Chapter 47: The Road Ahead
The fifteenth year of Yongxing.
As soon as the new year festivities were over, the officials in the capital began to visit one another with increasing frequency. Everyone knew that this Triennial Capital Evaluation would bring great changes. Those who wanted to be posted outside the capital, those who wanted to transfer to a different ministry, and those who wanted to advance further all began to make their plans.
Gao Yunqu had been quiet for a long time. For the past six months, the gates of her residence had been tightly shut, and she had refused all visitors. Fang Jian restrained herself, only going to pay her respects before the new year and other festivals, no longer frequenting the Gao residence. Each meeting was brief. Though only three streets separated them, Fang Jian felt the distance was no less than the thousands of miles between the Capital City and Qinzhou. She didn't know if she had managed to conceal her heart full of longing, nor did she know if Gao Yunqu had noticed anything amiss. But as long as Gao Yunqu said nothing, she would pretend that she hadn't discovered a thing, steadily holding the basin of water labeled "teacher and student."
In the second month, Gao Yunqu specially sent for Fang Jian. It had been a long time since she had been summoned, and for a moment, joy bloomed on her brow. She deliberately changed into a graceful ruqun and carefully adorned herself. It wasn't until she stepped through the main gate of the Gao residence that she reined in her delight, straightened her sleeves, and held her hands before her, assuming a composed demeanor.
"You're here? Have a seat." Gao Yunqu was preparing tea at the tea table. She glanced up at her, her hands pausing slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen Fang Jian looking so radiant and graceful. It was a little unfamiliar, yet utterly familiar.
"Teacher, allow me." Fang Jian sat down opposite her and took the teapot from her hands. Gao Yunqu awkwardly withdrew her hand, watching as she deftly held the pot and poured water into the bowl to brew the already ground tea powder. Then, she used a tea whisk to create a paste, added a little hot water, and whisked it in a circular motion. She repeated this cycle seven times until the surface of the tea was a fresh white, with a surging milky foam that rose to overflow the cup1. Fang Jian's fingers were long and slender. When she held the tea whisk and applied a slight force, the joints were clear and the texture of her skin distinct. She was so focused on preparing the tea that she didn't notice Gao Yunqu staring at her, lost in thought.
"Teacher, please." Fang Jian passed the teacup to Gao Yunqu's side, her voice tinged with a small measure of anticipation.
Gao Yunqu took the cup as she wished and took a sip. She smiled and praised her, then watched as Fang Jian's eyebrows lifted, revealing the vibrant look of a young person.
Gao Yunqu was fond of this vigorous appearance of hers. A tide surged in her heart for a moment, then silently dissipated. She gently set down the teacup and got to the point: "The Triennial Capital Evaluation is upon us. What are your thoughts?"
"What are Teacher's thoughts?" Fang Jian asked in return.
"Securing an external posting would be for the best."
"Why is that?"
"A local official is different from a capital official. You need to go and see how the common people live, to understand how this vast country operates."
Fang Jian said, perplexed, "But I came from among the common people, did I not?"
Gao Yunqu laughed, her voice soft, like fine down landing on Fang Jian's heart. "In the past, you were among the common people looking up. How can that be the same as standing on the steps and taking in the thousands of common folk with your own eyes?"
Gao Yunqu patiently explained her reasoning, one point at a time. "A county or a city may be small, but the trivial matters are many. Only when you can sort through all these matters, large and small, will you have understood how to be an official. Only then can you go further in the future."
Unlike her usual respectful acceptance of instruction, this time Fang Jian lowered her head and said nothing.
"A'jian?"
Fang Jian's hands were clasped together under the table, her knuckles white. The room was enveloped in a silence that pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. She took two deep breaths, mustered her courage, raised her head, and looked at Gao Yunqu with determination. "Teacher, what if I am unwilling?"
Now it was Gao Yunqu's turn to be silent. This was an answer she had not anticipated. Her voice turned cold. "Why?"
Fang Jian bit her lip, refusing to speak, and averted her eyes, not daring to look at her.
"Speak." Gao Yunqu tapped the table with her fingertips, her tone hardening, causing Fang Jian to tremble involuntarily. Sweat beaded on her palms. She wiped them on the fabric over her knees, unseen beneath the table. A corner of her skirt grew damp, her palms sticky.
Gao Yunqu's patience ran out when she received no answer. She said, her voice laced with anger, "A'jian, don't be willful. There is nothing worth gambling your career on."
There is. It's you.
Fang Jian's lips moved, but in the end, she swallowed the words that filled her heart. She said to Gao Yunqu with bitterness, "Teacher, from now on, let me walk my own path, alright?"
A void opened in Gao Yunqu's heart. After a long moment, she spoke, her voice hoarse. "Do you... feel that I have constrained you?"
"No!" Fang Jian abruptly looked up at her, her eyes filled with urgency. "That's not it! Teacher's love and care for me, every single drop, is engraved upon my heart. How could I ever think such a thing?"
She stood up, walked around the table to Gao Yunqu's side, and knelt at her feet. She hugged her legs and looked up at her, speaking with earnest sincerity, "I understand all the plans you make for me, Teacher. But Teacher, I cannot remain under your wing forever. I must learn to plan for myself, to learn to heal my own wounds when I fall and get hurt. Only then can I slowly grow into the person you wish to see."
It had been a long time since they had been in such close contact. The warmth of the young person's body transmitted through the point of contact, causing Gao Yunqu's body to tense. She had been angry. She had given so much thought to Fang Jian's future, practically handing her the best possible option, yet Fang Jian didn't want it. But she had also clearly heard Fang Jian's words, and the sincerity and determination within them. Her anger gradually subsided, replaced by a complex feeling. Fang Jian was stumbling onto the path she wanted to walk. This was a good thing. Who was to say that the path she had arranged for Fang Jian was the right one?
She sighed and placed her hand on the back of Fang Jian's head. Fang Jian stiffened as well. It had been a long time since Gao Yunqu had made such a gesture towards her. She followed Gao Yunqu's lead, lowering her head and burying her face in her teacher's lap.
Gao Yunqu stroked her head and sighed. "I understand. Perhaps I was wrong."
"Teacher was not wrong," Fang Jian's muffled voice came from her lap. "It is I who am ungrateful..."
"Alright," Gao Yunqu reined in her somewhat disappointed mood, returning to her usual calm. "This is also for the best. It's better to make the mistakes you must make early on, so that you won't be crushed by a momentary setback in the future."
"Teacher..."
"I promise you, I will not interfere in this matter. You may do as you see fit."
"Thank you, Teacher." Fang Jian breathed a sigh of relief. As the anxiety in her heart subsided, she suddenly became aware of how close she was to Gao Yunqu. The familiar fragrance filled her nostrils, making her unable to suppress her wanton desires. She secretly moved a little closer, rubbing her cheek against Gao Yunqu's knee. They had once been accustomed to such intimacy, but now one was cautious and the other was flustered and at a loss.
Gao Yunqu cleared her throat. "Get up. Don't act like a child. It wouldn't do for someone to see."
Fang Jian felt a pang of regret, but she obediently straightened up and moved away. "But no one will see."
"That won't do either. Get up, quickly!" Gao Yunqu shot her a glare, but it lacked any real severity.
Fang Jian obediently got up and returned to her original seat. They chatted for a few more sentences, but seeing that Gao Yunqu was not in high spirits, she tactfully took her leave.
Long after Fang Jian had left, Gao Yunqu remained seated there, staring blankly at the scenery outside the study. No one knew what she was thinking. It wasn't until the light and shadows outside shifted and the sun began to set in the west that she turned her gaze back, her eyes falling on the bowl of tea Fang Jian had prepared. She looked at it for a while, then picked up the bowl and drank the completely cold tea in one gulp.
Fang Jian was not without a plan. Taking advantage of a day off, she invited Fan Tingrong for drinks. As soon as Fan Tingrong entered, she laughed at her. "It's common for me to invite Linshen out for some fun, but it's rare for Linshen to invite me."
"Wensong is teasing me," Fang Jian laughed along, coming forward to take her hand with an intimate and friendly demeanor. "I'm not like Wensong, with her great family and enterprise. We of a small household must rely on Wensong's care and attention."
"Haha, listen to you. We're sisters, what's with all the formality?" Fan Tingrong naturally responded to her show of goodwill.
"Elder Sister, please take the seat of honor." Fang Jian led her to the table, changing her form of address to match Fan Tingrong's words. "Your younger sister has recently found two jars of fine wine, and it's a happy coincidence to share them with you."
"Excellent. I do have a weakness for such pleasures of the palate."
The wine was good. After a few cups, Fan Tingrong became more cheerful and relaxed. Cradling her wine cup, she said to Fang Jian, "Linshen invited me here not just to taste wine, I presume?"
"I can't hide it from you, Elder Sister. Your younger sister has a favor to ask." Fang Jian filled her cup.
"Let me guess. At this time, it must be about the Triennial Capital Evaluation?"
"Elder Sister is truly perceptive."
"Hah, that's easy enough," Fan Tingrong said knowingly. "Does Linshen have something in mind?"
Fang Jian leaned in closer and asked in a low voice, "I want to stay in the capital. Do you see any way, Elder Sister?"
"Ah?" Fan Tingrong was taken aback. She had assumed Fang Jian wanted to find a way to be posted to a prosperous region. After all, this year's capital evaluation was being conducted concurrently with the provincial evaluations, leading to significant changes in local positions and opening up many good posts that people were fighting over. "What are Linshen's thoughts? You are currently a Senior Sixth-Rank official. An external posting would make you at least a Junior Fifth-Rank. With your qualifications, a little maneuvering might even get you a Senior Fifth-Rank position as an assistant prefect in a superior prefecture. Why would you not want that?" Officials in green and cyan robes were reluctant to be posted externally for fear of never being able to return, but for those of their background, there was no such concern. It was an excellent opportunity to build up experience.
"I know Elder Sister is thinking of my best interests, but I was thinking that in the capital, one is ultimately closer to Her Majesty..." Fang Jian trailed off. "You also know that in recent years, Her Majesty has been ambitious and far-reaching, and the court's affairs have been turbulent and unpredictable. I really don't want to miss out."
Fan Tingrong pondered for a moment, then said, "That's also true." She herself planned to stay in the capital. She was of a lower rank than Fang Jian, only a Senior Seventh-Rank. An external posting would at best make her a Sixth-Rank county magistrate of a superior county. The trivial duties would be far less interesting than being in the capital.
"Then does Elder Sister see any opportunities?" Fang Jian asked tentatively.
"I'll go and inquire for you. However, Linshen, there are few vacancies for capital officials of the fifth rank and above. You were only just promoted to Senior Sixth-Rank not long ago, so it might be difficult to advance further."
"That's no matter. I am still young, I can afford to wait."
"Alright, then. Wait for my news."
"Your younger sister thanks you in advance, Elder Sister. Please."
Author's Notes
1surging milky foam that rose to overflow the cup: From the Daguan Chalun (Treatise on Tea).
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