TGPSAC – Chapter 67

The winner of the poetry competition was the legitimate Qian Yuan daughter of a fifth-rank civil official. She had emerged as a dark horse, but when the Emperor was about to grant her an official post, she unexpectedly refused.

“This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your grace, but I am a provincial graduate and intend to participate in the metropolitan examination next spring. I ask for Your Majesty’s understanding.”

The Shengyuan Emperor thought for a moment and nodded. He knew many wished to become officials only after passing the highest imperial examination. It was the so-called integrity of a scholar. He was not angered; rather, he felt it was a good thing for Great Zhou to have such people.

“Since you have won, We must naturally reward you. As you wish to become an official through the examinations, We shall bestow upon you the title of Junior Gentleman for Service, of the junior eighth rank.”

A sinecure title was always a rank higher than a substantive post, so there was nothing wrong with such a reward. No one would dare to spoil the Emperor’s good mood.

Chi Wan was also looking at the poems everyone had written. Diligent people began their studies at three or five, studying hard day and night until they passed the examinations. To do so after ten years of hard study was the mark of a genius; to study for twenty or thirty years was the norm.

The poetry champion was named Gu Yanfei. It was a good name, and she had great ambition. She looked to be only seventeen or eighteen, and such a young provincial graduate was rare. If she could pass the metropolitan examination next year, she would be a palace graduate before the age of twenty. Truly impressive.

Chi Wan committed the name to memory, then turned to see Yu Jiuzhou also staring at Gu Yanfei.

“You know her?”

At her words, Yu Jiuzhou returned to her senses. “You don’t know Gu Yanfei?”

Chi Wan shook her head obediently. She truly did not know the name.

Unlike Yu Jiuzhou, who had been reborn, Chi Wan only knew the contents of the novel. This was a complete world, not one that revolved solely around Prince Bao’an, where other characters had minor roles. There were still many things she did not know.

A trace of doubt flickered in Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes. Gu Yanfei had been a palace graduate in the twenty-ninth year of the Shengyuan era, placing thirteenth in the first class. Although not the top scholar, second, or third, given the difficulty of the Great Zhou examinations, even making the list was a difficult feat, let alone ranking so high.

After becoming a palace graduate, Gu Yanfei passed another examination to become a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, where she was tasked with compiling books. By a chance opportunity, she caught the eye of the Minister of Personnel and was sent to Jiangnan as a vice prefect. A year later, she returned to the capital and re-entered the Hanlin Academy to serve as a tutor to Prince Bao’an, who had already been installed in the Eastern Palace.

After Prince Bao’an ascended the throne, she first served as a Reader-in-waiting, then as a Hanlin Academician. In the year she was to become the Vice Minister of Personnel, she was exiled for denouncing the now-emperor Prince Bao’an in open court. She later died on the road to exile.

Chi Wan was puzzled. “Why did she denounce Prince Bao’an?”

Yu Jiuzhou closed her eyes. “For speaking out against the injustice done to me.”

Gu Yanfei was a truly upright official. She knew that Great Zhou could not do without Yu Jiuzhou at that time. Faced with internal and external threats, only Her Highness the Grand Princess could stabilize the situation. Otherwise, no one could save Great Zhou; it would be doomed to fall.

Such an opinion was not permitted at a time when Prince Bao’an had the upper hand. In his view, letting her die in exile was already a kindness.

Yu Jiuzhou murmured softly, “If factional strife does not cease, the state will cease to be a state.”

Chi Wan’s hand slowly crept closer, patting the back of hers. The more she came to understand Great Zhou in this world, the more she understood why she detested Prince Bao’an.

If he weren’t the male protagonist, he would have had no chance of obtaining the throne. He was suspicious by nature, merely better at feigning than the Shengyuan Emperor. At his core, Prince Bao’an delighted in manipulating people and power. A person like that would ultimately die by the sword of power politics.

“Some people always confuse the art of balance with factional strife.”

This sigh from Chi Wan drew a peculiar look from Yu Jiuzhou.

Sometimes, she really wanted to know what kind of environment had produced Chi Wan, who could be so dazzling from time to time.

Chi Wan didn’t understand Yu Jiuzhou’s gaze. She simply bared her teeth in a bright, happy smile.

The two were getting along quite well, but there were always tactless people who came looking for trouble.

Peng Cheng, the son of the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, this subject has heard that the Fuma is highly skilled in martial arts and excels at horsemanship and archery. I would like to invite the Fuma to play a game of Cuju with us.”

The Shengyuan Emperor frowned. Many people knew the Fuma was injured. The son of the Minister of Personnel? How thoughtless.

“Enough. Go and play by yourselves. It is not convenient for the Fuma.”

“How is it not convenient? This subject knows the Fuma is valiant and heroic. It’s just one game of Cuju. We will certainly go easy on the Fuma.”

His words drew a round of cheers.

“Well said! We used to play with the Fuma when we were young. Why is it that now that she’s the Fuma, she won’t play with us anymore?”

“Indeed, is the Fuma afraid? If you are, just say so. We wouldn’t dare bully you.”

“We are all young people. The Fuma shouldn’t act like a delicate maiden.”

This was their true intention. Today was the Spring Banquet, and the Cuju match was a pastime for the young. Surely His Majesty wouldn’t be such a spoilsport.

To put it plainly, it was moral blackmail.

They used these words to provoke Chi Wan, while also saying to the Emperor: We are not disrespecting Your Majesty; we just want to play with our childhood friend.

After all, everyone had only heard about Chi Wan’s injury; it hadn’t been officially announced. If someone were to say the Fuma was injured and shouldn’t play, they would immediately claim ignorance.

The Shengyuan Emperor’s eyes grew cold. He could see that these people were deliberately targeting the Fuma. His original intention for holding the Spring Banquet was to show the world that Great Zhou was still harmonious, yet some people were intent on ruining that harmony.

Seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, the Minister of Personnel, Peng Xiaozhuang, quickly stepped forward. “My son is ill-mannered. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Then he reprimanded his son, “Insolence! Everyone knows the Fuma is injured, yet you show no sense of propriety. Can’t you play Cuju some other time? You can invite the Fuma to your residence when she has recovered. Now get back to your seat.”

Scolding one’s son in front of the court was a way of appearing to discipline him, while in fact preventing outsiders from having any reason to do so.

By now, Chi Wan had figured it out. Their true aim was not the wine. They likely knew she would refuse. Their goal isn’t this game of Cuju, but the next invitation.

Once she agreed, an invitation would surely arrive at her door before long. And once she was on their territory, things would be uncertain.

Assassination was the crudest method. There were always other options, like framing her or setting a honey trap.

The Minister of Personnel was ostensibly scolding his son to defend her, but who could say what his true motives were.

Chi Wan decided to speak up. “Your Majesty, your subject has a line of poetry: ‘The boys of South Village bully me for my weakness, openly acting as thieves.’”

This was the perfect moment to borrow a line from the great Du Fu to scold this ill-intentioned person.

Many people knew of her injury. She had been recuperating for many days, and the news had surely spread to where it needed to. The Minister of Personnel held a high position; could his son truly be ignorant of this matter?

“I also have something to say. I observe that the Minister of Personnel’s son must be nearly thirty, yes? He is much older than I, and not a child. How can he be so thoughtless? Who doesn’t know that I am severely injured? I just arrived in a wheelchair. Yet this son of Minister Peng comes over and asks me to play Cuju. How can he be so cruel?”

“I wonder, is it that Minister Peng has failed to teach his son, or is his son willing to be a thief?”

These were piercing words. To call someone a thief, especially the son of a senior second-rank minister, was tantamount to dancing on Peng Xiaozhuang’s face.

But then again, Chi Wan was the Fuma. She had been continuously promoted and ennobled, and now held a high position. Her substantive post was Commander of the Imperial City Division, a junior second-rank position, and she concurrently served as the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision.

There was an old saying in Great Zhou: there was nothing the Imperial City Division didn’t know, only things it didn’t want to know.

The Imperial City Division had the authority to monitor the military, officials, and civil service examinations. It also had the power to investigate, arrest, enforce the law, and pass judgment. However, it did not have its own prisons and could only send convicts to the Grand Court of Revision or the Shengjing Prefecture prison.

Furthermore, the Imperial City Division was responsible for the security of the capital and the protection of the palace. High-ranking officials of the division could enter and exit the palace at will, and a detachment was also tasked with protecting the emperor.

To put it simply, the Imperial City Division had the authority to manage all affairs in the capital, big or small.

Unfortunately, that was the Imperial City Division of the past. The current one did not wield such immense power. But any discerning person could see that after Chi Wan took over as commander, she was immediately promoted to a junior second-rank Commander-in-Chief, and was now retraining troops and recruiting new members. It was clear she was being groomed for an important role.

Until the Palace Command Division was established and trained, the emperor’s safety was entrusted to the Imperial City Division and the Imperial Guard.

Currently, the Shengyuan Emperor dared not entrust his safety to a single party; he required both to protect him.

The Fuma’s rank and real power were both substantial, even greater than a minister’s. But her opponent was the Minister of Personnel, who controlled the appointment and transfer of all officials in the realm.

However, over time, some important positions in the capital had come to be decided by the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat, slightly diminishing the Ministry of Personnel’s power. Nevertheless, it remained the head of the Six Ministries.

After all, the Ministry of Personnel could directly determine the political fate of officials below the fourth rank and had the power to rate officials below the third rank. A, B, or C—if one received a C-minus, their career was finished.

No civil official dared to offend the Minister of Personnel. But military officials were different. Their futures lay with the Ministry of War, and they cared little for the Minister of Personnel.

“Hahaha, to reject being a gentleman and insist on being a thief. This old woman has seen it for the first time.”

“Minister Peng has failed to teach his son properly. Knowing the Fuma is injured, yet still forcing her to play Cuju. Is he trying to take advantage of her weakness?”

“Whether Minister Peng is scolding his son or protecting him, we all have a clear idea in our hearts.”

Many military officials were at odds with the Ministry of Personnel. Some of them held noble titles and were not necessarily aligned with anyone, but at this moment, they spoke up for Chi Wan.

So Chi Wan asked in a low voice, “Are they Your Highness’s people?”

Yu Jiuzhou did not speak, but they were indeed her people. Chi Wan was also her person. When her own Fuma was being provoked, she, the Grand Princess, would never sit idly by.

“Minister Peng, are you bullying my Princess’s Residence for having no one to stand up for it?”

With the Grand Princess speaking, the matter was settled. There was no need to debate whether to side with the Minister of Personnel or the Fuma. Offending the Grand Princess, with her current power in the Grand Secretariat and command of the military, meant that not even the two princes could protect them, let alone a single Minister of Personnel.

Chi Wan was rather speechless. Did she really look that easy to bully? Everyone seemed to want to have a go.

If one were to ask Yu Jiuzhou, she would surely say: Of course. You look very easy to bully.

Nineteen years old, a graceful and elegant young lady, her handsome features like a jade tree standing tall in the wind. Such a dashing young woman was a rare sight.

A face like fine jade, eyes like lacquer points, an ethereal temperament, and exquisite beauty—this was a perfect description of Chi Wan.

A good-looking young lady, with a youthful face and tender age—how could she not look easy to bully?

Yu Jiuzhou even thought that this face would be very interesting to see in tears.

She quickly stopped her strange train of thought. Why on earth did she suddenly want to make Chi Wan cry?

Yu Jiuzhou suppressed the slightly wicked thought in her heart and raised her hand to address the Shengyuan Emperor. “Your Majesty, everyone knows the Fuma was injured while escorting military funds, ambushed and pursued by the rebel prince’s men. Although the Fuma is half a member of the Yu family, and we are all one family, she should not be provoked like this. After all, the Fuma was acting in service to the state. If in the future, those who are injured or die serving the state are treated this way, who will be willing to serve Great Zhou and our Yu family?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Minister of Personnel kicked his son, forcing him to his knees, while he himself quickly knelt to beg for forgiveness.

“This minister has failed to teach his son. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

The Shengyuan Emperor’s expression grew even colder. A perfectly good Spring Banquet had been ruined like this. He was already displeased with the Peng father and son, and after hearing Yu Jiuzhou’s words, he made his decision.

“We recall that the Minister of Personnel’s son does not yet hold an official post, does he? Why does he address himself as ‘subject’?”

The Minister of Personnel, Peng Xiaozhuang, quickly replied, “Your Majesty, my son is unworthy. He did not pass the provincial examinations. His post was obtained through hereditary privilege.”

“In that case, let him remain a commoner. For the next ten years, We do not wish to see him in this court.”

Hearing the Emperor’s words, Peng Xiaozhuang could only bow his head low and reply, “Yes, this subject obeys.”

The Shengyuan Emperor’s meaning was clear: Peng Cheng could not hold office for ten years. In ten years, he would be in his late thirties, nearly forty. It was uncertain if Peng Xiaozhuang would still be around then, and even if he was, he might not still be the Minister of Personnel; he might have already retired with honors.

Without a father who was the Minister of Personnel, Peng Cheng’s future was effectively ruined.

Peng Xiaozhuang was already thinking about which of his other children was worth cultivating. A family’s primary investment was in the eldest legitimate son. If the eldest was not worth cultivating, then it was natural to switch to someone else.

As the head of the family, he had to consider the family’s prosperity above all else. He had many children; if one made a mistake, there were always others to take their place.

It was a pity that the family had expended so much effort on Peng Cheng.

“Your Majesty?” Peng Cheng’s eyes widened. He quickly looked to his father. “Father, save me! I don’t want to wait ten years to become an official!”

“Silence.”

Peng Xiaozhuang snorted coldly and hissed in a low voice, “If you don’t want to die, then get yourself home right now.”

Useless. He couldn’t even manage to lure someone into a trap. How could he be the successor of the Peng family in the future?

Chi Wan merely smiled at the scene before her. Usually, the Emperor was unwilling to meddle in such matters. If he had to judge right and wrong and punish someone every time his ministers had a verbal spat, he would be exhausted to death.

Normally, sensible ministers would not bring such a matter before him at the Spring Banquet, much less force him to pass judgment.

The Shengyuan Emperor could see it. They did not want to give the Grand Princess power; they even wanted to seize his power. Did they really think he was old?

He had originally intended to adopt a softer approach, but now it seemed that was no longer feasible. With the rebel prince in revolt and the other two princes harboring ill intentions, it was better to hand power over to Jiuzhou than to continue to indulge them.

At least Yu Jiuzhou was his daughter. As a Kun Ze, she would not command complete trust, and he would still be needed to act as a mediator. It was much better than letting power fall into the hands of outsiders.

The Shengyuan Emperor’s thinking was simple: let Yu Jiuzhou be the villain, and he would be the good man, while simultaneously working to reclaim the power of the two princes.

In his view, the throne was destined to be out of Yu Jiuzhou’s reach. Giving her power was not like giving it to the two princes, which could eventually become uncontrollable. The power he gave to Yu Jiuzhou, he could take back at any time.

Yu Jiuzhou had endured for so long, all for this very moment.

Thanks to the successive attacks and traps set by the two ministers, the Shengyuan Emperor had finally made up his mind.

Outsiders did not know what the Shengyuan Emperor was thinking, but his expression told everyone not to cause any more trouble for the rest of the evening. Otherwise, the matter would not be handled so lightly next time.

“Alright, continue.”

The Shengyuan Emperor waved his hand, and the lively atmosphere returned to Hanyuan Hall. Even those who didn’t feel like it had to pretend.

Chi Wan took a sip of the sweet wine in her cup, feigning boredom. “Your Highness, I’m going to watch the arrow-throwing game.”

Yu Jiuzhou merely glanced at her and nodded. “Go on.”

Right now, she was the elegant and dignified Grand Princess. She had to sit here properly, playing a scene of warmth and affection with the Emperor.

Her own feet were already tied down; she shouldn’t tie down Chi Wan’s as well.

Chi Wan smiled and got into her wheelchair. Chen Yuan pushed her to the area where the arrow-throwing game was being played. Seeing her approach, everyone consciously made way.

Setting aside the fact that none of them had a Minister of Personnel for a father, even if they did, with the recent precedent, no one dared to offend her.

Some people only saw Chi Wan’s appearance and overlooked the power she held. Unless a person was truly clean, the Imperial City Division could always find evidence of wrongdoing and bring them to ruin.

Or perhaps they didn’t overlook her power, but were willing to take a gamble. Sacrificing one or two pawns in exchange for Chi Wan’s downfall was certainly worth it, which was why so many people were drawn like moths to a flame, wanting to kill her.

Chi Wan held out her hand, and Chen Yuan placed a basket of arrows beside her.

As Chen Yuan handed her an arrow, she whispered, “In a moment, when the crowd is large and no one is paying attention, push me to the side hall.”

“Hm? Yes.”

Chen Yuan was a competent subordinate. She would not ask why; she would simply obey.

Chi Wan smiled, took an arrow, and casually tossed it.

A cheer erupted. “Nice! It’s in.”

“The Fuma is amazing.”

Chi Wan proceeded to throw several more arrows, all of which went in. She then picked up three arrows at once, threw them, and all three landed in the pot.

“Bravo! The Fuma is unmatched in arrow-throwing.”

“The Fuma is invincible!”

The cheers were getting too loud for Chi Wan’s liking. Fortunately, the area around the game quickly filled with people, blocking Yu Jiuzhou’s view of her.

So she grabbed a handful of arrows and threw them all at once. Just as everyone’s attention was focused on the arrows, Chen Yuan had already pushed her away from the crowd.

Just as she was about to reach the side hall, the cheers from behind grew even louder.

“The Fuma’s skill is one of a kind.”

“Huh? Where’s the Fuma?”

“No, I have to try. How do you throw so many at once?”

“You? Forget it.”

“Chen Erlang, what do you mean by that? What’s wrong with me?”

“I’m saying you’re useless.”

The two were young and hot-headed. They wouldn’t dare fight in front of the Emperor, but they immediately decided to settle it with a game of arrow-throwing. The loser would have to let the winner ride on their back like a horse.

Seeing some entertainment, the crowd lost interest in where Chi Wan had gone.

Chi Wan arrived at the side hall, where Xia Qu was already waiting for her. “Fuma, your qin.”

It was the qin she often used. The storerooms of the Princess’s Residence held many fine instruments. Knowing she wanted to practice, Yu Jiuzhou had given it to her. But so much had happened since then that she hadn’t touched it for many days.

Moreover, her left arm was genuinely injured and still bound in a sling. Playing with both hands was definitely out of the question.

So Chi Wan had prepared to play with one hand. When Yu Jiuzhou was at court or in meetings with the Grand Secretariat, she had practiced at home. Although not as good as playing with two hands, she could play a piece through to the end without issue.

She had promised Yu Jiuzhou she would play “Phoenix Seeking a Mate” for her, and she did not want to break her word.

Chi Wan guessed that Yu Jiuzhou wanted to use this song as a catalyst for their reconciliation, creating a false impression for the Shengyuan Emperor so they could make up in a justifiable manner.

After making up, they could find another excuse for their relationship to sour again after some time.

They had to reconcile at least once, to put on a show for the Shengyuan Emperor.

Chi Wan thought that if the goal was to act, it would be better to perform this play in front of everyone. The Spring Banquet was an excellent choice.

Confessing to the Grand Princess in front of a crowd… hehe, she was a genius actor.

First the poem, and soon a song to stun the audience. Yu Jiuzhou would surely be very pleased.

After all, with her arm injured, Yu Jiuzhou probably thought she couldn’t play “Phoenix Seeking a Mate.” When the topic had come up before, she could see that Yu Jiuzhou was somewhat disappointed.

Chi Wan pulled out the small table attached to her wheelchair and was about to have Chen Yuan place the qin on it when she suddenly heard an arrogant male voice. “Dong Zhilan, I’m warning you, the position of Prince Bao’an’s consort is mine. If you dare to compete with me, I’ll slash your face.”

Dong Zhilan? Prince Bao’an’s consort, the future crown princess consort, the empress. It was a political marriage with Prince Bao’an. It was at this very Spring Banquet that she won the title of “Brocade Flower Champion,” after which the Duke of Xin’s residence threw its full support behind Prince Bao’an, becoming his most powerful ally.

An army of one hundred thousand men became Prince Bao’an’s asset, and Dong Zhilan, as a virtuous empress, relieved him of many worries from the rear.

Listening to the words from inside, it seemed someone was competing with Dong Zhilan for the title. Chi Wan frowned, an idea forming. Since she had overheard, if she didn’t do something, wouldn’t she be letting Prince Bao’an off too easily?

Chi Wan put away the wheelchair table and waited to the side. A moment later, Dong Zhilan walked out. It looked like she had been in a scuffle; her clothes were in disarray.

“Dong Zhilan?”

Hearing her name, she turned around, sized up Chi Wan in the wheelchair, and immediately curtsied. “This humble daughter greets the Fuma.”

She was a clever one. And it made sense; Chi Wan was the only one in the entire banquet hall in a wheelchair.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Who was that just now?”

Dong Zhilan gave her a troubled look, but realizing the other party had already seen the person, she knew there was no point in hiding it. “I have made a fool of myself in front of the Fuma. That was my fourth brother.”

Chi Wan nodded. “Is the Fifth Miss Dong competing for the title of Brocade Flower Champion?”

Dong Zhilan: “…I am the sixth.”

Er…

“My apologies, Sixth Miss Dong.” Chi Wan was embarrassed. It was her own fault for making assumptions.

After a moment, Dong Zhilan said, “If the Fuma has no other business, this humble daughter must go compete.”

“Does the Sixth Miss wish to participate in the Spring Banquet?” Chi Wan remembered that initially, Dong Zhilan had been unwilling to marry Prince Bao’an. Later, she was forced into it, and her relationship with him could be described as one of mutual respect.

After becoming the prince’s consort, Dong Zhilan provided many good strategies and policies, which all ended up being credited to Prince Bao’an, while she was permanently confined to the inner palace.

Dong Zhilan smiled. “Who wouldn’t want to win the title of Brocade Flower Champion?”

“Is it that you want to win the title, or that you want to be Prince Bao’an’s consort?”

“Doesn’t the Fuma think you are being a bit presumptuous?”

Chi Wan leaned back in her wheelchair. “If you don’t want to marry Prince Bao’an, there is actually another way. You could let your fourth brother become the Prince’s Consort. That would both fulfill your father’s command and save you from sacrificing your own life.”

Her own life? It was the first time anyone had spoken to her like that. For Kun Ze women like her, it was to obey one’s father at home, one’s husband after marriage, and one’s son after the husband’s death. How could they ever have a life of their own?

“Moreover, you could become one of Her Highness the Grand Princess’s female officials. Whether to be a female official or a prince’s consort, you can choose for yourself. Once you’ve decided, tell my woman.”

Chi Wan pointed to Chen Yuan, giving Dong Zhilan a choice. With Chen Yuan’s help, whatever Dong Zhilan wanted to do would be much easier.

“By the way, if you choose to become Her Highness the Grand Princess’s female official, you must figure out how to do it yourself. As long as you do not harm the interests of the Princess’s Residence, Chen Yuan will cooperate with you.”

This was also a test to see if Dong Zhilan could accomplish it. In essence, it was not only her test of Dong Zhilan, but also Dong Zhilan’s interview with her—a two-way interview.

Chi Wan waved her hand and wheeled herself away. Dong Zhilan stood stunned for a long time. She felt as if her thoughts had been seen through, the deepest thoughts hidden in her heart.

In fact, for many people, there was no choice to be made. Of course, they would choose to become a prince’s consort. But becoming a consort meant that her future would revolve around the prince, and she would lose herself.

Some people were willing to go with the flow, to compromise for the sake of so-called “rules.” She did not want to, but she could not resist. And now, someone had given her a chance.

Dong Zhilan watched the figure in the wheelchair, watching as Chi Wan pushed herself out, a qin resting on the small table of the wheelchair.

Chi Wan’s fingers lightly plucked the qin, and the first note sounded.

Then, the music flowed like a mountain stream, smooth and free. It was only then that the crowd recognized the tune—it was “Phoenix Seeking a Mate.”

Who was so bold as to make a declaration of love at the Spring Banquet? But when they saw it was the Fuma, it suddenly seemed perfectly natural. A confession before marriage was presumptuous, but a confession after marriage was romantic.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon Yu Jiuzhou. In truth, from the moment the first note sounded, her heart had been captivated, filled with anticipation, surprise, and… a stirring emotion.

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