Chapter 9 February Like He Was the Person Wang Lingshu Had Her Eye On
"Have you read the collection of essays I gave you last time? There's a writer named Xue Guangting in it. What do you think of his writing?"
Several days had passed since the collection of essays was brought back, and Qin An had somewhat forgotten what was written in it. He sent someone to fetch the collection from the front, and after looking through it, he remembered who Xue Guangting was: "Judging solely from his writing, he has a good chance of passing the imperial examination."
Fu Sui raised an eyebrow. Although Wang Lingshu was annoying, her talent was undeniable, and she had good judgment. If she were a man, she might also be able to attend the Apricot Garden Banquet. He just wondered if her reputation as a talented woman could secure her a chance to find a husband through the Wang family.
"But this person..."
"What happened to him?" Fu Sui asked curiously.
"Judging from the article, it's a bit too straightforward." Qin An quickly scanned Xue Guangting's article to confirm that he hadn't misremembered the person before answering.
No wonder Wang Lingshu looked at him differently; Wang Lingshu probably just liked his aloof and unconventional taste.
"Why are you asking about him? Did the examination process end up with you?" Although Fu Sui was well-read, he never openly participated in court affairs, nor did he associate with scholars and literati. He maintained a very good reputation for being more playful than scholarly. Qin An was also a little puzzled when he suddenly asked about the students preparing for the examination.
"Why can't the examination papers be given to me? Everyone knows that the sage respects the Prince of Jin. I am a princess who is favored by the sage in the eyes of the world. How could I not ask the emperor for a place on the Mingjing List?" It's true that these students have no vision. Why hasn't anyone sent them any papers all these years?
Qin An laughed heartily, his hands trembling as he read the Chinese book, "Then you're going to recommend him?"
Fu Suicai refused to let Wang Lingshu benefit from his success: "He is the person Wang Lingshu has her eye on. It would be a huge loss for my arrogant reputation if I didn't slander him."
Qin An flipped through the collection of writings, his jade-like fingertips gently tracing Xue Guangting's name: "Without utmost sincerity, the Wang family would not have recommended him."
Fu Sui rested his chin on his hand and leaned over to look at the collection of essays in Qin An's hands: "Where are these scholars going to submit their works?"
"The easiest place to get in is Prince Mu's residence, but the hardest to meet is Prime Minister Qiao." Qin An had some informants in the capital.
Fu Sui thought to himself, "I suppose what's needed to get into Prince Mu's mansion isn't brilliant writing, but rather good looks and a graceful figure."
If Xue Guangting is truly a poor man with no one to rely on, he cannot withstand the turbulent waves of officialdom all by himself. I hope this young man Xue will not follow Wang Lingshu's example of aloofness.
The next day, Fu Sui went to the Qiao residence. Qiao Zhenzhen had been staying at the Qiao residence for the past few days, claiming illness and missing the polo match, so Fu Sui naturally wanted to visit her.
Today happened to be Prime Minister Qiao's day off, so Qin An not only arranged two carriages, but also selected eight guards on horseback to accompany him, and also assigned an imperial guard. Cheng Liwu even volunteered to clear the way for Fu Sui.
Fu Sui stared blankly at the group of more than thirty people, then grabbed Qin An's arm and asked, "What are you going to do? I'm going to visit, not to kidnap someone. Prime Minister Qiao is on leave at home. If I go like this, he'll probably think I'm going to tear down the roof of the Qiao residence."
Qin An remained unmoved, saying only that it would be useful, and urged Fu Sui to get into the carriage.
Upon arriving at the Qiao residence, they found the gates tightly shut, surrounded by students of all ages. Some loudly announced their family affiliations, others recited poems, and still others tried to claim kinship with the Qiao family.
Seeing that these people had crowded out most of the street, Cheng Liwu asked Fu Sui outside the car if they should drive them away.
"Drive them away, drive them away quickly." The guards and attendants Qin An had prepared came in handy as expected. "Clear the way out."
Cheng Liwu immediately led his men forward and dispersed the crowd blocking the entrance to the Qiao residence. Eight guards stood on either side of the alley to prevent unauthorized personnel from approaching the princess's carriage.
"Park the car at the main gate." Princess's carriage is still the most useful, Fu Sui instructed Cheng Liwu. Since his carriage had become a gatekeeper for the Qiao family, he might as well ask Prime Minister Qiao for some rent, so that the carriage could park in front of the Qiao residence every day before the imperial examination to give Prime Minister Qiao some peace and quiet.
With the noise gone, everyone in the Qiao household was exceptionally warm towards Fu Sui.
Qiao Zhenzhen was actually painting, though her skills weren't particularly good; it was just a pastime to pass the time.
"I was fine to begin with, and I recovered completely after taking three doses of medicine. I'm so grateful that you made this trip." Qiao Zhenzhen put down her pen, welcomed Fu Sui into the bedroom, and sent a maid to stand guard outside.
"I'm a free man anyway, and I'd be sitting at home doing nothing if I didn't come here, so I might as well come and visit you."
"You've come at the right time. There's a gathering here right now. Would you like to join us?"
Fu Sui dared not casually agree to the gathering that Qiao Zhenzhen was attending; he had to ask what it was about first.
"In a few days, during the Flower Festival, the owner of Zhuangyuanlou will hold an elegant gathering."
Fu Sui felt a headache coming on at the mention of a literary gathering, shaking his head repeatedly: "You know my level. Last time at that poetry club, I just went to join in the fun, but Tan Qi insisted that I write the first line. I have no idea how to compose a couplet, and after finally managing to come up with a line, everyone present had to praise it because of my status. I saw Tan Qi scratching his head in frustration trying to think of something to praise me. I'm not going, I'm not going."
“Who says it’s bad? I think it’s quite good, with a touch of wild charm.” Qiao Zhenzhen and Fu Sui had grown up together, and Qiao Zhenzhen always favored Fu Sui. While Qiao Xianggong sighed deeply at Fu Sui’s poems, Qiao Zhenzhen could still appreciate their beauty.
Fu Sui was still self-aware enough to say: "Don't be ashamed of me, I have never had the talent to write poetry and prose."
Fu Sui's words were true. Prince Jin excelled in riding, archery, classics, history, and mathematics. However, when it came to poetry, prose, and painting, Qin An would write on his behalf. Even Qin An couldn't praise Prince Jin's literary talent, and could only compliment him on "how quickly and well he can memorize books."
He Yujing was even more naive and innocent. She had spent three years in Bingzhou and five years in the capital, and she had never understood the situation in the court or her own circumstances. She genuinely regarded Shuang Hongyuqing as a talented man because of a few poems with elaborate language.
Sun Yanyu, relying on two lines of poetry he wrote together, called himself Shuang Hong Yuqing. He fawned over high-ranking officials and nobles everywhere in order to seek wealth and honor. With a few sweet words, he tricked He Yujing into falling into his trap, and she foolishly spent money on him and thought about her future.
After He Yujing left the capital, he mingled with several ladies and noblewomen, and even had some entanglements with Prince Mu. Several years passed, but he still didn't make a name for himself. In his earlier years, he had tried to take the Mingjing examination, but later the palace forbade him to take the exam to enter officialdom, so he resorted to begging for money from women.
If it weren't for the discovery of the uncollected items belonging to the Prince of Jin on Sun Yanyu's person, He Yujing wouldn't have had to leave the capital in such a sorry state.
Qiao Zhenzhen held down Fu Sui's flailing hands and patiently explained, "This gathering is different. It's for students preparing for the exams. The students are all in the hall, where they only talk about literature and nothing else. The partitions in the hall and the private rooms upstairs are clearly priced. Several officials' wives have booked private rooms to look for suitable husbands. The students can also use this opportunity to make a name for themselves."
Fu Sui was still unwilling; why should she join in the fun of officials' wives arranging marriages?
"Xue Guangting might go, so Wang Lingshu will go too," Qiao Zhenzhen said, throwing out her last resort.
This move really hit Fu Sui's weak spot. Wang Lingshu or Xue Guangting alone might not be able to persuade Fu Sui, but the fact that the two of them appeared together made Fu Sui very curious.
The Flower Festival was crowded with people, so Fu Sui asked Qiao Zhenzhen to pick her up early in the morning, and the two rode in the same carriage.
Qiao Zhenzhen got up as usual, washed up, ate breakfast, and then went out. There were many people out for a spring outing today, so the carriage traveled slowly, and by the time they arrived at Jiuru Lane, the sun was already high in the sky. Fu Sui, as expected, lingered in bed and had just finished his breakfast.
"I've booked a private room at Zhuangyuanlou in your name. We can have some snacks and play backgammon there. With curtains and screens separating us, we won't be spied on." Qiao Zhenzhen waited for Fu Sui to comb her hair.
As Fu Sui let Kou Yun toss her hair around, she turned her head and asked, "What's the difference between you ordering and me ordering?"
"Of course." Qiao Zhenzhen got up and walked around to Fu Sui's front, carefully examining him. She also thought Fu Sui's hairstyle was quite nice today. Dai Ling quickly moved an embroidered stool over and placed it next to the dressing table so that Qiao Zhenzhen and Fu Sui could sit and talk.
"The private rooms at Zhuangyuanlou are already fully booked today. If I were to try and snatch one from the wives of officials, I, a Qiao family daughter who needs to strictly adhere to family precepts and be cautious, would be no match for your reputation as a domineering princess."
Fu Suicai didn't care that Qiao Zhenzhen was doing some "domineering" things in her name. Qiao Zhenzhen always had a knack for using the princess's noble status without causing people to criticize the princess for being rude.
During the Flower Festival, it is fashionable to wear flowers in one's hair. However, fresh flowers do not last long and wither by midday. Kouyun opened a box of silk flowers and picked out a weeping crabapple to wear as a New Year's gift.
Fu Sui took the box of silk flowers and handed it to Qiao Zhenzhen: "These are new. Take a look and see if there's anything you like."
Qiao Zhenzhen took a look and saw that there were seven or eight silk flowers inside. The materials were not of the highest quality, but the designs were very exquisite, including trembling butterflies, double-tailed fish, and tiny camellias.
"Where did you get this? It's different from the ones commonly found in flower markets."
Do you still remember my wet nurse, Lan Niang?
Qiao Zhenzhen had heard Fu Sui mention Lan Niang before. Many years ago, Lan Niang left the mansion to get married. Every Dragon Boat Festival and Double Ninth Festival, Fu Sui would send Lan Niang some seasonal fruits and snacks.
"Her current husband is in the car dealership business. Some time ago, a traveling merchant came to him to rent a car and brought a lot of trinkets. Lan Niang saw that his silk flowers were nice and specially sent them over."
Qiao Zhenzhen held the silk flower and turned it around to look at it, then said with a smile, "She has been married for many years but still misses you so much. No wonder you send her things every year during festivals."
It was common for wealthy families to hire wet nurses, sometimes for a year or two, and sometimes for a lifelong contract to be devoted to their master. But the relationship between Fu Sui and Lan Niang was different from that of other families.
Lan Niang was from Bingzhou. Her previous husband's family treated her badly, making her toil all day and suffer their harassment and beatings. After enduring this for several years, Lan Niang could no longer bear it and divorced her husband. Unexpectedly, she discovered she was pregnant after the divorce. Lan Niang couldn't bear to part with her own child, so she gritted her teeth and gave birth.
After giving birth, she was weak and had to take care of a nursing baby, leaving her with no energy to work and only able to live off her savings. Lan Niang had only done some spinning and weaving work before, how much money could she save? Seeing that she was about to run out of food and drink, she happened to hear that the Prince's mansion was looking for a wet nurse for the newborn child. Lan Niang had neither a husband nor a guarantor, but with her courage, she ran to the Prince's mansion to offer herself.
Prince Jin noticed that although she was thin, she was quick and agile with clear eyes, and her child was healthy and chubby. After checking her household registration and inquiring with the neighbors, he learned that although she was raising her young child alone, she was not the kind of person who would commit crimes, be adulterous, jealous, or immoral. She had also given birth to children in her previous marriage, all of whom were healthy. He then had a doctor examine her carefully to ensure that Lan Niang was free of illness, and thus agreed to let Lan Niang enter the palace as a wet nurse, and even granted her permission to bring her young child into the palace to care for him.
When Fu Sui returned to the capital, many of the servants from Bingzhou in the mansion were dismissed. Qin An also asked Lan Niang about her future. Firstly, Lan Niang had no one to rely on in Bingzhou, and secondly, she felt that the maids around the princess were all young women who were inexperienced and probably did not know how to take care of a two- or three-year-old child. So she simply took her young son, packed her bags, and came to the capital with Fu Sui.
Later, when Lan Niang remarried, the family still paid for it, and Qin An and Doumiao arranged Lan Niang's dowry.
Lan Niang always believed that without the Prince Jin's mansion, she would not have been able to support her own children, let alone enjoy the comfortable life she has now. Therefore, she was very grateful to the mansion.
During the period following the death of Prince Jin, Qin An was preoccupied with arranging the funeral, scheduling the journey, and gathering intelligence in the capital. He Yujing was left to manage everything, leaving Qin An with no time to spend with Fu Sui. Fu Sui was thus brought to the unfamiliar capital by Lan Niang and became quite attached to her.
“We have been through thick and thin together. Given my position, I can’t treat her as an elder. I can only look after her occasionally. I can’t let her sincerity go to waste.”
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