“Right outside the Tongyue Inn, there were two people, one in front of the other. It rained last night, and both of them were well covered up and had umbrellas. I didn’t think the person in front was the Imperial Concubine, after all, it was night and outside the palace. But when I looked at the person behind her, I saw a drop of ink on his shoe. Coincidentally, today the Imperial Concubine’s eunuch was grinding ink for the Fifth Prince, and a drop of ink happened to fall on his shoe. It was right in the same spot, and I saw it clearly.”
As Huang Yu finished speaking, she suddenly looked up and saw Qing Chen arrive, and immediately stopped talking.
Lu Shenyun sat opposite him, turned her head following his gaze, and was also taken aback. He stood up, walked to the door and looked at her, "You're here, come in and sit down."
Qingchen nodded, then hesitated and said, "I'm sorry... I heard what you were saying."
Lu Shenyun shook his head and closed the door behind him. "It's alright, you can listen. Have a seat."
How could she not care about Song Yue's affairs? Seeing her surprised and depressed expression, he knew that if he didn't let her hear the whole story, she would probably be very upset.
Huang Yu gave him an inquiring look, which Lu Shenyun received, and said, "Continue."
Huang Yu nodded and continued, "It rained quite heavily last night, and they held their umbrellas low, so we couldn't see their faces at all. But I can confirm that the person behind is the eunuch by the Imperial Concubine's side. And judging from the way the person in front walks, it must be the Imperial Concubine herself."
Fearing that Lu Shenyun might not believe him, he added, "As you know, after being a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years, I have an exceptionally keen sense for this. I can tell right from wrong with just one look."
Lu Shenyun frowned slightly. "You mean you saw two people in front of the inn: the Imperial Concubine and her eunuch. What about Grand Secretary Song? Did you see him?"
A somber atmosphere permeated the Northern Garrison Command Hall. Huang Yu's words were somewhat incoherent, like medicine simmering on a fire, simmering in one's heart.
“I saw them.” Huang Yu took a sip of water to moisten her throat. “Don’t rush me, I haven’t finished yet. At first, I really only saw two people, the Imperial Concubine and a young eunuch. These two left the palace in the middle of the night and went to an inn. I was curious, so I found a place outside to take shelter from the rain and hid there for a while. About half an hour later, someone came out of the inn. Do you know who it was?”
Lu Shenyun remained silent, glancing out of the corner of his eye towards Qingchen before looking away.
Qingchen's heart had already turned cold, while the other half was still barely clinging to life.
“It’s Song Yue! I’m sure I’m seeing him clearly this time. I can’t mistake someone I see in court every day,” Huang Yu said. “He got into his carriage as soon as he left the inn. A little while later, Consort Zheng also came out.”
"That's it?" Lu Shenyun asked.
"Ah! That's it. Isn't that enough?"
“They just arrived at the same inn, so it can’t be said that the two of them have met before,” Lu Shenyun said. “You’re making a big fuss about this.”
Lu Shenyun was actually saying these words to Qingchen.
Having served as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years and monitored so many princes and nobles, he couldn't even convince himself that last night's events were a coincidence.
Qingchen could tell that there was a comforting meaning in those words, but she couldn't help but think with a glimmer of hope that it might really be a coincidence.
"No, no, no." Huang Yu waved her hand. "I'm sure these two have met. When Song Yue came out, the umbrella he was holding belonged to the Imperial Concubine."
boom……
Qingchen felt as if something inside her had collapsed.
Last night, the rain fell in a light drizzle, banana leaves danced wildly in the wind and rain, and the wind blowing in through the cracks in the doors and windows was damp, giving people a sticky and uncomfortable feeling.
She lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time, tossing and turning, her mind entangled with all sorts of thoughts.
All of them are about the Song and Yue dynasties.
During the day, she could numb herself with busy official duties, but at night, the memories would surge forth uncontrollably. She picked up her sword and shield, but there were no enemies before her.
He had an inexplicable sleepless night, which turned out to be because he had a secret rendezvous with the imperial concubine at the inn.
Huang Yu seemed to remember something and added, "If you ask me, the reason why Grand Secretary Song is over thirty and still unmarried could be because of Consort Zheng..."
Before the last word could be uttered, Lu Shenyun interrupted, "What nonsense are you spouting! Even if we've met, it doesn't have to be as sordid as you think. Wasn't there a little eunuch too..."
Huang Yu looked embarrassed and whispered, "Of course, someone has to keep watch outside..."
Lu Shenyun quickly stopped him, saying, "Stop talking!"
Although he was stopped from speaking, Qingchen's mind was already out of control.
There was a rumor from the previous dynasty about Consort Li and Grand Secretary Zhang. It was said that the two secretly harbored feelings for each other and each had someone else in their heart... Within the Forbidden City, surrounded by layers of palace walls, they knowingly did what was forbidden, both violating the rules...
A thought flashed through Qingchen's mind: Could it be that his estrangement from her and his sending her to Yunnan were all because of Consort Zheng?
Consort Zheng was exceptionally beautiful, possessing a captivating charm that made her seem worlds apart from him, who was neither male nor female. Even if Song Yue was celibate, he was still an ordinary man with emotions and desires. It wasn't surprising that he fell for Consort Zheng.
But she is Consort Zheng, the Emperor's woman, the most powerful woman in the Ming Dynasty's harem... What will the Emperor do if he finds out?
Qingchen dared not think about it. She felt as if her throat was choked up, and her heart was filled with a sour feeling, an indescribable discomfort.
Seeing this, Lu Shenyun poured her some hot tea and said, "Have some water."
He was never good at comforting people, especially when there were other people around. He knew she was upset but was helpless, so he felt upset too.
"Thank you," Qingchen said somewhat numbly, then picked up the tea and took a sip.
Fortunately, they were Imperial Guards; fortunately, it was Lu Shenyun and Huang Yu; fortunately, these two weren't part of Xu's faction, nor were they those with malicious intent. If those people had seen them, she couldn't imagine the consequences…
"My lords," Qingchen began with some difficulty, "my teacher isn't that kind of person. Could this matter be..."
"Don't worry," Lu Shenyun said. "There's no evidence for this. Perhaps Lord Huang was seeing things last night and made a mistake. No one else will know."
Huang Yu glanced at Lu Shenyun, then at Qingchen. He knew that everything Lu Shenyun did was for Shen Qingchen, and as a brother, he would naturally help him.
"Yes, yes, Lord Shen. Perhaps I'm seeing things. Don't worry."
"Thank you." Qingchen nodded, placed the silver he had brought on the table, and said to Lu Shenyun, "I... have come to return the money for your house. Please accept it, and I'll be leaving now."
Lu Shenyun silently watched the bag of silver, and then watched her figure gradually disappear from sight. He neither spoke nor chased after her.
He understood that she needed some time and space of her own.
And he himself needs it too.
That night, Qingchen lay in bed, making many assumptions in his mind.
As the most brilliant and talented scholar of the Ming Dynasty, how could he not know that being with Consort Zheng would be tantamount to ruining his future? He loved the people so much and cared so much for the nation; how could he possibly let personal feelings sway him…
But what Huang Yu saw was indeed so: a man and a woman, secretly meeting in an inn late at night. Could it be that all his intelligence had vanished in front of Consort Zheng, and he had lost control of himself, knowing there was no way out yet still rushing headlong into the fire like a moth to a flame, fighting to the death...? If that were truly the case, then how incredibly deep must his feelings for Consort Zheng be?
Or rather, this is simply uncontrollable... it's extreme love, utterly maddening love...
Thinking of this, Qingchen felt a sharp pain in his heart.
She first learned about him from books during her university years, frantically searching for historical materials about him for years, and then, after time-traveling, becoming his student, getting to know him, falling in love with him, and so on. So lucky, many times she felt like she was living in a dream…
However, today, the dream is finally coming to an end.
That talented scholar who passed the imperial examinations in the Golden Palace, the youngest and most promising Grand Secretary in the Cabinet, and the charismatic teacher on the Hanlin Academy's lecture platform, all had their eyes on Consort Zheng.
In the darkness, a tear rolled down Qingchen's cheek. She couldn't help but softly call out, "Teacher..."
Daylight broke.
After a night of wild thoughts, Qingchen got up, washed, and changed into his official robes.
Ultimately, she still has to return to the daytime and her normal life.
In the afternoon, the steward came to invite her, saying that the cabinet had convened a meeting of the six ministries. The Minister of Revenue was not in court that day, so she went in his place as usual.
Upon arriving at the cabinet, she saw Song Yue seated at the head of the table, with the other two cabinet ministers seated in order. Grand Secretary Xu Yan was not present. Of the six ministries, she was the first to arrive. She greeted each of the cabinet ministers and then found her seat in the Ministry of Revenue.
Song Yue was busy writing something. When he heard her greeting, he only hummed in response and did not look up.
Once everyone had arrived, he first gave a brief overview of the matters to be discussed that day: "I have summoned you all here today to hear about the implementation of the recent new policies of each ministry, so that the Cabinet can formulate the next steps. The Ministry of War's horse administration, the Ministry of Personnel's capital inspection... and finally, the Ministry of Revenue's grain administration..."
As he said this, he glanced at the Ministry of Revenue. Qingchen met his gaze and lowered her head slightly.
He appeared normal, still with that calm, composed, and dignified demeanor, as if he was unaware that his whereabouts the previous night had been exposed.
After Qingchen finished reporting on the specific situation of guiding various provinces to increase grain yield per mu, he didn't say anything, just nodded.
When the meeting adjourned, it was almost dark, and it was time to leave work.
The sky is a bit overcast today; it looks like it's going to rain again soon.
As soon as Qingchen left the inner cabinet office, she was pulled aside by the Vice Minister of Justice for a chat. She stood and talked with him for a while, and then saw Song Yue come out of the room.
He saw the two of them talking, glanced at them only once, and then walked straight away. His figure was tall and stern, but he seemed somewhat aloof.
The Vice Minister of Justice was in high spirits, as if he had endless things to say. Qingchen watched the retreating figure and felt a little anxious. He couldn't help but say goodbye, "I'm sorry, Lord Zhou, I have some urgent matters to attend to. Perhaps I can come to the Ministry of Justice to see you again tomorrow."
Having said that, she lifted her robe and quickened her pace to catch up with Song Yue.
She couldn't explain why she wanted to do this; she just felt like she had so much to say today. In particular, she wanted to meet with him alone.
Dark clouds rolled across the horizon, and a muffled rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.
Just as Qingchen left the palace gate, raindrops began to fall.
Song Yue was lifting the carriage curtain, about to board. She stood behind him and called out, "Grand Secretary Song."
He heard the voice, stopped what he was doing, and looked in her direction. "Did you call me?"
Qingchen nodded, covered her head with her sleeve, and ran to his side. "May I get on Teacher's carriage?"
The sound of rain pattering in his ears, Song Yue quickly nodded, "Come on up."
After getting into the car, Qingchen wiped the rain off her face with her sleeve.
After wiping her face, she suddenly remembered that two years ago, when she was still a junior scholar, she had sat in his carriage in the same way, and he had raised his arm in front of her so that she could wipe her face with his sleeve.
But now, he simply sits in silence.
"Is something the matter?" Song Yue turned his head and asked, "Do you have any other opinions on the matter we were discussing earlier?"
Qingchen shook his head, "No..."
"If you have any objections, feel free to speak them out."
"I'm looking for the teacher, not on official business..."
He raised his eyes slightly, then looked at her intently. "Speak."
"..." She tried to open her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say. Her lips moved a couple of times, and then she fell silent.
Song Yue didn't ask any more questions, but just sat quietly, waiting for her to speak.
The carriage continued for a while, during which only the sound of rain could be heard.
The rain was getting heavier and heavier, pouring down densely onto the roof of the car. The wheels splashed high into the water as they drove over puddles.
The streets were dark and deserted.
Sitting side by side with him in the carriage, Qingchen's mind was filled with thoughts of Consort Zheng and the image of him and Consort Zheng together.
In a daze, she seemed to smell a woman's fragrance, light and hazy. So fleeting that she wasn't sure if she had actually smelled it.
Qingchen wondered if Consort Zheng had also ridden in his carriage, just like she was now.
It's different again.
What's wrong with her? Suddenly, Qingchen felt uneasy; it was as if she had come to catch someone cheating. Yet, she had no right to do so.
Later, Qingchen finally couldn't help but speak up, "It's raining again. It rained the night before last too, didn't it?"
After a moment of silence, Song Yue simply hummed in agreement.
"Teacher, have you been sleeping well these past two days?"
He answered calmly, "It's the same as usual, nothing's wrong."
"Is that so..."
Qingchen really wanted to ask him about Consort Zheng, but after hesitating several times, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
Ultimately, she was just his student; what right did she have to interfere in his love life?
Her reasoning was that she wanted to remind him that she was a woman he couldn't touch.
But he had served in the court longer than she had, and understood better what etiquette and morality meant. Didn't he know that it was unacceptable? Knowing this, yet still going, meant that he had already gone beyond the scope of persuasion.
"What's wrong? Just say what's on your mind." Song Yue looked at him and said softly, "What difficulties have you encountered in your official duties? You can tell me."
"I……"
After another struggle, Qingchen still couldn't bring himself to ask, and could only awkwardly say hastily, "It's nothing, I'm sorry to bother you, teacher. I'll be going now. Stop the car!"
The carriage stopped, and she lifted the curtain and hurriedly got out, ignoring the heavy rain outside.
Seeing this, Song Yue paused for a moment, then called out to her retreating figure, "Qingchen—"
She heard him call her, but she didn't turn around. She just kept walking towards home, letting the rain beat down on her.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the heavy rain and grabbed her arm from behind.
Qingchen suddenly turned around and saw Song Yue frowning and staring at her in the heavy rain.
"Why did you suddenly get off the bus?" He seemed a little angry. "Can't you see it's raining heavily?"
She pursed her lips, unable to speak, only feeling the icy rain pouring down her head, then down her cheeks, onto her neck, and into her collar.
"Get in the car!"
He grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the carriage.
Since no destination was mentioned, the driver cracked his whip and drove straight back to the Song residence.
Soaked to the bone, the two returned to Song Yue's study, where servants quickly brought them dry towels, clothes, and hot water.
After Song Yue sent the people away, only the two of them remained in the room.
Qingchen was soaking wet and stood there awkwardly, shivering from the cold. He wanted to say something to ease the awkward atmosphere, but he didn't know how to start.
Song Yue untied his belt and threw it aside, then rolled up his soaking wet sleeves, grabbed a dry cloth, and walked over to her.
He didn't speak, but used a cloth to wipe her face and hair quickly, yet gently.
"You like getting wet in the rain? Hmm?" His voice came from above his head, and he sounded a little angry.
Qingchen lowered her head and let him wipe her down, not knowing what to say.
“If you have something to say, then say it. Keeping it to yourself will only make you miserable. Go ahead and say it.” He said, pausing his movements and looking down to search her eyes.
Qingchen shook her head, a tear involuntarily sliding down her cheek. "It's nothing."
Her voice trembled slightly, both from the rain on her body and from the rain in her heart.
Outside, the wind and rain raged.
Song Yue clutched the cloth and watched her quietly.
Her cheeks were fair and clear, the tip of her nose slightly red, and her bright eyes looked as if they had been washed. That single tear was crystal clear, giving her a heartbreakingly beautiful appearance.
His heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and threw away the wet cloth in his hand. "Change your clothes first, then go back. I'll go outside."
After saying that, he turned around, took the clothes, and handed them to her.
Qingchen was unaware that his hands were unusually cold at that moment. The instant he touched her icy hands, he paused, then suddenly grasped them in his hands.
She paused for a moment, trying to pull her hand back, then said, "I understand."
He refused to let go, squinting at her as he whispered, "What do you want? That day you made me untie your clothes and embrace me. Today you stopped me at the Great Ming Gate and tried to get into my carriage. Tell me, what exactly do you want?"
Qingchen felt flustered and embarrassed. "...I'm not...I have nothing to say. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. I won't change my clothes, I'll leave right away."
He just stared at her intently, refusing to let go no matter how much she tried to pull her hand away.
Then, he kissed her lips.
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