Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Imperial Envoy Arrives (3)

The ancestral residence of the Kong family.

Yang Kuan stood on the steps at the entrance, directing the servants of the Yang household as they swept the courtyard and repaired the lintel, bustling about with tireless energy.

Yang Xue Ruo stood beside Kong Sheng, her smile gentle as she tilted her head and softly said, “Kong, my father has ordered the restoration of your ancestral home and will return it to you. What are your plans for the future?”

Kong Sheng sighed lightly. “Your father’s kindness is overwhelming, and I can only accept it in spirit. Xue Ruo, my ambitions do not lie in Jiangnan. I fear I will disappoint your father in the days to come.”

The smile faded gradually from Yang Xue Ruo’s face. She understood well that Kong Sheng’s heart was set on the world at large; when opportunity arose, he would certainly not remain in Jiangnan—her father’s gesture was clearly an attempt to win Kong Sheng’s favor.

And this meant... She recalled how recently the imperial envoy had arrived in the city, with her father leading all the officials out to greet him. Her heart stirred as she murmured, “Kong, I hear the imperial envoy has arrived. So, you...”

Kong Sheng nodded silently, lowering his voice. “Xue Ruo, no matter where I go in the future, you will always be in my heart.”

He pointed to his chest, and a gentle warmth softened his resolute, handsome features. A wave of sorrow surged within Yang Xue Ruo; she turned away in grief, struggling to hold back the two shimmering tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

A swift horse galloped up, and the soldier astride it called out loudly, “Kong Sheng, the governor commands you to attend the banquet at Misty Rain Pavilion at once!”

Kong Sheng clasped his hands in salute to the soldier, who glanced at him before turning his horse and riding away.

Kong Sheng exhaled deeply, knowing that Yang Qi had summoned him to the banquet welcoming the imperial envoy—clearly, his opportunity had arrived. This meant he was about to leave Jiangnan, and, inevitably, to part from Yang Xue Ruo.

He walked slowly down the steps, bowing deeply to Yang Xue Ruo. “Xue Ruo, I must go now.”

With those words, unwilling to witness her sorrow, he turned and departed without hesitation. His stride was swift; by the time Yang Xue Ruo recovered herself, he had already disappeared around the corner.

Seeing her mistress so grief-stricken and on the verge of tears, Hongmian was bewildered and quietly asked, “Miss, why are you suddenly so sad?”

Li Xinru sighed beside her. “Miss, it seems Kong Sheng’s fortunes are about to turn. With the imperial envoy’s arrival, I suspect it’s to announce his appointment and entrance into officialdom.”

Li Xinru was not like Hongmian, whose thoughts were simple and whose education was lacking. Xinru’s mind was sharp and clear; after a moment’s reflection, she understood why Yang Xue Ruo was so sorrowful and unable to compose herself.

For Yang Xue Ruo, Kong Sheng’s advancement was certainly a good thing, but it meant he would leave Jiangning. The two would be parted, and for someone in the throes of love, how could she bear it?

Li Xinru handed Yang Xue Ruo a snow-white handkerchief.

Yang Xue Ruo wiped away her tears and waved silently. “Come, let’s go to Misty Rain Pavilion as well.”

Outside Misty Rain Pavilion, under Kong Sheng’s orders, more than a hundred soldiers had cleared the entire street to ensure the safety of the imperial envoy. The security was tight; only those invited to the banquet were permitted entry, and idlers were strictly barred.

The banquet for the imperial envoy was both a ritual of courtesy and a matter of regulation, reflecting local customs. Besides the senior officials led by Yang Qi, prominent scholars and wealthy gentry of the city—so-called luminaries from all walks of life—were also in attendance.

Li Fuguo sat proudly at the main guest table, clad in splendid attire. Though his appearance was unattractive, he exuded a certain authority. Yang Qi was seated at his side. Li Fuguo treated Yang Qi with unusual respect, for Yang Qi’s rank and position as a regional governor were significant—none would dare underestimate him.

Li Fuguo and Yang Qi occupied the central seats; to the left sat the local officials, led by Prefect Liu Pingshan; to the right were the wealthy gentry and representatives of the scholars, numbering over a hundred, filling the second floor of Misty Rain Pavilion to capacity.

Zhou An and his son were among them. Zhou Chang’s expression was one of excitement and anticipation; he believed the imperial envoy’s visit was a response to Yang Qi’s recommendation. The envoy’s personal arrival to issue an imperial summons was a great honor. In his excitement, Zhou Chang failed to consider that, even if the court valued Yang Qi’s recommendation, would they send an imperial envoy all this way for the appointment of one or two scholars? Did he truly merit such distinction?

Zhou An’s expression was more complicated. Unlike his son’s excitement, he remained calm and sensed that the envoy’s journey to Jiangnan was not so simple—likely tied to important affairs. Was it to announce Yang Qi’s promotion and departure? Zhou An’s heart skipped a beat, and he drew a sharp breath.

If Yang Qi were to leave Jiangnan, all the Zhou family’s investments would be for naught.

Kong Sheng hurried upstairs, appearing before the gathering. Zhou An and his son’s expressions changed drastically, and Zhou Chang nearly cried out in shock: Wasn’t this man imprisoned? How did he turn up at the banquet in Misty Rain Pavilion?

Liu Pingshan, Meng Ru, and the other local officials frowned deeply, their eyes coldly fixed on Kong Sheng. At this point, Liu Pingshan had learned that Kong Sheng had severely injured Liu Nian, who had only just been revived, but with two broken ribs, he would be bedridden for at least another month. If it weren’t for the imperial envoy’s arrival, not even Yang Qi’s influence would have stopped Liu Pingshan from acting—he would have had Kong Sheng arrested long ago.

Kong Sheng ignored the hostile gazes of those present and quietly took a seat at the far end, bowing his head in silence. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yang Qi’s complicated look fixed upon him, while Li Fuguo, high at the head of the table, also gazed at him intently.

Truth be told, Kong Sheng had not expected Emperor Li Heng to send an envoy to Jiangnan, much less that the notorious eunuch Li Fuguo would be chosen. By all reason, Li Fuguo’s visit could not be merely to announce a simple appointment.

Kong Sheng focused inwardly, his mind racing. Suddenly, his clenched fist trembled as he thought: Li Heng sent Li Fuguo to Jiangnan—is it to urge Yang Qi to mobilize the Jiangnan troops, crossing the river to support Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi in quelling the rebellion?

Yes, it must be! Prosperous Jiangnan, untouched by war, held nearly a hundred thousand troops. If these forces crossed the river to the north, they would surely pose a significant threat to An Lushan’s rebels. More importantly, the deployment of Jiangnan’s troops would not only be strategic but also politically encourage other regional governors to send troops in support of the emperor!

There are wise advisors in the court, offering the emperor brilliant counsel!

But Kong Sheng’s expression suddenly changed again as he realized something even more crucial: If the court truly ordered Yang Qi to march against the rebels, it would provoke strong resistance from Yang Qi. If he lost control and opposed the imperial command, things could turn disastrous...

At this thought, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on Kong Sheng’s forehead.