046 [The Arrival of the Phoenix]

At dawn, Xue Huai gradually awoke.

It was the second day of the twelfth month, the final month of the eighteenth year of the Taihe era.

Having been in this world for nearly two months, last night was the first night Xue Huai had slept soundly.

Although the Ministry of Works corruption case was not completely resolved, the follow-up was no longer his concern. The court offices would determine the punishments for the implicated officials. Besides, Shen Wang had taken charge of the Ministry of Works to quell public dissent and clean up the mess.

Xue Huai knew the Ministry of Works was now a hot potato, but he trusted his mentor’s skill and capability.

He sat up in bed, savoring the rare leisure.

Now holding the post of Reader at the Hanlin Academy, his duties were mainly to read and explain the classics and histories to the emperor and princes. Unlike the past two years when he was buried in archival work compiling histories, this was a relatively noble and easy position.

Considering he had yet to complete his first three-year term, this promotion was very important. From now on, whether transferred out or moved into the Grand Secretariat, he would always be a step ahead of other graduates from the same imperial examination.

In officialdom, one step ahead meant advancing swiftly at every turn, provided he did not commit any grave mistakes.

Rubbing his aching eyes, Xue Huai began reviewing his recent gains and losses.

Xue Minglun had retired in disgrace, and many officials from the Ministry of Works were held accountable. It was the greatest blow to the Ning faction in nearly five years. Yet, judging from the emperor’s attitude, it did not shake the position of the Prime Minister Ning Heng in his heart.

Shen Wang, a promising leader of the reformist faction likely to enter the cabinet, had certainly gained prestige from this incident. However, his departure from past years’ restraint and silence would naturally provoke suspicion and opposition from Ning Heng and the faction’s core members.

Moreover, the emperor disliked his methods, so assigning him to the Ministry of Works was a subtle reprimand. It was foreseeable that Shen Wang would need time to lay low.

As for Xue Huai himself, shielded by Shen Wang who drew much of the fire, he was the greatest beneficiary of this event. Not only did he win the emperor’s attention and favor, but he also secured a promotion before the evaluations and corrected some officials’ stereotyped impressions of him.

After this turmoil, Xue Huai had a clearer understanding of the court’s intricate situation.

The civil officials’ power was deeply rooted, with followers for both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. The reformist faction struggled to survive in the middle, while many moderates quietly observed from the sidelines.

Though the military merit group was no longer as strong as before, they occasionally made a show of force.

The imperial clan was also not to be underestimated. Even though the Eastern Palace had its heir, Xue Huai sensed that several of the adult princes were no gentle souls. Even the Crown Prince, led by Jiang Li, carried significant weight when speaking before the emperor.

In other words, as long as the Crown Prince had not ascended the throne, no one could guarantee that upheavals wouldn’t arise.

Xue Huai silently warned himself: political struggles could be maneuvered around, but the transfer of imperial power was a precipice that could pulverize a man. He must never lightly step into that abyss.

“Enough, I’ll hide away in my small residence and strive to find an opportunity for an external posting next year, to temporarily avoid these troubles...”

With his thoughts clear, Xue Huai rose to wash.

A short while later, he went to the main room of the inner residence to greet Madam Cui.

“Huai’er, you must have been exhausted recently,” Cui said with a warm smile, the gloom from past days lifted from her face.

With her late husband’s reputation preserved, her son safe and promoted, she had no cause for dissatisfaction.

“I’m not tired, I’ve made Mother worry,” Xue Huai smiled faintly and sat in the lower seat, looking up at Cui, quickly noticing something different.

She wore a formal rat-grey mink jacket embroidered with cloud patterns, trimmed with plain silver clasps at the collar, a pair of fish-and-lotus-patterned silver pendants hung at her waist, and her skirt bore subtle winter jasmine embroidery. Compared to her usual attire, she looked notably more formal.

Curious, he asked, “Mother, do we have guests today?”

“You’re quite observant,” Cui smiled. “You’ve been busy with court affairs lately, so I told the servants not to gossip around you to avoid distracting you. As I mentioned before, the Shen family’s trading company plans to open several branches in the capital. They selected the storefronts early, and the Shen young lady came to the city recently for an inspection. She arrived two days ago and sent a visiting card, learning that you were on leave these days, so she arranged to visit this morning.”

Xue Huai said calmly, “I see. Should I avoid meeting her?”

Cui looked puzzled. “Avoid what? Although you’re both grown up now, the Xue and Shen families have a long-standing alliance, and you grew up playing together. There’s no need to be overly cautious about gender distinctions.”

Xue Huai knew her words were reasonable.

Back when Xue Mingzhang served in Yangzhou, he had helped the Shen family when they were besieged by major salt merchants. The Shen family repaid the kindness, supporting Xue Mingzhang’s policies in Yangzhou as much as possible—from suppressing the salt merchants to improving irrigation and building roads and bridges. The Shen family had always done their utmost.

Later, when Xue Mingzhang returned to the capital with his family, the relationship between the two families remained close. Even during the six years after his death, Cui received letters and seasonal gifts from the Shen family every few months.

If Xue Mingzhang were still alive, given his status with the emperor and career prospects, such support from the Shen family would be unsurprising. But with only a widowed mother and orphaned son left of the Xue family, and Xue Huai repeatedly hitting roadblocks in officialdom, the Shen family’s unwavering loyalty was all the more precious.

Therefore, Cui’s formal attire today and inviting Xue Huai to receive the Shen young lady together was quite natural.

Xue Huai did not refuse further. After some thought, he could not recall the Shen young lady’s appearance.

After all, he left Yangzhou at nine, nearly ten years ago. His memory held only a lively little figure, and the clearest impression was her bright, melodious laughter.

Mother and son finished breakfast and chatted for a while when the chief maid Moyun entered with a smile: “Madam, Young Master, the Shen family’s carriage has arrived.”

Cui nodded slightly and went out with Xue Huai to welcome the guest in person to show respect.

Standing beneath the courtyard colonnade, Xue Huai looked ahead to see a slender young woman, accompanied by two personal maids and four female servants, walking steadily into the yard.

In the cold winter sunlight, the young woman appeared like a graceful and refined lotus.

She wore a pale blue plain satin jacket with a vertical collar and diagonal lapel, pipa-shaped buttons inset with white jade resembling cold stars in the night. Over it, she wore a silk brocade coat in apricot yellow with entwined lotus patterns, the silver-mouse-fur-trimmed collar fluttering in the breeze.

Bathed in sunlight, her brows and eyes resembled fresh willows in early spring; her long eyelashes cast soft shadows, making her skin appear as pure as newly fallen snow.

Her nose was elegantly straight like a budding jade hairpin; her lips, a pale cherry washed of rouge; and two faint dimples appeared and disappeared with her smile.

Even from this exquisite bearing and demeanor, Cui felt she matched Xue Huai perfectly.

The Shen young lady stepped forward, hands folded at her waist, bending her knees slightly in a respectful bow, head lowered: “This humble one, Qingluan, pays respects to Madam Cui.”

Cui stepped forward, clasping her hands warmly: “The Xue and Shen families have long been allied—just call me aunt. It’s been nine years since we last met. Qingluan, you have grown into such a beauty; it proves how nourishing the southern climate is.”

Shen Qingluan smiled lightly, “Aunt, you flatter me.”

“Qingluan, let me introduce you to my son—this is Xue Huai. You grew up eating, playing, and frolicking together. Although it’s been many years, I hope you won’t become strangers now.”

Cui glanced at Xue Huai and gave him a knowing look.

Shen Qingluan looked at Xue Huai with clear, bright eyes and politely said, “Greetings, Reader Xue.”

Xue Huai thought silently how well-informed the Shen young lady was. He showed no emotion and returned the greeting with a respectful bow: “Miss Shen, you’re courteous.”

They exchanged formal greetings; the atmosphere seemed extremely harmonious.

Cui’s eyes flickered slightly. These two seemed overly polite, but recalling that they had not met for nine years and that Shen Qingluan was a lady of a distinguished family, such restrained courtesy was natural. She smiled and said, “Qingluan, let’s go inside and talk.”

Shen Qingluan readily agreed.

The two led the way while the servants remained in the courtyard; the maids followed inside.

In the main hall, Cui warmly held Shen Qingluan’s hand as they sat on the couch talking.

Perhaps Shen Qingluan’s arrival stirred memories of Yangzhou in Cui, who was more animated than usual. They discussed the local customs and the turbulent events of those years. Shen Qingluan listened attentively, offering well-timed remarks.

As for Xue Huai... at this moment, he was clearly nothing more than a transparent background.

He did not mind the atmosphere. Instead, he quietly observed the Shen young lady, reputedly quite famous in the south.

From her arrival until now, her conduct was impeccable—cultured, polite, gentle, and considerate. Judging by the unceasing smiles on Cui’s face, she had already won the favor of the Xue family matriarch in this short time.

Xue Huai recalled Cui’s prior descriptions of Shen Qingluan.

That little girl who used to follow him around, calling him “Brother Huai” every day—could she really be this composed, reserved lady before him?

However, he understood that a girl could change greatly with age. Moreover, the Shen couple had only this one legitimate daughter and had devoted great care to her upbringing. Such transformation was not surprising.

With this thought, Xue Huai suppressed his curiosity and regarded this childhood friend’s arrival with equanimity.

Just then, Shen Qingluan’s gaze briefly flickered across Xue Huai’s face, a fleeting spark of cunning hidden deep in her eyes.