CH 21

The carriage was filled with a serene silence that lasted for half an incense stick's worth of time. Yuan Shu gaped as she looked at the bandit miss who was pretending to be delicate. For the first time, she felt that the people of Southern Jin possessed unparalleled wisdom in their distant and respectful attitude towards Ren Anle. It seemed that her young miss was born without the knowledge of the word 'fear.' Carefully, she turned her head to look at the Crown Prince, only to catch sight of a pair of eyes as dark and profound as night. In an instant, she lowered her head and began to play with her fingers intently—she heard nothing, saw nothing.

Although Yuan Qin's expression was also tense, she relaxed slightly after seeing Yuan Shu's useless fidgeting. However, her gaze seemed to be stuck on the tea set she was playing with in her hand, and she simply refused to lift her eyes.

Han Ye narrowed his eyes, and the half-closed pages of the book in his hand rustled. From his seated position, he could clearly see Ren Anle half-wrapped in a quilt, with disheveled black hair, a lingering mist of just waking up in her eyes, and a blatant provocation lazily yet sharply displayed.

With a slight curl of his lips, he threw the book into the corner and suddenly stood up. Before anyone could react, he reached across a wooden table and lifted up Ren Anle's long hair, his slender fingers caressing each strand of her dark hair as they fell upon her neck. He moved closer and closer, his dark eyes fixed upon her, unblinking.

Yuan Shu covered her eyes with a few fingers, leaving just enough space for her to stare wide-eyed at the scene before her. She held her breath, afraid to even take a single gasp of air. With a tremble in her hand, Yuan Qin spilled a few drops of tea from her porcelain cup.

A distance of one foot is too dangerous! The old man once said that people are deceitful and one should leave three-tenths of one's guard up when dealing with them. On the battlefield, one must not let others cross the blade of one's sword.

Ren Anle blinked her eyes and recited the ancestral teachings of the Anle fortress in her heart over ten times. However, she still could not bear to break away from Han Ye's seemingly weak and powerless wrist. The hot breath fell on her face as the man's intertwined breath lingered. His thin lips lightly pursed, his eyebrows as black as ink, and the upturned phoenix eyes deep with such profound emotion.

Oh my, Father, why didn't you say before taking your last breath that the imperial capital's talented young beauties are as fierce as tigers? Your daughter here is truly overwhelmed!

Silence pervaded inside the carriage as Han Ye watched the blush slowly engulf Ren Anle's fair neck and cheeks. A faint curve formed at the corner of his mouth as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly.

"Ren daren, the concubines of the Eastern Palace, like the weak waters of the three thousand rivers, though not as bold and unrestrained as you, each possesses a gentle and graceful demeanor, with extraordinary beauty and elegance. It is what this humble one admires. If  Ren daren were to enter the ranks of the Eastern Palace, it would be feared that the disparity would be far apart."

弱水三千 (ruò shuǐ sān qiān) is a phrase from Chinese literature that literally translates to "three thousand weak waters." It is often used to describe a beautiful but unattainable woman, or a situation that is desirable but out of reach. The phrase comes from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Wang Bo, which describes a river that separates two lovers who cannot be together. The "weak water" refers to the river's gentle flow, which seems calm and shallow but is actually deep and difficult to cross.

温婉似水 (wēn wǎn sì shuǐ) is a Chinese idiom that describes a person's demeanor or personality as gentle and graceful, like the flowing of water.

The meaning behind these words is that only the noble ladies from prominent families with exceptional talent and outstanding looks are qualified to enter the Eastern Palace. As for a plain-looking, coarse and untalented bandit woman from the borderland like you, don't waste your time dreaming during broad daylight!

Even Yuan Shu, who was usually ignorant of complex matters, could discern the underlying meaning in this sentence, as well as the subtle mockery and retort from the Crown Prince. Letting out a sigh, she silently closed the gap between her fingers.

Ren Anle looked at Han Ye, who sat back calmly after teasing her, with widened eyes. She pouted and felt wronged, muttering to herself that people of the royal family were indeed delicate. Just a joke made her feel as if she had plucked the whiskers of a tiger.

His Royal Highness gloriously captured a city, though his expression was devoid of emotion, yet for the first time, a smile reached the depths of his eyes.

The jolting carriage finally brought back Ren Anle's spirit from the clouds beyond the ninth heaven. Only then did she settle down and observe the scenery inside the carriage, pleased to find herself neatly dressed. She casually used a strip of cloth to tie up her long hair and lifted the curtain to look outside. The verdant mountains and clear waters carried a hint of rustic charm, clearly indicating that it was no longer the bustling capital city. She raised an eyebrow and glanced towards Han Ye.

"His Majesty the Emperor has issued an edict, ordering the two of us to be imperial envoys and travel to Jiangnan for disaster relief. The Grand Court will be temporarily presided over by Huangpu," Han Ye flipped through the pages of the book, "I suppose the edict has already been delivered to the Ren mansion by now."

Ren Anle counted the number of people in the carriage with her finger, incredulously asking, "Your Highness, are you saying that there are only a few of us?"

"We will go ahead, and Zhengyan will lead the Imperial Guards and the relief fund, and set off half a day later." Hanye paused, showing rare appreciation. "Qian Guangjin is truly a talented individual. In just a month, he has efficiently organized the entire Ministry of Revenue, and within a single day, he has gathered all the relief funds."

"If he were not talented, the Emperor would not have relied on him so much at such a young age. Your Highness, if you could win him over, it would be a great help." Ren Anle winked and continued, "Your Highness, if you want to enter Jiangnan quietly, this carriage is too eye-catching."

Gazing at the luxurious and comfortable furnishings inside the carriage, Ren Anle shook her head and criticized, but her hands were never idle. In just a few moments, she swept away all kinds of food on the small table, leaving it spotlessly clean.

Yuan Qin handed over a cup of hot tea, and with a contented look, she held it and took a few sips.

Han Ye frowned slightly, looking at the noisy and gluttonous woman in front of him, beginning to doubt whether choosing Ren Anle as his companion on his journey to Jiangnan might have been a mistake. Just as he was about to speak, Ren Anle let out a burp and continued chattering, "Chen believes Your Highness will change xingtou at the Sankou Town."

臣 (chén) - This word refers to oneself as a humble servant. It is commonly used to show humility and respect towards the person being addressed.

行头 (xíngtóu) - This refers to one's attire or clothing. In ancient China, different classes of people wore different types of clothing, so one's attire was an indicator of their social status.

Han Ye's hand holding the book paused, and he looked at Ren Anle with a stern gaze. He had only decided on the route last night, how could Ren Anle know about it?

"To reach the Heavenly Capital of Mu, one can take not only the official road but also two other routes, namely, Ten li Slope and Sankou Town. The former is a flat and wide road, while the latter is a winding and perilous path. As His Highness the Crown Prince is the pride of the heavens and is traveling in a carriage out of the capital, if I were  Mu Wang, I would surely place those who block His Highness's entourage on the official road and at Ten li Slope."

Han Ye's expression changed as he picked up the book and said, "Oh? Why would Mu Wang hinder Gu?"

孤 (gū) - me, used by the speaker to refer to himself in a humble or self-deprecating manner

"Your Highness, it is quite peculiar that news of the flooding in Mu Tian Prefecture took ten days to reach the capital city, even after the refugees had already submitted their grievances. Isn't this rather strange? Only by arriving in Mu Tian Prefecture as quickly as possible can we uncover any traces of the incident. Although the journey from Sankou Town is filled with treacherous mountains and perilous waters, it is the shortest route despite its hardships." Ren Anle set down her steaming tea, her expression clear and profound.

Han Ye silently looked at the woman sitting across from him, who was speaking calmly and confidently, and praised her, "It seems that Ren daren has great strategical abilities."

Ren Anle's eyes were cunning, and she spoke with arrogance, "Your Highness, although you have three thousand beauties in the Eastern Palace, it is truly difficult to find someone like me who can navigate both the court and the rivers and lakes."

江湖 - "rivers and lakes" (referring to the world outside of the court, where martial arts experts and other skilled individuals might reside)

She lifted her head with a resolute expression, as if determined to defend the city with her life. Han Ye's lips curved slightly, and he was too lazy to continue arguing with her. He simply instructed, "Call me when we arrive at Sankou Town," and closed his eyes to rest.

Ren Anle hummed a tune as the luxurious and ostentatious carriage slowly made its way towards Sankou Town.

Half a day later, they arrived at Sankou Town and found a rural inn to stay in. With his distinguished air, Han Ye made the others into his servants, except for Ren Anle. After humming for a while, Ren Anle changed into men's clothing and became the second young master. Han Ye allowed her to be playful and simply sat by the window drinking tea. Yuan Qin stood quietly behind him, looking quite miserable.

After Han Ye took a sip of the tea handed to her in the carriage, she was temporarily requisitioned by the Eastern Palace as a maid. Ren Anle voiced her protest, but the Crown Prince dismissed her with a phrase, "wasting precious resources."

暴殄天物 (bào tiǎn tiān wù ) to waste natural resources recklessly; not to know how to use things sparingly. This expression originated from the book "Wu Cheng" in the "Book of Documents." Later, it was used metaphorically to describe the reckless squandering of resources and the failure to appreciate their value.

As the evening approached, a sudden heavy rain started to pour down, making a pitter-patter sound on the windowsill. Han Ye's eyebrows lightly furrowed, his expression slightly gloomy. If the rain didn't stop, the entire Jiangnan river would overflow its banks, causing even greater calamities for the common people.

Ren Anle, fanning herself with a handheld fan, leaned against the wooden staircase on the second floor, enjoying the sight of a beautiful man admiring the rain. She was quite content.

"Let me go!" The slightly agitated voice of a youth echoed through the corridor. Hearing this familiar voice, both Han Ye and Ren Anle were startled and looked outside.

Chang Qing, carrying a iron sword with a wooden expression, walked in while twisting the arm of a person dressed in a raincoat and wearing a rain hat. The youth struggled and the rain hat fell to the ground, revealing an embarrassed face. Chang Qing placed the person in the center of the hall and said in a muffled voice, "Miss, Lord Wen Shuo has been following us for half a day. Seeing that the rain is getting heavier, I brought him in."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuo was surprised and decided not to continue the chase. He asked, "Did you already know that I was following you?"

Chang Qing nodded, then lowered his gaze and stepped aside, returning to his previous state of being a wooden stake.

An Le leisurely fanned herself and said, "Oh, Young Master Wen, why would you abandon your position as a newly appointed Hanlin scholar to come suffer with us?"

新科翰林 (xin ke Hanlin) - a title for a newly appointed member of the Hanlin Academy, an institution responsible for editing and compiling imperial documents

翰林 (hànlín) is a title given to high-ranking scholars in ancient China, specifically those serving in the Imperial Academy.

Wen Shuo coughed and replied, "There's not much to learn at the Hanlin Academy, so I might as well follow you all to Jiangnan..."

翰林院 - Hanlin Academy (an imperial academy in ancient China)

"Nonsense." Han Ye shouted coldly and harshly, "You are an official appointed by the imperial court, the newly appointed zhuang yuan in the imperial examination. There is no reason for you to abandon your position and leave at will!"

状元 (zhuàng yuán) - "top scholar" (referring to the person who achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations)

Wen Shuo walked up to Han Ye and said, "Your Highness, this morning I requested an imperial decree from His Majesty, and only after His Majesty granted my request did I follow along with you."

Han Ye's expression grew colder, and Wen Shuo replied cautiously,  "If I were to say it, Your Highness would certainly not allow me to follow along. I have only been following all the way here."

"Go back," Han Ye got up and gave a faint command, without even looking back, he walked towards the second floor.

Wen Shuo was anxious and hurriedly said, 'Your Highness, Zhao Yan is guarding the Eastern Palace, and everything is safe and sound. This trip to Jiangnan has too many variables, so I am following Your Highness closely in order to provide close protection.'"

江南( Jiangnan)refers to the region south of the Yangtze River, which was known for its natural beauty and cultural richness in ancient China

万事安好 (wàn shì ān hǎo) - "everything is safe and sound" (a common expression meaning that everything is going well)

"The imperial guards I have are all mere decorations. Why do I even need you, a zhuang yuan, to protect me?" Han Ye's eyes were visibly filled with anger.

状元 (zhuang yuan) refers to the top scholar in the imperial examination

Wen Shuo lowered his head, standing stubbornly in place with an attitude resistance.

"Your Highness, let him follow," lazily came the voice of Ren Anle from upstairs, "With Chang Qing around, his safety is certainly assured."

Han Ye turned his head, his expression indifferent and cold as he said, "Wen Shuo, the affairs of the Mu Tian Prefecture are important and concern the lives of tens of thousands of people. Prove to me that you are not a burden."

Wen Shuo pursed his lips, took a step forward, and replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, after investigating, I found that thirteen of the twenty-five officials in the Mu Tian Prefecture had participated in the disbursement of funds for the river embankment last year. Among them, Zhong Liwen was the leader, and they were all part of Mu Wang's faction. I have heard that there is a secret account book among the officials in Jiangnan, where they are referred to by code names and keep their own records throughout the year. At the end of the year, the accounts will be summarized."

"Jiangnan has internal accounts, which is not a secret. However, there are no names listed in the account books. Even if one were to obtain them, it still cannot be distinguished which officials are involved,"said the speaker.

"So what?" Han Ye raised an eyebrow in response.

"The Mu Tian Mansion has twenty-five officials, of whom twenty-four are graduates. Last night, I stayed in the Hanlin Academy for the whole night, and I read through the examination papers of each official during the imperial examination... Although I am tired, I have memorized the handwriting of each one of them. The matters of the Southern Internal Accounts are of great importance. It must be their own handwriting in the account books. As long as I get hold of the account books, I can identify which officials are involved."

The incredible feat of memorizing the handwriting of twenty-four individuals in one night is something beyond imagination, and only the young man before them, who had achieved the zhuangyuan in imperial examination at the age of fifteen, could have accomplished it.

Not only Han Ye, but even Ren Anle's fan, which had been shaking in her hand, came to a halt. After a moment of silence, she smiled at Han Ye with a complex expression and said, somewhat wistfully, "Your Highness, you have taught a good disciple."

Han Ye did not respond and turned back to his room, implying his agreement with the matter.

Late at night, the weather was gloomy. As soon as Han Ye stepped out of his room, he saw Ren Anle sitting on the windowsill with a small wine jug in her arms. Her face was hidden in the moonlight, showing a fleeting coldness.

He paused for a moment, but eventually stepped forward and addressed the official.

"Ren daren...," he said.

"Ren Anle." Ren Anle turned her head and shook the wine pot at Han Ye, and seriously corrected him, "Why, does Your Highness have some important matter?"

Han Ye walked up to her and asked, "Why did you leave Wen Shuo behind? Since you knew from the beginning that he was following you, you shouldn't have waited until now to tell me."

"Your Highness, Wen Shuo is worried about you, which is why he followed you all the way from the capital. Moreover, the court is full of twists and turns, and a wrong step could lead to irreparable disaster. He is talented and intelligent, and if he gains experience earlier, he will grow faster."

Han Ye knew that Ren Anle's words were all reasonable, but he still frowned and said, "I will protect him."

"How long can you protect him? Eventually, one day he will have to learn to leave the protection of His highness's wings. In this world, apart from oneself, there is no one who can protect anyone else."

Ren Anle's conviction in his eyes was too certain, and Han Ye squinted his eyes: "Ren Anle, you seem to care too much about Wen Shuo...why?"

Ren Anle was taken aback and gazed into the boundless night for a moment before softly speaking, "I once had a younger brother... unfortunately, he was born weak and died in infancy. If he were still alive, he would be the same age as Wen Shuo."

Han Ye could clearly see the deep sorrow that flashed across the eyes of this woman who was always playful in the world. It was a bone-chilling sadness that only came when one's closest blood was lost. She quietly looked at him, her dark eyes familiar and cold, as if he had seen her somewhere before...

"Your Highness," whispered Ren Anle softly, causing Han Ye to snap out of his daze. He clenched his hands behind his back. He looked at Ren Anle and pursed his thin lips.

A woman on the windowsill jumped down, shaking an empty wine jug as she stumbled towards the room.

"Your Highness, to be alive is a blessing, you should cherish it." 

A faint voice came, Han Ye turned around, only to see a lonely and desolate figure disappearing at the end of the corridor.