Chapter 18. "Young Master," Qin Min said with a fawning smile...

Ji Chengning thought he had just a common cold and fever, so he took some medicine. However, he was still feverish after a whole night of suffering. He felt unbearable pain in every joint of his body and did not sleep all night. When he woke up in the morning, he lay listlessly on the bed. When Chizheng came to report that a eunuch had delivered an imperial edict, he felt dizzy.

"Your Highness..."

Ji Chengnin waved his hand, his head spinning from the fever, "Second Uncle hasn't come back yet?"

Alo said, "Yes."

Ji Chengnin pursed his lips. "I understand. Help me change."

He was feeling cold, so A Luo found a cloak that he only wore in winter. The tips of the fur were silvery white, and it was thick and warm, making the young marquis look like a snowman.

Everyone was already waiting in the main hall. Ji Cheng'an could only hear a series of footsteps, hurried but not chaotic at all.

He was overjoyed.

Did the people from the palace arrive ahead of time?

Ji Cheng'an looked over with a broad smile, only to find that the person who came was not the eunuch he had been longing to hear the imperial decree from, but Ji Chengning.

With just one glance, the joy on Ji Cheng'an's face vanished without a trace.

Ji Cheng'an knew that his cousin was used to showing off. Even in the Marquis's mansion, he always had a large entourage and was served by servants. He was as pampered as a lady or young lady from a wealthy family. Who would have thought that he would be the same today?

Ji Chengnin's cheeks were slightly flushed, giving him a sickly appearance. His eyes and brows were listless. However, he usually didn't look at me directly. With his eyelids drooping like this, he exuded an air of arrogance. The fluffy white fox fur clung to his equally pale face, making him appear extremely noble and haughty.

Just one glance at it made Ji Cheng'an feel a surge of pent-up frustration in his chest.

Ji Chengnin usually acts this way because Ji Lin spoils him, but now that he has caused such a huge disaster, how can he still have the nerve to be arrogant!

Ji Chengan frowned, quickly scanning Ji Chengning around, and feigned surprise, saying, "Oh, isn't this the young marquis? How did you manage to turn yourself into this state in just one day?"

Ji Chengning glanced at him, not even bothering to smile.

When he turned cold, his aura was menacing. Ji Chengan instinctively wanted to back away, but then he thought that Ji Chengning had offended the emperor's favorite minister and his future was uncertain. He was just all bark and no bite. What was there to be afraid of?

He sighed, “Fifth brother, you are young and impetuous. I’m not trying to criticize you, but as you get older, you should rein in your temper. If you act impulsively again, it will be a small matter if it implicates our whole family, but it will be a big matter if it damages your father’s reputation.”

Ji Chengnin remained silent.

From Ji Cheng'an's perspective, it was because Ji Chengning was so arrogant that he didn't even bother to talk to him.

Ji Cheng'an's anger burned even more fiercely. "Why isn't Cheng Ning speaking? Is he perhaps speechless?"

"Alright, alright," the third young master Ji Chengping advised, "Fifth brother is upset about the great changes he has experienced, so please say less."

Ji Chengnin took the honey water, his nonchalant attitude making Ji Chengan even angrier. "Third Brother, look at him, he shows no remorse whatsoever!"

"Click".

Ji Chengnin put down his teacup.

The two of them instinctively looked at him.

Ji Chengnin smiled and said, "Since you know that the young marquis is unhappy, please ask your two elder brothers to shut up and let the young marquis have some peace and quiet."

"you……!"

Ji Jin tugged at Ji Cheng'an's sleeve.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree strode into the main hall and said with a smile, "All the distinguished guests are here."

The person who arrived was Qin Min.

Everyone had their own ulterior motives, and they were all taken aback when they saw Qin Min.

For His Majesty to send this absolute confidant out of the palace to deliver an imperial decree, what exactly does His Majesty intend to do with the young marquis? Surely, he wouldn't be confiscating his property, would he?!

In an instant, everyone's expression changed, and they couldn't help but hold their breath and stare intently at Qin Min.

Ji Jin smiled broadly, "Eunuch Qin." As she spoke, she gently pulled on Qin Min's sleeve and smoothly pushed a roll of silver notes inside.

Qin Min reached out and blocked him.

They don't even want the money anymore?!

Ji Chengan was shocked. He turned his head and looked at Ji Chengning with a hint of resentment.

Qin Min unfolded the imperial edict, raised his head and said proudly, "I have an imperial edict."

Everyone hurriedly bowed, saying, "May Your Majesty be well."

"I am well."

The voice was muffled and indistinct, as if seen through a veil. Ji Chengnin's vision blurred, and his shoulders trembled slightly as if he couldn't bear it.

"Oh dear," Qin Min was startled and quickly stepped forward to help Ji Chengning up. The young man's skin was burning hot, making the old eunuch's soft, white hands tremble. "Young Marquis, what's wrong?"

He shouted in a shrill voice, "Quickly, bring the young marquis a document!"

His attitude of being arrogant at first and then obsequious left everyone present confused. It seemed that Qin Min was not there to interrogate them.

Alo appeared immediately and silently moved a railing to lean against.

Ji Cheng'an exclaimed, "How dare a mere servant be so rude!"

Qin Min glanced at Ji Cheng'an and felt that the fourth young master seemed a little slow-witted. He was so anxious that he almost jumped up. "If something happens to the young marquis, how can this old servant explain to His Majesty?"

Ji Cheng'an's face immediately turned bright red.

Qin Min: "Young Marquis, this old servant is carrying the imperial decree, I apologize."

...

"The Fourth Prince was furious upon hearing the news," the subordinate reported in great detail. "The Fourth Prince questioned the Lord, saying, 'No, he would never have implicated the Heir Apparent in this!'"

Cui Yao paused in her hand, which was playing with the thumb ring.

He almost laughed out loud at the hypocrisy in those words.

So he actually curved his lips into a smile, "Go back and tell the Fourth Young Master that the Heir Apparent acts without restraint and no one dares to stop him, however," he pressed down hard, and the mechanism suddenly sprang out, tightly fitting his palm, which was cut and bleeding, and his voice rose cheerfully at the end, "Please rest assured, Fourth Young Master, I will definitely take good care of the Heir Apparent in the future, and absolutely will not let him worry again."

Subordinate: "...Yes."

My gaze wandered and landed on the mask hanging on his desk.

The mask was exquisitely beautiful, depicting a fox's face. Cui Yao traced the outline of the mask with his eyes. He closed his eyes slightly and could outline the missing lower half of the mask without even thinking.

Handsome and flamboyant, he makes one want to reach out and gently scratch his chin with one's fingertips to see if he will raise his chin as imagined, or lower it further and close two fingers together.

Grab his throat tightly!

See his bluff, see his choked sobs and pleas for mercy.

“And Xu Jing’en,” Cui Yao stopped smiling, “don’t kick him when he’s down. You must plead for him.”

"yes!"

...

Ji Chengning leaned against the railing, his voice hoarse, and said, "You're too kind, Father-in-law."

Qin Min smiled at Ji Chengnin, unfolded the imperial edict, straightened his back, and announced loudly: "Ji Chengnin, son of the Ji family, comes from a noble family, a distinguished lineage, is intelligent, fearless in the face of danger, and courageous in taking on responsibilities..."

With each word he uttered, Ji Cheng'an's expression grew increasingly grim.

Anyone with half a brain could understand the praise in the emperor's words, so why did Ji Chengning beat up the emperor's favorite minister in the street?

Even Ji Chengning looked up in surprise.

He submitted a memorial last night, explaining the whole story and stating that he was willing to accept punishment and asked His Majesty to punish him. He believed that this imperial edict should be a reprimand.

He was reprimanded for being unbecoming, and then he beat someone in the street.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty praised him highly.

Ji Chengnin couldn't help but pinch the flesh on his wrist.

It hurts a lot; it's not a dream.

If I had known, the young marquis would not have felt the slightest bit of relief or fear at surviving such a close call; he would have almost regretted it and said he would have hit him harder!

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

It seems that their young marquis's favor with the emperor will never fade.

Just now, the servants who were discussing with Ji Chengan's servants in the courtyard about Ji Chengning's servants outside heard the imperial decree, their faces turned pale, their lips trembling as they silently chanted Buddhist prayers.

Qin Min's smiling voice continued: "Now I appoint you as the Chief of the Light Guard. I hope you will be conscientious in your duties, live up to the heavens and earth, live up to the kindness of my cultivation, carry on the family tradition, and not ruin your family's reputation for loyalty, courage, and integrity."

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the entire main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

What? !

Everyone was stunned. They had thought that the young marquis was about to fall out of favor and might even lose his title. But the emperor's edict was full of praise and even granted Ji Chengning an official position.

I?

Ji Chengnin's eyes widened.

Am I to be the Director of the Light Lu Division?

Ji Chengning wasn't being hypocritical; he simply knew his own limitations. Was His Majesty just bored and looking for something to provoke by putting someone as troublesome as himself in this position?

Ji Cheng'an's face was deathly pale, his ten fingers gripping the black gold stone floor so tightly that he almost choked on his own blood.

It's the Marquis of Yongning again, the Marquis of Yongning again. Ji Chengning is an arrogant and domineering playboy who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. He only relies on his good father to beat up an official of the imperial court in the street, and the emperor can still let him off easily!

Ji Cheng'an clenched his white teeth tightly.

He stared at Ji Chengnin with hatred, a hint of resentment in his eyes.

If he had such a good father, he might be the one receiving the official position today. Why would he need to grovel and fawn over the Third Prince for a mere official post?

"Young Marquis," Qin Min said with a fawning smile, "Quickly accept the imperial decree."

A note from the author:

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The increase in bookmarks is mediocre, so I'm changing the title and description to try and salvage the situation.

Fortunately, my wife in the comments section comforted me.