Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 395 Sudden Summoning

As Shi Wanxia finished writing the last stroke of the document, the cicadas outside the window were chirping noisily.

On a July afternoon, the sweltering heat was like thick, unyielding ink, pressing heavily on the green tiles. Even the breeze through the hall carried a scorching heat, brushing against the stacks of documents on the desk and causing the pages to tremble slightly.

Her study was located in the Jingsi Pavilion deep within the mansion. It was originally built by an old censor from the previous dynasty after he retired. The beams and pillars still retain the warm luster that has been emanating from the scent of books over the years.

The table was made from a single piece of rosewood, polished smooth as a mirror by the years. On it lay a draft of a disaster relief petition from the East Street of the capital. The ink was still wet, but the words exuded an undeniable composure.

Shi Wanxia picked up the paperweight and gently pressed it against the corner of the manuscript. Her fingertips were stained with ink, and she unconsciously rubbed them, her gaze falling on the old locust tree outside the window.

The shadows of the trees were stretched short and narrow by the sun, like restless silhouettes.

She had just gotten up to pour herself a glass of iced tea when she heard Shuyun's somewhat hurried voice from outside the door. That girl was usually so steady and reliable.

At this moment, however, she seemed to be startled by something, and even her tone became unsteady: "Sister Shi, Eunuch Yu from the palace has arrived. He says that His Majesty summons you to the palace for an audience!"

"Your Majesty's call?"

Shi Wanxia's wolf-hair brush landed on the rice paper with a "thud," and the jet-black ink instantly spread out, like a suddenly blooming ink flower, blurring the "妥" character she had just written into a mess.

Her heart skipped a beat; she couldn't tell if it was surprise or doubt.

At this hour, His Majesty should be in the Imperial Study reviewing memorials or discussing matters with several important ministers, so why would he suddenly summon her to the palace?

She had no time to lament the manuscript that she had put so much effort into; she quickly placed the brush in the brush washer, and the clear water was instantly stained with light ink.

As she stood up, the hem of her robe brushed against the inkstone on the table, splashing a few drops of ink onto the moon-white lapel of her everyday clothes. She didn't bother to wipe them away, but hurriedly straightened her slightly disheveled clothes and then reached up to put the loose jade hairpin into her hair.

The mirror reflected a beautiful yet spirited face, with a hint of seriousness in her brows as she handled official business. But now, the sudden summons had left her somewhat bewildered.

"coming."

She responded with a soft "yes," trying to keep her voice steady, but when she pushed open the door, she was taken aback by the sight before her.

The bluestone slabs in the courtyard were scorching hot from the sun, steaming with heat, while Yu Heng, the chief eunuch who had served the emperor for over twenty years, was also there.

He was standing under that old locust tree, dressed in a dark blue python-patterned blouse, holding a bright yellow brocade bundle in his hands. His eyes were slightly lowered, but when he saw her come out, he raised his eyes and revealed a smile.

This is truly unusual.

In the past, even when someone from the palace came to deliver an imperial decree, they would mostly wait in the front hall and be announced by the steward. Very few would come directly to her study in the inner courtyard.

Yu Heng is His Majesty's most trusted confidant and a senior member of the palace. He knows the rules better than anyone else. His actions today are quite suspicious.

Shi Wanxia suppressed her surprise and quickly went to greet him. She stopped three steps away from Yu Heng, curtsied, and said in a gentle but polite voice, "Eunuch Yu, thank you for your hard work."

"It's such a hot day, and you've gone to all this trouble. Please come to the front hall and have some tea."

As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept over Yu Heng's forehead, where a fine layer of sweat glistened, clearly indicating that he had rushed over without even having time to wipe it away.

Yu Heng quickly stepped aside to avoid her bow, his smile deepening, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling together, his tone filled with obvious respect: "Lord Shi, there's no need for such formality. This old servant cannot accept your bow."

He paused, deliberately lowering his voice, but the solemnity was still evident.

"This old servant has come on His Majesty's orders to invite Lord Shi to the palace for an audience, and dare not delay."

The "Lord Shi" he mentioned was the Minister of Works, appointed by His Majesty himself.

Not only did she participate in court affairs, but His Majesty also granted her considerable power.

This favor was unique among all the officials, especially since she was a woman, which attracted a lot of attention.

Shi Wanxia knew why Yu Heng was acting this way. People in the palace were the best at reading the winds. Those who were constantly in the emperor's presence knew better than anyone else how much the emperor and the crown prince valued her.

"You flatter me, Father-in-law."

Shi Wanxia smiled faintly, suppressing her doubts for the time being.

“Since His Majesty has summoned me, I will go with you immediately.”

"I just got back and I'm still wearing my everyday clothes. I need to change into my court robes. Please wait a moment, sir."

Yu Heng quickly waved his hand: "Lord Shi, you are too kind. Please make yourself at home. This old servant will wait here."

He paused, then added, "His Majesty didn't say what the urgent matter was, so it's probably not something that needs to be rushed."

Even so, Shi Wanxia dared not dawdle.

She turned and went back to her room, where Shuyun had already swiftly brought her court robes.

He wore a dark blue round-necked robe with a jade belt around his waist. Although it was not as elaborate as men's court attire, it still exuded solemnity.

After changing her clothes, she tidied her hair in front of the mirror and replaced the simple jade hairpin with a more formal jade hairpin before going out again.

"I've kept you waiting, Father-in-law."

"Not long, not long."

Yu Heng smiled and nodded, glancing at her. Seeing that she was well-groomed, he gestured for her to proceed.

"Lord Shi, shall we set off now?"

"Please, father-in-law, please lead the way."

The two walked out of the courtyard gate of Jing Si Xuan one after the other. As they passed through the covered corridor, Shi Wanxia noticed that the door to the front hall was ajar, and the butler was standing behind the door, looking at her with a worried expression.

She nodded slightly to indicate that she was alright, but she couldn't help but start thinking about it again.

Yu Heng's behavior today was too unusual. Not only did he come to the inner courtyard in person, but the urgency in his tone was also unmistakable.

Such a summons would never be conducted in this manner. Could it be that something went wrong with the disaster relief efforts in the capital?

Or perhaps it's the memorial she submitted yesterday concerning the reform of officialdom—has His Majesty come up with any new ideas?

As I was pondering this, I arrived at the main gate. A low-key ebony carriage was parked outside, its curtains drawn, revealing only a thick brocade cushion underneath.

Yu Heng personally stepped forward and lifted the curtain, smiling as he said, "Lord Shi, please get in the carriage."

After thanking her, Shi Wanxia bent down and climbed into the carriage. As soon as she was settled, the carriage slowly started moving.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a regular "creaking" sound. As the cicadas' chirping faded into the distance, her heart began to race.

This trip to the palace is unlikely to be ordinary.

She leaned gently against the carriage wall, closed her eyes, and her mind raced through recent court affairs: the war in the north had just ended, a plague had broken out in the south, the floods in Jiangnan had not yet subsided, and several senior officials in the court were arguing endlessly about whether to lift the sea ban...

Each and every one of these matters is not something that can be easily resolved.

Why did His Majesty summon her to the palace at this time?

The carriage traveled smoothly and soon entered the imperial city. It passed through Zhuque Avenue, bypassed Jinshui Bridge, and headed deeper into the Forbidden City.

Shi Wanxia knew that what awaited her might be a storm far more unsettling than the sweltering heat of July.