Chapter 4: A Pure Embrace

Chapter 4: A Pure Embrace

Zhao Jing chatted with Li Qi for a while. Noticing Li Qi’s strange manner of speaking and an accent that didn’t sound local, he said, “It is truly a rare fortune to meet such a great talent like Brother Li today. May I ask where you are from?”

Back then, people were more reserved; it seemed those historical texts were full of nonsense. Who would ask someone where they lived upon first meeting? It was so blunt and lacking in decorum. Besides, you’re not a lady— even if I told you, I wouldn’t invite you up for a cup of coffee.

Before meeting his wife, Li Qi had been quite the womanizer. But it wasn’t entirely his fault—being young and wealthy, who among men could remain unmoved by the world outside?

“Qiana,” Li Qi replied casually.

“Qiana?”

Zhao Jing furrowed his brow and glanced questioningly at the attendant beside him, who also looked puzzled and shook his head slightly.

“Forgive my ignorance, Brother Li, but where exactly is this Qiana you speak of?” Zhao Jing asked with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Sigh—another guy who barely passed English level three!

Li Qi chuckled, “My hometown is just a small village in the north. It’s no wonder you don’t know it.”

“I see!” Zhao Jing smiled slightly, revealing two faint dimples on his cheek—quite charming.

Li Qi couldn't help but feel a bit fluttered watching him.

Seeing Li Qi stare blankly at him with furrowed brows, Zhao Jing called out several times, “Brother Li, Brother Li!”

Li Qi blinked, suddenly realizing and asked, “Ah? What is it?” but inwardly muttered, Why am I staring at a man? Could it be—? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

Zhao Jing forced a slight smile and asked, “May I ask if Brother Li has ever taken the imperial examinations?”

“Imperial examinations? What’s that? Oh, I know,” Li Qi shook his head, “No, I haven’t taken those exams, but I did take the college entrance exam.”

“College entrance exam?” Zhao Jing looked confused.

“Well, um, this college entrance exam is like… um, the admission test before attending private schools in my place. Only children who pass can study there. It’s quite harsh,” Li Qi explained, then sighed softly. Clearly, they were from different eras and communication was difficult.

Zhao Jing showed a somewhat strained understanding. “Brother Li, your literary talent is exceptional. Why not take the imperial exams?”

“Why should I?” Li Qi asked in puzzlement.

“To serve the emperor and bring glory to the court!” Zhao Jing urged. It was the first time he’d heard anyone question why to take the exams.

“Serve the emperor? No, no, no,” Li Qi shook his head vigorously. To serve that foolish Emperor Huizong of Song was worse than death.

“Foolish?” Zhao Jing looked at Li Qi with questioning eyes.

“No means no,” Li Qi explained, sweating nervously.

“Why not? Just now, listening to your poem ‘The Withered Chrysanthemum,’ I felt your deep concern for the country. Do you wish to join the army? Or is there some secret sorrow you bear?” Zhao Jing asked, raising his brows.

What? How could that be? Brother Fang is a 21st-century Chinese, so how could he write poems worrying about the Song dynasty? Strange indeed.

Li Qi shook his head in confusion. “You must be mistaken. I’m not as great as you say. That poem was only written to express my longing, nothing more.”

“Brother Li is too modest. Though my talent is inferior to yours, I can still grasp the meaning behind ‘Northern winds rage, the night is endless,’” Zhao Jing said with a respectful smile.

Li Qi suddenly understood—since the Song, Liao, and Jin kingdoms were at war in the north, Zhao Jing must have thought that phrase alluded to the northern conflict.

Li Qi found it amusing; Zhao’s literary talent wasn’t so impressive after all. But he didn’t bother explaining further and bluntly said, “I won’t join the army or take imperial exams. To put it simply, I just don’t want to serve that foolish emperor.”

Foolish emperor!

His words stirred a storm.

Zhao Jing’s expression changed drastically; eyes wide with fury, his anger blazing. Before he could speak, the attendant next to him jumped out, pointing at Li Qi’s nose, shouting, “How dare you, a mere commoner, speak such rebellious words!”

Li Qi, from the 21st century where freedom of speech was valued, paid no mind to such rudeness. Seeing the attendant’s impoliteness, he sneered, “I’m speaking with your master. What right do you have to interrupt? So disrespectful.”

“You—!” The attendant’s face flushed red with anger, about to retort, but Zhao Jing shot him a sideways glance. The attendant snorted and obediently stepped aside.

Zhao Jing narrowed his eyes, grinding his teeth, and said coldly, “His Majesty is in his prime, governing with civil and military achievements, striving diligently. We have already dispatched troops to Yanjing and will soon reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. This is a historic and unparalleled feat. I shall pretend I never heard your words. Brother Li, please refrain from speaking nonsense.”

Damn it, nonsense?

When Li Qi heard “the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun,” his eyes blazed with anger. History clearly recorded that in the fourth year of the Xuanhe era, Emperor Huizong sent the treacherous official Tong Guan with 150,000 troops to attack Yanjing, only to be nearly annihilated by a mere 10,000 Liao soldiers.

That wasn’t all. Tong Guan later gathered another 150,000 troops, which were routed by just 7,000 enemies, fleeing in disarray. Three hundred thousand troops in total! Only a fool would wage war so disastrously. In the end, they had to offer vast amounts of gold, silver, and women to the Jin kingdom for assistance to retake the Sixteen Prefectures. Yet, these were just empty cities; their people, livestock, and treasures long plundered by the Jin.

Civil and military achievements? Diligent governance? Nonsense!

It is said ancient people were ignorant, and seeing this today, one realizes it’s no exaggeration.

Li Qi didn’t want to argue over such matters. History would prove him right in time. With a sigh, he said, “If you have such faith in that emperor, I have no more to say. But let me remind you: the greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment. If you rely on that so-called emperor, well...” Here, Li Qi suddenly opened his arms and gave Zhao Jing an exceedingly courteous embrace, gently patting his back. “Good luck!”

Huh? What’s that delightful scent?

No sooner had he spoken than Li Qi was enveloped by a fresh fragrance—like perfume, yet not quite perfume. One thing was certain: the scent emanated from Zhao Jing.

What on earth was that smell?

Could it be—no, it must be—

Rouge!

Li Qi quickly stepped back, smiling awkwardly. “Don’t misunderstand, that was just a pure embrace!”

(End of Chapter)