Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 152 Third Life Extra 6
At the end of the fourth month, the results of the Ministry of Personnel examination were finally released.
The top three scorers, without exception, were all immediately granted official posts.
Zhou Shu’an was appointed as an eighth-rank Censorate Inspector; Cheng Jiarong as a ninth-rank Reception Officer of the Chief of the court of state ceremonial; and Sui Yu as an eighth-rank Clerk in the Ministry of Personnel.
The wind shifted, the sun blazed high.
All of Chang’an was bustling. The Bureau of Attire rushed to make official robes for the newly appointed officials. Jinzhao Prefecture was busy preparing for the Spring Hunt. The Court of State Ceremonies was occupied hosting foreign dignitaries—most notably, the second prince of the Uyghurs, Wu Li.
Thirtieth of the fourth month, noon
Lady Miss Xu, Xu Yining, brought her younger sister Xu Yiqing to visit the Yunyang Marquis Manor.
Upon entering the hall, Xu Yining smiled at the three Shen sisters and said, “The Spring Hunt is in a few days. Are you all going? The Empress, worried that we might not enjoy hunting, even invited a few opera troupes.”
Shen Yao said, “Zhen’er and I will go, but our elder sister likely won’t be able to.”
Xu Yining smiled and asked, “Is she discussing marriage?”
At the mention of this, Shen Shu couldn’t help but rub her forehead.
Since Zhou Shu’an had no close relatives, the betrothal process was much simpler. Under the Marquis of Yunyang’s unusually proactive approach, things had progressed so quickly it felt like being pushed onto the stage unprepared. Shen Shu had merely said, “Let me think about it,” yet Zhou Shu’an’s matchmaker was already knocking on their door.
She wasn’t exactly thrilled.
But she wasn’t against it either.
After all, young women care about appearances. If a perfect marriage was worth ten points, Shen Shu would give Zhou Shu’an a seven—four of which came from his face. Though she wouldn’t admit it aloud, she knew it deep down.
Shen Shu let out a breath. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Xu Yining said sincerely. “No matter how things turn out, I was at fault last time. Mother punished me by having me kneel in the ancestral hall for three days. Sister, I was truly scared afterward.”
Shen Yao snorted, “Only three days? Aunt should have made you kneel longer.”
Xu Yining replied, “Whatever you say about me, I accept it.”
Shen Yao’s expression softened. “Now that’s more like it.”
Xu Yining smiled. “I knew Yao Yao wouldn’t forgive me easily. That’s why I brought a gift today.”
With that, her maid presented three outfits—each of the latest Hu-style fashion in the capital.
“This Spring Hunt is at Mount Li, which is steep. Those trailing gowns we love would be too hard to move in, so I had these made.” Xu Yining draped one on Shen Yao’s shoulder. “Yao Yao, you’ll look amazing in a Hu-style dress.”
Shen Yao gave her a playful slap. “Xu Yining, your mouth is coated in honey today.”
“I’m not buttering you up!” Xu Yining replied seriously. “That’s the honest truth.”
—
The Yunyang Marquis Manor was filled with laughter. By evening, Xu Yining and Xu Yiqing left.
At the gate, they ran into Zhou Shu’an.
Zhou Shu’an paused and gave them a cold, assessing look.
That scrutinizing, bone-chilling gaze wasn’t something an ordinary eighth-rank official should possess.
Xu Yining gave a slight nod and took her sister into the carriage.
“Big sister, who was that?” asked Xu Yiqing.
“Green robe—Ministry of Personnel,” Xu Yining replied. “That was Zhou Shu’an.”
“The man Shen Shu is marrying?” Xu Yiqing asked.
Xu Yining nodded, then muttered, “The Shen girls truly have good fortune. Who would’ve thought the man who saved her would turn out to be the top scorer.”
—
Zhou Shu’an entered Shen Wenqi’s study. Shen Wenqi looked up and smiled. “Picked up your official robe?”
Zhou Shu’an nodded. “Yes.”
Shen Wenqi patted his shoulder. “Being a Censorate Inspector may only be an eighth-rank job, but it’s one that easily offends others. If anyone tries to make things difficult, just come to me.”
Zhou Shu’an froze. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t touched.
In his previous life, he had passed the same exam and held the same post.
People had said he was on a meteoric rise and favored by the Emperor. But only he knew the traps he fell into, and how long it took to climb out.
“Thank you, Marquis.”
After a pause, Zhou Shu’an added, “I also came today for another matter.”
Shen Wenqi wiped ink from his fingers with a handkerchief. “What is it?”
Zhou Shu’an began, “Do you recall a man named Li Di?”
Shen Wenqi frowned slightly and nodded. “Yes.”
“I recently discovered he’s been in contact with the Xu family.”
Shen Wenqi was startled. “The Xu family?”
“Exactly.”
Shen Wenqi’s eyes darkened. “I had people monitoring him for tampering with the household registry but found nothing. This kind of accusation must not be made lightly.”
Zhou Shu’an clarified, “Li Di hasn’t been in direct contact with the Xu family. He’s using someone else.”
“Who?”
“Lu Shiyi of the Fanyang Lu clan. He’s close to Li Di and also engaged to someone in the Xu family. Third Miss Xu invited only Shen Shu to a banquet. At first glance, it seems like a trivial matter. But Lu Shiyi later took Li Di to that Lake, and Li Di’s registry was altered in secret. My lord, do you really think that’s a coincidence?”
Shen Wenqi was clearly shaken. “The Xu family…”
After a long silence, Shen Wenqi said, “The Xu family is a powerful clan—if they’re involved, it must be with the Left Prime MInister’s blessing. And the Left Prime Minister has been aiding the Third Prince against the Crown Prince repeatedly.”
Thinking of past events, Zhou Shu’an couldn’t help but admire Empress Xu’s long game.
Just how many years had she been laying the groundwork for the Sixth Prince?
“My lord,” Zhou Shu’an said in a low voice, “with no one else around, allow me to speak frankly.”
Shen Wenqi nodded.
“The Sixth Prince avoids politics, preferring art and poetry, but he is still a prince. Lying low and hiding his edge—it’s a strategy.” Zhou Shu’an continued, “If Shen Shu hadn’t fallen into the water that day, who would she be engaged to now?”
The son of the Minister of War.
“These are mostly just suspicions,” Zhou Shu’an admitted. “But the altered registry—that’s hard evidence.”
After a moment, Shen Wenqi muttered, “Yes. Who else but the Xu family could silence both the officials in Jingzhou and the Ministry of Revenue?”
Zhou Shu’an shifted topics. “Do you know the Uyghur Second Prince is in the capital?”
“Of course,” Shen Wenqi replied.
Zhou Shu’an said gravely, “For the Spring Hunt the day after tomorrow—let Second Miss stay home and feign illness.”
The words struck Shen Wenqi like thunder.
“Rongjing, wait here a moment,” he said, clapping Zhou Shu’an’s shoulder before hurrying out.
“Have the Xu girls left?” he asked the steward.
“Yes, I saw them out myself,” the steward replied.
“And where is Yao Yao?”
“She’s still in the courtyard.”
Shen Wenqi stormed into Lanyi Courtyard. The maids bowed. “My lord.”
The Marchioness, Shen Shu, Shen Yao, and Shen Zhen were all there.
Shen Shu, wearing the Hu-style dress, turned and smiled. “Father, how do I look?”
Beautiful, of course.
Raven hair, delicate brows, bright eyes and a luminous face—radiant.
But Shen Wenqi’s expression turned dark. “Who gave you that dress?”
Shen Yao answered, “Third Miss Xu. She said the Spring Hunt will be on Mount Li, and long dresses would be inconvenient, so she sent us new clothes.”
Shen Wenqi rubbed his temples. “You’re staying home for this hunt.”
“Why?” Shen Yao blinked. “I heard the Empress invited opera troupes.”
Shen Wenqi, unable to explain political matters, said, “Marquis Xuanping said he’d come at month’s end to propose marriage. Like your elder sister, you should stay home.”
Shen Yao blushed. “Understood.”
Shen Wenqi looked at Shen Zhen. “Neither of your sisters are going. You stay too.”
Shen Zhen nodded. “Alright.”
—
That evening, Zhou Shu’an left Shen Wenqi’s study.
The two had drunk quite a bit. Shen Wenqi, a light drinker, had started with serious topics, but eventually devolved into rambling. The only parts Zhou Shu’an could clearly catch were:
“You’re still young, yet understand officialdom better than I do.”
“Treat her well.”
Zhou Shu’an sat in the waterside pavilion, letting the breeze clear his head.
He rubbed his eyes—time to go.
Just as he stood, Shen Shu approached and handed him a bowl. “Hangover remedy.”
She added, “Mother asked me to bring it.”
Zhou Shu’an covered his mouth and coughed lightly. “Thank you.”
He drank it all in one go.
As she turned to leave, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
Shen Shu froze.
She tried to pull away. “What are you doing?”
Fueled by alcohol, Zhou Shu’an didn’t let go—in fact, he pulled her even closer.
The scent of bamboo and wine filled the air.
Zhou Shu’an stared at her intensely—so much so that her face burned.
Amid the red clouds of dusk, her eyes looked stunning. He couldn’t help but kiss her eyelid.
Softly, he said, “Shen Shu, trust me just once—you won’t regret it.”
A young woman’s heart, brushed by a breeze, swayed—then stilled—then swayed again.
—
Back in her room, Shen Shu sat down.
Shen Yao asked, “Why is your face red?”
Shen Shu gave her a look.
Shen Yao giggled. “Elder sister, you gave in so quickly? I thought you’d argue with Father.”
“Trying to stir trouble, are you?” Shen Shu replied.
Shen Yao quickly waved her hands. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She leaned in and whispered something to Shen Shu.
Shen Zhen, quietly eating melon, didn’t care.
At that moment, both Shen Yao and Shen Shu wondered—who will our third sister marry?
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