Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Xie Shao didn't say anything, walked past him and stepped out of the threshold first.

Min Zhang followed him quickly, only to realize that his master seemed to be still wearing the same clothes as last night. His aura was also a little off, and he looked much calmer.

I don’t know how he figured it out, but I can guess that it was probably because of Third Grandma’s advice.

After they arrived in Dongdu, life became increasingly difficult. They almost had no place to live, let alone a carriage. So they walked out of the alley, hailed a carriage on the street, and went to the Ministry of War.

Generally, the official certificate was first assessed and then reported to the Menxia Province with the approval of the Shangshu Pushe. After the Menxia Province Jieshi Zhong checked the situation and had no objection, it would be handed over to the Huangmen to report to the emperor.

After the emperor agreed, he took office immediately.

Xie Shao's certificate was the opposite. He was appointed by the emperor himself, so he only needed to take the certificate and go to get the seal of the Ministry of War.

When the carriage arrived at the Ministry of War, Min Zhang and the guards reported Xie Shao's name, "Xie Shao, the third son of the Xie family, has come with a letter of acknowledgment. Please inform the Minister of the Ministry of War."

Almost half of the people in the six ministries of the imperial court followed Yuan Ming'an and stood in the prince's team.

The same is true for the Minister of War.

After the crown prince was deposed, no one had slept well in the past two days. No one knew what the trend would be next. After all, the crown prince was the emperor's only biological son. Even if he was deposed, he could be reinstated.

He was afraid that if he defected too early, he would become a fence-sitter. Once the prince gained power, he would have no place to stay.

But he couldn't help feeling uneasy. The emperor first drove the prince out of Dongdu, then kept Prince Jing in Dongdu, and then deposed the prince. This move must have shown that he was really angry.

There are precedents in history of adopted sons succeeding to the throne. Who knows, the throne may really be passed on to the adopted son.

The emperor's will is hard to predict. Before things are settled, the people under them can only try their best not to get involved with anyone and not offend anyone.

At this critical moment, the Minister of War suddenly heard that the third son of Xie family came to ask for the seal of appointment. His face changed. Isn't this like putting a rope around his neck?

Now that the crown prince has been deposed, the Xie family has become the root of all the trouble. The crown prince and the queen must have hated the Xie family to the core.

Regardless of whether the Xie family was plotting a rebellion or not, the future of the family that could turn its knife against its own lord would be completely ruined, and Prince Jing would definitely not use them again.

No matter where the Third Young Master of the Xie Family got the certificate, he must not get involved. "Just say I'm not here."

"Yes." The man turned around and took a few steps when the Minister of War called him back. He still kept a cautious mind and said, "Tell him that the Ministry of War is just an errand boy. If the Ministry of Personnel has no objection after the assessment, the Ministry of War will stamp it." He also instructed, "Be polite and send him away properly."

Xie Shao waited outside the door for two sticks of incense before hearing these words.

It sounded like he was trying to put him off.

Min Zhang frowned and was about to explode, but Xie Shao stopped him, looking calm and not surprised, and said to the messenger, "I hope the Minister will keep his word."

He turned around and got on the carriage again, went to the Menxia Province, and asked directly to see Yuan Ming'an, the Right Prime Minister.

Yuan Ming'an had just been to the palace, and after comforting the queen, he returned to the gate, exhausted. He was sitting on the couch with his head propped up and his eyes closed to rest, when someone came in to report: "Prime Minister Yuan, Xie Shao, the third son of the Xie family, is here."

Yuan Mingan opened his eyes immediately.

The people below continued, "Mr. Xie said he has a letter of appointment that he wants you to approve."

Yuan Mingan stood up slowly, his eyebrows slightly raised, his eyes half-closed, a dark light flashing in his eyes, and a bit of sarcasm on his face, "Please come in."

Half a moment later, the servant came in again, followed by a young man. They walked in with a ray of morning light shining through the door. Their figure slowly passed through the large screen with an eagle spreading its wings and stepped into the inner hall.

Having not slept all night last night, Xie Shao had a hint of fatigue between his brows, but his eyes were clear and calm, without any sign of haggardness.

As for that face, it has never disappointed anyone as long as it meets the eye.

As bright as the moon, pure, elegant and noble.

Yuan Mingan raised his eyelids and looked over casually. When his gaze fell on that face, he paused for a moment.

It was obvious that the robe he was wearing had been washed several times and was no longer shiny, but now draped over his broad shoulders and narrow waist, it actually highlighted his extraordinary and heroic appearance.

We have to admit that some people are born noble. No matter how poor they are now, at least they still look dazzling.

Although he recognized the person, he had to show his attitude. Yuan Mingan looked suspicious, "What is this?"

The attendant hurriedly said, "Your Excellency, this is the third son of the Xie family."

Xie Shao bowed to him according to the rules, "Master Yuan."

Yuan Mingan then made a look of sudden enlightenment and said with a smile: "It has been eight years since we last met, but I still remember Mr. Xie's former demeanor clearly. When I see you today, you seem even more heroic."

"Thank you for your high regard, Lord Yuan."

Yuan Mingan did not ask anyone to take a seat. He continued to sit on the couch, sipped his tea, and chatted with him, "How is your father? I haven't seen him since we parted eight years ago. I heard that he has been living a carefree life in Fengcheng these years. His life is like that of a god. Even His Majesty is envious of him."

"My father is just a common farmer, he is not as prestigious as Lord Yuan. Your Majesty is the King of Dafeng, you care about the world, how can you envy someone who has no ambitions?"

His unfailing rebuttal showed the spirit of his youth when he never wanted to be outdone.

But it was this look that made him particularly disgusting. Yuan Mingan looked at him, and the impetuousness that had once been used by him to suppress his son resurfaced.

He put down the teacup and stood up. "Since Master Xie has come to my place, I will definitely entertain him well." He ordered the servants, "Prepare a banquet for Master Xie. Don't neglect it."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Yuan. However, I am here for official business today, so I am sorry to bother you." Xie Shao bowed his hands in thanks and explained his purpose. "I have received a certificate from the prince, but I am missing a seal. Please grant me the order, Lord Yuan."

Yuan Mingan smiled and said, "It's just a seal, there's no need to rush. Mr. Xie, go down and have a rest first. I will make arrangements for you..."

Yuan Mingan said this and walked out.

Xie Shao did not move. "If Lord Yuan is busy with official business, I will not bother you any more. Now that I have come, I will take my leave."

To be able to bypass his Ministry of Personnel and obtain this certificate must have been authorized by the emperor.

It could be that Prince Jing was trying to keep Xie San giving him a little sweet treat. After all, he would have to rely on Xie Daolin's influence in the court to pave the way for himself in the future.

Because of the matter of the crown prince, I had stabbed the emperor's lungs and I haven't gotten away yet. If I bring such trivial matters to the emperor again, I'm afraid it would be just the right handle for him to find a reason to punish me.

Xie Shao turned around and was about to step out of the door when he heard Yuan Ming'an say, "Since Master Xie is so anxious, let's get down to business first."

He walked a few steps forward to the side of Xie Shao and said slowly, "It's just that Dongdu is not as good as Fengcheng. There are more people and more rules. You have to trouble the Third Young Master to go to each gate and each place in person."

Getting a job is simple and complicated at the same time.

If you really want to fight, you have to check your ancestors first, and have a physical examination. Only those without any defects will be qualified. It takes only half a day to complete the whole process.

Xie Shao was mentally prepared to come today, and turned to the attendant and said, "Please lead the way."

Yuan Mingan turned his head and looked at the figure on the path, and suddenly said, "After so many years, the Third Young Master should not be afraid of dogs anymore."

He remembered that when Xie Pushe came to his house personally, broke the lock of the door, and helped the person out, he, Xie Sanzhan, could not stand steadily and cried bitterly.

A young boy who is still wet behind the ears can't be that arrogant. Now that he has been a playboy for several years and returned to Dongdu, can he still make a big fuss?

Xie Shao in front of him paused, slowly stopped, turned around, his eyes were cold, and he looked at Yuan Ming'an with contempt, just like when he looked at him that year, with contempt and arrogance on his face, "Master Yuan, you don't know, beasts are not to be feared, but people's hearts are worse than beasts."

After saying this, without even glancing at Yuan Ming'an, he turned around and asked the attendant to continue leading the way.

After passing through several moon-shaped doors, the follower stopped outside a door and shouted to the person inside, "Is the Jieshi Zhong here?"

When Xie Heng, the eldest son of the Xie family, received the appointment letter from the court, his wife showed off everywhere. Min Zhang remembered that he was indeed a Censor of the Menxia Province.

I thought I would meet someone I know.

A moment later, a middle-aged man came out with an unfamiliar face. He was not Xie Heng, the eldest son of the Xie family.

Seeing that it was the personal attendant of Prime Minister Yuan, the attendant asked, "What do you want, Master Yuan?"

The attendant glanced at Xie Shao standing at the bottom of the steps, then approached the man and whispered, "This is the third son of the Xie family. Prime Minister Yuan has asked us to treat him well."

Most of the official certificates in the court were decided in advance, and the approval by the Ministry of Personnel was just a formality. Some people even just passed the message and were approved.

Prime Minister Yuan specially sent someone to give instructions today, how could the Secretary not understand?

He looked at Xie Shao and said in a loud voice, "Excuse me, Master Xie, please wait a moment. I haven't finished the work at hand yet, so I really can't get away."

Xie Shao smiled, but he was not in a hurry. "Let's take care of it first."

The attendant brought the person in and considered the matter done. He then turned back to report, leaving Xie Shao and Min Zhang standing in front of the door waiting.

Time passed little by little, and people came in and out of the door one after another. Everyone lowered their heads, or talked and laughed with each other, but they avoided the two people and did not look at them.

Min Zhang had just followed Xie Shao in Fengcheng and didn't know about his previous days in Dongdu. Only now did he realize that there were so many convoluted ways of governing people in the officialdom.

These people are clearly trying to trip up their master.

Turning around, he glanced at the clepsydra in the yard. It was almost half an hour past. If he kept waiting like this, he might even have to wait until the sun sets and still might not be able to wait until the Censor was done with his work.

Unable to hold back, he said to Xie Shao, "The master's official position was granted by His Majesty himself. Why should we make things difficult for such people? Just go to the Third Yamen and take up your post. Who dares to stop us?"

"If I can't even get a seal, how can I gain a foothold in the army in the future? I will be laughed at." Seeing that the time was almost up, Xie Shao walked towards the door, ignoring the servants' attempts to stop him, and rushed straight into the house. He stood in front of the attendant and asked, "Are you done with your work, sir?"

The attendant did not expect him to suddenly barge in, and hurriedly spread out the files on the table, looking embarrassed, "Not yet, Master Xie, I'm afraid you have to wait a little longer..."

Xie Shao looked at him, his expression no longer friendly. "Every day, the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel have to be brought to justice. Five years ago, due to the delay of your Ministry of Personnel, the memorials could not be submitted in time, which delayed the important matter. Your Majesty then issued an order, stipulating that the backlog of all documents in the hands of the officials should not exceed two incense sticks. I have waited outside for half an hour, which has given Your Majesty enough grace. Since the officials are still busy, please give me an accurate time for how long they will be busy."

The official's face changed. He didn't expect that he, who had just returned from Fengcheng, knew everything about the province so clearly.

He can continue to wait, but the time cannot be set randomly.

Since Yuan Xiang had someone send him here, his original intention was to let him trip him up secretly without breaking up with him openly.

"Since Master Xie is anxious, I will handle it for Xie Shao first."

Xie Shao said nothing more, took out a certificate from his sleeve and placed it in front of him.

The secretary took it and knew where it came from as soon as he saw the rice paper and the handwriting. His heart skipped a beat and he broke out in a cold sweat. He dared not neglect it. Without asking any more questions, he quickly flipped through the case book and added a record in front of Xie Shao. Just as he was about to hand over the wooden sign of approval, a voice suddenly came from the door, "Hey, is this Mr. Xie San?"

Xie Shao turned his head and looked at the person who came in from the door. He vaguely recognized him from the enlarged facial features.

The eldest son of the Yuan family, Yuan Run.

When they were young, Xie Pushe and Yuan Ming'an were the two who checked and balanced the court. It was inevitable that they were compared with each other, in terms of power, literary talent, and even their wives and children.

Unfortunately, the eldest son of the Yuan family did not give Yuan Ming'an any face.

No matter whether they were civil or military, once they met Xie Shao, they were all suppressed and never won, which gave rise to deeper hatred and jealousy.

Xie Shao's gaze stayed on his face for a moment, without any ripples, and then he withdrew his gaze indifferently, waiting for something to happen.

Being ignored by him like this, Young Master Yuan's face froze, but he didn't give up. He walked up to him, gathered his sleeves and talked to him again, "Why, Third Young Master went to Fengcheng and didn't even remember our old acquaintances?"

Xie Shao then said, "I would like to forget it, but the reputation of Master Yuan was known throughout the Eastern Capital during a hunting event eight years ago. Who doesn't know it?"

Isn’t it true? Eight years ago, when Young Master Yuan was hunting, he encountered a huge beast and was frightened to the point of peeing his pants. He was dragged out by Xie Shao, and everyone saw the color of his crotch changing.

The corner of Young Master Yuan's mouth twitched, and he wished he could skin him alive and pull out his tendons.

After all, he was not eleven or twelve years old, and he could not just start a fight over a disagreement. He suddenly looked at the certificate on the table and said in a deep voice, "Since the Third Young Master has come to ask for a certificate and a mission, the attendant cannot neglect his duties. All the people who are enrolled must be healthy. Who knows if the Third Young Master has any defects during these years away from home? The attendant should send someone to check carefully."

Before seeing the official certificate, the official might have listened to him, but now he is sweating profusely and is in a dilemma.

Even the prime minister didn't dare to make a big deal out of it, so how could he, a mere official, dare to show up?

Seeing the cowardly behavior of the attendant who was hiding himself, Master Yuan was furious and sneered, "Why, is there something special about the Third Master?"

After saying this, he reached out to take the certificate on the table.

Before he could touch it, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. Before Master Yuan could react, he could only hear a "click" and thought it was dislocated.

He felt a piercing pain, but before he could even cry out, Xie Shao pressed him down on the wooden table in front of him. Xie Shao looked down at him with sharp eyes and the familiar irony on his face, "I haven't seen you for eight years, and you're still so useless."

Hearing a pig squeal, Xie Shao picked up the notice and wooden plaque on the table and walked towards the door without looking back.

As soon as I went down the stairs, I saw someone.

Xie Heng was holding several thick file books in his arms, which covered half of his face. Xie Shao didn't recognize him at first glance, but when he passed by him, he noticed that he was standing there in a daze, so he turned his head away.

In order to curry favor with the prince, the eldest master of the Xie family tried every means to send his son, the Xie eldest son, to the Eastern Capital. Now that he has committed a crime and the prince has been deposed because of the Xie family, the eldest son of the Xie family will naturally suffer as well.

The official uniform he was wearing was different from those of the others in the room, so he must be no longer a Jieshi Zhong.

Looking at his appearance, he looks like a servant who can be ordered around by anyone.

Xie Heng probably hadn't expected to meet Xie Shao here. Both of them remembered clearly how lively the farewell banquet that the Xie family held for him before he came to Dongdu was.

He used to be so glamorous and dazzling that everyone who saw him would look at him with admiration. Before leaving, he even boasted in front of Xie San about how he had made a name for himself in Dongdu.

But now he has seen the most unbearable side of her.

Xie Heng's spine stiffened. After looking at Xie Shao for a moment, the light in his eyes dimmed. He suddenly lowered his head, and without saying a word, he walked up the steps in front of the door holding the books.

Seeing him like this, Xie Shao didn't say hello to him again. He turned around and took Min Zhang out of the province and went to the Ministry of War to get the seal.

As soon as Xie Shao left in the morning, Wen Shuse got up.

She didn't sleep well last night. Once those words were spoken, she knew what would happen to their relationship. Maybe it would return to the initial state of unfamiliarity, or even worse.

Although I don't regret it, I still feel uneasy.

Seeing the sky gradually darken and night fall, and no one came back yet, she couldn't sit still any longer, "Aunt, do you think he will not come back?"

"Don't worry, ma'am. If the son-in-law doesn't come back, where can he go?"

Wen Shuse didn't say anything else. He was feeling nervous when he suddenly heard some noise outside. His heart started beating fast and he stood up from the armchair in an instant.

Aunt Qing went out to inquire first, and came back a moment later, happily saying to her, "Uncle-in-law is back."

Wen Shuse hurriedly stepped out of the door and stood on the long corridor that he had to pass by, waiting for the young man on the other side to slowly walk over. When the young man came to him, she called out, "Young man," as she did in the past.

It was dark at night and she couldn't see his expression clearly. She only vaguely saw him nod, but he didn't respond to her and didn't stop.

Here come my dears~ (One hundred red envelopes~)