Chapter 17: Bodhi Heart, Colliding with a Pair of Laughing EyesPear blossoms covered the ground, a thousand shadows flickered beneath the lanterns.Su Zheyun was caught completely off guard by his arrival. She lifted her head for a covert glance and collided with a pair of eyes brimming with laughter."Truly a splendid debate."Jiang Chenghe entered the hall shortly after, bidding everyone to rise, his voice gentle: "Miss Cui's coming-of-age ceremony has gathered many of the court's finest talents—truly remarkable. Minister Zhang, you may not know this, but this Su Zheyun is an advisor to Prince Duan. It seems you failed to recognize a person of great stature."Without making a sound, he had stirred up resentment toward Jiang Weixu. Zhang Yangyu's expression returned to normal, and he looked toward Jiang Weixu with a hint of friendliness: "I have, of course, heard of Young Master Su's reputation. My earlier words were rash—I hope you'll forgive me."Su Zheyun exchanged a few pleasantries first, but had no intention of letting him off the hook. She shifted the topic: "Shouldn't Young Master Zhang also explain things to Young Master Shen? After all, so many people heard it today. If there's a misunderstanding, it's best to clear it up on the spot."Zhang Yangyu choked on his words, his face turning green. Cui Qingsheng walked over to his side, and he immediately bowed respectfully."Yangyu is just too proud-spirited. Offer an apology to Young Master Shen, and be more careful in the future.""Yes, this student understands." With the Left Chancellor smoothing things over, Zhang Yangyu obediently walked before Shen Bingwen and lowered his posture: "Young Master Shen, I spoke rashly—please forgive me.""No matter." Shen Bingwen smiled faintly, though the smile did not reach his eyes. "Just a passing jest. I don't mind."Zhang Yangyu straightened up and stared fixedly at him: "Indeed. Then I'll await news of Young Master Shen's success at next year's spring examination.""Yes, we'll all await the good news of the young gentlemen next year." Cui Lingyi suddenly stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the several men before finally landing on Su Zheyun's face. "I have prayed before the Buddha for a divination lot—I will only marry the top scholar of the examination."Su Zheyun hastily averted her gaze, only to collide with Jiang Weixu's meaningful look.Wait—was he really going to guarantee her the top scholar position?"Lingyi, don't speak nonsense before guests." Cui Qingsheng scolded, and Cui Lingyi immediately lowered her head in obedience.He turned to look at Su Zheyun and the others, his tone flat yet carrying a subtle authority: "All you scholars must strive diligently. At next year's spring examination, may you pass with honors, enter the court as officials, and serve the nation."The young men in the hall bowed in acknowledgment, and the earlier matter was considered settled."Zheyun, come with me."Su Zheyun had just been about to sit down when she heard Jiang Weixu's words and her face immediately clouded with worry. Only Shen Bingwen cast her a look that said "just as I expected.""Minister Tian has served as Vice Minister of Rites for many years and is deeply learned. A few words with him will be most beneficial."Tian Zan had been steeped in officialdom for years, always upright and unyielding. Not a trace of smile graced his stern face.Su Zheyun braced herself and offered a formal salute, her mind racing for a topic: "Minister Tian's reputation precedes you. Su Zheyun is honored to make your acquaintance."Tian Zan nodded lightly—after all, since Jiang Weixu had brought her, he had to show some courtesy: "Young Master Su is well-versed in government affairs at such a young age. Quite extraordinary."She lowered her eyes, her demeanor growing even more humble: "Before coming to the capital, I served as an advisor to a county magistrate and handled a few mundane matters, so I know a little."Tian Zan's sharp gaze fell upon her, then shifted to Jiang Weixu: "But the imperial examinations require more than just knowing a bit about governance. I hear Young Master Su has yet to obtain a scholarly title. The road is long—take your time.""Yes." Su Zheyun bowed deeply in a grand salute, her eyes fixed only on the embroidery of her robe.Forced into a corner—truly agonizing.Jiang Weixu then chatted with the court officials about the epidemic for a while. Since it was a banquet, he kept it brief before bringing her back to He Xinli's table."I hear the refugees south of the city have been gradually settled these past few days. Has the epidemic been brought under control?""A few have high fevers—it's still unclear whether it's the epidemic." Jiang Weixu resumed his usual expression and discussed the matter with He Xinli.Fu Qinglan, however, was not as amiable as before. His sharp eyes re-examined Su Zheyun, a hint of a smile that wasn't quite a smile curling at the corner of his lips."How many are in Young Master Su's family? What made you think of coming to the capital to serve as His Highness's advisor?"She exchanged a glance with Shen Bingwen and answered slowly: "Both my parents have passed; only a younger sister remains in my household. I happened to earn His Highness's appreciation in Fang County, so I came to serve as an advisor.""Happened to earn?" Fu Qinglan let out a soft laugh, the mirth carrying undisguised mockery. "In this world, how many things truly 'happen'?"He raised his wine cup and took a leisurely sip, his gaze never leaving Su Zheyun's face: "I'm just afraid some people mistake calculated scheming for fate, and won't even know how they died."Su Zheyun's expression remained unchanged; she only lowered her eyes and said, "Your instruction is well taken, Chief Fu.""It's not instruction—it's a reminder." He leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice. "In the Court of Judicial Review, I've seen all kinds of people. You'd best watch your words and actions, and know your place."Jiang Weixu looked over at this, his gaze darkening slightly. Su Zheyun, meanwhile, looked at him with an innocent expression, feeling wronged inside.It wasn't as if she had shamelessly tagged along—and now she was being suspected of ulterior motives."Your Highness, Bingwen won't sit for the imperial examinations. Do talk some sense into him." He Xinli interjected at the right moment, steering the conversation elsewhere.Jiang Weixu frowned, looking at Shen Bingwen. "Minister Shen, you have studied diligently for years—why give up now?""My ambitions do not lie in that direction." Shen Bingwen had no intention of elaborating. "I have disappointed Your Highness."Jiang Weixu did not press him. After a long pause, he said, "You are still young. If you change your mind in a few years, you may return at any time."Shen Bingwen nodded. Seeing her opportunity, Su Zheyun spoke up with a sincere expression. "Your Highness, Zheyun has no grand ambitions and no scholarly honors. After much deliberation, I have decided not to sit for the examinations either."Jiang Weixu did not answer. He cast a cold sidelong glance at her. After a long moment, he slowly set down the cup in his hand."Did you not say you wished to serve the nation with loyalty? Have you misplaced that loyalty so quickly?"She gave an awkward laugh and scratched her palm. "How is serving Your Highness not serving the nation? I think being an advisor suits me perfectly well.""No.""Your Highness—""I said no." Jiang Weixu cut her off, his tone turning several degrees colder. "Without a scholarly title, what will you use to marry Yutang? What will you use to support your younger sister? Rely on my charity?"Su Zheyun was struck speechless. "Brother Shen isn't taking the examinations either—why must I? The world is vast and varied, with a thousand paths—""Su Zheyun!" Jiang Weixu's brows lowered, impatience settling across his face. "Are you truly so useless that you can't be helped? All you can think of is hiding in the manor as an advisor for the rest of your life?""Your Highness… are you angry?" Su Zheyun blinked, genuinely bewildered.He Xinli lowered his head to sip his tea, wishing he could bury his face entirely in the cup. Fu Qinglan, on the other hand, seemed intrigued, the corners of his mouth lifting as he watched the fire from across the river."Enough. I am not negotiating with you." Jiang Weixu cut her off, his voice turning cold. "You may refuse to take the examinations. But as for Yutang—do not bring it up again."Su Zheyun bit her lip. Shen Bingwen grabbed her arm, signaling her to stop talking.That hand did not escape Jiang Weixu's notice. His anger flared even hotter. He turned his head stiffly, refusing to look at her."Master Su," He Xinli cleared his throat a few times, "this is Miss Cui's coming-of-age ceremony. If you two keep arguing like this, I'm afraid it will embarrass the Cui family."He was being considerate—though this table was somewhat removed from the others, any commotion would still be overheard.Su Zheyun immediately fell silent.If she could do it all over again, she would never have tested Jiang Weixu's attitude that time on the city wall. What was done was done—could she really be forced to sit for the imperial examinations?She shook her head firmly. Across from her, Shen Bingwen noticed her distress and asked with concern what was wrong."It's still about the examinations!" The carriage wheels rumbled in a fine, drawn-out rhythm, and a hint of cool breeze seeped through the cabin, slightly soothing her irritation. "Bingwen, do you have any ideas?"Seeing her urgent plea for help, Shen Bingwen remained remarkably composed. "Don't worry. Without a scholarly title, you can't participate in the spring examinations, and the autumn examinations are still far off. There will always be a way.""What if he really does stuff me into the spring examination hall?" She tilted her head, considering the possibility, and found it quite likely. "Then am I done for?""Don't panic. I'll think of something for you when the time comes." He lifted the beaded curtain to look outside, and a faint sobbing drifted to his ears. "Even if you truly refuse to go, he won't actually hold a knife to your throat. Coercing his own subjects would damage his reputation."She nodded, somewhat reassured. Outside the carriage, the crying did not fade—instead, it grew more piercing, like a dull blade slicing through the tranquility of the evening.Su Zheyun lifted the carriage curtain and saw a crowd packed so tightly that only a corner of white mourning clothes was visible. The crying came from within.She exchanged a glance with Shen Bingwen, immediately called for the driver to stop, and stepped down.The wall of people was thick, layered three deep inside and out—pushing through was no easy task. The common folk craned their necks, yet few actually reached for their purses. Su Zheyun squeezed her way in sideways, fragments of conversation drifting past her ears."How pitiful… her husband fell into the river while drinking a few years ago, and that was the end of him. All that was left was an eighty-year-old mother and a sickly younger sister-in-law. Last year the old mother passed, and this year the child died of illness too—how can she possibly hold on?""She still has a daughter of her own. What family would want to buy someone with a child in tow?""Exactly, missus. You should just sell the child. You'll have an easier time making a living on your own."The woman in mourning clothes had tear tracks streaking down her face. Beside her knelt a little girl of five or six, shrinking back timidly, her small hands clutching tightly at the woman's hem. The onlookers chattered endlessly, yet no one reached out to help.The woman kowtowed without pause, her forehead striking the stone bricks with a series of dull thuds. Before long, it was raw and red."I beg you all to be kind! Everything in the house that could be sold has been sold. I have nowhere left to turn… My daughter is still young, and I can't bear to let her go. Please, buy me instead! Washing clothes, cooking, sweeping the courtyard—I can do anything!"She sobbed until she could barely catch her breath, her voice hoarse and nearly breaking. The crowd murmured among themselves—some sighed, some shook their heads, and others pursed their lips and walked away.Su Zheyun crouched down and pressed a few taels of silver into the woman's hand."It's not much. Buy a simple coffin and lay the deceased to rest first."The woman froze for a moment, looking down at the bits of silver in her palm. Tears mixed with the grime on her hands, making the coins feel hot in her grip. She suddenly looked up, tears welling up again, and crawled forward on her knees two steps, reaching out to grab the hem of Su Zheyun's robe—but her hand stopped halfway and drew back, afraid of dirtying the other's clothes."Young master, please be merciful and buy the two of us as well! I don't want silver, just a meal. I can endure any hardship! My daughter doesn't eat much either… I beg you!"She moved to kowtow again, but Su Zheyun quickly pressed down on her shoulder."Stop kowtowing."She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found she didn't know how to respond. Words of refusal wouldn't come out, and words of acceptance wouldn't either.Shen Bingwen had somehow walked up behind her. He bent down to help the woman up and handed her a clean handkerchief."Zheyun," he said in a low voice, "haven't you been wanting to buy a kitchen maid? Why not take her on?"Su Zheyun's eyes widened. She looked at him, then at the woman, her expression complicated."You think… that would work?"Shen Bingwen didn't answer directly. Instead, he cast a subtle glance at the little girl standing nearby.Su Zheyun was silent for a moment.Then she untied her money pouch and handed it over entirely."Then come work at my household. Is this silver enough?"The woman didn't open the pouch to check. She just nodded desperately, tears streaming down without end, her lips trembling as she finally squeezed out a few words: "Enough… it's enough! Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master!"Su Zheyun waved her hand, turned around, and called over the servant boy beside the carriage driver. She gave him a few quiet instructions, telling him to take the woman back to settle her affairs before bringing her to the estate.With that, she turned and boarded the carriage without another glance.The carriage began to roll again, wheels grinding over the bluestone slabs with a faint, grating sound.Behind her, the faint sound of the woman kowtowing drifted over, along with the little girl's timid voice: "Thank you, young master…"Su Zheyun leaned against the carriage wall, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.She had always been soft-hearted—all the more so in this harsher society.A heart of bodhi, yet only a sliver of power to ferry others across.Suddenly, she thought of the imperial examinations.At this time of year, yellow leaves hung from the treetops, poised to fall but not yet falling.Unfortunately, her identity was awkward. The examinations were nothing but a dead end.

Plotting with My Wife