Chapter 4
The room was filled with noise, and Shen Yi remained seated on the soft stool, his gaze sweeping over the guests who had come to the banquet today. Although he didn't expect to hear any useful answers tonight, he couldn't help but want to find a way to untie the knot in front of him.
He felt a little regretful that he couldn't think of anything. The rest could only be handed over to his mother or grandfather. At least Chen Qian would not act as a guarantor anymore.
Liu Qianshan poured him another glass of wine and said, "Everyone here today is our brother. If you have anything to say, just say it. If you have nothing to say, just continue drinking and eating meat." He set an example by picking up the smoked meat with chopsticks and putting it into his mouth.
Even with Liu Qianshan's help, most people still looked at each other in bewilderment, occasionally whispering to each other, and hearing it in Shen Yi's ears was just a noise and clamor. He felt a little regretful, thinking that there were still too many people invited today, but only a few of them could speak.
"If that person could hold another selection this year, the young marquis would definitely be able to handle it." A voice came from a distance, mixed with sighs, "But we haven't entered the court yet, so we don't have the final say in such matters."
Chen Yi recalled the day of the last beauty pageant, which was the autumn of the year before last - his mother had been worried for a long time at that time, but fortunately his sister had caught a cold at that time and did not even enter the palace.
There are so many beauties in the world, and even in Chang'an alone, there are more than a few women who could catch the emperor's eye. As for feigning a serious illness, even if it's considered deceiving the emperor, it can still delay the illness for a few more days...
He was immersed in his own thoughts. If he could have happened upon the selection, then Shen Wan might not have to enter the palace.
"Such a major matter, I think His Majesty might not be willing to agree." Shen Yi looked in the direction of the voice and saw the person who had just made his intention clear, that was the Supervisory Censor.
"Last year, Yingchuan was hit by a flood, and the treasury was once again empty. Publicly and privately, events like the selection of concubines are rare in recent years." He was about to ask, but Xue Heng continued, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion. Whether it's urgent or not depends on your own judgment, young marquis."
This was exactly what Shen Yi couldn't say here and there. If he hadn't heard it just last night, he would never have thought that such a matter could be so urgent - five days, counting today, there are only four days left.
What could they prepare for on the fifth day? Now he was even worried that Shen Qian would not be able to get over this matter, and he didn't know when A Niang would be willing to tell A Jie.
Wei Chen took over Xue Heng's words, "There are urgent ways to deal with urgent matters, and there are also non-urgent ways to deal with non-urgent matters." He smoothed things over, gently brushing aside some facts that were easily guessed. "The young marquis's matter has fallen on us, so even non-urgent matters need more attention."
"Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. You are all approaching the age of becoming officials in the imperial court, so it would be beneficial to think about this more now." As the eldest son of the Chief Justice, he did not want to leave any room for criticism. He just paid attention to what Shen Yi was worried about and secretly guessed the true situation.
"What if - we change it? It's bound to be boring to stay in the palace for a long time. I think your majesty is also a person who loves beauty. Even if the singing girls and dancers from the market are not worthy of being in the elegant halls, they should be presented to you for a look first." Liu Qianshan asked the servant to open the jar of wine beside him, and stood up to fill everyone's wine cup one by one.
"Drink, everyone. Brother Wei, don't think of staying out of it. The young marquis is also a frequent wine lover." He has always loved wine, and after drinking a few glasses, he could hardly control himself. "And there are those who come for the first time," he staggered and almost fell on the table, "Xue...what."
Muttering to himself, Chen Yi tugged at his wide sleeves and said, "Since the beginning, just be as you please." He continued Liu Qianshan's drunken words, and with some thought, he asked another question, "If I ask Brother Xue to guess what happened next, what would you say?"
Xue Heng finished the newly poured wine and said, "It's just drunken talk. If the young marquis has a question, then I will answer it. A jade that can be grasped in one hand doesn't need to be mined from Mount Kunlun. [1] Let nature take its course. I wish the young marquis all the blessings he wishes for, and that he will seek happiness and avoid disaster."
Shen Yi didn't respond to this question. The idea of good fortune and bad luck was only an empty comfort to him now. Even saying it could be considered comfort was a forced statement.
He had a clear understanding that the other party was no different from them. They probably relied on the protection of their ancestors to seek a position.
Initial alert.
People like them speak nonsense, and no one will delve into their words, and they are free from the trouble of gossip.
Chen Yi raised his glass and invited them to drink for a few rounds. No one mentioned the previous conversation again. When someone left the table to listen to music in other rooms, he smiled and said goodbye.
Gradually, the figures dispersed, and the hustle and bustle outside the window could be heard in the wing room. The same music played in the building as usual, and only four people were left.
There was Liu Qianshan who was lying drunk on the table, Wei Qianyu who hadn't drunk much at all, and the remaining one was Xue Congzhi who inexplicably started drinking with Shen Yi.
"If the young marquis has any requests, please send a letter to my father tomorrow. Judging from his recent behavior, his position as the Supreme Court Attorney will not be affected for the time being." Wei Chen leaned close to Shen Yi's ear and finally spoke with useful information, "Everyone should be careful with what they say and do."
Shen Yi handed Wei Chen a glass of wine, stood up and drank one last glass with them, then bowed and left. Although he didn't come here to get drunk, drinking for two days in a row still made him feel a little drowsy.
Liu Qianshan was drunk and unaware, often becoming confused after just three or two drinks. Wei Qianyu didn't often drink freely, and the few he drank were only at his invitation. On the other hand, Xue Congzhi, the newcomer, had just been drinking with them. He couldn't count how much he had drunk, but he was hardly happy either.
Shen Yi took the reins from the servant and adjusted the bridle before mounting the horse. The long street was quite crowded at night, so he let the horse tread slowly on the ground, passing through the crowded crowd and heading towards the Marquis' Mansion.
He hadn't figured out what to do next. The idea of feigning illness required cooperation from both the upper and lower levels. First of all, Shen Qian probably wouldn't agree so easily. Wei Tingwei... even if he submitted a letter, he'd have to make arrangements with his grandfather. Wei Tingwei was a reserved person, so it would be even more difficult for Wei Chen to persuade him.
He didn't want to owe anyone this favor. But just like now, he couldn't figure out whether there was a better way. Shen Yi was not good at thinking about these things, and this matter was closely related to Shen Qian, so he couldn't calm down and think carefully.
The autumn breeze dispelled the alcoholic smell from his body, and Shen Yi dismounted and entered the mansion. A servant came forward to put on his outer robe for him, "The young marquis is back—" He did not stop the other party from making a sound, and when he saw that it did not alarm Shen Qian, he stopped and cleared his throat.
"Did Sister drink the pigeon soup? Was there anything wrong in the mansion this afternoon?"
"The young lady drank one cup, and the kitchen sent the rest to Madam." The servant bowed and replied, "Madam sent for a sedan chair and just returned."
He hesitated for a moment, but still answered truthfully, "Also, the Marquis asked where the prince had gone, and we all just said we didn't know."
"Okay, remember to go to the manager tomorrow to collect the reward money." Shen Yi stayed in the courtyard for a while to dissipate the smell of alcohol on his body before walking towards Huo's place.
Has my mother already met my grandfather? Does my sister know if there's still a chance—even if it can be delayed a little longer, so they can think it over carefully before deciding?
His chaotic thoughts made his head even more dizzy. He politely bowed at the door and asked, "Mother?"
"Yier, come in." After hearing Mrs. Huo's voice, Shen Yi gently pushed open the door and entered the room. "You all should go down for now. We will rest for the night. We don't need you to serve us."
Shen Yi sat at the table, adding oil to the lamp to make the room brighter. He turned his head to check Mrs. Huo's expression. When he heard the door close, he couldn't help but ask, "Did mother go out today?"
"Of course," Mrs. Huo sat next to Shen Yi and reached out to tidy up his clothes. "Yier." She continued to call Shen Yi and said slowly.
"You are all my flesh and blood from my ten months of pregnancy. How could I not feel distressed and anxious? Not everyone is like your father who can endure what others cannot endure." When Chen Yi heard her calling him just now, he had already guessed the answer in his heart, and still sat down to listen to his mother explain the matter.
"It's just that he's stubborn. Mother has been sitting in the Huo Mansion for almost a day, but she can't do anything about it." Mrs. Huo poured a cup of hot tea and held it in her palm to warm herself. "The old man is old. If anyone asks you again, just say that his old injury has relapsed. He doesn't care about anything and won't see anyone."
She could naturally recognize the new smell of alcohol on Shen Yi, because they were all her own flesh and blood.
"Although the five-day deadline cannot be violated, many of the current palace officials have received favors from the Huo family in the past." Shen Yi looked at Mrs. Huo pulling his hand, and still reached out to warm it for his mother.
"When Xian'er entered the palace, she should have been made a beauty first, and then your father would have gone around and picked some with clean backgrounds to stay with your sister."
Huo's voice became increasingly quiet, finally transforming into an almost inaudible sigh. Shen Yi clutched the fabric of his outer robe, but still couldn't control his trembling fingertips.
"Yier thanks mother and grandfather." He did not dare to stay in the room for a moment longer. He just knelt down and kowtowed again and again, told mother to go to bed early, and returned to the courtyard.
He ignored the white doves still perched in the courtyard and looked up at the missing moon in the sky. He didn't have to listen to what Chen Qian said, but the Huo family's intentions, or rather the Huo family's intentions, were clear.
What A'niang said just now was also a reminder to him that he should not go to the Huo Mansion recently and should not talk about this matter in front of his grandfather.
He no longer had to rack his brains to think of a way out. Chen Qian, his elder sister, now had only one way to go.
From the marquis's mansion to the deep palace, and then to the royal family, one cannot know what good or bad fortune will bring, and life or death will be unpredictable.
[1] From Shishuo Xinyu: A pearl that shines in the dark doesn’t have to come from the Mengjin River; a jade that fits perfectly in the hand doesn’t have to be mined from Mount Kunlun. This has the misinterpretation of the uncertainty of fortune and misfortune.
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