Chapter 38

In the main hall of the Guan Residence, Madam Guan had sent all the servants far away. Even Afu was absent.

Meng Fushan toyed with the small teacup. Old Madam Guan did not spare him a glance, but he spoke with easy familiarity. "It has been over twenty-five years since we parted at White Deer Academy. I trust you have been well, Old Madam."

Madam Guan took a sip of her cooling herbal tea. "That face of yours deceived so many fine young women all across the land when you were young, Chancellor Meng. In your old age, your cheek has only grown thicker than a city wall."

Meng Fushan acted as though he had heard none of her sarcasm. He returned the teacup to its original spot. "I have come for one matter alone. Your son has recently been investigating the Lake Tai stones. I would like you to pass a message on to him."

"Know when to stop, or jade and stone will burn together. Surely you would not wish to see that, Old Madam Guan."

Madam Guan's gaze sharpened. "What, after twenty-five years, Meng Fushan, do you think I, Guan Zhongping, am still some naive little girl you can threaten and deceive?"

Twenty-five years ago, the old Chancellor Guan had given lectures at White Deer Academy, where most of the outstanding scholars gathered. Chancellor Guan had been recuperating there from an illness, and whenever he had time, he went to the academy to lecture, guide, and promote these young men. Guan Zhongping was the Guan Clan's only daughter of her generation. Chancellor Guan had always raised her like a son and taken her wherever he went.

Meng Fushan had been one of those scholars. Quick-witted and exceptionally capable, he had earned Chancellor Guan's particular favor and received his guidance several extra times. Meng Fushan actually had an elder brother. Born of the same pregnancy, they were equally handsome. But their parents had died early, leaving the family impoverished, and the elder Meng had shouldered the responsibility of supporting them, working in the fields to fund Meng Fushan's studies.

The elder Meng often brought his younger brother food and clothes. He also loved reading, and occasionally taking the opportunity to sit in on a lesson was enough to satisfy him. Over time, Guan Zhongping had come to know him. They fell in love, and she secretly conceived his child. Just as Guan Zhongping decided to confess everything to her father, the elder Meng was attacked by a wild beast while gathering firewood in the mountains and died.

Knowing Guan Zhongping was pregnant, Meng Fushan proposed that he could take his brother's place and become her husband in name, hoping she would keep the child. Distraught and bewildered, Guan Zhongping accepted his proposal, but demanded that Meng Fushan marry into her family. The Guan Clan's line could not end.

Meng Fushan had intended to use the opportunity to become the chancellor's son-in-law, but Guan Zhongping proved unyielding, insisting that he marry into her family. Since the child was not his own, Meng Fushan thought, why should he live off a woman and be unable to hold his head high? His attitude changed, and he mocked Guan Zhongping for losing her chastity, belittling and humiliating her with every word. But Guan Zhongping had been carefully taught by the chancellor since childhood. After several painful struggles, she grew all the more resolute: she would never associate with a vile man.

After returning home and turning it over and over in his mind, Meng Fushan decided he could not let this opportunity slip away. He went to Chancellor Guan of his own accord and fabricated a relationship between himself and Guan Zhongping, declaring that he was willing to take responsibility. Once their first child was born, the chancellor could take it home and give it the surname Guan.

Guan Zhongping overheard this and made a scene on the spot. Chancellor Guan remained clearheaded. Rather than being deceived by Meng Fushan, he saw that the man was no good. Upon returning to court, he cut off Meng Fushan's path through the imperial examinations. Only after Chancellor Guan's death did Meng Fushan pass them.

Meng Fushan had tried to steal a chicken only to lose his rice. Without his elder brother, life grew even harder, until he married Lady Zhou, the daughter of a wealthy family.

After entering the capital, the resentful Meng Fushan repeatedly stirred up trouble with Sun Yong, shaming him so thoroughly that he began to regret marrying into his wife's family and grew to dislike Guan Jiasheng.

Whatever else he might be, Guan Jiasheng was the elder Meng's only son. In doing all this, Meng Fushan had shown not the slightest regard for his brother's kindness toward him.

These events passed through Meng Fushan's mind. He raised his eyebrows, perfectly at ease.

Seeing that Guan Zhongping still did not believe him, Meng Fushan said, "I will not beat around the bush. His Majesty is now looking for evidence of my treason. That is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations. Surely you would not want to be implicated when the time comes, Old Madam Guan?"

Guan Zhongping sneered. "Your brother has been dead for years, and the Guan Clan has never maintained ties with the Meng Clan. His Majesty is hardly a man who slaughters the innocent."

Meng Fushan said shamelessly, "What if Guan Jiasheng were my own son? Everyone in the capital now knows that you hired Sun Yong. Jiasheng and Zhou'er look so alike, and the time and place both match. If I spread word that Guan Jiasheng is your child with me, whom do you think people will believe?"

He stood. "Then Guan Jiasheng will be the son of a traitor, reviled by all, and the Guan Clan's reputation will be ruined. Even if His Majesty does not punish him, how many more years do you think he can remain at court? Besides..."

Meng Fushan paused. "I also know that the person currently appearing in the capital is Zhou'er. Have a proper talk with him. He will listen."

Guan Zhongping smashed her teacup at Meng Fushan's feet. "Are you even human? You deserve to have everyone turn against you, with your own son and daughter coming to send you to the executioner's block!"

Meng Fushan readily bowed. "That is why I must ask you to save my life, Old Madam Guan, for the sake of our past ties."

Guan Zhongping trembled with rage. "You, you..." she repeated several times, unable to say anything more.

She had cried and thought so much during this time, and it all came down to two things: she had wronged Jiasheng, and she had wronged Meng Zhou...

Chu Huaiyin remained in a cheerful mood throughout morning court. All the ministers felt that His Majesty was quite different today, practically like a groom after his wedding night.

Ji Yang, who knew the inside story, was thoroughly unimpressed. He now had an official post and could no longer follow his master around every day as before. During his routine report after morning court, Chu Huaiyin instructed him with an indifferent expression, "Meng Zhou is still asleep. Help cover for him later."

In truth, His Majesty could have handled it himself without Ji Yang. But few people knew about the relationship between Guan Jiasheng and Meng Zhou, so Chu Huaiyin could only seize on Ji Yang to show off.

Ji Yang's curiosity stirred. They slept together?

Tsk. Official Meng has become increasingly crafty since his transformation. His Majesty really has had a hard time. When I leave the palace later, I'll pay out of my own pocket to set off a string of firecrackers at the Matchmaker God's temple outside the city to celebrate for His Majesty.

The longest string of firecrackers in the capital, wrapped all the way around the temple.

So the Matchmaker God can only tie the red string for His Majesty and Meng Zhou today.

"By the way, on my way here just now, I saw Meng Fushan heading to the Guan Residence. His purpose is unknown."

"He is getting desperate. Keep an eye on the people who associate with him." A mere Meng Fushan, born into poverty, was not yet qualified to reach into the affairs of the previous dynasty...

Meng Zhou had woken in a complete fright that morning.

Last night, Chu Huaiyin had kept trying to sneak a touch of his belly, reaching out to scoop him up whenever he was not paying attention, wanting to sleep with him in his arms. Fighting off sleepiness, Meng Zhou had battled with Chu Huaiyin. Both pretended to sleep before trying to judge whether the other had fallen asleep. Chu Huaiyin tried to embrace Meng Zhou several times, but he nimbly dodged every attempt. Finally, seeing how firm Meng Zhou's resolve was, Chu Huaiyin sighed. "Go to sleep. I promise to keep my hands to myself."

That morning, he slept through morning court.

The dragon bed really was comfortable and warm.

Meng Zhou rubbed his eyes and forced himself awake. Why hadn't Chu Huaiyin woken me up!

Meng Zhou had not been talking nonsense when he said he slept badly. His white inner robe had rubbed open at the collar, and its hem had ridden up over his belly, leaving him looking utterly languid. With no one around, he stared at his belly for a while. It seemed just a tiny, tiny bit bigger than yesterday...

Next time, I absolutely won't eat Chu Huaiyin's food.

This was Meng Zhou's first time waking so late, and he felt it was entirely Chu Huaiyin's fault. The consequence of rising late was being hungrier than usual. Meng Zhou looked around. Where were his clothes? Would it be strange to go out like this?

Meng Zhou rubbed his belly and complained softly, "Chu Huaiyin is the one starving you, and he's also the one who won't let me take the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine. It has absolutely nothing to do with me."

Just then, Chu Huaiyin pushed the door open and entered, carrying breakfast. At the sight of the dejected little cat huddled in the quilt, the smile in his eyes deepened.

"My dear subject..."

Meng Zhou quickly grabbed the quilt and wrapped himself up until only his head remained exposed. He sniffed, and his eyes lit up. What's for breakfast?

Chu Huaiyin handed him the congee. "Hungry? Sorry. Ji Yang suddenly had something to report just now, and I was delayed."

Ji Yang, the scapegoat, sneezed. The incense at the Matchmaker God's temple must have been burning too vigorously, making him dizzy. When he came to his senses, several fragrant handkerchiefs had appeared in his arms.

Terrifying.

I'm never coming here again.

Meng Zhou looked down. It was a bowl of egg-drop congee, with a few tender green vegetables and pale pink shrimp floating in it.

In short, no fish.

Chu Huaiyin had said last night that he wanted Meng Zhou to pay respects to someone who had passed away. Only after Meng Zhou arrived at Guang'en Temple did he realize that this was a very roundabout way of putting it.

It was Chu Huaiyin's mother! The Empress Dowager!

Chu Huaiyin had established a longevity tablet for the Empress Dowager at Guang'en Temple. Whenever he felt agitated and depressed, he would come and stay for a while. He had visited most often during the time Meng Zhou was missing.

"Come inside with me, my dear subject."

Meng Zhou waved his hands in refusal. Just standing outside the door filled him with an inexplicable nervousness and guilty unease. If he went inside, his legs would probably give way.

His Majesty was a very filial son and had much to say to the Empress Dowager. Meng Zhou waited and waited, but even after his legs went numb from standing, Chu Huaiyin still had not emerged. He decided to walk around and stretch his limbs. Before he had gone two hundred meters, he ran into the abbot making his rounds of the temple.

The abbot was still the abbot who had nearly shaved his head and ordained him, but Meng Zhou was not that Meng Zhou.

Afraid the abbot might notice something, Meng Zhou hurried to avoid him. After all, the abbot was one of the few people who knew he could become pregnant.

What he feared came to pass. Previously, Meng Zhou had spent so much effort persuading the abbot that he had an affinity with Buddhism. This time, the moment the abbot saw him, he said, "Benefactor, you possess a clear and perceptive mind, and I find you congenial. Why not join me in the tea room?"

Fine. Whether there's an affinity or not is entirely up to the abbot.

Meng Zhou shook his head. I'm not going.

"I am waiting here for His Majesty by imperial command, so I fear I cannot have tea with you, Abbot. On another day off, I will certainly bring my mother to offer incense." Meng Zhou placed particular emphasis on "my mother." I'm Guan Jiasheng now. Abbot, you mustn't mistake me for someone else.

"The bodhi bears fruit, which falls to the earth and takes root." The abbot recited the two phrases as casually as if he were discussing the weather.

Meng Zhou's heart pounded with fear. Abbot, were you a physician before you became a monk?

Also, shaking my head didn't mean you should start talking about it right here...

Meng Zhou salvaged the situation in time. "I suddenly feel a little thirsty. Since you have something to say, Abbot, why not discuss it in detail in the tea room?"

Just then, Chu Huaiyin emerged from the pagoda and immediately spotted Meng Zhou standing with the abbot, seemingly deep in congenial conversation.

The scene looked familiar, and he abruptly grew wary.