Today’s spring outing on Mount Shuye was truly charming with beauty, charm with sharpness, sharpness with intention, and intention concealing needles.

Three months after the Chu Emperor left Haishi, his army had already approached the Xichuan border. Though the northern war had not yet begun, the scenic beauty of Eastern Qi was already showing signs of prosperous grandeur. The three thousand light cavalry sent to cause havoc had just departed, and Qing Xia began her social rounds. As she had previously guessed, the merchants of Eastern Qi cared nothing for intimacy or distance – as long as there was money to be made and profit to gain, countless people came calling. Like today, a group of major Haishi family heads jointly hosted a banquet, setting up a feast of delicacies atop Mount Shuye. The banquet truly bloomed with flowers – beautiful and alluring women. Young ladies from various families wore elaborate hairstyles and bright clothing, displaying every type of charm from seductive to clear and lovely to cold and coquettish. They were truly like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums competing for attention, impossible to rank.

Looking across the realm, when the Chu Emperor abolished all imperial consorts and kept only the Empress, declaring he would not take concubines until the nation was stable and all under heaven peaceful, he blocked countless memorials from court ministers about the imperial harem’s lack of heirs. This showed the Chu Emperor’s determination in the face of beauty. The Eastern Qi wealthy families’ hopes of using marriage ties to elevate their family influence were immediately dashed. However, heaven does not disappoint the determined. Before their hearts had completely cooled, a young Southeast Governor appeared – young, wielding tremendous power, and deeply trusted by the Chu Emperor. At once, all the major Eastern Qi families boiled like water, and everyone’s thoughts became active.

Consider a young man in his prime who was handsome, powerful, charming, and controlled half the empire’s wealth and military forces – if he didn’t love fine wine and beautiful women, what would he love?

Thus, in everyone’s unanimous assumption, the imperial capital of Haishi launched a series of vigorous beauty contests. Eligible young ladies bound their waists to lose weight, painted their eyebrows and applied powder, tailored their clothes, and there were even cases of near-death from taking arsenic remedies for skin whitening. They showed stubborn determination not to give up until reaching the Yellow River, not to marry unless it was the Governor.

This young Governor Xia was very accommodating to everyone’s wishes, spending his days wandering between various family banquets, drinking and feasting, behaving generously. He tacitly approved of each family’s unspoken practice of bringing numerous female relatives, which further encouraged the family heads of many aristocratic houses.

As the saying goes, “establish a family and career” – Governor Xia was young and powerful, so what propriety would there be if he had no family or wives and concubines? As for opening sea trade, since the Emperor had nodded approval, what more was there to say? Thus, the aristocratic families originally affiliated with the Eastern Family all switched sides, focusing all their attention on whether their family’s daughters could enter the Governor’s mansion.

It could truly be said: “The whole street is full of rouge colors, even the green willows are touched by spring. The Xia family has a son who’s red-hot, warming the hearts of daughters from every family.”

“Governor Xia is so young yet has traveled north and south with broad knowledge – truly admirable,” a girl in crimson clothing stood up gracefully, her eyes bright and full of adoring looks. The white-bearded old gentleman beside her nodded and smiled, looking at his daughter with full confidence as he waited for that heaven’s favored son to respond.

Qing Xia wore moon-white robes that were plain yet elegant. Combined with her carefree and unrestrained manner, this added several degrees of dashing charm. Her gaze swept over the white-bearded old man, and she saw this was Cao Shaotang, the Hanlin editor who had opposed her in court that day. Though his official position wasn’t high, he held considerable status among the censors. She immediately smiled warmly and said, “Miss Cao flatters me. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Master Cao is deeply learned and has always been my model for learning. The young lady comes from a distinguished family and is both beautiful and intelligent – she is truly rare.”

At these words, Miss Cao immediately blushed deeply, her eyes full of peach blossoms as she glanced at that young and handsome Governor Xia with watery eyes. Her heart nearly leaped out with joy. However, the weather is unpredictable and people face unexpected fortunes and misfortunes. Just as Miss Cao was enjoying the jealous and envious gazes of many other women nearby, a large bird suddenly flew overhead and unceremoniously dropped a pile of filth that landed squarely on Miss Cao’s nose.

Miss Cao cried out delicately and wiped with her hand as tears immediately fell. Thunderous laughter erupted around her. A girl in green clothing covered her face with her hands, laughing as she said, “The ancients often spoke of ‘making fish sink and birds fall, making the moon hide and flowers feel ashamed’ to describe a woman’s surpassing beauty that intoxicates all vulgar things. Sister Cao’s experience must also be receiving heaven’s favor.”

Since her beloved was right beside her, the other noble young ladies didn’t say anything too excessive, but their laughter continued endlessly as they delighted in the scene.

Master Cao was furious and embarrassed. He quickly ordered people to take the young lady away to clean up. When he turned back to speak to Qing Xia, he saw the Governor suddenly draw his bow, nock an arrow, and shoot toward the sky. Everyone heard a sharp cry as the bird that had already flown quite far suddenly plummeted from high in the air, falling with a thud into a distant mountain hollow.

The young ladies around immediately exclaimed dramatically and praised endlessly. Governor Xia smiled dashingly and said slowly, “Miss Cao need not be upset. This way, the phrase about making birds fall is complete.”

The spring outing feast continued until evening before ending. Qing Xia’s face was flushed, overwhelmed by wine as she bid farewell to the many family heads and young ladies under guard escort, and the group descended the mountain in grand procession.

The young wealthy man rode his horse, slowly departing surrounded by many people, followed by countless peach-colored hearts of aristocratic young ladies.

Le Song rode beside Qing Xia, laughing as he said, “My lord, I heard rumors in the streets today that you’ve been selected as the empire’s most charming husband candidate, ranking even above His Majesty – truly enviable!”

Qing Xia had just been affected by wine vapors and had swallowed a sobering pill, so she was feeling better now. Ignoring Le Song’s teasing, she only said, “Remember to send a gift to Miss Cao of Master Cao Shaotang’s family. Hmm, since her clothing was soiled today, send her a set of lake gauze.”

“Got it, this slave will remember,” Le Song said with a mischievous smile, making a funny face.

Qing Xia was amused by him and spat, “Like a monkey – no wonder Chu Li wanted to leave you with me while taking Xu Quan away.”

In all the world, probably only this woman before him could directly call the Chu Emperor by name like this. Le Song naturally knew what relationship she had with the Chu Emperor, and said smiling, “His Majesty trusted me, which is why he gave me this most important task in the world. Doesn’t my lord know that your weight in the Great Emperor’s heart is far more important than several Yan Huis?”

Qing Xia glared at him and said, “Stop your glib talk. I’ve met almost all the major Haishi families. How are the tasks I assigned you coming along?”

Le Song immediately restrained his smile and said seriously, “The envoys from Ryukyu and Luzon have already arrived at Haishi’s reception hall. This subordinate handled it secretly without anyone noticing. The envoys from Korea and Penghu are still en route, but please rest assured, my lord – once news of our dynasty opening sea trade spreads, all nations will compete to come. There’s no need to worry about lack of buyers. It’s just Japan that’s still somewhat difficult to handle.”

“Mm,” Qing Xia nodded and said, “I heard from Song Yang that Japan is currently in complete chaos internally. The generals and daimyo are fighting fiercely while the Emperor is a figurehead, so poor he can barely make ends meet. He’s been in power for seven years but still hasn’t had money for a coronation ceremony, living by pawning palace items. For an emperor to reach such a pathetic state is truly pitiful. Do as you suggested and try to contact those three powerful generals and daimyo. As for that emperor, there’s no need to discuss him.”

“Yes,” Le Song nodded and said, “Also, last night in Eastern Sima family’s study, another secret meeting was held. Personnel Ministry Vice Minister Yu Xian, Finance Ministry officials Cui Shilu and Xiao, Works Ministry Supervisor Peng Yunkun, Rites Ministry Minister Sun Qingcheng, and many veterans from the Supervision Court, Censorate, Crown Prince’s Palace, and Hanlin Academy all attended. Even Grand Secretary Cui Yong participated. I’m afraid this impeachment won’t be easily resolved.”

“Let them be,” Qing Xia smiled faintly, “These old fellows have been opposing this official all along. Seeing I took no action, they’ve become increasingly presumptuous. Do they really think this official is easy to bully? Good people are bullied, gentle horses are ridden. If I don’t give them a taste of severity, more and more ambitious troublemakers will emerge. Le Song, prepare what I previously instructed immediately. We must not only win this battle beautifully but also give them no chance to recover. Opening sea trade is imperative. With this vast ocean as our granary, we can support His Majesty in a prolonged confrontation with Xichuan and starve Yan Hui’s Xichuan army to death. Moreover, he’ll soon have a group of hungry allies below Yanmen Pass.”

Le Song covered his mouth and snickered. Seeing Qing Xia’s sharp gaze shoot over, he immediately bowed on horseback and suppressed his laughter as he answered, “Yes, this subordinate obeys.”

Just then, a fragrant breeze suddenly came from behind. Both were martial arts practitioners with exceptional hearing, and they vaguely heard a pampered female voice behind them saying, “Quick! Catch up! Say this young lady has heat stroke! Hurry!”

Qing Xia’s expression immediately became unpleasant. Le Song retreated to the side with a face full of smiles, grinning as he said, “My lord, your romantic luck has arrived and cannot be blocked. This humble one won’t disturb my lord’s entertainment with beauties and will go handle the tasks you assigned.”

With that, he spurred his horse and fled like smoke. Qing Xia had no choice but to force herself to be spirited and continue dealing with those bright flowers approaching from the major families, assuming the most jade-like gentleman’s pose as she called out loudly, “What happened to Miss Murong? Why is the carriage running so urgently?”

Southern Chu’s governance was arguably the most innovative among the four kingdoms. Besides imperial power, there was also the Council of Elders for decision-making. After Chu Li ascended the throne, though he dealt with the eight major families with thunderous momentum, he didn’t abolish the traditional Council of Elders. He only selected some virtuous and respected veteran ministers from the court to continue serving, taking on the important responsibility of governing when the Emperor was absent.

Though these eight veteran ministers had great authority, their ranks were low, they had no military power, and being numerous, they checked each other, avoiding the danger of rebellion while greatly improving administrative efficiency. Though this inevitably caused factional strife, which dynasty and which emperor’s reign had no factional struggles? As long as strategies were properly employed and balance maintained, factional strife could also be a blessing for a nation.