Chapter 15: Taking Office

Qiu Shuzhi was about to thank Yue Guanyi when she saw Qiu Qiushuang’s fingers moving rapidly, a hint of displeasure flickering in his gentle and quiet eyes.

He seemed very dissatisfied with Yue Guanyi’s presumptuous behavior.

Yue Guanyi couldn’t understand his sign language, but could see his reaction at the moment. He asked, “Why are you unwilling?”

Qiu Shuzhi quickly said, “My male cousin has a deep-rooted illness. Many famous doctors have been sought, but to no avail. Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Highness.”

Yue Guanyi smiled imperceptibly, “Cousin need not worry. The imperial palace recruits famous doctors from all over the world. Just because doctors outside the palace can’t cure it doesn’t mean the imperial physicians can’t.”

Seeing that Qiu Qiushuang still had objections, he said with a hint of meaning, “Don’t tell me cousin doesn’t want to cure his own illness?”

Qiu Qiushuang immediately ceased his opposition. He glanced at Qiu Shuzhi and saw that she had no clue, then shook his head.

Yue Guanyi laughed softly, “Then leave this matter to me. In no time, the imperial physicians will come to visit in person.”

Qiu Shuzhi knew that there was no reward without merit, but Qiu Qiushuang was her only relative. If his illness could really be cured, it would also put her mind at ease. She didn’t want to refuse.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Qiu Shuzhi was about to kneel down to express her gratitude.

From resolving the painting boat crisis to analyzing the situation, even though she couldn’t figure out what Yue Guanyi’s intentions were, she had to admit that he was a noble person on her official career path. She was sincerely grateful to him.

Before Qiu Shuzhi’s knees could bend slightly, the other party grabbed her hand.

“Lord Qiu, there’s no need to stand on ceremony.” The warm fingers in his palm made his cheeks flush.

Qiu Qiushuang saw it, the veins on the back of his hand gripping the umbrella handle bulged. He coughed heavily, which was particularly abrupt in the drizzle.

Yue Guanyi suddenly let go, his slender fingers hidden in the wide sleeves, twisting together.

“It’s late, I should go back first,” he said, his slightly flushed face both shy and embarrassed. His thin figure rushed into the rain, almost fleeing in panic.

Qiu Shuzhi watched the carriage disappear into the rain.

Qiu Qiushuang’s eyes narrowed instantly, pulling her sleeve and dragging her back into the house.

Her long hair was half soaked by the rain, her headband was also drenched, and her wet hair clung to the side of her face after the drizzle.

He skillfully untied her headband, and her long hair instantly fell down, stunningly beautiful under the dim candlelight.

Qiu Qiushuang was afraid she would catch a cold and used a dry handkerchief to wipe her long hair, using some force.

Qiu Shuzhi felt a little sore from being pulled and wanted to remind him, but inadvertently saw his long, cold face. “Cousin, are you angry?”

Qiu Qiushuang was more than angry.

When he saw her and Yue Guanyi returning in the same carriage, he was so furious that he almost broke the umbrella handle.

Back then, he had used all means to drive Yue Guanyi away. Now, this haunting gigolo had run to Qiu Shuzhi again, wagging his tail and begging for favor and pity.

Even though Yue Guanyi now had the status of the eldest prince, he still couldn’t change his coquettish appearance that came from the brothel. It was sickening to look at.

If it weren’t for the need to maintain the graceful and gentle cousin image in front of Qiu Shuzhi, he really wanted to tear his face off and stop him from seducing his Shuzhi.

But no matter how angry he was, when Qiu Shuzhi asked in such a gentle and delicate tone, half of the hatred in his heart dissipated.

He sat down beside Qiu Shuzhi, eyes full of worry. “Why did you ride in the same carriage as the eldest prince?”

Qiu Shuzhi explained, “It just suddenly rained today. His Highness couldn’t bear to let me return in the rain all the way, so we shared a carriage.”

Qiu Qiushuang sighed, “There are eyes everywhere in the capital. If you get too close to him, I’m afraid you will be criticized. I know you two are innocent, but you two are alone after all. If someone with ulterior motives spreads rumors, even if you open a hundred mouths, you won’t be able to explain clearly.”

Qiu Shuzhi nodded slightly. “I know.”

“Besides, the eldest prince has a bad reputation. I heard that when he was wandering among the people, he was bought by a brothel madam and worked as a prostitute for many years, serving countless customers. Your official career has just begun. You absolutely can’t get involved with such a person.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes darkened slightly. It seemed that everyone who mentioned Yue Guanyi would bring up his past in the brothel. They feared him, respected him, and looked down on him. No matter how high he climbed, just because of his time in the brothel, he could be nailed to the chastity memorial arch forever. Even the lowest people could spit on him and curse him as a cheap whore.

But it wasn’t his fault.

He was a dignified prince. How could he willingly send himself to a brothel?

She wanted to explain to Qiu Qiushuang, but was afraid that he would misunderstand that she and Yue Guanyi were really unclear. Moreover, Qiu Qiushuang was just concerned about her. He and the people of this era were all entangled in feudal thoughts. It was understandable for him to say such things.

She could only nod slightly and pretend to take his advice to heart. “I know. I will be careful to keep my distance from His Highness in the future.”

Qiu Qiushuang smiled smugly. A man’s chastity was the most important, and his Shuzhi was also known for her clean conduct. As long as his stain wasn’t removed, even if Yue Guanyi turned the world upside down, he couldn’t dream of entering Qiu Shuzhi’s body.

Wanting to be her husband was even more of a pipe dream.

—

The Shuntian Prefecture was located in the Drum Tower of the capital. The main hall was solemn and dignified. A plaque bestowed by the previous emperor hung above, with a painting of the sea and cliffs below it. The stone lions on both sides were majestic and imposing.

Qiu Shuzhi stood in front of the Shuntian Prefecture’s yamen in a black official uniform, feeling the overwhelming power.

Inside the yamen, a woman in her thirties had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Qiu Shuzhi arrive, she immediately greeted her with a smile.

“Lord Qiu, this subordinate has finally waited for you.” She had a pair of smiling eyes and looked extremely gentle.

“Who are you?”

“This subordinate is Lin Zhongyue, the Shuntian Prefecture’s Administrative Aide. Please follow me quickly. The Prefect has been waiting for you for a long time.”

The first thing she had to do as a new official was to pay respects to the Shuntian Prefect, Gu Zheng.

She just didn’t expect that Gu Zheng would come to the yamen early to wait for her. She immediately followed Lin Zhongyue.

The Shuntian Prefecture had a lofty status in the capital, and its yamen was much larger than others. There were fifty-eight rooms in total.

She followed through the second door and arrived at the central hall, coming to a tightly closed room.

Lin Zhongyue knocked on the door and said softly, “My lord, Lord Qiu is here.”

The door slowly opened a crack, the morning sun shining in on the floating dust. She walked in.

As soon as she entered, she saw several landscape paintings hanging inside. A woman in her fifties sat in the main seat, rolling a string of bodhi beads in her hand, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes revealing the traces of time.

Before coming, Qiu Shuzhi had investigated Gu Zheng’s past. She also came from a humble background and later became a disciple of Qin Zheng. She also married into the Qin family and became tied to the Qin clan. She rose all the way up and finally became the Shuntian Prefect envied by thousands.

Qiu Shuzhi originally thought that a person who had climbed up step by step from the bottom should have eyes like sharp blades, but unexpectedly, Gu Zheng looked very kind, her benevolent appearance almost making one forget her current illustrious status.

“So you are Qiu Shuzhi.” Her voice was slightly aged, and the rolling bodhi beads made a soft sound.

Qiu Shuzhi respectfully knelt before her. “Qiu Shuzhi, the Shuntian Prefecture’s Judicial Commissioner, pays respects to the Prefect.”

Gu Zheng raised her hand slightly. “You may rise. I heard you were the third-ranked scholar in this year’s imperial exam?”

“That’s right.”

Gu Zheng’s eyes were distant, her tone slightly reminiscent. “Back in the day, this old body was also a third-ranked scholar entering officialdom. In a flash, 30 years have passed. I remember spending five years as an editor in the Hanlin Academy before being transferred to Shaanxi to be a prefect. You entered officialdom for less than two months and already sit in the Shuntian Prefecture. This was unimaginable for me back then. The young are truly to be feared.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s brows furrowed slightly. There was an underlying meaning in Gu Zheng’s words, seemingly dissatisfied with her rapid promotion.

Indeed, this promotion path was a bit fast, something she had never anticipated. But she was inexplicably drawn into the vortex of struggle between imperial power and the Qin clan. If she went along with it, there was still a chance to survive in the cracks between the two forces. If she took sides now, she would only set the record for the fastest death of a transmigrated woman.

All she could do was take it one step at a time.

“I heard sending Qin Shu to Baiyue was your suggestion?” Gu Zheng suddenly changed the subject and asked.

“Yes.”

Gu Zheng’s hand that was fiddling with the prayer beads paused. “This strategy is indeed a good overt scheme. No wonder the Empress Dowager values you so much. However, there is a huge flaw in this plan.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes deepened. “Please enlighten me, my lord.”

“Baiyue borders Dian. To go to Baiyue, one must pass through Dian. The King of Dian is the only king in Daqi with a different surname. He has deep grievances against the Qin clan. Sending Qin Shu to Dian is equivalent to sending a sheep into a tiger’s den, a one-way trip.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s heart sank into an icy pit. She immediately knelt on the ground. “This subordinate had no such intention. Please discern clearly, my lord.”

Gu Zheng chuckled a few times, the prayer beads clicking. “Get up, young one. You just entered officialdom and don’t know the depth of the relationships and power struggles. This is not your fault.”

“Since it’s dangerous for Qin Shu to go to Dian, why not recall her as soon as possible?” She quickly said.

Gu Zheng waved her hand casually. “No need. She’s already on the way. If we recall her now, what will the people think? Her Majesty will also be displeased.”

“But-”

“Don’t worry. Qin Shu won’t be in danger going to Dian this time.”

A hint of doubt flashed in Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes.

Ginger gets spicier with age. Gu Zheng saw through her doubts at a glance. “You don’t understand why the King of Dian won’t make a move?”

Qiu Shuzhi nodded.

“Qin Shu is entering the tiger’s den alone, but isn’t Jiang Si the same?” Gu Zheng smiled slightly, her kind face like a hidden reef in a calm sea, treacherous to touch.

Qiu Shuzhi suddenly realized that she had actually overlooked such an important link.

No wonder despite being a noble lady, she had to come to participate in the imperial examinations. Instead of inheriting her noble position, she chose to come to the capital, far from her power base, to be restrained by others.

The glamorous her on the surface was actually just a hostage.