◎Only seeing the capital city of Luoyang before their eyes, but unable to see the mountains and rivers of the world beyond◎

Since Yu Qingwu had promised to resolve the matter concerning Marquis Wenyuan, he naturally needed to handle it properly. This was the second time Shanjun had entrusted him with a task—last time, when investigating the allusion about “daybreak,” he had made someone cry, so this time he needed to make them smile.

After carefully planning for several days and preparing everything, he went to the Gaozhu Pavilion, a place frequented by literati, after leaving his post.

The poetry-loving Marquis Wenyuan was indeed sitting inside, discussing calligraphy with others. Yu Qingwu didn’t approach him to speak; instead, he found an elegant seat for himself and ordered a pot of tea—three wen per pot. Silver was precious these days, and he was reluctant to spend it, wishing he could save every bit of his salary to deliver to Lan Shanjun’s hands.

He was now considered a celebrity, and as soon as he entered, people took notice of him. Some looked down on his current reputation, calling him a “servant of three surnames”—first attached to Vice Minister Wu, then following the Imperial Grandson, while simultaneously meddling in the Shu faction. This was considered forming cliques for personal gain, bringing shame to scholars.

However, some didn’t care about such matters and only wanted to curry favor with him for profit, so they came over to chat one after another. No matter who approached, Yu Qingwu only talked about horse-rearing.

The Court of Imperial Stud was indeed despised by literati. After he spoke a few sentences, these people fled far away, afraid he might drag them into horse-rearing as well.

With his ears finally quiet, Yu Qingwu continued drinking his tea. When it was finished, he asked the waiter, “Can I have some water refilled?”

The waiter had never seen such a high official before! He quickly nodded: “Yes, of course.”

Yu Qingwu then took out one tael of silver: “Also, please send a pot of premium tea to Marquis Wenyuan upstairs, and tell him I very much enjoyed the poem he composed today—this is my tribute to him.”

The waiter agreed with a sound of acknowledgment, looking at him curiously.

Drinking three-wen tea himself, yet treating others to premium tea.

The waiter carried the tea upstairs. Seven or eight people were seated at the table, all looking surprised. Marquis Wenyuan felt pleased inside, but concerned about face, he frowned: “I won’t drink his tea.”

He valued reputation most, revering ancient rites. Yu Qingwu’s disrespect toward his teacher was a trampling of ancient rites. He couldn’t show him a favorable face—once he did, he would lose face himself.

The waiter had no choice but to bring the tea back down, pleading: “My lord, Marquis Wenyuan says he doesn’t wish to drink tea today.”

Yu Qingwu replied: “Then forget it, just leave it here. I’ll drink it myself.”

Seeing his accommodating nature, the waiter quickly wiped his sweat and placed the tea on the table before leaving. Yu Qingwu drank half of this pot of tea, then poured his three-wen tea into it and mixed them together.

The waiter noticed this and was repeatedly surprised. He had originally planned to drink the leftovers after Yu Qingwu left, but now he no longer wanted to, muttering: “Really so stingy… mixing premium tea with water, how can the taste be the same?”

After the waiter left, Yu Qingwu had nearly finished the tea. He then added a bit of the medicine that Minister Su had given him today—the kind that aroused stallions—and stirred it well.

Then he left.

Marquis Wenyuan, watching from the second floor as he departed, hastily concluded his own table’s gathering and called the waiter over. “Has he left?”

Waiter: “He’s left.”

Marquis Wenyuan: “What did he look like when he left?”

Waiter: “Looked rather unhappy.”

Marquis Wenyuan hesitated for a few moments, then went to Yu Qingwu’s private room.

There he saw the tea on the table.

Most of the tea had been drunk. He thought for a moment, poured a cup and drank it down, savored the taste, and prepared to compose a poem.

One should leave room for others in life. Since Yu Qingwu was currently prosperous, he couldn’t truly offend him. After drinking it and tasting some flavor, he immediately wrote a poem titled “Presented to Yu Qingwu at Gaozhu Pavilion,” to prepare for future friendship with Yu Qingwu, lest Yu Qingwu feel upset from being embarrassed today.

However, shortly after drinking it, he encountered Song Zhiwei in the private room.

Song Zhiwei had also come seeking Marquis Wenyuan.

He was very displeased with what his mother and third sister had done. They had agreed to take things slowly, but who knew that as soon as the flower-viewing banquet ended, Third Sister spread word that he wanted to marry the young lady from Marquis Wenyuan’s household.

Mother was furious and scolded Third Sister harshly, but it was already too late. Song Zhiwei came to make amends.

Marriage alliance, marriage alliance—besides affection for the woman, when two families united through marriage, there was naturally also respect for the father-in-law’s character.

He specifically came to Gaozhu Pavilion after leaving his post, also ordering a cup of tea for Marquis Wenyuan and inviting him to speak in the private room.

Marquis Wenyuan was quite pleased with himself: Clearly my talent has attracted the admiration of these two proud sons of heaven.

He wanted to write another poem to present to Song Zhiwei.

Song Zhiwei: “…”

Fine.

He lowered his eyes, drinking tea while thinking about today’s affairs at the Ministry of War—he had recently filled the position of Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of War these past few days.

The Court of Imperial Stud also fell under the Ministry of War. When Yu Qingwu wanted to make changes at the Court of Imperial Stud, the Ministry of War actually didn’t agree. The Court of Imperial Stud had been selling horses for years, and the silver from selling the horses was kept, making the Ministry of War the wealthiest place.

With such a good arrangement, whoever dared to take the lead would be attacked by all.

But Yu Qingwu—the more one watched how he conducted affairs, the more one discovered he was quite different from those previous righteous gentlemen.

He didn’t care about his reputation.

He didn’t hold high the banner of acting for the common people, but instead seized upon Marquis Boyuan’s household’s vulnerability: the household’s secret tea smuggling.

He already had a feud with Marquis Boyuan’s household. This way, whether he could move the Court of Imperial Stud or not, no one cared—they only cared whether he could completely topple Marquis Boyuan.

The Crown Prince’s faction would certainly help. Prince Wei also wanted to help. He had long wanted to deal with Marquis Boyuan’s household.

The Emperor already looked unfavorably upon Prince Qi, so if they didn’t deal with Marquis Boyuan now, when would they?

He even sent gifts to Yu Qingwu.

He told Prince Wei’s heir: “This is a ruthless man, like a mad dog—once he bites, he won’t let go. He’s more formidable than Wu Qingchuan.”

Someone composed a verse for Yu Qingwu: Once provoked, he will certainly develop a raging illness.

Thus, Song Zhiwei had only been at the Ministry of War for a few days, yet he constantly heard Yu Qingwu’s name by his ears.

In his heart arose some melancholic qi. He always felt that, unknowingly, things had suddenly spiraled out of control—sometimes, he always felt that Yu Qingwu shouldn’t be so smooth.

He himself should be the one who was so smooth.

He frowned, then thought of Lan Shanjun again. When initially going to Duke Zhenguo’s household to propose marriage, he should have given some other reason; otherwise, he wouldn’t now find discussing this marriage quite difficult.

In the end, he still had to deal with people like Marquis Wenyuan.

He raised his head, about to praise a few lines of the poem Marquis Wenyuan had written, when suddenly he saw the man’s body somehow turn bright red, and he began removing all his clothes.

Song Zhiwei closed his eyes.

He took a deep breath and went outside, still having to conceal things for Marquis Wenyuan. He tossed silver to the waiter, telling him to go to Marquis Wenyuan’s household to fetch the Marquis’s wife with a physician.

What kind of situation was this?

But he roughly understood that this marriage proposal was likely finished.

Marquis Wenyuan valued reputation most. After this incident, how could he have the face to discuss a marriage alliance?

Everything went against him.

He tightly furrowed his brow, calculating how to turn things around.

——

At Marquis Wenyuan’s household, Madam Wu had been summoned for questioning.

Madam Wu deeply regretted it! Why did she agree back then to go to Duke Zhenguo’s household on behalf of the Song family? It had only provoked much trouble.

She sat restlessly, smiling stiffly. The Marquis’s wife pressed her insistently: “I heard you once went to Duke Zhenguo’s household to propose marriage for Song Zhiwei?”

Madam Wu smiled awkwardly.

The Marquis’s wife understood. She grasped Madam Wu’s hand and said: “I know you’re in a difficult position, but I only have this one daughter—”

She lowered her voice: “If anything goes wrong with her, I won’t be able to live either.”

Madam Wu also had children, so hearing this, she sighed and said: “I did go. But Duke Zhenguo’s household refused. They had already arranged a match.”

The Marquis’s wife had investigated: “Yes, I heard they’ve already arranged a betrothal with the Yu family, and it was even an imperial decree.”

She looked at Madam Wu: “If it were only this, I wouldn’t have come to ask you. After all, marriage matters always involve viewing several families.”

She said: “But why do I also hear… that Song Zhiwei has the affliction of cut sleeves?”

Madam Wu’s expression turned unpleasant. How should she answer this? Even as a Marquis’s wife, one shouldn’t ask so directly! But when she raised her head and saw the Marquis’s wife’s eyes were already red, she couldn’t help but soften. “This matter isn’t exactly a secret. People gossiped about it for a few days, but rumors are the least trustworthy. Song Zhiwei does have someone in his chambers.”

The Marquis’s wife: “If this matter could be considered groundless, then—when the Song family came to propose marriage, they said they fell in love with the Lan family’s Sixth Young Lady at first sight, correct?”

Madam Wu’s expression changed dramatically. She stood up with a whoosh, saying loudly: “Madam, sentence after sentence, you were setting me up all along!”

She turned to leave. The Marquis’s wife didn’t stop her. After she left, the wife looked toward behind the screen: “Come out.”

Qin Pingting walked out smiling and said: “Madam Wu has quite a good heart, putting on such a performance for us. She neither offended the Song family nor gave a direct answer, so the matter must be true.”

The Marquis’s wife sighed: “Yes. We all have children—who would be willing to create evil karma over such matters?”

She called for a servant woman: “Madam Wu’s eldest son is looking for shop premises recently, isn’t he? Have someone offer our shop on Central Rectitude Street at a discount.”

The servant woman received the order and left. Qin Pingting sat down: “Mother, what should we do now?”

The Marquis’s wife was furious: “The Song family’s conduct is far too improper! Even if we’ve declined, we’re still a Marquis’s household. How can they be so perfunctory? Even if they were plotting to marry you, they should have planned slowly and properly. What is this now?”

She shed tears: “Your father is delighted about it.”

Qin Pingting frowned: “Actually, I feel that the Song family’s Third Young Lady was quite strange that day too, as if deliberately putting on that appearance for me to see. Thinking about it now, I suspect she knew something but couldn’t speak directly.”

The Marquis’s wife paused while wiping her tears: “Is that so?”

Qin Pingting nodded: “I didn’t think carefully at the time, only felt happy, but now that I think about it, it really was quite strange.”

The Marquis’s wife became even more certain that this marriage with the Song family couldn’t happen. She said: “I need to think of a solution—didn’t Duke Zhenguo’s household immediately arrange a betrothal for the Lan family’s Sixth Young Lady? I’ll arrange one for you too.”

Qin Pingting was willing, but where could they find a suitable match now?

Just as they were worrying, a servant woman rushed in urgently: “Madam, young lady, someone came from Gaozhu Pavilion saying our Marquis has fallen gravely ill and requests that Madam bring the household physician over at once.”

The Marquis’s wife nearly cursed aloud, but still asked: “What illness has he contracted? Who else is nearby?”

Servant woman: “The Song family’s eldest young master is there.”

The Marquis’s wife could only bring the physician over. Song Zhiwei stood guard at the door, quite polite and proper in bearing, saying: “Since Madam has arrived, I’ll take my leave first.”

The Marquis’s wife didn’t ask him to stay. One look at his expression told her it was something disgraceful.

She brought the physician into the room and nearly fainted.

Indeed, it was a great disgrace.

With concealment all the way, they finally managed to handle the matter, confirming it hadn’t spread. Afterward, she called her daughter over: “The marriage matter between our family and the Song family is finished.”

Qin Pingting was actually quite accepting: “Weren’t we just worried Father would agree? Isn’t this just right?”

The Marquis’s wife gritted her teeth: “Yes, this could actually be considered a good thing.”

Then, after a pause, she said: “Didn’t they say Song Zhiwei has the affliction of cut sleeves? Your father and Song Zhiwei… two men like that, such a disgusting matter—I dare not imagine it.”

Qin Pingting laughed: “Mother, don’t let your thoughts run wild. Why would it come to that?”

The Marquis’s wife: “You’re young and don’t understand these filthy matters.”

She cried again: “It’s all my fault. Back then I married such a person and found you such a father. Now how can I discuss marriage prospects for you?”

Qin Pingting could only console her: “Each person has their own destined marriage. Mother, don’t worry.”

——

On the other side, Yu Qingwu went again to Duke Zhenguo’s household to drink with Fourth Master. After three rounds of wine, Nanny Zhao came to deliver fruit wine, and he immediately requested to go out for fresh air.

Both being experienced people, how could Fourth Master not know his thoughts? He said: “Go quickly. Get some more air, I’ll drink one pot by myself and then adjourn.”

Yu Qingwu happily went. Lan Shanjun, wearing a crimson red garment, stood by the flourishing flowers and trees waiting for him. Seeing him emerge, she nodded to him, then walked toward the pavilion ahead.

It was now June, the hottest time. The pavilion was built surrounded by water, making it cooler than other places.

Yu Qingwu followed her, saying: “How did you know I came?”

Lan Shanjun: “Matters concerning you naturally reach my ears.”

The household had plenty of informants.

Though it was just a simple sentence, Yu Qingwu heard endless affection in it. Sometimes he thought it was better not to be too perceptive as a person—better to be a confused fool. When she spoke of heaven, he only needed to think of sharing the same sky; when she spoke of earth, he only needed to think of plowing the same ground—thus heaven and earth became vast.

He said softly: “Today I happened to encounter Marquis Wenyuan.”

Lan Shanjun discovered he worked very quickly. She asked curiously: “How did you do it?”

Yu Qingwu generally explained what happened, saying: “He originally had… an addiction illness, but to save face before the Marquis’s wife, he’s been taking medicine all along. But when he plays around outside, he’s… quite that way. He especially likes teenage girls and often doesn’t return home.”

Last time he hadn’t dared speak so plainly, as it involved matters not good to discuss. But this time, having done the deed, he also didn’t dare hide it from her.

He said: “I’m at the Ministry of War with Song Zhiwei, and after observing him for several days, I discerned his intentions and chose a time when he would go to the Gaozhu Pavilion.”

“This way, they would meet. Once they met, trouble would occur.”

Lan Shanjun carefully considered the intricacies within, then after a long silence finally said: “Song Zhiwei doesn’t seem very formidable.”

Yu Qingwu didn’t belittle him, saying: “He does have learning, but hasn’t yet learned the methods, after all, he’s just begun his training.”

Unlike himself—he had developed his methods in Huailing. Back then, he had to fight against local wolves, tigers, and leopards. Without some capability, it wouldn’t work.

Lan Shanjun was thoughtful. In her previous life, she had only encountered Song Zhiwei a year later, when he should have been much more seasoned.

She said: “Won’t Marquis Wenyuan and Song Zhiwei realize you set up the scheme?”

Yu Qingwu smiled: “The victor is king, the vanquished a bandit. By the time they figure it out, the deed will already be done.”

He said: “Didn’t you already ask Old Madam Shou to act as matchmaker between the Marquis Wenyuan household’s eldest young lady and Duke Qingguo’s household?”

Lan Shanjun nodded. Then she understood: “For Marquis Wenyuan’s household, it’s giving them a sweet date; for Song Zhiwei, it’s continuing to offend him.”

By the time circumstances changed, those who ate the sweet date would keep quiet, and those offended would continue to be offended—might as well offend them thoroughly.

Lan Shanjun smiled, once again examining Yu Qingwu carefully and closely, discovering that if one removed his upright bearing, he was actually quite an interesting person.

Previously, because she knew his future fate, she always carried a sense of desolation, assuming he too, like herself, always had ten thousand mountains of sorrow that couldn’t dissolve, constantly in pain, unable to sleep at night.

But he was actually completely different from her. Removing this layer of grief she had arbitrarily wrapped around him, he had imperceptibly made gentleness his foundation and humor his daily life, living happily and joyfully.

He was someone who liked to look forward. Like a parasol tree growing under a cliff—though dwelling in darkness, constantly extending roots into the rock and stretching branches toward the sky—thus breaking through stone and shocking heaven. Even she, resting at the foot of his tree, was infected with endless hope, making her feel that revenge need not take ten years.

That evening in her journal she wrote: “Yuanshou 48th year, June 13th, standing at the parasol tree’s crown observing the thief, discovered the thief is still young. Though harboring great ambitions and wanting to become the world’s greatest thief, he only sees the Luoyang capital city before his eyes but cannot see the mountains and rivers of the world beyond.”

At this time, Song Zhiwei was still entangled in matters concerning Marquis Wenyuan’s household and others, unable to compare with Yu Qingwu of the same age who had already shone brilliantly.

Later, some called them “Northern Song, Southern Yu,” which was truly absurd.

She finished writing, put away her journal, then wrote the four characters “Marquis Wenyuan’s Household” and took a deep breath.

The next day, Marquis Wenyuan had no face to see his wife and daughter at the household, so early on he left a letter saying he wanted to travel for scholarly pursuits. As for where he traveled, the Marquis’s wife didn’t care.

After all, he had already left a letter saying: “Our family’s reputation, generations of pure scholars, neither greedy for power nor profit, nor clinging to the powerful. If we formed a marriage alliance with the Song family, it would make the world laugh at me as someone who clings to the powerful. This matter need not be mentioned again.”

The Marquis’s wife finally breathed a sigh of relief: “At least there were no real dangers in the end.”

Just as she was rejoicing, she heard a servant woman say: “Madam, young lady, a nanny from the Shou household has come, saying she wishes to see you.”

The Marquis’s wife was puzzled: “The Shou household?”

For a moment, she couldn’t quite recall.

But Qin Pingting happily said: “Mother is confused. In the world, besides Old Madam Shou, who else has the surname Shou?”

The Marquis’s wife then remembered that the Lan family’s Sixth Young Lady’s marriage at Duke Zhenguo’s household was arranged by Old Madam Shou. She stood up with a whoosh: “Quick, quickly invite her in.”

Nanny Qian was invited in. She first exchanged greetings, then looked toward Qin Pingting, smiling but saying nothing.

The Marquis’s wife’s heart thundered like lightning. She quickly had her daughter leave: “Our household has good tea. Go quickly and brew tea for Nanny Qian.”

After she left, Nanny Qian smiled and said: “Please don’t laugh at me, Madam, but there are some matters that are better not said when the young lady is present—our Old Madam recently arranged one match and was noticed by people, so now she’s been asked to arrange another match.”

She said: “She had me send over an invitation. If you’re willing, she’d like to invite you to visit and have a conversation.”

She added: “She originally wanted to come personally today, but her health truly isn’t good. She hopes Madam will understand.”

The Marquis’s wife quickly shook her head: “For her to trouble herself over matters of the younger generation already makes us deeply ashamed.”

Seeing Nanny Qian so direct, her anxious heart finally settled, and she asked: “May I know which family?”

Nanny Qian: “Duke Qingguo’s household, the second young master.”

The Marquis’s wife was overjoyed: “Please tell Old Madam that I will certainly attend the appointment.”

She happily saw Nanny Qian to the door. After returning, she sat in the hall and burst into loud laughter: “Good, good, good. This is great sorrow followed by great joy.”

Qin Pingting asked worriedly: “Mother, are you all right?”

The Marquis’s wife slapped the table: “I’m fine. Not only am I fine, I must make this matter a grand celebration.”

Nanny Qian had gotten involved in another matchmaking matter and was also quite happy. Returning, she told Lan Shanjun: “The matter will certainly succeed.”

She asked curiously: “How did you know Duke Qingguo’s wife would agree to this matter? Even I hadn’t heard of it.”

Because Old Madam Shou liked to inquire about the affairs of various households, Nanny Qian also knew quite a few secrets. Matters concerning Marquis Wenyuan’s household—she knew about those.

She said to Lan Shanjun: “In the future, just ask me directly. I know more about these matters than Young Master Yu.”

Lan Shanjun nodded earnestly: “Perhaps I’ll really need to use the secrets you know in the future.”

Then she said: “Last time when I was at the Song household banquet, I saw Duke Qingguo’s wife glance at Miss Qin several times.”

Nanny Qian laughed: “Those eyes of yours.”

Originally happy, but thinking that such a good young lady had learned to read people’s expressions and looks so well—which wasn’t necessarily a good thing—she sighed: “Those eyes of yours, when you have time, let them rest.”

Lan Shanjun smiled and said: “All right.”

The Marquis’s wife acted very swiftly this time. After meeting Duke Qingguo’s wife just once, she settled the matter. Then, thinking it over, she told Qin Pingting: “Write invitations to Duke Zhenguo’s two young ladies, the Zhu family’s Yunniang, and several others you’re close with, inviting them to gather at our household.”

Qin Pingting had exactly this intention: “This time, we owe them a debt of gratitude.”

The Marquis’s wife nodded with a smile, thought for a moment, then said: “Like this—not only will you invite them, I’ll also invite people. Let’s invite all the madams and young ladies. Your betrothal is such a major event; many people should know about it.”

She said bitterly: “They bullied the Duke Zhenguo household because that whole family are cowards who dare not speak out. But I dare to.”

But actually, she didn’t even need to invite people—many families in Luoyang city had already begun speculating.

Madam Wu was again invited by various families.

Her sister-in-law from her natal family asked: “We share the same roots—you must give me the truth—what’s really going on with the Song family? Why did Duke Zhenguo’s household refuse them, then Marquis Wenyuan’s household also refused, and hastily, both quickly arranged betrothals?”

Madam Wu: “…”

She was truly fed up.

She smiled stiffly: “How would I know?”

Her sister-in-law: “Our family is also considering the Song family’s eldest young master. Will it work or not? Give us a definite answer.”

Duke Zhenguo’s household and Marquis Wenyuan’s household both worked out, so perhaps their family would too?

Madam Wu thought it over repeatedly but still shook her head: “It won’t work.”

There was definitely a problem.

But where was the problem?

Madam Wu didn’t know! She could only smile awkwardly, smile stiffly, smile annoyingly, and finally leave indignantly to demonstrate her innocence.