CH 20

Even long after Helian Yi's group had departed, Wu Xi was still sitting quietly on one side: his mind seemed to have a firm grasp of the matter, yet, at the same time, he understood nothing.1

For a while, Jing Qi was in deep silence, his head slightly drooped. When he lowered his gaze, the person sitting across from him could only vaguely discern the lovely smile that he had donned on his face all year long. At that moment, the shape of his chin seemed to be touched with a hint of sharpness while the corners of his eyes slightly slanted upwards, giving an expression that he was somewhat cold and detached.

Soon later, Ji Xiang walked in and notified Jing Qi: "Master, Miss Su has already finished drinking the water. She said there was not much time left, thus would have to take her leave."

Jing Qi nodded his head: "Go find someone to send her off... Oh, that's right! Last time, someone delivered a color-glazed coral bowl here. Ask her to take it with her as well. That thing is too dazzling and colorful to be displayed in the study; it will look better at this young lady's place."

Ping An caught his breath in a startled gasp; since all the guests had already taken their leave, and this neighbor, Wu Xi, was also an acquaintance with regular presence at their residence, Ping An just simply leaned down over and whispered prattles in Jing Qi's ears: "Master, that bowl was something the late Prince had to use his connection and pay a lot of money in order to acquire. But you... you are just giving it away to others..."

Jing Qi held a finger out and jabbed at the other man's forehead, pushing him out of the way. Irritably, he gave a few dismissive waves of his hand and said: "Money is only an illusion. Haven't you heard that a smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold? So boring! If you are stingy like that with women, I am going to wait and see whose family would dare to let you marry their daughter in the future."

Ping An felt that there was no way that his future life path and this prodigal master's would be the same. He mumbled in a low voice: "Your Servant would rather never get married. I'd rather remain a bachelor for my whole life than bring back a wife who squanders and ruins the entire family's fortune."

Jing Qi glared at him.

Ping An immediately knew that he had misspoken. Without much thought, he just blurted out that remark, as if he was not only scolding his own master for squandering the family fortune but also grouping him together with the "wives" — hence, Ping An did his best to open his pair of slender, tiny eyes to their largest possible size and gave Jing Qi the look of someone who is innocent and remarkably upright; with awe-inspiring and unflinching fearlessness, he uttered: "Master, there is a limit of good fortune a person can have in life. Only by cherishing your good fortune that such blessings can last for a long time (1); when you acquire immense wealth and property, you must understand how to broaden the sources of income and reduce expenditure..."

Jing Qi mused, you little bonehead even dared to lecture me on what to do, then responded with a smile: "One must broaden the sources of income and reduce expenditure when they are wealthy. Should they just wait until having to tramp the streets in a dirt-poor state in order to splurge on money? Leave, leave! Go continue whatever you were doing. Stand here any longer and I am going to be suffocated."

Ping An's answer was full of grievances: "Understood. Your Servant will come back here a little later to submit an expense report. After that we can figure out together when we will have to surrender our last resource in this household and be only able to smash iron pots and sell them as scrapped pieces."1

Jing Qi gave the other a big slap on the back, laughter blended in his scolding voice: "You little brat, how dare you walk all over me like that!"

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It was only after Ping An stomped away in searing anger that Jing Qi finally turned toward Wu Xi and asked: "Just moments ago you seemed to have a lot of things to say. Now that everyone has all left, why is there not even a single word coming from your mouth?"

There was a hint of a smile on Wu Xi's face as he was watching this ill-mannered pair of master and servant disregard their own and each other's statuses to squabble in whispers. Realizing that the question was for him, Wu Xi recollected his thoughts at last: "Just now, why did you say that to them?"

Jing Qi's scrutinizing, scornful eyes swept over the other person, then he countered back with a question: "What else could I have said if not that? Removing myself from the entire picture and telling them that the assassination attempt that night had absolutely nothing to do with me, and that it was purely Helian Qi having his hand in the internal strifes among you South Xinjiang people?"

Wu Xi nodded his head: "That's exactly how it has originally been."

Jing Qi heaved a sigh and propped his forehead with one hand: "Brother Wu Xi, is there a heart or a weight inside your chest after all?"

Unruffled and unabashed, Wu Xi inquired back: "Are you calling me a moron?"1

Jing Qi was rendered speechless: this matter was indeed rather difficult to answer. A chuckle suddenly left Wu Xi's lips. This person was already very handsome to begin with, and it was just his chiseled features that were too well-defined; yet the moment that he laughed, his face became a lot more gentle, thus making him look extremely attractive.

Jing Qi secretly clicked his tongue, considering the appearance of this lad... once he reaches maturity in the future, such a look is more than likely to invite trouble to others.

Wu Xi continued: "I know that you have been wanting to deal with that Second Prince since early on, or else you wouldn't have confronted him directly like that last time during Lu Renqing's birthday banquet."

Oh dear, he even saw through all of these! Not only that he was not a fool, his ability to discern matters was also quite something. Jing Qi was slightly startled, and he asked: "How else should I have talked to him?"

Wu Xi contemplated for a moment: "You would laugh very hypocritically, and after that start spilling a whole bunch of useless nonsense. I feel like the amount of time you have talked rubbish is quite considerable."

Jing Qi raised his head and stared at the blue sky, quietly telling himself that he ought not to stoop at the same level as a child.

Wu Xi went on: "Actually, that day, you could have just left by yourself. Yet, if you had not been there saying those words to the assassins, it would have been unlikely for me and A Xin Lai to handle them by ourselves. I actually came here to say thank you. I will definitely remember this favor. If there is anyone to bully you in the future, I will protect you even at the cost of my life."

If these words had come from other people's mouths, Jing Qi might have taken them as a joke — but with that solemn and earnest expression of Wu Xi, no matter who was listening, they would know that these were the genuine thoughts from his heart. Jing Qi was taken aback for a moment, then a smile bloomed on his face: "I was just merely doing some glib talks. Nonetheless, it was the personnel from my residence that leaked the information about your whereabouts to the assassins — what is there for you to even thank me?"

Wu Xi answered with utter seriousness: "That's not the same. The bad guy from your place is a spy sent over by Helian Qi, and it had nothing to do with you. At the place where we came from, two people may not be related by blood, but as long as they have gone through life and death together, there is no difference from being each other's brother. Your martial arts skills are out of the question; with these few catlike moves that you have, it is fine to just use them to scare others, but it is impossible for everything else. That's why if there is anyone mistreating you in the future, I will definitely protect you."4

Whatever words that came out from this brat's mouth never failed to make others wonder if they were out of good intentions or just simply insults.

Jing Qi laughed bitterly again and again. After a moment of pondering, he said: "I don't need you to risk your life, but there is one thing at your place that I'd like to have, is that fine?"

Wu Xi nodded.

"I want your dancing pet kitten whose body gives off fragrance."

Wu Xi answered heartily: "Sure! What else do you want?"

In other people's eyes, this "dancing cat with fragrance" was a rare and exotic animal; but from Wu Xi's point of view, the little kitten's "dancing" ability only happened because it had been born slightly more clever than other cats, thus it knew how to wriggle and swirl around a few times upon the presence of sounds. The rare, peculiar fragrance on its body was merely the results of Wu Xi feeding it with medicine during moments of boredom — honestly, it was not anything considered too rare or special that he couldn't afford to give away.

Jing Qi wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry: "Are you seeing me as someone specialized in extortion by taking advantage of other people's weaknesses? Next month is the Emperor's Longevity Ceremony... well, His Majesty's birthday. There is nothing rare and novel about all these gold, silver, fine jewelry, and antique jadeware from the Imperial Household Department. My Imperial Uncle's greatest hobby is to raise a few little pets; they give him a bit of joy."

Wu Xi understood: "You want to give it to him as a present."

Jing Qi shook his head: "I don't have the nerve to do that."

Noticing that Wu Xi with a puzzled expression was staring at him, Jing Qi patiently explained: "When one offers birthday greetings to His Majesty, of course bringing in great gifts will make him happy and satisfied. Although everyone has to rack their brains in hopes of finding the best, most outstanding gift, they also need to heed their statuses. For instance, as a court official, trying to outshine His Highnesses the Princes and steal their limelight for their demonstration of filial piety is a big and serious mistake that needs to be avoided."

Wu Xi contemplated the matter for a while then nodded his head thoughtfully: "You are saying that you cannot present to the Emperor a gift that is better than those of the three princes, right?"

Jing Qi had a shortcoming, and that was his penchant for lecturing others. Seeing that this kid was a bright one, he couldn't help but teach the other a few more words: "The ancients had this saying 'wind always harm the outstanding tree among a forest' (t/n: this means public opinion always find fault of big names). These words are not difficult to grasp. Hearing this, you probably understand what it means. When you need to show yourself, even at the cost of losing your head and bleeding your veins dry, you still have to make your appearance. When you shouldn't reveal yourself, even though that means being drowned in the stream of people, you absolutely cannot step out."

Speaking of this, Jing Qi suddenly recalled Wu Xi's "receiving rice, returning potatoes" way of handling things since the beginning, thus couldn't help but remind him: "Our Central Plains people pay particular attention to reciprocity of favors; however, what to send, how to send, when to return, and how to return, they all require specific knowledge. Just a single little mistake can easily result into weaknesses that others can catch on and manipulate, or perhaps they will end up bearing grudges against you. Ping An is very knowledgeable about these basic matters — if you need help, you can go find him for help anytime."

Wu Xi was well aware that Jing Qi was just advising him on how to survive in Da Qing, yet there were so many things that he could not wrap his head around — in his heart, he wondered, aren't these people tired living like this? Nevertheless, he acknowledged Jing Qi's kindness, hence nodded his head and asked: "So you want to let the Crown Prince give this cat to the Emperor?"2

Jing Qi responded: "The Crown Prince has never walked through the obscure shortcuts and dipped his hand in these kinds of dishonest practices. Don't you think that giving the cat to him is going to ruin his reputation? It is the First Prince whom I precisely want to offer the deal in exchange for a favor."

The moment Wu Xi heard that, his brows immediately knitted together.

Knew it, this honest child is still holding on to old grudges. Jing Qi then advised: "For a nobleman to take revenge, three years is not too late. Besides, in this world, there is no such thing as foes for an eternity. When you experience more in the future, you will understand what I said today."

Wu Xi slightly lowered his head and responded in a whisper: "I already promised to give it to you so it is already yours. Just do whatever you want with it."

There was nothing unusual about Wu Xi's indifferent speaking manner; however, Jing Qi could detect a trace of grievance in this child's tone of voice. Thus, he heaved a sigh and poured a cup of tea for himself: "Let me teach one more thing, Wu Xi. You must remember this at every moment: there is only one enemy that you will ever have, and it is the path that allows you to do anything and everything unhindered."

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table: "Having a presence in the imperial court is like walking in a narrow alley — you don't want to be surrounded by enemies from both the front and back."

Wu Xi lifted his head and stared at the other unyieldingly: "You are wrong."

Jing Qi idly looked toward Wu Xi's direction with a pair of half-open eyes, as if he had seen through the heart of this young man that was seething with anger. He knew that this young man did not want to compromise — born in the wild, Wu Xi was not familiar with etiquette and formal civil education; however, his genuine nature was hard to find in others. Not only that he was an intelligent person with keen eyes, his character was also marked with unclouded frankness. This person should have been able to live a free and untrammeled life in the wilderness; yet because of pure chance, he was coincidentally sent to this battlefield of fame and wealth, just like a fine jade buried in turbid water.

Wu Xi was quiet for a very long time; his attitude softened a little, yet his voice was still full with persistence: "I don't think what you said was right. Is it because of me that the Second Prince has now become your enemy?"

Jing Qi smiled: "What are you even thinking? How can things be that simple?"

Wu Xi dropped his gaze; after a while, he continued in a whisper: "I understand now."

"Understand what?"

"Because you are close with the Crown Prince, and you want him to become the emperor, that's why the Second Prince is your enemy, isn't it?"

Jing Qi was perplexed for a moment, yet he did not know how to explain this to the other person. There were a few matters that, albeit with explanation, could never entirely make sense. At that age, even after receiving a transparent answer, Wu Xi would still be unlikely to grasp it.

Jing Qi recalled the moment when he first opened his eyes in this lifetime, as long as he was within three-foot distance from Helian Yi, he would feel extremely uneasy, as if his entire body was immersed in water and shrouded in fire. At that time, all he cared about was to distance himself away from that man a little bit more; no matter how hideous and turbulent this life's affairs were to become, he just wanted to be an idle, unoccupied person with a silver spoon in his mouth, eating whatever and simply waiting to die.

However, in his heart, he knew that since the first moment of him waking up in this world, a significant number of things had changed — without him, would the current Helian Yi still be able to ascend the throne? If that wouldn't happen... could Jing Qi himself really just stand there and watch the decline and fall of Da Qing? Could he really remain indifferent watching this nation in a completely disastrous state, riddled with wounds and scars, unfolded in front of his eyes?

When Jing Qi entered the palace to study under Imperial Preceptor Zhou, the first thing he was taught was what the reader needed to read from a book — it was neither about a golden house nor jadelike beauty, but had to be about "ordaining conscience for Heaven and Earth, securing life and fortune for the people, continuing lost teachings for past sages, and establishing peace for all future generations."(2)

Imperial Preceptor Zhou only echoed what the books said, and whether he himself had truly understood was unclear; however, these words were something that had long been ingrained deep into Jing Beiyuan's bones.

Heaven overspreads all without partiality; Earth sustains and contains all without partiality; the Sun and Moon shine on all without partiality; (3) the Sages seek no personal gains.

Jing Beiyuan did not dare to follow the example of ancient sages who "wished to be the first to worry about the nation's woes and the last to share in its prosperity"(4). However, his surname was Jing, an inheritance from the first and foremost Da Qing prince who carried a different family name from the royal bloodline indeed, a glorious honour that his ancestors had earned with their blood.

The world of mortals was only of a few autumns — if the nation had been in the heyday of peace and prosperity, he would have been able to immerse himself in everlasting drunkenness, wallow in music and songs, and embrace beauty and this entire life of wealth.

Yet, he was the Nan Ning Wang whose heart was encumbered with myriads of worries and thoughts about the state, whose back carried the family name left behind by his ancestors and the pride towards his bloodline.

In the end, Jing Qi could only sigh softly: "It is not for him either. There are several matters... you still have yet to understand."

Wu Xi only felt that on the face of the person in front of him, whose presence originally had been brimming with carefree laughter and chatter, gloom suddenly fell upon and shadowed his expression, making it seem like he was a little worn out with a few traces of sadness that he couldn't help but endure.

Just like the look of the Great Sorcerer during the moment he was sending Wu Xi away to Da Qing — words had already arrived to the lips, yet suddenly could not be uttered.

Wu Xi clenched his fist tightly but then loosened it in the end; it was not until a while later that he began to speak: "You can do whatever you want. I don't understand much you people's affairs. All I know is that you will never do any harm to me."

Jing Qi was somewhat surprised, thus returned with a question: "How do you know that I will never do any harm to you?"

"I owe you one. Even if you do hurt me, it will still be considered even," Wu Xi continued, "You disregarded the dangerous situation and risked your life in order to save me. Nu A Ha also let me know that you had sent Ping An to secretly help me with a lot of things before. I take you as a friend, and friends will not hurt me."

Jing Qi remained quiet for a long time then finally asked: "That day when you were having a fever, you said something during your sleep. Do you still remember them?"

Wu Xi blanked out for a moment then shook his head: "What did I say?"

So he didn't remember... Jing Qi said with a smile: "Never mind. We people from the Central Plains have something called 'fate'. You and I are kindred spirits, so I also see you as my friend. There is nothing great coming out for being my friend; it is just that, although occasionally I like to give my friends a few stabs when I have nothing to do; but during critical moments, it is even more impossible for me to not brave dangers and risk my life to help my friends."

Then he rose to his feet, adjusted the sleeves of his robes, and pulled Wu Xi up: "Let's go. I am taking you outside to play."

Without warning, Wu Xi was dragged up back to his feet, unable to take any precautions. He asked: "Go where?"

Jing Qi laughed: "The capital city is vast, and there are no few interesting places to see. If we are talking about indulging in feasting and other pleasure-seeking entertainments, I dare to call myself the second best in the entire capital city."

Wu Xi asked in surprise: "Who is the best?"

Jing Qi only smiled without saying anything further.

The best? Under the feet of the Emperor, who dares to call themselves the best?