As Fazheng and Lu Su exchanged glances, neither considered that Wang Yi and Mi Zhen were entirely different types of people, nor did they realize how different Wang Yi was from Cai Yan. Though all three were talented women, Cai Yan excelled in refined arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while Wang Yi specialized in strategy, tactics, and governance. Wang Yi wasn't here to idle; she intended to do real work.
In this era, there were no rules against women holding official positions, but few women had ever served as ranked civil officials. Most held minor roles related to service, dining, or ceremony.
There might have been some women with abilities equal to top-tier ministers, but they never had the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Wang Yi wasn't sure if she had a knack for governance, but she wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. She had her own ambitions and saw this as a chance to prove herself.
After Fazheng escorted Wang Yi out of the administration hall, she still radiated happiness. Fazheng, unable to resist dampening her mood, remarked, "Still daydreaming? Tomorrow, you'll start learning from Zijing. No more wandering around, and if you mess up and get dismissed, don't expect me to help you."
"I won't get dismissed! I definitely won't embarrass you," Wang Yi said confidently, looking at Fazheng.
"Don't worry, even if you do a terrible job, it won't embarrass me," Fazheng replied dismissively. "You're not a man, so messing up is to be expected."
Fazheng had no idea how deeply this remark would affect Wang Yi. It was this very statement that steeled her resolve to make Fazheng see her in a new light.
"Later, I'll get you a permit to access the library. Zijing seems to be planning a waterworks project again. You should study up so you don't get lost when he talks about it," Fazheng said nonchalantly. "There are all sorts of books there; feel free to read them, just don't damage anything. If anyone asks, just say you're a new official."
Fazheng wasn't really concerned with what Wang Yi could do or whether she was suited to be a secretary. For him, the priority was simply finding someone to keep an eye on her. Despite Wang Yi's suspicions, the level of supervision hadn't changed much in essence.
Lu Su's attitude was the same. He didn't care whether Wang Yi could or should do the job. His role was simply to keep an eye on her for Fazheng, without paying much attention to details like her age.
If Fazheng had brought a man for consideration, Lu Su would have at least evaluated his capabilities. Even a genius like Zhuge Liang had undergone thorough assessment and wasn't officially recruited until he was fourteen.
Wang Yi's casual recruitment was largely because no one saw her as a real official. Even Li You and Zhuge Liang, who were known for their strict adherence to rules, turned a blind eye. Their indifference signified that they didn't consider it a serious matter. The only person taking it seriously was Wang Yi herself.
"Alright," Wang Yi responded enthusiastically. She was still riding the high of excitement, deeply admiring Fazheng for securing her an official position. Naturally, she planned to study waterworks in earnest.
Fazheng had no idea that his attempt to take the easy way out by making Wang Yi an official would later cause him much consternation. Sometimes, it turns out that women can be just as formidable as men.
After securing a permit for Wang Yi to access the library from Cai Yan, Fazheng considered his tasks for the day complete.
Cai Yan's serene, intellectual demeanor, coupled with her stunning beauty and subtle sorrow, had a profound impact on both men and women. Her combination of talent, appearance, and poise was unmatched, and neither Mi Zhen nor Zhen Mi, who were still developing and lacked experience, could compare to her.
Naturally, Wang Yi was also drawn to Cai Yan's charisma and obediently followed her, feeling that she had finally found a group where she belonged. Wang Yi had been in Taishan for over half a month, but this was the first time she had encountered so many other women, most of whom were also quite beautiful.
"Cai Dajia, please take care of my cousin," Fazheng said respectfully. Even he adopted a more serious tone when addressing Cai Yan, in stark contrast to his usual casual demeanor.
"Yes, I'll look after her," Cai Yan replied gently. Although she was only a few years older than Wang Yi and the others, she often took on the role of a senior figure.
After giving Wang Yi a few more instructions, Fazheng quickly made his exit from the place that made him uncomfortable. He also harbored a bit of fear towards Cai Yan—not because of any curse, but because being around her made him feel like a delinquent student in the presence of an exemplary one. There was a sense of unease, as if it was better to avoid her if possible.
Having left Wang Yi in good hands, Fazheng headed straight to Gan Ning's camp outside the city, ready to mooch off his friend. Unlike Zhuge Liang, Fazheng had no qualms about taking advantage of others.
"Xingba, I'm here to seek your protection," Fazheng shamelessly announced even before he reached the camp gates.
"Fazheng!" Soon, Gan Ning and Taishi Ci emerged together, not at all bothered by Fazheng's behavior. Gan Ning had long since grown accustomed to Fazheng's antics; after all, when Gan Ning first arrived, it was Fazheng who had kept him company in his mischief.
"Xingba, whether I earn merits, get paid, or do hard labor this year depends on you. Don't let me down; I still need to get married," Fazheng said as he jumped down from the carriage and threw his arm around Gan Ning's shoulder, giving Taishi Ci a nod of acknowledgment.
"Don't worry, with me, Gan Xingba, you can be at ease," Gan Ning boasted, "We'll sail back to Yizhou in style, and no one will dare stop us. As for your wedding, when have I ever skimped on betrothal gifts?"
"That's right, you've always had the money, living off the sea," Fazheng gave a thumbs up. When it came to lavish gifts, Gan Ning's generosity never failed to impress. Though the Mi family was wealthy, they couldn't easily gather a variety of rare pearls like Gan Ning could, thanks to his coastal connections.
"Come on, let's drink! Once we set out tomorrow, it'll be hard to find time for a good drink," Gan Ning laughed as he filled cups for Taishi Ci, Fazheng, and Mi Fang.
"You wouldn't believe it, Fazheng. Money is one thing, but last year I spent so much time finding that place the strategist told me about. When I finally got there, I almost couldn't control myself," Gan Ning said, his voice slightly slurred as he drank more. With Fazheng present, he felt at ease and let his secret slip.
"Oh? It must be quite the haul to get you so excited," Fazheng said with a grin, assuming Gan Ning was exaggerating as usual.
"It's worth at least a thousand times what I have, and that's just the liquid assets," Mi Fang chimed in, his expression twitching as he raised his cup.