The peaceful days passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, Ming Tan had spent the full forty-nine days at Lingmiao Temple, completing her prayers and ready to return home.
Although the prayers were merely a pretext, Ming Tan had sincerely copied numerous scriptures and spent considerable time in self-reflection before Buddha during her stay. Believing in the Buddhist concept of predestined connections, she made a point of visiting the hall she had mistakenly entered on her first day whenever she prayed.
“Buddha, your disciple Atan is returning home today. I apologize for any disturbance I may have caused recently. I know I’ve made many wishes, but each one is crucial. Currently, the most pressing matter is to arrange a good marriage…”
Time to go home?
The young novice monk silently chanted “Amitabha,” feeling a sense of relief. After all, who could have predicted that the lengthy list of requirements for a husband that day was just the beginning? This female patron, during her short stay at the temple, would come to add and revise her wishes every few days.
She did pray for other things too, such as good health for her parents and friends, and peace and prosperity for the world…
However, this patron’s various demands regarding marriage had left such a deep impression on him that he occasionally felt grateful for being a monk, free from worldly marriage concerns.
Soon, Ming Tan finished her prayers and bowed three times.
As she left the hall, the spring sun shone brightly, its light filtering through the ancient tree branches.
Ming Tan was walking out when she unexpectedly encountered Master Huiyuan, who had suddenly returned to the temple after being absent for over a month.
She didn’t recognize Huiyuan, but as she did with all the monks she met at the temple, she politely greeted him with palms pressed together, “Amitabha, greetings, Master.”
“Amitabha,” Huiyuan replied, recalling something as he heard her voice. A faint smile appeared on his face. “Your sincerity will surely be rewarded, patron.”
“…?”
Was this mere courtesy, or was he serious?
Ming Tan hesitated. This master looked kind and benevolent, yet also profound and mysterious, not like someone who would engage in idle pleasantries… When she came to her senses and wanted to inquire further, Huiyuan had already entered the hall. She turned back to follow but saw no trace of him.
In the sutra repository, the young novice who had intended to see Ming Tan off also heard Huiyuan’s words. He couldn’t help but ask, “Master, will that female patron have her wishes granted?” Such an ideal partner was indeed rare.
Huiyuan slowly searched for a scripture, found some volume, and handed it to the novice. With a smile in his eyes and a meaningful tone, he said, “Monks do not speak falsehoods.”
Outside the sutra repository, unable to find anyone, Ming Tan soon left the hall. She didn’t dwell on this interlude, unaware that she had just encountered Master Huiyuan, the esteemed monk known for his extensive travels and elusive presence.
When she came to pray, Ming Tan had arrived in a grand procession of five carriages. For her return, she sent the servants ahead with her belongings and shared a carriage with Suxin and Lüe, enjoying the spring scenery as they made their way back to the capital discreetly.
After a month and a half at the temple, the capital remained as bustling and prosperous as ever. The deep spring had turned the landscape lush green, with willows and ancient trees by the Xian River dripping with verdure. People of all ages had exchanged their old clothes for new ones, giving the city a fresh appearance.
Word had spread that the results of this year’s metropolitan examination were out, with Shu Jingran’s name at the top of the list. Bai Minmin’s foresight in reserving a spot at Huichun Tower proved wise. By the time the results were announced, all window seats in the street-side restaurants had been booked, with prices skyrocketing.
Ming Tan rested at home for two days before the palace examination day arrived.
The palace examination consisted of a single question, with Emperor Chengkang posing a military strategy problem.
Most candidates were well-versed in classics but knew little about military affairs. Their thoughts were often superficial, with few able to discuss the topic in depth.
Shu Jingran, as the son of a high official and a close friend of Jiang Xu and Lu Ting, naturally had more insight. However, the emperor held him to a higher standard because of this.
In this examination, Shu Jingran performed excellently, but his ideas were not as novel as those of another commoner candidate. In the end, Emperor Chengkang named him the Third Scholar.
Of course, the emperor also considered the unwritten rule that the Third Scholar must be exceptionally handsome and refined.
When news of Shu Jingran’s appointment spread, many women in the capital rejoiced.
Following tradition, Emperor Chengkang ordered a victory parade starting from Zhengde Gate. The Top Scholar, Second Scholar, and Third Scholar all wore red flowers and rode tall horses.
As the parade began, the streets were packed with a surging, clamorous crowd. Just as Bai Minmin had predicted, it was impossible to move.
Even the usually dignified ladies of the capital were calling out “Third Scholar” and “Second Young Master Shu” in sweet voices, throwing fruits and sachets. Colorful ribbons flew everywhere, creating a lively scene.
Ming Tan, Bai Minmin, and Zhou Jingwan had arrived early at the restaurant to wait. Standing by the window, they watched the top three scholars and the other successful candidates being escorted by the imperial guards, their hearts filled with excitement.
Bai Minmin, in particular, pointed at Shu Jingran excitedly, “Look! It’s Second Young Master Shu! Just look at his appearance and bearing, it’s what you’d call…”
Zhou Jingwan supplied, “A jade-like figure on the road, a peerless gentleman in the world?”
“Yes, yes! A jade-like figure on the road, a peerless gentleman in the world!”
Zhou Jingwan nodded with a smile, “Second Young Master Shu’s talent and looks are indeed of the highest caliber, worthy of such praise.”
Ming Tan rarely praised men, but she had to admit that this Second Young Master Shu, famous throughout the capital, was indeed pleasing to the eye. The Top Scholar and Second Scholar were also handsome, but they were all approaching thirty. With such a dazzling figure before them, the others seemed to fade into the background in terms of appearance.
Ming Tan rested her chin on her hand, gazing out as her thoughts wandered.
Her father and uncle were both military officials, probably not very familiar with the Right Chancellor.
His wife seemed to dislike socializing. When Madam Pei took her out, she didn’t recall ever encountering the Right Chancellor’s wife.
Unmarried sisters… there probably weren’t any. The capital wasn’t that big; even if she wasn’t acquainted with them, she should have known about them.
It was truly strange.
With such unfamiliarity, how could she create a chance encounter?
“…?”
“You’re already thinking about creating a chance encounter?”
“When I say you’re shameless, you are shameless!”
Bai Minmin’s eyes widened as she heard Ming Tan reveal her little scheme.
“What’s there to be so surprised about? He’s just been named Third Scholar, so people will surely be lining up at his door to discuss marriage in the coming days. I just want to find a proper occasion to let him see from afar that this young lady is an excellent choice for a wife in terms of talent and appearance. I won’t do anything improper!”
“Ah Tan is the most courteous,” Zhou Jingwan chimed in.
“You just love to spoil her!” someone retorted.
Zhou Jingwan gently defended, “This isn’t spoiling. Ah Tan is naturally very sensible.”
The speaker thought silently, “Such a talented girl, ruined by the Ming family’s Ah Tan to the point where she only knows how to praise!”
Zhou Jingwan continued, “If Ah Tan wants to see Young Master Shu, I know of a proper opportunity. Minmin can come along too.”
Bai Minmin kept her mouth shut, but after a moment, her ears honestly perked up.
Zhou Jingwan explained, “Hanmiao, the third young lady of the second branch of the Ping Guo Gong family, used to study at my family’s private school. We’re somewhat acquainted. She has a childlike nature and knows many young ladies in the capital who admire Young Master Shu. She wants to take this chance to host a late spring poetry gathering. Her elder cousin has already agreed to invite Young Master Shu for tea that day. Curious young ladies can then catch a glimpse of him from afar.”
Ming Tan and Bai Minmin understood immediately. If it were anyone else’s cousin, it would be difficult to arrange a specific day to invite Shu Er for tea, let alone ensure he wouldn’t be upset upon learning about it afterward and refuse further association.
But the Ping Guo Gong family was the Empress’s maternal family, wasn’t it? Hanmiao’s cousin was none other than the Empress’s brother, the heir of Ping Guo Gong, Zhang Huaiyu, who was on good terms with Young Master Shu.
Naturally, if they said they could invite him, they certainly could.
“Previously, before Young Master Shu passed the imperial examination, the poetry gathering invitations weren’t sent out to avoid potential embarrassment,” Zhou Jingwan added. “Now that he’s passed, even if I didn’t mention it, she would surely send you invitations.”
This was indeed true. Zhang Hanmiao was a couple of years younger than them. For a young girl hosting her first poetry gathering, she naturally wanted it to be lively and elegant.
If liveliness and elegance were the goals, there was no reason not to invite notable young ladies like Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, as long as there was no conflict between them.
The two readily agreed.
Meanwhile, as Ming Tan and the other two went out to watch the horse parade, Ming Chu, disdainful and incapable of securing a street-side room to join the excitement, was in the mansion’s garden early in the morning, wielding her soft whip. She struck the blooming flowers on the branches, scattering petals and breaking tender twigs.
Shen Yu, having been away on assignment, hurried back upon hearing of Ming Tan’s return. To his disappointment, he missed her entirely. As he was about to leave for military training at the capital’s camp, feeling dejected, he encountered Ming Chu.
“Cousin?” Ming Chu called out, suddenly subduing her unruliness as if reminded of something.
Shen Yu looked up, recognizing the other Ming family cousin. He bowed slightly from a distance, “Cousin.”
As Ming Chu approached, Shen Yu, mindful of Ming Tan’s advice about propriety, took a step back.
Ming Chu paused and chuckled lightly, “I’m not a ghost, Cousin. Why are you retreating?” She tilted her head, observing, “Cousin, you seem… in low spirits.”
Shen Yu, not particularly close to her, wished to avoid conversation. He bowed again, intending to leave.
“Cousin!” Ming Chu quickly called out, “Do you have feelings for my fourth sister?”
Shen Yu froze, managing after a while to say, “Cousin, mind your words.”
“It’s just affection, not some shameful secret,” Ming Chu dismissively replied. “Cousin, you’ve repeatedly distinguished yourself in battle at such a young age, earning Prince Bei’s recognition. Oh, I heard you also achieved great merit in the Eastern Province battle… With such accomplishments, if you fancy my fourth sister and speak to the Prince, surely he would request an imperial decree for your marriage, wouldn’t he?”
Shen Yu’s hand unconsciously tightened on his sword hilt.
The honor of an imperial marriage decree might be his if he asked. But the Jing’an Marquis’s family wasn’t ordinary, and Cousin Tan was their only legitimate daughter. More importantly, Cousin Tan had explicitly stated she didn’t want to marry him.
Ming Chu seemed to read his thoughts. “Feelings need time to develop. It’s rare for mutual love to exist from the start. When a woman says she doesn’t like or want something, it’s often not truly the case—it’s usually just shyness. I’m telling you this because I see your boundless future. If my fourth sister could be with you, she’d have found a good match.”
“Think it over, Cousin,” she concluded, turning to leave. “Don’t regret losing this pearl later.”
As dusk approached, casting slanted rays across Prince Bei’s mansion, Shen Yu arrived to report on his assignment.
Knowing the Prince usually remained silent unless there were questions, Shen Yu hesitated after finishing his report. He suddenly asked, “Your Highness, if one day this subordinate has someone he cares for, would you request an imperial marriage decree on my behalf?”
Jiang Xu looked up, giving a noncommittal “Mm.”
Shen Yu sighed in relief.
Indeed, this honor was within reach.
He began planning to explain his unintentional rudeness to Cousin Tan, seek her agreement, and then ask the Prince for help in requesting the decree.
Unexpectedly, the Prince added, “As long as it’s not the Ming family’s fourth young lady, this Prince can try for any other woman.”