Chapter 290 – A Serendipitous Encounter at the Poetry Gathering

Sitting in the carriage on his way back to the residence, Su Yi’s thoughts wandered far and wide. He thought of Qi Zongbi, Yu Shibang, Yue Dou, and Chen Xun. His thoughts drifted to the war between the Ruen Dynasty and Northern Qiang, and the Qihuang Society infiltrating the Central Plains.

Then his thoughts turned to the terrifying intelligence capabilities of the Storm Listening Pavilion and to Ye Fan. Finally, he even thought of Ye Beizhi and Chi Nanwei, who now had no connection to him. Recalling the evening when Ye Beizhi almost strangled him to death, Su Yi shuddered and snapped back to reality.

Su Yi wiped his neck and found himself drenched in sweat. He asked the driver through the carriage door, "Where are we now?"

"Master, we’ve reached Qingping Street," the driver replied respectfully from outside.

Su Yi lifted the carriage curtain with one hand and looked outside. The streets were already bustling with people, something he was used to seeing when he returned from morning court. Children chased each other, steam rose from breakfast stalls, and vendors were hawking their wares. It was a vibrant scene of peaceful and prosperous life for the common folk.

Su Yi sighed softly, inexplicably feeling that the scene before him was somewhat surreal. At that very moment, families were being destroyed at the border; people were being displaced, and soldiers were dying on the battlefield. None of it seemed to touch the capital.

Perhaps the war was simply too far removed, but what would happen if the Northern Qiang reached the capital?

Su Yi was startled by the dark thought and quickly shook his head to dismiss it.

There was to be a poetry gathering this afternoon, hosted by the son of Li Qingtang, the Vice Minister of Rites. A few days earlier, an invitation had been delivered to Su Yi’s residence. He had not refused and even promised to attend.

The gathering was to be held at the Orchid Pavilion, a restaurant on Jinxia Street. Dining there wasn’t cheap, and ordinary folk rarely stepped through its doors. Its usual patrons were scholars, poets, and high-ranking officials. The restaurant had a variety of seating options, but the most coveted and expensive was the terrace on the top floor, known as the Scholar's Terrace.

When Su Yi learned that the poetry gathering was to be held on the Scholar's Terrace, he pondered its significance and quickly understood. First, the Li family’s son likely chose the venue to flatter him as a former top imperial scholar. Second, with the Spring Imperial Examinations approaching, it was probable that some attendees would be participants, and the venue was chosen to bring some good luck.

Su Yi arrived at the gathering as scheduled.

As his carriage stopped in front of Orchid Pavilion, someone approached the moment he lifted the curtain.

"

Haha

, Lord Su!" A man dressed in finery clasped his hands in greeting as he approached. "An honored guest indeed, I have been eagerly awaiting you."

Su Yi recognized the man. Li Yuqi, the son of Vice Minister Li Qingtang of the Ministry of Rites.

People respectfully addressed Li Yuqi as "young master", but he was already thirty-two and had taken two concubines. It wasn’t surprising, considering Vice Minister Li was already in his sixties.

Su Yi smiled warmly and returned the greeting. "There’s no need for such formalities."

Li Yuqi, flattered, quickly replied, "Lord Su, you’re most gracious."

"That’s fine, that’s fine," Su Yi said with a cheerful smile.

"Please come in," Li Yuqi invited, gesturing politely. "Many scholars are here specifically for you today. With your knowledge and talent, you could be their teacher. Everyone’s waiting for you."

When he reached the Scholar's Terrace, Su Yi initially declined the seat of honor, but ultimately couldn’t resist the crowd’s enthusiasm.

The gathering was lively, and both guests and hosts enjoyed themselves. From time to time, scholars dressed as students would bring their favored works to Su Yi, seeking his critique and guidance. Su Yi offered his thoughts on each one. Those who received his advice left either delighted, proud, or deep in thought.

Some went too far, attempting to extract the Spring Imperial Examination topics from Su Yi. He dealt with such individuals by simply ignoring them. The smarter ones gave up, while the more persistent were dismissed by Li Yuqi, who sat next to Su Yi.

Su Yi had attended many such poetry gatherings before. Whenever he encountered these scholars trying to curry favor, he never thought of his own past. Instead, he would muse to himself,

So, even scholars can be like this.

The reason for this was simple. Before passing as the top scholar, Su Yi never attended poetry gatherings; his meager finances wouldn’t allow it. Later, as a Hanlin Scholar, he had neither the time nor the inclination to participate. It wasn’t until his meteoric rise to the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince that these social engagements became frequent, and he realized the scholars came in all types.

At first, attending poetry gatherings and banquets had been novel. Eventually, the endless flattery became tiresome. As the scholars began composing and reciting poems under the influence of wine, Su Yi found himself leaning idly against the railing, disinterestedly watching the bustling crowd below.

Across the street, a temporary stage had been set up. Beneath it were a few benches, and on the stage, performers with painted faces were singing opera in a melodious cadence.

Su Yi tilted his head, straining to listen, but the noisy street drowned out the performance. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t discern which play was being performed.

Shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile, Su Yi decided that he was too obsessive. Just as he was about to give up, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

It was Ye Fan.

Su Yi saw Ye Fan walking from the far end of the street, holding his ever-present folded white jade fan. In Su Yi’s memory, Ye Fan always wore his hair loose, his feet clad in wooden clogs, and his white robes unbelted, draping freely around him, a picture of carefree eccentricity.

Yet Ye Fan was different today.

Today was unusual. As Ye Fan drew nearer, the changes in his appearance came into sharp relief. His loose hair was tied neatly at the back, held in place by a white jade hairpin. He had belted his robes with a golden-threaded white jade sash and wore spotless black boots. This was no longer the eccentric Ye Fan, that man was a dashing gentleman of extraordinary grace!

Realizing that something was off about Ye Fan today, Su Yi shrank back and decided not to call out to him.

Ye Fan paused beneath the restaurant, and Su Yi almost thought he would come upstairs. Instead, Ye Fan crossed the street.

Su Yi watched as Ye Fan found a bench, sat down, and began watching the opera with great interest. At particularly engaging moments, he even tapped the palm of his hand with his white jade fan in time with the rhythm.

The benches beneath the stage weren’t crowded, so Su Yi couldn’t be sure if the opera was truly captivating. However, seeing Ye Fan so engrossed, Su Yi’s curiosity burned like a cat scratching at his heart.

He decided he had to go and listen.