During the morning court, Xue Zining watched Li Chenxuan as he walked over. She knew that the young master, who had been a rake in her previous life, was now capable of bearing great responsibility.
"Your Majesty, this is the newly appointed top scholar, Li Chenxuan," Hua Yunjin said with a bow.
"This humble subject greets Your Majesty!" Li Chenxuan knelt and kowtowed.
He knew that at this moment, he had completely left the Empress's inner court. Although he was not at the closest proximity to the Empress, the prospect of becoming her right-hand man excited him even more.
"Scholar Li is learned and capable, fit to be heavily relied upon by the court. The position of Imperial Censor is currently vacant. Scholar Li, you shall take up your post tomorrow," the Empress's clear and beautiful voice rang out.
Below the imperial court, some couldn't help but whisper. Everyone knew this was the Empress cultivating her own power base. Now, the Chancellor was the Empress's person, and the Imperial Censor would be too. Only Grand Commandant Lin remained neutral, but he was also personally invited back by the Empress after three visits, so it was not unreasonable to consider him part of the Empress's faction.
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Chenxuan kowtowed his thanks.
"Rise," the Empress said, her red lips parting slightly.
Li Chenxuan stood up and looked up to see the Empress glancing in his direction. The Empress's lips curved upward slightly, and this subtle smile on her pure and beautiful face was particularly captivating. Li Chenxuan lowered his head in a fluster. How could the Empress smile so casually at someone?
After the court session ended, Li Chenxuan felt his heart still pounding from that moment. He returned to the Li residence. This was now his residence; the former Li residence no longer existed, nor did its inhabitants.
"Sister..." Seeing the gate ajar, Li Chenxuan walked in, calling out as he went.
"Young Master, you're back?" His servant, Chang Bai, came out from inside and hurried forward to take his official hat.
"Where is Sister?" Li Chenxuan asked. He went inside. His residence was simple, with only him, his sister, and their servants, Chang Bai and Qing Xiu.
"The County Princess is inside talking to Aunt Li," Chang Bai replied.
Li Chenxuan paused, then after a moment's thought, asked, "Is it that Aunt Li from next door?"
Chang Bai nodded. "It seems someone wants to arrange a marriage."
Li Chenxuan walked towards his sister's room and indeed heard a voice from within saying, "Aunt Li, my younger brother has just become a top scholar. I doubt he has thought about when he will marry. I may have troubled Aunt Li for nothing."
"Oh dear, County Princess, how can you say that? As the saying goes, when parents are not around, the elder sister acts as the mother. Your words are like those of an elder. If you approve, then it will be settled?"
"Aunt Li, although I am the elder sister, I also know that a forced melon is not sweet. How can I, as a sister, know what kind of girl my younger brother likes? Moreover, this County Princess has no intention of obstructing my brother."
"County..."
"I actually didn't realize that matchmaking would extend to me?" Li Chenxuan lifted the door curtain and said coldly into the room. He saw his sister sitting there, her expression quite helpless.
Upon seeing the main party, Aunt Li's eyes brightened. "This must be our top scholar?"
Li Chenxuan's gaze turned cold, and he said sternly, "How dare you! Do you not kneel when you see this official?"
Aunt Li was taken aback. At this moment, someone outside the door announced, "Is His Excellency the Imperial Censor Li present?"
Li Chenxuan cast a cold glance at Aunt Li and walked out. Aunt Li stiffened in place. Li Fanghui said calmly, "Aunt Li, you've seen my brother promoted. He's now a third-rank Imperial Censor. Do you think Miss Sun is a suitable match for him?"
Aunt Li could never have imagined that Li Chenxuan possessed such talent, to be appointed a third-rank official straight from being a top scholar. She had only expected him to be a minor official, perhaps of the fifth rank at most, never a third-rank official! Coupled with the Huimin County Princess, personally bestowed by His Majesty, Aunt Li left the Li residence in disgrace.
Li Chenxuan, having received the imperial decree, walked in. Seeing Aunt Li had left, his expression improved somewhat. "Sister, if you encounter such people again, just have them expelled from the residence."
Li Fanghui heard this and replied, "After all, they are neighbors. It might not be appropriate to do so."
"Sister, we will move back in a few days," Li Chenxuan said.
Li Fanghui was taken aback, and then looked at Li Chenxuan, "You... you mean..."
"Yes, they are all gone. I petitioned His Majesty, and she agreed."
Li Fanghui's eyes lit up, and she suddenly looked at her brother, asking, "Brother, you are eighteen this year, it's not too young. Shouldn't you consider your lifelong affairs? With our parents gone, as your elder, I should also consider it for you."
"Sister, I have just been promoted to Imperial Censor, and there are many matters yet to attend to. Let's wait another two years!"
"Two more years and you'll be how old, brother..."
"Sister, I just remembered I have some matters to attend to. You eat first tonight, don't wait for me." Li Chenxuan left hastily before Li Fanghui could speak. Li Fanghui sighed. How could she not know her brother's feelings? But...
Li Chenxuan went to his study. He took out a painting and slowly unrolled it. Inside was a portrait of a young woman standing beneath a tree. Her long dress, the color of the sky and water, fluttered in the wind. Her face was delicate and beautiful, and her eyes were as clear as water, seeming to look at him. He was startled, then quickly rolled up the painting and carefully put it away. This was his eternal, unspoken secret, one he would carry to his grave.
Hua Residence
Hua Yunjin entered the residence and had a feeling that something was amiss. "Feng Ying," he called out. Suddenly, he remembered that he had already returned Feng Yin to the Empress. He believed the Regent had fallen and no one could harm him anymore. He casually picked up a stick by the door and walked in. If anything were amiss, he could defend himself, though it would be of little use.
As he walked in, Hua Yunjin saw the person inside, and the stick dropped. "You..."
"Greetings, Chancellor." The person spoke, but remained seated without moving. Beside him, Old Madam Hua's face was extremely unpleasant; the recent conversation had clearly not been smooth. Hua Yunjin straightened his brocade robe and sat in a chair. He asked, "I was unaware that members of the Hua family were so fond of visiting my residence! The clan leader came before, and now, who is this?"
The elder looked somewhat similar to the previous Hua clan leader, Hua Zhengxian, suggesting they were within three generations. The elder chuckled softly, showing no signs of cheerfulness, and picked up a teacup. "Chancellor, you should have met this old man before."
"I don't recall ever meeting you," Hua Yunjin said coldly.
The elder took a sip of tea and placed it on the table. "At that time, the Chancellor was begging for mercy, telling me that the water was very cold."
Hua Yunjin's body trembled, and the frozen memories were suddenly unlocked. "You are Hua Rong?" Hua Zhengxian's father, who believed that the Hua family, devoted to a "filthy Taoist priest," would bring glory and required the sacrifice of two youths to assume the position of Hua clan leader.
"Indeed, it is I," Hua Rong said, looking up at Hua Yunjin. Hua Yunjin clenched his teacup, his fingers turning pale. "How dare you show your face in this Chancellor's residence?"