Chapter 47 Extra 7

Three years later, in a key border town, at the governor's office.

Gu Qingyan stood weary from his journey in the somewhat rough hall, and the clerk who had led the way politely asked him to wait a moment.

Before long, a commotion could be heard coming from afar.

A group of officials dressed in border official robes, mostly with dark skin, walked in, each with a tired look on their faces from their busy work.

The leader, an elderly man with a loud voice, was angrily waving the documents in his hand: "...These accounts of the trade are really troublesome. I've checked them again and again. I'm almost bald from all the pulling!"

And those new tribes, the rules were taught eight hundred times, and they forgot them the very next turn. Lord Ling speaks so eloquently, but we have to run our legs off!

A slightly younger official standing nearby chuckled and joked, "Lord Zhao, you're so full of resentment, why don't you go and have a word with Lord Ling yourself?"

Lord Zhao's eyes widened, but his imposing manner instantly diminished by half:

"I... I wouldn't dare. Lady Ling's rules have their reasons... it's just... it's just too grueling!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly remembered something and asked urgently in a low voice, "Oh, right, I just heard the people at the post station say that an official has arrived in the capital? Is it... that the court is going to transfer Lord Ling back?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd, who had been laughing and complaining, immediately fell silent, their eyes all turning to the questioner, their faces showing varying degrees of tension.

"No way?! This was only recently sorted out..."

"That's right! Those tribal chiefs only recognize Lord Ling. If someone else comes, they probably won't be able to keep things in order!"

"No, no! We have to think of a way..."

Just moments ago, Lord Zhao was complaining bitterly, but now he was more anxious than anyone else: "Absolutely not! If anyone tries to transfer Lord Ling, I... I'll be the first to plead for him!"

Just as the group of border officials were worried about the matter and talking amongst themselves, they finally noticed Gu Qingyan, who was standing quietly to the side.

Lord Zhao coughed lightly, composed himself, and scrutinized the unfamiliar face and the capital-style robes. With a hint of the straightforwardness and wariness typical of people from the borderlands, he asked, "And who is this gentleman?"

Gu Qingyan smiled slightly and bowed calmly: "I am Gu Qingyan. I have come here by imperial decree to be in charge of border education and to work with my colleagues."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions softened slightly.

Lord Zhao nodded, his tone softening: "So you are an academic official sent from the capital. Lord Gu, you may not know this, but the situation here is quite different now! It's all thanks to Lord Ling's effective governance."

Mentioning Ling Wei immediately enlivened the crowd, with everyone vying to speak:

"Yes! The trade is booming, caravans are coming and going in an endless stream, and tax revenue has increased several times over!"

"Those tribes are much more peaceful now. Looting is rare. They're all busy herding sheep to exchange for tea and ironware!"

"The road has been repaired, the school has been built, and even barbarian boys are willing to come and listen to the words of the sage."

"The scenario that Lord Ling described three years ago has actually been realized step by step! Now, an assessment is being set up to select talents who are proficient in the laws of both languages. The time is ripe!"

After praising him, Lord Zhao couldn't help but lean closer and nervously whispered to Gu Qingyan, "Lord Gu, you've come from the capital... do you know... whether the court truly intends to transfer Lord Ling back?"

Gu Qingyan glanced at the worried faces of the crowd and gently comforted them, "This matter probably depends on Lord Ling's own wishes."

Upon hearing this, everyone had different expressions, but they all thought to themselves: This handsome, refined, and distinguished scholar from the capital is probably just talking nonsense.

Official transfers are all decided by His Majesty's word; it's not up to Lord Ling to decide whether he's willing or not.

Just as he was about to ask another question, a voice announced from outside the door: "Lord Ling has arrived!"

In an instant, all the officials in the hall, regardless of age or rank, immediately composed themselves, quickly straightened their clothes, and spontaneously lined up on both sides.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and the previous laxity and complaints vanished instantly, replaced by a heartfelt respect.

Ling Wei, dressed in a neat dark-colored official robe embroidered with clouds and wild geese, with a light fur coat over it to protect against the wind and sand, stepped in.

The hardships of three years on the frontier did not diminish her beauty; instead, they refined the radiance nurtured by the misty rain of Jiangnan, making her even more serene and luminous.

Her black hair was tied up high, revealing her smooth forehead and clear eyes, and her brows exuded a calm and insightful understanding of the world.

She walked straight to the head seat, giving crisp instructions as she went: "Sit down, everyone. To make a long story short, I want to hear the procedures for the quality inspection of the newly arrived tea bricks from the west and the additional patrols at the border market within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

The voice was clear and calm, without any hesitation or ambiguity.

Gu Qingyan stood at the back of the crowd, hidden from everyone's reactions, and was not noticed for a moment.

He stared at that familiar yet unfamiliar figure with almost greedy eyes.

She had lost some weight, and her complexion was not as fair as it had been in Beijing, but she looked more energetic. The reserve she once had in her eyes had faded, replaced by a more confident and composed demeanor.

Like a polished jade, its inner brilliance shines even brighter.

Just then, Lord Zhao cautiously stepped forward and reported, "Lord Ling, this is Lord Gu Qingyan, a new official from the capital, who is said to be in charge of education matters."

Ling Wei paused as she was about to sit down, and looked up following the directions.

When she saw who was standing there, looking at her with a warm smile, a huge look of surprise flashed across her eyes, and she almost blurted out:

"Cousin?! What are you doing here?"

......

Steam rose from the tea room, filling the air with the aroma of fragrant tea.

"Cousin, have a taste. These are flavors only found in our border region."

Ling Wei and Gu Qingyan sat facing each other, with several kinds of tea snacks unique to the border region laid out on a small table between them. One of them was a small cake made by baking a mixture of locally produced sesame seeds and cheese. It was crispy, fragrant and savory. Another was a thin and crispy cake made with dried mutton and wild scallions as filling. Both of them had a rustic flavor that was hard to find in the capital.

Ling Wei introduced them one by one, her tone filled with pride.

Seeing that she was explaining so earnestly, Gu Qingyan didn't move for a long time, just staring at her. Ling Wei couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion and ask, "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Gu Qingyan then smiled, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said gently, "I see that my cousin... has truly integrated into this place."

She just mentioned our border region.

Ling Wei also laughed.

She looked out the window and saw several border residents leading camels slowly past, and her eyes softened unconsciously.

“Yes,” she said softly, “when I first came here, the sandstorms were everywhere, people were destitute, and there was a lot of rebuilding needed... It was hard to even find a decent cup of tea. I don’t know when it happened, but I’ve taken root in this land and grown attached to it.”

She then asked, "Is everything... alright in the capital?"

Although I have been corresponding with old friends and know their general situation, I still can't help but want to hear more from them when I see them in person.