Book 15: Chapter 66

Book 15: Chapter 66

State Preceptor Jiang gave me an affable smile, but I caught the brief mocking smirk.

You have an issue with me, huh?

Boss whispered, He is State Preceptor Jiang, one of the leaders of the civil servants faction. They have always disliked the three offices overseeing the martial world. He is the toughest to deal with, so hes not someone you can thoughtlessly deal with.

Rest easy, Boss. Exchanging eye contact with State Preceptor Jiang, I quietly said, Thoughtlessly dealing with people is my specialty.

Im telling you not to!

I didnt recognise who the old man was, but I genuinely wanted to speak because I had nearly forgotten everything He Shi told me. I had yet to show my face since becoming an official. How could I waste a prime opportunity to show what I was made of? Besides, I happened to be prepared for the subject.

You picked the fight, so dont cry now.

I cleared my throat twice prior to responding, You flatter this one. He would not dare to speak thoughtlessly in His Majesty and your presence when he is crude and shallow in knowledge. He dares not accept your praise for him as someone with knowledge as vast as the ocean, haha. You praise this one so highly that is sounds as though you accepted bribes from him.

Before he could make sense of the words I put in his mouth, I nearly made him gasp blood with my last line.

When did this old one say you possesses kn-, accepted br-, cough, cough.

Please, take your time, State Preceptor Jiang. No money, no money, no gold, and no silver. This one said, as though.

State Preceptor Jiangs colleague had to help him control his coughing so that he could barely yell back, Theres no as though!

So, no as though, but did?

No!

I ignored the red-faced elder and turned my attention to His Majesty. Your Majesty, all these problems boil down to both factions marginalising each other. Is there anyone here who disagrees with this perspective?

They probably already realised it, but nobody wouldve dared to acknowledge they were trying to kick someone else down in His Majestys presence. Their facial reactions told me I hit the nail on the head. He Shi was right when he said that the imperial court was just arguing about the same things over and over again.

In your subjects opinion, both factions do not appreciate the fact that the other cannot do what they can do and therefore have formed factions to go about their own things. Accordingly, there is no end to the disagreements.

His Majesty wagged his hand. I have heard your opinion on the matter. Let us move on to another topic.

What do you mean youve heard my opinion? I never shared it.

Having quelled his cough, State Preceptor Jiang said, Duke Ming must have a solution if he has such insight. This old one is all ears.

I saluted the elder who went along with me with both hands. This one appreciates your praise. The money was well spent. Before he gasped blood for real, I continued, In your subjects opinion, military officials can study literature, while civil servants can learn martial arts. Combining both skillsets is the solution to the problem.

The palace went so silent that I almost assumed they had their accupoints sealed, but the only people who I believed couldve performed the feat were Shaolins Abott and Grandmaster.

Insolence!

That is treason!

Are you starting a rebellion?!

Guards, apprehend this traitor!

Is there anyone who will work with this old one to arrest this scum?

Uh were my choice of words wrong?

Even Boss looked at me in disbelief for a moment before bowing her head and pleading, Your Majesty, Ming Feizhen is new to court. He spoke out of ignorance. He did not mean to challenge your authority.

For as long as I had known Fangzh-, I mean His Majesty, I had never seen him look so serious.

His Majesty immediately realised he had a slip of the tongue, but he still explained, The public claims that the last dynastys Empress family carried the Tianfeng surname, but thats not true. Tianfeng is the surname of the previous imperial family.

There was nobody who couldve obfuscated information of the last dynasty than the man before me. Of course, the censorship was likely completed from the first generation of Li Dynasty. It was in my best interests to not let him know that I wanted to know more about his family history.

Your subject shall remember everything you have said. He shall write it out eight times as a way of keeping himself accountable.

Head on back. I still have other business to attend to. Oh, by the way, Zizi has been with you for the last two months, correct?

I offered up a cupped-fist salute. Uh, yes. He is doing very well at Liu Shan Men. He turns in early and rises early, washes his hands, eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time, and stays away from crowded places to avoid catching any illnesses.

Enough, enough, go. Send Zizi my greetings. I cant visit him for a year. Tell him his parents miss him, and tell him to take care of himself.

Your subject swears the message will be delivered.

Eunuch Wang silently escorted me out of the palace. I searched my database for a conversation starter, but he asked out of the blue, How is Eunuch Bai doing at Liu Shan Men?

I guess there are still some friendships in the imperial palace.

Fine, I guess? General Manager Bai does not put on airs despite his status and leads a simple life, so the location probably does not matter.

That is true. Eunuch Bai truly has a tough fate. After only serving in the capacity of General Manager Bai, Eunuch Bai has been exiled from the imperial palace.

General Manager Bai was demoted?

Eunuch Wang gave me the same look of shock that I gave him. You are not aware, Duke Ming? He checked for potential eavesdroppers, then softly told me, This one thought you were merely used to referring to Eunuch Bai as General Manager Bai. Eunuch Bai has been demoted this time and instated as Lord Zis personal eunuch. Eunuch Bai no longer has any role in the imperial palace.

No wonder why she was acting all weird this time.

Do you know why? Did he offend His Majesty?

Whatever do you mean? His Majesty would not mete out such harsh punishment for a minor transgression.

That was true. Considering all I had done to him, from giving him a nickname he didnt ask for and shooting him with a shuttle, he was very forgiving. After all, I was never penalised.

What was the reason, then?

It is said Eunuch Bai crossed Brilliant Consort.

I couldnt make sense of it even once we reached the exit. I bade Eunuch Wang farewell, then headed back to Liu Shan Men.

Something isnt adding up. Doesnt Brilliant Consort support Bai Lian? If there truly is some grudge between them, then it makes no sense to entrust her son to Bai Lian.

You are Ming Feizhen? I heard some maiden call from behind.

Where do I remember this happening before?

I turned my head. Perhaps not.

Upon seeing the maiden probably and her gold sword accompanying her sky-blue warrior robe, I blurted, What a pretty chick.

Chick? Im your aunt!

Hmm? Did Young Shiyi adopt a nephew?

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