Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Sheng Zhaoning was still brought to Wenhua Hall.

Given Wei Heng and Wei Yu’s status, their midday meals were prepared by the Shangshan Directorate and delivered to them. The dishes were also made according to the princes’ personal tastes.

Wei Yu did not take his lunch in Wenhua Hall. An inner attendant came and escorted him back.

Sheng Zhaoning truly was not very hungry, nor did she have much of an appetite, but the moment the dishes were brought in, she immediately changed her mind.

“Today’s matter came up suddenly, so I did not have time to give instructions to the Shangshan Directorate. I do not know whether these dishes will suit Lord Sheng’s taste.”

The Shangshan Directorate had prepared the meal according to its usual practice. There was only one serving, but it was more than enough for two people. Most of the dishes on the table were ones Wei Heng liked. Sheng Zhaoning looked at them and fell somewhat silent.

They suited her. Very much so.

The staple was a plate of jade-green shrimp dumplings, paired with a bowl of coix seed soup. The dishes included shredded chicken with silver sprouts, five-spice goose with almond cream, cabbage in chicken broth, amber prawns with scallop, and a plate of chestnut cakes on the side.

A light, sweet fragrance filled the air. It was completely to Sheng Zhaoning’s liking.

Wei Heng had an inner attendant fetch another pair of chopsticks. This time, Sheng Zhaoning did not refuse. She sat quietly inside the hall and waited. Once the attendant brought the chopsticks, she first picked up a bite of the shredded chicken before her. At once, she sighed inwardly: as expected of palace cuisine, it truly was different from what was made outside.

Wei Heng had originally been worried that his preference for lighter flavors might not suit her. Seeing her eat with such enjoyment, he finally relaxed.

The two of them ate from their bowls in silence, tacitly saying nothing.

The meal took half an incense stick’s time.

After Sheng Zhaoning finished eating, she thanked Wei Heng for his grace, took her leave, and returned to the Hanlin Academy.

By then, the other colleagues in the office had also returned one after another.

After everyone rested for a while, they began busying themselves with their respective duties again. For the rest of the afternoon, Sheng Zhaoning focused calmly on preparing her lesson, getting ready to go to Wenhua Hall the next day to explain the classics to the Fifteenth Prince.

After the entire day, she did not feel tired.

On the contrary, she felt that the post at the Hanlin Academy rather suited her.

Plain and austere, but quiet.

…

Early the next morning.

After checking in at the Hanlin Academy, Sheng Zhaoning went straight to Wenhua Hall.

Starting today, she would begin lecturing on the classics for the Fifteenth Prince.

The Hanlin Academy stood adjacent to Wenhua Hall. Holding the classics she had prepared the day before, she walked out through the doors of Wenyuan Pavilion, turned a corner, and arrived at Wenhua Hall.

Wei Yu was already seated and waiting.

She stepped into the main hall. Morning light spilled in, illuminating the entire hall.

The hall was divided into the main chamber and an inner room, with a place inside for resting. In the main chamber stood a long desk, on which sat a red-bronze qilin incense burner. Several stacks of memorials were arranged across the desktop, along with brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and other items.

Wei Heng sat quietly at the desk handling official business. When he saw her arrive, he smiled faintly, waived Sheng Zhaoning’s formal greeting, and had her sit beside the Fifteenth Prince.

Below the dais, near the inner room, stood a gilt cloisonne glass screen. Beside the screen was another small desk. Wei Yu propped both hands on the tabletop and blinked up at her.

Sheng Zhaoning carried the book over and sat down beside Wei Yu.

She had never taught anyone before and was just thinking of putting on some of a teacher’s authority, yet no matter how she tried, she could not make her expression turn stern. Instead, a few traces of gentleness softened her brow.

So she simply gave up.

The stern-teacher approach did not suit her.

Sheng Zhaoning opened the book and placed it in front of Wei Yu.

Wei Yu’s lessons had always been personally taught by him in the past, so Sheng Zhaoning continued from where he had left off and explained, “Repay virtue with virtue, and the people will have something to encourage them. Repay resentment with resentment, and the people will have something to warn them. The Odes say, ‘No word goes unanswered; no virtue goes unrepaid.’ The Great Jia says, ‘Without the sovereign, the people cannot dwell together in peace. Without the people, the sovereign has no means to govern the four quarters.'”

Wei Yu read each word with great seriousness. Beside his ear, Sheng Zhaoning’s gentle voice was like a stream of flowing clear water, passing through green mountains and massive stones, neither hurried nor slow, quietly winding onward.

Wei Heng read the memorial in his hand, glancing over at the two of them from time to time. Seeing them both so earnest in their studies, he could not help the faint, tender smile that appeared at the corner of his lips.

Threads of blue smoke curled and drifted from the incense burner. Outside the window, the shadows of trees swayed, and sunlight spilled through the gaps, scattering mottled patches of light and shade.

The quiet lasted until late morning.

“Your Highness, Minister Gu of the Ministry of Rites requests an audience,” the eunuch at the door came in to report.

At the sound, Sheng Zhaoning was the first to fall silent.

Wei Heng was reviewing official documents. Hearing this, he stopped writing and looked toward the door.

“Invite Minister Gu in,” he said.

The eunuch nodded and turned back to usher in the Minister of Rites.

As soon as Gu Chengzhang entered, he saw the two figures seated by the window inside the hall.

His gaze lingered on Sheng Zhaoning for a moment.

Gu Chengzhang knew her. She was the new Zhuangyuan, the one who had achieved Lianzhong Liuyuan, and the newly appointed Hanlin Academy Compiler. The imperial examinations had been overseen by the Ministry of Rites, and Gu Chengzhang had also been present at the Enrong Banquet.

Sheng Zhaoning naturally recognized him as well.

She set down the book in her hands, bowed deeply to Gu Chengzhang, then raised her head and glanced at Wei Heng.

“Should this minor official withdraw first?” Sheng Zhaoning asked.

Since Gu Chengzhang had personally come to Wenhua Hall to see Wei Heng, he must have important matters to discuss.

Wei Heng’s gaze swept down toward her. “There is no need. Matters of the Ministry of Rites are hardly secret. Lord Sheng is also an official of the court. There is no need for avoidance.”

In the past, when he discussed affairs with court officials, Wei Yu had not needed to withdraw either, so long as the matter was not confidential.

Seeing that Gu Chengzhang likewise had no objection, Sheng Zhaoning sat back down.

Wei Heng ordered someone to bring a seat, and a eunuch carried over a high-backed armchair. After Gu Chengzhang sat, he began, “Spring plowing has passed, and every region is now praying for spring rain. However, since the start of the year, many prefectures in the north have had little rain and suffered drought, which is unfavorable for planting. If this continues, I fear it may lead to disaster.”

The Northern Territory was not like the south. Drought and scant rainfall were common there.

But the crops had only just been planted. If rain did not come for a long time, next year’s harvest would certainly be reduced. If the drought became severe, there might even be no yield at all.

“The Ministry of Revenue has already reported on this matter, and the various ministries are discussing countermeasures. Does Minister Gu have a sound proposal?”

Gu Chengzhang said, “This old minister has no solution for the affairs of heaven and season. It is only that every region is now praying for rain. If the capital holds no ritual of its own, I fear it may stir dissatisfaction among the people.”

Wei Heng frowned and thought for a moment. “Minister Gu wishes to hold a sacrificial ceremony in the capital?”

Gu Chengzhang nodded. “The rites of the Yu Sacrifice have existed through many dynasties. Under the Court of Imperial Sacrifices are men who oversee its music and dances. If this matter is to be carried out, the Ministry of Rites can preside over it together with the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.”

The so-called Yu Sacrifice was a special sacrifice performed to pray for rain. Great Wei had founded its dynasty through military might and did not place much faith in ghosts and gods. Aside from a few necessary grand sacrifices, it seldom held rituals of this sort.

Yet Gu Chengzhang’s words were reasonable. If the common people began holding rain-praying rites one after another while the capital did nothing, it would inevitably seem as though the court cared little for the affairs of the people, and civil unrest might arise.

With this in mind, Wei Heng said, “I will report this matter to Father Emperor.”

If a Yu Sacrifice was to be held, it would naturally be best for the Emperor to preside.

Gu Chengzhang nodded.

“This old minister has one more matter to report to Your Highness.”

Wei Yi looked at him. “Minister Gu, please speak.”

“The war at the border has been settled. The Hu Kingdom has submitted its letter of surrender and claims it will send envoys to discuss matters of relations between the two countries. The Ministry of Rites has already begun preparations according to the relevant regulations.”

When Gu Chengzhang finished speaking, he presented a memorial and added, “This is the list and procedure prepared by the Ministry of Rites for receiving the envoys and their party. Your Highness, please review it first.”

Strictly speaking, as the defeated nation, the Hu Kingdom’s envoys were merely coming this time to apologize and discuss compensation. There was no need to receive them with overly high ceremony.

Still, the proper courtesies had to be observed. As for where they should be increased or reduced, that was for the Crown Prince, who oversaw the Ministry of Rites, or the emperor to decide.

Wei Heng skimmed through the list, annotated several places with a vermilion brush, removed a few of the more cumbersome ceremonial steps, and made slight revisions elsewhere as well.

Gu Chengzhang took back the annotated memorial and looked it over. He had no objections.

“With the great victory at the border, has there been any news from Liangzhou?” Wei Heng asked.

Gu Chengzhang replied, “The war has only just been settled. News came from Liangzhou saying that Prince Zhenbei and his son will soon set out for the capital.”

Below the dais, Sheng Zhaoning’s face instantly turned pale.