Chapter 49

"Of course!"

Their hands clasped in the last glow of the setting sun. But Lou Yun would not enjoy such an untroubled mood in the days that followed.

After Xu Lin's scheme involving the imperial examinations failed, he sought other ways to make life unpleasant for Lou Yun and Pei Qing.

And now, taking advantage of the vacant prefecture of Jiangling, he intended to throw Fan Buluo out of the capital.

Pei Qing had watched over Fan Buluo throughout his journey as a student. Having finally cleared his name, how could he now be willing to let him lose such an excellent opportunity to advance in the capital?

He immediately stepped out of the ranks to challenge Xu Lin. "Your Majesty, with Fan Buluo's learning, he can contribute more to Great Yan by remaining at court."

Xu Lin spoke up in opposition. "Imperial Tutor, you are mistaken. The prefect of Jiangling is a full fourth-rank post. Fan Buluo is a mere student. Although he placed first in the imperial examinations, when has a top scholar ever started out at the full fourth rank?"

For the first time, the always composed Imperial Tutor showed a trace of anger before others, looking at Xu Lin with a dark expression.

Entirely unafraid, Xu Lin advanced another few inches and knelt before Lou Qing. "Your Majesty! This subject believes no one could be more suitable for the position of prefect of Jiangling than our top scholar."

Pei Qing also stepped forward, intending to argue further, but Lou Qing spoke first from his high seat. "Fan Buluo, what do you think?"

Though it was his future they were discussing, the young man had been excluded all along. He emerged from the rearmost row of officials and bowed to Lou Qing. "This subject is willing to go to Jiangling."

Pei Qing froze for a moment at Fan Buluo's answer, then looked toward the man kneeling behind him. Unfortunately, Fan Buluo kept his head lowered and did not look at Pei Qing.

With her hands tucked into her sleeves, Lou Yun first glanced at the student who had agreed to go to Jiangling, then at his bewildered teacher.

She sighed inwardly. Fan Buluo must also have been trying to spare Pei Qing a difficult situation. After all, falling out so badly with the nation's chancellor over a student who had only just entered court would not look good.

There was no solution to this dilemma. If Pei Qing insisted on keeping Fan Buluo in the capital, Xu Lin would seize the opportunity to put one of his own people in the prefecture of Jiangling. If Pei Qing gave up on Fan Buluo, the court would lose someone certain to join the crown prince's camp.

Either way, Xu Lin stood to benefit.

Pei Qing understood this too. To keep Fan Buluo, he would have to abandon Jiangling; to keep Jiangling, he would have to abandon Fan Buluo. Jiangling was a prosperous region, yet Xu Lin's faction had already reduced it to such a state during their administration. Surrendering it again would be no different from plunging its people back into deep water and raging fire.

He understood that reasoning, but he did not intend to sacrifice Fan Buluo's official career over it. Fan Buluo clearly had a brighter future ahead of him, and there might still be room to fight over Jiangling.

But once Fan Buluo left the capital this time, there was no telling when he could return.

A prefect might sound impressive as a full fourth-rank official, but without entering the capital, he would remain at the full fourth rank for the rest of his life.

Others might not understand what Pei Qing was thinking, but how could Lou Yun fail to?

The young man was probably lamenting once again that a talented person might fade into obscurity.

Pei Qing was always like this, doing everything in his power to lift everyone up. Perhaps only someone like him deserved to be a teacher to all under heaven.

When court adjourned, Lou Yun, Pei Qing, and Fan Buluo all fell to the rear without prior agreement.

Faced with the gloomy atmosphere, Fan Buluo had intended to make a harmless little joke to lighten the mood.

To his surprise, Pei Qing was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry." Apology and regret filled the young man's eyes. "I couldn't help you stay. But don't worry. If an opportunity comes up, I'll definitely transfer you back to the capital."

As though afraid Fan Buluo would not believe him, the young man continued offering reassurance. "Going to Jiangling doesn't mean you'll never return to the capital. Set your mind at ease. I won't let your halberd break and sink into the sand here."

"Teacher, Teacher." Only after Fan Buluo called twice did Pei Qing hear him and turn to look.

Fan Buluo suddenly put away his usual playful expression and grew solemn. With the light at his back, he offered Pei Qing a student's bow, proper and upright.

"Teacher, I will never forget your great kindness as long as I live. When I travel south to Jiangling, I will live up to your teachings and accomplish something. Please wait a little while for your student here in the capital. I have yet to fulfill my promise to become your right-hand man. How could I lose my spirit so easily?"

Backlit by the sun, the young man's spine remained straight even as he bowed.

Lou Yun narrowed her eyes at the sight, unable to help marveling inwardly. The Imperial Tutor truly had an excellent eye. Even the spirit of the student he had chosen was first-rate.

Pei Qing's eyes burned as he watched Fan Buluo bow. He bent to return the courtesy. "Then I shall wait here for the good news of Lord Fan's achievements."

The sunlight stretched the bowing teacher's and student's shadows long. Lou Yun followed the light with her gaze. Their shadows overlapped perfectly, extending all the way into the hall beneath the eaves.

Chapter 49

After Fan Buluo left, Lou Yun leaned over to look at Pei Qing and asked gently, "Upset?"

The Imperial Tutor, who had seemed fine, instantly reddened around the eyes. Biting his lower lip, he blamed himself. "His path as an official could have been smoother."

Lou Yun knew what Pei Qing was thinking. If Fan Buluo had not so openly stood on his side, his current status should have made him a prized catch over whom every faction fought openly and covertly, rather than someone squeezed out to Jiangling.

"Pei Qing." Seeing the young man sink into self-loathing, Lou Yun called to him.

"Imperial Tutor?"

The young man still seemed not to hear.

"Qingqing."

Roused by the unfamiliar endearment, the young man looked up in bewilderment. "What did you call me?"

"Qingqing. Don't cry now, hmm?" Lou Yun coaxed patiently.

Only then did Pei Qing notice the tears already gathering at the corners of his eyes. He hurriedly wiped them away and explained, "I just feel I've held him back."

Lou Yun's hand paused beside his cheek. Remembering that they were in public, and seeing him wipe his own tears away, she lowered it again and answered with a smile, "Mm, I know. Look at it another way: Fan Buluo firmly chose our Imperial Tutor too, didn't he? Even if you had never known him, the things he said about the Imperial Tutor before would have been enough to land him in this situation."

"I know. I just feel I failed to protect him." Pei Qing lowered his head.

Lou Yun's heart softened at the sight. Had they not been outside, she would certainly have gathered him into her arms and comforted him thoroughly.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking their way, she pinched the soft flesh of his cheek. "All right, it's settled now. Cheer up, hmm?"

"Mm." The young man sniffled and answered in a muffled voice.

At a corner neither of them had noticed, Lou Qing stood watching from afar in his bright yellow dragon robes, supported by an attendant.

The elderly eunuch supporting him feigned ignorance despite understanding perfectly. "Your Majesty, shall this old servant call them over?"

A trace of clarity flashed through Lou Qing's murky eyes as he pretended to rebuke him. "Those two children are sharing such a lovely moment. Why disturb them?"

"Yes, this old servant had eyes but failed to see." The elderly eunuch bowed and begged forgiveness.

"Enough, enough. We two old things won't join the bustle here." Suppressing the cough already rising in his throat, Lou Qing left with the elderly eunuch's support.

The instant the two moved, Lou Yun glanced in their direction. She kept feeling that someone had been watching them just now. Had she imagined it?

Soon, the day of Fan Buluo's departure from the capital arrived. Pei Qing and Lou Yun had only just sent him off to Jiangling when news of a drought in Jiangnan reached the court.

It had come so suddenly that before Lou Yun and Pei Qing could even prepare, Xu Lin had already arranged all the officials who would handle the matter.

Lou Yun and Pei Qing walked out of the hall side by side-

Lou Yun asked, "Do you feel there's something wrong with this?"

Pei Qing nodded. "I find it strange too. Most importantly, we hadn't heard a whisper of it before this."

Lou Yun said, "I'll send people to investigate Jiangnan."

Pei Qing replied, "All right. I'll return to the Stargazing Terrace and perform a divination first. If there really is something fishy, I'll seek an imperial decree from His Majesty."

A few days later, Lou Yun and Pei Qing were having tea at a teahouse.

Both groups of men returned at the same time-

"Master, this subordinate has confirmed that the drought in Jiangnan is entirely fictitious."

"Young Master, our brothers have reported that no drought has occurred in Jiangnan."

Lou Yun and the young man exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Understood."

Once they were alone in the room, Pei Qing told Lou Yun, "That matches my divination exactly. I'll go back and pack now, then head south to Jiangnan as soon as possible."

"So soon?" Lou Yun frowned, her fingertips trembling

, and a few scattered drops of tea splashed onto the table.

It had plainly been an accident, yet Lou Yun found those few drops of tea unbearably jarring. She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped them away completely.

"If we wait any longer, we won't be in time to expose them beforehand. This natural disaster came out of nowhere. Other than the disaster relief funds, I can't think of any reason for them to make such a commotion," Pei Qing explained.

"Mm. Take more men. I'll send some hidden guards with you too." Ever since hearing that Pei Qing was going to Jiangnan, Lou Yun had felt unsettled. Adding a few more people to his side would help put her mind at ease.

Pei Qing smiled and filled Lou Yun's teacup, declining. "There's no need. Aside from the brothers in the pavilion, I have the hidden guards trained by generations of Imperial Tutors. I'll definitely have enough men. Don't worry."

"Hidden guards trained by generations of Imperial Tutors? How come I've never seen you use them before?" Lou Yun asked. Ever since she had met Pei Qing, she had never seen anyone around the Imperial Tutor apart from members of the Beast Taming Pavilion.

"Because Master had some private business to handle a while ago. Since I already had people from the Beast Taming Pavilion, they were reassigned to help him," Pei Qing said as though it were only natural.

Could he still deploy the hidden guards around Pei Qing even after retiring? Lou Yun found it rather strange, but on further thought, it was possible that Xuanjizi really did have important business requiring manpower.

Soon, the day of Pei Qing's departure from the capital arrived. Lou Yun led the young man's horse as they walked together along the silent streets. Because the Imperial Tutor was leaving the capital in secret, no one besides the emperor and Lou Yun knew where Pei Qing was going. That was why they had chosen to leave at night, when few people were out.