Another Helping Hand

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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After Tang Mi’s incident, it was soon the Spring Festival. The Tang family swept away the misfortunes of previous years and happily prepared for the New Year. This year, since Tang Jiwei made some money and had a stable income, Madam Xiao generously allowed a few younger members of the family to rent a boat to have fun on the Wei River.

To be honest, Tang Jiwei really enjoyed the feeling of drifting on the river. However, this was definitely not the right weather for it!

The weather in the twelfth lunar month was freezing enough to freeze the river’s surface for three feet. Even though the capital had spring-like weather all year round, a delicate person like Tang Jiwei could barely endure half an hour on the boat. So, after paying, he tossed his siblings and a few of Tang De’s friends onto the boat and found a sheltered teahouse to slowly sip tea.

As the Spring Festival approached, the festive atmosphere filled the streets, and there were many more people shopping and enjoying themselves. This was the first year he hadn’t spent the festival with his family. Despite continually trying to convince himself otherwise, Tang Jiwei’s heart was still wracked with pain.

The street vendors calling out and the sight of his father holding his daughter as she enjoyed candied hawthorn skewers felt like a barrier separating him from the bustling joy around him. He couldn’t immerse himself in this true happiness; his heart hid a monstrous beast that had already shattered him before he could devour Han Zhen.

“May I sit here?”

A clear voice brought Tang Jiwei out of his reverie. He looked at the newcomer.

“Please do.”

Han Jixia unceremoniously sat down opposite him, waving off his attendants to stand further away, leaving just the two of them silently facing each other.

“I’ve seen you at the last poetry competition,” Han Jixia began, extending an olive branch.

Tang Jiwei was slightly surprised and smiled faintly. “I didn’t compete; how did you see me?”

“You were right next to me! I even helped you voice what you wanted to say,” Han Jixia said with a smile.

It was rare to see Han Jixia show a knowing smile, which caught Tang Jiwei off guard. A man with such charm and nobility, even if he wasn’t a prince, must have many young women vying for his attention.

“I didn’t say anything; you must have mistaken me for someone else,” Tang Jiwei denied.

Han Jixia leaned in a bit closer and softly said, “You have very beautiful eyes; they’re hard to forget. I really don’t know why a man looks so good!”

Tang Jiwei instinctively leaned back; the playful glimmer in Han Jixia’s eyes, along with the smile lines on his face, was becoming clear.

“Let’s be straightforward; what is your purpose?” Tang Jiwei crossed his arms.

Han Jixia raised an eyebrow. It was hard to make any headway with such a straightforward and perceptive opponent. If it weren’t for the “heavy responsibility” he bore, he wouldn’t want to provoke this cunning and unpredictable white fox.

“Someone wants to meet you. What do you say? Care to meet?”

Tang Jiwei picked up his teacup to hide the color in his eyes. The steam blurred his vision, wrapping around his heart like a mist.

“Sure, with your impressive demeanor as a door opener, the actual person must be worth my visit,” he said.

Han Jixia admired Tang Jiwei’s decisive and insightful nature. He had already researched his background before coming. To be honest, he had only met one person in his life, growing up in the common folk, with such temperament and insight.

As Han Jixia led the way through twists and turns, Tang Jiwei began to guess the identity of the person they were visiting. Who else would warrant such protection from this idle prince?

“This is it. Go in,” Han Jixia stepped back and gestured for Tang Jiwei to enter alone.

It was an unremarkable courtyard, filled with a chaotic array of flowers and trees. The tall trees and enchanting fragrance made Tang Jiwei raise his guard. This was a formation; although he couldn’t see the entire layout, he knew that without Han Jixia’s guidance, intruders would not have a good outcome.

Now that he was here, he had to meet the person, and he had nothing to fear.

Pushing open the door, Tang Jiwei stepped inside. The vast room almost made him faint. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen such elegant furnishings before or hadn’t encountered those strangely expensive redwood chairs; rather, it was that everything felt exactly like the Marquis’s residence from before. It was identical, even the placement of the teacup showed no signs of deviation. The soft couch by the window made him feel as if he had just been lying there, reading and sipping tea.

All of this made him dizzy; he could hardly distinguish himself from the scene. For a moment, he almost believed it was the day he returned home from court.

However, the appearance of a person behind the curtain completely jolted him awake from this dream.

Han Zhen’s stern gaze was like a steel nail, drilling into him as if trying to carve out a big hole. Tang Jiwei collected his thoughts and responded with silence.

“You are Tang Jiwei?” Han Zhen’s voice was as deep and powerful as before, but carried the tone and authority of someone in a position of power.

“Yes, I heard you wanted to see me. What do you need me for?” Tang Jiwei’s expression was calm, though his heart was racing. He wasn’t worried about Han Zhen recognizing him, as even he found such a notion absurd. However, he was curious about Han Zhen’s purpose in bringing him here and why everything was arranged just like it had been at the Marquis’s residence before his troubles. Was it merely to flaunt his achievements?

“Did you design to bring down Wang Zhongquan? Such ambition and cleverness for a child from an ordinary family—it’s hard to believe that someone with your background could have such plans. Even if you’re just a scholar, it’s still quite unbelievable.” The words of praise from Han Zhen felt rather chilling.

Tang Jiwei’s heart dropped. He sighed deeply and said, “I only did it to help my little sister. What Lord Wang has done doesn’t make me unjustly accuse him; that’s not unreasonable.”

Han Zhen sized up the seemingly youthful but shrewd man before him, recognizing him as the peculiar man he had seen by the Wei River.

“Are you willing to work for me?”

Han Zhen caught the look of surprise on Tang Jiwei’s face, even the fleeting expression in his eyes.

“Who are you? Why should I work for you? Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking others to serve you?” Tang Jiwei avoided his gaze, focusing on his brow.

Han Zhen felt no offense but rather a growing interest; the little cat had finally revealed its true nature. This was the kind of demeanor expected of someone his age.

With a smile in his eyes, Han Zhen maintained a composed exterior, standing with his hands behind his back, his sharp features resembling a mountain, solid and imposing.

“Didn’t Han Jixia tell you my identity? Is that kid avoiding the palace now? Li Sheng, where has Han Jixia gone?” Han Zhen asked.

Chief Eunuch Li Sheng hurriedly appeared from the side and said, “The prince left long ago, saying he hadn’t finished exploring the night market.”

Han Zhen remarked, “He’s probably afraid I’ll confine him; he really is the laziest person in the world.”

“Your Highness is correct. Would you like me to send someone to find the prince?” Chief Eunuch Li Sheng asked respectfully.

“No need; his task is complete. Let him go far away!” Han Zhen said disdainfully.

“Understood. I will convey the order,” Chief Eunuch Li Sheng replied.

At this point, it would be foolish for Tang Jiwei to pretend not to recognize Han Zhen’s identity. Watching the exchange between the master and servant, he couldn’t help but think that he had wrongly displayed his authority!

“The commoner pays his respects to Your Majesty; I ask for your forgiveness for any inappropriate words!”

Han Zhen graciously helped him up and said, “No need to be constrained; I bear no grudge against you. Now, will you work for me?”

Tang Jiwei felt as if a swarm of insects was buzzing in his head. In his past life, he had worked tirelessly for others without regret, only to meet an untimely end, being strangled to death and falsely accused of treason, leaving his family with no chance of rising again. He had implicated his entire clan.

But now, he had come for a trivial case, looking as if he were eager for a job. Tang Jiwei loathed this façade; he wished he could plunge a dagger into his heart right then and there.

“It’s an honor for a commoner to share your burdens, Your Majesty.” Tang Jiwei feigned a look of fear, wanting to hide his distorted expression.

“Don’t joke with me, my minister. I reviewed your provincial examination papers. You criticize the problems of the times and understand ancient and modern issues. Most importantly, you can apply your knowledge practically; I appreciate that.” Han Zhen sat in a position of power, exuding grace and charm.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. What can I do to help you?” Tang Jiwei asked respectfully.

Han Zhen found that this person was quite understanding and adaptable. He needed someone talented and pragmatic, and Tang Jiwei fit that bill perfectly. Han Zhen smiled slightly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I have a secret organization that specializes in investigating matters of the previous dynasty, including corruption, bribery, and officials oppressing the common people. The organization reports all findings to me. What I need you to do is assess the pros and cons, explore the various connections, and devise effective governance strategies to bring down corrupt officials. Are you willing to do this?”

Tang Jiwei’s lips curled into a slight smile as he knelt down and said, “It’s an honor for a commoner to serve Your Majesty.”

“Very well. If one day you enter the court, I won’t mistreat you,” Han Zhen said.

With that, Han Zhen instructed Chief Eunuch Li Sheng to escort him out.

Tang Jiwei was quite familiar with Li Sheng from his previous life. He knew that getting information out of him wouldn’t be easy; he had to be indirect, as it would be hard to discern truth from falsehood. This old fox was far more cunning than those who had been involved with the previous dynasty.

As he stepped outside, the night was dim, and the moonlight was faint. The courtyard was large and dark, and after walking twice, he still couldn’t fully grasp the layout and structure.

“This courtyard must have been meticulously designed; the corridors meander, and the water flows gently—very poetic,” Tang Jiwei commented.

Chief Eunuch Li Sheng said little, merely responding with an acknowledgment.

Tang Jiwei understood how difficult it was to extract information from him and wasn’t annoyed. He simply smiled and enjoyed the scenery, feeling a sense of déjà vu from the courtyard.

As they passed the garden, a sweet scent of apricot blossoms wafted through the air. Tang Jiwei was momentarily startled, and his brows twitched slightly as he whispered, “Apricot blossoms aren’t yet willing to be loveless; why do travelers feel the most heartache?”

Chief Eunuch Li Sheng paused and said, “Do you like this poem, Young Master?”

Tang Jiwei felt a pang of sincerity emerge and bitterly nodded, saying, “Apricot blossoms shouldn’t bloom at this time; that would be too much to ask.”

Chief Eunuch Li Sheng followed Tang Jiwei toward the entrance, shaking his head and sighing. “What cannot be forced cannot be obtained. These apricot trees don’t bloom, yet the master has used a heater to force them. It’s a pity that the person is no longer here; what use is there in leaving flowers behind? Even I feel quite sad watching it.”

Tang Jiwei frowned; Chief Eunuch Li Sheng’s words hinted at something deeper. Did Han Zhen have a beloved woman he couldn’t obtain? Had he planted dozens of apricot trees in the courtyard to reminisce about her?

Chief Eunuch Li Sheng had grown silent, and Tang Jiwei didn’t want to leave the impression of being someone who took advantage of others or was overly opportunistic. He also chose not to speak and walked out with him.

Strolling along the street, he recalled that Tang De and the others were probably still having fun on the Wei River. It was rare for a few children to enjoy such an outing, and even in the frigid winter weather, they would surely be excited.

Apricot blossoms? Tang Jiwei pondered; there had been a few planted at the Marquis’s residence. Madam Gu believed their fragrance was sweet and light, which could relieve fatigue, and had ordered several to be planted outside his study. A glance would show a sea of blossoms—an image of “even if the garden walls can’t contain them, a single red apricot blooms beyond.”

But does the woman Han Zhen admires also love apricot blossoms? Tang Jiwei couldn’t help but feel a bit curious about this woman he had never met. A woman that Han Zhen couldn’t have must certainly not be an ordinary person. The fact that he had planted dozens of apricot trees in his own courtyard to reminisce about her indicated that she must be extraordinary.

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