Notes:
‘A weak stream flows three thousand but there’s only one ladle’ This is the format of the original proverb. It originates from one of the most famous novels written in China. It is called ‘A Dream of Red Mansions’ by Cao Xue Qin. My interpretation: Water is necessary for life. Thus the ladle (spoon) is what feeds you life by transferring the water. It can mean water is plentiful but only life can be given from one source. The authoress inserted ‘Dare’ and I inserted ‘Li’ to allow a relative comparison.
Li an old Chinese measurement equates to 500 meters (0.3 Miles).
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Once Feng Ming slipped quietly from the banquet hall, he was greeted with pitch black. As he made haste to return to Rong Tian, he occasionally encountered guards on patrol. Each personnel carried a handy spear to ward off attackers.
The warm atmosphere of the party and the lively music was isolated within the banquet room walls.
The wind was beginning to pick up and its tendrils attacked Feng Ming’s bare skin. The Prince shrugged and nestled his head into his collar hoping to trap what heat he could.
The Regent King’s suspicions he had desperately tried to deny were now a harsh reality. Hearing the King’s accusations was one case, when it came to play it left him numb.
With a deceitful smile Official Xia had attempted to lure him into a trap. It appears no matter where he goes he was surrounded by conspiracies waiting to jump at him, even in his own backyard. He shuddered at the thought and an uneasy feeling welled inside the pit of his stomach.
He was horrified.
“Rong Tian…” he choked out as he entered the bedchamber. The calm facade he held during the banquet crumbled. He threw himself into Rong Tian’s arms and whispered incoherently, “Official Xia really…he really…”
Finding his lover trembling, the King’s heart melted. The Prince had directly sought his arms for comfort. He held the young man firmly in an embrace.
In a soothing voice he reassured the Prince, “Everything will be fine. He can’t hurt you.”
Feng ming looked up, his eyes were watery and innocent like a newborn fawn. Feng Ming’s distress was pulling at the King’s heart strings. He planted a soft kiss on Feng Ming’s ear.
“As long as I am here, no one will hurt you.” he affirmed.
Feng Ming was caught up in their moment of tenderness before his thoughts wavered to remind him of Mei Ji. The sour sentiments returned, he grunted and wiggled out of the King’s hold.
He dabbed at his eyes before reporting in detail the conversation he had with Official Xia.
Once he reached the tale of a young man who won over the world’s most beautiful woman just by his gaze Rong Tian understood why the young man was grumpy.
The King was embarrassed as he awkwardly explained, “I was a hot blooded youth, I heard about this incomparable beauty…”
Feng Ming interrupted him and gave him an accusing glare that had the intensity of a thousand suns. “Here I was assuming it was just a ridiculous story Official Xia spun to coax me.”
The Prince was reminded of the King’s flirtatious nature, perhaps monogamy wasn’t his game. Maybe in each country Rong Tian had a beauty hiding in seclusion waiting for the day he became a King. Then they would come forth and all, ‘willing serve as a concubine’.
Feng Ming thought about the eleven countries that were in disagreement. That was a large sum. He couldn’t help but to vent his frustration. He snatched up the bedside curtains, squeezed it between his clenched fists and gnawed the material.
The King found Feng Ming’s reaction amusing he reached to gently yank veil from the Prince’s mouth.
A large hand delicately caressed the boy’s cheek, “If you hate me, you should bite me instead.” He eagerly replaced the curtains with his hand for Feng Ming to punish.
Feng Ming wasn’t willing to carry out his anger on the King, his face darkened and he turned his head away from the offer.
“Your plan to ‘feign an injury to boost an enemy’s confidence’ won’t work this time. Our time should be used to focus on how to deal with Official Xia.”
Rong Tian repeated Feng Ming’s interesting use of words ‘feign an injury to boost an enemy’s confidence’ several times before returning on to the critical situation.
“As matters have reached this point, I have no choice but to reveal myself. Right now Official Xia is awaiting your arrival in the courtyard. I will order Rong Hu to capture him from the shadows and keep him confined. Then I shall summon General Tong and have him lead our three thousand troops to surround and scour the valley. If they discover Li’s soldiers staging an ambush then we will have our evidence against Xia. In case there is no ambush, I shall order Rong Hu to release Xia. Rong Hu has always on the low and his identity is always masked. We can pass Xia’s abduction off to an unknown assailant from an enemy country.”
Feng Ming could see that Rong Tian had given their problem a considerate assessment before organizing his tactic. He even calculated room for error and how to deal with the aftermath. He admired the King’s thinking and he muttered to himself before warning the King, “You better order General Tong’s troops to be careful, if Mei Ji truly lives in seclusion in that valley we don’t want to accidentally bring her any harm.”
The King’s face blanked from surprise before it transited into an appreciative smile. He ridiculed Feng Ming, “Why are you being so attentive towards Mei Ji? I just saw someone chew out their anger on an inanimate object.”
Feng Ming was not amused nor did he yield. He coldly replied, “This is the world’s greatest beauty that was won over by a four hour staring contest. She is in line to be a concubine. Naturally, we have to protect her so she can fulfill her wishes.”
Rong Tian clicked his tongue and shook his head. He motioned to hold Feng Ming’s hands in his own and stared deeply into his lover’s eyes.
His deep voice masked with sultry seduction, “The land is vast under the heavens but there will only be one Feng Ming.”
The King’s words triggered something within the Prince, as if a hammer was trying to engrave the message on his heart. Feng Ming studied the man’s eyes his pupils were dilated and only had him in frame and focus. The connection he felt with Rong Tian sent an indescribable entity of warmth surging through every vein and artery.
Feng Ming bit his lip. Succumbing to the King’s sycophancy he finally issued the King a sweet smile.
“Stupid, I will teach you a saying: ‘water flows three thousand Li’s but I dare to only drink from one ladle.’ **
The King eagerly copied.
“Oh, the water flows three thousand Li’s but I dare to only drink from one ladle.”
Rong Wang looked at the Prince with awe, he ushered the young man into position as he gave him a bow of respect. “I am grateful for the Prince’s guidance.”
Feng Ming sighed and shook his head.
Looks like no one can ever compete with Rong Tian’s talent with honeyed words.
The King abruptly called out to his servant in the shadows. When Rong Hu appeared he was given the order to capture Official Xia.
Hand in hand the King lead Feng Ming out of the bedchamber and together they made their way to the banquet hall.
The pair made a dramatic entrance, when everyone realized their presence, their sudden appearance left the room in astonishment, completely stumped and frozen in place like statues.
Li Er had been drinking but was sober enough to understand the King’s presence meant a change in plans. He immediately made his way to his rightful post beside the Prince.
“General Tong, approach to receive my command.”
The General had been sitting aside and he too had mentally blanked when the King made an unexpected appearance. He had taken his charge very seriously, not a drop of alcohol touched his lips as he was on duty to protect Feng Ming. The King’s authoritative voice had woken him from being stunned. He bellowed a response, “Tong is present.” He immediately jumped to his feet and dashed to his Master.
“Our Intelligence has reported a challenging situation. Soldiers from Li are hiding in ‘Endless Red Valley’ three Li’s away from this city preparing an ambush for the Prince’s envoy. Lead your men to disperse and scatter their campaign. Remember not to exterminate every last one until you have thoroughly interrogated them about the actual situation. Then you can lead our men back.”
“As you bid.” He gratefully received his orders. General Tong has always been a military buff. In comparison with cavorting with women or drinking senselessly he had a taste for battle. He was excited to be facing another enemy. He grabbed his treasured sword and jumped straight into action.
Watching Tong take is leave Rong Tian finally pivoted his attention to the people at the welcoming party. With a smile he encouraged, “My apologies for troubling everyone, Rong Tian was afraid for our Crowned Prince’s safety and had rushed through the starlit nights. If the musicians and dancers can resume song and dance, we will continue enjoying this evening with an endless flow of liquor.”
A low ranked official from the borders of Zhang Qian had heard of the Xi Rei’s legendary Regent King, Rong Tian. Upon the King’s unexpected visit, he did not know how to proceed in terms of entertaining or addressing the King in an appropriate manner. Taking the King’s cue he echoed.
“Yes, that’s right, we should enjoy ourselves.” He turned around and signaled the entertainers to pick up from their last note.
The celebrations were revitalized. Once again the atmosphere was teeming with chatter and laughs. The only difference was that now no one dared to approach the Prince for a toast as an important figure head was beside him.
Feng Ming’s hand rested beneath the table Rong Wang refused to release his hold.
The Prince was worried about General Tong’s condition and how their decisions would pan out.
After a while he decided it was meaningless to be concerned with the matter now that it was out of his hands.
Taking from Rong Tian’s example, he made a conscious effort to relax with the company before them. He lifted his chin up and smiled and inwardly rambled.
In truth only a powerful figure with tenacity could survive through conspiracies and battles.
Feeling how weak he was compared to Rong Tian, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of frustration.
Rong Tian had been monitoring the young man, sensing discomfort he prompted, “What’s the matter?”
Feng Ming shook his head, “Nothing’s wrong,
The King laughed.
“That’s what I like about you.” His lover’s laughter eased his tension..
“For counter measures against such complicated ploys, I am your best shield.”
Under the table, the King’s tightened his grip.