Chapter 123 The Madman's Scroll of Paper Filled with Her Name.
The following afternoon, a procession of ceremonial guards in black robes arrived at the gate of the Princess's residence.
Luo Hong dismounted swiftly and walked to the foot of the high steps of the mansion gate, facing the central gate that had been hastily opened upon hearing the news. A steward had already rushed in to report, and soon Yue Yining, dressed in a plain official robe, stepped out and knelt down in the center of the courtyard in front of the mansion gate.
The servants knelt silently on both sides, and a few strands of gold thread filtered through the clouds and fell on the stone lions that stood proudly in front of the mansion.
Luo Hong lowered his eyes, respectfully took out a bright yellow brocade scroll from the box, unrolled it, and read aloud:
"Imperial Edict: Yue Yining, the Imperial Diarist of the Secretariat, has rendered meritorious service in disaster relief and is well-versed in governance. He is hereby promoted to the position of Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently appointed as a drafter of imperial edicts. He is bestowed with a scarlet robe and a rhinoceros horn belt. It is hoped that he will diligently perform his duties in key positions and assist in the administration of the court."
After the imperial edict was read aloud, the eunuch Luo Hong closed the scroll. A guard stepped forward from behind him, carrying a vermilion lacquered tray with a brand-new scarlet official robe and a jade belt inlaid with rhinoceros horn on it. This was the bestowal of the "vermilion robe and rhinoceros horn belt".
Yue Yining knelt to receive the imperial decree, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your subject Yue Yining kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's grace. He will certainly perform his duties diligently day and night to repay Your Majesty's kindness in promoting him."
Luo Hong said softly, "Lord Yue, please rise."
After expressing his gratitude, the eunuch Luo Hong led his black-clad entourage back to the palace road. Yue Yining returned to her residence with a group of servants. A maid carrying a vermilion tray lowered her eyes and walked quietly through the screen wall, around the corridor, and straight into the depths of the mansion.
The beaded curtain rustled softly, and the warm chamber was filled with fragrance.
Wei Yihua was writing at his desk when he heard Su Yue's announcement. He then ordered someone to invite Yue Yining into the palace.
"Yining, you've arrived." Wei Yihua looked at her, her eyes full of smiles. "Please sit down."
She instructed Suyue to take down a palm-sized, dark-colored sandalwood box from the shelf. Inside the box was a dark brocade satin, upon which lay a lustrous jade fish talisman, about an inch and a half long.
Wei Yihua gestured to her, "This is what my father asked me to give to you."
“Father values talent highly and is generous in promoting it. Although you were only promoted one rank this time, the imperial edict token bestowed upon you is extraordinary,” Wei Yihua said. “Once you receive this token, all edicts issued by the Secretariat will be countersigned by you.”
"You've been promoted and given real power. Plus, the eunuch who came to deliver the decree is Luo Hong—you might not know this, but he's the most senior eunuch by my father's side, and his position and power are not to be underestimated. Once this gets out, anyone who wants to investigate will understand my father's praise and satisfaction for you."
Yue Yining nodded slightly: "I understand, Your Highness, please rest assured."
She also knew that the imperial decree for this promotion contained a test for her.
A high position inevitably comes with upheaval and instability. Since she is at the center of the vortex and occupies a crucial position, many suitors will surely flock to her.
People from all sides will try every means to win her over, sow discord among her, and exploit her to achieve their own goals.
Whether she can navigate the storm unscathed and safeguard power and the secrets it represents will be key to her continued career advancement.
Yue Yining sneered inwardly.
Right now, she's getting promoted step by step, which should be exciting, but she still doesn't seem to have much motivation.
She has no interest in holding a high position and is simply going with the flow, taking things one step at a time.
After all, the Princess's camp needs someone who can enter the court's intelligence center.
The position of Director of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently Drafter of Imperial Edicts was not of high rank, but it was a core official in the Ministry of Personnel. He was in charge of document review, conveying government orders, handling documents of the six ministries, and being informed of important matters of each ministry. Functionally, he was the deputy to the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and could assist in drafting imperial edicts. He was an official with absolute real power.
This is the best place for her now.
Seeing Yue Yining lower her eyes, Wei Yihua looked at her and felt as if lamps had been lit in her heart, illuminating everything.
She knows it, she understands it.
Yue Yining dislikes power and is not fond of fighting. It is for her sake and for the sake of the world that she has entered the game and done things that go against her nature.
Recalling the words the person in front of her said when they died, and that old scene flashed back, Wei Yihua's heart swelled with a slight pain again.
A strange, inexplicable bitterness flowed from the wound, filling her heart.
Wei Yihua reached out and took her hand, holding it in her palm, which made Yue Yining look up at her bright and gentle eyes.
She said, "Most of the officials in the Ministry of Personnel are still from the Qingliu faction. After all, you are going from being a sinecure official to a powerful one. You will not be the same as before, and you will definitely be busy with many affairs. But don't worry, Congyi will help you. You must remember not to overwork yourself and to take care of your health."
"Also, I have ordered several new official robes to be made for you urgently. They are all made of the finest Shu brocade with subtle patterns. They have already been sent over. You can try them on when you get back and see if you like them."
Yue Yining felt a warmth in her heart and nodded: "Okay."
Wei Yihua: "Do you have anything else to do tonight? I've specially invited a chef from the Imperial Kitchen to your residence to prepare a small banquet for you to celebrate this promotion."
"I've had all your favorite dishes written down, and I've specially asked the imperial kitchen to prepare the ingredients. There's steamed sea bass, crystal pork jelly, stewed pigeon with wild mushrooms..."
Yue Yining sighed helplessly: "...Okay, of course it's good."
"Then I thank Your Highness for your kindness."
Wei Yihua, subtly displeased, glared at her and said reproachfully, "Why are you being so polite with me?"
Yue Yining was naturally perceptive and could sense the changes in Wei Yihua.
Since her return from the disaster relief trip to Qinghuai, the Princess has valued her more and more, or rather, her favor has deepened day by day, almost to the point of relying on her as a confidante. That valuing is no longer just an appreciation of a capable minister, but also adds a touch of trust and reliance, and even has a hint of being able to confide in each other and be inseparable for a moment.
In other words, Yue Yining felt that the princess was no longer putting on airs in front of her, and sometimes her deliberate princess-like behavior seemed like she was being affectionate with her.
Yue Yining was unaware of what had happened while she was away from Yanjing, and felt immense pressure from this sudden surge of goodwill, but she still accepted the princess's affection and dependence.
After the good news of her promotion spread, congratulatory gifts poured into the princess's residence like a tidal wave. Yue Yining had no interest in the gifts and found it even more troublesome to return them, so she simply became a hands-off manager and handed everything over to Fu Yao to handle.
When Fu Yao was packing the congratulatory gifts, she saw several beautifully decorated boxes with intricately carved family crests on the sides.
She paused for a moment before slowly opening the box.
The midday sun slanted through the west window, casting pale golden shadows on the black brick floor through the carved latticework.
The air was filled with the slightly astringent scent of fresh ink, and the single lotus in the jade vase beside the desk exuded a cool, ethereal fragrance. A woman dressed in a light blue dress was engrossed in her work, her slightly raised, fair wrist as white as frost.
Yue Yining was handling official documents at her desk inside the hall when Fu Yao saw her from outside the door. After hesitating for a while, she finally came in carrying the wooden box. She stopped by the door and softly called out to Yue Yining, "Miss."
"A congratulatory gift was sent from the Xie residence. The guard who delivered it said it was from Xie Qingyu—"
"Return it as is."
Yue Yining didn't even glance at it, her tone cold and indifferent, like the sound of a precious jade being thrown to the ground and shattering.
Fu Yao wavered slightly. She opened her mouth, "But Miss..."
“I said I’ll return it as is.” Yue Yining’s voice was calm, and she never looked up. “Whatever he brings, he doesn’t need to show it to me. I’ve already told him I won’t accept it.”
Fu Yao lowered her head and sighed inwardly, "...Yes."
The maidservant tiptoed away, closing the door behind her, leaving only a faint fragrance lingering in the room from the wooden box.
The sky was bright, but the fog was thick.
Sitting indoors, Yue Yining lowered her eyes, her hand holding the calligraphy brush, which remained motionless.
It wasn't until a drop of ink fell and a black flower bloomed on the smooth paper that she seemed to wake from a dream.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she composed herself and picked up her pen again.
When the returned gifts arrived at the Xie residence, the setting sun was already blood-red.
The young guard, carrying a box, ran breathlessly through the long corridors of the outer courtyard. Inside, several maids surrounded an old woman, none other than Granny Zhao, who was in charge of communication between the inner and outer courtyards.
The young guard ran straight to her and shouted, "Granny Zhao! Something terrible has happened!"
"The Princess's residence...the Princess's residence has returned the congratulatory gifts that the eldest son sent to Lord Yue! You see, they're untouched!"
"What?! It's been returned?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Granny Zhao lowered her voice and asked with an undeniable sternness, "Did you see clearly? It was someone from the Princess's residence who personally delivered it? Did you say anything?"
"They didn't say anything, they just... they just said they wouldn't accept it..."
The young guard almost stammered. Seeing his appearance, Granny Zhao knew he was useless and wouldn't get anything out of him. She gave him a disdainful look and waved him away.
Xie Qingyu, the eldest son of the Xie family and the current head of the family, lives in the Spray Frost Courtyard, located in the east wing of the Prime Minister's Mansion, occupying a secluded courtyard all to himself.
The high walls of the courtyard kept out the outside world, and the courtyard was planted with famous bamboo varieties and several ancient sycamore trees with gnarled and vigorous postures. The treasure pavilion was not sparsely furnished, but every piece was an antique and a rare treasure. The entire courtyard was luxurious yet understated, extremely elegant. Most of the time, it was so quiet that only the rustling of bamboo leaves and the faint chirping of birds could be heard. The servants walked around with their breath held and eyes closed, which showed how strict the rules were.
Xie Qingyu is currently processing official documents in the side room, while Yin Yi is guarding inside, and a group of guards and maids are guarding outside.
Upon seeing Granny Zhao hurrying over from afar, the guard Xiao Chuan understood and went to greet her, "Granny Zhao, what urgent matter do you have to report?"
"The congratulatory gifts sent to the Princess's residence have been returned." A hint of worry lingered in Zhao Mama's eyes. "They didn't accept them. What are we going to do?"
Xiao Chuan's eyelids twitched, and he quickly asked, "Is there any explanation? Why was it confiscated?"
"I don't know. They didn't give a reason, and that errand boy guard was inexperienced and couldn't get any answers from him."
While Xiao Chuan and Granny Zhao were talking, Yin Yi pulled the previously closed door open from the inside.
With a soft creak, the deliberately hushed whispers in the courtyard immediately fell silent, and Xiao Chuan and Granny Zhao stopped talking at the same time.
All eyes were focused on the doorway.
The person who emerged was tall and slender, draped in a dark blue fur coat, with snow-white skin and plum-like bones, her eyebrows furrowed like spring mountains, and her fingers distinct like slender bamboo.
Xiao Chuan was startled and quickly lowered his head, saying, "Young Master."
The others all bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Young Master."
"What happened?" Xie Qingyu asked softly. "Why is Granny Zhao here?"
Xiao Chuan felt uneasy. After all, he followed Yin Yi and was one of the few people in the Frostbite Courtyard who knew a little about Xie Qingyu's recent situation.
He didn't know how to start the conversation, but Granny Zhao, unaware of the intricacies, spoke frankly: "Young Master, the congratulatory gifts sent to the Princess's residence today have all been returned, and we don't know why."
Yin Yi now knew what had happened.
He kept his head still, his eyes frequently glancing in Xie Qingyu's direction.
Xiao Chuan was terrified, but Granny Zhao was completely oblivious to the change in atmosphere and kept talking: "What do you think we should do with these returned gifts? Should we make another list and send someone to deliver them again?"
After a brief silence, Xie Qingyu's gentle and pleasant voice rang out first: "Okay, I understand."
"Inspect the returned gifts and put them into the treasury."
"Then, what about the Yue people's side...?"
"There's no need to send any more," Xie Qingyu said. "The Yue people don't like lavish gifts for celebration; the sentiment is enough."
"Alright, then this old woman will return to the outer courtyard now." Granny Zhao curtsied and withdrew.
Yin Yi felt much the same way as Xiao Chuan. But for some reason, Xie Qingyu's expression was very calm. At first glance, one would think that what had just happened had no effect on him, as if nothing had happened.
Yin Yi glanced at it a few more times and noticed something strange and unusual.
No, it's more like... deathly silence.
"Yin Yi," Xie Qingyu called softly.
Yin Yi immediately composed himself, lowered his head and leaned closer. Xie Qingyu said, "Prepare a carriage for me; I'm leaving the manor."
Yin Yi: "Yes."
As soon as Xie Qingyu and Yin Yi left the courtyard, two maids bowed and entered Xie Qingyu's room.
They were servants in the Frost-Spraying Courtyard, responsible for replacing the incense burner fragments and ash when Young Master Xie was not in the room, tidying up the documents on the table, and sorting out the other messy calligraphy and miscellaneous items.
The two maids whispered to each other as they swept. The maid who was sweeping away the incense ash spoke first: "It seems that the young master looks much better today. A few days ago, he seemed to be sick, always pale and bloodless, and he didn't look very energetic."
Another maid cleared away the food and tea from the tea table, came to the table, and casually echoed her, "Yes, the young master is in a bad mood. It must be because of matters of state."
"That shouldn't be enough to cause a drastic change in personality, right? A few days ago, he hardly smiled at all, and he looked really creepy."
"What nonsense are you spouting!" The maid by the table glared at you, her warning heavy-handed. "The eldest young master is such a kind and gentle person, already so easy to serve. When we move you to the second young lady's Qiufang Courtyard, you'll be in for a world of hurt!"
"I don't know if you're here to be a servant or a master, yet you dare to gossip about the young master. You must be asking for a beating!"
"Good sister, I was wrong, okay? I just spoke without thinking—"
After seeing Xie Qingyu off, Yin Yi returned to the courtyard and heard a sudden scream coming from inside the house.
"ah!!!"
At the sound of the scream, Yin Yi immediately pushed open the half-closed door and came in.
He frowned, looked around, and fixed his gaze on the two maids inside the room: "What's wrong? What happened?"
The maid standing closest to the table, her slender figure trembling like an autumn leaf in the wind, murmured, "Yes, this...this..."
Another maid said anxiously, "Please come quickly and take a look... what should we do with this?"
"...Should we put it away? Or... or what...?"
The maid who screamed was clutching a scroll of paper in her hand, looking helpless and on the verge of tears.
What is it?
Yin Yi walked over and passed it through the maid's trembling arms.
Upon closer inspection, even though Yin Yi was prepared, his pupils suddenly contracted and his eyes widened.
Her usually steady fingers trembled almost imperceptibly, and the scroll of paper slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground, landing lightly yet heavily on the table, as if it were about to reveal a secret to the world.
Yue Yining.
Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining Yue Yining.......
A name was repeated hundreds of times, filling an entire scroll of paper, densely packed.
The further along the line, the more unrestrained and wild the ink became, losing all its elegance and becoming utterly unbridled. All gentleness and restraint, all propriety and propriety, were wrung out into a mess in the chaotic and disorderly strokes.
It's clear the writer was deeply repressed; unspoken desires, longings, obsessions, and yearnings poured out under the guise of calligraphy practice. Every stroke was executed with utmost effort, the thick, heavy ink splashed like freshly drawn blood from the lungs. The clear black characters on white paper appeared dark red, almost seeping through the paper and poking holes in it.
Yin Yi felt a chill run down his spine, as if a hundred worms were wriggling between his hair.
A maid's voice, trembling with a mixture of sobbing and fear, came through: "Lord Yin, this...this scroll..."
At this moment, Yin Yi thought, "......." He wished he were illiterate.
But Yin Yi also knew that these things couldn't be left unattended. After all, the situation in the court was complicated, and even the Xie family couldn't guarantee that other forces hadn't infiltrated their ranks, secretly watching and waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Once this scroll filled with Yue Yining's name falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives...
"...Burn it all." Yin Yi breathed heavily, as if he wanted to expel all the condensed air from his lungs. "Burn all the scraps of paper with his name written on them in his room. Clean it up thoroughly, don't leave any trace."
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The author's note: Some people seem fine, but they're actually completely insane.
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