Song Pu: “…”
He was now finally certain that Tantai Yi was still concerned about what had happened that morning. What troubled him, most likely, was that Tantai Yi had reached climax first, while Song Pu had not.
Tantai Yi was always like this. Even climaxing in front of his ministers was not a serious matter, nor was using a minister’s leg. None of it was a problem.
As for Song Pu, as a minister, failing to display the same morning readiness, not keeping pace with His Majesty, was seen as a sign of weakness and ill health.
Song Pu could only say, “Your Majesty’s concern for my health is a blessing I have accumulated over ten lifetimes; how could I dare refuse? Yet I truly dislike tonic soups made from wild game. Every time I eat them, I fall ill. I have reasons I cannot speak of, and so can only disappoint Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Hearing this, Tantai Yi’s expression softened. “Minister Song becomes ill from eating wild game?”
Song Pu replied, “To be honest, Your Majesty, I really shouldn’t consume overly nourishing foods.”
A flicker of pity passed through Tantai Yi’s eyes. “In that case, it’s no wonder Minister Song is so delicate.”
Song Pu: Bah! You’re the delicate one!
Tantai Yi said, “Then let it be.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “Since we’ve come all this way to the Hundred Beasts Garden, we cannot leave empty-handed. If Minister Song fancies any of the animals, he may ask me for them.”
Song Pu said, “Your Majesty is benevolent; I desire nothing.”
Tantai Yi emerged from the tiger enclosure, his voice now lazy. “Minister Song is truly difficult to please. In that case, let us return to the palace.”
Having said this, he turned to leave, but halfway along, Song Pu caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye, and an involuntary “Ah!” escaped his throat.
Tantai Yi turned and saw that Song Pu’s face was flushed, his eyes alight with excitement. “…Minister Song?”
Swallowing hard, Song Pu pointed to a park not far away. “Your Majesty, I fell in love with that black-and-white creature at first sight. Might I be granted it as a gift?”
Tantai Yi followed his finger, a trace of surprise in his eyes. “Minister Song, do you know what that is?”
Song Pu screamed inwardly. How could he not know? That was a giant panda. A national treasure! A giant panda! A giant panda! Song Pu felt near madness. He struggled to contain his joy and feigned innocence. “Your Majesty, I simply find it plump and adorable, utterly delightful. Might Your Majesty, in your mercy, grant it to me?”
Tantai Yi said, “This creature is extremely fierce, capable of rivalling a leopard or tiger king. If you keep it, you may suffer the consequences.”
Fearing refusal, Song Pu quickly said, “How could something so adorable be so ferocious?”
Tantai Yi narrowed his eyes. “If you do not heed my warning, be careful that you have no one to complain to later.”
Though he spoke sternly, seeing Song Pu’s gaze still fixed on the black-and-white animal, he felt a twinge of displeasure. He had never seen Song Pu so excited and joyful.
But having been offended that morning, it was only right for an emperor to offer some compensation. If he truly liked it, giving it to him was acceptable.
With that thought, Tantai Yi said, “The adult is too ferocious. I shall catch a cub for Minister Song.”
These words, however, brought Song Pu back to his senses. Giant pandas were notoriously difficult to care for. The Hundred Beasts Garden could raise them well, which meant they knew what they were doing. If he took one and failed to care for it, he would be needlessly endangering its life.
With that thought, Song Pu calmed himself. “…Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But upon reflection, I believe this creature is safest in the Hundred Beasts Garden. If I take it back, it may be wronged. Please consider this idle chatter, as if I had never spoken of it.”
Tantai Yi smiled. “Since Minister Song likes it, I shall naturally grant your wish. It is but an animal. How many you desire, Minister Song, I can provide.”
With that, someone was sent to fetch the giant panda cub.
Song Pu hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, please hold. I no longer wish to take it. I do love it, for it is one of the rarest adorable creatures. Yet precisely because of that love, I would rather set it free to roam the Hundred Beasts Garden. Should it go to the Song residence, the space is too small, and it would be unfair to it. Its parents are alive, and I cannot bear to separate them. I would rather it stay with its parents, enjoying family life.”
Tantai Yi’s eyes flickered. He was momentarily speechless. Slowly, he said, “Minister Song’s magnanimity truly astonishes me.”
Everyone could see that Tantai Yi’s emotions were unsettled, and Song Pu noticed as well. Recalling his earlier words, he saw nothing amiss in them, but Tantai Yi’s reaction left him uneasy.
Suddenly, Tantai Yi smiled. “Since Minister Song no longer wishes it, so be it. Should you change your mind later, you may ask me for it again.”
Grateful, Song Pu said, “Thank you for your favour, Your Majesty. I shall remember it forever and never forget it.”
After leaving the Hundred Beasts Garden, a young eunuch hurried over. Kneeling before Tantai Yi, he said tremblingly, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”
Tantai Yi’s expression darkened briefly, then he walked past the eunuch as if nothing had occurred.
Song Pu and the others followed. After a short distance, he glanced back; the young eunuch was still kneeling there.
On returning home that day, Chang Jiangming whispered, “His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are on very strained terms. You were still bedridden before, so you didn’t witness His Majesty’s temper. He said if the Empress Dowager wishes to see him, she must come in person.”
Song Pu understood immediately. Tantai Yi’s meaning was clear: if the Empress Dowager wanted to see him, she must come herself. Given her status, she could not compel the Emperor to appear.
If this got out, Tantai Yi’s reputation would be severely damaged.
Song Pu was naturally curious about palace affairs, but now it was clear that the less he knew, the better. He would do more and speak less. He told Chang Jiangming, “Don’t mention this again. If word gets out and His Majesty finds out, he will hold you accountable.”
Chang Jiangming covered his mouth and mumbled, “I won’t tell anyone. Only to Ah-Pu, and Ah-Pu shouldn’t tell anyone either.”
Song Pu said, “Of course I won’t. I am very tight-lipped.”
The following days grew increasingly unbearable. Even though Song Pu’s courtyard was surrounded by bamboo, with a cool breeze, it was still far too hot. In this era, there were no fans or air conditioning; cooling options were limited to manual fanning or ice.
Thanks to his studies, Song Pu knew how to make ice using saltpetre*. At that time, no one else knew; most still harvested ice in winter, stored it, and used it in summer. The Duke’s mansion had an ice cellar, but ice was limited. After all, harvesting ice required qualifications, and with many people in the household, Song Pu could only use a small basin per day.
(*TN: a common name for potassium nitrate, a white, crystalline salt traditionally used as a meat preservative, in gunpowder production, and as a fertiliser. It is a strong oxidising agent, known chemically as a nitrate of potash, and is frequently found naturally in caves, soils, and on walls.)
Even a small basin was insufficient. Song Pu, with a sweet tooth, used most of it for iced fruit juice or colourful shaved ice. It was a refreshing, exhilarating treat that made one feel as if the mind might explode.
After much thought, he secretly asked Song Lingyun to procure saltpetre. Known then as “wall frost,” it was not particularly rare. Song Lingyun obtained a small bag, and they stacked water in two iron basins, placing the saltpetre in the larger basin. As the saltpetre absorbed heat from the water, the smaller basin froze into ice.
This amazed Song Lingyun. “Ah-Pu, how did you know ice could be made this way?”
Song Pu, proud, hummed, “Books hold a wealth of knowledge, books hold beautiful women. That is the benefit of reading.”
Song Lingyun retorted, “Ah-Pu, if you applied this effort to the imperial examinations, you wouldn’t have failed even the lowest level.”
Song Pu: “…”
There was no need to discuss this further.
Song Lingyun calmed himself after initial excitement. Though ice-making was not difficult, it was important, and news of it could not spread. He advised Song Pu to experiment quietly at home.
Song Pu knew that annual ice harvesting consumed much manpower and resources and could be dangerous. Mastering ice-making would save time and disrupt no one. Originally benefiting only himself, Song Pu did not wish to cause trouble, so he obeyed.
Upon returning to the palace, Song Pu prepared colourful shaved ice for Tantai Yi. Crushed ice was drizzled with grape and peach juice. It was a sweet, refreshing treat that melted in the mouth, perfect for the summer heat.
Tantai Yi took a bite, his golden eyes lighting up. “Minister Song truly possesses a brilliant mind. Even I am sincerely impressed by such ingenuity.”
Song Pu’s cheeks flushed. “Your Majesty’s favour is so great; I will do everything to please you. Since Your Majesty is satisfied, I am content.”
Tantai Yi, as an emperor, could not finish it all at once. He ate a small portion, setting the rest aside. “Minister Song always puts me first, and I remember. I plan to spend a month at the Summer Palace. Minister Song, accompany me.”
Song Pu’s smile froze.
Tantai Yi noticed immediately. “Why that expression, Minister Song? Are you unwilling?”
Song Pu composed himself. “As long as I am with Your Majesty, I am willing to go anywhere. But is a month not too long? I have never been away from home so long, and I am somewhat anxious.”
Tantai Yi smiled. “Why act like a child, still reluctant to leave home? If truly worried, accompany me for half a month; you may return early if you wish.”
Though he said this, his eyes stayed fixed on Song Pu, betraying a hint of insincerity.
Sensing this, Song Pu replied, “Your Majesty jokes. Accompanying you to the Summer Palace, spending more time with Your Majesty, is an honour. How could I abandon Your Majesty and return early?”
Pleased, Tantai Yi said, “Then it is settled. Minister Song, I hear ‘Battle Through the Heavens’ nears its end. At the Summer Palace, you and I will recount it day and night. I eagerly await the next instalment.”
Song Pu nearly choked. This was… day and night work, year-round!
