49 Ye Cheng Fu

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Ye Cheng Fu

 Chapter 49: 

 

I didn’t say much and followed him in silence toward the grand banquet. Once we entered, the eunuchs announced our presence, and everyone immediately turned their attention toward us, their expressions varying. My mother was seated at the head of the officials, holding a wine cup, staring blankly at me. I was almost about to rush over, but Shen Ye pulled me back and whispered, “Don’t cause trouble. The Empress ordered me to keep an eye on you.”

I suppressed the urge to run over and, guided by the palace servants, took my seat on the high platform.

The seating at the banquet was arranged in three tiers. The first tier was for the Empress, the second tier for the royal relatives and nobility, where Su Rongqing and I were seated, and the third tier was for the officials and ministers.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Small tables were set up all around, with the central area featuring a water pavilion stage. As people had not yet fully arrived, only a music troupe was performing a light tune on stage. Su Rongqing and I took our seats, and he, like the master of a noble family, knelt beside me. 

Eyes from all around discreetly scanned us, with some clearly glancing at Shen Ye and others presumably assessing why a criminal like me was attending the banquet, and why I was seated among the royal relatives.

As soon as I sat down, two guards silently took their positions behind me. Seeing this, no one dared to approach me. Shen Ye poured me some wine and whispered, “I had Liucheng look for your mother. She said it’s not the right time yet, so Shangguan Wanqing is still being held. She didn’t come to the banquet today because Shangguan Yun took leave on behalf of her.”

“Mm.” I nodded. Shen Ye lowered his gaze and continued, “The third position on the left row is Shangguan Yun, and the seventy-fourth position on the right row is Shangguan Lin.”

I followed his instructions and quickly scanned the area. I had already seen Shangguan Lin before; she was a burly woman. Shangguan Yun, however, exhibited the elegance of nobility. Though her appearance was somewhat sharp, she was tall and slender, dressed in magnificent robes, and her mannerisms were fairly refined, displaying a certain shrewdness.

Bai Shaotang was standing beside my mother, about ten paces away from me. Looking up at him, I noticed that he had lost quite a bit of weight over the past few days. His face now bore the shadow of ruggedness, replacing the youthful innocence of his past with a more mature, worn look.

When he saw me looking over, he quietly nodded in acknowledgment. I raised my cup to him from afar, and he raised his in return, followed by Shen Ye, who also raised his cup.

Shen Ye’s gesture was grand enough to obscure my view of Bai Shaotang. I felt a bit frustrated, but Shen Ye turned to look at me with his typically calm expression, showing no emotion, and simply said, “Cheers.”

He then carefully sipped from his cup, every movement deliberate and perfect, almost like a sculpted work of art. His actions were so smooth and natural that they seemed to enhance the entire ambiance of the hall. As he drank, I almost felt as though the entire assembly was drinking in sync with him.

I stared at him, momentarily dazed, and then snapped back to reality. I quickly averted my gaze, covering my face with my sleeve, and hurriedly drank from my own cup. Just as I was flustered, the Empress, along with the Empress Dowager and the Phoenix Empress, entered the hall. The eunuchs announced their arrival from afar, and everyone hurriedly knelt and chanted “Long live the Empress.”

The corner of the Empress' golden robes brushed past me before stopping abruptly. My heart raced as I heard the Empress' somewhat stiff voice: “Master Shu, are your injuries improving?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now,” I replied.

The Empress didn’t seem very pleased and spoke with a hint of anger, “In this world, people are divided into different ranks. You’ve shown me that fate can indeed be very unequal. Some people, even for minor offenses, can only grow old in prison, while others, despite committing grave mistakes, face no consequences at all.”

Her words were pointed and clearly implied that my presence at the banquet was inappropriate. I felt extremely uncomfortable and quickly responded, “No matter who commits a crime, no one can defy the law. However, the law cannot be separated from human compassion. I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace and for distinguishing right from wrong. Before clearing my name, Your Majesty showed mercy by allowing me to recuperate in the palace. Your kindness is akin to that of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara!”

The Empress didn’t respond to me. With a sneer that seemed to mock, she turned and walked away. I suddenly understood her intentions behind allowing me into the palace and permitting my attendance at the banquet. She wanted the officials and courtiers to believe that my pardon was granted through the influence of the Shu family, implying that the Shu family, relying on their power, not only defied the law but also oppressed the ruler.

When I looked up, I indeed met with a barrage of hostile glances. Among the officials, lower-ranking ones were generally neutral and their opinions carried little weight. However, even small officials could accumulate into a significant force. The sheer volume of animosity directed at me left me feeling somewhat suffocated.

Fortunately, the Empress soon began the Spring Festival after making a few casual remarks of gratitude. The festival started with a ceremonial dance performed by priests, which drew most of the attention away from the tension in the room. Feeling some relief from the decreased hostility, I moved closer to Shen Ye. Amidst the sounds of the bell chimes and ceremonial music, I whispered, “Do you know the Empress' intentions?”

“I can guess,” he replied, his tone devoid of any emotion. “The Empress won’t act only once. This is just the beginning. Even if you hadn’t come to the banquet, the Empress would find other ways to achieve this.” He took a sip from his cup and continued, “The Shu family’s reputation won’t be preserved.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

“Can you communicate with my mother?” I asked. Shen Ye glanced quickly at my mother and then set down his cup. “Your mother is surrounded by the Empress' people. I’m not sure who they are, so I can’t take the risk. Moreover, it’s not the right time. Even if I approached your mother, she wouldn’t believe me.”

He was right; among the Shu family, only I would believe him.

Yet, at this moment, I wasn’t entirely sure about him either.

I fiddled with my wine cup, watching as the priests finished their dance and withdrew. The Empress stood up to deliver a speech, and then the banquet proceeded to the entertainment segment. Those who wished to perform had to submit their names for selection by the Empress. The list of performers was handed up, and everyone waited in tense silence for the Empress' choice.

“This year, there aren’t many volunteers,” the Empress said with a smile from the stage. The comment caught everyone's attention, as fewer volunteers meant a higher chance of being chosen. The Empress scanned the room and continued, “But the quality is much better than in previous years. General Bai Shaotang—” She elongated the name, and in the midst of surprised gasps from the crowd, she looked toward Bai Shaotang with anticipation, “General Bai has been guarding our border for over a decade, missing out on youthful experiences. Today, we give him a chance to relive those youthful moments. General Bai, please come up to the stage and add some color to our Spring Festival!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Bai Shaotang stood up, bowed in thanks, and then made his way to the stage.

The stage was quite high, but instead of using the stairs at the back, Bai Shaotang simply placed his hand on the platform and leaped up gracefully. His light and elegant demeanor drew applause and whistles from the crowd, making the scene lively.

He stood on the stage with his hands clasped behind his back. Palace attendants quickly brought out nine drums. During this break, Bai Shaotang addressed the Empress, “Your Majesty, I wish to perform a water sleeve dance, but I lack an accompanist. My wife, Lord Shu, is skilled in the guqin. May I invite Lord Shu to the stage to accompany me? This will also highlight the harmonious relationship between husband and wife, showcasing Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

As soon as he spoke, I understood his intention for the performance. However, the Empress would certainly ignore his request. The Empress took a sip of wine, speaking slowly, “It’s already a stretch for Lady Shu to attend the banquet today. General Bai’s concern for his wife is touching. There are many skilled guqin players here today. Su Rongqing,” the Emperor turned her gaze to him, speaking kindly, “I’ve heard you were quite skilled before your marriage. Why don’t you assist your brother today?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye maintained his composure and said, “Your Majesty, I also intend to perform today. If I play the guqin now…”

“Playing the guqin is just a minor help,” the Empress waved her hand, “It’s unreasonable to take away your chance because of it. I’m also curious to hear the guqin skills praised by the Recluse of Lonely Mountain.”

The Empress' remark shocked everyone. The Recluse of Lonely Mountain was known for his supreme guqin skills in Great Chu, and he was notoriously proud, never having praised anyone. The crowd was immediately stirred, and even I couldn’t help but glance at Shen Ye. Shen Ye’s expression remained unchanged as he stood and bowed, “Then I shall perform poorly.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

After saying this, Shen Ye went to the back of the hall and climbed onto the stage. He walked to the center of the stage where Bai Shaotang was already surrounded by nine drums, and the palace attendants had brought Bai Shaotang a long robe with water sleeves. Bai Shaotang pursed his lips, showing no further displeasure. Shen Ye sat down on the floor, placed the guqin before him, strummed a few strings, and looked up at Bai Shaotang, asking, “What piece would General Bai like?”

Bai Shaotang smiled, his anger barely concealed. Unable to challenge the Empress, he took out his frustration on Shen Ye. Gritting his teeth, he said, “No particular piece! Since Su Xiong is skilled in guqin, let him follow the beat of my drums!”

With that, Bai Shaotang turned and struck out with his water sleeves, forming a flower shape as the sound of his strike echoed. The crowd applauded, while Shen Ye, with his head lowered and eyes focused on his guqin, calmly plucked the first string without changing his expression.

Listening to the drums and the guqin requires exceptional skill. While it's easier if there's a ready-made piece to follow, without one, it’s almost like composing on the spot. Observing the unusual atmosphere between the two men made my heart race a little faster.

The water sleeve drum dance demands flexibility and grace, blending softness with strength to highlight the dancer’s agility and beauty. However, Bai Shaotang’s performance was anything but ordinary. He set aside the graceful poses of traditional water sleeve dance, maintaining agility but with an air of martial aggression.

His initial movements were slow, each sweep of the sleeves hitting the drum with a deep, resonant sound. The guqin’s notes followed, creating a weighty and dense atmosphere, reminiscent of the endless sands of the desert stretching to the horizon, with the morning sun casting light upon the ancient, weathered walls of a border fortress.

As the drums’ rhythm quickened, Bai Shaotang’s form shifted, his entire body seeming to vibrate. He began rhythmically striking the drum's edge with the water sleeves, producing a lighter, more vibrant beat. The guqin’s notes transitioned smoothly, akin to sunlight gradually illuminating the ancient city.

The sun rose, bringing life to the city. There was bustling activity: vendors calling out, pedestrians stopping and starting, young girls laughing as they passed by. A youth, seen through a gap in the gate, whistled playfully at the sight of bedding airing in the courtyard.

Suddenly, the guqin’s melody changed. The drumbeat became deep and urgent, mirroring a scene of chaos. The dance intensified, reflecting a battlefield outside the city walls, flames spreading, and people running and crying out. Soldiers clashed with fierce determination, while the girl who had been whistling now rode out with a gun, charging into the fray against the enemy forces.

The drumbeats grew increasingly urgent, and Bai Shaotang’s movements quickened, intertwining with the guqin’s notes, creating a rhythm that made hearts race.

The soldiers surged forward like a tidal wave, while the lone girl faced them alone.

I felt my eyes welling up. The ancient city walls on the border, stained with blood, reflected the setting sun’s crimson hues.

A thunderous crash ended the drumbeat abruptly, yet the guqin’s melody continued, weaving a mournful love song that resonated deeply. Bai Shaotang, kneeling and bowing, struck a pose of defeat, reminiscent of a young girl overwhelmed by a sea of enemies, evoking a deep sense of sorrow.

As the guqin’s melody faded, Bai Shaotang rose and resumed the initial dance steps. The water sleeves now lightly tapped the first drum, his final stance frozen in a delicate floral pose. The guqin’s last notes lingered, full of melancholy.

The hall remained silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous applause. I came back to my senses, and the Emperor also applauded, nodding and saying, “Lord Bai and Lord Su are indeed extraordinary talents. This dance and music are worthy of them.”

Everyone echoed the praise. Bai Shaotang, smiling, bowed and looked at me with eyes full of pride. Observing this, Shen Ye remained silent but summoned a palace servant and whispered something in their ear.

After a while, the enthusiasm for the dance and music finally began to wane. The Empress turned to Shen Ye and said gently, “Young Master Su, you need not step down. Perform your piece directly.”

This announcement drew sighs from the crowd.

Following such a performance, it was inevitable that others would seem less impressive. However, Shen Ye showed no signs of embarrassment. He stood quietly on stage, his hands clasped in his sleeves, his expression calm. Bai Shaotang had already stepped down, and Shen Cong appeared from somewhere, carrying a pair of wooden clogs and a platform onto the stage. The murmurs in the audience suggested that Shen Cong's appearance, though not yet fully matured, was still striking. Shen Ye and Bai Shaotang's looks were already well-known, and Shen Cong’s arrival drew further attention.

Shen Cong walked gracefully toward Shen Ye and placed the wooden clogs in front of him. Shen Ye removed his shoes and donned the clogs, while Shen Cong sat down and took the guqin on his lap.

“Today’s Spring Festival, all present are noble gentlemen. I, of humble talent, will perform a dance to entertain you.”

As he spoke, the candles in the hall were extinguished, and a click was heard. The crowd was astonished, as moonlight began to pour through the skylight above the stage.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

The hall had been specially designed with the effect of the stage in mind. When it was built, the designers had incorporated a skylight above the stage. Now, with the hall dimmed, the moonlight streamed in through the skylight, bathing the stage and the two performers in its glow.

Both were dressed in white robes, but Shen Ye's robe, illuminated by moonlight, seemed to ripple with the silver light. The moonlight enveloped him, casting a halo around him. Though his features were already delicate, in the moonlight, combined with his composed and aloof demeanor, he appeared as though he were a celestial being fallen to earth, making it difficult to look away. 

All eyes were drawn to him; he had merely to stand there, and he captivated everyone’s attention.

The sound of the guqin began to flow gently, and Shen Ye raised his hand, causing his wide sleeves to ripple like waves. This gesture, reminiscent of brushing off dust, was particularly graceful.

The music was soft and distant, evoking a sense of far-reaching tranquility. He lifted his hand, placing it in front of his chest, and clapped lightly. As he clapped, his feet began to move in rhythm, with the sound of the wooden clogs on the floor and the clapping blending with his singing.

“Zhan bi Qi Ao, lv zhu yi yi. You fei jun zi, ru qie ru cuo, ru zhuo ru mo.” His voice was soft but extremely pleasant, evoking the rustling of bamboo forests. It felt as if he was not on stage but in a bamboo grove under the moonlight.

I held my wine cup, momentarily forgetting everything, staring at him in a daze. His eyes were cold, his demeanor composed; he moved gracefully, his steps light and flowing, as if he were a stream of water gliding across the stage with the music.

“Se xi xi, he xi kai xi. You fei jun zi, zhong bu ke xuan xi.” 

He turned his body, the sound of the footboard blending with the guqin music, as if treading on the hearts of the audience.

His expression, like ice and water, penetrated my heart and stung my eyes. I followed his movements, feeling that the person before me seemed unreal, unattainable.

High mountains and white snow, heavenly music halls. Is the gentleman’s heart truly as cold as jade?

“Zhan bi Qi Ao, lv zhu qing qing. You fei jun zi, chong er xiu ying, hui bian ru xing.”

He raised his sleeves, which seemed to carry the wind. As he stepped and turned, the beads and jewels around his crown swayed, mirroring the rise and fall of the viewers’ hearts.

I stared at him in a daze until someone nudged me, and a note fell into my hand. I took a deep breath and recalled the reason for Shen Ye’s performance.

“Eighteen.” Bai Shaotang whispered. I looked at Shen Ye’s dance and discreetly passed the note to him.

After exchanging notes, the presence of others behind me faded. I clutched the note tightly, placing it into a hidden pocket, and finally relaxed, taking a sip of my wine and continuing to watch Shen Ye.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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