The housekeeper once again lowers his head, all expressions wiped off his face, his answer short and affirmative: “Yes, I will send for people to monitor the Elder Statesman’s Estate day and night.” This is strange, Lord Prime Minister’s orders this morning, and Madam’s orders right now, is exactly the same, he does not know whether he should say it or not, just when he wanted to open his mouth to say it, he thinks over it again, in the end he just keeps the words in his mouth.
Noticing the housekeeper quietly leave, Gui Wan observes the branches she has just picked from the tree, extending her hand to take hold of them, she could not help but murmur: “It’s already spring now, why is it still so cold?”
******
The Yan’s grass is like jaded silk, the Qin’s green mulberry branches hangs low.
“The day the husband thinks of returning home, will be when his wife is heartbroken……” Such clear voice reciting the poem intervenes, mild and melodious, carrying a faint smile like that of wind and cloud.
Placing down the brush, and turning around, indeed it is Gui Wan who stands by the door, Guan Xiu Wen raises his hand, greeting her: “Madam, what brings you to the west wing?”
Seeing his innocent smile and hearing his incomparably sincere words, Gui Wan steps into the study room, she speaks in a melodic laughing tone: “Why is the future First Ranked Scholar reciting {{Spring Thoughts}}?” Every time she sees Guan Xiu Wen carry this sense of purity that moves everyone around him, she cannot help but to tease him, didn’t think that such childishness nature still exists within her.
Having long been getting the words “First Ranked Scholar” gratingly bring out the shame in him, Guan Xiu Wen freely passes by the study desk, saying to Gui Wan: “{{Spring Thoughts}} is originally a great poem, now that it coincides with the spring breeze in March, it carries nothing more but the feeling of being moved by what one sees.”[1]
It vaguely feels as though his explanation is a little far-fetched. {{Spring Thoughts}} is written about a woman’s yearning love as she waits for her husband’s return, how can it be moving by what one sees? Discarding the mixed thoughts in her head, Gui Wan does not think much of it, sitting on the guest chair in the study room, she turns her body, asking Guan Xiu Wen: “The imperial examinations starts next month, have you prepared?”
“Everything has already been prepared,” His smile carries a slight hint of shyness, Guan Xiu Wen modestly replies, “I hope I will be able to pass with great results.” In front of this woman, he is able to speak out his most honest thoughts, could this have something to do with her being the one who changed his destiny?
From Lou Che she had already known that he is a talent capable of the First Ranked Scholar title, without the slightest surprise, Gui Wan’s smile remains unwavered, “Didn’t I ask you whether you were prepared to get into the officialdom?” Her voice sounding ever so relaxed, as though they are having the usual conversation.
Guan Xiu Wen freezes, unable to utter a word for the time being, he gazes at Gui Wan attentively, beginning to open his mouth in reply: “I am already prepared for officialdom, but, I have yet to find something I want to protect.” His voice was light, carrying regret as well as an unknown feeling of loneliness.
This youth is so much like herself, Gui Wan’s thoughts quickly makes a turn, with no firm conviction, the road ahead will be much more difficult to walk ah, such purity like water, would it become an ink stained pool one day? Looking at Guan Xiu Wen with concern, Gui Wan asks: “If one day, you find that your feelings clashes with that of imperial power, what would you choose, what would you abandon?” She does not know why she asks him this question, such question that even she has no answer to, because this youth has no background whatsoever, has no political benefits, under a chanced coincidence, he has also come to know the truth of certain matters, that is why she can ask him this, with no burden, without having to worry about the consequences.