The Daqiu envoys were departing from the port today.
The peace negotiations had made no substantial progress. Bad news kept arriving one after another from Nande. Wu Jianyuan hadn’t even finished celebrating the Lantern Festival before departing overnight to return, leaving behind a bunch of yes-men officials who couldn’t make any decisions. Daqiu used the excuse that since matters had reached this point, the peace talks could no longer continue, and proposed postponing them for half a year. During this period, they would assist the Yuling Crown Prince to see whether he could become a qualified ruler. If he had the ability to rebuild a new nation after the corrupt regime, they would naturally return governance to him. Although the Great Zhou Emperor understood this was merely their high-sounding pretext, he was helpless to do anything about it. Daqiu held the Yuling Crown Prince’s personal letter, stamped with the imperial jade seal, claiming Daqiu was a legitimate allied nation. Great Zhou was powerless against this and still had to provide good food and hospitality, finally holding a collective farewell banquet.
Originally, as a Shipping Bureau official, Mo Zi wouldn’t have been required to attend such a grand occasion. But the Emperor often thought of this girl who had brought him honor, and never forgot to call her along for anything. So in the early morning northwestern wind, her nose and face were frozen stiff, yet she still had to stand properly according to regulations. However, what made her happy was that Yang Qiao had also come. It made her feel that among this crowd of officials, she still had a kindred companion.
Although their official ranks differed and they stood in different positions, the two could still exchange winks and signals, making both feel much better.
Then that Kena came forward and spoke some polite words. The Emperor replied with his own pleasantries, then opened a gift list for them, playing music as boxes were carried onto Daqiu’s ship one after another.
However, Mo Zi observed that those envoys, including Kena Yueying, showed indifferent expressions toward Great Zhou’s gift boxes. Daqiu had always considered Han people arrogant, but actually, after so many years since entering the pass, they still viewed Han people as inferior. Who was truly arrogant was self-evident. However, once ambitions grew wild, could they still see themselves clearly?
Before boarding the ship, Kena made a few final remarks and brought up a request. “Your Majesty, this visit to the capital has been quite brief. Although we have not reached an agreement regarding the Yuling matter, the century-long peaceful covenant between Daqiu and Great Zhou remains in effect, and we shall naturally observe it properly henceforth. The people of Yuling now support their Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince proves virtuous, Daqiu will return governing authority to him. Yuling borders three nations and is not large in territory. When one nation faces difficulties, our assistance is an expression of the true way of heaven. Those who don’t understand the situation misunderstand Daqiu as unkind. This is truly biased. The gods are merciful—regardless of what others may think, Daqiu insists on helping Yuling overcome this crisis. From the port onwards, tens of thousands of Great Zhou citizens line both banks. I request that Your Majesty dispatch appropriate persons to escort Daqiu’s ships for a distance, to display the friendship between our two nations and dispel baseless rumors.”
Kena’s words left no grounds for refusal. This was Great Zhou’s official port. Any ship pulled out would be sufficient to provide an impressive escort. The problem was: who should go? The Emperor looked at his important ministers and mighty generals, finding the decision difficult. It seemed like merely escorting them for a distance, but in relations between two nations, how could anything be simple? Even knowing the other side had stolen defense maps, they had to act as if nothing had happened. And regarding the fire at the diplomatic residence, even if Daqiu suspected Great Zhou, they couldn’t say anything. Even with clear evidence and certainty, they could only pretend nothing had occurred and perform this theater of neighborly friendship together. This was politics. Every step had to be taken carefully. Beneath the magnanimous facade of acting spontaneously lay precise calculations that ordinary people couldn’t see through. Having a few who could see beneath the surface was already quite good.
The Emperor urgently consulted with the Grand Secretariat Director and various ministry ministers. Soon he announced that Wu Lianqi, Xiao Wei, Wei Jia, Mo Zi, and Yang Qiao—these five people—should step forward.
“These young people became acquainted with our distinguished guests through the bell-shooting event that day. Let them accompany the Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial to escort them on Our behalf for a distance. We also hope that the friendship between our two nations can be passed down to the hearts of the rising generation, preserving peaceful days for the people of all four nations.” The Emperor spoke the prepared words.
This selection of people were all young in age, though their positions weren’t necessarily low. Among them, the three led by Wu Lianqi were all considered future pillars of the nation. Moreover, young people easily won the affection of common citizens. Especially the two newly appointed female officials, Mo Zi and Yang Qiao, were the talk of the capital. Using this opportunity to show them off would restore Great Zhou’s precedent of employing female officials. However, on another level, this group of five had defeated Daqiu before, giving them superior momentum over their opponents. Sending them off displayed Great Zhou’s magnanimity. In short, there were multiple profound meanings.
Mo Zi saw the Grand Secretariat Director return to his own position and say something to Yuan Cheng behind him.
Yuan Cheng smiled, but his gaze turned toward Mo Zi.
Mo Zi then understood this had been his idea. She lowered her eyes, pondering his purpose in pulling her into this as well. Did he want her to take this opportunity to inquire about the whereabouts of the bean-green gold and silver? But Kena wouldn’t possibly tell her.
At this moment, Kena performed a deep bow to the Emperor. After expressing thanks, he boarded the ship.
The so-called escort also had its particulars. It wasn’t a matter of everyone taking their own ships, but rather Great Zhou’s escorting officials had to board Daqiu’s ship, then take their own ships back. Therefore, Xiao Wei dispatched two ships, one at the front and one at the rear, flying Great Zhou’s national flags.
Yang Qiao was very happy to walk beside Mo Zi. “Elder Sister, don’t disappear without a trace in the future. We’re both in the capital—why is it so hard to meet? If His Majesty hadn’t summoned me today, who knows when we’d see each other again? I don’t have many friends to begin with. It’s rare to meet someone like Elder Sister who I get along with so well.”
Mo Zi thought to herself that these days, any woman who refused to stay meekly in her place could bare her heart to her, and she was gradually leading them further “astray.” However, the more the merrier. With her own strength alone, she might not be able to create the atmosphere of rising women’s rights from Wu Zetian’s time, but at least she could give ambitious women a small space for development.
“Things come one after another. I’ve been busy dealing with them. Even when I think about visiting you, I can’t find the time. On the twenty-fifth of this month, I’m having a small gathering with my girlfriends. If you don’t mind the chatter and talk wearing you out, do us the honor of coming to play. It’s at Ziyue Tea Shop in Jinjin Ward.”
Yang Qiao exclaimed with excitement, “Ziyue Tea Shop—that’s the new tea and snack shop about to open, right? My older brother showed me the invitation. It was made quite uniquely.”
“The shop is opening on the twenty-sixth. A few of my girlfriends pooled money to be the proprietors themselves. Worried we won’t have time on opening day, we chose the twenty-fifth for a trial run, so we can chat without being disturbed. They’re all people who can’t make ordinary friends. Once you meet them, I won’t be the only kindred spirit you’ve rarely encountered.” Another powerful member for the women’s alliance. At this rate, she should consider opening a women’s club, specializing in taking in women who wanted to fly out of their great mansions.
Yang Qiao’s eyes went round, her small face filled with longing. “I’ll go, I’ll go! If only I’d met Elder Sister earlier—then I’d also be a proprietor of Ziyue Teahouse now, making my brother envious. He always says I’ve read so many books yet can’t find good friends among young ladies. He says I’d be better off learning needlework and household management, at least then I could find a good husband’s family.”
“Has your brother gotten engaged?” She’d help inquire for Doulü.
“No. His requirements are too high, giving my parents headaches. She has to be pretty and smart, but not nagging or weak, and certainly not willful or frivolous—a whole list of requirements. The matchmaker suggests someone and he rejects them. My mother even asked a Taoist temple’s head priest for help, but unfortunately that person looked down on him.” With a light huff, the younger sister took schadenfreude delight. “My brother later heard that the young lady became a concubine for Prince Jing’s mansion. He felt fortunate the betrothal didn’t work out, saying a woman who would willingly become a concubine wasn’t worthy of him at all.”
Mo Zi didn’t mention that the lady in question hadn’t even secured the concubine position yet, though it was only a matter of time.
“When women get together, there’s just so much talking.” Wu Lianqi looked back at Mo Zi and Yang Qiao, who had fallen far behind. “What’s the point of being officials? They should just stay home and wait to get married.”
“That’s not true at all. I think it’s quite good. The entire court is nothing but male faces. Having two such beautiful female officials suddenly makes everything bloom with peach blossoms before one’s eyes.” Wei Jia’s grandmother and mother both came from martial arts families, adding an air of openness to this family of State-Stabilizing Generals.
“Bloom with peach blossoms?” Wu Lianqi responded coolly. “Women who are too strong-willed lead hard lives. Like that Song Mo Zi—no matter how beautiful, men find it hard to be moved.”
“I quite like her.” Wei Jia spoke without any reservations. “However, I heard she’s from that side, and walks quite closely with Grand Secretariat Drafter Yuan Cheng. Though I don’t know if it’s true or false, I can only observe for now.”
“Yuan Cheng?” Wu Lianqi, like his father, was a loyalist to the Emperor. “Does a fourth-rank official match Song Mo Zi? His Majesty will most likely select a husband for her from among princes, dukes, generals, and ministers. Didn’t he say her marriage would be comparable to an imperial princess?”
Wei Jia laughed. “Wrong, wrong. His Majesty said she could choose her own marriage partner. Whoever she chooses will have to marry her—His Majesty doesn’t need to arrange it for her. Lianqi, since you have no interest in her, don’t perform too well, or if she takes a fancy to you, you’ll have to marry her as your wife.”
Wu Lianqi shot him a sidelong glance. “Sounds like you’re eliminating romantic rivals.”
“Not exactly romantic rivals, but ‘a graceful lady is a gentleman’s good match.’ Without competing there’s no chance. Compete and you might win her heart.” Wei Jia spoke with increasing enthusiasm. “Brother Bai Yu, among us three, your marriage is most urgent. If you don’t want to marry someone you’ve never met, you might as well pursue one of these two beauties before us. Naturally unadorned, genuine in nature and feeling—truly adorable.”
Xiao Wei remained silent. These days, every time he saw Mo Zi, his heart grew chaotic. Hearing Wei Jia mention she walked closely with Yuan Cheng, he involuntarily maintained a stern expression. More than just walking closely—they actually lived in the same mansion.
All three stopped in unison, waiting for Mo Zi and Yang Qiao to board the ship first.
Wu Lianqi said impatiently, “Since you’re Great Zhou officials now, you should have an official bearing. Giggling and laughing, making people wait—what kind of decorum is this?”
Mo Zi turned back with a beaming smile. “Marquis, the reason His Majesty had us come escort them is precisely so Daqiu’s ship would have to wait. Daqiu is arrogant and disrespectful. On Great Zhou’s own territory, they actually disregard the Emperor. Should we escort them just because they ask? You three represent gentlemen; we represent women. Female status is the best shield for Great Zhou to return their arrogance. Daqiu’s outstanding sons and daughters lost to Great Zhou’s outstanding sons and daughters—this is what His Majesty wants everyone to see.”
Wu Lianqi paused, watching Mo Zi’s gracefully erect figure walking slowly forward. He exhaled and said, “This woman is truly intelligent.”
Wei Jia looked as pleased as if Wu Lianqi had praised him, raising his eyebrows proudly. “See? Regardless of whether we can marry her or not, we should at least try to win her over to our side. She’s currently a favorite before His Majesty. Winning her over would be like having another person who can speak directly to the throne.”
Xiao Wei could no longer remain silent. When it involved factional political struggles, it was no small matter. “Don’t think so much. I think she doesn’t belong to that side either. You all say she’s smart—with the court situation still unclear to her, how would she choose a side to stand on? Wait until she’s secured her official position before talking about it.”
The three of them, being young, were not key decision-makers. They hadn’t heard from their elders about how officials from the same Shipping Bureau were maliciously cold-shouldering and ostracizing Mo Zi regarding her appointment as Grand Director.
By the time they heard about it, it would be too late to offer advice.