When Xie Shiguan asked this, how could the two dare to disagree?

The person sitting to Xie Shiguan’s side was dressed in a red-brown round-collared narrow-sleeved robe, with an outer garment made of a whole piece of embroidered Shu brocade. The hem was adorned with a pattern of immortals riding cranes. He looked to be around forty, with a clean-shaven face and a belt that couldn’t quite contain his growing belly, showing signs of prosperity.

Shen Que recognized this person as Chen Mingjun, the Minister of Revenue, a third-rank official with real power and immense wealth. Next to him was the Yunhui General, a third-rank official stationed at the border, dressed simply. Compared to Minister Chen, he appeared somewhat shabby.

As soon as Xie Shiguan finished speaking, Minister Chen immediately chimed in, “Your Highness is right. We’re just gathering privately, and Brother Shen is one of your close aides, so we’re all very close.”

He smiled and continued, “Everyone is warmly gathered together, what’s wrong with that?”

Another person at the table nodded silently, not speaking.

With the conversation at this point, Shen Que couldn’t refuse to sit. He bowed to the two at the table and then slowly sat down.

Once everyone was present, Hua Kui Niangzi arrived fashionably late, her melodious laughter announcing her entrance. She carried a faint orchid fragrance, barely noticeable but enticing.

Minister Chen had once offered a hefty sum to invite this elusive courtesan, but she had never given him the time of day. Now, finally seeing her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Hua Kui Niangzi first approached Xie Shiguan, “Yiyun greets Your Highness.”

Her manners and demeanor were like those of a noble lady from a scholarly family.

Xie Shiguan slightly raised his chin and pointed to Minister Chen, “Go to Minister Chen.”

She smiled gracefully, “Yes.”

Seeing the young lady sit close to him, the elegant orchid fragrance enveloped him, making Minister Chen feel as if his bones were melting.

Being a smooth operator, he didn’t forget to first show respect to the King of Yan, quickly calling out, “Sixin!”

A voice responded from outside, even lighter than Hua Kui Niangzi’s, and soon a young performer in costume entered. Without headgear, with only a light layer of powder on the face, a touch of rouge at the eyes, and a dab of red on the lips, this person was also quite attractive.

“Your Highness, this is Sixin, the most popular performer in the theater. Come, sing a song for His Highness.”

Anyone in the capital with any connection to the King of Yan knew how picky he was about his bed companions. Such performers and courtesans, who had been with countless wealthy merchants, were not to his taste.

But the invitation was sent in haste, and even if Minister Chen searched the ends of the earth, he couldn’t find a talented, gentle, and willing noble lady.

Since he couldn’t find one, he had to invite this young performer to sing a few songs for entertainment, which wasn’t too disrespectful.

The young performer leaned into Xie Shiguan’s embrace, deliberately singing poorly, only humming a few lines. Minister Chen quickly laughed, “You’re a performer, why are you singing Lanling King? Change it quickly!”

The young performer smiled, cupping Xie Shiguan’s face, “What would Your Highness like to hear?”

“I am a simple man, I don’t understand opera,” Xie Shiguan shamelessly said, staring into the performer’s affectionate eyes, “Why don’t you moan a few lines for me?”

The young performer exclaimed, seemingly blushing, and Xie Shiguan pulled his hand away from his face, directing him to Shen Que, “My legs are numb, go sit on his lap.”

Shen Que almost lost his balance, nervously gesturing, “I… I…”

The young performer didn’t care whether he agreed or not; he had been paid and couldn’t displease the host. His soft body fell onto Shen Que, who dared not move, like a wooden figure.

Then the young performer wrapped his arms around Shen Que’s neck, whispering and panting in his ear.

Shen Que had never experienced such a scene, his face burning redder than the young performer’s, looking to the King for help.

But seeing this, Xie Shiguan’s smile only grew wider, “Just hold him properly, don’t let him fall.”

The young performer, having never seen such an honest person in the pleasure quarters, mischievously rubbed against him. Shen Que, unable to bear it, grabbed his shoulder, gesturing fiercely, “Please behave!”

The young performer laughed, “What are you saying? I don’t understand.”

Xie Shiguan watched them with a smile, and Minister Chen joined in, having drunk a few cups, teasing Shen Que, “Never tried it, have you? This young performer isn’t just any singer; he’s good at singing and even better with his mouth. Once you’ve tried, you’ll be chasing after him every night!”

Just as he finished speaking, the King of Yan raised his cup to him, “Minister.”

The courtesan beside him handed over a cup of warm wine, and Minister Chen quickly took it, bowing slightly, “Your Highness, please.”

This wine was privately brewed by Hua Yiyun, made from loquats picked in autumn, fermented for a season, and served in winter with a plum blossom floating on top. One sip, and the sweet fragrance warmed the heart.

Minister Chen praised, “Good wine!”

The young lady chuckled softly, “The crows hide among the willow flowers, my lord, drink and stay with me.”

Xie Shiguan set down his cup, his gaze lightly resting on Minister Chen, getting straight to the point, “Actually, I invited Minister Chen today to ask for a favor.”

“Not at all,” Minister Chen quickly set down his cup, “Whatever Your Highness needs, as long as it’s within my power, I won’t refuse.”

Though he said this, his palms were slightly sweaty. This prince was known for his unpredictability, and if he made an unreasonable request, he wouldn’t know how to respond.

Xie Shiguan looked at him with a smile, not in a hurry to speak, which made Minister Chen think of his precious sons. One of his illegitimate sons was quite handsome but already married with children. If he were sent to the prince’s residence, who knows what trouble it would cause!

Whether the son was willing was a small matter; angering the Regent King was a big one!

While Minister Chen was sweating over his imagination, Xie Shiguan finally spoke, “It’s not a big deal, just…”

He looked at Shen Que, “Aque has been with me for over ten years, yet he’s still of low status, which is inconvenient. His indenture papers have been destroyed, and now we just need Minister Chen to register him as a commoner of Chang’an.”

Shen Que’s heart skipped a beat, his already flushed face growing hotter. He had followed Xie Shiguan for over a decade, never daring to hope for any kindness.

He never imagined that Xie Shiguan would go to such lengths for someone as insignificant as him, to free him from servitude.

Hearing that he didn’t want his illegitimate son, Minister Chen breathed a sigh of relief, beaming, “That’s just a small matter, Your Highness. No need to come in person; just send a letter to my office, and I’ll handle it properly for you!”

“Once he’s registered, I’ll even send his papers to the Ministry of War and get him a sixth-rank official position. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

The matter with the Imperial Uncle, though covered up, was something Minister Chen, with his keen sense of information, had quickly learned about.

It was said that because of this mute, several of the Imperial Uncle’s servants were punished. Last night, after the Imperial Uncle left the painting boat, someone had a hand chopped off, only saved by a nearby merchant, and the cold weather helped preserve his life.

Everyone suspected the King of Yan was behind it, but there was no evidence. Without evidence, who would dare investigate the Regent King?

Gaining the King’s favor was something to be respected. Handling this matter well and leaving a good impression on Shen Que wasn’t a bad thing.

“Minister, handle it as you see fit,” Xie Shiguan said, “Your work is always reliable, so I won’t worry.”

Just as he finished speaking, about to see Shen Que’s reaction, the young performer suddenly leaned against Shen Que, smiling slyly, and said in a teasing tone, “Sir, why are you getting excited down there?”

Shen Que abruptly stood up, his entire body flushed, eyes seemingly brimming with tears. He bowed to Xie Shiguan and then fled without looking back.

The entire table fell silent for a moment, and then Xie Shiguan realized, thinking how even in such a state, Shen Que didn’t forget to bow to him, finding it quite endearing, and couldn’t help but laugh.

The young performer also found it amusing, having never seen such a proper person in the pleasure quarters, almost dying of laughter.

“Your Highness,” the young performer stood up, bowing slightly to Xie Shiguan, his peach blossom eyes curving like crescent moons, “I’ll go find that gentleman, lest he gets too embarrassed alone.”

Minister Chen, laughing with the young lady beside him, waved him off, making a crude joke, “Go on, that young brother Shen is full of youthful vigor, with no family, he’s probably somewhere rubbing against a pillar right now.”

These scholars, outwardly righteous, spoke the crudest words in private, like snow on mud, both vulgar and crude.

Xie Shiguan, having heard such talk often in social settings, usually paid it no mind. But today, for some reason, hearing this made his brow furrow slightly, feeling a bit displeased.

The young performer was about to leave when Xie Shiguan leisurely spoke, “He’s already run off, what’s the point in chasing?”

The young performer, skilled at reading people, noticed Xie Shiguan’s slight displeasure and quickly returned to his seat, playfully saying, “Your Highness is right, that gentleman is like a block of wood, not a fraction as charming as you. Your Highness, shall I sing you a piece from ‘The Romance of the Western Chamber’?”

Xie Shiguan neither agreed nor disagreed, so the young performer took it as consent, borrowing a folding fan from the prince, using it to half-cover his face, and began to sing.

The prince didn’t care for opera, but he had to admit, this young performer had a beautiful voice, singing about Cui Yingying with a voice more melodious than a nightingale.

Yet, as the song of Yingying filled his ears, his thoughts turned to another person.

That mute who couldn’t speak or sing.

**Author’s Note:**

**Note:**

The line is from Li Bai’s “Yang Pan’er,” meaning: The crows’ cries are hidden among the willow flowers, today my lord, drink without fear of getting drunk, my home is your home.