Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Fifty-Three: The End of the Banquet-I Once Slew Immortals in Chang'an(Bathed in moonlight, she leaned against the balcony.)

Everyone held their breath, fully absorbed in the moment.

Chen Chang'an took up the brush, writing and sketching back and forth, until finally five characters appeared on the paper: "Willows shrouded in mist by the pond." This line, a famed and unmatched couplet from the annals of Chinese literary history, had once been casually mentioned by his history teacher during a lively lesson. It was the perfect riposte to the envoy from the Moon Clan, who had come to provoke with ill intent.

Grand Tutor Hong Che Shu stroked his beard and clapped his hands in delight. "Marvelous, truly marvelous! What a splendid 'Willows shrouded in mist by the pond.'"

A nearby courtier, unable to grasp its subtlety, asked in confusion, "Grand Tutor, the couplet offered by the mute maid seems ordinary, lacking any profound cleverness."

"Ah!" Hong Che Shu explained with a round, smiling tone, "Indeed, at first glance, the couplet penned by the little maid An appears plain, without novelty. But savor each character's components carefully—together they represent metal, wood, water, fire, and earth."

"This is an embedded knowledge couplet; that is, any responding line must likewise contain five interrelated elements found in daily life."

"And furthermore, it must depict a scene akin to 'Willows shrouded in mist by the pond.'"

After 'class representative' Hong Che Shu's analysis, everyone present was struck with awe and delight. Such ingenuity of thought and artistry was truly timeless.

Little Maid An...

With her vast learning and literary flair, how could she remain a mere maid? Had she been born a man, the so-called leader of the literary path, Yan Lu Yan Shisan, would surely have his position threatened.

Bai Mai's finely drawn brows quivered with excitement, as though each strand danced. She looked toward Hu Dong and said, "Our Great Min has always prided itself on etiquette and civilization."

"Envoy Hu has come from afar to consult us, and now that the lesson is given, let 'Willows shrouded in mist by the pond' serve as our reply. Your scholars love to study, so let them ponder it well."

"Take it back and let the Moon Clan's scholars study it thoroughly. Should they fail to craft a matching couplet, they may return for guidance at next year's Longevity Festival."

A stinging slap, burning with shame.

Hu Dong of the Moon Clan bowed so deeply his head nearly vanished into his lap. His original intent had been to use two couplets to humiliate the Great Min, stripping the so-called Celestial Empire of its dignity before other tribes. Unexpectedly, he had been bested again and again by a mere maid.

Henceforth, others would say the Great Min was a land of talent and learning, where even a maid beside the princess was dazzlingly gifted.

He had failed to undermine, instead only bolstered their reputation.

He bent low and clasped his hands, his forehead veins throbbing as he struggled to maintain a calm and respectful tone: "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty. I will surely bring back 'Willows shrouded in mist by the pond' for our scholars to study. If they cannot answer, I will return next year for your celebration to seek further guidance!"

"Very well." Bai Mai smiled, nodding slightly.

The court's civil and military officials beamed with joy, while the visiting envoys from foreign tribes showed even greater respect.

The representative from the small country of Yingzhou, Yano Masanobu, clutched a spent bamboo firework tube close to his chest, a sense of happiness and fulfillment welling up within him: "The culture of Great Min is truly profound and vast."

Among the assembled ministers, a certain official in crimson robes gazed at Chen Chang'an—disguised as a woman—with deep, pensive eyes, like an autumn pond. "This maid An, why does she so resemble Chen Chang'an?"

Could it be? Or was it merely hatred for the one named Chen that made him see such similarities?

...

The banquet, which began at dusk, lasted until the second quarter past midnight. The foreign envoys were escorted to designated lodging, and the court officials, princes, and princesses departed one after another.

Bai Mai deliberately kept Changning and Chen Chang'an behind, her tone cheerful: "Ning'er, I wronged you when you first arrived."

"What you prepared for your mother is something truly capable of illuminating the prosperity of Great Min, something that can showcase the peace of Chang'an to those barbarians. Fireworks, yes? I like them very much."

"If memory serves, they were crafted by Mao Ji, weren't they? Worthy of our master craftsmen's reputation, deserving of reward."

She then turned to Chen Chang'an, her tone now more solemn: "Girl, you twice unraveled the Moon Clan's schemes, and then responded with the unmatched couplet, 'Willows shrouded in mist by the pond.' It is a feat of great merit, preserving the dignity of Great Min."

"In addition to the rewards just mentioned, I shall remove your slave status. Stay by my side as a personal attendant, devoted to composing and drafting for me. What do you think?"

"Uh..."

Chen Chang'an shivered inwardly. Being a male favorite he could manage, but a personal female attendant was impossible—if his gender was exposed, it would be a crime against the throne. Then, not only would his ambitions be dashed, but even loyalty and valor would be of no use.

Bai Mai frowned slightly. "What, unwilling?"

Changning tugged at her sleeve, pouting, "Mother, I finally found such a treasure of a maid, and haven't had her with me for long, yet you want to take her away."

"No, no, An is mine. If you really like her, have someone summon me to bring her in, alright?"

Bai Mai affectionately stroked her cheek. "Fine, fine, fine. Since you wish to keep An by your side, so be it. Hurry and go rest."

"Thank you, Mother!"

"Mother, you should rest early too. Ning'er takes her leave."

With a discreet glance at Chen Chang'an, she rose and departed, retracing her steps down the Taihe Tower to the Vermilion Bird Gate. As she approached her carriage, Changning noticed Yongle standing not far away, seemingly waiting deliberately.

This time, she felt no fear, instead humming confidently, lips pursed and head held high, her gaze slanted: "Sister, why aren't you going back?"

Yongle's expression remained calm, but her tone carried an apologetic note: "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you earlier."

Changning stood even taller, more proud: "So you do know."

"Yes, I know." Yongle nodded slightly, then her gaze shifted upward. "I recall telling you before entering the palace: the flying phoenix hairpin should be level with two-thirds the height of your bun. Why is it slanted?"

Changning instantly shrank back, flustered, nervously adjusting the hairpin with both hands. "Y-yes, Sister, I understand now. There won't be a next time."

Chen Chang'an was speechless.

Soon, he sensed a sharp, cool gaze scrutinizing him. Looking up, it was Yongle.

Changning asked cautiously, "Sister, what is it?"

Yongle spoke in a teaching tone, "Next time, if it's a man, then let it be a man; if it's a woman, then let it be a woman. Don't bring in someone pretending, and don't claim a mute unable to speak. Do you know that's a crime against the throne?"

Changning's heart thumped. "Sister, how did you know... How did you see through it?"

Yongle sighed, then countered, "Do you think Mother cannot see it?"

With that, she turned and rode away.

Changning stood frozen, speechless for a long while. After three or four minutes, she turned to another maid, Xiao Mei, and instructed, "Quick, go tell Mother that An is actually a man, his real name is Chen Chang'an. Tell her everything truthfully."

"Yes!" Xiao Mei dared not delay, hurrying toward the Taihe Tower.

About the time it takes to sing 'Porcelain Flower' ten times, she returned, skirts lifted, breathless and cheeks flushed.

Changning asked anxiously, "How did it go? What did Mother say?"

Xiao Mei clutched her chest to steady her breathing, replying in broken phrases, "Her Majesty... Her Majesty said nothing, she only smiled."

"Smiled? What does that mean? Is she angry?" Changning looked dumbfounded.

Chen Chang'an, meanwhile, breathed a quiet sigh of relief, happily peeling the last sugar mandarin from his right chest and popping the first—oh, the first slice—into Changning's mouth, teasing, "Come on, your mother isn't angry at all; she's actually satisfied."

"Really?" Changning sounded like a child starved for reassurance.

Chen Chang'an nodded solemnly. "Of course!"

Those two words, firm and resonant, became a symbol of trust and security for Changning, who had just weathered the ordeal of fireworks and couplets. Without hesitation, she chose to believe.

"Alright, let's go home."

Thus, they boarded the carriage and departed the Vermilion Bird Gate. Along the way, she no longer worried about crimes against the throne, but quietly rested her chin in her hand, lost in memories of the beautiful bursts of fireworks in the night sky.

As they passed Fengle Lane, Changning's nostrils quivered and she bounced inside the carriage, nearly banging her head, exclaiming, "It's the scent of Baxian Residence's red date cake! Chen Chang'an, go buy some!"

Chen Chang'an pointed to his own face, clearly reluctant. "Why me?"

Changning pulled Xiao Mei into her arms. "Because she's tired!"

"Ha!" Chen Chang'an pulled a face, tightened the pale pink sash across his chest, hopped down from the carriage, and after confirming Baxian Residence was to his left, strode over with utter disregard for propriety.

Just as he reached the entrance, a muffled thud sounded from inside, and a young man was tossed out by four or five staff members, landing groaning at Chen Chang'an's feet.

He looked down, startled. "Second brother-in-law?"

Bruised and dirty, Zhu Jiawen raised his head weakly, "La... Lady..."