Chapter Ten: The Cycle of Fate
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Zhao Mengfu is counted among the renowned calligraphers of ancient times, and the “Zhao Style” is highly praised by many calligraphers. But that guy lived during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties—he doesn’t even exist in this era!
Zhao Mengfu achieved the status of a grand master solely through his calligraphy!
He brought the famed “Zhao Style” of Chinese calligraphy from the Yuan back to the Tang dynasty. How could people like Zhou Fu not be utterly amazed and captivated by such a marvel?
But the main goal for now was “self-disgrace”!
They needed to make Emperor Li Er lose heart and regret his decision, compelling him to personally revoke the arranged marriage decree!
Yet, if they accidentally produced this “Zhao Style,” might they unwittingly steal the reputation of a literary genius?
That would be truly tragic...
Fang Jun’s mind raced as he hurriedly tried to recover: “Your Excellency, you flatter me. Recently, for some unknown reason, I have had a slight insight into calligraphy, but this sudden inspiration is fleeting, like a fleeting white horse passing in a flash. Once gone, it cannot be found again despite all efforts. Thus, sometimes my writing is good, and other times it is poor. Alas, alas...”
He couldn’t admit his writing was bad; the script on the documents was flawless and undeniable, so he had to attribute it to inspiration.
Inspiration is like Duan Yu’s Six Meridian Sword—sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it’s effective, sometimes not. There’s no certainty.
Zhou Fu was baffled: writing isn’t poetry; what kind of inspiration does it need?
Just then, a group entered the hall, interrupting Zhou Fu’s attempt to dig deeper.
A squad of burly, fierce-looking imperial guards dressed in black armor strode briskly into the hall.
Zhou Fu immediately drew a sharp breath.
The Hundred Riders!
In the twelfth winter month of the Zhenguan era, the emperor established the Left and Right Garrison Cavalries at Xuanwu Gate, each commanded by a general. He then carefully selected skilled horsemen renowned for their courage, strength, and archery to form the “Hundred Riders.” They wore five-colored robes, rode fine steeds, used tiger-skin saddles, and followed the emperor on his tours as his personal bodyguards.
Each guard was exceptionally brave, loyal beyond doubt to the emperor!
They had just finished assembling the “Hundred Riders” and brought them out—showing the emperor’s grave seriousness about this matter.
Leading them was a commander with a square black face, expressionless as ice, who coldly announced: “Imperial edict: Immediately escort Prince Qi Li You, Yan Hongliang, Fang Yiai, and Cheng Chubi into the palace!”
Zhou Fu hastily handed over all paperwork and evidence.
The commander signed the handover documents with a stern face, then gestured, and the four—Fang Jun, Li You, and the others—were escorted into the palace together.
Yan Hongliang, his head battered and bleeding from Fang Jun’s blow, laughed heartily: “Fang Jun, just wait—Consort De must have reported to the emperor that I was injured by you, so you’re being brought to the palace for punishment!”
Fang Jun was speechless. What kind of intelligence did this guy have?
Less than half an hour since the fight, even if someone reported it to the palace, how could they get into the inner court at this hour?
Turning to look at Li You, Fang Jun saw the Prince of Qi glaring fiercely, teeth clenched, wearing a ferocious smile: “Fang Er, prepare to die...”
********
The Hundred Riders escorted Fang Jun and the others not through the main Tai Chi Palace gate, but around the northwest corner, passing Anli Gate, entering the inner palace.
A winding corridor built around a lake stretched before them. Snowflakes drifted down, melting instantly upon touching the lake’s surface—which was actually a hot spring. The mingling of hot and cold created a misty veil above the water, like a scene from a fairyland.
Through the hazy mist, tall palaces stood in orderly rows, their upturned eaves carved with unknown mythical beasts, adding solemn mystery amid the swirling snow.
Walking through the winding corridor, Fang Jun would have surely gotten lost if not for the Hundred Rider commander leading the way.
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The serene Thousand-Step Corridor was quiet and elegant. Though not extravagantly ornate, it maintained a quaint, ancient charm.
As they neared the end of the corridor, a group of palace maids came toward them.
The still lake, the drifting mist, the refined corridor, and the nicely dressed maids in silk robes all felt dreamlike to Fang Jun.
The Hundred Riders respectfully stood aside, clearing the path.
Fang Jun, Cheng Chubi, and Yan Hongliang—sporting a makeshift “Ah San” hairstyle—halted, standing by the railings of the Thousand-Step Corridor.
Only Prince Qi Li You stood carelessly in the middle of the path, hands clasped behind his back.
Fang Jun knew this meant they had encountered a noble person of the palace.
Several palace maids knelt before Li You together, calling out sweetly, “Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qi.”
Li You responded with a nasal “Hmm.”
After exchanging courtesies, the lead palace maid spoke in a gentle voice: “Fifth Brother, where have you been? Oh? What happened to your eye...”
Fang Jun glanced surreptitiously. The girl’s attire was distinct from the others—a lake-blue Confucian-style dress hugging her slender, graceful figure. Her ears were adorned with pale moon-white earrings, simple yet refreshing, accentuating her delicate, lovely face. Her dark, sparkling peach-blossom eyes shimmered with light, and her finely shaped eyebrows were elegant and tender.
Bright-eyed and fair-toothed, a natural beauty.
Even Fang Jun, who had seen much and had grown accustomed to artificially enhanced beauties online, felt his heart stir at her stunning appearance.
But what did she just call Li You...? Fifth Brother?
That meant she was a princess?
Her appearance was pleasing, though she looked quite young—no more than twelve or thirteen. He wondered which princess she might be—perhaps the Princess of Gaoyang?
Fang Jun rubbed his nose, doubting such coincidence.
Li You snorted and said, “It’s nothing serious, just a bite from a mad dog... But come to think of it, the father arranged for my sister’s suitable husband, but his character is truly awful. He’s dumb as a mad dog and even fights in illegal boxing matches. It really infuriates me...”
“Illegal boxing?”
The little princess’s rosy mouth formed a perfect “O,” large enough to fit a duck egg... well, maybe not a duck egg—her cherry-like lips could only hold a quail egg at best...
Then her sharp, watery eyes darted toward Fang Jun’s face...
Fang Jun was momentarily stunned, wondering why she was staring at him.
Then a sudden jolt hit him...
Damn! Could this girl really be Gaoyang?
Sure enough!
The beautiful little princess scrutinized Fang Jun from head to toe with the look of a butcher selecting livestock—checking the thickness of the fat, deciding whether to slaughter it today...
Amid Fang Jun’s anxiousness, the princess proudly lifted her white, sharp chin, straightened her small frame, clasped her hands behind her back, and assumed the regal posture of a princess.
“You are Fang Yiai?”
What was this little princess up to? Putting on airs with me?
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Fine, you’re a princess, you’re the greatest...
Fang Jun bowed respectfully: “Reporting to the princess, my name is Fang Jun.”
Princess Gaoyang looked slightly taken aback, her delicate face showing doubt: “Then isn’t that still you?”
Fang Jun respectfully said, “My surname is Fang, my given name Jun, courtesy name Yiai. I usually go by my courtesy name, but from now on, please address me as Fang Jun.”
The princess’s face was full of disdain as she curled her lips: “All of them sound horrible anyway—unnecessary and nonsensical!”
Fang Jun thought: How can it be nonsensical? It matters greatly!
Whenever someone calls me “Fang Yiai,” my heart fills with melancholy...
And you, you little brat, not only did you break the code of conduct and cause me to wear the green hat, but you also nearly cost me my life. And now you dare to put on your princess airs in front of me?
Fang Jun said coldly, “I ask the princess to show respect. My name was given by my parents—how dare you speak so recklessly?”
Damn it, if I don’t show you some color, you really won’t know your place. Do you think I’m still the old Fang Yiai, ready for you to trample on? Not a chance.
Princess Gaoyang was raised in the palace. Though her mother passed away early, the emperor favored her greatly. She ruled the palace with an iron fist; no one dared show her disrespect.
Fang Jun remained unfazed, which instantly angered the princess.
The little princess stomped her feet and shouted coquettishly, “I am the princess of the Great Tang by imperial decree. You, a rustic, dark-skinned, foolish peasant, how dare you disrespect me? Do you believe I will report to the emperor and have your head chopped off?”
Prince Qi Li You laughed joyfully, “My sister speaks rightly. Count me in—I’ll report to the emperor to have his head chopped off!”
Cheng Chubi, who had been silent, grumbled, “Still talking back? Believe me, I’ll beat you up next.”
His words nearly choked Li You. Looking at Cheng Chubi’s scruffy face, he dared not speak further.
Who knew if this brute would really make a move?
This was the imperial inner palace, and fighting carelessly here would truly mean beheading...
Fang Jun was speechless. This brother and sister pair were truly close—no matter the matter, their response was always—report to the emperor to chop off your head!
However, he was secretly pleased. It seemed Princess Gaoyang also disapproved of this marriage!
As the three tangled messily, Princess Gaoyang’s brows furrowed deeply, her proud nature allowing no concession. The situation grew more complicated.
The Hundred Rider commander respectfully said, “Your Highnesses, I have received imperial orders to escort these four to the Shenlong Hall immediately at this hour...”
Upon hearing this, Princess Gaoyang reluctantly withdrew, waving her hand and leading her palace maids ahead.
The Thousand-Step Corridor was narrow, and the two parties passed shoulder to shoulder, their gazes crossing.
Fang Jun sneered.
Princess Gaoyang rolled her eyes, giving him a pair of sharp, disdainful looks...
Fate remained unchanged. Fang Jun and Princess Gaoyang seemed trapped in a cycle of destiny—no matter the time or place, like two magnets repelling yet bound by fate...
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