Shen Qingchen bowed to the Duke of Dingguo, but he only nodded and didn't speak to her; his eyes were only on Song Yue.
"Your Excellency is here too." He looked at Song Yue and said, "My daughter has some friendship with the daughter of the Gu family. Today, the Gu family has encountered some trouble, and my daughter insisted on coming to see what's going on, so I accompanied her."
Having said that, he glanced at Qingchen, then gently patted Song Yue's arm, "Elder, may I have a word with you in private?"
Upon hearing this, Qingchen felt somewhat embarrassed, realizing that it was inappropriate for him to listen, so he quickly excused himself and went to wait by the wall to the side.
Two birds flew over her head and landed on a tree in the Gu residence. Perhaps they saw the dilapidated state of the mansion, for they did not stay long before flying away, their wings sweeping across the gray and endless sky.
Qingchen's gaze followed them, then inevitably fell upon the carriage of the Duke of Dingguo's daughter. The person inside had just lowered the curtain, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of her bright and beautiful profile.
Song Yue was talking to her father, very close to her, but she didn't even glance at him.
Qingchen couldn't help but wonder, what does it feel like to love someone for eight years, wait for someone for eight years, to be so deeply devoted and unwavering, to vow to marry no one but him? Was what she held onto in her heart a silent protest against a fate that was destined to be unfulfilled, or a deep belief that she would eventually win over her beloved? Was she waiting for him, or waiting for the day she would give up?
After lost in thought for a while, Qingchen suddenly realized that she and her lover were actually rivals. Trying to guess what was going on in her mind made her seem somewhat scheming and manipulative.
A love rival?
She quickly looked away, then glanced down at her official robe. A crimson satin robe, intricately embroidered with cloud-patterned embroidered patches—who was she to be considered a rival in love…?
A cold wind blew by, and she couldn't help but stomp her feet, then rubbed her hands together and breathed on them.
At this moment, Song Yue finished speaking, walked back with his back to the Duke of Dingguo and his daughter, and whispered to her, "The Duke of Dingguo wants me to come to his residence to talk to him about some things. I'll have the carriage take you back first."
Qingchen glanced at the carriage curtain that had just been lowered, a strange emotion flashing through her mind. She nodded, then shook her head. "I can walk back myself. How can I ride in your car if you're not here? Besides, it's not far back."
He nodded. "Alright, go back quickly, don't catch a cold." In the dim morning light, his eyes remained deep and gentle. The wind ruffled the hem of his robe.
On the way back to the capital, a cold wind blew in gusts. Qingchen had come in a hurry and hadn't brought a scarf or earmuffs. His ears were freezing and aching.
Gu Shaoheng's silhouette kept replaying in her mind, making her feel depressed. Suddenly, the profile of the Duke of Dingguo's daughter flashed into her mind, along with Xu Silin's burning lips...
Time flies by so quickly, when will the affairs of the world end? A thousand sorrows and ten thousand regrets grow old on their own, but spring comes again, and fragrant grasses grow as before.
Upon returning to the capital, Qingchen first went to the Hanlin Academy. She had only handled some official business in the office when the editor Chen An arrived.
He was carrying a bundle and knocked on the door. "Is Lord Shen inside?"
Qingchen put down his pen and replied, "Is this Chen An? Come in quickly."
Chen An lifted the curtain and came in. "I have something for you. It was just delivered by Lord Han Yuanshu from the Ministry of Works."
"Han Yuanshu?" Qingchen hadn't seen him for quite some time and asked in confusion, "What is that?"
As he opened the bundle, he said, "These are some things that Gu Shaoheng left behind. Lord Han personally went to collect them, and they're all packed in this bundle. He asked me to give them to you."
Qingchen looked at the contents: Gu Shaoheng's writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, books, notebooks, and two blank bamboo slips.
Qingchen remembered that last year on the Double Ninth Festival, Gu Shaoheng and she used bamboo slips to write down their wishes and bury them under a tree—the same kind of slips. At that time, they were both Hanlin Academy probationaries, living carefree lives, full of fantasies and ambitions about their future official careers.
They each wrote down their wishes, without prying into each other's. She wrote on the bamboo slip that she wanted to be a good official, while Gu Shaoheng's face was also full of longing and hope for the future as he wrote.
However, reality was cruel. Before he could even embark on his official career, he had already become a criminal. At that time, even the most beautiful wishes and ambitions were probably impossible for him to fulfill. He was full of enthusiasm to serve the court, but unexpectedly became a victim of the court's cruel power struggles.
This year, on the Double Ninth Festival, there are no more bamboo slips to bury.
Seeing her staring blankly at the bamboo slips, Chen An knew what she was reminiscing about, so he comforted her, "I know you are best friends, and you must be very sad that he has fallen into such a predicament. It's just a pity that we are powerless and cannot fight against the powerful. I hope that Heaven will have eyes and that good and evil will ultimately be rewarded."
From her second uncle's inexplicable suffering to the innocent Gu family members being framed and their families destroyed... Qingchen couldn't help but wonder, is there really a karmic retribution for good and evil?
...
After finishing her business at the Hanlin Academy, Qingchen went to the East Palace.
The Eastern Palace remains magnificent, but the atmosphere is somewhat somber.
Previously, Zhu Rui had suspended Zhu Yuluo's lectures and had not yet ordered their resumption. As a result, Zhu Yuluo had not gone to the Wenhua Hall these past few days and had been sitting in the Ciqing Palace instead.
Zhu Yuluo, dressed in a black robe with a yellow dragon design, stared blankly at the burning candlelight, her face showing a mixture of frustration and bewilderment.
The Gu family was his maternal relatives, and the young crown prince was deeply saddened by their current state. However, with so many people and so much gossip in the palace, he dared not vent his emotions in the slightest, for fear of giving others a handle against him. The situation was sensitive, something even a twelve-year-old child could sense, so much so that he dared not even mention the name Gu.
Upon seeing Qingchen arrive, Zhu Yulu snapped out of her reverie and greeted him, "Master Chen."
Aside from their studies, the teacher and student didn't have much to say to each other today. Both felt a deep sense of loss and sorrow at this sudden and tragic turn of events, a sentiment they understood without uttering a word.
The Gu family is related to Empress Chen, making them imperial relatives. Xu Yan dared to frame even imperial relatives, which made the young Zhu Yuluo consider him his number one enemy. Moreover, he dared to cause his Master Shen such heartache!
This enmity is irreconcilable.
The young crown prince secretly thought to himself that if he were to ascend the throne one day, he would make Xu Yan pay a terrible price.
They're the ones who pushed him to this point.
At the same time, Song Yue arrived at the Duke of Dingguo's residence in two carriages.
After getting off the carriage, the Duke of Dingguo deliberately paused to wait for his daughter, He Yunyan, thus securing an opportunity for her to speak with Song Yue.
He Yunyan greeted Song Yue politely, her demeanor composed, respectful, and dignified—truly befitting a lady of a prominent family. Facing her beloved, however, her expression remained neither humble nor arrogant, neither sad nor happy, revealing little of her deep love for Song Yue.
Eight years have passed; perhaps she has long since become adept at concealing her deep feelings and not revealing them to others.
Song Yue still called her Miss He.
Afterwards, the Duke of Dingguo took Song Yue to his study, ordered someone to add new charcoal to the brazier, served tea, and then dismissed the servants.
"I heard that the Grand Secretary rushed to the Gu residence overnight to ask Eunuch Huang for a favor on their behalf." He gestured "please" towards his teacup and said, "It's clear that the Grand Secretary has a compassionate heart."
“It’s too cold. I’m just worried that they won’t be able to withstand the cold and won’t be able to reach the border.”
"Does Your Excellency know that I have a rather close relationship with Gu Ru? Back when the late Emperor was still alive, we went to the battlefield together."
I've heard a little about it.
"I have a question for you, Grand Secretary," the Duke of Dingguo paused, then looked at Song Yue and said, "Does the Grand Secretary intend to bring down Chief Minister Xu?"
Song Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression calm, and said, "Grand Secretary Xu is a veteran of two dynasties, who has devoted himself to the country for decades, working tirelessly and making great contributions to the nation. The Ming Dynasty should rightfully have him in charge of the government. I wonder why the Duke says this?"
As a member of the public sector and, moreover, the Second Grand Secretary, he has always been cautious in his words. Revealing one's position frankly before ascertaining the other party's intentions is certainly not a good choice.
"Your Excellency, can't you see my feelings for you, or my daughter's feelings for you?" The Duke of Dingguo seemed a little anxious and patted his hand. "At such a critical juncture, you must trust me."
"What does the Duke want me to believe?"
"The current situation is not hard to see. If something happens to the Gu family and the Crown Prince, who will benefit the most? It's none other than the Xu faction. Although the Crown Prince has escaped danger by luck and retained his position as heir apparent, the Gu family will certainly not let him off easily. Sure enough, he even took action against a Marquis, showing no mercy whatsoever. It's clear that he can't wait to put Consort Zheng's fifth son on the throne. What does the Grand Secretary think?"
Song Yue looked at the Duke of Dingguo before him, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. This man had always disliked getting involved in trouble, and even more so, he did not want to be implicated in Xu Yan's affairs. Although he was not a member of Xu Yan's faction, he had kept to himself. Today, with the Gu family in distress, he suddenly uttered a series of words with a clear stance, as if he had made a decision, and this decision seemed to be related to him.
After a moment's thought, he remained noncommittal, only asking casually, "What does the Duke mean?"
"If I remember correctly, you were the second-place scholar in the imperial examination back then, weren't you? There's no such thing as a second-place scholar in political struggles. If you lose, you'll be utterly defeated, and you'll have to watch more and more members of the Gu family fall before Xu Yan." The Duke of Dingguo stroked his white beard, looked at him, and suddenly changed the subject, "I'm getting old, and I'm afraid I won't be able to stay in this world for many more years. The only thing I can't let go of is my daughter."
"May I ask another question? Would the Grand Secretary be willing to marry my daughter?"
After a moment of silence, Song Yue replied, "The Duke knows that I have no interest in Miss He, nor will I marry someone I do not love."
"Sigh, I know. But Your Excellency is still young. Take my advice as someone who's been there: feelings develop naturally over time."
“Even though we are a perfect couple, I still feel uneasy.” Song Yue paused for a moment and said, “To be honest, Duke, I already have someone I love, and I only wish to have her as my wife in this life. If it weren’t for this outcome, I’m afraid the rest of our lives would not be happy.”
"Alas—" the Duke of Dingguo sighed deeply, "I never imagined that such a capable and shrewd minister as Grand Secretary would be burdened by matters of the heart. That woman is fortunate, but I fear it will affect the stability of the nation… Well then, I will tell you the truth, Grand Secretary, I have…"
"Father!" a woman's voice came from outside the house.
Just as Dingguo was about to say something, He Yunyan came in carrying a bowl of medicine. "Father, it's time for your medicine. It's getting late, and the cabinet is busy. Let the Grand Secretary go back."
When Song Yue left the He residence, He Yunyan stood in the cold wind for a long time, watching his retreating figure.
He remained deep in thought throughout the carriage journey, his expression serious.
Back in the capital, officials greeted him, but he didn't respond with the usual patience, heading straight for the cabinet office. Xu Yan had been on duty last night, and today it was his turn.
Shortly afterward, the soldiers on duty outside the cabinet office heard the sound of a teacup breaking.
Two days later, on a day when officials were on leave, Song Yue took Qingchen to a small village on the outskirts of the capital.
He has a house here, nestled among green hills, quite secluded and quiet.
The world has been complicated lately, and the capital city is too oppressive, so he took Qingchen out to relax and planned to stay overnight before returning.
The carriage set off from the capital early in the morning.
During the journey, Qingchen felt as if she had returned to the day she attended the Xinxue (Heart School) gathering. It was early autumn then, time moved slowly, and life was carefree; they were all languid on the carriage. Ginkgo trees lined the road, their fallen leaves fluttering in the wind. And the driver would sing a folk song from his hometown.
At that time, she and Song Yue were not familiar with each other. Even brushing shoulders or touching hands would make her blush and her heart race.
At this moment, nestled in his arms, there was less of the testing and tension between them, and more of tacit understanding and ease.
It was early February. Although the snow from the winter had melted and the trees had sprouted new buds, the mountains and forests still looked somewhat desolate. Even so, Qingchen was in a much better mood than when she was in the capital.
Before noon, the carriage arrived at its destination and stopped in front of the house. Song Yue and Qing Chen took out some changes of clothes and personal items they had brought with them, and the driver then drove the carriage away.
The houses in front of us look very ordinary, hidden among the pines and bamboos, and are not very eye-catching.
Once inside, Qingchen realized that although the house was small, it had everything she needed. The room was filled with wooden and bamboo furniture: round tables, chairs, cabinets, beds... The style was simple, but everything was there. Next to the main room, there was also a kitchen and a washroom.
The room was very tidy, with a stove and charcoal already prepared in the corner, and the teapot and several cups on the table were also clean.
After looking around briefly, Qingchen walked to the window and opened it. Outside was a small patch of grass, the grass just beginning to turn green, and a few jujube trees, also just sprouting new buds. There was a bird's nest in one of the branches, but he didn't know if there were any birds inside.
Such an environment naturally lifts one's spirits, and one might even wish to simply cherish this peaceful haven.
"Is this your house?" she asked.
"Yes, I bought it a few years ago. I occasionally stay here for a couple of days," Song Yue said from behind her. "Someone comes to clean it regularly. I also had some things bought yesterday. We'll stay here tonight. Do you like it?"
Qingchen nodded. "I like it very much."
"You've been in the carriage for so long, why don't you rest for a bit? I'll go start a fire and cook something to eat."
Qingchen turned around and looked at him, then shook her head. "I'll do it."
How could we let a man, especially a high-ranking official, do that? Besides, we don't even know if he can do it, or if what he makes will be edible.
Just as Qingchen was about to head to the kitchen, Song Yue suddenly pulled her into his arms.
She looked up at him, "I'm afraid what you made won't be edible..."
Before she could finish speaking, he sealed her lips with a kiss.
He quickly pried open her mouth, his tongue probing inside, sucking forcefully, stubbornly entwining, powerful and fiery... as if he wanted to meld her into his own body and completely possess her.
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