“Woof! Woof! Woof.”
Unable to squeeze between the two, Qi Bao raised its front paws and placed them on Jiang Yinyue’s shoulder, insisting on forcing its way in. This made Jiang Yinyue break into laughter through her tears.
The last teardrop fell from the tip of her nose and soaked into Wei Qin’s shoulder. She recounted the full sequence of events in detail, her voice gradually shifting from choked sobs to clear and crisp.
“I’m fine now. You should head to the yamen.”
Wei Qin had returned home during his lunch break and truly could not afford to delay too long, yet he did not hurry to leave. Instead, he continued holding her gently, patting her back as if to help her release the last bit of lingering resentment.
He had always been extremely patient with her.
After loosening his hold slightly, Wei Qin massaged her temples to ease the swelling around her eyes and headache. “Close your eyes.”
“You should go back to the yamen.”
“No rush.”
Under his patient guidance, Jiang Yinyue closed her eyes and felt the pressure of his massage. Her scalp tingled pleasantly, and her taut emotions gradually relaxed.
The sky was a clear blue, the weather mild and sunny. The warmth from his fingertips blended softly, smoothing out the last trace of grievance hidden deep in her heart.
This grievance stemmed from the powerlessness of being questioned without any way to defend herself. Finally, her wrongs had been cleared.
It was not that in a crisis one must sacrifice one’s life for righteousness, but rather that her actions had been twisted and misunderstood by others—how could she not feel wronged and aggrieved!
“Drop me off at the Han Family Noodle Shop on your way.”
“Alright.”
Soon after, Wei Qin sent Jiang Yinyue to the backyard of the closed noodle shop and promised to pick her up in the evening.
Jiang Yinyue approached Han Jian’s bedside and looked at the man whose face was ashen and who seemed on the verge of death. She did not question why he had delayed so long in revealing the truth—for if it had been her, she might not have had the courage to make amends for her mistakes.
The Han sisters stayed by his side, washing their faces with tears.
Doctor Zhao from the nearby clinic had already treated Han Jian’s wounds, left a prescription, and instructed the sisters to brew medicine and change dressings for their brother in a timely manner.
Jiang Yinyue was acquainted with Doctor Zhao through Wei Ying. As she saw him off, she handed over a bulging pouch of money. “You must save his life.”
“There’s no need for this, madam. This one will do his utmost.”
When Jiang Yinyue returned to the inner room, she overheard Han Yan whispering tearfully to her sister, “The Crown Prince so easily believed slander—does he bear no fault himself? Why didn’t he shoot himself…”
“Sister, don’t say it.”
Jiang Yinyue quietly withdrew and leaned against the doorframe.
Indeed, should not Wei Xichen have examined his own conscience?
In the Capital City.
The Shunren Emperor received another memorial from Yangzhou and summoned several key ministers to the Imperial Study, including the ailing Grand Secretary Dong.
“Wei Qin performed outstandingly in the Yan Hongchang case and achieved great merit. Zhen wants to hear the opinions of you beloved subjects—what reward should be granted?”
Setting aside the memorial, the Shunren Emperor leisurely surveyed those present: Tao Qian, Jiang Song, the Minister of Personnel, and his two fathers-in-law.
Tao Qian rose and bowed. “Wei Qin is an outstanding talent among the newly promoted officials, one that is hard to come by. This minister is untalented but eager for talent. I wish to bolster the Ministry of Revenue with such manpower.”
Jiang Song was Wei Qin’s father-in-law and thus recused himself to avoid suspicion.
The Minister of Personnel smiled and glanced at Grand Secretary Dong.
The elderly man, who had arrived directly in the palace via palanquin, removed the handkerchief covering his mouth and said in a low voice, “The top scholar and third place from the same exam as Wei Qin have already entered the Cabinet. We cannot favor one over the other; we must treat them equally.”
After eating sour plums for three years, Jiang Song finally heard something agreeable from a member of the Dong Family.
Tao Qian lowered his gaze. Was the old fox from the Dong Family failing to intercept and steal the credit?
Wei Qin had been in office for over three years, snubbed by the Crown Prince. Without Tao Qian’s recommendation, he would still be a thankless compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
Did the old fox seek to reap the benefits without effort? Was this a clever move one step ahead, toying with him, or had he long seen Wei Qin’s potential while also placating Jiang Song?
Between the Ministry of Revenue and the Cabinet, the newly promoted naturally leaned toward the latter. After all, powerful ministers emerged from the Cabinet—even he and Jiang Song held titles as Cabinet Grand Scholars and aspired to become renowned statesmen of their generation.
“The Cabinet is brimming with talent. Perhaps the Grand Secretary could yield to this official.”
Grand Secretary Dong covered his mouth and coughed lightly. “Minister Tao, you are mistaken. We are all nurturing talent for the court. Which official from the Six Ministries does not wish to gain experience in the Cabinet? Sparing Wei Qin a detour and promoting him directly to Cabinet Grand Scholar would be the greatest reward.”
The Shunren Emperor ordered tea to be served and chuckled as he looked toward the silent Grand Tutor Cui. “What does Father-in-Law think?”
At this, Grand Tutor Cui and Grand Secretary Dong both raised their eyes.
Cui Shengzhi did not speak immediately. Only when the Shunren Emperor’s gaze settled on him did he rasp, “This old minister believes that specialties should be matched to professions. The Ministry of Revenue should still recruit talent that leads far ahead in arithmetic. Those skilled in literary arts can indeed gain experience in the Cabinet.”
Jiang Song nodded in satisfaction.
Grand Secretary Dong coughed with a hint of laughter. “The Grand Tutor speaks truly.”
As the group left the Imperial Study, Tao Qian flicked his sleeves and strode ahead.
The others, who had temporarily reached a consensus, followed unhurriedly, exchanging words to console the temporarily frustrated man.
“Why must Minister Tao take it to heart?”
“Being so petty.”
Grand Secretary Dong, unable to withstand the wind, cupped his hands to Cui Shengzhi and Jiang Song before calling his sedan bearers to quicken their pace and overtake Tao Qian.
“We shall invite Minister Tao for a small gathering another day.”
Tao Qian ground his back molars in a cold laugh. “I am deeply honored.”
Jiang Song turned to Cui Shengzhi at his side and bowed. “Many thanks to the Grand Tutor for speaking favorably of my son-in-law.”
Cui Shengzhi rasped, “It is not favoritism—merely stating the facts.”
He then smiled at Jiang Song. “Minister Jiang has a good eye. This uncarved jade, once polished, may astonish the world. This old man has high hopes for the young man.”
Back at his residence, Grand Secretary Dong specially mentioned recommending Wei Qin in the letter he sent to the Crown Prince.
“Wei Qin is Jiang Song’s only son-in-law and deeply valued by him. Your Highness must not act on impulse. Remember, do not bully a poor youth—Minister Tao from a humble background is an example.”
Having entrusted the letter to a trusted courier, the old man returned to his study and began coughing. With a “puff,” he spat out blood. He braced both hands on the desk, easing his discomfort.
That evening, Third Prince Wei Yangwan personally visited Tao Qian.
The seventeen-year-old youth had inherited the Shunren Emperor’s handsomeness and Noble Consort Guo’s charm, giving him a delicate and alluring beauty.
“Old Man Dong lives up to being the head of all officials. He was not so muddled as to let the Crown Prince act on impulse. This move stabilized Jiang Song and foiled our carefully laid plan to sow discord—a fine reversal.”
Tao Qian poured tea for Wei Yangwan. “The game is not yet over; it’s too early to say.”
Wei Yangwan grew interested. “This student seeks the master’s guidance.”
“According to reports from Yangzhou, the Crown Prince has recently been frequently associating with the Jiang Family girl over Qi Bao. I’m afraid old affections are reigniting.”
“What does that Spoiled Brat have to make the Crown Prince unable to forget?”
“What one seeks but cannot obtain scratches most painfully at the heart and lungs.” Tao Qian poured himself more tea. The tea surface reflected a pair of gloomy eyes. The serial discord scheme was just getting interesting.
As night fell in Yangzhou, the streets burst with vibrant colors under the lamps. Wei Qin left the rouge shop and headed straight to the Han Family Noodle Shop.
After visiting Han Jian, who drifted between sleep and wakefulness, Wei Qin departed first with his wife.
A fine drizzle fell, and Han Yan stuffed an oil-paper umbrella into the young couple’s hands.
They walked through the curtain of rain. When they passed a stall selling cloth dolls, Jiang Yinyue pulled Wei Qin over, wanting to pick one for Qi Bao.
Nowadays, Qi Bao’s dolls were nearly piled into a small mountain, yet Wei Qin not only did not stop her but accompanied her in selecting them.
“This doll is cold and icy.” Jiang Yinyue placed the doll on Wei Qin’s shoulder and said solemnly, “Just like you.”
The crudely made doll was not even one percent as refined as Wei Qin, amusing the stall owner.
“If the two of you like it, buy it. It’s one of a kind.”
Wei Qin, holding the umbrella at an angle, took out some copper coins, bought the doll, and then accompanied Jiang Yinyue to other stalls, paying for every trinket the enthusiastic little lady picked out.
Without batting an eye.
The bulging money pouch deflated.
Jiang Yinyue immersed herself in the joy of selecting. Though they were all cheap little things she liked, even the least valuable items added up to a considerable expense.