The twenty-fourth year of Qiande in the Great Peace Dynasty was destined to be an extraordinary year.
Shortly after the spring equinox, three pieces of news from the capital sent shockwaves through all nineteen prefectures of Chaoan North Circuit. From bustling streets to quiet alleys, from teahouses to wine shops, people could be heard discussing them incessantly.
First, Her Majesty the Empress had issued an edict approving the Northern Frontier envoy's request to open free trade markets in several border prefectures between the two nations, with a full eight of these prefectures located within Chaoan North Circuit alone.
Second, with the upcoming Female Scholar Examination at the circuit level, the court had appointed the renowned Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Grand Academician Shen, to preside over the examinations in Chaoan North Circuit. This marked the first time in over twenty years—since he served as deputy chief examiner for the first special Female Scholar Examination at the Ministry of Rites—that Grand Academician Shen had voluntarily petitioned to contribute his efforts to the Female Scholar Examination again.
Third, the only son of Her Majesty the Empress, the Crown Prince who commanded the attention of the entire Great Peace Dynasty, was to have his principal consort invested.
These three seemingly unrelated announcements stirred the long-peaceful citizens of Chaoan into a frenzy. They rubbed their hands in anticipation of profiting from the forthcoming border trade, craned their necks hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Grand Academician Shen, and whispered speculation about which noble daughter would have the extraordinary fortune to be chosen by the Crown Prince as his consort...
Meanwhile, in the women's academy standing by the West River in Chongzhou Prefecture of Chaoan North Circuit, groups of plain-robed students wearing traditional scholar headbands chattered endlessly—
"If you ask me, the court's edict regarding the border trade isn't as simple as it appears," one woman declared earnestly while clutching her writing brush. "With the Female Scholar Examination approaching, it's quite possible the policy essay topic will relate to this matter..."
Before she could finish, a green-skirted girl jumped up and protested: "How can you still be thinking about policy essays at a time like this? Haven't you heard who's been appointed to oversee the circuit examinations in Chaoan North Circuit? Grand Tutor Shen, Grand Academician Shen!" Noticing she had captured her companions' attention, she continued with evident satisfaction: "Who is Grand Tutor Shen? My mother told me that in his youth, he was the epitome of scholarly elegance—the foremost literary talent in the realm who captivated countless noble daughters!"
Another girl rubbed her forehead and raised an eyebrow: "His youth? That was twenty or thirty years ago! You'd probably be sorely disappointed if you saw him now. Rather than fantasizing about him, you'd be better off thinking about his son. I've heard Shen Zhishu is truly exceptional in appearance and bearing, though unfortunately quite the libertine... But then again," she added meaningfully, "that's precisely what makes him interesting. Otherwise, what chance would you have even if you did meet him?"
The surrounding girls giggled, their eyes twinkling with implication.
The green-skirted girl immediately flushed crimson, clutching her robes as she sat down in a huff. "You... you're just making fun of me!" She turned to glare at the speaker, still fuming: "Yan Fuzhi! How can a proper young lady like you say such things all day long? You... you've utterly wasted your study of the sage texts!"
Yan Fuzhi shrugged, squinting with laughter. "As the daughter of mere merchants, I never slaved over books seeking official rank like you lot. Why should I bother with those tedious sage teachings..." She raised her hand, pretentiously blowing on her scallion-pipe-shaped long fingernail. "Don't you agree?"Another wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.
Someone leaned in, ingratiatingly asking, "Sister Yan, I heard you have relatives serving as court officials in the capital. Do you know which family the Crown Princess position might fall to…"
At the mention of this, everyone swarmed over like bees gathering pollen during blooming season, buzzing with curiosity to hear the details.
Yan Fuzhi glanced at her, pretending to push aside a few people nearby, and said indifferently, "Matters of the Imperial Family—even with all my capabilities, I couldn’t possibly know…" She stood up to leave but paused leisurely, suddenly lowering her voice. "There is a rumor, though it’s not reliable, and you mustn’t say it came from me!"
Everyone nodded eagerly, their expressions growing even more expectant.
Pursing her lips, she continued, "Do you think the Crown Prince’s marriage is that simple? Use your heads! Since the fourteenth year of Qiande, His Highness has been involved in court politics for a full ten years. In recent years, the Emperor has even entrusted him with deciding military and administrative affairs in the northern regions. And now, there’s talk of appointing a Crown Princess—need I remind you of the old rumors between the Emperor and Prince Ping? You all understand: the Crown Prince is the Emperor’s only heir. Would the Emperor single-handedly arrange his marriage? This talk of appointing a Crown Princess likely means the Emperor intends to abdicate and transfer power…"
A collective gasp echoed around her, and someone immediately exclaimed in shock, "So, the empire is about to change rulers…"
Yan Fuzhi clicked her tongue in disapproval, quickly covering the person’s mouth. "How can we speak of such things? Let me make this clear: if anyone repeats what was said today, I won’t let it slide!"
With that, without glancing at the others’ reactions, she pushed through the crowd and walked out.
Someone timidly called after her, "Sister Yan, the teacher will be here soon. Why are you leaving now?"
She waved a hand impatiently without turning back. "I’m going to check on Meng Tinghui. She was ill yesterday—I don’t know if she’s better today. She mustn’t miss the teacher’s exam…"
At the mention of that name, the chattering young women fell silent at once.
Only after she had walked some distance away did someone cough twice and murmur quietly, "Anyone would be fine to visit, but going to see her… isn’t that just asking for trouble…"
·
Spring sunlight, warm and fuzzy, streamed in, casting a pale gold glow on her cheeks.
A figure suddenly blocked the window, squarely cutting off the light.
Frowning, she jolted awake and opened her eyes to unrestrained laughter beside her: "Came to check on you thinking you were still sick, and here you are fast asleep!… Meng Tinghui, must you glare at me like that… huh?"
A hand reached down to feel her forehead, but she swatted it away.
Yan Fuzhi withdrew her hand resentfully, glancing around the room. "Living alone here—if you really fell gravely ill, no one would even know! Tch, and here I am, bringing trouble on myself…"
Meng Tinghui sat up straight, snapped shut the book lying open on the table before her, and stood to leave.
Yan Fuzhi trailed after her, protesting indignantly, "Hey, the teacher’s going to test us soon—you must know that, right?… Where are you going? Did sleeping muddle your sense of direction?"She paused her steps without showing any expression, turning to look back: "Miss Yan, instead of following me, you'd be better off spending more time with your books. The provincial examination is approaching, yet you..."
Yan Fuzhi ran over and interrupted her: "What books? What examination? My father doesn't care whether I pass or not - he's left me a tavern plus two cosmetics shops to manage after I finish girls' school... What would I need those worthless honors for?"
Hearing this, she stopped and smiled faintly: "In that case, Miss Yan, you really shouldn't follow me. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together..."
Yan Fuzhi circled around to stand before her, grinning: "You book-smart people are all like this, always putting on airs... You've studied until you're practically burying yourself in books. I suppose this provincial examination means everything to you, so why aren't you attending the teacher's lecture today?"
Meng Tinghui closed her eyes briefly before turning toward the sun: "Why should I waste time listening to things I already understand?" With that, she started walking away.
Yan Fuzhi clapped her hands behind her and laughed: "Meng Tinghui, I just love your arrogant, rude demeanor! Others would jump at the chance to get close to me, but you look down on everyone! It's rare to see a woman with such temperament!"
Meng Tinghui remained silent, the corner of her mouth twitching. Just as she quickened her pace to leave, Yan Fuzhi grabbed her arm.
Pulling her directly toward the west gate, Yan Fuzhi said excitedly: "I can tell you're tired from being cooped up studying and needed some fresh air. Let's go to my family's tavern - I'll treat you to good wine!"
Meng Tinghui struggled briefly but couldn't break free, her face stiffening: "Yan Fuzhi, let go of me. Drinking at a tavern in broad daylight - how improper!"
Instead of releasing her, Yan Fuzhi tightened her grip: "Oh, so Meng Tinghui cares about propriety now? Who was it that openly recited those romantic verses from 'Careless Words' to everyone last time? You and your propriety!"
Meng Tinghui's face darkened further, but she stopped resisting and allowed herself to be pulled along, murmuring quietly: "Don't make such a scene. I'll go with you."
Yan Fuzhi laughed triumphantly, quickening her steps while winking at her: "That's more like it!"
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