Prince?
Feng Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
A truly powerful figure with connections everywhere.
Where did a Prince come from in Jinling?
As he was pondering, the pearl curtain in the inner cabin was lifted.
A man dressed in a deep blue casual robe, wearing a purple-gold crown, slowly walked out amidst a crowd of attendants.
He appeared to be in his early forties, with a face like polished jade and eyes like bright stars, extremely well-maintained.
His gait carried an innate grace and majesty.
The moment he appeared, the entire cabin fell silent.
Everyone bowed in greeting.
“Greetings to Your Highness the Prince.”
“That will be all.” The Prince waved his hand and walked directly to the Main Seat to sit down.
Feng Yuan pretended to tremble fearfully.
His gaze swept slowly across the cabin, finally resting on Feng Yuan.
That gaze was not sharp, yet it felt like a mountain pressing down, making it hard to breathe.
“Prefect Jia, why have you allowed a man in plain cloth to sneak in here?” His voice was pleasant, yet carried a hint of lazy mockery.
A fine layer of sweat broke out on Prefect Jia Yucun’s forehead.
He quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply, “Your Highness, please forgive me. This youth is Feng Yuan, a new Disciple I recently took on. He just achieved the Top Scholar position, and having some talent, I brought him along to broaden his horizons.”
“Is this the Feng Yuan who wrote about the Spring Breeze?”
Prefect Jia Yucun was delighted inside. “It is indeed this youth!”
A look of interest finally appeared on the Prince’s face.
He beckoned Feng Yuan over.
“You, come here.”
Feng Yuan took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and slowly walked forward.
He reached the Prince and knelt down once more.
“Humble commoner Feng Yuan pays respects to Your Highness the Prince.”
“Look up.”
Feng Yuan obeyed and raised his head.
The Prince scrutinized him carefully, as if examining an interesting Antique.
“‘The Spring Breeze is like a distinguished guest,’ a fine line. However, a distinguished guest must eventually depart. Tell this Prince, when the Spring Breeze leaves, what remains?”
This question was tricky.
An ordinary answer would be dull. A frivolous answer would be offensive.
Prefect Jia Yucun’s heart leaped into his throat, secretly sweating for Feng Yuan.
Feng Yuan, however, was neither rushed nor slow. He kowtowed, “Your Highness’s insight is profound, striking the very essence of the poem. This Student is deeply impressed.”
He first offered a measured piece of flattery, then raised his head, his eyes shining with lively intelligence.
“Replying to Your Highness, though the Spring Breeze departs, it has already awakened all the flowers. The fragrance of the entire garden remembers the grace of the Spring Breeze.”
He shifted his tone, his voice carrying an appropriate sense of filial devotion.
“Just like Your Highness, who is the vast east wind of Jinling City. We, the humble weeds, owe whatever vitality we possess to the grace bestowed by Your Highness.”
“When the east wind passes, even silently, the misty expanse of the Qinhuai River and the prosperity of the entire city are the traces you leave behind.”
What he said both fit the poetic theme and elevated the Prince to an extremely high position.
He compared the Prince to the nurturing east wind that brings life to all things, silently benefiting everything, yet whose achievements permeate the entire city.
“Hahahaha!”
The Prince was indeed greatly pleased, clapping his hands and laughing heartily.
“Good! A clever lad! Your mouth is more interesting than your brush!”
He pointed to the wine cup before him.
“Come, pour wine for this Prince. Then tell this Prince, what is the taste of this wine?”
This was another test.
Feng Yuan understood clearly in his heart, immediately rising and carefully picking up the wine pot.
He first observed the color of the wine; the amber liquid in the cup was clear and bright.
He then lightly smelled the aroma; a rich fragrance rushed to meet him.
He poured a full cup for the Prince and half a cup for himself.
Afterward, he raised his own cup, first toasting the Prince, before taking a small sip.
After closing his eyes to savor it for a moment, he finally spoke.
“Replying to Your Highness, this wine has three flavors.”
“Oh? What three flavors?” The noble guest watched him with great interest.
“The first impression is the pure fragrance of orchids and irises; this is the quality of a gentleman, this is the first flavor.”
“Upon entering the mouth, it is mellow and sweet, like the sweet rain of spring; this is the grace of the Emperor, this is the second flavor.”
Feng Yuan set down his wine cup, looking intently at the Prince.
“And the aftertaste is long and profound, like the depth of mountains and rivers, the breadth of the sea; this is Your Highness’s magnanimity and bearing, this is the third flavor.”
He bowed again.
“What this humble commoner drinks is not wine. It is the virtue of a gentleman, the grace of the Emperor, and even more so, the destiny and future bestowed by Your Highness!”
The entire hall fell silent.
Immediately, a burst of loud laughter erupted.
“Good! Well said!” The Prince led the applause, laughing heartily.
The anxiety in Prefect Jia Yucun’s heart finally subsided, his face beaming with smiles as he quickly bowed, “It is due to Your Highness’s great fortune that this subordinate has met such an interesting junior.”
“Continue the music, continue the dance!”
The other officials quickly chimed in.
“This youth is quick-witted; his future is limitless!”
“Your Highness has a discerning eye for talent; we are all impressed!”
For a moment, flattery poured forth like a tide.
Feng Yuan stood there, head lowered, a humble smile playing on his lips.
No one saw the icy coldness deep within his lowered eyes.
He knew that starting tonight, he had obtained his ticket to enter this game.
The Prince favored him not because of his integrity, but because he was a lapdog that knew how to wag its tail and even perform tricks with it.
This was exactly what he wanted.