Upon seeing Song Yue, Qingchen first nodded and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Grand Secretary Song."
There was no one in the government office. Song Yue took off his cloak, hung it up, and walked back to the desk. He looked at her and asked, "Does Lord Shen need something from me?"
Hearing how he addressed her, Qingchen blinked slightly and replied, "Mm."
His face remained exceptionally handsome, and his complexion looked the same as usual, indicating that he had recovered from his illness. However, he exuded a somewhat aloof air.
Regardless, Qingchen's worries of the past few days eased somewhat.
She placed the scrolls she had brought before him. “The Lingnan government has reported that the southern barbarians who have submitted to the government cannot pay their taxes this year. The county magistrates do not know what to do with them, so they reported the situation and requested that we and the Ministry of Revenue make a decision. I have already discussed this situation with the officials in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue said that the governance of the barbarians is under the jurisdiction of our Ministry of Rites, and everything is up to our decision. I have drafted a few plans, but I do not know if they are feasible. I would like to submit them to the Minister for a decision.”
The Ming Dynasty was a vast and resource-rich land, which led some ethnic minorities in the northern and southern borders to submit to its rule. To appease them, the court consistently provided them with preferential treatment and resettlement. In addition to allowing them freedom of movement, they also enjoyed a special tax system, paying much less tax than the Han Chinese people of the Ming Dynasty.
However, due to severe flooding in the south this year, even with light taxes, the barbarians still couldn't afford to pay. Local magistrates, following instructions from their superiors, were supposed to treat them well, but unable to collect taxes and thus unable to fulfill their duties, they had no choice but to report the situation. This matter was being handled by Qingchen, the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Relations and Officials.
Song Yue took the document drafted by Qingchen, quickly glanced at it, and said, "Let's proceed according to your proposed method, Lord Shen."
Qingchen spent two whole days and nights drafting this document, revising it numerous times, simply because she feared that if she didn't handle her first task at the Ministry of Rites well, she wouldn't be able to explain it to Song Yue. Unexpectedly, Song Yue didn't even glance at it. She had originally thought that he would discuss this somewhat tricky issue with her.
Her heart clenched slightly, and she lowered her head, saying, "...Yes, sir."
Song Yue withdrew his gaze, opened the official documents on the table, and deftly ground ink while adjusting his sleeves. Just as he was about to dip his brush in the ink, he looked up at her, "Is there anything else?"
After hesitating for a moment, Qingchen asked, "I heard a few days ago that you were ill, sir. Are you... feeling better?"
Her voice was soft. They were in a work setting, and she was supposed to only talk about business, but she couldn't help asking.
"I'm perfectly fine, thank you for your concern, Lord Shen," he replied expressionlessly, his tone indifferent, as if he were addressing an ordinary colleague.
Qingchen pursed her lips slightly, "...It's good that you are alright, sir."
Song Yue glanced at her, then lowered his head and continued with his official duties. The light streaming in from the window fell on his face, revealing his refined and dignified appearance, still exuding youthful vigor.
"Any more questions?" he asked.
Of course.
Qingchen really wanted to ask him why he wouldn't let her see him when she went to visit him in the hospital.
The atmosphere made her hesitant to speak, so she started with an official matter, "Sir, regarding the resettlement of the northern barbarians, a group of barbarians recently came to our Great Ming Dynasty. However, the places previously used for resettling barbarians are full, and we need to find a new place. I feel that the areas around Shizhen and Huangping counties lack water resources and are probably not suitable for resettlement. Would it be better to move them to Qingnan County instead..."
Before she could finish speaking, Song Yue looked up at her. “Wasn’t this matter already discussed at the Ministry of Rites meeting last month? Those who have surrendered have already been settled in Shizhen and Huangping counties. The weather is cold now. If they are moved to other places, Qingnan’s food reserves are not sufficient, the rivers are not thawed, and food cannot be transported. So many people will go hungry… This matter is your responsibility. Why didn’t you mention it then, and only now have you realized it?”
There was a hint of accountability in his gaze.
It's true that Qingchen was in charge of this matter, but others were responsible for compiling the data for Shizhen and Huangping counties. At the time of the meeting, Qingchen was unaware of the water shortage in those counties and assumed the resettlement sites were suitable. She only discovered this problem after checking everything these past few days and promptly brought it up with Song Yue. However, he fell ill a few days ago, and she couldn't find him.
Regardless of the circumstances, if something went wrong with the task she was in charge of, then it was her responsibility.
"...I'm sorry, sir, it was my oversight." Since it was her responsibility, she wouldn't make excuses or shirk it.
Song Yue remained official and said sternly, "You come from the Hanlin Academy, so you shouldn't act so hastily. Since you're new to the Ministry of Rites, you're not familiar with many things yet, so you must be more rigorous in your decisions. You can't let the people suffer because of your mistakes again."
Qingchen lowered his head. "Your Excellency is right. I know I was wrong and will be more careful in the future. I'm sorry."
She knew he was always very strict with his work. Since this was her responsibility, his reprimand was perfectly justified.
But why does my heart still ache?
At this moment, someone outside requested an audience with Song Yue. Song Yue looked at the remorseful Qing Chen and said, "Does Lord Shen have anything else to discuss? If not, please leave. I have some important matters to discuss with Lord Fang."
"...Reporting to Your Excellency, no more. This humble official takes his leave."
In the instant his back was turned to Song Yue, Qingchen heard the sound of his heart collapsing.
Behind her, the peerless and elegant Lord Song narrowed his eyes slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing. His gaze held an unreadable emotion, indifferent and thoughtful, yet neither joy nor sorrow could be discerned.
Upon reaching the door, Qingchen encountered Lord Fang, who had come looking for Song Yue.
Lord Fang, who was of the same rank as her, greeted her upon seeing her, "Oh, it's Lord Shen. Lord Song was away from the court for a few days and has just returned. Don't you want to say a few more words to your teacher?"
Qingchen shook his head. "There are two things I need Lord Song to decide. That's all."
She never asked him why he wouldn't let her see him when he was sick. Perhaps it was better not to ask.
"Oh," said Lord Fang, "I'm not prepared for what Lord Song wanted to tell me. I originally thought there was no rush..."
Qingchen smiled slightly at him and walked past him, brushing past his shoulder.
The smile turned bitter after they passed each other.
She roughly understood that, for him, everything else was urgent except for her affairs.
A gentle spring breeze wafted through the courtyard of the Ministry of Rites.
But this kind of spring seems to have nothing to do with her.
Xu Silin has been promoted.
After securing a meeting with four high-ranking officials and gaining his father's support, the path to his promotion was quickly paved. Xu Dang was already quite adept at such matters.
They first had his draft memorial presented to Zhu Rui at an opportune moment, then obtained from Han Yuanshu a record book and comments praising Xu Silin's excellent performance in observing government affairs. Finally, when it was discovered that a position in the Censorate was vacant and needed to be filled, they all recommended Xu Silin to Emperor Zhu Rui.
Zhu Rui knew very well that Xu Silin was Xu Yan's son. He had heard of this young man and knew that Xu Silin had entered the Hanlin Academy through his own abilities, so he had always had a good impression of him. Moreover, Xu Silin was Shen Qingchen's classmate, and the two of them were both observing politics in the Ministry of Works. After Qingchen was promoted, Xu Silin continued to help her clear obstacles in the matter of silt management, which pleased Zhu Rui quite a bit.
Most importantly, he had been able to resolve many issues with the help of the Grand Secretary, and he would inevitably have to rely on him in the future. Therefore, he naturally had to give him an explanation regarding the arrangements for his son.
Now that four high-ranking officials were recommending him, he knew they were in cahoots, but this also gave him a reason not to disagree. So, Zhu Rui finally agreed and appointed Xu Silin as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a rank even slightly higher than Zhao Qiran's.
However, Xu Silin did not receive the special treatment that Shen Qingchen did. He was not able to go before the emperor to receive his appointment. Instead, the Ministry of Personnel conveyed the imperial decree, and the newly appointed Lord Xu reported to the Censorate.
On the day he took office, he wore the same crimson official robes of a fourth-rank official as Qingchen. This caused quite a stir in the court.
Many officials from Xu's faction came to congratulate him, and he greeted them with great patience and courtesy, even though he felt somewhat tired.
After the congratulatory people left, he sat in his office without saying a word, his brows slightly furrowed.
This kind of promotion felt somewhat unfamiliar to him. He could imagine the scene of everyone coming to celebrate today, but he didn't expect that his feelings would be somewhat different from what he had imagined.
Xu Silin glanced down at his robe, its smooth sheen making him appear exceptionally spirited. But upon reflection, this promotion seemed to have merely changed his official robes; beneath them, he was still the same Xu Silin, without any real transformation.
Would Qingchen care more about him? Xu Silin wasn't sure.
But no matter what, he has already taken this step, and he will inevitably have to continue down this path.
The steward brought him some hot tea. "Lord Xu, please have some hot tea."
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and gazed out the window in silence.
After a while, he summoned his subordinates and said, "I remember there is a case where the person involved has not yet been convicted. Convey my order to release him."
After distributing her money, Qingchen went somewhere where she bought a small house for fifty taels of silver, having already paid a deposit. Today was the day to officially pay the silver and receive the deed.
After being promoted to a fourth-rank official and receiving more salary and bonuses, Qingchen began looking for a new residence.
On the one hand, she wanted her father to live in a better place; on the other hand, if a fourth-rank official like herself continued to live in that simple little house, it would inevitably give the impression that she was feigning poverty and seeking fame. To avoid unnecessary trouble, she decided to move to a different house.
The small house she wanted to buy was nothing special; it was just an ordinary little courtyard with a few small rooms.
Its only special feature is its proximity to Song Yue's residence.
The capital city was so vast that the location of her house didn't really matter to her. Because Song Yue was on her mind, she quickly decided to choose a house near the Song residence. After selecting a suitable house, she didn't tell him that she had originally planned to invite him, her neighbor, over for a meal after moving. She guessed he would be very surprised.
But now, Mingxiang has gotten into trouble because of her, and Qingchen feels very guilty. So she doesn't plan to live in this house herself and wants to give it to Mingxiang. Mingxiang will soon be going to the Xu family as a concubine, leaving only her elderly parents at home. If they can move to the new house, Qingchen can at least give them some peace of mind.
The wish to be neighbors with Song Yue had to be put to rest.
Qingchen thought, perhaps this is fate. Heaven never intended for them to be neighbors, or even for two people of such different social standing to come together.
After speaking with Song Yue today, she became even more aware of this.
He refused to see her without explaining why, and simply distanced himself from her, leaving her helpless.
...
Soon, Qingchen arrived at the agreed-upon transaction location, in a small alley where the new house was located.
When she was looking at the house, she didn't reveal her official status, thinking that the seller was just an ordinary family and she didn't intend to use her status to pressure them, so she didn't haggle much. Today, when she came to pay the money and pick up the deed, she was only wearing ordinary clothes, and the fifty taels of silver for the house were in a small bundle, which she carried on her side.
It was dusk, and there was hardly anyone around. Qingchen waited for a while, but the person selling the house hadn't appeared by the appointed time. Just as she was wondering about this, four men suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Their faces were covered with black cloth, revealing only their eyes. Two of them held knives, while the other two carried wooden sticks. They approached her, their eyes gleaming with malice, clearly harboring ill intentions.
"Hand over the silver, or don't blame us for being impolite!" said one of the men with a knife.
As he spoke, the gleaming blade was already right in front of her eyes.
At the same time, the two men with sticks quickly stepped forward, pressed down on her shoulders and arms, and the remaining man swiftly snatched the bundle slung over her side.
Qingchen was caught off guard and her heart skipped a beat. Knowing that she was no match for them as a woman, and not wanting to suffer any more losses by struggling, she calmed down and said, "Here's the money. My friends will be here soon. You'd better run."
Four masked men snatched her bundle, opened it, and sure enough, there was silver inside. Just as they were about to leave, pleased with the successful robbery, one of them suddenly said, "Look at this kid, he's really handsome. Someone like him could easily fetch three or five hundred taels. Brothers, let's go for it!"
Qingchen sensed something was wrong, frowned, and turned to run away, but was caught and brought back in an instant.
"Let me go!" she struggled and shouted, but someone covered her mouth tightly, and she could no longer say a word.
At that moment, a long shadow appeared on the ground at the alley entrance.
The setting sun cast its rays, outlining the man's tall and robust figure, his face cold and indifferent.
"Let her go."
It is Lu Shenyun.
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