Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Poem Half-Spoken, the Mood Already Set

Despite still facing away from the group, Lady Gongsun had already heard the sound of hoofbeats. Unperturbed, she finished tidying her leather satchel and then rose to her feet. Seeing the leader bow respectfully, she stepped aside and spoke, “I am but a humble dancer, unworthy of the honorific ‘master,’ and certainly unworthy of Magistrate Cui’s invitation. In the Eastern Capital, I once met Lady Qi Guotai, who graciously gifted me a pipa and a sword and urged me to strive for excellence. My sword dance is not yet perfected; I dare not present it again in esteemed company.”

Du Shisanniang, standing nearby, was incensed by these words, biting her lip in anger. Before she could react, someone pressed down on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw it was her brother, and her expression turned pleading. But when Du Shiyi shook his head, though she was bewildered, she obediently remained still. Soon, she heard him quietly ask, “Do you know these people?”

She searched her memory from the two days spent at the county office, finally replying hesitantly, “I think I’ve seen them from afar, but they’re not Magistrate Cui’s kin. They seem to be followers of Censor Liu…”

“How is this Censor Liu as a person?”

“…I’ve heard that he always invites courtesans to his banquets, and…he is said to have a great fondness for women…”

Du Shiyi narrowed his eyes, and after a pause, replied coolly, “I understand.”

While the siblings spoke, the newcomer, undeterred by Lady Gongsun’s refusal, smiled amiably and said, “Lady Gongsun, you are far too modest. If your sword dance is not considered complete, who under heaven could claim mastery of it? Magistrate Cui would not insist, but it is because Censor Liu, commissioned to inspect the locust control efforts, is presently at Dengfeng County’s office. Upon hearing Lady Gongsun had arrived, he was delighted and thus sent me to invite you. Censor Liu is favored by Chancellor Yao; if you can satisfy him, a word of praise will make your sword dance famed throughout the court. Is this not the very day you have journeyed the realm for?”

Indeed, it was clear that the slippery Cui Wei would not send his own to do such a dubious task; given the tone, this was certainly Liu Zhao’s subordinate.

Seeing Lady Gongsun’s brows knit at last, Du Shiyi made up his mind. He released his grip on Du Shisanniang’s shoulder and quietly said to the indignant man beside him, “Good sir, please escort my sister and the attendant out of the market. If possible, take them home.”

“Young master, are you—”

Du Shiyi gazed at Lady Gongsun, whose face was frosted with coldness, and the man suddenly understood, nodding hurriedly. Du Shisanniang was shocked, but her brother’s stern look made her grit her teeth and lead the confused Zhuying away with the man. Yet, hardly had they gone far when she looked back, seeing Du Shiyi’s unwavering gaze fixed on the standoff between the two groups, her heart filled with worry.

Brother…

She bit her lip and said to the man beside her, “Sir, please take us to Songyang Temple!”

The crowd had not entirely dispersed; around thirty people stood nearby. Seeing the county office’s envoys forcibly invite Lady Gongsun, many locals showed their disdain but did not dare speak. The gathering grew, and soon a hundred people had assembled. Du Shiyi straightened his rumpled clothes and strode forward. Observing the subordinate openly sizing up Lady Gongsun, he suddenly clapped his hands, the crisp sound drawing attention. Smiling, he began:

“The Yellow Emperor forged swords from copper mined at Shou Mountain, inscribing them with ancient celestial script. Thus, the sword is the sacred weapon, supreme and revered by both mortals and gods! Today, witnessing Lady Gongsun’s extraordinary sword dance, I finally understand its profound meaning. Only the sword can reveal the true artistry of this dance; only this dance can embody the sword’s essence! Lady Gongsun’s art is already flawless, yet she still strives for perfection. No wonder, when in the capital, I heard her renown in the residence of Prince Qi and Secretary Cui, but meeting her surpasses all that I’d heard!”

Though his memories of noble households were but faded recollections, Du Shiyi spoke with an air of confidence. The subordinate, who had been displeased, was startled by those names. Du Shiyi continued, reciting:

“Now there is a beauty, Lady Gongsun,
Her sword dance stirs the world.
Spectators are stunned as mountains,
Heaven and earth sway for her.
She is swift as Yi shooting down the suns,
Majestic as emperors riding dragons.
She comes as thunder, collecting wrath,
She ends as rivers, gathering pure light.”

The crowd, seeing Du Shiyi in white appear and lavish praise on Lady Gongsun, then invoke the names of Prince Qi and Secretary Cui, shifted their attention to him. When he finished reciting, someone shouted approval, and applause thundered around. More townsfolk, drawn by news of Lady Gongsun’s arrival, joined, and Lady Gongsun herself, noting the unfinished poem, gazed at Du Shiyi with newfound interest.

As the crowd grew, Du Shiyi turned to face the subordinates, smiling, “Now that Lady Gongsun has promised to stay in Dengfeng for three days, the people are overjoyed! With locals working hard to eradicate locusts, Lady Gongsun’s sword dance will inspire all. Magistrate Cui and Censor Liu only wish to see her performance—why not share it with the people, move to the marketplace, and let all witness this unrivaled art, making it the talk of the town?”

“Well said!”
“Let the magistrate join the people!”
“Lady Gongsun’s sword dance should be enjoyed by all!”

Amid the clamor, the subordinate, who had threatened and coaxed moments before, looked furious. He glared at Du Shiyi, but seeing the swelling crowd, he bit his lip, forced a smile, and bowed to Lady Gongsun, “Please consider it carefully.” Then he mounted his horse and led the group away.

As soon as they left, the crowd erupted in cheers—whether for Du Shiyi’s eloquence in dismissing the officials or the prospect of seeing Lady Gongsun’s dance in the coming days.

With so many people present, Lady Gongsun steadied herself and stepped forward, speaking softly, “Thank you…Young Master Du.”

“So Lady Gongsun remembers me.”

Du Shiyi replied with a smile, scanning the townsfolk before bowing to Lady Gongsun and announcing, “Lady Gongsun’s visit honors Dengfeng County. Though the inns are fine, they are noisy and inconvenient. Under Junji Peak, Songyang Temple offers elegant quarters and a serene environment, a perfect residence.”

Though Du Shiyi had resolved the immediate threat, Lady Gongsun knew that staying in an inn or with a wealthy family could not protect her from the influential Censor Liu Zhao. Only Songyang Temple, respected and seemingly removed from worldly affairs, could offer her temporary refuge.

“I fear Songyang Temple, being so tranquil, may not welcome a humble dancer.”

“Why not try?”

Seeing Du Shiyi’s smile, recalling the subordinate’s demeanor, Lady Gongsun quickly made her decision. Though the crowd could not have Lady Gongsun stay in their inns, Songyang Temple was renowned, and they followed in a grand procession to its gate. The commotion brought temple acolytes to investigate. Du Shiyi asked for Sima Chengzhen, but learned the High Priest was absent, leaving him disappointed. He then requested an audience with the temple master, Song Fuzhen.

The acolyte recognized Du Shiyi and recalled that Du Shisanniang had recently visited to see Sun Taichong, so upon hearing the request, hurried to inform Song Fuzhen.

“Lady Gongsun?”

As the master of Songyang Temple, Song Fuzhen was familiar with the renowned sword dancer. Though he sensed something unusual, hosting such a famous guest would bring prestige to the temple. After some thought, he said, “Inform them to prepare the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard in the northeast corner for Lady Gongsun.”

Sun Taichong, having heard of Lady Gongsun’s performance at the market from Du Shisanniang, was still pondering when he learned Du Shiyi had escorted her party to the temple. Before he could see Song Fuzhen, news that Lady Gongsun was to be housed in the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard spread among the townspeople, and cheers erupted outside. Faced with such a stir, Sun Taichong sighed, and when he met Du Shiyi at the gate, he remarked, half smiling, “Young Master Du, your skill in leveraging circumstances is truly exceptional!”

“The Cui family of Yongfeng Lane in the Eastern Capital once invited Lady Gongsun to instruct their courtesans, and though she declined, they still gifted her a pipa and sword, making it a celebrated story. If Lady Gongsun were forced to perform by the court’s locust inspector in Dengfeng, the resulting scandal would not just damage one person’s reputation.” Du Shiyi looked calmly at Sun Taichong and bowed deeply, “I ask you to accept this trouble.”

“Master Song has already agreed—what trouble is left for me?” Sun Taichong, remembering how Du Shiyi always acted unexpectedly and that Sima Chengzhen, though rarely famed, had personally assessed him, controlled his thoughts and replied kindly, “But you have done your utmost in the locust eradication, and now, out of youthful impulse, you’ve offended Censor Liu. You may lose all your credit and hinder your future prospects.”

To stand by and do nothing in the face of injustice—even if I rise high one day, my conscience would never rest!

Stepping into the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, Du Shiyi paused, admiring the lush green bamboo, as verdant as the thatched cottage beneath Junji Peak. He walked to the south-facing main hall, where a slender hand parted the bamboo curtain and a young woman in white stepped out—it was Lady Gongsun.

PS: Seizing Young Du’s momentum, please cast a few recommendation votes!