Chapter 116: Progress

Chapter 116: Making Strides

Shi Xuan was busy with imperial exam preparations in the Ministry of Rites and could rest after the palace examination. They exchanged some words, and Xiao Gaoyang remarked, "We still don’t know who will be the principal graduate this time."

Du Ning looked at Xiao Gaoyang and laughed, "What, Xiao still wants to compete?"

Xiao Gaoyang shook his head, "Merely curious."

Even if they were among the top three, they would first study in the Hanlin Academy for three years before entering the Six Ministries. Many things could happen in those three years. Xiao Gaoyang glanced at Zheng Shanci and smiled.

At noon, Zheng Shanci returned to his office to rest but only slept for two ke before heading to the library to read. Lately, official business had been unrelenting, with tasks coming sporadically.

Xie Cheng lit up when he saw Zheng Shanci and went to seek his advice again.

Zheng Shanci glanced at the text—a passage from Mencius:

"Without compass and square, one cannot form squares and circles."

Zheng Shanci first asked Xie Cheng for his interpretation.

After pondering for a moment, Xie Cheng shared his thoughts. He believed that rules were akin to laws—without them, there would be no distinction between noble and base in the Great Yan Dynasty. Murder would go unpunished, theft would not lead to imprisonment, and everything would lose meaning.

Zheng Shanci nodded, "Your understanding of rules as law is correct. Confucianism emphasizes civilizing influence..." He then elaborated on legal principles using both Confucian and Legalist perspectives. Xie Cheng listened with focused attention.

Zheng Shanci continued, "Observing all things in heaven and earth, each follows its own order. Only by adhering to the Dao can one gain powerful advantage."

Xie Cheng’s mind stirred, "Does the gentleman mean the alternation of day and night, the cycle of seasons—these are also forms of rules?"

Zheng Shanci shook his head, "These are natural order. No matter how rules change, Heaven's course remains constant. When rules become so ingrained that people follow them without thought, that is the most dangerous."

Xie Cheng seemed to grasp something profound.

Zheng Shanci added, "Lately, official business has been demanding, so I may reduce my visits to the library at noon. If the young master seeks me out, I must apologize in advance."

Xie Cheng’s heart tightened, and he blurted out, "May I ask how to address you, sir?"

Zheng Shanci smiled and shook his head, "I never asked for your name, young master, so you need not ask mine. Let us simply be fellow scholars."

A youth who could move freely within the palace was either a prince or an attendant. Zheng Shanci had no intention of probing further—he only knew that if the young man had questions, he would answer them.

Returning to the prince's apartments, Xie Cheng knew he could easily inquire about the official’s identity from the library staff. But since the man preferred anonymity, Xie Cheng chose not to investigate.

He went to his study and searched for books.

A young eunuch exclaimed, "Your Highness, what are you looking for? Let this lowly one help you."

The eunuch, around twenty years old with rosy lips and white teeth, had grown up with Xie Cheng and was literate.

"I’m looking for books on farming."

The eunuch hurriedly helped him search, retrieving three or four volumes and placing them on the desk.

"Why does Your Highness suddenly want to read these?"

Xie Cheng smiled faintly. "'Without compass and square, one cannot form squares and circles.' Rules are the laws of the Great Yan Dynasty, and civilizing influence helps people better understand them. If one doesn’t even know the meaning of 'rules,' how can they develop awe? Beyond that, above rules lies order—Heaven's Ways are constant, which cannot be controlled."

The eunuch looked bewildered, "Your Highness explains so profoundly, this lowly one is quite lost."

Xie Cheng said no more. He wanted to study agricultural cycles across the seasons and also learn about earthquakes, floods, and droughts.

Xie Cheng diligently read through these books when Xie Dan came in to play and saw him studying. "Big Brother, why are you reading these? Our tutor never covered these."

"Just got curious and wanted to read them."

Xie Dan disliked reading. Seeing nothing fun in Xie Cheng’s room, he lay down on Xie Cheng’s bed and burrowed in the blankets, falling asleep.

By the time Xie Cheng finished reading, Xie Dan was already sound asleep. Xie Cheng quietly left and told the palace attendants to prepare the Second Prince’s favorite dinner.

Xie Dan had a good meal that evening before returning to his own quarters.

Xie Cheng wrote an essay on agriculture and the four seasons.

When Assistant Grand Secretary Wei came for the lesson, Xie Cheng handed him the essay for guidance.

"Your Highness has made remarkable progress lately," Assistant Grand Secretary Wei remarked with a hint of surprise. He had only asked Xie Cheng to reflect on the phrase, "Without rules, nothing can be accomplished," but he hadn’t expected Xie Cheng to connect it to the natural order of things. This interpretation even enlightened Wei himself.

"Your Highness’s analysis of this phrase is exceptional."

Embarrassed by Assistant Grand Secretary Wei’s praise, Xie Cheng modestly cupped his hands and said, "You honor me, Lord Wei."

Assistant Grand Secretary Wei left the palace with the book, deeply moved. He felt delighted that the Eldest Prince possessed such insight at his age.

Xie Cheng carefully preserved the essay he had written, treasuring it greatly. Unfortunately, that lord was too occupied lately to frequent the library, and Xie Cheng developed great respect for Zheng Shanci. Such a man was truly worthy of admiration.

...

Zheng Shanci remained occupied with the household registers. After returning home from duty without rest, a servant approached him and said, "Sir, Vice Minister Mei has come with gifts to express gratitude for allowing his younger brother to share your carriage during the temple visit."

Unaware of the reason, Zheng Shanci still invited them in.

It was Mei Huai and a young gentleman.

Mei Huai explained the matter, and Zheng Shanci understood. "It was nothing, Vice Minister Mei. There’s no need for formalities."

Mei Huai said, "If Brother Zheng doesn’t mind, I’d like to address you as Brother Zheng."

"Then I shall call you Brother Mei," Zheng Shanci replied amiably.

Mei Geer shared his elder brother’s quiet manner. Mei Huai smiled faintly, and after expressing thanks, he left with his younger brother.

This was Yu Lanyi’s first time seeing Mei Geer. He thought he had met all the young gentlemen of the capital, even those from civil official families. Moreover, Vice Minister Mei held a prominent position.

"Brother Xiao mentioned that Brother Mei seldom goes out, so I suppose Mei Geer is the same," Zheng Shanci remarked.

Yu Lanyi nodded, though their family seemed full of good looks.

"Zheng Shanci, do I look heavier to you?" Yu Lanyi asked, comparing his waist to Mei Geer’s slender figure and finding his own lacking.

No wonder high-born ladies, once pregnant, often allowed their maids or attendants to serve as their husbands’ concubines. Pregnancy really wears you down.

"You haven’t. You’re just as beautiful as always," Zheng Shanci said with a smile.

Reassured by his words, Yu Lanyi felt at ease.

As the months advanced, he became more restless. Unable to move much, he followed the physician’s advice to walk daily in the courtyard.

A month later, the Jinshi candidates for the palace examination were selected. Thirty from the second rank remained in the Hanlin Academy as Hanlin probationers, while the third rank followed the usual arrangement: the Top Scholar was appointed as a sixth-grade Xiuzhuan, and the Bangyan and Tanhu became Bianxiu. This year’s Top Scholar was not a young man but a middle-aged scholar, whom Emperor Wuming praised for his scholarly refinement.

The Tanhu this time was not as handsome as Jiang Lanli. Though Jiang Lanli claimed not to care, hearing that the Tanhu paled in comparison gave him a little private satisfaction.

Looks are inherited from one's parents—what's that got to do with the imperial exams?

Jiang Lanli handed the compiled yellow registers to Zheng Shanci, "Lord Zheng, this is the final volume of the yellow registers."

Hearing this, Zheng Shanci also breathed a sigh of relief—no more sorting through the yellow registers. He’d even dreamed about sorting them the night before. Zheng Shanci filed away the last volume and, gazing at the rows of yellow registers, felt a pang of nostalgia.

These registers recorded the changes of a decade. Zheng Shanci saw families that had lost members and others that had gained new ones. Some households had increased their landholdings, while others had gone from prosperity to landlessness. The yellow registers not only documented the population but also life’s ups and downs.

Once the yellow registers were filed, they were locked away with a key. Zheng Shanci went to hand the key over to Vice Minister Mei, who would then pass it to Minister Lei. If Zheng Shanci had delivered it directly to Minister Lei, it would have been considered bypassing the chain of command—an act that violated protocol and could provoke displeasure from his superiors.

With the yellow registers finally settled, Zheng Shanci felt a weight lift from his shoulders. It was now summer, and the Ministry of Revenue had no other pressing matters to attend to, allowing him to enjoy the season freely.

The summer heat made Yu Lanyi even more reluctant to move. His condition made daily activities difficult, so he could only wipe himself down. He lay in bed until the afternoon, when the weather cooled slightly, then ventured out for a short walk—never leaving the estate for fear of running into crowds and getting jostled. He knew all too well how crowded the capital could be and dared not take the risk.

Mr. Yu, knowing how far along he was, brought him chicken soup that day to lift his spirits. Seeing him lying listlessly in bed, his heart went out to him.

"Come on, have some hot soup—it’ll perk you up."

Yu Lanyi pouted. "The soup is steaming, and it’s already so hot in summer. Drinking it will only make me hotter."

"Oh, you, just hang in there another month, and it’ll be over."

Reluctantly, Yu Lanyi got up to drink the soup and found it surprisingly delicious after the first sip.

"This soup’s delicious."

Mr. Yu smiled. "His Majesty gifted Changxing two prized chickens. We kept one for ourselves and gave the other to you for nourishment."

"Dad, how could you be so impractical?" Yu Lanyi sighed.

"How am I impractical?" This was the first time his youngest son had spoken to him like this, leaving Mr. Yu both amused and exasperated. What did this kid know about practicality? He wanted to hear his reasoning.

"If we had raised those two chickens properly, we’d have had an endless supply of eggs and meat."

"Who’s got time to raise chickens? The Emperor bestowed them to be eaten," Mr. Yu chuckled. "As long as it tastes good, who cares? Have the midwives been prepared?"

"Yes, they’re ready. When the time comes, they’ll be summoned." The midwives were staying at the Zheng residence for convenience. Yu Lanyi now understood the hardships of pregnancy. "Father, you must have suffered just as much when you were carrying me."

Hearing this, Mr. Yu felt a warmth in his heart. "Having you was much easier. The most nerve-wracking was delivering Changxing—being the first child and young with no experience, all I could do was scream during labor, oblivious to everything else. With you, I had more experience, so it was better."

Yu Lanyi’s heart sank. "Even Father was afraid of the pain?"

"Of course I was. When your time comes, send word to the marquis’s estate. I want to be there to see you safely deliver the child—only then will I feel at ease." Mr. Yu smiled.

When Zheng Shanci got back, Mr. Yu was already gone.

After changing his clothes, Zheng Shanci went to sit with Yu Lanyi.

...

Prince Zhennan’s Estate

Yu Shiyan had given birth to a son, named Ye Yucheng by Ye Yunchu. The child was still young, cared for by a wet nurse at the countryside estate, where the summer days were cooler. Since Ye Yunchu didn’t pressure him to return to the main residence, Yu Shiyan pretended the matter didn’t exist and stayed at the estate indefinitely. Away from the princess consort’s meddling, he focused entirely on his child, feeling oddly at peace.

Ye Yunchu visited Yu Shiyan and their child every day, even giving the boy a nickname—Little Leaf. The little one was soft and sweet, filling him with joy.

When he returned to the estate, Prince Zhennan, having learned of the princess consort’s actions and visited his grandson in the countryside, was charmed by the baby’s sweet face. But remembering what the princess consort had done sent a chill down his spine, so he turned a blind eye, letting them stay.

To outsiders, they could say it was for postpartum rest—a believable cover.

The princess had not seen her grandson, only heard about him from Prince Zhennan. She wanted to visit the estate, but Prince Zhennan wouldn’t allow it. With the tacit agreement of the two men, the princess never got to meet her grandson.

Yu Shiyan was living well on the estate, running Ye Yunchu’s shops and estate. He kept some of the profits for himself, slowly building up savings, which he then used to purchase more shops.

Ye Yunchu said, "After summer ends, we'll have to return to the mansion."

Yu Shiyan knew he couldn't stay on the estate forever. Holding his child, he nodded.

"Yunchu, Little Leaf is still so small. I'm a little afraid," Yu Shiyan whispered, his brows furrowed with worry, looking vulnerable. In the past, he disliked such displays, but now he understood that his future depended on Ye Yunchu. Even for their son's sake, he had to stay on his good side.

Ye Yunchu was indeed pleased by this. "Shiyan, don't worry. After we return, you won’t need to greet Mother anymore. We’ll set up a small kitchen in the courtyard, and you can handle your own meals and living arrangements. Father has agreed to this, so Mother can’t object."

Yu Shiyan agreed.

Now, his only wish was to raise his child well. As for the future, money would be enough.

...

During the summer, the marquis’s estate sent ice to Yu Lanyi. With the ice, the room became much cooler. Ice wasn’t something everyone could afford, so Yu Lanyi only used it every few days.

Zheng Shanci also enjoyed the coolness when he returned. This summer was the most uncomfortable for Yu Lanyi, as he couldn’t eat too many cold snacks—even cold watermelon had to be eaten sparingly.

Though it was time for the baby to arrive, there was still no sign. Yu Lanyi simply went to bed as usual. He had wanted to visit the temple with Zheng Shanci but couldn’t go. Zheng Shanci went alone and brought back a good luck charm for him.

Yu Lanyi yawned, keeping the charm close.

"Jin Yun, I haven’t spent much money lately. I must have saved quite a bit, right?"

Jin Yun thought for a moment. "Aside from buying toys for the child, Young Master hasn’t spent a penny."

Yu Lanyi said, "Keep saving. Once the baby is born, I’ll buy new clothes."

Jin Yun: "..."

At home, Zheng Qingyin and Lin Geer often visited him to chat, and even An Geer brought tonics every time. Yu Lanyi lazed about.

With less work at the Ministry of Revenue, Zheng Shanci started visiting the library more. Emperor Wuming once again encountered him lecturing Xie Cheng and began to suspect Zheng Shanci’s true identity.

After all, in such a short time, only one person had risen from deputy fifth-rank to full fifth-rank official at such a young age.