After the imperial study, all Xie Yu wanted to do was to go home. He understands his own position very well. Compared to these sons of royalty and the entitled nobility, he really doesn't even enter their vision.

"Young Master Xie," Luo Wei had been waiting on a path that must be taken when one exited the imperial study to head out of the palace. As he saw Xie Yu coming by, he quickly smiled and approached him.

"Young Master Luo?" Xie Yu startled and stopped, watching Luo Wei come towards him in strides, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh," Luo Wei smiled, "His Imperial Majesty gave me early leave to go home and prepare so I can accompany him tomorrow. I was waiting here for you, Young Master Xie."

Xie Yu was even more curious now, "Waiting for me?" He'd already discovered today that Luo Wei was favored by the emperor, so why was a person like this waiting especially for him?

"The rivers and mountains stretch for tens of thousands of leagues, only for a single song with you," Luo Wei recited, "Brilliant purples and red blossoms, with bygone days, is beauty but for an instant?"

The respectful caution with which Xie Yu spoke disappeared in an instant. His entire person became excited, "How does the young master know of my old work?"

Luo Wei smiled. In his past life, Senior Chancellor Xie Yu's early work, "A Verse of Mountains and Rivers", was very popular for a time. The only thing was that right now, no one has heard of it yet. Luo Wei remembered that in the past life, his father had recited this verse at home once. It may have been when Xie Yu's father was trying to plot an escape plan for Xie Yu, and showed this verse to Luo Zhi Qiu, who immediately expressed admiration for Xie Yu's literary skills. Pity that in the last life, because of all the evil Luo Wei committed, these two people who had deep respect for one another became enemies.

"Xie Xiong(1), my father often recites 'A Verse of Mountains and Rivers' at home," Luo Wei spoke to Xie Yu with a smile.

"Really?" As expected, Xie Yu became even more excited.

"Good wine needs no bush(2)," Luo Wei replied, "Do you really think no one knows this masterpiece of yours?"

Xie Yu grinned. As this handsome youth put away his self-imposed timidness and caution, his natural elegance was amazing to behold.

"I wonder if you've composed a song for this verse?" Luo Wei asked.

Xie Yu shook his head, "I've tried, but I've never been satisfied with it."

Luo Wei followed, "I'm not very good, but I've composed some music. I wonder if you'd be interested to come by and give it a listen?" In the past life, Xie Yu had composed music for this verse himself. It passed from mouth to mouth, and was popular throughout the nation. Luo Wei knew that stealing it like this was shameless, but this time around, he wanted to befriend Xie Yu no matter what the price.

Xie Yu was naturally interested. Luo Wei's reputation was extremely bad, but the Luo Wei he'd seen with his own eyes and the bully he'd heard of in gossip were as different as heaven and earth. Xie Yu was someone who only believed in his own eyes, so he followed Luo Wei back to the Luo estate without further ado.

The two rode back together, and made great conversation along the way. After the two of them settled in Luo Wei's own study, Luo Wei played the entire grand and magnificent piece composed for "A Verse of Mountains and Rivers" without pause. Xie Yu was shocked into silence for a good while, but when he gathered himself again, he immediately followed with raucous applause. This song was somehow the one he'd been imagining all this time, but was never able to put it down in notes.

"Xie Xiong, do you have any comments and critiques?" Luo Wei had purposefully changed a few notes of it just now.

Xie Yu began a discussion in earnest with Luo Wei. The two of them seemed to have forgotten everything else in the world as they played music and adjusted the song. Luo Wei was doing his best to befriend Xie Yu, but Xie Yu viewed Luo Wei as a friend who truly understood him. Even though his family was also officially of the court, but there was no comparison to Luo Wei's family. He couldn't have imagined that Luo Wei would treat him with respect and see him as an older brother. The more important thing was, Luo Wei had composed music for his verse just for him, and it had been almost the same as the one he'd been envisioning. He could see that this was a kind gesture from someone who could communicate with Xie Yu.

"Xie Xiong, you must hold the whole world in your thoughts," Luo Wei said to Xie Yu as he played the music that'd just been adjusted by the two of them, "I can see it just through this verse. Achieving prosperity and peace for the common people, that's my wish as well."

People always said it was hard to find a friend who really understands you. At this point, Xie Yu's only regret was that he'd met Luo Wei too late. Xie Yu was only sixteen and Luo Wei was thirteen, but the two of them actually managed to start a discussion regarding how to achieve peace and prosperity for the nation. The two became more interested in the topic the more they discussed.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Xiong - Similar to Ge Ge, but a more respectful way of referring to an older male friend.

2. Good wine needs no bush - A saying to convey the idea that as long as something is good, there's no need to market it, it'll naturally catch on.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTES:

Xie Yu is really cool! I get the sense that even when he was working for Long Xuan in the past life, his ultimate goal was to better the country, and was just a really smart guy. : ) Glad that Luo Wei has him on his side this time!!