At the morning court assembly following their return to South City, Duan Xu encountered Fang Xian Ye in the waiting hall before proceedings commenced.
The officials who had been engaged in animated conversation with Duan Xu immediately tempered their laughter as they observed the arrival, sensing the peculiar tension that materialized between the two men.
Both wore the vermilion robes of their station—Fang Xian Ye's adorned with the cloud and wild goose pattern marking him as a civil official, his silverfish pouch gleaming at his waist; Duan Xu's displaying the tiger insignia of military command. Among the assembled middle-aged men in vermilion, their relative youth stood unmistakable.
They were the empire's most coveted talents—first and second place from the same imperial examination year. Yet destiny had proven cruel: they belonged to opposing factions and fought with the ferocity of those destined never to reconcile. Should they ever align their ambitions, they would become the Great Liang Dynasty's twin pillars of power.
Minister Lu from the Ministry of Justice, recently conversing with Duan Xu, lamented silently that these factional disputes had festered for years with an apparent determination toward mutual annihilation. Reconciliation seemed an impossible fantasy.
Duan Xu offered a respectful bow and smiled warmly. "Official Fang, it has been far too long. I hear you've ascended swiftly to fourth-rank Deputy Minister of Revenue—my sincere congratulations."
Fang Xian Ye returned the bow with measured modesty. "General Duan is too generous. Your recent campaign has been the subject of discussion throughout South City—turning the tide and leading your troops across the northern border first. His Majesty has clearly summoned you to receive commendations. Allow me to extend my felicitations in advance."
After their courteous exchange of pleasantries, they took their seats, observing the ancient principle of distance—one positioning himself at the far left, the other at the far right. The civil officials congregated on the left under Minister Du's patronage, with Fang Xian Ye joining their ranks; the military officers gathered on the right, aligned with Duke Pei's faction, yet Duan Xu remained among them.
The atmosphere grew decidedly peculiar. Even the protocol officer from the Court of State Ceremonial nervously wiped his brow witnessing this calculated arrangement.
During the morning assembly, the Emperor lavishly commended the returning generals, bestowing gold, silver, treasures, and silks in abundance. Each received promotions—General Qin Huan Da elevated to Duke of Wei, and Duan Xu appointed as Loyal and Martial General. The Emperor then praised the Ministry of Revenue for successfully mobilizing funds and provisions, distributing rewards with careful balance. By session's end, both Minister Du and Duke Pei had received their due recognition.
With the border now stabilized, the Emperor made clear his intention: Qin Huan Da and Duan Xu would not return to northern garrison duty in the foreseeable future. Duan Xu understood this as the orchestration of Duan Cheng Zhang and Minister Du—keeping him at the center of power in South City. Such positioning could prove instrumental should he pursue admission to the Privy Council overseeing military affairs.
Yet what countless men dreamed of as a glorious path forward drew only a weary sigh from Duan Xu. His extended absence from South City had rendered him uncertain of current court machinations. After the assembly concluded, he proceeded directly to Jade Algae Tower.
Jade Algae Tower reigned as the most prosperous and refined establishment among South City's seventy-two drinking houses, renowned for three excellences: exceptional wine, exquisite cuisine, and refined company. It attracted high officials and nobility seeking entertainment, and even the Emperor had graced it with visits. Young aristocrats frequented it regularly, and Duan Xu had been no exception before his departure.
Upon entering, attendants rushed forward with enthusiastic welcomes. He waved them off dismissively. "Where is Miss Luo Xian?"
Though not the most beautiful courtesan at Jade Algae Tower, Miss Luo Xian commanded renown throughout South City as a woman of considerable talent. Her poetry and prose rivaled the finest male scholars, and her mastery of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting remained unmatched. She sold her artistic talents exclusively, never compromising her dignity. Before Duan Xu's departure, they had developed considerable intimacy, and he had once paid a fortune to secure her company for an entire month.
Before the attendant could respond with an apologetic smile, a voice called out. "Isn't this Third Young Master Duan? Truly, you've been away far too long. During your absence, our top graduate has rather monopolized our beauty!"
Duan Xu turned to find the fourth son of Minister Wang from the Ministry of Revenue, currently enjoying drinks at Jade Algae Tower. Though handsome in appearance, his character proved rotten within—he was notorious throughout South City as a profligate wastrel. Previously, Duan Xu had maintained superficial courtesy with such young masters, so he smiled pleasantly. "Young Master Wang—you refer to Fang Xian Ye?"
Young Master Wang harbored deep resentment toward scholars who had passed the imperial examinations, regularly addressing Fang Xian Ye as "top graduate" with transparent derision. After Duan Xu placed second in the same examination, Wang's resentment had extended to him as well, as though thinking: we once shared pleasures together—how did you find time for serious study?
Yet Duan Xu remained a nobleman by birth, quite unlike the humble-born Fang Xian Ye. Young Master Wang snorted with contempt. "That top graduate is truly inexperienced. Having finally acquired status and wealth, he became utterly dazzled by Miss Luo Xian, pursuing her relentlessly. Unfortunately, no amount of silver can wash away his provincial air. I suspect Miss Luo Xian merely awaits your return! The top graduate has likely come to find her again at this very moment!"
Hearing this, Duan Xu played his part perfectly, expressing indignation. "To oppose me in court is one matter, but to compete for Miss Luo Xian's affections? This crosses all bounds of propriety!"
He swept his sleeve dramatically and headed upstairs, calling Luo Xian's name. Young Master Wang wore the delighted expression of someone anticipating an excellent spectacle, while the attendant anxiously attempted—and failed—to intercept him.
Duan Xu reached Luo Xian's chambers and pushed the door open without ceremony. Through the gauze curtains and pearl strings adorning the interior, he observed Fang Xian Ye seated within. Both regarded this abrupt, uninvited intrusion with evident surprise. The attendant began apologizing profusely. "Young Master Duan! You see, Official Fang arrived first… Jade Algae Tower maintains strict protocols…"
Duan Xu tossed a gold ingot at him with casual indifference. "Aren't Jade Algae Tower's rules written entirely in currency? Today I insist upon seeing Miss Luo Xian immediately. Official Fang has no objections, surely?"
The surprise faded from Fang Xian Ye's features, replaced by an inscrutable smile. "General Duan—already so imperious following your recent promotion?"
"Your presence alone inspires such conduct in me."
As the two men faced off with palpable tension, Luo Xian's melodious voice emerged from behind the pearl curtain. A graceful beauty of gentle bearing, she coaxed softly, "Why must these gentlemen harbor such antagonism toward one another? Enjoying refined music together can bring equal pleasure. I am willing to perform for both of you."
Neither willing to concede, both took their seats to listen. The attendant, clutching the gold ingot in conflicted delight, feared violence might erupt at any moment. After cautioning Luo Xian, he departed, and she closed the door behind him with a knowing smile.
She stood at the threshold for a moment, ensuring the attendant had withdrawn sufficiently, then quietly returned behind the pearl curtain. Taking up her pipa, she began playing a rapid, tempestuous melody—music loud and swift enough to mask most conversation.
Deputy Minister Fang sat rigidly as a pine tree. He held his teacup, tapping the lid several times, then turned to Duan Xu with direct intensity. "Duan Shun Xi."
"Official Fang."
They regarded each other for a lengthy moment as the pipa sounded like pearls—both large and small—cascading across jade. Fang Xian Ye's brow furrowed deeply. "That you could act with such recklessness and yet return alive borders on miraculous."
His words carried unmistakable dissatisfaction, yet Duan Xu simply smiled brilliantly. "It's far less grave than that. My fortune lies in transforming peril into safety—how else can I achieve such transformation without first confronting danger?"
"One day you'll perish this way. Should you truly wish to seek death, why burden me with delivering it?"
Everyone spoke of the unfortunate Third Young Master Duan—appropriately serving as a Supervising Secretary before unexpected reassignment to military command, then impeached and dispatched to the border camp before his new position had warmed beneath him, subsequently positioned north of the river as strategic bait. His path had proven extraordinarily treacherous.
Yet only Duan Xu and the man across from him knew the truth: every misfortune except the Dan Zhi surprise attack had been deliberately orchestrated by Duan Xu himself.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, military strategy discussion precipitated his transfer to military service; to protect his sister Xia Qing Sheng, he brawled with the Minister of War's son in the streets, and Fang Xian Ye's subsequent impeachment had resulted in his dispatch to the border camp.
Every element of this elaborate performance had been meticulously choreographed from the beginning.
When Duan Xu stationed in Liang Prefecture sent a secret letter to Fang Xian Ye requesting his assistance in arranging a northern campaign—complete with detailed battle plans—Fang Xian Ye's reply contained merely three words: "You're insane." Yet shortly thereafter, Duan Xu received military orders from General Qin Huan Da authorizing an assault on Dan Zhi's territory to sever northern reinforcement routes.
Though Fang Xian Ye cursed the scheme, he rarely refused Duan Xu's requests, however outrageous.
Later, after successfully breaking the siege, Fang Xian Ye exposed corruption in the horse administration through proxy agents, while Duan Xu timed his own memorial perfectly. Their coordinated effort compelled the Emperor to direct attention toward attacking Yu and Luo Prefectures.
"Qin Huan Da informed the Duke that you previously concealed your true capabilities deliberately," Fang Xian Ye said carefully. "But in this campaign, you displayed cunning, specialized military acumen, valor, and remarkable talent for winning hearts. In future, whether commanding armies or navigating court, you will inevitably become a formidable force."
"I've never received a single word of commendation from General Qin directly, yet discover he praises me behind closed doors? One should offer praise to a person's face—how can one benefit from praise given in absence?"
Fang Xian Ye remained unaccustomed to Duan Xu's irreverent manner and responded coldly. "Be serious."
Duan Xu abandoned his playful demeanor, his expression becoming grave. "The Minister of Revenue recently provided you with tax ledgers containing deliberate discrepancies—several entries that fail to align. If you overlook them, he'll accuse you of negligent incompetence; should you investigate further, you'll uncover Duke Pei's son's family involvement in illegal land encroachment. Exercise extreme caution."
"I've already uncovered substantial shortfalls and used them to threaten him. Naturally, he harbors considerable resentment."
"You threatened him?"
Fang Xian Ye raised his eyes to regard Duan Xu, appearing at a loss for words. He gestured toward the military encampment. "Do you comprehend the staggering expenses this campaign consumed? With the Ministry of Revenue controlled by Minister Du's faction, they've ceaselessly clamored about empty treasuries and depleted provisions. Had I not discovered the Minister of Revenue's vulnerability and coerced those wealthy Jiangnan merchants under his protection into donating rice and supplies, you would have faced starvation on the northern territories."
This ordinarily proud and gracious Fang Xian Ye—whose criticisms possessed the quality of elegant praise—seemed an entirely different man when meeting Duan Xu, consistently sharp and cutting in speech. Duan Xu often wondered whether Fang Xian Ye's brilliant parliamentary arguments against him in court represented careful performance or genuine conviction.
Duan Xu clinked his teacup against Fang Xian Ye's. "Your position within the Ministry of Revenue presents genuine hardship. Your sacrifices merit sincere gratitude."
"If you wrote to me with somewhat less frequency, perhaps my labors might diminish," Fang Xian Ye remained unmoved by this approach.
Every action Duan Xu undertook violated convention dangerously, with even minor miscalculations potentially proving fatal and irreversible. Though they maintained public opposition, their act need not have been quite so convincing. Fang Xian Ye felt nearly certain that Duan Xu simply craved the exhilaration of dancing perpetually along a blade's razor edge.
Indeed, Duan Xu smiled with evident satisfaction. "This represents my method of conducting warfare. Isn't victory what ultimately matters? You'll grow accustomed to it."
His refusal to evolve left Fang Xian Ye speechless.
The two exchanged extensive information regarding military and court developments, sorting through complexities methodically. Then, unexpectedly, Duan Xu found his thoughts drifting toward He Si Mu, and he experienced a peculiar moment of disorientation—as though stepping outside himself to observe both men from an outsider's perspective.
From the vantage point of immortal beings like He Si Mu, possessed of thousand-year lifespans, the intricate scheming and careful machinations of mortals spanning merely decades must seem absurd—no more significant than crickets leaping frantically within a jar.
He discovered nothing inherently wrong with dedicating his existence to strategic planning, yet he couldn't entirely dismiss He Si Mu's conviction that such a life possessed no true meaning.
Fang Xian Ye immediately detected Duan Xu's distraction, striking the table deliberately. "Have your thoughts wandered?"
"I was wondering… did you encounter Jing Yuan several days past?"
"Yes, we met by chance while seeking shelter from rain at Jin'an Temple."
"Do you harbor feelings for her?"
Fang Xian Ye inhaled a mouthful of steaming tea and erupted into violent coughing, unable to compose himself.
Previous/Next
.jpeg)
.jpeg)