vrcanaries Chapter 1334: The Bright, Yet Unreachable Pearl of the Nangong Clan
Chapter 1334: The Bright, Yet Unreachable Pearl of the Nangong Clan
Handan understood immediately and replied with sparkling eyes, "Yes, Madam!"
After arranging all this, Shen Zhinian turned his gaze back to the beautiful face in the mirror.
Her fingers gently brushed across her temples, and deep in her eyes was a well-hidden ambition.
……
Bai Mansion, study.
A brocade box was gently placed on the desk.
When the lid of the box is opened, a Duanxi purple stone inkstone with high-quality texture and elegant carvings is revealed.
Next to it are a few pieces of Chengxintang paper that are as smooth as jade and have a fine texture.
The air seemed to be filled with the faint scent of ink.
Xiao Zhuzi, who came to present the reward, said politely, "...The Imperial Noble Consort praised Bai's talent and encouraged him to help His Majesty."
Bai Mufeng stood in front of the desk, looking at the valuable reward, his handsome face still wearing a warm smile.
He bowed from afar towards the Imperial Palace and expressed his gratitude loudly: "I, your humble servant Bai Mufeng, thank the Imperial Concubine for her generous reward! I will do my best to live up to your Majesty's expectations."
After delivering the things, Xiao Zhuzi retreated respectfully.
However, when the door of the study was gently closed and only Bai Mufeng was left, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by deep thought.
Bai Mufeng's slender fingers gently stroked the cool and moist Duan inkstone. His eyes were deep, and there was a complex and indistinguishable light flashing in his eyes.
He studied hard for more than ten years, and with his extraordinary talent and diligence, he finally became a top scorer in the imperial examination and brought honor to his family!
But Bai Mufeng remained clear-headed.
In a court where the concept of family affiliation is still deeply rooted, it is extremely difficult to gain a foothold or even climb to a high position based solely on talent and knowledge.
If His Majesty had not intended to promote people from humble backgrounds and to check and balance the aristocratic families, he might not have been able to obtain the title of Tanhua Lang so easily.
Even so, after entering the Hanlin Academy and being surrounded by children from prominent families with profound backgrounds and complex relationships, Bai Mufeng still often felt an invisible barrier and pressure.
He needs to take every step more carefully than others and proceed cautiously.
It is said that the court and the harem are closely related. How could Bai Mufeng not know this?
Among those enduring noble families, which one does not have some influence in the harem?
It was a tacit understanding that high-ranking concubines who were favored by the emperor would secretly make friends with and win over potential officials in the court in order to consolidate their status and pave the way for the prince.
Similarly, for an official like Bai Mufeng who lacks foundation and is eager to climb up the ladder by leveraging his power, gaining the favor of the favored concubine would undoubtedly be a shortcut to achieving twice the result with half the effort.
The power of pillow talk is sometimes greater than a thousand-word letter.
Imperial Noble Consort Shen...the empress who was favored by the emperor and no one else could match her, now took the initiative to extend an olive branch to him.
Bai Mufeng's fingers paused on the inkstone.
This reward seemed to be a recognition and encouragement of his talent, but he was well aware of the intention of getting close to and winning him over behind it.
This is both an opportunity and a risk.
The Imperial Noble Consort is now in the limelight, the Fourth Prince is in good health, and she herself is well versed in the emperor's mind and has great skills.
If he could get the secret support of the Imperial Concubine, his path in the court would undoubtedly be much smoother, and some resources and connections that were originally difficult to reach might be opened up through this.
However... the harem is full of cruelty, and the heart of the Holy One is unpredictable. Today she is in great favor, but tomorrow she may fall into the dust.
If you tie yourself to the chariot of a favorite concubine too early, you will be implicated once she loses power.
but……
A sharp light flashed in Bai Mufeng's eyes.
Given his current situation, if he wants to get rid of his poor status as soon as possible and truly have a place in the court, some risks are worth taking.
What's more, the intelligence and means displayed by the Imperial Concubine are definitely not ordinary.
This is not a simple dependence, but more like a mutually beneficial alliance.
He needs the support and protection of the Imperial Concubine.
And the Imperial Noble Consort might also need eyes, ears, and arms like him who gradually grow up in the court.
His mind raced, and he made the decision.
When Bai Mufeng looked at the Duan inkstone and Chengxintang paper again, his eyes had become different.
This is no longer just a reward, but an invitation to a higher stage of power.
Bai Mufeng gently closed the lid of the brocade box, and the corners of his lips curled up again in a gentle, yet sharp smile.
Since the Imperial Noble Consort has shown her kindness, he naturally has to reciprocate.
Of course, Bai Mufeng's decision wasn't just for his future...
In this world, what he truly cares about and even regards as his lifelong pursuit is not just the illusory position of a high-ranking official.
More importantly... Princess Wenshu, the dazzling yet untouchable pearl of the Nangong clan.
He and Princess Wenshu had met by chance and had already developed feelings for each other and understood each other's minds.
She admired his talent and ambition, and he admired her intelligence and uniqueness.
That affection has already entangled the two young hearts.
However...reality is a cold, hard barrier...
Even though he had the talent and reputation of a top scholar, he was still a poor boy with a poor family background and no foundation.
Princess Wenshu was a daughter of a noble family and the emperor's younger sister, and her status was extremely noble.
The difference is as huge as heaven and earth, a chasm as deep as the sky.
Without extraordinary merit or powerful external help, his dream of marrying the eldest princess would be nothing but a foolish dream.
The royal family and the civil and military officials in the court would never allow a noble princess to marry a newly-minted scholar with no background.
Even if Your Majesty is enlightened, he must still consider the royal family's reputation and the balance of the court in this matter.
This clear awareness constantly reminds Bai Mufeng and Princess Wen Shu of the unreachable distance between them.
And now, the seemingly casual reward and enticement from the Imperial Noble Consort gave Bai Mufeng a glimmer of hope...
The Imperial Noble Consort holds the same rank as the Vice Empress, and her influence in His Majesty's heart is immense. If one can gain her approval and support, she will mediate and speak well of him to His Majesty...
Then his relationship with Princess Wenshu would no longer be hopeless!
This is not only about his career, but also about his lifelong wishes.
Thinking of this, the last trace of hesitation in Bai Mufeng's heart completely disappeared.
After finishing his official duties, he took only a trusted servant with him and went to the plum garden where he often met Princess Wenshu.
There are no plum blossoms in late spring, but the twisted branches are vigorous and sparse, just enough to hide the figures of people in the forest.
He had just stood there for a moment when he heard very light footsteps behind him, accompanied by a hint of elegant fragrance.
Princess Wenshu was wrapped in a lotus-green cloak with the hood pulled low, covering most of her beautiful face that was full of anticipation.
Seeing Bai Mufeng, she quickened her pace, walked up to him, raised her face, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Bai Hanlin..."
Her voice was extremely low and trembling: "We... let's finish this quickly and leave."
"Last time, we were just traveling together and my brother saw us, and he was so displeased. If this time..."