On the eighth day of the New Year, the new emperor ascended the throne, changed the dynastic name, and granted amnesty throughout the realm.
Officials who had supported the crown prince received promotions. Wei Ling, already the Duke of Ying, only saw an increase in his salary. However, Lu Jiaxue was appointed as General of Manifest Might, effectively becoming the highest-ranking military official.
Wei Ling went to the palace to receive his reward. Upon his return, Yi Ning was about to seek him out regarding household matters. From behind the curtain, she heard his angry voice: “Wang Yuan has been too foolish!”
Another voice inside replied, “What’s done is done. We can only let it go now.”
Outside, the snow had not yet melted. The thick felt curtains kept the warmth from the floor heating inside. Yi Ning, hearing Wang Yuan’s name, became lost in thought.
She had heard of Wang Yuan before. His story was legendary and widely circulated. Extremely intelligent, he came from a poor family. His mother washed clothes for porters at the ferry to earn money to send him to school, managing to educate this scholar from humble origins. After much struggle, he passed the county-level examination, earning his family’s respect from relatives. However, Wang Yuan failed the imperial examination four or five times, diminishing his reputation. It wasn’t until he was forty that he finally passed, gaining recognition from the chief examiner. By then, Wang Yuan had changed. After being selected as a Hanlin Academy scholar, instead of following the usual career path, he chose to curry favor with the influential Head Eunuch. Gaining the emperor’s favor, he rose to become Grand Secretary of the Cabinet in just eight years.
While clever and adept at scheming, Wang Yuan lacked genuine governing skills. Under his leadership, the court fell into chaos. He was particularly cruel and merciless, excelling at manipulating others. No one could challenge him. Both emperors highly favored him, and he controlled the cabinet, leaving others powerless against him.
During his tenure, he caused the deaths of many loyal officials, including Xu Wei, Luo Shenyuan’s teacher.
As Yi Ning recalled this, scenes flashed before her eyes. Thinking of Luo Shenyuan, she suddenly felt breathless.
After Luo Shenyuan placed third in the imperial examinations, Xu Wei recognized his talent and promoted him rapidly. Within four years, Luo Shenyuan became Vice Minister of Personnel. Many believed Xu Wei was grooming him for a high position. Known for his reticence, brilliance, and respect for his teacher, Luo Shenyuan gained many admirers.
After Xu Wei’s tragic death, everyone expected Luo Shenyuan to seek justice for his teacher. Instead, he did nothing and grew closer to Wang Yuan’s faction. Yang Ling, Luo Shenyuan’s fellow student who was less favored by Xu Wei, was beaten to death at the palace gate trying to save their teacher. When Yang Ling was being beaten, Luo Shenyuan’s sedan chair passed by without stopping, seemingly ignoring the agonized cries.
The upright officials were furious but feared Wang Yuan’s power. They ceased associating with Luo Shenyuan, privately cursing him as ungrateful and inhumane. A righteous secretary in the Ministry of Personnel even refused to report to Luo Shenyuan until he angrily punished over ten people.
After the punishments, no one dared slight him openly. However, they frequently visited Yang Ling’s family to pay respects, wearing mourning clothes to irritate Luo Shenyuan. They even placed Yang Ling’s spirit tablet next to Luo Shenyuan’s house. Luo Shenyuan tolerated these actions, simply taking detours home.
Outraged officials wrote to Luo Shenyuan, accusing him of aiding tyranny. Unfazed by the criticism, Luo Shenyuan entered the cabinet under Wang Yuan’s patronage. When he was promoted to Grand Secretary, a censor stood at his door, declaring, “With this traitor in power, I’d rather hang myself at his gate. Even as a ghost, I’ll haunt him day and night!”
Luo Shenyuan had entered the cabinet and gained Wang Yuan’s trust. Wang Yuan, though treacherous, was not innocent himself.
It wasn’t until Wang Yuan met a gruesome end at Luo Shenyuan’s hands, and Luo Shenyuan became Grand Secretary, that people stopped cursing him.
For Yi Ning in the past, these were just stories she had heard. She had even been shocked by Luo Shenyuan’s ruthlessness. But now she knew him—he was the brother who had grown up with her, the one who wrote calligraphy models for her and spoke to her gently.
Recalling these events and the gloomy, tall young man she had glimpsed years ago across a crowd, she felt a deep ache.
“Yi Ning, you’re here. Why don’t you come in?” Wei Ling’s voice rang out.
Yi Ning snapped back to reality and followed Wei Ling into the study. Wei Ling had been talking with Fu Ping, the Marquis of Ding Bei. Smiling kindly, Fu Ping pulled out a red envelope from his sleeve and gave it to Yi Ning as a New Year’s gift. After accepting it, Yi Ning bowed to Wei Ling and said, “The household manager told me you want to allocate five thousand taels of silver to renovate the courtyard?”
Intrigued, Fu Ping listened. Wei Ling had always been the unchallenged authority in the Duke of Ying’s household, yet this delicate-looking girl he had brought back was now questioning his decisions.
Wei Ling called Yi Ning closer and asked with a smile, “Are you confused? Do you want Father to show you the details?”
Yi Ning didn’t dare to truly manage his affairs; she was merely inquiring! Seeing both Wei Ling and Fu Ping looking at her, she smiled and said, “The manor is in good condition. I was just wondering what could need five thousand taels worth of repairs… so I came to ask.”
Yi Ning’s features had matured, her skin as fine as porcelain. She stood in the study like a graceful lotus. The soft light from outside fell on her, illuminating her blue satin jacket and jade-like complexion, accentuating the striking red birthmark at the end of her eyebrow. She had grown from merely cute and delicate to stunningly beautiful.
Wei Ling, seeing her daily, hadn’t noticed the change. Fu Ping, however, gave her another appreciative glance. Wei Ling continued, “Father’s not upset with you. You’ve been diligent in reviewing the accounts.” He lowered his voice, “The money from the household budget is being used elsewhere… for military supplies. You needn’t inquire further.”
Yi Ning finally understood. Wei Ling wasn’t allowed to maintain a private army, so such expenses couldn’t be recorded openly. Since it involved military matters, it wasn’t something she should question.
She smiled again, “Then I won’t inquire further!” She added, “Grandmother mentioned a tea party at Fangshan. She wants me to attend, so I’ll take my leave.”
Although she wasn’t particularly interested in such gatherings for young ladies, it wouldn’t be proper to refuse. Ting’er had been taken to Wei Old Madam’s quarters earlier by Nanny Tong, as the old lady missed her grandson dearly.
After Yi Ning left, Fu Ping continued, “Wang Yuan has gone too far. The emperor was willing to spare Grand Secretary Liu, who had never caused any trouble. Yet Wang Yuan had him imprisoned and executed! The other Grand Secretaries were already upset about the Crown Prince’s sudden death, and now he’s made them all resentful. Even General Lu didn’t say anything about it…”
“What could Lu Jiaxue say?” Wei Ling responded. “He and Wang Yuan have always kept their distance. As long as Wang Yuan doesn’t cross him, he’ll never interfere with Wang Yuan’s affairs.” Indeed, Wang Yuan was clever enough not to provoke Lu Jiaxue. They had no conflicting interests and were, in some ways, allies. Naturally, Lu Jiaxue wouldn’t intervene. With Lu Jiaxue staying out of it, Wang Yuan had free rein.
Fu Ping shook his head, “Well, let’s not dwell on these matters. We can’t change anything anyway!”
Thinking of Yi Ning who had just left Wei Ling’s study, Fu Ping smiled and said, “Your daughter has grown into quite a beauty. No wonder the Zhong Qin Baron’s son has taken a liking to her.”
Wei Ling nearly choked on his tea.
He set down his cup abruptly and demanded, “What did you say?” Who had designs on Yi Ning?
Fu Ping straightened his clothes and remarked, “Look at you, acting as if someone’s trying to steal your daughter!” He continued, “The Zhong Qin Baroness mentioned it when she visited my mother.”
Wei Ling’s expression darkened. Shen Yu… he knew that was the Zhong Qin Baron’s eldest son. But as the Duke of Ying himself, Wei Ling cared little for the Zhong Qin Baron’s title. Shen Yu had no outstanding talents and hadn’t even secured an official position yet. It was uncertain if he could maintain his family’s prestige in the future. Naturally, Wei Ling wanted the best match for his daughter. Who did Shen Yu think he was?
Seeing Wei Ling’s reluctance, Fu Ping asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t like Shen Yu?”
Wei Ling gave him a look and retorted, “What do you think?”
In his youth, Wei Ling had already commanded the Divine Machine Battalion on his own merits. Naturally, he looked down on Shen Yu. The Zhong Qin Baron’s family wasn’t a match for the illustrious Duke of Ying’s household, but Shen Yu was a legitimate son. Although Yi Ning was Wei Ling’s only daughter, she had been adopted. It wasn’t entirely unreasonable for Shen Yu to be interested in her.
Despite these thoughts, Fu Ping dared not voice them, fearing Wei Ling’s anger.
“Then you should put an end to his hopes early,” Fu Ping advised. “Do you want to ask your daughter? She might like him, you never know.”
Wei Ling immediately called for a servant to escort Fu Ping out.
He planned to find an opportunity for Wei Old Madam to clarify this matter.
What Wei Ling didn’t know, and neither did Fu Ping, was that Fu Old Madam had already agreed to come and propose marriage. She was preparing to leave, having chosen this auspicious day. Considering her slow pace and frequent stops, she would likely arrive by evening.
Yi Ning, of course, was unaware that someone was coming to propose to her. She thought herself too young to consider such matters yet.
Wei Old Madam’s quarters were lively. When Yi Ning arrived, the second Miss He pulled her to sit down. Kind-hearted and attentive, the second Miss He was one of Yi Ning’s closest friends. She smiled and said, “You just missed it. Official Cheng came by earlier. Look—”
Yi Ning had just sat down and taken a sip of tea when she looked in the direction Miss He pointed. Cheng Lang was leaning against a pillar, hands behind his back, silently admiring the snowy scenery.
He seemed more subdued than usual. However, when anyone spoke to him, he responded with his customary warm smile and gentle demeanor.
Yi Ning recalled that day when he had last entered Lu Jiaxue’s study…
She turned away and continued drinking her tea, asking, “So what if he’s here?”
The second Miss He replied, “I wonder if you’ll call him cousin or brother-in-law in the future? I saw your sister Mingzhu blushing when she looked at him earlier, unable to say a word.”