Chapter 44 : Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Literary Gathering

The red invitation was tied with a bright yellow tassel rope, its interior adorned with gold foil clouds, adding a touch of grandeur but lacking a bit of scholarly elegance.

This Heir really loved hosting guests—yesterday he held a literary gathering, and today another.

I returned to the clinic with the invitation. Liu Quxing leaned in: “Such a fancy invitation… But you’d better not go to the one Chunhua gave you.”

He glanced instinctively at She Dakang, muttering softly: “No offense, just warning Chen Ji it might be dangerous.”

She Dakang lowered his head, silent.

At that moment, Liang Gou’er sidled up, reeking of alcohol: “A literary gathering this afternoon… Why’d they send the invitation only this morning?”

She Dakang asked gruffly: “What’s the problem?”

Liang Gou’er explained smugly: “Of course there’s a problem. Banquets follow the ‘three invitations.’ The first, sent three days before; the second, sent the morning of the event; the third, sent an hour before it starts. An invitation three days prior is ‘inviting a guest’; one on the day is ‘grabbing a guest,’ meaning you’re just a filler at this gathering!”

“Oh,” I nodded, unconcerned.

Liang Gou’er quickly added: “For a last-minute ‘grabbed guest’ banquet like this, going will only make people look down on you. Let me go instead!”

I said: “Your abacus beads are bouncing off my face.”

I looked at Liu Quxing and She Dakang: “As Senior Brother Liu said, I offended Consort Jing when treating her at Evening Star Courtyard. This time, I need to clear the misunderstanding. You two don’t have to go; I’ll go alone.”

The back courtyard fell quiet. Liu Quxing hesitated, but She Dakang stepped forward: “I’ll go with you. If something happens, I can help.”

He turned to Liu Quxing: “You coming?”

Liu Quxing’s eyes darted: “Why’re you staring at me… Of course I’m going, not like you’re the only loyal one. But we don’t have proper clothes for a banquet. Those are all scholars and nobles; we’d look shabby… I’m not making excuses—I mean we should buy some clothes this morning and go looking decent.”

She Dakang said dully: “I’m broke.”

Liu Quxing gritted his teeth: “I’ll lend you; pay me back next month!”

Liang Gou’er marveled: “Three brothers, in and out together—I see martial spirit in you. Rare, rare.”

Liang Mao’er, worried I’d stop learning saber, added: “Keep training with my brother. Maybe you’ll become legends in the martial world.”

But Liang Gou’er teased: “Mao’er, that’s bad luck. What living legends are there in the martial world? Only the dead become legends. Young lads, the martial world’s chivalry has had its spine broken—don’t listen to my brother’s nonsense.”

Liang Mao’er pushed Liang Gou’er inside: “Brother, shut up already!”

…

…

In the afternoon, at the hour of Shen, Liu Quxing wore a neat azure robe, hair tied in a net to keep it tidy, topped with a cherry-patterned corrugated hat, and Chenqiao shoes.

I studied him. The outfit gave the sneaky-looking Liu Quxing an air of officialdom, especially that black gauze hat, perfectly fitting.

She Dakang dressed simpler, like me, with just a hairpin and newly bought cloth robes.

The three of us arrived at the prince’s mansion side gate, presenting the invitation. The servant, seeing it, led us respectfully to Flying White Pond in the rear garden.

On the way, the servant cautioned: “Please, guests, stay in the rear garden and don’t wander into the women’s quarters.”

Liu Quxing quickly replied: “Don’t worry, ma’am, we won’t.”

Deeper into the garden, we heard scholars debating loudly amid the sound of strings and flutes.

One voice declared: “I say, the Jing Dynasty’s cavalry is no threat. It’s autumn now, and they still haven’t breached Chongli’s pass. Their men and horses are exhausted; they’ll retreat soon. If they try to break through, our Ning Dynasty’s cannons and firearms will make them regret it.”

“Exactly. The greatest threat to the realm isn’t the Jing Dynasty, but the eunuchs! If I pass the exams and reach the court, I’ll petition His Majesty on the harm of eunuch interference!”

“With Brother Lin’s talent, you’ll surely top the provincial exam and maybe even the imperial exam!”

The first voice humbly replied: “This year’s top scholar will be Chen Wen Zong. In three years at Donglin Academy, he’s been the darling of the masters.”

Liu Quxing muttered: “Damn, they’re boasting. All top scholars or champions—enough to go around?”

By Flying White Pond, dozens of tables were set, bamboo mats spread on the ground, with scholars and elites seated on them.

Nearby, six small wooden pavilions were set up, curtains drawn to shield the gazes, likely for noblewomen.

Liu Quxing whispered to the servant: “Ma’am, which ladies are here today?”

The servant answered: “My lord, seven or eight noble ladies are present.”

Called ‘lord,’ Liu Quxing straightened his back, adjusted his clothes, and sat at an empty table.

He whispered: “My mom said these gatherings are where families send their wives and eligible daughters to peek through curtains for suitable matches. If someone picks you, it saves a decade of struggle.”

I sighed: “Senior Brother Liu, you really don’t want any detours.”

The tables were arranged in three rows, seemingly by status, with the prominent in the center and others at the back.

The three of us sat in the last row. She Dakang scanned for Chunhua, while Liu Quxing nudged me: “Look at the first row—your two direct brothers.”

I looked and saw Chen Wen Zong sitting upright, discussing his views on opening free speech and reforming governance, shining like a pearl among the scholars.

In the pavilions, several girls seemed to be peering at Chen Wen Zong through the curtains.

My other direct brother, Chen Wen Xiao, sat slouched, his gaze wandering elsewhere. He hadn’t seemed off on horseback earlier, but now he was overshadowed by Chen Wen Zong.

As I observed, Chen Wen Zong’s eyes met mine. He nodded with a smile, treating me as just another guest at the gathering, paying no special attention.