• Wei Zhi readily agreed when the academy students invited her to dinner at one of the grandest restaurants in the city. Many of the academy students wondered if Wei Zhi would be given the responsibility of being the next Spring Exam’s examiner. These exams are a huge deal since they are pretty much the only way to become a government official and one of the very few chances for commoners to change their family tree for good. Even those from noble families would hope that they could make a good impression so perhaps they could get ahead of others. The main examiner is appointed by the emperor and holds a lot of influence so that’s why everyone would be eager to get on Wei Zhi’s good side in case she really ended up being appointed by the emperor. 
  • Knowing that Wei Zhi will be showing up at the restaurant, many other people have also made sure to reserve VIP seats at the restaurants including Second Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince. As the emperor’s current favorite official, all the princes who are vying for the throne would be very interested in befriending Wei Zhi 

As she made her way through the restaurant, there was a nonstop stream of people coming out of their dining room to greet her. Some she knew, some she didn’t but without exception, they all said they would be coming by later to have a drink with her. Feng Zhi Wei smiled so much that her face was sore, thinking inwardly that indeed the wine of the officialdom is the hardest drink to drink. 

There were three tables in the pavilion that were reserved for them. Feng Zhi Wei along with Master Gu and Zhi Xiao was immediately seated at the main table. The dishes were exquisite and expensive but unfortunately, it was met by the few who didn’t know how to appreciate them– Feng Zhi Wei has never been too picky when it comes to food, Master Gu is also the sort who never cared what he is eating and as for Gu Zhi Xiao, she would happily munch on a carrot as long as she is eating while sitting on her daddy’s lap. This child is rather unique in that she is born with a natural ability to adapt, be it in a room of luxury or shabbiness, she has the same domineering attitude that has innate confidence in it. 

During the banquet, they reminisced about the past, laughed together then talked about the war. When they mentioned Tao Yangyu and his two friends, there was a look of envy on everyone’s face. The three men are all in the northern army accomplishing lots and receiving promotions, this surely is how a man should be.

 Feng Zhi Wei held a cup in hand and laughed, “It is true it is heroic for a man to be on the battlefield, but we who serve in court are also doing hard work and could not be seen as weaklings. Other than those who are already serving as officials, there are those who will be taking the Spring Exams to soon become our co-workers. Come, let us make a toast to that.” 

Everyone immediately raised their cups. Qian Yan (one of the past academy students) grinned, “Brothers, you guys must work harder. Learn from us that came before you. To work under Official Wei, is one of the best experiences in the world.” 

Feng Zhi Wei gave him a side glance and laughed, “We won’t talk about the Spring Exam. Let’s drink, let’s drink.” 

Hearing her words, Feng Zhi Wei pretended not to see everyone’s slightly disappointed expressions. After drinking a bit more, Feng Zhi Wei hit the plate a few times with her chopsticks, “I haven’t seen you all for a year, it brings me great joy to be gathered with you all in one room. I still remember correcting you all’s homework and there were certainly plenty of mistakes– Zu Lin Zheng.” She suddenly pointed to a student with her chopstick and smiled, “In the past, whenever you wrote the word Jie you always forget to make a hook with the last stroke. Every time I see it, I would say, without that hook, how can the character still be called Jie.” 

 Zu Lin Zheng stood up hurriedly and said with a smile, “Yes, student (referring to himself) will surely remember it.”

All the other students let out a silent sigh of relief- Feng Zhi Wei had said that she didn’t want to talk about the Spring Exam, but in actuality, she had already said everything she wanted to say. Qian Yan stood up quickly, raised the wine up in his hand and said with a smile, “All of the students were under Official Wei’s tutelage, so they will definitely not be an embarrassment to you sir.” 

Feng Zhi Wei glanced at him, and smiled but said nothing, thinking inwardly that this guy was quite timely with his declaration.

With all the talks of correcting homework, our heroine is expressing the fact that she used to be their teacher and still sees herself as their teacher. This is exactly what the students are looking for which is why Qian Yan promptly affirmed the fact that all in attendance see Wei Zhi as their teacher. 

The vibe on the banquet became lively and a battle of wine-drinking soon commenced. Students came rushing up one after another, wanting to have a toast with Feng Zhi Wei. Two cups were better than one, and three toasts together were merrier, but then after the three, four were even better… Feng Zhi Wei drank one after another– she is deliberately getting herself drunk. People who are drunk have good excuses, such as not having to go to the rooms where the princes are, or pretending ignorance when others are toasting. 

Just as she had drank until her eyes were blurry, Gu Nan Yi suddenly put his hand on hers and said, “Enough.” 

Feng Zhi Wei’s hand paused as she looked down at Master Gu’s hand on the back of her hand then up at the bright and disapproving eyes behind the veil. Without a way to explain her intentions, Feng Zhi Wei could only smile sheepishly, leaned close to him, and whispered “…uh…Master Gu…just this once…just this once…”

After all, she was affected by the wine, so her body felt a bit weak, unconsciously leaning against Gu Nan Yi’s shoulder as her wine-laced sweet breath came out with her low whisper. Different from her usual graceful and calm mannerisms, there was a bit of pleading and softness in her voice, an upward tilt to her every word, somehow mesmerizing one’s very soul. 

Gu Nan Yi lowered his head slightly, her head rubbed against his chin. Her hair was soft, like a soft cloud brushing against his heart while her low whispering voice shook the already trembling heart even harder. 

Not sure if it was the sweet aroma, or the mesmerizing whisperings, or the seductive wisp of hair, Gu Nan Yi suddenly felt a burning in his heart, causing him to unconsciously raised his hand to steady her shoulder. 

He was at first just feeling a bit flustered and wanted to help her up but who would’ve guessed that Feng Zhi Wei’s inside suddenly rebelled and she started heaving as if she was about to throw up. Exerting great control over herself, Feng Zhi Wei knew she can’t throw up on Master Gu and promptly covered her mouth with her hand. Not caring at all that he might get throw up all over himself, Gu Nan Yi held onto her shoulder to prevent her from her leaving and gently caressed her back with a hand, sending a surge of internal energy into her body, suppressing the rush of alcohol. 

The whole room went quiet, staring at Master Gu who seemed oblivious to his surrounding. Seeing the rather suggestive pose the two are in, everyone in the room exchanged a look as they all remembered a certain rumor about broken sleeves that was quite popular in the imperial capital previously. 

Broken Sleeves: a reference to gay man. This reference came from a story of Emperor Ai of Han Dynasty who upon waking in the morning one day, discovered that part of his sleeve was underneath his still-sleeping male lover. Not wanting to disturb his sleeping lover when he had to get out of bed, Emperor Ai chose to cut off his sleeve. 

“…. Xiao Wei (referring to Wei Zhi) is here? Haha, this old man is here to disturb…” Suddenly someone came walking into the door laughing as he talked. 

Behind this person, there were also a few people pulling on each other. One of them said, “Scholar Hu, you dare to barge into the midst of young men with your lackluster wine drinking ability, you better let this prince come and escort you.” 

Another person said, “Sixth brother is so attentive. He is afraid that we would get Old Hu drunk and sell him off, come, let us go in and ask for a drink!” 

The group came charging in, before everyone could react, the first person in the front froze on the threshold. 

The second, third and fourth were blocked, poking their heads in then there was a collective sharp intake of breath. 

Inside the room, on the upper seat, a teary Official Wei is lying in the arms of the famously stoic guard of the Imperial Capital, Gu Nan Yi. That said guard is openly embracing Wei Zi’s shoulder and caressing his back tenderly. 

Broken sleeves!

Real living broken sleeves!

Living and openly exhibiting broken sleeves, and it’s none other than the most famous young official of the imperial capital! 

Holding his wine cup, Scholar Hu’s mouth is gaping open, his eyes almost popped out and fell right into his wine cup as he muttered, “No wonder I saw him in one glance among the crowd of academy students. He is truly very different.” 

The second prince who only came back from Minnan mountain mutters with his very tanned black face: “I have heard that broken sleeves are very restrained, but this Official Wei is quite flamboyant.” 

Seventh Prince with one foot on the threshold and the other foot stepping back, promptly tell his man that had been following closely, “Hurry up, write down the time and place. Tomorrow, my “Imperial Capital’s Miscellaneous Notes” will have many good stories added to it. 

Tenth prince with his round face and big eyes, said timidly, “Seventh brother, remember to send me a copy of your publication when it comes out this month.” 

Seventh Prince rewarded him with a slap on his head, “You little kid, that’s not for you to read!”

Everyone in the group was busy expressing their thoughts. Only one person did not speak. 

Holding a cup, leaning against the door, the person seemed to be smiling but also not. 

The wine in the cup was clear and cold, reflecting his bright eyes, eyes that glanced lightly past the two people in an embrace. The glance was light when it looked over but when it landed, it landed with a thud, like a knife blade hidden in its sheath. 

Then he laughed softly and said, “They all said it’s lively here, it is indeed lively. Looks like the talents of the academy have gathered all together today.”

Hearing his words, everyone’s attention immediately shifted from broken sleeves to the gathering of the academy students themselves. The eyes of the several princes turned to look at the faces of the students in attendance, and their smiles promptly turned meaningful. 

“Indeed, they’ve all gathered, indeed.” Holding a wine cup, Second Prince’s smile grew cold. 

Most who were planning to participate in this year’s spring exam, all came.   

“Indeed they’ve all gathered.” Her rebellious inner organs have finally been calmed by Gu Nan Yi, Feng Zhi Wei raised her head up from his shoulder, glanced over, and stood up with a smile, “I came back with my life with quite a bit of difficulty from the North, I almost could not see this prosperous imperial capital and the peaceful world. After a year of not being able to see my co-workers and friends, His Majesty granted me a few days off so I could reminisce with my friends about the old days. I had also planned to go visit a few of your royal highnesses, but it is serendipity we are all here.” 

Second Prince stiffened, belatedly remembering that the Emperor did indeed told Wei Zhi to go and relax. Moreover, the main spring examiner has not been named yet so who can say anything about Wei Zhi, the academy education officer, having a small gathering with the students? On the contrary, it is them, the princes who are normally always busy, who would all end up gathered here, obviously suspicious. 

 Looking to his side, Second Prince saw Ning Yi who had started the topic in the first place and stopped talking and is just leisurely sipping wine. Cursing Ning Yi for being a cunning fox and frustrated at himself for being quick with his mouth, Second Prince wanted to make a few jabs at Ning Yi but couldn’t because Ning Yi was actually not supposed to be here at all today. Tenth Prince had found some books to give to Seventh Prince who had been compiling a book lately. The Seventh Prince was holding a wine feast here and mentioned the fact that Ning Yi had a rare book called “The Bag of the Gods”. Seventh Prince dragged Ning Yi over in hopes that he could trick the book from Ning Yi. Ning Yi was dragged over, and said that the book had been lent to Old Hu, which is how Old Hu was invited over. That’s how Ning Yi ended up here…so he really couldn’t find anything snide to say to Ning Yi. 

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