Seeking shelter from the snow?

Qingchen saw that the snow wasn't too heavy yet and wanted to refuse, but Lu Shenyun had already turned and walked down the corridor, clearly wanting to say something to her.

The accompanying eunuch tactfully said, "Lord Shen, you should take shelter from the snow first. I'm going to the Ministry of Personnel to deliver the imperial decree."

Looking at Lu Shenyun's retreating figure, Qingchen nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law."

Under the eaves, Lu Shenyun gripped her embroidered spring knife, watching her savior, whom she had met by chance, approach her. The wind stirred the hem of her robe, and snowflakes fell on her thin shoulders. Her expression remained calm and gentle, her gaze clear and pure, unchanged despite her sudden rise to prominence.

When he first heard Zhu Rui's plan to have her concurrently hold four positions, he could hardly believe his ears. As a military officer, he only knew the selection criteria for an excellent military commander and didn't understand civil officials very well. What should an excellent civil official possess? Was it literary talent, intelligence, eloquence, or down-to-earth hard work?

All he knew was that he had been by Zhu Rui's side for many years and understood her temperament. Although the emperor was a lazy one, he wouldn't be so frivolous. Later, he gradually heard many people talking about her, their surprised expressions and admiring tones.

At this point, he understood.

The man who trembled as he held the knife to prolong his life was an exceptionally capable civil official.

He is a rare and outstanding talent.

Qingchen came to the eaves and looked up at Lu Shenyun. His black robe made him look even more aloof, and the scar under his right eyebrow looked somewhat cold in the snow. "Does Lord Lu have something to say to me?"

He lowered his eyes, and his thin, well-defined lips parted to say, "Don't be an official anymore. I'll take care of you."

On the empty Thousand Steps Corridor, the wind howled and the snow danced, the sky was hazy, making Lu Shenyun's words seem very unreal.

Qingchen was stunned for a moment, unable to react. She was his savior, and he knew she had been promoted, yet instead of congratulating her, he told her to give up her official position?

Upon hearing the last three words, Qingchen was even more bewildered. The first thing that came to her mind was that she now had four salaries, plus a hundred taels of silver bestowed by the Emperor. She could improve her and her father's lives, and repay the kindness of her second uncle and aunt. She didn't need... anyone to support her.

She blinked and replied, "Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by that, Lord Lu?"

“In this chaotic world, treacherous officials hold sway… You are a smart man, you should understand this better than I do.” He rested his hand on his embroidered spring knife, his gaze somewhat indifferent, yet containing a certain emotion. “According to Xu Yan’s usual practices, he would spare no effort to win over a promising newcomer like you. If you do not comply, he will do everything in his power to suppress and frame you… In short, the court is too dangerous.”

Qingchen looked at him quietly, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. She could feel that he was reminding her, but she still didn't understand where his offer to support her came from.

Seeing her confusion, Lu Shenyun pursed his lips, "...You saved my life, so it's only natural that I take care of you for the rest of your life."

Qingchen frowned and replied according to his own understanding: "This humble official thanks Lord Lu for his guidance. However... this humble official saved Lord Lu by chance. At that time, this humble official was not sure if he could succeed. If he had failed, it would have harmed you. Therefore, you do not need to feel that you must repay the favor. I am already very grateful for your guidance."

Lu Shenyun remained silent for a moment before speaking again, "...Let's not talk about repaying the debt of gratitude yet."

Qingchen was even more confused. "Then what should I say?"

"I'll take care of you." He said these three words with more certainty than before, and there was a hint of eagerness in his eyes, but his voice was still calm. "From now on, I will not marry or take a concubine. I will only take care of you."

"..."

“You can live wherever you want, I’ll buy you a house,” he said. “You can do whatever you want, or you can do nothing at all. Just don’t become an official.”

Qingchen's heart stirred slightly. She seemed to understand what he meant, and incredulously, he probably... had fallen for her, this "man."

The wind, carrying snow, blew his black robe, outlining his tall and strong physique.

Lu Shenyun continued speaking to the handsome, slender man before him, "I'm a rough person, I don't know how to be good to someone, and I've never been good to anyone before. But in the future... I will try my best to be good to you."

For twenty-eight years, he had never liked anyone, nor had he ever confessed his feelings to anyone. So, after thinking about the right words for so long, he still didn't know how to say the word "like".

Because he didn't know how she would see him, or how much she would despise his abnormal and inhumane special hobby.

If it weren't for Huang Yu's words that day—"The day your sweetheart is taken away, you won't even have time to cry"—which suddenly gave him a premonition of loss, these words today would probably have remained buried in his heart.

“Lord Lu, there’s really no need.” Qingchen understood what he meant, but didn’t point it out. Instead, she calmly expressed her gratitude, saying, “You are a military general, a man of strong character. I know you are the kind of person who always repays kindness. But that matter is really nothing to mention. I am obliged to serve the emperor. You are protecting the emperor’s safety, and I saved you. I was just doing my part for the emperor, nothing more. So you really don’t need to take it to heart.”

Lu Shenyun listened, his eyelashes fluttering slightly. He had the courage to confess his feelings, but not the courage to imagine the outcome beforehand.

Therefore, the current situation is neither unexpected nor unexpected; it simply leaves him unsure how to react.

For the first time in my life, I didn't know how to react.

"Lord Lu, I must hurry back to the Hanlin Academy. If you don't mind, I'll take my leave now." With that, Qingchen bowed and turned to walk into the snow.

Walking against the wind, Qingchen took a long breath.

She understood Lu Shenyun's feelings and good intentions. But regardless of whether she liked him or not, the future he offered her was not the one she wanted.

Whether it was when she entered officialdom through the imperial examination, when she harbored the ambition to "be a good official," or now that she has a certain platform, she is very clear about what she wants to do.

Even if her strength is meager, she wants to use it to do something for the country and the people.

This is the sentiment she held when she studied this period of history, and it is also the ideal she now has as she personally experiences this dynasty.

News travels fast in the imperial court. By the time Shen Qingchen met Lu Shenyun, the news of her promotion had already reached the Hanlin Academy.

Originally, everyone's conversation was still about the Chinese New Year, and even the coldest north wind couldn't dampen it. But in just a short while, she took over the center of the conversation.

Since the establishment of the Shujishi (a monastic system of learning) in the Ming Dynasty, no one had ever obtained an official position before completing their studies, let alone four at once. She was the first among so many people to do so. One in a million.

After bidding farewell to Lu Shenyun, Qingchen returned to the Hanlin Academy amidst the snowflakes.

She had just reached the classroom door when someone suddenly jumped out and grabbed her by the thigh, picking her up.

It's Gu Shaoheng.

Gu Shaoheng spun Qingchen around several times, snowflakes flying all over her. Qingchen came to her senses and patted him several times before Gu Shaoheng finally put her down.

Xu Silin sat in his seat, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his brows slightly furrowed as he quietly observed them.

To that person, he was just an ordinary classmate, so ordinary that he wasn't even a friend. Therefore, he couldn't share his joy with Gu Shaoheng in such an intimate and shameless manner. No matter how he imagined it, he couldn't get close, couldn't walk up to him, couldn't put his arm around him, couldn't let him laugh and pound his shoulders so naturally.

Qingchen walked back to her seat with her head slightly lowered, but the other servants all surrounded her, their faces full of envy, and they congratulated her all at once.

Gu Shaoheng spread his arms and immediately blocked the crowd, saying, "Make way, don't push my newly appointed Lord Shen."

Sun Siwu asked cautiously, "Lord Qing... Lord Shen, you are now a compiler, no longer a junior official. In the future... may I still consult you?"

Qingchen nodded. "Once we're classmates, we'll be classmates for life. That won't change. So, of course you can."

Through the gaps in the crowd, Xu Silin could vaguely see Qingchen, with her handsome features and fair cheeks illuminated by the snow. She answered everyone's questions earnestly and patiently, showing no arrogance despite her promotion.

Actually, he felt the same way they did; he wanted to go up and talk to her, but he didn't seem to know what to say. If only he could have a chance to be alone with her like he did in Huairou.

Outside the window, the snow was still falling.

As the crowd surrounding Shen Qingchen gradually dispersed, Xu Silin hesitated for a moment, then walked up to her and said in a low voice, "Congratulations."

Qingchen was tidying up her books when she paused for a moment, then smiled slightly at him, "Thank you, Xu Silin."

Meanwhile, at the Honglu Temple.

Lin Xiaojin was handling official business in the government office when he encountered some matters that he dared not make a decision on his own. He was about to go and consult with his superior, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, when he stood up with the case file in hand and saw that his superior had already entered the room.

He bowed to him and said, "Lord Du, I have some matters to consult with you on."

The visitor waved his hand and simply told him to sit down, his expression carrying a subtle smile, unlike the expression a superior would show to a subordinate.

Lin Xiaojin had been in officialdom for so many years, and he rarely saw his superior with such an expression. He couldn't help but wonder what he had done to make him react this way.

"Lord Lin went on an assignment early a few days ago and only returned today. He probably doesn't know what's happened in the court yet..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaojin realized that the person his family had helped for many years had actually made a great contribution and caught the emperor's eye, being granted four positions at once!

Having spent many years in officialdom, Lin Xiaojin immediately began to calculate the implications of these words.

The simultaneous bestowal of four positions is unprecedented, demonstrating the Emperor's high regard for Qingchen. Moreover, two of these positions are of paramount importance, not only increasing her chances of entering the Grand Secretariat but also signifying the acquisition of influence within the Eastern Palace… This is incredible! Qingchen has transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix, soaring to new heights! Her future is limitless!

Thinking this, Lin Xiaojin felt both smug and secretly fortunate. He was pleased that Qingchen was related to him, and also fortunate that he had been farsighted and accurately predicted the situation, starting to care for him two months ago. Just two days ago, he had someone make two sets of winter clothes for him. If he had known that Qingchen would become so successful so quickly, what harm would it have done to make him a hundred sets!

"Lord Lin, Lord Lin, I wonder if your Lord Shen is married? If not, my youngest daughter is only fifteen years old..." Seeing Lin Xiaojin lost in thought, the Minister of State Ceremonies called him twice and began to speak frankly.

Lin Xiaojin listened, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve slightly.

Everyone here is a seasoned veteran of officialdom, and this Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is certainly a shrewd man as well.

Having passed the imperial examinations twice and held the titles of Hanlin Academy probationary official, such titles alone would have been enough to attract many suitors. Previously, it was because Qingchen came from a poor family and had never made any headlines that high-ranking officials in the court didn't pay much attention to her.

Today, she is displaying her talents and has made a name for herself. She also has two excellent opportunities for advancement. Only a fool wouldn't want to win her over.

Lin Xiaojin thought that although his superior was a fourth-rank official, his family was not a prominent noble family, and they did not seem to own much property... It was beneath him to have the youngest daughter of a fourth-rank official as a match for Qingchen, who had such a promising future.

There could be something even better.

Thinking this, Lin Xiaojin smiled broadly and said, "Lord Du, I've watched Qingchen grow up over the years. His family isn't well-off, and it hasn't been easy for him. Alas, it's all thanks to his own hard work that he's finally reaped the rewards of his efforts. It's truly a case of heaven rewarding those who persevere. I'm naturally extremely grateful that Lord Du favors him and is interested in a marriage alliance. However, I'm getting old and honestly can't quite remember whether he's married or not... I vaguely recall that when he was back in his hometown in Jiangsu, his second uncle seemed to have arranged a marriage for him, but I don't know if it still counts. My lord, let me go back and inquire first."

Little did the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices know that Shen Qian had never arranged a marriage for Qingchen; it was merely an excuse from Lin Xiaojin. Still clinging to hope, he said, "Then Lord Lin must make sure you're clear about it. If she's not yet married, do you remember that I spoke to you about it today? I arrived very early this morning..."

"Yes, yes, okay." Lin Xiaojin agreed verbally, but in his heart he had already cast a wide net for the imperial court.

He needs to carefully consider and see whose daughter is the best among all the officials.

That night, after finishing his meal, Qingchen busied himself putting away his new official robes, black gauze hat, seal, waist tag, and other items.

Starting tomorrow, her status will change. She will no longer need to attend classes in the Hanlin Academy's lecture hall, but will instead work directly in her cell in the back hall of the Hanlin Academy.

Besides the Hanlin Academy, she also had to report to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works. Zhu Rui was worried that she wouldn't be able to handle it all at once, so he allowed her to go to the Eastern Palace in three days.

She had to carry different seals and badges for different positions, and she couldn't bring the wrong ones.

After finishing these tasks, she took out the "Collection of Yuefu Poems" that she hadn't finished copying yet. She had been too busy lately and hadn't been able to complete the teacher's punishment, which made her feel a little guilty.

As Qingchen opened the poetry collection, she thought of Song Yue. She hadn't seen him since returning from Huairou, and now that she had been promoted, she felt a little excited and really wanted to share it with her teacher.

But he had just returned to the cabinet and was busy negotiating with the Japanese, so he probably wouldn't have time to see her.

She shook her head and began to dip her brush in ink.

Before the ink-dipped brush could even touch the paper, Qingchen stared blankly at the words in the poetry collection.

Volume 25, "The Ballad of Mulan".