After a light rain, the pears at Lihua Hall ripened.
This was discovered by Zhao Douan after returning to the governnt office.
The trees, which had been planted many years ago, were laden with hefty fruit, prompting Zhao Douan to wave his hand. His secretary led a team of governnt officers, temporarily reassigned as fruit farrs, to harvest several large baskets.
That morning, Zhao Douan stepped into the dining room.
He instantly spotted two beauties, one large and one small, spinning around a soup bowl at the round table.
"Big brother, co take a look. I cooked it as you instructed, but I don't know if this is what you ant by 'candied snow pear'?"
You Jinhua's eyes brightened upon seeing him, and she spoke with a hint of nervousness.
"Let see."
Zhao Douan walked over and examined the sliced pear, which had changed color from being simred in syrup.
The sugar industry in the Great Yu was quite developed, yet the impurities in the rock sugar were too many and it could not compare with future standards, thus affecting the appearance sowhat.
Zhao Douan picked up a spoonful, tasted it, and paused.
The two beautiful faces beside him watched eagerly, You Jinhua mixed with anticipation.
Zhao Panqiu's eyes shone with a willingness to try.
"How is it?"
"Hmm, not bad, the heat was just right," Zhao Douan smiled, "You two should also give it a try."
The two won, curious about this novel dish unheard of before, each took a spoonful of soup with pear into their bowls and carefully tasted it.
After a mont, the mother and daughter's eyes lit up, forming crescents:
"Ah, so sweet..."
"Mother, stop stating the obvious. It's got sugar in it."
"Big brother's way of eating is really fresh."
"Slurp, slurp..."
Zhao Douan, seated at the head of the table, watched the two won eat with gusto, feeling as if he were feeding cats, and his mood brightened considerably.
You Jinhua's coiffed hair was adorned with the heavy jeweled hairpin he had given her, which he had nad "Golden Branch" because it was shaped like intertwining golden branches.
The dangling gold pieces of the hairpin shone, pairing well with her dark green long dress and fair skin, also adding an air of nobility.
Ever since he gave it to her during the Qiqiao Festival, she had worn it daily, beaming at everyone, seemingly showing it off.
As for Zhao Pan, the young girl was not wearing the hairpin, nad "Jade Leaf" because of its erald leaves, which by comparison made it look sowhat less impressive.
"Today I have important errands to run. Where is that basket of washed pears?" Zhao Douan asked.
You Jinhua imdiately ordered soone to bring it; a full basket, perfectly proportioned.
...
After breakfast.
Zhao Pan returned to her bedroom, the young girl sitting in front of her vanity mirror.
She opened a drawer and carefully took out the well-wrapped "Jade Leaf" hairpin, then attentively placed it among her hair, facing the bronze mirror.
She held her slightly gaunt cheeks, now developed during adolescence, and looked from left to right.
She changed into several different outfits to see which matched best, stood up in her room, and turned slowly in circles, tireless.
"Really, it looks much better." The young girl's brows relaxed, her cheeks blushed with makeup, her thoughts wandering.
She sowhat regretted not wearing it in the morning due to embarrassnt. Her brother had kept looking at their mother, paying little attention to her.
...
Outside the Zhao family's ho, Zhao Douan stepped out, but today, the usual coachman "Little Wang" was not there.
He strode directly to the street corner and silently waited.
After a while, an understated yet luxurious carriage approached from the distance and slowly ca to a halt.
Zhao Douan bent down to pick up a basket of pears, stepped into the carriage, sprawled out, and smiled:
"Mo Zhaorong, here we et again."
The woman, dressed in an official's robe and cap without wings, her deanor coldly beautiful and possessing a 'neutral beauty' accentuated by plum blossom makeup at her brow, calmly looked to him.
She nodded lightly, an acknowledgnt of his presence.
Her gaze then fell upon the basket of pears, her eyebrows furrowed:
"Lord Zhao should know where we are heading today, what are you doing with these pears?"
Zhao Douan cheerfully picked a green pear and handed it to her:
"Hogrown at the hall's entrance, to refresh the scholars. Would you like to try, Zhaorong?"
"Ha, no need," Mo Chou gracefully declined, casually saying:
"Xiuwen Pavilion doesn't lack a few pears."
"It's the thought that counts, uncommon as these pears are," Zhao Douan grinned, "Besides, Imperial Court's own pears, only I have this unique batch in the world."
Mo Chou did not engage further, instead directing the coachman to proceed while she expressed slight annoyance:
"Lord Zhao's residence is rather out of the way; coming and going wastes too much ti."
Zhao Douan's house, bought by his grandfather and renovated by his father was indeed quite far from the Imperial Palace.
After all, housing in the Capital City was expensive, and not everyone could afford to live "within the inner ring"; even the thousands of taels in Zhao Douan's hands weren't enough for a new house.
"Ha, living in Capital City is tough, not like Mo Zhaorong, who grew up in the palace, oblivious to the people's hardships."
Zhao Douan sat opposite her, lightly taunting.
Do you think you lack money? Or are you free from greed?
Mo Chou didn't believe a word he said, replying:
"Let's talk business. Today, Xiuwen Pavilion formally convenes, His Majesty specially commanded to fetch you to see the world, just observe and keep your mouth shut, don't interfere and cause delays on important issues."
"Important issues?"
Zhao Douan, still munching on his pear, asked curiously:
"Isn't it customary to exchange pleasantries on our first eting and get to know each other a bit? What important issues could there be?"
Mo Chou glanced at him:
"Do you think His Majesty has that much ti? To take precious ti to chat with a group of scholars?
These people have been more or less known to His Majesty before, and Grandmaster Dong has also convened them more than once; they are already well-acquainted with so bureaucratic matters.
Today, though it's called an 'opening', is actually about formally discussing so significant affairs of the dynasty."
"Such as?"
"New policies," said Mo Chou seriously:
"During the late Emperor's decades-long reign, the court was laxly managed. Therefore, when it fell into His Majesty's hands, it was riddled with defects and maladies. Accordingly, new policies are needed.
This is also why, after the inauguration of Xiuwen Pavilion, apart from alleviating His Majesty's concerns and handling so routine bureaucratic business, the most critical task is these important affairs.
Otherwise, why do you think His Majesty has frequently purged court officials? It's to pave the way for new policies, clearing obstacles…" Zhao Douan realized.
He tucked away his playful thoughts.
So today's opening of the pavilion was more significant than he had expected—was it a gathering of scholars and talents to discuss and formulate new national policies?
"Understood?"
Mo Chou looked at him and sighed,
"That's why I told you not to butt in and speak recklessly.
I don't understand why His Majesty would allow a martial artist like you to sit in.
Everyone involved in discussing the new policies today, everyone who enters the pavilion, must keep their lips sealed and maintain confidentiality. That's also what I wanted to emphasize to you—nothing that happens inside today can be revealed."
Zhao Douan took this more seriously and asked,
"So who are the people inside? I should at least know that."
"Here is the roster of scholars who entered the pavilion," Mo Chou handed over a booklet,
"Regardless of their prior status, everyone entering is awarded the title 'Scholar of Xiuwen'. There are initially eight people, including Grandmaster Dong, making nine."
That few?
Zhao Douan was surprised but then thought about it and wasn't shocked.
Any major decisions involving the state, unless they are decided by a vote, have historically been made by just a few people.
He opened the booklet and the first na he saw was:
Han Zhou.
The carriage shook.
Mo Chou explained,
"Among these eight, the most important are the first three. This Han Zhou, who ca from a humble background and beca the top scholar, works at Hanlin Academy compiling texts. He is reputed as the top talent; his poetry and essays need no ntion—all minor details compared to his wisdom.
Over the past few years, although he has not held an official position, he has repeatedly traveled to various provinces and prefectures, even to fields, to observe and visit. His scholarship is deeply appreciated by Grandmaster Dong."
The top talent, huh...
Zhao Douan turned to the second page and saw a familiar na:
Wang You.
Mo Chou said,
"This is the son of the Minister of Rites from a prominent family. The Wang family has been a distinguished clan for hundreds of years in the Great Yu Dynasty. There's no need to ntion Wang You's learning, and his father is even a master of painting and calligraphy. However... this person is extrely arrogant and very much judges others based on their family background."
Are you telling not to offend him? A scion of a major clan?
Sigh, it seems that if Zhenbao wants to secure his position on the throne, he will also need the support of so major clans... Zhao Douan noted silently.
He flipped another page and laughed,
"This na is rather odd, isn't it? Guo Jieyuan? Jieyuan is usually the title for the top scholar in provincial civil examinations, right?"
Mo Chou cleared her throat and said,
"When his father nad him, he regretted only achieving second place in his own provincial exams, so he nad his son hoping he would beco Jieyuan, and indeed, it ca true."
So perfunctory... Zhao Douan remarked,
"Shouldn't his na be Guo Zhenyuan or Guo Pri Minister?"
Mo Chou paused for a mont and said,
"His father did think of changing his na... well, that's not what's important. The point is, this person is very astute at dealing with people, always starts with a smile, and is a finance expert."
Zhao Douan took notes silently and reviewed the remaining five young talents' profiles.
They ca from different backgrounds, but all were elites among the learned.
A gathering of talents... and here I am, just a simple martial artist... Zhao Douan sighed.
If this were my previous life, these people would be in top global universities or in the elite programs of Qingbei...
Mo Chou sighed,
"Originally, there was also a Great Yu recluse we wanted to invite, but even Grandmaster Dong couldn't persuade him."
"A recluse?"
"Yes, a renowned scholar living in seclusion outside the Capital... nevermind, it's normal for a rough martial artist like you not to know."
Being looked down upon... Zhao Douan shrugged indifferently and seeing the gloomy atmosphere, closed the booklet.
Mo Chou, catching this, teased,
"Aren't you feeling inferior? Have you seen? These are the real talents. Just reciting a line of poetry from them is sothing you couldn't achieve with a lifeti of practicing the sword."
Zhao Douan suddenly smiled and asked,
"Aren't you just jealous of being invited by His Majesty to the Xiuwen Pavilion?"
Mo Chou, as if her thoughts had been exposed, imdiately denied it,
"Not at all. You're just an observer..."
Zhao Douan laughed heartily and added,
"Speaking of which, I heard you've been following His Majesty since childhood? As a maid? The palace is so filled with yin energy, have you really not had proper contact with many n?"
After a brief pause, Zhao Douan astonishingly added,
"I an... the way you keep looking at unfavorably, could it be that you like His Majesty?"
Mo Chou seed to be struck by lightning.
She hurriedly averted her gaze, and her fingers and toes curled up, her luminous face instantly flushing hot,
"What... what nonsense are you spouting? I... I simply admire His Majesty."
"Really?" Zhao Douan looked doubtful and earnestly said,
"Actually, if you feel that way and are too shy to say it, I can help convey your feelings to His Majesty."
"Don't!"
Mo Chou's tone suddenly beca high-pitched, her eyes widened.
The eunuch driving the carriage glanced sideways, horrified.
He wondered if Lord Zhao had done sothing improper to Miss Mo in the carriage.
...
"Ha-ha, just teasing you, here, have a pear."
Zhao Douan laughed heartily.
Mo Chou's face turned red with anger, glaring at him and realizing she had been played.
She stared for two seconds, then snatched the pear and bit into it viciously as though she was biting into Zhao Douan himself, intending to swallow it whole.
At this mont, the carriage began to slow down.
The eunuch, pretending he heard nothing and deciding to bury today's events deep in his heart, announced,
"We've arrived at the Xiuwen Pavilion."
Zhao Douan perked up, lifted the curtain, and looked forward to the building with so anticipation.
To establish new policies?
He truly didn't believe that a group of feudal literati could outdo him.
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