An Oriental Odyssey

By the time Zhao Lanzhi sent Yuan'an away, the sky was already bright. He was about to go check the files of Ru Yue's case again, but within a few steps, he ran into the magistrate, Sun Shihai. This Sun Shihai had studied many virtuous books for many years before he took up this position. He also had some principles in his mind, but he was very timid and cautious and was also very self-serving. 

    When he saw Zhao Lanzhi, he grabbed his wrist and pointed a finger up at his nose: “Zhao Lanzhi, let me ask you! The night before yesterday, you were obviously interrogating the salt dealer in the prison. Why didn't you watch it properly and allow people to rob the prison? This is your screw-up! Secondly, I heard that you have already gotten clues about the missing death row inmate and prison robbers, why didn't you arrest them and bring them to justice?! I think you secretly wanted them to escape! I am going to hold you accountable! Did you hear that?! Where do you think you're going?!"

 　　Zhao Lanzhi was ordinarily impatient and eager to get away, but he was chased closely by Sun Shihai. Recalling the dubious nature of Ru Yue's case, he finally got angry. He suddenly turned, and the short magistrate almost hit him. Zhao Lanzhi looked down at him, caught the wrist Official Sun was pointing at him and folded it back: "My lord! The whereabouts of the criminals are within my control, and they can be brought back at any time. However, the murder case of the peerless dancer is full of doubts. In a few days, the Ministry of Personnel will be coming to evaluate the performance of officials. My Lord, you don't want someone to beat the drums and put mud on your face, right?!"

**(In ancient China, a petitioner would bang on the drum outside the magistrate's office to signal that he/she wants an audience with the magistrate to protest some injustice - Basically appealing a case and asking for it to be redressed.)**

 　　The magistrate suffered grimaced over the pain in his hand and the fact that he was just severely scolded by a subordinate: “You! It's the other way around! You, a constable who has just joined the department, dared to talk to your superior like this... Oh, let go, it hurts... You are not afraid that I will send you back to the army outside the wall...”

 At this moment, an officer led a young master over and reported: “My lord, constable, this Young Master Pei is here to see the constable. ” 

　　Zhao Lanzhi released Sun Shihai's wrist, and the magistrate did not manage to catch himself from falling to the ground. The person who visited was a handsome young man, dressed in white, lightly waving a hand fan, looking at them with a smile. Zhao Lanzhi said, "Please pardon my offence. I have an old friend visiting here, so I will leave first! "After Zhao Lanzhi's words, he quickly led the man away. 

 　　Sun Shihai got up from the ground, still unconvinced, and shouted at their back: "Let me tell you! You haven't properly investigated the salt dealer's case for me yet! This is the matter you should be focusing on! Don't waste time on that dancer's case..." The voice was ignored by Zhao Lanzhi and his visitor. Sun Shihai suddenly felt something was wrong and turned to ask the officer at his side, “You talk, who did you say was the person that came to see Zhao Lanzhi?" 

 　　“Replying to the Lord, his surname is Pei. ”

 　　“Surname Pei... Surname is Pei...Why did I get the sense that he looked familiar?... Oh, not good, isn't that the third son of Minister Pei's family, Young Master Xianya?! "Sun Shihai was taken aback, while he subconsciously adjusted his hat and official clothes as he muttered in a low voice, “What is the origin of this Zhao Lanzhi? A small constable, yet someone like this, someone like the son of Minister Pei actually came to him, and is an old friend...”

 　　The one who came to see Zhao Lanzhi was called Xianya, the third son of Official Pei, a high minister of the court. Your master Xianya is twenty-three years old. Since he was a teenager, he has been well-known in Luoyang City because of his handsome appearance and proficiency in music. A painter who knows how to do business secretly painted the scene of him dressed in silvery white playing the qin by a lake and sold it to those young ladies whose hearts were blossoming in full spring. He made a lot of money. Those who wanted to be mean to those boys who love to dress up and look beautiful would also use Xianya to insult them, saying no matter how much you dress up and love being beautiful, can you compare to the handsome Young Master Xianya? 

　　This relaxed and elegant young master, who was as leisurely as his name encountered trouble a few years ago: The Empress ordered that all sons of officials must take turns to serve in the army at the great wall for one year, and so Young Master Xianya was assigned under Zhao Lanzhi's command. From childhood, he had lived a pampered life. He had truly never raised a stick, much less a sword. Within a few days, he was exhausted and came down with a serious illness. It was Zhao Lanzhi who desperately rode for two days and two nights to take him back to Luoyang City for medical treatment. Only then did Young Master Xianya's condition improve, and his life was saved. Xianya was deeply grateful to Zhao Lanzhi, and since then he has acknowledged him as a brother. Xianya was three months older, so he was the older brother and Zhao Lanzhi was the younger brother. 

 　　At this time, the two sat down in the corner of an elegant tea house in the street. Xianya ordered a pot of good tea and two plates of snacks and then came up and scolded Zhao Lanzhi: “You have been back for so long, yet you didn't contact me? If I hadn't heard the news from others that you had intercepted a salt dealer on the canal, I wouldn't even know you were back. ”

 　　Zhao Lanzhi was taken aback: “Brother's news is so up to date? I haven't had time to review the salt dealer's case, yet you already got the news. ”

 　　Xianya smiled and said, “Look at you, Zhao Lanzhi, is everyone a criminal to you? The two of us finally found time to sit down to drink tea and you're interrogating me? There are so many people going in and out of my family home, what news can't you get from them? I've told you, you are too sensitive. No wonder the Emperor said you're still a young falcon...”

  　　Zhao Lanzhi was slightly apologetic: "Brother, don't blame me for being rude. I've been really busy with official duties recently... I was also scolded by the magistrate... Didn't you see it all just now...”

 　　Xianya personally poured tea for Zhao Lanzhi: "Which is more work? This or the border garrison?"  

 　　Zhao Lanzhi drank his tea and smiled: “To be honest with you, the errands and life at the border are far simpler than here in Luoyang City. ”

 　　“I understand. "Xianya nodded, “But it's not as lively as this Luoyang City, don't you think? If anyone wanted to choose, I'm afraid they will all choose to enjoy life under the Emperor's feet, right? ”

  　　Zhao Lanzhi slightly nodded: “That's right... brother, you look very good and seem to be in a good mood. Is there any happy event? ”

 　　“Yes. There is something happy. "Xianya said, “I have especially come here today to share my good news with my brother."   

 　　“Oh? ”

 　　“I have made up my mind to marry Princess Xinghui from Duke Jing's family. ”

 　　Zhao Lanzhi was quite surprised. He held a cup of tea in his hand for a while, frozen. He quickly realized that he was being a little embarrassing, so he promptly put down the cup: “Congratulations, brother! Elder brother has a great character, is well learned with many talents. I have heard that Princess Xinghui is also a rare talented and beautiful woman from the royal family. The two of you are a match made in heaven. Congratulations!”

 　　Xianya expected Zhao Lanzhi's reaction a long time ago, so he simply nodded and smiled: "How is it? Lanzhi, are you a bit surprised too? Actuallyt, those who have heard this news all had similar reactions. That's right, my father and Duke Jing once had a lot of disagreements, don't even talk of marriage, the two families even avoided regular socializing with each other. However, I have a favorable impression of Princess Xinghui, and she took the initiative to propose marriage to my family through her brother. It's a good thing, the two families can also turn their hostility into friendship. ”

 　　Zhao Lanzhi got up and cupped his hands: "Of course, it's a good thing! I congratulate brother in advance!"

 　　Xianya got up too and pat his shoulder: "Who wants your congratulations? I know you don't like socializing. Even if the two of us have a good friendship, if I send someone to send over the wedding invitation, you will not necessarily show up so I came to you in person. If I don't see you during the wedding, I won't go through with it! ”

 　　Zhao Lanzhi: "Brother, don't worry, I will definitely attend! ”

 　　Xianya sat down happily: “...How about you Lanzhi? Is there a girl you like?" 

　　“...... No. "Zhao Lanzhi replied. He finished his cup of tea and got up to say goodbye to Young Master Xianya. “Brother, this younger brother still has official duties. I will go back to the bureau to interrogate the prisoners. We will get together again in the future." ”

 　　Zhao Lanzhi said this and turned to leave, Young Master Xianya looked at his departing back with an uneasy expression as he muttered to himself: "Ah... I still have something to ask you...”