Dou Zhao stood dumbfounded, feeling vaguely that this was unnecessary—what kind of person was Ji Yong, needing anyone’s sympathy? This momentary silence was merely to create more commotion later.
“If that’s the case, then take your time calculating,” she said, turning to leave. “I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Ji Yong grabbed her sleeve. “Why are you so ill-tempered? I only said one thing, and you’re leaving without even hearing me out!” He immediately regained his lively demeanor.
Dou Zhao was exasperated. Shaking her sleeve free, she said, “Weren’t you calculating accounts? Wouldn’t my presence here disturb you…”
“No, no!” Ji Yong hurriedly replied, releasing her hand and inviting Dou Zhao to sit nearby. “I wanted to discuss something with you.”
Seeing that he was fine, Dou Zhao had no patience for his nonsense. “Whatever you have to say can wait until later. The Second Madam is hosting female guests, and I should join them.”
“Oh!” Ji Yong nodded vigorously. “Then you should go quickly. We’ll discuss this matter thoroughly tonight.”
He always showed discretion in such matters.
Dou Zhao turned and left.
Behind the Taihu rock garden, half of Dou Ming’s face peeked out.
That evening, Dou Zhao and Ji Yong met in the garden.
The light from the large red lanterns illuminated Ji Yong’s face, accentuating his handsome features.
Counting on his fingers, he said, “I’m sixteen this year. Next year, I’ll pass the imperial examination and become a jinshi at seventeen. After three years as a Hanlin Academy compiler, I’ll be twenty. Then I’ll observe in the Six Ministries for three years, and by twenty-three, I’ll secure a position as a seventh-rank Right Remonstrator or Chamberlain for the Imperial Stud. In another three years, I’ll be promoted to the seventh rank… At this rate, it’ll take until I’m fifty-three to reach the second rank!” He shuddered. “It’s terrifying, absolutely terrifying… Taking the imperial examination isn’t worth it at all! Had I known, I should have taken the spring examination right after passing the provincial exam. At least I could have saved a few years and reached the second rank by fifty.”
Dou Zhao was both amused and annoyed, unsure how to respond. She asked irritably, “So what do you plan to do?”
In her previous life, she had become a third-rank Vice Minister of Rites before thirty as the monk Yuantong.
“I’m also troubled by this,” Ji Yong said, though his eyes sparkled with excitement, betraying no sign of distress. “Tell me, is there any shortcut to avoid this grueling climb through the ranks?”
There is!
Become a monk!
The thought flashed through Dou Zhao’s mind, and her eyes widened.
Could it be that in his previous life, Ji Yong became a monk for this reason?
But that would require the extraordinary luck of encountering an emperor who, having imprisoned his father and killed his brother to ascend the throne, became particularly devoted to Buddhism due to constant anxiety and unease!
She felt her forehead begin to sweat.
If only she knew when he had become a monk in his previous life!
Dou Zhao took out a handkerchief to wipe her forehead and said, “I’ve heard that Liang Qing entered the Hanlin Academy at forty-three, Sun Huai at forty-four, and Wang Ji at forty-six…”
She couldn’t just stand by and watch him become a monk again!
Every time Sixth Aunt mentioned him, she was so proud and honored! It was as if he were the hope and future of the Ji family. She had to at least encourage him to pass the imperial examination first.
“I knew I could only discuss this with you!” Ji Yong exclaimed excitedly, slapping Dou Zhao’s shoulder. Her body sank, and her shoulder immediately began to sting.
She snapped irritably, “Can’t you just talk without getting physical?”
“I’m just too excited, too excited!” Ji Yong apologized profusely, then bent down to retrieve a large roll of paper from under the stone table.
He unrolled the paper, pointing to the densely written names. “I’ve listed the careers of all the Grand Secretaries from the past hundred years. Take a look!”
The lantern light was dim, and Dou Zhao could hardly see clearly. But if she didn’t humor Ji Yong’s madness, who knew who else he might trouble? At least she wouldn’t be easily swayed by his schemes.
She instructed Su Lan to bring another lamp.
Su Lan acknowledged and left.
Ji Yong, however, couldn’t wait to introduce the famous figures: “…Liang Qing was Emperor Renzong’s tutor. As soon as Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, he promoted Liang from the fourth-rank Minor Supervisor of the Heir Apparent to the second-rank Minister of Rites. The current emperor has six princes, and the youngest is already thirteen. Even if I wanted to gain merit by assisting a future emperor, it’s a bit late… This won’t work! Sun Huai was known for his uprightness and integrity when Emperor Xianzong wanted to rectify the officialdom, so he was made Minister of Justice. But before that, he spent twelve whole years as a county magistrate in Qiongzhou. I don’t want to bake in the sun in Qiongzhou just to become a minister… This won’t work either! When Emperor Renzong was still the crown prince, Emperor Taizong wanted to depose him. Wang Ji, who was then a censor in the Censorate, submitted a memorial defending Emperor Renzong. After Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, he promoted Wang to Minister of Personnel…” He paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Wang Ji’s approach might be worth trying—although the current emperor can be temperamental, he’s generally a benevolent ruler and tolerates criticism from censors. However, trying to create a rift between the emperor and the crown prince would be quite challenging…”
Dou Zhao was already sweating profusely.
Is this how one should seek official positions?
Wasn’t he being too arrogant?
Thinking he was the best in the world and everything should go according to his wishes!
“Do you just want to become famous? Or do you want to be an official?” she asked Ji Yong. “Or is it to give your family an explanation?”
“What’s the difference?” Ji Yong spread his hands and said, “To become famous, one naturally needs to become an official. Becoming an official also serves as an explanation to the family. I’m thinking I need to find a way to become a minister before I’m forty. That way, I’ll have thirty years to do what I like, and people won’t find my eccentricities so bewildering…”
Dou Zhao couldn’t hold back anymore and glanced at him sideways. “Are you sure you’ll live to seventy?”
“It’s rare for people to live to seventy since ancient times,” Ji Yong boasted shamelessly. “I should at least live that long!” He added, “But I think I can live to at least eighty-one.”
Dou Zhao felt that getting angry with him was a waste of emotion. She said, “Those are all future matters. You should first think about how to place in the top three in the imperial examination. If you don’t pass, all your plans are for nothing.”
“I think so too,” Ji Yong nodded seriously. “But compared to planning how to become a second-rank official as quickly as possible, passing the imperial examination is just a small matter.”
Dou Zhao laughed in exasperation and said, “Then why don’t you become a sycophant or a treacherous official!”
“That’s an option too!” Ji Yong said seriously. “I hadn’t thought about that. It seems discussing with someone else really does open up more possibilities…”
Dou Zhao was speechless.
Ji Yong burst into laughter, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Looking at Ji Yong like this, Dou Zhao could only sigh deeply.
Ji Yong hurriedly said, “Fourth Sister, don’t be angry. I know you mean well and worry that I might act recklessly. But the things in this world are truly boring. If I don’t find some amusement for myself, I’m afraid I’ll die of boredom.” By the end, his tone had become somewhat melancholic.
Dou Zhao snorted, “So it’s ‘Everyone hopes for intelligent children, but I’ve been ruined by my intelligence,’ eh?”
“Exactly, exactly!” Ji Yong raised his hand to pat Dou Zhao’s shoulder, but suddenly seemed to remember something and withdrew it. He exclaimed loudly, “Just for that remark, Fourth Sister, we should have a drink!” Then, with a hint of regret, he added, “Why did you have to be a girl? How much better it would be if you were a boy!”
Dou Zhao couldn’t be bothered to respond to him anymore.
Suddenly, a commotion arose from the southern part of the garden.
Ji Yong stood up.
Dou Zhao was also a bit curious.
Su Lan had gone to fetch a lamp, why had she been gone for so long?
As the two were looking around, they saw Dou Ming supporting Grandmother, surrounded by a group of maids and servants. Ji Ming’s maid Ji Hong and Hong Gu were in front, carrying lanterns, while Su Lan followed behind Grandmother, holding a palace lamp with a dejected expression.
Dou Zhao smirked coldly.
Ji Yong’s forehead veins were bulging as he gritted his teeth and whispered to Dou Zhao, “Last time, I held back for your sake since she’s your sister. This time, don’t blame me for not giving you face!”
Dou Zhao remained silent.
The pile of papers covered in writing on the table gave Ji Yong an excuse: “…I was asking Fourth Sister if she knew about the lives of these people.”
Grandmother nodded kindly and said, “Whatever you have to discuss can wait until daylight. It’s too late now, and the night wind is strong. Be careful not to set the lanterns on fire.”
Both of them responded in unison.
Under Dou Ming’s triumphant gaze, Grandmother let Dou Zhao support her back to her room.
As soon as they entered the room before Dou Zhao could speak, Grandmother said, “I know that although Young Master Ji likes to fool around, he has a pure heart. You always have everything under control. The two of you would never do anything to worry the adults. However, since Ming’er has come to me, she might go to someone else next time. You should still be cautious of gossip. In the future, if you have anything to discuss, come to my room.”
Grandmother’s trust made Dou Zhao’s eyes slightly moist.
She respectfully agreed and attended to Grandmother until she fell asleep before leaving.
Dou Ming had been waiting outside the whole time.
Seeing Dou Zhao come out, she called out sweetly, “Sister,” and said, “Tell me, should I also mention this to the Second Madam tomorrow?”
“Go ahead!” Dou Zhao smiled and said, “Cousin Ji just told me that last time he let it go for my sake, but this time, he won’t consider anyone’s feelings.”
Dou Ming’s face paled slightly, but she put on a brave front and said, “He dares to turn the tables on me?”
Dou Zhao smiled faintly and brushed past her.
For the next few days, Grandmother kept calling Dou Zhao to do needlework, while Ji Yong obediently stayed in Heshou Hall to study. Dou Ming learned to play the pipa with Wan Niang as if nothing had happened.
Su Lan couldn’t help but mutter, “What is Young Master Ji planning?” She looked as if she feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough.
Su Xin admonished her, “This is between the Young Miss and Young Master Ji. Don’t meddle.”
Su Lan nodded absent-mindedly. Taking advantage of the change in weather, she volunteered to change Ji Yong’s thick quilts, secretly observing him.
Ji Yong pretended not to notice.
Su Lan scratched her head in frustration, and finally could only curtsy to Ji Yong dejectedly, preparing to withdraw.
Ji Yong then slowly said, “Don’t worry, I’m thinking of something that will make your Fifth Miss regret for the rest of her life!”