Chapter Eight: The Riverside Pavilion (2)

Kong Sheng blended into the crowd, quietly observing. He watched as Yang Qi and his daughter’s palanquin approached, stopping at the pavilion entrance and drawing passionate cheers from scholars gathered from all over. Unlike the day before, today Yang Xueruo, who was to host the poetry gathering, had applied light makeup and dressed herself with care. Her hair was styled high, her chest exposed, a red sash draped over her shoulders, a yellow narrow-sleeved short jacket on top, a green floor-length skirt below, and a red belt at her waist. She looked radiant and dazzling.

The young woman walked gracefully into the pavilion with her father, but before entering, she glanced back with a smile, waving to the crowded fans at the door, stirring a tide of excitement.

Kong Sheng’s lips curled in a cold smile. Yang Qi had come in person; to outsiders, it seemed he was there to support his daughter and lend prestige to the poetry event. But Kong Sheng knew well that Yang Qi’s true purpose was himself. By using this poetry gathering to pressure Kong Sheng into breaking off the engagement, the Yang family could preserve its reputation, and then conveniently select a talented and handsome husband for Yang Xueruo—a plan that served two ends. As for what would happen to Kong Sheng, the Yangs gave it no thought. Life or death, it mattered little.

Because Yang Qi had come, many local officials were also present: the Prefect Liu Pingshan, the Chief Secretary Meng Ru, the Registrar Ma Pingze, and the County Magistrate Song Qing, among others. There were also a dozen or so prominent local gentry and socialites, who attended to appear refined, flatter the Yang family, or curry favor with power. The expenses for such a grand event hosted by Yang Xueruo would naturally be borne by these attendees.

Kong Sheng continued to stand among the crowd, silently gazing at the pavilion entrance. Suddenly, a Daoist priest appeared on the mountain path, accompanied by a handsome young disciple. Their robes fluttered, giving them an ethereal, almost otherworldly air.

The Daoist, holding the disciple’s hand, approached the pavilion but was stopped by the stern soldiers guarding the gate.

The Daoist smiled gently and said, “I am Bai Yunzi. Please inform Lord Yang that an old friend from Jade Sky Peak on Mount Tiantai has come to visit.”

Seeing the Daoist’s dignified presence and hearing he was an old friend of Yang Qi, the guards dared not delay and hurried inside to report.

Yang Qi was greatly surprised on hearing the news, immediately rising with the local officials to greet the guest, his demeanor profoundly respectful. “When did the Immortal Master arrive in Jiangning? I am late in welcoming you. Please forgive me, Immortal Master!”

Bai Yunzi laughed aloud. “You are too courteous, Lord. I am merely passing through Jiangning on my travels. Hearing your esteemed daughter is hosting an unprecedented poetry gathering here at Wangjiang Pavilion, I wished to join in the festivities. May I and my disciple simply observe?”

“Immortal Master, you flatter us! Please, come in! Your presence graces the poetry gathering, bringing honor to all of Jiangning! Immortal Master, this is my daughter, Xueruo. Xueruo, come pay your respects to the Immortal Master!”

“Greetings, Immortal Master!” Yang Xueruo stepped forward and bowed deeply.

She knew well who this Daoist was, understood his unfathomable cultivation and fame, and remembered that he had once saved her father’s life. Such a bow was well deserved.

Bai Yunzi smiled and nodded at Yang Xueruo, then was escorted inside by Yang Qi and the officials.

Bai Yunzi’s profound gaze, intentionally or not, swept toward Kong Sheng’s location, sending a chill down Kong Sheng’s spine. He suddenly felt as though the old Daoist could see through everything about him.

Bai Yunzi and his disciple, Ah Tai, were seated at the place of honor. Though Yang Qi did not introduce the Daoist’s background, the officials and scholars quickly discerned he was no ordinary man—anyone whom Yang Qi treated with such reverence could not be a common priest.

Yang Qi cast a subtle glance at his daughter, Yang Xueruo.

Yang Xueruo rose with a smile, stood in the center, and saluted all around, her voice clear and bright: “Honored elders and scholars from all regions, today as usual I am organizing the Wangjiang Pavilion poetry gathering. Its purpose is to make friends through literature, to collect the finest verses of Jiangnan, and to recommend talent for the empire. To add excitement, there are three special prizes for those who are unanimously chosen among the top three by the gathering. The prizes remain secret for now. I invite my father to set the theme.”

She turned to look at Yang Qi.

Yang Qi was glancing about, his expression somewhat grim. He had not seen Yang Kuan bring Kong Sheng in and assumed Kong Sheng had failed to show, which annoyed him. He had hoped to resolve his daughter’s engagement before the gathering began, so that everything else would follow smoothly.

Yang Qi slowly rose, about to announce the theme, when Yang Kuan appeared from behind the screen, and behind him came Kong Sheng—just as Yang Qi had wished.

In fact, as Kong Sheng entered, many present, including officials and literati, recognized him. Liu Nian from Prefect Liu’s household was there, and on seeing Kong Sheng, his expression changed immediately. If not for his father and Yang Qi’s presence, he would have mocked Kong Sheng outright.

Yang Qi was secretly pleased, but he feigned surprise and frowned, demanding, “Kong Sheng? Why have you come?”

As he spoke, Yang Qi cast a meaningful, cold glance at Shen Lin.

Yang Kuan quietly tugged Kong Sheng’s sleeve, threatening in a low voice, “Young master of the Kong family, do as agreed. Don’t speak out of turn!”

Kong Sheng chuckled softly, swept his gaze around the crowd, and under the various scornful, contemptuous, or sympathetic stares, he calmly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, “I have come today for one reason only: to break off my engagement with Miss Yang. I ask the honored elders and gentlemen here to witness it.”

He was here to break off the engagement in public! The crowd looked at each other in surprise, but all guessed this was Yang Qi’s arrangement. It was known throughout Jiangning that the marriage between Kong Sheng and Yang Xueruo would not happen, but to make the private matter of breaking off the engagement public at a poetry gathering lent a certain “flavor” to it.

Yang Qi felt satisfied, thinking to himself that the boy was sensible. Still, he feigned regret and surprise, saying, “Kong Sheng, I was as close as brothers with your father, and the engagement was made as a bond between our families. After your parents passed away, I raised you in my household, remembering old friendship and unwilling to see you homeless. Though you have been reckless and unruly these two years, I still insisted on fulfilling the marriage contract. Your sudden wish to break it off pains me deeply!”

Kong Sheng glanced at Yang Qi, cursing inwardly: Yang Qi, you sanctimonious hypocrite, acting before the public—how many can you fool?

Yang Qi shifted his tone, giving Kong Sheng no chance to reconsider: “Very well, since you have your own wishes, I won’t force you. I can say I have done my utmost for you. Write the formal letter breaking the engagement in public, and from today, your marriage with my daughter is nullified. Of course, I remain your elder and my door is always open to you!”

“I have already written it, Lord Yang. Please see if it is suitable.” Kong Sheng took out the letter from his robe, his tone calm, with a hint of irony.

His reason for coming to the Wangjiang Pavilion today was not due to the Yang family’s pressure, but because he had his own plans and was determined to stake everything in a game with Yang Qi and his daughter, to see whose reputation would be ruined in the end.

Yang Qi took the letter, glanced at it, and waved him off, “If so, the engagement is cancelled. You may step down.”

Liu Nian and others watched Kong Sheng with secret delight and gritted teeth, thinking: Without the Yang family’s protection, you’re at our mercy. When the gathering ends, I’ll make you suffer!

The local officials shook their heads, now feeling some sympathy for Kong Sheng. Everyone knew Yang Qi’s intentions. This public spectacle was only to mislead the world, to paint himself as righteous and to dump all the blame on Kong Sheng alone.

Bai Yunzi remained unmoved, sitting cross-legged, seemingly thoughtful as he watched Kong Sheng, his expression ambiguous.

Yang Xueruo sighed quietly, her gaze at Kong Sheng full of complex pity. Though she despised him for his debauchery and lack of learning, she knew that his public withdrawal from the engagement was forced by parental pressure.

Yet the joy of newfound freedom quickly outweighed that brief kindness. Her cheeks flushed and she sat up straight.

Kong Sheng raised an eyebrow and retreated quietly to the edge of the gathering, but did not leave, standing outside the main area.

Yang Qi saw him linger and was about to order him out, when Bai Yunzi, seated, laughed and said, “I see this young gentleman is clear-minded and refined; surely he has scholarly talents. Why hurry him away? Let him join the festivities—it would be a fine thing.”

The crowd burst out laughing. In Jiangning, Kong Sheng was famously known as a “kept man” and a notorious rascal, always seeking trouble. If one said he had brute strength, it might be believable, but to claim he was talented was an absurd joke.

Liu Nian could not help but stand and mock, “You, without an ounce of learning, dare to join a poetry gathering? I advise you to leave quickly, before you embarrass yourself in front of everyone!”