That night, Grand Secretary Xu Yan returned to his residence, had dinner, and then went to his son's courtyard.
The room was heated by an underfloor heating system and incense was lit.
Xu Silin, dressed in a black satin robe, sat before a round table, his eyes fixed on the flickering candlelight. When Xu Yan pushed open the door, he was staring blankly at the three silver notes laid out on the table, the tea beside him long since cold.
Hearing someone push the door open and come in, he quickly grabbed the silver notes and stuffed them into his sleeve.
Xu Yan sat down next to his son, took a cloak and draped it over his son's shoulders. "The underfloor heating in this room isn't warm enough. Have them heat it up later. I saw you packing something earlier. What was it that you were trying to hide?"
"It's nothing," he said, his eyes lowered.
"The other day the manager of the money exchange came and said you withdrew three thousand taels of silver. What for?"
The three thousand taels actually belonged to Xu Silin and were not recorded in the Xu family's public funds. Logically, since he had taken his own money, the manager shouldn't have revealed it to others. Unfortunately, his father was the Grand Secretary, and there were no secrets from him.
Xu Silin frowned slightly, "Nothing much... I just want to buy a house."
"You're living comfortably in the manor, why are you buying a house?" Xu Yan paused and then said, "The money is yours once it's given to you. I'm just worried you'll pick up bad habits. You're buying a house... is it because of your daughter? What kind of daughter is it that's inconvenient to bring into the manor and has to stay outside? You're not young anymore, it's time to get engaged. Take a wife first and then a concubine, so people won't think you're frivolous."
"No, Father, don't overthink it," he said calmly.
Xu Yan sighed, "In any case, it's time to start looking for a wife. I'll keep an eye out for good girls for you. The sooner you settle down, the better you can focus on your career... I came to see you today to talk about your classmates."
Upon hearing the words "classmate," Xu Silin's heart skipped a beat, and he parted his lips slightly, asking, "Who?"
"Shen Qingchen".
He was somewhat surprised, as his father had never cared about his classmates before. "Why is Father suddenly talking about him?"
"The Emperor summoned him today. It was at the Qianqing Palace, after we finished discussing matters. It was about the Huairou dike, and the Emperor asked him to present his plan in person."
"He...came up with a plan to repair the dike?"
Xu Yan looked at his son and said, "Not only did he come up with the idea, but the Emperor also praised it three times. Not only the Emperor, but all the Grand Secretaries present, including your father, were convinced... After praising him, the Emperor thought of you and asked me to give you more advice so that you can grow up as soon as possible."
As Xu Silin listened, a mix of emotions swirled within him, creating a complex and unsettling feeling.
He was just thinking about how to send the silver notes out, but he didn't expect that person to have already come up with a brilliant plan, so he didn't need to help at all.
Unbeknownst to me, that person had grown increasingly powerful; those once frail wings, so easily broken before me, were now growing stronger day by day. And me? I seemed to be lost, confused, and stuck in the same place…
Xu Yan patted his son's shoulder. "Don't be discouraged. You're still young, there's still time. Don't forget what your father told you, the most important thing for you isn't knowledge, but the ability to manage people. You must bring Shen Qingchen into our camp; you absolutely cannot let him become our enemy." Xu Yan had already decided that he would secretly help his son with Shen Qingchen.
Xu Silin listened quietly to his father's words, and after a while, nodded.
Facing his own heart, he had to admit that he really wanted to bring that person to his side.
I never want to be his enemy for the rest of my life.
The next morning, the capital city enjoyed a rare sunny day.
Shen Qingchen rented a horse-drawn carriage at the market and went to Huairou.
She arrived after noon. This time, she didn't ride as fast as before, and Xu Silin wasn't with her.
The carriage stopped on the main road by the riverbank. She paid half the fare, made an appointment with the driver for the return trip, and then headed up the dam.
Upon reaching the dam and looking at the half-frozen river, Qingchen couldn't help but think of Xu Silin again.
The way he jumped into the river, the way he was soaking wet, the way he said, "I don't want you to kneel in front of me," the way he gritted his teeth and said he wasn't cold... The memories in the winter sunlight were hazy, making her sigh softly.
After that, she got busy with her business.
It took her more than an hour to look at all the places she hadn't had time to examine closely last time and to record the relevant data.
As the sun began to set, only one thing remained—the diversion channel. She looked along both banks but found no open channel. She figured that the diversion had been done with a culvert, which was hard to find and required asking around.
Just then, a peasant woman washing clothes happened to pass by. Qingchen went up to her and asked her for directions. The peasant woman quickly pointed her in the right direction. Qingchen followed her directions and searched for a long time but couldn't find it. In the end, she had to go back to the village to ask around. Only after being told by others did she realize that the peasant woman had given her the wrong directions.
The sky had become somewhat overcast, no longer as clear as it had been that morning. A north wind blew in gusts, and it seemed to be growing stronger. The time she had agreed upon with the coachman was fast approaching.
It wasn't easy to come all this way, so after hesitating for a moment, she decided to find the underground channel first.
Meanwhile, at the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhu Rui, dressed in a dark blue casual robe, leaned against the couch, toying with a sandalwood bracelet in one hand and sipping warm wine in the other. Huang Heng, the Chief Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, knelt beside him, gently massaging his legs.
The heated floor in the warm pavilion was very hot, and Zhu Rui's face was slightly flushed, whether from the heat or the alcohol, it was hard to tell. The emperor, who was nearly forty years old, had eaten a lot of delicacies and hadn't been too busy with state affairs, so his handsome face didn't look old at all, and he didn't even have a single gray hair.
Slightly tipsy, the emperor looked at the wine in his cup and thought of the refined and elegant concubine from yesterday.
She possesses unparalleled intelligence, extensive knowledge, a solid and diligent attitude, meticulous and thoughtfulness, as well as a beautiful face, clear eyes, and a melodious voice... This person is unforgettable once you meet her.
Thinking about it, the emperor couldn't help but smile slightly, and suddenly asked, "Huang Heng, have you ever seen anyone as intelligent as him?"
he?
Huang Heng knew who the emperor was referring to after a moment's thought, and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, this old servant is a fool and dares not presume to know or speak ill of intelligent people. But this old servant knows that he is Grand Secretary Song... a student of Grand Secretary Song, so his talent and wisdom must not be mediocre."
"Are you stupid?" Zhu Rui put down his wine cup and glanced at him sideways. "If you were stupid, how would you know who I'm talking about? If you were stupid, would you deliberately mispronounce Song Yue's official title to remind me that he has already left the cabinet? In my opinion, you, Huang Heng, are very clever."
Upon hearing this, Huang Heng immediately bowed deeply and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
"Rise. I'm in a good mood today." Zhu Rui smiled, poured himself a drink, and gulped it down. "Song Yue has been away from the cabinet for a few days, and this is the first time you've mentioned his name. You must have noticed that I admire that Junior Attendant, and he pleaded for his teacher yesterday, so you dared to echo him today, right?"
Huang Heng lowered his head and continued to massage the emperor's legs, saying, "The emperor is wise and nothing can be hidden from him."
Zhu Rui gave a soft "humph," and said, "You people are using all sorts of tricks to plead for Song Yue. Do you really think I'm stupid and can't see through your lies?"
"This old servant dares not."
"I have my own plans regarding Song Yue's matter. You are not allowed to mention it again."
"yes."
The emperor swung his legs, and Qingchen's image flooded his mind again. He pondered that face for a while, and after a long pause, he said, "Once the dam is repaired, I will promote him. Where do you think I should place him?"
The more Zhu Rui thought about this question, the more he felt a sweet burden. It was a rough gem he had personally unearthed, complete and flawless, its brilliance already undeniable.
As wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner, the emperor began to musing.
That person came up with a brilliant money-making scheme, one that could be replicated, so he could go to the Ministry of Revenue. However, he was skilled in civil engineering, especially water management, so he could also go to the Ministry of Works. But at the same time, he was also the top-ranking scholar in the second class, a probationary official, and should rightfully remain in the prestigious Hanlin Academy, progressing through the ranks as editor, compiler, and scholar… Zhu Rui pondered, then thought of the Eastern Palace; the Crown Prince was twelve years old, so he could have another tutor…
After a long pause, Zhu Rui shook his head with a smile. He had so many people in his court, yet it seemed like Shen Qingchen was missing from every aspect.
"Has Your Majesty decided on a method for promotion?" After massaging his legs, Huang Heng went to fetch a basin of hot water for the Emperor to wash his feet.
"I haven't decided yet." Zhu Rui suddenly thought of something. "Oh right, go and get me the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works."
Huang Heng was stunned for a moment. He had almost forgotten when the last time the emperor had looked at a memorial was.
"...Does His Majesty wish to see the memorials?"
Zhu Rui rolled his eyes at him. "You heard me right. I want to see the memorials. Go and get them for me now." He just suddenly wanted to know how much worse these people who were just sitting idly in their positions were than the treasures he had personally unearthed.
Huang Heng agreed and left.
The emperor soaked his feet, slowly closed his eyes, and his mind was still filled with Shen Qingchen.
A moment later, a pair of soft hands touched his temples. Zhu Rui opened his eyes, looked at his most beloved woman, and pulled her hand away, "Why has the Imperial Concubine come?"
Consort Zheng looked at the Emperor with tender affection, squatted down, took his feet in the basin with her slender fingers, and gently traced the sole of his foot with her fingernail. "Your Majesty, I have missed you."
Zhu Rui let out a soft sigh, tickled.
While massaging the Emperor's feet, Consort Zheng said, "Your Majesty knows that I have a nephew in Yongping Guard. A couple of days ago, he was beaten up and his face was bruised and swollen. He still can't get out of bed."
"Who did this?" Zhu Rui asked casually.
“A man named Lan Tan is said to be the nephew of Zhao Qiran, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.”
Consort Zheng was able to become a consort thanks to Xu Yan. This time, Xu Yan intends to target Zhao Qiran, so she's starting by whispering in his ear. When the memorials from Xu's faction are submitted, Zhao Qiran will be accused of offending the emperor in both state and family matters, and he will naturally be punished.
At this moment, Huang Heng came in carrying a stack of memorials. Zhu Rui saw him and hurriedly called out, "Quickly, bring it here so I can take a look."
Consort Zheng turned her head and was immediately stunned to see that Huang Heng had placed memorials on the kang table. She was the most favored concubine in the harem, and in all the years she had been in the palace, she had never seen Zhu Rui look at memorials! What was wrong with the Emperor?
Before Consort Zheng could react, Zhu Rui said, "Consort, you may leave. Huang Heng can wash me."
"But..." He hasn't expressed his opinion on Lan Tan's matter yet.
"No buts, get out. I have important business to attend to."
"yes……"
Consort Zheng couldn't understand how she could have lost to a few memorials.
Having found the underground channel, measured it, and taken samples, Qingchen hurried back.
When they arrived at the agreed meeting place, there was no carriage to be seen; it had long since disappeared without a trace.
She hurriedly returned to her village, hoping to hire a carriage from the villagers, but there were very few carriages in the village to begin with, and everyone waved their hands as soon as they heard she was going to the capital. It would take at least two hours to get to the capital, and if they went now, they wouldn't be able to return that night. The weather was too cold, and there was nowhere to stay in the capital, so no one was willing to take her. No matter how much she pleaded or begged, it was no use; even offering more money, no one was willing to give her a ride.
Left with no other option, she considered hiring a car to go to the county, where there were plenty of vehicles, and perhaps she could find one willing to go to the capital. However, the villagers in the village were quite strange; they refused to go far or near, saying that a trip to the county didn't cost much and would tire the horses. They preferred to let their horses rest and fatten up in the winter so they could work well the following year.
Although she felt helpless, she understood, and in the end, she could only hire a donkey cart.
She sat alone in the car, listening to the braying of donkeys all the way, and it took her ages to finally arrive in the county.
By the time she reached the county, it was almost dark. Because it was winter, there were few pedestrians on the streets, and business was slow; many shops were already closed. She finally found a shop that rented out carriages, but the owner refused to do business with her, saying that it was too late, and the carriage had already been put under curfew before even reaching the capital, so she couldn't enter the city.
Qingchen tightened his clothes, completely abandoning the idea of returning to the capital. Now he needed to fill his stomach first, and then find a place to spend the night.
Night had fallen, the weather was getting colder, and it was snowing.
The snow fell heavily. Large snowflakes fluttered down from the deep blue night sky, quickly carpeting the ground.
Huairou County was not large, and there was only one inn in the county. Because it was close to the capital, there were no post stations. She walked alone on the road in the wind and snow, shivering from the cold, and felt that her feet were numb when she stepped on the snow.
The inn was far away, and she walked for a long time. By the time she saw the two red lanterns of the inn, her limbs were almost numb from the cold, and her ears felt like they no longer belonged to her.
At the inn, the innkeeper waved his hand as soon as he saw her, saying, "We are full for today, please leave."
She paused for a moment, "Full? This... please take another look. It's freezing cold, and I finally found this place."
"No need to look. It's been full for days." Seeing her shivering, the innkeeper covered his mouth and whispered, "A few days ago was the winter solstice. People from Japan came to pay tribute, but after finishing their business with the court, they refused to leave. Some of them caused trouble here. Most of the rooms in this inn are occupied by them."
During the Ming Dynasty, foreign countries frequently came to pay tribute during festivals, especially the winter solstice and the first month of the lunar calendar. Hearing this, Qingchen recalled that a few days ago he had encountered Song Yue and several high-ranking officials discussing matters, and their conversation seemed to include references to "Japan" and "sulfur."
What a bad timing.
"Is there really not a single room left? I came all the way from the capital, and I can't go back today. I can only stay here temporarily, but you are the only inn in this county. Even the storeroom or the woodshed will do. I'll pay for your room, just please let me make do for one night," Qingchen said unwillingly.
The innkeeper shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to help you, but there's really nothing left. Those Japanese people brought a lot of things with them, and there wasn't enough room in the room, so they piled them up in the woodshed and storeroom, and locked them up. Even I can't get near them. The only place you can stay in this whole inn is under the eaves where you just came in. It's getting late, so I advise you to find another place to stay quickly."
Qingchen turned and left the house dejectedly. When she reached the eaves, she stopped and looked around at the unfamiliar, deserted street, feeling somewhat lost.
Are we really going to have to spend the night under these eaves? With such heavy snow, the eaves can no longer provide any shelter, and there's such a strong north wind.
She sighed, lifted her foot onto the steps, but didn't notice a stone at the bottom. She tripped and fell hard to the ground.
My nose and mouth hurt from the impact, and my cheeks felt like they were pressed against the cold snow, like against a blade. A salty taste quickly filled my mouth, probably because my lips were cut.
On a snowy day, far from home, unable to find an inn and unsure of where to stay... She hadn't thought much of it at first, but as soon as she collapsed, she suddenly felt quite tired.
Days of revising plans at her desk, coupled with her studies as a Hanlin scholar, preparing lessons, copying Yuefu poems, and studying the philosophy of mind... if she weren't still young, she would have already given in long ago.
Unfortunately, when people are physically tired, they often feel mentally tired as well.
She hadn't thought about her identity for a long time. Now, lying in the snow, the word "loneliness" inevitably came to mind.
She was a Ming Dynasty official who had just displayed her talents before the emperor, but she was also a woman. Given this status, she would likely never be able to marry. Years later, after her father and second uncle had passed away, she would be all alone in the world, just like now, on a snowy night, lying alone on an unfamiliar street.
Qingchen lay on the ground, feeling as if he didn't even have the strength to stand up.
Snowflakes fell, one by one.
A moment later, a pair of black boots appeared before her eyes.
The person bent down, grabbed her arm, and said in a calm voice, "What treasures are on the ground? Are you going to stay lying down and not get up?"
She looked up and saw Song Yue wearing a moon-colored robe with a purple-brown fur cloak draped over his back. His wide hood covered his forehead, and there were glistening snowflakes on his eyelashes.
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