Chapter 43 A Feast for the 43rd Festival
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After leaving Jingye, Wang Yuying took a long detour and returned to the south of the city, even entering the palace through the Guanghua Gate.
As night deepened, she saw eunuchs and palace servants lighting lamps on her way back to the West Palace, and the starlight could even be faintly seen among the high clouds. When she returned to her courtyard, Chu Ying had already returned, while Juan Xue and Shuang Tian had packed all the luggage to be taken out of the palace.
Wang Yuying was very pleased with the help of her maids. She praised them and then personally reviewed the entire process, checking for any omissions or deficiencies before ordering the relocation.
Both Juanxue and Shuangtian were stunned: Now?
Neither of them asked, but Chu Ying spoke up: "Moving so late? Why not wait until tomorrow morning when it's light..."
“No!” Wang Yuying interrupted, her tone firm. “We’ll move now. We’ll go over and do a quick clean-up. We’ll start sleeping outside the palace tonight.”
The maids obeyed, found a carriage, loaded the luggage, and headed southwest, passing through the Forbidden City.
As early as when Wang Yuying passed through Guanghua Gate, a young eunuch followed her all the way and reported back to the emperor. Now that he saw her moving house, he quickly reported it again.
The number of memorials submitted now is less than before, especially remonstrances, which are almost extinct. Before the lanterns were lit, the emperor returned to the Funing Palace and was having his evening meal. He picked up a piece of bitter melon and scrambled eggs with his chopsticks, but before he could put it in his mouth, a eunuch rushed to report that the Immortal Master had moved out of the palace.
Qingfu was secretly alarmed. At noon, while accompanying the emperor, he overheard a spies and learned that the Immortal Master had purchased a residence in Yongjia Lane in the south of the city. But he was to move in overnight after just buying it?
I thought we'd have to wait until the official contract was stamped with the red seal, maybe half a month or a month later...
Qingfu was still standing there when the emperor put down his chopsticks and walked out. In the blink of an eye, he was at the palace gate. Qingfu quickly ran to catch up, thinking that the emperor would go to the West Palace to send off the Immortal Master. But to his surprise, the emperor walked far away and went up to the Linxian Pavilion in the opposite direction.
Qingfu climbed the steps, panting heavily. Upon entering the hall, he looked around and spotted the emperor by the window. He tiptoed up behind the emperor and peeked down. He could see the entire Forbidden City and even parts of the capital. The buildings were so densely packed that even the trees looked like ants, let alone people. It wouldn't be easy to find the immortal master's whereabouts in a short time.
However, the emperor kept his eyes fixed on a certain spot, and Qingfu looked down and saw a tiny carriage moving towards Guanghua Gate to the south.
The Emperor's gaze was fixed on the carriage, following its movements. Passing the imperial road where carriages were prohibited, the Immortal Master and the palace maids disembarked, finally coming into view. They tirelessly carried the boxes of luggage themselves. Qingfu stole glances at the Emperor several times, and sure enough, his face grew increasingly tense.
"What time is it?" the emperor suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, it is Xu Shi (7-9 PM)." Qingfu replied, then, seeing the emperor still staring intently at Wang Yuying who was carrying luggage, he pondered for a moment before cautiously asking, "Should I send some men to help the Immortal Master?"
The emperor grunted in acknowledgment with a stern face, and after a moment, said softly, "Send more."
Qingfu accepted the order and, with the help of the eunuchs, the carriage quickly drove out of the palace gate and disappeared from sight.
Qingfu thought that the emperor would return to Funing Palace after seeing Wang Yuying off, but the emperor was still standing by the window.
The clouds obscured the stars and moon, making the sky even darker.
About fifteen minutes later, the immortal master's carriage reappeared at Guanghua Gate. It turned out that he hadn't finished moving everything in one trip, so he came for a second one.
The emperor suddenly let out a heavy sigh and turned to leave the Linxian Pavilion.
Qingfu almost knelt down along with that breath, thinking that the emperor was going to punish the immortal master. He hurriedly followed, but who would have thought that the emperor went down to the foot of the mountain, through the mountain cave, and through the moon gate, and took a shortcut to a road that carriages had to take to exit Guanghua Gate. He didn't care that the road was so narrow that the corner of his robe was caught in the bushes.
The stone-paved path, lined with tall walls and pine trees, was already darker than other places. Several of the palace lanterns in the two rows had gone out. The immortal masters, who had just passed through the palace, had all walked the slowest here. The emperor lifted the lampshade, took down the red candle, and held it firmly, wanting to relight the extinguished palace lanterns.
Qingfu quickly stepped forward to take the red candle: "Your Majesty, let me do it."
Suddenly a headwind blew, and the candlelight burned towards the emperor's tiger's mouth. Qingfu cried out in alarm, "Your Majesty, be careful! Be careful!"
The emperor still clutched the red candle in his right hand, while raising his free left palm as a shield to prevent the candle from being blown out by the wind. He only left after relighting the extinguished palace lanterns one by one.
When the emperor ascended the Linxian Pavilion again, a carriage laden with luggage slowly drove across the stone path he had just passed.
After returning to her residence in the south of the city, Wang Yuying tidied up her bedroom briefly and went to bed. Although the bed was hastily furnished, she slept more soundly than in the palace. The next day, when she went to the Ministry of War for her shift, she learned that because of the morning and evening drills, she only needed to go to the palace to clock in each day before heading out to the drill ground outside the palace.
This is brilliant! As long as I arrive at the Ministry of War at the appointed time for the morning court session, I will neither see Xu Heng nor encounter Zheng Yangzhi.
When Wang Yuying went to the training ground, she took Chu Ying with her. However, as soon as Instructor Chu saw his granddaughter, he put on a stern face and warned Chu Ying not to practice her kung fu on the training ground. Chu Ying had no choice but to wait outside without saying a word. By the time Wang Yuying finished her duty and left the training ground, it was almost dusk, and pedestrians on the street were hurrying to and fro on their way home.
Wang Yuying and Chu Ying headed south together, but after taking only a few steps, Wang Yuying frowned and said, "Chu Ying, clean up the mess!"
More spies followed them.
The next day, it was the same: "Chu Ying!"
"Yes, sir!"
On the third day, "Chu Ying!"
...
On the evening of the eighth day, when Wang Yuying left the training ground, a young man appeared next to a pillar across the street—Wang Yuying remembered this face; it was the one who had brought the box to Xu Heng in the bedroom.
Chu Ying's brother, Chu Xiong?
Could it be that he has come to persuade his sister not to deal with the spies who are following her, in accordance with the emperor's will?
Xu Heng is really patient. He cut off intelligence for seven days before sending someone. Wang Yuying wanted to laugh, but she was also wary of Xu Heng's persistent surveillance of her every move.
Chu Ying also saw Chu Xiong and called out "Brother" without hesitation. Chu Xiong winked at Chu Ying, signaling his sister to come over. Before Chu Ying could speak, Wang Yuying strode across the street, telling Chu Ying, "Wait for me where you are."
Abandoning one's family is unkind, betraying one's master is unrighteous; she didn't want to put Chu Ying in a difficult position.
Wang Yuying walked up to Chu Xiong herself and said in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear, "Forget about tailing him. Go back and tell your master that 'his tail is like a bone-deep abscess, making people nauseous.'"
He finished speaking succinctly, turned around briskly, crossed the street again, and called out to Chu Ying, "Yingying, let's go!"
Chu Ying waved to Chu Xiong: "Brother, I'm leaving!"
Chu Xiong was in a real bind.
He dared not repeat Wang Yuying's original words when he returned. He secretly sought help from Qingfu, learned the euphemisms, practiced them repeatedly, and only after he could speak fluently did he finally meet the emperor.
At that time, the emperor was having dinner. He was about to chew a piece of bitter melon and eat a single shrimp when he put down his silver chopsticks.
Chu Xiong knelt at the lower end, and seeing this out of the corner of his eye, he became even more nervous: "Your Majesty, the Immortal Master is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, but being so close and inseparable is really too much for the Immortal Master... to bear. In fact, it is like spring vines entwining a tree. If the vines are too tight, the tree cannot grow. Only by leaving a little space can both parties enjoy each other's company."
The emperor showed no anger upon hearing this, but he was also unlikely to show any joy.
Before the meal, he had just finished reading a secret report from the Ministry of War, which detailed Wang Yuying's every move from entering the palace to leaving the drill ground after her shift.
However, secret reports could only be recorded for four to five hours each day, while a day is as long as twelve hours.
The emperor sighed very softly: "Withdraw them all. Don't follow me anymore."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it right away!" Chu Xiong took his leave, wanting to give Qingfu a grateful look, but fearing that the emperor would notice something amiss, he held back.
Chu Xiong strode away from Funing Palace even faster.
"Remove it," the emperor ordered Qingfu to remove the dinner as well.
He hadn't eaten much yet, and Qingfu was secretly worried about the emperor's health, but dared not say it. However, he observed silently that the emperor bathed and went to bed as usual and peacefully.
After extinguishing the palace lanterns and dismantling the curtains, Qingfu tiptoed out of the hall.
The following day, the emperor rose as usual at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), washed his hands with fragrant water, and rinsed his mouth with jade-like liquid. He dined and held court, making decisions with swift and decisive strokes. Afterwards, he spent his time in the imperial study writing red ink, occasionally sipping a spoonful of tea. At the third quarter of Si (1:45 AM), the lunch was served, which, as usual, included stuffed bitter melon and some meat and vegetable soups. The emperor glanced at them for a moment, his gaze landing on the raw pickled papaya—the flesh was red and thick, and its fragrance could be smelled from afar.
This type of red-fleshed papaya is only produced in Danzhou. It travels across mountains and seas to be presented to the emperor's table at this time of year.
He took a bite and remained silent for a long time.
Qingfu dared to guess the emperor's intentions and said softly, "Your Majesty, they were all sent to the capital this morning."
The emperor nodded: "Send it to her."
"As you command!" Qingfu knew who she was referring to, so that evening, when Wang Yuying left the training ground, the spy who had been watching her was gone, but Qingfu appeared in front of her, with several eunuchs driving a cart of red papayas beside her.
Upon seeing Wang Yuying, Qingfu greeted her with a beaming smile, cupping his hands in a respectful bow: "Greetings, Immortal Master. His Majesty, mindful of you, personally bestowed upon you a chariot of papayas, each one a first-batch tribute fruit delivered from Danzhou via the 800-li express courier."
You gave me a papaya, I returned a beautiful jade pendant in return; it was not a mere repayment, but a token of our lasting friendship.
Wang Yuying felt nauseous and walked straight around the carriage to go home. Qingfu instinctively chased after her, urgently saying, "Immortal Master, please wait! Please wait! This is His Majesty's heartfelt gift—"
Wang Yuying turned her head and put her finger to her lips—Shh, shut up.
Qingfu suddenly fell silent.
Wang Yuying turned around and continued walking forward. Qingfu hesitated for a moment, but still gritted his teeth and caught up. He had to do his best to get the cart of papayas out: "This is truly His Majesty's kind gesture. Whenever His Majesty eats something delicious, the Immortal Master is the first person he thinks of—"
"Chu Ying, cover your mouth!" Wang Yuying ordered.
Dealing with a eunuch who couldn't fight was much easier than dealing with a spy, so Chu Ying immediately covered Qingfu's mouth tightly. Qingfu kicked his legs, crying, "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!"
Chu Ying wouldn't budge, her palm remained firmly planted. Qingfu could only whimper and beg Wang Yuying for mercy. Finally, he promised not to speak again and to haul the whole cart of papayas back to the palace. Only then did Wang Yuying allow Chu Ying to release him.
She thought Xu Heng was only crazy for a day, but to her surprise, Qingfu was waiting at the school gate again the next day, even more punctual than when he was on duty.
What's that truckload of stuff they brought over?
Wang Yuying glanced at it and walked forward, her mind reacting half a step slower than her legs—wait, there was no car behind Qingfu, and the long box he was carrying looked like a bow case.
She slowed her pace, and Qingfu caught up, bowing as she carried the box: "Greetings, Immortal Master! Please wait a moment, this is a fine bow and carved feathers bestowed upon you by His Majesty—"
Wang Yuying paused and glanced at the bow box.
Qingfu immediately unlocked the lid and showed it to Wang Yuying: "This bow is called the Autumn Moon Bow, and it is equipped with Meteor Arrows. His Majesty obtained this fine bow and its plumes and immediately ordered it to be sent to the Immortal Master."
Wang Yuying examined the bow closely. The bow body was made of elm wood, with smooth, long sinews, and the horns were made of deer and ox horns, with the sinews and horns glued together with fish glue. She weighed it and determined that the bow's range would be no less than two hundred paces, yet it was light and agile, making it easy for a woman to use.
Inside the bow case was a quiver shaped like a hidden box. When opened, it contained her favorite exquisite featherless arrows made in Jiangling.
Autumn Moon Bow, Meteor Arrow. The bow is drawn like the autumn moon traversing the sky, the arrow flies like a meteor falling to the ground.
A fine bow and good arrows!
She didn't need the papaya, but she would definitely need a good bow in the future. Times had changed; Wang Yuying would readily accept anything that benefited her.
"Chu Ying, keep this safe." Wang Yuying said, then looked away.
"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!" Qingfu quickly closed the bow case again and handed it to Chu Ying. After watching the two women walk away, he returned to the palace to report.
When they entered the Funing Palace, the emperor was having his evening meal, which consisted of crabs dipped in orange peel. At this time of year, all the crabs were male with pointed navels, their roe as white as jade. Qingfu quickly replaced the eunuch who was picking the crabs and personally served him.
The emperor stopped eating and asked, "She accepted it?"
Qingfu nodded: "I'll accept it."
But no thanks were given.
Upon hearing this, the emperor lowered his chin slightly, and after a moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
As Qingfu peeled the fresh crab, his head drooped even lower. In fact, he could understand why the emperor was so persistent in bothering the immortal master. Naturally, one would want to offer the good things one had encountered to the person one was thinking about. Moreover, the emperor had sent spies to keep an eye on the immortal master, probably not entirely for surveillance. Who wouldn't want to know what that person was doing now?
The immortal master's alternating refusal and acceptance reminded Qingfu of four or five years ago, when the deposed empress and the emperor also experienced periods of cold war and reconciliation, their relationship fluctuating between close and distant.
But there were also differences. Back then, the deposed empress wasn't as quiet as she is now. She loved to ramble on and reminisce about the past. The more she talked, the more the emperor couldn't help but show his annoyance. When the immortal master saw this, the reminiscing immediately turned into a rant, bringing up all the old grievances from a hundred or eighty years ago. Naturally, the emperor's face became increasingly unpleasant. Once, he was so angry that he rebuked the deposed empress, saying that she had really been spoiled by the General Who Conquers the West, that she had a bad temper, and that she would get angry at the drop of a hat.
The immortal master was even more incoherent, each word sharper than a knife.
The two were so engrossed in their argument that neither knew to enter the palace from the back courtyard, and Jiang Shuren, who refused to let anyone announce their arrival, overheard everything.
The deposed empress stormed off, leaving the emperor alone in the hall, his chest heaving. Just then, Consort Jiang approached, her voice as soothing as a clear spring, her demeanor as gentle as a confidante: "Your Majesty, has my sister angered you again?"
The emperor never reprimanded the deposed empress in front of Consort Jiang, but he also didn't reprimand Consort Jiang for entering without permission. He pursed his lips and sat down behind the table.
Consort Jiang immediately chased after him, no longer mentioning the deposed empress, and softly asked from behind the emperor, "Your Majesty, shall I give you a massage and a shoulder rub?"
After a moment, the emperor hummed in agreement. Then, Consort Jiang placed her slender fingers on the emperor's temple.
...
Qingfu silently recalled the events, his eyes fixed on the table. Seeing the porcelain dish of orange peel almost completely white, he immediately added more sauce. The Emperor hadn't eaten bitter melon in any of his three meals today, but instead ate seven or eight crabs. Even the most delicious food loses its flavor if eaten too often; one can't bear to eat the same dish every day. Occasionally, one gets tired of it and needs a change of pace.
But I am neither a bitter gourd nor a crab.
The next day, Wang Yuying left the training ground and saw Qingfu for the third time.
This time, in front of the chief eunuch stood another, even more disliked figure—the emperor.
Having not seen her for many days, Xu Heng's gaze lingered on Wang Yuying's face before he approached her with a smile, the dark patterns on her silver-white sleeves mostly illuminated by the setting sun.
"Yingniang, how about we go horseback riding in the North Garden?" Xu Heng asked with a smile. The scenery in the north of the city is beautiful, and there is a hunting ground there. Although the area is not as big as the imperial palace in the suburbs, a ride around it is still quite enjoyable.
Wang Yuying's gaze swept over Xu Heng, thinking to herself that it was no wonder he was dressed like this today. She refused without hesitation: "Dusk is falling, it's getting late, and the horses are exhausted, so let's forget about it."
Xu Heng lowered his eyes. How many times had they ridden horses at dusk together in the past? In the northern frontier, when the grass turned green in summer, they would gallop across the mountains and plains. His smile remained unchanged, and his tone was as warm as before: "I am not unaware of the lateness of the hour, but I have acquired a fine Ferghana horse from the Western Regions. This horse is fierce, and even I cannot get close to it. Apart from Yingniang, I really do not know who else to entrust it to, so I have come to ask for your help. I hope Yingniang will not refuse."
After a moment, Wang Yuying's eyelashes trembled slightly: "Then let's go take a look."
Xu Heng's lips curled upwards.
In autumn, the pastures are a tapestry of yellow and green. The outermost layer is covered with a ring of carefully selected fine sand and clay, compacted hundreds of times until it is as smooth as a mirror. The camp at the entrance of the horse ranch, made of camphor wood, is just like the one in the palace, with excellent ventilation and is maintained by dedicated staff; you can only smell the fresh scent of hay and leather.
The newly presented Akhal-Teke horse was tied alone to a carved stone pillar. Even from a distance, it would snort heavily as a warning, shifting its front hooves. The tendons beneath its chestnut coat rippled like waves, making it truly wild.
Wang Yuying came directly from the training ground, still carrying a sword and wearing soft armor. She took them off, and Qingfu immediately took them and held them carefully.
She approached the Akhal-Teke horse, which immediately turned its neck warily, pressing its ears tightly back. As she drew closer, the horse let out a very unfriendly neigh. Wang Yuying, however, did not stop, and even deliberately sought to meet the horse's eyes. Just as she raised her hand to help it onto the horse, the steed suddenly reared up, its front hooves striking Wang Yuying with tremendous force.
"Yingniang!" Xu Heng called out urgently, and stepped forward without thinking.
Wang Yuying had anticipated this and nimbly slid half a step to the side, avoiding the horse's trampling. The instant the horse's hoof touched the ground, she leaped up, grabbed the flying mane with her left hand, pressed her right palm firmly against the side of its neck, and simultaneously flipped onto the bare back of the horse, untying the reins.
The enraged Akhal-Teke horse began to leap and thrash about erratically, twisting and hoofing, trying to knock Wang Yuying off. Wang Yuying was like a small boat in a storm, bobbing up and down with the waves. Her legs gripped the horse's belly tightly, and as she was tossed about, she lowered her upper body, pressing it against the horse's neck. Round and round, woman and horse gradually became one.
As the Akhal-Teke horse leaped high for the last time, Wang Yuying abruptly straightened up, letting out a sharp shout to stop it, and simultaneously squeezed her legs together with all her might. The Akhal-Teke horse suddenly accelerated, like a blood-red arrow released from a bow, but this time it was no longer a ferocious struggle, but a smooth run. It had recognized its master!
The wind whistled past Wang Yuying's ears, causing her hair and the hem of her clothes to fly back almost level. Her clothes were damp with sweat, but a joyful and carefree smile swished across her lips.
Xu Heng watched from the stable with a surge of emotion. The Akhal-Teke horse galloped like lightning, yet it was also like a ball of fire, and she had tamed this fire!
He couldn't resist casually mounting a horse, and when Wang Yuying rode back after another lap, he rode alongside her, saying, "A fine horse is for a hero; this horse is for you."
The Akhal-Teke horse was faster than other horses, and Xu Heng quickly fell behind her. Wang Yuying turned around and teased him, "A once-in-a-century steed, Your Majesty, are you really willing to part with it?"
Xu Heng smiled and nodded: "You tamed it, so of course it belongs to you."
Whatever she asked for, she was given.
"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty." Wang Yuying said, turning back and no longer looking at Xu Heng, heading straight towards the setting sun.
Seeing that he was about to fall, and with a restless desire stirring within him, Xu Heng loosened the reins and leaped onto Wang Yuying's horse without warning, intending to embrace her from behind and ride together as before. However, Wang Yuying felt a chill from Xu Heng's sudden approach and involuntarily tightened the reins. The Akhal-Teke horse understood and reared up, clearly trying to push Xu Heng off its back.
Xu Heng leaped backward, flew a few steps, and landed steadily.
Wang Yuying had already taken advantage of the momentum and sped forward, quickly becoming half a lap away from him.
Xu Heng waited for her to come over. About ten steps away, Wang Yuying pulled on the reins, and the horse gradually came to a stop: "Your Majesty, for some time to come, the camp will be conducting military exercises. The battle formations are not yet familiar, and the soldiers are not yet in sync. I'm afraid there will be no more time for horseback riding and recreational activities."
Xu Heng glanced at her sideways, his tone sounding relaxed, but in reality, he was struggling to speak: "It's just right. Starting tomorrow, the Hanlin Academy will hold daily lectures on classics and history, and I won't be able to find the time to leave the palace."
Wang Yuying quickly nodded twice.
From then on, the emperor and his ministers each performed their duties and never saw each other again.
Wang Yuying was busy getting along well with the people in the Ministry of War and visiting relatives and friends; the days flew by.
On the Double Ninth Festival, a joyous occasion, people visit relatives and friends, enjoy the scenery, and sing with friends, celebrating the golden autumn.
Wang Yuying also took advantage of everyone's free time to hold a housewarming banquet.
The residence she purchased was in Yongjia Lane, just two streets away from the market, making shopping convenient but also offering a quiet retreat from the market's hustle and bustle.
On either side of the main house in the mansion, there are two side rooms and two wing rooms. Wang Yuying's favorite is the second courtyard, where a persimmon tree is planted, the pillars of the hanging flower gate are carved with pomegranates and scrolls, the railings of the covered corridor are straight-edged, and the balusters are plain square. All four of these features are very similar to the general's mansion of yesteryear. So when she climbed the ladder herself to hang the plaque, she felt an indescribable joy.
To make it more realistic, she built a flower stand on the side without the persimmon tree, first displaying seasonal chrysanthemums, and then gradually adding camellias, calamus, roses, and nandina. She also placed a pot of banana trees at the entrance of each of the two side rooms, gradually recreating the scene.
Wang Yuying and Shuangtian watered the chrysanthemums. Chu Ying watched for a while, then bent down, put her hands behind her back, and sniffed them: "These flowers smelled so good when we bought them a few days ago, why can't we smell them now?"
Wang Yuying smiled and said, "It still smells good, it's just been sitting here for a while."
Chu Ying suddenly realized: "Oh, the 'Confucius Family Sayings' says, 'When you enter a room filled with orchids, you will not smell their fragrance after a while.' Is this the meaning of this?"
Wang Yuying nodded, and suddenly there was a series of intermittent knocks at the gate.
"I'll open it!" Chu Ying rushed out of the hanging flower gate, and as soon as she opened it, a man standing outside, wearing a smoky gray round-necked robe and taller than Chu Ying, stood there. Chu Ying recognized him as Jing Ye, who had bought chrysanthemums with them three days ago and carried them home, so she stepped aside to let him pass.
"Ah Ye, come in." Wang Yuying saw the person coming and walked towards the gate.
Jing Ye's gaze first lingered on her face, then he looked down. The last time he brought flowers wasn't formal, but this was his first formal visit, which made him nervous.
But with both hands full of gifts, he couldn't free his hands to scratch his head and relieve his unease.
"Come in, what are you standing there for?" Wang Yuying stopped and beckoned to him.
Jing Ye realized what was happening, stepped over the threshold, and strode toward Wang Yuying, almost running for the last two steps.
Wang Yuying smiled and lowered her head. When she looked up again, Jing Ye was sniffing: "It smells so good! These chrysanthemums still smell so good!"
"Hey—" Chu Ying asked curiously, "Weren't these flowers moved together? How come I can't smell them, but you can?"
Jing Ye proudly declared, "My nose is amazing!"
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