Chapter 17: The Literary Gathering at Luo Lake

The grass grew lush and the orioles soared; the autumn air was high and crisp.

Fan Li lounged idly in a grand armchair, clothed in dark scholar’s robes, a rare scroll in his hands.

“Days without having to bully the young emperor are unexpectedly pleasant,” he mused.

Ever since Fan Li had discovered Xiang Ning’s true gender, he had instinctively begun to avoid her. After all, he was a man over six feet tall, and tormenting a pitiable girl disguised as a boy until she wept was hardly an honorable pursuit.

More importantly, the “Arch-Traitor System” seemed to have crashed and had failed to issue new tasks for several days. His avatar remained in seclusion, cultivating tirelessly day and night. By now, Fan Li had reached the third tier of the Body Refinement Realm.

There were fewer than ten days left until the completion of the Dragon God Hall, to be followed immediately by the “Summit of the Three Emperors.”

“At the third tier of Body Refinement, attending the summit with the Empress—won’t that be a bit humiliating?” he wondered, lost in thought, when suddenly he heard light footsteps behind him.

“Brother!”

Fan Li didn’t need to turn around to know it was Fan Yuehua.

The fourth daughter of the Fan family, celebrated as an immortal beauty, was the only idle one in the clan, spending her days wandering through mountains and rivers. Yet, despite her leisurely life, her gift for cultivation was extraordinary. Even the occasional period of seclusion would see her strength steadily increase.

“I’m reading. Go amuse yourself elsewhere,” Fan Li said, turning with a smile.

At this, Fan Yuehua pulled a face of utter disdain.

“What are you reading?” she demanded, snatching the ancient scroll from his hand and reading the title aloud.

“‘The Chronicle of the Turncoat Ministers’? Hehe, Brother, since you’ve been absent from court and haven’t heard the young emperor scold you, are you reading this to get your fill of abuse?”

Fan Li flushed, reaching out to rap her on the forehead.

“At most, your brother is a power broker, never a traitor. ‘The Chronicle of the Turncoat Ministers’ has nothing to do with me.”

Fan Yuehua nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! Brother, you’re destined to rebel and be emperor yourself one day—how could you ever be a mere turncoat?”

Fan Li sighed.

He often suspected his fourth sister was born with a rebellious streak. How did she manage to make rebellion her catchphrase, repeating it so freely?

“Brother, I actually came to you for something.”

“Oh? State affairs keep me busy of late—I really can’t spare the time. Why not ask Eldest Brother or Third Brother?”

He refused without a second thought, his lie as casual as breathing.

Fan Yuehua stamped her foot in frustration.

She had watched him skip court for days, lounging at home reading idle books, and here he was, claiming to be busy with state affairs?

“Brother! Tomorrow is the Luohu Literary Gathering. Dong Zhong, the foremost scholar of Jiangbei, has invited me to join in. I long to witness the literary tradition of Great Chu, but I’d rather not go alone. Why don’t you accompany me?”

Fan Li was rather baffled.

“If the Jiangbei scholar has invited you, you should go with him. Why drag me along?”

“Oh, Dong Zhong is only there to hand out tickets. I have no wish to keep company with a bookworm. You, Brother, are a Duke of Jin—taking you out will do wonders for my social standing.”

Listening to her, Fan Li was speechless.

Was he now being treated like a Chanel or LV handbag—an accessory to show off?

He wanted to refuse again, but Fan Yuehua’s persistent pleading finally wore him down. Since he truly had nothing pressing the next day, he at last agreed.

“I’ve invited Sister Wuzhui to join us as well,” Fan Yuehua added with a smile.

Until the Dragon God Hall was finished, Wuzhui had been staying at the Fan residence. Since she had shifted into her female form, Fan Yuehua had swiftly befriended her, and the two had become quite close.

Fan Li, however, was thoroughly exasperated.

“You’re attending a literary gathering with more pomp than the emperor—requiring both a Duke of Jin and the nation’s guardian beast for support…”

The next day, at Luohu.

The lake stretched vast, like an inland sea—its shape a crescent, dividing north from south.

South of Luohu lay the territory of Great Chu; north of the lake was Han Empire land. The Chu royal family had once funded the construction of pavilions and towers along the southern shore, transforming it into a pleasure garden.

Over time, the tradition arose of holding a literary gathering on the southern bank each year—a custom beloved by the scholars of Chu.

“We’re here, Brother, Sister Wuzhui!” Fan Yuehua exclaimed happily.

The three alighted from their carriage. Striving for discretion, they dressed as ordinary wealthy youths, escaping notice.

The Luohu Literary Gathering attracted only the scholarly set. Great Chu, built on martial prowess, had few officials interested—only the Hanlin Academy’s scholars typically attended. The rest were reclusive literati or young talents yet to enter officialdom.

“Miss Yuehua!?”

A delighted exclamation rang out, and a young man strode toward them.

Fan Li took in the newcomer’s ornate attire—scholar’s robes trimmed with silver and gold thread. He suspected the man’s family wasn’t truly affluent, but he certainly loved to make a show of it. Even at a distance, a strong fragrance wafted from him—undoubtedly his own.

Fan Li frowned.

Scholars were known for refinement, but only when matchmaking, courting, or trysting with lovers would one resort to perfume.

“Is this fellow here for the literary gathering or for a matchmaking fair?” Fan Li thought wryly.

His first impression of the newcomer was not favorable.

“Young Master Dong has arrived,” Fan Yuehua said with a smile.

“I am Dong Zhong, honored to meet the Immortal Yuehua,” replied Dong Zhong, brimming with courtesy and attentiveness.

Yet his eyes were for Fan Yuehua alone; he ignored Fan Li and Wuzhui completely. In fact, when his gaze flickered to Fan Li, there was a hint of hostility.

“This fellow is clearly taken with Yuehua, but hasn’t recognized who I am,” Fan Li thought, amused. These aspiring scholars rarely had a chance to meet the Chancellor of Chu, the leader of the civil officials.

Dong Zhong hoped to court Fan Yuehua, but mistook Fan Li for a rival suitor. Especially since all four siblings of the Fan family were famed for their striking looks.

Today Fan Li wore a scholar’s white robe and blue turban. Though less imposing than court dress, it lent him a certain unrestrained elegance.

Dong Zhong sensed he could not compare and felt a twinge of resentment.

As for Wuzhui—although she was stunningly beautiful, Dong Zhong instantly saw she was not from a notable family. He prided himself on knowing all the eligible noblewomen of Chu, and Wuzhui was not among them.

Thus, he had no interest in her at all.

“Young Master Dong, these two are—” Fan Yuehua began.

“Just acquaintances, nobodies,” Fan Li interrupted lightly, cutting her off.

Fan Yuehua stared at him in surprise, but then a look of mischievous delight crept over her features. She was always fond of stirring up trouble.

“Oh?”

Dong Zhong, upon hearing this, was smugly pleased.

The Luohu Literary Gathering was the perfect stage for talent to shine. Who here didn’t wish to make a name for themselves? Yet this man dared not even reveal his name—surely he truly was a nobody.

“I am Dong Zhong of Jiangdong, student of ‘Righteous Vitality’ for many years, now at the seventh tier of the Golden Core Realm, recently apprenticed to the renowned scholar Huangfu Song…” Dong Zhong declared proudly, casting a superior glance at Fan Li and Wuzhui, before finally turning his eyes upon Fan Yuehua’s enchanting face.

“And I am, as yet, unmarried.”