TL: Hua
The Crown Prince was wiping his zither on the veranda. Pei Xiting walked over quietly, cleared his throat, leaned down to touch the strings, demonstrated the fingering he had practiced last night, then withdrew his hand and looked at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was also looking at him. Seeing those bright and clear phoenix eyes fixed on him, he was silent for a moment before saying, “Do you still want me to praise you?”
Pei Xiting said, “Praise can speed up improvement.”
“Praise makes people complacent,” the Crown Prince said. “How is the painting coming along?”
“Don’t rush me. I plan to paint it at the Lotus Picking Festival,” Pei Xiting said, his eyes twinkling. “When do you plan to return to Yejing?”
The Crown Prince said, “What’s it to you?”
“Of course it concerns me,” Pei Xiting said. “If you don’t have any plans yet, I sincerely invite you to return to the capital with me after the Lotus Picking Festival. It will be lively on the way.”
The Crown Prince stroked the misty waves and emerald smoke patterns on his zither and said, “The Lotus Picking Festival happens every year. There’s nothing new about it.”
“Even a single flower can reveal different expressions, whether it’s smiling or angry. Do you know why your brushstrokes are devoid of emotion?” Pei Xiting’s tone was serious. “It’s because you’ve closed your heart and locked away your love.”
The Crown Prince raised his eyes and glanced at him but said nothing.
“The calligraphy and painting are like a mirror reflecting the heart of the brush holder. If the painter is without emotion, then the brushstrokes will also be without emotion.” Pei Xiting stood with his hands on his hips, circling the Crown Prince, adopting the air of a seasoned “teacher.” “Let me give you a random example. ‘Emotion’ can be genuine or feigned. Treating someone sincerely does not require deliberate effort, and it will naturally manifest. But if you treat someone insincerely, even if you constantly remember their preferences, constantly remind yourself, and act very well towards them, no matter how meticulous you are, it’s difficult to hide the superficiality and pretension. As long as your eyes are clear and discerning, you can still see the truth in the details. The artistic conception of this calligraphy and painting is just like this word ’emotion.’ What is in your heart is what will be displayed; it cannot be faked.”
He stopped in front of the Crown Prince, meeting his calm gaze, his tone becoming more casual. “You are not inherently without emotion but rather bound by your own inner demons.”
The Crown Prince asked, “What are my inner demons?”
“This answer is something only you need to know,” Pei Xiting said. “If I say it and accidentally break your defenses, what am I supposed to do?”
The Crown Prince slightly raised an eyebrow. “Break my defenses?”
“It means I accidentally poked your heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, and you became embarrassed and enraged,” Pei Xiting explained.
“Oh,” the Crown Prince said calmly, “then tell me, and let’s see if my defenses will break.”
Pei Xiting became wary, lowering his hands from his hips. “I won’t say.”
The Crown Prince said, “I want you to say it.”
You want me to say it, so I’ll say it? I’d rather not. Seeing a trap and still jumping into it, do you think I’m stupid? Pei Xiting muttered to himself. He met the Crown Prince’s gaze for a moment, not daring to say it, yet unable to simply say he wouldn’t. So, he turned his head and quickly walked away.
“The swallows by the willow bank are calling me. I’ll be right back, goodbye!”
The water-red robe and the dark ends of his hair fluttered a few times in the air, and then Pei Xiting was gone.
The Crown Prince: “…”
Yu Shaoyun jumped down from the roof and said, “What a clumsy excuse. Your Highness, do you want to bring Pei-wenshu back?”
“No rush; he’ll come back eventually.” The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze, looking thoughtful. “I used to see him wearing different clothes every day, but he wore this water-red robe the day before yesterday, and he’s wearing it again today. He must like it.”
Yu Shaoyun said, “This was a gift from you, Your Highness. How dare Pei-wenshu not like it?”
“You don’t understand him. If he doesn’t like something, he would never wear it. Instead, he would put it in a cabinet and say something like, ‘This was given by His Highness; I wouldn’t dare to spoil it. I must treasure it like a precious jewel,” the Crown Prince said.
Yu Shaoyun smiled and said, “This subordinate hasn’t spent much time with Pei-wenshu, so naturally, I don’t understand him as well as Your Highness does.”
“Although he is just a cunning little fox, his core is full of unrestrained freedom. Spend some time with him, and you can understand ninety percent of him,” the Crown Prince said, lowering his head to continue wiping his zither.
Yu Shaoyun said, “It’s good that Your Highness understands him.”
The Crown Prince’s hand paused, and he looked up at him. “Is there something behind your words?”
Yu Shaoyun considered his words carefully. “This subordinate means that Pei-wenshu is ultimately not someone you cultivated yourself, nor someone who has been by your side for many years. You have a keen eye and can see him clearly, so even if you keep him by your side, you can feel at ease.”
“Mmm,” the Crown Prince replied softly.
“…” Yu Shaoyun scratched his head. “Then, when do you plan to return to the capital?”
The Crown Prince asked him back, “What do you think?”
Yu Shaoyun rubbed his hands together and suggested, “Why not follow Pei-wenshu’s suggestion and return to the capital together? It’s only a few days anyway.”
“As you wish,” the Crown Prince agreed.
“Alright!” Yu Shaoyun responded.
“I remember when we went to Hundred Brocades House to buy clothes that day; there were some tulip-colored and pomegranate-colored summer outfits with nice styles,” the Crown Prince said suddenly. Yu Shaoyun hadn’t paid any attention that day and couldn’t recall a single detail at this moment. However, he was quick-witted and went along, saying, “Yes, they were very nice.”
“Go and buy them,” the Crown Prince instructed.
Heavens, only mentioning the colors, what if he buys the wrong ones? Tulips and pomegranates are both bright colors, and only Pei-wenshu seems to like wearing them. Is His Highness going to buy them for Pei-wenshu again?
Yu Shaoyun’s eyes darted around, and he tentatively suggested, “Hundred Brocades House has new styles coming in every everyday. Perhaps they have other good styles today. Since we have some free time and the weather is nice, why doesn’t Your Highness go out for a walk and stop by the shop on the way?”
“That works too,” the Crown Prince said calmly.
Meanwhile, Pei Xiting was leading Yuan Fang through the streets, helping to create foot traffic for someone.
Originally, Ying Ziyu came out to set up a stall with embroidered items, and small items such as scarves, hairpins, and handkerchiefs were displayed on floral white cloth. However, he used good materials and fine needlework, so the prices weren’t cheap. Many people came to inquire, but no one was willing to pay.
“Young Master, do you think I should lower the prices?” Ying Ziyu asked.
Pei Xiting waved his fan and said, “I actually think you should sell them for even more. Any cheaper, and you might as well give them away for free… Let’s go, let’s change locations.”
Ying Ziyu let out an “Eh?” and quickly pushed his small wooden cart to follow Pei Xiting. “Where are we going?”
“Business needs the right clientele. Most of the people passing by here are ordinary folks. They have no use for these things, and even if they are tempted, they won’t be willing to spend the money,” Pei Xiting said, leading the two around a couple of streets. “This is the place.”
They saw rows of pavilions lining the street, filled with a fragrant aroma.
“Are the young ladies and masters from wealthy families who frequent this place going to buy things from street vendors?” Ying Ziyu wondered.
“As long as they are good stuff, we don’t need to worry about comparisons.” As he spoke, Pei Xiting flicked his fan and gave a charming smile to a few young ladies walking towards them.
Several of the girls blushed. Ying Ziyu, seeing this, pursed his lips and chuckled softly, glancing at Pei Xiting, thinking: Indeed, this young master standing here is a living advertisement!
“Is the young master a visitor from out of town? I’ve never seen you before,” a bolder girl asked first.
Pei Xiting replied, “I’m on official duty while also here to admire the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.”
“No wonder then. If you were from this prefecture, a gentleman as graceful and charming as you would have been famous long ago,” another girl said, then looked at the stall, her eyes suddenly lighting up. “Such beautiful jasmine flowers!”
Ying Ziyu quickly chimed in, “These are small beaded flowers made by stacking and sewing silk soaked in jasmine fragrance. It can be used as a headband or threaded as an earring, very lightweight.”
The girl held one to her nose, smiling. “It really is jasmine fragrance. You can smell it, but it’s not overpowering.”
“With your slender neck, miss, you could also thread a fine silk strand through them to make a necklace, which would go well with a mid-to-low-cut dress,” Pei Xiting suggested, noticing the jasmine embroidery on her skirt and the jasmine blossom painted on her forehead. “The scent of jasmine is delicate and refreshing. In the summer breeze, it carries a subtle fragrance. Poems praise jasmine for its ‘divine beauty, with skin like ice and bones like jade,’ just like you, miss.”
His words were concise, and his tone was casual, making them sound fresh, natural, and very sincere. The girl lowered her head shyly and said softly, “Young Master, you flatter me; I’m unworthy of such praise… I’ll take these beaded flowers and that white jasmine sachet as well.”
“Me too, me too…”
“I want this Ruyi-patterned[mfn]Pattern symbolizing power and good fortune in Chinese folklore. 
[/mfn] forehead band…”
In an instant, his wares were almost sold out. Overjoyed, Ying Ziyu quickly said, “I’ll wrap these up for you ladies.”
“This pink lotus and ink-colored hair ribbon…” A girl hesitated, tilting her head to look at Pei Xiting and gathering her courage to say, “Could I trouble you, Young Master, to help me choose one?”
Pei Xiting observed that the girl was dressed in a light creamy yellow, and her accessories were also natural and fresh. He said, “The pink lotus one. It’s fresh and delicate and very suitable for the current season. The ink color is too heavy, and the overall feel is too somber; I’m afraid you wouldn’t like it.”
“I like the pink lotus one better too… Seeing how fair and handsome you are, Young Master, you could carry off any color, light or dark. This ink-colored hair ribbon with the overlapping mountains and flying birds pattern would suit you very well. I’d like to buy it as a gift for you,” the girl said, biting her lip shyly. “People from all corners of the country meeting here is fate. I have no other intentions, just indulging myself this once, wishing you safe travels through mountains and rivers, just like these flying birds crossing over layers of mountains, bringing peace and good fortune.”
Pei Xiting hadn’t intended to accept it, as a hair ribbon was a rather personal item, and there should be some distance between men and women. However, upon hearing her words, he took it and said, “In that case, I’ll accept it. Thank you, miss.”
He glanced at the painting gallery and said, “You just came out of the painting gallery, miss. You must be skilled in painting?”
“You overestimate me, Young Master. I only know a little bit. Today, I also asked my sisters to accompany me to have a portrait painted,” the girl said. “My father holds a position in another town, and my mother has gone with him to take care of him, so they rarely return home. Every year, I have my portrait painted for spring, autumn, and summer to send with my letters so that my parents can be at ease. But today, Master Chen isn’t at the gallery, and there aren’t any other painters I’m satisfied with.”
“If you don’t mind, miss, I can paint a portrait for you. If you like it, consider it a return gift for this hair ribbon, and also my wish for your peace and prosperity, and an early reunion with your parents. If you don’t like it,” Pei Xiting smiled, “I’ll treat you to a simple meal to make up for your time.”
The girl smiled and said, “Alright then,” gesturing towards the painting gallery. “After you, Young Master.”
The other young ladies also wanted to join in the fun. Pei Xiting signaled for Ying Ziyu to pack up and go home and then followed the girls.
Yuan Fang walked at the end, listening to Pei Xiting chatting with the girls. He suddenly turned his head to look at a nearby pavilion—
Baoyin Pavilion. Yuan Fang had heard of it; it was the best zither house in Ningzhou, with a great reputation in Jiangnan.
At this moment, a window on the second floor was half-open. Standing by the window, looking at this scene… no, looking at Pei Xiting’s back, was none other than the Crown Prince.
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