Dou Zhao was stunned, feeling a vague sense of redundancy—what kind of person was Ji Yong? Did he really need anyone’s sympathy? A brief silence ensued.
“In that case, take your time with the calculations,” she said, turning to leave. “I have things to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Ji Yong grabbed her sleeve. “What’s with your temper? I only said one thing, and you didn’t even wait to hear the rest before storming off!” He immediately regained his lively demeanor.
Dou Zhao was exasperated and shook off his grip. “Weren’t you just calculating? Wouldn’t my standing here disturb you…?”
“No, no!” Ji Yong quickly replied, releasing her and gesturing for her to sit. “I was just about to discuss something with you.”
Seeing that he was fine, Dou Zhao had no patience for his nonsense. “Whatever it is, we can talk about it later. Second Madam is hosting a banquet for female guests, and I should join in the festivities.”
“Oh!” Ji Yong nodded eagerly. “Then you should hurry. We’ll discuss this properly tonight.”
He always knew his limits in such matters.
Dou Zhao turned and left.
From behind the Lake Tai Rockery, half of Dou Ming’s face peeked out.
That evening, Dou Zhao and Ji Yong met in the garden.
The glow of the red lanterns illuminated Ji Yong’s face, accentuating his handsome features.
He counted on his fingers. “I’m sixteen this year. If I pass the Spring Examination next year, I’ll be seventeen. Three years as a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, and I’ll be twenty. Then, three years observing governance in the Six Ministries, and by twenty-three, I could become a minor official—maybe a Right Supervising Secretary or a Record Keeper in the Court of Imperial Stud or the Household Administration. Another three years, and I’d be promoted to seventh rank… By this calculation, it’d take me at least until fifty-three to reach second rank!” He shuddered. “That’s terrifying, absolutely terrifying… Taking the imperial exams isn’t worth it at all! If I’d known, I should’ve taken the Spring Examination right after passing the provincial exams. At least I could’ve saved a few years and reached second rank by fifty.”
Dou Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or scold him. “So, what do you plan to do?” she asked irritably.
In his past life, he had become Master Yuantong and risen to Vice Minister of Rites by thirty—a third-rank official.
“I’m troubled by this too,” Ji Yong said, though his sparkling eyes betrayed no sign of distress. “Tell me, is there any shortcut to avoid grinding through seniority like this?”
There is!
Become a monk!
The thought flashed through Dou Zhao’s mind, and her eyes widened.
Could it be that in his past life, Ji Yong had become a monk for this very reason?
But that would require extraordinary luck—to encounter an Emperor who, after imprisoning his own father and executing his brother, ascended the throne and, plagued by guilt, turned fervently to Buddhism!
If only she knew when he had become a monk in his past life!
Dou Zhao wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. “I’ve heard Liang Qing entered the Grand Secretariat at forty-three, Sun Huai at forty-four, and Wang Ji at forty-six…”
She couldn’t just stand by and watch him become a monk again!
Every time Sixth Aunt mentioned him, she was so proud and joyful, as if he were the hope and future of the Ji family. At the very least, she had to coax him into passing the imperial exams first."I knew I could only talk about this with you!" Ji Yong exclaimed excitedly, slapping Dou Zhao on the shoulder with such force that she immediately felt a sharp, burning pain as her body sank under the impact.
She frowned and snapped, "Can't you just talk without getting physical?"
"I'm just too happy, too happy!" Ji Yong apologized repeatedly, bending down to pull out a large scroll of paper from beneath the stone table.
Unrolling it, he pointed to the densely packed names and said, "I've compiled the career histories of all the Grand Academicians from the past century. Take a look!"
The dim lighting made it impossible for Dou Zhao to see clearly. But if she didn't indulge Ji Yong's eccentricities, who knew whom he might pester next? At least she wouldn't be easily swayed by his wild ideas.
She instructed Su Lan to fetch a lamp.
Su Lan promptly left to do so.
Ji Yong, however, couldn't wait to introduce the notable figures listed: "...Liang Qing was promoted from Junior Supervisor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices (rank 4b) to Minister of Rites (rank 2a) immediately after Emperor Renzong ascended the throne because he had been Renzong's tutor. The current Emperor has six sons, the youngest already thirteen—it's a bit late for me to seek Merit for Supporting the Ascension now... This one won't work! Sun Huai became Minister of Justice because Emperor Xianzong wanted to crack down on corrupt officials, and Sun had a reputation for integrity and impartiality. But before that, he spent twelve years as a county magistrate in Qiongzhou—I don't want to bake under the sun there just to become a minister... This one's no good either! Wang Ji defended Emperor Renzong in a memorial to the throne when he was a Censor of the Censorate, back when Emperor Taizong was considering deposing Renzong, who was then the Crown Prince. After Renzong ascended the throne, he promoted Wang to Minister of Personnel..." Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Ji Yong mused, "Wang Ji's approach might be worth trying—though the current Emperor is somewhat mercurial, he's generally benevolent and tolerant of censorial criticism. But creating discord between the Emperor and the Crown Prince would be tricky..."
Dou Zhao was already breaking out in a cold sweat.
Was this how one sought office?
Wasn't he being a bit too arrogant?
Acting as if he were the center of the universe, expecting everything to go his way!
"Do you just want fame, or do you actually want to be an official?" she asked Ji Yong. "Or are you just trying to satisfy your family?"
"What's the difference?" Ji Yong spread his hands. "To gain fame, one must hold office, and holding office would satisfy my family. I figure I need to become a minister by forty—that way, I'll have thirty years left to do as I please, and no one will find my eccentricities so outrageous..."
Dou Zhao couldn't help but give him a sidelong glance. "Are you so sure you'll live to seventy?"
"Living to seventy is rare since ancient times," Ji Yong declared shamelessly. "I should at least come close!" Then he added, "But I think I can make it to eighty-one at least."
Dou Zhao felt that getting angry with him was a waste of energy. "That's all in the future. For now, you should focus on ranking in the top three in the exams. Without becoming a Presented Scholar, all your plans are pointless."
"I think so too," Ji Yong nodded seriously. "But compared to strategizing how to rise to rank 2a as quickly as possible, passing the imperial exams is a trivial matter."Dou Zhao laughed in exasperation, saying, "Then why don't you become a sycophantic official or a treacherous minister!"
"That's actually a viable path!" Ji Yong replied solemnly. "I hadn't considered that before. It seems consulting with others truly opens new avenues..."
Dou Zhao was left speechless.
Ji Yong burst into laughter, a glint of mischief flashing in his eyes.
Seeing him like this, Dou Zhao could only heave a long sigh.
Ji Yong quickly added, "Fourth Cousin, don't be angry. I know you mean well and worry I might act recklessly. But worldly affairs are truly dull—if I don't seek my own amusement, I might die of boredom." His tone grew wistful by the end.
Dou Zhao snorted, "Hence the saying, 'All men wish their sons to be clever, but I was ruined by my own cleverness all my life'!"
"Excellent, excellent!" Ji Yong raised his hand to clap her shoulder but suddenly withdrew it, exclaiming, "For that remark alone, Fourth Cousin, we should drink a toast!" Then he added regretfully, "Why must you be a girl? How much better if you were a boy!"
Dou Zhao couldn't be bothered to respond.
Just then, commotion arose from the southern part of the garden.
Ji Yong stood up.
Dou Zhao also felt puzzled—why was Su Lan taking so long to fetch a lantern?
As they looked around, they saw Dou Ming supporting their grandmother, surrounded by a crowd of maids and matrons. Dou Ming's personal maids, Ji Hong and Hong Gu, led the way with lanterns, while Su Lan followed reluctantly behind the grandmother, holding a palace lantern.
Dou Zhao smirked coldly.
Ji Yong's temples bulged with suppressed anger. He gritted his teeth and whispered to Dou Zhao, "Last time I spared her for your sake. This time, don't blame me for disregarding your face!"
Dou Zhao remained silent.
The papers strewn across the table gave Ji Yong an excuse: "...I was just asking Fourth Cousin about these individuals' backgrounds."
The grandmother nodded kindly. "Such matters can be discussed in daylight. It's late now, and the night wind is strong—mind the lanterns don't catch fire."
Both assented.
Under Dou Ming's triumphant gaze, the grandmother had Dou Zhao escort her back inside.
No sooner had they entered than the grandmother spoke first: "I know Young Master Ji, though fond of mischief, has a pure heart, and you've always been prudent. Neither of you would do anything to worry your elders. But since Mingjier came to me, she might go to others next. You must maintain propriety henceforth. If you have matters to discuss, come to my quarters."
Her trust brought moisture to Dou Zhao's eyes.
She bowed in acknowledgment and only left after seeing her grandmother to bed.
Dou Ming had been waiting outside.
Spotting Dou Zhao, she called sweetly, "Elder Sister," then added, "Should I mention this to Second Madam tomorrow?"
"Go ahead," Dou Zhao smiled. "Cousin Ji just told me last time he spared you for my sake. This time, he won't consider anyone's face."
Dou Ming paled slightly but blustered, "Would he dare turn the tables on me?"
Dou Zhao smiled faintly and walked past her.
In the following days, Dou Zhao was kept busy with needlework under her grandmother's supervision, while Ji Yong obediently studied in Crane Longevity Hall. Dou Ming practiced pipa with Wan Niang as if nothing had occurred.Su Lan couldn't help muttering to herself, "What exactly is Young Master Ji planning?" She seemed almost eager for trouble.
Su Xin warned her, "This is between our young mistress and Young Master Ji. Don't go meddling."
Su Lan nodded absentmindedly. Seizing the opportunity as the weather turned, she volunteered to change Ji Yong's bedding to thicker quilts, secretly observing him all the while.
Ji Yong pretended not to notice.
Fidgeting restlessly, Su Lan could only make a frustrated curtsey in the end, preparing to withdraw.
Only then did Ji Yong speak slowly, "Rest assured, I'm thinking of something that will make your fifth young lady regret it for the rest of her life!"
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