Chapter 84 Wangshu

Dark clouds were as black as ink, moving rapidly across the sky, with the moonlight appearing and disappearing behind them.

The same sky enveloped the entire Chang'an. When the King of Wei was angry in the Prince of Wei's Palace, Ren Yao also knelt in the ancestral hall of the Pingnan Marquis's Palace, facing the gloomy and neatly arranged tablets above, and said stubbornly: "I am right."

"How dare you speak so arrogantly!" Behind her, the old lady of Pingnan Marquis leaned on her cane and knocked heavily on the tile three times. "Ren Yao, let me ask you, today you confronted your uncle and aunt, disobeyed your elders, and even had the audacity to play polo with a man. Do you know you are wrong?"

Ren Yao couldn't understand. She had won the victory in broad daylight and even met the empress. The empress personally promised to arrange an official position for her. It was such a good thing, why did her grandmother punish her?

She stiffened her neck, stared at her father's spirit tablet in front of her, and gritted her teeth and said, "I'm right! I did a good job. Prince Linzi and Prince Shao both said that I fought well. The empress even met me in person and said that I was a role model for women. I will soon have an official position. Once I have a position, I will be able to go in and out of officialdom frequently. Maybe one day I will make meritorious contributions and ask the emperor to grant me grace and let me inherit the Pingnan Marquisate! Grandmother, we don't have to pass on the throne anymore. I can take care of my father's clothes and the Ren family's door. Aren't you happy?"

Old Madam Ren leaned on her crutches and silently gazed at her young and energetic granddaughter. A myriad of emotions surged into her heart, and in the end, only deep sorrow remained.

Madam Ren said sadly, "You lost your mother when you were born. Your father was busy on the battlefield and had no time to take care of you, so he could only leave you to an old woman like me. If a son is not well-educated, it is the father's fault. If you don't teach, it is my fault! What have I told you all these years? Don't fight for strength, don't be brave, just stay in the Marquis' Mansion and prepare for marriage, and I will take care of the rest. But how did you listen? You ran to Chang'an without saying a word, and you haven't been seen for three or four months. Today you are even bold enough to play polo with the Prince of the County! Who are you to dare to challenge the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Shao? If you get involved in the dispute between the princes, I'm afraid you won't even know how you died!"

"Then what should I do? Should I watch the hard work of several generations of the Ren family fall into the hands of a villain who only knows how to gamble and visit prostitutes, and let those people ruin the military achievements that my father fought for with his life?"

Ren Yao also exploded, and screamed, "Do you think I don't want to hide behind others peacefully? Do you think I am willing to be stared at by those men, and endure the discomfort and humble myself again and again? Of course I know that getting involved in the succession dispute is dangerous, but I have no choice. I don't want to pretend to be deaf and dumb, marry a man I don't like at all, and spend my whole life with him, and then lie to myself that I am happy with my husband and children. I would rather open my eyes and fight for it. Even if there is only a slight possibility, I want to try."

"You still have something to say!" Old Madam Ren was furious and raised her walking stick to hit Ren Yao on the back.

The cane was made of solid wood, which had become smooth and round after years of use, and it hurt when it hit people. Ren Yao endured the pain and refused to dodge, saying, "Even if you kill me today, I will say that I will not let my father's name fall into the hands of that family of rats. Even if the Ren family is to be defeated, it should be at my hands!"

Ren Yao was raised by Old Madam Ren, who watched her grow from a weak kitten to a grown-up girl. How could Old Madam Ren not feel pain when Ren Yao was hit by the stick?

Madam Ren couldn't bring herself to kill him anymore. She hobbled and put down her cane, shedding tears: "Yao'er, I have lived to this day and have experienced everything I should and shouldn't have experienced. It is enough for the Ren family to have your father and brother as loyal martyrs. I just hope that you can live a peaceful life like an ordinary girl."

"Your Majesty can do it, Shangguan Wan'er can do it, why should I live the life of an ordinary girl?"

Ren Yao felt a burning sensation on his back. Madam Ren had hit him hard, and even Ren Yao couldn't bear it. But she didn't think she was wrong and still refused to bow her head: "Grandma, you would rather pass on your family business to those men who can only fight for money than to me. Why? I am your only granddaughter, why don't you even support me?"

Qingshuang was the maidservant who served Old Madam Ren and had been guarding outside the ancestral hall. She heard something strange going on inside and rushed in to see what was going on. She just happened to hear what Ren Yao said.

Qingshuang sighed and said, "My lady, the old lady hasn't slept well for several days because of you. Everything she thinks about is for your good. You should be soft with the old lady and stop making her angry."

Ren Yao was also afraid of making his grandmother angry. His father died on the battlefield, and Ren Yao didn't even see his father for the last time. Now the Ren family was left with only the grandmother and grandson to depend on each other. Ren Yao's eyes were sour, and he straightened his back and said, "Grandma, I am an unfilial granddaughter, you can beat and scold me. But please don't hurt your own body for me. Qingshuang, send grandma back to rest."

Seeing that the young lady still refused to give in, Qingshuang sighed deeply and helped Old Madam Ren back to her room. The footsteps gradually faded away, and Ren Yao relaxed his body slightly at this time, and immediately felt a tearing pain in his back.

Ren Yao looked up at the dark sky outside the window. The clouds in the night sky were like rolling ink, and the moon was passing through the clouds, appearing and disappearing from time to time, changing unpredictably, just like her fate.

At this moment, Jiang Ling was walking towards the main courtyard in the dim moonlight. The servant followed closely behind him: "Sir, it's so late. What do you want to say to the Marquis? Why do you have to go now? Go slowly, be careful not to fall."

Jiang Ling didn't care. He didn't even mention the lights. He said with big strides, "I won the polo match today. Why should I wait for such a happy thing? I will forget the details by tomorrow."

Jiang Anhou had always scolded him for not doing his job properly, and over time, Jiang Ling felt that he had no future. But today, he did something that made him proud. He couldn't wait to share with his father the details of the game, how they arranged their tactics, how thrilling several attempts to steal the ball were, and even how they had a conflict with the King of Wei in the end...

Jiang Ling had a lot to say to his father, but Marquis Jiang An had gone to the palace for a social event and had not returned until now. Jiang Ling had endured it for the entire afternoon, and when he heard that Marquis Jiang An was back, he could not even wait until dawn and ran over excitedly.

Jiang Ling did not bring a lantern, and only brought one servant with him, so he walked into the main courtyard in the dark without anyone noticing him. Jiang Ling did not care about being neglected by the servants, and he walked quickly to the main room without asking anyone to report.

The door to the main hall was open, and inside there were beaded curtains, screens, and treasure pavilions scattered all over the place, with no end in sight. Jiang Ling was about to enter when he heard voices passing through the swaying beaded glass curtains and reaching his ears.

"My Lord, the prince played ball today and he played well. I didn't know when the prince became so skilled in riding. I am really remiss in my duty."

A man sneered and said, "It doesn't matter if he's good at riding a horse, he still didn't score a single goal. I guess he saw the excitement and clamored to join, and the King of Shao allowed him to join the team because of the Jiang family's face. It's really nonsense. He's so old but he still has no self-awareness. What a polo player he is. If he causes the King of Shao to lose to the King of Wei in front of the Queen, can he bear the blame? Fortunately, Erlang from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was here and took away most of the points. The young lady from the Marquis of Pingnan's Mansion was also brave enough to compete with the King of Wei's men for the ball. Your Highness's victory today is all thanks to these two people. Jiang Ling mixed in with them, which is really embarrassing for me."

The attendant was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly looked up at Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling's expression was extremely calm. He stood outside the door, listening to his stepmother and father talking in the warm room: "My Lord, the prince is still young, you are too harsh on him."

"Am I harsh? Ming Jilang is one year younger than him. Look at him, then look at him! Over the years, I have given him the best of everything, hired the best master for him, arranged the smoothest future for him, and helped him to smooth out any trouble he got into. And what's the result? He's still a useless piece of crap!"

"My Lord." Zhou's voice was gentle and soft, "The prince is only seventeen years old, still a child. He will be sensible after he gets married."

Jiang Anhou sneered, "I don't have any hope for him anymore. Just be a rich and idle person and don't cause any trouble for me! But you are right, it is time to consider getting married. He has nothing to do, so it is better for him to give birth to a grandson for the Jiang family as soon as possible, which can be regarded as his contribution to the family. Zhijun, you can choose the Crown Prince's consort. You must choose someone who is well-educated, virtuous and sensible. Don't get used to him. As for family background and appearance, they are secondary."

Zhou smiled as she said, "Don't worry, Lord. I will do my best to find a good wife for the prince. I'm not bragging, but I think my eldest brother's niece is a good match for the prince. Lan Zhen has been familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics since she was a child. She is gentle and filial, and everyone in the family praises her. I really love the prince as my own son, but I'm a stepmother, not much older than the prince. If I say something, I'm afraid people will criticize me, but if I don't say it, people will think I'm mean. I really don't know what to do. It would be great if Lan Zhen could marry in. With her as the mediator, the prince and I can get along well."

Marquis Jiang An slammed the table and said in a cold voice: "I don't know who dares to say anything to you! Just let go and beat him if necessary and scold him if necessary. If anyone dares to say no, sell them all. You are his mother, and the matter of the Crown Prince's Consort is entirely up to you. If you think your niece is suitable, call her to the mansion another day to take a look, and if she is suitable, then decide on it."

"Thank you, Lord. Erlang, have you finished writing the essay? Come and show your father how it goes."

"Father." A child's voice sounded. Although he tried to behave like an adult, his voice was still childish. Jiang Anhou laughed and picked up his son, asking, "What books did Erlang read today and what did he do?"

The boy told his father in a serious tone that he had played a game with his friends today and he won. Jiang Anhou laughed loudly, and Zhou also smiled softly, adding a few words from time to time. The orange light in the room was pulsating, warm and bright. The servant looked at Jiang Ling cautiously, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

江陵像乘興而來的旅人，在目的地前遇到一場大雨，霎間興致全無。他平靜地轉身，低低說：“走吧。”

江陵快步走出主院，步子比他來時更快，侍從需要小跑着才能追上。侍從跟在江陵身後，小心問：“世子，來都來了，您不進去和侯爺問聲安，這就走了？”

“我想了想，其實沒什麽可說的。”江陵淡淡道，“父親和繼母、二弟聊得正開懷，我進去反而打擾他們一家了。本來也不是什麽大事，走吧。”

江陵快步踏過廊庑，月亮在雲層中穿行，倏地在樹梢投下清輝，又很快被濃雲遮蔽。街上傳來打更聲，清脆的鑼鳴聲穿過千家萬戶，進入鎮國公府時，已經變成細微的悶響。

延壽堂內，燈火通明，鎮國公一家坐在明老夫人面前。鎮國公問道：“母親，您留兒子下來，是有什麽吩咐嗎？”

明老夫人放下茶盞，沉沉道：“眼看二郎就要授官了，老身想問問你們父子，對官職一事，可有章程？”

今日晚飯後，明老夫人一反常态将鎮國公留下，明華裳、明華章也跟随在側。明華裳輕手輕腳放下茶，飛快瞄了眼身旁的明華章，大概猜到明老夫人要說什麽了。

鎮國公對此很看得開，說：“此事由二郎決定吧。他已經長大了，想做什麽，該做什麽，他自己心裏有數。”

明老夫人和衆人一起看向明華章，明華章頓了頓，如實說：“回祖母、父親，聽聞京兆尹調任外地，我想去京兆府。”

所有人都吃了一驚，明老夫人臉色都變了，皺眉道：“京兆府？二郎，你可知京兆尹好端端的京官不做，為何被調去外州？就是因為他得罪了人。京兆尹名義上是長安長官，掌管京畿政事，但這是個吃力不讨好的位置，長安城內什麽雞毛蒜皮都能推到京兆府頭上，可是京城水深，這麽多權貴，京兆尹能管什麽？京兆府事情多，責任大，稍有不慎就得罪人，十年換了十五任京兆尹，實在不是什麽好去處。”

明華章當然知道，在長安這種掉下一塊牌匾都能砸到三個權貴的地方，做京城的行政長官，實在不是什麽好職位。可是就是因為人事變動頻繁，誰接手京兆府後都不敢作為，寧願少做少錯不做不錯，只等着調走後萬事大吉，京兆府辦案能力才如此不濟。

明華章在天香樓時，親身感受過京兆府辦案是多麽馬虎。差吏不專業、不細致尚有情可原，但态度不端正，從上到下都透露着對人命的漠視、對差事的敷衍，才是京兆府最大的問題。

長安乃是李唐故都，如果連長安百姓的冤案都得不到申訴，那李唐還有何面目統治山河，享萬民供奉？

明華章說道：“回祖母的話，孫兒知道，但正因如此，孫兒才更應該挺身而出，敢為人先。”

明華裳眼珠悄悄流轉，看向明華章。他筆直坐着，鼻梁線條像山巒一樣高挺又精致，睫毛纖長濃密，眼眸清澈幽黑，下颌線将這張漂亮的側臉一筆勾起，宛如最出名的畫家收筆，形與神都定格于此。

這番話由別人來說有沽名釣譽之嫌，但出自他口，明華裳就相信他是真的這麽想。

明老夫人對這個答案很不滿意，沉着臉道：“二郎，官場可不是學堂，理想再崇高，升不了官也是枉然。你有這心是好的，但這一批進士這麽多，還有好些寒門子弟，自有那些人去京兆府得罪人，你應當去個清貴之地，好生經營仕途。”

明華裳若有所感，果然，明老夫人緊接着就說：“老身今日見到了吏部尚書的夫人，她對你十分欣賞，正巧尚書也有一女，和你同齡，為人聰明伶俐，飽讀詩書，甚是讨人喜歡。改日老身請吳夫人來鎮國公府做客，你和尚書千金認識認識，談談詩文……”

明華章聽明白明老夫人的意圖了，立刻打斷老夫人的話，冷淡又直白地說道：“謝祖母好意，但我沒考慮過成婚，尚書夫人的厚愛，我擔當不起。”

明老夫人被如此直接地搶白，臉上有些不好看：“只是賞花宴，讓你和吳小娘子認識一下，又不是非要定下什麽。吳小娘子自小跟着父親讀書，文采頗好，你也從小苦讀文史，你們兩人說不定很聊得來。”

明華章冷冰冰說道：“孫兒研讀文史，可不是為了和閨閣女子賣弄。”

明老夫人被嗆了下，越發惱怒了：“吳小娘子家世出衆又頗有才情，外面不知道多少人想求取吏部尚書的千金還不得呢。這麽好的娘子介紹給你，你不願意，莫非，你喜歡那種不學無術、胸無點墨的蠢材？”

誰都能聽出來明老夫人說的是氣話，但明華章竟然可疑地停頓了一下，說：“若我将來真要娶妻，也只會因為喜歡。我心儀的是她的人，至于她喜不喜歡讀書，想做什麽，都是她的自由。”

明老夫人盛怒之下聽到明華章的話，飛快擰了下眉，眼神變得犀利：“你這話什麽意思？莫非，你已經有了中意的人？”

這可比明華章不願意相看尚書千金還要嚴重，明老夫人臉色驟變，逼問道：“她是誰，哪裏人士，家裏有什麽人，父兄都是做什麽的？”

明老夫人的話咄咄逼人，明華章卻靜靜垂下眼睛，看起來絲毫沒有配合的意思。延壽堂內外都為此捏一把冷汗，緊繃中，竟然是鎮國公先說話了。

“母親！”鎮國公打斷明老夫人的話，臉色板正肅穆，說，“二郎有主見，這種事聽他的，您就不要管了。”

明老夫人聽了越發生氣：“聽他的？父母之命媒妁之言，事關婚姻，哪家是由着小輩自己性子來的？”

“二郎和普通郎君不一樣。”鎮國公向來孝順母親，今日卻罕見的強硬，一口咬定道，“婚姻的事讓二郎決定，他想娶誰娶誰，暫時不想成婚的話，過幾年也不是什麽大事。您在府裏安安生生享福，這些事就不要插手了。”

鎮國公竟然說她安排孫兒婚事是“插手”，明老夫人大怒，鎮國公見機給明華章、明華裳使眼色：“我有事要和母親說，你們都退下吧。”

明華裳趕緊起身，明華章坐在原地不動，似乎想說什麽，被明華裳強行拉走：“那我們就不打擾父親和祖母議事了。二兄，走啦。”

明華章沒辦法，被她拉出門外。等走出延壽堂後，明華裳從招財手裏接過宮燈，打發丫鬟們退下。她提燈照着路，對明華章說：“二兄，祖母強勢了一輩子，只是在做她認為好的事情。她就是這種性格，你別往心裏去，我還天天被她數落不思進取呢。”

“我知道。”明華章知道明老夫人的作風，哪怕不久前才被逼婚，臉上也沒什麽芥蒂。他和明華裳并肩走在瑟瑟秋風中，天上星辰黯淡，唯有她手裏一點微光，照亮兩人過去未來的路。

明華章靜了一會，問：“她今日又說你了？”

“沒事，我都聽習慣了，不值一提。”明華裳說完，不知懷着什麽心情，莫名說道，“何況，她今日忙着給你挑佳婦，哪還有心情念我？”

明華章挑眉，側眸看她：“你也知道？”

“我今天還看到尚書夫人了呢。吳娘子确實是位不可多得的賢妻，二兄你真的不動心？”

“怎麽，你希望我答應？”

“這是你的事，我怎麽知道。”明華裳目視前方，道，“反正馬上要去吏部考評的人又不是我。拒絕了吏部尚書的千金，耽誤的是你的仕途，你問我做什麽？莫非我不希望，你還就不答應了？”

“有何不可。”

明華裳提燈的手一抖，燈影在風中怦然晃了晃。明華章伸手，握着她的手背穩住燈杆：“小心點。”

明華裳心裏七上八下，連他身上凜冽的香氣也變得格外浮躁。明華裳輕哼一聲，掙開他的手，将提燈扔到他懷裏：“想拿自己去拿，我才懶得費勁。”

明華章好脾氣地接過燈，任勞任怨替她照着路。兩人誰都無話，唯有秋風穿過他們的衣袂長袖，在寂靜中獵獵作響。

明華裳第一次覺得回院的路長。她名義上還在修道，住的十分偏遠，明華章搬到了她隔壁，漫漫長夜中，兩人很長一段路都要同行。明華裳覺得靜下來尴尬，硬着頭皮開口：“你當真要去京兆府嗎？”

“嗯。”明華章垂眸，落在她的側臉上，“你覺得不好嗎？”

“沒有，很适合你。”明華裳說完頓了頓，故作輕松道，“陛下剛回長安，肯定希望京兆府掌握在自己人手中，你的請求她定會允的。提前恭喜二兄，得償所願。”

明老夫人擔心吏部評選，想靠結姻親來讨好吏部尚書，這确實是一條捷徑，但僅限于普通人。

For a secret guard with a dual identity like Ming Huazhang, his whereabouts were arranged by the empress, and the Minister of Personnel had no say in it. It was a waste of time to curry favor with the Minister of Personnel.

Ming Huazhang chuckled and said, "Your congratulations are always just words. It was like that last time the results were announced, and I guess it will be the same when you are appointed. I'm afraid I won't be able to accept your gift."

Ming Huashang thought this was slander. How could a verbal blessing not be considered a gift? Ming Huashang said, "Didn't I give you a purse last time?"

Was it a gift? Ming Huazhang had snatched it himself. Ming Huazhang immediately asked, "What about today's polo match? You clearly said that if I won, you would prepare gifts for me, but in the end you gave them to everyone and I didn't even hear a word of congratulations."

Ming Huachang's memory was a little confused. Didn't she say that? Ming Huachang hesitated for a moment and said hesitantly, "Congratulations, second brother?"

Ming Huazhang snorted, looking extremely aloof and cold. Ming Huachang thought to herself, "Why are you snorting?" She said angrily, "Who told you to leave without even saying hello? You don't take me seriously, and you still blame me?"

It was the first time that Ming Huazhang saw someone who could put the blame on someone else and act so righteously. She was busy talking to Su Xingzhi, and he looked at her for a long time. She didn't even notice that he had left, so she still dared to bring it up?

Ming Huazhang said quietly, "I don't know who it is. He only has new brothers and sisters in his eyes, but treats his real brother coldly."

Ming Huashang was choked, and the first thing that came out of her mouth was: "Don't you have other sisters too?"

Ming Huashang regretted it as soon as she said it, but Ming Huazhang raised his eyebrows and leaned over to ask, "Who?"

Ming Huachang hated herself for not being able to control her mouth. She looked around and hesitated for a while before saying, "How should I know? As long as you are willing, there are many Sister Wu, Sister Zhou, and Sister Li."

Ming Huazhang thought she was still worried about the marriage arranged by Madam Ming. He held a solitary lamp in his hand, looked up at the night sky, and said, "What's the point of getting married if you haven't accomplished your great cause? Don't you want to get married? I'll accompany you."

Ming Huachang's heart skipped a beat, but then she thought that her brother was just joking to comfort his sister, saying that neither of them would get married and would just stay together in the future would not prove anything.

Ming Huashang lowered her head and stared at the shadow of the tree. Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ming Huazhang looked at her silently and said, "I remember you said that you wanted to marry someone who looks like me or like your father. How come you found one now?"

Ming Huashang pursed her lips in silence for a while, then said in a low voice, "No."

"That's good." Ming Huazhang switched the lamp to his other hand and gently ruffled her hair, as if sighing, "As long as you don't find that person, I can stay with you for a long time."