Chapter 063: Snow Appreciation Banquet

Chapter 063: Snow Appreciation Banquet

Fu Jiaze came out of the study and boarded a carriage, heading for the Pei residence.

The green-curtained carriage arrived at the Pei residence just as someone was leaving. Fu Jiaze was slightly taken aback because the person driving the carriage was none other than Pei Jin.

Fu Jiaze approached and bowed to Pei Jin, "Student greets Master."

As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing a face filled with surprise, "Jinyuan."

How could it be his mother-in-law?

Fu Jiaze bowed again to Wen Hui.

Pei Jin released the reins and parked the carriage, while Wen Hui got out. She said to Pei Jin, "I'll take Jinyuan's carriage back."

The driver of the Pei residence had left due to a family celebration, so Pei Jin had to personally drive her back.

Being driven by Pei Jin felt strange to Wen Hui.

Fu Jiaze's appearance resolved her predicament.

Pei Jin nodded slightly, "That would be good."

Wen Hui's carriage left the residence, and Pei Jin turned his gaze away, slowly removing his hand warmer. He then said to Fu Jiaze, "Let's go to the study."

As they walked, Pei Jin learned the purpose of Fu Jiaze's visit: tomorrow in the morning court session, the emperor would announce the granting of a title to He Lanting.

"He Lanting's title and rank have been decided; she will be Concubine Chen."

At the mention of Concubine Chen, Pei Jin frowned.

Soon, his brow smoothed out, and he nodded slightly, "I understand."

Initially, upon hearing the name Concubine Chen, Pei Jin instinctively wanted to object. But after further consideration, the emergence of Concubine Chen aligned with his interests. With the young lord dead, Emperor Chengde and He Lanting would need time before having another son, giving him more time to solidify his position in the court.

Emperor Chengde was comfortable in his rule, allowing officials to perform their duties effectively. This balance between a not-so-sagacious ruler and capable ministers sustained the governance of Great Qi.

Fu Jiaze added, "The emperor is determined to make He Lanting Concubine Chen."

From Emperor Chengde's attitude toward Yan Ji's body, Pei Jin sensed something amiss. He nodded and said, "Indeed. I need to go out now, Jinyuan, come with me."

Since the emperor's decision was firm, his connections could delay but not thwart it.

They walked through the long corridor, where winter night fell early, enveloping the Pei residence in thick darkness like ink.

Heading to the stables, Fu Jiaze noticed Pei Jin putting on his hand warmer.

Was Pei Jin preparing to drive the carriage himself?

Fu Jiaze couldn't help but ask, "Where is the driver of the residence?"

Pei Jin replied, "He took leave due to a family celebration, which is why I was going to drive Wen Hui back."

Pei Jin smiled, "Do you doubt my driving skills? I've driven in snowy weather before."

Fu Jiaze paused, then spoke with a hidden meaning, "I thought, 'When Xiang Zhuang dances with his sword, his real target is Liu Bang.'"

Fu Jiaze's implication was simple: the broken carriage was merely an excuse, and Pei Jin intended to send Wen Hui alone.

"How could that be?" Pei Jin laughed, but then fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Fu Jiaze deliberately looked far ahead, avoiding his master's expression, but kept an eye on Pei Jin's movements from the corner of his eye.

Pei Jin stood there without speaking, the lanterns in the corridor swaying in the north wind, their flames flickering, casting an uncertain light.

Fu Jiaze's words seemed to awaken something within Pei Jin, making his heart feel as if it were being lifted and thrown into the air, ungrounded.

This sense of imbalance was what Pei Jin always sought to avoid.

After a long moment, Pei Jin resumed walking, "We'll visit Minister Wei first."

Fu Jiaze responded, "Yes."

"I'll drive the carriage."

Fu Jiaze still replied, "Yes."

That night, they visited officials ranging from the high-ranking Minister of Revenue Wei Zhang to the lower-ranked Sixth Rank Ministry of Works official, one by one.

Until curfew, Pei Jin first sent Fu Jiaze back, then drove the carriage back to the Pei residence.

Though it was not on the way, his carriage passed by the alley where Wen Hui lived.

The dark gate was tightly shut, revealing no light from within. It was already late, and the owner inside must have retired for the night.

Pei Jin sat by the carriage in the cold for a quarter of an hour, snowflakes falling from the eaves onto his shoulders.

The snowflakes settled on his hair, turning white, melting into water due to his body heat, trickling down his hair.

Drip.

As the water slid from his temple to his shoulder, Pei Jin was startled, and his reins moved, causing the carriage to continue forward.

Despite his resolve, after a short distance, Pei Jin still looked back.

The night had swallowed his path, and in the pitch-black, nothing was visible, making it impossible to distinguish Wen Hui's temporary residence.

/

The next day, Emperor Chengde was energetic and well-prepared for court, ready to clear all obstacles for He Lanting's position.

Fu Jiaze had already left for the Imperial Academy. Although Pei Jin had taken him to visit various ministers in the court, the Spring Examination had not yet begun, and as an ordinary civilian, he had not truly entered the officialdom. His current task was still to read books in the Imperial Academy.

Having met officials of all ranks, even some who treated Fu Jiaze with special regard, he still returned to the library to continue reading and organizing the books he had read.

Mo Xingyi had been admitted into the Imperial Academy through his family's connections. Seeing Fu Jiaze like this, he couldn't help but ponder his own path. He tapped on Fu Jiaze's desk.

Fu Jiaze looked up, and Mo Xingyi said, "What do you think about me choosing to serve outside?"

Fu Jiaze smiled, "Are you considering serving outside because I am? You don't have to. Your family has already paved a road for you."

"I always feel aimless," Mo Xingyi said. "I want to find my own way. What do you think?"

Seeing the hopeful look in Mo Xingyi's eyes, Fu Jiaze patted his back, "Do one day's work as a monk, strike one day's bell. Since you are here in the Imperial Academy, you should fulfill your duties here. Moreover, there are many books here, including county histories and local records. If you want to serve outside, you might as well start by reading these kinds of books. If you genuinely believe you can achieve something, then take that path."

Mo Xingyi nodded, smiling, "You're right."

From that day on, Mo Xingyi also began reading books with Fu Jiaze.

At this moment, Lin Yingxue was looking up as Fei Yuan did her makeup.

On ordinary days, Lin Yingxue would wear light makeup, but today was different. Her makeup was more elaborate.

Her eyebrows were longer, her lips redder, and her face powdered more heavily. Lin Yingxue felt as if she had shed her childishness and gained a touch of captivating beauty.

With heavier makeup, her accessories should be simpler. She wore only two tiny pearls, and her hairstyle was a simple single snail, adorned with a small pearl hairpin.

Lin Yingxue was very satisfied with Fei Yuan's skills. After breakfast, she took a carriage to the outskirts of the capital.

Fei Yuan held the gold-leaf invitation, and Lin Yingxue entered the residence of Minister Wei.

Lin Yingxue's status hadn't changed much from the last time. Compared to these ladies, her husband was still an ordinary civilian, yet Lin Yingxue received a completely different treatment at this flower-viewing banquet.

Last time, everyone scrutinized her, knowing she was a minor daughter of the Lin family, rarely stepping out of the house, hoping to see her show signs of provincialism.

Here, the ladies, both young and old, treated Lin Yingxue warmly and kindly.

As Fu Jiaze had said, although the snow-viewing banquet was hosted by the wife of Minister Wei, it was actually a matchmaking event. The central figure of this banquet was Lin Yingxue.

Lin Yingxue initially thought it would be difficult to join their conversations, but she soon realized it wasn't. The topics they discussed were things Fu Jiaze had mentioned before, which inspired her to think further.

The governor of Huguang needed replacing, the Yellow River was flooding again, and there were minor incursions by the Xiongnu in the northwest.

At first, Lin Yingxue listened quietly, hearing their news. Then she suddenly said, "I also know a piece of news."

All the ladies seemed to be waiting for Lin Yingxue to speak. Her palms were slightly damp as she took her first step.

"I learned this news last night. Today, the emperor will officially grant Lady He a position. The title he will give her is Concubine Chen. From now on, you will no longer see Lady He; instead, you will kneel and address her as Noble Consort Chen."

Everyone knew she had connections to Fu Bin, so this news must be true. Their expressions varied, and soon they began whispering among themselves.

When Lin Yingxue shared this news, it was already noon. A round-faced maid from Minister Wei's household approached with a smile, saying, "Ladies, please move to the crystal warm pavilion. It's time to eat venison."

Madam Wu, the wife of Minister Wei, held Lin Yingxue's hand, "This is your first time here. You must try the venison we prepared. It's sweet and fresh, good for women to improve blood circulation."

Although it was supposed to be eating venison and viewing snow, Lin Yingxue only tasted the venison and saw the plum blossoms in the snow at this point.

During the morning, they discussed political matters, which they were expected to relay to their husbands. In the afternoon, they enjoyed flowers and played drinking games.

After having a little plum wine, Lin Yingxue's cheeks turned slightly red. At this moment, she noticed the round-faced maid approaching Madam Wu and whispering something.

Soon, Lin Yingxue understood what was happening. A group of ladies gathered around an unmarried girl, Yao Su, who was the confirmed third prince's consort.

Yao Su looked thinner than when Lin Yingxue had last seen her, and even with makeup, the faint dark circles under her eyes could not be hidden.

She held a scroll, and upon seeing the ladies, she said, "I wonder if anyone has heard that my younger sister was abducted during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I came here today because I knew there was a gathering. I ask the ladies, if possible, to inform your servants. If anyone has seen my sister, please let me know. I will offer a generous reward."

Yao Su slowly unrolled a scroll, revealing a portrait of her sister, along with some distinguishing features, such as a beauty mark above a slight scar and a mole under her right fingernail.

Lin Yingxue noticed that Yao Su mentioned offering a generous reward herself, not the Yao family, suggesting that the Yao family had undergone changes.