"Why is that?" Fan Xian asked.
Fan Jian considered it. "The third prince is the most unusual of them all. His Majesty once appointed the Left Censor-in-Chief as his tutor, intending to place the Censorate's officials at his disposal.
Unfortunately, he had no interest in literature or politics. His heart was set on martial arts. His Majesty forbade him from practicing them back then, so the third prince ended up accomplished in neither letters nor arms.
He has no support at court and no talent for scheming. He neither forms factions nor pursues private interests. Among the princes, he might as well be invisible.
The third prince has almost no one he can employ, and even the upkeep of his residence exceeds his income. Whoever controls the Imperial Treasury makes little difference to him. That is why I say he is the least likely to have sent someone to assassinate you."
"I see!" Fan Xian nodded. The thought of an imperial prince whose household could not make ends meet prompted him to quip, "So this third prince has just decided to lie flat!"
"Lie flat?"
"Lie flat, uh, means..."
Scratching his head, Fan Xian fumbled through an explanation.
Fan Jian nodded after hearing it. "That is quite an apt description."
Starting with the factions that might have tried to assassinate Fan Xian, Fan Jian analyzed the Capital's many powers for him one by one, until the night grew deep.
"Anything else you wish to ask?"
"No." Fan Xian shook his head.
In truth, ever since meeting Fan Jian, he had had one more question on his mind: how exactly had Ye Qingmei died?
But this was their first meeting, and he still knew little about this father of his. Wary of trusting him too readily, he could only suppress the urge and leave it for another day.
Then Fan Jian took Fan Xian out of the study to share a reunion dinner with everyone.
After dinner, Fan Xian returned to his room and handed the wanted notice to Teng Zijing, who was hiding there.
Teng Zijing's wife and child had gone missing, and he begged Fan Xian to help investigate the records at the Overwatch Council. Through this, Fan Xian learned about Teng Zijing's past and agreed to help him find his family.
And so Fan Xian's first day in the Capital passed, calm on the surface while currents stirred beneath.
The next day dawned bright and clear. Fan Xian slept in.
Near noon, the three Fan siblings decided to eat at a restaurant and show Fan Xian the bustle of the Capital along the way.
Meanwhile, at one end of a street in the Capital, Zhou Cheng was strolling with Sang Wen, holding his white Ivory Folding Fan and dressed in an understated indigo brocade robe.
Sang Wen wore a plain-colored blouse and skirt that day. Without makeup, her fresh, natural beauty shone all the more.
Chen Quan followed a short distance behind, carrying bags and bundles-the fruits of their entire morning.
"You must be tired after all that walking. Let's find somewhere to eat." Zhou Cheng glanced behind him. "Chen Quan can also arrange to have these things sent back to the residence first."
Sang Wen smiled sweetly, happy to agree.
After Zhou Cheng had spent the whole morning shopping with her, she was already thoroughly content.
They found a nearby restaurant, where a waiter led them straight to a private room on the top floor.
Chen Quan called for some help from the restaurant and instructed them to deliver the purchases to Prince Cheng's Residence, then tactfully remained in the main hall.
Zhou Cheng ordered several signature dishes and had Sang Wen add a few more.
They sat by the window, looking down over the street and chatting as they waited for their food.
Amid their conversation, Zhou Cheng looked out the window, his gaze sharpening slightly.
A carriage was approaching along the street, slowing to a stop outside the restaurant.
"What's wrong, my lord?" Sang Wen noticed the change.
Zhou Cheng pointed below. "A carriage from Count Sinan's Residence. What a coincidence."
Sang Wen did not understand what made it a coincidence, but followed his gaze. Three people stepped out of the carriage, two men and a woman, all remarkably dressed and good-looking. She recognized none of them.
The three were, of course, Fan Xian, Fan Ruoruo, and Fan Sizhe.
Zhou Cheng knew Fan Xian best and had met Fan Ruoruo a few times. The remaining boy, whose face looked a little shifty, could only be Fan Sizhe.
He glanced at the coachman behind them.
The man made a convincing coachman, but every movement revealed martial training. His restrained true energy suggested considerable skill. Given the timing, he was likely Teng Zijing, posing as Fan Xian's guard.
"Is that young lady Fan Ruoruo?" Sang Wen asked curiously, watching Fan Ruoruo affectionately take Fan Xian's arm.
"You've heard of her?"
"The Capital's foremost talented lady. Even if I've never met her, I've certainly heard the name." Sang Wen chuckled, then asked in puzzlement, "Who is the man beside her?"
"Fan Xian. Nominally Count Sinan's illegitimate son and Fan Ruoruo's elder brother."
"Nominally?" Sang Wen sounded startled.
Zhou Cheng replied calmly, "He is actually my imperial father's illegitimate son, which makes him my younger brother. Fewer than ten people in the Capital know about this. Keep it to yourself."
"What?" Sang Wen's eyes widened. She looked down at Fan Xian in disbelief, only for him to glance up at that very moment. She hurriedly looked away.
"Your Highness, please don't tease me... How... how is that possible?"
Zhou Cheng tapped her head lightly with his fan and smiled. "You've been with me long enough to know I never lie."
"Ouch!" Sang Wen first held her head, then covered both ears. "Your Highness, please don't tell me things like this again. Just hearing them frightens me!"
"As long as you don't go spreading it around. It's a minor matter." Zhou Cheng thought nothing of it.
Even leaving aside his hidden status as a Grandmaster, his position as the third prince alone meant there were very few things he could not handle now.
Sang Wen smiled wryly.
She truly had to marvel at how unflappable her prince was.
If imperial secrets were minor matters, what on earth counted as something serious?
While they talked, Fan Xian, who had reached the restaurant below, noticed a woman carrying a child and selling books on the street.
He went over to investigate and discovered that she was selling Red Chamber.
Intrigued, Fan Xian had Fan Ruoruo go inside first to order. Then, on the pretext of buying several more copies, he followed the woman and found the man behind the operation, Wang Qinian.
Wang Qinian possessed outstanding lightness skills. Taking advantage of a moment's inattention from Fan Xian, he slipped away.
Left with no choice, Fan Xian returned.
The Fan siblings' private room was only one room away from Zhou Cheng's.
None of the activity over there escaped her notice.
Once all the dishes had arrived, Sang Wen was peeling shrimp for Zhou Cheng when she saw the bookseller reappear on the street below. Curious, she asked, "Your Highness, what book is that woman selling?"
"Red Chamber."
"Red Chamber?" Sang Wen's eyes lit up.
Without question, it had been the most popular book in the Capital over the past two years.
Much of Fan Ruoruo's reputation as its "foremost talented lady" could also be credited to Red Chamber.
"Want a copy?"
"Yes!" Sang Wen nodded eagerly.
Although she had been required to read at the Drunken Immortal Residence, she had never had access to "leisure reading" like Red Chamber.
"Then go and buy one. If you don't want to go downstairs, just call Chen Quan."
Sang Wen quickly finished peeling the shrimp in her hands and placed the meat before Zhou Cheng, then rose happily. "No need to trouble Mr. Chen. I'll go myself."
She hurried downstairs. Zhou Cheng nodded and picked up the shrimp with his chopsticks, savoring it as his gaze drifted toward the street.
Red Chamber...
To be honest, he found it difficult to understand everyone else's obsession with the book.
Perhaps this was the first book of its kind in this world, or perhaps it had struck some fundamental chord in literary souls. Whatever the reason, Red Chamber was wildly popular.
Compared with Red Chamber, Zhou Cheng had actually preferred "** Plum" back in the real world.
Literary merit aside, "** Plum" could at least give his hand some exercise and provide pleasure for body and mind.
Sang Wen successfully bought a copy from the woman. Just as she happily waved up toward the window, a group of people suddenly rushed around the street corner.
Zhou Cheng recognized their leader. They had never spoken, but he had seen him several times at banquets. It was Guo Baokun, son of the Minister of Rites.
As soon as Guo Baokun arrived, he ordered his men to drive the bookseller away. Seeing Sang Wen in plain clothing with Red Chamber in her arms, he snatched the book without a second thought and shoved her hard.
Sang Wen staggered several steps and nearly fell.
Guo Baokun paid her no heed. He merely raised the book, turned to the gathering crowd, and declared loudly:
"I am Guo Baokun! My father serves as Minister of Rites, and I myself, though unworthy, am a compiler at the palace! We men of letters must uphold propriety and read the works of sages. Filthy trash like this disgraces scholarship and must be banned!"
Shocked and furious, Sang Wen looked up toward the restaurant. Seeing Zhou Cheng looking over with a frown, she steadied herself a little.
Summoning her courage, she stepped in front of Guo Baokun:
"I paid for that book! If you want it banned, ban its printing and sale. Why are you taking my things?"
"Taking?" Guo Baokun paused, then glared. "Don't talk nonsense, young lady! I'm keeping you from going astray! Only improper people read improper books. I'm doing this for your own good!"
"You...!" His shamelessness left Sang Wen speechless with anger.
Seeing that Sang Wen could offer no retort, Guo Baokun sneered. Holding Red Chamber high, he turned in a circle before slamming it onto the ground.
He proclaimed, "Scholars should read the works of sages! Filthy trash like this appeals only to actors and brothel dwellers!"
Turning to Sang Wen, he mocked her. "Young lady, could it be that you too are of lowly birth, with a taste for such obscene books?"
Sang Wen trembled all over, her eyes instantly reddening.
At Zhou Cheng's side, she already felt inferior because of her background. This public humiliation had struck her most painful wound.
She wanted nothing more to do with this wretch and was about to swallow her anger and leave, rather than spoil Zhou Cheng's mood, when someone pushed through the crowd and blocked her retreat.
The man then cupped his hands toward Guo Baokun. "Young Master Guo, your literary talent is exceptional, and your family learning profound. Seeing you today, I find your judgment just as keen!
Indeed, only improper people read improper books!
This woman looked familiar to me just now. After giving it some thought, I remembered seeing her at the Drunken Immortal Residence.
And what sort of place is the Drunken Immortal Residence? Aren't its women nothing but brothel whores?"
Before you continue