"Do you think I'm happy in Langya?"
At Liu Cheng's question, all three men in the little courtyard hesitated. But a moment later, Fan Ning, who had yet to receive any answer or affirmation, took the initiative and cupped his hands:
"Lord Langya, since you ask that, I imagine you are unhappy. But forgive my bluntness: here in the South Garden, I personally saw you lose your composure with delight when your daughter was born. I also saw you provide prompt, thorough relief after the summer floods, then beam with pleasure when you saw all the Department Clerks taking extra care. Just this morning, your wife returned in tears after watching 'The Peacock Flies Southeast,' and you were boasting proudly yourself...
"Even leaving these little things aside, you have governed Langya for barely half a year. You inspected the spring plowing, relieved the summer floods, toured the autumn harvest, and even found time to put down the Jiangxi Qihuo rebellion and help the court reestablish its rites and music. Now Tuduan is being rolled out at every level without the slightest disorder, and you are thinking of establishing schools in winter. May I ask, if you were unhappy at heart, how could you handle everything so calmly, even with room to spare?"
"Well said." Liu Cheng listened patiently, then clapped his hands. "Wuzi, noticing these details shows how careful and meticulous you are. You also have judgments and opinions of your own, which is truly impressive... but just as you initially guessed, I am not happy in Langya."
"I would like to hear more." Fan Ning threw caution to the wind and cupped his hands.
"It is actually very simple: momentary happiness cannot cover lasting unhappiness, and outward happiness cannot conceal inward unhappiness." Liu Cheng smiled faintly. "Let me give