Ten days later
Royal Palace Enhua Hall
Murong Zhi looked at the memorial submitted by Chen Qingsong, requesting a transfer back to Jiangnan, and then looked up at this talented young man who had been the top scholar in the imperial examination three years ago.
Murong Zhi's authoritative voice rang out: "Minister Chen, why do you insist on returning to Jiangnan?"
"With your talent, if you stay in the capital, given time, it is not impossible for you to become the prime minister."
In fact, Chen Qingsong was indeed the prime minister candidate that Murong Zhi had chosen to leave to Mu Chengyu.
This person cares deeply for the people, is humble and open-minded, has profound foresight, and possesses exceptional talent and knowledge.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qingsong smiled, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, it is because there is someone in Jiangnan whom I admire."
He paused, then calmly added, "As the ancients said, 'When in power, one should worry about the people; when in retirement, one should worry about the ruler.'"
"My heart is always with my family, my country, and the world; where can I not serve my country?"
"Today, the pine tree is just like that."
Murong Zhi nodded and continued, "Have you considered bringing her to the capital? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Chen Qingsong: "Your Majesty, she was born and raised in Jiangnan, and is accustomed to the scenery and the fish and shrimp of Jiangnan."
“It is hard to leave one’s homeland. How can I bear to let her leave her hometown and suffer the pain of homesickness?”
Murong Zhi: "Ten years of hard study, one day of fame and success. Now, the time is ripe, and a meteoric rise to power is within reach. To be remembered in history and to reach the highest position in the court is not impossible."
"To leave like this, do you truly have no regrets?"
Chen Qingsong raised his eyes to look at Murong Zhi, raised his hand and bowed calmly, saying slowly and deliberately, "Your subject has no regrets."
Murong Zhi saw in him steadfastness, determination, and unwavering affection.
Murong Zhi lowered his eyes and couldn't help but think of Murong Yu, who had bid him farewell and left years ago.
Seeing that he was determined to leave, the official did not try to persuade him further. Instead, he picked up his pen and wrote the approval mark in vermilion on the memorial requesting a transfer.
One month later
Jiangnan Street
Chen Qingsong arranged to meet Bai Pianxian for a meal at the Funing Restaurant; the two had known each other for a long time.
Bai Pianxian rode in the manor's carriage to keep her appointment. Inside the carriage, she couldn't help but recall the conversation she had with Old Master Bai before his death.
It was an evening more than three years ago.
That evening, Old Master Bai was of sound mind, lying on a recliner in the courtyard, gazing at the sunset and lost in thought.
Upon seeing Bai Pianxian, who had come to see him, Old Master Bai sat up and asked with a smile, "Pianxian, what do you think of Qingsong?"
Bai Pianxian didn't think much of it at the time and blurted out, "Humble, ambitious, and of noble character."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Bai's smile widened, and he said earnestly, "He's a good kid, we know him well."
Old Master Bai: "Why haven't I seen him come to see you these past few months?"
Bai Pianxian: "He went to the capital to take the imperial examination."
Grandpa Bai: "Hmm."
He paused, then said firmly, "Don't worry, he will come back."
Seeing Bai Pianxian's puzzled expression, Old Master Bai pointed to his heart and smiled, "Because his heart remains in Jiangnan. Jiangnan holds his attachments, his lingering feelings..."
"Like a kite on a string, no matter how high or far it flies, a gentle tug on the string will bring it rushing back..."
Upon hearing this, Bai Pianxian recalled the look Chen Qingsong had given her before he left, the restrained affection in his eyes, and his solemn "Wait for me, okay?" Her calm heart was stirred by a few ripples.
Old Master Bai got tired of sitting, found a comfortable position to lie down, and continued, "Speaking of which, every time I see him, I can't help but think of myself when I was young."
At this point, Grandpa Bai couldn't help but chuckle, his wrinkled face filled with warmth and longing.
After a long pause, he continued, "The way he looks at you is exactly the same way I looked at your godmother back then..."
Grandpa Bai turned to look at the horizon, his voice distant: "Back then, wherever your godmother was, I couldn't help but follow her gaze, unable to see anything else. He's like me in that respect..."
As he spoke, he closed his eyes, and never woke up again.
Thinking of Old Master Bai, Bai Pianxian couldn't help but feel a little down.
Just then, the servant stopped the carriage: "Miss, we've arrived."
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