The sky was overcast as the cargo ships of Zhiyun Trading House and Jincheng Trading House came in to dock at the same time.
The capital’s wharf was far larger than Huzhou’s. A shoreline paved with bluestone stretched as far as the eye could see, lined with countless mooring posts. Masts rose like a forest, and the wharf was alive with noise and activity. In the distance, the city walls towered majestically, while carts and horses streamed endlessly through the gates.
The capital was at its liveliest. The metropolitan examination had just ended, and candidates from all over the realm had gathered here to await the announcement of the results. The examination was held in the second month, the results posted in the third, and the palace examination followed soon after, with little time between them.
Those who made the list would naturally celebrate with gongs and drums before preparing for the palace examination. Those who failed were in no hurry to leave either. Some sought out fellow examinees; others tried to gather information. In any case, most stayed a few more days.
As a result, every inn and humble lodging house in the capital was packed. Young men wearing scholar’s caps and long gowns could be seen everywhere on the streets, gathering in groups of three or five, holding forth in teahouses or composing poetry in restaurants. They made the entire city buzz with excitement.
Shen Guanting and his party had no need to stay at an inn. As soon as the cargo ship docked, people from the Fang family came to receive them, taking them directly to the Fang residence.
After disembarking, Shen Qi stretched and looked around before sighing. “As expected of the capital. It’s truly lively.”
Carriages, sedan chairs, pedestrians, and peddlers were all mixed together on the street, packed so tightly that it was difficult to move. Music from pipa lutes and bursts of applause drifted out of the teahouses on either side, mingling with the din of voices and pouring noisily into their ears.
Shen Guanting stood on the wharf and looked into the distance. Beyond the city walls, the outlines of the imperial palaces were hidden in the gray gloom. Their upturned eaves and elaborate brackets seemed like clouds pressing down upon the city.
He looked only once before withdrawing his gaze and climbing into the carriage.
The weather in the capital was much colder than in Huzhou. The sky was just as overcast, with low clouds obscuring the sun, though it had not begun to rain.
But even on a cloudy day, Huzhou was lush and green wherever one looked. The trees were verdant, and the water clear. Here, the branches had only just begun to sprout, their leaves sparse and their limbs still bare. The place seemed bleak, and even the breeze carried a dry edge.
The next morning, the sky remained gloomy, with no sign that it intended to clear.
Breakfast was noodles in soup. The Fang family’s kitchen was naturally skilled. The broth was thick and milky, the noodles chewy without being tough, the greens fresh and tender, and the strips of meat richly flavored. Everything was of excellent quality.
Shen Guanting showed little expression as he ate. His chopsticks rose and fell, one mouthful after another, and he ate with reasonable seriousness.
Shen Qi had been tossed about on the ship for many days, so the warm meal left him feeling comfortable and restored. When he glanced up and saw the look on his young master’s face, he could not help asking, “Young Master, is it not to your taste?”
“It’s quite good,” Shen Guanting replied in an even tone.
Shen Qi could tell. His young master did not like this place. How strange—there were actually people who did not like the capital.
“Young Master,” he continued, “shall we go take a look at the Cloud Banquet Restaurant? I hear the food there is unrivaled throughout the realm. The wealthy families and high officials of the capital all love to dine there. Since we’ve come from Huzhou, not going would make us look rather down-and-out.”
Shen Guanting leaned back in his chair and gazed at the gloomy sky outside the window. Then he suddenly let out a laugh.
“Everyone knows that it is an enterprise belonging to the Noble Consort. The Shen family does not involve itself in official circles, nor does it deal with the imperial palace. We had best avoid the Cloud Banquet Restaurant. If Grandfather found out, he might not even let me through the Shen family gates. I have always been obedient. Whatever Grandfather, Father, and Mother say, I do.”
Shen Qi curled his lips. It sounded so high-minded and proper, yet the rare goods they brought from Nanya ultimately found their way into the residences of the capital’s wealthy families and high officials. Young Master Shen obedient? That was even more absurd.
At the wharf’s warehouses, the cargo ships of Zhiyun Trading House and Jincheng Trading House were still being unloaded. The large passenger ship from Huzhou had also docked without incident.
After Shopkeeper Qian disembarked, he looked up and felt that the capital was even livelier than before they had set out. The metropolitan examination was over, and the candidates were no longer burying themselves in their books. They had scattered throughout the city in groups of three or five, sightseeing, visiting friends, or gathering in teahouses to hold forth. In short, they did not seem to rest for even a moment, making the capital noisier than usual.
He boarded a carriage and headed for the Cloud Banquet Restaurant.
The Cloud Banquet Restaurant was as bustling as ever. Shopkeeper Qian took his time, first settling the accounts from the past few days, then instructing the staff to put away and arrange all the things brought back from Huzhou. He truly looked as though he had merely gone out to seek new dishes.
“Shopkeeper Qian, it has been ages!” A regular customer greeted him with a smile. “Where have you been this time, hunting down more delicious treats?”
Shopkeeper Qian cupped his hands and smiled. “The restaurant isn’t too busy after the New Year, so I went out for a stroll to find some fresh ingredients and dishes. With the capital filled with examination candidates, our Cloud Banquet Restaurant cannot afford to disappoint everyone.”
“Then we’re in for a real treat.”
The Cloud Banquet Restaurant had already been the most renowned restaurant in the capital. Now it was busier than ever. The main hall was filled to capacity, and every private room upstairs was occupied. Candidates gathered in groups of three or five, raising their cups, holding forth, composing poetry, and matching poetic couplets.
In an alley not far from the Cloud Banquet Restaurant stood an ordinary inn where several candidates from Huzhou were staying.
Zhou Wenjin shared a courtyard with Fifth Young Master Han and Third Young Master Tang.
Third Young Master Tang came from a comfortable family and had been clamoring for days to visit the Cloud Banquet Restaurant and sample its food.
“The Cloud Banquet Restaurant belongs to the Noble Consort,” Fifth Young Master Han said bluntly, as was his habit. “Are you planning to curry favor with her by going there?”
Third Young Master Tang did not take it seriously. “I’m only going to eat a few dishes. How could it be that serious? Candidates go there every day. Several fellow students from the Huzhou Prefectural School are even holding a literary gathering there tomorrow. It can’t hurt to get to know more people. For all we know, this year’s top candidate might be sitting inside.”
Zhou Wenjin shook his head and set down the book in his hands. “We had better not go. You’ve heard the rumors these past few days.”
Third Young Master Tang paused. “What rumors?”
The story had been circulating for several days, though no one could say where it had started. All they knew was that the candidates had been discussing it in private, making all sorts of guesses.
After arriving in the capital, Third Young Master Tang found everything fresh and fascinating. Every day, he thought only of sampling the food at one establishment, visiting another shop, and buying things to take back to Huzhou. The metropolitan examination was over, and he felt that all he needed to do was wait calmly for the results. He had paid little attention to anything else.
Fifth Young Master Han gave a cold snort. “Shopkeeper Qian of the Cloud Banquet Restaurant left the capital after the New Year, claiming he was going to Huzhou to seek out new dishes.”
Third Young Master Tang slapped his palm. “Oh! Is Huzhou really that famous? Even the shopkeeper of the Cloud Banquet Restaurant had to travel there in search of good food?”
Fifth Young Master Han continued, “Why would the Cloud Banquet Restaurant need new dishes badly enough to send someone all the way to Huzhou? The capital’s restaurants are at their busiest during the metropolitan examination, yet he chose to leave at precisely that time.”
Zhou Wenjin lowered his voice and added, “I heard that someone from the Imperial Guard went as well. The two parties left one after the other.”
Even Third Young Master Tang could understand the implication now. He lowered his voice. “What did they go to Huzhou to investigate?”
Fifth Young Master Han shook his head, his expression grave. “The important thing is not what they went to investigate.”
In the inn’s main hall, the candidates’ voices gradually grew louder. These men had studied hard for years, waiting for this spring examination. Now that they were finally at leisure, they could no longer contain all the things they wanted to say.
“I’m telling you, there’s truth to it. I saw Shopkeeper Qian return yesterday with my own eyes.”
“Hmph. Someone from the inner palace orders an investigation, and they investigate. What has become of propriety and order?”
“It’s not as if there must be something going on. But why send people out at a time like this? Does she not know what others will think? If she doesn’t, then she’s simply foolish. But if she does…”
“Then that would mean His Majesty has indulged her far too much. In the long run, it will hardly be a blessing for the realm.”
“Let’s set that aside. If there was a matter to investigate, they could have done so in secret. Investigating so openly, without the slightest attempt at concealment—that is what truly makes people uneasy, isn’t it?”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Then the murmurs grew louder and louder, every word drifting up to the second floor.
Third Young Master Tang stood behind the railing and shrank back, no longer daring to mention going to the Cloud Banquet Tower.
Rumors seemed to sprout wings. Within a few days, the entire city was discussing the matter.
Shopkeeper Qian sat in a private room on the second floor of the Cloud Banquet Tower, his mind turning the situation over and over. During those days in Huzhou, they had proceeded with the utmost caution, yet had failed to uncover anything about the Shen family. Their trip had been for nothing. Who would have thought that, after stirring up no trouble in Huzhou, the waves would instead come crashing down upon them once they returned to the capital?
The door was gently pushed open. The accountant entered carrying tea, set it on the table, and said in a low voice, “Shopkeeper, the rumors outside…”
He did not finish, but Shopkeeper Qian understood. He tapped his fingers lightly against the tabletop twice. “The message sent into the palace has sunk like a stone into the sea. We haven’t received the slightest reply. The proprietor is probably in a panic as well, with no time to spare for us.”
The accountant sighed and sat down beside him, lowering his voice even further. “The proprietor’s family background is a disadvantage, after all. There are plenty of people in the capital who look down on others simply because they were born better…”
Their proprietor was none other than the Noble Consort. Her family had originally been no more than an obscure wealthy household in Bailu County, and even back home, the proprietor had not been especially favored. Though she had later encountered a benefactor, her foundation was ultimately no match for that of the consorts born into the great aristocratic clans of the palace. This had always been her weakness.
The court officials also used the matter against her, openly and otherwise, saying things like, “The empress ought to come from a distinguished family, so that she may properly serve as the mother of the realm. The Noble Consort has neither scholarly honors nor military achievements. If she were made empress, how could she command the respect of the empire?”
Shopkeeper Qian waved a hand. “There’s no need to say more. Do you think I don’t know that?”
But the accountant did not stop. “The proprietor’s family has no military achievements, so securing them official appointments is difficult. Give them positions that are too high, and the court will accuse His Majesty of making reckless appointments. Give them positions that are too low, and it will reflect poorly on the empress. No matter what they do, it’s wrong. There are plenty of consorts in the palace from excellent families. Which of them isn’t watching like a tiger waiting to pounce? Their clans will seize every opportunity to trip her up. These criticisms this time were probably stirred up behind the scenes by her rivals.”
Shopkeeper Qian let out a long sigh. “Our Cloud Banquet Tower may look splendid on the surface, but in truth, we’ve been placed over a fire.”
He gave another bitter laugh. “His Majesty feels indebted to the proprietor. Precisely because of that guilt, the proprietor sometimes acts with rather less restraint than she should. But you know her temperament. As her subordinates, how could we dare disobey her?”
By now, the rumors outside had grown more and more heated. People were saying that the inner palace was interfering in government affairs, that His Majesty was playing favorites and overindulging the harem, all because of which the atmosphere in the Cloud Banquet Tower had become decidedly strange.
Quite a few examinees who prided themselves on their moral integrity openly declared that they would no longer set foot in the place, claiming they wished to distance themselves from the matter. Others insisted on coming anyway. Whether out of curiosity or an attempt to profit from the situation, no one could say. But arriving at a time like this inevitably gave others an opportunity to gossip.
Thus, compared with the uproar outside, the Cloud Banquet Tower had been eerily quiet these past few days, as if it were an entirely separate place. The main hall, once packed to the rafters, now held only a few scattered tables of guests.
At the Fang residence’s tearoom.
Fang Qian walked in and saw Shen Guanting sitting there as calmly as an old monk, slowly preparing tea. He could not help shaking his head and sighing. “You really can sit there without a care. Do you know what the news outside has become? I’m afraid the entire empire knows by now that someone went to Huzhou.”
Shen Guanting lifted the sand kettle and unhurriedly poured half a cup of water. Without even looking up, he said, “What does that have to do with me? I’m merely an honest, law-abiding merchant. I’ve always followed the family rules and concerned myself only with selling cloth and goods. I don’t meddle in matters of such importance.”
Fang Qian sat down beside him. “All the examinees in the capital are waiting for the results to be posted, and they’re growing restless. What sort of people are among them? Some find fault with everything they see. Some blame Heaven and Earth because they think they performed poorly. And there are even those sponsored by that lady’s enemies… All sorts of factions are mixed together. The capital is practically a pot of boiling porridge.”
He sighed. “I must have lost my mind. I shouldn’t have let you come with me. My Fang family is still established here in the capital. Will we all have to follow the Weaving Cloud Company to Huzhou next time?”
“Huzhou is a fine place. You’re welcome there.” Shen Guanting lifted his teacup and gently blew away the foam. He took a sip, frowned, and set it back down.
Fang Qian looked at him and smiled helplessly. “You’re really content to watch the fire from across the river. You’re not worried in the least.”
“Anyone who reaches out a hand should expect it to be struck. Even a merchant from a small place like Huzhou understands that much.”
Fang Qian stared at him and said nothing for a long while.
“Have some tea, Uncle Fang.” Shen Guanting picked up the sand kettle and poured another cup for Fang Qian.
Fang Qian cast him a sidelong glance but did not take it. “That tea of yours is definitely ruined again.”
“The tea here is no good,” Shen Guanting said, perfectly unapologetic.
Fang Qian could not be bothered to argue. He moved the teacup farther away. “You’re remarkably calm. You even have the leisure to prepare tea.”
Shen Guanting leaned back in his chair, his expression tranquil. “The capital is naturally lively. It’s nothing like a small place such as Huzhou.”
“As long as Huzhou is peaceful, that’s enough.” His voice softened. “I’d rather return to Huzhou and live a quiet, honest life—go to the pastry shop for a bun, then fish at Qingxi Garden.”
Outside the window, the gloomy daylight filtered through the lattice, casting a crisscrossing pattern of light and shadow across his face.
