QYT - 16

He Hongyun didn’t expect Jiang Cizhou to agree so readily. He rubbed his hands, pondering for a moment, “This, of course, the sooner the better. But I also know that you’ve just taken office, Ziling, and those two stubborn mules, Wei Jue and Zhang Lu, aren’t quite on your side...”

“That’s nothing,” Jiang Cizhou chuckled, pointing upwards, “The Emperor knows my character. Besides drinking, I only enjoy pleasure. He was a thousand times uneasy about putting me in charge of the Black Eagle Division, so he transferred two hundred men from the Palace Guard to join the Black Eagle Division under my command. I have people on hand, so I can just issue a transfer order, have my men rotate shifts with the guards at the copper vault, and those courtesans can be brought out for you. How about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

At this, He Hongyun was surprised. Jiang Cizhou was newly married; by all accounts, he should take a few days off. He Hongyun originally wanted to be polite, but he was indeed in a great hurry.

Jiang Cizhou seemed to sense his hesitation and said, “You don’t need to feel like you’re troubling me. I’m willing to help you, but on certain conditions.”

He Hongyun quickly said, “Ziling, please state your terms.”

“Meiniang of Shifang Pavilion has a unique skill called ‘Plum Branch Dance.’ It is said she can dance on plum branches in winter snow, seeing plum blossoms fall and snow flutter, while the plum branches remain unbroken. She later taught this skill to many people, but none danced as well as her. She’s old now and has retired, no longer dancing. But I still wish to witness a true ‘Plum Branch Dance’ once more.”

He Hongyun listened to these words and hesitated.

But the person was in Jiang Cizhou’s hands, leaving him no room to bargain, so he nodded: “Alright, if she arrives at my estate, when the first snow of winter falls, I will definitely have her dance for Ziling.”

Jiang Cizhou continued, “Your esteemed estate is renowned for two things: first, the exquisite dish ‘Fresh Fish Comes,’ which I would like to taste; second, ‘Beauty Aiding Flowers,’ which I would like to see. The once famous Miss Fuxia has been ill for several years, so I fear I won’t have the fortune to see her. As for the newly arrived Miss Fudong, I wonder if I might be so fortunate to meet her?”

“That’s easy to arrange!” He Hongyun readily agreed. “Tomorrow night, I’m hosting a banquet at the estate. A few of Ziling’s close friends—Young Master Xu, Young Master Qu, and Zou Ping, who was recently promoted to cavalry commander in the Patrol Division—will all be attending. I originally wanted to send Ziling an invitation too, but I was afraid of disturbing your wedding celebrations, Ziling. So it’s settled then, you’ll also come tomorrow night, and then, whether it’s ‘Fresh Fish Comes’ or Fudong, whatever Ziling wishes to taste or see, I will ensure you enjoy yourself thoroughly!”

Jiang Cizhou said, “You also said I just got married, so I won’t go tomorrow night. As for ‘Fresh Fish Comes,’ how about this: tomorrow I’ll have Chaotian pick it up from your esteemed estate, and he can get acquainted. In the future, whenever I’m free, I’ll go myself.”

These words, when spoken, implied an intention to visit frequently.

He Hongyun couldn’t help but tease him, “I thought after the Xijintai incident, Ziling had learned his manners these past few years. Unexpectedly, even after getting married, you haven’t forgotten your romantic ways.”

The next day, just as dawn broke, Qing Wei was still asleep when a slight movement stirred beside her.

Jiang Cizhou quietly got out of bed and went to the side room to wash up.

Qing Wei vigilantly opened her eyes. Through the gauze curtain, she saw Jiang Cizhou standing in front of the screen, dressing. He wore a dark green robe with narrow sleeves embroidered with hidden eagle patterns, covered by a purple gauze robe, and a green belt cinched his waist—the official uniform of a Marshal of the Black Eagle Division.

Judging by his attire, was he going to the yamen today?

They had just gotten married, and the court had granted them seven days of leave, which was an act of imperial grace. Logically, he shouldn’t be going to the yamen unless there was something urgent. Could it be that the Black Eagle Division had some urgent matter that called him?

Qing Wei was pondering when she suddenly heard footsteps.

Jiang Cizhou finished dressing and walked towards the bed.

Qing Wei immediately closed her eyes. After a moment, the gauze curtain lightly stirred, as if Jiang Cizhou had drawn it aside.

Qing Wei could feel his gaze on her. She didn’t know what he was looking at, only that he stood by the bed for too long.

After a long time, Jiang Cizhou silently lowered the gauze curtain. The door creaked open, then closed.

Qing Wei lay awake on the bed for an hour until the sky was completely bright. Only then did she get up. Liufang and Zhuyun outside heard the movement and pushed the door open: “Your humble servants will fetch water for the young mistress and prepare breakfast.”

Qing Wei asked, “Why haven’t I seen the master?”

Liufang said, “Young Master said this morning he had an urgent task and rushed to the yamen. He won’t be back until after noon. Before he left, he also instructed us not to disturb the young mistress.”

So he really went to the Black Eagle Division.

Qing Wei said, “He left so quickly, did he have breakfast?”

Zhuyun and Liufang exchanged glances, then both said, “No, Derong saw the young master off, so he’ll probably eat on the way.”

Qing Wei then added, “He’s currently on leave from the yamen, isn’t he? If breakfast is taken care of, what about lunch? Does our kitchen have anything prepared?”

Even if he was on leave, in a large organization like the Black Eagle Division, there wouldn’t be a shortage of food for a dignified Marshal.

But Zhuyun was clever. Seeing Qing Wei’s repeated questions, she quickly understood the hidden meaning.

She thought that the young master and young mistress were probably newly married and couldn’t bear to be apart for a moment. She smiled and replied, “Yes, your humble servant will have the lunchbox prepared right away. Does the young mistress want to send a servant to deliver it, or... would you like to deliver it yourself?”

Qing Wei also seemed to ponder for a moment before saying, “I’ll deliver it myself.”

The mansion’s servants drove Qing Wei to the yamen. Along the way, they passed Guning Wine Shop, and Qing Wei specifically bought a pot of Luofu Spring wine.

The Black Eagle Division’s yamen was outside the triple palace gates. One entered through a small side gate next to Donghua Gate, where guards would inspect one’s pass.

This area was not within the Forbidden City; various departmental offices and yamens were spread throughout. Family members of officials ranked fourth-grade or higher were occasionally permitted to visit, but usually, household servants were sent instead, as female visitors were often stopped at the side gate and interrogated repeatedly, and refused entry for various reasons.

Today, the guard knew Jiang Cizhou had just gotten married, so he didn’t make things difficult for Qing Wei and let her pass.

When Qing Wei arrived outside the Black Eagle Division yamen, a tall, very young Black Eagle Guard named Qi Ming was already there to greet her. He respectfully addressed Qing Wei as “Madam” and said, “Sir called Marshal Wei and Captain Zhang to his office for a discussion an hour ago. They haven’t finished yet. Your humble servant will go and inform them for Madam.”

Qing Wei glanced at him; his Black Eagle uniform was brand new, as if he was new to the job.

Qing Wei said, “No need, I just came to deliver a food box. I’ll wait.”

Qi Ming assented and led Qing Wei to a quiet room within the public hall, offered her tea, and then withdrew.

Cao Kunda had told Qing Wei earlier that the Black Eagle Division was divided into inner and outer yamens. The outer yamen was where business was conducted. The public halls of the four main divisions of the Black Eagle Division—the Owl, Harrier, Owl-owl, and Falcon divisions—as well as the offices of the Marshal and Inspector above them, were all in the outer yamen. Operations in the outer yamen were relatively relaxed. However, the true core of the Black Eagle Division was in the inner yamen. For example, the notorious copper vault was built in the deepest part of the inner yamen.

Therefore, entering the outer yamen of the Black Eagle Division was easy, but getting into the inner yamen, especially after Wei Jue’s rectification of the Black Eagle Guards, was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Qing Wei drank tea for a while, carefully considering all sorts of excuses in her mind. She put her veiled hat back on, pushed open the door, and merely told Qi Ming that she was tired of sitting. Ignoring Qi Ming’s hesitant expression, she walked directly towards the inner yamen.