The day of the results announcement drew closer, stirring unease among the scholars who often gathered to discuss the matter.
Lu Nianfu's wine shop, as a result, saw its business flourish.
The tenth of each month was the agreed-upon day for settling accounts with Wang Shoucheng. Lu Nianfu rose early, had a hasty breakfast, and headed to Zhuque Street.
Awaiting her were not only the account books for the two shops in the capital but also those sent from Yangzhou.
It was April, and a quarter of the year had already passed.
Yan Qing had already gone through the ledgers, but Lu Nianfu still had considerable work. Coupled with Wang Shoucheng and the other two, they toiled until late into the night to finish.
Despite tired eyes and stiff shoulders and necks, Lu Nianfu’s mood was brighter than a June sun.
The profits for this quarter had increased by thirty percent compared to previous ones.
The biggest contributor, naturally, was the newly opened Xiangdai Pavilion and wine shop in the capital. Wang Shoucheng was beaming; the young lady had promised him a ten percent stake in the Xiangdai Pavilion as a bonus. At this rate of profitability, he could afford a small house in the capital within a year.
Yan Qing remained the most composed. After thanking Lu Nianfu with a smile, he returned to his usual demeanor.
Even though Lu Nianfu saw him rarely, she could guess that something was amiss. After all, his smile had become far less frequent since arriving in the capital. Wang Shoucheng had tried various ways to inquire but to no avail.
Closing the last page of the ledger, Lu Nianfu said, "Thank you, Uncle Yan and Shoucheng, for your hard work. Keep up the good work. I can't promise anything else, but when it comes to money, I will never treat you unfairly."
Wang Shoucheng chuckled heartily, "I love hearing those words from you, young lady."
They were all human, after all. Was hard work not for money? The young lady was incredibly practical; her rewards were never empty promises, always manifesting as tangible currency.
He truly had followed the right person.
Wang Shoucheng's face was full of delight, which was quickly followed by a rap on his head from his master. "You've already graduated, yet you're still so undisciplined!"
"Master, I'm just happy!"
Outside, Qingya tapped on the door. "Young lady, your husband is here. How much longer will you be busy?"
"Almost done." Lu Nianfu cupped her hands in farewell to the two men. Watching her leave, Wang Shoucheng remarked, "In a couple of years, when I've saved enough, I'll marry a little wife. I won't ask her to do anything; she just needs to pick me up after work."
Yan Qing glanced at him. "In another two years, Qingya will already be married."
Wang Shoucheng immediately jumped up. "Master, don't talk nonsense. What does her marriage have to do with this disciple? I'm not saying anything more. I'm so hungry, this disciple is going to eat."
As the door opened, Qingya stood at the entrance. The young master had said he would take the young lady back to the manor and asked her to eat supper with the master and disciple. She had always enjoyed eating, so she naturally didn't refuse. As she was wondering what the young master had ordered for them, she overheard the master and disciple's conversation...
Their eyes met, and Wang Shoucheng was terribly embarrassed. "That, um..."
Qingya interrupted him expressionlessly. "The young master said he ordered late-night snacks for you and Uncle Yan at Zuixiang Lou and told you not to forget to eat."
"Qingya," Wang Shoucheng called out to her. "Come along, don't you love Zuixiang Lou's Drunken Duck?"
"I don't feel like eating now." Qingya turned and left briskly.
Outside the shop door, her young lady had already departed in a carriage with her husband. Few people were on the street. The lantern by the shop entrance cast her plump figure into a long, thin shadow, making her look solitary and rather pathetic.
She kicked a stone by the roadside and walked home dejectedly.
The carriage rumbled forward. Gu Yanchen was driving himself. Lu Nianfu didn't sit in the carriage compartment; she sat with him on the driver's seat. The April night wind carried a slight chill. Lu Nianfu shook her head, still full of numbers, and then Gu Yanchen took her hand.
His hand was large, enveloping hers completely. The calluses on his palm rubbed against hers, sending a tingling, itchy sensation.
Lu Nianfu struggled slightly, but he held on tighter.
Two rosy blushes crept onto her cheeks, and her warmth suddenly intensified, only to be dispelled by the cool breeze.
Gu Yanchen turned to look at her with a smile. "You must be tired today, right?"
"It's okay. Finishing three months of accounts in one day is considered fast."
"Why did you have to cram it all into one day? Couldn't you have taken it slower?"
"There are things to be done at the shops. It's already difficult to get Uncle Yan and Shoucheng to take a day off. If something can be finished in one day, we don't want to drag it out. Moreover, these two new shops in the capital have just opened, and I wanted to see how they were performing."
"Looking at you, I can tell the profits are good."
Lu Nianfu laughed. "Is it that obvious?"
Gu Yanchen nodded. "I'm only just discovering that my wife is also a moneygrubber."
Just as Lu Nianfu was about to retort, a galloping sound of horse hooves suddenly came from ahead. Judging by the sound, it was quite substantial. They only had a small carriage, and a head-on collision would surely cause injury.
Coincidentally, there was a corner nearby. Gu Yanchen steered the carriage into it.
Moments later, the sound of hooves was right beside them.
With the half-moon shining and the streetlights under the eaves, Lu Nianfu clearly saw a line of mounted constables leading the way. In the middle was a prisoner cart, containing a man in plain clothes with a clean appearance; he wasn't even handcuffed.
More mounted constables followed behind.
Gu Yanchen had good eyesight. Even in the dim light, he recognized the individuals. He whispered, "The one in official attire is the Minister of Justice who went to Yangzhou on duty. The one next to him is Prince Ning, Situ Jue."
Lu Nianfu was disappointed. "Didn't they say the Emperor issued a decree to reprimand him? Why is he in a prisoner cart on his way to the capital?"
"It was just to make him reflect, no need for a prisoner cart. The one in the cart is the Sixth Prince, Situ Lang. Actually, he's the most wronged. However, look at his clothes, still quite neat, and he's not even handcuffed. It's clear that they're just putting on a show in a prisoner cart after arriving in the capital. It's good to be the Emperor's son; even as a prisoner, no one dares to neglect you."
Lu Nianfu's eyes widened, but she could only see a figure in the dim light. She asked in a low voice, "Why are they entering the capital at midnight? It's so dark, why don't they light more lanterns?"
Gu Yanchen 'scoffed.' "Who likes sitting in a prisoner cart while the populace throws rotten eggs and vegetables at them? By entering the capital quietly late at night, they avoid such embarrassment. As for the lanterns, horses have much better eyesight than humans."
Lu Nianfu sighed sincerely. "Having power is truly wonderful."
As the two chatted briefly, the long line of carriages and horses had already turned and entered another alley. Gu Yanchen steered them back out and drove the carriage back to the manor.
A child with a mother is a treasure, but the difference between a birth mother and an adoptive mother is significant.
Situ Lang took the blame for Situ Jue's actions and was punished to guard the imperial mausoleum for five years. Noble Consort Jian did not utter a word. However, Situ Jue was only reprimanded and confined. Noble Consort Jian felt this punishment was too harsh.
While her son was not yet back in the capital, as soon as he returned, she pleaded with Emperor Changwu, but he ignored her.
Thus, in the subsequent morning court sessions, a group led by Marquis Qi Ying began to speak in favor of Situ Jue in turn, as if he had made great contributions in Yangzhou.
Emperor Changwu was shocked by the audacity of these people.
While others might not know the truth of the mutiny, how could Marquis Qi Ying not know? Without his efforts, the crime would not have been so easily pinned on the Sixth Prince.
And now, he had the nerve to ask for a reduced punishment for Prince Ning?
Fortunately, there were also many in the court who opposed Prince Ning's faction.
Duke Cao was the first among them.
Emperor Changwu allowed the two factions to argue in court for several days before delivering his final verdict: Situ Jue was still to be confined for three months.
In any case, he had already relinquished all his official posts when he went south. Fu Chuan had now taken over as the Commander of Jiangnan. It didn't matter if he didn't show his face for three months.
Emperor Changwu's last words were quite cutting.
Marquis Qi Ying's expression changed several times. He did not dare to argue further. After the court session, he requested an audience with Noble Consort Jian and told her to stop causing trouble for the time being. "The Emperor clearly knows about the matter of taking the blame and is annoyed by it. Causing more trouble now will not benefit Prince Ning."
Noble Consort Jian felt uneasy but was also unwilling to accept it. "So, he's just going to be confined for three months? That's three months; think of how much can be done!"
"It's better than being sent to guard the imperial mausoleum."
Considering Situ Lang's punishment, Noble Consort Jian finally fell silent.
Forget it, forget it. Three months is just a short time; it will pass quickly.
On April 18th, the Spring Examination results were announced, followed by the Imperial Examination. In a blink of an eye, the top scholars paraded through the streets, their success evident in their proud demeanor. However, the youngest among the top three scholars was over thirty, and most people glanced at them briefly and returned home, finding nothing particularly exciting.
Some even grumbled, "At least the third-place scholar could have been younger and more handsome."
Looking at him, one might think he already had grandchildren. Even a potential suitor would probably steer clear of him.
Lu Nianfu was busy at the Qingdai Pavilion. Upon hearing about the parade of the top scholars, she wanted to join the crowd for some excitement. After watching, she was greatly disappointed. She then noticed Qingya still looked listless and reached out to feel her forehead.
Qingya looked confused. "What's wrong, Young Lady?"
"What's wrong with you, girl? You have no interest in eating or having fun lately. Are you perhaps sick?" In the past, with a scene like today's parade, she would have had plenty to complain about.
But today, she hadn't uttered a single word.
To be precise, she hadn't spoken up for several days unless prompted.
Lu Nianfu was accustomed to her chirpy nature. The sudden quietness was quite unsettling.
Qingya shook her head. "It's nothing. Maybe it's too hot, and I don't have the energy for anything. I'll be fine in a few days."
Could April in the capital be considered hot?
But her forehead wasn't burning, and she appeared physically fine. Lu Nianfu had no other recourse. She took out her purse and gave it to her. "Then take a few days off. Go find some fun for yourself."
This girl was naturally optimistic. She found amusement daily by listening to stories, watching plays, and reading novels. Lu Nianfu figured she might be feeling cooped up, so she gave her a leave of absence.
Qingya weighed the purse. "So much?"
"Is it enough?"
Qingya's expression was complicated. "Young Lady, with this much money, forget finding some fun; I'm afraid I might be overcome with joy."
Lu Nianfu clapped her hands. "Then it's a cure without medicine, which is even better!"
"Young Lady, you talk nonsense. Can this much silver not be considered medicine?"
"I only thought you were a foodie, but it turns out you're a moneygrubber too." Seeing her smile, Lu Nianfu also smiled. "Do you feel like eating now?"
"I think I do, a little."
"Then let's go. Your young lady will treat you to Zuixiang Lou."
"But Young Lady, I just want a bowl of savory tofu pudding."
"Don't you prefer the sweet kind?"
"For some reason, today I just want savory."
Lu Nianfu waved her hand. "It's no big deal. If you want it, let's go. You know, I haven't had it in a long time either."
The mistress and servant were about to leave when a maid wearing a blue sleeveless vest found them. "This servant, Yinqiao, greets the Eldest Young Lady."
Lu Nianfu blinked in surprise before realizing that "Eldest Young Lady" referred to her.
She looked closely at Yinqiao. "You are serving Zeng Weiyang, aren't you? Is there something you need from me?"
"Eldest Young Lady, you may not know, but the Second Young Lady fell ill and only recently recovered after much care. She said she wants to talk to you. This servant is bold enough to ask, perhaps for the sake of sisterhood, if you would visit my lady?"
Lu Nianfu was recognized and brought back to the Pingning Marquis's manor on the twelfth of February. Today was the twenty-third of April.
It had been over two months since she had returned. The Pingning Marquis's manor had occasionally sent some gifts. They weren't particularly valuable, but they represented thoughtfulness.
She felt quite guilty. Although she was married, not visiting her sister when she was ill seemed rather heartless. Thinking of the enthusiastic demeanor of the Pingning Marquis and Zeng Weiyang, she nodded. "I understand. I'll be there shortly."
Yinqiao's face showed some joy. "Then this servant will return to inform the Second Young Lady."
"Go ahead."
The tofu pudding was out of the question. Lu Nianfu told Qingya to go by herself. Seeing Wang Shoucheng idle at the moment, she suggested, "Why don't you let Shoucheng accompany you while you eat and chat?"
Qingya's appetite instantly vanished. "Forget it. It's more important for me to accompany you to the Pingning Marquis's manor."
Lu Nianfu's voice was not quiet, and Wang Shoucheng, who had been about to approach, heard it.
Qingya's temper was a bit too strong this time. After just one sentence, she had been avoiding him for over half a month, and even when she couldn't avoid him, she hadn't given him a pleasant look.
Oh dear, what was to become of this situation?
Lu Nianfu said, "Didn't I give you time off?"
"It's not a matter of a day or two."
"Alright, it's just a shame. It's rare to see you with an appetite."
"It's fine. I'll just buy a bowl to take with me later."
As the mistress and servant were speaking, they left. Wang Shoucheng sighed and randomly picked up a rag, wiping the counter until it was incredibly smooth and shiny.
Upon arriving at the Pingning Marquis's manor, Lu Nianfu received an extremely warm welcome.
The Pingning Marquis had instructed that anyone who dared to slight the Eldest Young Lady, regardless of the reason, would be sent to the mines as a laborer. If the Marquis's wife had said this, people might have paid lip service, but with the head of the household issuing the order, who dared to court death?
At this moment, the Pingning Marquis was still on duty at the Imperial Medical Office. Lu Nianfu stated that she had come to see the Second Young Lady, and someone immediately led her there.
Yinqiao was also very happy to see her arrive. She excitedly led her into the inner chamber. "Miss, look who's here! Oh, the doctor told you to rest, didn't he? Why are you reading again?"
Zeng Weiyang leaned weakly against the bed, her face pale, her lips the same color as her face.
She was flipping through a poetry collection, her eyes scanning the pages absently, clearly lacking interest and just passing the time. Seeing Lu Nianfu, her face lit up. "Sister, you're here?"
"I heard you were ill, so I came to see you. Why are you reading?"
"Being confined to bed to recuperate every day is so boring." Zeng Weiyang closed the book and handed it to Yinqiao. "Sister, I won't read anymore. Are you here to talk with me?"
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Whatever Sister says, Weiyang wants to hear."