Chapter 21: The Princess Arrives

Every word that Fan Li uttered seemed to stir some mysterious resonance between heaven and earth, like the tolling of an ancient temple bell reverberating endlessly through time. Then, a wondrous sight appeared. Above, clouds from every direction began to swirl, converging over Fan Li's head to form a sea of auspicious clouds at its absolute center.

"The breath of righteousness... so vast... Could it be the aura of a Sage?" Fan Li was oblivious, but the scholars present saw it clearly. Especially Huangfu Song, who immediately recalled a description of Sages he had once read in an ancient text.

"Mortals nurture their bodies with righteous breath, but Sages nurture the world itself with it."
"Mortals protect themselves with their breath, enveloping a three-foot radius."
"Sages protect the heavens and earth with their breath, stretching for countless miles!"

Without realizing it, Huangfu Song had already dropped to his knees. In that moment, he lost the courage to meet Fan Li's gaze, forced to kneel and look up at him in awe.

"Is he a descended scholar-immortal from the upper realm, or perhaps a Sage itself..." The more Huangfu Song pondered, the more alarmed he became, and regret gnawed at him. If his suspicions were true, then his earlier words and actions were nothing short of blasphemy!

Seeing Huangfu Song kneel, the young scholars quickly followed suit, not daring to hesitate for an instant.

"Lord Jin, please quell your anger."

Suddenly, a graceful and refined voice drifted from the waterside pavilion. Fan Li paused, instantly realizing that Princess Changle had finally chosen to reveal herself.

Princess Changle of Han, daughter of Emperor Liu Xie, her given name Liu Man. The emperor had three daughters, but Liu Man's fame far surpassed that of her sisters combined.

The Jewel of Yanhan.
The foremost female scholar of the Han Dynasty.

It was rumored that the Pure Land of Brahma once had a mighty master who wished Liu Man to become their successor, offering her access to all their secret arts if she would renounce her royal identity and fully enter the Pure Land.

Had Liu Man agreed, every esoteric technique would have been open to her, and in time, she could have become the head of a branch of the Pure Land, a status far above any ordinary princess.

Everyone knew Liu Man entered the Pure Land to learn its millennia-old secret arts. Yet, to the shock of all, she refused the master’s proposition, but persisted in her cultivation there, embarking upon a far more arduous path.

At sixteen, Liu Man challenged one hundred and seven heavenly gates of the Pure Land, only to fall on the one hundred and eighth. Thus, she earned the right to study half of the Pure Land’s ancient secrets.

The pavilion’s curtains were suddenly drawn aside.

A woman’s graceful figure appeared before all eyes.

In that instant, the men seemed mesmerized. All words describing beauty proved unnecessary. True beauty could, in a heartbeat, captivate a man’s soul, make him forget his ideals, his goals, his very breath, everything—leaving only the urge to gaze at her.

Princess Changle inclined herself, repeating her earlier words to Fan Li.

"Lord Jin, please quell your anger."

Only then did the crowd realize—Lord Jin? What Lord Jin? Hadn't Fan Li, Prime Minister of Chu, just been granted the title of Lord Jin?

At last, they understood Fan Li’s identity. Still kneeling, their emotions shifted—so he was Lord Jin? Thank heavens they had already knelt.

Great scholar Huangfu Song buried his head even lower.

"Greetings, Princess," Fan Li said, cupping his hands in respect. His status warranted such etiquette.

Princess Changle seemed unconcerned, her flawless face breaking into a smile.

"Lord Jin, please enter the pavilion to converse," she invited.

Fan Li was startled; this was unexpected. Alone together in a private chamber, did Princess Changle not fear rumors?

He could feel the furtive glances from the scholars, even Huangfu Song—eyes now tinged with curiosity. Though these men were outsiders, they held sway over Chu’s public opinion. After today’s literary gathering at Luo Lake, tales of Lord Jin and Princess Changle—romantic, tragic, or strange—would soon spread among the people.

"This woman is deliberately courting scandal with me," Fan Li thought, not with suspicion but certainty.

He sighed. Being a crafty minister was no easy task; everywhere he turned, someone schemed against him.

"Lord Jin..." Huangfu Song ventured quietly, eager to apologize for his earlier offense. Though he was not an official, his many disciples would one day serve in court; with Fan Li the de facto kingmaker of Chu, Huangfu Song could hardly afford to offend him.

"The gathering will continue," Fan Li announced. "Princess Changle and I are meeting for the first time, so I wish to pay my respects and seek her counsel. I shall leave you to it."

He deliberately emphasized "first meeting," hoping even partial belief would help clear his name.

With this small calculation in mind, Fan Li strode toward the pavilion. As he approached, his gaze met the princess’s, and he saw a flash of shrewdness in her eyes.

"Damn, she sees right through my schemes," he thought. "Pure Land of Brahma? What nonsense! They train women to be so cunning—I'm not sure that's such a pure place after all."

Internally, he grumbled, but outwardly he wore a friendly smile, as if he and Princess Changle were old friends reunited.

As their figures vanished behind the pavilion’s veils, the Luo Lake literary gathering officially began.

More renowned scholars and promising youths arrived, but none could compare. The participants were distracted, for the most distinguished figures in Chu were so close, secluded in the pavilion.

The Luo Lake gathering paled in comparison.

"Lord Jin, please have a seat."
"Thank you."

No sooner had Fan Li sat than the attendant brought fragrant tea and delicacies.

"Is the tea poisoned?" he wondered, hesitant to drink.

Princess Changle saw his concern and smiled. "Lord Jin, rest assured. With that esteemed lady in black standing guard outside, I would not dare harm a single hair on your head."

Wu Zhuo?

Thinking of her, Fan Li relaxed, but felt a twinge of embarrassment. To be so easily read by a woman—clearly, his skills were lacking.

He had just begun to relax when Princess Changle’s next words startled him.

"I once considered marrying the Emperor of Chu, and for that, truly entertained the idea of killing you, Lord Jin."

Fan Li’s lips twitched. He could only think three words: "Remarkable woman!"

Princess Changle continued, "I was almost ready to act, but never would I have guessed—the new ruler of Chu is a woman..."

She fixed Fan Li with a half-smiling, half-serious gaze.

Fan Li instantly became calm, but beneath that composure lurked a murderous intent.

Yes.

In that moment, Fan Li wanted nothing more than to kill Princess Changle.