Chapter 74: Hiding Filth by Defiling Oneself?

The Wang Fu of Dan Wang is located on Zheng'an Street, adjacent to the Imperial City, not far from Buzheng Street.

Xie Jinhuan rode through the streets and markets; by the time he arrived outside the imposing and towering Wang Fu, the night was deep, and only a few patrolling officers could be seen on the street.

Linghu Qingmo had grown up almost alongside Princess Changning, so everyone in the Wang Fu knew her; upon arriving outside the residence, the black-armored Wu Zu standing guard at the gate hurried forward:

"My Lord Linghu, when did you arrive in Jingcheng?"

"Just now."

Linghu Qingmo dismounted outside the gate and introduced:

"This is Lord Xie, Xie Jinhuan, the newly appointed Halberdier of the Princess's Mansion."

The two Wu Zu had already heard rumors of Xie Jinhuan and immediately bowed in fear and trembling:

"Greetings, Lord Xie!"

"No need for such courtesy; I have only just arrived, so such heavy formalities are unnecessary."

Xie Jinhuan clasped his hands in return, then followed Seeing Mo Mo up the steps and asked:

"Has the Wang Shizi retired for the night?"

"Uh..."

The Wu Zu leading the way felt somewhat awkward, appearing to wish to send word ahead first.

Linghu Qingmo had come with the task of helping her best friend monitor the Wang Shizi's movements; at this moment, she walked directly ahead:

"No need to send word; take us straight there."

The Wu Zu dared not speak further and hurried to lead the way.

Xie Jinhuan carried Meiqiu on his shoulder, following behind Seeing Mo Mo, and together with Yang Dabiao and others, they crossed the courtyard and corridors, quickly arriving at the lakeside of the Western Residence.

In the middle of the night, the lakeside garden was shrouded in moonlight.

Xie Jinhuan looked up and saw a man in a black robe, one hand clasped behind his back, his eyes covered by a cloth strip, standing on the grass listening to the wind rustling the surroundings.

The man bore a striking resemblance to Dan Wang; without doubt, he was the Wang Shizi, Zhao De.

Although his posture seemed somewhat lax, standing alone beneath the moon, he nonetheless faintly exuded an aura of awe-inspiring authority without anger.

Xie Jinhuan observed slightly and felt a bit surprised:

"Is the Wang Shizi still practicing martial arts this late?"

Linghu Qingmo was equally surprised and was about to step closer to look, when the book boy Laifu, standing in the corridor, spoke up to ask:

"Is the Wang Shizi ready?"

The Wang Shizi Zhao De, with one hand clasped behind his back, spoke with a clear voice:

"Begin; this time, let everyone attack together."

"Is the Wang Shizi certain?"

"I am confident."

His voice carried a confidence of having a well-thought-out plan.

Xie Jinhuan wondered if this was a martial arts drill or 'I want to fight ten!', so he naturally stopped his steps to observe seriously; Linghu Qingmo also watched in confusion.

Laifu did not notice the crowd appearing from the corner of the covered walkway; confirming the Wang Shizi was ready, he raised his hand and clapped.

Clap, clap~

Tap, tap, tap...

In the next instant, faint footsteps came from the room nearby.

Then, more than ten maids in light clothing emerged from the room, tiptoeing into the garden and circling around the Wang Shizi.

The Wang Shizi Zhao De showed a mischievous smile, raised both hands, and groped left and right by sound:

"There!"

"Eh~ The Wang Shizi didn't catch me..."

"Did you think you could escape? Hmm... it's Xiuqin!"

"Wow~ The Wang Shizi is truly amazing..."

"In this mansion, only your face is the biggest; how could this Wang Shizi mistake you?"

"Oh my~ The Wang Shizi is so annoying..."

Silence fell at the corner of the corridor.

Yang Dabiao had just thought the Wang Shizi had been possessed; now he felt a great relief, thinking this was the familiar Wang Shizi.

Linghu Qingmo took a deep breath, feeling much the same.

Xie Jinhuan had not heard news of the Dan Wang Wang Shizi; at this moment, he was as shocked as Meiqiu:

"The Wang Shizi is also like the Princess..."

"They are biological siblings; what did you think?"

"The Princess is the older sister?"

"What else?"

Princess Changning had a doll-like face and looked like a noble Princess of sixteen or seventeen; Xie Jinhuan had originally thought they were brother and sister, so he was truly surprised now.

Linghu Qingmo felt the scene was truly damaging to the Wang Fu's image; thinking about it, she stepped forward:

"Wang Shizi?"

"..."

The laughter and chatter suddenly stopped.

Zhao De, who was chasing the maids everywhere, paused slightly in his movements and turned to ask:

"Which maid is this?"

The page boy Laifu was startled and quickly waved for the maid to withdraw:

"It is Miss Linghu."

Zhao De's movements clearly froze; he raised both hands in a fluid motion, performing Wild Horse Parts the Mane, and began practicing Tai Chi on the spot:

"Father Wang, I am practicing martial arts, identifying positions by sound..."

"The Prince has not come."

"Sister, let me explain..."

"The Princess also has not come."

"?"

Zhao De's movements paused again; he then rose, displaying the bearing befitting a Wang Shizi, and pulled down his blindfold:

"Eh? Miss Linghu? Why have you come? Who is this?"

Xie Jinhuan clasped his hands: "Subordinate Xie Jinhuan, paying respects to Your Highness the Wang Shizi."

Although Zhao De was unlearned and incompetent, he was not deaf; under the circumstances in Danzhou, he clearly understood. Hearing the voice, his face showed surprise, and he stepped forward quickly, his demeanor resembling 'A Dou meeting Zhao Yun':

"Is Your Excellency Brother Xie? No wonder, I was just saying why the powder on the wall was brushing off."

"Hmm?"

Xie Jinhuan, utterly bewildered, looked left and right with Meiqiu.

Zhao De approached, intending to touch Meiqiu, but realizing he held a blindfold in his hand, he quickly tucked it behind his waist:

"It brings honor to my humble abode! Brother Xie seems not very witty."

"Uh..."

So it was this 'gray' 【hui】? Xie Jinhuan thought this cold joke was passable and smiled lightly:

"I have learned from you."

Zhao De noticed Miss Linghu Qingmo's expressionless face, knowing the scene just now was too awkward, and now explained softly:

"Does Brother Xie know what I was doing just now?"

Was that even a question?

Xie Jinhuan surmised he was being given a way to save face and asked:

"Is Your Highness the Wang Shizi practicing the skill of identifying positions by sound?"

Zhao De waved his hand and explained with a solemn tone:

"As the saying goes, 'Serving the monarch is like serving a tiger.' As the son of a Prince, rooted in Jingcheng, with Father Wang holding military, political, and financial power, if I were to display talents in both civil and military affairs..."

Xie Jinhuan understood immediately:

"Your Highness is hiding your talents and staining your reputation?"

"Shh~"

Zhao De patted his shoulder, feigning the look of one who sees through but does not expose.

Miss Linghu Qingmo, Yang Dabiao, and others who knew the Wang Shizi's character deeply took a deep breath, their eyes conveying the meaning:

With your appearance, do you even need to hide your talents?

I reckon the Prince has never been suspected by the Emperor, half because of his straightforward character and lack of scheming, and the other half because of 'a father relying on a son's shamelessness'; court officials seeing your appearance dare not pick a side!

However, Zhao De was ultimately the future Dan Wang, and no one present dared to mock him.

Under normal circumstances, the demeanor of a scion of a noble family was in place, and like the Dan Wang, he was approachable:

"Brother Xie has rendered meritorious service to Danzhou. If you come from afar and are not properly entertained, Father Wang will surely say I do not understand propriety. Laifu, go to the Zijin Pavilion and book a table for the Eight Immortals Banquet; charge it to the Wang Fu account!"

"Alright!"

Xie Jinhuan and even Yang Dabiao were truly startled upon hearing this.

The Zijin Pavilion is the most renowned pleasure house in Jingcheng; the tea fee upon entry starts at ten taels.

As for the 'Eight Immortals Banquet', it is the supreme service of the Zijin Pavilion; delicacies from all corners of the land are secondary; most importantly, eight courtesans accompany the guests, performing various vigorous acts.

Xie Jinhuan lived in Jingcheng for sixteen years and never found out exactly how vigorous the acts were, only knowing that no man could stand and walk out under 'Eight Immortals Cross the Sea, Each Showing Their Divine Powers'.

Although he was interested, he also saw that the Dan Wang's Wang Shizi was using his name to indulge in public funds for food and drink, so he politely declined:

"I thank Your Highness for your kindness, but I have already received heavy rewards from the Prince; how dare I let Your Highness spend more..."

Miss Linghu Qingmo, perhaps fearing Xie Jinhuan would be led astray, quickly interjected:

"Your Highness, he has an injury and cannot drink wine these days; after traveling all day, he should rest. How about another day?"

Zhao De was very regretful, but he absolutely could not miss this opportunity for public spending, so he immediately said again:

"If drinking wine is not possible, then let us go play. Tomorrow at the Golden Tower there is a good show; Zhang Huaiyu from the Imperial Academy and Wei Lu from Snow Eagle Ridge will compete in stillness.

"This Wang Shizi bets three thousand taels of silver on Zhang Huaiyu; if I lose, charge it to the Wang Fu account; if I win, we split it fifty-fifty, considering it entertainment for Brother Xie."

The Golden Tower is considered an auction house and frequently holds activities like fighting tournaments, chess matches, cockfighting, and dogfighting to open betting markets.

Although Xie Jinhuan was desperately short of silver, this method of entertainment was truly outrageous; he glanced at his little secretary, Seeing Mo Mo.

Miss Linghu Qingmo knew the Wang Shizi would absolutely use Xie Jinhuan's name to make a profit; thinking for a moment, she asked:

"How will they compete?"

"Both sides will sit in meditation to compete in stillness; we will send people to perform acts, and see who cannot sit still first. The loser will become the laughingstock of the entire Jingcheng, which is particularly interesting."

"Competing in stillness..."

Miss Linghu Qingmo thought for a moment and said: "Zhang Huaiyu is a disciple of Master Fan, the Director of the Imperial Academy, and a junior nephew of Master Mu; he has visited the academy several times before, absolutely a true gentleman. As for Wei Lu... I recall he is Wei Wu Yi's grandson; why would he think to compete in stillness with a Confucian disciple?"

Zhao De waved his hand: "Wei Lu came to Jingcheng to congratulate Empress Dowager on her birthday, visited the Imperial Academy, and accidentally bumped into Zhang Huaiyu reading 'The Erotic History of Wei Wu Yi'. The two started arguing. Wei Lu called Zhang Huaiyu a hypocrite; Zhang Huaiyu insisted he was researching historical materials. To expose Zhang Huaiyu's true face, Wei Lu set up this situation."

"Oh."

Miss Linghu Qingmo suddenly understood.

Because she had seen the works of those Confucian Licentiates in the Jiwen Study, she understood how angry Wei Lu was; thinking for a moment, she said:

"Zhang Huaiyu is a disciple of the Ru Sect; his composure is certainly extraordinary. However, Wei Lu is by no means an ordinary person either. In my view, this battle is a sixty-forty split; Your Highness the Heir would best be conservative..."

Zhao De, confident in his plan, waved his hand:

"Wei Lu can get truly angry and serious over a mere idle book; his composure cannot possibly surpass Zhang Huaiyu's. This is a guaranteed winning setup. If not for the Golden Pavilion fearing they couldn't afford the loss and limiting the bets, this Heir would have wagered several hundred thousand taels of silver."

Linghu Qingmo felt this reasoning seemed to have some merit.

While Zhao De spoke, he looked again at Xie Jinhuan:

"However, Brother Xie is truly a heroic and righteous knight. If you enter the arena tomorrow, the outcome is uncertain.

"Brother Xie, do you wish to try as well? After all, it is just seated meditation. One can enter the arena simply by registering; as long as you endure the first round, there is a silver reward. The more rounds you pass, the higher the reward. The champion can take one thousand taels of white silver!"

Xie Jinhuan currently needed to save up ten thousand taels of silver on average every week, so he was quite interested in this matter, but he never denied having a love for beauty...

This kind of platform contest testing composure seemed to carry great risk; for this reason, he spoke conservatively:

"I am new here and do not know how deep or shallow the waters are. I will go take a look tomorrow and then decide."

"Very well. Then we shall speak of it tomorrow..."

(End of this chapter)