Chapter 6: It's Right to be Afraid
Though they were said to be returning to the Capital, the convoy's pace was not fast.
Inside the carriage, Gao Yunqu held Fang Jian in her arms, face to face. Fang Jian appeared fully dressed, but beneath her ruqun skirt, her legs were bare. Under the cover of the skirt, one of Gao Yunqu's hands delved beneath it while the other pressed against her waist from behind, pinning her firmly in that small space. Fang Jian's naked legs were wrapped around Gao Yunqu's waist, her head buried in Gao's shoulder, biting down hard on the fabric there.
The carriage moved slowly, but it still swayed and jolted. Fang Jian's body rocked with the carriage's movements, in and out, yet she was held immobile, unable to find satisfaction.
"Where were we in the recitation?" Gao Yunqu's fingertips moved teasingly. The young woman's body tensed instantly, a slight sound escaping her throat. "In the people's livelihood, measure their length, weigh their weight, and balance their interests to seek profit1. And then?"
Fang Jian endured with great difficulty, forcing back a moan. She recited softly into Gao Yunqu's ear, her voice broken, "A wise ruler… a wise ruler carefully observes… these three… then the state is established… and…"
"Wrong. Then the state's governance can be established." A smile bloomed on Gao Yunqu's face, hidden from Fang Jian's view. Following the carriage's sway, she pushed deeper, thrusting sharply a few times. Fang Jian once again bit down on the fabric of her shoulder, her brow furrowed tightly, her eyes red-rimmed. Gao Yunqu only moved a few times before quickly stopping. Ignoring Fang Jian's pained whimpers, she spoke coolly into her ear, "Continue."
"…Then the state's governance can be established… and… and the people can be obtained… ah…"
"If you don't finish reciting, you'll stay on top of me all day." Gao Yunqu's voice held a smile, but her words were incomparably cold.
Fang Jian's breathing quickened, her waist tensing.
Gao Yunqu patted her hip. "What's the rush? Keep going."
"Knock, knock—" Someone tapped on the window frame from outside the carriage. Fang Jian violently gripped Gao Yunqu's robes, burying her head even deeper, trying to muffle the strange sounds with the fabric on Gao Yunqu's shoulder. Below, she clenched uncontrollably.
"What is it?" Gao Yunqu felt the wet, hot passage contract in spasms. With a wicked impulse, she moved her fingers, prodding at Fang Jian's most vulnerable spot. The breathing by her ear grew heavier, the fingers clutching her clothes turned white from the force, and the toes of the feet wrapped behind her straightened rigidly.
"My lord, we are approaching the official post station. Shall we stop here for the night?" Gao Yuan's voice came from outside.
"Let's travel a while longer, to the next town."
"…Another twenty li and it will likely be dark."
"No matter. While the weather is clear, let's cover more ground."
"Yes." Having received her answer, Gao Yuan withdrew.
Gao Yunqu's hand did not stop. With her other hand, she pulled Fang Jian away from her neck. Fang Jian's fine brows were knitted, her eyes squeezed shut. As Gao Yunqu's movements grew larger and it seemed she was about to cry out, Gao Yunqu pushed her head down and sealed the escaping moans with her own lips.
When Fang Jian finally got off Gao Yunqu, her entire body was limp. She couldn't even kneel properly, collapsing softly at her feet. Gao Yunqu reached out a hand in pity, but Fang Jian instinctively turned her head away to avoid it.
Gao Yunqu laughed. "Afraid?"
"I wouldn't dare…" Fang Jian's voice was a little hoarse.
Gao Yunqu's hand landed gently on her head. "It's right to be afraid."
While Gao Yunqu was leisurely making her way to the capital, the central government was already in another round of turmoil.
The moment Wei Qi returned to her personal chambers, she overturned a low table.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't let your anger harm your health…" the Head Eunuch followed behind her, trying to placate her.
"Shameless old scoundrel, he insults Us too much!" Wei Qi took the cool tea the Head Eunuch handed her and gulped down several mouthfuls.
The Head Eunuch stood to one side, watching Wei Qi with concern. A young attendant hurried over and whispered something in her ear. A look of joy appeared on the Head Eunuch's face, and she turned to Wei Qi. "Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess has arrived."
"Have her come in." Wei Qi had calmed down somewhat.
As soon as the Eldest Princess Wei Zhi entered, she asked in surprise, "Sister, who provoked you into such a rage?"
Wei Zhi was an idle member of the imperial family and held no official post at court, so she rarely attended court sessions. Naturally, she didn't know what had happened in Zichen Hall.
"Hah," Wei Qi beckoned her over. "That old fool Han Zhongsi. He impeached the Ministry of Revenue's Vice Minister Shi Yan without any evidence, and when he failed, he had the gall to stay home and boycott the court, claiming he refuses to serve alongside a treacherous villain. Truly, the thief is crying 'stop thief'."
"Censor-in-Chief Han Zhongsi? If I recall correctly, he's already over sixty, isn't he? Why would he get involved in this mess and act as a pawn for the Cai faction?" The late emperor had only two daughters, Wei Qi and Wei Zhi. The sisters were very close, and behind closed doors, Wei Zhi was used to speaking casually with Wei Qi.
"Hah, isn't it all for some posthumous fame? 'A general dies in battle, a civil official dies in remonstrance.' He wants to be buried with the title of a loyal and outspoken minister." Wei Qi sneered. "I wish he would never come back. It would free up a position for Minister Gao."
"That wouldn't do either. He's a sixty-year-old man of the purist faction. Whether you punish him or dismiss him, it would tarnish your reputation, Sister."
"See? Even you know it. They are forcing my hand." Wei Qi stroked her younger sister's soft hair.
Speaking of the Censorate, Wei Zhi was also full of resentment. "In the years Han Zhongsi has been at the Censorate, he has corrupted its atmosphere. When they have nothing better to do, they impeach me for extravagance. I'm an idle royal, what am I supposed to do if not enjoy myself? I have my own fief and properties; I'm not spending the state treasury's money."
"Minister Gao previously advised me to keep a tight grip on the throat of the censorial officials. At the time, I didn't understand the depth of her meaning and focused only on placing people in key positions in the Six Ministries. Now, nearly all the censors and supervising secretaries in the Censorate are disciples of the Cai faction. Only now do I realize how difficult they are to control." Wei Qi gave a bitter smile.
Speaking of Gao Yunqu, Wei Zhi also had some impression of her. "Young Lord Gao should be out of mourning, right?"
"She should be on her way."
By the time Gao Yunqu's convoy quietly entered the Capital City, the matter of Han Zhongsi had already become a massive scandal. It was unknown who started it, but storytellers in teahouses and entertainment quarters, large and small, were all telling tales of how Han Zhongsi had failed to frame a high-ranking official of the Six Ministries and was now resorting to boycotting the court, an act befitting a petty man.
"That Han Zhongsi is already sixty! At that age, people in ordinary families are enjoying their twilight years. Think about it, everyone. It's like you're walking down the road and you run into a white-haired old man. Without any reason, the old man claims you knocked him over, lies on the ground playing dead, and demands you pay him. What can you do? Can you hit him? Can you scold him? If he drops dead, you'll never be able to clear your name. This Han Zhongsi, a dignified Censor-in-Chief of the third rank, acts like a common village ruffian. It truly leaves one speechless."
For a time, public discussion was rampant, vexing Han Zhongsi so much that he refused to leave his home. He submitted three memorials in a row, begging to be allowed to retire. Wei Qi was delighted, but she couldn't follow her heart and approve his retirement. She could only leave the memorials unanswered as a gesture of wanting him to stay.
"Head Eunuch, go and find out who vented this frustration on my behalf."
"I've already looked into it," the Head Eunuch bowed and leaned close to her ear. "It was the Eldest Princess."
"A'zhi? She certainly has her methods. In a few days, when her new villa is completed, bestow more gifts upon her. Pick things she likes."
"Yes."
But neither Wei Zhi nor Wei Qi had anticipated that this matter could take another turn. At the grand court assembly on the first day of the ninth month, Zhou Hui, a supervising secretary from the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward to present a memorial. She stated that it was the duty of censorial officials to scrutinize all departments, and they were permitted to do so based on hearsay. Yet now they were being mocked by commoners, and the dignity of the Censorate was lost. She herself felt too ashamed to continue in her post and requested to be dismissed. Following her lead, officials from the Censorate, big and small, all stepped forward and knelt, pleading to be dismissed. The floor was covered with kneeling figures in green and scarlet robes.
Wei Qi sat high on her throne, yet she felt utterly desolate. She didn't understand how things had come to this. She looked towards the purple-robed chancellors at the head of the officials. Cai Quan feigned old age, his eyes closed and head bowed. Fan Ying, the Minister of Revenue who was close to her, gave her a slight shake of the head, signaling her to hold back for now.
Wei Qi hastily dismissed the court. She returned to her palace, closed the doors, and overturned another table.
Before even entering the city, Gao Yunqu had been receiving a steady stream of reports and was perfectly clear on the events in the capital. After settling into her residence, she sent a request for an audience at the palace. Wei Qi, too, was eager to see her and summoned her immediately.
"Your subject, Gao Yunqu, respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health." Gao Yunqu had not yet been reinstated to her post, so she was not in official attire. Today she wore a light-colored zhiduo robe, presenting an air of refined elegance.
Seeing her arrive, Wei Qi rose to greet her. "Minister Gao, you've grown thinner. You must take good care of your health."
After a few rounds of pleasantries, they got to the main topic.
"The matter with Han Zhongsi was just Xinyang standing up for me. Her actions were a bit rash, but how did it come to this?" Xinyang was Wei Zhi's title. Wei Qi gritted her teeth, cursing inwardly. "With you away, Minister Gao, you cannot know how wretched I looked during the court assembly."
"Your Majesty was a bit too hasty," Gao Yunqu said.
"I was overconfident. Only today do I realize that your strategy back then was golden advice," Wei Qi said with a bitter smile.
"The Cai faction has tasted the benefits of controlling the censorial path. Forcing them to spit it out now will surely cause them great injury. Is Your Majesty prepared?"
"There are no other options now. We must place our people in the Censorate. I had intended to promote you to Censor-in-Chief, but Cai Quan rejected it." Wei Qi looked a little embarrassed mentioning this. "I'm afraid you will have to be wronged by taking the post of Vice Censor-in-Chief for now."
"It is no matter. Your subject is still young; it would not be right to rashly assume such a high position anyway. However, I fear that even the post of Vice Censor-in-Chief will not be easy to obtain."
…
Having just returned to the capital, there were countless matters waiting for Gao Yunqu to handle. A banquet today, a visit tomorrow, a small gathering the day after—she was so busy she barely touched the ground.
On this day, she went to the Eldest Princess Xinyang's estate to admire the chrysanthemums. She discussed the matter of the public outcry with the Eldest Princess, offering a little guidance. The princess was a person of passion, and on a whim, she drank a few extra cups with her.
When she returned to her residence, she was already slightly tipsy. Rubbing her forehead, she entered her room, knocked on the door, and summoned Fang Jian.
Fang Jian supported her, helping her disrobe with light, gentle movements.
"A'jian."
"My lord?"
"I have found a place for you."
Fang Jian's heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Gao Yunqu, a hint of panic in her eyes.
Gao Yunqu didn't see it. She only stroked the back of her neck and continued, "I am getting busier and won't be able to look after you. Starting from the end of the month, you will go to the Imperial Academy. A'yuan will make the arrangements for you."
Fang Jian breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, I will listen to my lord."
Gao Yunqu led her to the bed and pulled her into her arms, but did nothing more. With half-closed eyes, she said, "You still have to do your lessons. I will test you on your days off every ten days… Mmm… Have you finished memorizing the Book of Lord Shang? Recite it for me."
"I have finished… When a sage governs a state, he unifies rewards, unifies punishments, and unifies education…" Fang Jian leaned against her, reciting in a low voice. In a short while, she heard the steady breathing of the person behind her.
Author's Notes
- In the people's livelihood… and the people can be obtained: From the Book of Lord Shang.
- The official system is a bit of a mix. There is one Censorate for censorial officials, divided into Censors and Supervising Secretaries of the Six Ministries. The highest official is the Censor-in-Chief, and the deputy is the Vice Censor-in-Chief. Taichien and Hsientai are both terms for the Censorate.
- The clothing is also a mix, basically featuring a bit of everything. Because of gender equality, men's and women's clothing are worn interchangeably. For official attire, you can generally refer to the style in Royal Nirvana, which I quite like.
- Official robe color settings: First and second rank wear purple robes, third and fourth rank wear scarlet robes, fifth and sixth rank wear green robes, and seventh through ninth rank wear cyan robes.
- The censorial officials' strike is a reference to the Puyi Controversy of the Northern Song dynasty.
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