Chapter 105: Kindred Spirits

On February 27th, after performing her sword dance at Anguo Temple, Lady Gongsun staged three consecutive shows there. She then performed twice at the largest tavern in the southern market and twice more in front of the Hu Xian Shrine. Because the last two performances at Anguo Temple gradually allowed more commoners inside, the final four shows attracted crowds that emptied the streets. News that the emperor had summoned Lady Gongsun to perform at the palace spread fervently throughout the city. When it was known that she was departing that day, the entire city of Luoyang, young and old alike, gathered at the Changxia Gate to see her off.

Though Lady Gongsun was not a native of Luoyang, nor had she risen to fame here, her summons by the emperor to the Daming Palace had naturally made people regard her as one of their own. Among the watching crowd, some clamored to have her take their daughters as disciples, others presented newly brewed spring wine or homemade Hu-style pastries and noodles. Scholars and gentlemen offered poems in tribute, and many gifted her with musical instruments like the flute and the huqin.

Facing the overwhelming crowd that nearly blocked the entire Changxia Gate, Du Shiyi stood far back and gazed intently. Within a bullock cart surrounded by a cluster of soldiers, a woman suddenly leaned out. He was momentarily stunned. When the thunderous cheers erupted, he immediately realized it was none other than Lady Gongsun herself.

“I am but a drifting dancer, grateful for the kindness of all esteemed elders. As I journey to Chang’an, uncertain when I might return, though I know the city gates are vital thoroughfares, I dare to offer one last dance. May the heavenly envoy grant approval?”

Lady Gongsun was merely a common woman. The young official who had delivered the imperial summons was the Music Director from the Ninth Rank of the Imperial Music Bureau. Dressed in a green robe, he initially frowned at her request. But seeing the citizens erupt in joyous cheers and even the gate guards stirred with excitement, he reconsidered and readily consented. Suddenly, the sound of a pipa burst forth from a horse-drawn carriage behind, and Lady Gongsun casually took a pair of sword-like weapons handed to her by Yue Wuniang in the bullock cart, immediately beginning to dance with swirling sleeves.

Compared to the earlier sword dances, this piece was more mournful. Du Shiyi, listening from the crowd’s rear, watched the white-clad sword shadows with a heart full of mixed emotions. He could tell the music was improvised but heartfelt, revealing the musician’s deep sorrow and longing. The saying “once entering the noble household, the world seems vast; from then on, the beloved becomes a stranger” came to mind. If the noble household felt this way, how much more so the palace gates? The sharp sword techniques were markedly different from those Lady Gongsun had displayed before, softer and more graceful, perfectly matching the improvised melody. He couldn’t help but recall the night they first met when he heard her voice but saw no face.

Meanwhile, Wang Wei watched the dance while absentmindedly mimicking pipa strings in the air. Only when the silver sword shadows flickered from afar, seemingly masterful beyond measure, did he stop, fully absorbed by the sword qi. When the dance ended and Lady Gongsun slowly bowed deeply before returning to the bullock cart, a moment passed before the crowd erupted with thunderous applause.

With the sword dance concluded, the green-robed official immediately ordered departure. As the gate guards opened the way, the reluctant but dispersing crowd gradually cleared, and the once-blocked Changxia Gate street returned to normal. Du Shiyi’s group followed the flow toward the city gate. After a guard inspected their papers, he let them pass without a word. Suddenly, Du Shiyi heard a surprised exclamation beside him. Turning, he recognized a familiar squad leader. The man had just been scolding two soldiers still entranced by Lady Gongsun’s dance but, seeing Du Shiyi, dropped them and approached.

“Are you the Du Langjun who accompanied Lord Lu to the Eastern Capital last year?”

“Yes... Squad Leader Kang?”

“It’s been over a year; I nearly didn’t recognize you. Didn’t expect you’d remember me.” Kang Tinglan smiled brightly, glanced at the carts behind them marked as the Cui family’s, and ordered the way clear. Then, leading Du Shiyi aside near the gate, he asked, “Are you bound for Chang’an?”

Du Shiyi nodded. Kang Tinglan pondered briefly, then said, “From Luoyang to Chang’an via Tong Pass is over eight hundred li — not too far. With the Cui family’s retainers escorting you, you should be safe. But recently, near Taolin, notorious bandits have been active. A merchant caravan was attacked. Governor Guo of Shanzhou has dispatched men to capture them. Please be cautious, especially as there are women among your party.”

Du Shiyi gratefully thanked him. As he was the last to leave the city, he quickly relayed the warning to brothers Wang Wei and Wang Jin. Before Wang Wei could respond, Wang Jin laughed and patted the precious sword at his waist. “Never mind the twenty guards with us, I learned swordsmanship since childhood. If anyone dares to make a move, they won’t leave alive!”

Just then, a brash voice came from behind, “That’s right! They’re just petty thieves. Why would they dare target us? Father even left me with an expert; what’s there to fear?”

Du Shiyi looked back to see the lively Cui Xiaopang followed by a tall, burly man — clearly the expert he mentioned. Not interested in arguing with the boy, Du Shiyi grunted and rode ahead. Wang Wei, accustomed to the haughty sons of noble families like Cui Ershiwang, noticed the youth’s irritation at Du Shiyi’s disregard. He smoothly pacified him with a few words. Once the boy returned to the cart satisfied, Wang Wei fell into thoughtful silence. His brother Wang Jin, noticing this, caught up to Du Shiyi.

Older than Du Shiyi by two years, Wang Jin had never faced great hardship. Cheerful and talkative, even more so than Wang Wei, he seized the moment to strike up a warm conversation. Soon, he took the opportunity to ask, “Du Nineteen Lang, are you planning to take this year’s examination at the Jingzhao Prefecture?”

“Indeed, I am.”

“Really?”

Wang Jin was surprised. He probed subtly with several more questions before changing topics. Eventually, he returned to his brother’s side. As Du Shiyi went to check on Cui Shisannang in the cart, Wang Jin quietly told Wang Wei, “Brother, Du Nineteen Lang said he intends to sit for this year’s Jingzhao Prefecture exam.”

“Expected news,” Wang Wei replied without much emotion. Seeing Wang Jin fall silent, he glanced over and noticed his younger brother’s discomfort. Smiling, he said, “What? There are plenty of qualified candidates for the exam. Must I block everyone to take the test myself?”

Wang Jin was embarrassed by the retort but stammered, “Since you’re close with Du Nineteen Lang and determined to excel, why not ask him to delay a year? You’re older; he’s several years younger. He’s from Jingzhao, while you barely secured residency there for the exam. The Du family is a great clan in Guanzhong, while your Wang family, though from Taiyuan, relocated generations ago…”

Seeing Wang Wei’s sudden cold expression, Wang Jin realized his mistake. His brother’s pride was well known. Had he just implied that Du Shiyi’s participation might overshadow Wang Wei’s ranking? Before he could swallow his words and recover, Wang Wei calmly said, “You only see his current fame, the favor of the Cui family, and his acceptance by the noble houses. How do you know he hasn’t endured hardship? Just as I, born among the high officials of the two capitals, have my own hidden sufferings.”

“Brother…”

“Before the prefectural exam, there are county exams in the Wan’nian and Erxian counties of Chang’an. The prefectural and Tonghua state exams always attract the finest scholars. Du Nineteen Lang is not the only one. If you keep talking like that, you might as well not go to Chang’an at all!”

For the remainder of the journey, they traveled by day and rested at night, covering seventy to eighty li daily at a moderate pace. The route was a well-paved official road, easy to traverse. However, because of the demanding Cui Xiaopang, who often found excuses to rest and picked quarrels over lodgings and meals, sometimes berating servants, Du Shiyi grew weary of him.

One evening, they finally arrived at Taolin County. Though small in size, it was well known in Shanzhou for its proximity to the ancient Hangu Pass south of the city, the Taoyuan Palace established during the Wude era outside the walls, and its position on the key route between Chang’an and Luoyang. Many literati and travelers passed through.

After searching three inns without finding vacancy, the exhausted Cui Xiaopang exploded with rage. “Du Nineteen Lang, what are you dawdling for? If there really isn’t a room, just offer more money and make them clear a room! I refuse to believe no one will move for money!”

This boy’s constant provocations exhausted Du Shiyi’s patience. He gave a cold glance and said sternly, “If you’re not afraid of ruining the reputation of the Cui family and your father, by all means send someone with a few strings of cash to every inn to bang on doors until they clear a room!”

“You…”

Cui Xiaopang idolized his elder brother Cui Jianxuan. When he first came to Dengfeng County, he was happy, but soon Cui Jianxuan was taken by Du Shiyi to the Lushi Cottage on Xuànliàn Peak, and he rarely saw him for months. Before their father Cui Wei went to assume office, he left Cui Xiaopang and Cui Shiqi in the Yongfeng Li Cui residence. Though their great-aunt had passed and Cui Jianxuan no longer returned to Mount Song, Cui Xiaopang was secretly glad to be with his brother. Yet, unexpectedly, after the New Year, a letter arrived instructing him to go to Chang’an, and Du Shiyi was to escort him!

His face flushed with anger, Cui Xiaopang snapped, “Fine, I’ll throw money at them! You go your way, I’ll go mine. If you can’t find lodging tonight, don’t come looking for me! Let’s go!”