The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 131 Three Letters From Family
Since he had already taken leave, Tang Shen, dressed in his wrinkled official robe, fled back home in a panic.
Yao San had gone to Ningzhou a few days earlier to handle logistics for Baibao Pavilion, leaving only Tang Huang and Aunt Yao at home. Both were startled to see Tang Shen. Tang Huang asked, "Don't you have to go to the office today, Brother?" She thought for a moment, "Isn't today a workday?"
Tang Shen brushed it off casually, "I had something to attend to, so I came back early." But after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back, "Aren't you curious why I didn't come home last night?"
Tang Huang smiled and countered, "Why should we be curious? Yesterday afternoon, Minister Wang sent someone to our house, saying you would be having a drink with him at the Minister Residence and would likely stay the night. Brother, it's not like you haven't slept at the Minister Residence before. What's so strange about that?"
Tang Shen: "..."
Returning to his study, Tang Shen fumed, "You really had it all planned out, Wang Zifeng!"
Tang Shen couldn't help but sigh, feeling that he might never outwit Wang Zifeng in this lifetime. Yet, his future was now irrevocably tied to the man. A pang of regret rose in his heart—was it too late to change his mind…?
Whether it was too late or not, Tang Shen didn't know, but one thing was certain: he had no chance.
At this point, Tang Shen hadn't considered that several high-ranking officials in the court had already guessed the nature of his relationship with Wang Zhen. Early the next morning, he went to court. Just after the court session ended, Chief Eunuch Ji Fu came to fetch him. Wang Zhen was busy talking with Right Prime Minister Wang Quan, but from a distance, he noticed Tang Shen being led away by Ji Fu, and a meaningful expression appeared on his face.
Wang Quan, seeing this, glanced at Tang Shen's retreating figure and immediately understood, "Worried?"
Wang Zhen feigned surprise, "Worried about what?"
Wang Quan, "His Majesty wouldn't summon Tang Jingze to Chuigong Hall for no reason. You publicly requested leave for him yesterday. I've already guessed it. If His Majesty asks around, he'll probably figure it out too. Aren't you afraid that when he meets His Majesty, he might say something wrong and provoke His Majesty?"
Wang Zhen smiled leisurely and countered, "Uncle, what do you think I like about him?"
"Oh, what?"
"He never needs me to worry about him. He is Tang Jingze. His current position isn't truly dependent on me."
Wang Quan was momentarily speechless.
Meanwhile, Tang Shen was led to Chuigong Hall. Along the way, he pondered why Zhao Fu wanted to see him. Was it about a new assignment related to the Silver Pull Division? Or perhaps about Second Prince Zhao Shang's activities in Gusu, where he had interfered with the Military Silver Exchange Bank?
When he arrived at Chuigong Hall, Tang Shen bowed and remained silent. Unexpectedly, Zhao Fu also said nothing, simply smiling at him.
Ji Fu, standing nearby, was quite surprised.
Since the Empress Dowager's passing, the Emperor had rarely been in such a mood. At this moment, Zhao Fu seemed to have regained some of his former vitality, no longer spending his days listening to the monk Shanting recite sutras or tapping his wooden fish, his intentions inscrutable.
Tang Shen felt Zhao Fu's gaze on him and wondered what he had done to warrant such attention. However, since Zhao Fu remained silent, Tang Shen couldn't speak first.
After a long while, Zhao Fu's gentle voice finally broke the silence, "I recall Jing Ze came of age this year, didn't you?"
Tang Shen, "Yes."
"You're already twenty. Why haven't you married yet?"
Tang Shen's heart skipped a beat. A possibility dawned on him, but he didn't dare dwell on it.
Zhao Fu sighed deeply, "You all always make me worry! Fei Ran is already twenty-six and still shows no intention of marrying. Last month, I called him over and asked him about it. Guess what he said? He claimed there wasn't a single woman in Shengjing worthy of his attention—not even my princess!"
Tang Shen was startled. He cautiously observed Zhao Fu's expression. He believed Su Wenyun might dare to tell the emperor that he wasn't marrying because he hadn't found the right woman, but he doubted Su Wenyun would dare say that even a princess wasn't good enough for him. This was likely Zhao Fu's casual remark, but the fact that he said it in front of Tang Shen showed just how much he favored Su Wenyun.
"Jing De also worries me. His wife passed away last year. I suggested he remarry, but he said he already had an heir, so why bother?"
By now, Tang Shen understood what Zhao Fu was getting at. He kept his head bowed, wishing he could bury it in the floor tiles.
Zhao Fu leaned forward, resting his upper body on the table, and peered at the back of Tang Shen's head with a mix of kindness and teasing, "So now I want to know, Jing Ze, why haven't you married? And what about your senior brother? He's already twenty-nine. Why hasn't he married either?"
Tang Shen felt like his head was about to explode. He kept his head down and replied loudly, "I... I don't know."
Zhao Fu burst into laughter.
Tang Shen was at a loss.
After laughing, Zhao Fu looked at Tang Shen's flustered expression, and a genuine fondness of an elder for the younger generation flickered in his eyes. He spoke earnestly, "Ten years ago, when I learned of Zi Feng's preference, I was worried for him. I know Zi Feng's character. If he truly loves someone, he would give them his heart and soul. What if he fell for a scoundrel? But now that I know it's you, I'm at ease. I never thought that before I closed my eyes, I would see the two of you together. It's a relief to have one less thing on my mind."
Tang Shen looked up at Zhao Fu.
Zhao Fu waved his hand, "Since I've called you here and teased you, I naturally have a reward for you. It's already been sent to the Minister Residence."
Tang Shen bowed respectfully, "I thank Your Majesty for your grace."
"You may go."
As Tang Shen stepped out of Chuigong Hall, he paused for a moment before continuing forward. In the vast palace, a small figure in red walked steadily away from the heavy palace gates, his steps firm and resolute, showing no hesitation.
After Tang Shen left, Ji Fu stood quietly to the side, cautiously observing Zhao Fu.
Having served Zhao Fu for over fifty years, there were times when Ji Fu felt he understood this emperor, and other times when he was utterly baffled. For instance, just now, whether Zhao Fu's words to Tang Shen were genuine or feigned, Ji Fu couldn't tell. Ji Fu thought that Tang Jingze probably didn't understand either. Even Wang Zifeng, if he were here, might only sigh and say, "The Emperor's heart is inscrutable."
However, Ji Fu had one advantage over Tang Shen and Wang Zhen. After Tang Shen left, the emperor caressed the warm celadon teacup and murmured as if to himself, "I like them even more now."
Ji Fu memorized these words, planning to ponder them later.
The emperor had said that the imperial gifts had been sent to the Minister Residence, but Tang Shen had no intention of going to see them. When he left the Censorate that day, he spotted the sedan chair of the Senior Grand Secretary of the Left from the Department of State Affairs, a first-rank official, waiting at the gate. Tang daren glanced sideways at it, then walked past with his head held high, not even looking inside.
Wang Zhen stepped out of the carriage and called, "Jing Ze."
Tang Shen ignored him and kept walking.
Wang daren sighed, "Still angry."
In matters of strategy, it's all about tension and release.
Wang daren, being a reasonable man, naturally wouldn't add fuel to the fire. He gave Tang Shen two days to cool off.
However, on the third day, Fu Wei suddenly sent invitations to his two students, saying he had acquired a particularly fine painting and wanted them to come to his residence to appreciate it together. Tang Shen couldn't refuse and had to go to the Fu Residence that night. When he arrived, Wang Zifeng was already seated in the flower hall.
Tang Shen kept his eyes down and silently sat down across from Wang Zhen.
Tang Shen, "Sir, where is the painting?"
Fu Wei, "The painting? Of course, there's a painting. Wen Shu, go fetch the painting."
Wen Shu immediately ran to the study and brought back a scroll. The painting wasn't very long, and Wen Shu could hold it open with both hands. At first glance, Tang Shen was stunned, feeling a wave of confusion. But when he saw the seal at the end, he couldn't help but laugh, "I never expected it to be a masterpiece by the Master of Insignificant Talent. Truly a fine painting."
Fu Xiru, the Master of Insignificant Talent, stroked his beard and laughed, "Jing Ze has also noticed the brilliance of this painting. Excellent, excellent. You have a discerning eye. What do you think, Zi Feng?"
Tang Shen also glanced discreetly at Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen's gaze lingered on the painting for a moment, then he turned to Fu Wei and smiled, "Sir, how did you find out?"
Tang Shen was taken aback.
Fu Wei looked embarrassed, "I don't understand what you mean."
Wang Zhen, "His Majesty hasn't summoned you to the palace recently, so it couldn't have been him. You're not close with Ji or Xu xianggong, so it couldn't have been them either." After a pause, Wang Zhen sighed, "So it was Second Uncle."
Fu Wei: "..."
Tang Shen also suddenly understood: "..."
What kind of "bad news travels fast" is this!
The flower hall fell into silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Suddenly, Fu Wei said, "Hai, I was just concerned about you two. What's wrong with that! How could you plan to keep this from me? You're both my students. How could you not tell your teacher about such an important matter? Is this proper etiquette? Is this proper conduct!"
Tang Shen thought to himself: My relationship with Wang Zifeng is the most improper thing of all!
Tang Shen, "It's Jing Ze's fault."
Fu Wei immediately gained confidence and turned to scold Wang Zhen, "And you, why did you hide it from me? What were you thinking?"
Wang Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly, but after glancing at Tang Shen, who was bowing his head in apology, he smiled and also bowed, "This student was wrong." Then he added, "This feels a bit like bowing to parents." (TN: a step in marriage rites)
Fu Wei was stunned.
Tang Shen also didn't react immediately, but when he did, he was furious, "Wang Zifeng!"
Wang Zhen laughed heartily.
Fu Wei, watching from the side, was even more stunned. He had never seen Wang Zifeng like this before. After a long while, he stroked his beard, feeling deeply gratified.
Soon, dinner was served, and the three of them ate at the residence. During the meal, Fu Wei chatted with them for a while, but being older, he soon retired to rest.
Tang Shen and Wang Zhen walked together through the garden of Fu Residence. Gradually, Tang Shen realized, "Are you taking me to the pond?"
Wang Zhen, "To be precise, little Junior Brother, it's that pavilion."
The two quickly passed through layers of bamboo and flowers, arriving at the pavilion. Five years ago, Tang Shen had followed the sound of a zither here and met the "page boy Fu Qin (TN: literally zither-playing boy)." That brief encounter had been unexpected, and neither of them could have imagined the present they were in now.
Tang Shen was moved by the familiar scene, filled with nostalgia.
Wang Zhen suddenly embraced him from behind. Tang Shen stiffened, about to move, when cool lips pressed against the exposed skin of his neck.
"Don't move."
Tang Shen held his breath, "Senior Brother..."
"Why don't you call me Fu Qin anymore?"
Tang Shen was speechless.
Wang Zhen chuckled softly, "It's been three days. Are you still angry with me?"
Tang Shen, "How could I dare be angry with Senior Brother?"
"Then you are angry. It's been three days. In this lifetime, how many more sets of three days do I have to spare for you to be angry at me?"
Tang Shen was momentarily stunned. He thought Wang Zhen was referring to his age. In a way, this wasn't wrong—Wang Zhen was nine years older than Tang Shen. Tang Shen had never considered this before, but now, hearing Wang Zhen's despondent tone, he wondered if the man might actually feel some insecurity.
Tang Shen's heart stirred, and he immediately grasped Wang Zhen's hand, "Senior Brother, why would you think that? I've never thought that way."
Wang Zhen said sadly, "Really? You've never thought that?"
Tang Shen replied urgently, "Really!"
"Then promise me you won't be angry anymore."
"Alright."
Wang Zhen kissed him a few more times, then whispered, "In a few days, I'll be going to Youzhou. The Silver Pull Division's affairs need to move forward. Leaving it all to Qin Si alone isn't feasible. Ah, little Junior Brother, life is already so short, and yet we're busy with other matters, spending little time together. This trip to Youzhou will take at least a month. A month is ten sets of three days. How many more sets of three days do I have?"
Tang Shen suddenly understood, "Wait, when you said that earlier, was it because you're going to Youzhou?"
Wang Zhen smiled, "Yes, what did you think I meant?"
Tang Shen: "..."
Without hesitation, Tang Shen elbowed Wang Zhen in the stomach. Wang Zifeng grunted in pain and let go.
Tang Shen strode away.
Wang Zhen said weakly, "It... it hurts. I think something's bruised."
Tang Shen didn't even look back as he walked away.
Seeing that Tang Shen was already far away, Wang Zhen straightened up and sighed, "I went too far this time. Look, he doesn't even care about me anymore."
Soon after, Wang Zhen left Shengjing for Youzhou.
In late November, three memorials arrived in Shengjing from three different locations. Normally, local memorials had to pass through Right Vice Minister Xu Bi before reaching the emperor's desk. But this time was different. These three memorials were sent directly to Chuigong Hall, presented to the emperor as personal letters.
Zhao Fu opened the memorials and first said, "What is this pretentious, incoherent nonsense!" After saying this, he tossed the memorials onto the desk. But several hours later, he picked them up again to read.