In the fifteenth year of Changxi, Feng Zhiwei, who had been away from the Imperial Capital for a year, returned gloriously in the identity of Wei Zhi.
One year, yet everything had changed. The Imperial Capital filled with the history of the thirteenth year of Changxi was written into memory. Moving forward, she would directly face the fifteenth year of Changxi.
In the fifteenth year, Wei Zhi, who had gone missing after the Battle of Baitou Cliff and returned to the country after going through countless hardships, received extremely high courtesy from the overjoyed Emperor of Tiansheng. The posthumous titles of Loyal Righteous Marquis and Martial Might General that had been bestowed when he was thought to have died in battle remained unchanged. His position as Vice Minister of Rites was removed, and he was promoted to Minister of Rites. It was said that the Emperor of Tiansheng had originally planned to let Wei Zhi directly enter the cabinet, but Wei Zhi firmly refused. Thus, he still took the old route before entering the cabinet—first gaining experience in the Six Ministries. Even so, this eighteen-year-old minister was already the dynasty’s first anomaly. Given his age, he would certainly enter the cabinet while young. In everyone’s eyes, the future prime minister of Tiansheng would be none other than Wei Zhi.
Originally, the Emperor of Tiansheng had intended to have Wei Zhi transfer to Minister of Justice. The former Minister of Justice was under Prince Chu’s faction and had fallen from grace before the new year due to a bribery case, exiled and banished. When the Minister of Justice fell, Ning Yi was at the border. Hu Shengshan and Yao Ying had originally wanted to unite with the officials to jointly memorialize to save him, but Ning Yi sent an express letter to stop them. The two grand secretaries immediately ceased. Afterward, they discovered that while this matter appeared to be the work of the Second Prince, behind it faintly revealed the Emperor of Tiansheng’s intentions. Only then did they realize Prince Chu’s far-sighted vision—losing one person didn’t matter, but being implicated in a case of forming factions would have fallen into the Second Prince’s trap.
When the Emperor of Tiansheng inquired which ministry Feng Zhiwei intended to serve in, she tactfully expressed that she was still young, and the Ministry of Justice, such an important functional department directly related to the nation’s major laws and prisons, she feared she was not yet adequate for. In the end, she was promoted in place. The original Minister of Rites became Minister of Justice. Some speculated that Minister Wei’s choice indicated an attitude of not becoming involved in factional struggles.
Wei Zhi’s position as Superintendent of Qingming Academy remained. Qingming Academy belonged to Xin Ziyan, but in a sense, it also belonged to her. This was a place where her and Ning Yi’s spheres of influence intersected. That most elite group of students who had once followed on the diplomatic mission to Nanhai and campaigns in the northern frontier were now distributed throughout various government departments, all counted as her staunch supporters. The other students also held much respect and admiration for her. Feng Zhiwei was very clear that even if Ning Yi wanted to obstruct the development of her influence, he couldn’t prevent the infiltration of Qingming’s influence, because that would also mean obstructing himself.
It just depended on who in the future would have stronger control over that batch of the court’s future pillars.
Of course, currently, Feng Zhiwei as a minor minister couldn’t compare with the illustrious Prince Chu. Minister Wei also had no plans to compete with His Highness. Her request to serve as Minister of Rites was an attitude of concealing one’s talents and biding one’s time.
Minister Wei took up her new post, and within a few days received an invitation. Qingming Academy students wanted to host a banquet at “Feast of Spring Tower” for their Superintendent.
Feng Zhiwei gladly accepted the invitation.
“Feast of Spring” was the Imperial Capital’s premier wine tower, divided into front and rear courtyards. The front courtyard was open to the public, while the rear courtyard was an exclusive high-class venue for imperial relatives, nobility, and high officials. The Qingming second-generation heirs naturally held their banquet in the rear courtyard.
Entering through a concealed side gate, she was immediately greeted by gurgling flowing water, with an arched bridge like the moon above it. Beside it, sparse willows swayed, interspersed with snow-white camellias and rose-red cyclamen. Someone played the zither in the high tower, the musical tones washing away worldly concerns.
Feng Zhiwei looked left and right with a smile. “Returning to this prosperous Imperial Capital from the wind and sand of the frontier, I suddenly feel like a country bumpkin.”
A student currently serving as Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites named Qian Yan had already led the students out from the arched gate, standing respectfully to the side. Hearing this, he smiled and said, “If Your Lordship is a country bumpkin, then we are all pedantic scholars.”
He also bowed to Young Master Gu who was holding Gu Zhixiao, his eyes glancing at Gu Zhixiao on his shoulder, wanting to ask but not daring. The Qingming students feared Gu Nanyi even more than Feng Zhiwei. Lord Gu’s whistle was publicly rated as the number one position in “Qingming’s Ten Most Terrifying Things.”
Gu Zhixiao looked down imperiously at the crowd below. Seeing others’ strange gazes, she immediately wrapped her arms around Young Master Gu’s neck and loudly declared, “Clothes Daddy!”
“Lord Gu is truly efficient,” Qian Yan, a smooth character, immediately followed up with, “Already has a daughter… may I ask how old the young miss is?”
Gu Zhixiao proudly held up two fingers, thought about it, then added another. She was always good at rounding up. Feng Zhiwei estimated that once she reached three, she would immediately count herself as four.
“Lord Gu has always been extraordinary. Indeed, after not seeing you for a year, your daughter is already three years old!” Qian Yan smoothly flattered.
“…” The Qingming students wiped away cold sweat.
Young Master Gu calmly replied, “Not bad.”
“…” Feng Zhiwei wiped away cold sweat.
Young Master Gu who had learned to exchange pleasantries had too much killing power…
She quickly changed the subject, taking the lead walking inside. “Your invitation came at the right time. In a few more days, it won’t be appropriate for me to come out and enjoy myself with you. Mm, the spring examinations are approaching.”
As soon as she said this, silence fell all around. The students following behind her exchanged glances, their eyes darting wildly.
“I suppose this session’s chief examiner will be none other than Your Lordship,” Qian Yan probed with a smile.
Feng Zhiwei smiled without answering, instead saying, “This rear courtyard of Feast of Spring is said to be extremely exclusive. How is it that people are coming and going like this, with business as bustling as a roadside tea stand?”
Only then did everyone notice that people were indeed coming and going through the garden incessantly, so much so that even the accompanying zither music in the distance could barely be heard clearly.
Qian Yan said in surprise, “Eh, when I came to reserve a spot, I didn’t hear that the rear courtyard was particularly busy today?”
Feng Zhiwei narrowed her eyes and looked around, smiling without speaking. She feared this rear courtyard had originally not been busy, but since this meal was scheduled for her arrival, it became busy.
With the spring examinations approaching, since she now held the position of minister, she would certainly be the chief examiner for this session. Throughout the court, high and low, which of the various power factions wouldn’t want to seize the opportunity to cultivate connections with her?
“We’ve reserved Snow Sound Pavilion. Your Lordship, please walk this way.” As Qian Yan led the way, he pointed to the elegant pavilions on both sides of the tower. “These are all exclusive private rooms for the various princes, dukes, marquises, and grand secretaries. This Oriole Song Pavilion belongs to the Second Prince. Spring Tide Pavilion belonged to the Fifth Prince earlier. Autumn Reed Pavilion is the Sixth Prince’s. It’s said it was originally called Autumn Boat, but His Highness said the pronunciation was too similar, so it was changed to this name.”
Feng Zhiwei turned her eyes, looking at the black-background gold-character nameplate of Autumn Reed Pavilion. Her gaze rested on the character for “reed” for a moment, then moved away.
Inside the pavilion, there was silence—different from all the others that were full of people. It seemed Ning Yi didn’t plan to join this commotion?
Along the way, people kept emerging from their own private rooms to greet her. Those she knew and those she didn’t all said they would come toast her later. Feng Zhiwei smiled until her face ached, thinking that official banquet wine was truly the hardest to drink.
Three tables were set in Snow Sound Pavilion. Feng Zhiwei, one large and two small, were naturally invited to the seats of honor. The dishes were exquisite and expensive, but unfortunately they encountered several people who didn’t know how to appreciate them—Feng Zhiwei had always been indifferent to the pleasures of food and drink, Young Master Gu never cared what he ate, and Gu Zhixiao was willing to gnaw on radishes as long as she sat in her father’s embrace while eating. This child was also special—born with extremely good adaptability. Whether in a humble dwelling or a grand hall, her attitude was the same, with an innate calmness within her arrogance.
During the banquet, they first discussed old times with laughter and merriment, then talked about the northern frontier battles with sighs. When mentioning Yao Yangyu, Huang Baozi, and Yu Liang, everyone showed envious expressions. The three were now all in the northern frontier army with illustrious military achievements and respective promotions. Everyone agreed that men should live like this.
Feng Zhiwei raised her cup with a smile. “Great men fighting on battlefields is certainly heroic spirit, and our maneuvering through official circles is also mentally taxing work—not to be considered worthless. We won’t speak of those who’ve already entered officialdom. With the spring examinations imminent for those about to take them, soon we’ll be colleagues in the same court. Come, this is worth raising a great toast.”
Everyone quickly raised their cups. Qian Yan smiled. “Brothers must work harder, learn from elder brother here—leap through the dragon gate. Serving under Your Lordship is truly the most satisfying thing in the world.”
Feng Zhiwei glanced at him and smiled. “Let’s not mention the spring examinations. After all, I must avoid suspicion. Drink, drink.”
With her saying this, everyone showed slightly disappointed expressions. Feng Zhiwei pretended not to see, drank several cups, then tapped her chopsticks on a dish plate. “Not seeing each other for a year, now gathering together—this is truly delightful. I still remember reviewing your papers back then. You had so many problems—Zu Linzheng.” She suddenly pointed her chopsticks at a student with a smile. “In the past, when you wrote the character for ‘caution,’ you always forgot to hook up the stroke. Every time I saw it, I’d say, without that tail, can it still be called caution?”
Zu Linzheng quickly stood up and smiled. “Yes, this student will certainly remember.”
The students below all breathed a sigh of relief—Feng Zhiwei kept saying she wouldn’t mention the spring examinations, wouldn’t reveal anything, but actually, everything that should be said had already been said.
Qian Yan quickly stood up to pour wine, smiling. “We students are all under Your Lordship’s tutelage. We certainly won’t bring shame to Your Lordship.”
Feng Zhiwei glanced at him, smiling without speaking, thinking his statement of position was still very timely.
The atmosphere at the table became lively, gradually turning into drinking contests. Students came up in succession to toast. After one cup came paired blessings, after paired blessings came three companions traveling together, after three came the four seasons complete… Feng Zhiwei drained every cup—she deliberately intended to get herself drunk. A drunk person had good excuses, such as not needing to toast the princes in their private rooms, such as playing dumb when others came to toast.
Just as she was drinking until her vision blurred, Gu Nanyi beside her suddenly reached out and pressed down on her hand. “Enough.”
Feng Zhiwei’s hand paused. She lowered her eyes to look at Young Master Gu’s hand pressing on the back of hers, then looked at those bright, disapproving eyes behind the veil. She smiled sheepishly, unable to explain her intentions, only quietly leaning close to him. “…Uh… Young Master… just get drunk once… just this once…”
After all, she had been drinking, and as the aftereffects rose, her body grew somewhat soft. Unconsciously leaning on Gu Nanyi’s shoulder, her breath was fragrant as orchids. In the faint body scent, the wine fragrance was rich, blending into a strangely alluring aroma that wafted over in waves.
Her voice was low, different from her usual calm composure, carrying some pleading and softness. Each trailing note slightly upturned, somehow conveying a soul-stirring meaning.
Gu Nanyi lowered his head slightly. The top of her head was just brushing his chin, her hair soft like a cloud brushing at the bottom of his heart. The voice entering his ears made his already somewhat wavering heart scatter even more.
He didn’t know if it was the scent overwhelming him, the words enchanting him, the hair teasing him, or simply the wine’s aftereffects too deadly. Gu Nanyi suddenly felt somewhat restless in his heart and couldn’t help raising his hand to support her shoulder.
He had originally just felt a bit flustered, wanting to help her sit up. Who knew Feng Zhiwei would suddenly have the wine surge up, about to vomit with a hiccup. Being extremely self-disciplined, she knew she couldn’t vomit in Young Master Gu’s embrace and quickly reached up to cover her mouth. But Gu Nanyi didn’t mind at all. He held her shoulder, not letting her leave, and reached out to gently stroke her back, channeling true energy to suppress the roiling wine vapor in her body.
The entire table quieted down, watching the Young Master Gu who seemed oblivious to others, watching their somewhat ambiguous posture. They exchanged glances, recalling a certain legend about cut sleeves that had been popular in the Imperial Capital some time ago.
“…Is little Wei here? Hehe, this old man has come to intrude…” Suddenly someone smiled while raising a cup and entering, talking to himself as he stepped through the door.
Behind this person were several others, pulling each other. One said, “Grand Secretary Hu, with your alcohol tolerance, you dare charge into young men’s drinking sessions? Better let this prince escort you.”
Another said, “Sixth Brother is so thoughtful, afraid old Hu will get us drunk and sell off his beautiful concubines. He rushed over, then wants to leave. Where are you going? Let’s all go beg for wine together.”
Several people pulled and tugged, heading straight over. Before everyone could react, the first person froze at the threshold.
The second, third, and fourth, blocked behind him, craned their necks to look inside, then collectively drew in sharp breaths with a “hiss.”
Inside the pavilion, in the seat of honor, Lord Wei was currently prostrate in the embrace of that famous wooden-headed guard of the Imperial Capital, looking tearful, while that Gu Nanyi was publicly embracing Wei Zhi’s shoulder, his hand gently and attentively stroking his back.
Cut sleeve!
Living cut sleeve!
A living cut sleeve publicly displaying the ways of cut sleeves!
A living cut sleeve publicly displaying the ways of cut sleeves—the currently most popular young minister in the Imperial Capital!
Grand Secretary Hu Shengshan, dried like a walnut, held his wine cup with his mouth agape, his eyeballs nearly falling into his own cup. He murmured, “No wonder when I first spotted him among so many Qingming students, he was sufficiently different from others.”
The Second Prince, who had only returned from the hundred thousand great mountains of Minnan in the middle of last year, tanned dark and shiny, his black face now also showing an oily green color, stared blankly. “I’ve only heard that cut sleeves are very discreet. I never imagined Lord Wei would be so flamboyant when cut.”
The Seventh Prince had one foot on the threshold and one foot retreating backward, instructing the literary companion who always followed him, “Quickly record the time and place. Tomorrow my ‘Miscellaneous Records of the Imperial Capital’ will have another good story.”
The round-faced, large-eyed Tenth Prince peeked his head in timidly. “Seventh Brother, when your miscellaneous records come out this month, remember to copy one for me.”
The Seventh Prince rewarded him with a knock on the head. “Little tender sprout who hasn’t even grown all his hair yet—what are you looking at!”
The group each expressed their thoughts, but only one person didn’t speak.
He held a cup, leaned against the door, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
The wine liquid in the cup was clear, reflecting his eyes with their vast, shimmering light. Those eyes drifted over the two embracing people, drifting very lightly, but landing with considerable force, like a blade half-hidden in its sheath.
Then he laughed softly. “Everyone said there would be a spectacle to watch. Indeed spectacular. The talented scholars of Qingming Academy have gathered quite completely today.”
With this statement, everyone’s attention immediately shifted from cut sleeves to the Qingming gathering itself. Several princes and high officials’ gazes swept over the faces of the students present, their smiles becoming increasingly meaningful.
“Indeed complete, indeed complete.” The Second Prince raised his cup, his smile looking rather cold no matter how one looked at it.
Presumably, those planning to participate in this year’s spring examinations were all here, not one missing.
“It truly is complete.” Feng Zhiwei had finally been soothed by Gu Nanyi’s suppression of the surging wine in her body. She raised her head from his shoulder, glanced from the corner of her eye, and stood up with a smile, raising her cup. “This official barely retrieved his life from the northern frontier and nearly never saw this prosperous Imperial Capital and peaceful realm again. After a year’s separation from colleagues and friends, His Majesty said to give this official a few days’ leave to properly catch up with old acquaintances. This official was just thinking of visiting the residences of Your Highnesses to pay respects. What a coincidence—today you’ve all gathered as well.”
The Second Prince stiffened, only then remembering that the Emperor of Tiansheng had indeed said to let Wei Zhi relax properly. Moreover, the spring examination chief examiner hadn’t been determined yet. As Qingming Academy’s Superintendent, gathering with students—who could say anything about that? On the contrary, these princes usually were all very busy, yet today they all so coincidentally gathered here, obviously revealing traces.
Looking to the side, Ning Yi, who had started the topic, surprisingly wasn’t speaking anymore, slowly sniffing his wine. In his heart, he resented this fellow’s cunning while also resenting his own quick tongue. He wanted to mock Ning Yi a few times, but he hadn’t originally been here today. It was Seventh Brother who had been compiling books recently, and Tenth Brother, who searched for good texts to send him, had today invited wine here. Mentioning that Ning Yi had a rare copy of Da Cheng’s “Immortal’s Pouch,” he repeatedly urged and dragged him over hoping to trick him out of the book. Ning Yi was dragged over and said he’d lent the book to old Hu, so they invited Hu Shengshan as well, thus gathering together. At this moment, saying anything would be inappropriate.
“Lord Wei, that’s an after-the-fact excuse.” The Seventh Prince, an elegant prince and most smooth in all directions, seeing Second Brother frozen there, immediately laughed heartily to smooth things over. “We’ve been here for ages, yet we haven’t seen you come toast us. We had to run over ourselves, and you still have the nerve to say this? Penalty wine! Penalty wine!”
With that, he pulled Feng Zhiwei over, ordering someone to bring large cups—first penalize three cups properly.
The cup brought over was as large as a washbasin. Feng Zhiwei stared dumbfounded, supporting her forehead and murmuring, “Forget it, don’t penalize me. I’ll just jump in myself and drown.”
Everyone laughed heartily. By now, the group had entered the hall and seats were rearranged. The newly arrived distinguished guests naturally sat at the same table as Feng Zhiwei. Qian Yan and the others who had originally accompanied at the head table knew they weren’t qualified to sit with these princes and academicians, and very consciously moved to the lower seats, exchanging worried glances.
Today’s arrivals had ill intentions. Lord Wei was alone and already drunk—how should he handle this?
According to Tiansheng rules, someone like Hu Shengshan who had served as an imperial tutor was most revered and should properly take the head seat. Next should be Prince Chu Ning Yi, currently the prince with the heaviest enfeoffment and highest rank. But truly ranking by official grade, in this room full of nobility and gentry, even Feng Zhiwei didn’t know where she’d be squeezed.
Feng Zhiwei smiled as she pushed old Hu to the head seat, but properly bowed to Ning Yi, gesturing with her hand. “Your Highness, please take the seat of honor. Please, please.”
Ning Yi declined with a smile. “Today you are the host. You please, you please.”
The two kept being courteous endlessly. Seeing that if they continued being courteous, they wouldn’t even be able to eat, dried-walnut old Hu’s eyes rolled and he smiled. “By propriety, Prince Chu should sit in the second seat. But in our dynasty’s rules, the virtuous are also honored guests. Marquis Wei is precisely a great sage of our dynasty. This second seat—I think it would be best if His Highness and Marquis Wei shared it.”
Everyone agreed. The Second Prince smiled. “Sixth Brother can get closer to Lord Wei this way.”