Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 54

A missing link made everything bewildering, making it impossible to see the truth of the matter.

Qin Kun hurried inside, glanced around, and saw the princess kneeling on the couch-bed beneath the window. He quickly approached, extended both hands, and respectfully presented a document. “Your Highness, this is the report written after the investigation into General Zhou’s hometown.”

Last year, when Zhou Qi had turned the tide by rallying the remaining troops, Puyang had sent people to investigate him, not ruling out the possibility of recruiting him if he proved useful.

She had already read this document once before. Now, she was reviewing it again to see if she had missed anything.

At the time she first heard Zhou Qi’s name, she had mentioned him to Wei Xiu. Wei Xiu had said that she once persuaded a man named Zhou Qi to join the army, but whether they were one and the same, she could not know.

The person she sent reported back that they were indeed the same man. In his youth, Zhou Qi had been a menace in his hometown, a fearless and troublemaking roving bravo who stirred up problems everywhere. After meeting Wei Xiu and an unknown conversation, he suddenly turned over a new leaf and headed for the frontier to enlist. In just a few short years, he had risen from a common soldier to a colonel.

When she learned of this, she was overjoyed and told Wei Xiu, who also sighed at the unpredictability of the world, never imagining that the spirited youth of the past would achieve so much. Therefore, when Zhou Qi’s name was absent from the recent banquet for the generals, Puyang was not only regretful but also a little puzzled. With such a connection, recruiting him might not be easy, but showing goodwill should have been simple. However, after Wei Xiu’s explanation, she had found it reasonable.

Viewed separately, each of these events was logical. But when linked together, there was an indescribable strangeness to them, though she couldn’t pinpoint where it lay.

Puyang read the document over and over twice but still found no clues. Tossing it onto the table, she stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, once again connecting all the events and thinking them through from the beginning.

Half an hour passed, and the sky darkened. Attendants entered in single file. Qin Kun gave them a look, and they lightened their steps, lit the lamps, and then withdrew as silently as they had come.

The dream was missing a segment. Who had won the throne, what had become of Xiao Dewen, and what of the various princes—all of it was unknown.

In her past life, Puyang had never heard of a person named Zhou Qi, let alone met him. In this life, she also knew very little about him. When all the facts were connected and reconsidered, nothing seemed out of place.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t strange that Zhou Qi was by Wei Xiu’s side in the dream. They already knew each other, so it would be perfectly logical for Zhou Qi to serve her.

But Puyang still felt an inexplicable anxiety. She didn’t even know what she was suspicious of, only that everything felt strange. This was intuition. And the more it was intuition, the easier it was to believe.

After waiting for a while and seeing the princess still silent, Qin Kun cautiously approached. “Your Highness, it is time for your meal.”

Puyang returned to her senses. As she ordered the meal to be served, she asked, “Did Sir Wei go out this afternoon?”

Qin Kun replied, “Sir Wei did not leave.”

Puyang hummed in acknowledgment and said no more. It was Qin Kun who then asked for instructions, “Tomorrow is the Prince of Dai’s birthday. The gift has been prepared. Will Your Highness be attending in person to offer congratulations?”

With nearly twenty princes and princesses in total, plus the dukes, marquises, and high ministers, there were countless birthday banquets throughout the year. The number of calling cards and invitations delivered to the princess’s residence daily was immense. Puyang was too busy to look through them all; most were screened by the Chief Scribe, who would present the important ones for her to decide whether to attend.

Qin Kun’s mention of it now was both a request for instructions and a reminder, lest the princess forget.

Puyang remembered the occasion. “I will go in person with a gift.” After a pause, she added, “Ask Sir Wei to accompany me tomorrow.”

Qin Kun acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The next morning, the weather was clear. As the sun shone brightly, Puyang and Wei Xiu set out.

The Prince of Dai’s residence was on the other side of the imperial city, quite a distance from Puyang’s.

As they shared a carriage, Puyang, thinking about yesterday’s matter, asked Wei Xiu, “Does Zhou Qi know that you are in the capital?”

“He knows,” Wei Xiu replied. “He even sent a message, wishing to meet and talk.”

Wei Xiu’s fame had spread far and wide; what official in the court did not know of her? Puyang had assumed Zhou Qi would know Wei Xiu was in the capital, but she hadn’t expected him to have already sent a message.

Puyang’s brow twitched. “Ah… did you agree to see him?”

“I did not.”

“Why not?”

Her tone was a little urgent. Wei Xiu gave her a strange look and said, “He joined the army, admittedly due to my persuasion, but his achievements today are ultimately due to his own ability. His desire to see me means he remembers my kindness. But a favor can only be used once. Why be in such a hurry to meet now, as if rushing to claim a reward from him?”

After asking, Puyang realized she had been too hasty. “You are right, Sir,” she said quickly.

After a moment’s thought, she added, “I still feel something is not right with Zhou Qi. I fear his connection with you runs deeper than this.”

Wei Xiu froze for a moment and looked at Puyang. Seeing the confusion in her brow, and that she was merely pondering, Wei Xiu slowly and almost imperceptibly let out a breath. She smiled and asked, “What other connection could there be?”

How could Puyang speak of her past life? She could only say vaguely, “It’s just a feeling.”

Once a person feels something is amiss, their suspicion only grows stronger. Puyang wasn’t doubting Wei Xiu, nor did she think what Wei Xiu had said yesterday was wrong. She just said, “Yesterday, you said not to be too thorough. But what if I focus only on Zhou Qi?” If she let go of the other miscellaneous generals and focused solely on Zhou Qi, it wouldn’t be considered too thorough and would likely not touch upon His Majesty’s taboos.

She seemed particularly focused on Zhou Qi today. Could it be that Her Highness has discovered something? Wei Xiu felt a flicker of doubt, but her expression remained serious. “That would not be impossible.”

Puyang’s face lit up. “Then…”

Wei Xiu interrupted her. “Has Your Highness ever considered why I did not want you to associate with high officials, but instead to start with these men of humble birth and low rank?”

Puyang paused for a moment, then smiled. “Of course, I know. First, there is His Majesty. His Majesty wishes to promote men from humble backgrounds to counter the gentry. By catering to this wish, many things become more convenient for me.” This was how she had been able to get one person after another into the court. “Secondly, most high ministers already have their allegiances. They would not necessarily pay me any mind.” Who would ignore the imperial princes and instead take a different path to support a princess?

Wei Xiu nodded. “Correct. But there is another reason.”

Puyang’s expression showed she was eager to hear more.

“Those men were recommended to His Majesty by Your Highness. This is common knowledge. It is also no secret that they are all worthy and capable men. Seeing this, what will the other ministers think?” Wei Xiu asked.

Puyang thought for a moment, and her eyes shone brightly.

A faint smile touched Wei Xiu’s lips. “Exactly. Your Highness already has a certain standing. You are no longer just a princess favored by His Majesty, but one with power and capital. Aside from being unable to attend court, you are not far behind the princes. In fact, in matters of state, the princes may not even measure up to Your Highness. Those generals, whom the princes sought to befriend but could not, all came to your residence in unison.”

A few promising men from humble backgrounds had finally appeared, and they were very capable, having accumulated military merits. How could the Emperor allow them to get entangled with the princes or become pawns of the aristocratic clans? He must have hinted as much during private audiences. Puyang, however, was different. The Emperor had already given his tacit approval to her actions. The generals, new to the capital with shallow roots, were also looking for a great tree to lean on. When Puyang showed interest, they naturally went with the flow. What followed was Puyang using her own methods to make them submit willingly and sincerely.

But onlookers could not see these details. They would only form the mistaken impression that Princess Puyang’s influence surpassed that of the princes.

Puyang understood the intricacies and her eyes filled with delighted surprise. Wei Xiu smiled faintly. “How could I let Your Highness stoop to beg them? It should be them who come to seek Your Highness’s protection.”

Though it was a perfectly serious matter, hearing Wei Xiu’s words, Puyang couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. The gaze she turned on Wei Xiu was filled with warmth.

Wei Xiu smiled back, knowing she had dispelled Her Highness’s doubts. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She and Her Highness still had a long road to walk together; there could be no rifts between them.

What Wei Xiu said was not merely to placate Puyang.

The scenario she described came to fruition at the Prince of Dai’s residence.

During the banquet, she ran into her maternal uncle. Her uncle asked Puyang about the vacant position of Inspector of Qing Province, inquiring if it was possible for his family to secure it under the current circumstances.

The Wang Clan was full of nobles. A minor official post of the sixth or seventh rank would be a small matter to arrange. But an Inspector was a high-ranking third-grade official, and one stationed in the provinces, where it was very easy to achieve political merits and gain promotion. With the Inspector of Qing Province position now vacant, countless people in the court had their eyes on it. The Wang Clan might not get its wish.

Puyang got along well with her maternal family and knew their situation. Her maternal grandfather was the Chancellor, head of all officials, and her uncle was the Feathered Forest Middle General, a position of great power and trust with the Emperor. The clan also had two inspectors and three grand administrators, as well as several officials of the fifth and sixth ranks in the capital. Such a situation could already be described as a tall tree attracting the wind. If they were to rack their brains to fight for another inspector position, it would not only make others jealous but also displease the Emperor.

Thus, she feared this inspector position was not being sought for a family member.

Puyang asked, “For whom is this position being sought?”

Seeing that she immediately understood the crux of the matter, Wang Gun couldn’t help but smile. “It is for the Grand Administrator of Chen Commandery. He has been in his post for eight years and has accumulated enough seniority. Qing Province is a land of natural treasures and outstanding people, a good place to be. With the inspector position vacant, he has set his mind on it.”

At this time, the guests had not yet been seated. Men and women were gathered in the flower hall, chatting amongst themselves, and no one was paying them any attention.

Wang Gun looked at Puyang, his eyes showing affection. “He originally intended to call on you, but having had no prior dealings, he felt it would be too abrupt. His wife’s relative has some connection to the Wang Clan, so he came to us through a winding path. If you are willing to meet him, your uncle will act as the middleman.”

As always, Wang Gun was protective of Puyang. Though he knew she had a crystal-clear understanding of the political situation, he still reminded her, “Chen Commandery is a large commandery with many powerful local clans. For him to have governed there steadily for eight years shows he is a very capable man.”

A capable man only lacks an opportunity. If not Puyang, it would be someone else; if not this time, it would be the next. He would always find a way to advance. It was better to simply accept his allegiance. Puyang understood Wang Gun’s hint and smiled. “Then I shall trouble my uncle. Whenever you are free, Uncle, Seventh Lady will sweep the couch in welcome.”