Today was one of the five-day court sessions.

In Huangji Hall, the Emperor was seated comfortably. After the whip sounded, following several ceremonies, the official from the Court of State Ceremonial announced the proceedings and various ministries presented their memorials in sequence. Chen Yan Yun, being a civil official, entered through the right side gate. Currently, there weren’t many officials in court with the honorary titles of the Three Ducal Ministers and Three Excellencies, and several elderly and frail officials were exempted from court attendance. Chen Yan Yun stood in the second row on the right side for civil officials. In front of him was Grand Secretary Zhang Ju Lian of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Grand Secretary He Wen Xin of the Wuying Hall. In the same row with him was only Grand Secretary Wang Xuan Fan of the Jinshen Hall.

The Emperor was still young, sitting on the dragon throne somewhat listlessly, but his back was straight as a rod, and his imperial robes were worn impeccably. The court officials didn’t present many memorials. After a few words, the official from the Court of State Ceremonial announced the end of the proceedings. The whip sounded, the Emperor rose, and after His Majesty withdrew, the hundred officials also retreated.

The young Emperor moved to the study in Qianqing Palace. After being helped by palace servants to change into casual clothes, he came out to meet several ministers.

Zhu Jun’an was only twelve years old this year, a clean and delicate-looking boy. In a soft voice, he called Zhang Ju Lian “Lord Zhang” and said: “I was reading the Records of the Grand Historian a few days ago and practiced my calligraphy with it. Could you please look at it and tell me how I did?”

Zhang Ju Lian smiled and said: “Your Majesty’s diligence in study is a blessing for us officials. Naturally, everything is good.”

Zhu Jun’an asked the palace servants attending him to fetch his calligraphy book.

Feng Cheng Shan, the Chief Eunuch of the Ceremonial Office, said softly: “Your Majesty, it’s time to attend to state affairs.”

Matters decided by the Grand Secretariat needed to be reviewed and approved with the Emperor’s vermilion ink before they could be implemented.

Zhu Jun’an smiled and said: “Let’s consider today’s session complete. I want to chat more with the ministers. I haven’t seen Lord Zhang and Lord Chen for several days.”

Both men had previously been his teachers.

Feng Cheng Shan retreated to the side and said no more. Zhu Jun’an had Zhang Ju Lian examine and critique his calligraphy, then spoke with interest to He Wen Xin: “I recently heard from Mother Empress that the wife of the Marquis of Changxing visited the Palace to see the Imperial Noble Consort, wanting to ask for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage…”

Emperor Zhu Jun’an’s father had died in his prime, leaving behind only this child. He had just one sister, who had died at the age of three. Zhu Jun’an had been spoiled since childhood, and his character was far less mature than most children his age. He was also very interested in the private affairs of his ministers.

Zhang Ju Lian frowned upon hearing this. Zhu Jun’an had been raised by the Empress herself, yet he had absorbed such habits and could say such things!

He Wen Xin was also momentarily embarrassed, laughing awkwardly and saying: “This old minister knows nothing of this!”

Zhu Jun’an realized he had misspoken and nervously pinched his sleeve, glancing at Chen Yan Yun. Chen Yan Yun secretly pointed to a scroll of books on the table. The Emperor, as if finding a treasure, picked up the book from the table and said to Zhang Ju Lian: “Lord Zhang, there’s a phrase in the Analects: ‘When one is strict with oneself but lenient with others, resentment will be kept at a distance.’ I don’t quite understand it. Could you help me…”

Chen Yan Yun looked at a cloisonné vase on the multitiered shelf and sighed inwardly.

To think that Zhu Jun’an could fear Zhang Ju Lian to such an extent.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, the officials went to the Grand Secretariat to discuss affairs. After concluding business, they had lunch in a side hall. After several cups of wine, Wang Xuan Fan began talking to He Wen Xin: “…Lord He’s eldest granddaughter has quite a reputation in the capital. I wonder what plans the Lord He has. Do you intend to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Changxing’s family?”

He Wen Xin smiled: “They’re just ignorant women. It’s nothing significant. Matters of marriage are decided by her grandmother; I don’t interfere.”

Wang Xuan Fan glanced at Zhang Ju Lian, who smiled slightly: “Speaking of this, the heir of the Marquis of Changxing is an outstanding talent. If they truly come to propose marriage, you might want to consider it.”

He Wen Xin’s eyelid twitched. If Ye Xian married his granddaughter… then he would be inextricably linked to the Changxing Marquis’s household.

He had always stayed away from factional disputes, not wanting to be associated with any power bloc.

He Wen Xin paused, then said: “Noble families have too many rules and protocols. I fear she wouldn’t be able to adapt.”

Yao Ping immediately laughed: “Lord He’s granddaughter is talented; surely a few rules wouldn’t be a problem.”

Why was Yao Ping helping Wang Xuan Fan pressure him?

He Wen Xin set down his wine cup without revealing his emotions and ambiguously said: “There’s no rush in this matter.”

While Zhang Ju Lian and Liang Lin were discussing the reassignment of the Provincial Governor of Huguang, Wang Xuan Fan glanced at Chen Yan Yun, who was slowly eating his food without speaking, seemingly uninterested in this topic. He raised his cup to Chen Yan Yun and said with a smile: “Speaking of marriage proposals, Lord Chen’s happy event must be approaching too, right? I heard you’ve taken a fancy to the Fourth Miss of the Gu family from Daxing and even sent them some of your calligraphy.”

The Fourth Miss of the Gu family from Daxing?

Liang Lin laughed: “Isn’t this Fourth Miss Gu already engaged to Lord Yao’s son?” Could it be that Lord Chen would do something like stealing a colleague’s son’s future wife? That would certainly be scandalous.

Yao Ping shook his head: “What are you talking about? That engagement was broken off long ago.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ju Lian’s eyelid twitched. Seeing that Chen Yan Yun’s expression darkened after hearing Wang Xuan Fan’s words, he felt puzzled. Such an absurd thing didn’t seem like something Chen Yan Yun would do. Nevertheless, he smiled at Chen Yan Yun and said: “It’s troublesome without someone to take care of you. It would be good to remarry soon.” He was also Chen Yan Yun’s teacher, had always supported his official career, and was concerned about his personal affairs.

Zhang Ju Lian continued: “What kind of person is she? Tell me about her.”

The Gu family and the Marquis of Changxing’s family were related by marriage.

He had known that when the Daxing grain depot incident occurred, Chen Yan Yun had helped the Gu family. He had suspected that Chen Yan Yun wanted to help Yuan Zhu Ru. Could it be… that he wasn’t trying to help Yuan Zhu Ru, but the Gu family?

Only then did Chen Yan Yun stand up, looking embarrassed, and smiled helplessly: “So Lord Wang knows about this too!… But Lord Wang, you’ve misheard. I have no impression of the Fourth Miss Gu. To be honest, it’s rather shameful, but I am acquainted with the eldest daughter of Physician Gu, though not to the point of proposing marriage. After all, there are considerations…” Chen Yan Yun paused, referring to the connection between the Gu family and the Marquis of Changxing’s family.

Upon hearing this, Yao Ping’s face stiffened, and he secretly glanced at Wang Xuan Fan.

Wang Xuan Fan had told him that Chen Yan Yun was interested in Gu Lian. Fearing to offend Chen Yan Yun, he had sent his wife to the Gu family to break off the engagement!

It turned out that Chen wasn’t interested in Gu Lian at all. What was Wang Xuan Fan playing at? Was he toying with him?

Wang Xuan Fan’s heart skipped a beat. The intelligence he had gathered indicated that Chen Yan Yun was interested in Gu Lian! He had even advised Yao Ping to break the engagement with the Gu family because of this. How could it not be Gu Lian? And who was this eldest daughter of Physician Gu?

Wang Xuan Fan forced a smile and said: “Lord Chen, that’s not right. Didn’t you send a carriage to Daxing today…”

Chen Yan Yun’s smile remained unchanged, but his tone turned cold: “What is Lord Wang talking about? Are you secretly monitoring my actions?”

Wang Xuan Fan realized he had misspoken. He was about to say something else when Zhang Ju Lian waved his hand, signaling him to stop.

Zhang Ju Lian had Chen Yan Yun sit down, his face bearing a smile: “Since you’ve already taken a liking to her, you should propose. Don’t worry about anything else. You’re still young, and these matters of the heart are important! Come with me.”

Chen Yan Yun respectfully agreed.

Zhang Ju Lian and Chen Yan Yun walked out of the side hall, looking at the Wenhua Hall outside the Grand Secretariat. Zhang Ju Lian said gently: “Over these years, I’ve watched you progress step by step from the Hanlin Academy to your current position. It hasn’t been easy for you. If you’re hesitating to propose because of the connection to the Marquis of Changxing’s family, there’s no need. I’m not that narrow-minded. After all, the Gu family’s interaction with the Changxing Marquis’s family isn’t that deep… But be honest with me,” his eyes narrowed, and his voice cooled, “last time with the Daxing grain depot, did you help Gu De Zhao because of this?”

Chen Yan Yun sighed and said: “Nothing escapes your perception, teacher… She came to plead with me, and I truly couldn’t refuse. However, I had planned it well—the grain shipped to Sanhe could be manipulated, which wouldn’t have disrupted your plans. I had no other intentions. If you wish to punish me for this, I accept it…”

His help to Gu De Zhao, aside from being for Gu Jin Chao, naturally also included some desire to help the people of Shanxi.

By admitting to this, he knew Zhang Ju Lian wouldn’t resent him, but would be pleased.

Zhang Ju Lian sighed and said: “It’s good that you’re honest. Let’s put this matter to rest!” Then, his tone softened, “Go ahead and marry her. I’ll send a gift as well. This is a joyous occasion. Go home and discuss it with Lady Chen as well.”

When the two returned to their seats, Zhang Ju Lian even personally poured wine for Chen Yan Yun, making Wang Xuan Fan’s eyelid twitch.

…He had probably fallen into Chen Yan Yun’s trap!

After leaving the Grand Secretariat, Chen Yan Yun boarded his carriage outside the Meridian Gate, a faint smile playing on his lips. Chen Yi found himself increasingly puzzled: “Third Master, why did you have me do all this? And why wasn’t Lord Zhang angry with you when you admitted to the grain depot incident?”

Chen Yan Yun slowly explained: “Lord Zhang has always been cautious, and my official career has progressed too smoothly, making him increasingly wary of me lately. After the grain depot incident, he suspected I was trying to help Yuan Zhu Ru and had been quite guarded against me. With this development, he will feel more at ease about me.”

It took Chen Yi a moment to understand.

Chen Yan Yun said softly: “I’m also allowing her to help…”

Help whom? Chen Yi was completely confused. Third Master Chen needed someone else’s help.

Hu Rong, who was driving the carriage outside, leaned in to ask Chen Yi a question. Chen Yi then turned to ask Chen Yan Yun: “Third Master, where shall we go next? Do you still want to go to Sixi Alley for tea?”

Chen Yan Yun gazed out the window thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: “Back to Wanping. I have important matters to discuss with my mother.”

Chen Yi sensed that the Third Master was in a very good mood, though he didn’t know why. It had been a long time since he had seen Third Master with such a smile in his eyes. Acknowledging the order, he ducked out through the curtain to inform Hu Rong, who was driving the carriage.