Chapter 85: Appointment

After the Duke of Zhenguo talked with Madam Ming, Madam Ming was so angry that she didn't sleep for half the night. She was only concerned about the good of this family, but ended up causing hatred. Let them do whatever they want, whether it's her grandson's marriage or his career, she doesn't care!

Madam Ming was joking, but on the day when Ming Huazhang went to the Ministry of Personnel for the examination, she couldn't help but prick up her ears to inquire about the news in the court. Madam Ming still had some hope in her heart, but after the transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel came down, her last hope was shattered.

Ming Huazhang actually went to Jingzhao Prefecture, and was promoted to the fourth-rank Shaoyin as soon as he was released from prison.

Although Chang'an was the capital and was full of officials, the Three Provinces and Six Ministries and Jingzhao Prefecture were actually two systems.

The three provinces and six ministries drafted imperial edicts and formulated policies, which was the central court that oversaw the entire country; while Jingzhao Prefecture was a local official system. The so-called Jing refers to a very large area, and Zhao refers to a large number. Jingzhao is the majestic style of a capital of a great country. The highest officials in the outer states such as Yangzhou and Yizhou were called governors, while Yongzhou Prefecture, where the capital was located, was a clear distinction, and the chief executive was honored as Jingzhao Yin.

Shaoyin was the deputy of Jingzhao Yin, assisting in the affairs of Chang'an and the surrounding 23 counties. However, it was not easy to be a local official in the capital, and Jingzhao Yin resigned again. The former Shaoyin was promoted to Jingzhao Yin, and the position of Shaoyin was vacant, which was taken by Ming Huazhang.

It is said that it is difficult to pass the imperial examinations, and only one Jinshi can be selected from among thousands. However, there are many Jinshi who have waited for many years but still cannot be selected for an official position. Ming Huazhang started from the fourth rank, which should be very lucky. However, after the Ministry of Personnel issued the official appointment order, not many people came to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion to congratulate him, which shows that Jingzhao Prefecture is really easy to be blamed.

Madam Ming was quite depressed and had no mood to attend the next palace banquet. The Duke of Zhenguo had no principal wife, and the second and third wives were not enough to represent the mansion. In the end, it was the brother and sister Ming Huazhang and Ming Huashang who entered the Daming Palace for the banquet.

As autumn deepened, Chang'an became colder and colder. Frosted leaves fell all over the ground beside the Taiye Lake. Ming Huazhang and Ming Huashang stepped on the fallen leaves and whispered, "Today is the royal family banquet. His Majesty has granted the new Jinshi a gracious permission to bring their families in. There will probably be many royal children. Keep your distance from them. Don't act rashly if something happens. Let me know first."

Ming Huashang nodded. Ming Huazhang didn't need to remind her. She saw many sedan chairs and processions along the way. Princesses and county heads were everywhere, which was enough to show the level of this palace banquet. The empress allowed the scholars to attend the royal family banquet. On the one hand, it was a favor so that these scholars would be loyal to the empress, and on the other hand, it was to show the world that she valued civil governance. In addition, some favored ministers also came.

Ming Huashang noticed the Marquis of Jiang'an Mansion. She looked around the Yu Garden and saw Jiang Ling and Ren Yao standing by the lake talking. Ming Huashang wanted to find them, but at that moment, other scholars came to greet Ming Huazhang. Ming Huashang quickly said from behind him, "Second brother, I saw Sister Ren and Jiang Ling. I'm going to find them."

Before Ming Huazhang could react, she had already run away. Ming Huazhang was quite helpless. In her mind, how many people were ahead of him? Was she so busy that she couldn't even wait for a greeting?

A fellow Jinshi noticed that Ming Huazhang kept glancing back and asked, "Brother Ming, who was that lady just now..."

Ming Huazhang retracted his remaining gaze and sighed, "She is my sister."

"It turned out to be your sister." The other student was delighted. "Brother Ming is as beautiful as a willow in the spring moon. I didn't expect your sister is also a beautiful lady. I wonder if your sister is married?"

Ming Huazhang's expression turned cold, and he said, "No. But she is devoted to cultivation, and now she is a nun under the tutelage of Qingmiao Zhenren, and has no intention of marriage."

The classmate sighed softly, and looked very regretful. Ming Huashang didn't know that Ming Huazhang was ruining her love affair outside. She quickly ran to the other side of the lake and waved to the two people from a distance: "Sister Ren, Jiang Ling!"

Jiang Ling turned around and saw Ming Huashang, and couldn't help but sigh: "Why is she everywhere?"

He had just arrived at the Daming Palace and had finally gotten rid of the social engagements at the Jiang'an Marquis' Mansion. He hadn't even spoken a few words to Ren Yao when Ming Huashang showed up again.

Unfortunately, people do not share the same joys and sorrows. Ren Yao and Ming Huashang were very happy to see each other. Ming Huashang jumped in front of Ren Yao like a rabbit and asked, "Sister Ren, have you been dismissed from your official position?"

"I'm here!" Ren Yao received the dispatch order from the Ministry of War yesterday. She was just about to share her joy with Ming Huashang, and happened to meet her today. Ren Yao said excitedly: "I finally have an official position, I am the Yihui Captain of the Yulin Army!"

"Really?" Ming Huashang was happier than hearing that she would be an official. She smiled and said, "That's great. The Yulin Army is the imperial guards of the Northern Yamen. They guard the Xuanwu Gate and are responsible for guarding the gates of the capital and the palace. They are the emperor's personal troops! Congratulations, Sister Ren!"

The two of them talked and laughed together, totally ignoring Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling was not happy about being ignored, so he sneered and said, "It's just a seventh-rank lieutenant, a small position, and it's not worth your happiness."

Ming Huashang glared at him unhappily, "Shut up, it's the position that's important, not the rank! Besides, everything is difficult at the beginning. Sister Ren finally got an official position. Although there are female officials in the court now, they basically serve His Majesty in the inner palace. There is no precedent for women to be officials in the outer court, especially in the army. Sister Ren is the first person in the world, can't you say something nice?"

Jiang Ling groaned and said, "You are too optimistic. It is because there were no women before that it is not a good place for her to go there. The lieutenant has to patrol and guard at night. He has no power, but he has to abide by a lot of rules. I don't know how she will be harassed by those soldiers after she enters the Northern Yamen! You are still like a fool, playing with her here."

Ming Huashang also knew that it was not easy. For a woman to enter a field that had long been monopolized by men, she would not become the darling or the fan of everyone as women imagined. Instead, she would be isolated by an invisible barrier. No matter where she went, she would be looked at and stared at, and even gossiped about and made obscene jokes. It would be extremely difficult to get to the core.

But the difficulties will not disappear just because they throw cold water on her. It is better to let Ren Yao step into her new journey with a good mood. Ming Huashang said: "Sister Ren, don't worry about him. You have already taken this step, and you have fulfilled the dreams of countless women. From now on, you just need to move forward. It will not be worse than before."

Ren Yao was a little nervous about the future, but after hearing Ming Huashang's words, she calmed down and gained courage. Yes, it won't be worse than before. She practiced spear skills for ten years for an illusory dream. Is the Yulin Army more difficult than practicing martial arts?

She wanted to accomplish something, to prove to her grandmother, the empress, and everyone in the world that she was capable of inheriting the Pingnan Marquisate, and she would go on even if there were mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead. Ren Yao held Ming Huashang's hand tightly and said, "Shangshang, thank you. If you hadn't spoken for me that day in Furong Garden, I would never have had this opportunity."

"Sister Ren, you don't have to thank me. This is your own achievement." Ming Huashang said with a smile, "It is because you study hard and practice day and night that you can make such a stunning performance on the battlefield. This is what you deserve."

Ren Yao was touched, but he didn't know what to say, so he just hugged Ming Huashang tightly. Jiang Ling watched them thanking each other, and his teeth ached. He said in a gloomy tone: "Enough, you keep calling each other sisters. If you don't know, you two would think you are acting."

Ming Huashang could no longer bear it, so she turned around and glared at him: "Jiang Ling, did you take the wrong medicine today? I was talking to Sister Ren, why are you whining?"

Jiang Ling hummed for a while and whispered, "You only talk but never do anything."

Coincidentally, Ming Huashang had good hearing today and heard it all. She sneered and asked, "So what practical things did you do?"

Jiang Ling was questioned and was so angry that he shouted without stopping, "Of course I did it! I..."

Ming Huashang didn't hear clearly, so she turned her head to ask, "What did you say?"

Jiang Ling was embarrassed, and without even opening his mouth, he mumbled, "I asked my father to put me in the Yulin Army."

Jiang Ling seemed unable to open his mouth. Ren Yao still didn't hear clearly, and asked with frowned eyebrows: "What did he say?"

Ming Huashang was close by and understood every word. She looked at Jiang Ling in surprise and glanced at Ren Yao with the corner of her eyes, as if she understood something. She smiled and said to Ren Yao, "I didn't hear it either. Sister Ren, go ask him."

Ren Yao questioned Jiang Ling, but this time Jiang Ling refused to say anything. Ming Huashang watched Ren Yao hit Jiang Ling rudely, and Jiang Ling just dodged and didn't fight back, and she thought to herself, no wonder.

Why did she only just discover this obvious thing?

Ming Huashang did not stay to disturb them. She noticed Su Xingzhi and Su Yuji standing on the other side and left quietly.

Ming Huashang ran to the Su brothers and sisters like a little rabbit on a picnic, and said with a smile: "Mr. Su, Sister Su, may you be blessed with good health and happiness!"

Su Xingzhi was startled by her and politely replied, "Madam Ming, how are you?"

Ming Huashang seemed to not notice the strangeness of the Su brothers and sisters, and asked in a familiar manner: "Sister Su, last time in Furong Garden, I was taken away by the elders before I had time to say goodbye. I was so rude. How are you these days?"

Su Yuji was silent for a moment, silently reflecting on herself. Are she and Ming Huashang really familiar with each other? Su Yuji said, "It's OK."

"That's good." Ming Huashang said with crooked eyes, "I regretted it after I got home. I shouldn't have left you, a woman, outside. I should have asked the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion to arrange a carriage to take you home. If you have any inconvenience in Chang'an, you can come to me. I will help you if I can. If I can't help, my second brother will help you."

Su Yuji didn't know much about the life of the nobles. Could it be that these young ladies of the nobles were so warm and hospitable when they socialized? Su Yuji politely declined: "Thank you, but my brother and I can still handle it. I don't want to worry about it, Madam Ming."

明華裳明白，他們兩人作為真正的農戶寒門，面對權貴的示好肯定是警惕戒備多于欣然接受。

明華裳和江陵、任遙出門時，從不在意誰出錢、誰買單，因為大家家世相當，下次能輕輕松松請回來，錢對他們而言是最不值一提的事情了。可是面對家世清寒的蘇家兄妹，錢切切實實關系着他們的生活，明華裳就不能再如此豪爽大方。

要想讓雙方保持健康的關系，首先要做的就是尊重彼此的生活環境。

明華裳沒有再強行示好，說道：“蘇姐姐不用如此客氣，我也是為了我二兄。他去了京兆府擔任少尹，那可是個錢少事多又得罪人的地方，若他不小心得罪了人，還請蘇狀元幫忙斡旋。”

其實明華裳只是找一個能讓雙方平等交流的理由，但蘇行止、蘇雨霁聽後卻露出了然之色。明華裳眉梢動了動，問：“對了，不知蘇狀元在哪裏高就？”

蘇行止以為明華裳早就聽說了他去禦史臺的消息，這才過來拉攏關系，他沒戳穿她明知故問，說道：“幸得陛下信任，我奉命去禦史臺察院，擔任監察禦史。”

明華裳暗暗吸了口氣，察院監察禦史！別看這只是個正八品下的小官，但權力可不小。

禦史臺的職責就是監察百官，下轄臺院、殿院和察院，其中察院負責分察百僚，巡按州縣，糾視刑獄，肅整朝儀。監察禦史最主要的職責一是監察尚書省、六部，甚至可以列席尚書省會議，二是出使地方州縣，巡查各地吏治官風、闾閻疾病、水旱災傷，若有貪官污吏，他一封折子便可直達天聽。

看得出來女皇十分信任蘇行止，這是名副其實成了女皇的耳目。明華裳看蘇行止越來越滿意，她親兄長人窮志不窮，雖然家境貧寒，但前途無量啊！

不行，這條大腿一定要抱。明華裳順勢笑道：“原來是監察禦史，失敬失敬。蘇狀元，你現在還沒進禦史臺，我能叫你一聲蘇兄嗎？我二兄的性情你們知道，他為人正直剛強，從不知道識時務怎麽寫。若以後有人彈劾他，蘇兄可要替他說句公道話。”

明華裳連說帶笑，套關系的話都讓她說的十分動聽。蘇行止想到蘇雨霁的真實身份，不好對她的家人太過強硬，便淺淺笑了下，應道：“明娘子擡愛了。我受命于皇恩，自當盡心盡力，秉公而行。”

沒一口拒絕，就是好開端，明華裳笑道：“我相信蘇兄定是位好官。那邊花開得不錯，我們去那邊走走？”

明華章只是和人打招呼的功夫，明華裳就不見了。他先是去問江陵、任遙，意外的是明華裳并不在，那兩人也沒注意明華裳哪裏去了。

明華章心裏咯噔一聲，趕緊沿路尋找。他一邊走一邊問人，心裏閃過許多種可怕的猜測，他都忍不住想禀明總管搜湖了，這時候他無意擡頭，看到湖對岸涼亭中，明華裳正雙眸彎彎，談笑風生。

坐在她對面的，正是明華章最不願意看到的那個人——蘇行止。

其實還有第三人蘇雨霁，但明華章眼中只能看到明華裳晶瑩明亮的眼睛。她長了雙漂亮的杏眼，當認真看着一個人時，那雙眼睛專注明亮，清可見底，像小鹿一樣。

他就曾在這樣的目光中聽到自己的心跳聲，可是現在他卻看到，她用同樣的眼神，注視另一個男人。

這是第二次了。第一次她答應了他回家，一轉頭卻跑去朱雀街看狀元，要不是他在，她便把香囊扔下去了；第二次是現在，她說了去找朋友，最後卻來找蘇行止私會。

謝濟川說得沒錯，她确實是一個嘴甜心硬的騙子。她說最喜歡二兄，說近期內不想成婚，還說二兄才是她心中獨一無二。然而，這些都是假的，根本沒有什麽是他獨有的。

明華裳正聊得開心，其實大部分都是她和蘇雨霁聊，蘇行止偶爾附和一兩句。忽然她莫名感應到一股寒意，明華裳回頭，看到明華章不知何時來了，他一襲霁青站在海棠樹下，落木蕭蕭而下，金黃與霜紅遍地，他置身其中，如朗朗日月之入懷，也如玉山之将崩。

明華裳一時愣怔，還是後面蘇行止起身問好，她才反應過來，連忙站起來：“二兄……”

明華章踩過緋璨的落葉，緩慢朝明華裳走來。明華裳莫名感受到一股壓迫感，而明華章的神情還是那樣光風霁月，坦蕩從容，他牽起明華裳的手，語氣裏聽不出絲毫波瀾：“怎麽跑到這裏來了，我找了你許久。”

明華裳這才意識到她沒和明華章打招呼就自己跑了，她擡頭看向明華章，正好和他的視線相撞。他眼眸漆黑，如深淵般看不到底，讓明華裳莫名恐懼。

可是，他的聲音明明如此平靜，一丁點遷怒都沒有。明華裳覺得或許是她錯覺，她笑了笑，熟稔地撒嬌說：“二兄，你來啦！我見你在忙，還以為你要應酬很久，就随便沿湖走走，正巧遇到蘇兄和蘇姐姐。二兄，蘇阿兄去了禦史臺，在做監察禦史呢。”

明華章極淡地應了聲，心想，她又在騙人了。但凡她關注過他，就不會說出他要應酬很久這種話，她的心裏只有蘇行止，如今蘇行止前途大好，她更高興了吧？

明華裳本意想暗示明華章和蘇行止套套近乎，以明華章的性格，他去京兆府後不被彈劾都難。然而，明華章卻無動于衷地對蘇行止微微點頭，态度幾乎稱得上冷漠：“舍妹不懂事，叨擾二位了。我帶着她走了。”

不知為何蘇行止對明華章也很冷淡，道：“無礙，請明少尹自便。”

明華章靜靜圈着明華裳，轉身就走。等那兩人聽不到後，蘇雨霁奇怪地問蘇行止：“阿兄，京兆府雖然吃力不讨好，但以明華章的能耐，這說不定反而是他的磨刀石。在長安地界上和京兆少尹交好絕無惡事，你為何如此疏遠？”

另一邊，明華裳也在問同樣的問題。明華章似乎笑了聲，說：“官做得好壞是自己的事，我還不需要妹妹幫我鋪路。”

明華裳有些不高興了，推了他一下：“二兄，你這話什麽意思？莫非怪我自作主張，給你丢臉了？”

“那你是什麽意思？”明華章的聲音極度平靜，像火山爆發前的冰川，寂白空曠，一觸燎原。

“我想幫你啊。”明華裳微微嘟嘴，心裏很是委屈，“你馬上就要去京兆府了，那裏十年換了十五位長官，這還是三品京兆尹，下面的少尹不知折了多少。你怎麽敢說，輪到你就會不一樣？”

明華章暗暗吸了一口氣，控制住即将脫缰的理智，鄭重對明華裳說：“裳裳，這條路是我自己選的，無論有多難，我都心甘情願，哪怕我的仕途就此折戟沉沙，我也認了。可是你不一樣……”

明華章說着頓了頓，明華裳擡眸望着他，清澈水亮的眼睛裏明明白白在問，哪裏不一樣？

哪裏不一樣呢？

大概就是，他可以接受他這一輩子暗無天日，不被承認，也可以接受他抱負未銷，終生庸碌，但他不能接受失去她。

這種可能，哪怕只是以假設的形式出現在他腦海裏，都讓他心悸不已，難以自抑。

可是他不能說。他還是她兄長一日，就不能逾越兄妹之禮，他也不敢讓她等，因為連他自己都不知道，這條路有沒有盡頭。

明華章內心起伏好幾次，但那些驚濤駭浪最終還是被壓下，化成一句平平淡淡的：“因為你是我妹妹。”

明華裳心裏陡然一落，她回過神後自嘲，她到底在期待些什麽？明華裳扯着唇笑了笑，道：“是啊，二兄這麽正人君子，無論誰是你妹妹，你都會關心她，對她好。”

“那你呢？”

明華裳心裏不舒坦，語氣涼涼的：“怎麽，你覺得我對你不好？”

“很好。”明華章伸手拈住半空飄落的枯葉，輕巧地、平靜地将葉脈折成碎末，“你對每一個‘阿兄’都好。”

明華裳可恥地卡了一下，氣勢不知不覺變弱：“我只有你一個二兄啊。”

明華章回頭，意味不明盯着她：“你确定嗎？”

明華裳毫無負擔地點頭，心想蘇行止在家裏行長，她應該叫他“大兄”，論二兄确實只有明華章一個。

明華章看着她笑了，說：“裳裳，那我們做個約定怎麽樣？未來的事暫且不管，但在你訂婚前，你不許讓其他男人超過我，同理，在我心裏，你也是第一位，怎麽樣？”

那種若離若即的錯覺又來了，“第一位”這種話，是一個兄長該對妹妹說的嗎？明華裳半真半假地開玩笑：“可是二兄，你以後是要娶嫂嫂的，我怎麽可能是第一位？”

"I will stay with you until you get married and have no sister-in-law." Ming Huazhang paused and said calmly, "Until you regret it."

In fact, if Ming Huazhang proposed it, I think the Duke of Zhenguo would not object. However, he couldn't do that. He couldn't delay another woman's life when his own future was uncertain.

But he still couldn't help but want to take a gamble. The empress agreed to move the capital, and Prince Luling had been appointed as the crown prince. Everything was going well. Perhaps, as long as she waited another two years to get married, he would still have a chance.

Ming Huashang chuckled and said in a proud tone, "If I stay at home and don't get married until I'm an old maid, will you support me for the rest of my life?"

Ming Huazhang looked into her eyes and smiled gently. His eyes were gentle, and for a moment they looked like childhood sweethearts, as if they had been together for a long time. "Okay."