Chapter B _ Fire Under Dry Wood_02

Zhang Huaiqian, wandering, reached the NanQu district of Liquanfang. With a swift movement, he entered the courtyard of the Moon's Den. His sharp gaze swept over the few indistinct figures in the courtyard and finally froze on Wei's small, restless head. His eyebrows furrowed instantly: "A-Wei! What are you doing here?! Is this a place for you?"

Wei, hearing his voice, turned around. Far from being frightened, she stuck her tongue out at him and was about to reply when Zhang Huaiqian, in a few large strides, was upon her. Without further ceremony, he grabbed her by the collar, like one would seize a disobedient little wildcat, both exasperated and slightly irritated: "You then, little girl, you're becoming more and more brazen, you slip away in the blink of an eye!"

Wei, thus caught, swayed from right to left, but grimaced exaggeratedly, whining in a drawling tone: "Ouch, ouch, ouch, big brother, mercy, it hurts, hurts, hurts—"

It was then that a soft voice, with a slightly foreign accent, rose beside them, neither too loud nor too low, but with clear words: "Sir, it was I who invited them. They seemed to be looking for something just now..."

Zhang Huaiqian stopped short upon hearing this voice and, following the sound, saw a distinguished-looking young man from the borderlands. He immediately controlled his anger, tilted his head slightly, his gaze tinged with a certain prudence and interrogation: "You are... the Gönok king?"

Ardashir smiled frankly, meeting his gaze calmly, and nodded: "Oh? You recognize me?"

"A few days ago, when His Majesty the King presented himself in audience before His Majesty the Emperor, Huaiqian had the honor of being present in the ranks of the court and was able to admire Your Majesty's presence from afar," replied Zhang Huaiqian respectfully, his words courteous, his tone deferential, but unable to conceal a hint of curiosity.

Ardashir thought for a moment, then sketched an apologetic smile: "Forgive me, I was very nervous that day, there were so many people in your great hall, I didn't pay much attention. You are?"

Zhang Huaiqian clasped his fists in a salute and said respectfully: "My name is Zhang Huaiqian, courtesy name Zijing. Today, I gathered with a few colleagues at the Pavillon Xingyi. My younger sister is mischievous; if she has troubled Your Majesty, I hope you will forgive her."

Hearing this, Ardashir's gaze softened somewhat. With a nonchalant wave of his hand, he said: "Not at all, not at all, Brother Zijing, you are too polite. Just call me Ardashir." His tone was friendly, devoid of any arrogance.

Wei, seeing this, took the opportunity to free herself from Zhang Huaiqian's grip and added, her eyes shining with unconcealed curiosity: "Wow, it turns out you already knew His Majesty King Ardashir? This is truly an extraordinary coincidence!"

Zhang Huaiqian shot her a dark look: "You, you talk too much! Aren't you ashamed enough yet? Go home with me quickly!"

But Wei stuck her tongue out at him, placed her hands on her slender hips and, lifting her chin, declared: "I refuse!"

Zhang Huaiqian was at a loss. From the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a familiar object attached to the silk cord of her belt, which shone slightly in the lamplight. He looked carefully, and his face darkened abruptly: "Ah, you then! You even dare to steal my jade pendant? Give it back to me quickly!"

Wei proudly shook her head, smiling like a little fox that had caught a hen: "Who stole it? This jade pendant is pretty, it suits me, so naturally, it's mine!"

Zhang Huaiqian felt a lump rise in his throat, nearly choking with rage. Clenching his teeth, he said: "You're rebelling! You're distorting the truth! Just wait and see today if I don't... Go home with me quickly!"

Wei, while dodging his hand, pointed laughingly with a mischievous air at a dancer not far away who was preparing to enter the stage, and exclaimed: "I'm not going back! The dancers here are so beautiful, I want to stay and learn to dance with them!"

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiqian was surprised for a moment, his face immediately darkening, his tone becoming more severe: "What madness! A young lady from a good family, instead of studying serious things, wants to learn these... these arts of entertainment?!"

Wei, seeing him get angry, redoubled her ardor and, lifting her small face, retorted confidently: "What arts of entertainment have I learned? It's rather you, my brother, if you really don't let me learn, I'll go to the residence right now and inform our father. I'll tell him that the laureate he's so proud of spends his days frequenting the singers and dancers of the Pavillon Xingyi, that he doesn't come home at night, that he lingers there with pleasure, thus dishonoring our family!"

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiqian turned green and white with anger, nearly jumping: "You... you're slandering me!"

Dugu Rong, beside them, seeing the scene, timidly pulled Wei by the sleeve and begged her softly: "Miss... Young master... Stop arguing, it's not good if you're heard."

Zhang Huaiqian was quite annoyed by her, his cheeks even a little flushed. He hastened to justify himself: "When did I frequent these women? I was only meeting here with friends and colleagues to discuss literature! It's rather you, little scamp, instead of staying quietly at home, you follow me secretly here, what are your intentions?!"

Wei proudly lifted her chin, looking perfectly justified: "I naturally came to see what kind of person this new laureate of the imperial examinations is! And incidentally, to also look for a match for myself, to see if there isn't some handsome and erudite young man, worthy of becoming my ideal husband. Speaking of which, that laureate Nangong is much more pleasant to look at than you, my brother! No wonder he surpassed you in the examinations, not only is he learned, but he's also a bit more handsome!"

Zhang Huaiqian, taken aback by this tirade, felt his temples throb. His face changed color several times, then finally, he deflated and, pointing at Wei with an air of helplessness, he said: "Fine, fine, little brazen girl with a sharp tongue! You didn't want to stay here? Perfect! I might as well pawn you off today at this Pavillon Xingyi, we'll see which scatterbrain will be willing to pay dearly to buy you, you little walking trouble!"

Wei, far from getting angry, began to laugh. With a twirl, agile as a mischievous little monkey, she jumped under a pomegranate tree in the courtyard, hugged the trunk tightly with both hands, and said with a mocking air: "I'm not afraid! Sell me, sell me then! I'm staying here and I'm not moving, we'll see what you can do to me!"

Dugu Rong, beside her, dared not speak loudly and merely begged her in a low voice: "Miss, it's really getting late, if we don't go back, the master will really get angry..."

Ardashir, beside them, observed this dispute between brother and sister with unconcealed amusement, a smile on his lips. He turned, took a spare torch from under the tavern eaves, lit it with a tinderbox, and the scent of pine resin spread with the glow of the flames. He handed the torch to Zhang Huaiqian, his tone gentle and sincere: "Brother Zijing, the road is dark at night, please accept this torch. It is the Sacred Fire, revered as a deity by us, the Gönoks. May this light illuminate your path home and bring you a prayer of peace."

Zhang Huaiqian was slightly surprised. Looking at Ardashir's sincere eyes in the firelight, his own irritation dissipated considerably. He accepted the torch solemnly. The dancing flame softened the features of his face. He clasped his fists towards Ardashir and bowed: "Thank you infinitely to Your Majesty King Ardashir for this generous gift. Huaiqian is deeply grateful to you." His respect for the frankness and benevolence of this foreign king grew even more.

Ardashir burst into a frank laugh: "You're welcome. This 'Moon's Den' is a place where my compatriots often gather. You are welcome whenever you wish."

Zhang Huaiqian bowed his head gravely: "Certainly. If Your Majesty does not disdain it, you could also one day honor my dwelling with your visit."

After taking his leave, Zhang Huaiqian no longer argued with Wei. He grabbed her and headed towards the exit, while calling out loudly to the servants waiting in front of the Pavillon Xingyi to bring the horses. But Wei started to make a fuss, absolutely refusing to ride a horse alone. Huaiqian, not knowing what to do, had to forcibly lift her onto the saddle. But who would have thought that this little girl wouldn't stay still for a moment? No sooner was she mounted than she wriggled to get down, pulling on his sleeve and begging him in a honeyed voice, insisting that her big brother carry her on his back home. Zhang Huaiqian, both angry and amused, finally gave in. He handed the torch he was holding to Dugu Rong, beside him, and crouched down in front of Wei with a resigned air. Wei immediately let out a cry of joy and nimbly climbed onto his back. Zhang Huaiqian supported her firmly and, with a steady step, slowly headed towards the Grand Tutor's residence. Wei, who had been restless for a good part of the night, was now nestled on her brother's broad back, inhaling the familiar, fresh scent of black soap that emanated from him. She soon succumbed to fatigue and fell sound asleep against his shoulder, a slight, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Dugu Rong, holding the torch, followed them in silence. The dancing flame was reflected in her calm, flickering eyes, her mind lost in unfathomable thoughts.

Zhang Huaiqian, feeling the regular breathing on his back, turned his head to look at Wei's sleeping profile. He couldn't help but scold her in a low voice, his tone nevertheless imbued with great tenderness: "This crazy girl! Just now, she was scratching and biting, and now she's sleeping soundly. Apart from causing me trouble, I don't know what else she can do."

A slight smile played on Dugu Rong's lips. She said in a soft voice: "Miss had also heard that there was a Hundred Flowers Festival tonight at the Pavillon Xingyi. She was undoubtedly curious to see the excitement of those scholars composing poems on the spot, that's why she couldn't help but go out to take a look."

Zhang Huaiqian shook his head with a bitter smile: "She had her fun, she did, without worrying about the consequences. If she had really caused some scandal, it would still be me who would have had to answer for it before our father. Just now, seeing you in the hall, I thought I was going to die of fright. Fortunately, you were by her side, that reassured me a little. Rong, you have always been calmer and more sensible than her. In the future, you absolutely must watch her more closely, to prevent her from really getting tricked by some smooth-talking seducer."

Hearing this, Dugu Rong merely smiled slightly and replied in a soft voice: "Young master is very considerate. With you watching over her like this, Miss, as mischievous as she is, will not be able to cause any real disaster."

Zhang Huaiqian shook his head again, his tone tinged with a certain resignation, but also hiding a barely perceptible hint of worry. He asked, as if to test the waters: "Basically, if she behaved so unusually tonight, wouldn't it be that... she has really taken a liking to some young man?"

The smile on Dugu Rong's lips widened somewhat. She turned her head slightly and, facing the torchlight, said softly: "If we must speak of inclination, Miss's mind is indeed turned towards a young man."

Hearing this, Zhang Huaiqian immediately frowned, his tone betraying a certain nervousness: "Oh? From which family is he? Don't tell me that... it's that Nangong Bo?"

Dugu Rong, suppressing a laugh, gently shook her head: "It's not Laureate Nangong."

"But who is it then?" Zhang Huaiqian insisted, his curiosity increasingly piqued.

Dugu Rong lowered her voice and said slowly: "The one who caught Miss's attention is that... Mister Qiongliang, who was sitting at the table next to yours, just now, at the Pavillon Xingyi."

Hearing these words, Zhang Huaiqian stopped dead. His face instantly lost all color, his expression stunned. A "buzz" went through his mind, and a total emptiness settled there, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head in the middle of winter, chilling him from head to toe.