After leaving the plains, to avoid making Weiyu's appearance seem abrupt, the Ji siblings, anticipating a future event, had Weiyu revert to women's attire. Coincidentally, one branch of the Ji family, the Yuan Ning Song clan of the Northeast Prefecture, falsely claimed that Weiyu was a Song clan daughter, orphaned, and possessed literary talent. The Song clan, unwilling to let her talent go to waste, entrusted the Ji siblings with the task of accompanying her to the capital, intending to prepare for the selection of female officials—scribes and proofreaders—in the Imperial Observatory. The Ji siblings, though aware that the Yuan Ning Song clan, though once a prominent family, had declined, dared not contradict them, even if they harbored doubts. Weiyu's background as a female official would reduce obstacles to her future as empress or concubine; secondly, if Weiyu indeed failed to gain favor with the emperor, they would have an excuse to return to the Northeast Prefecture two years later. Therefore, the Ji siblings contacted the Ji family, using this opportunity to explain Weiyu's situation. Wei Yu thought that the Imperial Observatory would not only have little contact with the outside world, but also allow her to study classic historical texts, making the next two years pass more easily. Therefore, Wei Yu accepted the arrangements made by the Ji siblings, wearing a long dress and a veil to conceal her face. Wei Yu's gentleness and understanding touched the hearts of the two elders. Ji Qing taught Wei Yu some etiquette to help her integrate as quickly as possible, while Ji Heng slowed down the journey, stopping frequently to observe the local customs and traditions. By the time they arrived at Qinghe Ferry, ten days had passed. The magistrate sent by the Ji family, along with several attendants and maids, had just arrived at Qinghe Ferry.
Qinghe River is the main river between Northeast Commandery and Zhuo Commandery. Zhuo Commandery lies to the south of the river. Most of the grain and other goods from Northeast Commandery are transported from here to various commanderies throughout the empire. Therefore, Qinghe Ferry is a large port city. The military governor of Northeast Commandery is stationed here. It is a major thoroughfare, with fleets of ships and carriages coming and going daily, making it extremely prosperous. Major merchants from within the empire have shops or branches here, and even merchants from neighboring countries have sent officials to be stationed here. The Shang family, the empire's most powerful clan, is the wealthiest family in this city. Ji Zhonglian, the magistrate sent by the Ji family, led the three to the Penglai Residence inn. Just as they settled in, a servant reported that Shang Qinglang, the second-in-command of the Shang family, had sent a visiting card.
Ji Heng chuckled, "As expected of the Shang family, their information network is so efficient. It must be that Zhong Lian has caught Shang Qingtao's attention."
Ji Zhonglian was a key figure in the Ji family, managing general affairs. When he appeared at Qinghe Ferry with his men, the Shang family's spies sensed something unusual, and Shang Qingtao immediately sent his half-brother, Shang Qinglang, to investigate.
Ji Heng did not want to make a fuss anymore. If he showed up now, the military governor would also be alerted and he would have to entertain him. He and his sister had always kept a low profile when they were cultivating and traveling. This time, they changed their usual practice and Ji Zhonglian did not keep his whereabouts very secret. This had already aroused a lot of speculation. The purpose of making Wei Yu stand out had been achieved.
Sure enough, shortly after Ji Zhonglian met with Shang Qinglang, the military governor's chief official also sent a letter requesting an audience. Following Ji Heng's advice, Ji Zhonglian simply said he was out on business and had stopped by to pick up a female relative who had come from the northeast. Shang Qinglang and the chief official were both skeptical. Ji Zhonglian was accompanied by a maid, clearly a grand welcome; this woman must be an important guest of the Ji family. They had previously learned that Ji Zhonglian had brought in three people—two older and one younger. Considering that this summer was the quadrennial imperial concubine selection, although the Ji family had never had any women of their own clan enter the palace as candidates, many daughters of relatives by marriage or other powerful families had become concubines and noblewomen throughout history, some even becoming empresses and empress dowagers. The Ji family's status in the empire was exceptionally prominent. The fact that they had sent such a high-ranking official this time suggested that this woman must be of exceptional virtue and beauty, hence the Ji family's caution. Therefore, after hearing the report, Shang Qinglang and the military governor again sent two people with invitation cards to invite Ji Zhonglian to a banquet at their residence as a welcome party.
Ji Zhonglian made numerous excuses, being a shrewd and worldly man. He said that his elders were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the day, and the journey was still long, so he could not stay long. He also declined the warm greetings from the two families, citing the consistent principles of the Ji family.
However, Ji Zhonglian had a dual mission. After seeing off the guests and receiving instructions, he prepared gifts and went to the Jiedushi's mansion to pay his respects to the Jiedushi. Then, he went to see Shang Qingtao without stopping. Not long ago, there were rumors that something big had happened in the Shang family. His other important mission was to investigate whether there had been any changes in the leadership of the Shang family, as ordered by the court. The Shang family's cavalry and fleet played a pivotal role in the empire's trade. Although it was the Shang family's internal affair, the court still needed to take a look. The Ji family sent Ji Zhonglian this time, firstly for the safety of the elders and distinguished guests, and secondly to show the Shang family the court's attention and deterrence.
Penglai Residence, located near the ferry, was a fairly large and comfortable inn with its well-arranged buildings. The comings and goings of the governor and the merchants, as well as Ji Zhonglian's return visit, attracted the attention of the city's officials and gentry, who came to inquire about it. However, the people of Penglai Residence were strictly ordered to keep their doors closed. Amidst the speculation, rumors quietly arose about the beauty of Ji's guest, who was said to be stunningly beautiful. Coupled with the gossip among the merchants, it became a topic of conversation that caused much unease.
As dusk fell, Ji Zhonglian left the Shang residence. Recalling Shang Qinglang's curious inquiries, he couldn't help but ponder. The elders' actions this time were truly perplexing. The elders and the Ji family had never interfered in the affairs of the imperial court, and the First Elder's letter only mentioned selecting female officials. This was rather strange, unlike the actions of the two elders. Outsiders, unaware of the true reasons, merely held worldly views, perhaps suspecting the Ji family of sending a daughter to curry favor. There was no need to concern themselves with such matters.
Back at Penglai Residence, the guards who remained behind reported in a low voice that the two men and two women he had brought were all Iron Guards of the Ji family, and their martial arts skills were extremely formidable. Ji Zhonglian entered the Wanxiang Pavilion where he was staying. Everyone had already finished dinner. Two maids were accompanying Weiyu as she came out of the main hall. When they met Ji Zhonglian, the maids bowed slightly to "Second Master." Weiyu also bowed slightly. She was wearing a moon-white embroidered plum blossom top, tied with a lake-blue long silk skirt, and an outer skirt also embroidered with plum blossoms. The light veil on her hat was hanging down, so her true face could not be seen. She only exuded a refined and elegant air, and a faint fragrance of women enveloped her. Ji Zhonglian couldn't help but step aside. The three women gracefully turned into the back of the hall. The wind blew the light veil, and the lingering fragrance lingered. Ji Zhonglian was somewhat stunned.
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A gentle breeze carries the scent of dew through the garden, and the fragrance of flowers wafts through the sparse curtains.
The bright moon shines on the western wall, and the sky is clear and blue for thousands of miles.
After finishing the last stroke, Wei Yu put down the wolf-hair brush and placed it on the brush holder. She took a step back and reviewed it again. She had her mother's talent and wrote beautiful calligraphy. However, she used to scribble on newspapers. Her uncle would sometimes buy her better rough-edged paper. In the past two years, due to the college entrance examination, her skills had become a bit rusty. Now that she had such good conditions, she asked for brushes, ink, paper and inkstone whenever she had free time in the evenings. The Xuan paper tonight was soft and tough, and it was a top-quality product that she loved.
There were still a few strokes that weren't quite right. Wei Yu shook her head, extremely reluctant, and crumpled the paper into a ball. Just as she was about to throw it into the wastebasket, the purple-clad maidservant among the two maids handed her the wastebasket with a smile, "Such beautiful handwriting, are you going to throw it away, Miss?"
Another maid, Chengyi, brought over hot tea and glared at Ziyi. "The young lady told you to throw it away, so you did. Why are you so fussy?" "Mind your own business," Ziyi retorted.
Without a word, she smiled faintly. These two pretty and lively maids were not like the timid and reserved maids she had originally imagined. They bickered and joked in front of her, as if they were already used to serving her. Their intimacy was tinged with respect. On the contrary, she felt a little awkward having two people around her all of a sudden. If someone had told her half a month ago that she would become a pampered young lady who would be waited on hand and foot, she would definitely have ridiculed that person without caring about her image.
She strolled to the window, where the delicate wooden lattice window opened to both sides. A gentle breeze blew, and the moonlight shone brightly. A row of hibiscus, jasmine, milan, and roses lined the courtyard, their pink and white blossoms vibrant. Several peach trees were in full bloom, and a string of red lanterns hung from the eaves, their red tassels swaying gently in the wind, illuminating the courtyard with a radiant glow. It should have been a beautiful day, but alas, she remained silent, her heart filled with unspoken thoughts.
"Miss, shall we continue writing?" asked the woman in purple. She shook her head without answering. The two women quietly gathered up the Xuan paper and took the brush and inkstone to the courtyard to fetch water to wash them.
Wei Yu took a deep breath, the fresh floral fragrance making her feel somewhat intoxicated. Along the way, all she had seen was a clear blue sky, boundless farmland, lush trees, birdsong, and clear, mirror-like rivers. There was no exhaust fumes or pollution. The saying "what is lost in one place is gained in another" was absolutely true.
From this day forward, Wei Yu understood that her life would be different. For the first ten days, she had only been with her two elders. Although she was slowly adapting to the life of wearing long, flowing robes and dressing up, with no one else around, Wei Yu hadn't deliberately hidden her habits. But from now on, for at least two years, there would always be people around her, regardless of their closeness or distance. Aunt Qing had said that these two maids would accompany her until she entered the Imperial Observatory. Even after becoming a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Observatory, she would have people to attend to her daily needs. Whether she liked it or not, she had to integrate into this place within these two years. Wei Yu suddenly remembered reading "Dream of the Red Chamber" before, when Daiyu first entered the Rongguo Mansion and secretly warned herself, "Be careful at every step, be mindful at all times, don't say an extra word, and don't take an extra step." Now she felt the same unease.
"Ah Qi" sneezed without speaking. Her mother lost her lover while pregnant with her and spent her days in tears and depression. As a result, Wei Yu's body was weak and she could not withstand even the slightest cold wind.
"Miss, the night air is chilly, let Ziyi close the window." Ziyi draped a silk robe over her shoulders.
Wei Yu swallowed back the "thank you" that was on the tip of her tongue. Seeing that the lights in the main room and the side rooms were off, she knew she should go to bed too. Firstly, so that her parents wouldn't worry, and secondly, so that Ziyi and Chengyi could rest as well.
The clever Chengyi had already lowered the curtains and laid out the brocade quilts and satins.
For the first time in her life, Wei Yu was served to sleep. The lotus-colored curtains were drawn, blocking out the light. She could only vaguely see two women busy on the bed to the left of the curtains. Soon, Cheng Yi extinguished the candle and said, "If you need anything, just call out."
After a moment, the two girls listened intently. The room was completely silent. They heard Wei Yu's even breathing and felt relieved. As clever as they were, Wei Yu was absolutely, absolutely important to them.
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The sedan chair was carried straight to the deck of the large ship chartered by the Ji family. Ji Zhonglian and his entourage boarded the passenger ship. The two elders of the Ji family had already boarded earlier. Because the dock next door was a merchant's private wharf, a cargo ship had docked early in the morning, making the wharf quite lively. They were worried that the two leaders would actually meet, and with all this, Shang Qingtao would surely become suspicious. If he investigated, trouble would ensue. The dockworkers, passengers, and merchants came and went on the dock, and few people paid them any attention. After all, the affairs of the local wealthy families were more related to their fundamental interests. Besides, the merchants had spread great news yesterday: the eldest son and his cousin were finally getting married. There was a commotion on one side of the dock. Merchants were unloading goods. Boxes of precious spices and exquisite glassware from the Kingdom of Zhu Zi were carefully carried out of the merchants' warehouses by their workers. Some guards from the Shang family were on guard around the dock to prevent any trouble. "The boss is here!" someone shouted. Sure enough, the brothers Shang Qingtao and Shang Qinglang appeared on the dock together. This was the first time the two brothers had appeared since the news of the poisoning of the Shang family's matriarch spread like wildfire. The rumors about the Shang brothers' treachery were thus dispelled. At this moment, everyone's eyes turned to the handsome Shang brothers. Merchants who had come from afar gathered around. The talkative second boss, Shang Qinglang, struck up a conversation to offer congratulations, hoping to gain some profit from this shipment.
Ji Zhonglian stood beside the sedan chair and asked in a low voice if Wei Yu was feeling more comfortable. The boat was about to set sail. Wei Yu answered yes, her voice extremely weak. Wei Yu hadn't expected herself to be so frail, even getting seasick in a sedan chair. She lifted the curtain and bent down to get out, but her legs suddenly gave way. Fortunately, Zi Yi and Cheng Yi supported her on either side. Ji Zhonglian reached out to help her up and asked, "Are you alright, Miss?" From a distance, Shang Qingtao saw that she truly looked delicate and weak, supported by maids, presumably a pampered guest of the Ji family. At this moment, Ji Zhonglian also saw Shang Qingtao. The two nodded slightly. Shang Qinglang craned his neck and muttered, "Where is the beauty?"
Ziyi and Chengyi helped Weiyu to the bow of the boat, where she stood facing outwards. A gentle breeze swept by, and Weiyu felt a little better. Chengyi fanned herself with her hand, "Miss, why don't you take off your veil? No one will be paying attention to us right now, and you'll feel more comfortable." "No problem, I'll take it off in the cabin." Weiyu knew that although her face could only be described as pretty, there were some qualities about her that even she didn't understand. They had brought her countless troubles since childhood. Her aunt and cousin often maliciously criticized her, causing trouble for her uncle as well. From a young age, Weiyu had been very reserved and never deliberately dressed up, even appearing a bit sloppy. In this time and space, Weiyu felt that she was just a passerby, and she didn't want to cause any trouble no matter what.
While pondering, Ji Zhonglian called out, "Are you feeling better, Miss?" Wei Yu turned around and said apologetically, "It's alright, thank you for your trouble." This was the first time Ji Zhonglian had heard her speak more than two words. Ji Zhonglian raised an eyebrow; Wei Yu's voice was somewhat strange, soft and melodious, unlike the accent of Yuan Ning in Northeast China. "Please come to the cabin, Miss. The ship may rock a little when it sets sail, but it will pass quickly. The ship owner has been in this business for a long time and is very steady at the helm, so please don't worry." Wei Yu didn't reply, bowed, and walked towards the cabin door with Zi Yi and Cheng Yi. Ji Zhonglian stepped aside to let them pass. Shang Qingtao watched from afar, rarely witnessing such a scene in person. Ji Zhonglian, who was always neither humble nor arrogant, was indeed very considerate. Shang Qinglang didn't see the beauty and muttered "fussy," then ran among the workers, shouting, whether to cause trouble or help, it was unclear.
Just as Wei Yu was about to enter the cabin, a gust of wind swept across the river, causing the mast to sway and the flags to flutter. Wei Yu's ties loosened, and the light gauze fluttered. She quickly covered it with her hands, and Zi Yi and Cheng Yi escorted her into the cabin. In that fleeting glimpse, Ji Zhonglian and Shang Qingtao, who were both close at hand and in sight from afar, clearly saw Wei Yu's face, and for a moment, their hearts were filled with turmoil.
Ji Zhonglian ordered the boat to set sail, thinking that the elder might have had such thoughts. His heart clenched, and he felt a little empty.
Everyone on the dock was focused on the merchants' cargo ships. No one cared that a ship had set sail. Like the wind passing without a trace, Shang Qingtao watched the large ship with its sails billowing into the distance. He was somewhat lost in thought and somewhat solemn.
After crossing Qinghe and entering Zhuojun, thanks to Ji Zhonglian's meticulous arrangements, they traveled along the official road at a leisurely pace. Weiyu, ever vigilant, secretly observed their surroundings whenever they stopped for lodging or rest. The Ji siblings noticed this but remained silent, only privately telling the two maids that Weiyu had lost her father at a young age and was overly quiet, instructing them to encourage her to talk more when she was indoors. So, whenever Weiyu wrote, Ziyi and Chengyi would gather around, asking her all sorts of questions. Weiyu didn't mind; sometimes, finding their questions amusing, she couldn't help but smile. Gradually, Weiyu would occasionally join in with the two maids' responses. After a few words, the two girls truly fell in love with her poetry. When they practiced swordsmanship early in the morning, they would recite, "A lone plume of smoke rises straight from the desert, the setting sun hangs round over the long river," causing everyone to chuckle. The relationship between the Ji family's masters and servants didn't seem so rigid. The elders were very easygoing, like two ordinary old men and women. Ji Zhonglian was very composed and always polite; Wei Yu thought he was the kind of person who wouldn't flinch even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. The two girls were adorable, while the other two guards often seemed helpless against them. Only when they rested in the wilderness or forests did Wei Yu see the four of them with solemn vigilance. Wei Yu gradually relaxed and integrated herself into the group; in her young heart, this kind of affability was something she longed for.
The towering mountains of Zhuojun are very famous in the empire. Xishan and Yanshan have inscriptions and poems left by literati throughout the ages. The mountains are steep and dangerous. Before the Northeast Prefecture was incorporated into the empire, this place was an ancient battlefield for resisting foreign enemies. There are ancient city walls and beacon towers. Apart from this trip to Lushan, Weiyu had never left Suzhou. Having seen the exquisite gardens of Jiangnan, she was now appreciating the towering mountains. Walking through the deserted and dense forests, Weiyu threw off her veil. The Ji siblings were happy to see her finally smile and hoped that she would like this place someday.
Ji Zhonglian was completely baffled. He couldn't understand why the elder was lingering in Zhuojun with this Miss Song. Their journey was already very slow. The Ji family in the capital sent another messenger to inquire, saying that the emperor also knew that the elder was about to return and had repeatedly asked about it, but the unspoken joy and her gentle smile made him hesitate to speak.
Upon receiving the second messenger, the Ji family's convoy entered Bohai County. The further south they traveled, the warmer and more humid the climate became. Bohai County was named after its proximity to the Bohai Bay. The emperor's summer palace was built on Liushan Island on the shore of the Bohai Bay, overlooking the boundless sea. It was magnificent, and although it could not be viewed up close, it was still quite impressive from afar. Tourists often lingered on the opposite shore of the island to admire this celestial palace amidst the blue sky and sea. Seeing that the two elders seemed to intend to take Weiyu on a trip, Ji Zhonglian said to Ji Heng during a rest stop, "Going to the Bohai Bay by the official road is a long detour and will take four or five more days. This morning, I received a letter from the capital that His Majesty plans to go on a spring hunt at Jiufeng Mountain and hopes to see the elders at the temporary palace. We have already delayed for some time and cannot delay any longer." Upon reaching this point, he paused. "Furthermore, if Miss Song could enter the Imperial Observatory, His Majesty would send the Empress Dowager to stay at the Summer Palace every year. At that time, Miss Song would have the opportunity to accompany him." Ji Heng saw that he spoke with such high-sounding words, and it was rare for his usually unhurried nephew to be so serious. He glanced at Ji Qing and Wei Yu, who were whispering in the pavilion to the side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Ji Zhonglian's gaze was also looking in that direction, but it landed on Wei Yu before quickly looking away. Ji Heng sighed inwardly. Whether Wei Yu and the Emperor were destined to be together was still unknown, and whether this timeline could keep Wei Yu was also uncertain. He couldn't let his nephew get caught up in it all. He made a decision immediately. "You are right. We should go to the capital. It is not appropriate to keep His Majesty waiting."
Ji Zhonglian breathed a sigh of relief, unsure whether he was regretting the shortened time they had spent together or relieved that the journey was about to end. He observed the elder's expression and realized that there must be a reason why the elder had suddenly brought the mysterious Miss Song back this time. It was far more than just a simple matter of her becoming a female official or choosing a husband. Otherwise, someone as meticulous as the elder would not have failed to see through his thoughts. He considered himself to be a worthy candidate for a gentlemanly husband, so why would he go to such lengths? The elder, however, could not deny it.
Since that day, the journey has indeed been sped up.
Ji's entourage traveled lightly and simply along the official road. The closer they got to the border between Bohai and Jingjiwei counties, the wider the road became. In some places, several strips of trees were used to separate the carriages and horses to prevent congestion. The ancestral homes of more than half of the empire's wealthy families or noble clans were located in this area. High-roofed mansions were everywhere. The city streets were orderly, with wide stone-paved roads lined with shops and workshops. One often had to avoid the bustling areas of these cities to pass through smoothly. The distance between cities was getting shorter and shorter. It was common to pass through two towns in a day. Wei Yu couldn't help but sigh that urbanization was not the exclusive domain of one place.
As the sun set in the west, they spent the night in Jincheng, one of the garrison cities of the capital's capital. Ji Qing told Weiyu that the capital's capital was different from other prefectures; it consisted of five garrison cities surrounding the capital, though its size was no less than that of an ordinary prefecture. Ziyi and Chengyi had accompanied them along the way, and the Ji siblings could only chat briefly with Weiyu. They bought some books for Weiyu along the way, claiming it was to help her pass the time. Fortunately, Weiyu loved books, and these elegant, traditional local chronicles and miscellaneous records quickly captivated her. That night in the inn, watching Ziyi and Chengyi excitedly recount the strange and interesting things in the capital, she realized they had been away for quite some time and were naturally happy to be home. She thought of her uncle and aunt; twenty years of interaction, though not close, seemed to have been etched in her memory for a long time, making her particularly nostalgic. Counting the days, she realized she had been in this time and space for over a month, and the sadness she felt could only be hidden in her heart.
The next morning, just as the group was about to depart, Emperor Xuande sent his special envoy, Gao Qing, the chief eunuch of the Inner Palace. After Gao Qing respectfully greeted the two elders, he brought the emperor's decree, informing them that the emperor had arrived at Jiufeng Mountain Garden the previous night and invited the two elders to meet him there.
Originally intending to have Ji Zhonglian take Weiyu back to the Ji residence in the capital first, Ji Heng changed his mind and told Gao Qing that he had a niece traveling with him this time. She loved the scenery of mountains and rivers and wanted to take her to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Jiufeng Mountain. He wondered if it would be possible to make an exception.
Gao Qing hesitated. As a trusted minister who had grown up with Emperor Xuande, he knew the respect Emperor Xuande had for the two elders. Normally, he would have readily agreed, but last night, the Empress Dowager had brought up the matter of selecting concubines again, which displeased the Emperor. He returned to his palace with a gloomy face, and the Dragon Cavalry Commander Heng Chong, who was attending him, was inexplicably scolded. The concubine Sima Xiuyi, who was serving the Emperor, was ignorant of the three colors of the eye and, relying on her favor, acted coquettishly. The Emperor's anger flared up: Sima Xiuyi was demoted three ranks to the rank of Cairen, moved to Shangyang Palace, and sent back to the capital overnight. The entire palace fell silent, fearing that they would offend the Emperor again.
Seeing the troubled look on his face, Ji Heng said, "General Gao," Gao Qing's position is the Grand General of the Inner Palace. "This girl is already twenty years old, General Gao, you can rest assured." Upon hearing this, Gao Qing quickly smiled and said, "This humble subject has no other intentions. I will certainly handle whatever the elder instructs me to do." He thought to himself, "Everyone is close to the elder, so they will not refuse his request. Why not do him a favor?" So he smiled and said, "It just so happens that Second Young Master Ji is also here. I have something to discuss with Second Young Master Ji." Ji Zhonglian is the liaison and intermediary between the court and the people in trade and commerce. He is responsible for collecting intelligence on this matter for the court and conveying the court's intentions. For example, this trip to Qinghe Ferry to understand the movements of the merchants is one of his tasks. He also handles some procurement for the palace on a regular basis.