Chapter 6 — Leaving the Capital, Zhaowei

Dressed in robes of deep crimson and girded with a belt of precious jade, he retained that same air of refined nobility between his brows. The wedding matchmaker hurried to step aside. Pei Yanzhuo paused right behind me, then reached out to adjust the phoenix coronet upon my head.

"Just be obedient and finish the wedding bows with me, and I will take you to see your legal mother."

My fingertips stiffened.

"Where is she?"

Pei Yanzhuo did not answer. He merely gathered the falling strings of pearl tassels, smoothing them into place. Within the bronze mirror, he was clad in wedding red, while I was adorned with gold and jewels, looking for all the world like a newlywed couple. Yet I felt only a nauseating revulsion. As the auspicious hour arrived, someone outside began to urge them on. Two elderly matrons supported me, one on each side, leading me out into the main courtyard. There were neither wedding guests nor the sound of festive drums in this small residence. There was only red silk fluttering in the wind.

"First bow to heaven and earth..."

I stood rooted to the spot, unmoving. Pei Yanzhuo paused for a moment. Then, he knelt down all by himself. A man so proper and noble knelt now with absolute reverence, as though his ultimate wish were finally being granted.

"Second bow to the ancestral hall..."

There was no one in the ancestral hall. The candlelight flickered, casting a chilling glow upon the empty chair.

"Bow between husband and wife..."

Pei Yanzhuo turned around to face me. I remained standing straight. The two of us stood in silence for a very long time. Cold sweat began to bead upon the matchmaker's forehead. She parted her lips as if wanting to urge me forward, but Pei Yanzhuo suddenly raised his hand, and she immediately fell silent. Right after that, Pei Yanzhuo slowly lowered his body and bowed down before me. This bow was even slower than the previous two, as if by making his obeisance sufficiently solemn, this absurd marriage might somehow become real. Yet I stood motionless, not even lowering my eyelashes. His bowing was his own affair. I would not accept it. When he finally stood back up, the matchmaker called out the final phrase:

"The ceremony is complete..."

Pei Yanzhuo reached a hand out toward me. I stepped back. The two matrons immediately stepped forward as if to pin me down. Pei Yanzhuo said indifferently:

"There is no need."

He withdrew his hand, his voice calm.

"Take the lady back to her room."

At that exact moment, the gates of the Imperial Examination Bureau swung open. Shen Qingyan squeezed his way out through the surging crowd, his blue robes severely wrinkled and his lips drained of color. Yet he immediately searched for me amidst the sea of people. Once. Then once again. Nothing. His steps slowed, and the lingering exhaustion between his brows suddenly froze. Just then, a neighborly aunt pushed her way right up to him. The corners of her eyes were red-rimmed, and she had to part her lips several times before any sound finally emerged.

"Master Shen."

"Your home has caught fire."

The book chest in Shen Qingyan's hand suddenly grew heavy. The neighborly aunt wept as she spoke.

"Zhaowei... she is gone."

The book chest dropped to the ground. The books inside scattered everywhere. Shen Qingyan stood frozen in place, as if he had suddenly lost the ability to understand human speech. He asked in a very faint voice:

"Who is gone?"

No one dared to answer. Abruptly, he turned around and staggered toward the southern quarter of the city. When he finally reached the small courtyard, he found only a charred expanse of ruins. Even half of the doorway had collapsed. Someone brought forward a charred silver bracelet.

"This was found inside the room."

Shen Qingyan reached out to take it. He recognized it. It was a dowry gift his legal mother had given me, an item I had always worn and never once removed. A lump rose in Shen Qingyan's throat as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, only a shallow gasp escaped his lips. Slowly, he sank to his knees. His knees struck the ash and embers, kicking up a layer of dark dust. Tears as large as beans slipped from his eyes.

Right at this moment, a disheveled beggar child squeezed through a gap in the crowd. The child quickly ran up to Shen Qingyan's side and shoved a slip of paper into his hand.

"Someone told me to give this to you."

Having said that, the beggar child turned and fled. Shen Qingyan unfolded the paper. With just a single glance, the trembling throughout his entire body abruptly ceased. The grief that had been fracturing his gaze gradually receded, transforming into a cold, unyielding resolve. He clenched the paper tightly within his sleeve, stood up, and turned to leave. The neighborly aunt choked back her tears and asked:

"Master Shen, shouldn't we go report this to the authorities?"

Shen Qingyan picked up the fallen book case from the ground.

"There is no need to go."

"I must prepare for the palace examination."

The surrounding crowd instantly fell silent. Soon enough, people began to whisper among themselves in low voices.

"His wife has only just passed away, yet he is already thinking about the palace examination?"

Those who read too many books are truly unfeeling.

These remarks fell, word by word, behind his back. Shen Qingyan did not look back. He clutched the book case tightly, his knuckles turning stark white. He had to stand before the Emperor himself; only then could he save Zhaowei!

Ten days later, the list of successful candidates was posted. Shen Qingyan placed first as the top scholar. During the grand palace ceremonies, civil and military officials stood in neat ranks amidst solemn court music. The newly minted imperial scholars listened in turn as the imperial decrees were proclaimed. The shrill, piercing voice of the eunuch echoed throughout the imperial hall:

First rank, top of the list, Shen Qingyan.

Shen Qingyan stepped forward, pressing his forehead against the golden brick flooring.

Your subject, Shen Qingyan, expresses his gratitude for the Emperor's boundless grace.

The ritual officer was about to announce the next candidate when Shen Qingyan suddenly drew a memorial from his sleeve, holding it high above his head with both hands.

Your subject carries a grievous wrong.

The great hall fell into instant silence.