Chapter 48: The Sash Loosens, Revealing a Bare Shoulder

“Little Bug, come over here.”
In the crowd, Little Bug continued searching for the gentle, caring gaze she had felt just moments before. But as a voice rang out, she lifted her eyes and saw another pair of warm eyes.
“Oh… Aunt… Jade Truth Aunt, you’re here too?”
“I heard the Buddhist rituals here are lively and novel, so I came to have a look… come to my side.”
The owner of these eyes was Princess Jade Truth of the Great Tang. Around her gathered a group of people, each with their own grace and manner. Hearing Jade Truth call Little Bug by her nickname, the others cast her strange glances, quickly withdrawing their gaze to avoid impropriety, yet it still made Little Bug feel awkward and uneasy.
It was rumored that the current Emperor, Li Third, once doted on a Whirling Girl, Cao Ye’s daughter, sent by the State of Cao. She bore him a daughter, but the child was born prematurely and failed to win the Emperor’s favor. From infancy, she was dressed as a Taoist and followed Princess Jade Truth to learn how to manage the palace’s Taoist temple. It seemed that this young girl was the pitiful little princess herself.
Everyone couldn’t help but pity her. To be born a daughter of the imperial house was the greatest blessing, yet to end up like Little Bug was a turn from fortune to misfortune.
Jade Truth pulled Little Bug over, and at once someone brought a folding stool and brocade cushion. The princesses from the palace who had come with Little Bug all sat, waiting to enjoy the spectacle.
The noble ladies gathered together, and someone draped brocade around them to shield their group from prying eyes or interruptions. Once their arrangements were settled, the ball game on the other side was about to begin in earnest.
Xiao Bairang stood in the center of the field, gazing at the thousands of spectators gathered around. He felt no nervousness—instead, his excitement grew.
This was his stage, his opportunity!
If the fame of the football drama spread, then they, the earliest practitioners, would become the founders, perhaps even noticed by the palace and officials. The path taken by Jia Chang might be open to him as well.
Just as the saying goes: “Today the court praises football, the masses rush forth in droves. Don’t underestimate the rabble, for once they ride the clouds, they ascend to the nine heavens.”
He glanced sideways at Ye Chang standing in the shade, his admiration for Ye Chang reaching its peak.
Though he bore the tattoo “Unafraid of the Magistrate,” in truth he did fear the authorities. So when he learned Han Chaozong had forbidden Ye Chang from organizing the ball game, he nearly despaired. At that moment, Ye Chang sent a message through Qin Qingshou, enlightening him.
Han Chaozong’s prohibition left a loophole: he banned Ye Chang from organizing the match, but not the match itself!
So, simply, Ye Chang directed from behind the scenes, while Xiao Bairang organized the event. To avoid trouble—especially from the likes of Lu Qi—Ye Chang stayed hidden in He Zhizhang’s residence, while Xiao Bairang persuaded the monks at Qinglong Temple, staging the game under the guise of a Buddhist ritual and attracting curious worshippers.
Ye Chang gave the bald Xiao Bairang a thumbs-up. Since they were pretending to hold a Buddhist ritual, shaving their heads and dressing as monks was inevitable. Though the body and hair are gifts from one’s parents, these ruffians, bold enough to tattoo themselves, could easily copy the foreigners and shave their heads.
Xiao Bairang nodded, then shouted, “Ready, begin!”
To the spectators, football was both a novel and familiar sport. It was essentially a cuju match under polo rules, but the ball was much larger than the usual cuju ball. Though many didn’t understand the finer points of the rules, it didn’t matter—Qinglong Temple had posted simple explanations everywhere, so everyone could follow along.
Most had only practiced football for a short time, just five days to get acquainted with the rules. They had experience in polo and cuju, but compared to real football, their skills were still rough. Yet it was enough to excite the Tang audience. Especially when the players used cuju techniques to dribble or break through, cheers erupted from the crowd.
The fierce competition and fiery scenes quickly drew in more spectators. Ye Chang, seeing this, smiled with satisfaction: this sport would surely sweep through the Tang dynasty.
Just then, the ball was kicked out of bounds, rolling toward the ladies’ enclosure. Though it didn’t enter the tent, everyone’s attention followed the ball. Li Zhi, noticing the figures on that side, was startled: “Oh dear, why is that noble person here!”
He had seen Little Bug earlier, but the little princess was so low-key in the palace that everyone knew she was out of favor, so Li Zhi didn’t recognize her. But now it was different—that was Princess Jade Truth!
Princess Jade Truth was the emperor’s sister, and with Princess Golden Immortal, they were the three who weathered the bloodiest storms of the Li Tang royal house, forging a bond deeper than most. Li Zhi, son of the prime minister, still couldn’t lift his head before her. If he hadn’t seen her, it would be fine, but now that he had, how could he not pay his respects?

He hurried forward, and those with him naturally followed. Ye Chang had little interest, but Yan Zhenqing pulled him along as well. Li Zhi stopped at the tent and announced loudly, “Li Zhi, Deputy Grand Musician, greets the noble ladies.”
Within the tent, the laughter and chatter fell silent. After a moment, someone opened the curtain: “The noble ladies invite Li Zhi and his friends inside.”
Li Zhi was immediately delighted. Princess Jade Truth was known to recommend talent for the state. Though he had reached the rank of Deputy Grand Musician, if he could win her favor, his future would be brighter still. He glanced at everyone, not wanting Ye Chang to enter, but to refuse would be too rude.
“Ye Chang, inside are noble ladies—mind your manners. And Lu Qi, don’t stir up trouble!” he warned both Ye Chang and Lu Qi, then straightened his attire and entered.
The group followed. After Ye Chang entered, he saw the female Taoists he had met behind the temple, the most prominent being a mature lady. Though dressed as a Taoist, her bearing made it clear she was accustomed to authority.
“Li Zhi pays respects to the noble ladies,” he said with a bow.
Everyone greeted them in turn. Though etiquette was strict in the Tang, kneeling was rare in informal gatherings; Ye Chang merely bowed with the others.
Jade Truth, seeing that Li Zhi’s companions were all young people, smiled: “How is it you have leisure to attend Buddhist rituals today?”
Everyone exchanged glances. In truth, they had been coaxed here by Yuan Zai and Lu Qi, originally to see Ye Chang’s embarrassment. Yet now Yuan Zai had slunk away in shame, and Lu Qi was silent—how should they respond to the noble lady?
Li Zhi hesitated, then said, “Just now, Guest Minister He brought guests here for amusement. Hearing of it, I came to join the gathering.”
“Oh?” Jade Truth saw through Li Zhi’s expression that there was more beneath the surface. She was curious: “And where is Guest Minister He? Why hasn’t he come?”
“He… was feeling unwell and returned first.”
Li Zhi, lacking in wit, was pondering how to respond when Lu Qi couldn’t help but interject. Jade Truth fixed him with a severe, faintly disdainful gaze, and Li Zhi glared at him as well.
To interrupt in such a situation was extremely rude, and Lu Qi realized this, lowering his head and retreating into the crowd.
“The summer heat is unbearable. If Guest Minister He is unwell, it is understandable… someone, send some chilled plum soup from the palace to He’s residence.”
At this, Li Zhi’s face changed again. Lu Qi had just tried to conceal He Zhizhang’s real reason for leaving, but with the princess sending her people to inquire, how could they not learn the truth? Then, not only would Ye Chang’s name reach Jade Truth’s ear, but they themselves might be accused of deceiving the princess.
Thinking of this, Li Zhi said, “He’s indisposition wasn’t due to the heat, but because he heard someone recite a poem.”
“Is that so? Tell me about it,” Jade Truth said with curiosity, her eyes still on the match outside.
Before Li Zhi could respond, a sharp-tongued fellow stepped forward and recounted Ye Chang’s five poems atop the Buddhist pagoda, telling Jade Truth everything. No one present was a fool; all knew that pleasing this lady Taoist might mean meteoric success.
Ye Chang himself, however, had no interest in fame before the princess. Because of Princess Xianyi, he had little affection for the Li Tang royal family and so watched the palace beauties with bored eyes.
It was summer, it was the flourishing Tang.
Summer and flourishing Tang together meant “waistbands loose, bosoms half exposed!” It meant “delicate silk garments revealing skin!” It meant “feet like frost in clogs!”
To put it plainly: ample bosoms, slender waists, and snow-white skin!
Ordinary girls weren’t allowed to dress like this, but it was the fashion in the palace. With the heat, the ladies wore even less to stay cool, so Ye Chang looked around and saw nothing but generous curves, slender waists, and skin fairer than snow under the canopy. His eyes wandered, his heart stirred, feeling as if he had returned to another world, another summer, on a campus, where it looked just like this.
Perhaps only Ye Chang dared sweep the crowd with such a lascivious gaze. His eyes quickly found Little Bug, recognized the young Taoist, and he paused, thinking she was Jade Truth’s maid. He felt pity: in later generations, this girl would look like a porcelain doll, but in this era, she was merely a little maid.
Little Bug recognized him, too. Born in the palace, her mother was only the emperor’s fleeting plaything, without any proper title, and she herself was sent to become a Taoist as soon as she could walk. Her nature was far deeper and more mature than Ye Chang realized. She didn’t dislike Ye Chang; his gaze made her feel warmth, but she didn’t know how to express her fondness, so she reacted instinctively: she avoided his eyes.

Seeing the girl shyly evade him, Ye Chang laughed joyfully.
“And so it was, Ye Chang recited a fifth poem, the lines as follows…”
The storyteller had recounted all that happened atop the Qinglong Temple pagoda. Hearing the first four poems, Princess Jade Truth smiled lightly; the verses were fine, but she knew many poets among her recommended candidates. But when she heard: “The sunset is infinitely beautiful, only it is near dusk,” her expression changed. She sat upright, cheeks flushed, nostrils quivering, her gaze shimmering, suddenly seeming twenty years younger!
“Where is Ye Chang now? Which of you is Ye Chang?” This time, before the attendant could speak, she asked herself.
She, too, was in the sunset of her life. After childhood fears and youthful confusion, now happiness was precious to her. These lines stirred her heart, resonating deeply.
Just then, another kick sent the ball rolling directly into the tent, stopping at Ye Chang’s feet. Ye Chang bent to pick it up, then calmly walked forward.
He strode directly toward Princess Jade Truth, but paused as he passed Little Bug. Seeing her bashfully wanting to look at him but afraid, he gently tossed the ball toward her.
The ball rolled to Little Bug’s feet. She shrank back, wanting to kick but hesitating.
“Noble ladies above, please return the ball to us!” The bald players shouted politely—something rare for them.
Little Bug glanced at Ye Chang, who nodded encouragingly. She gathered her courage, stood, and kicked the ball hard.
All the princesses and maids widened their eyes: it was rare indeed—shy, quiet Little Bug daring to kick a ball before so many people!
Little Bug herself was frightened.
When Ye Chang nodded at her, she didn’t know where the courage or strength came from; she simply kicked the ball. Now the ball was long gone, but her heart raced, her breath quickened!
“Ye Chang of Xiuwu, greets the noble ladies.” Ye Chang smiled at her, then turned to Jade Truth and bowed respectfully.
He had no intention of befriending this obvious member of the Li Tang clan, but he wasn’t foolish enough to display pride by ignoring her.
“So you are Ye Chang—so… young?”
Seeing him as only sixteen or seventeen, Jade Truth was stunned. She had imagined the author of “The sunset is infinitely beautiful, only it is near dusk” as someone middle-aged, with a complicated past—never a handsome youth!
“I am Ye Chang.”
After her initial shock, Jade Truth began to size Ye Chang up, remembering his bold gesture and Little Bug’s unusual behavior.
Her gaze shifted to Little Bug; her pale face now flushed with excitement, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, making her porcelain skin even more luminous, the veins almost visible beneath. Jade Truth turned back to Ye Chang, her lips curving in a subtle, ambiguous smile.
“Good, good, what a poem found in a dream, what a Ye Chang of Xiuwu, what a sunset infinitely beautiful.”
Whether she praised the poet or the poem, only she knew. But whether it was the poet or the poem, the scholars and literati beside Li Zhi all now looked at Ye Chang with envy, jealousy, and secret resentment.
This boy was about to soar!