Having said her piece, Chu Linlang turned and led Guanqi and the others out.

The steward of the Qi Family estate stood there glaring furiously at the dry stone-paved ground.

Was this any way to send a gift? The mop was theirs, the water was theirs — she had done nothing more than scrawl an utterly hideous character. After being so thoroughly tight-fisted, she had the audacity to claim that the Qi Family’s earth deity had received a great gift on their behalf. It was enough to make a person seethe with rage!

Chu Linlang had no patience to placate the Qi Family’s steward. Her mind was already elsewhere: if she returned early enough, she might still make it to the painting and calligraphy shop in time. Once there, she could say a few soft, coaxing words to the shopkeeper — perhaps she could still get a full refund on that expensive inkstone.

Her employer lived simply, using inkstones that cost no more than ten copper coins apiece — he had no use for such extravagances. Getting that money back would cover several months of the household’s expenses. If a refund was out of the question, she would at least see about exchanging it for ordinary writing supplies.

Chief Steward Chu’s mind was occupied entirely with financial calculations, and she walked with a lively, skirt-swirling briskness.

But just then, an aged voice called out from the side gate: “Young woman — stop right there!”

Chu Linlang turned at the sound and saw an elderly man with silver hair and a white beard standing beneath a moon-gate archway, surrounded by a cluster of attendants.

The steward who had just been chasing them out broke into a trot to reach the old man’s side, lowering his voice: “Director Qi, sir — what brings you to the outer courtyard?”

The old man raised his long eyebrows and spoke in a clear, carrying voice: “If I hadn’t come out myself, how would I have known my household has an earth deity who accepts gifts on my behalf?”

So this was the man himself — the Directorate of Education’s Director of Studies, three-dynasty elder statesman Qi Zhuang.

Director Qi had been taking a shortcut through to the front courtyard when he passed through this outer yard. Hearing the laughter from within, he had paused — and happened to catch the part about “the deity receiving gifts.”

He had decided to come in and see what sort of woman had the nerve to mock him with such words.

When Chu Linlang turned around, he discovered that this sharp-tongued young woman was actually a strikingly beautiful creature, rare to come across. What a pity — with looks like that, how had she ended up with a tongue sharp as steel needles?

Chu Linlang had originally thought that since Minister Situ had told her that the gift merely needed to be delivered, she had fulfilled her duty. Even though she had been publicly driven off before she could properly present her gift, she had at least sent something to give an account of herself — preserving Minister Situ’s face and making a reasonably dignified exit.

She had not expected that just as she was about to make her escape, Director Qi himself would emerge and call her back.

She silently cursed her luck, then smiled and returned the greeting, wondering what this Director Qi was about to say to embarrass her further.

In any case, Guanqi had told her — keep a thick skin, hold steady, and whatever you do, don’t let yourself be provoked to tears.

To her surprise, Director Qi merely stroked his beard and looked her up and down, then asked: “Those words just now — did Situ Sheng put you up to them?”

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Now that she was facing the man himself, Chu Linlang did not dare go on spouting nonsense. She replied respectfully: “The gift Minister Situ had prepared was a fine quality inkstone. But when your household’s steward drove us away just now, I felt I couldn’t send anything else, so I presumed to write out a character instead — that was my impertinence and impropriety, and it has nothing to do with my employer. I beg the Director’s forgiveness.”

Director Qi gave a cold snort, then clasped his hands behind his back and said: “Since the earth deity of my household has accepted a gift, it would be poor etiquette on my part not to invite the Junior Minister over for a cup of wine. Go back and tell your employer — if he is sincere in his birthday wishes, he should come in person. Sending a sharp-mouthed, reckless young woman — what sort of thing is that? “

Having said this, he waved over his own household steward and coldly rebuked him: “I told you that because Minister Situ oversees legal affairs and places the greatest importance on integrity, it would be inappropriate to accept heavy gifts from him — when did I tell you to drive away guests? Go and check the gift register again. Regardless of who sent what, all lavish items are to be returned without exception! What great birthday celebration — I’m just an old thing still lingering around to vex Heaven. A mob crowding the gates with gifts — what a spectacle!”

Having said all this, the old lingerer turned on his heel and strode away.

The steward was left standing there dumbfounded and had no choice but to carry out the Director’s orders, beginning to call out names from the register and return items one by one. The courtyard descended into chaos once more, and those who had been watching the spectacle no longer had any interest in the earlier drama.

As for the troublemaking matron and maidservant who had been trying to push their way forward to cause more mischief — the matron was too stout, and as the crowd surged around her to return gifts, she stumbled and toppled sideways into a flower bed. She had twisted her ankle and was crying out in pain, too occupied with her own misery to make any further trouble.

Chu Linlang had no gifts to return, and after hearing Director Qi’s words, she swiftly led Dongxue and Guanqi away, making a neat and tidy exit.

As for Director Qi, after he walked toward the front courtyard, the trusted advisor at his side was somewhat puzzled and quietly asked: “My lord, I seem to recall that you did indeed instruct the steward that if the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review came calling, he was not to be allowed in.”

Old Director Qi gave a cold snort: “My refusal to associate with him has nothing to do with his strict enforcement of the law. It is simply that this young fellow is insufferably arrogant! Not long ago, there was debate at court about opening border markets — anyone with eyes could see it was throwing open the doors to wolves and tigers, yet the Crown Prince had been misled and was pressing ahead regardless. The entire court opposed it. When I went to the palace to discuss the matter with His Majesty, he was also present. This young man had the nerve to deliver a whole string of grand arguments in favor of opening trade, currying favor with the Crown Prince and rendering me momentarily speechless — it was absolutely infuriating! Yet just now, as you saw, he sent a sharp-tongued woman to deliver a character meaning ‘law’ — as if I were one of those stuffy pedants who resented him for his strict enforcement. The audacity — every man and woman in that Junior Minister’s household is utterly audacious! He has been scheming to manipulate me, so of course I am going to make that young man come in person so I can give him a good scolding to his face!”

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Old Director Qi was a man of elevated, solitary character who had always disdained the affectations of pedantic scholars.

Situ Sheng was truly formidable — flawless in his calculations, sending a woman to perform this little scene, aimed precisely at poking the Director’s sore spot!

As for Chu Linlang, she had never imagined that her rambling improvisation would actually prompt Director Qi to reverse himself on the spot and extend an invitation to Situ Sheng to come for a banquet and drink wine.

Whatever the case, appearing at the private banquet of the Directorate’s Director of Studies was no small matter.

At the very least, for Situ Sheng — a harsh official not accepted by the court’s hundred officials — the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.

So Chu Linlang set aside any thought of returning the inkstone, took the carriage back to the residence, peered through the study window to call for her employer, and had Xia He hurry to find Situ Sheng clothes to put on.

For a time, Chief Steward Chu fluttered about like a busy butterfly, helping Situ Sheng fasten his hair crown and tidy his collar while recounting in detail her adventures at the Director’s estate.

By the end, Situ Sheng had already guessed the reason why that stubborn old man had changed his mind, and merely said: “You really do know how to create complications for me. I have never enjoyed social engagements, and even less do I enjoy crowded gatherings!”

Chu Linlang nimbly helped Situ Sheng adjust his lapels and belt, her mouth saying what she did not entirely mean: “Yes, yes, of course — my employer is the most loftily principled of men. Like a solitary pine at the mountaintop — looking at it, one finds it rather distinctive… and likeable.”

Situ Sheng was perfectly capable of hearing the hidden barb — that she was implying he was a solitary official with no social graces and no connections — and could not help but lift his fine eyes to glare at Chu Linlang.

Chu Linlang pretended not to notice, surveying with satisfaction the well-put-together appearance she had assembled. Tsk, tsk, tsk — with a lean, tall, and imposing frame like that, anything he wore carried a certain charm.

She had only made him the most ordinary white robe, yet this man had managed to wear it with the air of someone transcending the mortal world in solitary elegance.

Dressed this enchantingly, it was guaranteed to make anyone who laid eyes on him forget how much blood had passed through those hands of his!

With that thought, she added a plain, elegant jade ring to his waist sash, saying: “This time it was I who indulged my tongue and caused trouble for my employer. But he is, after all, the Director of the Directorate of Education — now that he has extended an invitation, how could one not go? From what I could see, he is quite advanced in years and probably cannot hold up against a few cups of wine. Since my employer dislikes social engagements, there is no need to rush — go at your leisure, show your face once the banquet is underway, drink a few cups, say a few auspicious words, and you may leave.”

Situ Sheng listened quietly, then suddenly asked: “Before… was this how you used to guide your husband in matters of social conduct?”

Chu Linlang was startled by the question. The smile on her face gradually faded, and she fell silent, staring at Situ Sheng’s face.

That was right — how had she forgotten again? She was no longer an official’s wife.

And Situ Sheng was not Zhou Sui’an. How could she presume to instruct the Junior Minister in the ways of human relations as though he were a child?

With that thought, she pressed her lips together, took a respectful two steps back, and curtseyed: “I have overstepped my bounds. Please punish me as you see fit, my lord.”

Watching the smile disappear from her face, Situ Sheng’s hand moved instinctively to help her rise, but ultimately he held himself back.

His question just now had not been intended as mockery of Madam Chu. It was simply that watching her bustle around him like a little hen searching for food, her eyes full of excitement and delight, he had been thinking that she must have been this way with Zhou Sui’an once — and the words had slipped out unbidden.

What Situ Sheng had actually wanted this woman to understand was that she need not trouble herself winning connections and building relationships on his behalf, because… he might disappoint her even more than Zhou Sui’an had.

After all, Zhou Sui’an — for all his arrogance and foolishness — had been single-minded in his pursuit of official advancement, motivated entirely by the desire for promotion and noble rank.

Unlike himself, who in whatever he did was always bound by constraints and competing interests — his intentions were never pure…

These words rolled around in his throat and were ultimately left unsaid. His mood, like the smile that had vanished from her face, sank steadily downward and grew heavy.

That Madam Chu had gone along with Guanqi today had been quite beyond his expectations, and he had been even more unprepared for what had followed — her being cornered and pushed around in public, nearly becoming the laughingstock of the entire city. The mere thought of such a scene made him uneasy.

No wonder people said one should establish a family before building a career — when a man had someone to concern himself with at home, it spurred him forward all the more.

Though Chu Linlang was not his wife, she was a member of his household.

He had always been indifferent to his official reputation, yet now he found himself thinking — it would not require much effort — whether he ought to consider polishing his notoriously harsh official image, just a little.

At the very least, it would mean the people of his household would not have to go out and face having rotten eggs thrown at them.

With that thought, he said nothing more, turned, and walked out.

Chu Linlang stood at the gate, watching Situ Sheng stride away with Guanqi, and let out a small sigh.

She turned her gaze toward the clear sky overhead, wondering: should she have dinner ready for the evening? If Director Qi drove Minister Situ away halfway, he would probably come back on an empty stomach, wouldn’t he?

That evening, Situ Sheng did not return until quite late. When Chu Linlang opened the door for him, she could smell wine on him — he had clearly drunk a fair amount.

According to Guanqi, that old man could out-drink even their employer and could not be made drunk no matter how much was poured.

As it turned out, after the banquet, Situ Sheng and Old Director Qi had spent another half day drinking and conversing in the study. The Director had been said to be still unsatisfied when it was time to leave, and had grabbed Situ Sheng’s sleeve at the end, insisting he come again another day — he refused to believe he could not out-argue a young upstart like him!

From that day forward, Situ Sheng seemed less inclined to refuse social invitations wholesale.

His engagements increased somewhat — the mountain pine that had once stood cold and remote in solitary heights seemed now to have taken on a hint of human warmth, as if it had come to life and wished to come down from the mountain to see the world.

Not only were dinner invitations more frequent, but the household occasionally hosted guests for meals and drinks as well.

One day, a visitor arrived in high spirits to share drinks with Situ Sheng — none other than General Li Chengyi.

The incident involving the Jing Kingdom’s envoy being stabbed had caused quite a stir, and the envoy was still recuperating from his injuries and had not yet departed.

His Majesty had assigned General Li Chengyi to lead a security detail, which required occasional coordination with the Court of Judicial Review.

But the Li Family had spent half a lifetime fighting wars against the Jing Kingdom — having him now protect the safety of the Jing Kingdom’s envoy was deeply ironic!

Naturally, the origin of all this could be traced back to Chu Linlang writing that character for “law” at Director Qi’s estate.

From a servant’s perspective, this sort of employer was easy to serve — no wonder he had raised that page boy Guanqi to be so comfortably idle. Yet this made Chu Linlang feel somewhat embarrassed, thinking it too unconscionable to receive her monthly wage without contributing anything, and so she put even more care into the daily meals.

General Li’s eyelid twitched, and he no longer dared to appear nonchalant. He solemnly noted down Situ Sheng’s security proposal and instructed his own attendants to bring the security diagram to the duty officers to make adjustments.

Situ Sheng was no longer teaching the Sixth Prince, but had established a private school within his own residence, formally and properly instructing his newly hired housekeeper.

But when Situ Sheng picked up her account book and looked at it, his brow furrowed and his breathing momentarily stilled — as though he had just discovered some earth-shattering embezzlement case.

Since the employer had shown such good faith, refusing outright would be rather unseemly.

How had he never noticed when they were young that this brat had grown into such a handsome and appealing face? If he had been this dashingly good-looking back then, her swinging fists would probably have gone a little easier on him!

And so His Majesty extended his grace — with a single imperial edict, Noble Consort Jing was moved out of the cold palace and restored to her former consort’s rank, though His Majesty’s favor toward her now surpassed even what it had been before.

And yet, Situ Sheng was sprawled half-reclining in the rattan chair, both eyes closed, deep in sleep.

Situ Sheng gave her a sidelong glance, then picked up his brush and began circling — on that single page of accounts, he circled no fewer than seven or eight incorrect characters.

Chu Linlang had thought that once Situ Sheng saw she was a hopeless case, he would lose interest and stop wasting her time from embroidering.

He could see that General Li was somewhat inattentive, and so said with pointed significance: “This is the capital city, not a battlefield. There is a saying: in dealings between nations, the envoy must not be harmed. His Majesty is eager to eliminate abuses and introduce reforms, and does not wish to provoke trouble at the border. General Li — if you cannot handle this assignment properly, I am afraid it may bring calamity upon your entire family.”

Because of this medicinal packet, His Majesty had leaned on his walking staff and personally made another trip to the cold palace — only to find the once magnificently gracious Noble Consort Jing dressed in coarse clothing with her hair unadorned, wielding a medicinal hoe in a makeshift warming shed, weeding around medicinal herbs.

In the early days, she had been lazy about cooking and would sometimes throw together a few simple pickled dishes with porridge. He had eaten without a word, never sulking over the simplicity of the meal.

When their four eyes met, even though the once celebrated beauty’s glory had faded, the sight was enough to move an old man to tears of tender pity…

After returning from that visit, Situ Sheng had begun to find fault, asking her to bring out the household account books for his review.

She was in charge of Situ Sheng’s finances, so naturally she had to keep the records herself.

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Yet Situ Sheng insisted that the household steward was a reflection of his own standing — how could he stand by and watch Chief Steward Chu, brilliant as she was, have such a glaring weakness?

Though the imperial physicians had written prescriptions, none had proven effective.

His Majesty’s sleep was troubled as well, and the Fourth Prince had volunteered to keep watch at his ailing father’s bedside. Seizing the moment when his father had fallen asleep, he had secretly placed a medicinal packet on the Emperor’s leg.

From then on, whenever Situ Sheng had spare time, he would summon the steward into the study for lessons in reading and calligraphy, filling in the gaps in her education.

The Fourth Prince choked with emotion as he replied, begging his father to forgive him. It was his mother in the cold palace who missed His Majesty and had been growing herbs such as myrrh and Manchurian wildginger there. She had personally cultivated and prepared a medicinal packet and asked him to bring it to His Majesty, saying this remedy had always served His Majesty well, and that although she could not see His Majesty, she still could not stop worrying about his health.

Yet having come to work at his household, she had discovered that this man’s life was remarkably austere.

After hearing what the Fourth Prince had said, His Majesty recalled the chronic ailment he had developed while supervising military campaigns as Crown Prince. Back then, Noble Consort Jing had been a concubine in the Crown Prince’s residence, applying medicine to his leg every night and going without sleep entire nights through.

In ordinary life, beyond reading books, practicing calligraphy, exercising, and carving clay figures, he was simply not a man given to pleasure and indulgence.

On this point, Li Chengyi was genuinely worried on Situ Sheng’s behalf.

In truth, during the first two years of her marriage into the Zhou household, when Zhou Sui’an was in good spirits, he too had occasionally been willing to teach her poetry and literature.

In the beginning, when Prince Tai, the Fourth Prince, and Noble Consort Jing had all fallen together and the hearth had gone cold, Situ Sheng had played a role in that.

If the Fourth Prince had any sense, he would not be in too great a hurry to be rid of Situ Sheng, this capable workhorse.

Just as she was staring absently at the pages of her book, she heard the sound of Situ Sheng sending General Li off, and then Situ Sheng’s voice calling out: “Madam Chu! Time to practice calligraphy!”

Hearing this, Chu Linlang’s expression faltered slightly — she had forgotten one more thing: in addition to enjoying the jostling of power and influence, Master Situ was extremely fond of playing the teacher!

At the moment the blanket was draped over him, Situ Sheng seemed startled, his entire body jerking upright with a leap, his eyes flashing with a chilling, dangerous light.

Now that Noble Consort Jing had regained imperial favor, the Fourth Prince’s gate had become lively with visitors once more. Even the Crown Prince, who had considered himself supreme and unchallenged, was now in a state of constant dread and anxiety. How could Situ Sheng’s days possibly be easy?

Chu Linlang, feeling quite convinced of her own frugality, was a little aggrieved, and asked where the fault lay.

Inexplicably, every time he looked at Situ Sheng, he felt that the man’s bearing bore an uncanny resemblance to someone — not in the features of his face, but in his manner and some indefinable subtle quality that kept prompting associations.

As he was thinking this, the picture book in his hands had just turned to the scene of Zhuge Liang atop the high city gates performing the Empty Fortress Stratagem.

As for the person he was thinking of — in two more months, it would be his death anniversary… Li Chengyi felt a wave of emotion and quietly drank down another cup.

She had previously thought Situ Sheng was an official-obsessed man, single-mindedly climbing the ladder of advancement — surely someone driven by ambition and swelling private desires.

But Situ Sheng only responded to Li Chengyi’s words with cool detachment: “I was doing nothing more than following His Majesty’s instructions. Having had no selfish motives from the start, why should I fear associations or entanglements?”

This was the vigilance of a beast living in the wilderness — capable of waking in an instant even from deep sleep.

When she finished writing, she raised her head with excitement, wanting to show Situ Sheng across the table.

Tsk, tsk — this man really did know how to carry himself! That high, straight nose bridge, those long curved eyelashes that would shame even a young woman.

He was a military man and had always been impatient with the fussiness of civil officials, yet he had taken an instant liking to Situ Sheng. Presumably it was Situ Sheng’s unshakeable calm — like a man who would remain composed even with a storm bearing down on him — that had won his admiration.

And now, with him sleeping like a flowering begonia in spring slumber, she could look her fill without restraint.

After all, the idea of “making use of one’s influence within the palace” had originally been the clear path that Situ Sheng himself had pointed out to the Fourth Prince.

But Director Qi had also landed a jab at the Junior Minister: “With a talent like yours, the female steward you’ve hired to your household — how is it that she is sharp of tongue and tooth, yet writes characters that crawl about like earthworms?”

Things had worked out this way — she had not had the nerve to act like a mischievous child, and in going back and forth, she had actually developed a taste for the pleasure of learning.

Unfortunately, upon hearing the deliberately foolish thing she had said, Situ Sheng remained utterly unruffled, continuing to explain things to her with great patience.

But the study was so cold, with only a small basin of charcoal to heat it, and he was not dressed warmly — sleeping like this, he was going to catch a chill.

This part, Chu Linlang only heard about afterwards. It was plain to see that the old man harbored a strong grudge — he had gone so far as to make such provocative remarks in front of her employer!

That the Director of Studies Qi, who presided over the nation’s great examinations, could speak in such terms made the praise contained in his words all the weightier — those who heard it could not help but take notice!

As for the cultivation of official connections, he operated on the principle of using only as much as was needed and no more.

Chief Steward Chu’s cheeks colored a rosy pink, and she laughed awkwardly, saying that while she could read, her writing had grown a bit rusty. Next time she had accounts to report, she would hire a scribe from the street and would certainly not pollute her employer’s eyes again.

The most talked-about news in the capital these days was that the mother of the Fourth Prince — Noble Consort Jing of the cold palace — had moved back to her Jingrenresidence.

She had never seen him sleep during the day before. Could it be that he had eaten a good meal just now and drowsiness had overtaken him?

Chu Linlang, having grown tired from practicing calligraphy, stretched her neck and took the opportunity to admire her employer’s handsome sleeping face.

Chu Linlang looked at him and thought — if her employer were to add a beard and hold a feather fan, he would truly have the air of Master Zhuge Liang scheming to govern the realm!

This noble consort had been a woman of extraordinary beauty in her younger years, but she was now middle-aged and past her prime. By rights, with new favorites constantly vying for imperial attention, how could the Emperor have remembered an old flame languishing in the cold palace?

Having been in the household this long, Chu Linlang knew that Situ Sheng suffered from light sleep and would sometimes go several nights running without rest when busy.

Chu Linlang glanced around, first moving the charcoal basin closer to the rattan chair, then taking the blanket from the study’s sleeping couch and gently draping it over Situ Sheng’s body.

As to what Situ Sheng was scheming for — unlike Zhuge Liang, who pledged himself to a worthy sovereign and gave his all until death — Chu Linlang could not see clearly for the moment.

Could it be that he cared nothing for pleasure or reputation, but craved the thrill of power and political maneuvering?

Previously, Master Situ had also taught her some characters and guided her in copying calligraphy models, but he had largely let her manage on her own and had not been overly strict in pushing her to improve.

Yet it happened that these recent days had brought cold weather, and His Majesty’s old ailment — a chill in his legs — had flared up again.

It was said that on the day in question, Director Qi had pulled the Junior Minister aside to drink, and the two of them had argued back and forth over everything from poetry and literature to affairs of state.

And so Chu Linlang could only steel herself and press forward, completing the lessons assigned by Master Situ.

While they drank and talked, Chu Linlang had nothing to do, so she went back to her own room, lay on her bed, and flipped through the picture book Situ Sheng had given her.

Yet his unobtrusive movement among the various princes, betraying no hint of his inner workings, was decidedly not the behavior of a man content with simple desires.

Li Chengyi felt oppressed in his heart, and his mind was not quite on his duties.

Situ Sheng glanced at the security diagram he had submitted and, with a casual point, identified the flaw in it.

She knew Situ Sheng was handsome, but given the proprieties between men and women, she had always only managed a quick glance here and there — she could never look at him directly.

Chu Linlang was not overly concerned about her employer being brought to account by the Fourth Prince.

What followed between Li Chengyi and Situ Sheng was idle talk of recent events.

But she had no gift for things like poetry and literature. She would invariably say something foolish that completely killed Zhou Sui’an’s refined mood, and over time, he had grown too lazy to bother cultivating his wife’s appreciation.

His Majesty had not fallen asleep, and immediately asked what he was furtively sneaking in to place there.

The walls of the room were thin, so fragments of their conversation drifted in and fell upon her ears.

Today Situ Sheng had her copy “Dragon Pattern Whip Shadow,” a children’s primer for enlightening young minds — four characters to a line, quick to write. Because her teacher taught well, Chu Linlang’s writing had taken on something resembling proper form lately.

The Director had previously never had a deep conversation with this Junior Minister, but after several rounds of drinking, the old man had at one point said: “With your talent, you should by rights possess the caliber of a top scholar — why then did you place only as the third-ranked scholar in the examinations?”

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