Chapter 3 Chapter 3 A slap in the face...
Logically speaking, praying for blessings during the Lantern Festival should be considered a sacrificial offering, and naturally falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. However, the Ministry of Rites does not have enough staff during this period.
One reason is that there was a case before that involved officials from the Ministry of Rites, and for a while there were several vacancies in the Ministry of Rites. In fact, this is not so bad, as it cannot be said that there is a shortage of staff.
However, just before this case, Su Shang, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, went on a diplomatic mission to Western Yan, a vassal state of the Jin Dynasty, and he took a group of people with him. The Lantern Festival was a serious annual ceremony, and all related matters could not be neglected. Naturally, the Ministry of Rites was short of staff.
Although the Censor had a low rank, he had great power and was known as the "little prime minister". When Xu Qing'an went to the Ministry of Rites, he actually exercised more supervisory power, so many times people in the Ministry of Rites had to respect him.
Xu Qing'an was sent directly by the Queen Mother, so naturally he had to report to her on the preparation progress of the ceremony from time to time.
Shangguan Xu listened to Xu Qing'an's report of the rules and regulations, but didn't say anything. He only asked, "How long will Your Majesty and I stay on the cruise ship?"
Xu Qing'an said truthfully, "Including the parade, it took about half an hour."
"Let's skip the tour," Shangguan Xu said without looking up. "It's cold during the Lantern Festival, and Your Majesty is still young and can't handle the wind. Let's arrange for you to disembark after the prayers."
Noticing the moment of silence from His Highness, Shangguan Xu raised his eyes and said hesitantly, "What's wrong? Do you think there's something wrong with my arrangement?"
Xu Qing'an immediately regained his smile and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, it would be more appropriate to consider His Majesty. I will go to the Ministry of Rites and convey Your Highness's wishes."
Shangguan Xu said "hmm".
Qing He came back from outside the palace at this time, leaned over to Shangguan Xu's ear and said, "Your Majesty, the eldest son is here."
Shangguan Xu's elder brother Shangguan Li.
Shangguan Xu said to the people in the hall: "Alright, go and do your own thing."
Xu Qing'an accepted the order: "I will take my leave."
When he turned to leave, the person outside the hall just came in. The two of them approached each other, and Xu Qing'an bowed slightly. The person also returned the greeting casually, and then they separated again.
"My Lady."
"Brother."
Not long after they passed each other, they heard the sounds of Shangguan Li greeting them and Shangguan Xu coming down from his seat to greet them.
She walked to the center of the hall.
Xu Qing'an suddenly stopped in his tracks, his fists clenched inexplicably at his sides, his eyes darkened, and he quickened his pace to leave.
Shangguan Xu invited Shangguan Li to sit beside him at the side of the hall, and then said in a stern voice, "Brother, you're always like this, calling me 'Niangniang' all the time."
Shangguan Li advised gently, "There was an outsider here just now."
The palace maid brought up tea and snacks from the palace and placed them on the table between the two of them.
The tea was the best Mengding Ganlu available at the moment, and the pastries were the ones Shangguan Xu had specifically requested, the ones Shangguan Li preferred.
After the palace maid put the things away, Shangguan Xu first looked up at Qinghe, and Qinghe understood and sent everyone in the hall away.
Shangguan Xu then said, "I know what you're worried about, brother, but you're overthinking it. Not to mention that your current position doesn't allow you to establish a dictatorship with your relatives, even I, the Empress Dowager, can't make the final decision."
"So this is why you attacked Prime Minister Su?" Shangguan Li asked suddenly.
The court is now roughly divided into three factions. Apart from the smaller and more neutral faction, there is the Su Party headed by Su Wang, also known as Su Xiang, and the Shangguan Party headed by Shangguan Xu.
The leaders of the two parties behind were, one was the regent minister appointed by Emperor Zhuang, and the other was the empress dowager who was the emperor's mother. With such identities, they would naturally repel and fight with each other.
However, in fact, the Su family and the Shangguan family are also old friends.
In addition to Shangguan Li marrying Su Wang's eldest daughter, the former head of the Su family, Su Yu, and Shangguan Xu's father, Shangguan Shi, were also companions of Emperor Zhuang. The three grew up together in their youth and wrote a beautiful story of monarch and minister in their early years.
It's a pity that Su Yu died early, and the burden of the Su family was taken up by his third brother Su Wang. Later, Emperor Zhuang passed away, and Shangguan Shi died of illness after serving as the minister in charge of the emperor for two years, which led to the current situation.
Su Yu and Shangguan Shi were both talented people who loved people and things and were well-informed. Therefore, the Su Party and the Shangguan Party were comparable in moral character. However, Su Wang was more mature and had entered officialdom earlier, which gave him many advantages. This allowed the Su Party to have a head start over Shangguan Xu in terms of power.
However, Shangguan Xu wanted to move against him now not just for his power, power was only the smallest dispute between them.
Shangguan Xu took a sip of tea and said, "I didn't tell you about this matter in advance because of your status. Did you come to me today just to talk to me about this?"
After all, I have a sister-in-law from the Su family at home, so I have to take some things into consideration.
Shangguan Li said softly, "I'm just worried that you might be too hasty. I'm afraid he'll react and attack you."
"I didn't do it, so why would he do that to me?" Shangguan Xu said lightly but confidently, "Besides, weren't there two people from the Shangguan family involved in that case?"
——
Xu Qing'an went to the Ministry of Rites and conveyed Shangguan Xu's words.
The official in charge of the Lantern Festival prayers said, "No parade? But for such an event, the people gather together just to see the face of the Heavenly Family."
Xu Qing'an squinted his eyes and said coldly, "The Empress Dowager only said there would be no parade, but she didn't say the boat must stay on the shore during the prayer."
——
In the Lizheng Hall, the Shangguan brothers and sisters finished their conversation and stood up one after another. Shangguan Xu wanted to say farewell to them for a while, but Shangguan Li turned around and said goodbye. She knew his concerns and could not persuade him, so she just let him go.
After they left, Qing He came over and said, "The eldest son still supports the Majesty's choice as always, but he's inevitably worried about her being hurt. But I also want to ask, the Majesty has repeatedly assigned that Censor Xu to other tasks. Is he truly worthy of your use? Didn't he also implicate someone under the eldest son's command in that previous case?"
Shangguan Xu curled his lips and said nonchalantly, "They're not really my brother's men, but they received some advice from my father a few years ago. Since then, they've been more frequent during the holidays, but we haven't really interacted much. Before this case was revealed, my brother had no idea that these two had gone astray in recent years, so he felt that this was a good thing for now; it could be considered a clean slate."
"At the same time, from the outside, it seems like this case is related to our Shangguan family, just as you think. So I shouldn't attack my own people."
Qing He nodded. "In that case, Prime Minister Su has no reason to blame the Empress for this matter. It seems that Censor Xu has hit the jackpot."
"An unexpected success?" Shangguan Xu picked up the cup, took a sip of the still-hot tea, and returned to Qinghe's question. "At least until now, I haven't considered using him. It's just that there are some things and some sins that need someone to do and bear for me, and now there happens to be someone who enjoys doing it, so naturally I won't refuse."
——
On the night when the results of the selection were announced, Xu Qing'an was taken away and met a man in a secluded place.
"Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Shangguan Xu arrived in the room in advance and waited. She turned around only when Xu Qing'an came to pay her respects. The flickering candlelight in the room outlined her pale face, which was as graceful as a snow lotus, yet a little cold.
Shangguan Xu chuckled after hearing the slightly surprised voice of the person in front of him: "Xu Qing is surprised? But isn't this exactly what you expected?"
She recounted the past: "At the Apricot Garden banquet, everyone else wrote poems about mountains, rivers, and peonies, but you chose butterflies. You even said that butterflies, like a pillow of fragrance, could ease the pain of the past."
"A pillow of fragrance enchants me, butterflies flutter towards the west garden, and the lingering feeling is even more bitter[1]. You used this line from "Autumn in the Jade Capital," but only described the beginning and the end without mentioning the middle. What is your intention?"
"Is it because my name is in it?" Shangguan Xu asked, but answered himself. Mi Li's eyes grew fiercer. "You didn't say it because you wanted to avoid it, but you wanted me to notice that you skipped this sentence. And then you said, 'I wish to rise with the butterfly shadows and the wind, and live up to my dreams in the blue sky.'"
"Why, Xu Qing, do you think you have unparalleled talent and ambition, and want to borrow my influence to soar to the top?"
Xu Qing'an was silent for a moment. Even though his thoughts were mercilessly exposed, he did not deny it. Instead, he smiled calmly, bowed, and said, "I'm sorry to trouble your Majesty to remember this. It's just a trivial trick. I'm sorry to have made you laugh."
As he spoke, he gave an awkward laugh. "But I'm not afraid of being laughed at by Your Majesty. I don't boast of my talent. I wrote that poem at the Apricot Garden banquet simply to gain Your Majesty's attention."
"Now it seems that you have succeeded."
"yes."
The wind blew through the candlelight. Shangguan Xu raised his chin, but there was no warmth in his eyes, nor was there any joy at his honesty. "Why? What do you want?"
Xu Qing'an raised his eyes, his starry eyes full of affection, and looked directly into Mi Li's cold eyes: "I said at the Xingyuan banquet that I want to serve Your Majesty and Your Majesty wholeheartedly."
…
"Practicing calligraphy again?"
"Yes, every time I come back from the palace I have to practice for a while."
"Maybe it's meditation..."
The sound of discussion outside the door entered the room. Xu Qing'an came back to his senses from the past and took another look at the words he had unconsciously written -
Butterflies fly towards the west garden.
The whole paper was filled with writing.
He closed his eyes and took a breath for a moment, then crumpled the entire piece of paper into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
"It's freezing cold, don't catch a cold outside. There's a charcoal stove in the house, come in quickly." As he said this, he used a ruler to press down a piece of rice paper.
Two people came in from outside the door, including Zhang Fan and a young man.
This time, no one wasted any time, and the young man was the first to speak: "It's all arranged."
Xu Qing'an asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
"It will be settled in due time."
"good."
The few of them briefly reviewed the charter, but when they were about to leave, Zhang Fan hesitated for a moment, seeming to want to say something but stopped himself.
"What's wrong? Does Mr. Zhang have anything else to say?" Xu Qing'an noticed and asked.
Zhang Fan said, "I think we should try not to meet each other in the future. If there is anything, just send someone to deliver a message."
Xu Qing'an stopped writing: "Why is this?"
Zhang Fan said, "In Yangzhou, Censor Xu and I were teacher and student, but when we arrived in Chang'an, we deliberately concealed this relationship. Since we had to hide it, we couldn't let anyone catch us. Besides, I've also felt like there seemed to be a few more eyes around me lately."
Xu Qing'an smiled instead of worrying when he heard this and resumed writing: "Isn't this just perfect?"
Zhang Fan was puzzled.
"Sir, why do you think I'm hiding our relationship?" Xu Qing'an asked, "Nothing is perfect in this world. Instead of letting them find our flaws, why not proactively create one? Show them what we want them to see, something that will grab their attention..."
Xu Qing'an picked up the pen, and the clear water in the penwasher on the desk reflected the young man's appearance.
He squinted his eyes.
"Send it to them!"
The wolf hair brush was thrown down, and in an instant, the surface of the water was covered with ink-black.
——
During the Lantern Festival, the sky is filled with auspiciousness, people from all over the world enjoy themselves together, and blessings continue.
Shangguan Xu brought the young emperor and his ministers to the bank of Kunming Lake.
The positions of all officials were arranged according to their ranks, and standing next to the empress dowager and the emperor was the powerful Prime Minister Su, who was also one of the three highest officials of the dynasty, Su Taiwei.
When Su Wang came, Shangguan Xu greeted him politely.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, be well."
"No need to be so polite, Mr. Su."
Although the two of them competed secretly, they did a great job on the surface. In addition, Shangguan Xu was Su Wang's sister-in-law, so Shangguan Xu treated him with some courtesy as a junior.
Shangguan Xu said with concern, "Although the weather has improved recently, it's not winter yet. The nights are cold, so Mr. Su must keep warm."
Su Wang thanked her and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The mist on Kunming Lake is even heavier. Your Majesty and His Majesty must take good care of yourselves."
Shangguan Xu smiled meaningfully, turned his head and looked ahead at the boat that would soon board for the prayer. "We'll return to the palace after the ceremony. It won't take long."
Xu Qing'an, as the censor in charge of this matter, was transferred to the front by Shangguan Xu. He would also board the boat with her in a while to help preside over the prayer.
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, greets you." Xu Qingan came to the front.
Shangguan Xu asked, "Is everything ready?"
Xu Qingan said respectfully, "Everything related to praying for blessings has been prepared on the cruise ship."
Shangguan Xu said "hmm".
Su Wang, who was watching from the side, spoke up after a moment's pause, "Master Xu is indeed a handsome young man. First he won the Double First Prize, and now, in less than three months in office, he has accomplished two great things in succession. He is truly a young man to be feared. I admire him."
Shangguan Xu knew that Su Wang was talking about that case. Although the people killed in that case would not cause him serious damage, no one had dared to touch him for so many years. His words were a compliment on the surface, but who knew how many threats were hidden underneath.
As an eighth-rank censor, Xu Qing'an didn't know whether he could withstand the intimidation of a prime minister.
However, Shangguan Xu did not speak, she also wanted to see Xu Qing'an's reaction.
Xu Qing'an nodded to Su Wang and said, "Thank you for your praise, sir. I am still immature in many things I do, but I am acting according to the law and doing my best. Your Excellency is highly respected and is not only a pillar of the country, but also a role model for all officials. I am not very smart, and I will have a lot to learn from you in the future. I hope you will not blame me."
The tone was humble and peaceful, but the key point was the last sentence "don't blame me", and I don't know how many meanings it contained.
Don't blame him for being stupid? Or don't blame him for what he did before?
He is quite good at dealing with things.
Shangguan Xu raised his eyebrows and sighed inwardly, but this also made him somewhat skeptical of his position.
After a few words were exchanged between them, Xu Qing'an reminded them that it was time to board the boat and pray.
The water gurgles and the night breeze blows gently.
Shangguan Xu took the young emperor by the hand, walked across the pier, and boarded the cruise ship.
When they reached the bow of the boat, in front of the incense table where prayer candles were placed, the pier was removed and the cruise ship began to move forward.
Shangguan Xu immediately turned around and asked Xu Qing'an softly, "What's going on?"
Xu Qing'an said gently, "The Ministry of Rites believes that the people gathered at Kunming Lake today to see the faces of Your Majesty and His Majesty, so the blessing ceremony will be held during the rowing. Your Majesty, don't worry, the boat will dock as soon as the ceremony is over, so you and Your Majesty won't be exposed to the cold wind any longer."
Now that the ship has set sail, if it turns back it will be easy for people to notice the problem.
Since we get off the boat at about the same time, it doesn’t matter. No matter what, the result tonight will be the same.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Xu's expression softened: "Then let's get started."
——
"Today, during the Lantern Festival, all people gather together. I deeply feel the grace of heaven and earth and the trust of the people. I lead all officials here to pray for the mercy of heaven and the protection of Hou Tu, to protect our Great Jin Dynasty with favorable weather and peace for the country and the people."
Under the guidance of Shangguan Xu, the young emperor finished his prayers and then inserted the incense into the incense burner under the gaze of everyone.
At this point, the matter was completed and the people cheered in unison.
However, at this moment, someone suddenly came downstairs in the cabin and ran to Xu Qing'an anxiously and whispered a few words.
After hearing this, Xu Qing'an frowned and asked, "Really?"
He first asked, "Can it be repaired? Or can it be shoved back to shore?"
The cabin was leaking and the water flow was quite large. Fortunately, there was no wind tonight, so the boat was not overturned.
However, the answer Xu Qing'an got was: difficult.
It is difficult to repair and difficult to get back to shore.
Kunming Lake was artificially dug by diverting water from Fengshui, Fushui and Heshui rivers, which were then diverted to Caoqu.
Now the common people stand on one side, the officials stand on the other, and the cruise ship cruises along, heading towards the deserted side of the canal.
The front of the cruise ship was several steps higher than the middle section, and had passed the position where people could admire it. Shangguan Xu was ready to get off at this time.
Xu Qing'an pondered for a moment, and when she reached the middle of the stairs, he rushed over and said, "My Lady, the cabin is leaking."
Shangguan Xu said calmly, "Have someone protect His Majesty and row the boat back quickly."
Xu Qing'an nodded: "I've already given the order."
Xu Qing'an was two steps lower than Shangguan Xu. Shangguan Xu paused when he heard this, and taking advantage of the terrain, he couldn't help but glance down at him.
He also looked up.
The two looked at each other, and everything seemed to become quiet, not to mention that the cabin under their feet was leaking.
The light was darker on this side, and her body blocked most of the candlelight in front of him, so that half of his face was hidden in the darkness, and he just looked back into her eyes.
Shangguan Xu looked at him without really paying attention, but suddenly curled his lips and joked, "Master Xu is truly a man of great accomplishments. He can remain calm in such a situation."
The flickering candlelight just happened to highlight Xu Qing'an's smile.
He said slowly, "Isn't it the same for the Empress?"
But just as he finished speaking, the boat suddenly began to shake violently. Xu Qing'an lost his composure and shouted, "My Queen, be careful!"
The sudden left and right shaking made Shangguan Xu even more unable to exert her strength on the already narrow steps, and her sense of weightlessness was exacerbated. But Xu Qing'an was in front of her, so she couldn't go down.
There was also a commotion on the boat. Shangguan Xu had no time to think about why the boat was shaking so violently. He just grabbed the only fixed railing beside him out of the instinct to survive.
But the next moment, a long arm came around and a big hand rested on the waist.
Shangguan Xu was gripped by the warmth and strength that didn't belong to him. He glanced down and shouted at the bold young man in front of him, "What are you doing!"
Xu Qing'an seemed unaware of her anger, and instead tightened his grip around her: "Hold on tight, Madam!"
There was another sudden shake, and the two people standing by the railing were shaken out of the cruise ship.
With a thud, it fell into the water.
…
There were ripples on the water, and the boat gradually stabilized, finally reaching the nearest shore at the last moment.
Xu Qing'an pulled Shangguan Xu out of the water and brought her back to the shore.
His whole body was soaked in water, and his clothes became a little heavy. Shangguan Xu was panting, and after getting ashore, he fell to the ground.
Xu Qing'an squatted down and asked with concern: "Your Majesty, are you not..."
With a "pop" sound!
Suddenly, Shangguan Xu raised his hand and slapped Xu Qing'an in the face.
"How outrageous!"
Her eyes were wide and she was furious.
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