[3] T/N: Refer to Ch 50 for context.
The instant he heard the examination question, he was shocked to the core – it was exactly the same question the mysterious person had posed in the first letter to him. Immediately, he was thrown into confusion. Previously, he had believed that one should rule a nation by emphasising honour, morals and customs. However, the other party had argued that these must be integrated with law and order so as to rule the nation. He had reason and justifiable grounds, and thus had been convincing. When the question was recreated in the court examination, Liu Min had settled his state of mind and argued frankly, just as if he had been arguing with that mysterious person. Honour, morals and customs are just as important as law and order. Ruling by honour, morals and customs, the nation would have everlasting peace; ruling by law and order, the nation would be strong and prosperous . . .
He had been somewhat uneasy at first, but the more he spoke, the more fluent he became, and the more impassioned as well. His initial hesitation was tossed to the wind as, for the first time, he spoke with confidence about his aspirations.
After he had finished speaking, he had bowed before the Emperor and said softly, "This is the humble opinion of this scholar."
There was silence all around for some time, before laughter was heard from the person in the highest seat. Clapping his hands, that person said, "Good, well said! I am extremely gratified to see that Great Jin has such an esteemed talent!"
In a haze after the Emperor had bestowed the title of zhuang yuan lang on him, Liu Min still could not believe that this was happening. Mo Cong came over to congratulate him. "Liu xiong, your perspective is really new and original, and it is very different from Liu xiong’s view in the past."
He responded courteously, but his heart was increasingly suspicious. If it were not for the fact that he knew the Emperor had no such indulgences, he would have almost wondered if the mysterious person was the Emperor himself. However, when all was said and done, if this person was not the Emperor, then who could it be, who would know the examination question beforehand, and why would this person help him?
Liu Min’s feelings were confused. All his life, he had been straightforward and upright. He had never used this kind of dishonourable method to achieve anything. However, for the time being, he did not want to volunteer any information about the situation. The minute he spoke out, the person who had been secretly helping him would also be implicated, and all that he had achieved would go up in smoke. He recalled the painting that the person had sent him – the higher the position, the greater the ability.
The young zhuang yuan lang was pleased as punch with his success. However, he failed to notice a face within the dense crowd of people, shrouded in gloom, looking at him with eyes full of bitter rancour. Thoroughly intoxicated, he stared at the zhuang yuan lang whose star was rapidly ascending. His standing was even higher than before, and his arrogant eyes seemed to barely tolerate other people. Jiang Chao clenched his fists as he asked himself, why?
He turned and disappeared into the crowd.
That day, the whole of the Great Jin Dynasty’s capital city turned out in full force to steal a glimpse of the graceful bearing of the zhuang yuang lang. However, there was a person who stole into the residences at the Imperial Academy.
Liu Min’s room had yet to be tidied and was in its usual state. Xiao Shao, in deep black brocade embroidered with refreshing decorative designs from head to toe, stood in front of Liu Min’s table. He reached out to take hold of the letter on the table.
There were only five words in the letter: Many thanks. Who are you?
Xiao Shao raised his eyebrows. Mo Cong had said that Liu Min was a totally different person when compared to his previous self, and the difference had been even more marked when he shared his opinion during the court examination. A person’s long-held beliefs could not be so easily changed and Liu Min’s temperament was entirely unsuitable for being a court official. There was definitely something odd about him being selected by the Emperor as the zhuang yuan lang.
For example, this letter. Liu Min’s family only consisted of a sick, bed-ridden mother, and he had no close friends in the Imperial Academy. This ’who are you’ was indeed intriguing.
Xiao Shao opened the cabinet in front of the table to reveal a stack of books. When he extracted the book right at the bottom, a wad of letters spilled out.
He saw the words on the topmost letter.
It looked like an ordinary exchange of opinions between two scholars. The brushstrokes were sharp yet reserved, and did not look overly polished and sleek. At first glance, the style was very similar to that of the Eighth Prince, Xuan Li.
But this person was definitely not Xuan Li.
Xiao Shao looked at the letter at the bottom of the pile, where it was clearly written: I heard that in the past, wise men governed the nation by emphasising honour, morals and customs, and the nation flourished. When these wise men departed, the nation declined. Therefore, the right way to govern a nation is by honour, morals and customs. However, others say that, while all these sentiments are good, they are not effective in controlling and managing the people. Balance must be achieved by means of law and order that all people adhere to so that the nation can experience prosperity and stability.
He was slightly taken aback, and a severe expression flashed across his cold eyes.
This was the question in the court examination, and, from the looks of this, someone had written this letter to Liu Min way before the court examination. Who on earth was this person? It must be someone close to the Emperor. Could there be a hidden traitor within the ranks?
However, Liu Min was merely a scholar from the common class; there was nothing to gain from helping him. Perhaps Zhao daren’s acceptance of bribes a few days ago had something to do with this. Xiao Shao thrust the letter into his bosom and said, "Guards."
"Master." In a flash, there were two black-clad men in the room.
"Send a group of Jin Yi guards to keep a watch on the Imperial Academy and follow the messenger who delivered these letters," said Xiao Shao. "The two of you monitor Liu Min."
"Yes, sir."
Xiao Shao nodded. His elegant face, full of heroic spirit, just happened to notice the painting hanging in front of Liu Min’s table, where the moonlight shone brightly on the mountains and lakes, and the gleam of fireflies dotted the forest.
He looked at it for a moment, then turned and walked out of the room.
The graceful bearing of the zhuang yuan lang won the admiration of many young ladies yet to be married, who were still sequestered in the women’s quarters. That evening, Jiang Ruan did not read her books. Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi exchanged glances before Lian Qiao said, "Today, many servants in the fu were saying that the zhuang yuan lang is very good looking and extremely graceful and elegant, truly a man of talent."
Bai Zhi glared at Lian Qiao. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of Miss, and without the least bit of shame? Can it be that you are suffering from unrequited love?"
"You wretched hussy! Be surprised if I don’t tear out your lips." Lian Qiao’s face turned red as she laughingly heckled Bai Zhi. "Right now, I’m very happy. The more satisfied zhuang yuan lang is, the more dispirited those people in that place will be. When I think of this, I cannot help but be happy."
"These words cannot be said too carelessly." Bai Zhi cast a glance outside the door. "Don’t forget that there are others outside, and the walls have ears." She was speaking of Shu Xiang and the rest.
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. "Second Brother is probably feeling that the situation right now is intolerable, and will likely make his way to a tavern to drink. Yesterday, a new one opened in the east of the capital, and it is near the biggest brothel in the capital, Bai Hua Lou. It just so happens that today is the deflowering ceremony for Miss Mu Dan. Second Brother has been disappointed by the imperial examination’s results so he needs to gain satisfaction from the affairs of the heart. However, Miss Mu Dan comes at a considerable price. Second Brother is rich and arrogant, but it is not certain that Jiang fu has the silver necessary to pay the price for this beauty of Second Brother’s."
Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at each other and saw the surprise in the other’s eyes. Jiang Ruan was a wise and virtuous lady who kept to her chambers, yet she spoke of the brothel in a relaxed and magnanimous fashion, which caused them to feel uncomfortable and tense.
At this point, Lu Zhu entered the room. When she saw Jiang Ruan looking at her, she walked over to half-squat by Jiang Ruan’s side. She whispered, "Miss, it’s done. This servant sent Da Niu to accompany Second Young Master to the tavern, and deliberately mentioned that Miss Mu Dan admires talented scholars the most. I think nothing will go wrong."
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. The capital’s Bai Hua Lou was a money-squandering establishment, it had already taken possession of silver from the children of many of the prosperous families. Miss Mu Dan was the main draw of Bai Hua Lou. On normal days, it was her skills but not her body on offer, and she had both natural talent and natural beauty. Today, as it was her deflowering ceremony, there would be many people hoping to fulfill their desire to be her intimate guest[4].
[4] Ru mu zhi bin ( 入幕之宾 ) – lit., a guest (宾) who is able to enter the curtain/ screen (入幕). Rooms in a house were usually separated by curtains, and, in a brothel, the performers were usually separated from their audience by a curtain, too. Only special guests would be invited to go beyond the curtain to a person’s private room; in the same way, only those guests recognised or admired by the performer would be allowed to actually meet her. Probably, the implication is that many of the brothel guests wanted to be the first to deflower Miss Mu Dan (go through the curtain).
Miss Mu Dan had an addiction – she really liked talented scholars. If someone was particularly talented and received her direct favour, naturally, his luck with women was good. Jiang Chao had failed the examination, and he had just witnessed the zhuang yuan lang, flushed with success. He was likely to be upset and indignant about the entire situation, finding it unbearable. Becoming Miss Mu Dan’s intimate guest would probably be the only thing that would soothe his heart.
While Miss Mu Dan said she liked talented scholars, in the end, she was still in the flesh trade. It was not unusual for her to earn thousands of pounds in gold a night, let alone this ’first night’. Many young masters from upper class families were fighting for the opportunity to be the one, so how could Jiang Chao stand out?
In her previous life, the right to participate in Miss Mu Dan’s deflowering ceremony had been bought by Li Yang, the eldest son of the capital’s powerful minister, Senior Marquis Li Dong. Li Yang had bought the first night of Miss Mu Dan with 10 hu[5] of precious gems and 5000 liang[6] of gold. As a result, Miss Mu Dan enjoyed the fame, throughout the capital, of being its most expensive courtesan. In this life, she was not sure if Jiang Chao had the resources to challenge Li Yang.
[5] Hu ( 斛 ) – an ancient dry measure, equivalent to 50 litres;
[6] Liang ( 两 ) – a tael, a unit of weight equivalent to 50g (which means Li Yang paid 250 kg of gold and 500 litres of gems).
Li Dong . . . Jiang Ruan smiled coldly. She would never forget how, in her previous life, Pei’er had died under him[7]. Li Yang’s appearance at this time marked a new beginning. The death knell had sounded; her vengeance was finally starting.
[7] T/N: Refer to Ch 1 for a refresher! Pei’er was Jiang Ruan’s foster son, who died while being raped and bullied by Li Dong in front of her eyes.
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Translated by : Shl
Edited by : Anks & Ely