Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 42 : Red Plum Blossoms

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Xiao Chiye fixed the date for the feast before the Banquet of a Hundred Officials. Chen Yang went to deliver the invitation, but Ge Qingqing was the one who came to receive it.

“Lanzhou has been on duty in the Emperor’s presence lately. He doesn’t have any free time, so I’ll receive this on his behalf.” Ge Qingqing kept away the invitation. Once he was done exchanging conventional greetings with Chen Yang, he said. “The Imperial Army now has the world at its feet. I suppose Deputy General Chen is busy as well?”

“The Viceroy has been working hard on official documents every day. As men who follow and serve him, there’s no such thing as being busy.” Chen Yang drank the tea and said, “Ge-xiong received a blessing out of misfortune this time and was promoted to Judge. Your future is bright. That’s truly impressive.” 

Both men feigned civility as they spoke cordially with one another and tried their best not to disgrace themselves. Conflicts had arisen between the Imperial Bodyguards and Imperial Army lately, resulting in some discord. They were now at a point where they would loathe each other on sight. 

It was only when his cup was changed to a fresh cup of tea that Chen Yang got up to say his farewell. Ge Qingqing saw him out, and Shen Zechuan, who was inside, lifted the curtain to walk out.  

“This invitation came at a bad time.” Ge Qingqing handed the invitation to him. “Are you really going?”

“Why not?” Shen Zechuan opened the invitation and saw Xiao Chiye’s forceful and bold calligraphy.

“Xiao the Second’s inhibition of the Imperial Bodyguards is building up momentum these days. Our missions keep getting intercepted by the Imperial Army. Furthermore, he has the trust and favor of the Emperor. If he were to do something right this moment…” Ge Qingqing’s voice trailed off.

“What he wants to do couldn’t be any more obvious.” Shen Zechuan closed the invitation. “He wants to suppress the Imperial Bodyguards and turn Qudu into a territory under his control so that His Majesty only has his Imperial Army to rely on. As to be expected, he will still deal a few more blows to the Imperial Bodyguards.”

“Exactly. It’s too risky at present to take Uncle Ji along to the feast.” Ge Qingqing said.
Shen Zechuan offhandedly tossed the invitation onto the table and said, “This involves Zuo Qianqiu. He won’t lay a trap here.”

Ge Qingqing still did not feel too reassured.

The wound on Shen Zechuan’s lips had healed. He put on his overcoat and said, “I’m going out for a while.” 

Shen Zechuan waded through the snow and headed out. The snow was not heavy today, but the wind was strong. He arrived at Donglong Street and made his way to Ouhua Pavilion at the opposite corner of Xiangyun Villa.

Xi Hongxuan had recently composed some classical poems. The tunes on the music scores were handed to the courtesans on Donglong Street to sing, and it unexpectedly turned into a grand occasion. Best of all, he had hollowed out the ground at the foot of Ouhua Pavilion stage and filled it with open-mouthed copper jars with only a layer of wooden plank spread out on top. At the same time, he also bought a new batch of young girls from Juexi. After training them for many days, he secured bells on their ankles, so that when they danced on the stage with their wooden clogs stepping out a rhythm, the sounds of the bells would merge into the copper jars. It was ethereal and wonderful. 

At present, those on the stage were still singing Xi Hongxuan’s poem. Grasping his folding fan, he reclined against a rattan chair on the third floor and listened with closed eyes. A maidservant did not make any sound as she stepped on the woolen rug wearing only plain socks. She kneeled outside the bead curtain and said softly, “Second Master, the guest has arrived.”