"What a beautiful scenery!"
Although it was just a low exclamation of admiration, it startled a bright red koi in the water, making it flick its tail and splash, imdiately darting to the deep end of the pond, leaving only a trace of red shadow, and the once calm water surface quickly rippled.
Pei Xingyuan, who let out that sigh, imdiately grumbled displeased, "Why are you running away so fast? I’m not going to eat you!"
Upon hearing his complaint, Shen Wuzheng and Yu Wenye, standing beside him, both shook their heads.
Yu Wenquan was supposed to take these ritorious officials, responsible for controlling the plague, on a tour of the Inner Court as a reward. However, since he was unable to find ti due to sudden political affairs, King Qin and Princess Qin voluntarily took on this responsibility. The four of them, along with Tushere and other Palace Attendants, strolled through the Inner Court. Gradually, they walked along the crystal-clear waters of the Inner Court, soon reaching the Thousand-step Corridor.
Beneath the corridor lay the Mountain and Water Pool.
Although called a pond, this "pond" was comparable to a lake, with its depths unfathomable. On the surface, the water appeared a deep, serene blue, but looking further down, it was a rich green. The koi quickly vanished into the depths. Standing beneath the corridor and gazing at the fish earlier, Pei Xingyuan felt a sensation akin to gazing at fish by the abyss.
Shang Ruyi chuckled and said, "Be careful, Mr. Pei. Don’t fall in."
Pei Xingyuan waved his hand, "No way."
Despite his words, he cautiously reached out to hold onto a pillar of the corridor, leaning forward to look again. The Mountain and Water Pool was vast, its edge barely visible. Because of a rain last night, and the slightly chilly weather, a mist hovered over the water, vast and ethereal, adding a touch of mystery.
The mystery deepened when he slowly raised his head, looking to one side of the Mountain and Water Pool, towards the building beyond the mist.
Despite the distance, and the swirling mist, he could clearly see the pavilion, its three stories not particularly elegant or exquisite, yet exuding a solemn aura amidst its simplicity, pleasing to the eye. Even Shen Wuzheng, gazing up at the building, felt an inexplicable ease, his eyes reflecting a trace of a smile.
Pei Xingyuan asked, "What’s that building?"
Shang Ruyi also glanced up, "That building faces the Thousand-step Corridor and the Mountain and Water Pool directly. It should be—"
Pei Xingyuan suddenly rembered, "Linyuan Pavilion!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shang Ruyi’s expression changed instantly, gesturing "shh" to him. Only then did Pei Xingyuan co to his senses, tapping himself on the forehead, "Ah, almost forgot."
Shang Ruyi also smiled, fortunately, there weren’t many people around, and no one took notice, so she said, "Just don’t forget tonight."
Having said that, she turned to look at the Linyuan Pavilion again, "It’s where the court stores calligraphy and paintings. But since most of the works have already been moved to Luoyang, not much remains here. His Majesty the Emperor plans to gather so fine calligraphy and paintings to put inside again."
Pei Xingyuan took another look at the building, laughing, "Such a nice pavilion, just to store so ordinary calligraphy and paintings, isn’t that a bit dull?"
Yu Wenye, by the side, asked, "In your opinion, what should be placed inside?"
Pei Xingyuan pondered for a mont, looking back at Shen Wuzheng, who stood silently, elegant and unaffected, surrounded by the gently rising mist like an immortal official of the Heavenly Palace. A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on his face. "In my opinion, I would paint Wuzheng and hang it inside."
"..."
"Let him enjoy the scenery here every day, lest he keeps criticising ."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi imdiately burst into laughter. Even Tushere and others, serving behind them, lowered their heads, desperately hiding their smiles. Shen Wuzheng, too exasperated to speak, rely glared at Pei Xingyuan.
Yu Wenye, though he laughed, glanced once more at the Linyuan Building, seeming thoughtful.
After laughing, Shang Ruyi gestured to Tushere and the others to retreat further, to avoid overhearing anything that they shouldn’t. anwhile, Shen Wuzheng, appearing disinclined to pay Pei Xingyuan any longer, walked silently ahead, with Yu Wenye by his side. After the two walked a short distance in silence, Shen Wuzheng said, "My little sister just told , that His Highness recomnded for the Director of the Ministry of Revenue."
Yu Wenye nodded.
Before Shen Wuzheng could ask further, Yu Wenye continued, "I’ve inquired, not many dare to submit recomndations to His Majesty at this ti, though there are a few whom he trusts, like so old acquaintances. But not many can suppress my opinions."
Shen Wuzheng nodded gently.
Yu Wenye added, "More importantly, this appointnt as a secretary seems more like preparation for an impending conflict."
"..."
"So, we weren’t wrong before."
"..."
"There are people with foreknowledge anticipating that a major conflict might befall us soon. And perhaps, the opposition is targeting—"
At this mont, Pei Xingyuan and Shang Ruyi noticed the two walking away. Laughing and chatting, they caught up, prompting both to fall silent. Shen Wuzheng, however, discreetly signaled with his eyes: I understand.
anwhile, Pei Xingyuan caught up, asking, "What are you two talking about, ignoring us like that?"
Shen Wuzheng coldly replied, "Care to answer seriously?"
Pei Xingyuan sighed, "Wuzheng, your na ans unbounded wisdom, not unfeeling. Speaking so rigidly, is it any fun?"
Shen Wuzheng said, "I’m afraid you might beco used to speaking without a filter, and end up speaking recklessly at tonight’s banquet."
"..."
"Don’t forget, you just took up the post of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. If you say the wrong thing and end up imprisoned—the court officials will only plead for a loyal minister who speaks frankly, not for soone who speaks without a filter. You’ll understand what trouble that brings then."
Hearing this, Pei Xingyuan had nothing to say, ekly responding, "Alright."
He then went to Yu Wenye’s side, mumbling, "This person is duller than even you. It’s a pity you’re both in the palace now. I hardly get to see you."
"..."
"If only you could set up your own residence and offices."
Yu Wenye glanced at him but said nothing.
Shang Ruyi walked to Shen Wuzheng’s side, and Shen Wuzheng said, "Opening a mansion and establishing a camp... now Han King holds this power, yet still resides in Chengqian Hall within the palace, which shows how favored he is."
"..."
"If King Qin cannot seize this opportunity to regain so montum, I’m afraid in the future on the court——the stance will beco even clearer."
Shang Ruyi’s brow gradually furrowed.
She certainly knew, but the current situation was not optimistic. She whispered, "Even if that’s the case, His Majesty’s attitude is already very clear."
Shen Wuzheng glanced at her, then looked at Yu Wenye, who was being led away by Pei Xingyuan to admire the scenery, now so distance from them, and said, "Your husband has never been soone who waits for rewards, but one who reaches out to take whatever he wants."
"..."
"His Majesty’s attitude may not necessarily influence him."
This was indeed the truth.
But Shang Ruyi still felt uneasy in her heart. Yu Wenye’s capabilities and temperant were beyond doubt, but Yu Wenquan was, after all, the ruler of a nation. His attitude could decide many things, even the direction of the court’s stance. Once Yu Wenye found himself "betrayed by everyone," no matter how capable he was, how many chances would he have to turn the tables?
At this mont, she even sighed, "If only Madam Guan were still here."
Shen Wuzheng glanced at her.
Shang Ruyi felt a bit helpless, and when she spoke, a hint of bitterness tinged her voice, "If Madam Guan were still here, at least she could diate the father-son relationship, and His Majesty would show more favoritism toward King Qin out of regard for her."
Shen Wuzheng looked at her for a while and suddenly chuckled, "Silly girl."
"Huh?"
Shang Ruyi was startled, looking up at him, "Brother, you—"
She knew her status as Princess Qin wasn’t enough to distance herself from Shen Wuzheng, and she needed soone who would always see her as Shang Ruyi, not the Duke’s Daughter-in-law or the Emperor’s daughter-in-law. However, she was also puzzled as to why Shen Wuzheng would say that at this mont.
Only to see Shen Wuzheng gently say, "Your father-in-law is already His Majesty the Emperor. He knows all too well how to express his likes and dislikes or, more precisely, how he should like and dislike."
"How to like and dislike? What does that an?"
"In other words, many people’s emotions are dictated by external factors, adding so attachnts to their preferences—like, I like soone because they like , or because they are kind to ; or because they are relatives or old friends, so I like them."
"..."
"But the Emperor, he is too clear-headed, or perhaps, in terms of emotion, he need not be dictated by external things, so his preferences can be more pure."
"..."
"That is to say, only if soone makes him like them, will he like them back."
"..."
"A person’s feelings, attitude, and identity towards oneself are all just additional factors. What truly makes soone likable is their temperant, character, even their soul."
"..."
"So, even if it’s his son, even if it’s the son born from the woman he loves, if that son’s temperant and character are not what he likes, he will love his son but may not like the person behind the ’son’ identity."
"...!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi inhaled deeply.
She sowhat understood.
And Shen Wuzheng continued, "Of course, the most important point is—"
Shang Ruyi imdiately looked at him, "What?"
Shen Wuzheng whispered, "There can’t be two tigers on one mountain."
"..."
"His Majesty is tenacious by nature, a ruler with great talent. Such a person can accommodate capable ministers and brave generals, but having soone like this by his side makes him instinctively feel threatened."
"..."
"Yu Wenye’s brilliance is both an advantage and a disadvantage."
"..."
"If he cannot change his current temperant and way of doing things, then from now on, he will only have one path to take—"
Shang Ruyi looked intently at him, "What path?"
Shen Wuzheng said, "Military rits."
"..."
Shang Ruyi’s heart suddenly sank.
So, this ti in Taiyuan...
At this mont, Pei Xingyuan suddenly looked toward the pavilion beyond the smoky waves and said softly, "There seems to be soone on that building."
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