PCA Chapter 111

Feng Yiming set his departure date for after the Lantern Festival.

 

Su Cen wasn’t sure if Feng Yiming had come for Li Shi or simply to spend New Year in Chang’an. After all, compared to being alone in Yangzhou, he had a few acquaintances here.

 

These various holidays were merely seeking spiritual comfort.

 

As one of Feng Yiming’s spiritual comforts, Su Cen was forcibly dragged to his farewell feast.

 

A farewell feast was fine, but Su Cen couldn’t understand why it was held at a temple.

 

“You don’t get it,” Feng Yiming pointed at the three large characters above the temple gate. “This temple is called Caotang Temple…”

 

Su Cen looked at the characters: “We’re not blind.”

 

“…” Feng Yiming opened his mouth, then decided to be magnanimous and not argue with Su Cen. He continued, “This temple is famous for granting love and marriage wishes, so it’s popular with devotees. But its most famous feature is a well. Legend says when someone with good fortune comes, mist mysteriously rises from the well, indicating heaven’s blessing for a smooth romantic future.”

 

Su Cen smiled slightly: “Lord Feng must have little confidence in himself to seek such supernatural aid.”

 

Feng Yiming sneered: “I can’t compare to Lord Su’s current imperial favor.”

 

Zheng Yang, knowing their grudge, watched the exchange with amusement. Ning Santong, unaware, tried to mediate: “The Caotang mist is indeed a Chang’an attraction. Since we’re here, why not take a look?”

 

For Ning Santong’s sake, Su Cen deigned to enter the temple. Unfortunately, the well didn’t recognize their status.

 

Before they even saw the well’s edge, a novice monk informed them it was under repair and closed to visitors. Their excited arrival turned into a disappointed departure. They offered some incense in the hall, left a donation, and headed home.

 

As they descended the mountain and returned to Chang’an, they found households adorned with lanterns and decorations in preparation for the evening’s Lantern Festival.

 

Chang’an normally had strict curfews, but on this night, the city gates remained open. The main Vermilion Gate was bustling, lined with red silk lanterns. After nightfall, there would be various performances and entertainments. The streets would be brilliantly lit and lively. The Eastern and Western Markets were equally festive, with teahouses and taverns displaying banners. Even before dusk, crowds gathered to secure good spots for lantern viewing.

 

Since they were already out, Su Cen’s group found a teahouse to wait for nightfall, ensuring they wouldn’t lose each other in the crowds later.

 

Their table of young talents by the window drew many glances. Outsiders admired their appearances – noble, aloof, scholarly, and steady – each with distinct characteristics. Little did onlookers know the table held a Zhuangyuan (top imperial exam scorer), a Bangyan (second place), and a Tanhua (third place). Only Ning Santong lacked interest in academics, but he was worldly and knowledgeable from his travels with a coroner master. Their witty conversation flowed easily, these extraordinary young men quickly forming a mutual appreciation.

 

When asked why he chose examining corpses over being a young master, Ning Santong reminisced: “When I was six, a family in the east of the city was massacred. My elder brother took me to see the scene…”

 

Zheng Yang asked, “Then you became interested in corpses?”

 

Ning Santong shook his head: “Then I vomited.”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

Ning Santong continued, explaining how his father made him accompany a county coroner to overcome his fears. This early exposure had made him an expert at a young age.

 

Su Cen inquired about Ning Santong’s master’s whereabouts, impressed by his skills. Ning Santong explained his master had been wronged in Chang’an and now wandered, location unknown.

 

Su Cen probed further about the case that led to his master’s departure. Ning Santong recalled it was a major case handled by the Dali Temple in the 22nd year of Yonglong.

 

Su Cen realized this must be the Tian Pingzhi case, which had far-reaching consequences. He asked Ning Santong to inform him if he ever heard from his master, hoping to uncover more about the case.

 

As dusk fell and lanterns began to light, Zheng Yang spotted someone familiar outside – Song Fan, who had been beaten at Xingqing Palace. He was now strutting about with two beauties, bullying a child at a lantern stall.

 

The group discussed Song Fan’s inappropriate behavior, given his unresolved engagement to Huang Wan’er. However, Su Cen’s attention was drawn to the familiar-looking child.

 

After some observation, Zheng Yang exclaimed, “It’s the young emperor!”

 

They realized it was indeed the emperor, dressed in common clothes. As they watched Song Fan swagger away after snatching the child’s lantern, the group silently thought: Song Fan is doomed.

 

As the child looked up, making eye contact with Zheng Yang’s group, they realized they had been recognized. No longer able to remain mere observers, they descended to pay their respects to the young emperor.

 

The young emperor waved his hand, declaring, “We are incognito. There’s no need for formalities.”

 

Zheng Yang, being most familiar with the young emperor, crouched down and asked, “Your Majesty, why are you out here?”

 

“Mother is presiding over the silkworm god ritual. The palace has the same performances as every year, which are quite boring. So I snuck out,” the young emperor explained, reaching out to Zheng Yang. “Brother Yang, can you take me to play? Yan Fu doesn’t know anything, and I don’t want to follow him anymore.”

 

The eunuch named Yan Fu broke into a sweat, “This slave has been in the palace since childhood and indeed doesn’t understand outside customs.”

 

Zheng Yang, not wanting to leave the emperor unattended, picked him up. “I can take you to play, but you must return when it’s time. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager finds out, we’ll all be in trouble.”

 

The young emperor readily agreed. Now at eye level with the group, he smiled at Su Cen, “Su Cen, you’re here too.” Glancing at the others, he asked, “Where’s Cui Hao?”

 

The emperor assumed that since two of the top three exam scorers were present, the third should be too.

 

Zheng Yang explained that Cui Hao wasn’t there, introducing Ning Santong and Feng Yiming instead.

 

The emperor nodded but persisted, “So where is Cui Hao?”

 

To change the subject, Su Cen asked, “Your Majesty, what happened earlier?”

 

“Ah, it makes me angry just thinking about it,” the emperor said, momentarily forgetting about Cui Hao. “I saw that lantern first, but that man said his beauty liked it too. He insisted I give it to him, and when I refused, he just took it. It’s infuriating!”

 

Zheng Yang, feeling playful, said, “I know who that person is. Should I tell you so you can get revenge?”

 

The young emperor thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Let’s forget it. He only took one lantern from me, and I have no grounds to punish him. Knowing who he is wouldn’t help.”

 

Su Cen smiled softly. He had only seen the young emperor in court before, bound by rules and unable to make decisions. Now, he seemed to be a fair-minded and reasonable emperor who understood the bigger picture.

 

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