Chapter 48: The Emperor Leaves the Palace

“On what grounds!?”
Xiang Ning suddenly demanded loudly.

Though it was her usual melodious voice, the four grown men were still startled!

She was truly anxious now.

Shouldn’t one hundred and eight carts of gifts from Han all be the dowry of Princess Changle, all sent to the Han imperial palace?

Why were only thirty-six carts sent to the palace, while seventy-two were given to Fan Li!?

Cao, Liu, and Sun also stared at Xiang Ning in surprise, thinking this palace maid had astonishing boldness—did she think it was her place to speak now?

“Insolence! Have you forgotten your station?”

Left without a choice, Fan Li could only put on a stern face and scold her.

Xiang Ning was no fool; she finally realized the danger. The matter of the gifts was minor, but exposing herself was disastrous!

She hurried to correct herself: “I merely meant, on what grounds does the Duke of Jin receive seventy-two carts?”

Cao Cao, upon hearing this, was stunned for a few seconds, then understood. As expected, this palace maid was on the Duke of Jin’s side, always speaking in his favor.

He had already received the lion’s share, yet still found it insufficient?

Cao Cao quickly explained, “The seventy-two carts sent to the Fan residence are worth several times those sent to the palace. Please trust that Han would never dare slight the Duke of Jin.”

Fan Li felt awkward, especially in front of Xiang Ning.

He could clearly sense Xiang Ning beside him breathing rapidly, like a pufferfish about to burst.

“Ahem... His Majesty of Han is too generous. Why are the gifts to me so numerous?” Fan Li asked casually.

He hadn’t expected the three Han ministers’ faces to grow solemn at this.

In unison, they said, “Our Emperor hopes that, whether the future realm of Chu bears the surname Xiang or Fan, it will always stand as Han’s steadfast ally.”

Damn!

Fan Li nearly cursed aloud.

What on earth had he done? How had the suspicion of treachery and usurpation reached the Han court?

The three men eagerly awaited Fan Li’s response, their eyes brimming with expectation.

Fan Li hadn’t spoken when Xiang Ning quietly said, “His Majesty of Han need not worry. Things will surely go as he wishes... ha.”

Fan Li was speechless and could only laugh awkwardly.

Yet the three misunderstood the relationship between Fan Li and Xiang Ning, thinking their gifts had achieved remarkable effect.

Cao Cao took the opportunity: “It is our great fortune to become acquainted with the Duke of Jin. If we might someday visit your home for a cup of wine, that would be a blessing indeed!”

Was this a request to call upon him as guests?

What else could Fan Li say? One does not reject a smiling guest, especially when his own residence was likely overflowing with Han’s gifts.

“I, too, feel a special kinship with you three gentlemen. In that case, please return with me to my residence.”

Fan Li spoke and set off at once.

But after a few steps, he stopped in frustration.

He looked at Xiang Ning, who lifted her chin to meet his gaze.

This woman was following along? Wasn’t the palace comfortable enough for her?

“Must you come with us? Wouldn’t you rather remain in the palace?” Fan Li hinted, exasperated.

How could she forget?

He was the foremost power-broker in Chu—an infamous minister!

She, a vulnerable noble, going alone to the home of such a man—was she not afraid for her safety?!

But Xiang Ning, as if deeply provoked, had lost all reason, her mind ruled by impulse.

“Ning’er likes to follow the Duke of Jin. Wherever he goes, Ning’er will go too.”

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan all burst out laughing at this.

“Miss Ning’er and the Duke of Jin are truly close, making us quite envious,” they teased.

Fan Li was beginning to get a headache.

Where did they see any affection? The woman seemed ready to tear him apart!

But Xiang Ning ignored their banter, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Fan Li.

In the end, all five departed the palace together.

At the Fan residence.

Fan Ming, Fan Chun, and Fan Yuehua, learning that the god of wealth himself was coming to visit, immediately arranged for a lavish banquet.

One must reciprocate kindness with hospitality. Though the Fan clan’s wealth could rival a nation, Han itself was a kingdom, and the gifts sent were a delight to the three siblings.

The Fan residence was grand, only slightly less so than the imperial palace itself.

Within its grounds were pavilions and towers, the most magnificent being the “Jiangshan Pavilion.”

The pavilion rose six stories high, with a great lake dug to the west, fed by running water, so that the lake never dried, year round.

The earth from the lake had been heaped to the east of the Jiangshan Pavilion, forming an artificial mountain.

Thus, Jiangshan Pavilion possessed both water and mountains, making it the most renowned and breathtaking sight in Pengcheng.

Fan Li led them up to Jiangshan Pavilion. While Cao, Liu, and Sun marveled in admiration, Xiang Ning’s face was cold as stone.

Fan Li felt unbearably awkward!

This wasn’t a reception—it felt like a crime scene!

The guests and hosts took their seats.

Fan Li sat at the head, with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan on his right, and Fan Ming, Fan Chun, and Fan Yuehua to his left, facing the three.

An angry woman is truly formidable!

Xiang Ning, saying nothing, walked directly to Fan Li’s side and sat down.

The six seated below exchanged incredulous looks, but Xiang Ning ignored them all.

Cao, Liu, and Sun thought to themselves: “When the Fan clan founds a dynasty, will she be the empress?”

The three Fan siblings wondered silently: “Who is she? What is her relationship with our second brother? When did this all begin, and how did I not know?”

“Ahem!”

Taking advantage of the servants bringing food and pouring wine, Fan Li forced himself to offer a toast.

“I wish prosperity to both Chu and Han, and success to you, gentlemen, in your official careers.”

As Han’s chief envoy, Cao Cao raised his cup in return, but instead recited a poem:

“To sing with wine in hand, how brief is life!
Like morning dew, so much time has passed in vain.
With passion, I voice my lament; my worries linger.
What can dispel my sorrow? Only Du Kang’s wine.
You in your blue robes, how you haunt my thoughts.
For your sake alone, I have pondered so long.
The deer’s gentle call, grazing on wild herbs.
With honored guests, music fills the hall.
Bright as the moon—when may I attain it?
My worries return, never ending.
Crossing fields and lanes, I come to see you.
Through thick and thin, we share old bonds.
The moon shines bright, stars are sparse, crows fly south.
Round and round the tree, what branch can they rest on?
Mountains never tire of height, seas never tire of depth.
The Duke of Zhou spit out his food to welcome men of worth;
All hearts turn to him.”

“Bravo!”

The three Fan siblings applauded in unison.

“I have long heard of Lord Cao’s literary talent; today’s display is truly astonishing,” Fan Ming praised.

“To sing with wine in hand, how brief is life?” Fan Chun repeated, savoring the words, and drank three cups in succession.

Fan Yuehua’s gaze was dreamy as she softly recited, “You in your blue robes, how you haunt my thoughts. For your sake alone, I have pondered so long...”

Only Fan Li felt restless.

Having come from another world, his knowledge of history and literature told him the essence of “Short Song Style” lay in that final line: “The Duke of Zhou spit out his food to welcome men of worth; all hearts turn to him.”

And yet, Cao Cao now recited it to praise Fan Li.

“Why are you in a daze, Duke of Jin? He’s praising you—saying all hearts turn to you,” whispered Xiang Ning, who had been silent all along.

All hearts turn to you, indeed!

Fan Li felt deeply wronged.

He harbored no such ambitions, yet it felt as if he’d been caught red-handed at the scene of a crime.

Helpless, he raised his cup. “Lord Cao overpraises me. How could I dare compare myself to the Duke of Zhou?”

But Cao Cao shook his head repeatedly.

“Why the humility, Duke of Jin? The situation in Chu is clear to all the world.”

“I-is that so?” Fan Li replied, embarrassed.

“I have often wondered, if I were in your position, Duke of Jin, what choice would I make?”

Fan Li could almost guess what would be said next, wishing he could stuff Cao Cao’s mouth with the marinated beef on the table.

But it was too late.

With a look of deep admiration, Cao Cao said slowly, “If Heaven’s mandate were mine, I would be King Wen of Zhou!”