Chapter Seventy-Seven: Zheng’s Acknowledgment

Kong Sheng returned to the inn with Wu Xian and Wu Jie in tow. The innkeeper and attendants, seeing him bring back two imposing palace guards as his own escorts from the official post station, could not help but look on with envy, their praises tumbling over one another. A newly appointed official, personally attended by an imperial envoy and flanked by palace guards sent by the emperor himself—what an honor, what a privilege!

Even Yang Qi soon heard the news. When word reached him that Li Fuguo had actually lent two palace guards to Kong Sheng as bodyguards, Yang Qi’s eyes grew dark and contemplative. After a moment, he let out a cold chuckle and beckoned Yang Kuan over.

“This boy is unpredictable—his methods truly astonishing. To think he could secure a favor from that stingy eunuch Li Fuguo—borrowing palace guards to bolster his own prestige? It seems I have underestimated him. Well, let him be for now. I am curious to see just how much of a stir he can create in the future! Who knows, he might surprise me even further.”

“Yang Kuan, go once more and deliver fine wine and delicacies to Li Fuguo and the palace guards at the official post station. Tell them that tomorrow at noon, I will host another banquet to entertain the imperial envoy, together with my colleagues from the local administration!”

Yang Kuan accepted the command and left.

Yang Qi remained alone, seated cross-legged on his cushioned couch, his gaze sharp and predatory. A cold smile gradually crept onto his lips. In truth, Yang Qi had never regarded Li Fuguo with any real respect. Outwardly, he treated the man with courtesy and deference, but it was all for show.

To be frank, he felt little awe even for the little court and the new emperor far away in Lingwu, and he held only contempt for the former emperor, Li Longji, who had fled to Shu in search of safety. What, then, was a rootless eunuch at Li Heng’s side to him?

Yet Kong Sheng’s recent warnings and advice still rang in his ears. To rebel and carve out a kingdom for oneself was not to be done lightly; at the very least, one must choose the right moment. Otherwise, not only would the uprising fail, but he would also meet a ruinous, dishonorable end.

Yang Qi had assumed that Li Fuguo would eventually grow bored and return to the capital, and as for the so-called imperial summons, Yang Qi had plenty of ways to delay and resist. But to his surprise, Li Fuguo seemed to have grown enamored with Jiangning, indulging daily in wine and merriment, receiving visitors, amassing gifts—with no sign whatsoever of leaving.

Were he to know that Li Fuguo had even greater ambitions, intending to take up the post of military supervisor within his Jiangnan army for the long haul, Yang Qi’s murderous intent would truly become difficult to restrain.

*

In Yang Xueruo’s private quarters, Hongmian darted into the hall at a run. Her crisp, spirited voice had only just begun to call out when she abruptly swallowed it, choking back the words until her cheeks flushed red. “Miss, wonderful news—ah!”

The excitement glowing on Hongmian’s face vanished the moment she caught sight of Madam Zheng. She covered her mouth with a gasp, then quickly dropped to a deep bow, trembling with fear. “Hongmian greets Madam. I did not know you were here, please forgive me for my offense!”

Madam Zheng gave a cold snort and waved her hand. “Rushing about and making such a racket—what sort of behavior is this? Hongmian, you’re becoming more unruly by the day!”

Hongmian’s face drained of color; Madam Zheng’s rebuke was more than she could bear. Kneeling, she dared not even breathe.

Yang Xueruo smiled gently. “Mother, Hongmian is simply forthright and a little quick-tempered—she means no harm. Please don’t take her to heart.”

Yang Xueruo knew well that her mother, Madam Zheng, came from a distinguished clan, strict and rigid by nature, with a particular emphasis on manners and decorum. If she didn’t step in to defend Hongmian now, the girl would surely face harsh punishment.

Madam Zheng cast a dissatisfied glance at her daughter, believing her too lenient, which led the maids and attendants around her to become “presumptuous.” Still, her motherly love prevailed over her irritation, and she forcibly suppressed her displeasure, fixing Hongmian with a frosty stare. “Enough, get up. In the future, remember to mind your manners around your mistress. We can’t have outsiders thinking the Yang family is without discipline.”

Relieved, Hongmian replied in a small, respectful voice, “Yes, Madam. I will never dare to forget again.”

Yang Xueruo exchanged a look with Tian’er, who obediently stepped forward to help Hongmian up. As the two maids were about to withdraw, Madam Zheng asked in a grave tone, “Hongmian, you didn’t finish what you were saying earlier. Speak.”

“Yes, Madam.” Hongmian bowed deeply. “This servant heard that the imperial envoy, Lord Li Fuguo, has assigned two imperial palace guards to serve at Young Master Kong’s side, to escort him all the way to his new post in Henan…”

Madam Zheng was startled, rising to her feet. “The imperial envoy is sending two palace guards to escort Kong Sheng to his post in Henan? How extraordinary! What virtues or abilities does Kong Sheng possess to earn such favor?”

Yang Xueruo could barely contain her delight, though in front of her mother she kept her excitement in check. Palace guards were the emperor’s personal retainers, all highly skilled. With such men accompanying Kong Sheng, his journey would be far safer. More importantly, to be escorted by imperial guards was an immense honor—Yang Xueruo felt a deep sense of pride and shared joy.

*

A complex light flickered across Madam Zheng’s still-elegant features. Her previous opinions of Kong Sheng had been deeply ingrained, but as time passed—especially after he had been appointed by the court—her resistance had gradually faded. Though her words remained strict, in her heart she had begun to appreciate her daughter’s discernment. Since Kong Sheng was unmatched in poetry and now possessed a brilliant future, he was indeed a worthy match for her daughter. Such is human nature: once one’s attitude changes, everything else follows. Where once Madam Zheng had found Kong Sheng disagreeable in every way, now she saw only his virtues.

“I did not expect that boy to have such abilities,” Madam Zheng said as she slowly sat back down, gazing at her daughter’s radiant face. “Daughter, if he continues to strive and achieves distinction, it will be a fitting reward for your devotion.”

“Tomorrow morning, I will accompany you to see him off,” she added.

Yang Xueruo was so overjoyed at these words that tears nearly spilled from her eyes. She understood her mother’s character well; Madam Zheng’s willingness to say such things was a clear sign of her approval of the match. As the mistress of the Yang family in Jiangnan and the wife of a high minister—Yang Qi had recently been promoted to the highest rank, and she had accordingly received the title of a first-rank lady—her willingness to personally see Kong Sheng off spoke volumes. It meant she now regarded Kong Sheng as family.

Yang Xueruo knelt and bowed to her mother, her voice choked with emotion. “Thank you, Mother!”

Madam Zheng sighed softly and lifted her up. “Daughter, it seems this young man is indeed both talented and handsome. It appears I misjudged him in the past.”

Standing quietly at the side, Liu Xinru watched the warm bond between mother and daughter and sighed inwardly. With both Madam Zheng and Yang Qi’s tacit approval, it was only a matter of time before Yang Xueruo and Kong Sheng would enjoy a blissful union.