Chapter Two: Two Generations of Top Scholars
The Daxing Dynasty was known for its open-mindedness and less stringent requirements for women. As a result, three generations later, an empress emerged, unifying the north and south with an iron fist. She established imperial examinations, emphasized agriculture, reduced taxes, expanded the territory, and built a magnificent and prosperous nation.
At 3:45 AM on that day, the Empress slowly awoke in the Zichen Palace.
"Please, Your Majesty, change your clothes." The eunuch Hua Wan and the palace maids had been waiting quietly for a long time.
After tucking the blanket around the noble young master Zhang Songzhi, who was to be served in the emperor's bedchamber, the empress lifted the curtain with her delicate hand and got up to change her clothes.
Before long, with the tinkling of her jade pendants, the Empress, dressed in court attire and wearing a crown, entered the court hall. The court officials lined up in order and shouted "Long live the Empress!"
After everyone had paid their respects, the Minister of Works stepped forward first and reported, "Your Majesty, I have heard that a bronze square cauldron has been discovered in the Luo River in Luoyang, Henan Province. I believe this to be an auspicious omen for our great prosperity and unification. Therefore, I offer my congratulations to Your Majesty and wish our nation a long and prosperous future..."
The Minister of Works' words immediately caused a stir in the imperial court.
"A bronze square cauldron? If the rumors are true, it is indeed a symbol of the dynasty's unification..."
"Didn't the ancients vie for supremacy in the Central Plains and vie for the throne in order to demonstrate their domineering spirit?"
"To be able to bring this cauldron back to life is truly a blessing from heaven for our Great Xing..."
Hearing the chorus of praise from the court officials, the Empress slightly raised her hand, stopping the conversation, and turned to ask one of the people below her, "Minister Ye, what do you think?"
Upon hearing the Empress's inquiry, Ye Yuqing straightened his clothes and strode out with an air of nonchalance. As the newly appointed third-ranked scholar by the Empress a year prior, Lord Ye Yuqing had always been a model of integrity and uprightness among the civil officials of the court. Leaving aside his handsome appearance and brilliant literary talent, his silver tongue alone was enough to make all the court officials tremble. He was truly a master of debate, a master of wit and eloquence; whenever Ye Yuqing stepped forward, almost no one could escape unscathed from a verbal battle.
Upon hearing the Empress inquire about Ye Tanhua, the civil and military officials standing in the back row all trembled and perked up their ears.
Stepping out of the procession, Ye Yuqing gracefully bowed, raised her shimmering eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this omen is indeed auspicious, but I think this cauldron is probably not suitable to appear in the world..."
"Oh, why is that?" The Empress leaned slightly forward, looking at the spirited scholar below, her expression kind and gentle, as if she were eager to learn.
The Left Chancellor, standing at the forefront of the court, saw everything clearly. His eyes flickered, and a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. Could it be that the Empress had taken a liking to this Ye Tanhua?
Ye Yiqing's eyes sparkled, and she smiled brightly, replying, "Since this cauldron is an ancient sacred object, it must be in harmony with the heavens and the nation's destiny. If it is disposed of carelessly, I fear it will be detrimental to our great prosperity. I believe Your Majesty should have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau observe the celestial phenomena at night and examine the clouds during the day, choosing an auspicious time to offer prayers to show sincerity. It should be respected but not taken away, admired from afar but not trifled with..."
The court officials listened intently for a long time, only to see that Scholar Ye was eloquent and fluent, quoting extensively from classical texts, but in the end, he did not agree with excavating the bronze square cauldron.
The Empress listened patiently, nodding and smiling occasionally, her gaze intensely focused. To the Left Prime Minister, it was clear she was completely captivated by Ye Tanhua's extraordinary talent.
Oh dear, if Scholar Ye were to enter the Emperor's palace, then the court would be missing another scholar.
Everyone knows that Zhang Songzhi, the currently favored young nobleman, is the first scholar to achieve the third rank in the imperial examinations since the Empress assumed power. That year, amidst the apricot blossoms and light rain, the scholar, having just come of age, rode his horse through the streets, his face adorned with fresh flowers, exuding an indescribable air of triumph and unbridled charm. Along his journey, he was met with cheers, screams, and fruit thrown at his carriage.
Just as all the young ladies and women in the capital were eyeing the newly appointed third-ranked scholar and dreaming of the throne as his wife, unexpectedly, the scholar, who had only been glimpsed briefly, entered the Empress's palace and became her intimate companion. This news was like a bolt from the blue, instantly shocking the entire imperial city and shattering the hearts of countless beauties.
Years later, when another scholar, Ye, who could rival Zhang Tanhua, suddenly appeared, the capital was filled with both joy and worry. They were overjoyed because Ye was not only from a prestigious family, but also as handsome as Pan An and as talented as Cao Zhi. They were worried because the Empress might strike first again.
The Empress had indeed heard some rumors, but she dismissed them with a laugh. Who knew that Zhang Tanhua had truly fallen in love with her at first sight, and that their love was mutual? It wasn't the case, as the people in the capital believed, a case of power grab. Everyone assumed the Empress was lustful, but who knew that Zhang Tanhua truly loved the beauty more than his kingdom?
However, the court officials were simply overthinking things when it came to Ye Tanhua. The reason the Empress showed him so much favor was simply because she and Ye Tanhua's mother, Lady Ye, had been close friends, and she regarded Ye Tanhua as her nephew. But such private matters were naturally not to be discussed with outsiders.
"What Professor Ye said makes sense..."
"Ye Tanhua is indeed a young prodigy..."
"Ye Tanhua is truly ingenious..."
"I second that proposal..."
Seeing that the Empress seemed to greatly appreciate Ye Yuqing's words, some quick-witted and observant courtiers expressed their opinions early on.
"Those old foxes!" The Left Prime Minister secretly curled his lip, but on the surface he appeared sincere, as if he were ready to share the Emperor's burdens at any time.
The Minister of Works, who had originally planned to take advantage of the situation to make a fortune, could only silently wipe his sweat and could no longer get a word in edgewise.
"Since all my beloved ministers agree with Minister Ye's words, let's proceed as Minister Ye has suggested..." In the end, the Empress waved her hand, and this matter of state came to an end.
The Imperial Garden.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the water remained undisturbed. A noble young man in white robes sat idly in the pavilion, his black hair flowing like clouds, his bearing handsome and refined. His slender fingers held a whisk, gently rinsing the freshly ground tea.
The Empress gazed into the distance, a gentle smile unconsciously blooming on her lips. She stopped her journey back to the palace and instead headed towards the waterside pavilion.
Caught off guard by the Empress's graceful approach, the white-robed nobleman pretended not to notice, maintaining his elegant and poised demeanor, every movement exquisitely beautiful. Only after the Empress had entered the pavilion did the white-robed nobleman offer a slight bow, his magnetic voice resonating in his chest: "Greetings, Your Majesty..."
Waving her hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities, the Empress stepped forward and stood behind the noble young man in white, speaking gently, "Ninth Master's tea-making skills are becoming more and more proficient..."
Turning back with a slight smile, the white-robed nobleman's hair danced in the cool breeze as he took the Empress's slender hand in his, his fingertips warm: "Ninth Prince has become lazy in everything else, but perhaps his refined taste can please His Majesty..."
Holding the man before her tightly, she thought, ten years had passed, and the once spirited scholar now had fine lines around his eyes. The Empress sighed softly, "Ninth Prince, do you regret it?"
“No…” Zhang Jiulang raised his eyes, his long, thick eyelashes clearly defined, his expression as firm as ever: “Jiulang, I have no regrets…”
Even though so many people pity him and laugh at him for studying hard for more than ten years only to end up as a concubine in the palace, abandoning his lofty ambitions and patriotic heart, only he knows that in this life, he seeks neither future nor fame, but only wishes to be with the woman in front of him.
In this life, if she is an empress, he will be her beloved guest in the palace; if she is a general or minister, he will be her good husband in the household.
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