Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"Hiss..."

The phrase "Little Minister Jiang" made Jiang Yuxun's body inexplicably shiver.

Outside the Liuyun Hall, the ice and snow melted even faster.

The sound of dripping, like drumbeats, seemed to tap directly on his heart.

Ying Changchuan's voice, along with the smoke from the censer, gently floated to Jiang Yuxun's ears.

As usual, it was leisurely and even carried a hint of pleasure.

Did Ying Changchuan miss saying a couple of sentences?

Hearing this, Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but feel momentarily puzzled.

Fortunately, even in his feverish state, he still remembered that the person before him was the current Emperor.

Despite some doubts in his heart, following Ying Changchuan’s words, Jiang Yuxun, the patient, made an effort to lean forward, trying to reach for the porcelain bowl.

But before he could touch the edge of the bowl, Ying Changchuan had already picked it up and placed it securely in the hands of the person beside him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty… cough, cough..."

The medicine had cooled somewhat, its bitterness now more pronounced than before.

Jiang Yuxun sniffed it and immediately furrowed his brows tightly.

Seeing this, Ying Changchuan casually asked, "What's the matter?"

Jiang Yuxun intended to say nothing was wrong, but under the influence of his debilitated state, he blurted out his earlier doubt: "Your Majesty, did you perhaps omit a sentence just now?"

He asked while blinking, looking utterly serious.

Ying Changchuan feigned ignorance: "Which sentence?"

Still in a feverish state, Jiang Yuxun mumbled unclearly, "...cough, cough, the part about the 'pillar of the state', why didn’t Your Majesty say it?"

Could it be that in the Emperor's eyes, he was still not considered a cornerstone of the state?

Thinking this, Jiang Yuxun, as a subject, couldn’t help but feel anxious.

The next moment, a faint chuckle reached his ears.

That familiar voice gently resounded beside Jiang Yuxun’s ear: "Now that Minister Jiang is a Secretary, he indeed is a pillar of the state."

——Ying Changchuan repeated the last sentence without missing a word.

His speech was slow, with a slightly rising intonation and a hint of helplessness, but not a trace of disdain.

Indeed, he hadn't used the wrong words.

After Ying Changchuan finished speaking, Jiang Yuxun, flattered and a bit embarrassed, finally took a deep breath and resolutely drank the now-cooled medicine in one gulp.

And then he drifted off into a hazy sleep.

……

After about half a cup of tea's time, a young eunuch gently pushed open the hall door, escorting in the imperial physician responsible for Jiang Yuxun's care, both bowing as they entered.

As the young eunuch was collecting the medicine bowl and about to leave, he heard the imperial physician mutter softly, "Why are Minister Jiang's ears and face a bit red?"

"His ears are red?" The eunuch was startled and hurriedly turned to look at the bed.

In the midst of speaking, the physician had already reached out to touch Jiang Yuxun's forehead.

After pausing for a few moments, he began to take his pulse.

"All is well," the physician said softly after a while, drawing back his hand and speaking quietly, "Minister Jiang's forehead is not overheated, and his pulse is returning to normal. His overall condition seems quite good."

The eunuch responsible for Jiang Yuxun's care breathed a sigh of relief: "Perhaps it's because the wall heater is too strong."

At the same time, he gently lowered the bed curtains.

The baffled physician could only nod in agreement: "...That must be it."

-

After suffering from intermittent fevers for four or five days, Jiang Yuxun had finally improved significantly.

However, although his temperature had returned to normal, the symptoms of his cold hadn't completely disappeared, and he still couldn't perform his usual duties in the Emperor's presence.

...For Jiang Yuxun, this was indeed great news.

Wary of encountering Ying Changchuan and not daring to wander near the Emperor, Jiang Yuxun, feeling slightly better, kept his distance from the Liuyun Hall.

The weather was nice today, so he first went to the Xuan Yin Monitor's residence to see Xing Ye.

After pricing several types of wine together, Jiang Yuxun was about to leave when he encountered Zhuang Youli at the residence.

The gate of the residence courtyard gently creaked.

Zhuang Youli, draped in a fox fur coat, sneakily slipped in through the crack of the gate.

"Master Zhuang?" The Xuan Yin Monitor looked at him puzzled, "What's the matter with you? Why so cautious?"

Zhuang Youli bit his lip, somewhat embarrassed, "My parents said I nearly caused a big trouble, so they grounded me to copy the family rules. I can't go out until I finish."

The Xuan Yin Monitor suddenly understood, "So Master Zhuang sneaked out."

Zhuang Youli was scared half to death: "Shh, shh—"

"Don't worry, Youli," Jiang Yuxun, holding a hand stove, looked out from inside the house, "Master Zhuang isn’t here."

He then laughed along with the others around him.

"Ah Xun!" Seeing Jiang Yuxun looking fairly energetic, Zhuang Youli finally relaxed.

He hurried into the house, "Do your head and stomach still hurt?" He was still frightened from witnessing Jiang Yuxun being hit with a wooden stick, "It's good they didn't use a knife."

"No, it doesn’t hurt anymore. It was just a minor injury."

"That's good, that's good," Zhuang Youli said while warming his hands by the fire, "I wanted to visit you the other day, but you were recuperating in the Liuyun Hall, and outsiders aren't allowed in."

Hearing "Liuyun Hall," Jiang Yuxun tensed up momentarily.

Zhuang Youli, seeming to recall something, asked, "I heard from my father that you will be moving into the Liuyun Hall permanently?"

After speaking, he glanced around surreptitiously, then leaned closer to Jiang Yuxun to whisper, "I've been to the official quarters several times, but never noticed there were no heated walls. I didn't expect the Emperor to be so considerate... It seems there's a difference between him and the rumors."

Jiang Yuxun: "!!!"

Zhuang Youli really knows how to touch on sensitive topics.

Jiang Yuxun was only sick that day, not amnesiac.

After the fever subsided, everything that happened during his illness vividly returned to his mind, leaving no chance to deny it.

——He had shamelessly requested to be roommates with the Emperor, and even forced Ying Changchuan to compliment him!

...Maybe it would be better to just die.

Zhuang Youli, like everyone else, was very curious about what the inner palace of the Liuyun Palace looked like.

He didn't notice the odd expression on Jiang Yuxun's face: "By the way, how close is your residence to His Majesty? Has the Emperor visited you in the side hall these past few days?"

Not only visited but also listened to my nonsense.

"Cough, cough..." Jiang Yuxun forcefully coughed to interrupt Zhuang Youli's question.

He glanced back inside the house and changed the subject, "The Xuan Yin Monitor is busy with work. The sun is nice today, let's go for a walk somewhere else."

As he spoke, his fingers curled awkwardly, nearly poking a hole in the brass hand stove.

"Ah?!" Zhuang Youli, who had sneaked out, clearly didn't want to wander around the palace.

However, before he could refuse, Jiang Yuxun had already donned his fox fur coat and forcefully dragged Zhuang Youli out with him.

The moment he stepped outside, Jiang Yuxun felt a wave of despair.

Why didn't I just become completely delirious?

...It would have been perfect if Ying Changchuan had lost his memory with me.

-

The ministers accompanying Ying Changchuan to the Xianyou Palace resided in the eastern part of the palace.

Wary of encountering Zhuang Yue, Jiang Yuxun and Zhuang Youli headed straight for the westernmost part of the Xianyou Palace after leaving the Xuan Yin Monitor's residence.

——Once bitten, twice shy; even within the palace, Jiang Yuxun was always accompanied by members of the Xuan Yin Monitor.

The winter sun was warm yet subtle.

The inner servants of the Xianyou Palace also left the halls to bask in the sun outside.

"Ah Xun, what are those palace maids doing over there?"

Jiang Yuxun followed Zhuang Youli’s gaze to an open space under a nearby palace.

About twenty young palace maids were sitting together, heads bowed, carefully manipulating silk.

After observing for a while, Jiang Yuxun replied, "They are making 'Palace Flowers'."

Saying this, he couldn't help but walk towards the open space.

'Palace Flowers' are the earliest form of hairpin flowers in ancient times, made by pinching and folding silk and other fabrics into lifelike flowers.

They were often worn in the hair or on clothing and sometimes used as palace decorations.

Due to their expensive materials and complex craftsmanship, they remained popular only within the royal court for many years.*

By modern times, not only had the craft been completely lost, but few artifacts had also been preserved intact.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but approach for a closer look.

Hearing footsteps, the palace maids making the Palace Flowers instinctively looked up.

Seeing that it was Jiang Yuxun, they immediately stood up to greet him.

"No need for formalities," Jiang Yuxun quickly waved his hand, "Just continue with your work, I'm just having a look."

The palace maids promptly sat back down: "Yes, Minister Jiang."

Seeing Jiang Yuxun's apparent interest in these items, the female official in charge immediately approached to introduce them to him.

She enthusiastically picked up a silk peony for him to examine closely.

The silk-made peony looked so lifelike that at first glance, it was hard to tell it was artificial.

Zhuang Youli also came closer and remarked, "This palace flower is quite large; it’s surely not meant for wearing in the hair, right?"

The female official nodded promptly, "Indeed, these are not for hair adornment. As we are now in the twelfth lunar month, the New Year's grand banquet is approaching. These flowers are for decorating the banquet hall. What you see here is just the tip of the iceberg; we have to make hundreds more in the coming days."

Jiang Yuxun slowly nodded, placing the item he was holding back down.

It was clear that the palace maids around him had become much more nervous due to his presence.

Not wanting to disturb their work, Jiang Yuxun was about to greet the female official and leave.

But before he could speak, Zhuang Youli asked first, "Huh, I remember there were palace flowers at last year's New Year banquet too. What happened to those? Why aren’t they being reused?"

So, this is an annual tradition?

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but look at the female official along with Zhuang Youli.

She smiled, bowed to them, and replied, "To answer your questions, the flowers for the New Year must be new. Those made last year were stored in the warehouse after use. By now, they have likely become loose and deformed and are no longer usable."

Palace flower making relies solely on folding and pinching, without the use of glue or wire, so although beautiful, they are difficult to preserve for a long time.

Not to mention, during their creation, many silk pieces are trimmed and discarded.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but be shocked.

This is such a waste!

-

After leaving, Jiang Yuxun didn't go back to rest but first escorted Zhuang Youli back to his residence, then went with the Xuan Yin Monitor to visit Fei Jinyuan, one of the 'Nine Ministers' and the Minister of the Imperial Household, in the officials' quarters east of the Xianyou Palace.

As the Minister of the Imperial Household in charge of the court’s food and drink, Fei Jinyuan was theoretically Jiang Yuxun's direct superior, being a Secretary himself.

"Ah, Minister Jiang, why the sudden visit without prior notice?" Hearing the announcement, Fei Jinyuan immediately came out of his house, beaming, "I apologize for not greeting you earlier. Truly, I apologize!"

Jiang Yuxun stepped forward to pay his respects.

Although Fei Jinyuan was Jiang Yuxun's direct superior, he showed none of the airs typical of someone in a high position.

This was partly because he already regarded Jiang Yuxun as an imperial favorite, and also due to his naturally astute character.

With the New Year's banquet approaching, it was the busiest time of the year for Fei Jinyuan.

Jiang Yuxun exchanged pleasantries with him briefly, answered a few questions about his health, and then got straight to the point.

He set down his teacup, recalling as he spoke, "Minister Fei, today in the Xianyou Palace, I saw palace maids making palace flowers. I inquired and learned that these flowers can only be used once."

Hearing this, Fei Jinyuan’s expression also became serious.

He nodded slightly, "That's right."

Seeing this, Jiang Yuxun paused briefly before continuing, "I happen to know a method to make peonies bloom in winter. If possible, for this New Year's banquet, how about I provide the flowers? I wonder if it would be convenient for Minister Fei?"

Palace flowers are indeed beautiful, but they cannot compare to real peonies.

Moreover, since Jiang Yuxun is a favorite of the Emperor, it is only proper for Fei Jinyuan to give him some face.

Fei Jinyuan's eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded without hesitation, "Of course, that's possible!"

He was not a person of strong curiosity, but upon hearing Jiang Yuxun's suggestion, he couldn't help but ask, "May I know how Minister Jiang plans to make the peonies bloom?"

Saying this, he picked up the teapot to refill Jiang Yuxun's cup.

Jiang Yuxun did not keep it a secret. After thanking Fei Jinyuan, he smiled slowly and directly replied, "By using a heating method."

The world's earliest greenhouses appeared in China.

Even in the era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, people knew to burn fire day and night in an airtight room to raise the temperature and produce off-season vegetables.

However, this method was costly and went against the natural order, hence it was not widely promoted.*

Who would want to eat pickled vegetables when they could have fresh ones?

Although it went against the natural order, the tables of the nobility in winter were still graced with green vegetables grown using this heating method.

"Heating method..." Fei Jinyuan repeated softly, frowning slightly.

As it was just the beginning of the twelfth month, if Jiang Yuxun could not produce the peonies in a couple of weeks, Fei Jinyuan would still have time to rectify the situation without causing much impact.

This matter wasn't of much concern to him, but he couldn't help adding, "Minister Jiang, if I may offer a word of caution."

"Please do," Jiang Yuxun urged, looking attentively at him.

Fei Jinyuan carefully chose his words before continuing:

"The heating method has been popular in the Great Zhou for many years. Although I have never tried to use it to cultivate flowers, I know for sure that others must have attempted it. The Great Zhou has a tradition of appreciating flowers, and if someone had managed to grow peonies in winter, it would definitely have been famous throughout the land. Yet, I have never heard of such a thing..."

Fei Jinyuan was subtly cautioning me.

Jiang Yuxun smiled and shook his head lightly, "The method I know is different from the usual heating techniques. Please rest assured, Minister Fei."

"Alright," Fei Jinyuan's slightly furrowed brow relaxed, "If Minister Jiang says so, I am reassured!"

Though he said this, he didn’t fully believe Jiang Yuxun's words.

Jiang Yuxun noticed this but didn't mind. He smiled, nodded at Fei Jinyuan, and then took a sip of tea.

In ancient times, flowers that bloomed early in greenhouses were known as "Hall Flowers."

About a thousand years later, a method was invented by gardeners to dig trenches in ordinary greenhouses, build frames with bamboo and wood, place flower pots on these frames, and use hot water and sulfur to fumigate and hasten the ripening process.*

Since then, appreciating flowers in winter has become possible.

As they spoke, the official responsible for the palace banquet's food and drink arrived to discuss official matters with Fei Jinyuan.

Seeing that Fei Jinyuan was busy, Jiang Yuxun quickly stood up to bid farewell, heading outside, "Then I shall not disturb Minister Fei any further today."

It was the time when the snow was melting.

The temperature outside was even lower than the snowy days before.

The cold wind blew, causing Jiang Yuxun to involuntarily shrink into himself.

The New Year's Day banquet is the largest feast in the palace throughout the year.

Not only can all the officials bring their families, but even the people from the Lingtian Platform are invited to attend...

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun tightened his grip on the hand stove.

He decided to cultivate peonies partly because he recently had no official duties to attend to and wanted to find something to occupy himself.

It was also because he wanted to take a subtle jab at the Lingtian Platform during the New Year's Day banquet.

The Lingtian Platform believed that the growth and death of plants were determined by the heavens, and human efforts could not change this.

They even once hindered the spread and popularity of the heating method, citing it as "contrary to the natural order."

Thinking about how future generations described greenhouse-grown flowers as "rivaling nature and communicating with spirits."

Jiang Yuxun eagerly anticipated what would the reaction of the Lingtian Platform's people be upon seeing the peonies?

Seeing Jiang Yuxun about to leave, Fei Jinyuan immediately stood up to see him off: "When the peonies bloom, Minister Jiang must invite me to see them first!"

"Of course," Jiang Yuxun smiled, "I will certainly gift you one when the time comes."

Fei Jinyuan's face beamed with joy, "Then I'll look forward to Minister Jiang's good news!"

Saying this, he escorted Jiang Yuxun and the Xuan Yin Monitor out.

The snow had melted halfway without notice, making the stone-paved palace paths somewhat slippery.

Jiang Yuxun slowed his pace, recalling the greenhouse cultivation methods he had seen in a museum, and couldn't help thinking – since he was gifting Fei Jinyuan, he should also gift a few pots to Zhuang Yue's family.

Besides, perhaps he should also give some flowers to Ying Changchuan?

-

By evening, Ying Changchuan officially decreed that Jiang Yuxun move into a side hall of the Liuyun Palace.

Although the palace servants helped, Zhuang Yue, unable to rest easy after a day’s work, rushed to the official quarters to see Jiang Yuxun "moving."

"It's only been half a year; how did your room end up with so many more things?"

Jiang Yuxun, while organizing a cabinet, replied, "Most of them were moved from my home."

In his previous life as a university student, Jiang Yuxun had wished he could move his entire home into the dormitory.

After transmigrating, he spent most of his time living in the Xianyou Palace, treating this official quarters like his own apartment.

"There are books, papers, and even food?" Zhuang Yue was astonished to see this.

Jiang Yuxun followed his gaze to a corner of the room and thought for a moment before explaining, "Oh… these are specialties packed for me by Lord Qiao, the Prefect of Lanzhe, during the southern tour. I fell ill before I could sort them out after returning to Zhaodu, so they’ve just been sitting here, almost forgotten."

Zhuang Yue nodded understandingly, advising, "The side hall has a heated wall and is much warmer than here. After moving, remember to eat these items early to prevent them from spoiling."

Jiang Yuxun nodded quickly in agreement.

The palace servants moved the heavier books and bedding for Jiang Yuxun.

He himself carried the smaller items, walking last.

"Alright, I can't go to the rear hall. After you move, make sure to organize the room with the palace servants, so you know where everything is," Zhuang Yue said while stroking his beard with evident satisfaction.

Living beside the Emperor was indeed a great honor!

After hearing this news, Zhuang Yue walked even more upright in front of his colleagues.

In stark contrast, the closer Jiang Yuxun got to the Liuyun Palace, the heavier his steps became.

"Yes, Minister Zhuang," Jiang Yuxun replied listlessly.

"What are you thinking about, Ah Xun?" Zhuang Yue frowned, "Living in the Liuyun Palace is a good thing. You can be yourself around me, but make sure to be spirited in front of His Majesty."

Jiang Yuxun sighed heavily, "I was wondering when the Yuyang Palace in Zhaodu will be repaired. It would be great if I could move back there soon."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yue immediately became anxious.

Worried that Jiang Yuxun might speak out of turn in front of the Emperor, Zhuang Yue lowered his voice to remind him:

"Construction of palace buildings is laborious and expensive. Now is not a good time for such endeavors. Besides, the Emperor has no intention of this at the moment. Remember not to mention this to him."

"Don't worry, I understand."

Saying this, Jiang Yuxun, holding a few summer garments, walked with great difficulty towards the rear hall.

Unable to follow, Zhuang Yue could only stand there, watching him leave.

At some point, a thick cloud had drifted across the sky, and a light snow began to fall over the Xianyou Palace.

Jiang Yuxun's figure gradually disappeared into the dark palace buildings amidst the snow, prompting the phrase "like a lamb entering the tiger’s den" to flash through Zhuang Yue's mind.

Zhuang Yue: "...What am I imagining?"

He quickly shook his head, casting aside the strange feeling from his mind.

-

Two days later, Jiang Yuxun's health finally recovered enough for him to work.

That day coincided with a court assembly, and the Liuyun Hall was packed with court officials.

After becoming a Secretary, Jiang Yuxun's position in the court assembly was much closer to the front.

Now, he only needed to lift his head to see Ying Changchuan’s eyes.

These past few days, Jiang Yuxun had been pretending to have forgotten everything that happened during his illness.

But every time he saw the Emperor, he couldn't help feeling incredibly guilty.

"…I, Minister Fei Jinyuan, thank His Majesty for his grace. Long live the Emperor, forever and ever!"

After the southern tour, the officials were exhausted, and the court assembly was suspended once.

The day to reward the officials who accompanied the tour was postponed until today.

"Congratulations to Minister Fei."

Eunuch Sang, beaming, handed the reward silver to Fei Jinyuan, who was responsible for the logistics of the southern tour and received a substantial reward today.

"Thank you, Eunuch Sang," Fei Jinyuan said with a smile that couldn't be concealed, quickly expressing his gratitude in a low voice.

Due to feelings of guilt and awkwardness, Jiang Yuxun had been avoiding Ying Changchuan these days, and even at the court assembly, he kept his head down.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eunuch Sang, who had just finished reading out the rewards, suddenly step aside.

Footsteps were then heard outside the Liuyun Hall.

What's happening?

Jiang Yuxun, who had been keeping his head down, finally couldn't help but look up in confusion towards the high platform.

After rewarding Fei Jinyuan, shouldn't the next person be me?

As if guessing his thoughts, the footsteps suddenly stopped not far from Jiang Yuxun.

An imperial attendant, holding the light sword Jiang Yuxun had accidentally lost, approached him.

Finally, the attendant presented the sword with both hands to Jiang Yuxun.

Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Yuxun gently took the sword and expressed his gratitude for the imperial favor.

...Although I really wanted this sword, isn't it a bit stingy not to give something else?

Surely Emperor Ying Changchuan isn't being petty at this moment!

Thinking this, Jiang Yuxun's eyelids suddenly twitched, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart.

Could it be that Ying Changchuan is planning something new at this time...

What I fear always happens!

The next moment, the Emperor slowly lowered his gaze, smiling at Jiang Yuxun.

At this moment, the civil and military officials of the court seemed to have turned into air.

He paused as if in thought, and after a while, finally spoke in a voice laced with a hint of a smile, "Now that Minister Jiang is a Secretary, a pillar of the state, he certainly deserves a grand reward."

The fifteen words that Jiang Yuxun had said that day were repeated without missing a single one, echoing clearly in the Liuyun Hall.

Then, with a slight raise of his eyebrows, it seemed as if he was waiting for Jiang Yuxun's reaction.

...Minister Jiang is now a Secretary, a pillar of the state.

The buried memories assaulted Jiang Yuxun at this moment.

His heart gave a harsh tremor.

Is this the retribution for forcing the Emperor to praise me?

Author's note:

*1. Han Dynasty Palace Flowers 2. Zhou Mi's "Qi Dong Ye Yu: Ma Cheng Art Flowers"