The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 130 Tang Daren, Requests Leave
After entering the gate, Tang Shen saw that the entire ground was paved with broad, smooth granite.
He waited in the entrance hall for a while, but Wang Zhen was nowhere to be seen. Left with no other choice, he ventured into the garden.
Passing through the moon gate on the left, he was greeted by a vast, shimmering pond. The pond extended eastward, winding beneath small bridges. With nowhere else to go, Tang Shen followed the pond's edge.
The second courtyard bore a plaque with three words: "Drunken Moon Hall."
No need to guess—it was Wang Zifeng's own calligraphy. Tang Shen looked up at it for a moment and murmured, "Drunken by the moon, enchanted by flowers, I no longer serve the king."
Fifteen minutes passed, and Wang Zhen still hadn't appeared. Tang Shen searched the garden for a while, calling out, "Senior Brother, where are you?"
The Wang family estate in Jinling was enormous. Tang Shen had spent a day and a night there once and still hadn't explored it all. But this Liuqi Courtyard was different—it was about a quarter the size of the Wang family's estate. Wang Zhen, previously a second-rank official and now a first-rank one, was limited to a residence with three main halls and five bays. This Liuqi Courtyard naturally adhered to those restrictions.
Tang Shen quickly searched the entire estate but still couldn't find Wang Zhen.
He suddenly realized that Wang Zifeng was playing hide-and-seek with him. Otherwise, how could he not find him?
Tang Shen was utterly exasperated and decided to stop searching. Instead, he found a stone bench in the garden and sat down.
"Aren't you coming out?"
"Senior Brother?"
"Wang Zifeng!"
Suddenly, he heard the sound of grass being crushed underfoot behind him. Tang Shen turned around, but he was too slow. Wang Zhen covered his eyes with both hands from behind.
"Senior Brother..." Tang Shen said, startled.
Wang Zhen leaned down and whispered in Tang Shen's ear, "I wanted to come out earlier, but seeing you search for me so eagerly and pretty, I couldn't look away and stayed hidden a little longer."
Tang Shen: "..."
He forcefully pulled Wang Zhen's hands away, his face stern, but Wang Zhen burst into laughter.
Tang Shen pretended to be serious, "Since I opened up to Senior Brother, you've changed."
Wang Zhen looked puzzled, "Opened up about what?"
"...Just opened up."
Wang Zhen suddenly understood, "Opened up about your feelings for me?"
Tang Shen gritted his teeth, knowing he was no match for Wang Zifeng, so he reluctantly changed the subject. He feigned disdain and annoyance, "Senior Brother used to be like an immortal in my eyes, a celestial being from the moon palace, distant and unattainable. But now, Senior Brother keeps ruining that image. Where is the ethereal, otherworldly figure you once were?"
Wang Zhen sighed deeply, "So little Junior Brother liked me so much that he thought I was a celestial being. In that case, perhaps you fell for me first." After a pause, he added with certainty, "It must be so."
Tang Shen: "..."
Wang Zifeng, where did you learn this skill of twisting truth and lie, black and white?!
Seeing Tang Shen both angry and flustered, yet unable to find a good comeback, Wang Zhen was in high spirits. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around Tang Shen's waist. Tang Shen patted his hands, and Wang Zhen asked in surprise, "What does little Junior Brother mean?"
Tang Shen, "I can walk on my own."
Wang Zhen, "And sneak kisses on your own?"
Tang Shen: "..."
Tang Shen didn't dare to say another word. Wang Zhen led him on a tour of the entire Liuqi Courtyard. When he first arrived, the sun was setting, and the sky was still light. By the time they finished their tour, the moon hung high, casting its silvery glow over the vast pond in the estate, creating a shimmering reflection.
"Jiangnan gardens emphasize changing scenery with every step. Little Junior Brother, being from Gusu, must be well-versed in this."
Tang Shen came from a humble background and had never lived in a grand garden courtyard estate, but Liang Song had, so Tang Shen had some knowledge of it. Although Wang Zhen's estate wasn't large, every corner was meticulously designed, each view unique and thoughtfully arranged.
What was even more remarkable...
Tang Shen looked up at the plaque on the pavilion in the pond.
"Pushing Stones."
Tang Shen, "Unable to bend the pines, I can only push the stones for now. Even these characters—were they written by Senior Brother yourself?”
Every courtyard, pavilion, and terrace in the entire Liuqi Courtyard bore Wang Zifeng's calligraphy! His care and attention were evident everywhere.
Suddenly, Tang Shen understood what Liuqi Courtyard meant to Wang Zhen. But Wang Zhen said nothing about it. Instead, he took Tang Shen's hand and led him to the Pushing Stones Pavilion. On the round table inside the pavilion were fine wines and dishes, all of Tang Shen's favorites.
After they sat down, Wang Zhen said, "Little Junior Brother has already voiced the origin of this pavilion's name. What about the others?"
Both of them had eidetic memories. Tang Shen closed his eyes and recalled the names of the other courtyards and pavilions. "The 'Sleet Gate'—is it from 'Without the sun and moon turning, sleet falls together'? The 'Fragrant Cold Hall'—probably from 'Bright and serene as the moon, its fragrance cold, not chasing the wind'..."
Tang Shen spoke each line carefully. Amidst the flowers and under the moon, with fine wine and a beloved companion, the gentle breeze stirred. Minister Wang hadn't even drank any wine yet, but he was already intoxicated.
When Tang Shen finished, Wang Zhen said, "You got most of them right."
Tang Shen was puzzled, "Was I wrong?"
Wang Zhen, "No, but you missed the most important one."
Tang Shen thought for a long time, hesitating before finally remembering what he hadn't mentioned. But after some consideration, he said, "The name ‘Liuqi Courtyard’—where does 'Liuqi' come from? It's not hard to guess, but... why would Senior Brother use 'Liuqi' to name this estate?"
"The spring waters flow into the Qi River."
It comes from The Book of Songs: Odes of Bei - Spring Waters.
The poem itself isn't problematic—it's a beautiful, melancholic piece about longing. But the issue is, the poem is about a woman from the state of Wei who married far from home and yearned for her homeland. Wang Zifeng, married far from home? Wang Zifeng, like the woman from Wei, filled with longing and sorrow?
Tang Shen shuddered.
...What kind of nonsense is this?!
Wang Zhen looked disheartened. He seemed to want to say something but couldn't, so he let out a long sigh.
Seeing this, Tang Shen immediately understood that there must be a story behind the name "Liuqi." He asked with concern, "What's wrong, Senior Brother?"
"The name 'Liuqi' wasn't chosen by me."
"Huh?"
"You guessed correctly. How could I use 'Liuqi' to name this estate? It was Sir who named it." Wang Zhen sighed nostalgically, "Over a decade ago, Sir heard I had built an estate and came to visit. He jokingly said, 'The spring waters flow into the Qi River’. Zi Feng, you're far from home, building this estate out of longing for your homeland. Such sincere feelings—let's call it ‘Liuqi’!"
Wang Zhen looked at Tang Shen, "When an elder bestows a gift, one dare not refuse. How could I decline?"
Tang Shen thought to himself, if you really didn't want it, what could Sir have done to you?
But Wang Zhen's rare display of melancholy was too captivating. Tang Shen couldn't look away, entranced by his beauty, and nodded vaguely.
Wang Zhen pointed to a large Taihu stone in the pond, "So a few months ago, I found a fine porous stone. I didn't dare breathe a word about it, fearing Sir might see it. This stone still hasn't been named. Would little Junior Brother like to name it?"
Tang Shen snapped out of his thoughts, "Me?"
Wang Zhen smiled, his joy radiating from within, making him appear even more cheerful and bright.
He asked gently, "Are you full?"
Tang Shen was taken aback and looked up at him. After a long moment, he said, "I'm full."
Wang Zhen took his hand and led him through the winding corridors, walking above the shimmering pond, past the porous stone, and to a house by the pond. Half of the house was built over the water. Opening the windows revealed a vast expanse of water, blending with the sky in a sea of blue.
By the window was a long desk, filled with an array of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Wang Zhen led Tang Shen to the desk. He carefully spread out a sheet of rice paper and began grinding ink.
"Little Junior Brother, will you name it?"
Tang Shen looked at him for a while, then turned to gaze at the rugged Taihu stone through the window.
After a long time, he picked up a brush and wrote two characters.
"Warm Jade."
The calligraphy was taught by Wang Zifeng himself. Though Tang Shen had developed his own style, the essence of Wang Zifeng's influence was unmistakable.
Wang Zhen stared at the two characters, his heart stirred. He stopped grinding ink and looked up, "Where does 'Warm Jade' come from?"
Tang Shen looked at him and said slowly, "Thinking of the gentleman, warm as jade. In his wooden house... it stirs my heart."
Wang Zhen stepped forward and embraced him tightly. He held Tang Shen in his arms, his voice soft, like the evening breeze brushing through the grass on a spring night, "You came here straight after leaving the office, still wearing your official robes."
Tang Shen, "Senior Brother sent me a peony. I thought you had something to say to me."
Wang Zhen chuckled lightly, "Official robes are inconvenient. Shall I help you change?"
Tang Shen's fingers tightened. He remained silent. Wang Zhen took his hand and led him to the bed. He untied Tang Shen's belt and removed his deep red official robe. As his hands moved to undo Tang Shen's undershirt, Tang Shen grabbed his wrist.
Wang Zhen looked up at him.
"My heart is filled with many things—for Senior Brother, for many people."
Wang Zhen gently kissed him, "But my heart holds only you."
Tang Shen stared at Wang Zhen in a daze. Unconsciously, he released the hand that had been holding Wang Zhen back.
Outside the window, the pond's water flowed, and the wind entered the bamboo house, scattering the clothes on the floor. The bed curtains had been drawn early by Wang Zhen. Throughout the night, the sounds of joy and pleasure never ceased.
The next day, before dawn, the steward of the Minister Residence stood outside the door, holding Wang Zhen's court robes. Wang Zhen got up quietly, and Tang Shen woke with a start. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his lower back. He hissed in pain—it hadn't hurt much the night before, but now the ache was overwhelming.
Wang Zhen pressed his shoulders, gently pushing him back down, "Rest. I'll request leave for you today."
Tang Shen, still half-asleep, thought it would be just like a colleague helping him take a day off. Without overthinking, he nodded and drifted back to sleep.
Wang Zhen changed into his court robes and left for the morning court.
When Wang Zifeng arrived at Chongzheng Hall, no one thought anything was amiss. But then he told the chief eunuch, "Tang daren is unwell and won't be attending court today".
In the main hall, Right Prime Minister Wang Quan was the first to glance at Wang Zhen. The other officials didn't react, but Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji overheard and murmured in surprise, "Is that so?" Soon, Right Vice Prime Minister Xu Bi also caught on.
Ordinary people wouldn't read too much into a single sentence, but these seasoned officials, who had long suspected Wang Zhen's inclinations, could read between the lines.
The matter was like a breeze rippling the surface of a lake—it caused a stir but quickly settled. Most people remained unaware.
However, Emperor Zhao Fu was no ordinary man. During the morning court, with Wang Zhen now a first-rank official standing closer to the throne, Zhao Fu could observe his every move. Surprised, he asked his chief eunuch, Ji Fu, after the court session, "Did you notice how radiant Wang Zifeng looked today? Quite different from usual."
Ji Fu thought to himself, different? He looked the same as always.
But Ji Fu was shrewd. He inquired about Wang Zifeng's activities that day and discovered he had requested leave on Tang Shen's behalf. Ji Fu, unable to grasp the implications, reported this to Zhao Fu. Upon hearing this, Zhao Fu was stunned for a moment before saying, "Even I didn't see it coming?"
By mid-morning, Tang Shen finally woke up.
The room was already prepared with clean clothes, and his body also felt refreshed. Recalling the previous night, Tang Shen realized Wang Zhen had personally cleaned him. His face flushed, and he quickly dressed, hurrying to the Censorate.
As soon as Tang Shen arrived at the Censorate, the guard at the gate looked at him in surprise, "Tang daren, didn't you request leave today?"
Tang Shen's groggy mind stirred again as he remembered Wang Zhen's words that morning.
In an instant, Tang Shen felt his vision darken.
...Wang! Zi! Feng!!!