Chapter 74t074 Deep into the Wolf's Den
"Du Qingtang, a sixth-rank judge in Runing Prefecture, Henan Province."
When the clerk said this, Du Qingtang and Yao Jingzhou were stunned.
"Why is it Runing Prefecture? Shouldn't it be the Hanlin Academy?" Yao Jingzhou asked immediately.
Du Qingtang opened the appointment document, and it was clearly written in black and white that he was indeed the sixth-rank Tongpan of Runing Prefecture, Henan Province.
Although he was promoted half a level, how could a sixth-rank official in Beijing be comparable to a sixth-rank local official?
Something must have gone wrong.
Is it an accident?
Or is it man-made?
Yao Jingzhou's thoughts coincided with Du Qingtang's, and he emphasized in a deep voice: "As the first place in this year's palace examination, you should be appointed to the sixth-rank editor position in the Hanlin Academy."
The clerk's eyes widened for a moment. "I searched according to the name, age, and place of origin provided by this gentleman. There's no way I could have been wrong."
Yao Jingzhou was unwilling to give up on this matter, as it concerned his uncle's appointment: "Please re-check..."
Du Qingtang touched Yao Jingzhou's arm and gave him a calming look.
Yao Jingzhou pursed his lips and said nothing, his mind in turmoil.
Could it be done by the Duke of Changguo’s Mansion?
In order to warn him, I used my uncle as a warning.
Du Qingtang closed the appointment document and spoke calmly, "At the Grand Ceremony, His Majesty personally issued an imperial decree appointing me to the position of Editor in the Hanlin Academy. I would kindly ask Your Excellency to re-verify this for me."
After saying this, she bowed to the clerk.
The clerk looked at Du Qingtang, who was calm and composed, and remembered someone who had come to receive the appointment documents yesterday and acted bossy to him, and he couldn't help but show sympathy on his face.
After a brief hesitation, he sighed and said, "Never mind. I'll check it for you again."
Du Qingtang didn't miss the fleeting change in his expression and smiled slightly: "Thank you."
The clerk went to the bookshelf at the back and soon returned to the table.
"Master Du, the Hanlin Academy did have three vacancies, one for editor and two for editor. Unfortunately, the former editor, Zhang, was promoted, and now the editor quota is full. We have no choice but to assign you to Runing Prefecture."
Du Qingtang's eyes flickered slightly: "Editor Zhang?"
"He's a Jinshi from the fourth year of the Qingyuan reign," the clerk said casually. "This Zhang Xiubian has such brilliant literary talent that even the Minister of Revenue, Lord Wu Guangwu, praised him highly and admired him so much that he married his concubine's daughter to him."
He is a second-rank minister who holds great power and has the support of the powerful Prime Minister. You, a boy from a poor family, cannot afford to offend him.
It's easy to be an official if you have someone in the court. It's because you don't have a capable father-in-law.
So you should just accept your fate and go to Runing Prefecture to be the magistrate.
The petty official was also from a poor family and knew how difficult it was to study hard and become an official in the court, so he kindly reminded Du Qingtang.
Don't lose the big picture for the small details, or you might end up not even being able to become a sixth-rank judge.
Du Qingtang naturally understood his hint and said, "I see. Thank you for telling me, sir."
The clerk waved his hand and said it was okay to speak frankly.
Du Qingtang winked at Yao Jingzhou, who swallowed his anger and left with Du Qingtang.
The clerk took a sip of tea, smacked his lips, and said in a long tone: "He is corrupt and abuses his power for personal gain. How hateful! How hateful!"
......
Du Qingtang and Yao Jingzhou walked out of the Ministry of Personnel.
"Uncle Master..."
Yao Jingzhou was about to speak when two people came towards him.
The man walking in front wore a golden crown and a dragon robe, and his identity was obviously a prince.
The man following closely behind him wore a jade crown and a round-necked robe, looking like a young man from a noble family.
The fifth prince, Xia Qixuan.
The new second place in the imperial examination, the second grandson of Cao, Cao Xingcan.
Du Qingtang read out the identities of the two people in his heart, his eyelashes trembling slightly, and he and Yao Jingzhou stopped to salute: "Your humble servant greets Your Highness."
Then he exchanged greetings with Cao Xingcan.
"No need to be so polite, my lords."
The fifth prince gently waved his folding fan, his eyes were like peach blossoms, his nose was high, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, giving him a romantic and dissolute look.
From the way the three addressed each other, the Fifth Prince had already determined the identities of Du Qingtang and Yao Jingzhou.
He first glanced at Yao Jingzhou, the second brother's cousin, who was destined not to be useful to the fourth brother.
On the contrary, another one——
The fifth prince looked at the sixth-ranked top scorer who had become famous some time ago, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
This was not the first time he met Du Qingtang.
On the day of the imperial examination, three top-ranking candidates rode their horses in a parade through the streets. At that time, he was sitting high up in a teahouse, looking down at Du Qingtang.
I couldn't see it clearly, but I had a vague impression that he had a good temperament and a handsome appearance.
Looking at her now, her long raven hair is tied up with a green headband, and her eyes are dark and deep, as if hiding endless stories.
Not to mention that delicate face that looks like heavy ink and color, where sharpness and coldness are cleverly blended together, which makes people immersed in it at a glance.
Even the most favored concubine in the prince's mansion was far less beautiful than Du Qingtang.
The fifth prince couldn't help but complain in his heart that his father was really getting old and confused.
Such a beauty should be chosen as the third place in the imperial examination!
The Fifth Prince was always unrestrained and would speak his mind. He asked casually, "Does Lord Du have any sisters?"
Without waiting for Du Qingtang's response, he continued, "Master Du is so beautiful. If you have a sister, I will definitely make her my concubine."
Yao Jingzhou took a deep breath.
Du Qingtang's eyes suddenly turned cold.
Cao Xingcan glanced at Du Qingtang lightly, then looked away before the Fifth Prince noticed anything. He stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, aren't you going to pay your respects to the Empress?"
The Fifth Prince looked displeased when his question was interrupted.
Cao Xingcan acted as if unaware and continued, "By this time, the Empresses of the other Palaces should have paid their respects. If you go over now, you can even have dinner with the Empress."
"Thanks to Yuan Zhong for reminding me. I've been busy with official duties lately and haven't had a meal with my mother for a while."
The fifth prince gathered his wide sleeves and glanced at Du Qingtang's face, thinking it was a pity that such a face was born to a man.
If it was a girl, he would definitely take her into his house.
"The three of you are free to do as you please. This prince will go ahead."
"yes."
"Farewell, Your Highness."
The three of them bowed and watched the fifth prince leave in a swagger.
Cao Xingcan glanced at the document in Du Qingtang's hand, then raised his gaze to meet his. "Are you two here to receive your appointment documents as well?"
Du Qingtang nodded: "Exactly."
Afterwards, the three of them exchanged a few more pleasantries, their words full of politeness and distance.
"Cao has something else to do, so I'll go ahead."
Cao Xingcan bowed and strode into the Ministry of Personnel.
Seeing him coming, the clerk put down his teacup and greeted him with the same smile and the same old words: "Sir, please tell me your name, age, and place of origin so that I can check and verify it."
Cao Xingcan reported the relevant information and the clerk quickly found his appointment document.
"Cao Xingcan, a seventh-rank magistrate in Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi Province."
Cao Xingcan took the document and thanked the clerk.
After the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates, he submitted a document to the Ministry of Personnel requesting to be sent out to other places.
Cao Xingcan told no one about his plans except his wife Liang.
But he was sure that the officials of the Ministry of Personnel would present the documents he submitted to his grandfather as soon as possible.
For months, Cao Xingcan has been waiting.
When his grandfather found him, he asked him why he asked to be sent away.
But no.
My grandfather seemed to be completely unaware of the situation and continued to entrust important tasks to my eldest brother and treat him as if he were nothing.
Cao Xingcan couldn't describe the feeling in his heart: loss, self-mockery, relief...
In order to win the approval of his grandfather and father, he studied hard all night long, striving to be the first. He even became depressed because of this and almost died on the night when the college entrance examination results were announced.
Looking back now, all his efforts seem like a joke.
In fact, from the very beginning, he didn't put himself in the right position.
How can the second-in-law grandson compete with the eldest-in-law grandson?
He, Cao Xingcan, could either obey Cao Xingxuan's orders or live an unknown and mediocre life.
He was asking for too much.
Cao Xingcan smiled, and a hint of gentleness appeared on his usually arrogant expression: "Thank you."
The clerk secretly clicked his tongue, thinking that the rumors were not credible. This second grandson of Cao was not as bad as the rumors in the capital said.
Cao Xingcan returned to the Cheng'en Mansion, and the housekeeper came to greet him: "Second Young Master, the Master wants to see you."
Cao Xingcan paused slightly, tightened his hands hidden in his sleeves, and replied calmly, "Lead the way."
Came to the front yard, Master Cao’s study.
The housekeeper knocked gently on the door: "Master, the second young master is here."
A deep male voice came from the study: "Let him in."
Cao Xingcan pushed the door open and walked in. An inkstone flew in front of him and headed straight for his face.
He could have avoided it, but didn't.
With a "bang", the inkstone hit his forehead and ink splashed all over his head and body.
"Evil creature! Get down on your knees!"
Cao Xingcan shook the corner of his robe and knelt down calmly.
"How dare you act on your own initiative and send someone out to serve as an official without consulting me and your grandfather!"
"Just because you got second place in the exam, do you think you've grown strong enough to break away from the Cao family and start your own business?"
Cao Xingcan's nostrils were filled with the fresh scent of ink, and there was also a faint smell of rust.
He lowered his eyebrows and looked respectful: "Father..."
At this moment, another male voice rang out: "Father, calm down. My second brother is still young and may have been a little reckless."
Cao Xingcan was stunned. It turned out that Cao Xingxuan was there too.
"This exile is also an opportunity. It's a good opportunity to hone Yuan Zhong. After three to five years, we can find a way to transfer him back. Only then can he be used by Your Highness and become your right-hand man."
Master Cao scoffed coldly, his tone filled with disdain: "This evil creature wasted his time in Baoding Prefecture, and has become even more stubborn and violent since returning to Beijing. How can he possibly be your right-hand man?"
Cao Xingcan listened to the conversation between Master Cao and Cao Xingxuan, which showed the harmony between father and son. The fingers hanging by his side twitched twice, and finally fell silent.
He was like a stone statue, kneeling silently in the mess, forced to watch the drama of a loving father and a filial son.
Finally, Master Cao was coaxed into laughing by Cao Xingxuan.
Cao Xingxuan then looked at Cao Xingcan, his eyes as if he was looking at an ant: "Yuanzhong, you are injured, stop kneeling, go back and treat your wound quickly."
Cao Xingcan did not move.
Until Master Cao said, "Get out of here! You don't have to come to pay your respects again until you leave Beijing for your new post. I'm annoyed just by seeing you!"
"Yes, son, I'll take my leave."
Cao Xingcan bowed, left the study, and returned to his residence with his face covered in blood and ink.
Liang was reading to her unborn child. Regardless of whether the baby was a boy or a girl, she hoped that the child would grow up to be well-educated, gentle and elegant.
Hearing the familiar sound of footsteps, Liang glanced over and saw Cao Xingcan in a state of disarray, with a large gash on his forehead. The book in his hand fell to the ground, and he cried out in surprise, "Husband!"
Cao Xingcan reluctantly comforted her with a few words and went behind the screen to bathe and change clothes.
When Cao Xingcan came out, Liang quickly pulled him to sit down and applied medicine to him, tears in her eyes: "Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs, how could a father..."
Cao Xingcan smiled indifferently and handed the appointment documents to Liang: "Madam, we can leave now."
Leave the huge cage of Cheng'en Mansion and leave those who regard him as a thorn in their eyes.
Liang opened the document and saw what was written in black and white. She covered her mouth in shock, tears welling up in her eyes.
Cao Xingcan caressed his wife's bulging belly and said solemnly, "From now on, no one will bully you anymore."
Liang held Cao Xingcan's hand tightly and burst into tears.
The couple snuggled up to each other, full of warmth and affection.
-
On the other side, Du Qingtang poked the corner of the document with her fingertips. The pain made her sober and kept her rational.
"Let's go back."
Yao Jingzhou knew very well that it was not appropriate to talk here, so he suppressed his emotions and followed Du Qingtang out of the palace and returned home.
In the carriage, the uncle and nephew sat opposite each other.
Yao Jingzhou poured tea for Du Qingtang and placed it next to her hand: "Uncle Master, you don't seem surprised that the Minister of Revenue abused his power for personal gain and snatched the position of editor that originally belonged to you."
Du Qingtang picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Eighteen years ago, Du Qingtang was not yet born.
The magistrate of Qingyuan County recruited common people to dig canals. Du Qingtang's father, Du Dahong, as the only male in the Du family's eldest branch, had an obligation to do so.
However, the county magistrate was cruel. He ordered the people to work day and night and withheld their food.
Du Dahang was tired and hungry, and he accidentally fell to his death while working.
When the news of Du Dahong's death reached Taoyuan Village, Yuan was so grief-stricken that she miscarried and gave birth to Du Qingtang.
In order to protect the few acres of land in the family and prevent the second and third wives from swallowing up the family, Yuan Shi suddenly had an idea and disguised Du Qingtang as a man.
"...The county magistrate who killed my father was none other than Wu Guangwu."
"With his status, it would be easy for him to find out my place of origin and my ancestors for three generations. I think he was worried that what happened back then would be exposed, so he exiled me to Henan Province."
Yao Jingzhou was furious: "What a corrupt and cruel official! He is absolutely despicable!"
"It is precisely because of people like this that the people of Daxia are suffering so much. The imperial court should punish them severely to appease the public anger!"
Du Qingtang put down his teacup and rested his right hand on his left wrist. "Your Majesty, how could you not know that there are many corrupt officials in the court? It's just that too clear water attracts no fish. How easy is it to completely eradicate this kind of behavior?"
Yao Jingzhou clenched his fists in anger, still unable to swallow this anger: "Uncle Master, Wu Guangwu was unkind to you, so don't blame you for being unjust to him. Why not take this opportunity to report what happened to me before the Emperor?"
"Although my grandfather has never entered the government, he has a few close friends in the court. You and I are insignificant and cannot speak to the emperor, but they can."
Du Qingtang rejected his proposal: "No, Wen Jing, you have a deep blood feud and are surrounded by fierce enemies. These people can save your life when necessary. The more you use your favors, the less you will get. As for me..."
In his previous life, Du Qingtang did not suffer this disaster.
Because there were three outstanding candidates in the first class, and she was ranked second, she was not very noticeable among the hundreds of new scholars, so Wu Guangwu did not notice her.
By the time she had made her mark and was qualified to attend court, the corrupt official Wu Guangwu had already been thrown into prison and sentenced to be beheaded.
Du Qingtang remembered clearly that in addition to Wu Guangwu, there were more than ten other people who were convicted.
One of them was named Feng Shu.
Feng Shu was Wu Guangwu's disciple and also his son-in-law. Due to his outstanding political achievements, he was re-elected as the prefect of Runing Prefecture for eight consecutive years.
Although they are extremely corrupt, their corrupt behavior did not develop overnight.
Du Qingtang was worried about where to make a contribution when the opportunity came to him.
As long as you get the evidence, promotion and increase in position are just around the corner.
"Wen Jing, please relax. I will be back in a year at most. By then—" Du Qingtang paused, "perhaps it won't take that long. Those who harmed me will surely suffer the consequences."
How could Yao Jingzhou be at ease? "Wu Guangwu arranged you in Runing Mansion. I believe there must be someone with him there. If that person has bad intentions..."
Du Qingtang grabbed the cakes on the small table and blocked his mouth, expressionless: "That's unlucky. I don't like it. Don't say it again."
Yao Jingzhou took a bite of the cake and said helplessly, "Uncle Master, I'm not kidding you."
"Do I look like I'm joking with you?" Du Qingtang leaned forward slightly, patted his shoulder, and said calmly, "I'm not someone who will just accept things as they come. If they want to control me, they'll have to see if they have the ability to do so."
Yao Jingzhou: "Uncle Master..."
Du Qingtang raised his hand to stop him from saying, "I've made up my mind. Wen Jing, you don't need to persuade me anymore."
After saying that, he changed the subject: "Wen Jing, I want to borrow a few people from you."
She did not intend to go into the wolf's den alone. Having useful people around her can often achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Yao Jingzhou sighed. Du Qingtang was firm in his attitude and would not tolerate any discussion. It seemed that being sent away was a foregone conclusion, and no amount of persuasion would be of any use.
"How many people does Master want? Are twenty guards enough? And there are also maids and servants. When you go out, someone must take care of you."
Du Qingtang did not refuse his kindness: "Ten guards and two maids and servants are enough."
Yao Jingzhou readily agreed: "I'll let Uncle Yao make the arrangements when I get back."
Du Qingtang thanked him and told the driver to set off.
"Yes, sir."
The driver cracked his whip, and the carriage rumbled away from the palace.
......
But when the fifth prince arrived at Kunning Palace, he found that it was just as Cao Xingcan had said. The concubines who came to pay their respects had just left, and the palace servants were preparing to serve the meal.
When they saw the fifth prince, the palace maids all bowed.
"This servant/servant pays homage to His Highness."
The fifth prince ignored her and strode into the inner hall, fanning himself with a folding fan, and bowed to Empress Cao in greeting.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. How is your Majesty these days?"
A doting expression appeared on Empress Cao's beautiful, elegant face. She looked at the Fifth Prince carefully and said, "I haven't seen you for a few days. Chengxuan seems to have lost a lot of weight. How does Zhang take care of you?"
Unlike her strict treatment of the Fourth Prince, Empress Cao doted on the Fifth Prince very much and almost always granted his requests.
After all, the former will ascend the throne and rule the country, while the latter only needs to be an idle prince.
Zhang was the fifth prince's wife. Seeing that the fifth prince had lost some weight, Empress Cao had a preconceived notion that Zhang had not taken good care of him.
The fifth prince did not like Zhang, a lady from a noble family, who was gentle, virtuous but plain-looking. The couple treated each other with cold respect. Except for the first and fifteenth days of the month, he stayed in the rooms of his concubines and had not seen them for half a month.
But he didn't dare let Empress Cao know, because Zhang's father held an important position, and even the Fourth Prince treated him with courtesy.
The fifth prince's eyes darted around as he laughed, "It has nothing to do with Zhang. My father assigned me a task. I've been getting up early and working late these past few days, sometimes even skipping meals."
Empress Cao's expression finally softened, and the mother and son moved to the outer hall to have their meal together.
The fifth prince has always disregarded rules and never followed the principle of not talking while eating or sleeping. He even talks incessantly while eating.
He talked with Empress Cao about state affairs and changes in officials. Empress Cao listened patiently while eating, occasionally pointing out one or two officials, indicating that this person could be used.
"Okay, I'll recommend them to Fourth Brother later."
The Fifth Prince knew that Empress Cao did this in order for him to show favor to those officials and at the same time consolidate his position in the Fourth Prince's mind, so he agreed nonchalantly.
"By the way, mother, I just entered the palace with Yuan Zhong. He went to the Ministry of Personnel to receive his appointment documents. Do you know what rank he is?"
Although Empress Cao lived deep in the harem, she knew everything about the court because she had Cao Yuan as her father.
She remembered that two months ago, her father sent someone to deliver a letter, which mentioned Cao Xingcan——
"If you have ulterior motives, you can hardly be of great use."
Empress Cao's eyes flickered slightly: "I don't know."
The fifth prince took a bite of wonton soup with chicken and said in a slurred voice, "My eldest cousin is highly valued by my fourth brother. Now that Yuanzhong has entered the court as an official, perhaps he can also become my fourth brother's right-hand man. Back then, my eldest cousin was only a Jinshi, but Yuanzhong was the runner-up in the imperial examination..."
As for an abandoned child, Empress Cao did not want to say more and changed the subject calmly.
The fifth prince had his meal in Kunning Palace, then went to the Ministry of Rites where he worked. Seeing that there was nothing to do, he left the palace and returned home.
The sounds of dancers and musicians came, with wine in hand and beauty in arms, how happy they were.
The fifth prince was immersed in fine wine and beautiful women. In the evening, he went to the courtyard of his new favorite concubine to have a meal, and stayed there that night.
Before going to bed, the Fifth Prince inexplicably thought of Du Qingtang.
As clear and cool as the moon, it is beautiful beyond words.
It would be great if she were a woman.
The fifth prince was lost in thought as he fell into a deep sleep while hugging his favorite concubine.
Perhaps it was because he thought about it during the day and dreamed about it at night, Du Qingtang appeared in his dream.
In the dream, Du Qingtang was wearing a crimson official robe, the bright color made her features look picturesque and graceful.
Everyone calls her Du Shaoqing.
Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple, Du Qingtang.
In the dream, the fifth prince said the same thing: "I wonder if Master Du has any sisters? Master Du is so beautiful. If he has a sister, I will definitely make her my concubine."
Unlike Du Qingtang's silence during the day, Du Shaoqing in the dream picked up the inkstone and smashed it all over his head and body with ink.
"Fifth Prince, please look carefully, Du is a man."
The clear voice lingered for a long time, but the person in the dream had changed.
She wore a bright red wedding gown and a five-tailed phoenix hairpin on her head.
In Daxia, only the main wife could wear pure red, but the five-tailed phoenix hairpin could only be worn by concubines, while the main wife could wear a seven-tailed phoenix hairpin.
Du Qingtang was wearing a wedding dress, and her eyes were full of cruelty.
"So what if you dismiss me from my official position? Even if you restore me to my female status, I will never give myself to you."
After saying that, he was about to hit his head against the wall.
The Fifth Prince heard his own voice and was as arrogant and domineering as ever: "If you dare to die, I will kill all the members of the Du family and grind them into ashes!"
Sure enough, his intimidation worked.
Du Qingtang didn't bang his head against the wall again. Instead, he picked up the lampshade and smashed it hard at him: "Xia Qixuan, you beast!"
The angry female voice echoed for a long time, and the person in the dream changed again.
She was wearing plain clothes, her hair was loose, and her eyes were dull.
"The Great Qi has a strong army and horses. Only by offering Concubine Du can we buy a moment's respite for the Great Xia." The man dressed as an aide persuaded earnestly.
The Fifth Prince heard his own voice and was filled with fear: "Come here, send Concubine Du to the Qi camp immediately!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Du Qingtang, who was lifeless like a puppet, suddenly jumped up and stabbed him with the hairpin hidden in her sleeve.
This blow directly tore his skin and flesh apart, and the severe pain made the Fifth Prince wail.
"Your Highness! Your Highness! What's wrong with you, Your Highness?"
The fifth prince sat up suddenly and found himself lying on the bed of his favorite concubine, who looked worried beside him.
He gasped and rolled up his sleeves.
The skin on his forearms was smooth, without a single scratch.
"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with this prince?" the fifth prince murmured.
He raised his hand and wiped it, and found that his forehead was covered with cold sweat and his underwear was also wet with sweat.
Seeing the Fifth Prince's eyes drooping and his expression hard to discern, the concubine swallowed her saliva and said, "Your Highness, please don't scare me..."
The fifth prince turned his head away, and his sinister gaze made all the coquettish and foolish words stuck in his throat.
"Noisy." The Fifth Prince rubbed his ears and clicked his tongue. "Come here, cut off her tongue and feed it to Jinbao."
In an instant, all the color drained from the concubine's face.
Jinbao, the fifth prince's beloved pet.
It is a white-browed tiger with hanging eyes.
"Your Highness, please spare my life. I know I was wrong. Please spare my life..."
The fifth prince kicked his favorite concubine away and ignored her cries and pleas to get out of bed.
There were palace maids who changed his clothes and put on his shoes.
The cries of the favorite concubine faded away, and the palace maids inside and outside the house prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
The fifth prince walked out of the courtyard of his favorite concubine - this courtyard did not belong exclusively to the favorite concubine, it only belonged to her temporarily, and perhaps a new favorite concubine would move in tomorrow.
When the grace is gone, these women of humble origin will become food for Jinbao.
The fifth prince stretched lazily while looking at the moon, his expression ambiguous.
"Du Qingtang, hum..."
-
After returning from the Ministry of Personnel, Yao Jingzhou sent ten guards and two pairs of maids and servants that afternoon.
On the first day of September, Du Qingtang boarded a carriage, and the group left Beijing in a mighty procession, heading for Runing Prefecture in Henan Province under the remaining warmth of late summer.
When they reached the city gate, Du Qingtang and Cao Xingcan met head-on.
The two carriages were running side by side, so close that Du Qingtang could clearly see the surprise in Cao Xingcan's eyes.
Cao Xingcan was so shocked that he was speechless. It took him a long time to find his voice: "Why...shouldn't you be joining the Hanlin Academy?"
Du Qingtang didn't answer but asked, "Aren't you the same?"
"I asked to be transferred out of the country." Cao Xingcan looked at Du Qingtang steadily, his tone firm, "but you didn't."
Although they parted ways, their friendship remained. Du Qingtang hummed lightly without comment, which was considered as his tacit agreement.
Seeing that Du Qingtang was unwilling to say more, Cao Xingcan did not ask any more questions and only said, "I'm going to Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi Province."
Du Qingtang continued, "Ru'ning Prefecture, Henan Province."
After a brief thought, Cao Xingcan quickly understood who was the person who had interfered and forced Du Qingtang to be exiled.
"Take care on your journey."
"See you someday."
Du Qingtang lowered the curtain, and the carriage rumbled along the official road into the distance.
Cao Xingcan placed the plate of pastries next to Liang, opened the travelogue, and prepared to read a few pages to pass the time.
"Husband, who was that just now?"
Cao Xingcan raised his eyes and met his wife's curious gaze.
He hesitated for a moment, then chose to tell the truth frankly: "A friend I made when I was studying at Qingyuan Academy."
Liang chuckled softly, "No wonder. My husband, although your conversation with that gentleman just now wasn't exactly lively, your eyes and demeanor revealed a sense of intimacy. I could tell at a glance that you two must be close friends."
Cao Xingcan raised his eyebrows slightly, but did not deny Liang's inference.
Du Qingtang and Fu Wen were indeed his only two friends in the past twenty-four years.
"She's a very good person, extremely talented, and she never looks down on women. If there's a chance in the future, I'll introduce you to her."
Liang smiled and agreed.
The couple talked and laughed, and the wheels of the carriage rolled over the marks left by the Du family's carriage, rumbling forward.
......
Ministry of Revenue, the Shangshu is on duty in the room.
When Wu Guangwu finished reviewing the official documents, it was already evening and time to go off duty.
"Come here, deliver these documents to various places."
The clerk took the document with both hands and left.
Wu Guangwu stood up, straightened his purple official robe, smoothed out the slight wrinkles, and walked out of the palace.
The Wu Mansion's carriage stopped outside the palace gate. A trusted servant went to meet it and whispered, "Sir, we just received news that Du Qingtang has left the capital to take up his new post."
Wu Guangwu hummed expressionlessly, stepped onto the bench and entered the carriage, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep.
As the top scorer in the imperial examination, Du Qingtang attracted too much attention in Xiajing, so it was not convenient for him to take action.
The prefect of Runing Prefecture was his disciple and son-in-law, and Feng Shu knew what to do.
Only when Du Qingtang died could he rest assured and continue to serve as the Minister of Revenue.
He is now only in his prime years, and one day he will surely ascend to the throne and become a ruler like Cao Yuan who can make things happen with a wave of his hand.
Wu Guangwu gently stroked the priceless jade pendant around his waist, an ambitious smile flashing across his lips.
......
On the first day of September, the newly-appointed Jinshi entered the Hanlin Academy, the Shuchangguan, the Zhanshifu, the Six Ministries and other departments to take up posts.
On the fifth day of September, Emperor Qingyuan finished his morning court session and returned to the imperial study from the Golden Palace.
Just now, his people won the argument with Cao Yuan’s people again!
His Majesty was very pleased, with a smile as warm as spring breeze on his round and elegant face.
Emperor Qingyuan climbed the stairs and walked outside the imperial study, where he found a magpie standing on a bird stand, chirping and pecking at food.
He stopped to watch for a moment and said with a smile, "He's quite a greedy little fellow."
The magpie tilted its head, chirped, flapped its wings and flew towards Emperor Qingyuan, landed on his wrist and rubbed his fingers.
Since the yellow biped likes birds so much, just let him touch it reluctantly.
Fu Rui watched this scene with a smile and complimented, "The Imperial Study is nourished by His Majesty's dragon energy, so the bird master can enjoy the food."
"Slippery tongue." Emperor Qingyuan nodded at him twice, then walked inside with his hands behind his back. "There aren't many memorials today. Summon one person to come forward and lecture me on classics and history."
Fu Rui had served Emperor Qingyuan for decades, and his eyes flickered slightly when he heard this: "This servant suddenly remembered that Du Zhuangyuan, the scholar appointed by Your Majesty in April, is currently serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Why not have her come and lecture on classics and history for Your Majesty?"
"good."
Fu Rui gave a look and the eunuchs serving in front of the emperor hurried to the Hanlin Academy to summon Du Xiuzhuan.
After only an incense stick of time, the eunuch came back, but there was no one behind him.
Fu Rui was secretly surprised and asked him, "Where is Du Xiuzhuan?"
Emperor Qingyuan also looked up at him.
The eunuch knelt and said, "Your Majesty, I have asked the masters of the Hanlin Academy, and Du is not among the three editors."
Emperor Qingyuan narrowed his eyes and slowly stroked the handle of the red brush with his fingertips: "Fu Rui."
"I obey your command."
Fu Rui took the order and left, but came back after a while and bowed to report.
"The current editors of the Hanlin Academy are Yun Zhongjin, Gao Fei, and Zhang Qingyu. Zhang Qingyu was originally a seventh-rank editor, but he made a contribution a while ago, so he was promoted to a sixth-rank editor."
"Zhang Qingyu was a Jinshi in the fourth year of the Qingyuan reign. He married the concubine's daughter of Mr. Wu from the Ministry of Revenue as his legal wife."
Emperor Qingyuan closed the memorial and asked, "Wu Guangwu?"
Fury nodded: "Exactly."
Emperor Qingyuan chuckled lightly, the meaning of which was unclear.
Fu Rui lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, and then boldly suggested: "Since Your Majesty intends to use Lord Du, why not send someone to bring him back as quickly as possible?"
His Majesty is the supreme ruler, and his words are golden. With just a word from him, Du Qingtang can be placed in any department or position at will.
Emperor Qingyuan paused his red brush in mid-air, as if he was pondering.
He remembered Yan Tiande's praise of Du Qingtang, Du Qingtang's insightful views on economic reform, and his essay on "The Emperor's Politics and the Emperor's Heart" in the palace examination.
After a while, Emperor Qingyuan slowly shook his head. His voice was steady and slow, but it revealed an indescribable coldness and oppression.
“No need.”
"If she doesn't come back, why should I bother with her?"
Fury bowed his head: "Your Majesty is wise."
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