Chapter Seven: There Are Always Villains Who Wish Me Harm!

Li Zhao and Cui Zongzhi were both voracious drinkers, and from morning until dusk, they indulged together, consuming a total of eight large jars of imperial wine. Only then did they feel sated, and the former rose to take his leave.

Cui Zongzhi and his wife personally escorted their guest, accompanying him all the way to the main gate. They watched as Li Zhao boarded his carriage and departed into the distance, before finally returning to their residence.

“Husband, many distinguished guests have visited our household in the past, yet I have never seen you pay such close attention to any of them. Why are you so warm today?”

Cui Zongzhi had a wide circle of acquaintances, and it was not uncommon for friends to visit, among them heirs of princes and dukes, sons of prime ministers. Yet never had Cui Zongzhi been so enthusiastic in his hospitality, let alone inviting a guest to meet his mother or drink wine in the inner hall.

Li Zhao held neither office nor title, possessed no renowned reputation, yet her husband treated him as a true brother, which greatly piqued Princess Jinyang’s curiosity.

“Haha, those mediocre fellows cannot compare to Yulang. The lack of position and rank means nothing if one has ability enough; riches and glory are within a turn of the hand. Just watch, in no time at all, Yulang will make a name for himself in Chang’an. Within five years, he will be known throughout the court, and within ten, famed across the land. By then, his family’s prestige will surpass ours.”

As he spoke, Cui Zongzhi gestured to his own residence, implying that within ten years, Li Zhao’s rank would exceed that of a founding duke.

“Yulang is indeed extraordinary, but he is so young—only sixteen this year. To rise above a founding duke within ten years, isn’t that exaggeration?”

“Heh, that’s a conservative estimate. It might not even take ten years. If you’re doubtful, we could wager on it. If only I had a younger sister or cousin, I’d marry her to Yulang; she’d at least become a titled lady, perhaps even the wife of a prince.”

“You have no sister, but I do have a cousin, and she’s of an age with Yulang. Shall we arrange a match?”

“Your cousin, that little demon? Absolutely not! That would be sending Yulang into the lion’s den!”

Cui Zongzhi shuddered, as if recalling something dreadful.

Princess Jinyang made a helpless gesture; that little demon was indeed frightening.

“Heh, I meant my elder cousin, not the younger one. She is virtuous and gentle, beautiful as a flower, perfectly suited to Yulang. When she next visits Chang’an, shall we play matchmaker?”

“If it’s the elder cousin, she and Yulang would make a fine pair… Those two cousins of yours, born as twins and identical in appearance, how is it that one is as gentle as a fairy, while the other is as terrifying as a demon?”

...

“Achoo—achoo!”

On his way home, Li Zhao sneezed several times, little knowing that his own romantic fate was already stirring.

...

In the following days, Li Zhao either visited Cui Zongzhi for wine and conversation, discussing the affairs of the world, or wandered the sights of Chang’an with White Bun and Day Rat, enjoying a comfortable life.

On the ninth day of the fifth month, only one day remained before the selection exam.

On this day, Li Zhao did not go out, but stayed at home, resting and preparing for the exam. Yet at dusk, an unexpected visitor arrived.

“Greetings, Young Master Zhao.”

“And you are?”

“I am Cui Fu, one of the stewards of the Duke of Qi’s household. I have been sent by the young duke to deliver some items for you… things you may need for tomorrow’s exam.”

The visitor was a short, plump man in his early thirties, whose smile revealed two rows of large white teeth, giving him a harmless appearance.

He was accompanied by two servants in blue robes, carrying a large wooden chest. Upon opening it, a set of pure white round-collared robes, made of the finest Shu brocade—brightly colored, light, and breathable—was revealed.

There was also a pair of soft, fragrant deerskin boots.

A rhinoceros-hide belt, suitable for carrying many small items.

...

There were also new brushes, ink, inkstone, paperweights, water vessels, and other essentials for the exam, all of excellent quality.

As it was a token of Cui Zongzhi’s goodwill, Li Zhao did not refuse, glanced over the items, and nodded his acceptance.

“Did the young duke say anything else?”

“He did. He said, ‘Brother Zhao is talented and clever; surely he will succeed in the exam this time. High office and great fortune await him. When that day comes, the Duke of Qi’s household will host a grand banquet to celebrate Brother Zhao’s achievement.’”

“Oh? He really said that?”

“Of course. The young duke himself said it; how could I possibly misremember?”

“Very well, here’s a reward.”

“Thank you, Young Master Zhao!”

Cui Fu accepted five taels of silver as a reward, grinning as he left with his two servants, happier than a weasel who’d stolen a chicken.

But as soon as they exited the gate, Li Zhao’s smile vanished. “Day Rat, follow them secretly and see where they’re from!”

“Young master?”

“Those people are suspicious. They’re definitely not sent by the young Duke of Qi.”

“Ah, I understand!”

Day Rat immediately slipped out the gate. As a master thief, once he marked someone, they rarely escaped.

Meanwhile, Li Zhao took the items from the chest and examined them carefully, touching, squeezing, and even cutting them open with a knife.

He found several small scrolls hidden in the seams of the robes and inside the brush handles. Upon unrolling them, he found passages from Confucian classics transcribed in tiny script: The Book of Changes, The Book of Documents, The Book of Poetry, The Spring and Autumn Annals—all among them.

Tomorrow was the day of the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ selection exam. If Li Zhao brought these items into the examination hall, he would surely be accused of cheating, which would spell disaster.

Under the laws of the Great Tang, cheating on an exam was punished by forty strokes of the cane, public humiliation for three days, and permanent disqualification from government service.

Clearly, someone was deliberately trying to frame Li Zhao!

“Master, how did you know those three weren’t sent by the young Duke of Qi?”

“It’s simple. The young duke and I often drink together. Have you ever heard him call me ‘Brother Zhao’?”

Li Zhao and Cui Zongzhi were fast friends, calling each other by their nicknames.

One was ‘Yulang.’

The other, ‘Cat Slave.’

Never had they used such formal titles as ‘elder brother’ or ‘worthy brother.’

So during the earlier conversation, Li Zhao immediately sensed something was off—Cui Fu was not from the Duke of Qi’s household.

The question remained: whose people were they, and why were they trying to frame him?

He had only been in Chang’an for a few days, knew hardly anyone, and had made no enemies. Could it be an old foe… but who?

Li Zhao rested his chin on his hand, pondering deeply, but found not a single clue.

...

As night fell, Day Rat returned, drenched in sweat and visibly shaken, as if he’d seen a ghost in broad daylight.

“How did it go?”

“Reporting to young master: I followed Cui Fu and saw that after leaving here, he went to the eastern district of Chang’an, entered a luxurious mansion, and I waited outside for over half an hour. Eventually, I saw two of your old acquaintances.”

“My acquaintances? Who?”

“Li Chong and Li Fei, the brothers. They are now dressed in fine clothes, riding spirited horses with attendants in tow, looking every bit the part of young lords.”

“What? Them?”

Li Zhao was stunned.

Half a year ago, he had used a clever scheme to remove the corrupt county assistant of Zheng, destroyed the new brewery of Li De and Lady Zheng, and left the pair bankrupt.

Several days later, Li De’s corpse was found at the gate of a ruined temple five miles south of the city, mauled by wild dogs, and later dragged away by the authorities and dumped in a mass grave wrapped in a tattered mat.

Although Li De was dead, Lady Zheng and the brothers Li Chong and Li Fei disappeared; some said they died, others said they fled and became beggars.

Unexpectedly, they had arrived in Chang’an, living in luxury. How had this come about?

“I also discovered that the mansion where the Li brothers reside belongs to Ji Wen, the Prefect of Jingzhao.”

“Oh, you mean Ji Wen of the ‘Net of Luo and Ji’?”

“Precisely!”

Li Zhao had long heard of Ji Wen’s reputation. A native of Luozhou, from a prestigious family, he was known for his cunning and ruthlessness—a man with a wicked mind and great ability.

Ji Wen’s career was unremarkable at first, but he married a woman of high birth though plain appearance, and with his father-in-law’s support, gradually rose to prominence.

Later, to climb even higher, Ji Wen allied himself with the premier Li Linfu, offering advice and helping to eliminate rivals. Over the years, dozens of important officials had fallen at his hands, earning him a fearsome reputation as a harsh official, paired with another—Luo Xishi—as ‘Net of Luo and Ji’ in the mouths of the people.

With Li Linfu’s patronage, Ji Wen’s rank kept rising: Director of the Ministry of Revenue, often serving as censor… finally Prefect of Jingzhao (third rank), wielding authority over Chang’an’s administration, law, and order.

Li Chong and Li Fei were mere fools—how could they have connected with such a powerful figure? It was utterly perplexing.

“Day Rat, for the next few days, do nothing else. Watch those two closely and find out their connection to Ji Wen. Understood?”

“Yes, young master!”

“Just watching isn’t enough. I need to make some preparations myself!”

A sense of looming danger welled up. For safety’s sake, Li Zhao resolved to prepare a few trusty weapons.

In these times, one should never intend harm—but must always guard against it!