Chapter 121
Cui Jian had come first in the county examination—something even Tan Shao and Hong Ji, both renowned for their talent from a young age, had failed to accomplish.
As soon as Tan Shixian left the government office, he hurried over, exclaiming that this was truly extraordinary. The Cui family had nearly buried a prodigy without realizing it.
“From here on, Brother Jian should keep up the momentum and sit for the provincial examination in the eighth month,” he said. “It would be good for him to gain some experience.”
Hong Ji nodded in agreement. “That was what Brother Jian and I discussed as well.”
Cui Lanzhi asked, “When I asked earlier whether Brother Jian had any chance of passing the county examination, you kept your mouth shut. Did you already know he could do it, or were you simply unsure?”
Hong Ji smiled and nudged Cui Jian. “You tell her, lest your elder sister think I’m boasting after the fact.”
Cui Jian rubbed his nose, looking a little embarrassed. “Brother-in-law said that as long as I stayed steady, first place was as good as mine. He didn’t tell you all… because he wanted to surprise you today.”
The brother-in-law and his young relative had actually kept such a huge secret.
Cui Lanzhi shot Hong Ji an accusing look. “You even kept it from me? You certainly know how to keep your composure.”
Lady Jiang was so pleased with Hong Ji that she could not bear to hear anyone say a word against him—not even Cui Lanzhi. “You mustn’t blame him. Lianfang has been preparing for the metropolitan examination while also teaching Brother Jian and the others. Without him, how could Brother Jian have come first?”
Cui Jian was likewise wholehearted in defending his brother-in-law. “Brother-in-law is wonderful. Elder Sister, you should treat him better.”
“I only asked one question, and all of you have ganged up on me,” Cui Lanzhi said with a helpless laugh. “Why do I feel as though he’s the son of this family, while I’m the daughter-in-law?”
Lady Jiang readily admitted it. “You’re not mistaken. Your father and I already regard Lianfang as our eldest son.”
Since Cui Lanting’s marriage to Cheng Gui had been settled, with the wedding scheduled for the tenth month, there was far too much to prepare. They felt embarrassed to leave everything to Lady Ding, so Cui Mian allowed Lady Chang to come out and take part in the arrangements.
After being confined for so long, Lady Chang had become much more restrained than before. In front of Lady Jiang and Lady Ding, she no longer put on airs.
The following day was the grand court assembly. When the court dispersed, the emperor suddenly called out to Cui Sheng.
“Father-in-law, wait.”
Cui Sheng hurried out of the line and stepped forward. “Does Your Majesty have an order?”
The emperor descended from the steps. “Father-in-law, come with me to the Western Pavilion.”
From the military officials’ ranks, Cui Su called out, “Your Majesty, there’s good food at noon. Don’t forget to bring me a portion!”
The emperor flicked one finger behind him. The courtiers were all familiar with that gesture and recognized it as the emperor telling Cui Su to shut up. They could not help laughing good-naturedly.
Buyan still did not dare slight the Imperial Uncle, so he turned around and added, “Second Master Jian came first in the county examination. His Majesty has something for him and would like the Earl to take it home.”
“Wouldn’t it be the same if you let me take it?” Cui Su was not entirely convinced. He continued pressing him. “You’ll say I’m bringing something home, but will you also be coming over for a proper meal? It’s not that I lack manners. I simply haven’t been allowed home lately, and I’m hungry for a taste of home!”
Buyan finally failed to hold back his laughter. “Who could stop Assistant Commander Cui from coming?”
Only then was Cui Su satisfied, and he waved Buyan away.
The courtiers watched the father-in-law and son-in-law walk off into the distance, then looked back and forth at Cui Su, unable to recover from their astonishment.
In front of the Cui family, the emperor was unexpectedly easygoing—and remarkably warm and human. His younger brother-in-law had come first in the county examination, and he was even preparing a congratulatory gift for him.
From Cui Su’s words, it sounded as though the emperor would be keeping Cui Sheng at the Yanhua Palace for lunch, while Cui Su intended to tag along and freeload off the meal.
For Cui Su to behave this way, the emperor and he must clearly get along in private like ordinary brothers-in-law.
On the ninth day, at a quarter past the hour of the Dragon, the official vessel traveling from Yancheng to Yingcheng entered the East Water Pass wharf.
In Jiangnan, the spring days of the third month were often shrouded in a fine drizzle, misty as smoke. Drooping willows lined the riverbanks, bluestone lanes wound between the buildings, and distant mountains and towers rose through the haze. Any one of these sights could have been sketched into an elegant ink-wash landscape filled with lingering beauty.
For northerners seeing the spring waters of Jiangnan for the first time, the view was breathtaking at a glance.
Xu Zhen stretched out her hand to feel the rain. “So this is Jiangnan’s misty rain? It’s beautiful!”
Xu Ning came over with a smile and nudged her. “You’ll be seeing it every day from now on. There’s no need to rush to admire it now. Come over and let me fix you up—we’ll be getting off the boat soon.”
She finally turned back into the cabin, where Xu Ning redid her hair and straightened her clothes.
Xu Ning looked down at the cotton-padded garment she was wearing. “It’s still the same outfit no matter how much you fuss with it. Leave it as it is.”
Nearby, Lady Liang had been silently keeping watch over Xu Xian. No matter how long Xu Xian stood gazing outside, she had remained there beside him for just as long.
When she saw that their official vessel was drawing nearer and nearer to the wharf, with only a short while left before they would cast anchor and go ashore, Lady Liang finally called softly, “It’s time to disembark.”
“I know.” Xu Xian answered and turned to look at her. “I’m fine. You don’t need to keep watch over me.”
The words she had kept hidden throughout the journey finally slipped out. “I’m so coarse and foolish. Will Elder Sister dislike me?”
Xu Xian took her hand. “Elder Sister has never looked down on anyone. Put your mind at ease.”
Lady Liang lowered her head and said quietly, “I’m afraid I’ll embarrass her.”
“If you find life here difficult, we’ll return to the north.”
“Doesn’t His Majesty intend to use you?”
“I need to see what kind of person he is first.”
Lady Liang let out a breath of relief. “I was afraid that… Never mind. Now I’m reassured.”
Xu Xian’s expression turned cold. “The Xu family cannot endure another calamity like that.”
After understanding Xu Xian’s thoughts, Lady Liang’s tone lightened. “Will we be able to see Elder Sister today?”
Xu Xian shook his head. “The palace isn’t a place one can enter whenever one wishes. We’ll have to see what His Majesty intends.”
Lady Liang’s disappointment showed. “You and your sister haven’t seen each other in twenty years…”
The magnificent vessel had already come to a stop. Xu Xian and Lady Liang led the entire family ashore.
They had brought out only a few valuables and changes of clothing, so there was not much luggage. Captain Ding and the men who had escorted them all the way carried it down. The Xu family only needed to take care of themselves.
Lady Liang had once assumed Xu Xian simply did not want to delay for even a moment and had therefore refused to spend time packing. Only now did she realize that Xu Xian had made preparations to leave again at any time.
Once they had disembarked, Captain Ding was scanning the area for the people who had come to receive them when a capable-looking man in his twenties approached Xu Xian and bowed.
“Greetings, Marquis Xu. I am Geng Dayou, sent by the empress dowager to receive you.”
Captain Ding looked over suspiciously. “Shouldn’t the Ministry of War have sent someone to meet us?”
Master Geng smiled. “Before coming, I informed the men from the Ministry of War. Once they learned that I would be coming, they did not send anyone.”
He pointed to a teahouse in the distance. “That teahouse was opened by Her Majesty the Empress before she married. They serve excellent tea and pastries. Marquis, your family has traveled a long way. Why not rest your feet there and sample some refreshments before you continue?”
Captain Ding still blocked their path. “First you said you were acting on the empress dowager’s orders, and now you claim to be one of the empress’s people. You won’t fool me.”
Master Geng straightened his back proudly. “Ask anyone you like whether they recognize me.”
Captain Ding was actually about to find someone to ask when Xu Xian stopped him. “I trust this Master Geng. Let’s go.”
Master Geng led them toward the carriages waiting by the roadside. There were six carriages in a row, more than enough to accommodate the Xu family. Ten horses had also been provided for Captain Ding and his men. Seeing that they were all fine steeds—an array no ordinary household could produce—Captain Ding began to believe him as well.
It was not long after they set out that they arrived. Someone from the tea shop came out to escort Captain Ding into the main hall, while Geng Dayou led the carriage into the shop’s rear courtyard. He invited Xu Xian’s family to get down and said with a smile, “We need to avoid being seen today. We’ll go up to the second floor through the kitchen.”
Xu Xian did not ask why. He simply followed Geng Dayou up the stairs, leading the group.
As soon as they reached the top, they saw a woman in her forties waiting there. With tears in her smile, she called out, “Songqing, come here and let your sister have a look at you.”
Xu Xian strode forward and pulled her into his arms. “Sister… it really is you…”
The man who had fought his way in and out of heaps of corpses without so much as a crease between his brows suddenly found his eyes turning red.
Geng Dayou tactfully left them alone. After ushering Lady Liang and the others upstairs, he went back down the way he had come.
Empress Dowager Xu released Xu Xian and beckoned to Lady Liang and the others. “You must be my younger brother’s wife and my nieces and nephews.”
Knowing that the woman before them was Empress Dowager Xu, Lady Liang and the four Xu siblings were all stunned, unable to react.
Aunt Yu stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, let’s not stand out here. We can go inside and talk. Once the hot tea and snacks are brought in, the children can have something to eat.”
“Look at me—I’m getting more and more muddleheaded.” Empress Dowager Xu hurriedly ushered Lady Liang and the others into the private room. “Make yourselves at home. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Once they entered, she pulled Lady Liang down to sit beside her. Then she touched each of the four Xu siblings on the head and face, unable to stop her tears from falling. “You’ve all grown so much, yet this is the first time your aunt has ever seen you.”
Seeing that she had none of the imposing airs of someone in a lofty position, and was just like an ordinary family’s elder sister and aunt, Lady Liang and the Xu siblings finally relaxed. They stepped forward and greeted her.
Empress Dowager Xu wanted to attend to everyone at once and felt that she could never have enough hands. She turned to Xu Xian and asked, “What of Father and Big Brother and Sister-in-law’s remains…?”
Xu Xian glanced around the room. Empress Dowager Xu paused, then immediately understood. She waved her hand and said, “There’s no need to worry here. Say whatever you wish.”
“Were those people just now from the Empress?” Xu Xian asked.
“He’s someone the Empress brought from her family home. She entrusts all her affairs outside the palace to him, and he’s very capable. He made all the arrangements perfectly for my outing today.” Empress Dowager Xu spoke highly of him.
Xu Xian studied her. “You and the Empress get along well?”
“The Empress is a good woman. Without her help, how could I be living so comfortably now? And without her, how could our family have reunited today?” Empress Dowager Xu answered sincerely. “It was the Empress who suggested that I come out to meet you.”
“Does His Majesty know that you came out? Won’t this cause trouble later?”
“His Majesty never makes things difficult when the Empress wishes to do something.”
“The Emperor and Empress have a good relationship?” Xu Xian raised a brow. “Another Emperor Gaozong and Empress Chen?”
“Don’t compare His Majesty to Emperor Gaozong. Even the Grand Empress Dowager would scold you for that.”
Xu Xian was surprised once more. “The Grand Empress Dowager—you mean Grand Empress Dowager Chen? You and she are close?”
“It was all arranged through Her Majesty the Empress…” Empress Dowager Xu went on to tell him about everything she had experienced after Emperor Xuanning passed away.
Some of Xu Xian’s doubts faded. “The Empress certainly seems to be a woman of feeling. But His Majesty…”
Empress Dowager Xu considered this for a moment. “I can’t say that I fully understand the Emperor. He possesses an unfathomable intelligence. It wasn’t long after he ascended the throne before he had the situation firmly in hand. Though the Li family is still waiting for an opportunity in secret, I believe His Majesty will be able to eliminate them all sooner or later.”
“From the sound of it, he’s more capable than the late Emperor.” Xu Xian looked straight at his sister. “It wasn’t easy for the Xu family to survive. I’ll need to observe His Majesty for a while longer. As for the debt we owe the Empress, I’ll find a way to repay it.”
“You’ve only just returned. Let’s get settled first. There’s no hurry about any of that.” Empress Dowager Xu waved her hand with a smile. “Once you’ve met His Majesty and the Empress, you’ll understand. There could never be another pair like them.”
Someone knocked on the door. Aunt Yu called for them to enter, and a worker from the tea shop came in carrying hot tea and snacks.
Empress Dowager Xu urged Lady Liang and the others, “Go on, eat while it’s hot. Even the palace doesn’t have snacks this delicious. I’ve wanted to try them for ages.”
Looking at his sister, so happy and at ease, Xu Xian couldn’t help wondering just what kind of extraordinary Emperor and Empress they were.
Dear readers, I really wasn’t slacking off. I started writing at two this afternoon, but my brain was completely short-circuited today. I kept revising and reworking everything, and somehow wrote all the way until now [bursting into tears].
