On the streets of the capital late in the night, Long Xuan staggered as he walked. But every time Long Xiang tried to help him upright, he pushed Long Xiang aside.

Not long before this, the two brothers went and found a random alehouse, ordered some good wine, a few snacks that paired well with the wine(1), and spoke with one another between bites and mouthfuls. Long Xuan’s tolerance for wine had always been higher than Long Xiang. He hadn’t expected to become intoxicated after just one pot(2) of wine, but tonight he was trying to drink his feelings away and somehow fell deeper into them.

“Big brother!” Just as Long Xuan was about to take a dive to the ground, Long Xiang raced ahead a few steps and managed to grab Long Xuan’s shoulder, “Where are you going? The palace gates are already closed, how are we going to get back?”

Long Xuan looked around, mumbling, “Of course we’re heading back.”

“Even if we were, this isn’t the right way to to the palace!” Long Xiang rebutted.

“Back to the palace?” Long Xuan said, “That’s not our home, why are we going back there?”

“Big brother, you’re drunk. Why don’t you follow me and we can head back?” This was the first time that Long Xiang had seen Long Xuan drunk. He didn’t think that for a person so disciplined, he’d be utterly irrational after a few drinks.

“Which way, which way are we heading now?” Long Xuan pointed at the direction they were heading and asked.

Long Xiang looked at the road ahead before answering, “This is the way to the Senior Chancellor’s estate.”

“Senior Chancellor’s… estate?” Long Xuan took a step, still intending to go forward.

“It’s so late, what are you going to the Senior Chancellor’s estate for?” Long Xiang used all his strength to keep Long Xuan still, “Everyone in the estate’s probably asleep by now!”

“I,” Long Xuan paused, seeming to think over something for a moment, “I want to go find Luo, find Luo Wei.”

“Didn’t you just say that Luo Wei was our opponent now?!” Long Xiang wouldn’t let go even if he died now, pulling Long Xuan away, “Why are you going to find him?”

“I want to ask him something,” Long Xuan still didn’t budge, playing a tug-o-war with Long Xiang on the street corner.

“What are you going to ask him?”

“I want to ask, ask him, ask him why he’s treating me this way!”

“Big brother!” Long Xiang wished he could knock Long Xuan out and drag him home, “You weren’t exactly nice to him before!” Long Xiang said to Long Xuan, “How did you think he was going treat you? I’ve told you to not belittle him so much before, to be nicer to him, don’t humiliate him over nothing, but you never listened to me!”

Long Xuan suddenly burst out in laughter. At this deserted street corner, the echoes sounded absolutely frightening and could send one’s hairs on end.

“Big brother, stop scaring me!” Long Xiang was afraid that Long Xuan would keep this up and catch the attention of the patrolling soldiers at night. If that happened, not being back in the palace before lock down would be the least of their problems.

“I was wrong,” Long Xuan shoved Long Xiang aside, harshly. Stumbling and haggard, he was still intent on heading towards the Senior Chancellor’s estate, “I’ll tell him I was wrong, I’ll apologize, and he’ll let, let our uncle and our cousin go?”

“Please, I’m begging you, big brother,” Long Xiang didn’t dare let Long Xuan stumble drunkenly to the Luo estate, “Let’s go back to the palace and get some sleep, things will be fine in the morning!”

And just like this, with one intent on going ahead and another intent on going back, this pair of imperial brothers almost started a fight right on the street.

“Ah, your Imperial Highnesses,” A wizened but peaceful voice suddenly rang out behind Long Xiang.

“Monk,” Long Xuan was of course facing the newcomer, pointing behind Long Xiang and laughing.

Long Xiang had been scared half to death, cold sweat dripping down his back. He’s not unskilled in the martial arts and trained a set of keen eyes and ears, how could someone walk right up behind him without him noticing? Was this a person, or a spirit?

“Looks like your imperial highness might be drunk?” The newcomer chuckled quietly.

Long Xiang turned around. The man standing behind him turned out to be the Grand Priest(3) of Greater Zhou, the head of the Hu Guo Chan Buddhist(4) temple, Master Fu Yi.

FOOTNOTES:

1. wine – referring to Chinese white wine, or liquor.

2. pot of wine – Chinese liquor is usually served in pots, like teapots.

3. Grand Priest – Literally meaning “the nation’s teacher”, the Grand Priest presides over teaching Buddhism to the Emperor and the Imperial Family, holds ceremonies for the Imperial family.

4. Huguo Chan Buddhist – Hu Guo meaning “protecting the nation”, Chan Buddhism, also known as Zen Buddhism, is a Buddhist school originating in China that combines Taoism with Buddhism.