Chapter 47 Wait, deer blood isn't a good thing for getting stronger...
Everyone assumed that Ji Chengning had gone to handle a secret case. After all, the former Chief of the Qinglu Guard, Lord Xu, who was now lying in bed barely breathing, was usually not in the office. If anyone asked, he would say that he was busy with official business and it was inconvenient to meet him.
Everyone was quite surprised to see the young marquis arrive in a wheelchair this morning.
After the morning exercises, Ji Chengnin's study was packed like the Xianyunfang during the Flower Festival. His colleagues were very attentive and concerned, and none of them came empty-handed. However, given the previous experience of valuable gifts being hung on trees, most of the gifts from his colleagues were food and medicine.
When Ji Chengning saw the Angelica and Beef Bone Soup that Jiang Linzhou had brought, he was full of praise—Jiang Langjun could conjure up soup in such a short time!
The two looked at each other, and Jiang Linzhou lowered his eyes somewhat embarrassedly. He then gave a few more words of advice, telling the adults to take care of themselves, before leaving.
A drop of thick ink falls onto the rice paper.
Cui Yao wrote with elegant and graceful handwriting, his characters as fine as if carved by a knife and axe. The entire document was perfectly neat and without a single mistake, but he accidentally stained the paper when he finished writing it.
Cui Yao frowned, casually folded the document, and tossed it into the brush washer.
Ji Chengnin, who was talking to his subordinates, was momentarily distracted. He looked at it with pity and said, "It's so well written, why throw it away?"
A genuine smile finally appeared on Cui Yao's lips as she said softly, "Since it's for an adult, it shouldn't be stained in the slightest."
Ji Chengning scratched his head, wanting to say that he wasn't that particular, but when he met his cousin Yili's eyes, he nodded as if possessed, "Ayao is right."
Cui Yao rolled up her sleeves, picked up her pen, and continued writing with satisfaction.
The people present looked at each other in bewilderment—what was the point of doing something that would only attract the boss's attention and increase their own workload?
After everyone had mostly dispersed, Cui Yao was about to put down his pen when he suddenly heard a very melodious voice: "My lord!"
Before she could finish speaking, a dark head rushed in through the door, as dark as Cui Yao's mood.
"Oh," Cui Yao thought to herself, her face expressionless, "it's not the head."
Instead, it was a jar about the size of a human head, the wax seal still intact, yet it exuded a spicy and mellow aroma of wine.
Lu Zhong hurriedly stepped forward to take it, but Li Bi waved his hand, put the wine jar on the table himself, wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead, and approached with an extremely sunny and cheerful smile.
"I heard that you were injured, so I specially brought you a jar of tiger bone and deer blood wine to strengthen your muscles and bones and replenish your blood and energy."
Ji Chengnin: Stunned.
Wait, isn't deer blood supposed to be good for you...? Their eyes met, and Ji Chengning actually received a firm nod from Li Bi.
Cui Yao's hand holding the pen hovered in mid-air.
Ji Chengnin remained silent for a few seconds before resolutely refusing, "I appreciate your kindness, but I am still young and do not need this to regulate my body for the time being."
He glanced at his thoughtful cousin out of the corner of his eye, then waved his paw again, "A-Yao."
The ink is about to drip again!
Before Ji Chengnin could snatch Cui Yao's pen, another announcement came from outside: "My lord, someone from the palace has arrived!"
Ji Chengnin was greatly encouraged.
Forgetting that she was in a wheelchair, she was about to get up when Cui Yao pressed her back down.
The young marquis's injuries are not healing well. He is naturally active and has torn open the scabbed skin twice, so much so that Cui Yao is now terrified whenever he sees him move.
She glared at Ji Chengnin with a mixture of anger and worry, wishing she could shrink him to a few inches in size and hang him on her body to keep an eye on him every day before she could feel at ease.
Ji Chengning touched his nose and grinned at Cui Yao.
Cui Yao was so angry that she wanted to suppress the carefree smile on his lips.
Take a deep breath and push the person out of the study.
Li Bi originally wanted to express his concern to his superior, but the arrival of the palace servants was too unfortunate. He looked at the jar of wine with regret. What a fine thing it was! The young marquis should really need it.
Before long, Ji Chengning saw the envoy from the palace.
He was an unfamiliar middle-aged man with a round face and round eyes. He had a friendly demeanor, and it was easy to put your guard down looking at him.
He smiled at Ji Chengning without speaking, "Young Marquis, there is an imperial decree." His gaze fell on Ji Chengning's legs, "His Majesty commands that Ji Chengning need not kneel to listen."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ji Chengnin bowed his head deeply.
"Issue my decree: the candidates have boycotted the examination and besieged the examination hall. This is a matter of great importance. I hereby order you to handle this matter with full authority. This is a serious matter, so please be extremely careful and do not disappoint me."
Ji Chengnin replied firmly, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."
A hint of surprise flashed in the envoy's eyes.
This is by no means an easy task, as it involves many powerful and noble families. If done well, it is simply a matter of duty; if done poorly, it will inevitably offend these powerful and noble families and even incur the emperor's wrath, making it a thankless and arduous task.
Even Xu Sheng made an excuse to leave, otherwise why would his young master fall seriously ill on the night the examination hall was besieged?
But Ji Chengning didn't seem to mind at all. He had seen countless people and had a sharp eye, so he could tell at a glance that the young marquis's emotions were genuine.
The visitor couldn't help but chuckle.
This young marquis looks shrewd, could he be a fool?
After seeing his father-in-law off, Ji Chengning explained the situation to everyone and ordered Li Bi, Jiang Linzhou, and five cautious guards to go to the Dali Temple to demand the release of the person.
Li Bi was taken aback. "Who do you want?"
Ji Chengnin smiled slightly, "Naturally, it was Zhang Yuhuai who led the candidates to cause trouble."
Jiang Linzhou accepted the token, saying simply, "Yes, your subordinates obey."
After watching the group leave, Ji Chengning strolled back to his study, casually picked up a document written by Cui Yao, and read it quickly. He exclaimed, "Zhang Yuhuai, the son of a Hanlin Academy Reader, passed the provincial examination at the age of sixteen, ranking first. Tsk, what a scholarly family!"
Cui Yao said, “This concerns the upright officials,” as he poured tea for Ji Chengning, “If the punishment is severe, it will surely cause a great deal of discussion among the censors.”
Ji Chengnin waved his hand dismissively, "Let's not worry about the censors."
Haven't the censors impeached him enough? Even if he ate two extra leek dumplings for breakfast this morning, the censors would still criticize him for being extravagant and disregarding the common people.
Ji Chengning didn't even write a self-defense memorial, treating the Censorate's words as utter nonsense.
His arrogance led to a dozen more impeachment memorials from censors.
"His Majesty instructed me to act cautiously," Ji Chengnin pondered, "which means to reassure the people and prevent the situation from escalating."
Cui Yao smiled slightly and said gently, "After all, the supreme monarch on the dragon throne doesn't care about fairness. What the monarch cares about is how to quell public anger and stabilize the situation."
That's all.
Ji Chengnin glanced at him.
She was horrified to discover that she had unknowingly become more and more accustomed to Cui Yao's outrageous way of speaking.
Although it is outrageous, it is the truth.
Ji Chengnin had no way to refute it.
He reached up and drew a line across his own neck, his face darkening as he threatened, "You are not allowed to slander the imperial court."
Cui Yao smiled gently.
Not finding it terrifying, her gaze unconsciously followed Ji Chengnin's movements.
It landed right on Ji Chengnin's naturally rolling Adam's apple.
For some reason, his throat bobbed as well.
However, it was incredibly sluggish.
The scene from my dream resurfaced in my mind.
But it only lasted a moment.
Cui Yao noticed Ji Chengnin's gaze sweep across her face and, thinking she had been caught peeking, quickly looked away. Feigning confusion, she touched her face and asked, "Your Highness, is there something wrong with my face?"
"No," Ji Chengnin replied.
The world is full of hardships and chaos, and he really didn't have the time to study that mysterious broken dream.
Seeing that Cui Yao hesitated to speak, Ji Chengning added, "It's very beautiful."
Cui Yao remained silent, obediently lowering her eyes, "The world..."
But it was abruptly cut off: "My lord!"
Lu Zhong hurriedly ran in.
However, as soon as he stepped into the house, he felt a chill like that of a harsh winter. Lu Zhong shivered and mustered his courage to look at the source of the cold.
Young Master Ji, resting his chin on his hand, leisurely waited for his report, while behind him stood Mr. Cui, who was smiling slightly.
Lü Zhong shivered again.
He quickly lowered his head. "Sir, a distinguished guest has arrived."
"Who is this important person?"
Lu Zhong presented a dragon-patterned yellow jade pendant with both hands. It was something that the nobleman had casually taken off. "That nobleman said that once you see this jade pendant, you will understand everything."
Ji Chengnin's pupils constricted sharply at the sight of the jade pendant; His Highness also possessed one.
His Highness actually participated? No, no, upon closer inspection, this jade pendant is different from His Highness's jade pendant, and the tassel does not have the canopy symbolizing the Crown Prince's status woven on it.
Yes, whose possession is it?
"I understand. Please invite that distinguished guest in."
After he finished speaking, a man laughed loudly and said, "I entered without prior notice. Cheng Ning won't blame me, will he?"
Cui Yao raised her eyes indifferently.
Ji Chengning looked toward the source of the sound and saw that the person was wearing a brown and gold robe with a qilin pattern, a tortoiseshell dagger at his waist, and a jade thumb ring on his thumb, looking like he had just returned from a horseback hunting trip.
His features were resolute, with a touch of dashing elegance. His eyebrows and eyes bore a five-tenths resemblance to the emperor's, making him a rare and handsome man, full of vigor and spirit.
The Second Prince, Zhou Zhuo.
"How dare I?" Ji Chengnin said with a smile, "I was unaware of Your Highness's presence. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me, Your Highness. Please come in."
As he spoke, he gave a wink.
Everyone in the room immediately left, leaving only Ji Chengning and Zhou Zhuo alone.
Zhou Zhuo smiled and said, "Young Marquis, you're very busy with official duties. The last time we went hunting together was during the autumn hunt last year."
Because of the Crown Prince, Ji Chengning and Zhou Zhuo only had a superficial relationship. Hearing his warm tone, Ji Chengning also smiled and said, "I am afraid that my martial arts skills are too weak and that Your Highness will laugh at me, so I dare not travel with Your Highness."
Zhou Zhu clapped his hands, "Listening to Cheng Ning speak makes me feel refreshed and happy." He then sighed, "If Cheng Ning is willing to serve as an official in my household, I would not regret dismissing all of his subordinates."
Fortunately, the Crown Prince was not present when he said this, otherwise he would have sneered: "You think you have more face than I do, that Cheng Ning would give up me for a mere prince's subordinate? You think you're worthy?"
Ji Chengnin said, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness."
His expression didn't reveal any gratitude or ecstatic joy.
Zhou Zhuo felt that this young Marquis Ji still hadn't changed his arrogant ways over the years. However, because he needed a favor today, he suppressed his displeasure and smiled, saying, "Cheng Ning probably already knows about the villains besieging the examination hall."
Ji Chengnin nodded.
Since the matter was entrusted to him, he had no need to hide it, nor could he hide it anyway. Moreover, he was very curious to know what Zhou Zhuo's intentions were in contacting him.
Zhou Zhuo sighed, "They are truly audacious. The father of that traitor is, after all, a scholar, even a member of the Hanlin Academy. It's one thing to disregard one's status, but to dare to be so presumptuous over a few rumors. Hmph, he's just a tribute student. If he really becomes a Jinshi in the future, won't he cause chaos?"
"Human desires are insatiable," Zhou Zhu sneered inwardly. The previous dynasty selected officials based on family background, while this dynasty selects officials based on the imperial examination. This is a great blessing to ordinary people, yet they are ungrateful and dare to gather crowds to cause trouble!
Ji Chengnin smiled and said, "I think so too."
If the policy questions are allowed to leak, things could really turn upside down in the long run!
When Zhou Zhuo heard Ji Chengning agree with him, although it was within his expectations, his smile became even more genuine.
"Alas, it is said that water that is too clear has no fish. If I were to say that the imperial examinations were entirely impartial, I doubt anyone would believe me, yet it is the truth," Zhou Zhuo said righteously. "I know the so-called top scholar whose name has been posted, and the young marquis surely knows him too. He is an extremely upright man, who, apart from diligently studying, avoids all worldly pleasures, wine, women, wealth, and power. Upon hearing about the posted rankings, he simply said he would not take the exam this time to appease the anger of the common people."
Ji Chengnin smiled.
What a load of high-sounding, shameless words!
He said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will thoroughly investigate this case and clear the names of all the candidates."
That's not what Zhou Zhuo wanted to hear!
If he wanted Ji Chengning to investigate thoroughly, there would have been no need for him to go to such lengths to lightly punish Lü Wei today. What he wanted was for Ji Chengning to let the matter drop!
He gasped, "Is Cheng Ning really going to do this?"
Ji Chengnin seemed startled by him, "May I ask why not?"
Zhou Zhuo's expression was grave. "The imperial examinations are just around the corner. If you investigate thoroughly, you'll inevitably have to ask His Majesty to postpone them. Cheng Ning, think about those candidates. They've caused such a ruckus over some baseless rumors. If you block their path to advancement," he deliberately emphasized the words "path to advancement," "they won't be grateful to you, young marquis, for your keen observation. They might even gang up on you."
As Ji Chengnin listened to his confident and eloquent speech, he felt as if he were in the midst of a raging fire. His anger made his scalp crackle. At the height of his anger and absurdity, he revealed an unusually handsome smile.
When Zhou Zhuo saw him laughing heartily, as if he were covered in peach blossoms, dazzlingly beautiful, he paused in his speech.
Ji Chengnin humbly asked for guidance, "Please teach me, Your Highness."
The joy of the effortless success and the pride of the beauty humbly seeking his guidance filled Zhou Zhuo's heart. He laughed and said, "What's so difficult about that? The young marquis can deal with the student who led the trouble. He deserves it, and it won't interfere with the imperial examinations. You'll also have an explanation to His Majesty. Isn't that a win-win-win situation?"
-----------------------
The author's note: It's hard to imagine that it's snowing in mid-April.
The north wind was howling outside, which successfully drained my battery—I saved the last bit of battery from my phone.
good evening.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
