Song Pu had never expected that accompanying Tantai Yi to offer incense would somehow land him in a chess lesson.
He was utterly miserable, but he dared not let it show on his face. “Your Majesty, I truly have no talent for chess. To be honest, the only thing I have any aptitude for is archery, which is why I dared challenge Your Majesty before. But with chess, I fear I simply cannot keep up with Your Majesty’s skill, and might only spoil your enjoyment. If that were to happen, it would be my fault. I beg Your Majesty to withdraw the order.”
Tantai Yi considered this and found it reasonable. “You have watched Shen Yonghe play chess with me for so long, yet you are still at this level. It seems you truly have no talent.”
Suddenly Song Pu had an idea. “I may not know chess,” he said, “but I can entertain Your Majesty in other ways. If Your Majesty is willing, how about I tell a story?”
Tantai Yi said, “What sort of story does Lord Song intend to tell? If it is too vulgar, I will be displeased.”
Song Pu replied, “It is a story about men. Your Majesty, please listen.”
He searched his memory for a moment before finally settling on one: Battle Through the Heavens.
It was a classic among classics. He had loved it dearly in the past and reread it countless times. Even now the plot remained vivid in his mind, so he was able to recount it smoothly.
At first Tantai Yi had little expectation. He idly stroked the rim of his teacup and seemed half distracted. Yet as Song Pu gradually unfolded the legendary tale, Tantai Yi began to pay attention. Before long he had leaned forward slightly, listening with genuine interest.
Seeing this, Song Pu grew more animated, putting his eloquence to good use. When he reached the scene where the protagonist Xiao Yan, after being rejected by his fiancée, swore, “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never mock a young man for his poverty,” Tantai Yi actually clapped his hands in excitement and exclaimed, “Excellent!”
Then he added angrily, “If it were me, I would have that woman flayed alive.”
Seeing how genuinely indignant he was, Song Pu could not help finding it amusing, and felt a small surge of pride. He might not possess many talents, but he certainly knew plenty of stories. If necessary, he could tell Tantai Yi a different one every day.
Tantai Yi urged him, “Continue, Lord Song.”
Song Pu hastily went on. Soon his throat grew dry, and he only dared take the smallest sip of tea to moisten it before continuing.
By the end his voice was almost hoarse. Tantai Yi, however, was still reluctant to stop. “Lord Song’s voice is already hoarse, so you may continue another time. This story is truly excellent. I do not quite understand what this ‘battle qi’ is, but it must be something like inner strength, I imagine. Who wrote this tale? I wish to summon the author to the palace to write stories for me.”
Coincidentally, Song Pu had once thought exactly the same thing while waiting for updates himself.
“The author does not reside in Liang,” Song Pu said. “I fear he would be difficult to find.”
Tantai Yi nodded thoughtfully. “The story is indeed marvellous.”
Song Pu had a quick tongue. He could flatter when needed and tell stories with great flair, easily creating a lively atmosphere. Because of that, he managed to hold Tantai Yi’s attention completely. Had someone less skilled been in his place, Tantai Yi would likely have grown impatient long ago.
“If Your Majesty enjoys it,” Song Pu said, “I know many more stories. I can certainly keep Your Majesty entertained.”
Tantai Yi cast him a sideways glance with his golden eyes. “You have read quite a few miscellaneous books, it seems. No wonder you have not even passed the county examination at seventeen.”
Song Pu: “…”
He scratched his cheek awkwardly. “That is because I am both playful and slow-witted. I fear I have little talent for study either.”
Tantai Yi sighed regretfully. “Then the rare book I gave you must be wasted on you.”
“…Your Majesty jests,” Song Pu replied. “Though I may be dull, I still enjoy reading rare books and can understand them well enough. It would hardly be a waste.”
“That is good,” Tantai Yi said. “Then I am reassured.”
Seeing that Song Pu’s voice had grown hoarse, Tantai Yi allowed him to return and rest.
After leaving Tantai Yi’s chamber, Song Pu remembered Song Lingyun and went to find him out of curiosity. By that time Prince Gong had already departed, and Song Lingyun was sitting on the bed reading Buddhist scriptures.
Song Pu sat beside him and asked quietly, “What did Prince Gong want to talk to you about?”
Song Lingyun noticed his unusual interest and glanced at him several times, a hint of warning entering his tone. “Ah-Pu, if Prince Gong ever comes to see you, use His Majesty as an excuse and avoid him if you can. If he seeks you out, it will only bring you trouble. Do not be foolish.”
Song Pu felt that his brother seemed to understand Prince Gong rather well, which raised several questions in his mind. Still, Song Lingyun would never harm him, so he nodded obediently.
“I will. After all, I serve His Majesty now. It is only right to avoid suspicion.”
“That is good.”
“So what did he want with you?” Song Pu asked.
Song Lingyun sighed. “Nothing much. He was bored and came to chat. His mother is the Empress Dowager. Even if His Majesty dislikes him, his status remains high. I could hardly refuse.”
“I see.”
There was little more to say. Prince Gong was still very young, only sixteen, barely grown… though then again, Tantai Yi had already been terrifyingly formidable at seventeen. Prince Gong might not be much different.
Song Pu realised his thoughts were straying and quickly pulled himself back.
Song Lingyun continued, “However, Prince Gong’s temperament is indeed better than His Majesty’s. If—”
Before he could finish, Song Pu clapped a hand over his mouth. “Ge, do not say anything treasonous. You’ll frighten me.”
Song Lingyun laughed, his voice muffled. “I have not even said anything yet. Why are you so nervous?”
“You were about to,” Song Pu insisted. “Don’t.”
Song Lingyun suddenly grew serious. He removed Song Pu’s hand and spoke in a low voice.
“If nothing happens to you, I will never commit treason. But if anything happens to you, then I will not remain myself. Ah-Pu, for your brother’s sake, be careful in everything. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, and a ruler’s heart is difficult to predict. If I had been at home back then, I would never have allowed you to enter the palace. But it is too late now. We can only take things one step at a time.”
Song Pu felt a pang of guilt.
Song Lingyun’s affection for him was genuine, yet he himself was not truly the original Song Pu. What right did he have to receive such devotion?
All he could do was nod firmly. “Don’t worry, ge. I will be fine.”
Even if rebellion were to happen, it would be eight or nine years in the future. Before that, as long as he avoided being framed the way the original Song Pu had been in the story, nothing should happen.
The original Song Pu had managed to survive four years at Tantai Yi’s side, which already showed considerable ability. Unfortunately, he had ultimately fallen victim to a deliberate trap. Now that Song Pu knew this part of the plot, he certainly would not fall into the same scheme.
Yet if that event never occurred, Song Lingyun would not rebel either. Song Lingyun was in truth an outstanding general, skilled in strategy and formidable in martial ability. Prince Gong valued him highly, entrusting him with many important plans. He was practically Prince Gong’s most trusted confidant.
Song Pu still felt conflicted. Serving Tantai Yi wholeheartedly did bring good treatment, but staying at his side offered little sense of security. If an opportunity arose in the future, should he truly board Prince Gong’s ship? The risk was enormous, and he did not dare make such a decision lightly.
Moreover, without the predetermined future where he became a victim in the plot, Song Lingyun might never join Prince Gong’s rebellion. The situation would become even more unpredictable.
For now, Song Pu chose not to think about it any further and pushed the matter from his mind.
After the afternoon ritual concluded, everyone prepared to depart. Just as Song Pu was about to board his carriage, Cao Xi suddenly approached with a broad smile.
“Lord Song, His Majesty invites you to join him in the imperial carriage.”
Song Pu instinctively glanced at Song Lingyun. His brother remained expressionless. “Why are you looking at me? His Majesty summoned you. Go, and do not keep him waiting.”
Song Pu acknowledged the order, stepped down from his carriage, and boarded Tantai Yi’s imperial carriage.
When Tantai Yi saw him, he said immediately, “If Lord Song’s voice has recovered, continue the story of Battle Through the Heavens.”
Song Pu now fully understood what it felt like to be called back for overtime by one’s employer after performing too well.
He grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he smiled. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi made him tell stories the entire journey back. Only when they reached Yanjing did he finally allow Song Pu to return to his own carriage.
Before he left, Tantai Yi even gifted him a plate of palace pastries, soft and fragrant, the emperor’s favourite flavour.
Snatching food from a tiger’s mouth was no easy feat. Only Song Pu had managed it.
Holding the pastries, Song Pu tried to curry favour with Song Lingyun, proudly demonstrating how favoured he was by the emperor.
Song Lingyun did not look pleased. He merely said, “His Majesty is generous.”
The remark sounded perfunctory.
Just as Song Pu was about to set the pastries down, he noticed a small red box on the table. “Ge, what is this?”
Song Lingyun did not answer.
Song Pu reached for it, but Song Lingyun slapped his hand away. “Do not touch it. If you break it, our family could never afford the compensation.”
It was the first time Song Pu had heard him speak like that, which only made him more curious. “Was it a gift from Prince Gong?”
Song Lingyun glanced at him. “You are clever for once.”
“Well, it’s obvious,” Song Pu said.
Song Lingyun hesitated before opening the box.
Inside lay a large sapphire, uncut and in its raw state. Even so, it was enormous, only slightly smaller than the one Tantai Yi possessed. Once cut, it would shrink somewhat, but it would still be incredibly valuable.
Song Pu stared in shock. “Good heavens.”
He covered his mouth. Once the initial surprise faded, he whispered, “Prince Gong is… remarkably generous.”
Song Lingyun lowered his gaze. “I once noticed that you liked such stones, so I secretly arranged with a merchant caravan to bring me one if they travelled to the southern border. Somehow Prince Gong learned of it and sent this instead.”
His expression grew serious. “You know how valuable this is. He gave it to me so casually, yet I may never be able to repay the favour.”
Song Pu nodded. “I understand. Then we should return it.”
“Of course,” Song Lingyun said. “So be careful. Do not break it.”
“I will not touch it,” Song Pu replied. “Once we return home, send it back to Prince Gong’s residence immediately.”
Then he paused, suddenly uncertain. “Prince Gong gave it to you today?”
Song Lingyun seemed to understand what he was thinking. He smiled faintly and answered slowly.
“Yes. He gave it to me today.”
