Spring Gazing Garden was the imperial residence built by the Emperor for Imperial Concubine Zhao, located in the western suburbs of the capital. Initially, the two spent more than half of each year here, but in recent years, the Emperor's health had declined, and he no longer left the palace, finding it too taxing to move about.
The Third Prince, who loved reading, requested Spring Gazing Garden from the Emperor and moved out of the imperial palace to reside there. He thrived in this environment, becoming increasingly engrossed in his studies. Finding solitary reading insufficiently stimulating, he decided to organize a literary gathering.
In the imperial garden of the palace during spring, blossoms flourished abundantly. Within a pavilion veiled by curtains on all sides, the silhouette of a reclining figure could be glimpsed. A group of eunuchs and court musicians holding various instruments had withdrawn to the side, their performance clearly interrupted.
Few could disrupt the Emperor's enjoyment of music and dance—aside from the Imperial Concubine, the Crown Prince, and the Third Prince.
"Father, I've already decided that the rewards for the event should be uniquely conceived," declared a young man in his early twenties. His features were delicate, his complexion somewhat pale, and his hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin. His robes were loose and ill-fitting, as if he had hastily thrown them on to rush over. Yet, as he spoke, he gestured animatedly, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"As for the rewards—prizes of gold, silver, or jewels would be inappropriate. Rare books or treasured manuscripts? Or perhaps... a handwritten scroll by you, Father?"
The Emperor, who seemed to have been dozing in the pavilion, grunted. "You're hosting the literary gathering—why should I provide the rewards?"
The Third Prince laughed. "Naturally, because you are the most erudite."
The Emperor sneered. "Is that so? I've heard you told others that my scholarship is poor, that I'm unskilled in poetry and prose."
The Third Prince scratched his head. "Did I say that? I don't recall. But Father, your literary talents really aren't that impressive."
The eunuchs on either side maintained composed expressions, accustomed to the Third Prince's—audacity.
With a thud, an empty wine jar was hurled out from behind the curtain. Fortunately, it was empty, leaving only the scent of wine as it struck the Third Prince.
"Get out!" the Emperor barked. "What's so impressive about reading a few books? Look at yourself—even a useless old scholar has more vigor than you."
Unfazed by his father's anger, the Third Prince frowned. "How could I be useless? My tutors all praise my scholarship. Father, aren't you just jealous?"
The Third Prince showed no concern about angering the Emperor, and the eunuchs remained equally unperturbed, standing calmly with bowed heads.
In the distance, two figures approached slowly. They saw fruit plates being thrown from the pavilion as the Third Prince, kneeling outside, ducked and covered his head.
One of them, robust and dressed in fine robes with a ruddy complexion, boomed with a resonant voice, "Third Brother, are you provoking Father again?"
With a few strides, he stepped forward and hauled the Third Prince to his feet.
Though only five or six years older and of similar height, he lifted the Third Prince with ease.
"Let go of me!" the Third Prince shouted angrily.
The man chuckled and released him.
The Third Prince shook his sleeves in fury. "Such disgrace to refinement! Is this how a Crown Prince should behave?"
The eunuchs, who had been about to step forward to pay respects, now stood firmly in place, bowing their heads even lower.
The man—the Crown Prince—showed no anger but retorted disdainfully, "And you—how are you fit to be Father's son? Refinement, refinement—can refinement secure the empire?"
The Third Prince grew even angrier, sneering, "What does the empire have to do with me!"
As the brothers' exchange grew increasingly improper, the Emperor behind the curtain spoke up. However, he did not interrupt them but called out to the other person, "A Xun, come, come inside and sit."The two eunuchs finally stirred, shuffling forward to draw aside the gauze curtains, revealing the Emperor reclining within.
The Emperor bore a strong resemblance to the Third Prince, both possessing delicate features, but he had aged, his cheeks gaunt, exuding not only frailty but also a sense of decay.
Xiao Xun, who had arrived with the Crown Prince and now stood a few steps away, hurriedly bowed in greeting: "Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
His memory of the Emperor remained from childhood, when His Majesty had been a vibrant middle-aged man.
"No need for such formality. There are no strict rules in my presence," the Emperor said mildly. "Your propriety only makes these two appear even more ill-mannered."
The remark left Xiao Xun at a loss for how to respond, momentarily flustered.
The Crown Prince laughed heartily: "Father, if you wish to scold us, just do so. Don't frighten A Xun." So saying, he grabbed Xiao Xun's arm. "Come, come, sit with me."
Xiao Xun wished to decline but lacked the strength to resist, allowing himself to be dragged by the Crown Prince into the pavilion, where they sat together beside the Emperor.
"Father, has Third Brother been bothering you again?" the Crown Prince said. "I heard even while stationed with the army that Third Brother wants to start some literary society. It seems he not only wishes to go mad himself but also intends to drag all the scholars in the capital down with him."
The Third Prince flared up in anger: "You're the one who's mad! This is about scholarship—scholarship, the most sublime pursuit in the world!"
The Emperor ignored them, turning to Xiao Xun with a faint smile: "The Crown Prince told me you arrived in the capital several days ago, but I've been unwell and haven't been able to receive you until now."
Xiao Xun bowed again: "Your servant was aware of Your Majesty's poor health and wished to pay his respects but dared not disturb. The Crown Prince has already accompanied me to offer obeisance outside Your Majesty's palace."
The Emperor made a vague sound of acknowledgment, his eyes slightly hazy with intoxication: "What was your purpose in coming to the capital again?"
"Father, I already told you," the Crown Prince interjected before Xiao Xun could reply. "He assisted the Commandant's office with a minor matter, and as ill luck would have it, bandits emerged within the borders, causing significant unrest. He escorted the captives to the capital and has come to the court to accept punishment." He pointed at Xiao Xun. "You're far too cautious. What is there to be punished for? Besides, you needn't come to the court for that—you could have just led your men to eradicate those bandits completely."
Xiao Xun hastily responded: "Your Highness, I have already dispatched men to suppress the bandits. Before entering the capital, I received word that the bandits have been utterly annihilated, with their leader's head displayed on the city gate as a warning."
The Crown Prince shook his head regretfully: "What's the point if others do the killing? For such matters, you should go yourself." He swung his arm, stirring a gust of wind. "Only by severing the bandit chief's head with your own hands can it be called truly impressive."
Xiao Xun forced a smile: "Though I do not fear bandits, I am truly unsuited for such slaughter."
The Crown Prince pinched Xiao Xun's arm: "I remember you were quite fond of martial arts as a child. After all these years, how have you not built any strength? You've let it lapse. Don't end up like Third Brother here—"
The Third Prince sneered: "Those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle, take the enemy's fortress without assault, and crush the enemy's state without prolonged warfare—"
Before he could finish, the Emperor, who had been half-drunk and detached, suddenly snapped: "Silence!" He grabbed the nearest object—having already thrown most within reach—and hurled his shoe at the Third Prince.
"After a few days of reading, you dare lecture the Crown Prince?" he scolded. "Shall I yield this throne to you instead?"
The Third Prince dodged the shoe, indignant: "Father, that is not what I meant! You are twisting my words!"The Crown Prince was not angered and laughed heartily, "Father Emperor, Third Brother is not actually lecturing me. He's merely putting on airs and acting self-important. There's no need for you to be angry with him."
The Emperor snorted coldly and refrained from grabbing another shoe to throw.
The Third Prince shook out his disheveled robes, "I had genuinely planned this grand event hoping to invite Father Emperor to share in the joy, but seeing how things stand now, forget it, forget it."
The Crown Prince smiled, "Third Brother, don't be impatient. I shall attend to show my support."
The Third Prince showed no appreciation, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please do not bring a crowd of military men to disturb my literary gathering." Having said this, he bowed and kowtowed, "Your son takes his leave."
Without waiting for the Emperor's permission, he rose and strode away, sleeves fluttering.
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