After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, the cabinet operated smoothly under the leadership of the two Chief Ministers. The winter imperial examinations proceeded successfully, and on the twentieth day of the twelfth month, Yue Luo officially became a vassal state of the Hua Dynasty, submitting its declaration of fealty.
Emperor Ming’s series of benevolent policies won widespread praise from the people. The two Chief Ministers of the cabinet, Pei Yan and Dong Fang were particularly beloved and supported by the common folk.
As the New Year approached, with the palace examinations, various ceremonial rituals, and banquets for foreign envoys, Pei Yan was overwhelmed with work. It wasn’t until the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, when the emperor officially went into recess, that he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Upon returning to his mansion, Pei Yan recalled that the map Cui Liang had been working on was nearly complete. He headed straight for the West Garden. Jiang Ci saw him enter and didn’t have time to hide in the west wing room. She hurriedly covered her slightly protruding belly with a cloak.
Seeing Pei Yan enter, Cui Liang smiled and said, “The Duke has come at just the right time.”
Pei Yan approached and looked closely, exclaiming with delight, “Is it finished?”
“Yes, with Xiao Ci’s help, it was completed much faster than expected.”
Pei Yan smiled at Jiang Ci, then gently stroked the “Map of the World’s Topography,” sighing, “The landscape of the Hua Dynasty, all in one view, detailed and accurate. Truly a masterpiece worthy of Master Yu!”
Cui Liang smiled and said, “I will mark all the mineral deposits in the next few days.”
“Zi Ming, you’ve worked hard. Take a few days off and finish it after the New Year.”
Cui Liang stretched his arms and sighed, “Indeed, I am tired. Staying in this West Garden all day can be a bit stuffy.”
Pei Yan said, “Don’t worry, Zi Ming. I’ll find a way to get rid of those dogs watching you. By the way, I’ve always wanted you to join the cabinet and help me.”
Cui Liang quickly waved his hands, “Please, Your Grace, don’t pull me into the cabinet. With my temperament, I’m not fit for official duties.”
Pei Yan didn’t press the matter, smiling, “We’ll put that aside for now and discuss it after the New Year.” He then turned to Jiang Ci and said, “Xiao Ci has worked hard too.”
Jiang Ci smiled faintly and asked, “Will Your Grace be dining here today?”
“Of course,” Pei Yan replied without hesitation.
After the meal was served, Jiang Ci retreated to her room. Pei Yan didn’t notice, finishing the meal with Cui Liang and having a cup of tea before bidding farewell. In high spirits, he walked to the gate of the West Garden but suddenly paused, his mind stirred. Against the wall in the courtyard lay a pile of herbal dregs. Pei Yan crouched down to examine them closely, his brow furrowing slightly.
“Your Grace, the herbalist has checked. It’s medicine for preserving pregnancy,” Pei Yang said as he exited Shen Garden.
Pei Yan sat dumbfounded in his chair until Dong Juan entered. Seeing Dong Juan carrying several branches of winter plum blossoms, he smiled faintly and asked, “Where did you get those?”
Dong Juan returned the smile, “I heard Mother likes winter plum blossoms, so I picked a few branches from the palace. These are the best ‘Snow-Treading Winter Plums.’ I was about to send them to Mother.”
“The Duchess is thoughtful,” Pei Yan knew her purpose for entering the palace but merely smiled.
The two maintained their smiles, each understanding the unspoken. As Pei Yan rose to leave, Dong Juan called out, “Your Grace.”
“Please speak, Duchess.”
“For the New Year, we need to distribute gifts to the people in each garden. It’s easy for the others, but what about Master Cui and Miss Jiang in the West Garden? What standard should we follow?”
Pei Yan thought for a moment and said, “These two aren’t fond of material wealth. Giving them New Year’s gifts might demean them. Please trouble the Duchess to prepare some good wine to send instead.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
That evening, after accompanying Dong Juan to deliver the winter plum blossoms and pay respects to Madam Pei, Pei Yan was about to leave when Madam Pei called him back.
After Dong Juan left with the maids, Madam Pei stood up and slowly walked to the window. Gazing at Dong Juan’s retreating figure, she said softly, “This duchess of yours is indeed worthy of being Dong Fang’s daughter.”
Pei Yan smiled, “Mother found a good match for me. I should thank you, Mother.”
Madam Pei couldn’t help but glare at him, “Tell me honestly, what’s the story with Miss Jiang in the West Garden?”
Pei Yan’s heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head. Madam Pei paced to his side and said calmly, “You once said she was someone Cui Liang was interested in, but she and Cui Liang addressed each other as siblings and maintained a respectful distance. I heard she served as a military doctor in your army for over half a year, and now she’s returned with a child. Mother would like to know, whose child is she carrying?”
Pei Yan just kept his head down, staring at the brocade carpet beneath his feet, not saying a word. Madam Pei grew angry, “You’re a duke! If you fancy a woman, just take her as a concubine. Why all this secrecy? If she’s not carrying your child, have her leave the mansion tomorrow!”
Pei Yan steeled himself and looked up, “Yes, she’s carrying my child. It’s just that we were in the army, so—”
Madam Pei smiled with satisfaction and said gently, “Your duchess isn’t a jealous woman. Take advantage of the New Year festivities to make her your concubine. Then I can inform your father’s spirit that the Pei clan has an heir.”
Having made his decision, Pei Yan felt relieved and smiled, “Thank you, Mother.”
Watching Cui Liang roll up the map, Jiang Ci said softly, “Brother Cui, thank you.”
Cui Liang sighed, “Xiao Ci, please don’t say that. I accepted Xiao’s request and will certainly fulfill his dying wish.”
Tears welled up in Jiang Ci’s eyes and fell in strings as she lowered her head.
Cui Liang, pained by the sight, reached out to wipe away her tears. Seeing her still weeping, he stroked her hair and leaned down to console her, “Your pregnancy has just stabilized. Please don’t be sad anymore.”
Jiang Ci nodded repeatedly, “Yes, I know.” Suddenly feeling dizzy, she rested her head on Cui Liang’s shoulder.
The gate of the West Garden opened quietly, and Dong Juan entered carrying a jar of wine. She stopped under the wisteria trellis in the courtyard. From there, she could see into the room illuminated by candlelight. He was gently wiping away tears from the young woman’s face, stroking her head, her forehead resting on his shoulder. He seemed to be saying something, his expression so tender.
She stood under the wisteria trellis for a long time, unable to move. Only when she saw the two inside separate and him seemingly looking towards the courtyard did she hurriedly compose herself and enter the room with a smile.
Cui Liang hadn’t expected her to come to the West Garden. Looking at her elegant face, he was momentarily speechless. Jiang Ci, recognizing her attire, quickly bowed and said, “Duchess.”
Dong Juan gazed at her for a moment and smiled, “I’ve heard that Miss Jiang is both beautiful and wise. Indeed, it’s true.”
Cui Liang came to his senses and bowed deeply, “Cui Liang of Pingzhou greets the Duchess.”
Dong Juan returned the greeting and said gently, “General Cui, please don’t stand on ceremony. You are His Grace’s right-hand man and close friend. With the New Year approaching, I’ve prepared a jar of fine ‘Lanling Intoxication’ for you and Miss Jiang to enjoy.”
Cui Liang was silent for a moment before saying, “Thank you, Duchess.”
Dong Juan looked at Jiang Ci again, her gaze lingering on her abdomen for an instant, lost in thought. Cui Liang noticed this clearly and quickly said, “Xiao Ci, go recite the ‘Three Pulse Classic.’ I’ll quiz you tomorrow.”
Jiang Ci also sensed the strange atmosphere in the room and took the wine jar back to the west wing.
Cui Liang went out to the courtyard, with Dong Juan following.
Cui Liang stepped back a few paces, standing under the wisteria trellis, and bowed slightly, “Duchess, it’s not appropriate for us to be alone. Please return soon.”
Dong Juan tilted her head slightly, looking at his face, still as bright as in the past, and sighed, “What about you and her? Aren’t you a man and a woman too?”
Cui Liang turned his face away, saying hurriedly, “She’s like a sister to me. It’s different.”
Dong Juan laughed her light laughter just like in the old days. Cui Liang felt a pang in his heart, forcefully resisting the urge to turn and look directly at that elegant face.
Dong Juan sighed softly and asked, “Will you still travel the world?”
“Perhaps, I haven’t made any plans yet,” Cui Liang said, looking down.
Dong Juan also lowered her head and said softly, “If you go, will you still let me read your travel journals?”
Cui Liang was silent for a long time before saying hoarsely, “If the Duchess wishes to read them, Cui Liang will certainly lend them to you.”
“That’s good.” Dong Juan had nothing more to say. She stared at her deerskin boots for a long time, sighed, and turned away silently. Cui Liang instinctively reached out his right hand, but seeing the garden gate open and Pei Yan enter, he quickly stepped back.
Pei Yan was slightly startled to see Dong Juan coming towards him. Dong Juan smiled and said, “Your Grace, are you here to drink with Master Cui? Perfect timing, I’ve just brought a jar of ‘Lanling Intoxication.'”
“Thank you for your trouble, Duchess.”
“Please make yourself comfortable, Your Grace.” Dong Juan curtsied and smiled as she passed by Pei Yan.
Jiang Ci prepared some small dishes, brought a basin of charcoal fire, and helped warm the wine for the two men before returning to the west wing. Pei Yan filled Cui Liang’s cup and sighed, “Your West Garden is truly comfortable.”
Cui Liang held his wine cup, lost in thought. Pei Yan also had things on his mind. The two didn’t speak for a long time until a burst of ash from the charcoal fire brought them back to reality. Pei Yan smiled and said, “I might as well come to your West Garden for meals from now on.”
Cui Liang hurriedly said, “Your Grace, you’ve just married. You shouldn’t neglect—” He suddenly realized this was a matter between husband and wife and couldn’t continue.
Pei Yan relaxed his posture, tilted his head back to drink a cup of wine, and sighed, “Affairs of state can’t afford a single misstep. Zi Ming, please come help me.”
Cui Liang drank silently and said, “Your Grace, it’s not that Cui Liang is unwilling to enter the court to help you. It’s just that my temperament doesn’t suit the intrigues of court life. Cui Liang has a few words of advice for Your Grace today.”
“Please speak, Zi Ming.”
“Your Grace, throughout history, the power struggle has always been at the expense of the common people. Even in times of peace, every policy of the court determines the life and death of countless citizens. Take the ‘Land Tax Reform’ for example. The late emperor intended to increase tax revenue for the court while simultaneously restricting the local gentry from annexing land and keeping household slaves. But what about the noble families? They found every way to shift the tax burden onto the tenant farmers. On my way back to the capital from Hexi, I learned in detail that in several prefectures, this has led to tenant farmers fleeing, leaving fields to lie fallow.”
“Indeed, but abolishing the ‘Land Tax Reform’ now presents certain difficulties.”
“Your Grace, if I may be so bold, these difficulties are not because this is a law decreed by the late emperor, but because it involves considering the interests of various factions at court!”
Pei Yan chuckled, “Zi Ming sees more clearly than some of those in court. That’s why I say, Zi Ming if you come to court to help me, then—”
Cui Liang interrupted him, “Your Grace, I mention this tonight merely as an example. Cui Liang hopes that in the future, while Your Grace considers the interests of various factions, you will also pay more attention to the people’s livelihood and welfare, prioritizing the common folk!”
Pei Yan sensed something unusual about Cui Liang tonight and smiled, “Naturally. During the Hua-Huan War, I witnessed the suffering of the people. I will certainly do so.”
“I fear that in the future, Your Grace might only see the Pei clan, only the power at court, and lose sight of the millions of common people in the shadow of that power!” Cui Liang took a sip of wine, a hint of melancholy between his brows. He continued softly, “Your Grace, I will complete the ‘Map of the World’s Topography’ in the next few days and mark all the mineral deposits. But I have one thing to say to Your Grace.”
“Please speak, Zi Ming.”
“Taking copper mines as an example, I hope Your Grace will not exploit them excessively for short-term gain, nor deliberately cause a shortage of silver and copper coins to disrupt the currency market to control others. As for this topographical map, Cui Liang hopes Your Grace will use it to defend borders and protect the people, rather than as a tool for power struggles. Cui Liang implores Your Grace to consider less the interests of a single clan in the future and more the hardships of the common people. I hope Your Grace will assist the emperor in caring for the people, allowing them to rest, diligently practicing benevolent governance, and being cautious in waging war. Cui Liang thanks Your Grace here!” With that, he stood up and bowed deeply.
Pei Yan quickly composed himself and returned the bow, saying, “Zi Ming’s words, Pei Yan will surely keep them in mind.”
Cui Liang said no more, just drinking silently. Pei Yan, seeing his melancholic state, had a sudden thought and smiled, “Zi Ming, to be honest, you should start a family too. If there’s a woman you fancy, I can help arrange the match.”
Cui Liang took another sip of the wine she had personally delivered. The wine entered his sorrowful heart, turning into a sharp blade, ready to sever all ties with the past. Cui Liang smiled faintly, “To be honest with Your Grace, I once had someone I cared for, but she’s now married. It’s all in the past.”
Pei Yan was touched by these words, reminding him of his concerns. He fell silent, and the two drank quietly until the wine was gone and the dishes were empty, both slightly intoxicated.