Chapter 75 Good News

These words were like a shot of adrenaline for Xie Wuyou.

She sobbed, still looking around the filthy woodshed with disgust, but the despair in her eyes had finally faded somewhat.

A depressing, deathly silence returned to the woodshed.

Xie Wulu continued chopping wood without pausing, only inwardly sneering.

Official position? Residence?

Still indulging in wishful thinking.

But it doesn't matter, let them do it for now, so as not to have to listen to her wailing and howling, which would affect my thinking.

He knew very well that Xie Sangning would definitely try to kill him completely.

The moment he stepped out of the general's mansion, he knew with absolute certainty that the stigma of stealing gold and robbing had been firmly nailed to him.

That fame and fortune were no longer a ladder to success, but a death warrant, waiting for a single document from the Ministry of Personnel to bring him utterly to the dust.

A career in government? A position of officialdom?

This life is over.

But to be forced to accept one's fate like a stray dog, to watch helplessly as Xie Sangning basked in glory in the general's mansion, turning his decades of relentless striving into a complete joke...

no way!

In the dark and damp woodshed, the lingering musty smell acted like a potent medicine, stimulating his numb nerves and making his mind unusually clear, even starting to function.

What kept him from immediately collapsing, besides his unwillingness to accept defeat, was another bargaining chip.

Xie Wuyou.

That's right, this foolish fellow full of folly isn't entirely worthless.

She also has a marriage contract with Wei Zikai, a fifth-rank cavalry general of the Yongning Marquis's mansion.

The marriage was personally approved by the Emperor back then. Even putting that aside, given how much the Marquis's family values ​​face, they would not take the initiative to break off the engagement.

The censors and officials in the court were eager to find fault with the nobles. A single comment about them being sycophantic and callous was enough to make the Yongning Marquis's family lose face in the circle of upright officials.

Those old foxes in the Marquis's mansion would never take such a risk for a mere Xie Wuyou.

As long as Xie Wuyou can marry into the family... even if it's just as an unfavored concubine...

Xie Wulu, as Wei Zikai's brother-in-law, could then legitimately serve under him.

With the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), it is not difficult to secure a position such as a staff officer in the army.

The battlefield is a place where one licks blood from the edge of a knife, but it is also the place where one's background is least important, and only one's ability and military achievements matter.

As long as you can rise through the ranks under Wei Zikai and achieve military merit... then it will be a completely different world.

That would be enough to clear his name, allow him to return to the capital, and even make Xie Sangning pay the price!

But this move... is extremely risky.

The fatal weakness lies within Xie Wuyou himself.

With her shallow mind and mean nature, it's a pipe dream for her to marry into the Yongning Marquis's mansion smoothly.

Those cunning old foxes in the Marquis's mansion, who eat people without spitting out the bones, will not cancel the engagement on the surface out of face, but behind the scenes they have countless treacherous schemes.

Using Xie Wuyou is like walking on a cliff.

We can't let her completely despair, otherwise it will only make things worse.

Her father's promise of official rank and mansion was a temporary anesthetic to keep her calm.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Xie Wulu's mind.

No! He's mistaken.

Using a marriage alliance... the direction is right, but the way this piece is used was wrong from the start!

Rather than letting this pawn, destined to be eliminated, be easily wiped out by the opponent in a futile struggle...

Why not take it into your own hands and use it as leverage?

A crazy plan instantly took shape in Xie Wulu's mind, crystal clear!

Xie Wuyou, that fool, her greatest use wasn't successfully marrying into the Marquis's mansion.

It's not that she's getting married!

Rather than hoping that Xie Wuyou will marry into the Yongning Marquis's household, it would be better to use Xie Wuyou's refusal to marry into the Yongning Marquis's household as a condition to gain some benefits for oneself!

Isn't this a worthwhile deal?

This is where the true value lies!

What is the Marquis's family afraid of? They are afraid of the continued stigma brought about by this marriage!

What I fear most is Xie Wuyou's existence, like a stinky rag that I can't shake off!

What I fear is that things might get complicated if she causes trouble again and drags the Marquis's mansion down with her!

They desperately want to get rid of this burden, even if it comes at a price!

Since you're like this, why doesn't he take advantage of it?

After figuring this out, Xie Wulu felt much more at ease.

Sister, sacrifice yourself.

Who told you to be so stupid, making me think that cooperation was risky?

——

A few days later, the document from the Ministry of Personnel arrived.

Following closely behind was another imperial decree: newly appointed scholars were granted special permission to return to their hometowns to visit their families and bring honor to their clans.

Inside Ruixue Tower, Rudong entered with light steps, holding a list still bearing fresh ink, her face beaming with undisguised joy: "Miss! The assignments from the Ministry of Personnel have been finalized! Our people have all been given good places!"

Xie Sangning was writing by the window when she heard this, and her wrist froze in mid-air.

She put down her pen, took the list, and glanced at the familiar names.

These were all important and prestigious positions, or powerful posts in government offices.

The destinations of all twenty-three individuals were meticulously planned and optimized after weighing the pros and cons, and were firmly embedded in the imperial court.

Xie Sangning smiled, this time from the bottom of her heart.

She was genuinely happy.

"Good...good..." she murmured, her fingertips brushing over each of the names.

"Ten years of hard study have finally paid off, and I have not let myself down."

She looked up at Ru Dong, her smile still lingering.

"Prepare a generous gift. It should be elegant and, more importantly, valuable—ancient books and paintings, a fine Duan inkstone, or a unique piece from a previous dynasty. It must be presentable. Remember, send it discreetly and place it on the Minister of Personnel's desk in his study. Do not disturb anyone else."

This is not just a reward, but also a way to maintain the relationship.

The Ministry of Personnel is a difficult line to establish, but it will likely be useful in many areas in the future.

"Yes! This servant understands!" Ru Dong immediately responded and withdrew, her steps light and quick.

Xie Sangning then personally went to the warehouse.

Her private treasury had already been moved into the General's Mansion when she took over the mansion.

"Ru Xia, go and find twenty-three gold-plated jade ornaments, prepare twenty-three chests of silver, and select the finest pieces of this year's new Yun brocade, Shu brocade, and Suzhou embroidery fabrics from Jiangnan to make twenty-three sets of everyday clothes for all four seasons... and also the Four Treasures of the Study..."

She paused, as if remembering something, and her tone unusually warmed.

"Go find the best carriage company and order twenty-three carriages with blue curtains and painted walls. They must be sturdy, spacious, and made of the finest materials."

Xia Yi noted everything down, and when she heard about the carriage, she couldn't help but look up at her young mistress.

Xie Sangning met her gaze and naturally understood the question in her eyes. The smile on her lips deepened as she explained, "Born into a poor family, I studied hard for ten years before entering officialdom, but my salary is meager."

“Living in the capital is extremely difficult; everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation costs money. Are you expecting them to walk through wind and snow, under the stars and moon, to the government office for roll call every day?”

She gently shook her head, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes: "Spring and autumn are still acceptable, but what about the scorching heat and harsh winter, the wind, frost, rain and snow? Wouldn't that be an insult to our culture and a blow to our will?"

"Since they are my people, they should be given the proper respect and pomp, so that they can take this first step in their career smoothly."

The maids looked at Xie Sangning and covered their mouths to chuckle; their young mistress was truly happy.

How could Xie Sangning not be happy?

Ten years of dedicated effort have nurtured it from tiny seeds to a flourishing tree that now bears fruit.

Only she herself knows best the effort, resources, and pressure she expended during that time.

Watching the chessboard you've set up, with each piece finally settled... the immense pleasure from this sense of accomplishment and control is far beyond anything ordinary material desires can offer.

Besides, after raising a dog for ten years, you develop a bond with it. How can you not be happy for them and for yourself when things turn out well?

But what Xie Sangning didn't know was that these students were also preparing an unforgettable surprise for her.