Chapter 49 Silence: Please explain.
Yue Yining eventually accepted the small wooden house located on the outskirts of Beijing.
As Xie Qingyu had expected, she liked the house very much. However, Yue Yining still had many court affairs to attend to, and it would be more convenient for her to stay in the Princess's residence. She planned to find an excuse to move out once the situation was more stable.
After drinking together under the sun and moon that day, Yue Yining met Xie Qingyu again three days later at the Hundred Flowers Welcoming Spring Banquet.
This is the fourth day of the Hundred Flowers Welcoming Spring Banquet, and also the day with the largest number of attendees.
For the past three days, Yue Yining had remained indoors and had not accompanied the Princess to the banquet. Until this day, in the first divination she performed early in the morning, she saw the hexagram that suited her.
A cloud of dust billowed up behind the golden-curtained carriage. The eldest princess sat on a soft cushion. The weather was fine today, and the warm sunlight shone through the crimson gauze curtains, casting a rosy glow on her Suzhou-embroidered fairy robe.
"What have you calculated today that makes you suddenly willing to come to the banquet with me?" Wei Yihua said.
Yue Yining laughed and said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? I did have some business to attend to the other day, but I didn't mean to shirk my duties."
“Even if the divination results remain unchanged, I will still accompany Your Highness to the banquet today. After all, I cannot push all the burdens onto Your Highness; that would be too disloyal.”
Wei Yihua knew all too well how deceptive her sweet-talking mouth could be, but she couldn't help feeling a little happier because of her words.
Even so, the princess pretended to be indifferent, saying, "Are you trying to fool me again? I won't believe you anymore."
Yue Yining smiled and agreed. The carriage arrived at its destination, and the two strolled along the flower-lined path, chatting as they walked towards the lake. This time, Yue Yining and Wei Yihua went straight to the East Garden, skipping the West Garden.
Within the East Garden, ancient trees reach for the sky, their branches and leaves lush and verdant. Phoebe zhennan pillars and vermilion carved railings are scattered throughout, stone paths connect the pavilions, and willows sway gently by the pond, their countless green strands sweeping across the mirror-like lake.
Officials, some in official robes and others in fine attire, gathered here, raising their cups in toasts and chatting merrily. Amidst the swirling leaves, a refined gentleman in a black brocade robe stood out, his elegant bearing and graceful demeanor radiating warmth with every laugh. Like a drop of gold ink falling on white paper, he was so captivating that one could only look at him, leaving no room for anyone else.
Xie Qingyu accompanied Xie Zhi to visit one official after another who had close ties with the Xie family. They drank several cups of wine together, but his expression remained unchanged.
Xie Qingyu finished the last drop of wine in his cup, and as he lowered his eyes, he saw Xie Zhi's gaze deepen. Then, Xie Zhi's face regained its composed smile, and he led him towards a corner of the pavilion.
"General Gu, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Xie Qingyu followed Xie Zhi forward to pay their respects, and when she looked up, she could see the white-haired old man sitting by the stone table.
This is Gu Baifeng, the current head of the Gu family, one of the four great families of Yanjing and the Grand General of Dongxi.
Xie Qingyu had attended court every day for the past three months without ever seeing the renowned old general. The emperor had already granted Gu Baifeng special permission to be exempted from morning court and allowed him to retire to his residence to enjoy his old age. Gu Baifeng now only retained a nominal title.
Yet no one in the court dared to underestimate this old general in the slightest.
The Gu family was a family of military generals. Unlike families of civil officials, while military families also enjoyed the power and privileges brought by their prestigious lineage, promotion depended more on individual ability. Forming cliques and cultivating relationships did not bring higher official positions; their ranks were earned through hard-fought battles on the battlefield.
In his youth, Gu Baifeng was a legendary figure. At the age of fifteen, he joined the army and repelled the invading Xiongnu. He made meritorious contributions by protecting the then-prince when he was still a prince and helping him escape from the palace coup. After the emperor ascended the throne, the court was in turmoil, and local governors seized the opportunity to launch rebellions, which Gu Baifeng suppressed one by one with his troops. After achieving fame and success, he volunteered to lead troops to guard the border, where he spent more than twenty years.
Therefore, although Gu Baifeng is now too old to lift a sword, he still holds a transcendent position and influence in the army and is known as the living "Tiger Tally" of Dongxi.
Gu Baifeng had three sons and two daughters. All three sons died in battle, sacrificing their lives for their country. His two daughters married the emperor; one became empress but died young, not living past thirty; the other became a concubine, enjoying unparalleled favor in the harem, a position that has remained unchallenged to this day.
Gu Baifeng was already in his sixties. Although he was old and had difficulty walking, he was still very energetic. Thick wrinkles were gathered around his eyebrows and eyes, but his gaze was sharp, like a drawn sword, still capable of ringing out.
He nodded slightly in acceptance of Xie Zhi's greeting, his voice deep and resonant: "Prime Minister Xie, how have you been?"
Xie Qingyu stood respectfully to the side, head bowed, a smile on her face, listening quietly to Xie Zhi and Gu Baifeng's pleasantries.
Until Xie Zhi pushed him forward: "This is my son, Xie Qingyu."
Xie Qingyu then bowed and said, "Qingyu greets General Gu."
Gu Baifeng looked at Xie Qingyu: "No need for introductions. Although I live a secluded life, I have heard of this outstanding figure among the younger generation. Moreover, Young Master Xie has recently achieved remarkable political achievements and his reputation has spread far and wide."
"Prime Minister Xie, you have truly raised a fine son."
Xie Zhi: "Not at all. My son is dull-witted, but he is diligent. I hope General Gu can give him more guidance in the future."
General Gu looked at Xie Qingyu without saying anything, only nodding slightly. The two seemed to understand each other's unspoken meaning, and Xie Qingyu noticed that Xie Zhi's smile deepened.
General Gu: "Some time ago, I heard that Prime Minister Xie submitted a memorial requesting to resign and return to his hometown, but it was rejected by His Majesty."
Xie Qingyu showed no surprise, remaining calm and smiling as if everything was within his expectations.
Xie Zhi sighed, his breath brushing against his beard: "My health has been deteriorating lately. I'm getting old and sick, and I don't know how much longer I can serve the country. Besides, I don't want to be the most meritorious, be attacked, and end up like Wang Zhichang."
Gu Baifeng: "Although the Wang family's plot to rebel has been proven to be a complete fabrication, their corruption and embezzlement are undeniable. Wang Zhichang's current predicament is the consequence of the Wang family's years of exploiting the people; he was simply the first to bear the brunt. His Majesty can discern who is an upright official and who is a treacherous one; Prime Minister Xie need not worry too much."
The verdict in the Wang family downfall case is in: three high-ranking officials, led by Wang Zhichang and from the direct line of the Wang clan, have been convicted and executed at noon today. The Wang family mansion has been ransacked, and other collateral relatives and involved personnel have either been demoted and stripped of their official status or exiled to the remote and desolate south and north.
Here, the golden willows are gentle, the pavilions and stages are filled with singing and dancing, and the courtiers are laughing and chatting happily; outside, the cries are mournful, blood is splattered three feet deep, and the vermilion gates of the royal palace have collapsed.
Xie Zhi: "Although His Majesty did not grant my request to retire, he did grant my request to return to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors. I can finally put aside worldly affairs for a month and rest and recuperate."
Gu Baifeng nodded, looking at him with his cloudy eyes: "Then, I wish Prime Minister Xie a safe and uneventful journey."
After her conversation with Gu Baifeng ended, Xie Qingyu knew that Xie Zhi should also leave. Xie Zhi had already introduced the last batch of officials to her, and his departure date was the day after tomorrow. He didn't have much time to waste at the Hundred Flowers Welcoming Spring Banquet.
Xie Zhi patted Xie Qingyu on the shoulder, his eyes deep and unfathomable as he looked over: "These days, while I've been away from the court, the Xie family's affairs will have to rely heavily on you and Lian Quan. Lian Quan has lost his official position, and it's not easy to recommend him back to the court in the short term, but the relationship we had before can still be used. He can still do many things for you. If it's something that can't be done openly, then let him handle it."
"You don't need to worry too much. I will be summoned back to the capital in a month at most. Whenever you contact other people, be sure to make two copies, one for your records and one to send to me, understand?"
Xie Qingyu nodded and smiled slightly, "Yes, Father."
Xie Qingyu personally escorted Xie Zhi away from the royal garden. As they passed by the lake, they vaguely heard the sounds of arguing and quarreling. Because it was so noisy, he glanced over casually.
In that very glance, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure flitting through the flowerbeds just beyond the fence.
It is Yue Yining.
Today, Yue Yining was dressed in an ordinary blue robe, simple and unadorned, yet not at all impolite. Among the crowd of women in pink and peach-colored dresses, her clear and bright appearance stood out excessively, like a graceful bamboo standing against the wind.
When he looked over, she was standing beside Princess Wei Yihua, her eyes smiling.
Xie Qingyu stopped abruptly.
Xie Zhi naturally noticed his son's stamping foot. He looked in the direction of the sound and immediately recognized the leading official in the pavilion. He assumed that Xie Qingyu had been distracted by the noise at the lakeside pavilion: "It's just some clumsy fighting."
"Minister Li's indulgence of his children is perhaps due to his accustomed success in the past two years, which has prevented him from realizing the potential dangers. Such an arrogant and self-important person will not have a long career. There is no need to pay attention to him."
Xie Qingyu slowly withdrew her gaze and replied, "Yes."
As Yue Yining and Wei Yihua approached the lakeside, they heard a commotion coming from the pavilion. The sight of a group of people surrounding someone and denouncing them stood out starkly against the backdrop of the gentle and charming spring banquet, like a drop of ink on a newly painted scroll of colorful paintings.
Yue Yining immediately recognized Zhou Congyi standing in the center of the crowd. She was wearing a gray cotton robe, and her long hair was tied up with only a wooden hairpin.
Zhou Congyi seemed much more disheveled than when they last met. In just a short while, she had been shoved twice, but she just pursed her lips and remained silent.
From Yue Yining's perspective, the crowd was a bustling mass of dark figures, and she stood among them, her back still straight, like a towering cliff.
Yue Yining stopped in her tracks when she saw Zhou Congyi. She turned to Wei Yihua and said, "Your Highness, why don't you go and find a shady spot by the lake to rest? I have some urgent business to attend to."
Wei Yihua didn't ask. Rather, the intelligent Princess understood everything the moment she saw Zhou Congyi in the pavilion.
Wei Yihua looked at her and smiled gently: "Okay. Then when I get to my resting place, I'll have Suyue come find you."
After the princess's entourage departed, Yue Yining went alone to the pavilion, which was surrounded by a dense crowd. As she drew closer, she could finally make out the strange, husky voice of the leading male scholar:
"Lord Zhou, are you going to remain silent? Could you explain why your exam paper and mine have so many similarities?"
Yue Yining showed no surprise. It was as if she had expected this scene to unfold before her eyes.
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