10 Exploration
◎Prince Zhao had not yet indicated that she should withdraw.◎
After working busily for two or three days with her colleagues from the Ministry of Works, Gu Ningxi had prepared the drawings for Prince Zhao’s mansion’s garden and training ground by the day before xiumu.
The day after tomorrow, when she went to the prince’s mansion for duty, she would present the drawings to Prince Zhao. If there were any shortcomings, they could be added or revised then.
Gu Ningxi checked the drawings one last time, with the two colleagues responsible for the matter also watching closely beside her.
In principle, this task of gaining face before His Highness Prince Zhao was something many would want to compete for. However, as Lady Gu held the highest official rank, they could not surpass her. Moreover, with the repairs to Prince Zhao’s mansion delayed until now, it was unclear whether these drawings would be considered a merit or a fault. In any case, Lady Gu would bear the responsibility first, and as long as they fulfilled their duties conscientiously, they could be at peace with themselves.
As the other officials of the Ministry of Works gradually returned home, Gu Ningxi placed the drawings in a box and bid farewell to her two colleagues.
“I’ll take my leave first.”
“Take care, Lady Gu.”
Taking charge of a task independently for the first time, it would be false to say she felt no tension at all. However, since she had already done her best, she could first enjoy a day of xiumu.
Gu Ningxi had informed her mother in advance and, using official business as an excuse, did not return to the marquis’s mansion in the evening. Instead, she went to the small courtyard in Xingning Lane.
Some time ago, she had discussed purchasing a residence with her cousin. After conveying the general requirements to the trading company, the company had already selected a few suitable houses.
Her cousin was still at the Western Mountain military camp, so Gu Ningxi planned to take advantage of the leisure time on xiumu to go and see them first.
The two nearest courtyards were not far from Xingning Lane and could be reached on foot. Gu Ningxi brought a trusted servant and followed the addresses provided by the trading company. She rarely walked in this direction on ordinary days, so the streets on both sides felt somewhat unfamiliar.
Fortunately, she did not have to walk too far out of her way. However, outside a timber shop, Gu Ningxi encountered someone she was half-familiar with.
Marquis Wu’an, Xie Qian, was just a few steps away. Gu Ningxi hesitated over whether to go up and greet him.
But Marquis Wu’an was focused on speaking with the timber shop’s manager and had not noticed her, so she could simply slip away quietly.
“…You truly have a discerning eye, esteemed guest. This is newly arrived timber, only displayed in the shop for half a day. If you sincerely want it, take the whole piece for ten strings of cash.”
“Ten strings of cash?”
Looking at the handsome young gentleman who had just appeared, the manager’s smile remained unchanged. “Young master may not know, but this is top-grade Huanghuali. It takes two to three hundred years to grow, so of course it is much more precious than other timber.”
Gu Ningxi glanced briefly. The timber was indeed Huanghuali, but judging by its color, grain, and fragrance, none of it was of any quality.
Without showing any expression, she signaled Xie Qian to put away his money pouch and said with a faint smile, “You say this timber is two hundred years old?”
Both gentlemen before her were dressed in fine attire. Seeing that the young man in blue seemed knowledgeable, the manager dared not deceive them outright and replied vaguely, “It must be at least a hundred years old. Huanghuali is extremely difficult to grow, and it is even rarer to transport it successfully into the capital.”
Gu Ningxi smiled. Given the thickness of this piece of timber, it could not even make a chair. “If this piece of timber is a hundred years old,” she pointed to the Huanghuali Eight Immortals table displayed in the center of the shop, “then the timber used to make that table would have to be nearly a thousand years old, wouldn’t it?”
“This…”
“In my opinion, the grain of the timber is not clear enough, the color is dull and lacks luster, and there was originally a noticeable flaw here, which seems to have been forcibly shaved off.”
With each sentence she spoke, the manager’s smile grew more awkward, and even Xie Qian began to understand a thing or two.
After all, he was a man who had fought on the battlefield. With just a slight darkening of his expression, his presence became somewhat intimidating.
Gu Ningxi was surprised by his understanding, while the shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead, realizing he had encountered an expert. He cautiously asked, “Then what price would you two suggest?”
Xie Qian looked at Gu Ningxi, who extended three fingers: “Three strings of cash.”
Three strings of cash were nearly a month’s salary for her. Only a newly victorious Marquis of Wu’an, fresh from the battlefield, could buy the entire piece of timber without batting an eye.
With the matter resolved, Gu Ningxi did not linger. However, shortly after leaving, Marquis of Wu’an Xie Qian caught up with her.
“Lord Gu, please wait,” he said politely. “I have something I would like to ask Lord Gu to examine for me.”
As it was nearly lunchtime, Gu Ningxi found herself sitting in a restaurant, somewhat bewildered. Encountering Marquis of Wu’an today had been purely a matter of standing up for justice—the shopkeeper’s price had been far too exorbitant. She had originally thought to use this opportunity to gradually get closer to Xie Qian, hoping to uncover more clues about the dreams. Unexpectedly, he had sought her out himself.
After carefully examining the wooden chariot placed in an ornate brocade box, Gu Ningxi’s eyes were filled with admiration. The chariot was about the size of two palms, and its exquisite structure and delicate craftsmanship were truly rare among wood carvings. Unfortunately, it was partially damaged, and even she, an outsider, felt a sense of pity.
She nodded. “It is indeed Huanghuali.”
This object clearly held great significance for Marquis of Wu’an. Not only was he willing to pay a high price for the timber, but he was even willing to seek advice from her, a member of the Crown Prince’s faction.
Gu Ningxi said, “If you are looking for suitable timber, Your Lordship might consider visiting the Construction Department of the Ministry of Works.”
The amount of timber needed to repair the wooden chariot was not large, and the Construction Department stored the finest wood from across the land. After each construction project, many leftover scraps remained, which were not returned to the official inventory and could be obtained by those with the right connections. Moreover, Prince Zhao was the Minister of State, so a trip to the Ministry of Works would be effortless for Marquis of Wu’an.
“Thank you, Lord Gu,” Xie Qian said, raising a toast to Gu Ningxi.
…
Of the two courtyards she had viewed yesterday, neither was entirely satisfactory. After weighing her options, Gu Ningxi remained undecided and asked the merchant to recommend some new properties.
The freshly prepared red date and papaya porridge steamed with heat, accompanied by a few plates of delicate pastries, perfectly suited the quiet morning.
Gu Ningxi had breakfast with her mother before heading to the Ministry of Works for her duties later.
No servants were kept in the room. Gu Ningxi stirred her silver spoon, chatting idly with her mother, and casually remarked, “I heard that when Mother was pregnant with me, the marquis’s residence invited a Daoist priest for a reading?”
She had been pondering many things lately, from dreams to reality, not overlooking any related details.
Madam Meng still remembered some of the events during her pregnancy. At the time, the marquis had no sons, so after she became pregnant, he invited two or three renowned Daoist priests to the residence for divination.
“What did the priests say?” Gu Ningxi pressed.
Madam Meng tapped her head lightly. “Finish your porridge first.”
Papaya and red date porridge was prepared several times a month, and Gu Ningxi often drank it, finding it rather tiresome.
But fearing her mother might stop talking, she obediently picked up her silver spoon.
Madam Meng looked at her with affectionate eyes, watching her eat earnestly before saying, “Naturally, the priests all spoke auspicious words, and their predictions were similar. They said that the child of the marquis and I had an exceptionally noble Fate-pattern, with a future of limitless prospects.”
As a new mother, Madam Meng was delighted to hear such words. Moreover, Ningxi was born into a marquis’ household, and with the Empress’s kind assistance, she could secure a legitimate status for her child, ensuring she wouldn’t fall too far behind others.
The marquis’ household placed great importance on her pregnancy, and the Marquis even specially hired two physicians to oversee her diet and daily care.
“However…” Madam Meng sighed softly, and only after ensuring no one was around did she feel at ease to say, “There was also a wandering Taoist priest who said that your past life’s marriage was filled with regret, and your marriage in this life may be fraught with difficulties.”
That Taoist priest had white hair and beard, exuding an air of immortality. His predictions were also accurate—Ningxi had been raised as a boy since childhood, and now at nineteen, her true identity had yet to be restored. What kind of good marriage could she possibly have?
Seeing her daughter lost in thought, Madam Meng asked curiously, “Why are you suddenly asking about these old matters out of the blue?”
Gu Ningxi replied vaguely, “I had a dream last night and was just asking casually.”
Madam Meng laughed, “How old are you now, still believing in dreams?” She scooped some steamed egg custard for her daughter. “Speaking of which, when I was pregnant with you, I often had dreams too. Once, I even dreamed of a golden dragon that flew straight into my arms.”
“A golden dragon?”
“Yes.” Seeing her daughter’s interest, Madam Meng unwittingly shared more. “When I woke up the next day, the details of the dream were still clear, so I told your father.”
At that time, the Marquis often came to keep her company. Upon hearing this, he immediately dismissed all the attendants outside, not even keeping his most trusted aides.
The Marquis questioned her in detail about every aspect of the dream and repeatedly warned her that this matter must never be known to a third person.
At that time, the Emperor had not yet ascended the throne. How could the true Son of Heaven appear in the Gu family?
Only then did she realize the gravity of the situation. Terrified into silence, she feared that careless words might bring disaster to her unborn child.
The Marquis strictly forbade her from mentioning it again. By the time her daughter was born, she had long forgotten about it. If Ningxi hadn’t asked about it today, she wouldn’t have remembered this old matter.
Madam Meng couldn’t help but feel melancholy. No golden dragon was to be trusted; all she worried about now was her daughter’s marriage.
“It’s been three years already. How much longer are you going to keep this official position?”
A girl is considered of marriageable age at fifteen. Although she was reluctant to see her daughter marry, she wanted even more for her to have someone to rely on and shelter her for the rest of her life.
This was a familiar topic between mother and daughter. Gu Ningxi finished her porridge in a few bites.
“It’s getting late. I must go to Prince Zhao’s residence.”
She blinked at her mother and quickly left the room.
As she boarded the carriage, Gu Ningxi was still pondering the Taoist priest’s words.
Karma from a past life?
…
It was rare for Prince Zhao to have free time before noon. Gu Ningxi brought the blueprints and requested an audience outside the study.
“Your Highness, may you be blessed.”
Prince Zhao reviewed the blueprints while Gu Ningxi sat obediently below. Following her gaze, she could see the three-colored double-fish vase with appliqué flowers still placed in its original spot, untouched.
The blueprints were drawn with great care. Lu Jing only circled two areas that needed slight modifications, both located in the training ground.
The changes weren’t troublesome. With Prince Zhao’s approval, the subsequent construction work would proceed much more smoothly.
The Construction Department could already begin preparations, as the responsibilities within the Ministry of Works were clearly defined.
The white porcelain teacup before her was refilled halfway with clear tea. Prince Zhao showed no intention of dismissing her yet and proceeded to inquire about matters within the Six Ministries.
Last time, she had explained the Ministry of Personnel. Taking advantage of the renovation work at Prince Zhao’s residence, Gu Ningxi also happened to discuss the changes in the Ministry of Works with him.
This section was naturally even more effortless for Gu Ningxi, requiring almost no additional thought.
The Ministry of Works was responsible for palace construction and repairs, water conservancy projects, and the manufacturing of tools and instruments—a role of significant importance. Yet, among the six ministries, its status was the least prominent, ranking at the very bottom. Having served in the Ministry of Works for over three years, Gu Ningxi was intimately familiar with its structure, able to recount its details as effortlessly as listing items from her own home. However, precisely because she knew it so well, she worried she might delve too deeply into trivial matters. So, Gu Ningxi paused for a moment, waiting for Prince Zhao to ask his questions.
Lu Jing looked at him. Among the six ministries, his elder brother valued the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue the most. Given Yuanle’s circumstances when entering the court—a Tanhua Scholar by background and with the Crown Prince’s recommendation—she should have had more room for choice.
He asked, “Why did you choose the Ministry of Works?”
【Author’s Note】
Little Lu still doesn’t know the girl’s identity~
He grew up with the girl and is quite protective of her, having always looked out for her since childhood.