Chapter 105: No Kindred Soul at the South Mountain Villa

While the people of Chang'an were still relishing the festivities of the previous day’s ceremony, Ye Chang, Du Fu, and Jiao Sui had already quietly headed south toward the Nanshan Mountains.

Because Nanshan was close to Chang'an and boasted beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate, many powerful elites built private villas there, either to escape the summer heat or to retreat from the political turbulence within the capital. Even princes and nobles were no exception. Consequently, many aspiring to official careers would live in seclusion in the Zhongnan Mountains to cultivate a reputation, hoping to be noticed by the powerful before entering government service. As the saying went, this was the "Zhongnan Shortcut."

Although Princess Yuzhen was a Taoist nun, she was deeply favored by two successive emperors, and her villa was so magnificent that it rivaled those of royalty.

Catching sight of the partially hidden eaves from afar, Du Fu sighed with emotion before turning the conversation back to yesterday’s ceremonies: "Such a scene of prosperity is truly unprecedented. The wealth and strength of our Great Tang are unparalleled in history..."

"Emperor Yang of Sui even adorned the roadside trees with silk and satin, yet the poor still walked by in rags," Jiao Sui slurred, his eyes heavy with drink. "Zimei, you think too simply."

"How can you compare the current Emperor to the Sui Emperor Yang!" Du Fu’s expression changed. "Jiao Sui, stop spouting madness!"

"But if the Sui Emperor had not dug the Grand Canal, how could we have the grandeur of yesterday? I remember Eleventh Brother once said... said..." Jiao Sui searched his memory and recited: "It is said the Sui fell because of this river, yet for a thousand miles, we still rely on its flowing waves. Had it not been for the dragon boats of the water palace, would his merits not compare to those of Yu the Great?"

Ye Chang scratched his head. This was something he had casually recited while discussing the Grand Canal with Jiao Sui some time ago. Unwittingly, he had plagiarized another poem.

"Eleventh Brother..." Du Fu’s expression was complex upon hearing the verse. Ye Chang had mostly stayed in Henan, but Du Fu had traveled extensively since his youth, visiting the regions of Qi, Lu, Wu, and Yue. Thus, he had personal experience and understanding of the Grand Canal’s impact.

"Just idle chatter, Zimei, don’t take it to heart. This fellow Jiao is just drunk on yellow wine, his tongue knows no..." Before Ye Chang could scold Jiao Sui, a voice from behind interrupted: "This poem is boorish, and to embellish the Sui Emperor is to reveal the author’s own vulgar nature!"

They were walking along the road, and while other travelers were nearby, they had kept to themselves. Unexpectedly, someone had dared to criticize the poem. Jiao Sui, despite his usual habit of finding trouble for Ye Chang, actually held him in the highest regard. Enraged, he nearly jumped out to argue, but Ye Chang pulled him back.

Ye Chang turned to see a group of men on horseback. The four leaders were all remarkably handsome. Jiao Sui, who had turned back ready to curse, froze at the sight of them and fell silent.

"Oh, so it is you... named... named..." One of the four looked at Jiao Sui, seemingly recognizing him, but struggled to recall his name. Jiao Sui’s face turned purple with embarrassment. Ye Chang smiled and said, "Do not mind it. How many people in this world are known by name to everyone?"

The impolite man turned his gaze to Ye Chang, smiled arrogantly, and rode past. His older companion offered a polite, apologetic bow: "My younger brother is rude, I hope you will forgive him..."

"Brother, why be so courteous? A bunch of ignorant rabble, daring to critique the ancients with poetry! Literature is a matter for the ages; how could such people possibly comprehend it? Recently in the markets, I’ve seen that illustrated *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*; it is precisely this sort of person who propagates such trash..."

The rude man spoke loudly, utterly disregarding their presence. His arrogance was staggering. Ye Chang had not wanted trouble, but he was certainly not afraid of it, and his brow furrowed. The older man bowed again and reprimanded, "Xiaqing, cease such talk. Beware of the trouble your tongue may invite!" Only then did the rude man bow his head and answer, "Yes."

Ye Chang swallowed his retort and watched the group ride away, lost in thought. He turned to Jiao Sui and asked, "Who are these people? You seemed to fear them."

"Not fear, just that the man has no virtue in his speech, and I did not wish to quarrel," Jiao Sui said awkwardly. "They are here today... they must also be visiting Princess Yuzhen. If we clashed, I feared it would ruin your business, Eleventh Brother."

Ye Chang was surprised. "Is he that close to Princess Yuzhen?"

"Close? More than that..." Jiao Sui started to say, then looked at Ye Chang and shook his head. "Never mind. Let’s hurry, lest we fail to finish our business before nightfall!"

Despite his words, there was a hidden worry in his expression. Ye Chang was curious; it seemed this man held great influence over the Princess.

The journey felt longer than it appeared. Though the buildings were visible from afar, it took nearly half an hour to reach them. The other party had arrived sooner and entered the villa. The rude man had even lingered to whisper something to the gatekeeper.

"Trouble ahead," Ye Chang thought. As expected, when he reached the gate and stated his name, requesting an audience, the gatekeeper said lazily, "You don't even have a calling card and you dare ask me to announce you? Begone! This is no place for the likes of you!"

Because Yuzhen had become a nun, the place was built like a Taoist temple, but the gatekeeper was not dressed as a monk. Ye Chang frowned: "The Princess instructed us to come. If you block us and cause us to miss her business, can you bear the consequences?"

"I have heard no such instruction from the Master," the gatekeeper sneered, unafraid. "Besides, there is only Master Chiying here, no Princess!"

Chiying was Yuzhen’s courtesy name. Ye Chang was furious, knowing the man was being deliberately obstructive. But he was stuck. If he struck the gatekeeper, even if he forced his way in to see the Princess, he would surely offend the noble woman who was otherwise well-disposed toward him. Not only would their friendship end, but he would also gain a powerful enemy. Yet, if he didn't act, he would never pass the gate.

As Ye Chang pondered, a head poked out from within the courtyard. It was the rude man, "Xiaqing." Seeing Ye Chang blocked, he nodded with satisfaction: "Exactly so. Is the villa of Master Chiying a place for commoners? 'In conversation, only scholars; in company, only those who share the soul.' Mediocre people are better off staying away!"

Ye Chang laughed. It was an arrogant, mocking laugh. Seeing this, Jiao Sui also started to laugh. Since knowing Ye Chang, whenever he wore this mocking expression, the other party was invariably incensed.

Sure enough, the smile irritated Xiaqing: "What, do you have something else to say?"

"'In conversation, only scholars; in company, only those who share the soul'... a wonderful line. Was it written by you?"

"This..." Xiaqing paused. He had seen this *Inscription on a Humble Abode* at his brother’s house recently. He disliked the author but admired the pure and elegant spirit of the text. He had quoted it to mock Jiao Sui, implying he was neither a scholar nor a soulmate.

"Whether I wrote it or not is none of your business!" he said, ashamed and angry. "Who are you to shout in front of Master Chiying’s villa!"

"We aren't the ones shouting, you are. And what’s more ridiculous is that you use someone else's words to attack others... Ye Eleven, would you say he is using his own spear to strike his own shield?" Du Fu, usually somber, was a man of character, and being young and not yet worn down by years of failed petitions, he chimed in.

"What?" Xiaqing blinked, then widened his eyes: "You... you are Ye Eleven from Xiuwu?"

"Ahem, that text wasn't written by me either, just something seen in a dream," Ye Chang said calmly. "Brother Zimei, let us not argue. Since we are neither scholars nor their soulmates, we should naturally take our leave..."

Ye Chang said this because he saw Xiaqing’s older brother approaching. The brother appeared humble and gentle, though that was merely a facade. Knowing Ye Chang’s identity, he would likely not let him leave. Moreover, if Ye Chang were chased away by those two lines of poetry, Xiaqing would soon become the laughingstock of Chang'an.

As expected, the brother bowed: "So it is Ye Eleven of Xiuwu! I have long heard of you. My brother is fond of jesting; it was merely a joke, please do not take offense."

"Not at all, I am but a commoner; being slighted is nothing new."

The brother smiled bitterly. Rumor had it that this Ye Eleven was small-minded, and it seemed true. His brother had offended him, and now he was getting it back.

"I am Wang Wei from Hedong, courtesy name Mojie. This is my brother, Wang Jin, courtesy name Xiaqing..."

As the brother introduced himself, Ye Chang’s mouth fell open in genuine shock. He had not expected his antagonist to be Wang Wei! But upon reflection, who else could enter the Princess’s villa, order her gatekeeper around, and fear no reprimand?

No wonder Jiao Sui had said "More than that" when asked about their relationship. Wang Wei and Princess Yuzhen’s connection was likely far more intimate than a mere acquaintance! When Wang Wei first arrived in Chang'an, he failed his exams. Through the introduction of Prince Ning and Prince Qi, the twenty-year-old Wang Wei, "handsome and elegant," had played the pipa for the Princess. After his performance of *The郁轮袍 (Yulun Robe)*, the Princess had her maids take him to her inner chambers to change into fine silks. When he emerged, he was seated at the head of the guests! The following year, he passed the exams and became a court official. He could even borrow the Princess’s villa to host his friend Meng Haoran—the very place where the anecdote occurred about Meng Haoran hiding under the bed when Emperor Xuanzong visited.

"So it is Wang Mojie..." After a moment, Ye Chang composed himself. So what if it was Wang Wei? He had the Sage of Poetry, Du Fu, by his side!

He examined Wang Wei. Indeed, although Wang Wei was now over forty, he was a man of striking appearance. His brother, Wang Jin, was also handsome, though he looked somewhat uncomfortable and resentful. Ye Chang didn't care why Wang Jin disliked him; he introduced Du Fu to Wang Wei.

Du Fu held Wang Wei in high esteem. Though Du Fu was still unknown, they were both poets of extraordinary talent and soon found common ground. Wang Jin, however, still seemed unable to resist mocking Ye Chang.

With Wang Wei to guide them, the gatekeeper didn't dare block them. Ye Chang followed Wang Wei into the villa. Walking through the corridors, they heard the sound of music.

"The Master is enjoying a banquet," Wang Wei whispered.

The others who had arrived with Wang Wei were waiting ahead. Wang Wei introduced them: "Ye Eleven, this is Wang Changling, courtesy name Shaobo..."

Ye Chang was no longer surprised. The grand scene at Wangchun Pavilion yesterday was magnificent, but it didn't represent the true spirit of the flourishing Tang. Only here, where every person he met was a future legendary poet, was this truly the flourishing Tang!

Wang Changling was also in his forties, lean, with smiling eyes that betrayed none of the fierce, icy resolve of his frontier poetry. "Ye Eleven? Could it be Ye Chang?" he asked while bowing.

"It is indeed. Greetings, Master Wang." Ye Chang bowed deeply. He held a special respect for frontier poets.

"And this is Pei Di, courtesy name Qizhi..."

Pei Di was not as famous in later ages, but many poems were linked to him—from Du Fu and Wang Wei to another of Ye Chang’s acquaintances, Qian Qi. Ye Chang bowed again: "Greetings, Pei Qizhi."

Pei Di, in his twenties and slightly older than Ye Chang, was an optimistic, cheerful soul. He grabbed Ye Chang’s arm: "I was discussing literature with Mojie recently, and he spoke so highly of your *Inscription on a Humble Abode*. I wondered what kind of person could write such a thing. Meeting you today, it is well-deserved..."

"That is debatable," Wang Jin muttered from the side.

"The host is waiting, let us go in," Wang Wei said with a light cough.

They moved toward the courtyard where the music played. At the entrance, the servants saw Wang Wei and bowed, stepping aside without a word. Wang Wei walked in calmly, showing no pride, whereas Wang Jin walked with a brashness unbefitting his age. Ye Chang wondered why a man of forty, old enough to be a grandfather in this era, would act with such volatility.

The music in the courtyard stopped abruptly, and a woman’s voice, calm and melodic, spoke: "So Mojie has arrived. I wondered why the magpies had been calling all day."

Ye Chang and the others entered and saw, amidst the flowers in the north of the courtyard, a Taoist nun sitting high on a meditation chair. It was Princess Yuzhen. Her eyes were fixed on Wang Wei; she barely glanced at the others, her gaze lingering on Ye Chang for only a moment longer than the rest.

"Ahem... Wang Wei pays his respects to Master Chiying." Wang Wei cleared his throat and bowed deeply.