Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

In the main bedroom, Huangfu Ling, draped in a brocade quilt, reclined on a soft couch in the warm room. The freezing rain outside the window pattered against the window lattice, making a crackling sound. She couldn't help but rub her cold hands, exhaled a puff of white air, and muttered to herself, "This freezing rain came so suddenly! It's almost February, and the weather is still so cold."

Seeing this, Douya hurried forward and said softly, "Madam, it's freezing cold, you should get some rest. The master probably won't be back for a while."

Huangfu Ling turned to look at Douya, smiled slightly, and said, "Douya, we grew up together. You're not young anymore. If you meet someone you like, be sure to tell me. I will definitely help you find a spouse and even prepare a generous dowry for you. What do you think?"

Douya blushed slightly after hearing Huangfu Ling's words. She lowered her head shyly and said softly, "Madam..."

Huangfu Ling saw this and quickly waved his hands, saying with a smile: "Oh, now there are no outsiders, let's just be like before."

Douya raised her head, looked at Huangfu Ling, smiled helplessly, and said, "Yes, yes, Miss Huangfu, you should just live a good life with your Master Zhang. I'm just a little maid, why do you need to worry so much about me?"

Huangfu Ling didn't take it seriously and continued, "I think Wang Ergou is quite good. He's working with Brother Qi and he's not even 20 years old yet."

Douya said with disdain, "Him? He's always looking shifty and secretive, and he's often nowhere to be seen. You can tell at a glance he's not a good person."

Huangfu Ling quickly retorted, "What about Liang Dahai? He's very smart. He designed all those mechanisms in the East Courtyard."

Douya snorted, "Look at how smug he is. After being taken back by the master, he looked up at the sky and didn't even look at us."

Huangfu Ling smiled helplessly, "Then you don't like wood."

When Douya heard this, she immediately cried out, "Please, stop talking. I can't bear to hear it anymore. Only Jiuer would like that rotten piece of wood."

Huangfu Ling leaned against the embroidered cushion and asked with a smile, "Then tell me, what kind do you like?"

Douya was tidying up her dressing table when she heard this. She stopped what she was doing and blushed. "I like men who are handsome and dote on me." She twisted the handkerchief in her hand and her voice gradually lowered. "The most important thing is that they are the kind who can stand up for me when I'm in trouble."

"Tsk tsk," Huangfu Ling winked mischievously, "You little girl, you're dreaming. How could you possibly get such a good thing?"

"Don't look down on me!" Douya straightened her back unconvinced. "Although I'm just a maid, I also have the heart to be a princess."

Huangfu Ling chuckled: "Come on, you're still pretending to be a princess. Get married first." She reached out and poked Douya's forehead, "I think you've read too many storybooks."

Douya curled her lips and didn't argue, turning back to wiping the bronze mirror on her dressing table. Her slightly flushed cheeks were reflected in the mirror. Although she was only a servant, she was indeed a legitimate commoner. Zhang Jingwei had asked about this before, but Huangfu Ling never mentioned her background much.

The sound of rain outside the window intensified. The master and servant were silent for a moment, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Huangfu Ling looked at Douya's busy back, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Bang!"

The door was thrown open heavily, and Zhang Jingwei stood there, soaking wet. The rain on his official hat kept sliding down his cheeks, forming a puddle on the bluestone floor. Douya hurried forward, and when her fingers touched his cold brocade official uniform, she couldn't help but shudder.

"Master, what's wrong..." She was stopped dead in her tracks by Zhang Jingwei's blank stare. He carefully removed his soaked official robe and brought a blanket to wrap around his shivering body. The official robe, embroidered with a guinea-shaped patch, was heavy, and the rain-soaked water had dragged a long streak across the floor.

Huangfu Ling lifted the brocade quilt and climbed onto the bed, her embroidered shoes stepping on the water stains. "What happened?" She reached out to touch her husband's face, but he avoided her. "Why are you so wet?"

"It's okay." Zhang Jingwei's voice seemed to come from far away, "I was distracted when I came back." There were still water droplets hanging on his eyelashes, which looked like broken glass in the candlelight.

Huangfu Ling turned around and said anxiously, "Douba, go quickly..."

"No need for ginger soup," Zhang Jingwei suddenly interrupted, walking straight towards the bed. His soaked undershirt was ripped off and thrown to the floor, revealing his pale back. He crawled naked under the covers, curled up like a wounded animal.

Huangfu Ling pursed her lips and winked at Douya. When the door gently closed, she lifted the quilt and slid against it, her soft body pressed against her husband's cold back. Zhang Jingwei remained motionless, his open eyes reflecting the flickering lightning outside the window.

"Husband..." She pressed her face against the back of his neck, her palm gently caressing his cold arm. The skin beneath her palm gradually warmed, but his eyes remained vacant, staring at the lotus flowers embroidered on the ceiling. The rain began to fall faster, and Huangfu Ling wrapped the quilt tighter around her. Her warm breath blew behind his ear, and she whispered, "I'm here."

Zhang Jingwei's voice trembled slightly, and he pretended to be calm and said, "It's okay, I'm really fine!" As if he was comforting himself, or trying to convince Huangfu Ling.

Huangfu Ling looked at Zhang Jingwei quietly, her eyes full of concern and worry. After a while, she sighed softly and said, "I'm glad you're okay. I won't ask any more questions. Tonight, let me hold you like this, and you're not allowed to go anywhere."

Zhang Jingwei nodded silently. He could feel Huangfu Ling's warmth and love, which made him feel a little at ease.

……

The next day, Zhang Jingwei got up early. He gave the sleeping Huangfu Ling a light kiss, then took his official robe from the tripod next to the charcoal basin, tiptoed to open the door, and took a deep breath of the sweet and moist air after the rain.

The corridor lamp was a modified oil lamp made by Liang Dahai. It would be refilled from a tank to keep the oil level steady. Although it was a bit oil-intensive, it could stay lit all night long, with the flame resistant to flickering and wind. This way, he wouldn't have to walk home in the dark.

……

The night watchman at the government office was yawning when he suddenly saw Zhang Jingwei approaching in the morning dew. He quickly straightened his back and saluted, "Good morning, sir!"

Zhang Jingwei rubbed his swollen temples and asked, "How long until the hour of Mao?"

"Your Excellency," the yamen runner glanced at the clock, "it has just struck five o'clock, so there is still about half an hour left."

"It's only four o'clock..." Zhang Jingwei muttered to himself, his voice full of fatigue.

Seeing his tired look, the yamen runner said flatteringly, "Your Excellency's diligence reminds me of Mr. Chen, who studies at night next door."

"Oh?" Zhang Jingwei raised his eyebrows. "I've been hearing recitations these past two days. So it's a candidate? Is he taking the Spring Examination?"

"It's the young master of the Chen family," the yamen runner said proudly, "He's the first juren in Gaoyang in over a decade!"

Zhang Jingwei seemed to be lost in thought: "The Chen family...are they the ones who live behind the county magistrate's residence?"

The yamen runner nodded and bowed, "If it disturbs your master's rest, I can go and tell Steward Chen."

Zhang Jingwei looked at him with interest: "You are familiar with the Chen family?"

"Who in Gaoyang doesn't know the Chen family?" the yamen runner said excitedly. "The master of the Chen family is kind and generous, and very approachable. He is very kind to the people in the city and the tenants on the farm. Because he lives close to the government office and visits frequently, he has become familiar with us officials over time."

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly. "If that's the case, the Chen family is a rare family of kindness." He paused, then asked, "Since Young Master Chen has passed the imperial examination, why doesn't he go to the Taiyuan Prefecture academy? There are so many famous teachers there, wouldn't that be better than studying hard at home?"

Upon hearing this, the yamen runner's face flashed with hesitation: "Well..." He looked around and lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Mr. Chen didn't let Mr. Chen go, and forced him to stay with him."

As he was speaking, the sound of reading came from afar, especially clear in the predawn silence. Zhang Jingwei looked in the direction of the sound and could vaguely see a light outside the back yamen wall.