The sky over Qudu was dim, lanterns lining the streets casting a faint glow. Hua Xiangyi’s carriage returned to the city, heading straight for the Pan residence. She instructed her attendants only that she would be spending the night in private conversation with Princess Zhaoyue and sent a message to the palace to explain her delayed return.
Princess Zhaoyue’s marriage had been full of obstacles. Initially, Marquis Helian favored Yao Wenyu, but the Empress Dowager intervened and suggested Xiao Chiye instead. Neither match came to fruition. Helian, embarrassed by the situation and mindful of Princess Zhaoyue’s age and status as a legitimate Fei daughter, sought a suitable husband and, when Minister Han visited, proposed a match with Han’s son. That marriage fell through as well, for Fei Shih, the young marquis, knew the Han heir to be an idle man even less accomplished than Han Jin. He refused, seeing the match unworthy of his sister, and disrupted the engagement.
Unable to control his son, Marquis Helian finally settled on Pan Yi, the second son of Pan Lan’s branch of the Pan family. The two families were well-acquainted and both part of the Eight Great Houses. Fei Shih observed this prospective brother-in-law carefully, and only then did Princess Zhaoyue marry him.
Pan Yi was a cultured man, formerly a junior official in the Ministry of Works. When Pan Xiangjie survived the official probe unscathed and Pan Lan took over Wei Huaigu’s position in the Ministry of Revenue, Pan Yi was promoted and transferred back to the Pan family’s hometown, Dancheng, serving as the city’s guardian. He loved reading and held deep respect for Yao Wenyu’s scholarship, which was why he accompanied his wife to pay their visit.
Pan Yi had been waiting at home when Pan Lan returned from court. As the two brothers conversed in the main hall, they were interrupted by someone calling.
Pan Lan, currently overseeing the Ministry of Revenue and still holding the position of deputy minister due to the spring’s affairs in Qudu, paused. Since the imperial edicts hadn’t yet arrived, he had no choice but to respond. “Third Miss wishes to see me?” he asked in surprise.
Though Hua Xiangyi had not yet officially married, she enjoyed the Empress Dowager’s favor. Her accompanying guards were not to be underestimated, and even Pan Xiangjie would have to heed her summons. Pan Lan, unsure of the matter and unwilling to delay, hurried to accompany Pan Yi.
Upon entering the courtyard, Pan Yi saw his wife under the eaves, weeping, with a physician in attendance. Pan Lan’s heart leapt, fearing Hua Xiangyi had been hurt. He hurried forward. “Sister-in-law, what has happened?”
Princess Zhaoyue’s eyes were red from crying, her hand clutching a handkerchief, her words choked by sobs. Pan Yi moved to comfort her. “Madam, what’s wrong?!”
Hua Xiangyi said from inside, “The deputy minister and the guardian are like elder brothers. You need not be bound by formality. Come in and speak freely.”
Pan Lan, noting her calm tone and no signs of injury, relaxed slightly. He and Pan Yi exchanged glances, hesitated briefly, then lifted the curtain and entered. Screens had been set up inside, and Hua Xiangyi sat in the seat of honor. The two men knelt together, saying, “Your humble servants greet Third Miss.”
“Please rise,” Hua Xiangyi replied.
Through the beaded curtains, Pan Lan noticed a physician present and asked, “Who is injured?”
Hua Xiangyi was silent for a moment, then said, “To speak frankly, the person lying inside is none other than Yao Wenyu, favored pupil of the former prime minister.”
Pan Yi immediately brightened. “It’s Yuan Zhuo!” But as the words left his mouth, his expression changed, and he asked anxiously, “Ah! Was he injured on Mount Bodhi? I’ve heard the mountain paths are poorly maintained, and accidents are likely in the rain.”
Princess Zhaoyue, standing beside him, wiped her tears. “Cousin, it wasn’t the mountain paths—he was ambushed!” Her grief welled up uncontrollably. “His legs… what will become of them?”
Pan Lan’s mind raced. He was at a critical point in his career; a promotion to Minister of Revenue awaited, and with the evaluations catching up, his future looked bright. Yao Wenyu’s status was delicate, and court politics churned beneath the surface. Though Pan Lan wished to avoid entanglement, his respect for Hai Liangyi compelled him to act.
After a brief pause, he said, “Mount Bodhi is just outside the city, and patrols cover all of Qudu. Yuan Zhuo’s misfortune is serious. Please, Third Miss, explain the situation in detail.”
He neither avoided nor declined; Hua Xiangyi realized she had come to the right person. Pan Lan, though short-tempered, had only one close friend—Fei Shih—and his most disliked was Xue Xiuyi. After the official probe and Xiao Chiye’s ennoblement, Pan Lan had been humiliated by Xue Xiuyi and vowed never to sit at the same table with the Xue family. Now, with Xue Xiuzhu gaining influence by supporting the Crown Prince, Pan Lan had not sought to visit. Xiao Chiye had once aided the Pan family in escaping a political trap, and Pan Lan had kept their record safe, which proved crucial for Qudu agents like Qiao Tianya in evading capture.
Hua Xiangyi quietly recounted her encounter with Yao Wenyu and asked, “Will the deputy minister listen to me?”
“I am all ears,” Pan Lan replied.
She turned slightly, peering at the beaded curtain, and after a moment said, “Qudu is beset by storms. Yuan Zhuo’s misfortune tonight is no coincidence. You know the court better than I do. The death of the former prime minister while remonstrating is a lasting regret for Dazhou. Yuan Zhuo is not only the prime minister’s pupil but also the beloved son of the Yao family. Though his reputation has been sullied by the academy affair, his talent remains, and his character endures. After this ordeal, his resolve will only strengthen. In the future, he could revive the brilliance of the academy and lead scholars once more.”
Pan Lan remained silent.
After a long pause, Hua Xiangyi continued, “After tonight, Yuan Zhuo must leave Qudu as soon as possible. I will be marrying into Qidong soon; my movements will be restricted. Though I hold rank within the palace, I cannot openly escort him out.”
At this, she rose and, across the screen, performed a deep kneeling bow to Pan Lan.
His face changed instantly. He stepped forward. “How can this be! Third Miss, please rise!”
Hua Xiangyi bowed again, speaking with heartfelt sincerity. “Yuan Zhuo has benefited from wise teachers throughout his life. I have read all his writings. Now, with the Crown Prince enthroned and the academy vacant, the tripartite power structure led by my aunt cannot last. Even Kong Qiu cannot safeguard himself. Though I am only a woman, I understand the rarity of a true scholar.” She paused, then said gravely, “Chengzhi, I entrust him to you.”
Seeing her take such measures to protect Yao Wenyu, Pan Lan’s face reflected guilt and determination. “Third Miss, please rise! I value Yuan Zhuo’s talent. This matter is ours to handle. Tomorrow morning, Yuan Zhuo will leave Qudu with you, first to settle in Dancheng. Once he recovers, he may make his own plans.” Thinking of Hai Liangyi, he added, “Though I disagreed politically with the former prime minister, I respected his courage in remonstrance. For him, I must intervene.”
Hua Xiangyi added, “Tonight, since Yuan Zhuo survived, the other party surely knows. For safety, please devise a way to cover his departure.”
“I have a plan,” Pan Lan replied.
“Night falls; I cannot linger.” Hua Xiangyi rose, aided by her maid, approaching the beaded curtain. Seeing Yao Wenyu lying pale, she said nothing more and departed.
An hour later, the Pan residence sent out a body wrapped in straw mats. Those watching outside only knew that Third Miss had retrieved a beggar who died of illness at midnight. The pursuing soldiers followed to the burial mound and examined the corpse, finding it of similar stature and with the same leg injuries as Yao Wenyu, though the face was damaged. The bite marks on the lips were alike.
The men, fearing delay, withdrew to report back.
The next day, Princess Zhaoyue and Pan Yi set out for Dancheng. She had just given birth, and the convoy was large, with over ten carriages. Pan Lan, finishing morning court, stood at the steps, seeing Kong Qiu and Cen Yu in front. Wary of court eyes, he refrained from approaching.
Now, the Crown Prince rose at the hour of Yin, attending morning lessons by Mao. The selected officials for the cabinet, handpicked from the academy scholars, deliberated standing through morning session until noon. The Empress Dowager still oversaw affairs, and Li Jianting’s role shifted from studying at the Xue residence to the palace. Until the cabinet passed a formal vote, she had to continue as a student. The Ministry of Rites had already prepared for the enthronement, but under the pressure of Kong Qiu and others, the ceremony remained delayed.
Xue Xiuzhu continued instructing Li Jianting. Though she had no political authority, she held the right to hear court deliberations. She slept little, napped briefly after morning lessons, and then attended cabinet meetings led by Kong Qiu and Xue Xiuzhu. All matters of the Six Ministries required reporting, and she always arrived first, standing beneath the Mingli Hall eaves with respectful composure.
Kong Qiu and Cen Yu had disliked Li Jianting initially but could not deny her diligence and thirst for knowledge, far surpassing that of Li Jianheng.
After court, Pan Lan prepared to depart. As he lowered the carriage curtain, he saw Xue Xiuzhu exiting the palace with an associate. Their eyes met briefly; Pan Lan nodded calmly, giving a partial bow, and then released the curtain.
Qiao Tianya closed the window with a soft sound.
Yao Wenyu awoke, feeling as if he had just emerged from a jolting carriage, the air thick and oppressive. He turned his eyes toward Qiao Tianya.
“It’s the third watch, third quarter. You can still sleep,” Qiao Tianya said.
Yao Wenyu’s expression remained impassive. “A long dream, not worth recalling.”
Qiao Tianya poured tea, took a sip, and lifted the cup toward him. “Care for some?”
Yao Wenyu paused. “Tea has no flavor. Bring wine.”
“You are still wounded; alcohol is ill-advised,” Qiao Tianya said, uncorking a flask at his side. He shook it and took a swig himself. “I’ll drink it for you.”
After Qiao Tianya finished, Yao Wenyu said, “Good wine.”
The hair falling across Qiao Tianya’s forehead shadowed his eyes. His recent stubble had yet to be shaved clean. He touched his face and said, “It’s cheap wine, nothing special. Once you are fully recovered, I’d happily spend dozens of taels to let you taste the finest.”
A faint movement at Yao Wenyu’s lips.
Qiao Tianya leaned on the table, watching him. “In a few days, the engineers from Libei will arrive. Then we can go see the autumn scenery of Cizhou.”
Yao Wenyu’s smile vanished as he gazed out the window at the sound of horses under the eaves. He was silent for a long time before saying, “Have someone inform Tongzhi to prepare a generous gift for the wedding of Miss Hua Qi tomorrow. She saved my life; convey my thanks to her, nothing more. Tell her I am well.”
Qiao Tianya nodded.
Yao Wenyu’s eyes grew distant. “Play the guqin.”
Shen Zechuan, rising, faintly heard the ancient strings in the courtyard.
Fei Sheng teased, “Qiao Tianya is truly reserved.”
Shen Zechuan tilted his head. “The Qiao family fell from grace. He endured hardships even more severe than other young masters: surviving exile, competing with wild dogs for food, and caring for his sister-in-law. Now, the only possession he truly cherishes is that guqin. He maintains it daily, never playing it for others. It is his pride.”
Fei Sheng had seen the instrument; even Ding Tao dared not touch it. He did not understand the pride, but he did not speak ill of it. Though he often wished to replace Qiao Tianya from Qudu to Cizhou, he had to acknowledge Qiao Tianya’s abilities.