Chapter 209: Chapter 195: Birthday Tribute (Third Update)
Having already exchanged marriage proposals, Song Fang wanted to get married before the end of the year, making the wedding date a bit rushed. There were many Xu Family members, and with Mrs. Xu leading the housekeeper and servants, they were bustling around. Calculations showed that all necessary preparations could be completed in time.
The main focus still had to be on Song Fang’s side.
The wedding dress didn’t require her personal creation, but in any place, it was customary for the bride-to-be to prepare attire for her future husband and in-laws.
Therefore, she had to take a leave.
When she went to see her teacher, the teacher told her she had nearly completed all the courses in the Hongwen Academy, and whether she continued or not made no difference; attending further would just be a waste of time.
However, if she was willing, she could return after finishing her family matters.
When Song Fang returned, she consulted with Song Wei, hoping her third brother could give some advice.
Song Wei asked her, "What was your initial intention for entering the Hongwen Academy?"
"Of course, it was to learn more," she replied.
"And after you’ve learned?" Song Wei asked again.
"This..." Song Fang was at a loss.
She remembered that the reason she had gone to great lengths to enter that place was to transform herself, and hopefully find a good husband in the future.
But now, she was taking leave to get married.
Song Fang suddenly felt as if she had been deceived by Xu Shu.
"The teacher said you don’t need to go anymore, maybe genuinely believing you’ve learned enough. Your current focus should be on the wedding," Song Wei said. "After you get married, some things won’t be as you wish; the premise for the in-laws’ acceptance is that you acknowledge them. If you approach it with a playful mindset, then this marriage might as well not happen."
Song Fang was left speechless by his words.
Agreeing to marry Xu Shu, Song Fang appreciated the family for being easy to get along with, thinking that a girl should find such a family for a comfortable future life.
As for herself, before today, she really hadn’t been prepared to be a good wife and mother.
Her third brother’s words left her in complete silence.
After pondering overnight, the next day, Song Fang solemnly told Song Wei she would not return to Hongwen Academy and would stay home obediently to embroider her dowry.
Wen Wan smiled and asked, "Have you had an epiphany?"
Song Fang drooped her eyelids. "One must be honest; regardless of my relationship with Xu Shu, the Xu Family has treated me well. Now that I’m getting married, I can’t just think of my desires without considering the Xu Family’s thoughts."
Having said this, she turned to Wen Wan, "Sister-in-law, do you think I’m a bit selfish?"
Wen Wan said, "The fact that you can come to the realization shows you’re a sincere good girl, how could you be selfish?"
Song Fang lowered her head, "If it weren’t for my third brother’s words, I might not have thought of these things for a long time."
——
Princess Changping’s birthday was approaching, and Emperor Guangxi ordered the collection of her favorite masterpieces, resulting in Chu Feng bringing back several identical pieces.
For the past few years, Emperor Guangxi had been preoccupied with state affairs and wrestling with the Su Family, neglecting his studies on paintings, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake at a glance.
Fearing a mistake, he dared not rely on his subjective judgment, lest his sister sees and it turns into a grand embarrassment, yet he couldn’t identify the authentic piece in a short amount of time.
Chu Feng suggested, "The old marquis from the Lu Family is an expert in this field. Would you like me to personally invite him to the palace?"
Mentioning Old Marquis Lu, Emperor Guangxi snorted coldly, "If he doesn’t come, must my gift be undeliverable? I have so many officials under me, I can’t believe there’s not one who knows what they’re doing. Summon a few veteran ministers."
Quick on his feet, Chu Feng soon brought several senior ministers from the court to the Imperial Study Room.
Before the courtiers could make their salutations, Emperor Guangxi dismissed the formalities and pointed to the paintings hanging nearby, "Dear ministers, please have a look for the Emperor. Among these six paintings, which one is the genuine work of the Jin Dynasty Master Liu?"
The elder ministers looked at each other, not entirely understanding the emperor’s intentions.
Avoiding unnecessary words, they each stood before the six paintings for careful examination, ultimately arriving at different conclusions.
Some claimed the first painting was genuine, while others argued that the sixth painting was the authentic one.
As each defended their viewpoint with logic, the debate gave Emperor Guangxi a headache, and he felt his temples throb.
One of the ministers suddenly said, "The Dean of the Hanlin Academy recently acquired an incense burner and an ink wash, both genuine Jin Dynasty pieces. I asked about it, and he mentioned a newly appointed Hanlin Official in our academy who loves collecting. The Dean traded two courtyards for them, and those fond of collecting often have knowledge in this area. Perhaps the emperor could invite him to take a look?"
Emperor Guangxi’s eyes lit up, and he instructed the Chief Eunuch, "Quickly summon the person from the Hanlin Academy."
Aware of the emperor’s urgency, the Chief Eunuch hastened his steps to the Hanlin Academy, directly seeking the Dean, asking from whom the antiques were obtained.
The Chief Eunuch, a favored attendant before Emperor Guangxi, was treated with respect by the Dean, who promptly replied it was from Song Wei, chosen as this year’s third-place scholar, now serving as an editor in the Hanlin Academy.
The Dean also personally led the Chief Eunuch to find him.
Song Wei was in consultation with a senior from the Hanlin Academy when a colleague notified him, "Song Wei, someone is here to see you."
Song Wei followed the colleague out and was momentarily stunned upon seeing the Chief Eunuch.
The eunuch looked familiar. He was by Emperor Guangxi’s side during the palace examination.
Song Wei was puzzled, only hearing the eunuch say, "Are you Song Wei?"
"I am." Song Wei nodded, "May I ask why the eunuch is here to deliver a message to me?"
The Chief Eunuch said, "The Emperor sent me. Come with me!"
At these words, Song Wei had doubts in his heart but didn’t express them, quietly following the Chief Eunuch straight to the Imperial Study Room.
The few old ministers were still there, unable to discern the paintings. Emperor Guangxi simply discussed state affairs with them. Upon hearing Eunuch Li report that the person had been brought, he glanced up, his expression showing slight change due to surprise.
"Your Majesty, this Hanlin Official is the one you wanted to summon," Eunuch Li said respectfully.
Emperor Guangxi squinted slightly.
So it’s this little brat?
Chu Feng had investigated Song Wei’s background. There was no mention of him being knowledgeable about collections!
However, thinking of the urgent matter at hand, with Song Wei ultimately stepping forward, Emperor Guangxi felt that this third-place scholar wasn’t useless.
"Minister greets Your Majesty."
Song Wei had already come forward, kneeling to salute.
Hearing the voice, Emperor Guangxi came back to his senses, looking down at Song Wei, who was kneeling on the ground, thinking of the situation during the palace examination, feeling that this brat’s kneeling was quite satisfying.
Let him be sharp-tongued! Let him be stubborn! From now on, let him kneel whenever he sees me!
Song Wei was completely unaware of the deep grudges the Emperor held against him, only hearing a stern "rise" from above, after which he slowly stood to the side, always keeping his gaze on the ground, neither looking around nor raising his eyes to look at Emperor Guangxi.
"Song Wei, do you know why I summoned you here?"
"I do not know, Your Majesty."
Emperor Guangxi took a sip of tea, "I hear you understand collections, and I wanted you to appraise these six paintings, to see which one is the authentic piece."
Upon hearing this, Song Wei glanced at the six paintings, briefly, before withdrawing his gaze.
Emperor Guangxi asked, "You’ve already discerned them?"
"Yes, I have identified them, Your Majesty."
Emperor Guangxi didn’t quite believe, "Then tell me, which one is the authentic piece?"
Song Wei hesitated for a moment and said, "I would like the esteemed ministers to avoid the room."
Song Wei wasn’t foolish. He quickly guessed that these people must have looked them over before him, and the Emperor approached him because he couldn’t decide.
And now, having seen the subtleties of the six paintings, if he were to speak before the old ministers, some would certainly feel slapped in the face for judging wrong, essentially offending them unknowingly.
As a newcomer in the bureaucracy, Song Wei adhered to the principle of caution and careful thinking in everything; otherwise, it could easily invite disaster.
Emperor Guangxi didn’t understand, but he didn’t refuse, waving for the ministers to leave. Then his gaze paused on the six paintings, "Did you discern which one is the authentic piece?"
Song Wei nodded, "I dare not deceive, Your Majesty; all six of these paintings are forgeries."
"Impossible!" Emperor Guangxi was somewhat agitated.
They were painstakingly sought; how could they all be forgeries?
Song Wei said, "I once owned the authentic painting of Mr. Liu, but later passed it on to someone else. That was the only one. It’s impossible for another to appear."
Emperor Guangxi frowned abruptly, "Who did you pass it on to?"
It was Song Wei’s master, Old Marquis Lu, who took it.
Song Wei didn’t plan to expose his master, only saying, "I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness; I cannot disclose the recipient’s information."
Emperor Guangxi’s forehead veins bulged, "Even as the ruler, I cannot know?"
Song Wei spoke frankly, "Every trade has its rules, just as the nation has its laws. If Your Majesty forces me to disclose, it is forcing me to breach my trade’s rules, which for me, is more serious than breaking the law."
Emperor Guangxi restrained the impulse to throw a teacup at his head, "Fine, I won’t force you. I’ll give you a task: within half a month, retrieve the authentic painting, and it will be a great credit to you."
Song Wei shook his head, "I cannot retrieve the authentic piece, but I have another painting by Mr. Liu."
Emperor Guangxi’s brow moved, "Is this true?"
"I do not dare deceive Your Majesty."
Emperor Guangxi stared at him for a while, "Very well, I’ll change your task. In half a month, take that painting, in my name, as a birthday gift to the Changping Princess Mansion. If the Eldest Princess refuses it, I will hold you accountable!"
Because of past incidents, Changping, this younger sister, no longer interacts with him as an elder brother. Every year’s birthday gifts are returned. This year he’ll try a new approach, finding someone sharp-tongued to deliver the gift.
This brat better not disappoint him, or else...