Chapter 1: The Crown Prince (Part 1)

The twenty-fourth year of the Qiande era in the Great Peace Dynasty was destined to be an extraordinary year.

Spring had just arrived when three pieces of news from the capital sent the nineteen counties and prefectures of North Chao’an Road into a frenzy. From streets and alleys to teahouses and restaurants, people everywhere discussed the news without ceasing.

First, Her Majesty the Empress issued an edict granting the request of the North Jian envoy to open several border prefectures for free trade between the two countries. Of these, North Chao’an Road alone accounted for a full eight prefectures.

Second, with the provincial examinations for female candidates about to begin, the court had appointed Grand Tutor Shen, the Grand Scholar whose literary reputation was unmatched throughout the world, to preside over North Chao’an Road. Since serving as deputy examiner for the first special examination for women more than twenty years ago, this was the first time Grand Scholar Shen had voluntarily requested an imperial decree to contribute once more to the women’s imperial examinations.

Third, Her Majesty the Empress’s only child, the Crown Prince of the Great Peace Dynasty who held the eyes of all citizens, was about to select his official consort.

These three unrelated pieces of news arriving together stirred the people of Chao’an, who had grown too accustomed to peaceful days. On one hand, they eagerly prepared to make great profits in the future cross-border trade; on the other hand, they craned their necks hoping for a glimpse of the legendary Grand Scholar Shen; meanwhile, they quietly speculated about which fortunate daughter from which noble family would be chosen by His Highness the Crown Prince as his consort…

And in the women’s academy situated beside the river west of Chongzhou City on North Chao’an Road, young women in plain dresses with elegant headdresses chattered endlessly—

“If you ask me, the court’s edict regarding interstate trade isn’t so simple. With the provincial examinations for female candidates approaching, I wouldn’t be surprised if the essay topic relates to this matter…” one woman said very seriously, holding her writing brush as she spoke to those nearby.

But before she could finish, a young woman in a green dress jumped up and cried out in dissatisfaction: “At a time like this, you’re still thinking about essay topics! Haven’t you heard who’s coming to North Chao’an Road to preside over the provincial examinations? Grand Tutor Shen, the Grand Scholar!” Seeing several others raise their heads, her face showed a pleased expression as she continued: “Do you know who Grand Tutor Shen is? My mother told me that in his day, Grand Tutor Shen was elegant and romantic, the greatest literary talent in the world, who captivated countless young ladies from noble families!”

Another woman rubbed her forehead and raised an eyebrow: “In his day? His day was twenty or thirty years ago. I’m afraid you’d be greatly disappointed if you saw him now. Rather than dreaming about him, you might as well think about his son. I heard his son Shen Zhishu is truly a handsome talent, though he has quite a reputation for being a playboy… But I say, being a playboy is a good thing, otherwise, you’d have no chance even if you met him…”

Several women around them giggled a hint of suggestiveness in their eyes.

The face of the woman in the green dress immediately turned red. She pinched her clothes, sat down, and said angrily: “You… you’re just making fun of me!” She turned to look at the woman who had spoken earlier and continued her angry tone: “Yan Fuzhi, you’re a woman, yet you constantly talk like this. You… you’ve truly wasted your studies of the classics!”

Yan Fuzhi shrugged her shoulders, narrowed her eyes, and smiled: “I’m just a merchant’s daughter. Unlike you who studies to death for fame and position, I naturally don’t need to concern myself with those so-called ways of the sages…” She raised her finger and pretentiously blew on her long fingernail that resembled a green onion stalk. “Don’t you agree?”

Another burst of laughter erupted around them.

Someone approached and flatteringly asked: “Sister Yan, I heard your family has relatives who serve as officials in the capital. Do you know which family will have the good fortune of seeing their daughter become the Crown Prince’s consort?”

As soon as this was mentioned, everyone gathered around like bees collecting pollen in the flowering season, buzzing with excitement, eager to hear the details.

Yan Fuzhi glanced at her and pretended to push away several people beside her, saying indifferently: “Imperial matters are beyond my knowledge, regardless of how capable I might be…” She stood up to leave, but then paused suddenly, lowering her voice: “There is a rumor, though it can’t be confirmed, and you mustn’t say you heard it from me!”

Everyone nodded eagerly, their expectant expressions growing more intense.

Finally, she pursed her lips and said: “Do you think the Crown Prince’s selection of a consort is so simple? Think about it! Since the fourteenth year of Qiande until now, His Highness has participated in state affairs for exactly ten years. In recent years, the Empress has entrusted all military and political matters of the northern regions to the Crown Prince’s judgment. Now, there’s talk of selecting a consort for him—you all understand the rumors about the past between the Empress and the Prince of Peace, so I needn’t elaborate. The Crown Prince is the Empress’s only bloodline. How could the Empress handle the consort selection alone? The talk of selecting a consort likely means the Empress intends to abdicate the throne…”

A collective gasp rose around her. Someone immediately exclaimed in shock: “You mean the realm will change rulers…”

Yan Fuzhi clicked her tongue and quickly covered that person’s mouth with her hand, saying disapprovingly: “Is this something you and I should discuss? Let me warn you in advance, if today’s conversation gets spread around, I won’t forgive the person responsible!”

With that, she pushed through the crowd and left without looking at anyone’s expression.

Someone called out timidly from behind: “Sister Yan, the teacher will be here soon. Why are you leaving now?”

She waved her hand impatiently without looking back: “I’m going to check on Meng Tinghui. She was ill yesterday, and I want to see if she’s better today. She shouldn’t miss today’s lesson examination…”

Upon hearing those three words, the previously noisy group of women immediately fell silent.

After quite a while, when she had walked some distance away, someone coughed twice and whispered: “She could visit anyone, but why that person? Isn’t she just looking for trouble…”

The spring sunlight poured in warmly, casting her cheeks in a pale golden hue.

A figure stood up beside her, blocking the window perfectly.

She frowned, suddenly alert. As she opened her eyes, she heard a bold laugh: “I came to check if you’re feeling better, but didn’t expect to find you taking a long nap!… Meng Tinghui, could you please not look at me with such a sour face… hmm?”

A hand reached down to feel her forehead, but she blocked it with her palm.

Yan Fuzhi withdrew her hand reluctantly and looked around the room: “Living alone here if you fell sick and died, no one would even know! Tsk, I’m asking for trouble…”

Meng Tinghui straightened up, slammed the book on the table shut, then stood up and walked toward the door.

Yan Fuzhi followed behind her, calling out dissatisfied: “Listen, the teacher will be testing us on our lessons soon. Surely you know that… Where are you going? Have you slept so much you’ve forgotten your way?”

She stopped without showing emotion and looked back: “Miss Yan, rather than following me, you might be better off going back to study. The provincial examinations are approaching, and the way you are…”

Yan Fuzhi ran over and interrupted her: “Study what? Take what examination? My father doesn’t care whether I pass or not. He’s left me a tavern and two cosmetics shops to manage after I leave the women’s academy… What use is that official rank to me?”

Hearing this, she stamped her foot and smiled slightly: “In that case, Miss Yan should not follow me. As the saying goes, those who don’t share the same path cannot work together…”

Yan Fuzhi circled to face her and said with a smiling face: “You well-read people are all like this, always putting on airs… You’ve studied until you’re nearly dead, so I suppose you value these provincial examinations most. Why aren’t you going to listen to the teacher’s lecture today then?”

Meng Tinghui closed her eyes briefly and turned toward the sun: “Why should I waste time listening to things I already understand?” With that, she stepped forward.

Yan Fuzhi clapped her hands behind her and laughed: “Meng Tinghui, I just love your arrogant and disrespectful attitude! Others can’t wait to get close to me, yet you regard everyone with disdain! It’s rare to see a woman with such a temperament!”

Meng Tinghui remained silent, her mouth twitching once. Just as she was about to walk ahead quickly, Yan Fuzhi grabbed her arm.

Yan Fuzhi pulled her straight toward the west gate, saying excitedly: “I can see you’re tired of being cooped up reading books and want some fresh air. Let’s go to my family’s tavern. I’ll treat you to wine, good wine!”

Meng Tinghui struggled a couple of times but couldn’t break free. Her expression stiffened: “Yan Fuzhi, let go. How improper is it to go drinking at a tavern in broad daylight?”

Yan Fuzhi not only refused to let go but held her even tighter: “Oh? So Meng Tinghui cares about propriety? Who was it that openly lectured everyone on the spring verses and amorous songs from ‘Random Talks’ last time? And now you talk about propriety!”

Meng Tinghui’s face darkened further, but she stopped struggling and simply walked along with Yan Fuzhi’s pull, saying quietly: “Don’t shout like that. I’ll go with you.”

Yan Fuzhi laughed triumphantly, quickening her pace, and winked at her: “That’s more like it.”