Although Shi Guanshi’s personality was a bit annoying, his skills were lower, and his words were bothersome, he was good at handling people and making connections. He knew how to flatter his superiors and always sought their favor. Thanks to the Crown Prince’s support from the Eastern Palace, he had been doing well at the Taiyue Bureau over the years, securing the third position.

However, these matters had little to do with Tao Sheng and the others. Shi Guanshi’s flattery wasn’t directed at them, and if they disliked him, they could simply ignore him.

What directly impacted the work of Tao Sheng and others was that Shi Guanshi liked to wander around and visit other posts.

Shi Guanshi himself had no real work to do and was very free, so he would constantly roam the office, sometimes giving instructions, emphasizing discipline, or sharing trivial stories, hoping to be praised. This caused great inconvenience to everyone’s work.

Even Tao Sheng, known for her high efficiency, would have her workload cut in half because of Shi Guanshi.

But because Tao Sheng’s two office colleagues had cold auras, Shi Guanshi rarely visited them. So, everyone was surprised when he showed up this time.

Shi Guanshi didn’t even glance at Mr. Zhu or Mr. Yu but headed straight for Tao Sheng.

Tao Sheng’s alarm bells went off.

Could it be that Shi Guanshi came specifically for her?

Shi Guanshi clearly had something to say, but if it wasn’t urgent, he would start by chatting about personal matters.

Sure enough, Shi Guanshi began by saying that the family carriage had broken down a few days ago. They used their connections to find a master who used to build carriages for the princes and princesses to fix it. But after the repairs, the master thought the carriage wasn’t good enough, so they spent money on a new one.

Then, he talked about how his wife selected the new carriage, decorated it, and the experience of driving it for the first time.

After the carriage story, Shi Guanshi moved on to talking about how his son-in-law, a member of the Honglu Temple, had been lucky enough to attend the Beginning of Winter Banquet. His son-in-law admired the clothes of the Prince of Chu, which were personally gifted by the emperor. The design and colors were impressive, and he wanted a set for himself.

But since the clothes were made in the palace, the materials and craftsmanship available to common tailors couldn’t compare. They could only look for something similar. However, when he went to place an order the next morning, the fabrics had already been reserved by many people, and they were quickly becoming popular in the capital. In the end, he had to use connections to buy the fabric.

Mr. Yu and Mr. Zhu couldn’t stand listening any longer and left one after the other with their books and papers. Tao Sheng, however, was trapped by Shi Guanshi and had no choice but to sit there and endure it.

After an hour and a half, Shi Guanshi finally got to the point. He said the New Year was approaching, and the emperor wanted to combine this year’s rituals and music with sacrifices. The Ministry of Rites needed help from the Imperial Music Bureau and wanted to borrow two young people. The Imperial Music Bureau selected Su Heng and Tao Sheng.

Being directly involved in such a major event was a great opportunity for someone like Tao Sheng, new to the workplace.

Although Shi Guanshi came to speak kindly, Tao Sheng knew this decision had been made by Grand Music Master Qiu and Grand Music Secretary Gu, with the emperor’s approval. It was up to her and Master Su to handle the matter.

It was worth enduring nearly two hours of Shi Guanshi’s chatter to receive such good news.

Tao Sheng thanked him with a smile but silently prayed that she wouldn’t have to work with him again in the future.

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The assessment and transfer of officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty typically began around the winter solstice and was finalized by New Year’s Eve. After the Beginning of Winter, it became the busiest time for officials in the Ministry of Personnel.

This year’s busyness is closely related to Tao Sheng and Ji Yanming.

Several scholars from the Hanlin Academy discovered that Ji Yanming and Xie Huaian, two of the most talented young people in the workplace this year, are quite different.

Xie Huaian is very suited for tasks like drafting official documents, giving lectures, and writing prayers. Ji Yanming, although also good at writing, tends to focus on plain and direct language, refined writing, and sharp observations. He is more suitable for doing practical tasks, so having him revise books and draft documents would waste his talents.

The Minister of Justice, Lord Qi, admired Ji Yanming’s work and wanted to transfer him from the Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Justice. But since the Hanlin Academy finally had such a talented individual, they were reluctant to let him go.

The emperor, pleased with the situation, praised Ji Yanming’s excellent work at court, rewarding him with one year’s salary and two precious gifts. He also promoted him from his lower rank to the eighth-rank classics and planned to keep him in the Hanlin Academy until further arrangements next year.

Xie Huaian had his own thoughts. The Xie family held power, with many members in politics. Considering the capital’s unstable situation, there was a plan to send Xie Huaian elsewhere to avoid the chaos.

One day, when Xie Huaian heard Ji Yanming had returned, he visited Ji’s home and brought a freehand painting as a gift.

Tao Sheng opened the painting and saw it depicted lotus leaves under the sun, with a famous poem by a top scholar: “After all, the scenery of West Lake in June is different. The endless green of lotus leaves fills the sky, and the lotus flowers reflecting the sun are unusually red.”

The poem, “Seeing Off Lin Zifang at Dawn from Jingci Temple” by Yang Wanli, appears to describe West Lake’s beauty but has a deeper meaning.

Lin Zifang, after passing the imperial exam, became a secretary in the imperial court, serving close to the emperor. Yang Wanli, his superior and friend, gave him this poem before Lin left for a new post in Fuzhou.

The poem subtly suggests workplace advice: even if you develop greatly far from the capital, you will only be “infinitely green” like the lotus leaves. But those who stay near the emperor, like the “red” lotus flowers, can shine brightly.

Tao Sheng immediately understood Xie Huaian’s message. He had no plans to leave the capital anytime soon, intending to stay in the center of political power.

As the New Year approached, Su Jia returned from her travels.

Su Jia was delighted to see Tao Sheng, her face full of joy: “I worried about you not eating and sleeping well while I was away. But seeing you now puts my mind at ease.”

Tao Sheng had grown taller recently, looking slimmer and more beautiful than before, with skin so soft it looked as if it could “pinch water.”

It seemed she had been living well.

Tao Sheng, missing Su Jia, was overjoyed. Since Su Jia was her only elder now, she happily asked her about her grandparents and the interesting things she had seen while traveling.

During their chat, Su Jia suddenly remembered something and quietly asked Tao Sheng if anyone had been helping her cousin find a potential match during her absence.

Ji Yanming had been away from the capital recently, and since there were no elders in their family, matchmakers hadn’t come by. However, the Prince of Chu had been thinking about this matter.

Tao Sheng told Su Jia that the Prince of Chu had tried to help find a match for her cousin, but since it was difficult to meet all his preferences and requirements, especially politically, the effort was abandoned.

Su Jia nodded and then brought up a new topic: “During my visit to your grandmother, she mentioned a wonderful friend who married into the capital. Her husband holds a third-rank position, and the family has a young man who is handsome, gentle, well-read, and a good match for you.”

“My grandmother introduced him?” Tao Sheng raised an eyebrow. “She hasn’t been to the capital in more than ten years. Does she still keep in touch with this friend?”

“I heard the lady visited your grandmother this summer to escape the heat and discussed the matter,” Su Jia said. “I even saw his portrait, and he’s quite a good young man. If you’re interested, I can visit the Murong family with you, bringing a letter from my mother, so you can meet him.”

So, Su Jia hadn’t actually met Mr. Murong but was impressed by the portrait.

But portraits these days focused more on capturing spirit than likeness, and the real person could be quite different. Was Mr. Murong really reliable?

At this moment, Tao Sheng heard Ji Yanming’s emotionless voice: “Excuse me.”

Su Jia, who had been chatting with Tao Sheng, suddenly remembered her son, Ji Yanming.

Ji Yanming had spent so much time studying away from home that Su Jia was more used to him being away than home.

Ji Yanming appeared, his face stern, lips pressed into a straight line, and a tense atmosphere following him. Su Jia frowned and whispered to Tao Sheng: “Did something happen to Xiaobai? He seems unhappy.”

Tao Sheng was surprised: “My cousin has been in a bad mood since returning to the capital, but he’s been resting at home lately, and nothing seems to have upset him.”

Even though they were together every day, Tao Sheng didn’t know why Ji Yanming suddenly became unhappy again.

Sure enough, it’s hard to guess the thoughts of someone like Ji Yanming.

Tao Sheng thought so.