In fact, as early as when Ji Zhonglian was sent by the Ji family to pick up the elder, the scouts of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already informed the emperor. The emperor only smiled slightly at the time and showed no anger. The elder's character was beyond doubt. Moreover, the mountain garden was so large that there would be no chance of meeting him unless ordered by imperial decree. There was no need to worry. At most, he would be given a cold shoulder. Gao Qing no longer hesitated and boldly agreed.
With the Dragon Cavalry Captain leading the way, the Ji family's caravan moved unimpeded along the official road, galloping freely. Wei Yu remained calm and composed. Having read too many historical records and anecdotes about the intrigues of the court, she knew there was no need to provoke anything. She wanted to end this strange journey peacefully and return home unharmed. In any case, she had been taken care of by Zi Yi and Cheng Yi all along, and everything was still the same. So, as usual, she read her book in the carriage, much to the secret surprise of the two maids.
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In the spring and summer of the twentieth year of the Xuande reign, Jiufeng Mountain was lush and green, with wildflowers blooming in full glory. Every day at dawn, the hazy morning mist would spread, sometimes bright and sometimes dark, like a graceful fairy. When the sun shone brightly and the clouds and mist dissipated, the towering peaks in the distance looked just like a galloping steed.
Jiufeng Mountain, located about twenty li from Shangjing (Beijing), sits at a crucial juncture between Jincheng and Shangjing. The area surrounding Jiufeng Mountain was a royal forbidden garden, encircled by city walls with nine gates on all four sides. It was built by Emperor Rende, modeled after the Qing Dynasty's Southern Garden. The garden was crisscrossed by rivers, densely forested, and covered in lush grass. It contained palaces, originally intended as a place for the emperor to rest, ride, and hunt, occasionally staying for a few days. After Emperor Xuande assumed personal rule, he renovated the palaces and established 1,600 Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) within the garden, each given 24 mu of land to raise birds and animals and plant flowers and fruits, allowing the emperor to hunt with falcons without disturbing the common people. These Jinyiwei were formed by Emperor Xuande recruiting the sons and grandsons of military families who had no one to manage them. They were generously paid, and those who accumulated merit could be granted military ranks. They were the emperor's secret bodyguards, with the emperor's shadow guards being the most outstanding among them. In their daily lives, these men practiced martial arts while farming and raising animals; each possessed unique skills and was highly skilled. Another important duty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was to conduct reconnaissance missions, sending spies to search the court and the countryside, serving as the emperor's eyes and ears. In addition to hunting, if the emperor did not go to the summer palace in the summer, he would bring the Empress Dowager and the imperial family to this place to spend the summer, staying for a period of time, and state affairs would also be handled here.
Upon hearing of the Elder's return, Emperor Xuande was eager to see him and anticipate the many surprises he would bring. He was usually discreet, but this was the only time this truly pleased him. Therefore, he decided to go hunting at Jiufeng Mountain Garden to await the Elder. If he were summoned from the palace, there would be many rules. Empress Dowager Zhou, upon learning of his trip to the garden, informed him that she would also be taking her palace women on a spring outing. He didn't think much of it. After handling some important matters following the grand court session yesterday, he felt relaxed and issued an edict to escort the Empress Dowager out of the city to enjoy the spring scenery and hunt at Jiufeng Mountain Garden.
Last night, while having dinner with the Empress Dowager, she noticed he was in a good mood and summoned two of her daughters, implying they were also among those to be selected for the summer imperial concubine selection. This immediately darkened his expression. After a few hasty bites, he excused himself from the Empress Dowager's palace and returned to his chambers. He summoned Hengchong and coldly asked, "Why wasn't the list of attendants for the palace women checked?" Without allowing Hengchong to explain, she ordered him to leave, leaving Hengchong with a long, distressed face, unable to clear his name. Later, the incident involving Consort Sima further heightened the atmosphere of fear and trepidation throughout the palace.
Early this morning, after sending Gao Qing to fetch the elder, Emperor Xuande, dressed in casual clothes and wearing a black velvet cloak embroidered with a golden dragon, rode his beloved steed Zhaoyebai and led the Dragon Cavalry Captain to the vast green grassland. The fresh air and expansive view, along with the galloping horses, finally calmed the thirty-two-year-old emperor's expression. Hengchong, who was following closely behind, finally felt relieved.
Emperor Xuande loosened the reins, letting his horse wander freely. The image of the two women in his mother's palace the previous night flashed through his mind again—their faces ashen, their feigned modesty filling him with a surge of disgust. Although the Empress Dowager was his biological mother, from birth she had used him as a pawn in her power struggles. He ascended the throne at twelve, but his mother, tyrannical and greedy, controlled the court, delaying his personal rule and indulging him in extravagance and pleasure, attempting to control and sideline him. If not for the chance encounter with the two elders in seclusion, he might still be a muddle-headed puppet emperor. After he assumed power, his mother, unwilling to relinquish it, tried to interfere in his harem, repeatedly using filial piety to coerce him into making her niece, Consort Zhou, empress. Only after he executed his uncle did the Empress Dowager seem to realize that her unruly son's cruelty and ruthlessness were far beyond her control, and she finally became more subdued for a few years. He had not yet established an empress or crown prince, and Empress Dowager Zhou was still unwilling to give up and was restless again. Last winter, citing the many affairs in the palace that needed to be handled, she proposed that Consort De temporarily take charge of the affairs of the six palaces so that the harem would have rules to follow. She thought that if this move could not make Consort De the empress, at the very least, Consort De should preside over the selection of women for the imperial harem the following year. Unexpectedly, Emperor Xuande immediately issued an edict ordering the head of the female officials of Kunyi Palace, Shanggong, to lead Shangfu, Shangyi, Shangshi, Shangqin, and Shanggong to assist in handling the affairs of the harem, and said, "Consort De is foolish and unfit for this position." This left the Empress Dowager and Consort De feeling humiliated.
His mother always wanted to control him, blinded by greed. Thinking of this, he felt a surge of annoyance. Emperor Xuande pulled on the reins, raised his gold-inlaid and jade-embroidered whip high, and slammed it hard on Zhaoyebai's rump. Zhaoyebai let out a low neigh, kicked off its hooves, and shot out like an arrow, like a white shooting star streaking across the yellow and green grassland. Hengchong and the Dragon Cavalry Captain hurriedly gave chase, but how could they catch up with this divine steed as swift as the wind?
Ji Heng, Ji Qing, and Gao Qing rode side by side. Suddenly, Ji Heng reined in his horse, stopped, and listened attentively. He smiled and said, "His Majesty has arrived." Gao Qing looked closely and saw dust rising in the distance. A moment later, dragon flags fluttered in the sky, and horns sounded—the horns signaling the emperor's hunt. "It's His Majesty." Gao Qing dismounted, and the others followed suit. Wei Yu thought it would be awkward for her to be in the carriage, but she decided to follow local customs. She adjusted her hat and veil and stood with Zi Yi and Cheng Yi behind Ji Zhonglian and two other guards. The three of them, slender and delicate, blended into the group of burly men and didn't attract much attention.
The sound of hooves grew clearer, rapid and powerful. A rider in black robes on a white horse burst into view. The crowd hastily knelt, prostrating themselves, bowing without a word. Dust swirled in their nostrils, forcing them to suppress sneezes and lower their heads even further. Only the Ji siblings stood smiling. The hoofbeats abruptly ceased; the four hooves, which had been billowing dust just moments before, were now firmly planted on the grass. Emperor Xuande leaped from his horse, charging a few steps, then abruptly stopped three or four steps later. He gestured with restraint for the crowd to rise. "Master, Second Master," his voice was strained, tinged with excitement, "You've returned? Did you bring me anything good?"
Ji Heng bowed and asked, "How has Your Majesty been these past few days?" He addressed Emperor Xuande using the palace term of address. Ji Qing, however, was not as refined and reserved as the other two. She walked to Xuande's side, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said with concern, "Your Majesty has become much thinner than before the New Year. The Emperor, on His Majesty's throne, rode too fast without anyone following him. What could be so important? You mustn't do that again." Emperor Xuande took Ji Qing's hand and whispered, "Aunt." He had a deep affection for Ji Qing. In his youth, he had been dissolute and self-destructive, but it was Ji Qing's kindness and gentleness that gave him maternal love, warmth, and encouragement, helping him through difficult times.
Gao Qing glanced up and was relieved. Even if the emperor was furious, he would restrain himself when he saw the elders. The Second Elder's gentle words could soothe his agitated emotions. Gao Qing gave Heng Chong, who had arrived later, a look. Heng Chong understood and led the Dragon Cavalry Captains back. The large group of people were silent, with only the wind rustling the flags.
Xuande stood between the two men, taking their arms, and said, "Master, you are not allowed to follow me on horseback."
The three riders galloped away, quickly becoming tiny black dots and disappearing into the vast grassland, leaving the others looking at each other in bewilderment. However, the Emperor's apparent calm after the storm made everyone feel a little more relaxed. Heng Chong, Gao Qing, and Ji Zhonglian exchanged pleasantries. Wei Yu glanced at the Dragon Cavalry Captains standing around like javelins. She lightly touched Zi Yi's sleeve, and Zi Yi said softly, "Miss, His Majesty has not issued an edict, so we cannot mount our horses or carriages." Zi Yi had long noticed that this girl seemed oblivious to many etiquette rules. "If you are tired, you can lean on me or Cheng Yi." Wei Yu shook her head, thinking that the rules of the palace were indeed annoying. Cheng Yi looked dreamy, her hands stroking her face, "Miss, His Majesty is so heroic." Both of them chuckled. Wei Yu had been keeping her head down, trying to avoid ingesting dust, although she was also a little curious and wanted to see what the Emperor was like. But then she thought, what did it matter to her? Even in her ignorance, she realized that it was odd for her to be mixed in with this group of people. However, she didn't overthink it; it's always better to avoid trouble. So she kept her eyes down and her mind at ease.
The whispers of the three drew the attention of Heng Chong and Gao Qing, who had been wanting to ask for some time. They quickly pulled Ji Zhonglian aside, and Ji Zhonglian repeated the elder's words as usual. Gao Qing was unconvinced, while Heng Chong, being straightforward, winked and asked Ji Zhonglian if she had any advantage in being close to the elder. Ji Zhonglian smiled bitterly, and Heng Chong was surprised. Could being a mere female official be better than being the second young mistress of the Ji family? Gao Qing thought to herself, Ji Zhonglian is one of the four young masters of the capital, and this woman doesn't even look at him. Does she really want to enter the harem? And she was brought by the elder, so this doesn't make sense. If the elder had such intentions, it's even more impossible.
A gentle breeze stirred, causing the light gauze to flutter. Gao Qing squinted and looked over. Wei Yu, dressed in simple elegance, stood gracefully in the wind. Although he couldn't see her face, his relaxed demeanor was evident. Zi Yi and Cheng Yi accompanied her intimately. He recognized Ji Zhonglian as having two charming and clever maids by his side and couldn't help but think that this woman was indeed extraordinary to have these two maids protecting her so much.
The spring breeze was warm and the sun was shining brightly. If she could ignore her sore feet, Wei Yu was almost drowsy. She looked back at the carriage behind her and sighed that it was so close but she couldn't enjoy it. The grass on the ground was soft and fluffy, and the hot air rose from her feet. The Dragon Cavalry Captains were still standing straight without moving. The horses beside them were snorting and grazing on the tender green grass. Gao Qing and Ji Zhonglian were talking quietly. Occasionally, they would turn around and tell Heng Chong not to pace back and forth and make their eyes dizzy.
Suddenly, the clear, resonant sound of bells rang out from afar, and horses neighed joyfully. The waiting people and horses were all invigorated. Wei Yu subconsciously looked up and saw three fine horses galloping towards them, getting closer and closer. The leader was a handsome young man with a black cloak billowing in the wind. The golden dragon on the cloak seemed to come alive, its eyes blazing with fury, as if it were about to leap out. As he approached, Wei Yu saw that he had thick eyebrows and hawk-like eyes, his expression focused. Wei Yu had studied sketching; this was a man with strong, unsmiling features, arrogant and stubborn. He was born a high and noble emperor. As if sensing someone spying on him, he sharply scanned her. Wei Yu was startled and realized that she had been somewhat presumptuous. She quickly lowered her head and bowed again with the others, respectfully wishing them a good day.
Emperor Xuande reined in his horse and used his whip to signal everyone to rise. His gaze swept over the crowd and lingered on Wei Yu. A smile played on his lips. "Master," he said, turning to the Ji siblings. "This girl must be extraordinary to have earned your master's favor. The Song family of Yuanning is also a prestigious family. I will treat her as my future queen. What do you say?"
Aside from the Ji siblings, everyone else gasped. The Emperor always hated interference, and now he was probably speaking in anger. The Emperor's nature was unpredictable, and everyone couldn't help but worry for the elder. Wei Yu's heart pounded. This scene was too unbelievable. "Please don't!" she prayed, holding her breath. In her nervousness, she blurted out the words. Emperor Xuande, the Ji siblings, Heng Chong, Ji Zhonglian, Gao Qing, and the purple-clad Cheng Yi beside her all heard it clearly. Their reactions varied; they were all dumbfounded and terrified, all turning their gazes to her. Wei Yu felt suffocated. She was unaware that her words had been heard by everyone, and could only lower her head even further.
Emperor Xuande raised a thick eyebrow. His words had originally been a joke and a test. His private conversation with the elders had greatly shocked and delighted him, and in his excellent mood, he had spoken casually. Afterwards, he thought it wasn't a bad idea—establishing an empress and a legitimate son would give the people an explanation. There were precedents for arranging marriages with relatives from the Ji clan, which was better than the foolish and greedy Zhou woman. However, the woman's reaction was unexpected. He became somewhat interested, his gaze fixed intently on Wei Yu, making her stiffen. Just as he was about to order Wei Yu to remove her veil, Ji Heng chuckled, "Your Majesty is joking. Your Majesty is in the prime of your youth. Wouldn't it be better to find a kindred spirit? With shared ideals, Your Majesty will have no worries." These were words Ji Qing had spoken to him when he was sixteen, when Empress Dowager Zhou wanted to make Consort Zhou empress for him. These words gave him the courage to defy his mother's wishes for the first time. It was fortunate that his mother wanted to maintain her position as the first mistress of the harem, so the matter of establishing an empress was dropped.
Xuande remained silent, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Master, do you have no intention of sending her to the palace? Then why bring her here?" His eyes flashed with a sharp glint; he did not want even his close master to harbor any schemes against him.
Ji Heng immediately said solemnly, "To be honest, this woman is a good match for Your Majesty. However, I have always believed that marriage should be based on mutual affection. Even an emperor cannot force a marriage, let alone this woman who has no interest at all. Even if she were willing, it would still depend on Your Majesty's approval. I would never offer my woman to Your Majesty in order to gain your favor."
Xuande clasped his hands in a fist and laughed heartily. It was the first time in a year that he had laughed from the bottom of his heart. His laughter pierced the clouds and reached the ears of the heavens because of the elder’s uprightness and the grand plan that was about to be unfolded.
Wei Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but everyone was once again filled with doubt and uncertainty because of Xuande's loud laughter. The nature of the dragon was still unpredictable.
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That evening, in the Qin Zheng Hall of the temporary palace, after Emperor Xuande had a meal with Elder Ji, he carefully read the two elders' travel notes by lamplight. "Support farmers and workers, open border markets, encourage merchants to go abroad, and monopolize logistics in various countries..." Emperor Xuande's eyes shone brightly, and he immediately had a plan in mind. Gao Qing had already prepared pen and ink, and Emperor Xuande drafted several edicts, then threw down the pen, "Seal them away and order the Imperial Drafting Office to send copies to the three provinces and six ministries in the capital. Cancel the spring hunting expeditions. Return to the capital tomorrow. I want to see the reports from each ministry."
Gao Qing nodded, picked up the box, packed it properly, and stepped aside to leave.
A gentle night breeze blew as Emperor Xuande strolled to the palace gate. The moonlight shone brighter under the night sky, and the white marble railings gleamed. The paulownia, ginkgo, and other trees beside the platform had all reached the sky, their leaves rustling and casting a carpet of fallen leaves on the ground. Though there was no fragrance of flowers, a refreshing scent still filled the air. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the crescent moon in the sky. His turbulent emotions slowly calmed, and an image of a graceful woman unexpectedly surfaced in his mind. During the day, when he returned to the palace with an imperial decree, this woman had walked gracefully into the carriage and then disappeared without a trace, as if she had just missed something extremely ordinary, not the most noble imperial crown in the world. When he dined with his master, he had secretly hoped that his master would bring up the matter again, but everything seemed to sink without a trace. Instead, his master apologized to him and, after dinner, accompanied that Miss Song to admire the night view of Jiufeng Mountain. He was somewhat taken aback and felt a little uneasy. After all, he was a noble emperor. Which of his concubines in the harem wasn't all smiling and fawning? Which of his princes and ministers wasn't all flattering and ingratiating? Even those who put on airs were just trying to get his attention. Unfortunately, he actually ran into one. If it weren't for his master, he really wouldn't believe that there were women in the world who wouldn't listen to reason. It's clear that the ancient sages were right when they said there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people.
"Your Majesty," Gao Qing said softly as she approached him. Emperor Xuande frowned, his face darkening. The beautiful scene suddenly tasted bland. "Issue an edict: the mountain garden is quiet. Consort De is to stay a few more days to serve the Empress Dowager," he said coldly, turning and walking back to the main hall. "The palace ladies who accompanied the Emperor need not return. They should serve the Empress Dowager well."
It turned out that Gao Qing received a report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard that Consort Zhou had entered the Empress Dowager's palace. After dinner, the Empress Dowager sent her chief eunuch Hong Da to find Miss Song. However, Miss Song was not at her residence and had gone out with the elder. She had not returned yet, so the Empress Dowager issued an imperial decree that Miss Song should come to court the next day.
The Empress Dowager was never giving up, always so impatient, projecting her own feelings onto others. She assumed the Ji family had used the elders to send their daughter into the palace, and was therefore eager to eliminate dissidents. For some foolish idea, she repeatedly tested his patience and tolerance. Thinking of this, he sternly glared at Heng Chong, "The Dragon Cavalry must be thoroughly vetted. If even half of what I said today is leaked, I will dismiss the Dragon Cavalry and they will no longer serve you." Heng Chong obeyed the decree with a bitter face, once again becoming cannon fodder.
"Then... Miss Song?" Gao Qing asked cautiously.
Emperor Xuande pondered for a moment, spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, picked up his brush, then paused. His master had brought her here, surely considering the Empress Dowager's actions. The Ji family's protective capabilities were beyond question. He put down his brush, paced back and forth, and after much deliberation, finally made a decision. He returned to the rosewood carved dragon table, picked up his brush, drafted an edict, and handed it to Gao Qing: "Send this to Lady Song. She shall accompany the Emperor back to the capital and immediately enter the Imperial Observatory. No need for thanks." Gao Qing had been with him since childhood and had somewhat guessed that he was interested in that Miss Song. He was somewhat surprised to hear this.
Wei Yu naturally had no idea about the aftermath of the dinner at the imperial palace. When she, Elder Ji, Zi Yi, and Cheng Yi returned home in high spirits, Ji Heng saw the copy of the report and couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile. Ji Qing looked at it carefully, then turned around and smiled, "A Yu, congratulations, you are now a female scribe in the Imperial Observatory."
The imperial court directly summoned the daughters of noble families and officials to the palace. Every dynasty had examples of this; the recently demoted Sima clan member was not selected for the imperial concubine selection. However, it was the first time that the emperor had issued an imperial decree to send her to the Imperial Observatory. Especially since this woman came from the Ji clan, the princes and nobles in the capital were all talking about it and speculating about the emperor's intentions.
Wei Yu felt uneasy. She had read many history books and knew that the emperor's casual actions often affected every nerve inside and outside the palace and in the court. Getting involved in such trouble was the last thing she wanted. The next day, the emperor's magnificent carriage shocked her. Once she got involved, could she easily get out?
Upon arriving in the capital, Ji Qing noticed her worries and comforted her, explaining that the court was about to face a turbulent storm, and people's attention and conversations would not last long. He then requested leave from the Imperial Observatory, saying that Wei Yu had come from afar and wished to settle in. Because of the Emperor's personal decree and the elders of the Ji family, the Imperial Observatory readily agreed, and Wei Yu stayed in the guest courtyard of the Ji family, with Zi Yi and Cheng Yi still accompanying her.
As expected, after Emperor Xuande returned to Shangjing, he swiftly issued a series of edicts, making significant changes to government policies, taxes, and the imperial examinations. He established official schools to provide education for impoverished children, implemented stricter laws, and imposed a complete ban on the use of weapons and horses in the army. He also abolished the privilege of the powerful and wealthy to use money and property to pay off their crimes. The thirteen departments of the inner court were merged, and their staff was reduced to only nine departments. The ranks of the harem were abolished, and the positions of the inner court were determined: one Empress, four Consorts (Gui, Xian, Shu, and De) were granted the title of Prince, nine Concubines (Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, Zhaoyuan, Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiuyuan, Chongyi, Chongrong, and Chongyuan) were granted the titles of Prince, Duke, and Marquis, respectively. There were nine Jieyu, nine Meiren, and nine Cairen, with the titles of Earl, Viscount, and Baron. The other ranks of Baolin and Nüyu were abolished, and the harem was prohibited from interfering in politics. All women over the age of twenty-five were released unless they volunteered or had no other choice. The issuance of these imperial edicts caused a stir in the court and among the people. Some cheered, some beat their chests in frustration, some applauded with delight, and some harbored resentment.
The two elders of the Ji family were extremely busy. The Ji family needed to consult on matters related to seclusion. Emperor Xuande needed the elders' support for national policies to promote the implementation of decrees. Secondly, because his master was about to go into seclusion for two years, he summoned the elders to the palace twice a day for secret talks and to inquire about national affairs. Sometimes they even stayed overnight in the palace. The two elders were not up to the task, and the matters they had not discussed were not ordinary. The capable Ji Zhonglian was the best candidate, but the two elders were also secretly worried.
Wei Yu had some concerns. She would be living in this city for two years and should be familiar with it by now. So she asked Zi Yi to ask Ji Zhonglian if she could leave the manor. Ji Zhonglian thought that she was enamored with the scenery of the capital and that it would not be easy for her to take leave in the next two years. So he personally accompanied her to ancient scenic spots, famous temples and gardens, and bustling markets. He had already made up his mind, but he was always calm and reserved. He felt that there was plenty of time and that Wei Yu was full of thoughts and that the time was not right. He believed that things would naturally fall into place in the future.
Early this morning, Ji Zhonglian went to the Imperial Observatory to give a final inspection of the courtyard where Weiyu and Ziyi would live for the next two years. Weiyu, Ziyi, and Chengyi changed into men's clothing and were about to leave the mansion. The masters of the Ji family had never been conventional in their actions, so the family members were used to it. Knowing that this distinguished guest was favored by the elders and that the second master was particularly attentive, the steward did not stop them. The two maids were also the seven guards of the mansion, so he only instructed them to take good care of them before letting them leave the mansion.
The two maids were like wild horses, especially the younger Chengyi, who ran back and forth. In no time, she was carrying snacks and eating them with relish. Weiyu also felt relaxed. Usually, when she went out with Ji Zhonglian, she had to wear a veil and was always a bit restrained. Sometimes, she had to give way to him when entering and leaving. The two maids had to serve the guards and had no time to play. It was much more comfortable to accompany the young lady. Although the young lady was quiet and often just reading and writing, she was gentle and kind and never acted like a mistress. When the sisters asked her questions, she showed no impatience. They had been with Weiyu for a month and both of them liked this mistress. They secretly hoped that she would become the second young lady's wife. Last night, Chengyi even cried because she couldn't go to the Imperial Observatory with Weiyu and made a fuss about Ziyi making up for it. So today's trip came about.
Although Wei Yu had already glimpsed the capital city of Shangjing, the capital of the Son of Heaven, each visit still moved and amazed her. The wide city walls, the crisscrossing rivers, ponds, and canals, the bridges of various designs, exquisite craftsmanship, and beautiful carvings; the West Market, East Market, and the main north-south streets, lined with shops selling everything from silks and satins to jewelry and jade; weaving, ironwork, and glassmaking workshops were everywhere; most buildings were three or four stories high, a testament to the capital's wealth. The streets were bustling with traffic, and she could see people dressed in the attire of different empires—the purple-robed woman said they were merchants from other countries. Unlike other cities Wei Yu had visited, the streets were lined with tall trees, with low shrubs separating the central areas. There were multiple wide streets, clearly defined, and despite the heavy traffic, there was no congestion. Wei Yu thought this was perhaps the elders' doing. Just as the elders had said, Shangjing was modeled after Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, and even shared a similar name. Ji Zhonglian once said that the capital city had over a hundred wards and more than twenty east-west and north-south main streets, all roughly the same size. Newcomers often got lost, so each intersection had a signpost, guarded by personnel from the Jingji Guard. In the eastern part of the city, the Shengye, Xuanyang, and Yongxing wards housed magnificent and exquisitely decorated mansions, inhabited by princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials. The height of the main buildings indicated the rank and status of the owners. It was common for these mansions to be demolished after being punished, only to be hastily rebuilt when they were in power, making business quite good for the artisans in the capital. In the south of the city was the elegant and secluded Pingkang ward, and the majestic and imposing imperial city, after Emperor Rende's extensive construction, had been rebuilt with new palaces, making it even more solemn and luxurious. However, even someone like Ji Zhonglian needed a permit to enter the imperial city, and thus the palace required an imperial decree. The Imperial Observatory was located within the imperial city.
One night, Ji Zhonglian took her to the Jinglong Temple Bell Tower in Chongrenfang. Gazing at the dimly lit streets and houses, the breeze that night carried the fragrance of camellias, stirring up her homesickness. In Jiangnan, lotus flowers should be in full bloom, but she was trapped here, uncertain about her way back. She felt anxious and unhappy. In the bustling city, surrounded by dignitaries, she alone was heartbroken.
"Young Master!" Cheng Yi's cheerful voice called from ahead. Wei Yu gathered her thoughts and looked ahead. It turned out that they had arrived at the North Gate. Cheng Yi ran back and said, "Young Master, the tea at Mu Lu is very famous."