Chapter 3
The camera shifted from the past tense back to the present tense.
The emperor issued an edict, appointing Li Congqing as Censor-in-chief to inspect the regions of Chunan and Erhe Provinces, to observe local conditions and listen to the voices of the common people.
All the ministers thought the emperor could no longer tolerate this grain moth that ate without working, and was using this as an excuse to kick him out. However, the ministers who had seen Li Congqing in the imperial study that day held a different view. They were currently restraining themselves, not daring to share this unspeakable secret with others—they were truly憋得快要爆炸了。
The court sending out Censors-in-chief was a common occurrence, serving as proxy for the emperor who could not frequently leave the palace to travel far, inspecting the realm. What was special this time was that the emperor ordered Wei Xiaomiao to accompany him.
Wei Xiaomiao had been selected since childhood to serve as personal attendant to the Third Prince, now the current emperor. The training and education he received differed from that of ordinary palace servants, and of course his status was different as well. He had grown up alongside the emperor from childhood, virtually inseparable.
He was not merely the emperor's personal attendant, but also the chief manager of the palace's internal affairs, holding the highest rank for internal officials—the Third Rank, junior grade. Though his rank was lower than that of other high officials, and he was a eunuch, he possessed actual power over the internal palace and wielded considerable influence over the court. Most ministers had to give him three parts deference.
The emperor taking someone so important to his side and letting Li Congqing take him away naturally sparked another interpretation: that the true Censor-in-chief was actually Wei Xiaomiao, while Li Congqing was merely the figurehead paper tiger.
This was indeed the case. Li Congqing treated this journey as a sightseeing excursion, leaving all related affairs for Wei Xiaomiao to handle. He only needed to sit in the carriage and play wherever they went. In a sense, he was a rather irresponsible person, wanting nothing more than to live a leisurely life—which was also a form of recklessness.
The emperor indulged his recklessness, allowing him to live freely according to his temperament. But this time, having him leave for so long, the emperor couldn't help feeling some reluctance.
This Censor-in-chief's departure from the capital was also different from usual. In the past, after receiving the imperial edict in the throne room, the Censor-in-chief would depart on a date of their own choosing. But this time, the emperor actually personally escorted him to the outskirts outside the capital. When Li Congqing was about to leave, the emperor even entered the carriage for a private "confidential meeting" with him.
Ahem—this "confidential meeting" did not contain the活色生香 eighteen-restricted content esteemed readers might hope for. The passionate activities of the previous three days had already been quite wild; there was no need to repeat such exertions in the carriage. How exhausting that would be.
"I truly have no desire to let you go to such a distant place." Song Yu merely embraced him, kissing him reluctantly.
"Then don't send me out." Li Congqing replied carelessly, too tired to stifle a yawn.
Because of the upcoming separation, the emperor had half-forcibly kept him in the palace, and three passionate spring nights had truly exhausted him. Last night especially had been unrestrained, only releasing him moments before the morning court session. Fortunately, as Censor-in-chief he could use departure preparations as an excuse to skip court, finally getting to sleep until the sun was well up, no longer painfully struggling with the Duke of Zhou in the great hall.
To be honest, he wasn't particularly eager to go to that place so far beyond imperial reach. On one hand, there was the exhausting travel; on the other, he would be too far from his imperial lover. Though he didn't say so, he felt some attachment to Song Yu. After all, they'd grown accustomed to having each other nearby. Being suddenly asked to travel alone felt rather unfamiliar.
"There are things you will naturally come to understand." Song Yu spoke with deeper meaning.
"Your Majesty is speaking in riddles with your minister."
"Congqing, I want you to firmly remember one thing."
"What thing?"
"No matter what happens, I will always be here waiting for you."
"I'll come back as soon as possible." Li Congqing felt somewhat puzzled by his words but didn't press further.
"No need to rush. When you want to come back, then come back." Song Yu gazed at him deeply. "But don't make me wait too long. My patience has limits eventually."
"Your Majesty..." Li Congqing felt even more that something was off about him. Every sentence seemed laden with implications. What was he implying?
"Go now. Be careful on the road, take good care of yourself, and don't worry me. Understood?"
"Mm, I understand."
The two descended from the carriage together. Li Congqing bowed farewell to the emperor once more in the formal manner of subject to sovereign, then gradually disappeared from the emperor's line of sight. Meanwhile, the八卦 diagram in the hearts of the ministers who had accompanied the emperor spun wildly out of control. They wanted to cry out to the heavens—surely the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites must have something (an affair) going on!
The Censor-in-chief's light-traveling delegation numbered fourteen people in total. Besides Li Congqing and Wei Xiaomiao, there were two accompanying officials, four cavalry guards, three attendants, and three coachmen. The cavalry guards rode protectively in front, behind, and on both sides, while the others divided among three carriages.
Li Congqing and Wei Xiaomiao shared one carriage. The floor was covered with thick, soft cushions, quite comfortable and spacious. A small table on one side had a thin iron plate attached to it, allowing the magnet-equipped tea sets to rest securely.
"Xiaomiao, you know I usually don't ask about other people's affairs. But this time I can't help asking—why did the emperor want you to come along?"
"His Majesty instructed this one to serve Lord Li well."
"It's more than that."
Though Lord Li usually appeared nonchalant, sometimes he was startlingly perceptive. Wei Xiaomiao couldn't help falling silent, unsure how to respond. The matter concerning the Seventh Prince...
"Chunan... I've never been there. I wonder what kind of place it is?" Li Congqing said lazily, propping his chin on his hand. "The Seventh Prince petitioned to go to Chunan three years ago. Many people were quite surprised—why would a prince want to go to such a godforsaken place? It was almost like self-exile."
Wei Xiaomiao remained silent.
"Forget it. I'll never understand what these royal family members are thinking anyway. I might as well just sleep." Li Congqing let out another big yawn, lying on his side to take a nap.
Wei Xiaomiao draped a silk robe over him, carefully tending to his master's beloved. He had entered the palace at nine, followed his current master—the emperor—at ten. Fifteen years had passed in an instant. He had never seen the emperor dote on anyone so much, not even taking new concubines, rarely even visiting the rear palace.
If one were curious who understood the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites' affair—cough, romance—most intimately, it was Wei Xiaomiao without question. He had quietly watched everything from beginning to end, keeping their secret faithfully.
If asked what person or event formed the catalyst for these two being together, he would say it was probably the assassin incident at the Spring Sacrifice Banquet six years ago.
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Regarding the assassin, one must say the emperor's job came with occupational hazards. Anytime, anywhere, there could be a threat to life. No matter how well or how poorly you performed, there would always be people who wanted to poison you to death, burn you with fire, trample you with horses, bite you with snakes, slash you with blades, stab you with swords... Unyieldingly, not stopping until they'd harmed you a thousand times over. Some historical critic once said—
An emperor who has never encountered an assassin cannot be called a true emperor. (Completely made up, of course)
The fifth year of Dezhi, one year after the imperial examination.
The Great Shao emperor was required to hold a prayer ceremony for spring sacrifice each year on the spring equinox, praying that heaven would grant favorable weather and abundant harvests this year. After the spring sacrifice, there would naturally be the usual banquet.
The Spring Sacrifice Banquet was an important annual grand feast where the emperor shared joy with the people. Besides royal family members and officials, common citizens were also permitted to attend. These common citizens had to be selected—people of benevolence, filial piety, loyalty, righteousness, and other such qualities, recommended by local officials. This was the highest honor; for most people, this would be their only chance in a lifetime to visit the palace and possibly even have an audience with the emperor's sacred presence.
Of course, some people bought their way in with large sums of money. Li Congyin purchased a "乐善好施" (generous and charitable) recommendation, entering the palace excitedly to attend, hoping to court more clients and business. So if an assassin managed to slip in, it wouldn't be entirely surprising.
To begin from the start—after Li Congqing passed the imperial examination last year, he was assigned to serve in the Ministry of Revenue. The glory of ranking third among the jinshi candidates faded quickly; there were plenty of officials in the palace, and one small tanyuanlang (third-place scholar) meant little. To rise in rank or accumulate wealth depended entirely on ability.
The Ministry of Revenue was responsible for managing the nation's territory, land, household registration, taxation, salaries, national treasury, and all financial affairs. It was the busiest department among the six ministries of the Ministry of State Affairs. As a langzhong, his work consisted of constantly copying and writing, calculating and calculating. The easygoing Li Congqing was forced into a frenzy of busyness, wanting desperately to resign and return to being a bookstore owner like before.
Otherwise, he really hoped to transfer to a more leisurely department, such as the Ministry of Rites.
Busy as he was, one still needed to rest when possible. Palace banquets that officials could attend were a good