It seemed that the ministers who had been outside the mansion had already sent word ahead, for the rest of the officials had been waiting for quite some time.
As soon as Jun Heng appeared, everyone neatly bowed to him.
Gu Qingxing and Yan Chenyan stood on his left and right, while Gu Jiao, avoiding the crowd’s gaze, positioned herself near the door.
Once they were in place, Jun Heng scanned the crowd and spotted Fu Xi, dressed in plain clothes.
“Lord Fu’s passing is a great regret for Tianyu. I am deeply grateful that all of you loyal ministers came to send him off. But the position of Minister of Changjin Temple should not remain vacant.”
His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly in the silent hall: “This matter cannot be left unattended.”
At this, though the hall remained silent, an undercurrent of tension subtly arose.
Jun Heng mentioning the position at this moment—could it be a way to appease the Fu family?
Fu Xi could no longer help but lift his head.
Amid the rising tension, Jun Heng suddenly looked toward Gu Qingxing.
“Left Chancellor, who do you think is capable of taking on this important responsibility?”
Everyone present froze for a moment. Only Gu Jiao, standing farther away, could not hide her surprise.
Though Yan Chenyan had not suggested Fu Xi for the post, to bypass the Fu family in this way…
Gu Qingxing’s tone was calm, as usual, just like when reporting to Jun Heng in court. He said softly, “The Minister of Changjin Temple oversees taxation and labor, matters concerning the people. One must be strict yet close to the populace.”
“I recall, Lord Zhou Yangsheng—during the imperial examinations—once proposed to reduce taxes for the people suffering from floods. Could he be one of the candidates, Your Majesty?”
Zhou Yangsheng, a former top scholar, later studied under Grand Tutor Ning. Everyone at court knew that Ning Feizhi’s father and Gu Qingxing were close friends.
“Hmm, indeed suitable,” Jun Heng said after a long pause, nodding seriously.
Gu Jiao peeked slightly and saw that Fu Xi’s expression was not particularly pleased.
Being overlooked in your own home turf—anyone would find that hard to accept.
Yet she looked at Jun Heng.
When he spoke of such matters, it carried a tone that was calm but impossible to refuse.
She recalled what Gu Qingxing had once told her… Jun Heng has the presence of an emperor, though he usually doesn’t show it.
“What does Minister Yan think?” Jun Heng asked casually, as if in ordinary conversation.
“The Left Chancellor has always known people well. I am not his match,” Yan Chenyan said with a light smile.
Then he stepped forward and knelt: “Today all the ministers are here. May I request a favor for the Fu family?”
Jun Heng lowered his gaze at him, noncommittal: “Speak.”
“Lord Fu’s son, Fu Xi, though not yet in court service, is entirely the product of Lord Fu’s guidance. There is a vacant post at the Ministry of Rites. Why not let Young Master Fu gain experience there?”
Once he spoke, the surrounding hall fell eerily silent.
The Ministry of Rites post—someone trained under Gu Qingxing—Yan Chenyan was putting the matter right under his eyes.
Was this to show that he would not be favoring the Fu family?
However, the post was respectable, and if Fu Xi had talent, it would not be difficult for him to advance.
Gu Jiao sighed softly. Yan Chenyan was in a tough position, but… hopefully Fu Xi would not waste the opportunity.
By this point, it was just a matter of the emperor and chancellor performing formalities. Gu Jiao lost interest in listening further and quietly turned to leave.
After leaving the back hall and walking only a few steps, she bumped head-on into someone rushing toward her.
“Who—ah, Ning Feizhi?” she exclaimed, holding her bumped head.
On this cold day, the man dressed carelessly in a slouchy manner could only be Ning Feizhi.
He gave her a grim look, then ignored her entirely, continuing on his way.
“What’s wrong?” she sensed something off and hurried after him.
Ning Feizhi’s pace did not falter, and his voice was annoyed: “I’m in a bad mood right now. You’d better stay away from me.”
Gu Jiao’s curiosity only grew. For Ning Feizhi to be in a bad mood, it must be something serious.
She quickened her pace, running alongside him. “What happened? Judging by your expression, could it be that you quarreled with that person?”
Her words were teasing. Although Ning Feizhi had a reputation as a playboy, he had never truly liked any girl.
Yet he suddenly stopped and glared at her.
Gu Jiao: ?
No way… his reaction made it seem like she had hit the mark.
“What quarrel? I would never—never be that kind of person—”
“What kind of person?” a familiar voice called from behind, clear and tinged with amusement.
Gu Jiao turned in surprise, and upon seeing the newcomer, she glanced at Ning Feizhi: “You know each other?”
“Not long,” came the calm reply.
“Not at all!” Ning Feizhi immediately denied it.
Gu Jiao, amused, looked between the two, then decided to ask the one easier to talk to: “General Mu, can you explain what happened?”
…
They sat down in a long pavilion. Despite Ning Feizhi’s cold, piercing gaze, Mu Wan calmly recounted the events to Gu Jiao.
It wasn’t really a major incident.
That day, after leaving Jun Heng’s palace, Mu Wan had wandered the streets casually.
Changning Street was lively, with performers, hawkers, travelers, and welcoming inns.
A pedestrian leading a horse toward an inn startled a performing monkey, which accidentally set fire to its own fur and panicked into the crowd. In the chaos, a horse’s reins slipped, and the frightened horse galloped forward.
Mu Wan, who had been browsing sword tassels at a stall, saw the horse rushing toward a small girl. Without thinking, he dropped the tassel, leapt onto a horse, and pulled the reins to stop it.
The horse refused to halt, heading toward a stall where Ning Feizhi happened to be passing.
In a desperate move, Mu Wan jumped down, threw himself in front of Ning Feizhi, and shielded him as the horse charged.
Goods at the stall were overturned, and onlookers cried out for help.
When the dust settled, the scene was revealed: Mu Wan firmly held the reins, stopping the horse, while Ning Feizhi, the famed young master of the capital, was safely protected in his arms.
…
“Is this… a hero saving a damsel?” Gu Jiao’s eyes widened in delight.
“What hero saving a damsel? If he hadn’t redirected the horse, I’d have been hit!” Ning Feizhi glared fiercely at Gu Jiao.
“Now everyone in the capital is talking about this. My heroic reputation is ruined!” he fumed, kicking a pillar in frustration.
“You didn’t have much of a heroic reputation to begin with,” Gu Jiao smothered a laugh.
“Ning Feizhi!”
“I won’t say anything more. Isn’t that enough?” she chuckled softly.
“This is my fault. But in the heat of the moment, I couldn’t pay attention,” Mu Wan said helplessly. “I intended to make amends at your residence, but didn’t expect to meet here today.”
“General Mu is a good person. After all, he did save you, right?” Gu Jiao tried to reason.
Ning Feizhi, still angry: “I needed saving? Even if the horse had hit me, so what? At worst, I’d have gotten hurt.”
“Wait,” he suddenly realized. “Since when did you know him?”
He had only recently found out through inquiries that this was Mu Wan. How did Gu Jiao know him?
Before she could answer, Mu Wan said, “I have met the Noble Consort once in the palace. Yes, on the same day.”
Ning Feizhi’s face darkened further.
Seeing Gu Jiao still amused, he snorted heavily, swung his sleeve, and left.
Mu Wan watched him go and sighed in slight frustration.
“He’s always like this—proud and temperamental. Don’t worry; he’ll calm down soon.”
Mu Wan turned to see Gu Jiao leaning against the pillar, smiling: “But just now I mentioned we’ve met once.”
“Really, only once?”
…
“What do you mean by that, Your Highness?” Mu Wan’s eyes darkened slightly.
“I happened to stay at the mansion for a few days and came across something from my childhood,” Gu Jiao said slowly.
“It was an old swing, but it had been left unused for so long that it’s completely broken now,” she added, shaking her head with regret.
Mu Wan had been listening with a faint smile. Hearing this, he said, “If Your Highness likes, I can make one for you another day.”
“The swing itself isn’t difficult,” Gu Jiao said, gazing into the distance. “I just suddenly remembered that a long time ago, I once fell off it… but someone seemed to have helped me up.”
“Ah, right. It was a girl about my age,” she said with a faint smile of recollection.
“But she didn’t stay long—she left with her father soon after.”
“Is that so?” Mu Wan sat down on the other side of the corridor, his back facing her.
Gu Jiao lowered her voice: “Yes… before leaving, she said that the next time we met, she would fix the swing so I wouldn’t fall off so easily again.”
She let out a soft sigh.
“So many years have passed, and even the swing has broken.”
“I wonder how that girl is doing now,” she murmured.
Mu Wan smiled gently: “If someone still remembers her, she must be doing well.”
“General Mu, what is Linyang City like?” Gu Jiao asked suddenly.
“Hmm… it’s similar to the capital, just not as bustling,” Mu Wan said slowly. “But after staying there for a while, it feels a bit monotonous.”
“I’ve heard that the Mu family army is unparalleled in bravery. If you have time, would you tell me more about it?” Gu Jiao leaned forward slightly.
“I don’t mind at all. It’s just that the Emperor might not approve,” Mu Wan said, their eyes meeting briefly, a slight raise of his brow.
“You don’t look like someone who would be afraid of him,” she teased.
“Where did you get that idea?”
“Hmm… just a guess.”
“Well, your guess is correct,” he replied.
“Oh?” Gu Jiao propped her head on her hand and laughed softly.
…
By the time Ning Feizhi returned, Gu Jiao was the only one left.
“Where is she?” he asked sharply.
“She went to pay respects on behalf of the Mu family, of course,” Gu Jiao said casually, glancing at him. “You wouldn’t go yourself, right?”
“Don’t talk like that. Weren’t you the same?” Ning Feizhi retorted. “But that person actually allowed you into the palace?”
He hadn’t wanted to deal with this situation at all—he had been forced to come by Ning Jin, and encountering Mu Wan had been completely unexpected. He hadn’t even expected to see Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao smiled, showing her teeth. “Ah, I haven’t had the chance to show you yet.”
She took out the imperial decree and shook it slightly.
Ning Feizhi: ?
“You don’t have good intentions,” he said decisively after hearing the explanation.
“That kind of scheming person is surely plotting something behind your back.”
Gu Jiao: …
When did Ning Feizhi develop such a grudge against Jun Heng?
“Can’t you just think of people in a good way?” she said.
If it weren’t for Jun Heng pleading with Ning Taifu, Ning Feizhi might not even be standing right now.
“Oh? What’s good about it? You tell me,” he said, folding his arms and staring at her.
Gu Jiao was momentarily at a loss for words.
Being handsome counts as good?
“Can’t you calm down a bit and not get dazzled every time someone offers you a little favor?” Ning Feizhi frowned.
Gu Jiao: …
Seeing that she had nothing to say, Ning Feizhi smirked, satisfied, and let the topic drop. “When I came over just now, I saw something interesting.”
Gu Jiao fiddled with the tassel on her sleeve and asked casually, “What?”
“Do you know about Yan Chenyan recommending Fu Xi to the Ministry of Rites?” he lowered his voice.
“That’s Minister Yan, right?” Gu Jiao corrected him.
Even though it was just the two of them, she was in someone else’s house—he still had no sense of restraint.
Ning Feizhi acted as if he hadn’t heard and smirked, clearly enjoying the story: “Fu Xi didn’t seem very grateful.”
“How so?” Gu Jiao became intrigued.
“In front of others, he’s all composed and elegant. But in front of his own sister, he was bawling his eyes out,” Ning Feizhi said, squinting with amusement. He imitated a voice: “I used to look down on you, and now you’ve embarrassed me in public. Clearly, you’ve never taken the Fu family seriously!”
Gu Jiao found it funny. “After all the work Minister Yan did for the Fu family, Fu Xi sees it this way?”
Truly like a young master’s temper.
Thinking of this, Gu Jiao glanced at Ning Feizhi.
Speaking of young master tempers, this one beside her didn’t seem to give in easily either.
“Don’t compare me with him. I’m not that foolish,” Ning Feizhi immediately shot back.
“But that Miss Fu isn’t bad,” he continued, “after hearing Fu Xi, she didn’t hesitate and gave him a slap.”
“Huh?” Gu Jiao lifted her sleeves and looked up, waiting for Ning Feizhi to continue.
Fu Ling? Yan Chenyan’s love interest.
“After slapping him, she seemed quite angry and kept coughing. I saw a maid rushing off to find help, so I didn’t interfere and came back another way.”
“Someone the minister likes can’t be an ordinary girl,” Gu Jiao mused, nodding.
“Though I didn’t see clearly from afar, her manner is definitely more graceful and refined than yours,” Ning Feizhi nodded.
Gu Jiao: “…”
“Ah, speaking of which, I once heard a rumor,” Ning Feizhi said mysteriously.
“They say Minister Yan cares for Miss Fu more than he loves her.”
“Is there a difference?” Gu Jiao asked. Today, Yan Chenyan had shown no intention of severing ties with the Fu family, and yet he publicly upheld the rules, not for Fu Ling’s sake?
“Of course there’s a difference. If he truly liked her, he’d want to be close to her,” Ning Feizhi said convincingly. “Their marriage still hasn’t happened.”
“Isn’t Miss Fu not well?”
“Getting married takes a lot of effort,” he thought for a moment. “But looking at her, she seems cold and indifferent, almost heartless.”
Gu Jiao was silent.
“I actually think, whether someone is cold or passionate, neither is ideal.”
Ning Feizhi nodded, then suddenly realized: “Gu Jiao, you’re mocking me again!”
“Huh? Am I?”
Gu Jiao laughed, her shoulders shaking lightly. She then noticed someone approaching from a distance.
Ning Feizhi frowned, about to leave.
“Young master! Young master—”
The person hurried forward, calling out repeatedly.
Recognizing them as someone from the Ning residence, Gu Jiao smiled knowingly, tugged Ning Feizhi, and whispered: “They’re here to take you back.”
Ning Feizhi snorted, glared at the person, and once they stood still, he whispered to Gu Jiao: “That Mu Wan, you’d better stay away from him.”
Gu Jiao was taken aback.
“He’s Jun Heng’s man. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’s a trusted aide. Didn’t I tell you before about the troops at Linyang going to Nanning? Those were personally led by him.”
Ning Feizhi frowned. “But that’s strange. He was supposed to capture Xie Chongyu, yet according to the information I gathered, he escorted him all the way to Nanning.”
Going over this in her mind, Gu Jiao was silent for a moment, then patted Ning Feizhi on the shoulder.
When he looked at her in surprise, she said seriously: “Thanks.”
Though Ning Feizhi never let up verbally, he often worried about her behind the scenes.
He was the only person she knew who could truly be called sincere.
Even as times changed, he always treated her as Gu Jiao and no one else.
“Stop with that act—it’s scary,” Ning Feizhi said, taking a step back and brushing off her hand from his shoulder.
“The next time I visit the mansion for drinks,” Gu Jiao said with a smile.
Ning Feizhi stretched lazily, showing a hint of annoyance: “Then you have to bring your own.”
“Deal.”