The red invitation, tied with a bright yellow tassel cord, was adorned with golden foil cloud patterns inside, exuding a sense of grandeur but lacking the refined elegance of a scholar.
This prince really loved hosting banquets.
Just yesterday, he had held a literary gathering, and today he was hosting another.
Chen Ji returned to the clinic with the invitation in hand.
Liu Quxing approached him, saying, "What a beautiful invitation... but it’s best if you don’t go to the one Chunhua sent you."
As he spoke, he glanced at She Dengke and muttered softly, "I don’t mean anything by it, just reminding Chen Ji that there might be danger."
She Dengke remained silent, his head lowered.
At that moment, Liang Gou’er also came over, reeking of alcohol.
"It’s the literary gathering this afternoon... Why did they only send you the invitation this morning?"
She Dengke asked in a muffled voice, "Is there a problem with that?"
Liang Gou’er explained smugly, "Of course there’s a problem. Hosting a banquet follows the rule of 'three invitations.' The first invitation should be sent three days before the event; the second, on the morning of the banquet; and the third, one hour before it begins. Sending an invitation three days in advance is called 'inviting guests,' but sending it on the same day is called 'grabbing guests,' which means you’re just there to fill the seats!"
"Oh," Chen Ji nodded, but he didn’t seem to care.
Liang Gou’er quickly added, "If you go to a banquet where they’re just grabbing guests, people will look down on you. Why don’t I go in your place?"
Chen Ji replied, "... Your scheming is so obvious it’s hitting me in the face."
He then turned to Liu Quxing and She Dengke.
"As Senior Brother Liu mentioned, I offended Consort Jing when I was treating patients at Wanxing Garden. I need to go and clear up the misunderstanding. You two don’t need to come. I’ll go alone."
The backyard fell silent.
Liu Quxing seemed hesitant, but She Dengke stepped forward.
"I’ll go with you. If anything happens, I can help."
After saying that, She Dengke turned to Liu Quxing.
"Are you coming?"
Liu Quxing’s eyes darted around.
"Why are you looking at me like that... Of course I’ll go. It’s not like you’re the only one who’s loyal. But we don’t have proper clothes for a banquet like this. Everyone there will be scholars and nobles. We’ll look out of place... I’m not making excuses, but we should go buy some decent clothes first. If we’re going, we should go in style."
She Dengke muttered, "I don’t have any money."
Liu Quxing gritted his teeth.
"I’ll lend you some. You can pay me back next month!"
Liang Gou’er clicked his tongue in amazement.
"The three of you sticking together like this... I can actually see a bit of the martial world’s spirit in you. Rare, rare."
Liang Mao’er, worried that Chen Ji might give up on learning the sword, quickly added, "Keep practicing with my brother. Maybe one day, legends about you will spread in the martial world."
But Liang Gou’er chuckled and teased, "Mao’er, that’s not a good thing to say. There are no living legends in the martial world. You only become a legend after you’re dead. Young men, the chivalry of the martial world has already been broken. Don’t listen to my brother’s nonsense."
Liang Mao’er pushed Liang Gou’er into the house.
"Brother, stop talking so much!"
...
At three in the afternoon, Liu Quxing was dressed in a neat green robe, his hair tied up neatly with a net, wearing a cherry-patterned hat and Chenqiao shoes.
Chen Ji looked at him.
Somehow, the shifty-eyed Liu Quxing managed to pull off the look of an official, especially with that black gauze hat on his head.
She Dengke’s attire was simpler, just like Chen Ji’s, with only a hairpin in his hair and newly bought cloth clothes.
The three of them arrived at the side gate of the prince’s mansion and handed over their invitations.
The sturdy servant who received them immediately led them respectfully to the Feibai Pond in the back garden.
Along the way, the servant reminded them, "Please stay in the back garden and do not wander into the women’s quarters."
Liu Quxing quickly responded, "Don’t worry, ma’am, we won’t."
As they walked deeper into the garden, they could hear the scholars and literati engaged in lively discussions amidst the sound of music.
One man declared loudly, "In my opinion, the cavalry of the Jing Dynasty is nothing to fear. It’s already autumn, and they’ve been stuck at the Chongli Pass for so long. They’re exhausted and will soon retreat. Even if they try to break through, our Great Ning’s cannons and firearms will make sure they regret it."
"Exactly! The biggest threat to our country isn’t the Jing Dynasty, but the eunuchs! If I pass the imperial exams this time, I’ll definitely explain to the emperor the dangers of eunuchs meddling in politics!"
"With Brother Lin’s talent, you’re sure to be the top scorer in the provincial exams and the imperial exams!"
The first man quickly humbled himself.
"This year’s top scorer will undoubtedly be Chen Wenzong. He’s been the favorite of the teachers at Donglin Academy for the past three years."
Liu Quxing muttered under his breath, "They’re really full of themselves. Talking about being top scorers like it’s something they can just hand out."
By the Feibai Pond, dozens of low tables were set up, with bamboo mats on the ground.
The scholars and literati were seated on the mats.
Not far away, six small wooden pavilions were set up, their curtains drawn to shield the occupants from view.
Presumably, the ladies were seated inside.
Liu Quxing quietly asked the servant leading them, "Excuse me, ma’am, are there any young ladies here today?"
The servant replied, "Yes, sir, there are about seven or eight noble ladies here."
Liu Quxing, addressed as 'sir,' immediately straightened his back and adjusted his clothes before taking a seat at an empty table.
He whispered, "My mother once told me that when they hold these literary gatherings, the noble families often bring their daughters to see if there’s anyone suitable. If you’re chosen, it’s like skipping ten years of hardship."
Chen Ji sighed, "Senior Brother Liu, you really don’t want to take any detours, do you?"
The tables were arranged in three rows, seemingly based on the guests’ status, with the most important people seated in the middle and the less important ones at the back.
The three of them sat together in the last row.
She Dengke looked around, searching for Chunhua, while Liu Quxing quietly poked Chen Ji.
"Look at the first row across from us. Your two older brothers are there."
Chen Ji looked over and saw Chen Wenzong sitting upright, discussing his ideas with the others.
He advocated for the court to open up to more opinions and revitalize the government.
Even among the scholars and talents, Chen Wenzong stood out like a shining pearl.
Looking over at the pavilions, it seemed several girls were peeking through the curtains at Chen Wenzong.
As for his other older brother, Chen Wenxiao, he was slouching in his seat, his gaze wandering.
When he was on horseback earlier, he didn’t seem so out of place, but now he paled in comparison to Chen Wenzong.
As Chen Ji observed, Chen Wenzong’s eyes met his.
Chen Wenzong smiled and nodded slightly, treating him as just another ordinary guest at the gathering, nothing more.
(End of Chapter)