Chapter Fifteen: Drinking the Last of Yuandu Wine, Composing a Masterpiece at Chujiang Tower

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King Chu pinched his nose, smiling warmly as he looked at the drunken Gu Dao.
"Yuzhu, how much has he had to drink?"
"Your Highness, Chujiang Tower offers thirty-eight varieties of liquor. Young Master Gu has had exactly one cup of each, finishing all thirty-eight cups," replied the enchanting Yuzhu softly.
"Surely our wine doesn’t have the courage of a bear’s heart or the boldness of a leopard’s gall. How can this young man be so daring?" King Chu teased Gu Dao with a grin.
"Your Highness, even if I wanted to spike it, there’s nowhere to find anything. I suppose Young Master Gu is simply emboldened by the wine," Yuzhu answered with a sly smile.
"That seems right. I heard he used to be cautious and prudent, but today he’s quite bold. Hope he doesn’t drink himself to death," King Chu asked with sudden concern.

All around them, people were envious to the point of upheaval. Anyone with eyes could see the king’s inexplicable favoritism toward Gu Dao.
They had merely caught him and hadn’t really punished him; now it was just playful teasing.
How many could amuse the king like this?

Yuzhu, skilled in reading people, immediately sensed the king’s sentiment and obediently replied,
"I think he is fine; it’s just the sudden rush of the wine’s strength. Otherwise, Young Master Gu could still drink more."
"Good, that’s good. This poem is so-so, but his drinking has the vigor I had in my youth," the king said, tapping Gu Dao’s forehead with the jade ruyi scepter, smiling.

"Don’t move. Why are you turning? Don’t run; you make me dizzy," Gu Dao reached out blindly in the air.
His world was upside down, and he thought King Chu was running about in front of him.
"Haha, back in my day, I never lost my composure when drunk. You’re far from that, boy."

King Chu turned, hands behind his back, and approached the table. Just a glance caused him to stop in his tracks.
He had heard the poem and verbally dismissed it as mediocre, but inwardly he admired it greatly. This calligraphy was new to him.
"Fine writing," King Chu exclaimed, then bent over the desk to examine it carefully.

His praise made everyone around restless with curiosity. They had long heard Gu Dao’s calligraphy was excellent, but to what extent?
At that moment, only two people near the king could observe closely: the concubine Yunqi and Princess Li Qianyun.
Yunqi’s eyes sparkled with admiration, clearly impressed by the calligraphy.
Li Qianyun’s expression was complicated, her face dark and inscrutable.

After a long pause, King Chu spoke again.
"Strong and vigorous strokes, fine writing indeed. Master Jingjie’s insight is always trustworthy."
After his critique, King Chu personally took up the brush. Yunqi ground the ink and, after some preparation, carefully copied the piece.
When finished, she shook her head slightly with a hint of regret on her face.

"Qianyun, I will keep Gu Dao’s calligraphy here. Take this copy back and have your father give it some guidance," King Chu said.
"Yes, uncle," Li Qianyun replied.
King Chu gestured for Yunqi to store Gu Dao’s work carefully, then looked up and said,
"Today’s contest is canceled. I will accept this poem and calligraphy as compensation for the trouble here."
He glanced at Gu Dao with a faint smile,
"One cup to finish the Yuandu wine, one stroke to capture Chujiang Tower. Not bad, not bad. Take good care of it in the North Tower."
After speaking, he tossed the white jade ruyi back to Dou Tuo, then his face turned stern as he scolded,
"Your father is the illustrious Southern General. Stop doing things that bring him shame."

Dou Tuo nodded hurriedly but felt bitter inside.
Why was Gu Dao so disrespectful, yet the king cared for him so much? It was as if he were his own nephew.
Why did he get beaten up with so many bumps for being obedient?

The gathering at Chujiang Tower came to an end.
The most disheartened was Li Yang, who had originally hosted but chose to distance himself from Gu Dao at the crucial moment.
King Chu appeared, praising Dong Kuo and showing unusual fondness for Gu Dao. Even when he struck Dou Tuo, it was with a hint of close care.
Yet, he completely ignored Li Yang.
When Li Yang went to pay the bill, the Chujiang Tower manager refused him outright, giving him no chance.

The capital of Great Qian is also called Yuandu.

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The gathering at Chujiang Tower spread the fame of Gu Dao’s "One day to finish Yuandu wine, one stroke to capture Chujiang Tower" throughout the capital.
Li Qianyun returned to the palace and handed King Chu’s calligraphy to Emperor Qian.
The emperor studied it silently for a moment, then suddenly said,
"Qianyun, you often say Gu Dao is vile and shameless, but is today’s affair truly honorable?"

Hearing this, Li Qianyun’s expression stiffened.
"I only asked Dou’s cousin to expose him. Who knew my cousin would act in such a way? It wasn’t my intention. Father, why blame me?"
Emperor Qian frowned deeply, forming a crease between his brows.
"If you wanted to expose him, you could have confronted him directly or had someone investigate. Why go to such lengths?
You want to ruin his reputation and force me to make a judgment. That is ill-intentioned."

The emperor’s tone sharpened.
Li Qianyun responded even more fiercely, blurting out,
"Yes, I am ill-intentioned. Did you think sending me to him was well-intentioned?"

The emperor sighed.
"Qianyun, your prejudice runs deep. Hasn’t Gu Dao’s displayed knowledge made you reconsider?"
"Hmph, setting aside his talent’s authenticity, look at his arrogant and pretentious actions today—they are more disgusting than before. Father, just watch; one day he will be disgraced," Li Qianyun said coldly, confident she saw through everything.

Their conversation ended in discord. The empress stepped out from behind the curtain and pinched the emperor’s shoulder.
"My intention was to wait for Gu Yunzang to return from flood control before arranging their marriage. But now, forcing it will only create resentment, and the two children will suffer."

The emperor looked troubled.
"The Northern Di envoys are arriving soon. Your Majesty, don’t worry over this. I will handle these childish matters."
The empress spoke softly.

The mention of the Northern Di caused the emperor’s expression to stiffen.
Though the Northern Di had internal strife in recent years, they remained strong.
Meanwhile, the northern border of Great Qian suffered from supply shortages. Despite the soldiers’ endurance, they barely held the line.
Not to mention launching raids northward to avenge past humiliations.

"Last year’s Battle of Bigan Mountain saw supply shortages; the troops lacked salt for three months. The enemy saw through our weaknesses. This time, they will likely extort more," the emperor sighed.
Not wanting her husband to worry too much, the empress changed the subject.
"Oh, this calligraphy bears your brother King Chu’s style? The poem is grand and majestic, like an immortal’s work, but what does it mean?"
She pointed to the paper on the table.

"At Chujiang Tower today, our daughter caused quite a stir. The poem was written by Gu Dao; King Chu copied his calligraphy and made a copy for me," the emperor said, stroking the last line softly.
"I fear it startles the celestial beings. This is your brother speaking through Gu Dao to me. After all these years, he still fears I might break my promise."

The empress regretted mentioning such a troubling matter again.
"Hehe, I’ve come to understand that the more you restrain him, the more your brother worries. Yuanxiang..."
The emperor suddenly spoke.

An old eunuch hurried in.
"Go to King Chu and have him hand over Gu Dao’s original calligraphy," the emperor ordered.
Yuanxiang hesitated; previously, whenever matters involved King Chu, the emperor was always cautious and deliberate.
Why today?

"Your Majesty, if the prince asks, what reason should I give?" Yuanxiang asked.
"Hmph, no reason. Just say I like it and will take it by force if necessary."

The eunuch took the order and went first to King Chu’s residence, only to learn the king was still at Chujiang Tower and then hurried there.
King Chu was copying Gu Dao’s calligraphy and grew more pleased the more he copied.
The poem was good, the handwriting exquisite—a rare masterpiece.

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"Your Highness, by imperial order, hand over Gu Dao’s original," the eunuch said boldly.
King Chu was momentarily stunned but softened instantly after hearing the decree, putting on a flattering expression.
"Your Highness, please calm down. I am merely conveying the order."
"Why should I? What if I refuse?" King Chu asked sternly, holding his brush.
"The emperor said he likes it. If you don’t give it, he’ll take it by force," the eunuch imitated the emperor’s tone with a stern face.
"What?" King Chu was stunned; he had never encountered such an imperial decree.

As he hesitated, Yuanxiang stepped forward, snatched Gu Dao’s original calligraphy, and fled.
He locked eyes on the paper as he entered.
"Outrageous! Servant, how dare you steal from me!" King Chu threw down his brush and ordered his men to give chase.

But though old, Yuanxiang was quick.
"Your Highness, the emperor commanded the theft; please do not trouble me," he called back.
By the time King Chu’s men chased outside, Yuanxiang was already a distant speck.
"Such behavior is unreasonable—thieves!" King Chu stamped his foot in frustration.

All this was witnessed by many. Curious onlookers learned that the emperor and King Chu were fighting over Gu Dao’s calligraphy.
From then on, this piece became known as the "Perilous Tower Manuscript," famous throughout the capital. Gu Dao’s calligraphy was priceless.

After scolding, King Chu closed the door and finally relaxed completely.
Brothers had been too polite, always suspecting schemes.
Now, without pretense, it was true sincerity.
It was just a piece of calligraphy, and the writer was still in hand. What was there to fear—that he might run?
He could have as much as he wanted, King Chu thought happily.

"Your Highness, Young Master Gu has fled," Yuzhu’s anxious voice came from behind the door.
"What?" King Chu was stunned again.
"If he’s gone, why come to me? Chase him!" King Chu snapped.
"We can’t catch him. Not sure how long he’s been gone. The bed is already cold," Yuzhu said trembling.

Silence fell. Yuzhu waited anxiously outside the door. After a long time, King Chu sighed heavily,
"Damn it! Is this even human behavior?"

Night had fallen; the city gates were closed. Gu Dao could only flee to Dong Kuo’s home.
He was drunk but not blacked out.
This was real torment—he clearly remembered the foolish things he had done under the influence.
He didn’t mind missing the Imperial Academy; he never wanted to go there anyway.

But causing such a ruckus at Chujiang Tower meant King Chu would relentlessly pursue him. Not running now would be foolish.
After waking, he slipped out the window unnoticed and ran.
"King Chu likes your poems and calligraphy, favors you greatly. Anyone can see that. Why run?" Dong Kuo grabbed Gu Dao by the collar, wanting to take him back.
"You’re joking, right? Go back and do what? Be his servant? Write poems and calligraphy every day?" Gu Dao sneered.

Others might covet the path to power, but he scorned it.
Even if he had to rely on King Chu’s patronage, he would never flatter with poetry.
Besides, King Chu was indeed noble, but their connection was awkward. Getting too close wouldn’t be good.

"But if you don’t return, aren’t you offending King Chu?" Dong Kuo worried.
After all, he had been praised by the king and gained respect and closeness.
"King Chu holds high rank; he wouldn’t care about me. Besides, we paid for the drinks—we owe him nothing," Gu Dao said calmly.
"The problem is, you haven’t paid," Dong Kuo said.