Chapter Forty-Four: The Way of Heaven

The people around were startled for a moment, all turning their gaze in his direction.

The young noble declared with pride, "With a single pat of my fan, I send both spring and winter away." As he flicked his folding fan, he continued, "And this sweep of mine brings forth the clangor of gold and iron, the horses of war! Throughout history, reason has always reigned supreme—whether it be the laws of heaven, of nature, or of man, all cycle without end!"

"If one is born to privilege, one ought all the more to abide by reason."

"Though I am the son of Master Zhu, I have always upheld the principle of reason!"

"And the Prince of Chu’s manor, renowned throughout Yan Prefecture, is an exemplar of its time. However, it is regrettable that the third young master of the Prince of Chu’s household, Chu Youtai..."

Just as Zhu Yuzheng was about to continue his grandiose speech, a youth suddenly stepped forward and softly said, "Brother Zhu, please wait."

The youth was Dou Xu.

He had arrived early, intending to speak privately with Zhu Yuzheng about Chu Youtai, but the place was crowded with scholars and listeners, and many strong guards were stationed nearby, making the atmosphere feel far from ordinary. Dou Xu had tried several times to approach, but Zhu Yuzheng was preoccupied with the company of songstresses, leaving Dou Xu with no opportunity to speak.

Now, seeing Zhu Yuzheng begin his storytelling, Dou Xu could restrain himself no longer. If he continued to be timid, would he not be forsaking his own convictions, forever unable to embody the principle: "When the path diverges, we cannot make plans together"?

At that moment, he finally mustered his courage and spoke out, "I have met Chu Youtai. He is a man of exceptional bearing, deeply devoted to his wife, and is by no means the contemptible sort who would sell his own spouse."

Zhu Yuzheng glanced at him sidelong, showing no surprise, as if prepared for such an interruption. He replied, "And who are you to Chu Youtai? How long have you known him?"

"We met by chance only yesterday," Dou Xu answered, his voice faltering as he sensed all eyes upon him.

"One may know a face but not a heart. Such people are adept at deceiving others, but they cannot deceive me, Zhu Yuzheng! I am a man of integrity. If he dares, let him face me openly!" Zhu Yuzheng sneered, idly toying with his folding fan, a sharp glint flickering within its folds.

Dou Xu was momentarily struck dumb, unable to find words.

"Are you running errands for him? How much silver did he give you?" Zhu Yuzheng added disdainfully.

"You—" Dou Xu, finally pushed to the limit, raised his voice. "I, Dou Xu, am a scholar. I would never stoop for silver! Yesterday, I heard Chu Youtai say, 'When the path diverges, we cannot make plans together.' To become a sage, to possess the Way, one must not blindly follow another, nor judge by appearances alone. This is the principle of harmony without uniformity."

"Absurd!" Zhu Yuzheng's eyes flashed with a hint of turmoil before he quickly rebuked, "The teachings of our ancestors have always been clear. Was Confucius ever wrong? Was Mencius ever in error? This is mere sophistry—splitting hairs and distorting the words of our forebears. Where, then, do you place the ancestral Way?"

As he finished, he looked around and noticed no one echoed his words. Many around them seemed lost in thought, which only made him raise his voice further: "My father, Master Zhu, is a paragon of the orthodox Way. Yet even he would mete out harsh punishment to petty criminals and charlatans. If we followed your reasoning, should we not then treat these liars as honored guests?"

Dou Xu was at a loss for words, stunned by Zhu Yuzheng’s forcefulness and dogmatism. Though his heart brimmed with arguments, he could not voice them, his face flushing with frustration.

"Step aside, step aside," Zhu Yuzheng waved dismissively, and two burly men stepped forward, seized Dou Xu by the arms, and carried him out of the tavern.

Dou Xu grew even angrier, wanting to shout, but his mouth was quickly covered, nearly suffocating him and causing his whole body to convulse in pain.

The two men hauled him to the tavern door and unceremoniously dumped him by the roadside. One threatened, "Get lost! If you come back, we’ll break your legs!"

Shaking all over with rage, Dou Xu tried to stand, clenching his fists. Suddenly, two sharp gusts of wind shot past him, striking the two burly men with force.

Their faces changed as they struggled in vain; the energy sealed their acupoints, rendering them powerless and unable to rise. They hurriedly pleaded, "Spare us, my lords, spare us!"

Only then did Dou Xu notice four women in male attire had appeared by his side. The one who had unleashed the energy was none other than Shangguan Wanru, whom he had met the day before.

Overjoyed, he said, "Thank you, miss—thank you for your timely help."

But Shangguan Wanru, her face cold and impassive, did not look at him, heading straight back into the tavern.

Dou Xu wanted to say more, but then he saw Yun Cuixian behind him—composed, dignified, her bearing serene. He was momentarily transfixed. Her beauty rivaled that of Princess Lianhua, yet her presence surpassed even hers. Her solemn expression inspired reverence.

Could this woman truly be Yun Cuixian, Chu Youtai’s wife?

Watching the four women stride purposefully into the tavern, Dou Xu bit his lip, steeling his resolve, and followed them inside.

Once inside, Zhu Yuzheng was still holding forth at the jade table: "Now, as the story goes, Yun Cuixian rebuked Chu Youtai, saying: 'You used to wander everywhere, your face covered in dust, your body reeking of sweat, filth dropping off you and nearly breaking the bed, the calluses on your feet an inch thick, making everyone sick all night long!'

"She went on: 'It was only after I entered your household that you shed your ragged skin! Though I am not a peerless beauty, I have never treated you unfairly. A man like you, I believe, is a match for me. Yet you, you feel no gratitude, going so far as to sell me!'

"'To sell one's wife is already a heinous crime, yet you are so heartless!'"

At this, Zhu Yuzheng snapped his fan, a green light flashing from it, and continued: "Chu Youtai broke down in tears, begging for forgiveness, but Yun Cuixian’s maids drove him out, sending him tumbling down a cliff. Luckily, a dead tree halfway down broke his fall, and someone rescued him with a rope. After that, Chu Youtai's body festered with sores, and he became a beggar on the streets."

"But—"

"Yun Cuixian was no saint herself. She only married Chu Youtai for his wealth, but when she learned he’d been cast out of the Prince of Chu's household, she was deeply disappointed!"

"Rumor has it she was stunningly beautiful, but in truth, her face was hidden beneath thick makeup, making it impossible for ordinary people to tell..."

"Her true aim was to win the favor of the Prince of Chu!"

Zhu Yuzheng, animated and enthusiastic in his tale, suddenly noticed the four women entering. Though dressed as men, they could not conceal their striking beauty. Especially the one leading them—her brows arched like distant mountains, her face as delicate as a lotus, regal and dignified. He had never seen such a woman before, and for a moment, he was utterly spellbound, his eyes filled with longing.

PS: In good spirits today—taking advantage of the plot’s momentum, here’s another chapter.