Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Imperial Envoy Arrives (4)

Li Fuguo’s arrogant gaze swept over the assembly, finally settling on Yang Qi. He smiled slightly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, “Governor Yang, I have come to the south on imperial orders, traversing a thousand miles, braving the elements—a most arduous journey. I have long heard that this region is the flourishing jewel of our Tang Dynasty. Now that I see it with my own eyes, its reputation is indeed deserved. Upon entering Jiangning, I was struck by a sense of disorientation, as if I had stepped into Chang’an or Luoyang itself!”

Yang Qi returned the gesture with a smile. “Your Excellency flatters us. Jiangning is but a small city in the south; how could it compare to the imperial capital? The difference is vast, truly vast.”

“Confucius Sheng, a scholar of the south, has submitted a memorial to the court, petitioning for the capital to be moved to Jinling…” As soon as Li Fuguo uttered these words, Yang Qi’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening slightly. Subconsciously, he cast an angry glance at Confucius Sheng before quickly restoring his customary smile.

Fortunately, Li Fuguo waved his hand with a half-smile and continued, “His memorial to relocate the capital was eloquently written, but divorced from reality and impossible to carry out. It became a topic of ridicule among the officials. Still, it demonstrates his heartfelt concern for the country, a sincerity that has greatly pleased His Majesty.”

With these words, most of those present were taken aback. The so-called “Memorial to Move the Capital to Jinling” had begun to circulate throughout the realm, but thanks to Yang Qi’s discreet suppression, it had not yet become widely known in Jiangning. Few were aware, and no one suspected that Confucius Sheng had actually submitted such a proposal to the court.

Confucius Sheng kept his head bowed, ignoring the barrage of glances and whispers directed at him.

Because Misty Rain Pavilion belonged to the Yang family, Yang Xue Ruo was personally escorted by the manager, Meng Chong, entering through the rear and seating herself in a private chamber behind the main hall. This chamber was separated from the banquet by a single corridor, allowing her to observe everything with perfect clarity.

She entered just as Li Fuguo was discussing Confucius Sheng’s petition. With a raised eyebrow, Yang Xue Ruo listened intently.

“Governor Yang, I hear that Confucius Sheng is a family acquaintance, and that a marriage alliance has been proposed between his family and yours?” Li Fuguo turned and smiled.

Yang Qi cleared his throat, forcing a smile. “Your Excellency, I do have some ties to Confucius Sheng’s father, Confucius Lin. He is a junior to me; that much is true.”

“Guo Ziyi, Duke of Fen, personally recommended Confucius Sheng to His Majesty, praising his unmatched literary talent and martial prowess, his ambition to serve the court. His Majesty was greatly comforted by this. The poems and essays submitted by Confucius Sheng have received imperial commentary, and His Majesty has decreed they be spread throughout the realm!”

Li Fuguo laughed heartily.

The faces of Zhou An and his son grew increasingly grim. At this banquet, Li Fuguo spoke of nothing but Confucius Sheng, lavishing him with praise, saying even the emperor held him in high regard. Was the imperial envoy’s journey to the south solely for Confucius Sheng’s sake?

Zhou Chang’s face was livid, his lips trembling, a raging fire of jealousy burning within him. Yet he dared not show it, burying his head deeply, his shoulders shaking.

Liu Pingshan, prefect of Jiangning, drew a sharp breath. The matter was clear: Confucius Sheng’s poetic talent had been recognized by the court. Li Fuguo’s visit must be connected to him. The fortunes of the Confucius family were changing. His own son’s beating would likely come to nothing.

In the private chamber, Yang Xue Ruo, Liu Xinru, and two other women listened closely, their delicate faces bright with satisfaction.

Li Fuguo clapped his hands, glanced at Yang Qi, and suddenly said, “Is Confucius Sheng, scholar of the south, present?”

Confucius Sheng took a deep breath, steadying himself. He knew his long-awaited opportunity had arrived. Rising, he stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Fuguo and Yang Qi. “Confucius Sheng greets Your Excellency and Governor Yang!”

He had little regard for the infamous eunuch Li Fuguo, but for now, Li Fuguo was a figure of immense power in the Tang court. Confucius Sheng would not join him in his corruption, but he could not yet oppose him outright.

Moreover, Li Fuguo’s current status as imperial envoy could not be ignored, while Confucius Sheng was merely a scholar. It would be improper not to pay his respects.

Li Fuguo looked him over appreciatively. “What a handsome young man—your reputation is well deserved! Confucius Sheng, your name has shaken the court. Even Princess Ningguo and Princess Jiguo instructed me to bring your portrait back to Lingwu, so they might see what sort of heroic youth the Tang has produced!”

Such praise made Confucius Sheng slightly embarrassed. He bowed low, feigning humility. “I am unworthy of such high praise, Your Excellency.”

Li Fuguo laughed, his duck-like voice sharp and grating. Yang Qi, beside him, frowned slightly, a fleeting look of disdain passing across his face, which did not escape Confucius Sheng’s notice.

Confucius Sheng sighed inwardly. The situation had grown beyond his control. If Yang Qi failed to heed the imperial decree, or somehow offended this powerful eunuch, his fate could be perilous indeed.

Suddenly, Li Fuguo stood, his shrill voice echoing through the upper floor. “His Majesty commands: Scholar of the south, Confucius Sheng, receive the imperial decree!”

A hint of wild joy flashed in Confucius Sheng’s eyes. He calmed himself and bowed deeply.

Zhou An’s heart gave a jolt; his hand beneath the table clutched a jade pendant, trembling uncontrollably. Zhou Chang’s face was ghostly pale, barely able to contain his jealousy—a desperate urge to dash out and cry to the heavens.

Elsewhere, Yang Xue Ruo grew visibly tense, instinctively holding her breath.

Liu Xinru knelt beside Yang Xue Ruo’s table, head bowed, her heart awash with emotion. The once unruly youth she had scorned was now about to leap the dragon gate, transform into a dragon, and soar to the heavens!

“His Majesty commands: The scholar Confucius Sheng of Jiangning is gifted in both literature and arms, bold and wise, with the nation’s fate close to his heart. I am greatly comforted. Bestow upon him fine wine, red flowers, gold, silver, and silk. The nation faces crisis and needs capable men. I hereby appoint Confucius Sheng as a Scholar of the Imperial Court, invest him as Magistrate of Songcheng in Suiyang, Henan Province. He is to take up his post immediately, as a model for all young scholars…”

Confucius Sheng prostrated himself, calling out loudly, “Confucius Sheng receives the decree! In gratitude for His Majesty’s great favor, I shall rush to the nation’s aid and serve the court unto death!”

A Scholar of the Imperial Court! The assembled guests, including the scholars, burst into admiring cries. Yang Qi frowned, thinking to himself that Suiyang was at the heart of the rebellion’s battleground. Assigning Confucius Sheng as magistrate of Songcheng truly meant sending him to the front lines… A most alluring, yet perilous, honor!

Li Fuguo was extremely satisfied with Confucius Sheng’s attitude. Laughing, he handed over the imperial edict and official documents, waving his hand. “Go now. I will remain in the south for some time; you may proceed to your post.”

Confucius Sheng respectfully accepted the decree and documents, holding them high before him, then returned to his seat.