When Zhang Huaiqian entered Prince Rui's residence, the snow accumulated in the courtyard had not yet melted, and the icicles under the eaves shone with a cold gleam at the corners of the cornices.
A eunuch led him into the heated pavilion. A slight smell of medicine, mixed with the scent of soothing incense, came to meet him. Chu Jin, dressed in an ample brocade robe of a neutral color, was half-leaning on a soft couch near the window. He held a scroll of a book in his hand, but was not reading it. His face was paler than usual, his features imbued with a fatigue he could not conceal.
"Zijing, there you are," Chu Jin said upon seeing him enter. He put down his book, a slight smile playing on his lips. He wanted to get up, but Huaiqian quickly approached, gently restraining him, and sat beside him, his gaze filled with solicitude. "Your Highness, how are you feeling today? Has the imperial physician come to examine you?"
Chu Jin shook his head slightly, his voice lower than usual, tinged with a barely perceptible weakness: "Still the same ailment, a tightness in the chest. The imperial physician came by. He said it was due to excessive overwork, to which a bit of cold was added, all of which has accumulated inside. He recommended that I rest well and no longer overwork myself." He gave a self-deprecating smile. "Only, in the current situation, how can one speak of rest?"
"Your Highness, it is precisely at this moment that you must take care of yourself. If your body were to give way, it would be an irreparable loss."
Chu Jin tilted his head, his gaze lost on the desolate winter landscape outside the window. He sighed lightly: "Don't I know it? Only, Father Emperor… Cough… Cough…"
Zhang Huaiqian was about to add a few words of comfort when he suddenly heard a eunuch announce from outside, his voice hurried: "My Lord the Crown Prince, envoys from the palace are transmitting an oral message. His Majesty summons you and requests that you go to the palace immediately."
Hearing this, Chu Jin frowned slightly and unconsciously pressed his chest. He turned to Zhang Huaiqian and said: "You see, here it comes." Then, addressing the eunuch: "I understand. Go tell the envoys that His Highness is truly not feeling well today and fears transmitting his illness to Father Emperor. Tomorrow morning, His Highness will personally go to his apartments to pay his respects."
The messenger eunuch looked embarrassed. He advanced a few steps and lowered his voice: "My Lord… the envoy also privately hinted… that the deans of the Imperial Academy of Medicine had just conferred, and that His Majesty's health… His Majesty… it was feared… it was feared that his days were numbered…"
These words from the eunuch were like a block of ice thrown into boiling oil, instantly freezing the already heavy atmosphere of the heated pavilion. Hearing this, Chu Jin started violently, which provoked an even stronger and faster coughing fit. He convulsively gripped the armrest of the couch, his knuckles whitening under the effort. It took him a long moment to manage to calm his cough, but his pale face was tinged with a sickly flush.
He took several deep breaths, trying to calm the beating of his chest, but his voice remained terribly hoarse, tinged with a barely perceptible tremor: "I understand… Go answer them, tell them that tomorrow… tomorrow morning, His Highness will go to the palace for an audience without fail."
The eunuch curtsied and said in a low voice: "Your servant obeys." Then he withdrew, bowing.
After the eunuch's departure, a suffocating silence settled for a moment in the heated pavilion. Only Chu Jin's heavy breathing and a few contained coughs resonated in the calm.
Zhang Huaiqian helped Chu Jin to lie down a little more comfortably, tucking the blanket around him, his heart filled with conflicting emotions. Seeing Chu Jin's exhausted face, his worry was palpable: "Your Highness, since His Majesty's health is so… if you delay any longer, I fear that…"
"Don't I know it…" Chu Jin closed his eyes, then reopened them. His gaze was bloodshot and weary. "Only, in the state I'm in, even if I went, what could I do there? I would only worry Father Emperor more by him seeing me like this. Cough… Cough, cough… Besides, my head is spinning and I have a strong tightness in my chest right now. Even if I arrived before the throne, I fear I wouldn't be able to utter a few coherent sentences."
He paused, his voice becoming even lower: "Zijing, at court… has there been any agitation lately?" Chu Jin's heavy gaze fell on him. "These past few days, my mind hasn't been clear, and I haven't been able to personally attend to many matters. These reports, I've mostly skimmed through them and then forgotten them, really… I don't have the strength."
Zhang Huaiqian chose his words carefully: "May Your Highness rest assured. The affairs of the court are still managed by several Grand Councilors and the heads of the various ministries. Only…" He hesitated for a moment. "...Only, it's cold at the moment, and the report on the Daizhou snow disaster has been submitted again. The situation is more serious than in previous years. The Minister of Finance argued again yesterday in the Chongzheng Garden with several dignitaries from the Ministry of War about the allocation of provisions and relief funds; the tone became quite heated."
"The Daizhou snow disaster…" Chu Jin murmured, his eyebrows furrowing further. "I remember this matter. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of War… Cough… were they arguing about whether to prioritize provisions for the border troops or for the disaster victims?"
"That's correct. The Ministry of War maintains that the defense of the northern border is critical and that military rations cannot suffer the slightest reduction. The Ministry of Finance, on the other hand, asserts that the disaster victims are starving and that if relief is not distributed quickly, popular unrest may erupt," explained Zhang Huaiqian. "This matter, I fear, requires Your Highness to make a decision quickly."
Chu Jin rubbed his temples wearily: "The Ministry of War… who is in charge of it currently? I remember that former Minister Wang, didn't he retire last month to return to his native land?"
"After Minister Wang's retirement, His Majesty has not yet clearly appointed a new Minister of War. The post is temporarily held by the Vice-Minister of the Left, Mister Chen. Only, this Mister Chen… has always maintained… very close relations with several generals who command the troops."
A sharp glint shone in Chu Jin's eyes: "You mean… the Elite Cavalry Camp?"
Zhang Huaiqian felt his heart skip a beat; the Crown Prince was decidedly perceptive. He lowered his voice: "A few days ago, during the inventory of the capital's arsenal, it was discovered that two hundred long lances and one hundred bows and crossbows were missing. The accounts were not clear, a link with the Elite Cavalry Camp is suspected. Although the matter has been suppressed and an investigation is underway, but…"
"One must be wary," Chu Jin let out in a long sigh, followed by another coughing fit.
"The Prince of Liang's residence is always full of guests, and the Prince of Jiujiang also frequently sends him local produce and seasonal gifts. It seems… even more lively than in the past," Zhang Huaiqian reported faithfully. "Rumors are circulating in the city, saying that they… seem to be secretly contacting certain former dignitaries of the imperial family dissatisfied with the situation at court."
"Humph, dissatisfied?" Chu Jin let out a cold laugh. "...Now that Father Emperor is gravely ill, they probably think their time has come again."
Chu Jin's gaze intensified, his tone changing abruptly: "Zijing, in Jinxiujing, what are the military forces that are truly usable and trustworthy at the moment? Between us, sovereign and minister, there is no need for pretense today; we must consider the worst-case scenario. In case… in case Father Emperor were to ascend to heaven, how could one quickly stabilize the situation inside and outside the capital? In particular, how to prevent these restless members of the imperial family from acting recklessly and ensure general stability?"
Zhang Huaiqian's expression became grave. He thought for a moment and said: "Commander Zhao of the Imperial Guard is a loyal and upright man; he has under his command two hundred personal soldiers on whom one can count. He also contributed to the pacification of the troubles related to the former Eastern Palace. Moreover, among the three great camps of the capital, General Zhou, commander of the Shence Army, is an old servant of the late Emperor, he has always been grateful for imperial grace and his conduct is rather prudent; one might perhaps win him over to our cause. Only… the commanders of the Elite Cavalry Camp and the other two camps often have ties with the imperial family and certain influential noble families; their intentions are difficult to fathom."
Chu Jin tilted his head slightly, as if weighing his words: "General Zhou of the Shence Army… he must indeed be well appeased and rallied. Only, with these two forces alone, if an incident were to occur, I fear it would be… insufficient." A deep worry was visible in his gaze. "These members of the imperial family, if one does not use thunderous means to intimidate them, mere appeasements will probably not be enough to contain them."
Zhang Huaiqian lowered his voice and moved a little closer: "This matter is of the utmost importance. Father… Father has been at court for a long time. In my opinion, Father… has probably already made plans and arrangements. Only, he will not easily reveal them until the last moment. If Your Highness trusts him, I will return tonight and sound out Father's intentions."
His gaze turned to the window. Outside, the sky was dark, the icy wind carried the remnants of snow and beat against the mullions. "Zijing, tomorrow, when entering the palace… it will undoubtedly be another tough ordeal."
Zhang Huaiqian's heart tightened. He knew that Chu Jin was preparing for the worst.
In a side pavilion of the Prince of Liang's residence, an incense burner exhaled scents of sandalwood. The subtle fragrance rose in wisps, harmonizing with the ancient porcelains and refined screens arranged around. Outside, the plum trees in bloom were magnificent; a few branches had been cut and placed in a carved jade vase, exuding a light, cold fragrance. In the living room, several ladies of the nobility were seated, dressed in brocade robes of different colors, their demeanor dignified, their expressions serene.
Seated in the place of honor, the Princess of Liang, draped in a shawl embroidered with a thousand butterflies, smiled gracefully. She took a small sip of tea, let her gaze wander over the assembly, and said with a smile: "If I have invited you today, it is only to chat and revive old memories. These past few days, I have found some old musical scores and would have liked to have your informed advice."
A lady of the nobility delicately placed her teacup and said in a gentle and humble tone: "Your Highness is joking. You master music so well, how would we dare to give you lessons? However, if we could have the honor of hearing you play the qin, it would be a great pleasure for us."
Another lady chimed in: "That's correct. Your Highness's talent on the qin, at the time, was described as 'the sound of jade coiling around the beams'."
The assembly began to laugh softly, the atmosphere rather harmonious. Madam Zhang, however, appeared somewhat ill at ease on the side. She was seated in a corner. Although her robe was also very neat, its style and texture, though luxurious, were slightly garish. The pearl pins in her hairstyle also clashed with those of the other ladies. She held her teacup, listening awkwardly to the others' conversation, unable to get a word in.
Suddenly, a lady turned to Madam Zhang, her tone affable but tinged with a certain curiosity: "Madam Zhang, congratulations on your son's success in the examinations. It is said that Mister Grand Tutor is very busy with his affairs; your son's studies, did you help him a little with that?"
Madam Zhang, addressed so abruptly, started, and her teacup nearly slipped from her hands. She forced a smile and replied: "Ah, I… I usually take care of domestic matters, I really couldn't help him much."
No sooner were these words spoken than several ladies exchanged a knowing look, a meaningful smile appearing on their lips. One of them said in a playful tone, but with a hint of masked irony: "Madam Zhang is truly a virtuous wife. Mister Grand Tutor today occupies a high position and great responsibilities; that Madam zealously takes care of internal affairs is quite natural."
Another lady spoke again, her tone falsely nonchalant, but clearly tinged with mockery: "Madam Zhang goes to a lot of trouble. However, such harmony between you and Mister Grand Tutor is a rare thing. It is said that your maternal family was once immensely wealthy in Yongzhou, what foresight!"
Madam Zhang understood the undertones. Her face flushed slightly. She managed with great difficulty to sketch a smile: "These are just everyday matters, it's not worth talking about. Really not."
The Princess, beside her, sensing the atmosphere becoming strange, let out a slight laugh and interrupted the conversation: "Ladies, don't make Madam Zhang uncomfortable. If one comes to the residence, it's to relax a little."
Several noble ladies immediately acquiesced, but their eyes still shone with a certain malice. The conversation drifted to musical scores and poems; each quoted classics and expressed her opinion. Madam Zhang, listening to these elegant discussions, felt more and more ill at ease. She wanted to intervene, but had the impression that the content of these scores and ancient works was Chinese to her. Finally, she could only take her teacup in silence, using this pretext to hide her embarrassment.
The Princess of Liang let out a slight sigh, turned to Madam Zhang with a smile, and asked: "Madam Zhang, do you sometimes have the leisure to study literature, or to learn a little of the art of the qin?"
Madam Zhang's hand froze. She replied hastily: "I… in my youth, at home, I learned some rudiments of accounting. Later, after getting married, I no longer had the energy to learn those things."
No sooner were these words spoken than a lady sitting beside her couldn't help but let out a small laugh, which she immediately concealed with her handkerchief. In a tone tinged with casual mockery, she said: "Madam Zhang speaks frankly. After all, you are a pragmatic person, busy with domestic affairs. We others, idle, having nothing to do, merely entertain ourselves with these elegant futilities."
A silence fell for a moment in the living room. The ladies laughed in low voices, not seeming to intend to refocus the conversation on Madam Zhang. Seated on the side, she felt her heart turn to ice.
The animation of this meeting was, for Madam Zhang, an unspeakable torture. This kind of gathering of noble ladies, for a person of her background, even if Zhang Huang occupied a high position, always meant being dominated by these women.
Madam Zhang had lived in seclusion for many years. The servants of the household had long since become accustomed to her rhythm of life: during the day, she remained idle in her boudoir embroidering, or browsed through a few old family account books. Her days seemed to pass peacefully, but every time Grand Tutor Zhang returned to the residence, this resentment accumulated over the years exploded like a volcano.
That evening, Zhang Huang, having finished his business at court, returned to the residence. As he crossed the screen wall, it was neither a warm brazier nor burning tea that greeted him, but Madam Zhang's sharp reproaches.
"So you finally deign to return!" Madam Zhang stood on the threshold of the main hall, arms crossed, her eyes shining with contained anger, giving her the appearance of a lioness about to pounce.
The Grand Tutor had barely crossed the threshold of the hall when he heard this exclamation. He frowned slightly. He was still wearing his official robe. He stopped, looked at her peacefully, without speaking immediately.
Madam Zhang, however, had no intention of letting this opportunity pass. She advanced a step, pointing to the tables and chairs in the hall, her voice rising a few tones: "You, on the other hand, are fine! Busy at court to the point of not knowing where to turn! And the household affairs, have you ever taken care of them? When Qian'er was little, you hardly cared about him. And now, here's the result, he's cut from the same cloth as you, we don't see him all day either!"
The Grand Tutor was surprised for a moment and lowered his eyes slightly: "Madam worries for nothing. Huaiqian is simply very busy with his duties, it is normal that he often has to spend the night processing documents. He must devote himself to his career."
Hearing these words, Madam Zhang felt her heart turn to ice, her face suddenly becoming pale. Her voice trembled slightly: "But I am his own mother! I want to hear news of him, worry a little about him, that too is not allowed?"
At that moment, Huaiqian was about to enter the hall from the gallery to greet his father. But no sooner had he crossed the threshold than he saw his mother, indignant, accusing his father with the vehemence of a storm. He immediately became alert, stopped short, understanding immediately that this was not the right moment to appear.
He discreetly stepped back a few paces, lowered his head, and quickly went around the hall, trying to make as little noise as possible, for fear of attracting his parents' attention. He said to himself inwardly: "Better to get away quickly, to avoid being scolded for nothing."
After Huaiqian had moved away, the battlefield was still smoking in the hall, and the handkerchief Madam Zhang was waving, like a small banner symbolizing her anger, fluttered faster and faster.
The Grand Tutor let out a slight sigh, removed his outer garment which he entrusted to a servant beside him, then slowly sat down and took the teacup from the table. His gestures were extremely assured, as if the agitation in the hall did not concern him.
"Well, speak to me! Are you deaf or mute?" Madam Zhang, furious, spread her arms, pointing at him.
It was only then that the Grand Tutor looked up at her. His gaze betrayed a certain fatigue, but remained devoid of any anger. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but closed it without speaking, merely lowering his head and stroking the rim of his teacup with his finger.
"Well, say something to me!" Madam Zhang was beside herself, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement, her voice so shrill that the servants outside the hall all fell silent, fearing to hear too much and attract the fire upon themselves.
A silence fell for a moment in the hall, only troubled by the crystalline sound of the teacup being placed back on the table. The Grand Tutor finally spoke, his voice low: "Madam, some words do not need to be repeated every time."
"What do you call 'not needing to be repeated every time'?" Madam Zhang almost jumped, her tone becoming more and more acerbic. "Have you ever cared about a single one of the affairs of this house, big or small?"
The Grand Tutor motioned for the servants behind him to withdraw. The expression on his face remained calm, his tone only slightly weary: "Madam, these words are a bit too severe. These days, I have been absorbed by government affairs, it is inevitable that I have committed some negligence. But isn't everything in this dwelling managed by you with order and method?"
"Humph, managed with order and method? Am I capable of it?!" Madam Zhang let out a cold laugh, advanced a step and, pointing to the account book in the main hall, said: "Yesterday, the steward told me that the provisions of firewood and rice for the kitchen had decreased by several tens of percent lately. Upon asking, I learned that there had been a problem during transport. I had it investigated and discovered that the person responsible was one ofyour former protégés whom you had recommended. If I don't address you about this matter, who else could I address? And you, upon returning, merely content yourself with a vague 'order and method,' refusing to deal with it!"
Hearing this, the Grand Tutor's gaze darkened slightly. He glanced at the account book, but did not hurry to speak. He simply walked over to an armchair, sat down, and said in a neutral tone: "Madam, some things do not require you to personally attend to them in all circumstances."
"Entrust it to the steward?" Madam Zhang stamped her foot in anger, her handkerchief so tightly clenched in her hand that it was almost deformed. "If I entrust this matter to the steward, will I also have to stop worrying about whether the backyard is about to collapse? You are busy at court from morning till night, but are your emoluments enough to support this family?"
The Grand Tutor took the teacup from the table, gently blew on the surface of the liquid, seeming entirely unaffected by her anger. He looked up at her, his tone still as affable: "Madam, you worry too much, you risk tiring yourself unnecessarily."
Hearing this, Madam Zhang's anger redoubled. She let out a cold laugh and, pointing at him, said: "Tire myself unnecessarily? I rather have the impression that you would like me to remain cloistered and no longer bother you with these troublesome matters!"
The Grand Tutor, at these words, simply shook his head and said gently: "If Madam finds these trifles troublesome, why not take advantage of these days to invite a few ladies to the residence, or go for a walk in the city? It would change your ideas and prevent these little things from spoiling your pleasure."
These words were spoken in a light tone, so peaceful that one could find no fault with them. But Madam Zhang, upon hearing them, felt her heart tighten, the words stuck in her throat.
The handkerchief in her hand clenched and then loosened. Finally, she merely let out a cold sniff. This innocuous sentence, like a bucket of cold water, had instantly extinguished all the fire of her anger. She opened her mouth, but finally only let out a brief cold laugh, then turned on her heel and exited, waving her sleeves.
Calm returned to the hall. The Grand Tutor remained where he was, his gaze lingering for a moment on the lanterns swaying outside, then he let out a long sigh. Outside, the servants, heads bowed, all avoided his gaze and continued their tasks with caution.
When Dugu Rong entered the residence, the twilight glows were already fading on the horizon, and the lanterns in the courtyard were lighting up one after another. Wrapped in the evening breeze, she held a package in her hand; the fresh fruit she had just bought shone with a moist freshness. Entering the inner hall, she saw Wei slumped in a chair, one hand supporting her chin, the other distractedly fiddling with a small decorative object on the table, visibly bored.
"Rong, you're back!" Upon seeing her enter, Wei's eyes immediately lit up. She jumped up to meet her, her gaze quickly settling on the fruit. "Ah, this fruit looks so sweet! Quick, give me one to taste."
Dugu Rong handed her the fruit with a smile: "Today, at the bookshop, I met Ardashir. This is the fruit he offered." While speaking, she took out a few new adventure novels from her sleeve and nonchalantly handed them to her.
"A'Shi?" Wei was about to bite into a fruit. Hearing this, she was surprised for a moment, didn't even take the books, her gaze instantly becoming curious. "How did he appear?" Wei examined Rong, staring at her with a mocking air.
Dugu Rong placed the books on the table and poured Wei a cup of tea: "Mmm."
Wei snuggled against her, refusing to drop the subject, taking her arm and shaking it affectionately: "Rong! Tell me more, please! What did you talk about today?"
Dugu Rong looked up at her and said with a mischievous smile: "We simply met on the way and strolled a bit in the borderland barbarians' market." With that, she took one of the novels and flipped through a few pages. "The stories written in this book are much more exciting, don't you really want to take a look?"
Wei pouted, moving even closer to Dugu Rong, her eyes crinkled with mischief, her voice tinged with a certain cajolery: "Come on, you were out all day and only came back now, I don't believe for a second that Ardashir and you only exchanged pleasantries. Confess quickly! What exactly did you say?"
Dugu Rong, seeing her bright eyes sparkling with manifest curiosity and excitement, couldn't help but shake her head, an impotent smile playing on her lips: "Miss, you really are… And you, what did you do all day?"
Wei covered her mouth with a smile, then grabbed a fruit from the table, devoured a red peach in two or three bites, and said in a pasty voice: "Me, I was busy writing a letter. I wrote, I tore up, I tore up, I wrote again, it took me a lot of effort! By the way, Rong, you still have to do me a favor."
"Write a letter?" Dugu Rong raised an eyebrow. "What favor?"
"It's just that…" Wei dragged out the words, her eyes rolling. Suddenly, she straightened up, looking very serious, and said: "That my brother deliver the letter to the young man who liked my poem that day. When my punishment is over, I want to go see him to play!"
"Ah?" Dugu Rong was surprised for a moment, not understanding at all.
"If I tell my brother directly, he certainly won't agree. But you, he listens to you!" Wei said with disarming confidence. "I saw with my own eyes that young man sitting next to my brother that day. They must know each other very well, otherwise why would they drink and chat together?"
Dugu Rong shook her head: "But it's really strange. Most of the young master's friends have already come to the Grand Tutor's residence, but this one, I've never seen him."
Hearing this, the smile in Wei's eyes widened. She leaned with both hands on the edge of the table, bent a little closer, and said in a low voice: "He looks particularly intelligent, but he's very gentle, completely different from those boors like my brother."
No sooner were these words spoken than a furious reprimand suddenly resounded from outside the window: "Who are you calling a boor?! I heard everything! You brazen girl!"
Wei started, then shouted back at the top of her lungs: "Huh? Brother? What did you hear?!"
"Open the door! Today, I absolutely must teach you a lesson!" Huaiqian struck the doorframe violently, his voice vibrating with contained anger.
But Wei, far from being intimidated, shouted even louder from behind the door: "I'm not opening! I'm confined! Busy meditating on my mistakes, I'm not opening!"
Outside, Huaiqian clenched his teeth in fury: "You're really becoming more and more brazen!"
Wei, not yielding an inch, suddenly raised her voice and shouted: "Don't you dare come in, huh! I'm undressing! If you dare to enter, I'll scream indecent assault!"
Wei's words made Huaiqian's fingers tremble with anger. He was about to say something else when a cold reprimand sounded at the door: "You two, why are you making so much noise in the middle of the night?!"
Hearing their mother's voice, Huaiqian and Wei instantly fell silent. A total silence fell inside and outside the door.
Madam Zhang stood on the threshold, raised an eyebrow, cast a cold glance at Huaiqian, then pushed the door directly and, without ceremony, slapped each of them. Then, grabbing her son with one hand and her daughter with the other, she dragged them both into the courtyard.
"Kneel! Arguing all day, aren't you ashamed! Both of you kneel here! For an hour! If I hear you quarreling again, you'll have to deal with family discipline!"
Madam Zhang's gaze turned, cold, towards them, her voice becoming even more severe: "Wei, you will also copy the holy scriptures five times. Forbidden to go out for a few more days, stay quietly in your room. Huaiqian, if you want to correct your sister, start by correcting yourself!"
With that, she sniffed coldly, turned on her heel, and exited, waving her sleeves, leaving Huaiqian and Wei on the spot, no longer daring to utter a word.
When the sound of Madam Zhang's footsteps had faded, Wei only murmured in a low voice: "Are you satisfied now? Isn't it because of you that I was punished?"
Huaiqian let out a cold laugh: "If you weren't making trouble all day, would mother scold me?"
Kneeling side by side, they looked at each other defiantly for a moment, then simultaneously turned their heads away, sulking angrily on their own. However, Wei soon couldn't hold back anymore. In a low voice, mixed with a tone of defiance and cajolery, she murmured: "Brother, help me deliver the letter to Mister Qiongliang."
Huaiqian's eyebrows twitched immediately, his voice becoming colder: "What new foolishness are you going to invent now?"
"What foolishness have I invented?" Wei placed her hands on her hips, her gaze not yielding. "It's just to make a friend, the letter is already written, you just have to take it to him in passing, that's all."
Huaiqian looked at her helplessly, his tone tinged with a certain exasperation: "I don't know who you're talking about, I don't know him."
Wei crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, disbelief painted on her face: "You're lying! I saw you with my own eyes drinking and chatting together!"
"Drinking two glasses together means we know each other well?"
Wei glared at Huaiqian. "If you don't want to help me, I'll go find him myself at the Pavillon Xingyi."
Hearing this, Huaiqian immediately changed color, his voice rising several tones: "You dare?!"
"If you men can go there, why can't I?" Wei lifted her head, without the slightest trace of weakness.
Huaiqian almost laughed in exasperation. Massaging his forehead, he said: "He doesn't often go to the Liquan district, don't cause yourself trouble."
"You see! You're lying! If you didn't know him well, how would you know he doesn't often go to the Liquan district?" Wei widened her eyes, aggressively. "You certainly know where he lives, tell me quickly."
"I don't know!"
"You're lying!" Wei became more and more insistent. "You absolutely know!"
Huaiqian completely capitulated, took his head in his hands, and sighed: "Knowing him is one thing, but for this kind of affair, I beg you, leave me alone, okay? My little sister, your big brother begs you."
At that moment, Grand Tutor Zhang crossed the central courtyard. His gaze turned and he saw his son and daughter kneeling on the stone slabs of the courtyard. He approached them, stopped, hands behind his back, his tone so calm that no emotion could be detected: "Qian'er, Wei'er, has your mother punished you again?"
Huaiqian bowed his head gravely, looking rather serene; Wei, on the other hand, muttered in a low voice: "It's not because of brother…" But in front of her father, she dared not say more and swallowed her words.
Grand Tutor Zhang glanced at them, his gaze betraying neither reproach nor the slightest compassion. He tilted his head slightly, his voice still as calm: "Then stay properly kneeling, that will prevent you from making trouble again in the future."
The two siblings expected their father to at least say a few words to appease the situation, but they did not expect him to be so detached.
Huaiqian, seeing this, understood that his mother's anger had passed and that his father might be in a conciliatory mood. He took a deep breath, rose from the stone steps, ignoring the numbness in his knees, and hurried to join his father a few steps behind him, bowing respectfully: "Father."
Zhang Huang slowly turned, his gaze resting calmly on him. He replied with a neutral "mmm," without showing much emotion.
"Father," Huaiqian, seeing that his father was not immediately moving away, continued quickly, his tone imbued with a certain urgency and solemnity, "your son, this afternoon… went to Prince Rui's residence to visit His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness… his health is failing, and moreover… moreover, news from the palace indicates that His Majesty's situation is also not optimistic. Your son has some urgent matters in mind and would like to discuss them with Father." He deliberately paused, observing his father's expression, hoping to attract his attention.
Zhang Huang's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, but it passed so quickly that one might have thought it an illusion.
He averted his gaze from Huaiqian to look at the courtyard plunged in night, his tone as neutral and indifferent as possible: "I understand."
After a moment, he added nonchalantly: "Court affairs, we will discuss them tomorrow at the Chongzheng Garden. The residence is not a place to discuss politics."
Huaiqian stood frozen on the spot.
Grand Tutor Zhang calmly turned away and left. His gaze, however, fell on Dugu Rong who was standing under the gallery. He stopped for a moment and said in a peaceful tone: "Rong, you, you don't need to stay with them in the courtyard, the night wind is cool."
Dugu Rong was surprised for a moment, then quickly lowered her head and replied: "Yes, Master."
Grand Tutor Zhang tilted his head slightly and headed towards the front. Dugu Rong quickly followed him, her steps light, her posture upright.
Their figures gradually moved away from the courtyard, leaving Wei, full of resentment, glaring at Huaiqian: "It's your fault! If mother beats me, so be it, but even father doesn't deign to help me anymore!"
Huaiqian shot her a cold look: "Shut up, do you want mother to punish you by making you kneel all night?"
Grand Tutor Zhang, while walking, suddenly stopped, turned his head slightly, and asked nonchalantly: "Rong, what books have you read recently?"
Dugu Rong was slightly surprised and replied, lowering her head: "Recently, I have read a few poetry collections, mainly about flowers, birds, wind, and moon. After reading so many, I find them a bit boring."
An almost imperceptible smile played on Grand Tutor Zhang's lips: "Since it is so, come with me to the study to see the new scrolls."
Dugu Rong looked up at him, a barely perceptible hesitation in her gaze, but nevertheless replied respectfully: "Yes, Master."
They silently walked along the corridor to the study. Pushing the heavy carved wooden door, the scent of sandalwood from the room came to meet them, peaceful and deep. Grand Tutor Zhang entered the study and, turning to the side, gestured: "Enter."
Dugu Rong entered the study with a somewhat constrained air, her gaze sweeping over the shelves full of books. In the flickering candlelight, these thick volumes cast overlapping shadows. She stood respectfully near the desk.
Grand Tutor Zhang walked over to his desk and nonchalantly flipped through an ancient work.
He paused, looked up at Dugu Rong, his voice calm but tinged with a certain curiosity: "Rong, among the verses you have read recently, are there any that you particularly liked?"
Dugu Rong lowered her head, thought for a moment, then replied: "I have read a few that I liked, indeed."
Grand Tutor Zhang asked with a smile: "Could you recite them for me?"
She remained silent for a moment, then finally recited softly: "'A sparse branch, light shadow, carries spring; reflecting the sun, swaying in the wind, as if in the clouds. In a dream, the flowers open, who knows where? The course of the water, how many times has it heard the echoes of the past?'"
Grand Tutor Zhang was slightly surprised, as if savoring its finesse, then let out a small laugh: "Beautiful verse, it suits your state of mind well."
Dugu Rong lowered her eyes without replying. Her fingers unconsciously brushed the corner of the desk, her gaze fixed straight ahead, but betraying a certain concealed fatigue.
Grand Tutor Zhang said with a falsely detached air: "Rong, you have always been intelligent. While diligently attending to the affairs of the household, you should not neglect literature either." While speaking, he gestured with his hand towards a few poetry collections on his desk. "These, I have sorted them recently. Read them in your spare moments."
Dugu Rong stepped forward and was about to take the books when Grand Tutor Zhang suddenly placed his hand on them, staring at her with a deep gaze. The atmosphere, in that instant, became heavy. She looked up at him and said softly: "Grand Tutor, you—"
But Grand Tutor Zhang's hand left the books to rest delicately on her wrist, his gaze deep and brooking no refusal.
She froze, a slight shiver running through her body, but did not pull away. His hand slowly slid, brushing her lowered sleeve, his gesture falsely nonchalant, but imbued with an unspeakable aggressiveness. He lifted his hand and undid the scented sachet she wore at her waist, his fingers brushing the cord of her robe.
Dugu Rong closed her eyes for a moment, slowly lowered her head, letting him undo the cord of her robe, a mute complexity deep in her gaze.
About half an hour later, the study door opened softly. Grand Tutor Zhang exited with an assured step, his usual expression, still as calm and reserved. He looked up at the already darkened sky in the courtyard, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked away, gradually disappearing.
Inside the study, Dugu Rong remained seated near the desk, her hands clasped on her knees, her lowered gaze fixed on the table, her face tinged with a slight pallor. In the room, the candle flame flickered, casting her thin and silent silhouette. She let out a slow sigh, closed her eyes for a moment, then rose, readjusting her clothes with extreme slowness.
Her fingers, as she tied the cord of her robe, trembled slightly, but she immediately controlled them with force. Each button was fastened with meticulous care, each fold of her garment was smoothed, until her appearance regained its usual dignity and calm. Only her eyes still concealed an unfathomable complexity.
Dugu Rong slowly walked over to a bookshelf, her gaze sweeping over the spines of the books, line after line, to finally stop at a discreet corner. She took out an old volume of the Qieyun. The scroll unrolled, the yellowed pages exuding a light scent of paper and ink.
Holding the book against her, she stood for a moment in the middle of the study, lost in thought. Then, lowering her lashes and tilting her head slightly, she turned towards the door.
Opening the door, the night wind whipped her face, laden with the coolness of early autumn. Dugu Rong paused for a moment on the threshold, looked up at Grand Tutor Zhang's receding figure in the courtyard, remained silent for a long moment, then finally slowly lowered her gaze and stepped lightly into the night.
Behind her, the candles in the study continued to flicker, illuminating secret corners that no one knew.