Volume One, Chapter 12: The Blueprint

The young official saw this and followed him out, saying to Song Chenfei, “Lord Song, I apologize. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you to see Lord Wei.”

“It’s not your fault. Even if you hadn’t brought me to see him, he would have found a way to cause trouble for me,” Song Chenfei thought to himself, wondering who had instructed Wei Hongbo to target him.

“But…”

“No buts. Since Lord Wei said the office rooms are full with no vacancies, and this is a matter of fair and impartial handling with no favoritism, then I’ll just work here in the courtyard. The lighting is ample and it’s quite pleasant,” Song Chenfei said, wearing an expression as though he were enjoying the sunlight.

“Then I’ll stay with you, my lord,” the young official said after a moment’s hesitation, biting his lip.

Song Chenfei was surprised. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Li Mo. I am a deputy director in the Ministry of Works, one of the most junior officials there,” Li Mo replied.

“Hm, you’re not bad. If you’re willing, you can follow me from now on. Bring me whatever office documents I need. I’ll count on you.” Song Chenfei’s tone was not commanding.

“I’m willing. I’m willing,” Li Mo said excitedly. “I’ll get the documents for you right away, my lord.”

He knew exactly what Song Chenfei’s words implied: from now on, Song Chenfei would be his patron in the Ministry of Works.

For junior officials like Li Mo, who had no powerful backing and had only passed the imperial examinations, promotion was extremely difficult without a patron.

Seeing this, Wei Hongbo sneered. “Li Mo, what a fool. You could have allied yourself with anyone, but you chose to side with Song Chenfei, a cursed man. Soon enough, he’ll be expelled from the Ministry of Works, and you’ll suffer the same fate.”

He seemed to already envision the tragic ending of Song Chenfei and Li Mo being kicked out of the Ministry.

Time passed swiftly, though not very long.

Song Chenfei stood in the courtyard, flipping through official documents, with Li Mo attending to him. Passersby whispered and cast strange looks their way.

Song Chenfei paid no mind, as if he saw nothing.

Suddenly, a voice of surprise rang out, “Young Master Song, what are you doing standing in the courtyard?”

An elderly man wearing official robes approached, followed by his guards.

Song Chenfei recognized him from a previous encounter—it was the Imperial Tutor, the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of Works, and also the Minister of Works.

“Greetings, Imperial Tutor. It’s like this: Lord Wei said there were no rooms available for me to work in, so he told me to work standing here in the courtyard,” Song Chenfei answered honestly.

At these words, the Imperial Tutor’s expression immediately darkened.

“Wei Hongbo, come here at once!” the Imperial Tutor commanded.

Wei Hongbo, who had been watching this from inside the office, turned pale with a look of dread.

“Your humble servant Wei Hongbo pays respects, Imperial Tutor,” he said tremblingly.

The Imperial Tutor was not only the Minister of Works, but also the Emperor’s father-in-law and the Imperial Tutor—someone Wei Hongbo dared not provoke despite his own backing.

“There are plenty of vacant rooms. Who told you to say there were none available and to make Young Master Song stand in the courtyard? How dare you!” The Imperial Tutor’s tone was not harsh, but to Wei Hongbo’s ears, it was like thunder on a clear day.

“Imperial Tutor, I beg your forgiveness. I was momentarily careless. Seeing Song Chenfei was new here, I wanted to teach him a lesson,” Wei Hongbo said, shaking. The repeated address of “Young Master Song” made him realize that Song Chenfei was no ordinary man.

He was already regretting his actions.

Wasn’t Song Chenfei supposed to be a useless man dismissed from Prince Pingyang’s mansion?

“Hmph, teach him a lesson? Who do you think you are?” The Imperial Tutor snorted coldly. “Since you want Young Master Song to stand outside, fine. I’ll accommodate you. From now on, your office is to be Young Master Song’s office. As for you, you will stand in the courtyard and work there. Do not move back into the office without my order.”

“Yes, Imperial Tutor. Your humble servant obeys,” Wei Hongbo knelt, utterly weak. He knew his career would become difficult from now on.

Leaving a bad impression on the Imperial Tutor made promotion in the Ministry of Works as hard as climbing to the heavens.

Li Mo was thrilled inside.

He had bet correctly.

At the time, someone near the Imperial Tutor had told him to welcome an important guest—Song Chenfei.

Li Mo had only thought Song Chenfei had some background, never imagining it was such a formidable one, with an extraordinary relationship to the Imperial Tutor.

The Imperial Tutor was such a great figure, yet still addressed Song Chenfei respectfully as “Young Master Song.”

Who exactly was this Lord Song? Li Mo wondered silently.

Others who witnessed this scene were also quietly speculating.

The officialdom was always like walking on thin ice to stay safe.

“Immediately prepare Wei Hongbo’s office and hand it over to Young Master Song,” the Imperial Tutor ordered, then turned to Song Chenfei warmly. “Young Master Song, since the office isn’t ready yet, why don’t you sit in my office for a while?”

“All right, then I will trouble you,” Song Chenfei replied, seemingly expecting this.

Before coming to the Ministry of Works, the Imperial Tutor had already said he would come looking for Song Chenfei today.

That explained the earlier incident.

Inside the office representing the Minister of Works.

“This is this year’s new tea, Young Master Song, please try it,” the Imperial Tutor ordered someone to brew tea.

Song Chenfei took a sip. “Excellent tea. Its fragrance is subtle and refreshing, the liquor is a clear green, and it leaves a sweet aftertaste. Truly a fine tea.”

“As expected of Young Master Song—erudite and knowledgeable. This tea is my treasure,” the Imperial Tutor said, giving Song Chenfei a thumbs-up. Though much younger, he dared not underestimate this junior. He had personally examined the waterwheel washers and water tower Song Chenfei had brought back, and the more he studied them, the more he admired Song Chenfei’s ingenious ideas.

“Imperial Tutor, please speak plainly about what you need,” Song Chenfei said directly while drinking tea.

“Then I won’t beat around the bush. I have a troublesome matter. A woman wants me to design a piece of jewelry to wear around her neck. She is very particular and discerning. As the greatest craftsman in Great Qian, she should feel honored by my design. Yet she said my designs are outdated and old-fashioned, which has vexed me greatly,” the Imperial Tutor said, stroking his beard with a troubled look.

That this woman could upset the Imperial Tutor showed her status and identity were extraordinary.

“So, you want me to help design it?” Song Chenfei asked.

“Yes. You are quick-witted and imaginative. Most importantly, you are young, unlike me, whose thinking has long since become fixed and difficult to change. I hope to get a good design from you,” the Imperial Tutor said, eyes full of hope.

“That’s easy. Bring me brush, ink, paper, and inkstone,” Song Chenfei said.

“Right now?” The Imperial Tutor was taken aback. Such matters usually required deep thought and careful design; it would be unusual to have inspiration immediately.

“Yes, right now. The idea is already in my head. Time is of the essence. If I don’t draw it now, the inspiration will slip away,” Song Chenfei replied seriously.

“Very well. I have brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on my desk. I will grind the ink for you myself,” the Imperial Tutor said, both hopeful and incredulous.

Song Chenfei immediately picked up the brush and began to draw rapidly. In his mind, he recalled a diamond necklace once owned by Marie Antoinette—a set comprising over 500 Golconda diamonds from India.

It featured a delicate scarf-like design with luxurious tassels, a typical example of Georgian opulence.

Worn around the neck, it sparkled like a constellation.

At the Sotheby’s Geneva auction of royal and noble jewels, it sold for tens of millions.

It was renowned for its appearance and design.

It perfectly matched the woman’s requirements. Whether for a banquet or other important occasions, it would outshine all others.

“A genius—a truly genius craftsman! To pick up a brush and sketch such an innovative diamond necklace design—remarkable!” The Imperial Tutor’s eyes widened in amazement.

He had doubted how someone could be instantly inspired for such a design. Normally, it would take endless contemplation and revisions.

But seeing it with his own eyes, he realized some talents simply cannot be measured by ordinary standards.

Song Chenfei touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed. He was no genius; he had merely borrowed the design of a master craftsman.