Chapter 23: Memories of the Chen Dynasty

Chen Xiaofu did not know that his fiancée had arrived, nor that they had already met.

He remained in the library, engrossed in his reading. By the time Master Jiang stepped onto the first floor of the library, Chen had already "read" half the books on that level. Master Jiang stood at a distance, watching him; Chen’s demeanor was serious and focused, not at all like someone who could not understand the text.

So... was this kid really just pretending all this time? Or had Chen Linyuan taught him to read after returning? Master Jiang began to doubt his own judgment.

He walked over and stood beside Chen Xiaofu. Only then did Chen look up, hastily bowing in greeting: "Master, why have you come?"

After all, when he entered the academy, he had used Master Jiang’s name as a reference before that elderly official—who happened to be an old classmate of Master Jiang’s. Being exposed was inevitable, but he hadn't expected Master Jiang to arrive so quickly. Shouldn't he be busy reminiscing and drinking with his old friend? Was he here to settle accounts? It didn't seem so; Master Jiang’s face held only curiosity, not anger.

"My student is reading in the library, so it is only natural for me, his teacher, to come and take a look." As he said this, Master Jiang pointed to the book in Chen’s hand and asked, "What is the name of this book?"

"The History of the Chen Dynasty."

"And what does it cover?"

"Just the three hundred years of the Chen Dynasty... from the founding by the Grand Ancestor to the passing of the last Emperor Changle. It’s written quite cursorily, especially the mere six years of Emperor Changle’s reign, which are brushed over quickly."

"That is understandable."

"How so?" Chen Xiaofu grinned. "Her Majesty the Empress entered the palace as a maid in the first year of Changle, but the following year, she caught the eye of Emperor Changle and was named a Lady of Talent."

"In the third year, she was promoted to a Beauty, and in the fourth, to an Inner Official. In the autumn of the fifth year, she became an Imperial Consort. That winter, the Empress passed away. The position was left vacant, yet she, as Imperial Consort, did not vie for the title. The book contains no records of her from that autumn to the summer of the sixth year. I suppose only the palace chronicles hold those secrets."

"In the autumn of the sixth year, the rebel army reached the capital, Jieqing. Emperor Changle passed away, and Consort Zhou reappeared. She stood atop the walls of Jieqing herself, commanding the fifty thousand city guards to hold the line."

"In the winter of the sixth year, after repelling dozens of rebel assaults, she led thirty thousand Imperial Guards out of the city on a snowy night to launch a surprise attack on the rebel camp. The battle raged until dawn. Consort Zhou, wielding a long spear, slew the rebel commander and decimated two hundred and thirty thousand rebels. The snow outside Jieqing ran red."

"She returned in triumph, buried Emperor Changle in the imperial tomb, and on the third day of the twelfth month of the sixth year, she arrived at the Deliberation Hall wearing the phoenix crown and robes to hold a Grand Court Assembly..."

"This marked the end of the three-hundred-year Chen Dynasty and her formal ascent onto the stage of history. That year, she was twenty-one!"

"Impressive!"

"But what I find more interesting is that this book mentions a certain office three times: the Internal Affairs Department! And it mentions a man twice—the Director of the Internal Affairs Department, a great eunuch, nameless and faceless. The book calls him... 'Old Ghost.' A very low-key and mysterious man. He seems to have played a significant role in the process of Consort Zhou’s transformation from a maid to an Empress..."

"Stop!" Master Jiang looked around and whispered, "Remember, no matter the occasion or who is present, do not speak recklessly of Her Majesty the Empress! Especially not of her past! Why are you so interested in her affairs, child?"

Chen Xiaofu closed the book and smiled. "I admire her! I am not intentionally digging into her past; I just happened to see this book. Since it describes that part of her life, I imagine it was written with her tacit approval. After all, history is written by the victors; few know the true reality, and as time passes, the truth is buried deep in the river of history. I have no intention of uncovering it; I am merely reading for pleasure."

After hearing these words, Master Jiang looked at Chen Xiaofu with renewed respect. It was not just the wisdom in his words, but the immense transformation he displayed. This student, who once couldn't utter a word even under duress, was now speaking with eloquence before him. Not only could he speak, but he could also think critically based on the content of the books. This proved he truly understood what he was reading, meaning he certainly knew his characters.

"Jie'an,"

"Yes, Master!"

"You are clearly intelligent. Why did you pretend to be a fool in front of me all those years ago?"

Chen Xiaofu rubbed his nose. "Master, I had no choice."

Master Jiang pondered for a moment, then realization dawned on him. He pointed toward the sky: "Are you worried about the one from the Kaiyang General’s Manor?"

"...Yes. I was young then. If she wanted to harm me, and my grandmother couldn't be by my side at all times, it would have been easier for her to crush me than an ant."

It was an impeccable reason. Master Jiang asked again, "Then why did you try to take your own life two months ago?"

Chen Xiaofu sighed slightly. "I suppose I was at a breaking point. I felt trapped in a form of invisible terror, living days that were always gray, with no other colors, and no future. I thought, 'better to die early and be reincarnated,' so I jumped."

The reasoning... it held some truth. The child was too isolated. He was literate and talented, yet couldn't show it, forced to play the fool. It was indeed a hard life. Master Jiang stroked his long beard and nodded slightly. "Do you see things clearly now?"

"Yes, Master. I see clearly now."

"There is no escaping it, after all; it must be faced. Living in ignominy will not earn anyone's sympathy; it will only invite more contempt. Even if the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind, at least it has stood tall."

"Since Heaven has spared me, I should cherish it and live every day with purpose. I cannot choose my birth, but I can choose the path I walk. This path may be rugged and full of thorns, but if I keep walking, I will eventually carve out a broad road."

A confident smile bloomed on Chen Xiaofu’s handsome face. "Let the storm rage even harder! The worst that can happen is that I die again!"

Master Jiang stared in shock. This was the transformation of one reborn! A transformation from head to toe, inside and out! The Chen Xiaofu of today could not be compared to the Chen Xiaofu of the past—not just in his spirit, but in the aura of proud self-confidence radiating from him.

That was why he was now talkative. That was why he no longer hid his edge. That was why he was truly reading!

"Was that poem, 'Fisherman’s Pride: Autumn Thoughts,' written by you?"

Chen Xiaofu smiled bashfully. "I was simply moved by the moment and wrote it down."

Good heavens! You write a poem on a whim and it reaches the seventh floor of the Wenfeng Tower! How talented is this student, really? Master Jiang was beyond excited.

"Jie'an, will you continue to read in the library these days?"

"Yes, I must finish every book here."

"Good. Then you shall live in the academy's guest quarters!"

"...Would that be convenient?"

"Of course it is. While the food and lodging may not match the Huaxi Villa, it will save you from wasting an hour of time every day."

"Thank you, Master!"

"Don't thank me. Come, I will take you to the quarters; it is time for lunch."