Chapter 027

The next day, Shuxian called Li Yang, the eunuch in charge of Chengqian Palace.

"Eunuch Li, let me ask you," Shuxian said straight to the point, "How many court officials have the surname Zhan?"

Shuxian didn't know much about the external court affairs, and thought that the eunuchs in charge were more or less related to the eunuchs in charge of pens, so she asked Li Yang.

Li Yang said with embarrassment: "Your Highness, are you referring to all the court officials? Then I'm afraid I have to go to the Ministry of Personnel first before I can report back to Your Highness."

Shuxian said impatiently, "No, I'm in Beijing."

After thinking for a while, Shuxian added: "The official position will not be too low."

"Duke Anguo's surname is Zhan," Li Yang thought, "but the old man retired two years ago. The prince of Duke Anguo is now working in Guanglu Temple. I wonder if he is the person Your Highness is looking for."

"Duke Anguo..." Shuxian quickly remembered after hearing this, "Did the emperor ever intend to marry the eldest grandson of Duke Anguo to Jiashan?"

Li Yang nodded: "Yes."

"Where does his eldest grandson work?" Shuxian's eyes lit up. "Did he enter the palace yesterday?"

Li Yang shook his head: "Master Zhan Shaoying is currently in the Tongzheng Division. I didn't hear that he was summoned to the palace yesterday."

"Then it's not him," Shuxian asked anxiously, "who else could it be?"

"The commander of the Jinwu Guards, Lord Zhan Yanqing." Li Yang said, "He is the youngest son of Duke Anguo. Lord Zhan was on duty yesterday and is currently in the palace."

Shuxian rubbed her hands excitedly and said with a smile, "It's probably him."

"He doesn't look very old, is he still here today?" Shuxian asked a series of questions.

"Master Zhan is twenty-four," Li Yang said, "The Jinwu Guards change shifts every three days, so Master Zhan should still be here."

"That's great." Shuxian nodded continuously and jumped down from the stool. "I want to go to the Qianqing Palace. Grandpa, please come with me and show me the Master Zhan."

Li Yang didn't understand why, but the little princess always acted on her own ideas, so he had no choice but to answer, "Yes."

Several people quickly went to the gate of the Qianqing Palace.

Shuxian was holding a food box in her hand, and she said she was here to visit her father. Unfortunately, she came at the wrong time, as Emperor Zhanghe was discussing government affairs, so Chen Gong accepted Shuxian's food and politely stopped her.

Shuxian also thought it was a small matter, as she didn't really need to see her father for something, so she still thanked Chen Gong verbally.

When she turned her head, she quietly asked Li Yang: "Who is Zhan Yanqing?"

Li Yang carefully glanced at the Jinwu Guards at the gate of the Qianqing Palace and replied carefully: "Master Zhan is not here. He may have gone to rest."

"Then let's wait." Shuxian said unwillingly.

They waited at the gate of the Qianqing Palace like thieves for nearly an incense stick of time, but the Jinwu Guards showed no intention of changing shifts.

Shuxian was a little impatient, stamping her feet and saying, "What's going on? Is he coming or not?"

Li Yang hurriedly soothed him, "Your Highness, please calm down. Otherwise, I will take you back to the palace first and come back to see you later."

Shuxian was also tired of standing, but when she thought of last night, she became very angry: "No. I must see what Zhan Yanqing looks like."

Shuxian patted her waist.

Just then a mosquito flew in front of her. She waved her hand, but through the gaps between her fingertips she saw a person coming through the corridor not far away.

The man was dressed in a dark and brocade robe, with smooth skin, a nose like an eagle's hook, lips like red snow, and a pair of eyes that shone brighter than Shuxian's favorite night pearls.

Shuxian's face was flushed, but she couldn't help but look up at him.

Li Yang pulled her sleeve and whispered, "Your Highness, Commander Zhan is here."

Shuxian's heart seemed to blossom. She looked at Zhan Yue steadily and said softly, "I understand."

"Let's go back to the palace." Shuxian lowered her head, her tone softer than before, and she spoke in a low voice.

The next afternoon, Zhan Yue returned to the Anguo Mansion after changing his guard in the palace. As soon as he changed out of his regular clothes, his attendant Liu Qi came over and said, "Fourth Master, the old lady wants you to come over."

Zhan Yue said "hmm", his voice soft and calm, as if he had already guessed why Old Lady Wen asked him to go.

In the backyard of Lady Wen, there was a hexagonal incense burner placed in the main hall. From the incense burner came bursts of pine wood mixed with sandalwood, which smelled very solemn.

Zhan Yue went forward and greeted Old Lady Wen. Old Lady Wen slowly opened her eyes and pointed to the seat below: "Sit down."

Zhan Yue lifted his robe and sat down.

"At the end of the year, all the major inspectors have to return to the capital to report on their duties," Old Lady Wen glanced at Zhan Yue and whispered, "Lord Feng will most likely be transferred back to the capital to serve as an official this time, and his family will also have to follow him."

She turned the Buddhist beads in her hand and said gently, "I heard that you helped Lord Feng's nephew. Madam Feng wrote a letter to thank me and said that she must treat you to a meal."

Zhan Yue's face showed no sign of surprise.

Old Lady Wen continued, "It would be convenient to take advantage of this opportunity to settle the matter between you and Feng."

Zhan Yue lowered his head, holding the tea bowl in one hand and gently stirring the floating tea leaves with the celadon teacup in the other. He said, "Grandma misunderstood."

"Please ask Grandmother to send a message to Lord Feng and tell him that..." Zhan Yue said calmly, "I will not marry Feng."

Wen Lao Taijun's expression changed slightly, and her brows were tightly wrinkled into a shape of a "川" character. She pondered for a while, then said with a serious look: "When I told you before, you were not so determined."

"What happened?" Mrs. Wen has always had a keen eye. She gently put down the Buddhist beads in her hand and stared at Zhan Yue intently.

Zhan Yue's expression was gloomy and he said calmly, "When the time is right, I will tell you in person."

His Adam's apple moved: "I'll have to trouble you, Grandmother, to take care of Feng's affairs."

After hearing that the old lady was silent, she stared at Zhan Yue for a long time. Seeing that Zhan Yue remained silent, she waved her hand with a sigh and told Zhan Yue to get out quickly.

After leaving the courtyard of Old Lady Wen, Zhan Yue kicked a small stone on the road. When he saw the small stone rolling away, he looked at Liu Qi with a cold look in his eyes, "Has there been any movement in the courtyard of the prince these days?"

"About the Lord." Zhan Yue said in a low voice.

Liu Qi said: "There is no new news coming out of the palace, so the Duke and the Crown Prince have both settled down, but..."

"But what?" Zhan Yue paused slightly, turned his head and looked serious.

Liu Qi said, "I have heard that the eldest master and his wife like the princess very much, and they want the prince to speak to His Majesty and ask for mercy."

Zhan Yue snorted and laughed. Thinking of Jiashan's disdain for Zhan Shaoying, he raised the corner of his mouth and said coldly, "You don't know your own limits."

After a few days, it was Zhan Yue's day to be on duty in the palace again.

On this day, he happened to be on duty with Wu Yingtong. Since the trip to Changchun Temple, Wu Yingtong has been more obedient to Zhan Yue. When he saw Zhan Yue, he took the initiative to salute and said, "Commander."

Zhan Yue nodded to him and asked casually, "Who is accompanying His Majesty?"

"It's Princess Dening," Wu Yingtong said with a smile, "His Majesty summoned the princess to the palace right after the court session. I'm afraid he has to keep the princess to have dinner with him now."

Zhan Yue smiled and didn't take it seriously.

Princess Dening was the elder sister of Emperor Zhanghe, and she was the most honorable among the princesses of her generation. When the two siblings talked, they sometimes forgot about the time.

Zhan Yue nodded calmly.

"There is one more thing..." Wu Yingtong's speech was not as fluent as before. He said awkwardly, "My lord, please help me pay attention to the letters between the princess and the Pei family."

"Today, there happened to be a reply letter from the Pei Mansion." Wu Yingtong looked around to see if there was anyone around before he dared to take it out and hand it to Zhan Yue, "I secretly withheld it."

"Sir, would you like to take a look?" Wu Yingtong asked softly.

Zhan Yue paused, raised his eyes, and took the letter from Wu Yingtong after a while. He took Pei Yuantang's reply and went to the lounge where the Jinwu Guards were on duty.

At this time, most people were on duty outside and the lounge was quiet.

Zhan Yue put the letter on the table.

He paced back and forth for a long time. It was not until almost half an incense stick of time had passed that Zhan Yue slowly returned to the table and chairs.

He stared at the seal of the letter, then calmly tore open the seal and took out the letter. There were only four simple words on the letter, with no beginning or end, making it difficult to understand.

The letter read: How about marrying me?

Zhan Yue pursed his lips and smiled. His face was expressionless, but the knuckles of the two fingers holding the letter suddenly clenched.

He stuffed the letter back into the envelope, his eyes as sharp as a wolf's.