In fact, ever since he became the top scholar, that person had completely disappeared from Liu Min’s life, as if they had never existed. Since entering the court, Liu Min had deeply gained the emperor’s trust. Countless people wanted to ally with him, and countless others wanted to frame him. This world was so chaotic with its black and white intermingled. Sometimes he felt very perplexed. During those times, Liu Min had thought about that mysterious person countless times. That person saw things perspicaciously and also seemed to understand his innermost thoughts, worthy of being called a “kindred spirit.” In this vast sea of people, it was difficult to find a kindred spirit. Sometimes Liu Min felt that the so-called mysterious person and kindred spirit were just a dream of his. And now, that handwriting reappeared before his eyes, leaving Liu Min dumbfounded where he stood, unable to believe his own eyes.
Seeing Liu Min in a daze, the crown prince waved his hand in front of him and said, “Imperial Preceptor, Imperial Preceptor?”
Liu Min regained his senses but could no longer restrain himself. He grabbed the crown prince urgently asking, “Your Highness, where does this calligraphy come from? Who wrote it?”
Liu Min was the crown prince’s imperial preceptor. The crown prince had known Liu Min for so long but had never seen him so out of control before, which struck him as quite strange. He replied, “Imperial Preceptor, why are you so agitated? Could it be that this calligraphy has some connection to you?”
A thought crossed Liu Min’s mind. Knowing he could not let the crown prince detect anything amiss, he adopted an embarrassed demeanor and said, “Your subject was simply surprised to see such vigorous calligraphy. This book truly deserves to be called ‘elegant and refined.’ As a mere literature obsessive, I was overly improper just now. I await Your Highness’s reprimand.”
The crown prince pondered it and felt relieved. These literary people had always been a bit eccentric. As the top scholar, it was understandable for Liu Min to get excited seeing good calligraphy and paintings. Seeing him lose composure over this ink treasure today was forgivable. Thus, the crown prince believed Liu Min’s words and laughed, “The Imperial Preceptor is simply being true to his nature.”
The crown prince should not be blamed for easily believing Liu Min’s words either. Liu Min had an excellent reputation in the court and was fundamentally an upright person who had never been involved in any underhanded affairs before. Encountering such a lofty and unbending person, the crown prince had nothing more to say and naturally had no reason for suspicion.
Seeing that the crown prince now believed him, Liu Min’s mind eased a bit, though this was the first time he had lied and his back was drenched in cold sweat. However, his curiosity about the calligraphy still overcame his apprehension, so he tentatively asked, “Your Highness, who exactly wrote this calligraphy?”
The crown prince laughed heartily, “Imperial Preceptor, who do you think could write such calligraphy?”
Liu Min pondered briefly, “The calligraphy is elegant and unrestrained, frank and vigorous, containing sharp spirit – it must be… written by a true gentleman.”
In fact, this assessment was a bit biased. The calligraphy looked smooth yet contained a subtle sharpness, making a profound impression. It did not seem frank but rather complex and mysterious. However, the crown prince naturally could not discern such nuances, and Liu Min would not reveal his true thoughts either.
The crown prince shook his head, “The Imperial Preceptor has guessed wrongly this time. This calligraphy was not written by any gentleman, but by a lady.”
Liu Min was slightly taken aback, “A lady?” That person was not a man but a woman?
“Yes,” the crown prince patted his shoulder. “The Imperial Preceptor must be wondering who it could be. It is none other than the imperial ancestress’s favorite, Princess Hongan, who just returned to the capital this year.”
These words were like a bolt from the blue, yet the crown prince had no idea how greatly his casual remark had shaken Liu Min. Liu Min was naturally aware of Princess Hongan, Jiang Ruan. On the day the Imperial Ancestress returned to the capital, the young lady in red garments dazzled all with her stunning beauty and graceful demeanor. Liu Min also recalled that scene. In fact, that was not his first time seeing Jiang Ruan – three years prior at a palace banquet, he had witnessed her standing tall in the hall, refusing Consort Chen’s marriage proposal with unwavering dignity. When he became the top scholar riding the winds of success, he had also heard of the tragic background of the Jiang family’s legitimate daughter. However, he had never imagined that this woman was the very mysterious person he had taken as his kindred spirit!
It was her, it was actually her!
Liu Min could not describe the flavor of his current feelings, only that they felt bitter yet shocking. The person possessed of profound knowledge and insights resonant with his own turned out to be a woman, one so close to him all along.
The crown prince jested, “Imperial Preceptor, what’s with that expression? Could it be that Princess Hongan’s calligraphy has utterly captivated you? I’ve long wondered what kind of woman could move the Imperial Preceptor’s heart. Now it seems any woman who can write decent calligraphy can catch your eye. Does the Imperial Preceptor harbor affections for Princess Hongan? Should I put in a word with the empress to arrange a marriage for you two?”
On any normal day, Liu Min would have been furious at the crown prince’s teasing banter. But today, his shock overshadowed all else, leaving him no mind to decipher the implications behind the crown prince’s words as he remained absorbed in his own reflections.
Seeing Liu Min’s state, the crown prince assumed it was just a literary obsessive entranced by beautiful calligraphy, eager for a few more glances. So he said, “Nevermind, I won’t tease you further. Since you’re my teacher, Imperial Preceptor, let me give you this friendly advice – if you admire Princess Hongan, you’d best make your move sooner. My brothers are all eyeing her quite intently. Since you seem to love this calligraphy so much, as a gesture of goodwill, I’ll gift it to you.” With that, he left the still dazed Liu Min and departed laughing heartily.
Jiang Ruan returned to the Cining Palace, read for a while, then feeling fatigued, decided to stroll the imperial gardens with Tian Zhu and Granny Yang, bringing Luzhu along. Just as she reached the gardens, she heard an agitated voice call out, “Princess Hongan, a moment please!”
Jiang Ruan paused and turned to see a young man in pristine azure robes not far away. With his aloof nobility, he looked less like a rising court official and more like an ordinary scholar.
Seeing her turn, a strange light flashed in Liu Min’s eyes. He approached a few steps while maintaining a respectful distance befitting a scholar’s decorum. Gazing at Jiang Ruan, he said, “It is said that the ancient sages ruled by rituals, and the nation prospered. But when later sages abandoned them, the nation declined. Thus, ruling by rituals is the proper way. However, others say: ‘Rituals are good, but hard to enforce among the people. Only laws that the masses follow can ensure an era of peace and prosperity.’ As a foolish one, I cannot comprehend this after much thought. I beg you to expound upon it.”
These were the exact opening lines from the first letter that mysterious person had sent him long ago – that seemingly casual question which altered the course of Liu Min’s life.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, observing the youth before her. He had indeed achieved top official rank as in her previous life, becoming the emperor’s preeminent minister, but in this life, his path was free from turmoil and obstacles as he ascended smoothly.
The path was one he walked himself. Liu Min was upright with true talents and learning – exactly the kind of person an emperor would favor above all others. She returned his courtesy with a polite yet distant greeting, “Imperial Preceptor Liu, it seems you have asked the wrong person about this question.”
Liu Min stared at the faintly smiling woman before him. Since learning that person was female, his heart had grown immensely complicated. Even now, Jiang Ruan’s expression showed no confusion, only frank composure as she calmly refused to entertain his question. But Liu Min knew – it was her, that person was undoubtedly Jiang Ruan.
(End of chapter)
