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Situ Qinglan had never dreamed that such a good thing would happen to her. She thought that the relationship between Yu Shu and her was not as close as that of Xin Liu. Besides, she was not a member of an aristocratic family. She had no right to be the Imperial Officer of the Kunling Bureau.
Therefore, after hearing the good news that Yu Shu had been promoted to the Right Commander, she did not rush to flatter her. Instead, she deliberately avoided arousing suspicion. She did not take the initiative to see her in these months, in case Yu Shu also regarded her as a snob who fawned on the rich and powerful.
This was Situ Qinglan's last year in the Taishi Library. She would graduate in a few months. She would be twenty years old. Her uncle and aunt wanted her to get married. No matter how unwilling she was, she could not stay in the Fang Family and not leave. But with her lonely life and her age, what kind of good family could she find? Right now, her grandfather could protect her, but after a few years, when the old man passed away, who would look at her in the eye? There would even be malicious people who would say behind her back that she was a jinx to her parents.
She had thought that her life was just like that. Who knew that there would be a surprise waiting for her in front.
Wen Shao 'an found Situ Qinglan in the Taishi Library. No one said anything. He took her to the Celestial Commissioner to see Yu Shu. Situ Qinglan was excited all the way. Although Wen Shao 'an did not explain to her, she guessed why Yu Shu wanted to see her. She did not dare to think too much, for fear that it would be a delusion.
This was the first time she entered the Kunling Bureau. The clean courtyard and the numerous flowers were not as dignified as the other official offices. The tower shrouded in the shade made her yearn for it. It once again awakened her unwillingness to be mediocre.
The officials in the hall looked at her curiously. But they were still busy with their own things. No one came forward to ask. Wen Shao 'an led her to the second floor. There was a balcony on the west side of the Flower Hall. There were four carved doors on the east side. He went forward and knocked on the doors.
"Sir, Lady Situ has arrived."
Hearing "come in", Wen Shao 'an pushes open the two doors in the middle of the room. Situ Qinglan walks in with her ears empty. She looks up and sees a big red sandalwood desk under the east window. Yu Shu is sitting on the chair with her back to the light. She can't see her face clearly. The Big Dipper Palace on her shoulders is shining brightly. She is so close to Situ Qinglan, but no one can offend her.
Situ Qinglan couldn't help but feel uneasy. She didn't know if she should greet him or not. She saw Yu Shu put down the file, stood up, and walked out. She waved at her and said in a brisk tone, "You're here. Sit here."
Wen Shao 'an leaves silently. Situ Qinglan sits at the tea table with her hands and feet tied. Then she looks up and sees Yu Shu's face clearly. Her eyes are burned by the flame between her eyebrows. She looks down and doesn't dare to look at her.
Yu Shu doesn't seem to notice her cautiousness. She says, "We haven't seen each other for a few months. How is Academician Fang?"
Situ Qinglan says, "Grandpa is in good health. It's just that after the death of the late emperor, he was a little tired." In fact, Fang Zijing's health is not as good as before. If it weren't for a group of disappointing descendants, he would have resigned from his position and retired home like Academician Xin.
Yu Shu seemed to have learned how to read minds. She said, "Academician Fang is getting on in years. He shouldn't be working too hard. Teaching is tiring. Why don't you persuade him to retire as soon as possible and go home to enjoy his retirement?"
Situ Qinglan smiles bitterly, "I've persuaded him, but he's stubborn. He won't listen to me."
Yu Shu smiles faintly and says, "I'm afraid it's not that he's stubborn, but that he can't let go." The aristocratic families of the twelve prefectures in the capital seem to be prosperous, but they have reached the point of no succession. The Xin family is better. Xin Ya is middle-aged and she works as the Celestial Commissioner. She can make plans for her family. As for the Fang family, it's not that there's no successor. They can't even get into the Celestial Commissioner. They can only stay in the Dayi Exchange House to protect the reputation of the aristocratic families.
Situ Qinglan's face darkens. She clenches her fingers on her knees. She can't pretend to be calm anymore because of the suffering in her heart. She stands up and stands in front of Yu Shu. She musters up her courage and says, "I know you still have the position of the Imperial Officer of the Kunling Bureau. Can you give me a chance? Let me try?"
Yu Shu puts her arm on the table. Her slender fingers tap on the lid of the porcelain tea. Every tap seems to knock on people's hearts. She looks at Situ Qinglan and asks her in a slow tone, "Are you asking me as a friend or as Situ Qinglan?"
Situ Qinglan is stunned. Then she understands what Yu Shu means. She hesitates for a moment and then bows down.
"It's Situ Qinglan today. No one else." She wants to rely on Yu Shu. She can't pretend to be a friend anymore. It seems to be a difficult choice, but it makes her recognize herself.
Yu Shu firmly held her elbow and helped her up. She patted her shoulder and said: "Tomorrow, I will recommend you to the Chief Advisor to be the Female Imperial Official. Before it is done, don't mention it to anyone."
Situ Qinglan can't hold back her joy. She nods and agrees.
She walks out of the door of the Celestial Commissioner. She turns down Wen Shaoan's offer and walks back to the Fang family under the scorching sun. As usual, she goes to the upper room to see her grandmother. Facing the sarcasm of her two aunts, she feels unprecedentedly peaceful.
Because she knows that soon she won't have to live under someone else's roof.
*
*
*
Yu Shu recommends Situ Qinglan. The Commissioner only asks about her background and character. Then she makes the decision.
"Next month is the enthronement ceremony. I will choose a suitable time to let you take over my position." Zhu Muzhao takes her to the pavilion of the chrysanthemum in Taixi Tower and tells her what to do next.
"Ren Qiming is still the Junior Supervisor. I want Madam Lu to be reinstated. With the two of them listening to you, even if there are people who don't agree, it won't affect the overall situation."
"It's all up to the Grand Secretary." It was not that Yu Shu did not have a plan in mind. The Directorate of Astronomy had three divisions and two bureaus. She had a handle on Xin Ya from the Records Bureau, Cui Xiuyi from the Astronomical Bureau was not a threat, and Bureau Kun Ling had long been subdued by her. When she makes the Commissioner, Zong Zhengsi will be in her pocket. Ren Qiming won't be able to ride over her. The only one left is Taicheng Si. If Cao Zuoling is smart, he won't make things difficult for her.
Zhu Muzhao looks with satisfaction at her steady temperament. He changes the topic and says to her earnestly, "I'm not worried about other things. Your methods are not bad. It's not difficult to control the Celestial Commissioner. It's just that it's not early or late. What I'm afraid of is that you'll neglect your progress in the Study of Yi because of your power and influence. You must know that the three words' Great Advice 'are not only a supreme honor, but also a role model for millions of people in the world who learn Yi. If you want to control the Imperial Astronomer and assist the Emperor, you must have the ability to be the best. "
Yu Shu listened to his advice and couldn't help but frown in thought.
Zhu Muzhao says, "If you have the Book of Fairy Maiden, you won't have to worry. But you don't have that kind of ability. You need to learn from others and make up for your shortcomings. You do have a strange art of death, but it has many limits. You can't use it easily. It's not as good as my Art of Insight, which can be practiced to the extreme. I've been in office for more than ten years. I've never slacked off. Not only the secret arts of the Zhu family, but I've also dabbled in the unique arts of other families. Don't look down on the families of the twelve prefectures. If they don't have something special, how can their ancestors help the Divine Ancestor to conquer the country? It's a pity that their descendants are mediocre and unambitious. They've wasted all kinds of rare arts and can't carry them forward. "
Yu Shu raised her head and looked at him with eyes like torches. Her eyes were filled with longing and expectation.
Zhu Muzhao smiles and counts them one by one. "The Lu family's Wind and Moon Treasured Mirror, the Fang family's Thousand Faces Art, the Cui family's Spirit Speech Art, the Ren family's Nine Yin Geomancy Art, the Qin family's Formula of Rain, the Kong family's Eight Formation Diagram … and finally, my Zhu family's Art of Insight. I can make an exception and teach you one of these twelve arts. You can choose one. As for how far you can learn it, it'll depend on your fate."
Hearing this, Yu Shu's face flushed red. She lost her composure and asked, "Is what the Grand Secretary said true?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Yu Shu gets up and says, "Let me think about it."
Zhu Muzhao waves his hand and lets her be. Yu Shu walks to the lakeside alone. She looks down at the blue water under her feet, which reflects her young but lifeless face. The fire in her heart is instantly extinguished. After calming down, she walks back to the pavilion.
"Have you made up your mind?" Zhu Muzhao asks.
"Imperial Scripture, can I learn the Zhu family's Art of Insight?" She can choose the arts from the twelve prefectures. It sounds very tempting, but with her talent, only by learning the Art of Insight could she have a chance to learn it under Zhu Muzhao's personal guidance.
Similarly, without the help of the Book of Mystery Fairy's Six Rens, Zhu Muzhao could intimidate the imperial court with the help of the Big Hole Technique. Why did she have to find another way and give up what was close at hand for what was far away? With the Zhu family's Art of Insight and her Time of Calamity Law, there might be an unexpected surprise.
Zhu Muzhao doesn't look surprised at all. He nods and says to her kindly, "From tomorrow onwards, come to Taixi Tavern at five o 'clock."
Yu Shu thanks him.
.....
Three days later, Situ Qinglan's appointment notice is sent from the Celestial Commissioner to the Taishi Library. Everyone is envious. Not to mention that the whole Fang family would cry and laugh when they heard the good news, Fang Zijing was very relieved. If it were not for the fact that the national mourning had not passed and they could not hold a big banquet, he would definitely celebrate for his granddaughter.
Fang Zijing hears that Yu Shu is the matchmaker. When he gets home, he takes out two of his treasures and reluctantly gives them to Yu Shu. After thinking for a while, he writes a letter and sends it to Yu Shu to express his gratitude.
He holds the letter sent by the Celestial Commissioner and reads it over and over again. He says to Situ Qinglan in private, "When you work in the Kunling Bureau in the future, don't forget your duty. This is a great opportunity that others can't even beg for. You should cherish it. Don't be arrogant and make your boss annoyed."
Situ Qinglan says gently, "I understand grandfather's words. Although I am good friends with Lianfang, when I come to the officialdom, we are just superiors and subordinates. I won't push my luck."
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