11 Doubt
King Zhao asked again, "Why are you always staring at the treasure rack?"
This question was not just about the government. Gu Ningxi was stunned for a moment before smiling: "I think it's interesting to work in the Ministry of Works."
She loved describing garden construction, and she'd read about a historical text from a previous dynasty, describing a talented but underappreciated official who was ousted from the imperial court due to factional strife and subsequently moved to various positions. In each position, he developed irrigation works and built riverbanks, truly contributing to the people's well-being. Local residents still spontaneously maintain a shrine dedicated to him, and Gu Ningxi considered him a role model.
There was another reason Gu Ningxi hadn't mentioned. She had assumed the Ministry of Works, being the least prominent of the six ministries, would be less prone to controversy. But being in the court, especially as she was embroiled in the struggle for the throne, was unavoidable.
Since His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was in the mood to chat, Gu Ningxi thought for a moment and then started the conversation.
"Speaking of the Ministry of Works and Repairs, I ran into Marquis Wu'an on the street yesterday."
Ever since he discovered the general guarding Yingtian Gate in his dream was Marquis Wu'an, Gu Ningxi had been keeping a close eye on him. The Eastern Palace did have some records, and Gu Ningxi knew he was the son of Duke Bohai, courtesy name Huaicheng. Three years prior, he had surrendered to King Zhao and achieved numerous feats, becoming one of the three generals of his Black Armor Army. The other two generals were Zhen Yuan, Crown Prince of the Prince of Zhending, and Qin Yu, Crown Prince of the Duke of Qi in Jingdu.
As for other details, Gu Ningxi's identity prevented her from knowing them. If she were to investigate on her own, she would certainly be under the watchful eyes of King Zhao and would only arouse suspicion.
She thought about it and realized that there was only one person in the entire Prince Zhao's Mansion whom she could ask.
"Marquis Wu'an is looking for Huanghuali wood, and I directed him to the Construction Department. I think he wants to repair a wooden chariot?"
Lu Jing had already learned about this from Xie Qian, but he didn't expect that it was Yuan Le who pointed him in this direction.
"That was a gift from his grandfather." Lu Jing paused, "Or rather, his maternal grandfather."
This past event was no secret among the generals of the Xuanjia Army. Seeing the curiosity in Gu Ningxi's eyes, Lu Jing was also worried that the person in front of him would unknowingly touch upon other people's taboos, and who knows what, he would offend others in the future.
So he said, "The previous Duke of Bohai was Huaicheng's maternal grandfather. He had only one daughter, who was Huaicheng's mother."
Duke Bohai treated his only daughter like the apple of his eye, doting on her from childhood. He began searching for a suitable husband for her after she reached marriage age. Unfortunately, Lady Xie rejected the several matches Duke Bohai had suggested for her. Instead, she fell head over heels for Chen Li, a low-ranking military officer, and insisted on marrying him.
"After two years of stalemate, the old Duke of Bohai finally gave in to his daughter and reluctantly agreed to the marriage, taking Chen Li as his son-in-law."
"But Duke Bohai also agreed with Chen Li that their first child, regardless of gender, would be named Xie. A year later, Huaicheng was born, marking the Xie family's continued succession. Duke Bohai not only personally named his eldest grandson, but also took him to his side and carefully nurtured him. As a result, Huaicheng and his grandfather developed a very deep bond."
"When the old Duke of Bohai was alive, Chen Li was always respectful and humble. A few years after Duke Bohai passed away, he rose rapidly to prominence as the son-in-law of the Xie family. Huaicheng was not even ten years old at the time, and he watched helplessly as his biological father gradually took over power in the city, and then turned against them."
Lu Jing had already dispatched his secret guards to gather this information before the attack on Bohai. During those years, Chen Li had taken on concubine after concubine, bearing over a dozen sons. If it weren't for the legacy of the old Duke of Bohai, Chen Li feared the displeasure of several generals within the army, even daring to demote his wife to a concubine. He stripped Madam Xie of her household duties, cut off her access to the outside world, and even allowed the concubines to bully his mistress.
Although he was just a bystander, Gu Ningxi couldn't help but feel a little angry when he heard this: "There are thousands of villains in the world, but such a shameless person is really rare."
Lu Jing deeply agreed. Later, when the Jin army was approaching the city, in order to boost the morale of the army, Chen Li forced his eldest son to go to the battle and put more constraints on him.
"This prince and Huaicheng have fought several battles. At the same time, I realized that regardless of victory or defeat, Chen Li did not want his son to return alive. I think Huaicheng also knows this."
"In the final battle, the Black Armor Army besieged Huaicheng in the valley. The king asked him if he was willing to surrender, and he agreed."
So they sent out a surprise attack first to ensure that Madam Xie was rescued from the City Lord's Mansion.
Undeterred, the Jin army advanced with unstoppable force, and those members of the Xie clan who remained loyal to the old Duke of Bohai surrendered along the way. During these years, Chen Li had been in power, relying on his marriage to rise to power. Many in the army were disobedient, and Chen Li persecuted and suppressed them. Unrighteous men have few supporters, and Chen Li's army was defeated, fleeing before the city fell.
"Then he—"
"Dead." Lu Jing said concisely.
As father and son, Huaicheng spared Chen Li's life. However, he also declared that if anyone else sought revenge against the Chen family, he would not intervene.
His surname is Xie, and he is not a member of the Chen family.
Even if outsiders accuse Marquis Wu'an of being disloyal and unfilial, why bother about such gossip?
Gu Ningxi was silent for a long time: "What about Madam Xie?"
"Once the Wu'an Marquis's Mansion is tidied up, Huaicheng will take her to Kyoto for a reunion."
When she was young, she trusted the wrong person. Now that she has recognized the true face of the man beside her, Mrs. Xie naturally will not be sad for Chen Li anymore.
This story made the depression dissipate. Gu Ningxi lowered her eyes and said sincerely, "That's great."
…
The moonlight was dim, and Yin Lan held the lamp for Gu Ningxi. She smiled and asked, "Why did you dig up all these things?"
The wooden box in the corner of the warehouse was filled with Gu Ningxi's "treasures", which were all the wood and copper materials she brought back from the Ministry of Works' Construction Department in recent years.
There are many rare and precious woods among them, but because they are scraps, they can only be carved into small ornaments, so the price is not high.
Gu Ningxi would occasionally find something he liked and would take the trouble to buy it back. He had acquired all of these things, and because of the cost-cutting measures over the past year, he hadn't bought anything else.
She told Yinlan to turn up the light so that she could compare the color of the wood carefully under the light.
She smiled and said, "I just wanted to see if I could help."
…
The weather was warm and the expansion of Prince Zhao's mansion was proceeding smoothly. In the afternoon, while sipping tea in Prince Zhao's study, Gu Ningxi briefly mentioned it.
Having now discussed the six ministries of the imperial court, today we turn to the imperial examination system. This dynasty's imperial examination system follows the established practices of previous dynasties, while also incorporating numerous innovations. Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince entered the court, he has spared no effort in promoting the examination system, recruiting talented individuals from across the land into the court.
Gu Ningxi, also a member of the imperial examination system, said, "The imperial examination system is now divided into four categories, which Your Highness is aware of. They are the Mingjing (Classics), Mingfa (Law), Mingzi (Character), and Mingsuan (Calculation). The last three categories test law, mathematics, and calligraphy, respectively. Due to their specialized content, not many scholars take the exams. The Mingjing (Classics) category is the most popular among scholars, as it primarily tests Confucian classics and current affairs."
Lu Jing heard him speak in a proper manner and asked, "What do you think of the Mingjing exam?"
Gu Ningxi explained everything in detail: "As long as you memorize the Confucian classics, understand the text, and read a few more policy questions, it won't be too difficult to pass the exam."
Generally, only one out of ten people can pass the exam. The Mingjing exam is held once a year, and last year 132 people passed the exam.
She didn't even notice the lightness in her tone. Lu Jing smiled and said, "I heard that there's a trend of scrolling in the court right now?"
King Zhao brought up this matter, and Gu Ningxi nodded. The so-called "circulation of the scrolls" meant that candidates would visit dignitaries and officials at court with their poems and essays in advance, hoping to gain an advantage in the upcoming imperial examinations.
Needless to say, the children of officials were more connected. Common people, unless they were merchants, were also eligible to take the imperial examinations, but they inevitably lagged behind in this respect.
Even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was determined to promote scholars from humble backgrounds, he ultimately had to look after officials within the court. The practice of circulating manuscripts became increasingly prevalent, becoming an unspoken norm among scholars.
Lu Jing smiled. His royal brother was always so considerate.
Gu Ningxi was reluctant to say more, so she only replied tactfully, "Perhaps the atmosphere surrounding scientific examinations will change in the future."
She said it unintentionally, but on second thought, it was still unknown who would ascend the throne in the future, and her words had unknowingly involved party disputes.
She paused, then looked up at the person in the main seat, their eyes meeting his. If her dream were true, and the Crown Prince was deposed, then...
The Pisces vase sat neatly in a corner of the desk, its porcelain smooth and delicate, echoing the white jade ruyi on the antique shelf. Although His Majesty had ordered the renovation of Prince Zhao's palace, it mostly expanded the surrounding landscape, leaving the inner courtyard and study areas untouched.
Gu Ningxi deliberately changed the subject and said, "But Xingjuan is not omnipotent. There are always those who are beyond help."
Although he didn't mention anyone by name, Lu Jing knew who he was talking about immediately and smiled slightly.
He then asked, "Why are you always staring at the treasure rack?"
Gu Ningxi's heart trembled, but her face remained calm. "I was wondering how to arrange the newly built pavilions in the garden." She said, "I wonder what your Highness's preferences are."
Lu Jing didn't really care: "When you have time, go to the warehouse and pick out some suitable ones."
"Yes." Gu Ningxi lowered his head.
…
The storehouse of Prince Zhao's palace was located on the north side of the palace and had been expanded by more than double its size.
Manager Zhao, who was in charge of the warehouse, had received the oral instructions beforehand and welcomed Lord Gu with a smile on his face.
He led the way, took out the copper key and opened the storeroom door, introducing each one one by one: "My Lord, these eight storerooms are filled with antiques and ornaments, and the other four are filled with calligraphy and paintings. Please take your time to look around."
The layout of the garden is left to Lord Gu, and all the items here can be used.
Ever since Prince Zhao returned victorious, His Majesty has bestowed countless rare treasures upon him, and the noble families of Kyoto have practically broken down the threshold of Prince Zhao's mansion, offering gifts. Add to that the plunder His Majesty has amassed from various battlefields, and just keeping track of it has kept them busy for a full month. The newly built warehouse is already about eighty-nine percent full, so it's time to use some of it up quickly.
Gu Ningxi had been responsible for designing several pavilions in the garden. She spent a long time in the storeroom, selecting more than a dozen suitable ornaments. Manager Zhao ordered them to be taken out one by one and re-listed.
Ding kiln white porcelain, various jade ruyi, jade ornaments, carved lacquer cloud pattern plates, these can be seen everywhere in the warehouse, like cabbage.
Gu Ningxi smiled and shook his head, then walked towards the warehouses to the east.
This area is full of calligraphy and paintings. Gu Ningxi recalled the scenery in the garden and wanted to choose a few paintings that would complement the spring scenery.
The pictures in the pavilion can be changed with the four seasons, giving a sense of the flow of the four seasons.
Gu Ningxi carefully selected two paintings, then paused before a central scroll. The landscape in the painting was majestic, the ink flowing freely, and the artistic conception profound. It was considered the finest landscape painting of generations. The famous paintings nearby seemed somewhat dwarfed by it.
Steward Zhao had just finished registering the first few paintings when he saw Master Gu pause and asked with a smile, "Master, are you planning to choose this new one?"
Gu Ningxi slowly shook his head. The painting "River Boats and Landscape" by the previous master painter, Li Sidao, was far from being enough to be used in the gardens of Prince Zhao's mansion. Even ordinary paintings by the master painter were priceless, let alone this masterpiece, his most proud masterpiece.
Gu Ningxi looked at the rolling mountains in the painting, which merged with the river view. It was exactly the painting that appeared in her dream and hung in the bedroom.
"This scroll has been lost for a long time." Gu Ningxi smiled bitterly, "I didn't expect it to be in the hands of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao."
【Author’s words】
If you don’t remember this painting, you can read the last paragraph of Chapter 3~
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