Chapter 255

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Protagonists:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Among the assembled officers in the hall, Shan Gu and Ji Jin could not be called the ones with the most outstanding merit, but the two were truly young, and to show such rare and precious performance right out of the gate destined them to be regarded with different eyes.

Following the statute of twenty ranks of military merit for rewards, Shan Gu was granted a middle-grade honorary title, and was additionally bestowed the substantive post of Cavalry Commandant; the Cavalry Commandant belongs to the Imperial Guard, is one of the Three Commandants of the Gentlemen, rank one thousand bushels, commands the palace cavalry guards, and may lead troops on campaign when war comes.

Shan Gu's eyes shone bright as he bowed to receive the decree, and while kowtowing in thanks, his excited and stirred gaze secretly glanced toward the hem of his elder sister kneeling diagonally ahead.

A buzz of whispered conversation rose in the hall, countless gazes turning toward that youthful Cavalry Commandant who, having just established battle merit, was trusted and valued to such a degree.

In two campaigns, this youth beheaded over a hundred enemies, his ferocity unmatched; he also had the merit of colluding with others to topple the Zheng clan, and bore the reputation of a Marshal Star born into the world — granting him a substantive one-thousand-bushel post was not beyond regulation, only because the Cavalry Commandant commands the palace cavalry, patrolling by the Son of Heaven's couch, its significance is extraordinarily out of the ordinary.

The Emperor is sickly and has rarely appeared at court of late; major affairs are mostly decided by the Heir Apparent — no need to guess, such a conferment must have been proposed by the Crown Prince, otherwise those below would not have dared.

The Heir Apparent governing the state, his methods have already shown initial signs of being stern and decisive, but to so resolutely entrust this youthful Marshal Star still made people feel surprise; yet since it violated no regulation, no one rebutted.

After the youthful Marshal Star was rewarded, it came to that Ji-surnamed young man; the Heir Apparent sat cross-legged above, first praising his ability, then casually opening with an examination question as if chatting about poetry, finally asking where the root of "Qin's laws were strict yet it perished swiftly" lay, telling him to speak freely.

In the Son of Heaven's hall, before the hundred officials, Ji Jin could not help feeling nervous; as he frantically searched for words inside, his peripheral vision found Shaowei's shadow — Shaowei's sitting posture was upright, exactly as it had been years ago when the two read together by the Hou River in Taoxi Township; Ji Jin closed his eyes for a moment, striving to recover the state of mind from those past discussions with Shaowei.

He cited classics and precedents, including the "Discourse on the Fall of Qin" he had read with Shaowei; he did not copy it wholesale, but the books he had read through Shaowei created fertile soil for him, enabling his own insights to grow: "In the humble view of the one below, Qin's legal failure lay not in severity but in harshness; not in density but in violence. Its legal net was overly dense, yet benevolence and righteousness were not practiced…"

Ji Jin's wording occasionally stumbled and paused, nervous to the point of red face and ears, but his narration was structured — from grand trends down to trivial livelihoods, even starting from the conflict angle of "Qin once forcibly severed local customs with harsh laws," there were many down-to-earth arguments, giving the sense of genuine learning and of having truly known poverty, and drawing praise from quite a few officials.

Shaowei, who had been pinching a sweat for Ji Jin, felt her shoulders relax slightly just now.

Liu Qi above likewise no longer concealed his look of appreciation, and as a matter of course also granted a substantive post, but appointed Ji Jin temporarily as Assistant Clerk to the Chancellor, assisting the Chancellor's Chief Clerk in handling affairs.

This is a subordinate official under the Chancellor of State, rank three hundred bushels; it does not count as a high official, but to serve under the Chancellor and gain experience is undoubtedly an excellent start.

Ji Jin deeply understood the appreciation within this; he kowtowed heavily in thanks, performing the grand rite with tears — a rite he had practiced repeatedly by the Hou River in Taoxi Township.

Having watched Ji Jin's prostrate figure, then looked at Shan Gu kneeling with spirited bearing, finally gazing up at Liu Qi, Shaowei for the first time felt this grand hall become truly familiar, no longer strange and cold, possessing true color.

The Heir Apparent's crown with dangling pearls glittered, like pearl light, yet also like the eyes of the Empress behind the pearls smiling.

Shaowei's gaze ultimately returned to Shan Gu and Ji Jin; she could not help imagining her elder sister in the shrine leading people to prepare the Second Day of the Second Month sacrifice — the world is vast, Chang'an is the most perilous stretch of mountain forest, the Son of Heaven's Golden Hall is the highest peak; that her friends could one after another walk to this place, how could they not be formidable?

People who could be this formidable should absolutely not have died frail and weak in a ruined Taoist temple, in a pitch-black mountain cave, helplessly losing their lives under the iron cavalry of war and the evil blades and spears.

As things stand now, it is most fitting.

Shaowei's heart was certain and yearning, yearning that she and those she cared for could all take firm root, grow strong, unfold their ambitions, and possess the power to run freely to and fro in this dangerous world.

Qi and blood abundant throughout her body, momentum full in her heart, Shaowei secretly burned through a round herself; by the time court ended, her back molars and masseters ached faintly, and eight red crescent marks were dug into her two palms.

The hundred officials filed out of the Main Hall; Lu Ding and the others were surrounded by colleagues offering congratulations; as Ji Jin stepped down the stone steps seriously, someone at his side also clasped hands in salute, smiling: "Congratulations, Assistant Clerk Ji."

Ji Jin looked over, only to see the other wearing a Gentleman Official's robe, of similar age, bearing composed and friendly, smile like a spring breeze.

He hurriedly thanked him, yet did not know how to address the other; a palace attendant at the side laughed and whispered a reminder: "This is the Chancellor's Mansion's Young Official Yan."

Ji Jin realized — so it was the son of Chancellor Yan Xiangguo, his future superior; Ji Jin was not an aloof and arrogant person, and since the other took the initiative to congratulate, he naturally clasped hands solemnly in return, but was stopped by Yan Chu raising a hand to support his arm, saying:

"The Young Official's post ranks below Assistant Clerk, there is no need for this rite; moreover Assistant Clerk gained office by merit, while I received office by hereditary privilege — if I forcibly accept this rite I would only feel more ashamed, truly at a loss, thinking only of ending myself."

Ji Jin met a pair of frank smiling eyes, hurriedly said "Young Master speaks too heavily," inwardly startled that this Chancellor's son was unexpectedly so rare in being witty and approachable, good and not contentious.

This complete lack of airs instead made Ji Jin admire him; and this composed social bearing was precisely what he needed to learn for the long term.

Since he is now Assistant Clerk to the Chancellor, there will inevitably be much contact in the future; encountering a nobleman who is easy to get along with is luck; Ji Jin felt several parts gratitude in his heart, stepped back one pace, insisted on performing the rite, to fulfill propriety.

Yan Chu then also returned the rite seriously; watching Ji Jin surrounded by others and led away speaking, he gazed after him for a long time, murmuring: "Truly a rare gentleman of the world… making one feel ashamed of oneself."

Qingwu, since recovering her identity, had never deliberately concealed anything; since Yan Chu had the mind to pay attention and inquire, he naturally already knew Ji Jin's identity and connections before he returned to the capital.

Under Yan Chu's gaze, Ji Jin along the way was almost constantly busy exchanging salutes and returning salutes; extremely high-ranking big officials naturally would not lower themselves to chat with a mere Assistant Clerk, but whenever a gaze was cast his way, Ji Jin could not help but proactively salute, and the other would nod in response.

Those walking and speaking with Ji Jin were mostly civil officials below the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers; Ji Jin felt quite hard-pressed to cope, both afraid of misspeaking and afraid of calling someone wrong or remembering wrong, his heart very much in a fluster.

Shaowei saw this in her eyes, wanting to rescue him, but after taking two steps forced herself to stop.

Ji Jin has always had his own ambitions; this is his necessary path; if she forcibly interrupted, it would be too overbearing and reckless.

Shaowei recalled Ji Jin's nervous responses in the hall just now, yet also his winning most people's affirmation; in the end she pressed down the ill-timed protective urge, letting him advance amid his panicked groping.

But Shaowei never walked far; she is the Heavenly Machine Witch God revered by all, her surroundings relatively quiet, so she staked all her hearing on Ji Jin's side, monitoring his situation, guarding against anyone harboring jealous malice taking the chance to mock or make things difficult for him.

Shan Gu's temperament and appearance are both more aggressive than Ji Jin's; plus he has the Marshal Star reputation, and Lu Ding and others protecting him, so Shaowei need not worry.

After leaving the hall, Shan Gu solemnly thanked Lu Hou.

Lu Hou had also specially entered the palace today, to see the growth of the seedling he had picked; at this moment he naturally gave a round of instruction and admonition, all of which Shan Gu accepted, his attitude appearing more understanding of human nature than when he left the capital last year, and adding an indescribable gentleness and closeness — this surprised Lu Hou considerably, yet also gratified him that this youth had grown and changed in every aspect.

Lu Hou, who had wanted to say more, was also surrounded by many people, all saying the Marquis had a discerning eye for the Marshal Star.

By the time Lu Hou managed to dismiss the people around him, Shan Gu's figure was already gone — he had originally thought this kid had not yet settled a home in the capital, and wanted to take him home for a simple meal, or let his granddaughter see him and spar a few moves to relieve boredom.

Lu Hou suspected Lu Ding had snatched the person away at the tiger's mouth, but stepping out the palace gate he saw Lu Ding alone mounting his horse; Lu Hou could not help wondering, where did this kid go? Could it be he rushed off to inventory the bestowed mansion and fields?

Lu Hou, unable to bring the person home for his granddaughter to spar, felt some regret; he boarded the carriage, and midway instructed the driver to detour to Ling Shu Hou Mansion.

The driver, already accustomed to the Marquis's exclusive "convenient route" that merely required circling three streets since recognizing the young master, drove straight to Jiang Zhai.

Lu Hou alighted and entered the mansion, was led to before his granddaughter's courtyard, and at one glance saw someone in the courtyard bending over holding a broom sweeping the ground; her face unseen, first observing her figure and movements, Lu Hou was fiercely drawn, feeling he was about to unearth another rare good seedling.

Before he could think further, Lu Hou approached, and saw that good seedling straighten up and raise her head — but it was not a new seedling, only the same old kid in a changed robe.

"You little brat… how are you at my granddaughter's mansion!" Lu Hou glared, looking at the saluting youth.

Shan Gu froze a moment, then reacted, turning to look at the approaching person: "Elder sister perhaps has not yet—"

"Grandfather, I forgot to say." Shaowei interrupted Shan Gu's words, telling her grandfather: "Grandfather, Shan Gu is my playmate from Taoxi Township days."

Shan Gu, not fully endorsing the playmate description, hurriedly added: "Marquis, my life was saved repeatedly by Elder sister, my martial arts were also taught by Elder sister!"

Lu Hou's beard trembled, every strand seeming to bristle in shock; the Marshal Star seedling he had selected, the wondrous new Cavalry Commandant in everyone's eyes, actually seemed like a broom-holding servant in his granddaughter's courtyard, posture like a loyal house dog raised for a long time.

No wonder this return to the capital, his attitude was much gentler — turns out he knew of his relationship with his granddaughter…

And watching Ji Jin approach to pay his respects, Marquis Lu could even understand his granddaughter's "forgot to mention it" mentality — things are valued for their rarity, and his granddaughter had more than one such rustic playmate —

Indeed, he had long known these two children were old acquaintances; with such a relationship, they naturally belonged together in a cluster.

Marquis Lu came back to his senses, smoothed down his bristling beard, and also smoothed down his prejudice — did a Will-Star Cavalry Commandant not even have the right to hold a broom and sweep the courtyard for his granddaughter?

Cause and effect have their sequence; it was not that the Will-Star stooped to be a broom-wielding slave, but because he was saved and taught by Heavenly Mechanism that he achieved his present Will-Star status.

Moreover, in the Imperial City there was still one…

Marquis Lu looked with some worry at Xiao Yu, who knelt on the corridor scrubbing the floor tiles with a rag clutched in both hands; the child's sleeves were rolled up, he shifted on his knees, scrubbing frantically, occasionally lifting his head to glance toward Shan Gu.

Neither the courtyard nor the corridor could be called dirty — servants managed them daily — yet Marquis Lu could not miss the drive in the two of them: one purely an old habit acting up, the other an unfathomable competitive urge.

Marquis Lu did not wish to speak further; he waved his hand respectfully, signaling Shan Gu to enjoy himself as he pleased, and went with his granddaughter and Ji Jin to the Hall to talk.

Jiang Fu was in the Hall smiling as she boiled tea; before Marquis Lu arrived, Shaowei had nearly been exposed again by her smiling master —

At first sight of the Jiang eldest sister's snow-white face, Ji Jin was deeply worried; only after confirming the illness could be treated — though her appearance could not be restored — did he reluctantly set his mind at ease. Jiang Fu disliked seeing juniors worry for her, so she joked and stirred the atmosphere; only then did Ji Jin curiously ask how Jiang Sister and "Eldest Sister" had come to know and accompany each other.

Back in Taoxi Township, Ji Jin had felt the two sisters were worlds apart in looks, habits, and temperament, but he could never bring himself to question it; now that Jiang Sister's true origins were known to all, he could finally voice his curiosity.

Jiang Fu laughed and answered that she had fished her out of the winter river and taken her in; Shaowei felt this phrasing revealed her past suicidal thoughts and was utterly humiliating, so she insisted on correcting the word "picked up," insisting she had merely been swimming across the river; Jiang Fu smiled and amended: "Precisely, winter swimming strengthens the body, no wonder your physique is as sturdy as a wild ox… It wasn't that I picked you up; I saw we clicked, we hit it off at once, and so we joined hands."

Whether they clicked is still uncertain; "hit it off at once" must refer to meeting face to face and striking with a bamboo pole; "joined hands" naturally refers to Shaowei angrily surfacing, reaching out, and yanking her into the water — not exactly a lie.

Ji Jin nodded in apparent understanding, but sensing Shaowei might bristle at any moment, he kept his mouth shut and asked Eldest Sister no further questions.

Marquis Lu's arrival was like reinforcements, putting Ji Jin much more at ease; laughter from Marquis Lu rang out in the Hall from time to time, until the banquet began.

Because Ji Jin had returned to the capital, Qingwu's parents also came together; to let Ji Jin taste home cooking again, the two insisted on entering the Stove House, and Qingwu accompanied them; adding the dishes Yong Er sent from the main kitchen, they laid out an abundantly lively celebratory feast.

After Xiao Yu ate his fill and dragged the sparrow out to play, the banquet gradually dispersed; Marquis Lu intercepted Shan Gu, who was preparing to split firewood, and took him away to talk; Qingwu took Mother to the room to look at the spring jacket still only half-finished; Qingwu's father was attracted by the farm tools Mo Li had made, marveling at them as divine implements, and dragged Mo Li off to ask questions; seeing the Hall no longer crowded, the household slaves — their social quota long exhausted — finally appeared belatedly, one-handedly carrying a bowl of sobering soup and placing it before Jiang Fu's table.

Shaowei casually asked if he had eaten; Ji Jin, hearing Shaowei intimately call him "Zhao Shu," and seeing his exceptionally composed and unrestrained bearing, couldn't help but wonder about his identity; Jiang Fu smiled and answered: "A valued household slave; he was there back in Taoxi Township."

Ji Jin asked uncertainly: "Then… I wonder if this junior has ever met him?"

Jiang Fu raised an eyebrow: "Met more than once; he certainly recognizes you."

She meant a one-sided meeting; poor Ji Jin racked his brains in vain, only feeling he had lost his memory and his manners, ashamed he lifted a cup of cold wine to punish himself.

Jiang Fu laughed; the household slave remained silently wordless.

Shaowei rolled her eyes inwardly, not wanting to see Ji Jin teased by Jiang Fu, and wanted to take him away, but Jiang Fu had already spoken: "Boy, that Gentleman's Jade the little ghost gave you — have you kept it on you all this time?"

"Never left my body! Only earlier, due to upheaval, I grew used to not daring to wear it openly." Ji Jin, seven parts drunk, took the jade pendant from his bosom, held it preciously in his hands, and said sincerely: "This jade has long accompanied my side, like Jiang Sister guarding and protecting me, often giving me much support and encouragement."

Jiang Fu nodded: "Your fate was secretly altered by the little ghost; this is a destiny-bond object; it is good that it never leaves your body."

Ji Jin glanced at Shaowei, and as he held the jade and solemnly agreed, Xiao Yu ran in to report: "Young Master, Head of Household, my uncle has arrived!"

Turning his head along with Shaowei, Ji Jin saw a figure in a cyan-gold round-collared robe appear; his face was so stunning it outshone the lamplight; the man smiled and spoke: "I am late; please do not blame me."

His voice was also quite pleasing, yet it made Ji Jin feel puzzled — why did he feel he had heard this voice somewhere? But if he had met him, with such heavenly looks, how could he have no impression?

Just now, because he failed to recognize that valued slave Zhao Shu and punished himself with a cup, Ji Jin deeply doubted himself — he who prided himself on a decent memory, could it be that just entering officialdom he had contracted the bad habit of great men forgetting things?

Thus, Ji Jin dared not ask rashly; as he concentrated on recalling, Jiang Fu introduced: "Young Ji Jin may still not know; this latecomer is your Jiang Sister's…"

Shaowei's hackles rose; she hastily interrupted the two words Jiang Fu had recently been using as a joke: "Liu Qi, come over to me!"

Watching the figure walk toward Jiang Sister as bidden, Ji Jin's expression stiffened slightly — Liu what?

?? The matter is more or less handled, a few chapters of daily life transition are also written, will update tomorrow~