Blue Sea, Raging Tide

Along the way, Zhang Shu proved a diligent guide, words pouring from his mouth like a rushing river:

"See the Listening Rain Pavilion beside the water over there? That's the princess's favorite place in summer. There might be dancing girls performing there later... And over there is the Hidden Sword Pavilion. It sounds like an armory, but it actually houses treasured ancient zithers and famous paintings. That legendary zither belonging to Su Xiaoxiao of the Southern Dynasties is among them..."

Lu Changfeng listened and nodded, treating it as a way to pass the time.

Zhang Shu was talking with great enthusiasm when several richly dressed young gentlemen approached. The man leading them had a jade flute tucked at his waist. Spotting Zhang Shu, he immediately smiled. "Zhang Eighteen, what are you doing, tugging this fellow along? And this gentleman is...?"

Lu Changfeng noticed the name "Zhang Eighteen" and guessed it was Zhang Shu's place in his clan's birth order.

Zhang Shu's smile faded a little. He gave a low cough and introduced them. "Mr. Lu, this is the seventh young master of the Taiyuan Wang Clan, Wang Xiao. His rendition of the Blue Sea Raging Tide Melody is renowned throughout the capital, and Princess Anle holds him in the highest regard. Wang Seven, this is Mr. Lu Changfeng, the newly appointed guest adviser at the Princess of Zhen Guo's Residence."

Once the introductions were over, a strange silence fell between the two sides.

Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes and studied Lu Changfeng, weighing both his identity and his allegiance. Everyone present understood that Chang'an's outward splendor, its songs and dances celebrating peace, was merely a curtain concealing the turbulent currents beneath.

The faction of Princess Taiping and Prince Xiang Li Dan maintained a show of familial harmony with Princess Anle, Empress Wei, Prince of Liang Wu Sansi, and the others. Cups crossed amid warm smiles and easy conversation, yet beneath that tender affection lay the true flash of blades!

Empress Wei was determined to become a second Wu Zetian and aggressively cultivated supporters from the Wei clan. Princess Anle wanted to become crown princess and constantly suppressed Crown Prince Li Chongjun to that end. Taiping, Prince Xiang, and their allies would never allow a second "Wu clan" to rise above the Li clan!

Conflict was inevitable!

Princess Taiping's Plum Blossom Guards secretly snatching prisoners from the Prince of Liang's Residence and gradually exposing Wu Sansi's collusion with the Great Vehicle Sect was only a small part of their everyday struggle.

Similar battles, both open and hidden, had never ceased in the years since Li Xian ascended the throne!

As one of Princess Anle's trusted men, Wang Xiao naturally regarded Princess Taiping's newly recruited "guest adviser" with the coldness and wariness reserved for an enemy faction.

"Mr. Lu..."

Wang Xiao spoke slowly, his lips curving into something that was not quite a smile. "I've long heard of you. For the Princess to value you so highly and honor you as a 'guest adviser,' you must possess extraordinary skills."

Lu Changfeng's expression remained composed. "You flatter me, Young Master Wang. I merely have a little knowledge of some trifling arts, and Her Highness has graciously overlooked my shortcomings."

Wang Xiao chuckled and said no more. With a casual clasp of his hands, he turned and led his companions away. The jade flute spun nimbly between his fingers, like a venomous snake ready to rear up and strike.

Watching him leave, Zhang Shu leaned close to Lu Changfeng and lowered his voice, his manner grave. "You must be careful of him, my worthy younger brother. The Wang family's ancestral Blue Sea Raging Tide Melody is a peerless sonic art, capable of killing without a trace. He's also a favorite of Empress Wei and Princess Anle. Since Her Highness has treated you so generously, someone is bound to try to crush you to prove that she... has eyes but cannot see. Be very careful!"

The players contested victory on the board; the pieces wagered their lives.

Lu Changfeng had anticipated this situation. For now, he had only secured his place as a pawn. He still had a long way to go before he could break free of the board, let alone become a player himself. Zhang Shu's warning, however, surprised him.

This young gentleman might seem unable to hold his tongue, but he understood things clearly beneath the surface.

Lu Changfeng nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Brother Zhang."

If they'd pulled this before today, I'd definitely have cursed them for pitting their strengths against my weaknesses. If you've got the guts, compete with me in medicine! I'll take on the whole lot of you!

But now? Even if we're competing in sonic arts, I'm not afraid!

Zhang Shu waved a hand and returned to his lively manner. Pointing toward the bustling inner hall ahead, he said, "Here we are. You and I will probably have to find seats in a side room. The main hall is for..."

Before he could finish, one of the princess's personal attendants hurried over and dipped gracefully in greeting, addressing them as Young Master Zhang and Mr. Lu. Then she turned respectfully to Lu Changfeng and said in a soft voice, "Sir, your seat has been arranged at the fourth table in the main hall. Please follow me."

"..."

Zhang Shu broke off abruptly, his face cycling through a spectacular range of expressions. Only after a long moment did he click his tongue. "The fourth table?! My worthy younger brother, your position as 'guest adviser' carries even more weight than I thought!"

You're getting awfully damn comfortable calling me that...

Caught between laughter and exasperation, Lu Changfeng followed the maid into the main hall with Zhang Shu.

The hall was even livelier now than before. Many more guests had arrived, and everyone seated there was a high official or dignitary.

Lu Changfeng glanced toward his assigned fourth table and saw several people already seated. Having seen their portraits, he could more or less identify them: Cui Shi, a Secretariat Drafter in the Prince of Liang's service; Song Zhiwen, registrar of the Court of State Ceremonial; Shen Qingshu, deputy chief of the Court of Judicial Review; and others. Even Wang Xiao, whom he had just met, was at this table!

Cui Shi, Song Zhiwen, and the others reacted differently at the sight of Lu Changfeng. Some looked indifferent; others scrutinized him.

Wang Xiao made no attempt to conceal the chill in his eyes.

Amid that delicate atmosphere, the music of strings and pipes suddenly changed, becoming solemn and grand.

A palace attendant announced loudly, "Her Highness arrives-"

Everyone rose with solemn respect.

Princess Taiping, Li Lingyue, entered the main hall at an unhurried pace, surrounded by palace maids and attendants.

She had changed into gold-and-red court robes, sumptuous and majestic, her authority seeming born with her. With her arrival, an elegant, rich fragrance quietly spread through the hall-the very perfume Lu Changfeng had specially made for her a few days earlier. Her gaze swept across the gathering and paused briefly on him, carrying a hint of playful significance.

"There is no need for such ceremony. Please take your seats."

Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

Everyone had only just sat down and was still wondering about the fragrance when an even louder, more excited announcement came from outside:

"Her Highness Princess Anle and Shangguan Zhaorong arrive-"

The entire hall erupted in a stir!

Princess Taiping's expression remained serene.

With the entrance of these two formidable figures, the true storm officially began.

Beside him, Zhang Shu nudged Lu Changfeng with his elbow, nervous and excited in equal measure. "My worthy younger brother, now heavenly thunder has struck earthly fire. The show is starting!"

Every gaze turned toward the entrance.

Princess Anle, Li Guo'er, and Zhaorong Shangguan Wan'er arrived together.

The two women of supremely exalted status entered the hall surrounded by palace servants.

Princess Anle was twenty, her beauty radiant and alluring. She wore a hundred-bird skirt, its brilliant colors lavish and dazzling. The moment she entered, she surveyed the gathering with an arrogant expression, her gaze finally settling on Princess Taiping with a hint of criticism.

Shangguan Wan'er was entirely different. Her bearing was calm and dignified, her makeup exquisite and elegant. Though she held only the rank of an imperial consort, the authority and scholarly grace cultivated through years of overseeing the central administration and reviewing memorials on the sovereign's behalf made her impossible to ignore.

Looking at the two women, Lu Changfeng nodded inwardly. This truly was a Great Tang of formidable martial arts.

Li Guo'er's beauty was one thing, but Shangguan Wan'er was about Taiping's age, yet looked much the same as her-another woman skilled at preserving her youthful appearance. Still, it was strange. According to the historical records, Shangguan Wan'er had suffered facial tattooing as punishment during Wu Zetian's reign. There should have been a scar...

Was the butterfly gone, or had she concealed it well?

While Lu Changfeng idly pondered gossip, the clash had already begun.

"Guo'er, Wan'er, with you here, my elegant gathering is finally complete." Princess Taiping stepped forward with a smile, her tone warm and natural.

Princess Anle smiled in return. "How could I refuse your invitation, Aunt? As I entered the residence just now, I noticed that the Nine-Shao Music Bureau has grown even more exquisite. You truly know how to enjoy yourself."

Her voice carried a smile as her gaze swept seemingly casually past Princess Taiping's side. Feigning curiosity, she asked, "Oh? Why don't I see that Young Master Gao who's always at your side? He's usually the liveliest person at occasions like this."

The words sounded concerned, but concealed a barbed edge. They pointed straight at Princess Taiping's practice of keeping male favorites, an attempt to embarrass her at this refined gathering.

Princess Taiping's smile did not change at all. Her gaze passed over Wu Yanxiu behind Anle, and she replied composedly, "How thoughtful of you, Guo'er. Gao Jian behaved improperly, so This Palace ordered him to remain indoors and reflect on his faults. You, on the other hand, never lack charming companions. I cannot rival such lively company."

She was alluding to the scarcely secret affair between Princess Anle and Wu Yanxiu, while making no mention whatsoever of her actual husband, Wu Chongxun.

Princess Anle's expression darkened slightly before she forced another smile. "You jest, Aunt."

"..."

As the women above traded thrusts with tongues like spears and words like swords, Zhang Shu watched with relish.

Lu Changfeng found it nothing special. You're all cut from the same cloth. Why bother exposing one another's dirty secrets? Just serve the food already!

Shangguan Wan'er stepped forward at just the right moment and gave Princess Taiping a slight bow, her every movement graceful. Her voice was gentle and pleasing. "My respects to Your Highness. It has been several days since we last met, and your radiance surpasses even what it was before."

She deftly steered the conversation away from awkward ground and exchanged a glance with Princess Taiping. Within it lay both the understanding of many years' acquaintance and a trace of something too complicated to put into words.

The three exchanged warm smiles and conversation before taking their seats. Princess Anle and Shangguan Wan'er had been assigned the most honored places immediately below Princess Taiping, presenting a scene in which the core members of the imperial household had gathered together. The guests below sat down after them.

The officials, scholars, and imperial relatives accompanying Princess Anle also followed the maids' guidance and quietly filled the remaining places, instantly making the balance of power in the hall complex and delicate.

Lu Changfeng raised an eyebrow as he watched. Princess Anle's entourage was impressive too.

The Great Tang's famous talents-and petty villains-Song Zhiwen and Shen Quanqi...

Relatives of the Wu clan: the imperial son-in-law Wu Chongxun, and Wu Chengsi's son Wu Yanxiu...

Imperial in-laws from the Wei clan: Wei Bo, a general of the Feathered Forest Guard and nephew of Chancellor Wei Wen...

What surprised him most was that Song Tan, the man from that morning, had also joined the fourth table!

Once everyone was seated, Princess Taiping calmly raised her cup, her bearing utterly graceful. Her clear voice rang throughout the hall. "This Palace has prepared this modest banquet, and your gracious presence, esteemed talents and scholars, has added fresh elegance to the Nine-Shao Music Bureau! On this fine occasion, may strings and pipes delight our ears, may splendid writing be enjoyed by all, and may every one of you find pleasure here—please drain this cup!"

"To Your Highness!"

Everyone answered in unison, raising their cups and drinking together. For a moment, the atmosphere seemed quite warm and harmonious.

As Princess Taiping declared the banquet begun, melodious ceremonial music rose.

Like butterflies flitting among blossoms, the maids brought the first round of exquisitely prepared dishes and fine wine to each table.

On carved jade platters, camel-hoof stew steamed gently, while "Spring on Chopstick Tips" gave off an appetizing roasted fragrance. Grand dishes such as whole sheep stuffed with goose were carved on the spot by the cooks, accompanied by Xinfeng wine and three-fruit wine-a display of the utmost extravagance in Great Tang cuisine.

Amid the crossing cups, as some guests exchanged pleasantries, others listened to the elegant music, and still others watched the movements of those above them, Lu Changfeng at the fourth table seemed somewhat out of place.

He had no interest whatsoever in the undercurrents at the banquet or the battles fought through glances between the various factions. His attention rested squarely on the food before him. Composed in his movements, he ate with considerable concentration, as though all the clamor around him had nothing to do with him.

Seeing this, Song Tan, who shared his table, could not help curling his lip. Contempt flashed in his eyes. A provincial nobody after all. Unfit for polite society, with nothing on his mind but filling his belly!

Beside him, Wang Xiao was even less restrained in his scorn. He thought the man had nothing but a handsome exterior, without a shred of integrity or social ability.

Only Cui Shi, seated diagonally opposite Lu Changfeng, showed a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.

He noticed that Lu Changfeng's behavior, as though no one else existed, was not a lapse of manners born of nervousness or ignorance. It was a complete disregard that came from the heart.

His eyes were too calm, his movements too natural. It was as though the powerful nobles and celebrated scholars present-even all the wealth and cultivated splendor of the Nine-Shao Music Bureau-were no different in his eyes from ordinary streets and alleyways.

Such a manner could be taken as ignorance of etiquette, but... it could also mean that he simply did not care, or even looked down on them!

Cui Shi raised his wine cup and took a small sip, filing away this intriguing discovery. Princess Taiping's newly appointed guest adviser seemed far more interesting than he appeared on the surface.