Chapter 258.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 258.1: Tell Her Story Properly
Perhaps because the execution of Ming Jin back then had caused such a great stir, the people of the capital still remembered the name Chang Suining and the events that took place at the Confucian Temple vividly and clearly even to this day.
Now, upon suddenly hearing that the well-known young lady of the Chang family had somehow gone to the battlefield to kill enemies, the citizens could not help feeling astonished.
Apart from the families of officials and nobles or those who had close ties with Chang Suining, most people in the capital had no idea when this young lady had left the city.
For a woman to go to war and slay foes was already shocking enough; what’s more, it was said that she had personally killed one of Xu Zhengye’s fierce generals, and even the Left Commandant of the Imperial Guard—Li Yi—who had suddenly rebelled, had also perished by her hand!
Could that not be mere rumor?
It sounded nothing like something a frail young woman could have accomplished.
As for this “rumor,” opinions in the capital were divided. The city buzzed with talk as everyone sought to verify whether the story was true—especially the students of the Imperial Academy.
Qiao Yubai, Cui Lang, and Hu Yi were surrounded by fellow scholars almost every day, endlessly questioned about the matter.
Even Head Master Qiao could not find peace. His colleagues at the Imperial Academy constantly pestered him for updates, and even Grand Tutor Zhu—who usually detested noise and commotion—had started coming to the Academy nearly every day, each time pressing him for news of Jiangnan and whether the rumors could be believed.
For this reason, Grand Tutor Zhu had practically turned into the very sort of nagging old man he most loathed.
Head Master Qiao could only sigh helplessly. “What’s the use of asking me?” he muttered. “Am I not as baffled as anyone else?”
Yet even as he tried to stay silent under repeated questioning, Grand Tutor Zhu lost patience before he did.
“…What kind of teacher are you, exactly?” the old man snapped. “Your student leaves without a word, you have no idea where she’s gone or what she’s done—utterly negligent! What manner of teacher is this? In all my long years, never have I seen such a one!”
After scolding him fiercely, Grand Tutor Zhu’s expression grew even darker. He flicked his sleeve and stormed off. “Since you’re so unfit to teach, why not resign early? Step aside and let someone more capable take the post—and you may then go and fish to your heart’s content!”
Having been berated so harshly and unilaterally stripped of his title as “Head Master,” Head Master Qiao attempted self-reflection, but found himself at a loss as to where to begin.
A gust of wind rose outside, and he heard the departing old man mutter irritably as he walked away, “Where did this wretched wind come from? No sense of propriety at all—blustering about, senseless and unruly!”
Head Master Qiao: “…”
So now even a winter wind could be in the wrong?
In the past, even passing ants were scolded; now, not even a gust of wind could escape unscathed before the Grand Tutor.
The wind itself had meant only to blow dutifully across the winter streets, but after such an undeserved scolding, it seemed almost cowed, curling into a small whirlwind that spun upward into the sky with a sorrowful “woo.”
Head Master Qiao sighed again, this time with a complicated tone.
His confusion and disbelief regarding this matter were no less than the Grand Tutor’s own.
But what could he do? His student—his “daughter in all but name”—had sent him no letter.
The girl was young; it was understandable she might act without full consideration. But how could Old Chang—her father—not send a single word to inform him? She was the daughter of a respected family, after all! As her senior and elder, this was simply unacceptable!
Thus, there was nothing to do but wait for that Tenth Young Master Wei to return to the capital.
As the Imperial Envoy dispatched to Jiangnan, he would surely know the true situation and details of what had happened.
Grand Tutor Zhu had also placed his hopes upon Wei Shuyi. Upon hearing that Wei was expected to arrive in the capital within the next few days, the old man had finally let loose his pent-up frustration at Head Master Qiao today.
And indeed, Wei Shuyi reached the capital the very next day.
His first stop was naturally the palace, where he went to report in person to the Holy Emperor.
When word spread that the envoy from Jiangnan had returned and entered the palace, officials flocked to the Ganlu Hall one after another, each seeking audience to learn firsthand about Li Yi’s rebellion and the progress of the southern campaign.
Grand Tutor Zhu, however, remained seated in the Ministry of Rites, unmoved.
He was eager to know news of that girl, but some things simply could not be rushed.
Ever since he had assumed the office of Minister of Rites, he had become notorious for his “extreme lack of initiative” and “questionable temperament.” For him to take the lead and seek imperial audience would be far too conspicuous—and suspicion-arousing.
There was something intangible lingering in his mind, something he could not quite name; yet precisely because he could not grasp it clearly, he dared not act rashly. Any misstep could bring unnecessary trouble upon himself—or upon that girl.
Although he could not say exactly what that “trouble” might be…
Still, as the current Minister of Rites—responsible for the upcoming imperial examinations, the subject of the entire nation’s attention—his every move could be twisted into political fodder by others.
For his own sake, for the girl’s, and for the countless scholars across the realm who were still studying late into the cold winter nights for next year’s examinations…
A man, after all, must know when to be bold and when to be cautious.
Since Wei Shuyi had returned safe and sound, the matter would surely be discussed at court tomorrow morning. He would hear all he needed then.
For now, Grand Tutor Zhu simply instructed his subordinates to brew him a pot of tea. Sitting by the brazier, he drank leisurely and continued his habitual “fishing.”
Meanwhile, after reporting in detail to the Holy Emperor, Wei Shuyi left the palace. By then, it was already afternoon.
As he stepped down from his official carriage before his residence, he saw his younger sister, Wei Miaoqing, waiting at the gate with her maids and attendants. She was wrapped in a thick cloak, holding a small hand-warmer, stamping her feet against the cold.
The moment she caught sight of him, her eyes brightened. She hurried forward, calling, “Brother! You’re finally back!”
Seeing her nose reddened from the chill, Wei Shuyi clicked his tongue and smiled. “How could I allow the future Crown Princess to wait outside like this? Truly, I am unworthy of such honor.”
Wei Miaoqing rolled her eyes at him, too anxious to argue. She tugged his sleeve and urged, “Come inside quickly!”
The servants, seeing their master return, stepped forward to greet him respectfully.
“What’s the rush?” Wei Shuyi protested after a few steps, freeing his sleeve from his sister’s grasp and smoothing the wrinkles she’d made. “I should at least change my robes first.”
“Don’t worry!” Wei Miaoqing said cheerfully. “I had good tea brewed especially for your return. Just have two cups to warm yourself first, then you can go and change at leisure!”
Wei Shuyi gave her a skeptical look, but allowed himself to be ushered toward the main hall. Only when he entered did he realize what kind of “trap” she had set for him.
Even with mental preparation, he was still taken aback by the sight of the hall—filled to the brim with young ladies, at least several dozen of them.
“Lord Wei has arrived!”
“Greetings to Lord Wei!”
Voices rang out one after another as the girls curtsied politely. Though they kept proper distance, the combined effect was enough to make Wei Shuyi feel thoroughly surrounded.
They were all of similar age to Wei Miaoqing, and each pair of eyes shone brightly as they looked upon him.
Having entered the court as zhuangyuan (the top scholar in the imperial examinations) and, while still young, risen to the post of Deputy Minister, favored by the Holy Emperor himself—Wei Shuyi was already accustomed to admiration. Handsome in both appearance and demeanor, he had long since grown weary of the countless infatuated gazes directed his way.
Yet even so, this sudden ambush by an entire hall of spirited maidens left him momentarily speechless.
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