The Visit of the Sixth Prince

When Ye Qianran ordered the door to Ye An’s room to be broken open, it was already the afternoon of the following day. She instructed the others to remain outside and entered alone. The scene inside was chaotic—a mess of shattered porcelain scattered across the floor, ink, brushes, and paper all overturned, tables and chairs thrown about, unfinished wine spilled on the table, its liquid trickling down the legs and pooling on the ground. Ye An sat slumped against the edge of the bed, his clothes disheveled and askew, hair loose around his shoulders, his entire being reeking of pungent spirits. Ye Qianran sighed softly; the brother who usually took meticulous care with his appearance was now like a destitute wanderer. She tiptoed carefully to his side and sat down beside him.

Ye An’s eyes were bloodshot, as if he had not slept all night. Those eyes, once bright as autumn waters and capable of enchanting countless ladies with a single smile, were now dull and unfocused—a stranger to Ye Qianran. She leaned her head against the bed’s edge. All the words she had prepared to comfort him seemed pale and powerless before reality. She said nothing.

After a long silence, Ye An finally spoke, his voice heavy as if burdened by a thousand weights. "Qianran, am I… such a failure?"

"How could you say that, brother?" Ye Qianran, her head resting against the window sill, gazed at the ornate pillar on the roof and asked softly.

"She said… I pester her shamelessly, that I am insufferable. She said dealing with me exhausts her, told me not to bother her anymore… I’ve been thinking these past days, I’ve actually become someone she can no longer endure, and yet I didn’t realize it myself."

Ye Qianran suddenly felt her mouth dry; she could not speak. She could hardly believe such cruel words came from Sister Meng, who was always so understanding, gentle, and dignified. Was it she who deceived her brother, or did she simply not know her at all?

"Father always says I’m too conceited, that he’s spoiled me. I never took it seriously. When I first liked her, she was polite to me, perhaps due to our parents. Later, as we grew closer, she became cold, but I didn’t mind. The colder she spoke, the more I liked her. I believed that if I persisted, she would eventually like me. Sometimes, I even thought her coldness was a different kind of expression. So I kept telling myself to persevere, that I would eventually see the clouds part. But yesterday, I finally realized she truly dislikes me, truly doesn’t care for me. Father was right. I really am too conceited."

The self-mockery in Ye An’s tone stung her. Ye Qianran frowned gently. She suddenly realized that matters of the heart could indeed change a person. She used to believe that no matter how much one liked another, if the feeling wasn’t reciprocated, she would never continue, for emotions belonged to herself, and if she willed it, there would be none. But now, she no longer held that certainty.

If everyone could control their feelings, the world would not be rife with tragedy.

After a long pause, Ye Qianran sighed, "Perhaps Sister Meng has her own reasons." This was all she could think to say for comfort, but even she could not convince herself.

Ye An’s lips curled in a bitter smile. "Neither of us is married. What reason could there be? If she can say such heartless things, it only proves she truly doesn’t care for me." As he spoke, Ye An kept his head down, fiddling with his fingers. Ye Qianran, turned sideways, could clearly see his tightly knit brows and the stubborn set of his lips, like a wounded child unwilling to admit his pain.

A surge of complicated emotions flooded Ye Qianran’s heart. She bit her lip, wanting to say something to console him, but when she opened her mouth, found nothing to say. While she was racking her brain for words, she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. She turned to see Ye An resting his head on her shoulder, eyes closed in exhaustion, his voice low and distant, "To love someone, it turns out, is such pain."

Ye Qianran lowered her head, silent for a long while.

After that afternoon, Ye An returned to his old self—a clean, handsome young gentleman, living as he always had. Yet the wild, unrestrained laughter was gone, and his gaze seemed to suppress and restrain something, growing steadier and more introspective.

Ye Qianran, for all her sighing, said nothing. Perhaps she truly had nothing to say; her own feelings remained distant and uncertain. What right had she to comment on another’s affairs of the heart?

The weather grew hotter by the day. Ye Qianran’s most frequent pastime was to take Juanbi and Lulian, along with poetry books, to the pavilion to escape the heat. Sometimes, she would encounter Ye An, who had moved a rattan bed there to read. They would chat about youthful memories, discuss poetry, analyze chess moves. More often, Ye An sat lost in thought alone. The wind lifted the curtains, brushing his jade-like face. Sometimes, he would fall asleep, but even in slumber, his brows remained tightly furrowed, his lips murmuring someone’s name.

He claimed he would not hope anymore, would not think of it, but it was never so simple. When love runs deep, it is the most tormenting. For Ye An, Sister Meng was pain carved into the bone.

Ye Qianran put down her book, took from her waist the jade pendant given by Zhuge Liuyun, let her fingertips glide across its surface, feeling its warmth. She gazed at the distant high walls and green trees, her thoughts drifting further and further away.

That evening, as the last rays of sunset were swallowed by darkness and night draped softly over the city, a most unusual guest arrived at the Ye residence.

The family was gathered together, chatting, when the steward came to report. He did not give a name, only said the visitor’s surname was Huang and he was sixth in his family. Upon hearing this, Ye Yuandao’s expression darkened. He hurriedly took Ye An to greet the guest at the gate. Ye Qianran immediately sensed that the visitor was of considerable importance, so she quickly brought Juanbi and Lulian to hide in the inner room of the reception hall, listening in as usual.

Footsteps approached, growing louder. This time, the central figure was a man dressed in a deep purple brocade robe and cloud-pattern boots. Ye Yuandao and Ye An followed at his left, step by step. Ye Yuandao wore a welcoming smile tinged with surprise. Their party of five took their seats. The man in purple had two attendants stand guard at the door, while the other two stood beside him. By now, the moon had risen, its pale light spilling like mercury onto the lacquered threshold. The wind stirred, making the candlelight flicker, and the silhouette of the man in purple stood out, resolute and bold in the fragile glow. An attendant stepped forward to serve tea. He took it without expression, lifted the lid to skim the froth. His hands were larger than most men’s, with defined joints and wheat-colored skin that made his strength more apparent. Unlike the pampered men of the capital, these hands could wield an eighty-pound iron sword as steadily as a teacup. They had been stained with blood, wounded countless times, and were covered in thick calluses from years of swordplay, yet their owner seemed unconcerned, as if this alone proved their worth. He set down the cup, resting his hand lightly on his knee, his voice calm and clear, "Liu visits late at night and hopes Ye Master will not take offense." Though apologetic in words, his tone carried an unspoken authority.

Ye Yuandao responded with a nervous smile, "Not at all, Your Highness. That you would travel so far to visit brings me great honor. If I fail in hospitality, I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness."

Upon hearing his father utter "Your Highness Sixth Prince," Ye Qianran knew her guess was correct. He was indeed Prince Liu Heng. Yet, as far as she knew, all the feudal lords had returned to their domains a month prior. For the Sixth Prince to return to the capital in secret, what could it mean? She had considered this question since first suspecting his identity at Shichahai, but had found no answer. Ye Qianran held her breath, listening intently to the conversation outside.

"May I ask what brings Your Highness to visit today?" After exchanging glances with Ye An, Ye Yuandao asked in confusion.

Liu Heng glanced at Ye Yuandao, his lips curved in a faint smile, though his eyes held no warmth. His tone remained calm, "Ye Master is a clever man, so I won’t mince words. I hear the Emperor intends to curtail the power of the princes, but opinions in court are divided. Some advocate targeting me first, others say I should be last. What is Ye Master’s view?"

Ye Yuandao laughed awkwardly. "I am but a merchant, unfamiliar with court affairs. I beg Your Highness’s pardon."

Liu Heng’s tone did not change. "No need for riddles, Ye Master. As far as I know, most officials of rank six and above in the capital have dealings with you. If you would act as intermediary and delay the curtailment, I would reward you generously."

Ye Yuandao had not expected such frankness and was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered, his face splitting into a broad smile. "Your Highness overestimates me. I never involve myself in politics. I fear I must disappoint you."

Ye Qianran’s heart sank. Was her father refusing him directly? With the court’s attitude toward the princes still deadlocked, to offend the Sixth Prince now could bring untold consequences. What was her father thinking?

Liu Heng’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this answer. He continued, "When the founding emperor was alive, we were ordered to guard the borders and defend the empire. Now the late emperor’s bones are barely cold, and already petty men urge Axi to diminish the princes. Axi is newly crowned and bound to be confused. We are, after all, uncle and nephew, and Axi has always been benevolent and filial; he would not trouble us uncles. Don’t you agree, Ye Master?"

Ye Qianran sighed inwardly. The Sixth Prince was indeed adept at this game. His words seemed to dwell on family ties, but in fact subtly threatened her father. The court’s intentions were unclear; who knew what might happen in the future? Should the emperor suddenly change his mind, it would take but a word. But if officials chose the wrong side, their fate would be dire.

Ye Yuandao understood well and wished not to offend him, so he agreed, "Your Highness bears the duty of guarding the southwest and is kin to the royal family. As a citizen of Dayuan, I am pledged to serve the royal house with all my strength."

Liu Heng smiled, "Thanks to the late emperor’s favor, I was entrusted with the southwest. I shall do my utmost to keep the peace and lighten the emperor’s burdens. But the court has many petty men, and the emperor is liable to listen to slander. I hope Ye Master can win me some time, and I will try to dispel the emperor’s foolish notions."

Ye Yuandao seemed reassured and smiled, "Your Highness is too kind. I will do all I can for Dayuan."

Liu Heng’s lips curled in a sly arc. He thought to himself that Ye Yuandao was truly an old fox—unwilling to offend either the court or himself, he used the name of the court to aid him. Should Liu Heng fall, Ye Yuandao would not fear being labeled a traitor; should Liu Heng triumph, he could still retreat unscathed.

All talk of loyalty, morality, patriotism—mere empty words. Hearts always follow power.

Ye Qianran was listening intently to the conversation outside when Juanbi’s sneeze snapped her from her reverie. Before she could react, a black iron sword flashed through the screen, stopping less than an inch from her nose. Instinctively, Ye Qianran slid back, making Juanbi shriek. Lulian hurriedly covered her mouth. A deep, powerful voice boomed, "Come out."

Ye Qianran knew they had been discovered and had no choice but to step out. The swordsman was Liu Heng’s bodyguard. Liu Heng remained impassive; Ye Yuandao and Ye An’s faces paled considerably. Ye Qianran steadied herself, gave Liu Heng a graceful bow, and said nothing.

Liu Heng finally looked up. Ye Yuandao quickly stood and introduced her, "This is my daughter Qianran. Forgive her for offending Your Highness." Then, turning angrily to her, "Do you still look like a proper young lady? Hurry and beg the prince’s pardon!"

Ye Qianran bowed again, but Liu Heng waved it off. Ye An hastened her to withdraw, but Liu Heng smiled, "I remember you. We met at Tianxiang Pavilion."

He remembered her—this surprised Ye Qianran. She smiled softly, "Your Highness has a remarkable memory."

His stern features bloomed into a strange smile as he rose, "I have troubled Ye Master long enough. It is time to take my leave."

Ye Yuandao hurried to his feet. Before departing, Liu Heng glanced meaningfully at Ye Qianran and swept out.

Ye Yuandao escorted him to the gate before saying goodbye. As Liu Heng mounted his horse, he smiled and said to Ye Yuandao, "If the court succeeds in curtailing the princes, I will no longer bear the nation’s burdens. Taking a few lovely wives and retiring to the mountains would be a fine thing. Though I have met Miss Ye but twice, I am quite taken with her. Might Ye Master grant me this wish?"

Ye Yuandao stiffened, but Liu Heng and his party were already mounted, riding away amid laughter.

The pale moonlight spilled over the vermilion gates. The lanterns’ candlelight grew ever dimmer in the deepening night, until the figures vanished into darkness. Only then did father and son turn back.

Ye An watched his father’s frowning brow uneasily and ventured, "Did the Sixth Prince just mean…?"

"He wants to use your sister to threaten me," Ye Yuandao’s words drifted through the mist, cold and distant.

"What does father intend to do?"

"The court wishes to curtail the princes. How can we alone change that? Do what we can, and leave the rest to fate."