Chapter 25 Heart Fire

Although no official decree has been issued regarding the selection of female officials in the imperial court, the core officials are well aware that this matter is inevitable, and Gu Qingyan is naturally aware of this as well.

Even Gu Qingyu found out, and had a big argument with Lin Shi about it, clamoring that she also wanted to take the exam to become a female official. Naturally, Lin Shi sternly refused, and the Gu family would never agree to it.

Now that the system of female officials has been reopened, the future is uncertain, and it is unknown whether policies will change or the system will be withdrawn in the future.

One wrong move and you could become a victim of the power struggle.

Only families with average or below-average means would send their daughters to pursue a better future.

Ling Wei knew that the Lin family had the same expectations for her as they had for Gu Qingyu, and would never agree to let her take this path.

That's why she did it secretly, only telling Xiaoyao that she was going out for a stroll, but actually sneaking off to the most secluded lotus-filled depths and hiding in a small boat to read.

Now that Gu Qingyan had discovered her, she gripped the book tightly and looked at him nervously.

When Gu Qingyan met her eyes, which betrayed her innermost thoughts, he instantly understood everything.

"You want to take the exam to become a female official?"

Ling Wei: "..."

Ugh, I don't want to answer.

How did he find such a secluded place?

Gu Qingyan understood Ling Wei's thoughts as soon as he saw her conflicted expression.

He wasn't particularly surprised; instead, he had a sense of "I knew it."

"It's alright." Gu Qingyan's voice was gentler than he had expected, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible reassurance. "Reading and understanding principles, cultivating one's character and temperament, are all good things. The position of a female official is also a legitimate official position in the court, serving the country and sharing the emperor's burdens. What's wrong with that?"

Looking at Ling Wei's suddenly bright eyes, he added, "Besides, with your temperament and talent, you might very well be able to make a name for yourself on this path."

Ling Wei's eyes lit up even more: "Then... could we not tell Auntie yet?"

Seeing her nervous expression, Gu Qingyan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and nodded, "Okay."

"...If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Seeing the other person's surprised expression after speaking, he suddenly remembered his excuse of "lacking knowledge" when Ling Wei asked him about his studies, and felt deep regret. "I..."

Ling Wei suddenly grabbed his wrist, "I really do need your help, cousin."

Gu Qingyan was slightly taken aback: "What?"

Ling Wei pulled his hand over and placed it on the top of her head, her face full of piety: "Please, Lord Gu, the God of Literature who has passed the imperial examinations three times in a row, lend me some of your literary talent!"

As he spoke, he put his hands together and made a "bye-bye" gesture.

Gu Qingyan was completely stunned.

His palms were large and warm, beneath which lay the girl's soft, slightly cool hair. Her cheeks were small beneath the hair, and he even felt that if his palms moved down a little further, they could completely cover her small face.

A faint, warm fragrance emanating from the girl lingered in the air.

Seeing that he didn't move, Ling Wei gently rubbed her head against his palm, muttering, "May the God of Literature, Lord Gu, bless me, so that my writing may flow like flowers and I may achieve the highest honors!"

Gu Qingyan felt a strange itch spreading from her palms to her throat, as if her heart had been gently scratched by a feather.

He abruptly withdrew his hand, clenched his fist and pressed it to his lips, coughing lightly twice to cover his embarrassment: "The way to pass the imperial examinations lies in diligent study and thorough understanding. How can it be achieved by praying to gods and Buddhas or by trying to gain some empty 'literary air'?"

The old scholar, Master Gu, had a faint blush creeping up his ears, and his tone was tinged with panic.

But the girl smiled brightly at him and said, "It's always good to try, Lord Gu~"

===================

As dusk fell, Guo Huai was assigned to stay in a guest room in Gu Qingyan's courtyard.

That night, the moonlight was as clear as water, and Guo Huai knocked on the door of Gu Qingyan's study with practiced ease.

"Brother Chengzhi, the night is long. How about we two brothers hold a candle and talk about the old days at the academy?" Guo Huai said with a hearty smile, placing the wine jar on the table.

"Knowing you're not good with strong liquor, I brought some fruit wine made by my wife, which isn't intoxicating."

"It's alright." Gu Qingyan put down his book, his voice slightly lower than usual. "Tonight... I'll make an exception."

After saying this, he instructed a servant to bring another jar of wine, broke the mud seal, and a rich and mellow aroma of wine instantly filled the air.

Guo Huai, who has always preferred strong liquor, had his eyes light up as soon as he smelled the rich aroma and exclaimed, "Good liquor!"

The wine burned down his throat like a line of fire, and Gu Qingyan frowned, trying to suppress the discomfort.

Guo Huai looked at him with amazement and clicked his tongue in wonder: "Strange things happen every year, but this year it's your turn. Brother Chengzhi, has the sun risen in the west? You usually find sweet wine too much, but today you're willing to drink this 'strong liquor' with me?"

He leaned closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Could it be... that you're really troubled by something and need to drown your sorrows in this drink? Let me guess... is it because you've found a beautiful woman you desire, but can't have her, and are tossing and turning at night in longing?"

Gu Qingyan paused almost imperceptibly in the hand holding the cup.

He lowered his eyes, remained silent, and then tilted his head back to drink the wine in his glass in one gulp. The burning sensation traveled from his throat to his stomach, but strangely, it suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

Guo Huai, with his keen eyesight, raised his eyebrows even higher upon seeing this, lowered his voice, and said with a gossipy tone, "Huh! There really is one?! Tell me quickly, which family's young lady is it? How could she make our steadfast and unmoved Gu Hanlin break his vows?"

"No," Gu Qingyan denied immediately, her voice firm and resolute.

But that overly rapid reaction only made the attempt to cover it up more obvious.

After a long while, Gu Qingyan seemed to be somewhat dazed from the smell of alcohol, or as if he was suffocating from the tangled mess in his heart. He stared at the flickering candlelight, his voice hoarse with a hint of confusion: "Brother Guo... how does it feel to be in love with someone?"

Guo Huai was taken aback, then smiled knowingly. His friend was probably really in love.

He put down his wine glass, leaned back slightly in his chair, and gazed at the sparse starry sky outside the window. He described it in an almost poetic tone: "Hmm... let me give you an analogy. It's like you're alone in a warm, cozy room, while outside it's pouring rain, lightning flashes and thunder roars, the world is a chaotic mess. Then, someone behind you gently calls your name..."

"When you turn around... at that moment, who is the person you most sincerely and most long to see in your heart?"

Gu Qingyan held her breath slightly as Guo Huai described the "torrential rain" and the "warm and comfortable house".

Upon hearing "a soft call of your name," his mind almost instinctively and uncontrollably raced through his thoughts—

"cousin?"

Gu Qingyan snapped back to reality as if he had been scalded, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

The dim candlelight flickered, outlining his rare moment of loss of composure: a thin layer of blush appeared on his usually cool and aloof face, the blush spreading from the base of his ears.

He frantically grabbed the glass and downed the rest of the wine in one gulp. The pungent liquid made him cough a few times, trying to suppress the turbulent emotions churning within him with the intense sensory stimulation.

Guo Huai took in all of his friend's reactions.

He didn't press further, but simply raised his glass knowingly and smiled meaningfully: "Come on, let's drink."

That night, Gu Qingyan didn't know exactly how many cups she drank.

The aftereffects of the strong liquor surged like a tidal wave, eventually engulfing him completely in chaotic darkness.

Guo Huai helped him to the couch and settled him in, then shook his head and left with a light laugh.