Chapter 88: Extra · Divergent Paths
(This if-timeline is where Fang Jian and Gao Yunqu completely broke up after the impeachment for having relations during the mourning period. Gao Yunqu went to Chuzhou, survived a close call, but Fang Jian did not go. After Gao Yunqu returned, the two went their separate ways.)
Gao Yunqu had stood in this imperial court for over a decade. In those ten-plus years, Zichen Hall had not changed much, but the people standing within it and the matters being discussed had gone through generation after generation of change. Sometimes, standing in the ranks in her purple robe, she too would feel a sense of melancholy, that things and people were no longer what they once were.
A familiar voice beside her ear called back her wandering spirit.
"Your servant, Fang Jian, has a memorial to present." The clear, bright voice broke the dull and tedious atmosphere of the court assembly. The officials all turned to look at Fang Jian.
In these years, Fang Jian had earned Wei Qi's deep trust and accomplished much. Her official career had been smooth, and she was now the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a position of the senior fourth rank. To be clad in a scarlet robe at such a young age, with an untarnished background and excellent scholarship, had made her the center of a circle of young, idealistic officials from humble backgrounds, who vaguely looked to her as their leader.
"...Your servant requests a cadastral survey of the realm's farmlands, an investigation into hidden households, and a revision of the national Yellow Registers!" Fang Jian's writing was as brilliant as ever, every sentence she read aloud worthy of careful consideration. Her final request was a thunderclap that shocked the entire court into an uproar.
Gao Yunqu closed her eyes. This day had finally come. In recent years, Fang Jian had grown increasingly radical. The faction of commoner-officials she led, emboldened by the success of the New Policies in Chuzhou, advocated for pressing forward in one vigorous effort, which often led to friction with her in court. Gao Yunqu knew Fang Jian all too well. Though radical, she was not reckless. She carefully probed the bottom lines of Wei Qi and the chancellors, inserting her own political views at every opportunity, while also planning her own path of advancement. Using leverage to climb higher was an instinct carved into Fang Jian's very bones. And now, she had keenly sensed Wei Qi's own restless ambition and had offered her the perfect pretext.
But Wei Qi was no longer the Wei Qi of her youth. She had become increasingly taciturn, often requiring those below to guess at her thoughts. Just as now, Fang Jian had scratched an itch for her. In her heart, she praised Fang Jian, but her face remained impassive, allowing the officials below to argue amongst themselves.
Gao Yunqu still did not believe that now was the best time for such a grand undertaking. The New Policies had only just begun to be implemented, and the powerful clans throughout the land were at their most sensitive. Adding more fuel to the fire was not the best method. Perhaps waiting a few years, until they let their guard down, would make for a more stable and decisive victory.
Fang Jian and the commoner-officials felt she was being conservative, while she felt they were being radical. The conflict between them was not a new one. Today, Fang Jian's memorial was the spark that lit the tinder, instantly setting the entire court ablaze.
Gao Yunqu heard the voices of officials from her own side arguing—Hu Dayou, Dai Yao, Zhou Hui... they were all familiar voices. These people had gathered around her, and she herself had, in a way, become the head of a faction.
Fang Jian's skills in writing and debate had all been taught by Gao Yunqu. Even veterans like Hu Dayou and Dai Yao were slightly inferior to her, and Fang Jian refuted their points until their faces flushed red.
Gao Yunqu sighed internally, straightened her sleeves, and took a step forward. It had finally come to the two of them facing off again. There had been a period of confrontation years ago, back when it was a green robe against a scarlet robe. At that time, Gao Yunqu's gaze had held a hint of encouragement. But now, it was a scarlet robe against a purple robe, and there was not a trace of warmth in either of their expressions.
It was different now. They were truly political enemies, locked in a life-or-death struggle.
Gao Yunqu took a breath and began her attack. She spoke of the nation's current state, the disparities between regions, the reasons for the New Policies' success, and the necessity of a period of recuperation. Fang Jian listened carefully to each point and refuted them one by one. It was a back-and-forth of sharp words and pointed arguments. The two of them alone, on the floor of the great hall, created the atmosphere of a battlefield with thousands of soldiers.
But Gao Yunqu had to admit that Fang Jian had truly surpassed her master. She gradually began to feel the strain, and she saw a victorious smile touch the corners of Fang Jian's lips. A sudden anger flared within her. How dare you. How dare you use what I taught you against me.
Her voice wavered slightly, and her words grew more heated. It was a minute change, but Fang Jian sensed it. She knew Gao Yunqu better than anyone, and naturally, she knew which words would hurt her the most. And so she said them, every word and every sentence aimed at infuriating Gao Yunqu.
Gao Yunqu's breathing tightened. Fang Jian stood face-to-face with her and saw it clearly. She actually felt a sliver of pleasure. She felt pleasure watching Gao Yunqu grow angry because of her. Fang Jian thought she must be going mad as well.
Gao Yunqu was furious. Fang Jian knew her sore spots better than she did herself, and she pressed on them with painful accuracy. So she, without hesitation, stabbed back.
Both of them seemed to lose their reason, their debate on the issues slowly turning into a quarrel of personal attacks. No one could get a word in, and even Wei Qi felt it was not the right time to interrupt.
Until Gao Yunqu, in her anger, spoke without thinking, shouting, "...Fang Jian! You sycophantic villain!" The moment the words were out, the entire hall fell silent. Gao Yunqu regretted it the instant she said it. Her mind went blank, and the hand hidden in her sleeve was trembling.
Fang Jian had been promoted repeatedly before she was even thirty. There was no shortage of private criticism about her, the most common being that she had caught Wei Qi's eye and climbed the ladder of promotion as the monarch's bed-servant. But no one had ever dared to say it to her face.
"Ha." Fang Jian let out a laugh, breaking the strange, heavy silence. "Has Lord Gao forgotten that you yourself donned the scarlet robe in your twenties? If we're talking about sycophants, who came first?"
"Ahem!" Wei Qi quickly coughed twice to cut off the awkward topic. "That is all for today. Court is dismissed!"
The tense, confrontational atmosphere between Fang Jian and Gao Yunqu lingered. The aura around them was so intense that no one dared approach. The officials scattered in twos and threes, leaving the two of them as the last ones remaining.
Gao Yunqu had calmed down somewhat. She flicked her sleeve, turned, and started to walk out, but unexpectedly, Fang Jian followed her. With no one else around, Fang Jian's mocking voice came from behind: "My Lord, whether I'm a sycophant or not, shouldn't you know best?"
Gao Yunqu bit her lip and clenched her fists. She said nothing, only quickening her pace to leave. Fang Jian fell behind, watching her retreating back and narrowing her eyes.
Gao Yunqu couldn't dispel the frustration in her heart and felt out of sorts the entire day. After her duties ended, she returned home early. Not long after dinner, Dai Yao and the others arrived to discuss the matter of the cadastral survey with her.
Upon entering, Dai Yao first expressed her concern for Gao Yunqu. She knew of the past master-student relationship between her and Fang Jian. Seeing things come to this, she didn't know where the problem lay and could only offer a few words of comfort.
Gao Yunqu waved her hand to show she was fine and was not very willing to discuss Fang Jian further. Dai Yao fell silent, but Hu Dayou continued to curse Fang Jian relentlessly.
"That brat! I think you were right to scold her. A fawning little sycophant who serves her master has no right to shout at us in the imperial court. I don't know what Her Majesty sees in her..."
Fang Jian's words from after court echoed in Gao Yunqu's ears again. Her expression changed, and she snapped, "Enough! Do not mention her again!"
Hu Dayou fell silent, abashed.
Gao Yunqu rubbed her temples and asked, "Go on, what is it?"
"It's about what Fang Jian said today. What are your thoughts?" Dai Yao took over the conversation.
"It's not that she wants a cadastral survey, it's that Her Majesty wants one," Gao Yunqu said firmly.
"This..." Hu Dayou said hesitantly, "Chancellor Fan's New Policies haven't been fully implemented yet. Does Her Majesty already want to start a survey? Isn't this too rushed?"
"Chuzhou was too successful. It made Her Majesty underestimate the difficulty of a cadastral survey." Gao Yunqu sighed. She had been the one to lead the New Policies in Chuzhou, so she knew better than anyone. "But Chuzhou was successful because the powerful clans and the officialdom there were uprooted due to the rebellion. Cultivating on completely new ground is naturally much simpler."
"You and I both know Her Majesty's temperament. When she wants to do something, no one can stop her..." Dai Yao frowned.
Gao Yunqu glanced at them. The three of them had once been Her Majesty's vanguards, the swords pointed at the old officials. But as the years passed, who would have thought that they too would one day become the old officials targeted for reform? She said, "There's no need to be so nervous. According to Her Majesty's habits, bringing it up now is just a preliminary rehearsal. There will surely be a period of debate. It's not as if it will be implemented the day after it's proposed. I will speak with Her Majesty about it another day. For now, you should all just continue with your duties."
Hu Dayou looked troubled. Gao Yunqu glanced at her and asked, "What is it?"
Hu Dayou said, "Lushuang, it's not that I'm overthinking it, but for people like you and me, with our large and influential families, who doesn't have a clan behind them? And in which clan are there no hidden fields or hidden households? If there's a real investigation, whose family can withstand the scrutiny?"
Hearing this, Gao Yunqu's anger flared up again. She slammed her teacup down on the table. "Then spit it all out! Are you so short of that little bit of money? You should know Her Majesty's temper by now! It's going to happen sooner or later! The sooner you give it up, the sooner you can disentangle yourself and avoid Her Majesty's displeasure!"
Hu Dayou meekly agreed. Seeing that it was getting late, she and Dai Yao took their leave.
Once the hall was quiet again, Gao Yuan came in to clean up the spilled tea. Seeing her mistress's weary expression, she advised softly, "My Lord, don't worry so much. Our Gao clan would never dare to be so audacious."
Gao Yunqu sighed. "The rich have fields that stretch for miles, while the poor have no land to stand on. How can this be stopped by the self-restraint of a single family or clan? The cadastral survey is not wrong. It's just that the timing is not right."
"Since My Lord also approves of the survey, why can't you join forces with the young lady?" Gao Yuan asked again. She didn't fully know what had gone wrong between her and Fang Jian, but she had seen Gao Yunqu's self-inflicted suffering, and her heart ached for her.
Gao Yunqu smiled, her voice hoarse. "We can't. She and I went our separate ways long ago. Besides, before she passed the provincial exam, her family had but a few acres of poor land. And my Gao family? Even with my grandfather's repeated restraints, is the Gao clan not among those 'rich'?"
Gao Yuan sighed and retreated, leaving Gao Yunqu to sit there alone, lost in thought.
That night, for the first time in a long while, Gao Yunqu dreamed of Fang Jian. The small youth was curled up obediently in her arms, listening to her tell stories of the past and present. When she grew tired of talking, she would just hold Fang Jian quietly. Fang Jian's body was fiery hot, warming her as well. The scene shifted, and she was on the bed. Fang Jian was naked, her eyes red, sitting on her hips, grinding her waist against her. The sight was so beautiful it drove one to distraction. Then it shifted again. She was lying on her side, holding Fang Jian in her arms, their naked bodies pressed together, surrounded by the scent of lovemaking just concluded, feeling safe and soft.
Then she woke up. Startled from her sleep, she already felt unwell. She gasped for air, recalling the details of the dream.
Gao Yunqu, you were the one who pushed her away. You made your choice, so don't regret it.
She told herself this.
But she could no longer sleep. She sat up and lit a lamp. The night was deep, and all was quiet. She sat alone in the room for a while before finally letting out a long sigh.
She stood up, walked over, and gently knocked on a door before pushing it open. On the other side was what used to be Fang Jian's room. Gao Yuan had always arranged for people to clean it, so it was spotless. Gao Yunqu lay down on the bed that had once belonged to Fang Jian.
This bed was smaller than her own. She knew the bedding had been changed and washed many times, but Gao Yunqu still felt as if a faint trace of Fang Jian's scent remained.
She lay there, reviewing Fang Jian's recent actions, trying to guess her next move. Would she persistently submit memorials? Or would she uncover a case related to this matter? Or perhaps try to persuade Chancellor Fan?
It was as if they were still sitting on opposite sides of a chessboard, just as they once had. Only now, the board was the vast imperial court, and Gao Yunqu could no longer guide Fang Jian with ease. In this game of theirs, every move was a killing blow, every position a potential trap. Both sides were fighting with bloodshot eyes, determined to have a winner and a loser.
Gao Yunqu had almost calculated Fang Jian's next move, but when Fang Jian revealed the answer, she still felt an unexpected wave of dizziness.
"...The Hu clan of Dengzhou possesses thirty thousand mu of land and conceals over eight thousand hidden households... The people of Dengzhou have long suffered from this annexation... Your servant requests a thorough investigation!" Fang Jian's words were forceful and resonant, causing an uproar in the hall.
Wei Qi was incredulous. "How... how much? Thirty thousand mu?"
The Hu clan of Dengzhou was the family of Hu Dayou, the Vice Minister of Justice. Hu Dayou immediately stepped out from the ranks and knelt. "Your servant is guilty!"
Wei Qi pointed at her, speechless for a long moment, her heart filled with rage. This was a trusted official who had walked with her since their youth, with whom she had vowed to create a golden age. "Is it true?"
"May Your Majesty forgive me... Your servant... your servant has long been away from home... and has been lax in managing my clansmen... I did not know..." Hu Dayou lowered her head, trembling.
Wei Qi was furious. She pointed at the assembled officials, then angrily flicked her sleeve and stormed out.
Gao Yunqu also felt faint with anger. When Hu Dayou had said those things at her residence, she had thought it was just a small number that could still be managed. She never expected, never expected...
Hu Dayou was sweating profusely, on the verge of kneeling at Gao Yunqu's feet. "Lushuang, you have to save me..."
Gao Yunqu said angrily, "Are you insane? Are those fields more important than the official robes you wear?"
Hu Dayou was already in her forties, yet she was being scolded until she couldn't lift her head. After a long while, she said, "My branch of the family is not the main one. How could I control them? If I say a few words to them, they accuse me of not thinking of the family's interests, and talk about how other families are doing... I... I have my difficulties too."
Gao Yunqu looked at her and suddenly recalled the smile in Fang Jian's eyes as court was dismissed today. No, this isn't right. If it was just a clan matter, the most Hu Dayou could be accused of was poor management of her family. It wouldn't be a fatal blow. If she took the initiative to conduct a survey, she might even win favor with Her Majesty. Why would Fang Jian do something that would only benefit others?
She thought for a moment and then snapped sharply, "Are you hiding something else from me? Something about yourself!"
"Wh-what?" Hu Dayou hesitated for a moment.
Gao Yunqu understood at once. She slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Speak clearly! What are you still hiding at a time like this?"
Hu Dayou closed her eyes and said, "They were engaged in usury among the common people. If the loans couldn't be repaid, they would seize people's land to make a profit. The benefits... were sent to me..."
Gao Yunqu was so angry she nearly fainted. She pointed a trembling finger at her. "What else?"
"When I was the prefect of Fengzhou, I accepted some..." Hu Dayou found it hard to speak. She couldn't bring herself to look Gao Yunqu in the eye.
"How much?"
Hu Dayou named a figure that made Gao Yunqu slump in despair.
Gao Yunqu said weakly, "Go to Her Majesty and beg for forgiveness. Spit it all out. There might still be a sliver of hope."
"Lushuang?"
"Don't you understand yet? This is just Fang Jian's first attack. Soon there will be another memorial accusing you of providing cover, then another exposing your acceptance of bribes... one after another, fanning Her Majesty's anger to its peak. Do you really expect Her Majesty to remember the little bit of friendship from your youth then?" Gao Yunqu sighed. She felt an unprecedented exhaustion.
Hu Dayou had been promoted by Her Majesty's own hand, just like her. She too had been part of the pact with Her Majesty to maintain a clean government. Their battle for fame had been a joint impeachment of the then Minister of Personnel, Guo Song, for selling offices. The Hu Dayou of that time had a temperament that despised evil, especially corruption and bribery. When they were discussing how to write the memorial together, it was she who had proposed the line, "When jackals and wolves block the path, they should be the first to be driven out." How had it been that after more than a decade, the youth with bright eyes had become one of the jackals blocking the path?
Fang Jian's offensive did not come so quickly. The next day's morning court was calm. When court was dismissed, Gao Yunqu stopped Fang Jian.
"Lord Fang, after our duties end today, would you do me the honor of accepting my invitation? I have reserved a private room at Fanlou and will await you there."
Fang Jian looked at her. She was as she always was—gentle and courteous, her words polite and distant, every phrase befitting their estranged status. Fang Jian's lips curved into a smile. "Very well," she replied.
Gao Yunqu did not wait long at Fanlou. Fang Jian arrived quickly. There were only the two of them in the room. They sat facing each other, able to see every expression on the other's face.
Fang Jian poured herself a cup of wine, raised it to Gao Yunqu, and drank it in one go. She then spoke, "Lord Gao invited me here to ask about Vice Minister Hu's matter?"
Gao Yunqu also filled a cup, drank it down, and showed her the empty bottom. She was a light drinker, and the strong gulp brought a flush to her face. She paused for a moment before speaking. "Yes, and no."
"I would like to hear the details."
"If I'm not mistaken, you have other, more fatal evidence against Hu Dayou in your hands, waiting to be released to end her career?" Gao Yunqu caressed her wine cup and looked at Fang Jian.
Fang Jian smiled. "As expected of My Lord."
"You want to use this case to arouse Her Majesty's concern about land annexation? Do you know how many people you will offend?" A familiar name stopped on her tongue. Gao Yunqu swallowed it back and replaced it with another familiar yet strange form of address. "Linshen, where are you heading?"
Fang Jian drained another cup. "Where am I heading? To a higher, farther place. To a world of peace and prosperity. Isn't that what you want, My Lord?"
"..." Gao Yunqu fell silent. In truth, she knew better than anyone where Fang Jian's destination was, because it was her destination too. But they were fated not to walk the same path. They were even fated to fight to the death over that same goal.
"My Lord has finished asking. Now it's my turn." Fang Jian drank another cup. A light mist clouded her eyes, but they were still very bright. "If I'm not mistaken, My Lord is here for Vice Minister Hu? To beg me to loosen my grip and give her a way out?" She emphasized the word "beg."
"..." Gao Yunqu couldn't say it. How she was debasing herself, rushing to beg her political enemy for mercy. Or was she still hoping Fang Jian would remember their past affection? It was clearly she who had wronged Fang Jian. What right did she have?
Fang Jian laughed. She emptied the wine pot, picked up her cup, and stood up, walking over to Gao Yunqu. "My Lord, you see, the people around you can change too. People who once shared the same ideals can also betray their vows. Is it worth it, for someone like that?"
Without waiting for Gao Yunqu to speak, she continued, "My Lord, if one day I were to fall into such a state, would you lower your head for me?"
I would, Gao Yunqu answered in her heart.
Fang Jian drained the last cup of wine and chuckled, her tone self-mocking. "The person who could bring me to that state would probably only be you."
A'jian, I won't, Gao Yunqu called out in her heart.
"Fine. It began with you, and it will end with you." Fang Jian put down her wine cup and looked at Gao Yunqu. "My Lord, do not hold back. I have made my move. I am waiting for you to counter."
"Must we fight until we are both destroyed?" Gao Yunqu frowned. She did not like the way Fang Jian was speaking.
Fang Jian laughed softly. She leaned in close to Gao Yunqu's ear and whispered, "Or perhaps you could just take everything from me, My Lord. My greatest weakness—you know what it is."
The breath by her ear was ambiguous and scorching, like a blade scraping against her earlobe. She had to clench her fists to remain composed. But Fang Jian's words stabbed straight into her heart, the pain leaving her speechless. This was the path of endless struggle she had chosen for herself. She could blame no one.
Fang Jian did not stay long. After saying that, she pulled back and walked out the door, laughing loudly.
The door opened and closed, leaving only Gao Yunqu sitting silently inside.
Their divergent paths—would there ever be a day they converged again?
Author's Notes
Chapter 54 mentioned their past when they were young.
Wei Qi: Thanks for the invite, but please keep me out of your lovers' quarrels. I don't have that kind of kink.
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