Chapter 133 — Gambling
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Song Yan listened to Wei Fan's reply and nodded to himself.
As he walked out with Wei Fan and the others, he made conversation: "What do you do for amusement in your spare time?"
Wei Fan answered respectfully, "I read and practice calligraphy at home. I don't really have any amusements." Then he asked politely, "If I may ask, what does the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo do for amusement?"
Zhang Yuanming was sweating profusely.
Who talked like that?
Song Yan was the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo!
Before Song Yan could answer, he hurriedly put in, "My brother-in-law here is fond of riding and archery! He often exercises his horse along the moat outside Xuanwu Gate!"
Living in the capital was no easy matter. Not every household's courtyard was large enough to gallop a horse.
"Oh!" Song Chu perked up at this. After a moment's thought, he said to Gu Yu, "How about we go riding along the moat with the Marquis of Jining tomorrow?"
Gu Yu could hardly fail to see that Song Yan was deliberately trying to get close to Wei Fan; there was no question of his not playing along.
"Certainly!" He laughed aloud and said to Wei Fan, "Then it's settled. Tomorrow at the first watch of the morning—be there or be square!"
Wei Fan and Wang Qinghai were taken aback. Their eyes met, and each saw a measure of unease in the other's gaze.
Zhang Yuanming assumed Wei Fan had simply caught Song Yan's fancy. Overjoyed at the words, he hastened to answer for him: "We'll be there without fail!"
Song Yan gave a slight nod, his manner both aloof and unhurried, so that those around him felt the radiance of fine jade at their side.
Wei Fan and Wang Qinghai could not help but look glum.
Wang Qinghai simply tugged at Zhang Yuanming's sleeve.
Zhang Yuanming had only ever been out of favor with his mother, Lady Yuan, since childhood, and with his plain, honest looks, no family matter, great or small, had ever been his to speak on—which was what gave people the impression that he was dull and slow-witted. In truth, he was no fool.
He quietly slowed his pace, gradually putting some distance between himself and Song Yan and Gu Yu.
Wang Qinghai immediately drew close. "Brother-in-law, how can we possibly compare with the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo and the little tyrant of the capital? We'll only make fools of ourselves!"
Since it was to be a ride, a circuit or two round the course was inevitable.
Wei Fan's mount was a very ordinary Shandong chestnut; his own was a gift from his father, the Marquis of Yan'an, four years ago. Long since grown old...
Zhang Yuanming understood at once. He thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Don't worry about this. Once we've seen the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo off, we'll talk it over carefully. A chance to make the acquaintance of the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo is rare indeed!"
Wang Qinghai understood this as well as anyone and nodded vigorously.
Who would have thought Song Yan and Gu Yu would see them all the way to the main gate? There was nothing for it but to get into their carriage, drive a circuit around the Jingzhen Duke's residence, and then return to the Jingzhen Duke's residence.
The relations among the Zhang brothers were tangled and complicated, and Zhang Yuanming did not want anyone else to know of this matter. He waited for Wei Fan and Wang Qinghai in the study of his own inner quarters.
"I've had two fine Mongolian horses picked out from our stables for you. Take them away now," he instructed the two in a low voice. "This afternoon, go try them out by the moat. If anything's not right, you must make sure to make a good impression on the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo and Gu Yu." Then he added, "And remember: tomorrow you are there as companions. Don't try to be heroes and compete for victory with the Heir of the Duke of Yingguo and Gu Yu. Just keep them happy—understand?"