Chapter 67: Jinling City (36)
Although that subtle, secret exchange of glances had been almost imperceptible, it was still noticed by sharp-eyed observers.
Liang Gonggong thought to himself, “It seems His Highness the Prince Regent greatly appreciates the newly crowned zhuangyuan. He had been looking at him for quite a while.”
Since the Prince Regent intended to adjourn court early, Liang Gonggong quickly finished reading the transfer edict. He looked out over the grand hall filled with veteran ministers of great merit, among whom stood a group of young Jinshi. The youngest among them was the top scholar himself, not yet twenty years old; the oldest were around forty, men who had taken the metropolitan examination for many years before finally earning the Jinshi degree.
As soon as court was dismissed, the Prince Regent ordered Liang Gonggong to summon the zhuangyuan to the Wuying Hall. Lord Xiao had originally intended to say a few words to Lin Zikui, but when he saw Liang Gonggong lead him away, he had no choice but to give up.
Liang Hong escorted Lin Zikui to the Wuying Hall. Thinking that he had won the Prince Regent’s favor and was surely destined for a boundless future, Liang Hong secretly flattered him a few times. “Back during the palace examination, this servant could already tell that Zhuangyuan was no ordinary man. I was certain you would succeed—and sure enough, you did. When His Majesty personally named Zhuangyuan in the imperial study, this servant was standing right beside him. Zhuangyuan was truly young and promising—just as the saying goes, the waves of the Yangtze push the former waves onward…”
After all that praise, Lin Zikui had only caught a few words.
“It was His Majesty who appointed me as a Zhuangyuan?”
Liang Hong turned his head. “Yes.”
Lin Zikui reacted at once and lowered his head. “When this humble official received the Prince Regent’s summons, I had thought it was the Prince Regent who had personally selected me.”
Liang Hong smiled. “It was His Majesty’s decision. However, the Prince Regent also seemed to feel an instant connection with the Zhuangyuan. In just these past few days, he had already summoned you alone for the second time!” As they reached a palace hall, Liang Hong said, “This Wuying Hall will be the place where the top scholar works from now on—accompanying His Majesty in reviewing memorials and drafting edicts…”
Lin Zikui thanked him one by one. “Many thanks to Liang Gonggong for the guidance.”
“What is there to thank? We all serve before the Son of Heaven. Zhuangyuan has great prospects ahead and a future stretching ten thousand miles! I shall go in and announce you first. Please wait here a moment.”
Liang Hong went inside to report. Before he even spoke, the Prince Regent said, “Zhuangyuan has arrived? Summon him in!”
Liang Hong came back out. “His Highness has summoned you. Why is Zhuangyuan still standing there? Go in at once.”
Lin Zikui stepped silently across the threshold and heard Xiao Fu’s voice: “Liang Hong, leave. All of you, leave.”
Lin Zikui stood still.
The Prince Regent said, “Zhuangyuan stays.”
From the corner of his eye, Lin Zikui saw several eunuchs withdraw from both sides.
The Prince Regent said, “Zhuangyuan, come stand before me.”
The door creaked shut. Lin Zikui dropped to his knees to pay his respects, but Xiao Fu stood up quickly. “Wait. No need to kneel. Come sit here.”
Lin Zikui still completed the bow, placing both hands before his forehead and kowtowing in proper ruler-subject etiquette. “This humble official greets the Prince Regent.”
Xiao Fu frowned and bent down to help him up. “Everyone has left. Why are you kneeling?”
“There are many people in the palace.” Lin Zikui feared attracting rumors and gossip for him. Xiao Fu stood in a position revered by all, and he himself was the newly crowned top scholar. He feared talk in the court and whispers throughout the realm.
Just thinking about it made Lin Zikui draw in a deep breath. With the relationship between himself and Zhaoling, it seemed they would never see the light of day in this lifetime.
“Have Lin Lang’s legs gone weak from kneeling? Do your knees hurt? Sit.” Xiao Fu pulled him by the hand to the desk, which was piled high with sealed memorials.
“…I will not sit.”
That was the emperor’s seat. The Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall ought to remain in the outer chamber. When Lin Zikui had entered, he had caught a glimpse of it. If the Prince Regent often worked here, then they would be separated by a single door. If the door were open, there would still be thirty paces between them.
“Come here.” Xiao Fu refused to take no for an answer and pulled him toward the seat he usually occupied. Lin Zikui’s heart trembled, and he stood up in resistance. “This humble official does not dare!”
Xiao Fu’s brows knitted tightly. He likely understood what troubled him. Stretching out his long arm, he scooped Lin Zikui into his embrace. “If you won’t sit in that chair, then sit on my lap.”
Lin Zikui found himself seated on his lap. He tried several times to stand, but Xiao Fu pressed him down. Terrified that someone might see, he felt deeply uneasy. Xiao Fu said, “Without my summons, no one will enter. Don’t worry—Yuanqing is guarding the door outside.”
Xiao Fu continued, “In ancient times, Cai Qi rode through the streets on horseback. Today, there is you, Lin Zikui. That procession must have lasted at least an hour and a half. I was afraid you would be hungry, so I had the imperial kitchen prepare the pastries you like to fill your stomach.”
Xiao Fu picked one up to feed him. Lin Zikui shook his head and took it himself, lowering his head to nibble at the pastry as he murmured, “The Prince Regent should not behave this way.”
Xiao Fu wrapped both arms around his waist and turned him to face him, but Lin Zikui’s official hat brushed against his face. Xiao Fu had no choice but to remove the hat and tilt his head up to gaze at him. “I dismissed all the eunuchs. Can Lin Lang not treat this as if you were at home with me?”
“…I cannot. This is the imperial palace.” Remembering that Xiao Fu had also gone without food and water for so long, Lin Zikui offered him a pastry. “You should eat some as well.”
“I want you to feed me.” Xiao Fu’s arms coiled around his waist. “My hands are occupied.”
Lin Zikui lowered his eyes to look at him for a while, then lifted his head to glance out the window lattice. There was only light outside—no figures in sight.
There truly was no one outside.
So Lin Zikui broke the pastry into pieces and fed them to his mouth. Crumbs fell onto his collar, and Lin Zikui reached out to brush them away gently. Sitting on his lap like that, he ate half a plate of chestnut cakes before finally realizing that the pastries he so often ate at home had been brought out from the palace by Xiao Fu.
He had abused public resources for private ends more than once.
After Lin Zikui finished eating, Xiao Fu used a handkerchief to wipe his hands carefully, drying each finger one by one. Only then did Lin Zikui ask, “Did the Prince Regent summon this humble official merely to have me eat some chestnut cakes?”
“My little gentleman was hungry. Is that a small matter?” Xiao Fu did not argue over his constant use of official address now that he had just taken office. In the palace, he would let him speak that way.
Lin Zikui could not say whether it was small or great. After a pause, he asked, “Why was this humble official appointed Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall? In all previous dynasties, such an appointment has been rare.”
“Rare, but not unheard of. A Grand Academician of the Inner Cabinet is only a fourth-rank official. Even… even that Tang fellow could hold the post—why could you not?”
Lin Zikui turned his head and looked into Xiao Fu’s bright, smiling eyes. “But before I left home, you clearly said you would not interfere in my affairs. You said whatever His Majesty appointed me to, I should accept. Was it truly His Majesty who appointed me Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall?”
“Yes—yes, it was His Majesty and the Minister of Personnel. They settled it yesterday afternoon. And yesterday afternoon, what was I doing at that time? Hmm? You knew better than anyone what I was doing then…”
Lin Zikui suddenly remembered, and his face flushed hot red. “Prince Regent!”
Xiao Fu burst into laughter. “So it was not my idea. I only made a suggestion. The final decision rested with the young emperor and the Minister of Personnel. They wanted you to gain experience in the Hanlin Academy, to temper your disposition.”
“Then this humble official should have gone to the Hanlin Academy!”
“The Hanlin Academy? A group of pedantic old men. You studied for so many years just to enter the Hanlin and read and compile books?” Xiao Fu’s lips brushed against his chin. “Hmm? Lin Lang, am I not right? The justice in your heart, the injustices of the realm—in the Hanlin, you could only wage paper debates. Would you want that? If you are to gain experience, is it not better to do so before me? Or do you think you are not capable—that this matter is too difficult for you?”
Lin Zikui knew he was right.
If he had truly been sent to the Hanlin Academy, he would inevitably have felt some frustration at his talent going unrecognized.
But abusing authority for private favor—and the object of that favoritism being himself—made Lin Zikui feel even more unworthy and deeply uneasy.
“Besides, let the Hanlin Academy temper you? I have never even tried to temper you—what right did the Hanlin Academy have?”
Xiao Fu sat straighter than he did during court. Only by sitting upright could he keep Lin Zikui steady on his lap, so he would not tip or sway. Because he sat so straight, his upper body pressed closely against Lin Zikui’s, and when he spoke, it felt as though he were whispering intimately by his ear.
Lin Zikui could not find the words to answer. His ears itched, his neck itched, and the sensation made him tremble slightly.
Xiao Fu excelled at twisted logic—and he was even able to use it to persuade Lin Zikui.
“You are still young. You could spend three to five years in the Hanlin Academy and become mature and steady. But could I wait? Could the realm wait? So—if you try to resign, I will not permit it. If you wish to give thanks for the favor, then kiss me once and that will suffice.”
Lin Zikui lowered his head and thought deeply. After a long sigh, he pried Xiao Fu’s fingers from around him and stepped down from his lap. Bowing with his head lowered, he said, “This humble official thanks the sovereign for his great grace. I will fulfill my duties with loyalty and not fail the sacred favor.”
The fiercest noon light filtered through the hazy paper windows, falling upon his hair and the refined, resolute line of his profile.
Xiao Fu gazed at him eagerly. “My young gentleman gives thanks—will you not kiss me?”
“I will fulfill my duties with loyalty…” Lin Zikui said evenly. “First rule: no playing about with the Prince Regent in the Wuying Hall.”
Xiao Fu asked, “Then at home it is allowed?”
Lin Zikui hesitated, looking directly at him. After a long moment, he nodded, his voice clear and cool. “Yes. In the imperial palace, the ruler stands above and the subject below. Personal indulgence is light; the state is heavy. Prince Regent, please remember that.”
They looked at each other. Xiao Fu said helplessly, “And at home—is it the other way around?”
Lin Zikui did not respond to that. “If the Prince Regent has no further matters, this humble official should take his leave.”
“I am hungry. Stay and dine with me before you go. Liang Hong—Liang Hong, come in.”
Lin Zikui immediately stepped farther away.
“Your Highness! This servant—this servant has come!” Liang Gonggong hurried inside and lowered his head to await orders. The Prince Regent said, “I am hungry. Have the meal brought. Zhuangyuan will remain in the Hall of Military Glory and dine with me.”
“…Ah? Y-yes, yes, at once…” As he spoke, Liang Gonggong suddenly noticed that Zhuangyuan’s official hat was missing!
Looking again, he saw that it was actually on the Prince Regent’s desk?!
Liang Gonggong stared at Lin Zikui in shock.
This was no small matter. No small matter at all.
Lin Zikui had forgotten about it. When he noticed Liang Gonggong’s gaze, he belatedly realized what had happened. His eyes flicked upward—the official hat had indeed been removed. He could only straighten his face into a solemn expression, revealing not the slightest hint of anything unusual.
Xiao Fu had also noticed. He tossed the hat back to Lin Zikui. “Zhuangyuan bowed too forcefully and even knocked off his hat. Next time, I will not pick it up for you.”
“Yes… this humble official was discourteous.” Lin Zikui put the hat back on, but the decorative paper flower hairpin was missing.
After Liang Hong left to summon the meal, Xiao Fu picked up the flower hairpin that had accidentally fallen earlier and walked over to place it back in Lin Zikui’s hair.
“This humble official can do it himself—” Lin Zikui stepped back.
“Do it yourself, what do you mean do it yourself? I will put it on for you.” Xiao Fu fixed it properly, and as his fingers trailed down, he pinched Lin Zikui’s tense, reddened ear.
Lin Zikui lifted his head. “The ruler stands above—”
“The ruler above, the subject below. I know. I will change next time.”
He had no choice but to remain in the palace and dine with Xiao Fu. Yet it felt entirely different from eating at home. With eunuchs attending at the side, Lin Zikui could only reach for the dishes directly in front of him. It was pure torment.
In the imperial study, the young emperor heard from a trusted eunuch that the Prince Regent had summoned Zhuangyuan alone.
Yuwen Xuan asked, “Did Royal Father even keep Zhuangyuan for a meal?”
“Yes. The Prince Regent usually dislikes extravagance, yet when he kept Zhuangyuan for a meal, the number of dishes was several times more than usual. He even issued an edict granting Zhuangyuan rewards—a grand residence as well.”
Yuwen Xuan only knew that Lin Zikui had once befriended the Prince Regent when the latter was traveling incognito in the jianghu. He knew Lin Zikui had won the Prince Regent’s regard and was genuinely talented—the comprehensive and thoughtful treatise on flood control had been written by him.
He did not suspect there was anything more behind it. He simply assumed Lin Zikui was favored.
So when he learned Lin Zikui was about to leave the palace, he immediately sent for him to come to the imperial study and offered him words of courtesy and inquiry.
Yuwen Xuan said, “Zhuangyuan may not remember, but at that time you were still treating your eye illness. I was brought by Royal Father to the Qinhuai River, and Zhuangyuan gave me some valuable guidance.”
Lin Zikui bowed. “This subject would never dare claim such credit.” Yet his heart trembled. In that instant, he recalled that Xiao Fu had once said the four children had just lost their father. So Emperor Wentai had already passed away at that time! And yet Xiao Fu had brought the four candidates for heir before him and asked him to set questions to assess and choose among them?!
Xiao Zhaoling truly…
had been somewhat mad.
Yuwen Xuan smiled warmly and gently. “Zhuangyuan, please rise. If not for the praise and appreciation you gave me back then, Royal Father might not have noticed me, and I would not have become emperor. Zhuangyuan’s talent is outstanding and your character frank and upright. In the future, if you do not find it troublesome, would you be willing to serve as my Imperial Tutor?”
“Your Majesty!” Lin Zikui looked up abruptly.
“What? Is Zhuangyuan unwilling to be Imperial Tutor?”
“This subject is overwhelmed with fear. Your Majesty’s grace is boundless; I am fortunate beyond three lifetimes… I respectfully obey the sacred will.”
Lin Zikui was escorted out of the palace by Yuanqing at Xiao Fu’s instruction. Xiao Fu already knew that the young emperor had summoned him. Hearing that the emperor had flattered Zhuangyuan and asked him to be Imperial Tutor, Xiao Fu shook his head with a laugh. Yuwen Xuan was skilled at reading expressions and winning hearts—now he sought to win over Lin Zikui.
So be it. Let him try.
Within the palace, only members of the imperial family were entitled to ride in ceremonial carriages. Although there were imperial guards and honors bestowed upon ministers, even if Xiao Fu granted them, Lin Zikui would not dare use them.
When Yuanqing escorted him out through the nearest palace gate, young eunuchs sweeping along the path stood on either side. Among them was one wearing a black eye patch.
“Commander Chen has arrived—make way!” When they saw the commander, the little eunuchs all stepped aside respectfully.
Yet they also noticed a young man they did not recognize, dressed in crimson robes, wearing a flower-adorned hat, moving with dignified and elegant steps, handsome and imposing.
“That must be the Zhuangyuan. I heard he is only eighteen, achieved first place in all three examinations, and has just been appointed Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall! I think his surname is Lin—Lin Zikui!”
Tang Mengyang, who was holding a broom, suddenly raised his head. His eyes were covered, leaving him in complete darkness. His lips were pale and bloodless; he had grown thin as a skeleton. When he suddenly heard that familiar name, he hurriedly asked, “Who did you say? Lin Zikui—did he become a zhuangyuan?”
“Yes. What, Xiao Yangzi, do you know him?”
Ever since the Prince Regent had demoted Tang Mengyang to emptying chamber pots, his status had plummeted.
But relying on his skill at flattery, he had ingratiated himself with the head eunuch and gradually worked his way up to sweeping near the Shenwu Gate. It seemed that before long, he might even be wiping the floors of the Fengtian Hall.
Upon hearing that Lin Zikui had become Zhuangyuan, tears streamed down his face on the spot. He tried to chase after him, but unable to discern direction, his tears soaked through the cloth over his eyes. In grief and joy, he sighed, “Worthy brother… heaven rewards the diligent. You made it. You truly made it!”
Vaguely, Lin Zikui seemed to hear that voice and paused.
Yuanqing said, “Lord Lin?”
Lin Zikui shook his head. “It was nothing. I must have misheard.”
The custom of “riding through the streets on horseback” had originated in a previous dynasty and had been preserved ever since. Precisely because of this procession, each year’s zhuangyuan, even if not as strikingly handsome as Lin Zikui, was at least of upright appearance. The people of Jinling knew Zhuangyuan would parade today and had long gathered along both sides of the main street. Especially the young maidens nursing romantic dreams—all wished to catch a glimpse of the eighteen-year-old Zhuangyuan and see what kind of bearing he possessed.
“This horse was specially prepared for you by the Prince Regent. It is gentle. Lord Lin, I will lead it for you.”
“No, no… Yuanqing—Commander Chen—you must not,” Lin Zikui understood well that prominence invited trouble. “Just have someone else help me.”
Yuanqing nodded and signaled someone to take the reins. “How long does Lord Lin wish to parade?”
Lin Zikui asked, “When will your master return?”
“Master… he secretly left the palace just now. He said he would stand among the crowd and watch you achieve glory and ride through the streets. But Master also said you should not look for him in the crowd. Simply keep your eyes on the broad road ahead—surrounded by attendants, with open and level paths in every direction.”
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