Chapter 7
Encounter
Proofreader/Editor:
Nene Yashiro

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After Tang Jiwei dressed up, he strolled out with his hands behind his back. With three days left until the exams, anyone out enjoying themselves at this time must be exceptional; he had no desire to associate with mere bookworms.

The capital was bustling, with clear social hierarchies. The wide Weihe River separated the poor from the wealthy; on one side, the lights were bright, and the markets were lively, while this side was slightly quieter with sparse lighting. The poor saved on oil for their lamps, making the capital seem as if it were only half illuminated at first glance.

Tang Jiwei wandered aimlessly, having no particular destination in mind. The bright lights and the constant shouts of vendors filled the air, while crowds of people bustled about. Young men and women gathered along the Weihe River, engaging in lively conversations. The social atmosphere during the Later Qin period ^[1]Qin Period- was the first imperial dynasty of China was quite open; there weren’t many strict taboos between men and women, and women held a relatively high status. This was largely thanks to Princess Gonghe, the elder sister of Han Zhen. Back in the day, the Emperor and Empress shared a deep affection, naming their first child Han Yuan, which meant “to envy the mandarin ducks, not the immortals.” This name bore witness to the feelings between the late Emperor and Empress, which in turn elevated women’s status, as Princess Gonghe was the first princess to hold a fief before marriage.

Tang Jiwei arrived at the place where scholars gathered most during the imperial examination period: Juxian Tower ^[2]Juxian Tower- a historic tower located in the City of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province of China. The red plaque had originally been presented by Gu Zhenguan’s grandfather, but now the Gu family had long been forgotten amid the unending struggles, while the plaque remained as bright and vivid as ever.

The Empress Dowager ^[3] Empress Dowager- a title that is given to the mother or widow of a Chinese Emperor was Gu Zhenguan’s aunt, yet she watched as the Gu family’s estate crumbled from the sidelines. Gu Zhenguan held no grudge against her; after all, a woman lost her only son during the struggle for succession, and it was hard for her not to harbor resentment toward Gu Zhenguan, who stood on the opposing side.

As Tang Jiwei stepped into the grand hall, he was immediately met with thunderous applause. After inquiring, he learned that Juxian Tower was hosting a poetry competition, with the winner receiving a reward of one hundred taels of silver. There were about ten talented scholars on stage, and as Tang Jiwei glanced at the poems nearby, he overheard someone next to him scoff disdainfully.

“People are so eager to show off for a mere one hundred taels of silver, completely losing the dignity of a scholar!”

Tang Jiwei turned to see a man in a blue robe with a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, followed by a young attendant, suggesting he came from a prominent background.

“Brother, your words are misguided. Those who earn money through their own abilities deserve to be in the spotlight. The next round of examinations is still half a year away, and not all scholars are as carefree as you,” a man approached, sporting a black crown and a silver-black robe that stood out amid the bright and elegant attire around them. At a glance, Tang Jiwei recognized who he was—elegant yet not lacking in demeanor, with a voice easily distinguishable and a face that could make women feel shy. Who else could it be but Prince Jing, Han Jixia?

Seeing the newcomer’s remarkable presence, the man in blue quickly dropped his earlier disdain and smiled in greeting. “Your insights are unique; I humbly bow to you.”

Han Jixia nodded slightly but didn’t engage further, focusing his attention back on the competition.

Tang Jiwei had little interaction with Han Jixia in his past life; perhaps it was because Han Jixia’s reputation always overshadowed the equally talented third prince. Each time he gathered with Han Zhen, there was little exchange. Tang Jiwei had been so proud that he kept those who rejected him at bay, leaving others with no way to befriend him.

Now, in his new body, Tang Jiwei didn’t wish to align himself with Prince Jing, even though doing so would yield great benefits. Only Han Zhen could manage Han Jixia, and he had no desire to invite trouble.

The poets on stage each had their strengths, but the judges chosen for the competition were influential figures who were not well-versed in literature. Tang Jiwei found one poet particularly intriguing; their perspective was unique, and more importantly, they were not overly opportunistic. While others recited lofty verses about romance and ambition, this poet managed to craft a piece that satirized the Weihe River, subtly expressing the polarization of poverty and wealth, combining a touch of mockery with elegance—quite rare.

In the end, a tall man who had recited a poem about the bustling scenery of the capital won the competition. While the poem itself was rather average, the strong desire to win was evident, and it seemed the judges saw an opportunity for patronage in him, merely signaling their own interests.

After noticing that there would be singing and dancing afterward, Tang Jiwei decided to leave. It was better to maintain some distance from such places that celebrated frivolity. Thinking it was still early, he sought out a secluded dumpling stall to sit down and enjoy the view.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Tang Jiwei said with a smile as he sat down and spotted a “familiar face”—it was the scholar who had caught his eye earlier. The elegant figure of Tang Jiwei also drew the scholar’s attention.

“I’ll treat you to something. Your poem from earlier was excellent; it had a unique perspective. You must have great potential!” Tang Jiwei said, sitting beside him with a grin.

The young man, having just lost, showed no signs of disappointment. Instead, Tang Jiwei’s compliment brought a surprised expression to his face. “You liked my poem?” he asked.

Tang Jiwei nodded at the vendor bringing over the dumplings, rolled his chopsticks in the hot water nearby, and handed them to the young man.

“What? Is that strange? I genuinely thought it was good. There aren’t many who can see reality and express it through poetic imagery. You have a thoughtful mind; you can see and articulate it,” he replied.

Intrigued, the young man hesitated before accepting the chopsticks and slightly leaned toward Tang Jiwei. “No one has ever said I have great potential. I’ve only read a few more books than others. How can you make such a conclusion?”

Tang Jiwei raised an eyebrow and sipped the rich broth from his dumplings. “Your aim isn’t really the one hundred taels of silver, is it? It’s more about the twenty taels. Just from the few lines you wrote, it’s clear you’re hiding your strength. You’re not trying to attract attention while solving your survival issues—good strategy, my friend!”

The young man burst into laughter, revealing a small dimple on his otherwise fair and handsome face, shedding the feigned seriousness he had on stage and showing his true self.

“I’m Zhang Ling. If you can see through my little scheme, I suppose you must be someone extraordinary!” he said with a grin.

Tang Jiwei set down his bowl and replied, “I’m Tang Jiwei. I live in the southwest of the Weihe River. Since you and I seem to share similar interests, feel free to find me in the future. I would love to chat; I enjoy conversing with people who are a bit different.”

He left some copper coins on the table and added, “Next time, it’s your turn to treat me.”

Zhang Ling stood there, marveling at how free-spirited Tang Jiwei was, seeing this as a delightful unexpected gain from his trip to the capital. Watching Tang Jiwei’s departing figure, which seemed relaxed and casual, he noticed an extraordinary air about him that any discerning person would pick up on. What he thought was special paled in comparison to what Tang Jiwei truly represented! Zhang Ling wiped his mouth and returned to the inn to study.

Tang Jiwei was jostled by the crowd, struggling to maintain his footing as everyone flowed in one direction, while he moved in the opposite way, making him feel dizzy. After a great deal of effort, he finally managed to sidestep the throng but found himself pressed against a wall.

Well, it wasn’t really a wall, just a hard chest.

“Are you alright?”

Tang Jiwei looked up to see a dark-clad figure, stepping back to get a clearer view, and realized it was Wei Lin! Then the person behind him must be Han Zhen.

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Author’s Note:This story is updated daily, so feel free to dive in!

And hey, where are the likes and comments I asked for? [Reaches out]