Chapter 15
Yuli dared not look at Xie Yao. Fortunately, he didn’t say anything either. She pretended she hadn’t seen anything, sat down, and listened to the shopkeeper introduce his treasured jewelry.
The jewelry the shopkeeper brought out all suited Yuli well, exquisite but not overly luxurious.
Yuli just held them in her hand to look. She only had one head and didn’t go out often. The ones in Mingyue Residence were enough for her. She didn’t plan to buy any more.
She still had the aftereffects of living in a rented apartment in her modern life. She couldn’t store the things she bought, and it was inconvenient to move. Afraid that Xie Yao would buy them for her, she only looked for a while and then wanted to leave, even reminding him, “Don’t buy them. None of these are as good as the ones you gave me.”
Xie Yao lowered his eyes to look at her and hummed faintly in agreement.
After leaving the jewelry store, Yuli already felt a little tired, but she still insisted on going to the pastry shop. She wanted to choose some delicious treats to bring back for Xiyun.
She was also curious about what the popular pastries in the capital tasted like. If she were to really open a pastry shop in the capital, would she have a chance to stand out?
Yuli ordered many kinds of pastries. Of the money she had brought out today, a small half was spent on flowers, and the rest was spent on pastries.
She focused on tasting each one and found that some were flavors she had never had before, but they were all relatively simple. Things like her flaky pastries made with milk and eggs were still rare.
After all, it was a delicacy that had stood the test of time in the modern era. It was still novel in this time and place. It was just as Uncle Hu had said; there was a market for it.
Although she no longer had the opportunity to open a shop, Yuli was still happy about it, as if she had a huge sum of money saved up here. Although she didn’t need it now, she could withdraw it at any time if she needed to, which made her feel more secure than anything Xie Yao had given her.
Yuli tasted each one and packed up the extra pastries to take home to share with Xiyun and the others.
After leaving the pastry shop, Yuli no longer wanted to shop. She got into the carriage and leaned against the wall. If Xie Yao weren’t there, she would have definitely lain down to rest.
Xie Yao seemed to see through her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, brought her head over, and placed it on his shoulder.
“If you’re tired, sleep for a while. You’ll be there when you wake up.”
Yuli was not used to it at first, but Xie Yao gently fanned her. His figure was steady, and he adjusted to her posture. Coupled with the swaying of the carriage, she really fell asleep after a short while.
Yuli felt the carriage stop. On the verge of waking, she heard someone speaking in a low voice.
Something about the Ministry of Rites, the special imperial examination, and so on. She heard a few words intermittently and then fell back into a deep sleep.
When she woke up again, she saw a light green bed curtain swaying in the wind. The setting sun had already climbed up the wall.
She turned over and saw the familiar furnishings. It was her bedchamber in Mingyue Residence.
Xie Yao was not there. Yuli got up and walked a few steps. Xiyun poked her head in.
She had a surprised smile on her face, like the last time she was rewarded with twenty taels. It was probably because she had had a fun day out. Yuli also smiled.
But Xiyun didn’t speak and stood at the door without coming in.
Yuli walked over. Xiyun retreated behind the screen, smiling mysteriously.
Yuli became a little curious. She walked out from behind the screen, and what she saw made her jaw drop.
The room was filled with bouquets of flowers—pink, yellow, and white—covering the floor, leaving almost no room to walk.
On the tables, shelves, and any visible surface were brocade boxes and cases of all sizes.
And the fresh flowers and pastries she had bought herself were placed in the center of the table, looking plain and insignificant amidst the dazzling array of items.
Yuli’s smile froze, but Xiyun was smiling with immense joy.
Yuli casually opened a brocade box. It was a round fan made of light silk, embroidered with a continuous range of green mountains. The embroidery was so vivid that the light mist in the mountains was faintly visible. She had only glanced at it from a distance in the shop, not even daring to touch it.
She opened a few more boxes. Without exception, they were all things she had seen, touched, and had an impression of.
And the fresh flowers, she was sure that Xie Yao had moved all that could be bought in the West Market back here.
She had originally thought she had just gotten that umbrella for free. She couldn’t repay him, so she would just have to be extra good to him. Now, with so many more things, how could she ever repay him?
All this time, she had been happy to have a brief moment of freedom by going out. She hadn’t expected that her every move, even a single glance, was under Xie Yao’s watch.
Yuli thought of something and suddenly opened every box to look. She didn’t see that thing and let out a huge sigh of relief.
Good, he has his moments of distraction too.
But what was she to do with all these things in the room?
*
While Yuli was worrying about the room full of gifts from Xie Yao, Xie Yao had already arrived at the Imperial Study in Zichen Hall.
The Vice Minister of Rites presented the results of the Ministry’s recent dizzying work: the list of the top three Jinshi from the special imperial examination opened by the regent.
Because the court was in urgent need of people, the Ministry of Rites had been completely focused on this matter recently. The regent had specifically requested that the candidates’ papers be anonymous and transcribed in a uniform script to prevent any off-site manipulation.
The current court officials had all experienced the regent’s thunderous methods. No one dared to cheat. The list of the top three was indeed based on their true abilities.
Xie Yao first expressed his gratitude for their hard work, then opened the memorial to look. He casually flipped to a page and saw the rankings of the policy essays, names, and native places.
Then he flipped to the first page, the first column.
He paused.
It read: Number One, Mei Qing, Xihe County, Fengzhou.
In just a moment, he scanned the rest, column by column, then handed the memorial to a eunuch to return to the Vice Minister of Rites.
“The palace examination will be held in three days. At that time, have His Majesty attend in person, and have the Grand Tutor assist in the examination,” Xie Yao said.
This meant he would not be present himself. The Vice Minister of Rites did not ask further, agreed, and withdrew.
After the Vice Minister of Rites left, Song He came to report that they had found Mei Qing’s whereabouts.
Xie Yao only hummed faintly in acknowledgment.
Song He: “Should we dispose of him?”
Xie Yao: “I have no grievance with him. Am I that intolerant?”
Song He paused, then boldly said, “The Mistress still doesn’t know he’s alive. Now is the best time.”
“So what if she knows?” Xie Yao said.
“Is Your Highness going to tell the Mistress?” Song He’s brow twitched.
Xie Yao was silent for a moment, then asked, “What are you worried about?”
Song He pursed his lips. He was not worried about what the Mistress would do, but what the master would do to the Mistress.
Right now, they seemed to be getting along well. But once the Mistress showed any abnormality, the fragile peace would likely be shattered. Rather than hurting himself and others then, it was better to dispose of the person quietly now and nip all uncontrollability in the bud.
This was Xie Yao’s usual style, but now, he seemed not to intend to do so.
But the more he was like this, the more uneasy Song He felt.
In the end, Xie Yao only ordered to keep an eye on Mei Qing’s movements, with no intention of touching him.
Xie Yao had returned to the palace only for this matter. After dealing with it, he went to the Xie Residence again.
When he arrived at Mingyue Residence, the sky had already darkened. Mingyue Residence was shrouded in dark blue. It was only when he got closer that he could see the bright lights. Yuli was under the eaves, holding a white camellia, playing with Xuemi.
She turned to see him approaching and smiled even more brightly, revealing her fine, pearly teeth.
Xuemi, as usual, darted along the base of the wall and disappeared. Yuli smiled, paid it no mind, and ran over in a few small steps to greet Xie Yao.
The light flickered around her, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, but she was always like the bright moon, emitting a pure white light.
Yuli took his hand, naturally snuggling up to his side, and looked up at him with a smile. “You’re here so late, without even a word. Have you eaten?”
Xie Yao looked at her, raised his hand to gently support her shoulder, and shook his head.
Yuli didn’t ask him what he had been doing, but ordered someone to go to the kitchen to bring food.
Then she took his hand and pulled him into the room.
In the room, the lights were even brighter. The room full of fresh flowers had been arranged in vases by Yuli. There was one on the table and two on the shelf, all in elegant and fresh styles of varying heights.
Yuli said, “Jingyu found someone to teach me how to do these. Aren’t they beautiful?”
Xie Yao looked at the smiling Yuli and hummed in agreement.
Yuli then showed him the incense he had bought. She had already used one stick, and it smelled very good.
The round fan was also placed within easy reach, to be used whenever it got hot.
She liked all the things he had bought and was very happy about it.
She was trying to get closer to him. No matter how much of it was sincere, at least this was what he wanted.
As long as she never met that Mei Qing, she would eventually belong to him and him alone, body and soul.
Xie Yao had come late tonight. It was already very late after dinner.
Having just received a large batch of thoughtful gifts, Yuli couldn’t bring herself to rush him out.
But besides holding his hand and talking to him, she couldn’t do anything more.
She wasn’t ready yet, at least not today.
Xie Yao didn’t force her either. He just hugged her and then left.
After Xie Yao left, Yuli put the round fan back in its box, put away the incense, and also put away the other ornaments and jewelry.
Seeing the room restored to its original state, Yuli regained a sense of security.
She could accept what Xie Yao gave her, but she just couldn’t do it without a burden. It was like a huge sum of money falling from the sky. She didn’t dare to spend it, afraid that the owner would come looking for it one day and demand it back several times over.
She had nothing to repay him with. It would have been better not to have picked it up in the first place. But now that someone had forced it on her, she would displease them if she refused. She could only accept it, pretend to be happy, but not spend it if she could help it.
Yuli always felt a sense of unreality with Xie Yao, but she always had a premonition that the things he gave her would be taken back in another way, and in double.
She would rather live a simple life, to protect herself. If she couldn’t protect her body, she had to at least keep her mind clear.
After that day, Xie Yao had someone send fresh flowers every day. Although Mingyue Residence was desolate, the room was filled with his fresh flowers, adding a touch of natural interest.
Although Yuli preferred living green plants, having fresh flowers was already very good. She took care of the flowers every day, trying to make them last as long as possible.
The one-month deadline with Xie Yao was approaching. Yuli was mentally preparing herself every day, thinking about what to do when Xie Yao came. But she seemed to be procrastinating. She didn’t want to bring it up until the last day.
It was just like in her modern life, when writing her graduation thesis. Before the deadline, she could always burst out with amazing potential to catch up and finish the task at the last moment.
This time would be the same, Yuli thought.
Yuli was confined to the Xie Residence, living a happy but slightly restricted life of lying flat. Every day, she arranged flowers, slept, and played with her cat. Her biggest worry was what to eat for three meals a day. She was completely unaware of the changing situation outside.
The results of the special imperial examination opened by the regent were already out. In Hanyuan Hall, based on the standards of appearance, speech, calligraphy, and judgment, the young emperor personally decided on the top three. Mei Qing had won the title of Zhuangyuan.
This special imperial examination was ordered by the regent, but he did not show up. It was only after the final results were out that he ordered them to be summoned.
After leaving Hanyuan Hall, the top three were led by palace servants to Zichen Hall.
The three waited in a side hall. The new Zhuangyuan, Mei Qing, stood at the front. He was dressed in plain clothes, having come from a commoner background, but his demeanor was extraordinary, his appearance otherworldly, like a white crane standing by the water in a forest.
His expression was calm, with only a faint hint of joy. The other two had mixed emotions, joy mixed with apprehension, pride mixed with worry.
It was rumored in the court and among the public that the regent was unpredictable and killed people like flies. Although they had benefited from the unprecedentedly fair special imperial examination he had held, they couldn’t help but fear him.
The list of the three was submitted. After waiting for a moment, a message came from the Imperial Study that the regent would not see them.
Mei Qing was not at all concerned. The Bangyan and Tanhua became worried about their gains and losses again.
The Ministry of Rites sent the Zhuangyuan’s official robes. A ritual official helped Mei Qing change, and only then was he sent out of the palace.
Walking out of the palace, Mei Qing felt as if someone was watching him. He looked back at the Danfeng Gate but saw no one special.
“The new Jinshi are on parade! Idlers, make way!”
Amidst the chants, Mei Qing, in a crimson robe, led the three hundred Jinshi on a parade through the streets.
Countless young ladies watched from the streets, throwing so much fruit that the carriages were filled. Soon, Mei Qing had an armful of flowers.
Some high-ranking officials and nobles sent people to ask for his hand in marriage for their daughters, almost fighting over him, blocking the entire street.
Finally, someone managed to get close to him and announced their family name. But they heard the new Zhuangyuan on horseback say with a gentle smile on his lips.
“I am grateful for everyone’s affection, but I already have a fiancée at home. I will marry no one but her in this life. I hope you can understand.”
Hearing this, and seeing him look affectionately in the direction of Xihe County, most people backed off. For those who still wanted to pester him, he ignored them all.