Chapter Forty-Three: The Pact of Mist and Rain Pavilion (3)

Seeing Kong Sheng refuse again and again, Yang Xue Ruo felt a slight disappointment in her heart, yet her face shone with radiant determination, yielding not an inch. “Does the young lord still bear resentment for the day my family withdrew from the marriage? I admit, the Yang family was discourteous towards you in the past, but I ask you to reflect: were your own actions then entirely proper?”

Hongmian, standing to the side, was so angry her teeth ached. She clenched her tiny fists and puffed her cheeks, intent on rushing forward to question Kong Sheng’s lack of appreciation, but Meng Chong held her back every time.

Although Meng Chong was a businessman and a loyal subordinate placed outside by the Yang family, he possessed a discerning eye. This matter before them was one only the young lady could resolve herself; others could offer no assistance.

Kong Sheng sighed. “Miss, you must understand—even if your family had not withdrawn from our engagement, I would have taken the initiative to dissolve it. I am grateful for your favor, but the disparity between our families is too great; marriage is not something we can decide ourselves. Therefore—”

He had not finished speaking when Yang Xue Ruo interrupted resolutely, “Young lord, we were once betrothed. If you do not break our vow, I will never forsake you! My heart is set. Should my parents force me, I shall either prove my resolve with death or become a nun, ensuring my purity remains for you alone!”

Yang Xue Ruo’s generous and resolute words shook Kong Sheng to his core. He looked up at the girl before him, her beauty peerless, and felt a stirring deep within. A girl, casting aside shame, offering her heart so openly—how could he, a grown man, shrink from this?

Kong Sheng exhaled deeply and bowed to Yang Xue Ruo. “Miss, your kindness overwhelms me! Here, on this Mist and Rain Pavilion, I swear an oath with you: wait for me two years. Two years from now, no matter the circumstances, I will return and ask for your hand in marriage again! Even if ten thousand oppose me, I shall not waver!”

Yang Xue Ruo wept tears of joy.

Yet, she was not an ordinary girl. Regaining her composure, she returned the salute with gentle grace. “Please remember, young lord, my body and soul now belong to you. If you break our oath, I shall have no recourse but death.”

Kong Sheng shuddered at her words, gazing at Yang Xue Ruo with newfound tenderness. As their eyes met, countless emotions surged forth, weaving a tapestry of feeling between them, their hearts trembling as if electrified.

Looking at the girl's gentle, delicate beauty, Kong Sheng felt moved and protective. He knew that after this oath atop the Mist and Rain Pavilion, she would have to face what awaited her. In these times, to defy parental arrangements was almost to walk a path of utter isolation.

Yang Xue Ruo stood gracefully at his side, her heart awash with indescribable tenderness and a faint sorrow. Kong Sheng's two-year promise made her understand that the young man had long planned to leave Jiangnan and seek his fortune elsewhere. It would not be long before she would be separated from her beloved, forced to endure immense pressures from her family and society alone.

Yet this was her choice, for the sake of her heart, she would rather die than regret!

Hongmian, standing nearby, was so moved she shed tears. As a maid, she had few worries and even fewer calculations. She only hoped her lady’s wishes would come true, that her future happiness would have a home. As long as the young lord of the Kong family would not forget his promise or betray her love in two years’ time, what was two years? It would pass in the blink of an eye.

Lingwu.

In the afternoon, the northern wind howled across this ancient frontier city. On its imposing walls, the banners of the Tang army fluttered, and the robust soldiers stood tall and silent, gripping their spears.

Lingwu was no more than the station of the Shuo Fang army and the seat of the Lingwu Governor’s Office, an isolated town at the edge of the desert and wasteland. Yet, because Crown Prince Heng came here to seek refuge and ascended the throne to command the suppression of rebellion, the city’s name spread far and wide, its prestige soaring. After Li Heng took the throne, he elevated the Lingzhou Governor’s Office to a Grand Governor’s Office and issued orders, summoning armies from all directions to defend the realm.

Lingwu was square and compact, its defenses strong—this was the crucial reason Li Heng and his trusted ministers chose it as their temporary residence. Li Heng occupied the former Governor’s Office as a provisional palace, which also served as the temporary command center of the court.

In these times of national crisis, Li Heng dispensed with the usual routines of daily court sessions. Apart from resting, he spent most of his days in the Grand Governor’s hall, listening to reports and discussing affairs of state with Du Hongjian and others.

Du Hongjian hailed from the Du clan of Puyang, passed the imperial examination, and held positions as military advisor, judicial director, and acting governor of Shuo Fang. When the rebellious An Shi forces advanced on Chang’an, Li Longji fled west to Shu, and Du Hongjian drafted petitions detailing the military resources of Shuo Fang, prompting Li Heng’s move there. After Li Heng arrived in Lingwu, Du Hongjian and Pei Mian submitted petitions urging him to take the throne, in line with the will of the people. Li Heng was initially reluctant, but after Du Hongjian’s five petitions, he finally acquiesced.

Thus, Du Hongjian played a pivotal role in supporting Li Heng’s ascension, and at this moment, his status in the new emperor’s eyes was surely no less than that of renowned generals like Guo Ziyi.

Therefore, upon receiving Guo Ziyi’s recommendation and related documents, Li Heng’s first thought was of Du Hongjian.

Du Hongjian had just left the Governor’s Office to eat a simple lunch—only a bit of minced meat and a cold flatbread. In these chaotic times, even a high official like him could not enjoy material comforts.

“Your servant Du Hongjian greets Your Majesty!” Despite his merits in supporting the emperor, Du Hongjian was not arrogant; instead, he grew more humble, which Li Heng particularly admired.

“Zhi Xun, you may rise.” Li Heng’s pale face showed a faint smile. He waved his hand, indicating Du Hongjian should take his seat.

Du Hongjian rose and looked at the emperor’s prematurely gray temples and worry-laden expression. He sighed inwardly but spoke calmly, “Your Majesty summoned me—does something require my attention?”

Li Heng sighed softly and fell silent for a moment.

These days, Li Heng’s heart was troubled; he had hardly slept. The perilous years as crown prince were finally over, his longtime foe Yang Guozhong was long dead at Mawei, and now, with his enthronement at Lingwu, he could at last ease his worries and vent his grievances. Yet, from Lingwu, he was far from the capital; the rebels had taken both imperial cities, and the task of reclaiming lost territory and quelling the rebellion remained daunting.

At this moment of near national collapse, raising the banner of resistance in Lingwu brought hope of revival to subjects across the land, rekindling the flames of patriotic resolve, the determination to fight the rebels to the death. This was the reason for Li Heng’s establishment of a court at Lingwu, and the sole foundation for his future.

“Zhi Xun, Guo Ziyi has sent a memorial of recommendation; take a look.” Li Heng gestured for his attendant to bring Guo Ziyi’s memorial box to Du Hongjian.

The attendant, a strikingly ugly middle-aged eunuch, smiled as he carried the box down the steps toward Du Hongjian. “Master Du, here is Guo Fenyang’s memorial box—please review it.”

Du Hongjian glanced at the eunuch, a flash of dislike in his eyes, but still stood and bowed with a smile. “Thank you, Steward Li, I am undeserving of your trouble!”

This was Li Fuguo, one of the two favored chief eunuchs beside the new emperor Li Heng, originally named Li Jingzhong, later granted the name Fuguo. The other infamous one was Yu Chaoen, currently sent by Li Heng to serve as military supervisor with Guo Ziyi’s army, leaving only Li Fuguo to manage palace affairs. As a close confidant of the emperor, even ministers like Du Hongjian dared not slight him.

Li Fuguo chuckled, his voice sharp and sinister. “Master Du, you are too kind. I am but a humble servant at His Majesty’s side, unworthy of such courtesy!”

Du Hongjian’s mouth twitched, but he did not pursue the matter further with Li Fuguo. He lowered his head and began to examine Guo Ziyi’s memorial.

To his surprise, Guo Ziyi’s submission was not a military or political report, but a recommendation, accompanied by several poems.

The more Du Hongjian read, the more his expression changed. After a long pause, he looked up and said, “Your Majesty, Guo Fenyang has recommended a scholar from Jiangnan named Kong Sheng. The young man’s poetry is indeed outstanding, but…”