After Jiang Ciyi was escorted away, Emperor Qianyou and the other ministers discussed a few minor matters, and the morning court session concluded.
Meng Shuping yawned. Seeing Emperor Qianyou rise to leave, he too prepared to exit. "This trash emperor! He's given me so much work I don't even have time to slack off! Is this even humanly possible?"
Emperor Qianyou paused mid-step, a smug expression spreading across his face. Hahaha, seeing the young man unhappy made him feel much better.
The Minister of Works passed by Meng Shuping, shooting him an angry glare. "Hmph!" Then he turned and walked away.
Meng Shuping was instantly baffled. "Wait, why did he glare at me? Did I offend him? I don't think so. Could it be that he's jealous of my youth and good looks?"
"But no matter how much he glares, it won't change the fact that he's old and haggard!"
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice couldn't help but chuckle. Hahaha, this Minister of Works really shouldn't provoke Meng Shuping for no reason. Hadn't he seen how the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince both ended up in jail because of this kid? Honestly, they felt this kid was seriously trouble-making—he seemed easygoing, but his temper was something else!
Hearing Meng Shuping call him old and haggard, the Minister of Works stiffened, growing even angrier. He turned back furiously. "Hmph, a man without propriety—why doesn't he just drop dead?" He had never seen anyone so brazen in words and deeds as Meng Shuping.
Meng Shuping was completely confused. "Huh? Why'd he suddenly come out with that? I get the 'without propriety' part, but what does 'hurry up and die' mean? Why doesn't he just choke on it?"
The Minister of Works was so frustrated he was fit to burst. What was wrong with this kid? Couldn't he even understand when he was being insulted? He flicked his sleeve and stormed off angrily. Arguing with someone like this would only lower his own standards!
Meng Shuping thought the Minister of Works was utterly ridiculous. "Is he crazy? If he wants to mock someone, why use words people can't understand? Is he showing off his fancy learning?"
"Ah, I get it now. He must be mocking me for being poorly educated yet still holding an official position. If he's so capable, why not take it up with the Emperor? All he knows is how to act tough in front of me, right?"
"And he calls himself a high-ranking court official? He has no dignity at all."
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice had a good laugh. Good thing they had never said such things to Meng Shuping. It seemed that while Meng Shuping wasn't completely illiterate, his education wasn't exactly top-notch either!
Just then, Cai Feng also passed by Meng Shuping. He shot him a fierce glare before quickly walking away.
Meng Shuping looked at him suspiciously. "Seriously, why did he suddenly impeach me out of the blue? It can't be for no reason, right?"
"Hiss..."
"I get it now!"
"He must be in league with Prince Ning! Tsk tsk tsk, maybe Prince Ning used his charms to recruit him!"
Cai Feng stumbled, nearly losing his balance. This Meng Shuping, what nonsense was he spouting? Although Prince Ning had indeed instructed him to impeach Meng Shuping, he and Prince Ning were completely innocent—there was nothing else between them!
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice watched Cai Feng beat a retreat, eyes sparkling. Hahaha, Imperial Censor Cai, Imperial Censor Cai, now you'll never live this down!
After having his little laugh, Meng Shuping prepared to leave. But he had only taken a few steps when Meng Houliang suddenly stopped in front of him. Meng Houliang admonished him gravely, "Ping Geer, now that you've entered officialdom, you must mind your words and watch your step. You can't be as casual as you were at home, understand?" Things like sleeping during the morning court session must never happen again! Fortunately, it was only this one time. If it happened more often, he was afraid this grandson would give him a heart attack.
Meng Shuping nodded obediently. "I understand, Grandfather."
Meng Houliang had just started to feel a little relieved when he heard Meng Shuping say, "I feel like I've been pretty darn careful, but for some reason, everyone keeps being on my case. Do they think I'm easy to bully?"
"Sigh, sometimes there's just no helping it. I don't go looking for trouble, but trouble always finds me. What can I do?"
Meng Houliang sighed. Well, since Meng Shuping could start trouble, he could finish it himself. There was no need to worry too much. It would be far more troublesome if he caused problems but couldn't resolve them! He just hoped Meng Shuping would lie low in the future.
Seeing Meng Houliang and Meng Shuping talking, several court officials crowded around, buttering up Meng Houliang. "Earl, you're truly blessed! Every one of your grandsons is accomplished!"
"How did you raise such a capable grandson?"
"Vice Director Meng is so young and promising! To be personally appointed by the Emperor—he's sure to have a bright future ahead!"
...
Surrounded by so many people, Meng Shuping was breaking out in a cold sweat. His smile stiffened, and he was dying inside. "Agh! Help! Get me out of here!"
Meng Houliang gave him a helpless look. How could this child still be so afraid of people after all this time? Anyone who didn't know better would think they were giving him the third degree!
Just as Jiang Cihe approached, he heard Meng Shuping calling for help. He cracked a smile and walked toward Meng Shuping.
Seeing him approach, the others bowed with cupped hands. "Your Highness, Prince Zhao!"
"Your Highness, Prince Zhao is here?"
"Does Your Highness, Prince Zhao need something from us?"
Jiang Cihe said politely, "Carry on, gentlemen. I need to speak with Vice Director Meng about something."
The others quickly replied, "By all means, Your Highness."
Meng Houliang also said, "Ping Geer, aren't you going with His Highness, Prince Zhao?"
Meng Shuping quickly nodded. "Alright."
Only after they were out of everyone's sight did Meng Shuping breathe a sigh of relief. He asked Jiang Cihe curiously, "What did you need me for?"
Jiang Cihe smiled. "Didn't I see you surrounded by all those officials and come to rescue you?"
Meng Shuping suddenly understood. He laughed heartily. "So that's what it was! Thank you so much!"
Jiang Cihe ribbed him on purpose. "So how are you going to thank me?"
Meng Shuping's expression instantly turned blank. "Uh, that was just a figure of speech. How come he's taking it seriously? I wasn't planning to give him an actual reward!" He let out an awkward chuckle and said sincerely, "...Is saying thank you not enough?"
"It was just a little favor. What's his angle?"
Jiang Cihe found that messing with Meng Shuping was such a joy. He deliberately shook his head, playing hard to get. "Not enough."
Meng Shuping looked at him speechlessly. "Then how about a double thanks? Thank you, thank you?"
"Isn't that sincere enough? If not, I'll say it a hundred times till he's sick of it."
Jiang Cihe chuckled with delight. "Let's go out together next day we're off. I'm a bit at loose ends by myself."
Meng Shuping thought for a moment and asked him concernedly, "You're paying, right?"
Jiang Cihe replied readily, "Of course."
Meng Shuping agreed right away, "Alright then."
"Since he's paying, I'll reluctantly agree to tag along for the day. Ah, I'm really putting in the work here!"
Jiang Cihe couldn't help but laugh again. Yes, you really do have it tough.
After joking around, Jiang Cihe brought up serious matters. He said solemnly, "If I'm not mistaken, you're seriously about to face some trouble. Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother won't let this go easily. Be careful in your actions—it's better to do less than to make a mistake. Moreover, the impeachment you faced this time is probably related to someone in your own household."
Meng Shuping nodded gravely, "Alright."
"Sigh, I knew it. When you deal with the young ones, the old ones come after you. Their mothers might even whisper complaints to the Emperor!"
"Ah, whatever, if they want to cause trouble, let them. At worst, they'll strip me of my official position. I've said it before—officialdom is too complicated for me! Who was it that insisted on pushing me into this?"
Seeing Meng Shuping's concern, Jiang Cihe added, "But you don't need to worry too much. I've got you covered either way. I'm just saying this so you'll be more cautious. It's always better to be safe than sorry."
Meng Shuping knew Jiang Cihe meant well and nodded gratefully, "Mm-hmm, okay."
"Maybe I should try to suck up to him more. Having a well-connected patron makes things easier!"
"Well, but how exactly do I curry favor? I have no experience in this!"
Seeing Meng Shuping's dilemma, Jiang Cihe almost couldn't hold back his laughter. He咳ed and reminded Meng Shuping, "Alright, it's getting late. We should hurry and leave the palace. We still have duties to attend to today!"
Thinking of the pile of official tasks awaiting him, Meng Shuping immediately set aside the matter of how to curry favor with Jiang Cihe. He hurried out, thinking, "Crap, crap, crap! My schedule is so packed today I won't even have time to catch up on sleep."
When he arrived at the Board of Punishments, Meng Shuping immediately dove right into tackling the work at hand. By the time he finished, it was already time to leave.
Meng Shuping rubbed his shoulders. "Whew, I didn't delay my return."
He had planned to eat early and go to bed as soon as he got back, but not long after arriving home, a servant came to report that Meng Wenxiu and Meng Shuqi had arrived. Meng Shuping frowned. What are they here for again?
By then, the two had already entered the room. To Meng Shuping's surprise, Meng Wenxiu's attitude was unusually pleasant this time. As soon as he came in, he said with great enthusiasm, "Ping Geer, you're back? I heard someone impeached you in court. In the end, it wasn't anything serious, was it?"
Meng Shuping responded disdainfully, "Mm."
"Can't he speak without being so obsequious? It gives me goosebumps—it's downright creepy!"
Meng Wenxiu's face twitched, but he quickly regained his composure and forced a smile. "That's good, that's good." After a pause, he probed cautiously, "By the way, Ping Geer, how did you become Vice Director of the Board of Punishments? Was it Prince Zhao who recommended you?"
"Not at all," Meng Shuping said sincerely. "It was the Emperor, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Justice, Lord Fan from the Military Hall Department, and Prince Cheng—as soon as they saw me, they thought I was a one-of-a-kind talent and insisted I take the position. I couldn't even refuse!"
"Look, who was it that said I was useless? Bet they're eating their words now! Tsk tsk, the envy and resentment on their faces are way too obvious!"
"If we're talking about being useless, it's these two who are useless. One has been relying on his father all these years and still holds a low-ranking post no bigger than a sesame seed, and the other has been hitting the books for years but can't even pass the imperial exams—how embarrassing!"
Meng Wenxiu's face darkened. He refused to believe this kid had earned it on merit—it must have been sheer luck!
Meng Shuqi said incredulously, "Impossible! How could someone like you, who can barely read, impress them? And they insisted you become an official? Stop boasting!"
Meng Shuping put on a humble smile, "Didn't I say it before? My father in the countryside said that with my intelligence, I could definitely pass the imperial exams. See, even without taking the exams, I've become an official. My father in the countryside has such a good eye!" Meng Wenxiu and Meng Shuqi just stared at him, at a loss for words. Why on earth would the Emperor appoint someone like this to office?
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