As Luo Shenyuan walked out of the Taiji Hall, layers of white marble steps stretched before him. Beyond lay yellow glazed tiles, exuding an air of imperial solemnity under the vast gray winter sky.
He gazed silently at the gloomy heavens above.
Companions offered congratulations to the newly appointed top scholar, now a Hanlin Academy Compiler – the most prominent figure of the moment. Yet he appeared young and modest in his blue cotton robe. Tall and broad-shouldered with thick eyebrows, he carried a somber air.
Some officials chatted with him politely, secretly amused that this handsome new jinshi would likely draw crowds during the parade in three days.
Sun Jie approached to greet him: “Your timing is perfect. Lord Xu just sent word.”
Lord Xu referred to the current Vice Grand Councilor Xu Wei. Having selected Luo Shenyuan during the metropolitan examination, Xu was now considered his teacher. Sun Jie, a friend of Xu and fellow member of the Qingliu faction, had long intended to recommend Luo to Xu.
Luo nodded with a smile: “I’m grateful for Lord Xu’s favor and was planning to pay him a visit.”
As they descended the steps, they spotted a simple sedan chair exiting the Chengqian Gate, surrounded by numerous guards despite its unassuming appearance.
Sun Jie’s expression darkened at the sight. He muttered, “That old scoundrel… riding in a sedan within the palace gates. Is he not afraid of criticism from the censors?” Wang Yuan’s murder of Grand Councilor Liu, a respected figure among the Qingliu faction, had soured many against him. Moreover, Liu had been an innocent 70-year-old who had served the people his entire life, weathering even the bloodshed of the previous emperor’s ascension. Just when he should have been enjoying his twilight years, he met his end at Wang Yuan’s hands.
“We certainly won’t stoop to his level,” Sun Jie continued. “Many at court now look to him as their leader. Just wait – those who walk dark paths will eventually encounter ghosts.”
Luo merely nodded, watching Wang Yuan’s sedan in silence.
He raised his head and followed Sun Jie out of the palace gates. Lord Xu’s residence was not far from the imperial city, just a short sedan ride away. Xu, a man of average height with a kind face, came out to welcome them personally. Luo knelt in greeting, addressing him as “my lord.” Xu helped him up, smiling: “I’ve accepted your respects. From now on, you may call me teacher.”
A man in a pale white robe stood nearby, saying with a grin: “One visit to Grand Councilor Xu’s for tea, and I get to meet the new top scholar. Do you remember me, Zhuangyuan?”
Luo smiled. “Censor Cheng left quite an impression. Of course, I remember.” He then turned his attention back to Xu, ignoring Cheng Lang.
After Luo and the others departed, Xu sipped his tea as an advisor inquired, “You seem to think highly of the Zhuangyuan. He is indeed talented. I’ve read his policy essay – it addresses current issues with clarity. A rare talent indeed.”
Xu sighed. “If you’ve read his essay, you understand his personality. He advocates for strict laws and decisive, even ruthless action. I know some things about him – he is certainly capable. But I fear if not guided properly, he could become another Wang Yuan. Then we would be condemned by history.”
The advisor asked, “So… you don’t intend to promote him?”
“On the contrary, I must promote him faster than anyone else,” Xu replied. “Our faction is weak now and needs someone like him. I know some things about him – he’s likely not as simple as he seems. It’s reassuring to have such a person at the forefront. Others couldn’t handle that position. The compiler is just an idle post. In a couple of months, I’ll recommend him to the emperor. With the current shortage of talent, His Majesty is eager for capable officials.”
The advisor pondered this as he refilled Xu’s tea.
Meanwhile, Luo left Xu’s residence alongside Cheng Lang, who struck up a conversation.
“Speaking of which, when I was tutoring my cousin Yining recently, I noticed her calligraphy showed your influence, even capturing some of its essence. I may need to seek your guidance on another day.”
Luo simply smiled. “My sister practiced diligently for years under my instruction. She should have developed some skill by now.”
Cheng Lang studied him before smiling again. “I look forward to the spectacle of your parade, but I must take my leave for today.” He summoned his waiting carriage and departed.
After Cheng left, Luo boarded his carriage and closed his eyes, leaning back. This Cheng Lang was formidable indeed. What exactly was he probing for?
It had been a while since he’d seen her… He wondered if she had been upset last time.
He absently fingered the white jade pixiu in his hand.
Three days later, the top three graduates paraded through the streets. The event drew massive crowds, creating a lively atmosphere.
Yining longed to see it, having never witnessed such a parade before. Wei Ling had guards watching her, forbidding her from leaving Yujing Hutong. She could only see the throngs of people, unable to catch even a glimpse of Luo Shenyuan amidst the entourage escorting the new scholars. Across the alley, two young girls squeezed onto a ladder, giggling as they watched.
In the second month, apricot blossoms adorned the branches in a vibrant display. Yining watched the petals fall to the ground, a faint smile on her lips.
Third Brother deserved to be the center of attention, admired by all.
She wouldn’t dare climb a ladder! Yining thought. The guards watched her carefully, fearing any mishap they couldn’t explain. No need to cause them trouble.
When visiting Old Madam Wei to pay her respects, Yining’s steps were light with happiness. The old lady smiled, taking her hand: “Just watching a parade, yet you’re as excited as a little girl!”
Zhao Mingzhu observed her silently for a moment before speaking: “If I recall correctly, the new Zhuangyuan is Sister Yining’s elder brother from the Luo family, isn’t he?”
Old Madam Wei’s eyes lit up at this. She told Yining, “Then we must invite him for a visit!”
Yining thought to herself that he had just become Zhuangyuan and was surely inundated with visitors. Who knew when he might find time to come?
The next day, as she went to collect accounts from Wei Ling, she saw someone sitting in the main hall talking with him. She paused mid-step.
The man wore a fine cotton robe and seemed to have grown even taller. How did he get so tall? His features had become more resolute, his shoulders broader. With his straight nose and handsome profile, he was a full-grown man now. He appeared to be in conversation with Wei Ling.
“Yining often mentions you,” Wei Ling was saying. “You looked after her well in the Luo household. I was wary of the Luo family before and didn’t allow you to associate, but I see now that I misunderstood. Though she’s no longer a Luo, I approve of her calling you Third Brother. It’s good for her to have someone else looking out for her.”
Yining heard his voice, as gentle as ever: “My sister faced such a crisis, and it was thanks to Your Grace’s help. I’m grateful to you.”
Wei Ling then noticed Yining at the door. He smiled and called out, “Yining, why don’t you come in? Your Third Brother is here to see you.”
Yining saw him turn to look at her.
Perhaps because it had been so long, Yining felt he seemed somewhat unfamiliar. He should have been completely familiar, yet there was an inexplicable strangeness about him.
Seeing Yining standing frozen, Wei Ling said, “I’ll go have the steward prepare some dishes. We have other guests today as well, so we can entertain everyone together.”
With that, he left. Yining saw her Third Brother set down his teacup and stand, smiling at her. “What’s the matter? Don’t you recognize me anymore?”
His smile was handsome, as refined as an ink painting. Yining had always relied on him most, feeling like a weary bird returning to its nest. Seeing him made her feel as though she needn’t worry about anything. She stepped forward and, before he could react, threw herself into his arms. Luo Shenyuan barely caught her, stumbling back a step.
Yining hugged his waist and looked up at him with a grin. “Third Brother, you’ve become Zhuangyuan!”
She was no longer a little girl – her body pressed against his with womanly curves. When she was a child, she had often clung to him affectionately. But now Luo Shenyuan felt uncomfortable. If pressed to explain why, it was the softness of her body against his, the faint sweet scent as she tilted her head up… He was a grown man now, still unmarried. How could he withstand such closeness from her?
Luo Shenyuan gently pushed her away, still smiling. “You’re a young lady now. Why are you still so clingy with me?”
Did he dislike her clinginess?
Yining said, “I was just happy to see you.” She released him, thinking that indeed, they shouldn’t be hugging like this anymore. She had still thought of him as just her Third Brother.
Yining then took his hand with another smile. “Come, let me show you where I live. I have a little brother, Tingr – he’s quite mischievous. He often leaves my study in disarray… Mother says my new little brother is very naughty too, chubby and cute. I wonder when I’ll get to see him?”
Luo Shenyuan looked at her hand holding his, seemingly unaware of any impropriety. He said, “Father is coming to take up his post in the capital. You’ll likely see him soon.”
Yining held no resentment towards Luo Chengzhang. He wasn’t her father, so his treatment of her was understandable. She had known he would come to the capital for his appointment but hadn’t expected it to be now. By her calculations, Luo Yixiu should be getting married soon. She wondered when she might see her in the capital. She asked Luo Shenyuan, who only said, “Luo Yiyu is already married. It should be soon, I suppose.”
He walked around her courtyard, noticing the calligraphy hanging in the main hall was Yining’s work. No wonder Cheng Lang had recognized the style – even he could see it was seven or eight-tenths similar to his own.
She had grown up under his tutelage, so it was natural her writing resembled his. Luo Shenyuan then spotted a book in the study about flood control, which didn’t seem like something Yining would read.
“That’s Cheng Lang’s,” Yining explained. “He forgot to take it with him last time.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Luo Shenyuan’s expression become impassive. “I saw him at Lord Xu’s place recently… Yining, that man is quite scheming. It’s best to be cautious around him.”
Yining smiled. “He talks much like Cousin Mao. You can’t take him too seriously. Oh, speaking of which, I haven’t asked about Cousin Mao. Wasn’t he supposed to come to the capital with Cousin Ming? I haven’t heard anything about him. Do you know how he’s doing?”
“He and Gu Jingming became Expositors-in-waiting of the Left Spring Office, serving the former Crown Prince. The Prince was very fond of him, and after ascending the throne, appointed him as a Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Works. He doesn’t have much official business these days.” Luo Shenyuan maintained contact with Lin Mao, Gu Jingming, and others. He added, “It’s a censorate position.”
Such an unorthodox person becoming a rigid censor! Yining found it rather surprising.
She wanted to ask what position he might take, but as she stepped back with the book, she accidentally bumped into his chest. Suddenly aware of his breath above her head, she realized the collision must have hurt a bit. Looking up, she saw him gazing at her intently. For a moment, neither spoke. She suddenly felt the study was too cramped and took another step back. The embrace earlier hadn’t seemed strange, but now her whole body felt awkward. “Grandmother… Grandmother would like to see you too,” she stammered.