The gossip surrounding He Shuwan's background circulated the capital for nearly half a month before it finally died down.
As the rumors gradually dissipated, people also stopped mocking Prince Ying behind his back.
With the end of the year approaching, the streets and alleys gradually filled with pedestrians.
Shop assistants were kept off their feet all day long, especially in stores selling fabrics and food, as everyone wanted to wear new clothes and eat well for the New Year.
Compared to the bustling streets, the County Princess's manor seemed much quieter.
Although there was an atmosphere of the approaching New Year, it felt as though something was being suppressed.
On the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, the day after the imperial court sealed its seals for the holidays, Song Gaoli packed his bags and came to bid farewell to Song Qiming.
Having honed himself under Wu Jianzheng for two and a half years, he now appeared much more composed than before.
"This time I've asked the court for a three-month family visitation leave. I won't be back until the end of March, so we'll get together then."
The day after next, Song Qiming was going to have a small gathering with Dongfang Yukun and the others at Dingfei Restaurant. He had originally invited Song Gaoli, but Gaoli was leaving in a hurry and couldn't make it.
Resting his gaze on Song Gaoli's face, Song Qiming silently sighed in his heart.
By the end of March, he feared he would no longer be in the capital.
Knowing he couldn't tell his good friend everything yet, Song Qiming could only curl his lips into a slightly sorrowful smile.
"Stay safe on the road, and say hello to the village chief for me."
Song Gaoli smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I'm traveling with a merchant caravan, and they've hired armed escorts."
Having not returned for three years, he was already eager to head home, wishing he could leap straight to Song Family Village immediately.
Two days later, in a private room at Dingfei Restaurant.
Cui Zhengyang dropped shrimp paste into the hot pot while saying to the two of them, "Minister Ou said that after the metropolitan examination next year, he will transfer me to the Ministry of Works. What are your thoughts? Are you going to stay at the Hanlin Academy or go elsewhere?"
Given the aptitude and performance of the three of them, they could easily stay in the Hanlin Academy and be promoted.
However, Cui Zhengyang had previously been exposed to the Ministry of Works' shipbuilding affairs and had taken an interest in it, feeling it would be easier for him to make achievements there.
Not long ago, when Ou Shinian returned from Mingzhou, the two had talked a few times, and he made up his mind to go to the Ministry of Works.
Dongfang Yukun first cast a subtle glance at Song Qiming, and seeing him remain silent, spoke up first.
"I will stay at the Hanlin Academy. A Reader-in-Waiting position will open up soon, and I should be the one to fill it."
The Dongfang family didn't want Dongfang Yukun transferred out of the capital, so they wanted him to stay at the Hanlin Academy for a full six years. After that, he would serve as the Education Intendant of Jingzhao Prefecture. Once he reached the required years of service and had achievements, he could directly enter the Six Ministries as a Vice Minister.
This path might not be so smooth for others, as being promoted to Education Intendant usually meant being sent out to a local provincial capital. But for the Dongfang family, it was a minor issue, taking just a few words to arrange.
Cui Zhengyang nodded in understanding and shifted his gaze to Song Qiming.
"What about you, Qiming? With the County Princess's status, keeping you in the capital shouldn't be a problem either. Why don't you come to the Ministry of Works? Minister Ou has mentioned you to me several times, saying he admires you."
Song Qiming smiled gently, pretending to be calm as he continued to pick up food from the pot. The red chili oil dripped onto the table and quickly solidified.
"Lord Ou doesn't admire me; he admires my older sister."
Cui Zhengyang couldn't help but laugh. "If the County Princess could come, Minister Ou probably wouldn't even spare a glance at me."
After eating and drinking his fill, Cui Zhengyang leaned back in his chair, feeling a bit drowsy.
Turning his head and seeing the snow falling heavier outside, he stood up and said, "My little sister's wedding is set for the twenty-sixth of the twelfth month. Remember to come and have some wedding wine that day. I'll have someone send the invitations to your manors."
Cui Zhengyang's sister got engaged to the youngest son of the Vice Minister of Rites last year, and the Cui family moved to the capital this year entirely to arrange the wedding.
Dongfang Yukun's handsome eyes curved into two crescents.
"You haven't taken a wife yet, but your sister is getting married first. You need to hurry up."
Cui Zhengyang just smiled without responding and took his leave.
