The horse's hooves clopped crisply against the stone pavement.
Freshly sprouted green buds drifted down from above, carrying the unique fragrance of spring.
"Yanzhi."
The man in black robes called out softly.
"Hmm?" The man in blue robes hurriedly urged his horse forward, leaning in to ask quietly, "What are Your Highness's instructions?"
"Since accompanying me out of the capital this time, you must restrain yourself in all matters. Cease your extravagant behavior and stop provoking unfamiliar women everywhere." His voice was cold, yet tinged with helplessness.
The blue-robed man lowered his head, complaining aggrievedly, "Your Highness is traveling incognito with only Bai Danyong as guard. Chaoan North Circuit was originally surrendered Zhongwan territory—the local customs are unlike the capital's..."
"So you flaunt wealth and drive people away in taverns? I'm hardly likely to be assassinated over a meal." The black-robed man interrupted him, displeased. "Grand Tutor Shen's salary wasn't meant for such squandering."
The blue-robed man flushed with embarrassment, muttering, "Your Highness forgets—I've been drawing my own salary since the beginning of the year."
The black-robed man turned his head, voice icy, "Indeed, I'd forgotten. What kind of man is Shen Zhishu? Inheriting his parents' privileges, entering officialdom without imperial examinations, obtaining court positions without prior experience—even newly appointed imperial scholars cannot match your glory... Never mind new scholars—I doubt even Grand Tutor Shen in his youth could compare to your current reputation!"
"Your Highness..." Shen Zhishu started urgently but swallowed his words, remaining silent until he finally turned to the tall man riding beside them with a pleading look. "Bai Danyong."
Seeing his pitiful expression, Bai Danyong quickly rode closer to mediate: "Your Highness, have you observed how much Chongzhou City has changed? The variety of wineshops and stores along these streets has multiplied tenfold compared to a decade ago. This proves the governance of Chaoan North Circuit matches official reports—Your Highness's efforts haven't been in vain."
The black-robed man's expression softened slightly as he scanned their surroundings. "It truly is vastly different from ten years ago. Bai Danyong, do you recall how Her Majesty's edict abolishing unauthorized temples across the northern circuits caused countless young defrocked monks and nuns to become homeless due to improper implementation by Chaoan officials?"
After a long silence, Bai Danyong frowned. "I speak boldly—when Your Highness first participated in governance and investigated surrendered Zhongwan territories, you dismissed your retinue to inspect multiple prefectures alone. Though you exposed corrupt officials and saved many young monks, how many lost sleep worrying for your safety? This time I beg to accompany you everywhere—if any harm befell you, ten heads wouldn't atone for my negligence..."
"No need for concern, Bai Danyong. Heaven protects the virtuous—how could misfortune strike His Highness?" Shen Zhishu interjected cheerfully. "It's someone inexperienced like me who needs your protection! Tomorrow morning I'll visit the directress at the women's academy by Chongzhou's western river—you mustn't abandon me there alone."
Bai Danyong looked momentarily startled, glancing between him and the black-robed man. "Your Highness, this..."
Shen Zhishu winked at the man, unable to suppress his smile.The man understood his meaning, his expression softening slightly as he nodded. "This matter is of great importance. Since Grand Tutor Shen has been appointed by imperial decree to oversee the Metropolitan Examination in Chaoan North Circuit, the women's academy in Chongzhou naturally becomes the top priority. Yan Zhi has always acted recklessly without considering consequences. If he goes alone, mistakes are bound to happen. Tomorrow, let Bai Danyong accompany him. It's merely a matter of two or three hours—no need to worry about my safety."
Bai Danyong froze for a moment, then seemed to recall something and opened his mouth to speak. "But Your Highness..."
Shen Zhishu swiftly cut him off. "In that case, I'll thank you in advance, Guard Bai." He then narrowed his eyes into a smile, kicked his horse's sides, and urged it forward.
The man also smiled, raising his whip to startle his horse into motion without another word.
The brilliant early spring sunlight slanted down, illuminating the light dust on his shoulders. His brown left eye gleamed like amber, clear and dazzling.
·
The next morning, the entire Chongzhou Women's Academy was abuzz.
In the front hall of the academy's main courtyard—a space usually reserved for memorial tablets of sages and rarely used to receive guests—the academy supervisor was actually hosting a young man!
The classrooms in the rear courtyard stood empty. Everyone had gathered in the corridor outside the front hall, crowding together, whispering, craning their necks for a glimpse, and asking each other about the young man's background.
"Did you see him just now? When have we ever seen someone so handsome here..." one woman murmured, her cheeks flushed.
"All you care about is a man's face. Aren't you ashamed to say such things? Didn't you notice what's hanging at his waist? A silver Fish Pouch!"another eagerly replied."
Someone asked quietly, "He looks barely twenty—how could he be so favored as to possess a silver Fish Pouch?"
"How ignorant," someone sniffed disdainfully. "I've heard that among capital officials, those holding museum positions all entered office through hereditary privilege." How could such individuals not be favored? I suspect this one's father or elders must be high-ranking court officials. Otherwise, at his age, how could he receive such an honor?Another impatiently interjected, "Stop all this chatter." Does anyone know why he's here today?"
"With the court issuing edicts one after another lately, who can guess? But since he holds a position at the museum, he's likely here regarding the upcoming Female Scholar Examination."
At these words, the crowd quieted momentarily before someone giggled and said, "Why bother with all that? This man inside—young, handsome, and deeply trusted by the Emperor—don't any of you want to seize this opportunity... ahem." The woman smiled ambiguously and made a gesture over her heart with her right hand.
Before she could continue, someone barged through abruptly. "What's everyone staring at?"
Frowning, someone turned and, upon seeing the newcomer, hurriedly whispered, "Sister Yan, you're here."
Yan Fuzhi squeezed to the front, stretching to peer inside as she asked, "What exactly are you all looking at? I only overslept a little—how could I have missed something exciting?"
"You haven't missed it, you haven't missed it," someone beside her quickly made room. "A young man arrived—devastatingly handsome, dressed plainly, but wearing a silver Fish Pouch at his waist! The supervisor even opened the front hall specially to receive him!"
Yan Fuzhi's eyes lit up. "A silver Fish Pouch?" She leaned further over the corridor railing. "Let me have a look!"I heard he might be an official.".." someone whispered in response.She wasn't listening to anyone, straining her neck to see the scene in the front hall, but only caught a glimpse of black official robes and a pair of court boots. She couldn't help muttering, "Won't even turn around and let me see how handsome he really is..."
Before she finished complaining, the person inside seemed to have heard what she said. She watched as he stood up to pour tea, then bowed while offering it to the seated supervisor beside him.
Yan Fuzhi watched from afar as the man lifted his head with a smile, turned to return to his seat... and then she froze completely.
Those beautiful eyes...
Him... him... it's him...!
She hurriedly turned back and grabbed the woman who had spoken earlier, "You said he holds an Imperial Academy position?"
The woman timidly nodded, unsure of what Yan Fuzhi intended to do.
An Imperial Academy position... and also bestowed with the Silver Fish Pouch...
She raised her hand to her head, desperately trying to recall.
Yesterday at the tavern, what had that black-robed man called him?
...Yanzhi... it seemed to be Yanzhi.
She remained dazed for a moment, then suddenly let out an annoyed exclamation, "Why did it take me so long to realize!"
To be favored with an Imperial Academy position immediately upon entering official service, bestowed with the Silver Fish Pouch at such a young age—who else in the court could it be but him?
Yanzhi... Yanzhi... wasn't that precisely the courtesy name of Shen Zhishu, the eldest son of Shen Wuchen—the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Grand Scholar of the Hall of Assembled Worthies!
If that were the case, then that young black-robed man from yesterday who could make Shen Zhishu bow to his commands...
Yan Fuzhi shuddered, turning to ask those around her, "Where's Meng Tinghui? Has anyone seen Meng Tinghui?"
Everyone shook their heads to indicate they didn't know.
Yan Fuzhi stamped her foot in frustration and was about to leave when she suddenly heard someone behind her say, "I remember now—I think I saw her go out early this morning at dawn. When I asked where she was going, she only said the women's academy wouldn't be peaceful today, so she'd take a walk outside the city and return later."
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