Tao Yashu was not simply offering flattery — Chu Linlang had indeed been radiating a particular glow lately, a light shining outward from her very eyes.

After her time coming and going at the women’s academy, Linlang had already mastered the art of dressing and coordinating her appearance, no longer wearing the bold reds and purples of before. Add to that the ever-deepening sweetness between her and Situ Sheng, and of course she would exude an elegance and happiness that showed from within and without.

Yet compared to Linlang, Miss Tao Yashu — who lived within the palace, where she should have been competing in full bloom among other flowers — looked rather plain and subdued.

Whether it was Miss Tao’s hairstyle or her makeup, everything appeared old-fashioned and dull, utterly lacking the vitality of a young girl.

Chu Linlang had been inside the palace before and had seen how the other female officials there dressed themselves up brilliantly, no less splendid than the consorts themselves.

Moreover, Tao Yashu was favored by the Empress Dowager — even if she was required to wear the standard female official’s dress, she could still put effort into her jewelry and cosmetics.

When Linlang asked about it, Yashu only smiled faintly: “I have no wish to attract people through my appearance, and no desire to seek favor. Why dress so conspicuously?”

Tao Yashu now had only one thought: to serve the Empress Dowager well and to keep herself away from His Majesty’s presence.

As long as she was not bestowed the title of consort, after a few more years, when she was older, she could leave the palace and return home. The only problem was that this arrangement would somewhat delay her marriage prospects.

Upon hearing this, Linlang understood Yashu’s thinking. Yet in her view, Tao Yashu’s wishes were likely to come to nothing.

The Tao Family was eager to consolidate their imperial favor, and the Crown Prince’s faction also had no wish to see another Quiet Consort emerge to obstruct their path.

As for His Majesty, he currently needed to stabilize the court and pacify the Crown Prince and the older ministers. Particularly because he had misunderstood the late Empress on account of Lady Fang for so long — now that the late Empress had been vindicated, the Emperor felt some guilt in his heart and naturally wanted to show the Tao Family further consideration.

As for how to show that consideration, having Tao Yashu “receive favor” was the most convenient method.

The Tao Family would gain glory, and the Crown Prince’s backing would become even more secure.

His Majesty had rarely bestowed favor upon his consorts these past few years, and no consort had given birth to an imperial heir. Therefore, Tao Yashu — destined to bear no children — was inevitably a mere ornamental figure. The Crown Prince, as heir apparent, need not worry that his cousin would stir up trouble for the sake of her own children.

In this way, having Miss Tao as Empress would truly satisfy everyone. It was only a pity that no one had thought to ask Tao Yashu’s own opinion.

Linlang could not help but sigh inwardly for her young friend and simply changed the subject to talk of other matters.

Tao Yashu had come today not only to visit her former classmate and pick up a few things, but in truth she had come bearing good news.

It turned out that ever since the Empress Dowager had spoken out that previous time, Chu Linlang’s reputation had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Tao Yashu had been present that day and had naturally been quietly anxious. Later, when she heard that Chu Niangzi had actually left the women’s academy, she had been even more worried.

Once a woman’s reputation became tainted, it was the hardest thing to wash clean. Fortunately Linlang was not a woman from a prominent family — otherwise, who knew whether she might become the next Yixiu Junzhu?

But then, just yesterday, something had changed within the palace.

To explain the full circumstances, one must go back to when the libationer Qi Gong organized a poetry society tea gathering at his residence, drawing a gathering of noble ladies and distinguished guests.

Everyone drank tea and composed poetry in great delight. It had all been harmonious and peaceful enough — after chatting about poetry and literature for a time, someone turned the conversation toward the marriage prospects of the younger generation.

As the talk continued, it turned to the eligible talented young men in the capital who had not yet taken wives, and foremost among them, naturally, was Situ Sheng, the Vice Minister of Finance whom the Yun Family had once set their sights on.

When the Jing Kingdom’s envoys had entered the capital this time, those admitted into the Imperial Study for consultations were all officials of the first rank and above — yet Situ Sheng, a mere fourth-rank official, had joined those pillars of the court in the Imperial Study for deliberations as well.

His Majesty clearly relied on him greatly, and by the look of things, once the Finance Minister retired to his hometown before too long, Situ Sheng would rise even further.

A talent who advanced through his own abilities — in any dynasty, in any era, such a man would be seen as the most coveted son-in-law material.

Originally, Situ Sheng had been chosen by the Yun Family, intended to be matched with Yixiu Junzhu. With the Quiet Consort looming over everything, everyone had naturally not dared to set their sights on him.

But now the entire Yun Family faction had come crashing down. The Quiet Consort — her face beaten and most of her teeth knocked out — clearly could never make a comeback.

As for the Yun Family, word was that just recently, due to reforms to the land allocation system, some cases had surfaced involving the corrupt seizure of commoners’ farmland. It had not originally been a major affair — returning the land and compensating with silver would have settled it.

Yet His Majesty had flown into a thunderous rage, denouncing the entire Yun household as corrupt and morally rotten, and had actually stripped the Yun Family patriarch of his position, then sent the entire family into exile with their assets confiscated.

As for the Fourth Prince, dispatched to a barren wasteland under the pretext of being granted a princely fief, he had departed the capital in disgrace and would likely never return for the rest of his life.

And so, Lord Situ — this prime and succulent piece of meat — had landed back on the table once more, and it was simply a matter of whose chopsticks were swift and strong enough to claim this golden catch.

Though Situ Sheng himself was rather severe, and his reputation as a harsh official was somewhat off-putting, his ability had been acknowledged by the court ministers. Such a young official had a future without limit.

The one thing the ladies still hesitated over was the rumor from recent days about him and Lord Liao of the Ministry of Works being rival suitors.

If he was this flirtatious before even taking a wife, who would feel comfortable marrying their daughter off to him?

Xie Youran was accompanying her mother and upon hearing this, let out a light scoff: “Though they say flies don’t land on uncracked eggs, this Chu woman’s conduct is thoroughly indecent — even the Empress Dowager has reprimanded her. Did the Ronlin Women’s Academy not also order her to withdraw from her studies? I expect that any man who hears her name would only want to flee as far as possible. Who would dare associate with someone like her?”

The moment she said this, the Sixth Prince’s consort sitting diagonally across from her shot her younger sister a fierce glare.

Did she not know her own position? As the current daughter-in-law of the Zhou Family, how could she speak disparagingly about the Zhou Family’s former wife?

Their mother was also absurdly foolish — taking pity on her second younger sister, whose relationship with her mother-in-law Zhao Shi was at odds and whose household was in such turmoil she could barely remain there, she had been bringing her to all manner of tea gatherings day after day, stirring up no end of trouble.

Yet Xie Youran’s words immediately opened the floodgates for everyone present.

This sort of business — standing in a high place, watching others in disgrace, and kicking them while they were down — had always been an irresistible pastime.

Moreover, for a common woman like Chu Shi — who had somehow stumbled through dog-dung luck into the upper-class mansions for so long — there was no need to hold back when gossiping about her.

At that moment, someone else joined in with smug hindsight, saying that one look at that Chu woman told you she was coquettish and seductive, and she had probably seduced her way into the young master’s circle while managing affairs in the Vice Minister’s household. Given Lord Situ’s discernment, he would surely never regard such a low and base woman too highly. The rumor must have arisen from some misunderstanding.

Yet the fact that she had dared to seduce her own teacher at the academy was truly shocking and scandalous.

It was fortunate that the Empress Dowager had seen clearly and reprimanded that woman. Otherwise, parading around with the title of Lady of Good Fortune and constantly appearing before His Majesty would be polluting the imperial ears — how dreadful that would be.

Madam Hua, as Chu Linlang’s former female teacher, was not particularly fond of this sort of topic and had tried several times to steer the conversation away, but each time she was pulled back by Xie Shi, who kept adding fuel to the fire.

Xie Youran was absolutely delighted. It had been a long time since she had come across a topic so satisfying and so gratifying to her indignation — how could she be content to say just a few words and let it pass?

Unable to stop them for the moment, Madam Hua could only sit to one side and pretend not to hear, enduring until they had finished talking.

This had all been nothing more than women’s idle gossip. But at this very juncture, Madam Hua suddenly noticed that her father-in-law had appeared, at some unknown moment, standing at the entrance of the courtyard with furrowed brows, his face as dark as if ten thousand celestial soldiers had gathered upon it.

No wonder the libationer Qi Gong looked so grim. When he had officiated the betrothal ceremony, he had heard Situ Sheng mention it briefly and casually — yet he had not known that Chu Linlang had, as a result, been reprimanded by the Empress Dowager and forced to withdraw from the academy.

It was not until today, passing by the back garden by chance and hearing the ladies’ words, that he finally understood how truly sordid the so-called “casual rumor” Situ Sheng had mentioned that day actually was.

No wonder Situ Sheng had rushed to formalize a betrothal during his mourning period — he wanted to give Chu Shi a protective guarantee.

And on that day, Situ Sheng had also been sparing his face, this old man’s face, and had not spoken in too much detail.

It was only today, having inadvertently overheard the full scene at the poetry society presided over by his daughter-in-law, that he truly and painfully understood what it meant to say that rumors could kill.

That Chu Shi had actually been reprimanded by the Empress Dowager and been forced to withdraw from the academy? And all of this had happened right under his daughter-in-law Madam Hua’s eyes.

From the sound of what they were saying, on the day the Empress Dowager had spoken out, Madam Hua had not offered a single word of explanation on Chu Shi’s behalf — she had apparently tacitly agreed that Chu Shi’s conduct was improper, and had permitted Chu Shi to withdraw from the academy under such circumstances, thereby solidifying the rumor.

The old man felt as if someone had suddenly torn open the top of his skull, and in an instant everything became clear to him — the other party had not been seeking a witness for the betrothal ceremony at all. They had been vindicating themselves in his presence.

Situ Sheng had made things plain enough: he and Chu Niangzi did indeed have a romantic attachment, yet it was a mutual affection between a man and a woman, and both could solemnly commit to a marriage promise. One was an orphan with no parents, and the other was a remarrying widow who needed no one’s consent — naturally they could arrange their own betrothal.

As for Teacher Liao, he and Chu Niangzi were entirely innocent of the sordid things spoken of in those rumors.

This rumor had actually originated within the women’s academy his own son had established — a rumor that so thoroughly besmirched the reputations of all three individuals, and had even reached the ears of the Empress Dowager. His own good daughter-in-law had failed to distinguish right from wrong, had sat by while Chu Niangzi was driven to withdraw from the academy, and had allowed the rumor to solidify…

At this moment, Qi Gong was overwhelmed with shame. He felt as though Situ Sheng and his wife had delivered him a resounding slap across the face — and he had only now, at this late moment, begun to feel the sting.

This was not how one ought to conduct oneself as a person of integrity, and he had no wish to be unable to hold his head up in front of Situ Sheng and his wife in the future.

With that thought, the libationer stormed forward like a clap of rolling thunder, heading straight toward the assembled ladies.

He paid no attention to the others and simply glared at his daughter-in-law, saying: “A few days ago… Lord Situ and Lord Liao came to find me together to clear their names regarding the rumor that had been swirling around the capital these past days. It was simply that Lord Situ and Lord Liao had a disagreement in their views on governance, argued openly in broad daylight at the academy gate, and Chu Niangzi, in her goodwill, stepped in to mediate and there was some physical contact — what breach of propriety does that constitute? The people of our great Jin have always encouraged women to participate in polo and hunting alongside men. Since when has touching the sleeve or collar of a man’s garment been sufficient grounds for condemnation? That something which happened in broad daylight at the academy gate could be spread about in such a filthy and disgraceful manner! You, as the mistress of this place, allowed these baseless rumors that ruined a person’s reputation to spread unchecked. Are there not already enough women in the capital who have been driven to their deaths by similar rumors? Would you help pass along yet another rope? To think that the Qi Family’s clean and upright name should become a breeding ground for rumormongering!”

His words rang out like a thunderclap, and the ladies who had just been gleefully chewing over gossip flushed red with embarrassment. Though the old man was practically pointing his finger in their faces and scolding by name, not a single one of them dared step forward to take the blame.

Who was Qi Gong? A venerable elder who had served three successive emperors, a man of exceptional talent with students throughout the land. To say nothing of the current Emperor — even the late Emperor, when he had been alive, had treated Qi Gong with the utmost respect.

Seeing her father-in-law’s fury, Madam Hua hurried to kneel down and explain: “Father, you know my character — how could I gossip about someone behind their back? At the time… it was Madam Su and her daughter, along with the Hermit Beyond Worldly Concerns, who witnessed it together with me. Just as you said, it appeared to be nothing more than a brief argument. I was standing quite far away and had no idea what they were arguing about — how could I possibly fabricate such a preposterous rumor?”

The Hermit Beyond Worldly Concerns had other business and had not come today, but the Su mother and daughter were both present.

Madam Hua’s meaning was straightforward enough — she wanted to quickly pass the burning pot of blame elsewhere. Setting herself aside, there was a mother and daughter in attendance who had personal grievances against Chu Shi. If these things were entirely fabricated, it was not she — an outsider with no grievance against Chu Niangzi — who had spread them.

Yet the libationer paid none of that any heed. He continued to scowl at the ladies who had just been so gleefully throwing mud, and asked: “Aside from these few of you, has anyone else personally witnessed any impropriety between Chu Niangzi and Teacher Liao?”

The remaining ladies looked at one another, and no one offered a response.

When it came down to it, all of this had been hearsay, and come to think of it — two young men of talent having an undignified public argument in broad daylight over a divorced woman was, one had to admit, just a little bit ridiculous…

Qi Gong continued with a somber expression: “Since my son’s academy was established, there have been almost no students ever expelled from it. Moreover, Chu Niangzi is a woman — though she may be of humble origins, her reputation must remain clean and unblemished, not to be trampled upon by anyone at will. What is more, this entire affair arose because you, Madam Hua, failed to speak out in fairness for a student, and allowed baseless rumors to spread unchecked. Come — you will accompany me into the palace shortly, and before the Empress Dowager, explain the situation of that day clearly.”

Madam Hua was suddenly thrown into a panic, feeling that her father-in-law had taken leave of his senses.

Even if there were some twisted hidden circumstances to this matter, how could it possibly be appropriate to make a scene before the Empress Dowager? The Su mother and daughter were equally unsettled, feeling as though everyone’s eyes were subtly shifting toward them, suspecting that the two of them had fabricated rumors to harm Zhou Sui’an’s former wife.

The old man had scolded his daughter-in-law while roping in all the ladies present in his criticism. Anyone would have found sitting there impossible, and one by one, making various excuses, they scattered like birds and beasts.

When the libationer had his servants prepare the carriage and then changed into his official robes, Madam Hua finally understood that her father-in-law was truly going to drag her before the Empress Dowager.

She was so anxious by now she was on the verge of tears, and could only go seek her husband, hoping he might talk some sense into his father.

But after Qi Jingtang spoke with his father for a while, he too emerged looking thoroughly chastened.

He helplessly told his wife: “Father has dug in his heels and is saying things about owing an apology to a young friend. You will have to suffer this inconvenience and go with him. It is only a visit to the Empress Dowager — Her Elder Ladyship will certainly understand your difficulties. Whatever he asks you to do, just go along with it.”

Both Qi Jingtang and his wife were known for their filial devotion. Seeing Qi Gong’s fury, Madam Hua had no choice but to follow her father-in-law to see the Empress Dowager.

When the Empress Dowager heard that the venerable libationer Qi Gong, who had served three emperors, had come to see her with his daughter-in-law in tow, she was bewildered and even asked Tao Yashu whether Qi Gong had come to request an imperial bestowal of title for his daughter-in-law.

When Qi Gong finally arrived and had his daughter-in-law kneel and beg forgiveness before the Empress Dowager — saying that she had been remiss in speaking out, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, had allowed a student’s reputation to be trampled by gossip, had misled Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager, and begged to be punished — the Empress Dowager finally understood that the purpose of the old master of the Qi Family’s entire show was to vindicate a mere Chu Niangzi.

She could not help but be somewhat dumbfounded and frowned with some impatience: “Old Qi, even if Chu Niangzi is innocent, why are you tormenting your own daughter-in-law this way? She was not the one spreading gossip about Chu Niangzi.”

The libationer thought to himself: I would rather tell you directly that you were muddleheaded, and with a single stroke sent a person’s reputation crashing into the dust — but I cannot very well say that. So the only option is to make things difficult for my own daughter-in-law and give you a graceful way out of this. In any case, I have already lost face before that couple about to be wed, so I might as well kneel here and make my position unmistakably clear.

With that thought, the libationer pretended not to hear the Empress Dowager’s words and kept repeating the same few points over and over, citing historical precedents and making passionate declarations. He even managed to steer the conversation toward the stories from earlier dynasties about partisan factions that had clouded the ruler’s judgment and caused many men of letters to die crying out their innocence.

The Empress Dowager’s head was throbbing as she listened. She had not originally thought her words reprimanding Chu Shi had been excessive — she had not even remembered clearly what she had said on that day.

But here was this obstinate old man, pressing his daughter-in-law to beg forgiveness before her, going around and around like a fly that could not be shooed away.

The Empress Dowager was inclined to lose her temper, but before her stood Libationer Qi Gong — the very embodiment of Jin’s scholarly dignity. Even if His Majesty had been remonstrated by him to his face, he could only smile and endure the humiliation.

Just as she was at a headache-inducing loss, Tao Yashu at her side softly suggested: “What the Libationer has come for today is simply his regret that his daughter-in-law failed to protect a student properly, allowing Chu Niangzi to suffer an unjust grievance, and thereby dragging Teacher Liao of the academy into disrepute as well, which is a matter of scholarly dignity. Your Ladyship might as well help Madam Hua smooth things over — issue an imperial decree to restore Chu Niangzi’s good name and allow her to return to the women’s academy, and that will be that.”

The Empress Dowager felt it truly unnecessary to reverse her own edict for a mere merchant’s daughter.

Tao Yashu quietly reminded her in a hushed voice: “The Libationer Qi Gong is a great sage whose deeds will be chronicled for posterity. His coming to the palace today with his daughter-in-law to restore the name of a common woman is itself an anecdote that speaks to his upright character. If it is recorded in his biography in the future, it will be a story that is praised and remembered for eternity. Those scholars wield pens as sharp as blades — Your Ladyship, you must absolutely not give certain narrow-minded and petty-minded scholars something to talk about…”

That remark was precisely what the Empress Dowager needed to hear.

Indeed — Qi Gong was certain to leave behind a written legacy after his death.

If she failed to give Qi Gong his due recognition today, turning this into a fine story of acknowledging an error and correcting it, of a household upholding impeccable integrity, then she would end up being portrayed as a muddleheaded old woman who had misjudged the situation.

This old creature might only be making things difficult for his own daughter-in-law, but causing her to be written down as a petty and cruel old woman who mistreated commoners was absolutely unacceptable. That would be to leave behind an infamous name for all of eternity.

With that thought, the Empress Dowager inwardly remarked: No wonder His Majesty so often lamented that scribes with their damnable pens were more fearsome even than corrupt officials.

Today she had received a thorough lesson in that herself.

With that in mind, the Empress Dowager set aside her expression of impatience and, following Tao Yashu’s suggestion, acted as peacemaker, gently put in a few good words on behalf of Madam Hua, saying that she had not been misled by Madam Hua, and then promised to write an imperial decree to restore the name of Chu Shi, who had suffered an unjust grievance.

Qi Gong then pressed his advantage and offered to help the Empress Dowager refine the wording — to see if the decree needed any polishing.

The Empress Dowager had thoroughly tired of this old man who pushed for more at every turn and had no patience to argue accounts with him, so she simply said to Tao Yashu at her side: “Give him the brush. Let him write it himself.”

Having said that, the Empress Dowager was done with him — she rose to her feet with a cold expression and went back to her bedchamber to nap.

In the end, the Libationer had already obtained an imperial decree. Most likely the following day, someone from the palace would come to announce it officially and restore Chu Niangzi’s good name.

As Chu Linlang listened to Tao Yashu recount all of this, she was quite stunned. But she was deeply grateful for the Libationer’s righteous words on her behalf.

If the imperial decree truly came down, the rumor that had seeped up from the gutter would collapse on its own. After all, anyone who continued to spread such gossip would be defying the Empress Dowager’s imperial decree.

Moreover, Chu Niangzi being able to return to the women’s academy was itself proof of her innocence and would seal the mouths of those gossiping women.

Yet Chu Linlang knew that this imperial decree would not have come so smoothly were it not for Tao Yashu. Had she not been at the Empress Dowager’s side, speaking quietly on her behalf, how could the decree have been issued so readily?

Upon hearing Chu Niangzi’s words of gratitude, Tao Yashu spoke with candid directness: “I was not acting entirely for your sake — I was also acting for Teacher Liao. He has served as an official for many years, possessing nothing but an unblemished reputation that had not yet gone to ruin. Clearing his name was the least I could do as his student.”

Chu Linlang knew Tao Yashu was not speaking falsely.

Every previous time she had entered the palace and encountered Tao Yashu, the young woman would, whether intentionally or not, find ways to draw from her news of Teacher Liao’s situation.

If she were to speak plainly, she did not think Teacher Liao was a suitable match for Miss Tao. Not just because of their different social standings and appearances — even their ages did not align. Though Teacher Liao had never married, for Tao Yashu, he was simply too old.

Yet matters of the heart were like food and tea — how could one person’s tastes be the same as another’s? When it came to suitability, she herself could hardly be considered a fitting match for Situ Sheng.

And for now, Teacher Liao was simply an unreachable daydream for Miss Tao as she endured her suffering in the deep palace.

So Chu Linlang had no need to pierce through someone else’s dream, and simply said plainly: “As you know, with the Jing Kingdom’s envoys having arrived, the situation at the border is likely to become tense. Lord Liao has already reported back to the Ministry of Works and will shortly be heading to the frontier to continue supervising the construction of fortifications.”

Tao Yashu listened, gave a quiet nod, and asked no more.

Just as Tao Yashu had said, the Empress Dowager did not casually issue imperial decrees — instead, she summoned “Lady of Good Fortune, New Plum” into the palace, and with Madam Hua present, personally consoled her with gracious words.

There was no way around it — the Empress Dowager had only to think about this episode being chronicled for posterity and felt compelled to ensure her conduct could withstand scrutiny.

Summoning Lady of Good Fortune, New Plum, into the palace was the most proper approach, and also gave Madam Hua a share of the credit, implying that she too had contributed to this outcome, so that Madam Hua would not be made further difficult by the Libationer.

Chu Linlang naturally pretended not to know the full circumstances behind all of this and expressed her flustered gratitude, saying that the Empress Dowager and Madam Hua had been so mindful of a humble common woman, and that she was truly moved to tears.

In any case, everyone conducted themselves with propriety and decorum, allowing the Empress Dowager to be at ease about how the matter would be recorded in the histories.

Yet while some were at ease, others were worried.

On that day, Qi Gong had appeared to be scolding his daughter-in-law — but those with any perception had heard the truth: the source of the rumors about Chu Shi had been the Su mother and daughter.

After all, the Hermit Beyond Worldly Concerns was not the sort of person to spread baseless rumors for no reason.

And the grievances between the Su mother and daughter and Chu Shi were known to everyone.

After being driven from the residence by Qi Gong that day, Su Shi felt her own face burning, and glared at her daughter Xie Youran: “Look at how you behaved at the tea gathering! What does Chu Shi’s business have to do with you? Why were you jumping around making such a fuss? Surely… you were the one who spread this around?”

Xie Youran immediately clutched her belly with a glare: “Because of the matter with the Quiet Consort, I was already given a harsh scolding by Father — why would I go adding to things with that Chu Shi? I did not spread anything this time. Besides, earlier I was not the one who started it — I only chimed in a few words after others brought it up… Aiyouyou, why does my belly feel like it keeps tightening?”

Even as she spoke, Xie Youran began to be in real pain, crying out that her belly was clenching in waves of tight, agonizing pain.

By all rights, at this stage of her pregnancy, she ought to have been resting quietly at home rather than going out.

But because Xie Youran had caused Hu Shi’s miscarriage, her relationship with her mother-in-law Zhao Shi had become deeply strained, making the household atmosphere so gloomy and unsettled that she could barely stand to be there for a moment.

Ignoring all advice, she had gone out to attend the gathering with her mother at this of all times.

Now Xie Youran’s water had broken and labor had begun — yet the carriage was right in the middle of the road, still far from the Xie Family residence. To make matters worse, it was market day, and the carriage was trapped in the congested streets.

Even though Su Shi had given birth before, faced with this situation — no hot water, no scissors — she panicked, and could only frantically call the old maidservant accompanying the carriage to run to a nearby medical hall and fetch a midwife and a physician.

—