Talented and beautiful?
The ceremony of enthroning the virtuous king was held in the Taimiao of Qiguo. Emperor Hong reported to the ancestors in the Taimiao, holding the golden book, golden treasure and seal. General Wang led the generals of the Jinwu Guard in a line. The red lacquer table was solemn, and the gold lacquer treasure book pavilion was gilded. Shangguan Yichen wore a nine-chapter crown and a nine-flag crown on his head and accepted the seal.
During the ceremony, General Shangguan Yichen was appointed as the Grand General.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on being crowned the virtuous king. Congratulations, Your Highness, on being promoted to the rank of general." Zhong Yujing said with a respectful smile.
Shangguan Yichen said politely, "Thank you, Prime Minister Jing."
"King Yao lived a clear and bright life and was known for his virtue. I still remember Your Highness once said that the title of Little Virtuous King was his favorite in his life. Now that he has been officially canonized as the Virtuous King, it is also the son inheriting his father's aspirations. This is why I congratulate Your Highness the most." Zhong Yujing said sincerely.
Shangguan Yichen's expression suddenly darkened, as if lost in memories. He gazed into the distance and said leisurely, "I am pleased with the title of the Wise King, and it is indeed because of my father."
Zhong Yujing looked at him carefully. He had a solemn and majestic figure with a crown on his head and robes. His eyebrows and eyes were always cold, but with the crown on his body, the imperial aura in him was revealed, with nowhere to hide.
Zhong Yujing couldn't help but think secretly that if he and Emperor Hong had not been so close and respectful to each other, Daqi would no longer be Emperor Hong's world. It would have changed hands long ago, just like the Qing Kingdom.
It is said that the previous monarch of Qing State, Emperor Huan, was originally a prince of Qingdi. During the political disputes in Qingdi, many heroes emerged. He led his army to fight for the Central Plains and finally won the victory. He flattened the entire Qingdi and established Qing State, and was named Emperor Huan.
Emperor Qing Huan was not only brave and good at fighting, but also loved his people like his own children and was good at governing the country and pacifying the world. During his reign, the economy of Qing was prosperous and the people were wealthy. In order to expand the territory, he led his troops to conquer other countries. By the time he was assassinated, most of the Ten Kingdoms had been annexed by Qing.
Emperor Qinghuan was known to the world for his extraordinary wisdom and great strategies. Even the emperors and generals who had fought against him were impressed by him.
However, such a legendary emperor was suddenly assassinated several years ago. The reason for the assassination remains a mystery. People only know that shortly after his death, his younger brother Prince Duan usurped the throne and became Emperor Feng. Today, Emperor Feng still holds the power in the Qing Kingdom.
Shangguan Yichen had made great military achievements and held the highest prestige. If he wanted to, Daqi would have been turned around long ago. In comparison, Zhong Yujing felt that Shangguan Yichen was a man of great ambition and lofty vision.
That day, Zhong Yujing went to the Tibetan Pavilion on East Street to buy books and rice paper for her uncle. As she was selecting books at the desk, she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her...
"Why didn't Mr. Ren come last night? The moon was dark and the sky was cold, and he made me wait so long."
A strange man's voice said, "I've been busy lately, so I'm afraid I won't be able to come see you. It's a cold night, so don't wait for me. It's better to get some rest early."
"Is Ren Lang angry with me? Don't want to be with me anymore?" the woman asked anxiously.
"I am just an ordinary man, not worthy of Miss Shen's golden branches and jade leaves, so why should I worry? I know myself well and dare not try to be above my level."
Shen Qingci was annoyed. "I told you long ago that my marriage with the virtuous king was a family alliance, and my marriage with you was a true love. Didn't you also promise me that you didn't seek fame or status, but only worldly pleasure?"
The man said coldly, "True love? Worldly pleasures? I see that your feelings for the Wise King are more like true love. Unlike you and me, it's just a fleeting romance."
Before Shen Qingci could retort, the man sarcastically said, "It's a pity that the fallen flower wants to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water has no sympathy for the fallen flower." He snorted and laughed, "You have been in love with him for several years, but he rejected your marriage in public. It is truly unforgettable."
The man laughed loudly, waving his arms and legs.
"How dare you! Who do you think you are? You're just a toy for my amusement. How dare you humiliate me like this? Who gave you the guts?"
Zhong Yujing had never imagined that a woman's face could be so hideous, let alone the face of a lady from a famous family.
Shen Qingci continued, "Today I will make you, this bastard, get out of Lin County and never appear before me again!"
"Don't worry, Miss Chen. I can walk by myself!" After saying that, he picked up the sword on the table and walked out of the Tibetan Pavilion without looking back.
Shen Qingci's eyes were filled with humiliating anger. He was afraid that the man would soon be in danger of his life. However, he was dressed like a man of the world and carried a sword with him, so it would be difficult to hurt him.
Shen Qingci calmed down for a moment, the anger in her eyes gradually disappeared, and she changed her previous timid look and returned to her usual elegant demeanor. She walked out of the Tibetan Pavilion gracefully, and then a carriage drove over. She got on the carriage and left.
Zhong Yujing then turned his slightly tilted body and looked in the direction where Shen Qingci was leaving, frowning, as if thinking about something.
It seems that this extremely talented woman is also very capable.
After completing his purchases at the Tibetan Library and paying the bill, Zhong Yujing met Sun Zili at the entrance of the library. He had just finished chatting with a friend at the Feiyu Tea House and was about to walk home when he ran into Zhong Yujing. Because of their friendship from their last collaboration on a case, they walked together for a while.
Sun Zili glanced at the books Zhong Yujing was holding. "The books in the Tibetan Pavilion are all new to the market, and the supply is abundant, so business is booming. They even opened a new branch in the south of the city this year. Does Prime Minister Jing also like to buy books at the Tibetan Pavilion?"
"These are some books that my uncle wants. He specifically asked to buy them from this store. I'm here to help with the purchase." Zhong Yujing said with a smile.
"Yes, I have heard that Prime Minister Ren loves reading, and his interests span a wide range of topics, with a particular fondness for wuxia novels."
Zhong Yujing suddenly remembered that the man who had just spoken with Shen Qingci was a chivalrous man of the world, so she asked Sun Zili, "Sun Shaoqing, have you ever heard of Shen Qingci, the talented woman famous in Lin County?"
Sun Zili nodded, "She is the granddaughter of Prime Minister Shen. Prime Minister Shen is extremely talented. I heard that this Miss Shen is also talented, but..." He suddenly frowned and said in a deep voice: "Miss Shen's talent is praised by everyone, but her character is another matter."
"What do you mean?" Zhong Yujing asked in confusion.
Sun Zili's face was irritated. He said, "I have a close friend named Fang Duo, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He has been fond of calligraphy and painting since he was young and has quite accomplished in this area. One day, he came across Miss Shen's paintings at the art market and was astonished. Admiring her talent, he made many attempts to get her to meet him. Finally, the will of heaven paid off. Miss Shen agreed to meet Fang Duo. Fang Duo arranged to meet her in a fine room at the Flying Fish Tea House. The two of them shared similar interests and had a great conversation. They soon became engaged."
Minister Fang comes from a prominent family and is also a talented young man. He falls in love with Miss Shen at first sight and is deeply in love with her. He only regrets that he cannot marry her home that day, so he asks someone to act as a matchmaker and goes to her house to propose marriage.
But the matchmaker replied that Miss Chen and Mr. Fang were just casual acquaintances, they just enjoyed tea, calligraphy and painting together, and knew each other in the painting market. It was no different from other acquaintances of calligraphy and painting, so Mr. Fang was asked not to think too much about it.
Minister Fang didn't believe it at first, thinking that the elders in Miss Shen's family were dissatisfied with him for not having made any achievements and was not worthy of the Shen family's daughter. So he went to the house in person to find Shen Qingci and find out the truth.
Minister Fang left the Fang Mansion with a large betrothal gift and headed for the Shen Mansion. Passersby were curious about where he was going so early in the morning and what he was doing. They followed him all the way to the Shen Mansion and suddenly realized that he had come to propose marriage to Miss Shen in person. They all opened their eyes wide and waited at the door of the Shen Mansion to watch the excitement, hoping that they might witness a wonderful story with their own eyes.
Minister Fang leaped from his horse, which was tied with red silk, and thought of the beautiful woman's blushing and tender smiles when they were together. "Mr. Fang is truly the only confidant in my life. If we could talk about poetry and painting every day, my life would be full of happiness."
He couldn't help but feel hot in his heart, burning up to his head. He straightened his body and strode into the Shen Mansion.
After informing him, the concierge led Minister Fang to the main hall, where Shen Qingci was waiting for him at the main seat. Minister Fang saw the beauty from afar, and his heart was filled with a mixture of grievance, longing, and other emotions. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. He took a few steps forward, took Shen Qingci's hand, and whispered, "Qingci..."
Shen Qingci pulled back his hand, gave up the seat on the right, and motioned him to take a seat.
Minister Fang slowly sat down and said, "I am not very talented and knowledgeable, and I have not achieved anything. I am really ashamed. But I am sincere in my love for poetry, and there is absolutely no falsehood. If your father and mother feel that I am not qualified to marry you now, I will redouble my efforts in the future and strive to achieve success and fame as soon as possible, so as not to disappoint you..."
"No need." Shen Qingci coldly interrupted Minister Fang's unfinished words, then turned and looked gently into his stunned eyes. "I have already let the matchmaker convey my intentions. This is my own intention and has nothing to do with my father and mother."
Minister Fang's shoulders trembled a few times, and he said anxiously: "Qingci was talking to me the day before yesterday... Why did you suddenly..."
"It's just a discussion between fellow poets and painters. Minister Fang is the deputy head of the Ministry of Justice and has extensive knowledge. How could he not be able to tell the difference?" Shen Qingci looked at Minister Fang innocently and smiled.
Minister Fang's eyes bulged red, and he slammed the table in anger, saying, "What you're saying now is that everything that happened before was just a show with me? There's no sincerity at all!"
Shen Qingci covered her face with a handkerchief and said, "Mr. Fang, I really cannot accept what you said. Qingci has always been sincere to others, without any falsehood. Moreover, as a girl, how can I be so close to a man casually? I really don't understand what you said."
After all this, Minister Fang finally realized that he was blinded by greed and all his enthusiasm was wasted. He had no choice but to leave the Shen Mansion with a sad and angry step.
When the people waiting at the door to watch the excitement saw Minister Fang come out, they all widened their eyes and whispered to each other.
Minister Fang's eyes were already bloodshot from anger, and his heart felt like it was being torn apart by a thousand knives. He looked up and saw so many people waiting to see him laugh, and roared, "What are you looking at! Get out of here!!!"
After Minister Fang returned home, he fell seriously ill and took leave for several days without returning to the Ministry of Justice. The fact that he was rejected by Miss Shen was known to everyone in Lin County, and naturally it also reached Minister Wen. Minister Wen was worried about his subordinate and also hated his lack of ambition. A real man never has to worry about not having a wife, and Fang Duo is extremely talented. After joining the Ministry of Justice, he has solved many strange cases. He is a person who was specifically trained by the superiors and has a bright future. Now he has become so sick because of a mere woman. Isn't he going to ruin his own future?
It was inconvenient for Minister Wen to comfort his subordinates. Some things would be more effective if they were said among peers. So he thought of asking Sun Zili to persuade them. Sun Zili and Fang Duo were in the same imperial examination class, and later went to the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice respectively. The two had similar personalities and had many contacts in official business. They had solved cases together before, so he was the best candidate for this matter.
Sun Zili saw Fang Duo in his room. He was lying straight on the bed, his face ashen and his eyes lifeless. He was just staring at the ceiling. Fang's mother said that he had not eaten or drunk for many days. He didn't say a word and was just in a daze.
Sun Zili felt a pang of pity. He sat down beside the bed and softly recalled, "Brother Fang, do you still remember that we were in the same class for the imperial examination? During the palace examination, you won the top prize, and I was second. Brother Fang later told me that the quality of an essay varies from person to person, just as everyone's opinions are subjective. In your eyes, based on my performance in the palace examination that day, I should have been the top prize winner."
Fang Duo's eyelashes trembled, but he said nothing.
Sun Zili looked at him and continued, "When I heard what Brother Fang said, I was deeply moved. There are many people who scheme against each other and who, out of jealousy, will do their utmost to destroy others. But Brother Fang is so open-minded, honest, and clear-minded. I immediately made up my mind: Brother Fang is my lifelong friend!"
Fang's mother listened with her head down and wiped her tears silently.
I only heard Sun Zili say, "Everything we desire but don't obtain in this world is an obsession. A thought is like a dream. While in a dream, we only feel that the thing we desire is wonderful, but if we don't have it, it will feel like it is gnawing at our bones and heart. If we wake up one day, we may only then realize that the gnawing thing is like a poison, which is poisonous and not good. Only when the dreamer frees himself from the nightmare can he be considered to have detoxified and rid himself of the poison, and can he truly recover."
Sun Zili couldn't quite tell whether these words were meant to persuade others or to guide himself. He just felt that they were spoken from the heart and were filled with emotion.
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