounting his life, but she didn’t know what he had sung. Hearing Zhang Lie sing a fragment now, she, too, found the melody odd, but the lyrics filled her heart with unspeakable joy and sweetness. Even though it wasn’t Yang Yaozong himself singing, tears glimmered in her eyes. But when Zhang Lie mentioned the Qixi poem and the lady of the Southern Palace, jealousy and resentment surged within her—why must everything be linked to that memory? Clearly, the 'her' in the song was herself! Having looked at Zhang Lie with admiration before, she now regarded him with annoyance.

Wang Youwei, hearing Zhang Lie’s words, glanced at the prince, who met his gaze in return. Their silent exchange did not escape Yin Ruxin’s notice; though she kept her smile, her eyes flashed coldly as she glanced at Wang Youwei.

Wang Youwei took a sip of wine from the beauty’s hand, then drawled, "In my view, the Crown Prince’s tutor may have some talent, but compared to the gentlemen here, his abilities may not be so superior. As for enlightening Master Hongdao, I say he was just lucky! The master had gone without food for days; his body was weak and failing. Perhaps he was fated to pass this morning, and the tutor merely happened by chance. Rumors are just that—rumors, prone to exaggeration. You gentlemen are all learned men; don’t put too much stock in idle hearsay."

Several scholars hastened to nod in agreement, but Zhang Lie, pouring himself another cup, mused, "Where there’s smoke, there’s fire."

Wang Youwei’s expression soured, and he snorted, "When the tiger is absent from the mountain, the monkey calls himself king. In a few days, when you gentlemen excel at the examinations and your fame spreads throughout the land, who will care about that monkey then?"

Though Wang Youwei never named names, his meaning could not have been clearer. Everyone in the room understood his words as a jab at the Crown Prince’s tutor, Yang Yaozong. Yin Ruxin seethed with fury, barely restraining the urge to kill Wang Youwei on the spot.

The prince, who had been smiling quietly all along, was about to speak and defuse the tension when laughter and commotion erupted from below.

Curious, everyone wondered at the noise when a knock sounded at the door. Yin Ruxin rose, bowed to the prince, and went to open it, finding Ruyi standing outside, slightly out of breath.

Frowning slightly, Yin Ruxin asked, "What’s happened? You seem flustered," as she gently patted Ruyi’s back.

Blushing, Ruyi glanced at Yin Ruxin and then at the people inside, suppressing her excitement as she whispered, "Miss, the Crown Prince’s tutor has arrived. He’s downstairs, surrounded by the girls. Madam Wu has gone down to rescue him."

At the mention of Yang Yaozong’s arrival at Drunken Red Dust, and seeing Ruyi’s barely contained smile, Yin Ruxin’s heart fluttered wildly, her face instantly flushing crimson. She shot Ruyi an exasperated glance, then hurried to the balcony, biting her lip as she looked down—only to see Yang Yaozong encircled by a crowd of flirtatious courtesans, who laughed and joked as they reached out to touch and tease him. Yang Yaozong merely stood in their midst, maintaining a polite smile, allowing them to do as they pleased.

Yang Yaozong seemed to sense someone watching from above and looked up, locking eyes with Yin Ruxin’s gaze—so full of affection, yet both reproachful and longing. He could only shake his head with a helpless, embarrassed smile.

Catching Yang Yaozong’s gaze, Yin Ruxin gave him an annoyed sideways look and muttered under her breath, "Serves you right!" She then turned to Ruyi, gave her a few instructions, and returned to the private room.

"Oh, my dears! Don’t crowd Lord Yang like that! Look at you all, so giddy with desire—have you no shame? You’re making me look bad! You’ve already taken plenty of liberties. Even if Lord Yang wants to favor you, you’ll have to take turns! What’s the point of swarming him like bees? Go on, back to your business!"

Yang Yaozong saw a voluptuous woman in her thirties, well-maintained, with a rosy complexion and a falling-horse bun, bustling over as she scolded the girls, pulling them away by their ears or smacking them on their behinds. Approaching with a gracious air, she looked him up and down with a delighted smile. "Lord Yang, your reputation precedes you! To meet you today is a true honor—you are indeed as elegant and distinguished as they say. I’m the madam of Drunken Red Dust; you may call me Madam Wu. Tell me, Lord Yang, what kind of companion do you seek tonight?"

In truth, Yang Yaozong’s visit to Drunken Red Dust had not gone at all as he had expected. He had always kept a low profile; few people knew him or had seen him in person. Even though more had glimpsed him at Daoen Temple earlier, that was a monastery, and most who saw him were monks or nearby devotees. If word of his appearance or deeds were to spread, it ought to be in the days to come. After all, a person’s features are not easily recognized from mere descriptions.

When Yang Yaozong and Qin Haizhou entered the main hall, only one maid approached to ask which girl they would like as company. Before Qin Haizhou could answer, a voice called out, "Crown Prince’s tutor!"

Yang Yaozong frowned and looked in the direction of the voice, spotting Qin Haifan—whom he had met at the prince’s residence during the Qixi poetry gathering—standing on the left, bowing with a half-smile. He recalled that the prince had introduced Qin Haifan and explained his ties to Qin Zheng and Qin Haizhou. Qin Haifan didn’t much resemble Qin Haizhou; in fact, he looked more like Qin Xueyao, and was a handsome, fair-skinned gentleman. At the poetry gathering, Qin Haifan had seemed disinclined to become friends; though he called Qin Haizhou brother, Yang Yaozong was not one to force his warmth on cold shoulders. So, they were merely acquaintances.

When Qin Haifan called out "Crown Prince’s tutor," Yang Yaozong, though unsure how or when he had offended this second son of Qin, could only nod in acknowledgment. Instantly, a flurry of courtesans came rushing toward him, resulting in the earlier siege.

Qin Haizhou, annoyed, went to confront Qin Haifan, and the two brothers began quarreling in low voices.

Now that Madam Wu had rescued him, Yang Yaozong was at a loss for how to answer her question and was about to seek out Qin Haizhou when Ruyi arrived at his side, bowed, and said, "Young Master Yang, my lady asks that I bring you to the third floor to wait for her."

Embarrassed, Yang Yaozong replied, "I came here with Brother Qin, just to sit for a while."

Ruyi hesitated, but Madam Wu interjected with a laugh, "Ruyi, go tell your lady that I’ll take care of Lord Yang and the other gentleman." Then, lowering her voice with a teasing smile, "I saw you surrounded by my girls, Lord Yang, and you didn’t look tempted or flustered—just a bit shy. You have such a clean, upright look, a sturdy nose tinged with red—are you, perhaps, still a virgin?" She widened her eyes in mock surprise, glancing at Ruyi and then at Yang Yaozong, covering her face as she laughed. "Go tell your lady to hurry up with her business. With a gentleman as attractive as Lord Yang, even I feel my heart flutter! You saw what happened just now—if one of those impatient girls makes the first move and wins his favor, stealing your lady’s beloved, she can’t blame me for not keeping a better watch!"

Ruyi, blushing at Madam Wu’s bold words, rushed back upstairs, her face crimson.