Chương 90: A Date with Cai Yan

Streets and alleys.

The women were washing clothes by the well, chatting as they scrubbed.

"I heard that Liu Ce is a member of the imperial family, handsome, skilled in both martial arts and writing. If any girl could marry him..."

Before the woman could finish speaking, she laughed.

Another woman nearby chimed in, "Come on, he's a Marquis of Champion and a General of the Cavalry now. Do you think he'd be interested in commoners like us?"

"That's hard to say. I heard he hasn't married a wife yet..."

How did you know?

"My cousin's neighbor's nephew works at the Cai residence. He said that the Marquis of Champion has been visiting the Cai residence frequently lately and is getting very close to Miss Cai..."

"Miss Cai? Cai Yong's daughter? She's a talented woman!"

"Absolutely! A talented man and a talented woman, a perfect match!"

The women burst into laughter.

Even the children on the street ran around, chanting "To establish a heart for heaven and earth." Although they didn't understand what it meant, they thought it sounded nice and chanted it for fun.

in the military camp.

Huangfu Song recited the four lines of poetry to the generals.

No sooner had he finished reciting "to usher in an era of peace for all generations" than someone patted his armor and shouted:

"Good! Isn't this what we're fighting for!"

Several captains gathered around, discussing the matter.

"When I fought against the Yellow Turbans with the Champion Marquis, I felt that he was different. He was good at fighting and also good to his brothers."

"Looking at it now, he's far better than those generals who only know how to cut military rations!"

"These four sentences are so inspiring!"

Huangfu Song smiled and nodded: "This kid is not only brave, but also has such vision. In the future, I will have to consult with him more when there are things to do in the army."

The soldiers were even more excited.

Some literate people found paper and pen to copy the poem down and pasted it in their tents.

Those who are illiterate should have their literate brothers read it to them.

For a time, "to usher in an era of peace for all generations" became a popular saying in the military camp.

The eunuchs were also discussing it.

Zhang Rang returned to the quarters of the attendants, where several eunuchs surrounded him.

"Attendant Zhang, does His Majesty really intend to inscribe those four lines on the plaque of the Imperial Academy?"

"Yes." Zhang Rang nodded.

"His Majesty is very pleased."

"This Liu Ce... is no simple character."

"It's more than just complicated," Zhang Rang said in a low voice.

"Now all the civil and military officials are praising him. Cai Yong, Lu Zhi and other upright officials, He Jin and other relatives of the emperor, as well as the generals in the army... they all say he is good."

The eunuchs looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Then let's..."

"We should also show our appreciation," Zhang Rang said.

"We'll find an opportunity to send them some gifts later. We can't afford to offend this person."

While the whole city was discussing these four lines of poetry, what was Liu Ce, the central figure in the incident, doing?

He was carrying out a secret plan: to flirt with girls.

Ever since he met Cai Yan at the Cai residence that day, Liu Ce had been pondering: Cai Zhaoji was a talented woman in history, with both beauty and temperament. Moreover, judging from Cai Yong's attitude, he clearly intended to bring them together.

If we don't seize this opportunity, are we even human?

So in the following days, Liu Ce visited Cai's residence more frequently than he visited the imperial palace.

They euphemistically said, "Master Cai said we should communicate more."

What could Cai Yong say? He could only welcome him with a smile.

Thus, in the courtyard and study of the Cai residence, one could often see Liu Ce and Cai Yan standing side by side, reading and discussing philosophy together.

On the first day, the two discussed the Book of Songs in the study.

Cai Yan held a scroll of bamboo slips and softly recited: "The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river's islet. A fair maiden, a gentleman's ideal..."

After reading it aloud, she looked up at Liu Ce and asked, "General, what are your thoughts on this sentence?"

Liu Ce thought to himself: My opinion is that you are the graceful lady and I am the gentleman, but I can't say it out loud.

He pondered for a moment and said, "This poem, on the surface, describes the love between a man and a woman, but in reality, it alludes to the relationship between a ruler and his subjects. A ruler's thirst for talent is like a gentleman's thirst for a virtuous woman."

Cai Yan's eyes lit up: "General, your insight is unique. What about 'the watercress grows unevenly, flowing left and right'?"

That means that talented people are hard to find, and we must search for them diligently.

The two chatted back and forth, getting along very well.

Cai Yong peeked out from outside the door, smiled, and quietly retreated.

The next day, they discussed calligraphy in the courtyard.

Cai Yan wrote a piece of calligraphy with the four lines "To establish a heart for heaven and earth".

Her handwriting is elegant and lively, and has a strong sense of style.

Liu Ce looked at it and sincerely praised, "Miss Cai's handwriting is truly excellent."

Cai Yan blushed slightly: "General, you flatter me. I've heard you're also skilled in calligraphy?"

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat: How could I possibly know calligraphy? In my past life, my handwriting was like a dog's crawl, and although I've practiced in this life, it can only be considered neat.

But he was quick-witted and laughed:

"My calligraphy is that of a martial artist; it's bold and unrestrained, but lacks refinement. It can't compare to Miss Cai's calligraphy, which has a certain spirit."

These were humble words, and Cai Yan found them very pleasing.

On the third day, we took a walk by the pond and discussed poetry.

Cai Yan softly recited a poem she had written, about autumn thoughts, with a faint sadness between the lines.

After listening, Liu Ce remained silent for a moment, then said:

"The poem is well written, but it is too sad. Although autumn is bleak, it also has its harvest."

Look at those withered lotus leaves in the pond. Though they've faded, there are lotus roots underneath, so they can regrow next year.

He paused, then looked at Cai Yan: "Life is like that too. There is loss, and there is gain; there is separation, and there is reunion."

Cai Yan stared at him blankly, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

The poem she wrote was actually a lament about her life. Her mother died early, and although her father loved her, he was ultimately a man and did not understand his daughter's feelings.

Few people could understand the loneliness in her heart.

But Liu Ce understood.

"General... can you understand?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Liu Ce nodded, "because I've also experienced loneliness."

This is half true and half false; in his past life, he was a corporate slave and was indeed lonely.

Although I have a group of brothers in this life, deep down I still feel the loneliness of a time traveler.

Cai Yan was unaware of all this; she only felt that she had found a kindred spirit.

Their relationship grew closer day by day.

Cai Yan's admiration for Liu Ce gradually became mixed with more ambiguous feelings.

She began to look forward to the day Liu Ce would come to the Cai residence.

Every time she heard a servant say, "The Marquis of Champion is here," her heart would skip a beat.

She would make a point of changing into simple yet exquisite dresses, checking her makeup in front of a bronze mirror, and thinking in advance about what topics she would discuss that day.

She herself was not fully aware of these little thoughts.

Until that evening.

As the sun sets, its afterglow spills onto the pond in the Cai residence, the water shimmering with golden-red light.

Liu Ce and Cai Yan walked side by side by the pond.

The two stood very close, their fingers occasionally brushing together unintentionally before quickly separating.

It was all a silent, tacit understanding.

"The general's interpretation of the line 'The road ahead is long and arduous, I will search high and low' from the Li Sao was truly unique."

Cai Yan spoke softly, her voice as gentle as the evening breeze.

Her gaze fell on the moon's reflection floating on the water, and she dared not look directly at the person beside her.

Liu Ce turned his head and saw that the stray hairs at her temples were being blown by the wind, and her cheeks were flushed with the afterglow of the setting sun. His heart stirred slightly, and he softened his tone.