After presenting his fish-shaped token, Yan Shang entered the imperial city. He first went to the Court of State Ceremonials, then carried a stack of documents from there to the Hanlin Academy.

Since the Crown Prince was in charge of this grand ceremony, he was solely responsible for all matters concerning the visiting tributary states. The Prince of Qin felt as if he had been forgotten, but when he tried to compete for authority, he discovered that the Crown Prince had been orchestrating this for months – it was too late to seize control.

After much maneuvering at court, the Prince of Qin was assigned to oversee affairs at the Hanlin Academy, tasked with recording the ceremonial events.

The Prince of Qin reluctantly accepted this peripheral role. At least it was better than the Prince of Jin, who was still at home waiting for his concubines to give birth, uninvolved in any important matters.

Indeed, in the past six months, since Spring Blossom, the Prince of Jin’s concubines had been getting pregnant one after another. The Prince’s most pressing concern had become awaiting the safe delivery of these children. Meanwhile, the Princess Consort of Jin spent her days traveling between their mansion and various Buddhist temples in Chang’an – quite amusing really.

Regarding the Prince of Qin’s seizure of the Hanlin Academy duties, the Crown Prince remained unperturbed. In casual conversation, he joked with others: “After I’ve eaten the meat, someone should at least get to drink the soup.”

Since the crackdown on powerful families, the Crown Prince’s position in court had become more secure, and his relationships with many noble houses had improved. He attached great importance to this gathering of tributary states, personally arranging every detail. All this was to enhance his standing in the Emperor’s eyes.

However, keen observers noticed that Yang Si, the third son of the Yang family who was usually always by the Crown Prince’s side, was absent during this crucial period.

The Crown Prince explained: “Yang Third’s grand-aunt by marriage fell ill, so his family went to visit her.”

Of course, Yang Si’s father couldn’t leave Chang’an himself to visit a non-blood relative aunt, so he had to send his son instead. It was said that Miss Zhao Lingfei, the fifth daughter of Ceremonial Officer Zhao, had also insisted on going along, making quite a fuss about it.

Without Yang Si present, the atmosphere around the Crown Prince was peaceful, causing his ministers and strategists to breathe a collective sigh of relief, thinking they’d finally be free from someone who always caused trouble at the most inappropriate times.

All along Yan Shang’s route from the palace gates to the Court of State Ceremonials, and then to the Hanlin Academy, acquaintances kept greeting him—

“Su Chen, I heard you took two days off because of drinking. Is that true? Your alcohol tolerance must be terrible! Won’t you abandon your bride on your wedding night? Haha!”

“Yan Second, heard you messed up because of drinking? Did your superiors punish you? Are you alright? By the way, whose orders do you follow now – the Secretariat or the Court of Ceremonials?”

“Second Young Master, heard you fell ill? I was just about to visit you at home, why are you out already? After such a serious illness, shouldn’t you rest properly?”

“I heard you have an incurable disease?”

The rumors had escalated from drinking to an incurable illness, becoming increasingly outlandish. If Yan Shang had taken a few more days off, they might have spread news of his death. As he walked, he kept explaining to people that he had only accidentally had a couple of drinks, and now that he was sober, he was fine.

Everyone listened with concern.

Yan Shang grew tired of explaining and became increasingly concise: “Just drinking, only took one day off. Didn’t mess anything up, no incurable disease.”

Unfortunately, he had too many friends. On the day he took leave, many had come to visit him at home, and now that he was back, even more, came to check on him. Many had been planning to visit him while sick, but before they could, Second Young Master Yan had already recovered.

Yan Shang felt helpless, thinking it was all Princess Muwan Fei’s fault.

He had recovered by noon the next day after getting drunk, but Muwan Fei had instructed his servants to spread the word everywhere that he was drunk and needed to leave.

The people of Chang’an were all known for their boldness, and none were unable to drink. Though Yan Shang’s friends knew he didn’t drink, they never imagined someone would need to take leave just for being drunk, so they came to visit one after another, deeply worried. And after these friends went back and spread the word… well, now everyone knew.

Braving the cold wind, Yan Shang walked quickly. His eyes caught sight of the Hanlin Academy’s gate, and his spirits lifted slightly. He thought once inside, he wouldn’t be cold anymore.

But just as he entered the academy gates and stood on the path, across several rows of locust trees, he saw four or five palace eunuchs standing under the main hall’s corridor. It wasn’t unusual to see eunuchs in these palace offices, as they were often used to relay messages and documents.

What made Yan Shang stop at the entrance was that among those four or five eunuchs, he immediately recognized Liu Wenji.

After two months without seeing him, Liu Wenji had lost half his body weight. Standing in the wind, his face was pale, his cheeks gaunt. He had grown so thin he was barely recognizable, with half the charm of his former beautiful youth gone.

The castration had taken a heavy toll on him.

Those eunuchs standing in the corridor, enduring the cold wind, were of the lowest rank among palace servants, used for menial tasks and errands. Among them, Liu Wenji stood out – unlike the others’ hunched and timid postures, his back was straight, his stance exceptionally proper.

Yet he was still just a eunuch.

The officials coming and going through the main hall didn’t spare these eunuchs a single glance.

Yan Shang stood holding his documents, watching silently across the locust trees for a long while. Suppressing his sympathy, he thought coolly that given Liu Wenji’s current rank, he shouldn’t even have been able to secure a position serving at the Hanlin Academy.

He must have used some money to arrange it.

Yan Shang lowered his eyes, considering lending Liu Wenji some money, but then remembered he had just donated his money to Yongshou Temple, and he was living off Princess Danyang’s generosity… Moreover, it wasn’t good for either party if an official became too close to a eunuch.

The Emperor maintained strict control over the eunuchs.

After standing there for a while, Yan Shang could only pretend he hadn’t seen Liu Wenji. He couldn’t bear to enter through the main hall and face Liu Wenji – since they couldn’t acknowledge each other, why cause him pain? Given Liu Wenji’s former pride, and now their stark contrast – one a eunuch standing in the cold corridor, the other freely coming and going… the comparison was too painful.

So Yan Shang took a long detour, entering through a small side door behind the main hall.

After entering, through the curtains, he could still faintly see the solemn silhouettes of the eunuchs standing in the corridor.

Yan Shang handed over his documents to a Hanlin scholar, who nodded repeatedly, asked some questions, and said directly: “The Court of Ceremonials organized some things rather messily, we can’t quite understand them. Please stay and help us clarify and copy these.”

Yan Shang replied: “Yes, sir.”

Following the scholar into a room, he saw at a glance that everyone inside was sitting at desks copying documents, while officials coming and going all moved hurriedly.

Yan Shang asked the scholar he was following: “Seeing how busy everyone is, are you short-handed?”

The Hanlin scholar complained: “When are we ever not short-handed?”

Yan Shang: “This year with the grand ceremony, coinciding with the busiest time at year’s end, only a few government offices are busy. Most offices aren’t so busy, the Hanlin Academy could borrow some staff.”

He had stated the obvious.

The Hanlin scholar casually replied: “That’s natural. But there’s no profit in this work, unlike the Court of Ceremonials where they directly interact with foreign envoys… Those with connections all went to the Court of Ceremonials, who would want to come to the Hanlin Academy just to copy books?”

Yan Shang smiled slightly and said: “When recorded in history, the Hanlin Academy will always be remembered.”

The scholar leading the way was even more dismissive: “Only a few people will be named, most will just be included in the ‘et cetera’ after those names.”

Yan Shang sighed: “It must be difficult for you all. I can’t help much, but I know some students from the Imperial Academy – though they have no official rank, they’re quite literate. Would it be possible to invite them to help?”

The Hanlin scholar pondered: “That might work.”

As he sat at his desk rolling up his sleeves to write, he finally looked at Yan Shang properly and suddenly asked: “Are you Yan Suchen?”

Yan Shang started: “What, has news of my drinking incident reached the Hanlin Academy already?”

The Hanlin scholar was equally confused: “What drinking incident?”

Yan Shang was slightly embarrassed, quickly shaking his head and saying it was just some trivial rumor. Curious about how the other knew him, the scholar laughed: “Before you became an official, that incident of killing the head of the Zheng family with an arrow was the talk of Chang’an. Who in Chang’an doesn’t know you?”

Yan Shang blushed: “I’m ashamed.”

The Hanlin scholar looked him up and down: “And after you became an official… well, it became even easier to know you. Did you know your reputation for ‘beautiful appearance and refined manner’ has spread throughout the officialdom?”

Yan Shang: “…How could that be?”

The Hanlin scholar: “It’s just that we Chang’an people prefer bold and straightforward types, rarely seeing someone of your modest and gentle style. When we do see one, it seems novel, and everyone’s betting on when you’ll be assimilated by us.”

Yan Shang felt both confused and helpless, and could only once again express his embarrassment.

But this was just casual conversation. Yan Shang’s purpose in talking so much with this official wasn’t to direct attention to himself.

Yan Shang gradually guided the Hanlin scholar until they were addressing each other as brothers. As they sat at their desks rolling up sleeves to write, he casually mentioned his true purpose: “Since we’re short-handed and no one’s coming right now, why not ask those eunuchs standing outside? Perhaps some of them have good handwriting and could help?”

Hearing this, the Hanlin scholar sneered: “A bunch of castrated creatures who flatter and deceive their masters, what would they know?”

Yan Shang fell silent.

This was the true opinion that orthodox scholars held of eunuchs.

He gently advised: “Talented people can be found anywhere, what does birth have to do with it? Besides, aren’t we short-handed now? Brother, do you plan to toil here all day just to maintain your reputation? Didn’t you just tell me that you got home late yesterday and your wife gave you the cold shoulder? Do you want that to happen again today?”

The Hanlin scholar was ashamed to work alongside eunuchs. Yan Shang’s argument about talented people didn’t move him, but when Yan Shang brought up his wife at home, the scholar hesitated.

Seeing him waver, Yan Shang stopped pushing. He understood well these scholars’ highly self-important temperaments, especially those serving in the Hanlin Academy – each thought too highly of themselves. It was enough to say what needed to be said; saying too much would only make them refuse.

After saying that, Yan Shang focused on copying the documents before him. From the corner of his eye, he saw the Hanlin scholar sitting nearby write quietly for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then curse in Chang’an dialect using words usually reserved for animals, and get up to leave.

Yan Shang smiled slightly and continued writing—

The Hanlin scholar asked which of the eunuchs could read and write, and two stepped forward. He coldly told these two to enter and had them each write something. Seeing one person’s writing, the contempt in his eyes faded.

He looked at Liu Wenji: “This handwriting… have you studied?”

Liu Wenji said softly: “I studied for nearly twenty years, then my family fell into hardship, and I entered the palace.”

The Hanlin scholar’s contempt completely disappeared, replaced by sympathy. Twenty years of study, plus this eunuch’s appearance… he could have become an official at court.

He sighed and said: “Stay in the main hall and help copy documents. While the foreign envoys are in Chang’an, the Hanlin Academy is always short-handed – would you be willing to help? The work here should be more leisurely than in the Imperial Household Department.”

Liu Wenji was startled.

Since entering the palace, he had seen only contempt and disgust everywhere, and the palace’s atmosphere of fawning and scheming had made his heart increasingly cold. He had pulled strings to come to the Hanlin Academy… and it had worked.

Serving at the Hanlin Academy was far better than doing menial work in the Imperial Household Department!

Without another word, he bowed deeply.

The Hanlin scholar sighed, explained the documents that needed copying, let him stay in the main hall to copy them, and then turned and went into the inner chambers.

Liu Wenji knew he could never enter the inner chambers to be with the officials; he was already grateful to stay in the main hall instead of standing in the cold outside.

Rubbing his hands, Liu Wenji looked at the chilblains on them, gritted his teeth, and endured, kneeling before the long desk to begin writing—

Liu Wenji spent the morning copying documents there. He was nervous, afraid of making mistakes and being punished. After more than a month in the palace, he knew how much these orthodox scholars despised eunuchs. They viewed eunuchs as thieves, barely wanting to look at them at all.

Liu Wenji quietly copied books in his corner. When passing officials saw him, they would start to get angry, but after a servant whispered something in their ear, they would suppress their anger and enter the inner chambers.

They treated Liu Wenji as if he didn’t exist, which made him relieved.

Gradually, the Hanlin Academy grew crowded. Many people, tired from copying, came out from the inner chambers to stand in the hall drinking tea and chatting. While copying, Liu Wenji perked up his ears to listen to their conversation—

A young official said: “During the earlier crackdown on powerful families, my grandfather was so timid and fearful that he cut ties with all the powerful families allied with us. Afterward, he discovered other households still had powerful allies and were much stronger than us, which angered him so much he cursed about it at home every day.”

Another person looked at him with contempt: “So your grandfather went to complain to the Crown Prince, wanting stricter enforcement? Just because your family’s situation is bad, you want to drag everyone down with you?”

The first official snorted: “Everyone has powerful allies, why should only my family suffer? It’s better if everyone suffers together.”

Another person joined the conversation: “Ah, times are hard, it’s difficult for noble families nowadays. Ever since the Li family… hmm, everyone’s been walking on eggshells, living in constant fear. This move by the Crown Prince truly makes one anxious. Brother Wang, since you’re closer to the Crown Prince, could you find out if he dislikes noble families like His Majesty does?”

The one called Brother Wang quickly responded: “That’s not right at all. The Crown Prince isn’t that kind of person. Don’t worry, it’s been months now, and the Crown Prince only went after the powerful families, not the noble houses, right? His Majesty may dislike noble families, but the Crown Prince knows that governing the country still relies on us noble families.”

Everyone had different opinions.

They were all discussing the earlier crackdown on powerful families.

The general sentiment was that noble families were now carefully assessing the situation, trying to judge the political climate.

Years ago, when the Emperor had taken drastic measures, willing to lose even the Empress Mother to force the Li family back to Jinling, it had terrified these noble families who had hoped to join forces to check royal power. The noble families had barely recovered after a few years when the Crown Prince’s crackdown on powerful families emerged, once again making them uneasy and scrambling to gather information.

When the crackdown on powerful families began, no one expected it would affect the noble houses.

Now that the noble families were growing anxious, the Crown Prince felt it had gone too far and began gradually appeasing them.

As Liu Wenji listened to all this, a strange thought occurred to him. These matters they were discussing had nothing to do with him… and yet these events had begun with his and Chunhua’s sacrifice.

Without Chunhua’s sacrifice, the entire situation wouldn’t have reached this point.

There would have been no crackdown on powerful families.

There would be no anxiety and confusion among the noble houses.

And these officials wouldn’t be running around trying to discern His Majesty’s and the Crown Prince’s intentions.

One thing leads to another.

Liu Wenji pondered thoughtfully, realizing this was what politics was about. How seemingly insignificant people and events at the start… could trigger changes in the entire political landscape. And he knew without asking that ninety percent of those involved had no idea who Chunhua was, or who Liu Wenji was.

Politics… no wonder people were drawn to its cruel beauty.

With power in hand, one could do as they pleased.

As Liu Wenji was thinking this, new eunuchs came over, saying they had prepared lunch for the gentlemen.

The Hanlin scholar who had let Liu Wenji stay to copy books lifted the curtain from the inner chambers and casually said: “Prepare one more portion. Yan Suchen will also have lunch here today.”

The eunuch who came to ask about lunch bowed and agreed. Copying books in the corner, Liu Wenji started, nearly breaking the brush in his hand—

Suchen?

Why was Suchen here?

Suchen was here, yet he hadn’t seen him?

Liu Wenji had barely formed these thoughts when, based on his decades of understanding Yan Shang’s character, he began to guess. So when the Hanlin scholar who had assigned him to copy was about to return to the inner chambers, Liu Wenji quickly stood up and hurriedly presented his completed copies for review.

The Hanlin scholar looked through the pages, nodding: “Not bad.”

Liu Wenji seized the opportunity to ask: “Sir, the Yan Suchen you mentioned just now, is he the current Deputy Director Yan Second of the Secretariat?”

The Hanlin scholar looked at him with penetrating eyes. Liu Wenji explained: “This servant heard them mention a ‘beautiful and refined’ Second Master Yan when delivering coal to the Secretariat.”

The Hanlin scholar smiled and said: “Yes, indeed. He truly is ‘beautiful and refined.'”

Liu Wenji said: “This servant has been here all morning yet hasn’t seen that gentleman, what a pity.”

The Hanlin scholar continued looking at the copied documents, speaking carelessly: “Hmm, if you’re grateful, you should thank him. It was his suggestion to let literate eunuchs help with the copying.”

Liu Wenji thought, so it was true.

He feigned surprise: “That gentleman must truly be a good person.”

The Hanlin scholar glanced at him, unable to detect anything suspicious, merely smiled and turned to enter the inner chambers. When Liu Wenji saw the scholar’s meaningful smile, he suddenly realized that the other’s seemingly casual words had all been probing him… none of these officials were fools.

They were all difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, Liu Wenji’s personality was no longer what it used to be. Reviewing his own words, he felt he hadn’t revealed any trace of his connection to Yan Shang, and only then did he relax.

After much thought, Liu Wenji went out and arranged with his companions to double the amount of coal for the inner chambers of the Hanlin Academy.

With Yan Shang there, Liu Wenji knew this was his first winter in Chang’an, and he must be extremely sensitive to the cold, completely unaccustomed to it. More coal would help take care of Yan Shang.

Originally, after the Hanlin scholar left, Liu Wenji had considered doing nothing to avoid suspicion. But then he thought that doing nothing might actually confirm his guilt and his connection to Yan Shang… better to treat Yan Shang as simply a kind official who had helped him, and appropriately repaid him with extra coal.

No need to do anything more.

That Hanlin scholar wouldn’t bother investigating whether Yan Shang knew a eunuch.

Having thought everything through, Liu Wenji sat back down to continue copying. As his brush moved across the paper with a rustling sound, his heart calm and steady, he was beginning to learn how to play this game—

In the evening, Muwan Fei came out of the palace in an exceptionally good mood.

During this palace visit, she had thoroughly defeated Consort Xian, firmly securing control over the arrangements for the grand ceremony’s palace banquet. Now sitting in her carriage, Muwan Fei looked through the information about the visiting countries, calculating whether their seating arrangements were appropriate.

Yes, the palace arrangements needed to coordinate with the Crown Prince’s arrangements outside the palace.

Muwan Fei didn’t see Wuman on the list of visiting countries, and she couldn’t deny feeling slightly relieved. Receiving Wuman envoys would be rather awkward. It was best that Wuman wasn’t coming… Muwan Fei silently prayed that the civil wars in the Southern Barbarians would continue, keeping Wuman too busy to attend.

Letting that person have no time to spare.

Wuman’s situation was very complicated, not something that could be easily resolved.

As Muwan Fei sat in the carriage thinking about these things, she felt the carriage stop and knew they had left the palace compound. After a while, when the carriage started moving again, Muwan Fei suddenly had a thought and asked those outside: “Have we reached the imperial city?”

Outside, riding on horseback and wearing a round-collared male robe with missing side panels was the maid Xia Rong, who answered the princess: “Yes, we’ve reached the imperial city, and will soon be out the gate.”

Muwan Fei said: “Stop the carriage, come inside.”

Though confused, Xia Rong still had the carriage stop and climbed inside. Muwan Fei studied her maid in male attire with narrow sleeves, thoughtfully saying: “Yan Shang should be at the Court of State Ceremonials right now.”

Xia Rong tried to follow the princess’s train of thought: “That should be correct.”

Muwan Fei’s eyes lit up with interest: “I’ve never been to the Court of State Ceremonials before. I want to see how he works.”

Xia Rong was slightly alarmed and quickly said: “Your Highness, you can’t do that! What if someone recognizes you?”

Muwan Fei glanced at her and said: “At this hour, the high officials should have all left. Those still busy at the Court of State Ceremonials should only be minor officials of the eighth or ninth rank. Such minor officials are unlikely to recognize me.”

Xia Rong was nearly crying with anxiety: “But just in case…”

Muwan Fei smiled at her: “Just in case, you and I will switch clothes. I’ll disguise myself as you and make a trip to the Court of State Ceremonials.”

Xia Rong was stunned: “What?”—

Xia Rong was left sulking in the carriage, forced by the princess to change into her elaborate robes. Throughout the process, Xia Rong was terrified, not daring to wear the princess’s clothes.

In the end, Xia Rong sat dejectedly in the carriage with her hair loose, forced to wear the princess’s high-waisted dress with its many layers of skirts. The bright hem spread across the carriage cushions, with flowing golden light like the sunset spreading along the dress, shifting and brilliantly dazzling.

Without bothering to arrange her hair, after the princess had changed into the light male attire and jumped down from the carriage, Xia Rong gripped the carriage door edge with tears in her eyes: “Your Highness, please come back quickly, don’t abandon your servant!”

Muwan Fei, properly dressed in male robes with missing side panels, was lowering her head to adjust her collar. Hearing this, she turned back and gave an unrestrained smile. Dressed like this, with her delicate features, red lips, and white teeth, she looked truly handsome and charming.

She smiled brightly: “You all go back first, no need to wait for me.”

With that, Muwan Fei put her hands behind her back and walked gracefully toward the Court of State Ceremonials.

Muwan Fei had Xia Rong’s token. She casually made up an excuse about having palace business to attend to and entered the Court of State Ceremonials. The minor official who led the way first brought Muwan Fei inside, then called over a young official to ask what business this palace maid had.

Muwan Fei stood with her hands behind her back, looking at them without showing any timidity: “I am a servant from Second Master Yan’s household. Is my… master here?”

When saying “master,” her face turned slightly red.

The young official asked: “Are you referring to Yan Second, Yan Suchen?”

Hearing this, Muwan Fei’s eyes lit up slightly. She suppressed the excitement in her heart and nodded demurely. She imagined how Yan Shang would be shocked to see her dressed like this when she went to see him.

Thinking about how he would be startled, she broke into a teasing smile.

However, the young official said: “Miss, you’ve come at an unfortunate time. Second Master Yan went with a minor envoy for archery this afternoon and hasn’t returned yet.”

Muwan Fei was slightly disappointed but said: “Then I’ll wait for him.”

With that, she walked right into the main hall of the Court of State Ceremonials without any hesitation, showing none of the proper demeanor of a servant.

The young official was dumbfounded, watching her enter so casually, unable to stop her in time… The official shook his head, thinking how strange it was that the modest Yan Suchen had such an imperious servant—

Yan Shang had finally finished handling his affairs and returned to the Court of State Ceremonials to rest. After organizing today’s matters, he would be able to leave the Court and the imperial city to return home.

Yan Shang sat in the inner chambers, looking for medicine for wounds. A young official came in, saw he had returned, and asked: “Second Master, what are you looking for?”

Yan Shang: “Some medicine for wounds.”

The official was surprised: “You’re injured?”

Yan Shang smiled: “Just some minor injuries, nothing serious.”

The young official looked at him sympathetically, knowing how difficult it was to attend to the envoys. The official sat back in his seat, suddenly remembering something: “Oh right, a servant from your household came looking for you, quite imperious in manner.”

Yan Shang looked up: “What?”

What servant from his household?

The young official looked at him teasingly: “Is she your household servant? Why did she seem to have more presence than a lady of the house? Have you perhaps been having some secret affair with your servant without telling us?”

Yan Shang: “…What?”