#22: Beyond the Material World (V)

The old Marquis Fengping had amassed a fortune through his dealings in the salt and iron trade, leaving his descendants a substantial inheritance. By the time the title passed to the current Marquis Fengping, Lin Kuishan, the family’s prominence had waned, with few members entering officialdom. Nevertheless, they managed to maintain their vast estate and secure their hereditary peerage through ancestral connections and mutual protection among officials.

Though Lin Kuishan lacked talent in governance, he excelled in commerce and accumulating wealth. With keen insight, he had long ago formed a matrimonial alliance with Yu Qiushi, now the Chief Minister. As Yu Qiushi rose to power, so did the Lin family, becoming one of the wealthiest noble households in Bianjing.

However, Yu Qiushi was well aware that Lin Kuishan was greedy and short-sighted, rarely discussing court affairs with him.

That day, Yu Qiushi recounted Ye Tingyan’s past association with Shen Sui to Song Lan. To his surprise, Song Lan responded indifferently with a simple, “I understand,” showing no further reaction.

Yu Qiushi realized he had encountered a formidable opponent, leaving him troubled. Just then, as he arrived at the racetrack, he unexpectedly ran into Lin Kuishan.

Lin Kuishan pulled him aside and immediately declared his intention to send one of his daughters to the palace.

Though Yu Suiyun could be willful at home, she was raised with proper education and charm, knowing how to navigate palace politics. Even after years in the palace, she maintained an innocent demeanor, earning the Empress Dowager’s tolerance.

But Lin Kuishan’s children—sons and daughters alike—were arrogant and ambitious. Even his eldest daughter, married into the Yu family, quarreled constantly with her husband until time smoothed her rough edges. Such personalities would not survive the cutthroat competition of the palace; within days, the Empress Dowager would crush them utterly, possibly implicating their family.

Unaware of Yu Qiushi’s displeasure, Lin Kuishan eagerly whispered, “In the days of Crown Prince Chengming, he disdained cunning tactics and sought to curb the power of influential families, relying heavily on the Su clan. Back then, we had no prospects. But Your Excellency foresaw the rise of His Majesty, guiding him from obscurity to greatness—a monumental achievement.”

“Though His Majesty heeds your counsel, the Empress Dowager remains loyal to the Su family, opposing you at every turn—”

Yu Qiushi interrupted sharply, “An De, careless words invite trouble.”

Lin Kuishan awkwardly smiled, feigning remorse. “Forgive me, Your Excellency. My point is this: though our families appear stable, we tread on thin ice. We must always prepare for contingencies.”

He slapped his mouth as a gesture of apology. “I hear His Majesty recently favors Ye Tingyan from Youzhou, even dismissing Lu Fengying. We owe our prosperity to His Majesty’s grace. We cannot let some upstart snatch it away. Though His Majesty is young and may dislike the advice of older men, what if we place a virtuous youth in his service?”

Seeing Yu Qiushi’s reluctance to allow the Lin daughters into the palace, Lin Kuishan swiftly pivoted, suggesting instead to secretly promote young officials to rival Ye Tingyan’s favor.

His words were measured and flawless, unlike his usual brashness.

Yu Qiushi paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. “These ideas… surely didn’t originate from An De alone?”

Lin Kuishan’s forced smile faltered before he chuckled sheepishly. “Your Excellency’s wisdom surpasses mine. Today’s horse race has drawn a talented scholar seeking advancement. Knowing my own limitations, I feared I couldn’t recognize a true gem. Hence, I came to ask if Your Excellency would see him.”

Yu Qiushi, initially irritated, became intrigued by this self-recommended scholar.

Before he could respond, the distant announcement of the imperial procession echoed. Turning, he saw Song Lan and Luo Wei take their seats.

Lin Kuishan hurried forward, bowing deeply before presenting a lavish prize to Song Lan, showering him with flattery.

The prize was a sword.

Crafted years ago by skilled artisans, it was modeled after the legendary sword Chun Jun from The Book of Yue , said to have been forged by heaven and earth. The hilt depicted mountains and rivers; the scabbard bore sun, moon, and stars. Though inferior to its mythical counterpart, it was still a fine blade.

More importantly, Chun Jun was historically associated with King Goujian of Yue.

Lin Kuishan, privy to the infamous Citang Incident, subtly hinted at Song Lan’s years of hardship culminating in his triumphant rise to power.

As expected, Song Lan’s expression brightened, clearly pleased.

Others might not grasp the significance, but Luo Wei understood perfectly, inwardly scoffing while maintaining a neutral facade. “Marquis Fengping is indeed generous. Crafting such a sword must have cost more than ten thousand gold pieces, yet you offer it so freely as a prize.”

Lin Kuishan returned the sword to the table, oblivious to Luo Wei’s veiled sarcasm, proudly declaring, “Your Highness flatters me. This sword indeed required great effort. I searched far and wide for master craftsmen, melting furnaces thousands of times to forge this masterpiece.”

Yu Qiushi glanced behind him. Fortunately, most officials were engrossed in discussions or too far away to overhear.

Song Lan glanced at Luo Wei, seeing her composed demeanor as mere jest, and suppressed his unease. “Very well, let the games begin.”

Turning to her, he asked, “Didn’t you say you wished to participate?”

Luo Wei waved her folding fan lazily. “I’ve grown weary from all the talking. Allow me to rest awhile and let these young talents compete first.”

Song Lan laughed. “True. If you joined now, where would the excitement lie?”

Eager youths from Bianjing vied for the chance to compete, galloping across the verdant fields. Without designated targets, they practiced shooting at willow branches and leaves, drawing gasps and cheers from the ladies watching nearby.

Soon, targets were set up, and the archery contest proceeded as usual under the supervision of eunuchs.

From afar, Luo Wei noticed Ye Tingyan standing near the edge of the field, conversing with a fellow censor who had discovered the hidden corpse in the Western Garden. He had changed back into his crimson official robes, upright and dignified, wearing a black cap with crossed ribbons and neatly groomed hair.

It was as though the figure she had met earlier in the forest was merely an apparition.

Just as she glanced over, a sudden commotion erupted in the field.

A horse, startled for unknown reasons, violently shook its head, throwing off its rider and charging wildly. Another rider, unprepared, was thrown off balance, clinging desperately to the saddle and crying for help. Chaos ensued.

Competitors fled in fear, and Lin Kuishan, horrified, realized the remaining rider was his second son, Lin Zhao, a notorious wastrel in Bianjing.

The rampaging horse posed mortal danger. Falling was common, but being thrown from a frenzied gallop could result in severe injury or death.

Lin Kuishan rushed out of his seat, nearly stumbling at the railing, shouting hoarsely, “Where are the horse trainers? Where are they?”

Amidst the chaos, Luo Wei rose alongside Song Lan, taking a few steps forward. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ye Tingyan standing calmly, unfurling his fan as he caught her gaze.

The fan was pure white, save for a single drop of blood splattered across it.

Could this be… the grand gift he intended to deliver?

Song Lan exclaimed beside her, “Can the horse trainers subdue it? Its sudden rampage is terrifying.”

Luo Wei replied dismissively, “The trainers here are skilled. They can tame any wild horse. Your Majesty need not worry.”

Moments later, a trainer dressed as a guard hurried to the field’s edge, whistling sharply. The horse reacted slightly but continued its frenzied pace, causing Lin Zhao to scream for help.

Realizing the situation was dire, the trainer leapt over the fence directly into the field. After several more whistles, he seized the moment when the horse approached, grabbing the reins and vaulting onto its back, holding tightly to its neck as they galloped together.

The surrounding spectators gasped in awe and admiration.

The trainer secured Lin Zhao with his jade belt, shielding him. Terrified, Lin Zhao clung to him, stammering, “Save me, and I’ll reward you handsomely!”

Seeing the crisis contained, Lin Kuishan wiped his brow in relief, collapsing back into his seat.

But suddenly, the horse paused briefly before erupting into an even more violent frenzy. This time, instead of aimless collision, it turned sharply, charging straight toward Song Lan and Luo Wei.

Effortlessly leaping over the imperial railing, the horse’s rider drew the sword named “Chun Jun” from the table with a sharp ring.

Though ceremonial swords were traditionally unsharpened, this blade had been honed to a gleaming edge.

Drawing a weapon in the emperor’s presence was a capital offense!

“Golden Sky Guards, protect His Majesty!”

Luo Wei snapped out of her daze, swiftly seizing a guard’s dagger and stepping in front of Song Lan.

In that fleeting moment, a surge of exhilaration coursed through her—an illicit thrill at the thought of assassination.

—If only the timing were better.

—If only they were closer.

Even if the initial strike failed, she could exploit the ensuing chaos to deliver the final blow.

Yet, almost instantly, she suppressed these treacherous thoughts.

Song Lan could not die.

At least… not yet.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, Ye Tingyan watched as Luo Wei fearlessly placed herself between Song Lan and danger.

His expression darkened slightly. Beside him, Pei Xi handed him a bow, whispering urgently, “My lord… this is futile!”

Ye Tingyan took the bow, pulling the string taut despite the dull pain from his wounded shoulder reopening.

Aiming carefully, his eyes stung, perhaps from prolonged exposure to the sun.

With a slight tremor, the arrow flew, hurtling straight toward the imperial platform.

To Ye Tingyan’s surprise, just as his arrow left the bow, another shot rang out from the opposite direction.

Both arrows struck true—one piercing the horse’s right eye, the other its left leg. With a loud neigh, the horse collapsed, throwing both riders violently to the ground.