The Princess's Guest Adviser

Dusk closed in on all sides, and the first splendid lanterns lit up Chang'an City.

At precisely the hour of the Rooster, fine carriages and magnificent horses crowded before Princess Taiping's Nine-Shao Music Bureau, a gathering of distinguished guests.

Many invited guests of modest official rank but considerable literary renown had arrived early to show their respect. Scions of great clans, scholars, and celebrated men of letters, all dressed in finery, exchanged bows and greetings.

Lu Changfeng arrived on time.

He had changed into his moon-white Wu Silk scholar's robe, its fabric shimmering softly. Although he had diminished his looks considerably with the Thousand-Face Disguise Art, the refined, unworldly bearing forged by his maxed-out Ice Skin, Jade Bones Art still made him stand head and shoulders above the crowd. With unhurried steps, he approached the gates.

The man greeting guests and announcing their names was Cui Huan, the Director of Records of the Princess's Residence.

Born to a collateral branch of the Cui Clan of Boling, he had yet to reach the age of twenty. Handsome, with the aloof pride peculiar to noble scions in his features, he held no high office, but here he represented the Princess's Residence and enjoyed a standing above the ordinary.

He inspected the invitations meticulously, his announcements clear and resonant.

"Young Master Zhang Shu of the Zhang Clan of Fanyang has arrived-"

The young gentleman ahead stepped through the gates, and Lu Changfeng handed over his Phoenix Feather Invitation.

"Mr. Lu."

To everyone's surprise, Cui Huan's greeting stunned several guests nearby who were about to enter. Even Zhang Shu ahead of him was taken aback and turned to look at Lu Changfeng.

The Director of Records represented the dignity of the Princess's Residence. Even with princes and nobles, he generally remained respectful but reserved. When had he ever shown such familiarity toward so young a "master"?

Intrigued, Zhang Shu stopped, wanting to see just who this person was to merit Clerk Cui's special regard.

"Clerk Cui."

Lu Changfeng smiled. "Did the medicine from two days ago work well? Your internal injury hasn't flared up again, has it?"

The solemnity on Cui Huan's face melted instantly, and he praised him with heartfelt admiration. "Your medical skill is divine, sir! A single dose of that new prescription relieved seven-tenths of the pent-up pain that had plagued me for months! I will never forget your great kindness."

The gratitude in his voice sounded entirely genuine, leaving those around them even more astonished. So this man was a master physician?

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Changfeng lowered his voice and said half-jokingly, "In that case, do me a small favor. An insignificant fellow like me hardly needs his name announced, does he? Show a little leniency and pretend you never saw me. What do you say?"

Caught between laughter and tears, Cui Huan hastily shook his head, lowering his voice as well. "Sir, I can't do that. The rules cannot be broken." He paused and leaned forward slightly, speaking quickly at a volume only the two of them could hear. "Rest assured, sir. Her Highness has already left instructions."

With that, Cui Huan straightened, cleared his throat, and faced the interior of the residence. Drawing a full breath, he announced in a tone even more solemn than he had used for the noble scions, "Master Lu Changfeng, guest adviser to the Princess of Zhen Guo's Residence, has arrived-"

The words "guest adviser" plunged the entrance into instant silence!

The scattered murmurs from moments earlier stopped abruptly. Every gaze focused on Lu Changfeng once more, filled with shock and disbelief. Even the worldly Zhang Shu showed a flicker of astonishment, which soon gave way to deeper curiosity and scrutiny.

"Guest adviser"!

This was a title no ordinary retainer, medical officer, or even "honored guest" could compare with.

It signified the highest regard from the host, and beyond that, an explicit, semiofficial relationship of allegiance and protection.

To be honored as a "guest adviser" in a place whose power blotted out the sky, such as the residence of Princess Taiping, Princess of Zhen Guo-what astonishing abilities did this man possess, or what special commission had he been entrusted with?

This sudden declaration of status was favor and glory, but also an invisible shackle, binding Lu Changfeng more tightly to the fortunes and disgrace of the Princess's Residence while placing him beneath the scorching heat of every gaze.

His expression unchanged, Lu Changfeng stepped calmly through the gates amid countless looks whose meanings were difficult to fathom.

As he passed Cui Huan, his steps paused almost imperceptibly. Glancing at the young Director of Records, he murmured in a tone of helpless teasing, "Clerk Cui, I treated your injuries, and this is how you 'repay' me? You've put me over the fire to roast."

There was no real reproach in his tone. It sounded more like a rueful observation from someone who understood the situation perfectly.

A wry smile immediately appeared on Cui Huan's face. He too lowered his voice, sounding thoroughly innocent. "Please understand, sir. This... this was Her Highness's express instruction. I am a man of little standing whose words carry little weight. I could only obey. I hope you will understand."

Lu Changfeng naturally understood. He patted Cui Huan lightly on the arm and, saying nothing more, headed inside.

Princess Taiping's little performance made him wish even more that he hadn't come...

He was just about to find a quiet corner to hide in when an amused voice sounded behind him:

"Mr. Lu... was it? Please wait."

Lu Changfeng turned and saw the young gentleman from the Zhang Clan of Fanyang approaching briskly.

The information he had read about the attendees flashed through his mind-Zhang Shu, the youngest son of Zhang Yue, Vice Minister of Works.

Lu Changfeng knew Zhang Yue from the histories he had read in his previous life. He was among the rare capable officials of Wu Zetian's later years and the reigns of Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, accomplished in both civil and military affairs. At present, he enjoyed considerable favor at Emperor Zhongzong's court and was known for "upholding integrity and honoring his promises." His sons, however, were unlike him-especially this youngest one.

Lu Changfeng cupped his hands in return. "I am Lu Changfeng. I hardly deserve to be called 'master.'"

"You do, you certainly do!"

Zhang Shu drew a little closer, his expression laden with meaning, and laughed softly. "I've heard something of your name, Mr. Lu... You visited the Moon-Gathering Tower this morning, didn't you? 'It strips the leaves of late autumn, and makes the flowers of the second month bloom'?"

Lu Changfeng: "..."

Damn, word traveled far too fast!

He coughed. "You must have mistaken me for someone else..."

Zhang Shu smiled. "Why conceal it, sir? When you solved the riddle whose answer was wind, I was next door enjoying music and dancing. Your appearance has changed, but your voice hasn't. I believe I can still recognize it." Genuine admiration appeared on his face as he continued, "You truly are a man of learning! That poem about the 'old rabbit and cold toad' was enough to shatter stone and startle the heavens. Listening next door, I was utterly captivated. I wished I could go over at once and make your acquaintance!"

Lu Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief. So he had been in the audience...

"Besides..."

Changing tack, Zhang Shu pointed rather proudly at his eyes. "To tell you the truth, sir, although I haven't perfected my family's ancestral ocular art, Discerning the Subtlest Detail, I've achieved some proficiency in reading bone structure and bearing. This morning, I caught only a fleeting glimpse of your back, but I took note of your physique and presence. How could I mistake you for anyone else?"

As he spoke, whether stirred by emotion or by the curiosity to confirm his judgment, a faint, almost imperceptible golden gleam flashed unconsciously through his eyes, and the mental method of Discerning the Subtlest Detail began circulating naturally.

Had he not looked, all would have been well. The moment he did, the smile froze on Zhang Shu's face.

He seemed to have been caught by an immobilization spell. All the teasing words he had prepared stuck in his throat.

He had merely intended to verify his judgment and see whether the true face beneath the disguise matched its underlying bone structure. Yet when his ocular art pierced the veil of the Thousand-Face Disguise Art and glimpsed the "ice skin and jade bones" beneath, his breath caught, and his mind went blank.

He believed he had seen countless handsome men, including Wu Yanxiu and others famed for their looks, but never a face so... so impossible to describe. It was not mere handsomeness, but a finely sculpted perfection, as though all the spiritual beauty of heaven and earth had gathered in one person. Radiance shone naturally through that refined, unworldly grace, inspiring wonder at a single glance!

Zhang Shu opened his mouth and, overwhelmed by disbelief, stammered under his breath, "M-master... this... this disguise of yours... isn't it rather unnecessary?"

"..."

Lu Changfeng was secretly alarmed. He truly could not underestimate the people of this world!

The instant Zhang Shu activated his eyes, he had genuinely felt as though every part of him, inside and out, had been seen through!

"No wonder... no wonder!"

Zhang Shu abruptly came to his senses, as though every piece had fallen into place. He clapped his hands together hard, his face filled with realization and admiration. "No wonder Her Highness honors you as a 'guest adviser' and treats you with such regard! And no wonder someone as cool and aloof as Master Luo made an exception and stayed in the Cloud-Deep Pavilion to speak with you for nearly an hour!"

He leaned even closer, lowering his voice to the barest whisper, his eyes burning as though he were examining a peerless treasure. "With such world-stunning looks, sir, why hide them? If I had even a tenth or a fifth of your beauty, I would dress in splendid silks every day and parade through the streets, letting every maiden in Chang'an City get a good look! Sir, this is your real talent—an ultimate weapon!"

"..."

The corner of Lu Changfeng's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. For a moment, he had no idea how to respond.

If he accused Zhang Shu of looking down on him, the man's tone was sincere, his face filled with undisguised envy. Yet if he took it as genuine praise, everything he said clearly suggested he regarded Lu Changfeng as a walking ornamental vase.

That peculiar yet painfully straightforward train of thought left Lu Changfeng feeling as helpless as if he had punched a wad of cotton. He did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He took a deep breath and tried to steer the conversation back on course, saying with some resignation, "Brother Zhang, mind your words. Her Highness honors worthy men, and Master Luo likewise values learning. It has nothing to do with outward appearance."

Zhang Shu immediately adopted an expression of "I understand, I understand everything," and nodded obligingly. "Of course, of course! Talent and beauty, each enhancing the other! Rest assured, sir. I know what should and shouldn't be said. I certainly won't spread loose talk."

But despite saying he understood, his winks and knowing looks made it abundantly clear that he thought he "understood" even more now.

You don't understand a damn thing!

Looking at him, Lu Changfeng could only sigh inwardly, knowing there was no explaining this away.

Zhang Shu only grew more enthusiastic. Slinging an arm around his shoulders with the familiarity of an old friend, he said, "You're new here, sir, so you surely don't know your way around. Come, come, let me show you! I know the Nine-Shao Music Bureau like the back of my hand. I guarantee you won't miss a single good show!"

Without giving Lu Changfeng a chance to object, he half pushed, half guided him toward the depths of the grounds, where the lanterns shone brightest and the strings and pipes played most merrily.