Chapter 667: The Crown Prince of Da Sui: A Scholar for One Who Understands Him—Wu Tong Blushes!

In Su Yun’s hand was a gilded invitation, inscribed with the words “Crown Prince Chongwen,” radiating solemnity.

She smiled faintly and said with solemn tone: “I came here today not only to visit you, Young Master Guan, but also to deliver an invitation from the Crown Prince of Da Sui.”

“The Crown Prince of Da Sui?”

You felt a pang of surprise, frowning slightly—how could there be a Crown Prince of Da Sui in Bianjing? And why invite you?

Seeing your confusion, Su Yun explained softly: “Young Master Guan, you may not know, but there truly is a legitimate Crown Prince of Da Sui in Bianjing.”

She paused, then continued: “The current Emperor of Sui has three sons. Crown Prince Chongwen is the eldest, the rightful heir of the Empress. He was sent to Bianjing as a hostage at seventeen—a matter tied to the Master.”

Your mind grew even more perplexed: Da Sui and Da Qi were bitter enemies; how could they send their own crown prince as a hostage?

Xie Yuan picked up the thread, pride glowing on his face: “I know a bit about this. Back then, Da Qi dominated the world. The Master resided in the Academy, while the Four Masters traveled the land. To speak of Da Qi was to speak of nothing but fear.”

“The Celestial Heavens, the Southern Buddhist Kingdom, and Da Sui all feared Da Qi’s might—so they sent their crown princes to study at the Bianjing Academy, in truth as hostages. Smaller states followed suit, imprisoning their own princes in Bianjing.”

“The residences of these foreign crown princes were called ‘Chu Feng Terrace.’ Once, commoners could gaze upon them—but they carried an air of humiliation.”

“This custom endures to this day. Yet now…”

Xie Yuan sighed, his tone tinged with melancholy: “The Master of Da Qi has vanished in search of immortality; the Four Masters have scattered. The alliance among the three kingdoms is growing. The old Chu Feng Terrace has long since become a place of imperial importance. Though these princes remain hostages, few in Bianjing dare to provoke them now.”

Yun Wan frowned slightly at this: “These crown princes run rampant in Bianjing, especially the son of the Khan of the Celestial Heavens. Many of our sisters from Yuehua Pavilion have suffered his abuses.”

You stared at the gilded invitation in your hand. Da Sui’s power now rivaled Da Qi’s, and with the other three kingdoms leaning toward alliance, Da Qi’s position was weakening.

Over the years, Da Qi had indeed lost its grip on the world, slipping from peak glory into decline.

Zhou Yuner patted her chest, worry etched on her face: “Yes, the Buddhist Prince of the Southern Kingdom was even worse—he once flirted with Ni Hun. If the Academy’s Masters hadn’t been present, the consequences might have been dire.”

Her voice trembled with lingering fear—clearly, she still recoiled at the thought of these princes’ behavior.

Su Yun, seeing this, reassured you: “Young Master Guan, don’t worry. Crown Prince Chongwen is a man who reveres Confucian learning. My grandfather once praised him, saying he should have been born in Da Qi, the land of Confucianism. Among all the crown princes, he is the most reserved, never consorting with the others.”

Gong Sun Niangzi chimed in: “This Crown Prince Chongwen is truly unlike the rest. He enjoys great reputation in Bianjing. He studied at the Academy and was praised by Master Jinzi Tan as ‘a natural master of prose, who loves literature more than empire.’ He excels in contemporary writing.”

“He is an exceptional calligrapher. His own ‘Flower-Bird Script’ is beloved among the sisters of Xi Xiang Lou. He reveres the Second Master’s brushwork and has visited the Xiushen Pavilion many times—but was always turned away.”

Su Yun nodded with quiet pride: “Young Master Guan, don’t overthink this invitation. Your talent has already stirred Bianjing. Who doesn’t know you wrote ‘Heavenly Jade Capital, Twelve Towers and Five Cities’ at the Caotang Poetry Gathering?”

“Rest assured, Crown Prince Chongwen is a refined man worth meeting.”

“I’ve known him for years. I know his character is upright. Had he not avoided the spotlight at the Qunfang Banquet—sparking gossip in Bianjing—I would have asked him to write the poems for Caotang.”

“Young Master Guan, he greatly admires the poems you wrote at the Qunfang Banquet—especially this line: ‘Who understands a vulgar man’s heart? Heroes meet their trials in despair. Where in this dusty world can one find a true friend?’ He copied it repeatedly and hung it in his home.”

Gong Sun Niangzi smiled: “It seems this Crown Prince Yuan shares my tastes!”

Li Shu Wan considered, then said: “This Crown Prince of Da Sui is indeed rare—a man of grace and elegance, admired even among the Nine Great Clans.”

You nodded. Regardless of his moral character, his political acumen and ability to cultivate reputation were unquestionably masterful.

After all, to earn such renown in Bianjing as a hostage prince from a rival state—and to win the admiration of Su Xiang’s grandson, even to befriend the Nine Great Clans—was no feat of the ordinary.

Su Yun looked at you, eyes bright with expectation, and asked softly: “Young Master Guan, what do you say?”

She paused, then added: “If you agree, I’ll give him an answer. Don’t feel obligated because of me—but Crown Prince Yuan is truly worth knowing.”

Faced with this, you decide…

1. Agree. Accept the invitation and attend. (Hint: May benefit your future.)

2. Decline. Refuse the invitation. (Hint: May harm your future.)

3. Ignore it. (Hint: May harm your future.)

4. Participate personally. (1/3)

The great ding rang, spilling ten thousand rays of radiance; the characters upon it slowly solidified.

Yu Ke stared at the four options.

It seemed this invitation from the Crown Prince of Da Sui carried great weight.

Without hesitation, you chose.

1. Agree. Accept the invitation and attend. (Hint: May benefit your future.)

You smiled and nodded, taking the invitation. “Since it is an invitation from Young Master Su, how could I refuse? I shall meet this Crown Prince Chongwen.”

Su Yun beamed: “You won’t regret it! The meeting is set for the fifteenth of next month, at Qimochun Fang in Xi Xiang Lou.”

Yun Wan’s eyes flickered at the name “Qimochun Fang.” It was one of the three brothels of Xi Xiang Lou, home to Qing Yin Xiao Ban—and to Su Shi, Bianjing’s most beautiful woman, the top courtesan of this year’s Qunfang Banquet.

Unlike Yuehua Pavilion and Zixiao Pavilion, Qimochun Fang lay within a royal garden, serene and elegant. Though less bustling, it was the dream destination of Academy literati.

Xie Yuan’s eyes lit up at the location. “Young Master Yun, may I join Young Master Guan? No trouble, I hope?”

Su Yun chuckled: “Of course.”

Xie Qiyue rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath: “Dogs love to crowd in—always chasing the spectacle.”

Su Yun looked as if she’d accomplished a great deed, her face radiant: “Crown Prince Yuan is one of my few true confidants. Young Master Guan is my friend. To bring you two together has fulfilled a long-held wish.”

Su Yun smiled: “At Qimochun Fang, dense forests and tall bamboos, incense smoldering in the bamboo ravine, streams murmuring as cups float downstream—poetry and verse, pure delight!”

She glanced at the sky—the sun stood high at noon. “I must hurry and tell Crown Prince Yuan. I won’t overstay.”

Xie Xuan’s face darkened slightly—he had met Crown Prince Chongwen before. He never expected the prince to hold such regard for Xie Guan.

But Xie Guan’s attendance at this banquet wouldn’t be simple. The other crown princes were no easy rivals.

As Su Yun left, she said: “I have another gift for Young Master Guan. To honor your fame at the Caotang Poetry Gathering, I wouldn’t dare offer vulgar gold or silver—it would sully your eyes. Should you ever need anything, Su Yun will never refuse.”

Wu Tong tilted her head, her face twisted in sorrow.

You smiled and walked her to the gate yourself.

After Su Yun hurried away, the Yuehua Pavilion women remained in the courtyard, waiting for Zhang Yuanlai and the others to return.

Inside the courtyard, the wutong tree swayed gently in the breeze. Sunlight spilled across the green stone floor, casting dappled shadows, dispelling the earlier chill.

You fetched fruit from the house, lit a charcoal brazier, and warmth spread through the courtyard.

Everyone sat together, laughing and chatting. Bells of laughter floated over the walls, drawing the servants of the West Courtyard to pause and glance curiously inward, eager to glimpse these graceful women.

Soon, Zhang Yuanlai, Feng Yaya, and Li Xiangjun entered the courtyard.

Zhang Yuanlai’s face glowed with joy, his hand tightly gripping Feng Yaya’s.

Seeing this, you knew Feng Yaya’s redemption had been successfully completed.

Li Xiangjun followed behind, her eyes wide with surprise as she took in the modest yet lively courtyard.

Zhang Yuanlai stepped forward, pulling Feng Yaya to bow to Xie Yuan. “Thank you, Young Master Yuan, for your help.”

Feng Yaya’s release papers bore the personal seal of Lady Zhuge—no ordinary servant received such treatment. Zhang Yuanlai’s case was special: a student of the Academy, repeatedly aided by Xie Yuan, hence the special attention.

Xie Yuan sat on his chair, peeling an orange. He waved dismissively at the thanks.

Zhang Yuanlai turned to you, his expression solemn, about to bow—when two hands stopped him.

You smiled warmly and said softly: “An old steed in its stall still dreams of a thousand li.”

“Master Zhang, this is what you earned. Why thank me? Your lifelong ambition—water cast upon stone—your hair is white, yet your heart still burns red. Today, we should celebrate your triumph, your dream fulfilled.”

Zhang Yuanlai froze, then covered his eyes with his sleeve, tears streaming down his face.

His voice choked: “Young Master Guan’s grace—I shall never forget it.”

The courtyard fell silent. All present felt the weight of the moment.

Chen Xiang and the others knew Zhang Yuanlai’s entry into the Academy came largely through your influence.

Li Shu Wan watched your reaction, contrasting sharply with Xie Yuan’s. She saw in you the shadow of her own grandfather, one of the Three Excellencies.

No matter the favor, her grandfather always gave with sincerity—leaving others deeply moved.

This young man in the courtyard possessed the same bearing!

Feng Yaya understood even better: to Xie Yuan, Zhang Yuanlai felt gratitude. To you, he felt true recognition—the kind that stirred the spirit of “a scholar dies for the one who understands him.”

After Zhang Yuanlai and the others sat down, the courtyard grew livelier. Wu Tong fetched Lu Ya, and the two hurried to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Laughter rang through the courtyard!

By afternoon, the sun sank low. After dinner, everyone began to take their leave.

The courtesans of Yuehua Pavilion bid farewell one by one. Zhou Yuner lingered, her gaze fixed on you, as if a thousand words remained unspoken.

Gong Sun Niangzi, Li Shu Wan, and the others departed. The courtyard grew quiet.

In the end, only Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, and Xie Qiyue remained.

The last rays of sunset bathed the courtyard in golden light.

Xie Qiyue recalled the scene: Su family’s young master, the courtesans—all of them.

Outside, everyone was talking about this Xie family’s illegitimate son and his poetry.

To say his name had shaken Bianjing was no exaggeration.

This cousin she’d met at Hongjing Courtyard truly was a man of talent.

Zhang Yunzhi mentioned something else, smiling: “Young Master Guan, my father has returned from Jiannan. He wishes to meet you.”

Xie Yuan was surprised: “Your father’s back? My father is also returning to Bianjing soon. It’s quite the coincidence.”

Zhang Yunzhi nodded: “Last time I consulted you about Dezehu, you were right. The court launched troops into Zhuya County. My father, prepared in advance, earned great merit. Su Xiang has summoned him back to the capital for reporting.”

Zhang Yunzhi felt a quiet frustration. In her letter to her father, she hadn’t revealed the advice came from you. To say it came from a boy still under age would have been dismissed—so she vaguely called you “a guest of the Xie family.”

Her father insisted on meeting this “guest,” convinced he was a hidden genius.

What would her father think when he discovered this “genius” was so young?

The sky darkened.

Zhang Yunzhi and the others took their leave. Xie Yuan stayed behind, slipping the book *Cao Deng He Shan* into your hand with a grin: “Young Brother Guan, read it tonight. I’m off, I’m off.”

You stared at the book, sighing, placed it on the table, and began tidying the courtyard.

The once-bustling courtyard now held only you and Wu Tong.

You stepped inside, then stepped out again—only to find Wu Tong holding the book Xie Yuan had given you, pages open, her cheeks flushed with shy redness. She clutched her skirt, her whole posture delicate and tender.

Wu Tong’s waist was slender, easily encircled; her front was notably full.

“Young Master, do you think of such things too? Wu Tong is willing too.”

(End of Chapter)