Chapter 357 — Kuang Chao

Though the winter sunlight was mild and gentle,

Dou Yan entered the small flower hall and saw Chen Jia sitting upright in a grand master's chair, dressed in a round-patterned brocade robe of a brilliant blue woven with the Five Bats Holding Longevity motif. Perhaps because his official career had gone smoothly, he seemed more restrained and composed than the last time she had seen him.

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Dou Yan.

For some reason, Dou Yan suddenly recalled her previous life, the first time she had seen him—he had been wearing the scarlet python robe of a full third-rank official, bowing to Song Yan. Looking at him now, there was a certain resemblance to that moment.

"No need for such formality, Lord Chen," she said with a smile by way of greeting.

But Chen Jia replied with utmost deference, "This humble official will never forget Your Ladyship's great kindness. It would not be an exaggeration to call Your Ladyship my parent by rebirth. Only by serving with utter devotion could I ever express the gratitude in my heart."

"This humble official," no less—as if she were his superior. He certainly had the nerve to spout such flattery without so much as blinking.

Dou Yan smiled faintly, afraid that if she let the pleasantries continue, even more compliments would be waiting in line behind them.

The two of them sat down, host and guest, and after the maids served tea, she asked him outright what had brought him.

Chen Jia smiled. "A few days ago I came to drink at Miss Bie's wedding feast, and I heard that several of the senior maidservants at Your Ladyship's side have reached the age to be released. So I thought to find a girl as capable as Miss Bie to serve you closely. Am I not a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? It happened that a colleague of mine was recently dispatched south on official business and came across a pair of sisters—said to be only thirteen or fourteen years of age, yet three or five grown men could not get near them. I thought of Your Ladyship at once. If Your Ladyship wishes to take a look, I will bring them in to kowtow to you. If Your Ladyship is not satisfied, I will keep looking on your behalf. Nothing in this world is too difficult—one can always find someone to Your Ladyship's liking."

Dou Yan was greatly surprised.

But more than that, she was moved to reflection.

In her previous life, had she not also racked her brains in just this way to find a business that could support the Jining Marquis Manor's daily expenses, and only then struck up a conversation with Lady Guo?

Sympathy rose in her at once, and she said warmly, "Thank you, Lord Chen. But after all, this is someone who would serve me closely. This matter must wait until I have discussed it with the Heir."

"Of course," Chen Jia said. Seeing that Dou Yan had accepted his proposal, he was elated and hurried to add, "This humble official was inconsiderate. I beg Your Ladyship's forgiveness."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Dou Yan raised her teacup to signal that the audience was over.

That day Song Yan returned a little later than usual.

Dou Yan went up to help him change his clothes.

He would not allow it, and said with a smile, "You just take care of yourself."

Dou Yan said, "Auntie instructed me before she left. She told me not to gorge myself just because I can eat anything now, and to move about and walk more. It's only fetching a piece of clothing—how could that possibly be too much?"

Song Yan could not help laughing.

He let Dou Yan lead a little maid to help him change, then guided Dou Yan to sit on the large heated kang by the window and asked what she had done that day, whether she had eaten well, whether she had napped well, and other such things.

Dou Yan told Song Yan what Chen Jia had come for, and asked, "Do you think this is something we can entrust to him?"

Song Yan pondered for a moment. "Those two girls' elders were most likely arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We need to find out exactly what crime their elders committed, and whether the women of the family were confiscated by the state, exiled, or sold off... You are with child now. Consider it as accumulating blessings for the child. If it is not some grave crime, I will lend a hand. Even if they are not suitable to serve you, returning them to their elders would still be saving two lives."

Dou Yan nodded and instructed the little maids to bring in the evening meal.

Song Yan saw that it was considerably more lavish than usual, and said with a smile, "Is my lady perhaps celebrating with me the fact that from today onward, everything we eat, wear, and do depends on my lady's pleasure?"

Dou Yan said, "You had better believe it! If you dare make me angry, your dishes will be cut immediately."

Song Yan laughed heartily.

The two traded a few more jokes, then quieted down to eat their evening meal.

After the meal, they moved to the large heated kang by the window in the inner chamber to drink tea.

Dou Yan asked about the matter from yesterday: "Do you remember what you promised Boyan? Should I go ask Twelfth Brother?"

"No need," Song Yan said. "Fortunately it was Chen He on duty yesterday, or I really would have had to ask you to go inquire of your cousin." Then his brows drew together slightly, and he said, "Do you know what the relationship between that Kuang Zhuoran and Boyan actually is?"

Dou Yan could tell from his tone that something was wrong, and said quickly, "What has happened?"

"Nothing too serious." Song Yan's expression was relaxed, but she could still hear a certain gravity in his voice. "From what Boyan said, the Fan Shichou that Kuang Zhuoran is looking for is the proprietor of a tea shop. But the Fan Shichou I found is the supervising eunuch of the Vinegar and Wine Bureau. Not only that—this man is also Wang Ge's adopted son and Wang Yuan's adopted grandson."

Once palace eunuchs were involved, matters became tangled and complex. Wang Yuan in particular—a man who in her previous life had served as a scribe eunuch for over a decade, and after the Emperor's death could still become the Chief Steward of the Cining Palace—was enough to make Dou Yan rouse herself to full alertness.

She said, "I will summon Boyan first thing tomorrow morning to ask him."

Song Yan said, "Guiyuan has already sent someone to invite him. By the look of it, he should be here soon."

Dou Yan instructed the maids to prepare the Da Hong Pao tea that Dou Yan loved most, but Dou Yan arrived together with Dou Huaide.

The three of them went into the small study. Dou Yan was somewhat worried, and after thinking it over, followed them in.

Song Yan did not avoid her. As he helped her sit in the grand master's chair beside him, he continued speaking with Dou Yan: "...From what you say, experienced good boatmen are hard to find, and those people are actually after the Kuang family's fleet. But though eunuchs love money, they cannot leave the palace at will. They would rather extort a large sum than do something like seizing someone's property—what use would it be to him, since he cannot run a business? I fear there is something very strange going on here, and what I dread most is that it involves matters of the inner palace. Consort Jing, who is currently much favored in the palace, is from Guangdong. In that remote corner of the world, who would know anything except the locals of Guangdong themselves? If you trust me, have that Kuang Zhuoran come to see me. You need not concern yourself with this matter—just prepare well for the spring examinations in the second month of next year."

Now that he knew Fan Shichou's identity, Dou Yan also sensed that the matter was thorny. He thought for a moment and said, "I think we should still go to Fifth Uncle about this, lest you be dragged into it as well..."