Chapter 5 – Promotion and Salary Raise, The Humble Male Protagonist

Qin Qing smiled nonchalantly, the corners of his lips curling up slightly as he changed the subject, “What does Your Majesty plan to do about the Qin Shu case?”

“Qin Shu is a daughter of the esteemed Qin family. What man can’t she get? How could she possibly force a courtesan? She must have been framed and found it difficult to prove her innocence. I suggest appointing Qin Shu as an envoy and dispatching her to Baiyue to make amends through meritorious service.”

Yue Shen instantly glared at Qiu Shuzhi, who was kneeling on the ground, then showed a troubled expression, “Being framed is just Qin Shu’s excuse to escape punishment. Her actions at Zuixin Building were witnessed by so many people. Making her an envoy would be hard to appease public outrage.”

Qin Qing smiled faintly, his expression casual with a hint of mockery, “Qin Shu is a daughter of a high official and a pillar of the state. Her every move affects the fate of the dynasty. That person was just a brothel prostitute. Dead is dead.”

Yue Shen’s face stiffened, not because he belittled and disparaged the courtesan, but because of his words ‘affects the fate of the dynasty’. This dynasty had long become the Qin dynasty’s. How could she tolerate these ambitious wolves?

“Since that’s the case, let’s do as you say, Father,” she said through gritted teeth, suppressing her anger. Her gaze pierced into Qiu Shuzhi’s flesh like an icy blade.

Qin Qing closed the black-boned, gold-painted fan in his hand, tapping the tip against his palm. His gaze finally fell on Qiu Shuzhi, “The Four Books and Five Classics are the words of sages. What Qiu taught was not wrong. Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, should study the sages and worthies well and set a good example for your subjects.”

He signaled to Yu Ye with his eyes. Yu Ye was quick-witted and immediately stepped forward to help Qiu Shuzhi up.

Qiu Shuzhi had been kneeling on the ground for too long. When she stood up, her knees were unsteady and she nearly fell.

Qin Qing tightened his grip on the fan’s handle, “Be careful!”

Yu Ye hurriedly held her waist to steady her.

“Thank you,” Qiu Shuzhi said softly to Yu Ye.

Yu Ye let go and stepped back to Qin Qing’s side, his delicate face flushed.

Yue Shen’s smile turned cold as she watched Qin Qing’s reaction just now, “Father seems to favor Qiu greatly.”

Qin Qing smiled casually, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, “I naturally want to cherish talent for Your Majesty.”

“Cherish talent?” Yue Shen’s tone was low and unclear.

“I believe Qiu’s scholarship and character are top-notch. Being a Lecturer is a waste of her abilities. Why not promote her to Hanlin Academician?” he said slowly.

Hanlin Academician, a fifth-rank official position.

Unlike the previous Hanlin Provisioner, the Hanlin Academician was responsible for drafting imperial edicts. Although power was now mostly in the hands of the cabinet, compared to the previous powerless Lecturer position, being a Hanlin Academician not only gave her a promotion but also put power in her hands.

“I am untalented and unlearned, unfit for such a heavy responsibility,” Qiu Shuzhi said. She understood Qin Qing was returning a favor, but she had only been in office for a few days and was already being promoted.

She didn’t want to rise so quickly. In officialdom, rapid advancement would only invite jealousy.

Yue Shen laughed, almost writing the words ‘disdain’ on her face, “Since Father recommends you, then I’ll make you a Hanlin Academician.”

“Qiu, there’s no need to be modest. Only you are fit for this position.”

Qin Qing looked at the aloof and isolated Qiu Shuzhi before him. Originally, he had intended to bring her into his faction now, but her attitude was not yet clear. So he let her remain in the Hanlin Academy, under Yue Shen’s control.

Yue Shen’s current attitude made it clear she already deeply resented Qiu Shuzhi. Only if Yue Shen continued to make things difficult for her would Qiu Shuzhi become more determined to side with the Qin clan.

—

Qiu Shuzhi, a scholar from a poor family, was promoted just days after taking office. The fifth rank was a position many veteran politicians coveted but could not attain. At such a young age and with such promise, her future prospects were limitless. Some people, smelling an opportunity, began to fawn over her and give her gifts, all of which she refused one by one.

There was even an unknown madman who stuffed a fortune in gold into her house without leaving a name, making it impossible for her to find someone to return it to even if she wanted.

Taking the opportunity of drafting an edict, Qiu Shuzhi mentioned this matter to Yue Shen.

Yue Shen said unconcernedly, “If they give it to you, just keep it.”

“I dare not,” Qiu Shuzhi said, her brush nearly slipping at Yue Shen’s casual, familiar tone. A ruler was actually encouraging officials to be corrupt?

Yu Zhi was not in the imperial study at the moment, having been sent away by Yue Shen on some pretext. Without this pair of eyes watching, Yue Shen spoke without reservation.

“Corruption is rampant in Great Qi these days. Officialdom is dark and the people cannot make a living. The money they give you, which of it is not ill-gotten gains? Rather than let them squander it, better to give it to you.” Yue Shen’s tone was sincere as she said this, her bright, limpid eyes shining, “How can you maintain an official’s dignity in the capital on the meager salary from the court? Just keep the money.”

Qiu Shuzhi still refused, her stubborn gaze as clear and pure as a pool of cold water.

Yue Shen smiled. The more aloof Qiu Shuzhi was, the more she liked her.

Since ancient times, no ruler disliked a loyal and incorruptible minister. Her refusal, in Yue Shen’s eyes, was not defiance of imperial grace, but a pure-hearted scholar descending from the heavens into the mortal world by mistake on a snowy winter’s day, a noble person destined to assist her imperial mandate.

Since she was a noble person descended from the heavens, how could she be subjected to a life of poverty?

Yue Shen’s tone was slightly forceful, her delicate, youthful face brooking no refusal, “This is my order.”

Qiu Shuzhi felt helpless at the young emperor’s childishness. Since ancient times, when had there ever been imperially decreed corruption? But since Yue Shen insisted, she could not defy her further.

When corruption became the norm, integrity became a sin. If she wanted to go far in her official career, she could not maintain complete purity and would need to deal tactfully with officials of all factions at court.

In the end, Qiu Shuzhi compromised, “I can accept the gifts, but this wealth originally belongs to the empire. I will return it in full in the future.”

Yue Shen was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly. It was the first time in over a decade that she had laughed so happily.

She had been an unfavored princess in the palace, her father of lowly origins. She had to depend on others for everything. After the succession struggle, the Qin clan used her as a puppet to control the court. She was a mere piece of meat to be carved up.

Only Qiu Shuzhi truly respected her.

Leaving the imperial study, Qiu Shuzhi was preparing to walk slowly back to the Hanlin Academy when she encountered a grand procession coming towards her. They wore ornate brocade uniforms, embroidered spring knives at their waists, and carried a sedan chair behind them. The sedan’s curtains were heavy and opaque. The imposing procession passed through the palace gate like dark clouds, their momentum aggressive.

Qiu Shuzhi consciously retreated to the base of the wall, preparing to make way for these imperial guards.

Chang’an, leading the procession, had sharp eyes and noticed her. He hurriedly ordered a halt and jogged over to the sedan chair to say something.

The thick curtains were lifted by a pair of pale, slender hands, revealing an incomparably beautiful but wan face.

He strode over to Qiu Shuzhi and bowed deeply, “Greetings, Qiu.”

Qiu Shuzhi was flattered, “Your Highness is too kind to this humble official.”

She looked at the official robes Yue Guanyi wore. He seemed to have been very busy lately, his figure thinner than a few days ago, his hands still wrapped in gauze.

“How is Your Highness’s hand healing?” she asked.

Yue Guanyi’s head was lowered to the extreme. At Qiu Shuzhi’s question, his hand involuntarily clenched tight, “Better.”

His reply was dry, without a hint of energy. After those three words, the air stagnated for a moment.

Qiu Shuzhi felt a bit awkward, but Yue Guanyi showed no intention of leaving. She had no choice but to make small talk, “Your Highness has worked so hard for Great Qi and grown much thinner. You must take good care of yourself.”

Yue Guanyi’s head was bowed even lower, the pearls on his headdress swaying slightly, hiding his currently excited and impatient mood.

She was caring about him, paying attention to him. His chaotic heart was filled with a warm, sweet feeling from Qiu Shuzhi’s polite concern.

He let out an imperceptible “Mm”, afraid that if his voice was slightly louder, it would reveal his extremely excited emotions.

Since reuniting with Qiu Shuzhi, he had tried his best to conceal his filthy thoughts, but that was simply impossible. Years of adoration hidden in his heart, even if not spoken, could leak out through his every move, even a finger or a glance.

He dared not say a word more to Qiu Shuzhi, fearing that his lowly tongue would utter something thoughtless and offend her unblemished self.

He was even more afraid that Qiu Shuzhi would discover his sordid thoughts, so he always tried to keep his distance from her, to stay away.

But every time he made up his mind, as long as there was the slightest bit of news about her, he would involuntarily approach her, like a fish instinctively craving water. Leaving that clear pond, he would suffocate and die.

He was filth living in a dark gutter, presumptuously yearning for Qiu Shuzhi’s bright light. He did not dare hope for this light to illuminate him, only to gaze at the remnants of its glow from afar.

“Then this humble official shall take his leave.”

Yue Guanyi watched Qiu Shuzhi’s retreating figure until Chang’an gently reminded him. Only then did he seem to wake from a long dream, returning to the palace in a daze.

He took out a pure white handkerchief from his bosom. This was the one Qiu Shuzhi had given him that day. He always kept it close to his heart, day and night, never leaving it even when sleeping.

When he missed her, he would take out the handkerchief and smell the lingering cold fragrance on it. That faint scent penetrated his viscera and merged into every drop of blood, weaving a preposterous dream for him, wishing to drown in it.

“Shuzhi, Qiu Niang,” he buried his head in the handkerchief, calling out the name he thought of day and night in a suppressed yet venting manner.

His eyes unintentionally caught sight of his own appearance reflected in the bronze mirror on the dressing table – a gaunt, pale face, an expression of obsessed frenzy like a madman. Cold sweat suddenly broke out, and the bronze mirror toppled to the ground.

Chang’an heard the commotion and hurried in, thinking something had happened.

He saw His Highness the eldest prince, usually as unmoving as a mountain and steady in all matters, rummaging through the dressing table like a lunatic, searching for something.

“Your Highness, what are you looking for? Let Chang’an help you!”

“Where is my rouge and face powder?” Yue Guanyi asked, pinching his arm.

Rouge and face powder?

“Your Highness, have you forgotten? You haven’t worn makeup since returning to the palace.”

Since returning from the commoner world, Yue Guanyi had always been bare-faced, never using rouge or face powder. How come he suddenly thought of looking for these things?

Yue Guanyi covered his face in despair. The person in the mirror was pale and gaunt, with dark circles under the eyes, as pale as a ghost. She had actually seen him in such an ugly state. She must have been frightened.

“Your Highness has worked so hard for Great Qi and grown much thinner. You must take good care of yourself.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s words from earlier poured into his mind, making him slap himself twice. He was ruthless, instantly turning his cheeks red. He couldn’t even understand such a tactful reminder, yet he was smugly thinking she was concerned about him.

Chang’an was truly frightened. Madness, madness, true madness.

He hurriedly grabbed Yue Guanyi’s hand, “Your Highness, what are you doing?”

“Go and buy me the best rouge and face powder in the capital, quickly! Quickly!” Yue Guanyi roared.