The rain in Shenjing came suddenly.

The osmanthus tree leaves outside the window were beaten down by the rain, covering the ground. Under the eaves, the curtain of rain fell dense and unending, making the world seem like a vast expanse of white.

In the mansion of the Prince of Wen, Princess Consort Pei Yunshu stood at the doorway, hurriedly rising to welcome the person from outside.

The young man’s crimson brocade robe was slightly dampened by the rain as he came in from the courtyard. Even in the fierce wind and sudden downpour, his bearing remained elegant, showing no sign of dishevelment.

Pei Yunshu pulled her younger brother inside while complaining: “Coming suddenly without saying a word, I was startled when Fangzi told me. With such heavy rain outside, why didn’t you bring an umbrella…”

Pei Yunying smiled and stopped her words: “I was passing by on official business and thought to look in on you.”

Passing by?

Pei Yunshu looked at the large and small boxes his servants brought in, pressed her lips together, and said nothing.

The night at lantern-lighting time was as thick as black ink, with only the continuous whisper of rain wrapping heaven and earth.

The maid Fangzi brought Pei Yunying a clean handkerchief. As he wiped the rain from himself, he noticed a maid standing hesitantly at the door holding medicine. He raised an eyebrow: “Still taking medicine?”

Pei Yunshu paused, then shook her head: “I stopped taking the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine long ago. This is porridge the Prince had the kitchen prepare.”

Pei Yunying nodded, his voice neither cold nor warm: “It’s so late, having a night snack isn’t a good habit.” As he spoke, he cast a glancing smile at the maid holding the medicine.

The maid’s face immediately paled at his words.

This Young Master of the Zhaoning Duke’s household would visit the Prince’s mansion periodically, claiming to visit his elder sister but providing support for his unfavored sister. Even the Prince had to be somewhat wary of him. Though he appeared warm and casual before his sister, that glance he just cast, though smiling, was incredibly cold—it was like… like being stared at by a wolf.

The maid shuddered, dared not speak, and hurriedly bowed to Pei Yunshu before retreating from the courtyard.

Once the maid’s figure disappeared beyond the courtyard, Pei Yunshu finally sighed: “You’ve intimidated everyone in this Prince’s mansion. What are you here for?”

The young man turned back, the previous coldness completely gone from his face. He sat down before Pei Yunshu, took the teacup from Fangzi’s hands, took a sip, and smiled: “As I said, I was passing by and thought to look in on you.”

Pei Yunshu looked at him, her heart slightly dimming.

She knew better than anyone why Pei Yunying had come.

The Prince of Wen favored his concubine and neglected his primary wife—everyone in the Prince’s mansion knew this. Now that she was pregnant, she was even more of a thorn in certain people’s sides. Though Pei Yunying was formidable, he couldn’t stay by her side constantly, so he could only visit periodically to issue subtle warnings.

Though arrogant, it was quite effective. The pregnancy had proceeded steadily to seven months, and in just over two months, she would be able to deliver safely.

Pei Yunshu lowered her eyes, her hand touching her swollen belly, her gaze gentle.

Hopefully nothing would go wrong.

Pei Yunying seemed to see her worry and said: “Fangzi and Qiongying are by your side. If anything happens, just have them handle it. Don’t worry.”

Fangzi and Qiongying were people Pei Yunying had sent in—it wasn’t easy to place people in the Prince’s mansion, not because they feared the Prince of Wen, but because they worried about arousing the current Emperor’s suspicions.

Yet now these two maids had become the people Pei Yunshu trusted most in the Prince’s mansion.

Pei Yunshu smiled: “I know, my courtyard is peaceful, and it’s good to have them accompanying me. But what about you…” She looked at Pei Yunying, her tone somewhat worried, “I heard that a few days ago, Master Yan from the Privy Council gave you trouble in court. Nothing serious happened, right?”

The current Emperor was deeply versed in the art of checks and balances. The Privy Council and the Palace Guard had never gotten along. Yan Xu, the Commander of the Privy Council, was narrow-minded and harsh, repeatedly setting traps and playing dirty tricks against Pei Yunying in court.

Pei Yunying played with the teacup in his hand, hearing this he gave a light laugh: “Where did you hear such rumors? He’s just a half-old man, how could he give me any trouble?”

Pei Yunshu sighed: “I’m just afraid he’ll work against you behind the scenes. After all, he resents Father, and now that resentment has transferred to you…”

The reason Privy Council Commander Yan Xu hated Pei Yunying to the bone wasn’t just because of the delicate balance of power between the two offices of imperial guards. It was also because Master Yan of the Privy Council had once been rejected for marriage by the future Duchess of Zhaoning when she was young.

Yan Xu had harbored deep feelings for Pei Yunying’s mother, but his beloved ended up marrying another, ultimately becoming the Duchess of Zhaoning. Yan Xu lost face and his love turned to hate, causing him to despise the entire Zhaoning Duke’s family.

Now the Duchess of Zhaoning had passed away, and with relations tense between the Privy Council and Palace Guard, Yan Xu naturally extended his hatred to Pei Yunying. It was said that many years ago, Pei Yunying had originally intended to join the Privy Council, but in the end, Yan Xu used his official power to interfere, forcing Pei Yunying to join the Palace Guard instead.

Thinking of these things, the worry on Pei Yunshu’s face deepened. Seeing this, Pei Yunying sighed and put down his teacup cover: “Sister, why do you always think of the worst? Think positively—Yan Xu’s feelings for Mother run deep, and I’m Mother’s son. When he sees me, it’s like seeing her again. Perhaps because of old feelings, he might even help me.”

Pei Yunshu glared at him: “That was how many years ago? Mother had already married and had children. Is he still pining for a married woman? Do you think this is a romance novel? Where in the world are there such devoted men?”

Pei Yunying’s gaze paused on the plate of green plums on the table, suddenly remembering the lingering sourness that had pervaded the Palace Guard for a time. His expression shifted slightly, and he tugged at the corner of his mouth: “That’s not necessarily true. Perhaps there are men in the world who fall in love with married women and become hopelessly obsessed.”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Pei Yunshu said irritably, then suddenly paused, looking at Pei Yunying suspiciously, “What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with a married woman?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

She seemed to remember something and leaned closer to Pei Yunying, lowering her voice: “A few days ago at the Summer Observation Banquet, some ladies told me you seemed to have someone in your heart. I asked who it was but they wouldn’t tell me, being all mysterious. I thought they were just teasing me.”

She stared at Pei Yunying, her gaze intense: “Aying, tell your sister, have you done something wrong?”

Pei Yunying fell silent.

He took a deep breath and looked at Pei Yunshu with a smile: “You believe such talk?”

“I do believe it.” Pei Yunshu answered frankly: “You’ve always attracted young ladies’ attention, but in all these years you’ve never really cared for anyone. And with your wayward nature and boldness, it’s not impossible that you’d fall for a married woman. You don’t care about others’ opinions, and if you did fall in love, not only would you feel no shame, you’d quite enjoy it. Tell your sister honestly, which lady have you fallen for?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

He said: “There’s no such thing.”

“Really none?”

“None.”

Pei Yunshu stared at him seriously for a while, and seeing his composed expression that didn’t seem like lying, she finally relaxed and sat back in her seat, mumbling somewhat disappointedly: “So there isn’t after all…”

Pei Yunying was silent for a moment before speaking: “The Palace Guard has been busy these days. I need to go out for a while. Don’t let Fangzi and Qiongying leave your side for even a step. If anything happens, seek out Vice Commander Xiao at the Guard’s mansion—he will help you.”

He put his teacup down on the table beside him and stood up. Pei Yunshu asked: “You’re leaving?”

He looked at the water clock on the table: “It’s getting late.”

Pei Yunshu nodded and called for Qiongying to bring an umbrella while Fangzi supported her in seeing Pei Yunying at the courtyard gate.

The rain wasn’t as heavy as when he had arrived, the world hazy like smoke.

Pei Yunying stood at the gate, the lantern light under the eaves dim and hazy. In the whistling fine rain, the young man stood tall as jade, with the endless night behind him, like a painting of the mortal world hanging at the entrance of the Yuxian Tower.

He opened his umbrella and was about to leave when he suddenly seemed to think of something and turned back.

“By the way, who was it that spoke such nonsense to you at the Summer Observation Banquet?”

“Summer Observation Banquet?” Pei Yunshu was startled for a moment.

Then she came to her senses, curved her eyes, and smiled: “Oh, you mean the one who told me about your sweetheart? I’m not very familiar with her. It was a bit strange when she came to talk to me.”

“It was Madam Dong from the Court of Imperial Entertainments.”

…

Shenjing’s night rain fell on both the mansions of high officials and the dwellings of common people near the temple.

In the Criminal Court, lights blazed brightly.

Judge Fan Zhenglian sat at his desk, the case lamp illuminating his face, making the excess flesh on his face appear as if coated in oil. His official robes had grown tight, stretched across his body like ropes binding a beast, seeming ready to burst at any moment.

Usually, by this time, he would have left his duties, but tonight he stayed late. In the pattern of rain, the door was pushed open, and a man walked in from outside, half his body soaked by rain, looking somewhat disheveled.

This was Qi Chuan, a clerk of the Criminal Court.

Qi Chuan handed a register from his chest to Fan Zhenglian. The register was damp with water, and Fan Zhenglian picked it up with his little finger, shaking off the water.

Qi Chuan stood to one side, speaking respectfully: “This is this year’s autumn examination register to be sent to the Ministry of Rites, for your review, sir.”

Fan Zhenglian gave an “mm” and slowly opened the register in his hand.

The autumn examinations would begin on the first day of next month. Every year at this time, countless scholars came to take the examination. Everyone wanted to climb up, but there were only so many positions. With too many monks and too little porridge, naturally, each had to show their abilities.

These “abilities” were measured not by scholarship but by who spent more silver and who had better connections.

This register in his hand contained the names of those who had “shown their abilities” this year.

These were also the names that would appear on the red paper list of successful candidates in a few months.

Fan Zhenglian took a sip of hot tea. In the cold, quiet rainy night, the hot tea dispersed some of the chill. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking particularly content.

He looked down on scholars.

What was so great about scholars? They thought themselves clever enough to cover the earth, their learning vast as the sky, their eyes nearly growing to the top of their heads, not knowing that in this world, what’s least lacking are people who can read books.

Every year when the register was sent to the Ministry of Rites, when the autumn examination results were posted, those who were truly happy were often not the scholarly ones. Just like himself years ago—mediocre in learning, unremarkable in the academy, yet in the end, he achieved the highest official position, his career the smoothest.

In contrast, the top student most beloved by the teachers in the academy, who excelled in poetry, painting, and prose, now lived in mediocrity, willingly subordinate to him, grinding ink and offering brushes, laboring on rainy nights.

Fan Zhenglian glanced at Qi Chuan standing respectfully to the side, his smile growing more content.

He casually flipped through the register in his hand.

The people in the register had already sent their bribes to him. Of course, a portion of this silver would have to be shared with the Vice Minister of Rites. Years ago, he had used connections in the Ministry of Rites, having Qi Chuan take the examination in his place, smoothly passing the examination. After working as a grunt for several years in Yuan’an County, he returned to Shenjing, and in collaboration with the Vice Minister of Rites, personally participated in this business, becoming increasingly skillful at it.

In officialdom, with money and connections, there’s nothing that can’t be accomplished.

Fan Zhenglian turned to the last page, his gaze suddenly pausing.

After a moment, he frowned, pointing at a name in the register and asking Qi Chuan: “Who is this person? Why did they only send eight hundred taels?”

The silver needed to bribe the chief examiner and the Ministry of Rites grading officials was at least a thousand taels or more. Of course, in such matters, often even money couldn’t buy opportunity—those who could get on this register usually had some connections.

Qi Chuan stepped forward to look. The person indicated was named “Liu Zide.”

Qi Chuan thought for a moment before answering: “Sir, this person’s father is Liu Kun, who runs a noodle shop on Sparrow Street. Two years ago, Liu Kun’s eldest son Liu Zixian was on the register and passed. This year he sent his younger son.”

Fan Zhenglian’s frown deepened: “I asked what this person’s background is?”

For a noodle shop owner to have two sons who could work connections, it was certainly unusual, but with his many daily affairs and so many names on the autumn examination register, how could he remember each one? His memory was somewhat hazy.

Qi Chuan beside him reminded in a low voice: “Sir, two years ago there was a robbery case in the capital. When the robbers were in hiding, Liu Kun reported their whereabouts, leading to the capture of the prisoners.” Seeing Fan Zhenglian still silent, Qi Chuan added: “You had posted wanted notices throughout the city at the time.”

At these words, Fan Zhenglian’s eyes lit up: “Ah, it’s him!”

He hadn’t been in the position of judge for long, and Shenjing hadn’t had any major cases in these few years, with only a few cases requiring city-wide searches. Two years ago… wasn’t that the Grand Tutor’s mansion incident?

Fan Zhenglian tugged at the two greasy whiskers on his chin, his gaze somewhat shifty.

That young man surnamed Lu was ignorant of heaven’s height and earth’s depth, so stupidly arrogant it was almost laughable, presumptuous enough to think he could seek justice with just a letter, not knowing that cheap lives were cheap—people like him were less than dogs in the eyes of the Grand Tutor’s mansion, to be killed at will.

As for Liu Kun, it would have been safer to silence him too, but although Fan Zhenglian’s scholarship was poor, he had some brain for officialdom. He had killed that young man, doing the Grand Tutor’s mansion a favor, thereby establishing a slight connection with them, but that connection was truly thin. If something happened in the future, this slight favor with the Grand Tutor’s mansion might not buy him anything.

So Fan Zhenglian had kept Liu Kun alive, keeping him as a future bargaining chip.

Moreover, Liu Kun was cooperative and sweet-tongued, so when his elder son took the autumn examination last year, Fan Zhenglian gave him an opportunity. He enjoyed this power of holding others’ careers in his palm, and when these people became officials in the future, remembering his favor, they would look out for him in official circles, allowing him to move more freely like a fish in water.

Unexpectedly, this person had come again this year. Fan Zhenglian stared at Liu Zide’s name in the register, his gaze somewhat dark.

These lowborns were truly greedy.

Qi Chuan noticed his displeasure and asked: “Sir, should we remove this person from the register?”

But Fan Zhenglian didn’t speak, just tugging at his whiskers. After a moment, he said: “Go tell him to send another eight hundred taels of silver.”

Eight hundred plus eight hundred would be sixteen hundred taels. Qi Chuan said: “Liu Kun probably can’t afford so much…”

“If he can’t afford it, then don’t come.” Fan Zhenglian glanced sideways with a cold smile. “Sixteen hundred taels for an official title is already a bargain.” He half-closed his eyes. “If it weren’t for this official’s kindness in willing to offer him a ladder up, he’d be nothing but a lowborn scraping food from the mud his whole life.”

Qi Chuan’s expression changed slightly, but Fan Zhenglian didn’t notice.

“By the way,” the man seemed to remember something else, opening his eyes and lifting the hot tea from the table for a sip, “that female doctor who came to the mansion before, why haven’t I seen her lately?”

Two months ago, Zhao Feiyan had invited a female doctor to come diagnose her condition. Fan Zhenglian had accidentally encountered her once. The female doctor wore no makeup, yet was as beautiful as a valley lily, soft and tender, making one’s heart itch. He had immediately taken notice.

But that woman didn’t come often, and with Zhao Feiyan present, and since she would already be gone by the time he returned from his duties, he couldn’t find a good opportunity. He also couldn’t be too obvious lest people notice—after all, he was now “Fan the Righteous,” clean-handed.

Qi Chuan answered: “The madam said the illness is completely cured, so there’s no need for Doctor Lu to visit anymore.”

“Oh?”

Fan Zhenglian narrowed his eyes.

Beautiful women of humble birth were like wildflowers blooming beautifully—everyone wanted to pluck them, and anyone could pluck them. Just buy a house, let her see wealth and glory, and she would willingly stay in the cage, singing for her master daily.

After all, the lowborn were meant to be ground down by others.

Fan Zhenglian put down his teacup. “After the autumn examinations, have her bring some medicine for this official as well.”

Qi Chuan bowed his head: “Yes, sir.”

Little Pei: Getting caught up in gossip about myself [sweating]