“Kaifeng?”
When Qin Fang heard the news that Su Yunkai was getting transferred back to the capital, he rushed over. Although he didn’t like to be involved in the affairs of the imperial government, he had still grown up in a duke’s family. Qin Fang was clever; he could immediately detect that something was strange.
Bai Shui asked, “Is it not good to return to Kaifeng? It’s better than the provincial yamen.”
Ming Yue also asked, “Exactly. Isn’t it good?”
Qin Fang shook his head and read the letter again. “Look, my brother-in-law is going to serve as the Assistant Minister of Rites.”
“What rank is that?”
“Rank three.”
“What rank is the lord now?”
“Rank four.”
Bai Shui was confused. “Didn’t he get a whole increase in rank? This is good. How old is the lord? To think that he’s already a third rank official at this age!”
Qin Fang shook his head. “Think about it. Originally, my brother-in-law was the most powerful official in Damingfu’s Department of Crime. He was in charge of Damingfu’s entire criminal justice system, which meant he had the power to supervise the officials of all the states and counties under his jurisdiction. Now, there’s a minister above him. He is simply in charge of the imperial examinations and the affairs of the vassal states. I feel like he’s been demoted.”
It was after his explanation that Bai Shui and Ming Yue understood. After analyzing the situation, they realized that he had indeed been demoted and deprived of real power in the government. Ming Yue couldn’t figure it out. “Haven’t you been working in judicial affairs ever since you became an official? If they’re having you return to Kaifeng, shouldn’t you at least be returning to the same field or your original position? This role of Assistant Minister of Rites—I can’t seem to make sense of it.”
Su Yunkai had also been thinking about this confusing turn of events. He didn’t understand it either.
This sudden transfer was likely not the intention of the emperor. Rather, someone who held a powerful position in the government had set this matter forth, causing Su Yunkai’s position to change in just a few months.
It seemed like he was being promoted from rank four to rank three, which was impressive at such a young age. However, in actuality, it was as Qin Fang had said. Su Yunkai had been deprived of real power and completely stripped of all involvement with criminal justice.
Moreover, the transfer order had come in such a hurry. The date posted for Su Yunkai to take office was also very urgent. Only by leaving tomorrow could he arrive in Kaifeng as ordered.
Qin Fang was born and raised in the capital, so he felt indifferent. Bai Shui’s lifelong wish had been to go to Kaifeng and find her brother. Su Yunkai said that he would arrange for her to enter the government office or the penal department, so she did not hesitate. However, when Su Yunkai left the study, he remembered Ming Yue. It was said that no yamen in Kaifeng would accept female coroners. After Su Yunkai entered the Ministry of Rites, he would be completely separated from the prison affairs. He would not be able to stay by her side.
If Kaifeng didn’t have any yamen to accept Ming Yue, then what would Su Yunkai do?
After Qin Fang and Bai Shui left to pack their things, Ming Yue remembered her own situation. She was temporarily silent as she sat at the table. “Must we leave so soon?”
Su Yunkai nodded. “You should also go pack your things. Go quickly.”
Ming Yue looked at him for a while. Su Yunkai looked down and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“I’m thinking that I won’t be able to go to Kaifeng.”
Su Yunkai paused. “Why?”
Ming Yue looked at him for a long moment. “Will any yamen in Kaifeng accept me? Little monkey said just now that Shui Shui would be fine, but me . . . aside from you, who would accept me as a coroner? What am I supposed to do when we get to Kaifeng?”
Su Yunkai realized why she was so hesitant. Indeed, there was no place for her in Kaifeng. “You know, you could simply enjoy yourself while we’re in Kaifeng. After all, it’s the center of our Great Song. It’s right at the feet of Heaven’s son. There are so many miraculous things that even Damingfu doesn’t have.” Seeing that Ming Yue was considering it, Su Yunkai continued, “Bai Shui is going to Kaifeng. You can be neighbors with her, so Bai Shui can rest assured and I can rest assured.”
Since their relationship was not clear, Su Yunkai thought that going to Kaifeng might not be all bad. His entire family was in Kaifeng. After the seventh of July, he could invite Ming Yue’s grandfather over. He couldn’t disobey the order of the imperial court. If Ming Yue returned to Nanle County, who knew when he might be free to visit her?
If he revealed his intentions now, she would still be unable to go with him to Kaifeng, since she did not have a title. In addition, traveling with Su Yunkai would cause others to talk.
If he let Ming Yue head back to Nanle County alone, he would not feel at ease. After thinking about it, he decided that it would be best for her to go to Kaifeng under the guise of a visit. Afterward, she could make her own plans.
From the bottom of her heart, Ming Yue understood the intention behind Su Yunkai’s Qixi Festival invitation. He wouldn’t want them to get separated right now. Still, he would definitely be busy for some time in Kaifeng. By the time he returned to Nanle County, more than half a year might already have passed. Moreover, even if she returned home, she might not be allowed to be a coroner by the county magistrate there. That meant that she would have to be at home doing embroidery all day.
It was better to go to Kaifeng to play. At least Bai Shui would be there as well.
“Mhm. I’ve never been to Kaifeng. It’ll be nice to go there and explore.”
Su Yunkai was relieved. His voice was warm when he said, “Go pack up, now. We’ll have to leave tomorrow morning.”
Ming Yue nodded and complained, “That Ministry of Personnel is so strange. If you leave in such a hurry, you might not be able to communicate properly with your subordinates. Is the ministry not concerned that something bad might happen?”
Her simple sentence made Su Yunkai think more. He also thought that this matter was strange, but he didn’t have time to think about it too much. After Ming Yue left, he called people over and spent the whole night explaining important things in detail to his subordinates so that they would be able to take charge when he left.
*
Damingfu was not that far from Kaifeng. The trip would take around in seven to eight days.
When Su Yunkai arrived in the capital, he immediately started work in the Ministry of Rites. Although it was much easier than working in the Ministry of Justice, he was a new official and had to learn everything from scratch. He had no time to go see Ming Yue, so he told Qin Fang to take good care of her.
Qin Fang hadn’t gone home in a long time, so he stayed there for two days before hastily bringing Bai Shui with him. After another two days, Bai Shui headed over to the yamen to serve as a constable, while Qin Fang ran around with Ming Yue.
Both of them were simple and open-minded, and both of them loved to play. Qin Fang would take Ming Yue with him wherever he went. People who didn’t know better would ask him since when he had a little sister. Qin Fang would reply that she was not his sister but his good friend.
In this world, when men and women get too close, people start to suspect their relationship. Soon, word spread to the ears of the Duke of Yan.
The Duke of Yan knew that his son was playful, so he didn’t take the girl seriously. It was Madam Qin who was more thoughtful. She said, “In the past, when Qin Fang mentioned the women around him, he said that they were all friends. He’s never called a woman his good friend before.”
The Duke of Yan didn’t even lift his head. He continued reading at the book in his hand and agreed.
Madam Qin continued, “It’s time for my son to have a family.”
The Duke of Yan agreed absent-mindedly again.
Madam Qin said anxiously, “If he had a family, he wouldn’t run about anymore.”
The Duke of Yan raised his head, thought for a moment, and said, “Go and find out who the girl is.”
Madam Qin smiled. Her anger at the Duke of Yan for being indifferent to his own son’s matters faded in that moment. The temperaments of the father-son pair were completely different. She had a hard time being stuck between them. Still, she was happy to keep her son in the capital. “That’s what it looks like to be a father.”
*
Tomorrow was the seventh of July. Qin Fang sent Ming Yue home early. As he left, he wandered for a long time at the gate of Bai Shui’s house next door. He knew that Bai Shui was busy in yamen, but he kept watch for a long time. He didn’t go home until sunset. He planned to get a good night’s sleep, wake up early the next morning, and ask Bai Shui to wait for him tomorrow night while she was on her way to work.
Back home, just as he entered through the gate, a servant said, “The master and the madam were looking for the young master. They have something to ask.”
Qin Fang felt like he was going to be punished again. Although he didn’t know what he had done wrong, he knew he was a useless player in his father’s eyes. He only knew how to eat, drink, and play. After all, being the little marquis only required him to make merry. If he was more ambitious and productive, the government would become alert[1]. He used this as a tactic of advancement. If he pretended to be muddle-headed his whole life, he could at least live stably.
As he stood before the door, Qin Fang’s usually bright face suddenly became serious. The servant knocked on the door for him.
Qin Fang entered the room and bowed to his parents. Madam Qin called for him to stand. Qin Fang got up and took a seat to the side, waiting to get reprimanded.
The first thing Duke of Yan said was, “You’ve been very close to a girl named Ming Yue recently. I’ve investigated her. She comes from a very substandard family, but she’s a good girl. If you just want to play, don’t ruin her reputation. If you want to marry her, don’t expect her to ever enter the Qin family gates.”
Qin Fang blinked. It took a moment for him to react. “… Ming Yue and I are truly just good friends. Moreover . . .”
Moreover, he called Su Yunkai his brother-in-law, so Ming Yue would be his sister. It was not at all what his parents thought it was. He swallowed the second half of the sentence by force, not wanting to “betray” the two of them. Tomorrow would be the Qixi Festival. He couldn’t let them spread this to the Su family. Otherwise, Su Yunkai’s family would stop him the same way Qin Fang’s parents had done today.
Although the Su family was more open-minded, Uncle Su was a stubborn person. As for Ming Yue’s family background, it was indeed extremely difficult for her to enter the Su family. On the other hand, Su Yunkai didn’t rely on his father to gain glory. If Su Yunkai insisted, his family might not make trouble for Ming Yue.
After thinking about it, he came to the conclusion that his abilities were not strong enough.
However, now that the topic had been broached in such a way, Qin Fang truly realized how difficult it would be for Bai Shui to be allowed entrance through the Qin family gates.
Noticing that Qin Fang had gotten stuck on “moreover” for a long time and did not continue speaking, Madam Qin, who had noticed this strange behavior said, “Are you in love with that girl but are afraid that we will place blame on you? Is that why you’re saying that she is a friend?”
Qin Fang quickly waved his hand, “It’s really not that. Your son already has someone he likes.”
Madam Qin said with a smile, “The daughter of which family? Your mother can go propose a match for you.”
Of course, Qin Fang refused to say. Before Bai Ying was found and before the Bai family’s problems had been solved, he would refrain from revealing anything. “In any case, it’s not Miss Ming Yue. I was entrusted to take care of her by someone. Moreover, am I the kind of jerk who would flirt with a taken woman?”
The Duke of Yan looked at his son. He knew at a glance what his son was thinking. Qin Fang indeed had nothing to do with that girl, but he was hiding some other big secret. The duke doubted that Qin Fang would be able to hide his secret for long, so the duke was in no hurry to find out. Sooner or later, Qin Fang would spit it out.
Qin Fang had just dodged this obstacle, but he knew there would be many more to come. Even when he returned to his room, his solemn expression remained. Leaning against the door and thinking about Bai Shui, he felt a burden as heavy as the whole weight of Mount Tai. The future had not yet come, but he already felt stifled.
Tomorrow, it would be the seventh day of July.
*
On Qixi, the moon was not round. Instead, it hung in the sky like a cusp.
Ming Yue watched the moon from the courtyard. When she had been at the provincial yamen, Su Yunkai had said that he would go see the lanterns with her on the day of the Qixi Festival. After so long, she didn’t know if he still remembered.
It was fun to play with Qin Fang every day, but she always thought about how it would be better if she were accompanied by Su Yunkai.
The seventh of July…
Ming Yue lay on the stone table and recited these four words. It was like a magic curse, swirling around her heart and dooming her to a bad night’s sleep.
As she thought about it, she seemed to hear footsteps coming from the alley outside. The footsteps got closer and closer, but the closer they got, the softer they were. She suddenly sat up straight. No matter how she listened, it sounded like…a thief.
She swallowed. She bent over to pick up a hefty stick from the pile of firewood and stood close to the back of the door. She would wait for the thief to come inside. Then, she would knock them unconscious with one hit!
Knock. Knock.
Eh? Thieves who knocked?
Ming Yue’s wariness had lowered for the most part. The voice of the man standing outside was deep and familiar, like the cry of songbirds drifting to her heart.
“Ming Yue, are you asleep?”
.
.
[1] As the imperial family wants to keep in power, they don’t want any other families to rise. Dukes are already influential enough and would constantly be on their radar and even be intentionally suppressed by sending them to distant locations. ↩
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A Hint of Spring 