Chapter 34: White Deer Grotto Academy

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Zhao Han looked up and saw Gu Tingye lounging contentedly in the private chamber, attended by Eleven Lady, second only to Chief Courtesan Wei at Guangyun Terrace.

As Zhao stepped into the chamber, Gu Tingye set down his wine cup and rose to greet him, beaming. “If you had been any later, Brother Zhao, I would have had Stone go and fetch you personally!”

Eleven Lady rose gracefully as well. After giving a courteous bow, she personally poured two cups of wine for them.

“You jest, Brother Zhonghuai. How could I possibly be late today?” Zhao Han said with a smile, cupping his hands before taking his seat.

This was the finest private chamber in Guangyun Terrace, decorated with both sumptuousness and refined elegance.

From here, one could take in the songs, dances, and music filling the entire establishment.

The literati who prided themselves on their refinement, along with the young gentlemen dressed in splendid silks, had all made an especially impressive appearance today. They gathered in twos and threes, casting occasional glances toward the stage.

“Oh? Yuanruo has come today as well!”

Gu Tingye narrowed his eyes at a young man not far away, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and holding a folding fan.

He took the initiative to introduce him. “Brother Zhao, that is the only son of the Duke of Qi and Princess Pingning.”

“Her Highness the Princess usually guards him as carefully as her own eyes. This is the first time I have ever seen him come to a place like this.”

Zhao Han followed the direction of Gu Tingye’s gaze.

Qi Heng looked no older than fourteen or fifteen. His appearance was much as Zhao had expected, and every movement he made revealed an air of noble refinement and scholarly grace.

Noticing their eyes upon him, Qi Heng rose calmly and entered the private chamber with his page, Bu Wei.

He cupped his hands toward Gu Tingye. “Second Uncle Gu.”

“You call me Second Uncle all day long and make me sound ancient.”

Though Gu Tingye pretended to complain, amusement shone in his eyes. He reached out and patted Qi Heng on the shoulder. “By the way, this is Young Master Zhao Han. The poem ‘Mulan Blossom’ being performed today was written by him!”

Princess Pingning was named Gu Tingwan. She was born into the Marquis of Xiangyang’s household and belonged to the same generation as Gu Tingye. In her youth, she had even been adopted by the Emperor and Empress.

The first Marquis of Xiangyang and the Marquis of Ningyuan had been brothers by blood, and their two families had maintained a close relationship, practically as one household.

When the second Marquis of Xiangyang inherited the title, he had no sons. For reasons unknown, he refused to adopt an heir from the line of the Marquis of Ningyuan, despite that branch being the closest to him by blood. Instead, he chose a descendant from the Gu clan in their ancestral home, a boy already three degrees removed from the direct family line.

Because of this, the households of Xiangyang and Ningyuan grew estranged. In time, even their customary visits during the festivals ceased.

After all, by ordinary custom, the second Marquis of Xiangyang should have chosen a nephew from the line of the Marquis of Ningyuan, his closest blood relatives, to inherit the title.

Qi Heng, however, continued to show Gu Tingye every courtesy. Whenever they met, he respectfully addressed him as Second Uncle, never allowing the grievances of their forebears to weigh upon his heart. Gu Tingye naturally felt the same.

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Qi Heng had always loved poetry. Upon hearing this, he turned toward Zhao Han, his gaze clear and courteous.

“I have long heard that the author of this poem is a candidate who came from Yangzhou. Now that I have finally met you in person, I see that you are indeed extraordinary. Your writing truly reflects your character. Young Master Zhao, please accept Yuanruo’s respects!”

With that, Qi Heng actually raised his hands and bowed deeply.

Zhao Han hurriedly reached out to support him. “I am merely a poor scholar from a humble family. I could never accept such a grand gesture from the Young Duke.”

Gu Tingye watched the two of them with great interest and drawled, “One of you is blessed with astonishing literary talent, while the other is steeped in learning. What are you two still refusing each other for? Sit down and have a drink together.”

Only then did the two young men laugh and take their seats.

At the third quarter past the hour of Xu, a melodious qin filled the surroundings, soothing the clamor throughout the hall.

Everyone looked up and saw Chief Courtesan Wei seated upright in the private chamber. The beaded curtain was raised halfway, leaving her graceful figure half-hidden and half-revealed.

As the prelude drew to an end, she lifted her chin slightly and parted her vermilion lips. Her voice was unlike the saccharine softness of ordinary singing girls. It was clear and graceful, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, striking directly at the heart.

When the song ended, its lingering notes still seemed to circle beneath the rafters. Every guest sat enthralled, intoxicated and unable to tear themselves away.

After a long while, a scholar in blue robes clapped his hands in praise. “Marvelous—simply marvelous! The lyrics are exquisite, and the singing is equally sublime. Such a song belongs in Heaven alone!”

“As expected of Chief Courtesan Wei! That voice of hers—not merely in the Imperial Music Bureau, but throughout the whole of Great Zhou, I doubt one could find a second like it!”

“Coming here today was truly worthwhile. This song will surely spread from one end of the empire to the other.”

“And so on.”

Amid the crowd’s praise, Chief Courtesan Wei rose gracefully, a smile upon her lips. Her eyes instinctively turned toward Zhao Han.

Seeing the admiration in his expression, her heart stirred. Her lashes trembled lightly, and she bestowed upon him a radiant, knowing smile.

Gu Tingye, wine cup in hand, could not resist teasing him when he saw this.

“I believe Chief Courtesan Wei has taken you for a kindred spirit, Brother Zhao. You must not disappoint her!”

“What nonsense are you talking about? You know perfectly well what sort of person Chief Courtesan Wei is.”

With that, Zhao Han quickly withdrew his gaze.

Bu Wei, the page who had been standing beside Qi Heng all this while, bent forward and said, “Young Duke, we ought to be leaving. If Her Highness the Princess discovers that you are not at home, she will surely fly into a rage.”

Among the powerful and noble families of Bianjing, many people mocked the Duke of Qi’s household as nothing more than an empty shell.

Princess Pingning knew all too well that the Qi family’s line was thin, and that the Duke of Qi possessed a title but no real power.

She had neither brothers to rely upon nor a father and the Emperor who would remain forever young.

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Thus, she placed all her hopes in Qi Heng.

Regardless of spring, summer, autumn, or winter, while the sons of other dukes, marquises, and princes went out to walk their birds and tease their dogs, Qi Heng was always kept in the study, where she made him read.

Even now, he did not have a single personal maid in the courtyard, much less permission to visit a pleasure house such as this.

Qi Heng turned his head to check the time. After letting out a soft sigh, he said, “Second Uncle Gu, Young Master Zhao, I shall take my leave first.”

“Another day, I will host you myself and ask Young Master Zhao to share his learning with me properly!”

After Qi Heng departed, Gu Tingye raised his cup and drained it in one swallow. Lowering his voice, he said, “Brother Zhao, I have neither argued with Father recently nor done anything wrong enough to earn punishment.”

“I have faintly sensed that Little Madam Qin’s attitude toward me is no longer what it once was.”

“A few days ago, I went to pay my respects, and she actually claimed to be unwell and refused even to show her face. Never, in all the years I can remember, has such a thing happened.”

Zhao Han’s eyes darkened. “I had already anticipated this.”

“After all, now that you have chosen the proper path, the plans she has spent years laying will be ruined.”

Gu Tingye nodded, clearly agreeing.

“To be honest, Brother Zhao, I have thought about it a great deal these past few days. I truly should not continue idling about Bianjing.”

“Last night, I told Father that I wished to carry on the Gu family legacy and pursue a military career. I never expected him to reject me outright.”

“He ordered me to study at White Deer Grotto Academy first. If I cannot pass the provincial examination after several years, I may return and pursue the military path.”

At this, Zhao Han’s eyes brightened.

White Deer Grotto Academy was the foremost of Great Zhou’s six great academies, a place of study countless scholars dreamed of entering.

He said, “Marquis Gu is far-sighted. Even if you would rather pursue a military career, it can never hurt to read more. Besides, White Deer Grotto Academy produces outstanding talents year after year, and countless of its students succeed in the provincial and metropolitan examinations.”

“Since even you say so, Brother Zhao, I shall agree to Father’s wishes as soon as I return home.”

As Gu Tingye spoke, his gaze was deep and solemn, utterly unlike the dissolute young nobleman he had once appeared to be.

Zhao Han added, “However, Zhonghuai, once you go to White Deer Grotto Academy, you must keep far away from feminine charms. It would be best to cleanse your heart and curb your desires.”