Chapter 21: The Transformation of the Beauty in Crimson Robes and Black Hair in the Portrait...

Ji Chengnin was stunned for a few seconds.

In that instant, A Luo swiftly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him out from under the quilt.

His bedroom was definitely not cold, but as soon as he left the warm bed, goosebumps immediately appeared on Ji Chengnin's exposed neck. He rubbed his neck and said in despair, "I really want to retire."

Alo: "..."

He's only on his first day of work and he's already thinking about retirement.

Ji Chengning was dragged to wash and change his clothes. His official robes were sent from the palace yesterday. They were several sets of elegant and dignified long robes in black and red. If it was a celebration, he should wear silver armor. However, the eunuch who delivered the clothes said that the armor suitable for the prince's body had not yet been made and would be delivered to the mansion in half a month.

Ji Chengnin looked up at the tall mercury mirror and adjusted his collar.

The person in the mirror stood tall and slender, his dignified official robes not only failing to suppress the young marquis's charming and amorous air, but also adding to his dashing demeanor due to the slanted official hat he wore.

The official robes fit him perfectly; he was already taller than most people, and the sleeves and hem of the robes were also longer.

Ji Chengnin clicked his tongue softly.

How could there be official robes in the palace that are similar in stature to him? Even if they were made on the spot, it would be too fast.

Huai De was fastening the jade pendant to him when he heard the noise and asked blankly, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

Ji Chengnin sighed, "What an exceptionally handsome young man."

Huai De was speechless, but Chi Zheng hurriedly squeezed in and said, "Even if Tan Lang were to be reborn, he would still be two or three out of ten times better than the Crown Prince."

Ji Chengnin modestly corrected, "Four or five."

It wasn't too late yet, so Ji Chengning ate a few more fish tail and shrimp paste wontons before riding away.

Currently, it is stipulated that all officials, whether civil or military, must ride horses. Except for ministers over sixty years of age, those who are frail and have chronic illnesses, and officials specially permitted by His Majesty, only those who are allowed to ride in sedan chairs to and from their official residences are permitted to do so. Otherwise, if the censors see this, they will all be impeached.

If an official is found to be engaging in frivolous conversation, displaying improper posture, dressed in disheveled attire, or eating on horseback while riding, it is considered a breach of official decorum and will still result in impeachment.

Fortunately, Qing Lüwei's working hours were later than other government offices, so he rarely encountered the censors. Even if he did, he would try to pretend he didn't see this group of unruly playboys.

Ji Chengning arrived at the government office at 9:45 AM.

The officials in charge of Qinglu Guard knew that Ji Chengnin was coming. Upon seeing the man's appearance, they knew that the new director had arrived. They hurriedly ordered others to tie up Ji Chengnin's horse, while they themselves rushed forward to greet him, saying, "Director."

"Who are you?"

The steward smiled broadly, "I am Lü Zhong, the steward of Qing Lü Guard. If you have any arrangements, please just tell me."

Ji Chengning nodded, knowing that this person was in charge of miscellaneous affairs.

But why are there only clerks and no officials?

Lu Zhong solicitously invited Ji Chengnin inside, saying, "My lord, the other officials thought that it would be too ostentatious to greet you outside the government office. To avoid being impeached by the censors, they all waited for you inside the main courtyard."

Ji Chengnin smiled slightly, "I see."

He chuckled as he circled the towering walls, "I thought my colleagues were trying to intimidate me."

With everyone's thoughts laid bare, Lü Zhong could only manage a dry laugh and wipe away non-existent sweat from his face.

The men of Qingluwei were not exactly welcoming of Ji Chengnin's arrival. After all, they had already become close with Lord Xu Jing'en, but now that they had a new superior, they had to find ways to test his temperament and win him over to conspire. Moreover, Ji Chengnin was known in the capital for his difficult temper.

Even if Xu Jing'en is convicted and dismissed from office, the new director should be chosen from among the two deputy directors, or at the very least from other outstanding guards. Who would be willing to accept the emperor directly appointing an eighteen or nineteen-year-old, greenhorn as their superior?

As the sunlight streamed in, the view suddenly opened up before me.

What you see is an extremely spacious and grand open-air flower hall, with dozens of bamboo mats arranged in order, but no one is sitting on them. Directly in front of you is a soft couch carved from rosewood, placed under the shade of a pear tree.

This is the main hall.

Before Ji Chengnin could even step inside, bursts of laughter and conversation drifted out.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the bravery of Lord Lin in the brothel last night is truly admirable."

"Not at all, not at all. I'm just like that all the time, nothing special. I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Master Qi."

Then someone asked, "Sanlang, how's your eagle training going?"

"The chef at Baoxianglou is from the south and makes excellent Wanzhou cuisine. How about we go together after the government office is over?"

It offered everything imaginable for eating, drinking, and having fun; the chaotic and disorganized place resembled a restaurant rather than a government office.

Ji Chengnin raised an eyebrow at this place—he really came to the right place!

Ji Chengning had only taken half a step when the conversation in the main hall suddenly stopped, and everyone turned to face their new superior.

His crimson and dark black attire were all heavy colors, yet they did nothing to diminish his flamboyant and arrogant beauty. For a moment, everyone stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds—this was none other than the famous playboy, Young Master Ji, from the capital.

With such a face, one of the guards gave his colleague a meaningful smile, thinking to himself, "No wonder His Majesty favors him so much."

Someone was the first to react, bowing respectfully, "My lord!"

Everyone snapped out of their daze and hurriedly bowed in greeting. The cheeks of those who had been staring in a daze burned as they said, "Greetings, Director!"

"You're too kind, everyone." Ji Chengnin accepted the greetings without flinching, then swaggered into the crowd and chose the most comfortable soft couch to sit down.

The guards: "..."

The Qinglu Guard consisted entirely of sons of noble officials who entered the guard because they were unwilling to pursue further education or had no title to inherit. Firstly, they had official duties and could no longer be idle as before; secondly, the title of the emperor's personal guard sounded good.

It can be said that none of the proper guards present were of humble origin, nor were any of them not arrogant and domineering. When they saw Ji Chengnin sit down so casually, they all fell silent for a moment.

They were all still bowing!

Ji Chengning slowly smoothed out the barely noticeable wrinkles on his sleeves, as if only then noticing his subordinate whose arms were sore and stiff from bowing. "Oh, no need for formalities."

As everyone straightened up, their displeasure intensified.

Ji Chengning has become far too arrogant, relying on the emperor's indulgence. Even with his illustrious background, he has gained an enormous advantage for nothing. He should get along well with his colleagues to ensure a smooth career path. After all, there are many people among them with higher status than him. They may not be of any benefit to the young marquis's promotion, but they will definitely be a huge stumbling block for him.

The capital city of Luoyang has no shortage of sons and grandsons of emperors.

Seeing Ji Chengnin's arrogance, the crowd started waving their hands and stomping their feet, occasionally letting out strange complaints. Their sleeves were rustling loudly, and the main hall was in chaos, clearly showing their dissatisfaction with their new boss.

If it were a more thin-skinned boss, he would have been so embarrassed that he would have rolled off the couch by now.

Ji Chengning yawned in utter exhaustion.

His ability to speak in a strange and unsettling way was not even a tenth of what his second uncle possessed.

The young marquis leaned back, his arm resting casually on the soft couch, his palm supporting his cheek, his expression languid and listless. His thick, fan-shaped eyelashes drooped wearily, as if he were watching a play on a stage, or rather, a clumsy performance by someone with poor skills.

He wasn't embarrassed, but everyone else felt like they were being stared at like monkeys, and they lowered their hands in shame and annoyance.

Ji Chengnin asked listlessly, "Aren't your hands and feet numb anymore?"

Someone snorted and said in a pretentious tone, "Ma."

Ji Chengnin waved his hand and said kindly, "Keep stomping."

The man stiffened his neck, wanting to argue again, but was held down by the person next to him, who laughed and said, "It's not numb anymore, please give me your guidance, young marquis."

"I dare not offer any guidance," Ji Chengning replied casually. "I know that I am not very talented or learned, but I am unworthy to be in this high position due to the great grace of the Emperor." These words made some people's eyes almost spit fire. "I am new to the Lüwei and do not know much about many things."

Everyone was convinced that his next words would be, "Please give me your guidance and cooperation."

A slap followed by a sweet treat—that's how it should be.

Unexpectedly, Ji Chengning's next words were, "Lü Zhong, go and bring me Qing Lü Weilu."

Lu Zhong was puzzled, so he hurriedly ran to get it and then quickly returned, saying, "My lord."

Ji Chengnin raised his chin and said, "Read it."

Lu Zhong felt a bitter taste in his mouth, but dared not contradict his ancestor, and said, "All those who enter the Light Lu Guard must be dutiful and wholeheartedly serve..."

"Drinking alcohol and engaging in merrymaking are prohibited during official business."

"Unable to sleep amidst flowers and willows."

"One must not oppress the good or demand money from them."

"One must not collude with powerful figures or bend the law for personal gain."

...

The main hall was open to the public, and the morning breeze was very pleasant. Everyone had planned to wait here, where they could sit and chat, while also staying far away from the government office gate. Ji Chengnin could only suffer in silence and could not retaliate. However, as the sundial shadows shifted, it gradually reached noon. The only shady spot in the entire main hall was the soft couch where Ji Chengnin was sitting.

A blinding white light surged forth.

They were sweltering in the sun, but Ji Chengning leaned back leisurely, casually playing with the carved armrest of the soft couch with one slender hand.

The boy who had just said it was numb could no longer contain himself, "You..."

He had barely uttered a sound when Ji Chengnin raised his hand.

A long, thin, bony hand, white as jade in the sunlight.

Despite his seemingly lazy demeanor, he exudes a kind of intimidating aura that compels people to bow down in submission.

He instinctively stopped talking.

Ji Chengning said, "Alright, I'm sure you're all familiar with the rules of the Qinglu Guard, so I won't go into detail. I'll just say one thing: the Qinglu Guard must train at the training ground every fifth day of the month, and no one is allowed to slack off."

He stood up.

The smiling voice suddenly turned stern, "If anyone violates this rule, the mighty laws are above all; do not blame me for being ruthless!"

His voice was sharp and piercing, catching everyone off guard and startling them, especially the boy who was staring intently at him, who was terrified.

However, the next moment, Ji Chengnin raised his lips and revealed a smile that could not be more radiant, "However, I believe that all of you colleagues are young talents who bear the responsibility of the country and are favored by His Majesty. You will certainly perform your duties diligently and never break the law, right?"

His mood changed as quickly as turning the pages of a book, and everyone was uneasy about his inconsistent attitude, so they hurriedly replied, "Yes. We will obey Your Excellency's orders."

Ji Chengning smiled, "Let's disperse."

The crowd dispersed.

Ji Chengnin, however, continued to lean back without any decorum, saying, "The cushion is too soft; I'm not comfortable lying down like this."

Lu Zhong thought he had misheard. "Sir, what did you say?"

"I said the cushions are too soft and the fabric is too rough." Ji Chengnin stood up and brushed his sleeves with disdain.

Lu Zhong hurriedly said, "I'll have them cut a new one and send it over right away. May I ask what color you prefer, sir?"

“Black…” Ji Chengning suddenly remembered the cloak that Cui Yao had draped over him that day, “Crimson, I’ll have a python satin one.”

Yes, yes.

Ji Chengning said, "Lü Zhong." Lü Zhong immediately nodded. "You are very capable and thorough in your work. I am very satisfied." Lü Zhong was surprised that he could be appreciated by his superior so quickly. His face lit up with a smile. Suddenly, the young marquis changed the subject, "Who will pay for the money to make the new cushions?"

Lu Zhong said solicitously, "Of course it will be done through official channels, please rest assured, young marquis."

Ji Chengnin's tone became increasingly gentle, "Has it always been like this?"

Lu Zhong was taken aback, and then realized that the young marquis was trying to trick him into revealing information. He felt as if his mind had exploded.

Ji Chengnin had already gotten the answer from his expression, smiled slightly, and turned to leave, saying, "No, thank you."

What Ji Chengning said he didn't want was naturally the cushion.

Lu Zhong stared at the brand-new soft couch for a moment, then gasped and groaned, "Another troublemaker has arrived!"

The ancestor that Lü Zhong mentioned is visiting his office in his study.

Although it was described as an office study, its size was not much different from that of an ordinary family's courtyard. It was decorated in a very simple and plain manner, yet it was luxurious in its small details. It contained all kinds of calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Ji Chengning picked up an inkstone at random, and it was inscribed by a famous artist from the previous dynasty. Just one inkstone was worth a thousand taels of silver. Further inside, there was a small separate room with a carved bed that was ten feet long and ten feet wide, obviously for people to rest.

Lu Zhong had already caught up when he was suddenly asked by his new ancestor, "Are all these paid for through official channels?"

Lu Zhong said awkwardly, "How can I possibly say that?"

“When asked by an official, one must tell the truth.” Ji Chengning raised an eyebrow. “Since they are all accounted for through official channels, they belong to the imperial court. We will have them sealed up and put into the treasury later.”

Even with his vast experience in dealing with people, Lü Zhong was completely bewildered by Ji Chengnin, staring blankly at him. "Then," he stammered, "what will you use, sir?"

"That's none of your business."

Ji Chengning stood in the inner room for a moment, finding the incense too strong and pungent. He fanned his nose in disgust and said, "And these too, seal them all up."

"My lord, the government has always supplied everything it uses. If you were to prepare it yourself today, people might gossip about it."

Ji Chengnin raised an eyebrow. "Who's talking about it?"

Lü Zhong: "..."

How could he dare say that!

Ji Chengnin sighed helplessly, "Alright, put away all the trinkets and paintings outside, only keep those for office use. Send me a copy of the verified list, and oh, and this bed too, put it in the treasury."

The former was sealed and registered by Ji Chengning for future use, while the latter—the young marquis's obsession with cleanliness dictated that he would never lie on a bed that someone else had lain on.

Even if he really needs to rest at the government office in the future, he can just have the craftsmen from the Marquis's residence make something else and send it over.

Lü Zhong felt as if he had been granted a pardon and readily agreed.

Because of Ji Chengnin's "concessions," he actually felt some gratitude towards his new boss.

He followed Ji Chengning and reminded him, "Sir, as a newly appointed official, you should, according to custom, go and pay homage to the guardian deity."

Ji Chengnin picked a clean mat and sat down, gesturing for Lü Zhong to sit as well. "Why?"

The latter was flattered and sat down at a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Ji Chengnin.

He thought to himself, "Why are there so many questions?" but his face showed no impatience. "Your Excellency, it has always been customary for you to worship the statues of gods, praying for a smooth career and rapid advancement in your official position."

"Xu Jing'en also paid his respects?"

Lü Zhong: "...Yes."

When Ji Chengning heard that Xu Jingen had also gone, he felt that the gods were not working. Xu Jingen was still in a state of uncertainty, let alone able to get out of bed, yet he was still on the rise. If he pressed any harder, Xu Jingen would be sent straight to the underworld. He waved his hand in disinterest, "You can go now."

Yes, yes.

Before leaving, Lü Zhong carefully closed the door behind him.

Ji Chengning rested his chin on his hand, his gaze vacantly fixed on the painting of a beautiful woman in the snow hanging opposite him.

The snow fell like cotton, and the crimson robes swayed in the breeze. Though it was just a single ink mark, it conveyed a thousand kinds of loneliness and ten thousand kinds of charm.

Ji Chengning played with the warm jade paperweight on the table, the pair of bright white lion heads spinning vigorously in his hands.

The Qinglu Guard was the emperor's personal guard, and should have been the most dignified and solemn place. However, in the half day he had seen, there were officials patronizing prostitutes, guards being poorly trained, and embezzling state funds.

Although he knew that water that is too clear has no fish, it still had to be water at least.

In his opinion, His Majesty's Light Guard was at best a mud pit, and his colleagues were turtles happily rolling around in the mud pit. Then he thought that he was now the leader of this group of turtles, the number one big turtle. The young marquis had a brain fart and actually laughed out loud while leaning on his desk.

"Crunch."

Ji Chengnin looked up.

The beautiful woman in the portrait, dressed in red and with black hair, came to life and slowly walked towards him.

A note from the author:

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Goodnight, my wife! [Sprinkling flowers]