Chapter 99: The Languor of Spring

Wan’er returned to the princess’s residence and went to the Heavenly Blessing Pavilion to look for the princess, but she could not find the young lady’s figure anywhere. Not only was the young lady absent, but Sister Chu’er was also missing, giving Wan’er the uneasy feeling that the young lady was quietly carrying out something behind her back.

Wan’er found Sister Xiaochun in the kitchen and asked her, but she too did not know where the young lady was. However, the gathering at He Gong Pavilion was still waiting; she couldn’t just ignore it. A slip of the tongue would mean the young lady was afraid, but Wan’er believed the young lady was not afraid at all—and neither was she.

After much thought, Wan’er finally decided to search the young lady’s room. She had never before dared to touch her mistress’s belongings, but this time she resolved to act first and report later, hoping the young lady would forgive her.

Upon entering the room, Wan’er saw the usual scene: every night, the young lady would write at a square table and often sit for a long time. It was on this very table that the classic Journey to the West had been completed.

The table was neat and tidy. In the upper left corner stood an oil lamp; the upper right held untouched sheets of white rice paper. In the center lay a stack of papers filled with writing. Wan’er glanced over and recognized it as a work called The Knight-Errant’s Journey.

She searched the table but found nothing she was looking for. Growing anxious, knowing the others were still waiting, she feared if time slipped by, the opposing party would cast blame and spread slander.

Then, a careful glance revealed a drawer beneath the table. Mimicking the young lady’s usual way of opening it, Wan’er pulled it open and found it filled with rice paper covered in writing. Excited, she began rifling through the contents.

Among a myriad of sketches, she finally found several sheets with poems—one in particular about winter plum blossoms. She carefully placed the stacks of drawings back on the table, but one sheet slipped out.

Picking it up, she saw that besides a poem, it bore a series of whimsical drawings: a circle with eyes, nose, and whiskers, surrounded by lines, a flower beneath, and even a smiling face. Wan’er couldn’t help but admire the playful art. Though she did not understand it, it was truly worthy of her young lady.

Clutching the poems, Wan’er hurried to He Gong Pavilion. No matter what, this time she would leave them utterly speechless and utterly correct their biased views of her young lady!

At He Gong Pavilion, Wang Lizhi and Zhou Yong stood guard. After so long, it was uncertain whether the old man had simply forgotten, as no seats were offered. If this place were not named He Gong Pavilion, Wan’er thought, she wouldn’t even bother with such a petty old man’s etiquette—sit if you want to sit!

“Brother Wang, I suspect that maid from the princess’s residence won’t show up, and that Protector Princess dares not confront us. If she had the guts, she wouldn’t be hiding and refusing to recite poetry!” Zhou Yong, growing impatient, tried to change the subject.

“Brother Zhou is right. The princess’s refusal to come recite poems only proves she is afraid!” Wang Lizhi said confidently.

“Those with nothing to hide fear no shadows. I, Wang Lizhi, act with honor and openly sent her a scathing poem, yet she dares not confront me in person. This only confirms she is a fame-seeker! Master He, please judge this!” Wang Lizhi spoke firmly, bowing respectfully to the renowned examiner, hoping to stir him up.

He Zhizhang, who had been whispering with Cen Shen, smiled and replied, “It is still undecided. Young men, do not be hasty! I believe the princess will return!”

“But Master He, what if they don’t come? Will you vouch for them?” Wang Lizhi, clearly irritated by the refusal to sit, glared fiercely.

He Zhizhang turned and replied without hesitation, “As the presiding scholar, I guarantee it! How about that?”

Just then, the sound of horse hooves stopped, and a clear voice rang out, drawing everyone’s gaze toward the source.

“No need for Master He’s guarantee—Wan’er has arrived!”

Wan’er strode swiftly toward the pavilion. The scholars who had intended to block and tease her parted instinctively upon seeing this beautiful young woman, whose eyes shone with an unspoken aura they could not comprehend. Why would a mere maid possess such grace? In a wealthy household, she would at most be the mistress’s favored courtesan.

They did not understand; this was an aura of confidence.

“Listen closely. First, a poem: ‘Waiting for the mountain flowers to bloom, she smiles among the blossoms.’”

Wan’er stood on the pavilion’s wooden steps, which were covered with green moss from the tide.

One scholar nearby seemed to understand the poem’s meaning and grew bashful, having blurted out his earlier remarks prematurely.

“You all make noisy comparisons, but my young lady does not stoop to compare with you fools. She is far above you in every way. While you celebrate the blossoming of many flowers, she, in the biting winter, has already understood the harsh cold of wind and snow and heralds the coming spring before you!”

Wan’er’s words rang with strength and reason, leaving the scholars speechless. Zhou Yong’s face darkened in embarrassment, and Wang Lizhi’s eyes burned with anger, yet he could not retort.

“There is another poem, seemingly freshly written! At least the ink is newer than before. Listen well to my young lady’s lament of spring!”

Wan’er showed a sheet of rice paper with two characters written slantwise at the edge: “Spring Laziness.” Next to it was a phrase from a second-grade elementary textbook. Never mind that—it was simply titled “Spring Laziness.”

“Wild grasses on the plain rise and fall each year;
Wildfires cannot consume them, the spring wind brings them to life again!”

Wan’er recited the poem and handed the paper to Master He, inviting his judgment.

“Excellent! Ha ha ha!”

Cen Shen glanced appreciatively at Li Wan’er and laughed heartily. Even the princess’s maid possessed such talent. It seemed the princess’s residence was truly worth serving. This poem was far finer than the one Wang Lizhi had just composed—two simple lines that vividly awakened the spirit of spring.

Master He smiled in satisfaction. Though the princess had not appeared in person, these poems were masterpieces worthy of rivalry with the great poet Li Bai.

Wang Lizhi picked up the poem Wan’er had just recited, observing the title “Spring Laziness.” What could it mean?

“This ‘Spring Laziness,’ Cen Shen, what do you think?”

Master He, no longer bothered by the sweating youth, asked the man sitting beside him.

“Master He, this poem is actually about the princess herself. It uses the vitality of spring to ironically speak of growing laziness as spring approaches—a kind of self-mockery. Beyond the jest, it conveys a sense of time, resilience, and perseverance.”

He Zhizhang stroked his white beard and nodded slightly. “This poem was written out of idle boredom. Such talent, yet she does not ‘show off.’ The princess is a woman of great wisdom, hidden amid the noise, enjoying her own tranquility.”

Hearing this, Wang Lizhi’s face flushed with shame. Initially, he had heard rumors that the Protector Princess was a fame-seeker and rashly wrote an ugly poem to insult her. But he did not expect her true talent. Bowing deeply before Master He, he acknowledged his mistake.

Zhou Yong, seeing Wang Lizhi’s admission, felt uneasy. This was his carefully planned provocation against the princess’s residence. His family had conspired with the Qi family behind the scenes, and he had meticulously orchestrated it: first flattering Wang Lizhi, then inciting him to lead Chang’an’s scholars in protest.

One, the supporter behind opposition to the Protector Princess was secure; two, among the scholars who had smashed the tavern were his own friends. He had hoped for a public scene before the princess’s residence today, only to be stopped midway at He Gong Pavilion by Master He, who had even addressed him as “young friend.” Shaking his head in resignation, he hoped Wan’er would not be angered—after all, this was his own initiative.

Standing beside the youth Wang Lizhi, Wan’er glanced secretly at the poem “Spring Laziness.” After reading it, she cupped her hands and asked the woman standing beside Master He, “What does ‘elementary second-grade textbook’ mean?”

The question left Wan’er momentarily stunned. She did not know either. Those around her looked on curiously, noting even Master He’s puzzled expression. Recalling moments with the young lady, Wan’er imitated her tone: “You bookworms are just a bunch of elementary school kids!”

(End of chapter)