He suddenly turned his head and saw, not far behind him, a refined young man of medium build and handsome features, holding a scroll in his hand, walking gracefully. Behind him followed two delicate-looking attendants.

Harold Crane. Among the younger generation of scholars in Chang’an, he was a leading figure, renowned for his literary talent and elegance, the direct eldest grandson of Cui Xuanwei, Prince of Boling, and a member of the illustrious Cui family, one of the eight great noble clans.

Harold Crane and Henry Bolton represented two extremes among the current figures in Chang’an: one was the foremost of young talents, the other the most notorious of all wastrels. It was only natural that Harold Crane looked down on and disdained Henry Bolton.

If it were the contempt of others, Henry Bolton would have paid it no mind, remaining calm and unruffled, walking his own path with ease. After all, no one would imagine that within this disreputable shell resided a mature soul capable of looking down on all others—since the “prodigal’s return” or “rebirth” of a wastrel had become inevitable, why should he care about temporary “gains and losses”?

Petty rivalries were too childish and utterly meaningless.

But when facing this Harold Crane, he could not help but stop and greet him.

There was no other reason—this Harold Crane was, in a sense, his “brother-in-law.” When William Bolton was alive, he had arranged a marriage for his youngest son Henry Bolton—to the granddaughter of the Cui family, Harold Crane’s full sister, Cui Ying.

The two families had been close for generations, so becoming in-laws was only natural. Although William Bolton was later dismissed and died of illness, the Cui family, out of respect for their old friendship, still wished to maintain the engagement. However, after Henry Bolton’s reputation as a wastrel spread, the Cui family began to have second thoughts, though they had not yet acted on them.

Henry Bolton steadied himself, walked over, and gave a deep bow, saying in a clear voice, “It’s been a long time, Brother Bowen.”

Although Harold Crane looked down on wastrels like Henry Bolton, he was, after all, a cultured gentleman with excellent manners. Since Henry Bolton had taken the initiative to greet him, he would certainly not be discourteous.

“Very well… Let’s continue our conversation in the garden.” Harold Crane returned the greeting. Though his demeanor was not exactly cold, it showed no warmth either. He glanced at Henry Bolton, nodded, and strode ahead, joining another scholar not far in front, chatting and laughing as they entered the garden together.

“Brother Bowen, is your sister really going to marry such an ignorant wastrel? What a pity…”

“The Zhang family is facing disaster, and he still has the heart to join the festivities at Qujiang… Alas, Chancellor Zhang was a renowned statesman of his generation, his lifelong reputation ruined by this debauched son. Truly lamentable!”

“Parental orders—we juniors dare not speak lightly. Ziji, let’s not talk about this. Do you think His Majesty and the Noble Consort will attend Lady Guo’s poetry and wine banquet today…”

Henry Bolton strolled forward, holding Lady Guo’s invitation as he entered the garden. Faintly, he could hear the whispered gossip of Harold Crane and the others ahead, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Wastrels kicking him when he’s down, scholars looking at him with disdain—he fit in with neither side, and with crisis looming above, this was the environment he now found himself in.

……

……

The corridor turned three times, and a winding path led to a secluded spot.

Ahead was a vast open space near the water’s edge. By now, tables and desks had been arranged according to a set pattern, dozens of tables forming an arc, and many distinguished guests were being led to their seats by attendants.

In the center, a red carpet had been laid, with a large writing desk placed upon it, fully equipped with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Dozens of maidservants in colorful feathered dresses flitted about like butterflies among flowers, carrying various wines, teas, snacks, and fruits.

Henry Bolton stood in a corner on the outskirts of the crowd, not venturing further in. He knew his place—he was not qualified to take a seat; those who could sit there were either high-ranking officials or leaders of the scholarly world.

Chapter 010: The Poetry and Wine Banquet at Qujiang Pond (4)

A short while later, most of the invited guests of some standing had taken their seats. Henry Bolton glanced around; the wastrel’s memories told him he recognized quite a few of them—for everyone present could be summed up in one phrase: they were either former colleagues or old friends and students of William Bolton.

Henry Bolton also noticed that among the guests, those from the bureaucratic elite were mostly minor officials without real power, along with a few obscure members of the imperial clan, especially many from the Yang family. But nearly all the famous scholars residing in Chang’an, such as Wang Wei and the like, were present.

A so-called poetry and wine banquet was nothing more than drinking and entertainment interspersed with poetry contests, song, and dance—a form of high society socializing unique to the flourishing Tang era. Naturally, such occasions were never short of famous scholars.

Henry Bolton understood that true men of integrity would never curry favor with the powerful, but now, with Lady Guo and the Yang clan enjoying great favor thanks to Yang Guifei, and Lady Guo herself being called “Aunt” by the Emperor, her influence was unmatched—even princesses had to show her respect. With Lady Guo personally sending invitations, who would dare refuse?

Besides, it was merely a gathering for poetry and wine—nothing improper.

Many young scholars had also come. Among the outstanding ones were Harold Crane of the Cui family, Frederick Shaw, grandson of Prime Minister Xiao Song and son of Prince Consort Xiao Heng, and Ethan Brooks, grandson of Left Chancellor Chen Xilie. All of these would later become famous in history—for example, Frederick Shaw would go on to become Prime Minister during Emperor Dezong’s reign, the fifth member of the Tang Xiao clan to hold that office.