Zhu Yuanzhang, the eternal emperor and only grass-roots born emperor in history, employed people unconventionally. His requirements for officials were not constrained by background, education, or even gender. Shen Qionglian, as a female instructor, had always only taught palace women, princesses, and other females. Emperor Hongwu’s sudden appointment for her to lecture on the “Wu Yi” chapter of the “Book of Documents” at the Grand Academy caused some pedantic tutors there to resist, demanding Emperor Hongwu rescind the order.
Emperor Hongwu naturally refused. The seventeen-year-old Shen Qionglian, dressed in female official attire, openly went to the Grand Academy to teach the princes. Shangyi Cui, who cherished this capable subordinate most, brought female officials like Hu Shanwei and Huang Weide to escort Shen Qionglian.
Shen Qionglian had written “Shangyi leads me near the dragon bed, imperial brush personally inscribes fragrant ink” in her Mid-Autumn poem, including Shangyi Cui in it. Shangyi Cui’s affection for her was well repaid.
Shen Qionglian’s teaching was Emperor Hongwu’s decree. Moreover, as a court poet who entered the palace at thirteen with first-place examination results and frequently composed poems at various banquets, she was already a familiar face in the imperial family, beloved by Empress Xiaoci. The princes and grandsons had essentially grown up with her, so when Shen Qionglian came to teach, they merely found it novel without any rejection.
Shen Qionglian remained calm and composed. The “Wu Yi” chapter of the “Book of Documents” was obscure and difficult—it couldn’t be explained clearly in less than three to five days. She lectured for a morning. When the water clock’s fine sand ran out, the princes performed the teacher-thanking ceremony. In the afternoon, they still had to practice archery and horsemanship.
Shangyi Cui and others escorted Shen Qionglian back to the Six Bureaus and One Department, where all the female officials congratulated her. This was an honor belonging to women.
Naturally happy to receive recognition, Shen Qionglian drank too much at the lunch banquet and was inspired to compose poetry. Hu Shanwei laid out paper and ground ink for her, and Shen Qionglian picked up her brush to write:
“The Son of Heaven’s dragon tower glimpses my adornment, hibiscus palace halls test silk robes. The cool water breeze is perfect for facing west, specializing in teaching classics to little princes.”
This described her teaching experience. Everyone praised it as a good poem, competing to copy and circulate it.
Faced with praise, Shen Qionglian laughed heartily with the boldness of a poetry immortal, extending her hand: “Bring the finest wine—I can drink another jar.”
Though young in age, Shen Qionglian had excellent alcohol tolerance. As the lunch banquet wound down and Hu Shanwei and others showed signs of intoxication, no one accompanied her drinking. With her open-minded nature, she didn’t force others, picking up a wine pot: “Everyone disperse—I’ll go back and drink alone.”
Once the lunch banquet scattered, Hu Shanwei, who had been lying on the table, opened her eyes with clear vision—where was any sign of drunkenness? She still had to work in the afternoon, so she’d been pretending deliberately.
Rising from her seat, she discovered something glittering golden beneath Shen Qionglian’s chair. Picking it up, she saw it was a golden seven-piece set containing small, exquisite daily-use implements made of gold: ear pick, scissors, toothpick, and other convenient daily tools that also served as decoration.
Hu Shanwei thought this must have been dropped by Shen Qionglian, who had left with the wine pot and surely hadn’t gone far. Wanting to clear her head from the wine anyway, Hu Shanwei took the golden seven-piece set to chase after Shen Qionglian.
The autumn light was perfect. Hu Shanwei searched along Shen Qionglian’s route home, glimpsing a corner of skirt flying past in the artificial mountain rock forest ahead. Palace female officials wore green robes, red skirts, and white jade leather belts with black gauze caps at formal occasions—this was exactly how Shen Qionglian had been dressed for teaching today.
However, that direction led to the Imperial Garden, completely opposite from Shen Qionglian’s residence… Perhaps inspired by wine, she’d gone to drink while admiring chrysanthemums?
Hu Shanwei pursued with the golden seven-piece set. This area was lush with flowers and trees, supplemented by artificial mountains and rocks with many branching paths. After a few steps, she lost the trail. Just as Hu Shanwei was about to call out Shen Qionglian’s name, she heard a “crack” sound from the right, as if something had shattered.
Had Shen Qionglian, drunk, stumbled and broken her wine pot?
Following the sound, Hu Shanwei heard a young man’s voice: “I sincerely seek instruction from Teacher Shen on poetry. Why won’t you even look?”
The men in the palace were either eunuchs or princes and grandsons. The several grandsons in the Eastern Palace were still children. Judging by the voice, this person was experiencing voice change during adolescence—clear but hoarse—and should be one of the princes.
A cold voice responded: “Ever since entering the palace, Your Highness has consulted me many times. Your Highness has mediocre talent in poetry. Even writing basketfuls would just be kindling for the fire brazier—forced melancholy in new poems with no meaning. Your Highness should give up. Everyone has their strengths, and Your Highness’s strength is not in this area.”
The speech was characteristically frank and sharp-tongued, showing no mercy—definitely Shen Qionglian.
She just didn’t know which prince she was addressing.
The person seemed unwilling to give up: “Now that Teacher Shen is my instructor, when students don’t understand, teachers have a responsibility to guide them. You can teach me—I’ll definitely be obedient.”
Shen Qionglian said: “I’m a teacher of classics, not poetry. Your Highness should seek other experts.”
The person persisted annoyingly: “No, I only want Teacher Shen to teach me.”
Shen Qionglian seemed very displeased: “You suddenly appeared just now and startled me into dropping my wine pot, and now you’re blocking my path. Is this how your imperial family respects teachers and values learning?”
The person said: “I’ve brought my poetry book—Teacher Shen, please at least comment a few sentences so I know where I’m lacking.”
Shen Qionglian said: “It’s clearly a pot of braised pork, yet Your Highness insists I pick out some vegetable pieces. Isn’t this forcing the impossible?”
The person said: “Who says braised pork has no vegetables? There are clearly scallions.”
Shen Qionglian grew angrier: “You’re becoming increasingly unreasonable as you grow up. Move aside!”
The person: “No.”
Hearing the stalemate, Hu Shanwei quietly retreated a few steps, then deliberately made her footsteps heavy while walking slowly, calling loudly: “Instructor Shen! Walk slower! You’ve dropped something!”
When Hu Shanwei approached, beside the artificial mountain made of Taihu stones, there was only a wine pot shattered on the ground and Shen Qionglian—the person had hurriedly fled.
Having lost her wine pot, Shen Qionglian now held a rolled poetry collection. The person had insisted on stuffing the poetry book into her hands before leaving.
Hu Shanwei acted casual, returning the golden seven-piece set to Shen Qionglian: “Is this yours?”
Shen Qionglian looked at her empty waist: “Indeed it is. Thank you, Siyan Hu.”
Hu Shanwei glanced at the wine pot’s remains: “Drank too much, right? Unsteady on your feet. Don’t go scenic drinking anymore—I’ll escort you back.”
Shen Qionglian didn’t refuse, holding her forehead: “I do feel somewhat dizzy. Better to return.”
Compared to Hu Shanwei’s quiet, modest courtyard, Shen Qionglian’s residence was luxurious—a two-courtyard compound with flowers blooming year-round. The courtyard also contained several vats of koi and water lilies. With autumn’s arrival, water lily petals began falling, revealing pointed lotus seed heads, while koi played and swam among the scattered pale yellow petals.
Shen Qionglian smiled: “Since you’re here, have tea before leaving.”
She instructed a young palace maid: “I’ve grown a pot of mint leaves. Pick one to brew with the tea leaves—it’s most refreshing and brain-clearing, dispelling autumn drowsiness.”
While the maid prepared tea, Shen Qionglian pointed to her skirt hem soaked by splashed wine: “Sit for a moment—I’ll change into everyday clothes.”
With these words, Shen Qionglian casually placed the poetry scroll on the table and went to the inner room to change.
The rolled poetry collection slowly unrolled into a tile shape with upturned edges. Hu Shanwei could clearly see the name on the poetry book: Zhu Tan.
Prince Lu Zhu Tan, fourteen years old, Imperial Consort Guo Ning’s only son. He loved poetry and literature, especially admiring Wei and Jin dynasty elegance.
Zhu Tan’s two maternal uncles were both marquises with powerful family backgrounds. Imperial Consort Guo Ning had only this one son and raised him somewhat indulgently.
The princes didn’t live with their birth mothers—basically moving to the Eastern and Western Five Quarters of Qianqing Palace around age seven or eight. They studied at the Grand Academy in the mornings, practiced archery and horsemanship in the afternoons, and were occasionally taken by Emperor Hongwu to work in the fields, remembering hardship and appreciating sweetness.
Yes, Emperor Hongwu had cleared some flowers and grass near the Grand Academy to open several farm plots, personally going to the fields to teach his sons about agriculture.
Except for occasional visits to pay respects to their birth mothers, the princes basically didn’t enter the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, especially the nearly adult fourteen-year-old Prince Lu, who needed to avoid suspicion.
So when Hu Shanwei first heard the conversation, she couldn’t guess which young man was blocking the path asking Shen Qionglian for instruction among the Taihu stones. Young men’s voices during voice change were naturally variable. Only now, seeing Prince Lu Zhu Tan’s name, did she suddenly understand.
The imperial palace was so vast—that scene in the Imperial Garden was absolutely not a chance encounter. From their conversation, Prince Lu frequently consulted Shen Qionglian about poetry, and she had indeed taught him. But she was a genius girl with high standards. Though Prince Lu had noble status, his poetry was truly mediocre. She didn’t take him seriously and simply couldn’t “stomach” it.
With her aloof personality, she was too lazy to be diplomatic with Prince Lu. Saying finding merits in Prince Lu’s poetry was like picking vegetables from braised pork.
Having experienced romantic stirrings twice herself, both times passionate, Hu Shanwei as someone experienced vaguely sensed that Zhu Tan’s motives toward Shen Qionglian were impure. At fourteen, he was reaching the age of first romantic awakening.
Shen Qionglian was seventeen. Her appearance couldn’t be called stunning—the palace was full of beauties—but there was only one genius girl. Having admiring feelings for her wasn’t unusual…
Just as she pondered this, Shen Qionglian returned after changing into everyday clothes, wearing an ordinary young woman’s hairstyle, ethereally otherworldly.
Hu Shanwei set down her half-finished tea: “This tea is indeed refreshing. Thank you for the hospitality—I have matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
“Siyan Hu is a busy person—I won’t keep you.” Shen Qionglian personally escorted Hu Shanwei to the door. Watching her figure about to disappear around the palace wall corner, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and her gaze met Shen Qionglian’s directly.
Hu Shanwei felt something was wrong. This was all too coincidental, starting with the dropped golden seven-piece set—like… someone had deliberately orchestrated it.
Seeing Hu Shanwei’s probing and suspicious gaze, Shen Qionglian didn’t avoid it but met it directly.
Both were intelligent—some things were inconvenient to state explicitly. Confirmation through eye contact sufficed.
Receiving Shen Qionglian’s eye response, Hu Shanwei understood: This was a setup arranged by Shen Qionglian—she was warning her and seeking help.
Shen Qionglian was ice-snow clever. She could sense that Zhu Tan’s gaze upon her was no longer pure. The man had feelings, but the woman was uninterested.
Zhu Tan used poetry consultation as an excuse to pester endlessly. As a noble prince with a powerful mother and maternal family, with Imperial Consort Guo Ning managing the palace, how could she, a mere court poet, refuse?
Of course, she could make a scene before the throne, but the result would merely be Emperor Hongwu scolding Prince Lu, while she would be “advised to retire” from court. What use was genius? Palace tranquility was most important.
Shen Qionglian understood that only in the palace could displaying her talent be her proper occupation. If she returned to family life to marry and bear children, writing poetry and painting would become improper pursuits—she would be buried.
What to do? Shen Qionglian began self-rescue. Though naturally unrestrained and rarely deliberately performing, at the Mid-Autumn imperial family banquet, her poem won first place, and she wrote another, performing brilliantly. Emperor Hongwu thus appointed her to teach at the Grand Academy.
Sitting on the west side of the Grand Academy, teaching Prince Lu and other princes as their instructor, she wanted to prove her aspirations and value. She only wished to spend her life with poetry and books, finding joy in learning. She had no interest in love or marriage—she only wanted to be a court poet, displaying her talent openly and honorably.
She thought Prince Lu would understand, but at the Grand Academy, Prince Lu’s gaze toward her remained wrong, still full of desire.
She began seeking ways to ask Hu Shanwei for help, having heard that Imperial Consort Guo Ning listened to Hu Shanwei’s every word.
At the lunch banquet, she deliberately dropped the golden seven-piece set at Hu Shanwei’s feet to lure her into searching. Hu Shanwei indeed took the bait. She carried the wine pot to meet Prince Lu’s appointment. She had arranged to meet at a pavilion with an open view, but Prince Lu had ulterior motives, bringing his poetry book to block her among the Taihu stone forest.
She wasn’t frightened by Prince Lu—she deliberately smashed the wine pot to make noise and guide Hu Shanwei to find the right place.
Prince Lu felt guilty and fled upon hearing Hu Shanwei’s calls. If his heart were open, why fear outsiders seeing?
Shen Qionglian became even more certain that Prince Lu harbored improper intentions.
Later inviting Hu Shanwei for tea and using changing clothes as an excuse to leave the poetry collection on the table—this was deliberately letting Hu Shanwei see the name on the book.
Seeing Shen Qionglian’s confirming gaze, Hu Shanwei was so angry that even her autumn drowsiness disappeared: Having just persuaded Imperial Consort Guo Ning to become obedient and willing to manage the palace in a low-key “not making mistakes is doing right” approach, attempting to divide and delegate authority, here came an even more troublesome problem: Prince Lu Zhu Tan had reached mating age but found the wrong target—Shen Qionglian was the person he absolutely should not touch!
Not mating—romantic awakening. Having fed animals for a year, her thinking hadn’t readjusted yet.
Fortunately, Shen Qionglian warned her in time. If this matter were discovered by opponents and utilized slightly, Imperial Consort Guo Ning would fall—what if opponents had already guessed?
To prevent trouble, Hu Shanwei selected two trustworthy old palace attendants, both acquainted with Huang Weide since their humble palace days: “Instructor Shen goes to the Grand Academy to teach daily, working very hard. You two go serve Instructor Shen. Pay attention to all tea, water, and food. Stay close on the roads too. With autumn’s changeable weather, prepare rain umbrellas, rain capes, and thick clothes. Don’t delay Instructor Shen’s teaching.”
The old palace attendants accepted and reported to Shen Qionglian. Knowing Hu Shanwei had acted, Shen Qionglian readily accepted them.
Having first protected Shen Qionglian, Hu Shanwei returned to Zhongcui Palace to find Imperial Consort Guo Ning, whispering a few sentences. Imperial Consort Ning was immediately terrified out of her wits: “This rebellious son! How dare he commit such filthy palace corruption!”
Hu Shanwei said: “It’s not too late to mend the fold after losing sheep. I have a method…”
Hu Shanwei brought sufficient personnel and even borrowed Embroidered Uniform Guards from Ji Gang, going to Prince Lu’s residence in the Eastern Five Quarters.
All the princes had gone to the training ground to practice archery and horsemanship, not in their sleeping quarters.
Hu Shanwei said: “Trouble Commander Ji to lock all the doors from outside—don’t let anyone escape.”
Ji Gang was too lazy to ask questions and simply complied.
Hu Shanwei ordered all palace maids and eunuchs serving Prince Lu’s sleeping quarters to be called into one room, also locked from outside with guards at the windows.
Everyone was puzzled, asking: “Did Imperial Consort Guo Ning and Prince Lu lose something important? We haven’t heard of anything.”
Hu Shanwei sat in the central armchair, coldly scanning everyone: “Nothing is missing—I fear something extra has appeared. Search!”
Suddenly caught like turtles in a jar, someone loudly protested: “Siyan Hu is from the Shanggong Bureau—case investigation belongs to the Gongzheng Department. It’s not your turn!”
Author’s Note: Eternal Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang Teacher-respecting little Prince Lu
Supremely clever Commander Ji Gentle and virtuous Hu Shanwei