Chapter 119 Official Appointment

Chapter 119: Official Appointment

Fu Peilan's expression shifted. Her family had originally been tenant farmers on the imperial estate, living a life of comfort without worry, better off than some and worse off than others.

Then a sudden immense fortune fell upon them. Not only was she, a young girl, at a complete loss, but even her parents and brothers were equally bewildered.

To adapt to her new identity, she had spent years diligently imitating the mannerisms of other high-ranking families. But without deep-rooted heritage or exceptionally insightful elders, all she managed was a clumsy imitation that only invited ridicule.

She inexplicably came over and said these words to Meng Wan, as if she hadn't heard what she wanted, or as if she had found something that suddenly enlightened her. Shaking off the daughters of minor officials who kept close to her, she strode out of Count Huai'en's mansion without even a word of farewell.

Nie Zhiyao didn't know many official ladies either, let alone this newly minted noblewoman. He stood there for a while, racked his brain but couldn't place her.

At noon, Countess Huai'en invited them to stay for lunch. No one else had left, so Meng Wan and Nie Zhiyao found it hard to take their leave first.

The meal was already an ordeal of sitting on pins and needles. During it, Meng Wan clearly sensed people exchanging knowing glances, likely mocking his dining etiquette.

Meng Wan sighed to himself. If he were to live in the capital for a few years, these countless rules and regulations would truly be the death of him.

A painter could be lowly or world-renowned. At this moment, the obscure Meng Wan, even as a disciple of Ms. Xiang, was merely a topic of gossip for the noble families.

In the afternoon, these young ladies each displayed their talents. Some played the zither by the lakeside pavilion, some played the vertical flute near the rockery, and some had maids bring a table and lay out paper to paint on the spot.

All in all, Meng Wan had his eyes opened. Say what you will about their arrogance, but they genuinely had skills.

Later in the day, the countess finally began seeing guests off one by one. Meng Wan pretended to be demure and said goodbye, but the countess was busy talking to Miss Wu and didn't notice.

Xuanniang wanted to leave with Meng Wan, pulling Yingniang along, but the countess seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. "Xuanniang, where are you going?"

Xuanniang stopped and said softly, "Auntie, I'm going to my uncle's house as a guest."

The countess frowned and said sternly, "It's almost dark, why are you running around? Stay at your aunt's house tonight. I'll have someone go to the Lin family and inform your parents."

Xuanniang was detained by the countess, and Yingniang couldn't go to Meng Wan's place alone. Before leaving, she stood by her family's carriage, looking toward Meng Wan's carriage, and, to her surprise, saw a man alighting from it.

Meng Wan looked at Song Tingzhou, who had jumped down from the carriage, and asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Song Tingzhou came over and took his hand. "I finished my duties early today and heard from the household servants that you were attending a banquet at Count Huai'en's mansion, so I came to pick you up."

Their intimate posture, with eyes only for each other, made them look like a perfect couple. People in those days were reserved, and the capital was full of rules. Such displays in public were rare.

One of them remarked enviously, "He's a good husband who cherishes his spouse."

Miss Gu, daughter of a Grand Secretary, also sighed as she was leaving, "Indeed. Though from a humble family, their relationship is harmonious."

Wu Wei's granddaughter, always at odds with her, retorted sarcastically, "That's only because they haven't yet experienced the splendor of the capital. If a high-ranking official's daughter were to marry him, see if he still stays with a mere scholar."

Whether pure officials or aristocratic families, at their status, they had seen plenty of the world and its messy, sordid affairs: maids and young male pages climbing into beds, concubines and consorts bewitching their masters into abandoning their wives, stillborn innocent children…

Today's guests were all legitimate daughters. Some were sheltered into innocence by their families, while others were trapped in the midst of turmoil.

Hearing their words, one young lady glanced at the departing couple and seemed lost in thought.

---

March's observation period was about to end. Thanks to Vice Minister Lin's connections, the Director of the Bureau of Appointments had not deliberately delayed Song Tingzhou's evaluation results. The Ministry of Personnel was coordinating with other ministries, assigning these second-tier *jinshi* to suitable posts according to their palace examination rankings.

Lin Congrong received the news first and went to the Ministry of Personnel to find the Director of the Bureau of Appointments. "Song Tingzhou, the fifth-ranked second-tier *jinshi* in the new examination, is being sent to Lingnan?"

His lips trembled with anger. Even if Song Tingzhou's husband had no connection to the Lin family, no dynasty had ever done such a thing: selecting such an outstanding talent from among the many candidates over three years and then sending him to a post in Lingnan.

The Director of the Bureau of Appointments was also caught in a dilemma. "Lord Lin, Song Tingzhou is being appointed as Assistant Prefect of Leizhou Prefecture, a fifth-rank position—the highest rank among this batch of *jinshi*."

The first-class *zhuangyuan*, *bangyan*, and *tanhua* were still serving as sixth- or seventh-rank editors and compilers in the Hanlin Academy, building their seniority. Now a second-tier *jinshi* was jumping straight to the fifth rank.

Lin Congrong had never seen such shameless behavior. He was so angry he laughed. "Ha, ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Leizhou Prefecture has only two counties, with a combined population of just thirty thousand. You say a fifth-rank position is good? Then why don't you take the post, Lord Li?"

In his view, Song Tingzhou should have been selected for the Hanlin Academy as a *shujishi* and honed his skills for a few years, rather than being sent to that godforsaken Leizhou.

The Director was speechless. Capital officials always had far more advantages than local ones, especially in Lingnan—a place traditionally used for exiling criminals. Even if it were a prefect or governor, he wouldn't go.

"Lord Lin, I don't want this either, but the Ministry of Rites has put pressure on us, and it's hard for me to handle." The Director pointed upward, indicating that a senior official from the Ministry of Rites had interfered.

Lin Congrong was already the second-in-command of the Ministry of Rites. The only person more powerful than him was Minister Wu Wei.

Lin Congrong frowned deeply. "This is just a small dispute among juniors. Why be so ruthless as to ruin someone's future?"

"Perhaps it's me who has implicated Scholar Song!" Another person entered from outside.

The Director looked up and saw Wang Zan, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. He hurriedly greeted him, but inwardly grumbled. Every three years, the assignment of new *jinshi* in the Ministry of Personnel was always chaotic, with plenty of gift-giving and inquiries, but never had there been such pressure from superior officials as this year. Who exactly was this Song Tingzhou? Even the Censorate, known for its impartiality, had sent someone.

Lin Congrong also hadn't expected Wang Zan to come. He asked in confusion, "Lord Wang, what do you mean by that?"

Before coming, Wang Zan had investigated the relationship between Lin Congrong and the Song family. He understood that although Song Tingzhou himself was insignificant, he had become entangled in the struggles among noble families. From the moment he entered the capital, he had been secretly watched.

Wu Wei must have sensed something too; otherwise, he wouldn't have pressured the Ministry of Personnel at this juncture to send Song Tingzhou to Lingnan.

"The man behind the Wu Yong case—I dare not act rashly for now, so he's taking out his anger on a junior *jinshi* like Song Tingzhou."

"Lord Lin, do you still remember the former magistrate of Changping, the criminal Wu Yong, from early last year?"

With Wang Zan's slight hint, Lin Congrong immediately understood the key point. Song Tingzhou was from Changping and had entered the capital for the examination right at that critical moment. He was likely closely linked to the exposure of Wu Yong.

Wu Yong's surname was Wu. In the past two years, the Wu family of Heqi had seen few new faces in the court, and every loss reduced their control over the government.

Those who were happy to see this were naturally the imperial family.

Lin Congrong pressed his lips together. "So the Song family has already been targeted." Under these circumstances, the Hanlin Academy was out of the question, and staying in the capital would only put him at someone's mercy.

"But isn't Lingnan too remote?"

Wang Zan said meaningfully, "Prince Lian's backer, Duke Dingxiang, will soon return to court in triumph. The political landscape will become turbulent. A distant post might not be such a bad thing."

He then turned abruptly to the Director of the Bureau of Appointments, who was trying to make himself inconspicuous, and said, "But Leizhou Prefecture is indeed not suitable."

The Director hadn't expected the problem to come back to him. "But Lord Wu—how can I account to him?"

As a censor, Wang Zan loved nothing more than making things difficult for others. "Lord Li, think carefully about this. Lord Wu's authority may be great, but Lord Lin and I are not to be trifled with either."

Lin Congrong, an incorruptible official who had never used his power to intimidate, stepped back awkwardly behind Wang Zan.

The Director looked like he was about to cry. He couldn't afford to offend either side.

He searched through his desk and finally pulled out two documents.

"What about Xiwu Prefecture? It's located between Yun Prefecture and Dongguang Prefecture, administering five counties. The magistrate of Heshan County has resigned, so Song could fill that vacancy." The Director looked pleadingly at the two superiors.

"That position is better than Leizhou, but it's only a county magistrate?" Lin Congrong was dissatisfied. If it were near the capital, a seventh-rank county magistrate would be appropriate, but in Lingnan, a magistrate seemed too low.

Wang Zan narrowed his eyes and made the decision. "Since the place is remote, the rank should be high!"

The Director of the Selection Office was once again bewildered. Which newly minted *jinshi* ever started at anything but the seventh rank? Even the *zhuangyuan* (top scholar) in the Hanlin Academy began at the sixth rank, subordinate grade.

Even if it was a remote post, he could not break the rules. Otherwise, not only would the big shots in front of him crack down on him, but his own Minister would not let him off either.

He could only explain bitterly, "Gentlemen, it's not that I deliberately assigned Scholar Song to the seventh rank. You both know our Ministry has its rules. I really wouldn't dare to mess around."

Wang Zan had a knack for sarcasm. He said, "If you wouldn't dare mess around, then why'd you send him all the way to Lingnan? So Lord Li's rules don't apply to Lord Wu? They only get used to push around humble families like Lord Lin and me?"

The Director had already soaked through two handkerchiefs from sweat. Looking miserable, he went back to dig through the documents; soon he came back holding another stack of papers. "Take a look, gentlemen. The Assistant Prefect of Xi Wu is pushing sixty and about to retire. Scholar Song could first serve as magistrate in He County for a few years. When the Assistant Prefect of Xi Wu retires, he can jump several grades to fill that fifth-rank slot. That works." Otherwise, where on earth is someone straight out of the gate supposed to get a fifth- or sixth-rank post? Cut him some slack.

Lin Congrong was still worried. "But what if that Assistant Prefect doesn't want to retire when the time comes?"

His own father only retired from the Hanlin Academy at seventy. The court didn't have a hard age limit—if you did a good job, you could stay.

Before the Director could speak, Wang Zan laughed. "Don't worry, Lord Lin. By then that Assistant Prefect will definitely ask to resign of his own accord."

The Director of the Selection Office echoed, "Yes, yes, yes."

Lin Congrong wasn't used to this kind of black-box operation, but after so many years in the bureaucracy, he knew it was par for the course. After leaving the Ministry of Personnel, he ignored Wang Zan's efforts to keep him there and strode off quickly.

Wang Zan watched him go, stroking his beard with a soft chuckle. Everyone knew he was part of the Crown Prince's faction; Lin Congrong obviously didn't want to be tied to him.

After they left, the Director waited a bit longer. When there was no sign of them coming back, he grabbed the document with the selected positions and went to his boss.

The Minister asked, "They're all gone?"

The Director of the Selection Office replied, "Yes, they have left."

"What place did you choose for him?"

"He County, under Xi Wu Prefecture, sir."

"Mm."

The Director of the Merit Evaluation Office, who was working nearby, pricked up his ears. He was sure this *jinshi* named Song had serious connections—even the Minister had personally asked about him.

————

Song Tingzhou's probation finally ended. Now all he had to do was wait at home for his official appointment letter. He and Meng Wan had no idea they'd be sent to such a remote place, but the waiting made them nervous.

One evening, after washing up, Meng Wan let down the bed curtains and opened all the windows. The mid-summer heat was nearly at its peak, and the weather was sweltering.

He got into bed but still felt stuffy. Maybe it was going to rain.

Song Tingzhou dried his hair halfway and got into bed. He took the round fan from Meng Wan and fanned him gently.

A cool breeze came, and Meng Wan finally felt better. He leaned back against the thin quilt and pillow, half-closing his eyes, his long eyelashes casting dark shadows on his face.

"How's Ze Ning's planning for a post in the Ministry of Works going?"

Song Tingzhou moved close to Meng Wan, wrapping his strong arm around Meng Wan's waist while slowly and unhurriedly fanning him. "Third Uncle began pulling strings for him early on, but it seems to be going not very smoothly." At this critical last step, who wouldn't want to become an official? They'd be willing to spend their entire fortune to grease the palms of their superiors.

The Zhu family had fallen on hard times; even the private stash Third Master Zhu had hidden away couldn't compete with the others.

There was no chance of securing a position in Shengjing. Now, wherever they could get an appointment would be fine. Such was the predicament of being an *Associate Jinshi*.

Meng Wan had come to see how difficult it was for ordinary people to become officials. He said to Song Tingzhou, "If you go to see him tomorrow, ask Third Uncle if he needs money. We can take some from our household."

Song Tingzhou turned sideways and gently kissed him, replying, "Mm."

The weather was too hot; even the slightest movement caused sweating. Meng Wan had lost all interest in intimacy. He used his hand to push away the person getting closer and closer. "What about the marriage? Didn't you say there was a suitable match before? How did that go?"

Even though he was being stopped, it didn't matter. Song Tingzhou simply pulled the person onto himself. His fiery lips and tongue traveled upward, kissing Meng Wan's mouth, then slowly coaxed his shy tongue into intertwining play.

In between kisses, he gave a half-hearted reply: "The family's meaning is that as soon as Ze Ning gets his official appointment, they will go to propose marriage." If he didn't get appointed, the matter would be called off, and they wouldn't even mention it again.

Meng Wan, sitting astride him, felt his lips and tongue numbed by the sucking, his bent neck fragile and weak, his thoughts somewhat scattered. After a long while, he managed only a "Huh?"

Zhu Ze Ning had a delicate and proper appearance. He had no messy affairs in his private quarters. Third Master Zhu had planned from the start for him to marry into a higher-status family, so he had been strict in this regard.

Apart from the fact that his merchant background was a disadvantage for his son, Zhu Ze Ning would actually be easy to find a match for.

When those who had earnestly passed the examinations came to Shengjing looking for a wife, the Shengjing families were also sizing up these newly minted *jinshi*. Now, the situation was at a stalemate over official appointments. Without an official post, everything was in vain.

No one had expected that Zhu Ze Ning, who was actively seeking a match, would not find a suitable person first, but Song Tingzhou, who was already married, would instead become the target of attention.