Chrysanthemum Banquet at Gu Mansion
The Gu Mansion, located in Qingyanfang, Beijing, may not be as prestigious and ostentatious as the royal palaces of the nobility, but it possesses the refined elegance of a family steeped in centuries of scholarly tradition. Its architecture is characterized by blue bricks and gray tiles, eaves and brackets, and two stone lions at the gate, weathered by the elements, have become both gentle and majestic.
Lu Qinglan brought only Fu Yu with her to the banquet, riding in a plain carriage with green curtains. She was still dressed in a simple, elegant outfit: a sky-blue silk skirt, a moon-white bodice embroidered with plum blossoms. Besides the purple pearl and silver hairpin, she pinned a freshly picked pale yellow dragon claw chrysanthemum in her hair. Her beauty was pure and refined, complementing the atmosphere of the Gu Mansion.
Old Madam Gu personally greeted them at the second gate. She wore an ochre jacket with a swastika pattern, her hair meticulously combed. Her smile was kind, but her eyes remained clear and sharp. She took Lu Qinglan's hand, looked him up and down, and nodded repeatedly. "Good boy, it was thanks to you that I was able to save my life that day. I've always wanted to thank you, and today I finally have the chance."
"You are too kind, old lady. It is just a coincidence. You are blessed with great fortune, so you can turn misfortune into good fortune." Lu Qinglan replied modestly, his attitude respectful but not humble.
Madam Gu's admiration deepened, and she personally ushered her in. The Gu Mansion's garden was modest, but beautifully laid out, with a new scene at every step and winding paths leading to secluded spots. It was the peak chrysanthemum season, with a variety of famous varieties blooming, some resembling golden cups, some like jade plates, some like dragon claws, and some like waterfalls, their delicate fragrance intoxicating.
The banquet was held in a waterside pavilion, its windows wide open on all sides, revealing a shimmering expanse of water and swaying chrysanthemum shadows. The feast wasn't extravagant, but each dish was exquisitely prepared, evidently with much thought. Besides Madam Gu, the only other attendants were two female members of the Gu family: Gu Zhao's aunt and his cousin. The atmosphere was warm yet respectful.
During the meal, Madam Gu spoke only about flower arrangement and health preservation with Lu Qinglan, occasionally asking her what books she read. Her words were filled with the care and concern of an elder for the younger, never once mentioning current affairs. Lu Qinglan responded calmly, her words and actions graceful and elegant, showcasing her talent without appearing too edgy.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Madam Gu seemed a little tired and was escorted by her maid to a rest room. Gu Zhao's aunt and cousin also found excuses to temporarily leave the table. Within the water pavilion, only Lu Qinglan and Gu Zhao, who had quietly appeared out of nowhere, remained.
Gu Zhao was dressed in a casual, rain-blue, draped tunic today. He wore no crown, his hair tied with a jade hairpin. He lacked the formality of a courtier and instead displayed the leisurely demeanor of a scholar. He poured Lu Qinglan a cup of chrysanthemum wine, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Miss Lu, what do you think of the chrysanthemums in my humble abode?"
Lu Qinglan glanced at a rare "Green Peony" outside the window and said calmly, "The chrysanthemums at Prime Minister Gu's residence are of many varieties and shapes. Some stand proudly in the frost, their graceful beauty outstanding; some are clustered and splendid, magnificent and majestic; and there are also those that seem ordinary, but they hide a noble character, revealing spirit in the unsuspecting. For example, the "Black Lotus" is as black as condensed ink, and its shape resembles a withered lotus. It does not fight or compete, but has a calm and graceful aura that is truly captivating."
Her words were openly commenting on the flowers, but secretly she seemed to be evaluating the people in the room, and even the ministers in the court.
A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Zhao's eyes, then turned into a deeper smile. "Young lady, you have a discerning eye. Flowers are like people, and people are like flowers. However, in this world, there are few who can appreciate the elegance of the 'ink lotus' among countless beautiful things, as you do." He paused, his tone slightly shifted. "At the court meeting the day before yesterday, Your Highness proposed the policy of 'prioritizing military supplies and safeguarding the borders.' This policy was deeply pleasing to the emperor and also resolved the urgent need at the border. This policy was so far-sighted, I wonder... whose idea was it?"
He finally turned the topic to state affairs, his tone calm, as if it was just a casual question.
Lu Qinglan knew what he was talking about; what he really wanted to know was her role in all this. She took a sip from her wine glass, the sweetness of the chrysanthemum wine tinged with a hint of bitterness. "Your Highness is deeply concerned about the country, and you have counselors offering advice. Qinglan is just a woman from the boudoir. I occasionally heard about the hardships of the soldiers at the border, and I felt deeply moved. I mentioned a few things to Your Highness during our casual conversation. How could Qinglan have any say in the specific strategies?"
She pushed the credit onto Xiao Jingche and his advisers, clearing herself of all blame, and only admitted that it was "mentioned in casual conversation."
Gu Zhao observed her calm face, inwardly marveling at her meticulousness and impeccable words. He smiled, and without further questioning, he continued, "Young lady, you are too modest. 'Hearing the cold winds of the north, the soldiers are toiling'—though this statement is simple, it hits the nail on the head. Being able to discern the safety of the border at a glance amidst the swirling grain transport business is something not many people can achieve." He changed the subject again, "However, the problems of grain transport are deeply entangled, and even a single issue can affect the entire system. Although Qiu Sheng has fallen, the forces behind him may not be reconciled. Your Highness's actions have earned praise from the Qingliu and the border troops, but they have also made many enemies. The road ahead... may be difficult and treacherous."
His words contained some reminder and some temptation.
Lu Qinglan raised her eyes, met Gu Zhao's deep gaze, and said frankly: "What Prime Minister Gu said is absolutely right. Reform has always been difficult. However, if bad policies are not eliminated, the country will have no peace. Since Your Highness has this intention, Qinglan believes that a loyal minister like Prime Minister Gu who cares about the world will not sit idly by and watch villains obstruct policies that benefit the country and the people." She cleverly promoted Gu Zhao to the position of "loyal minister", implying that he should support Xiao Jingche.
Gu Zhao was startled at this, then burst into laughter, so clear it startled several egrets nesting outside the water pavilion. "What a 'loyal minister with the empire at heart'! Miss Lu, you truly... always manage to surprise me." He dropped his smile, his expression becoming serious. "Please tell His Highness that as Prime Minister, I must prioritize state affairs. I... will not stand in the way of anything that benefits the nation."
He didn't explicitly express his support, but the words "I won't stand in the way" were a sign of great goodwill in the current state of the court. This meant that in the upcoming canal transport restructuring and even the broader court struggle, Gu Zhao would at least remain neutral, and might even provide unexpected assistance at certain critical junctures.
Lu Qinglan was reassured by this implicit promise. She stood up and bowed, "Your Excellency, I admire your righteousness. I will definitely convey this to His Highness."
At this time, Madam Gu and the others also returned to the water pavilion. After a few more casual conversations, Lu Qinglan stood up to take her leave. Madam Gu personally escorted her to the second gate and presented her with two pots of carefully cultivated chrysanthemums.
On the carriage back to the mansion, Fu Yu couldn't hide her excitement: "Miss, Prime Minister Gu...has he made his position clear?"
Lu Qinglan leaned against the car wall, closed her eyes, and uttered a soft "hmm." Gu Zhao's attitude was more favorable than expected. This man had a keen eye, and he must have seen Xiao Jingche's potential and the role she, Lu Qinglan, would play in it, so he showed his goodwill in advance. This was an important signal, meaning that Xiao Jingche's path to succession was beginning to attract the attention of the truly important figures.
However, she felt no joy, but rather increased her vigilance. A man like Gu Zhao would never take a gamble lightly. His "no resistance" must have profound considerations and political considerations behind it. When courting a tiger, one must be extremely cautious.
At the same time, Zhao Tieshou must also seize the clues he has about the Western Region caravan and Manager Hu. The "royal relatives" hiding in the shadows are the real threat.
The carriage drove through the bustling streets. Lu Qinglan opened his eyes, his gaze as cold as frost.
The chrysanthemum banquet at the Gu Mansion was just an interlude. The real game was still to come. The first volume was coming to an end, and it was time to start unraveling the web she had laid.
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