Chapter 24 The male protagonist starts acting like a completely different person.
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Male Lead Starts to Become Inhuman
Meng Huaiyan glanced at the information about the He family on the table and scoffed.
He's father served in office for over twenty years, but he was only a minor official of the seventh rank. He was mediocre in officialdom and made no achievements.
He Jinzhou, on the other hand, took the imperial examination twice before passing it, and although he was more capable than his father.
However, he is currently just a minor official of the sixth rank.
Such a humble and untalented man from a small family wanted to marry Shen Tang.
It's ridiculous.
Meng Huaiyan put his documents aside, picked up some official documents and began processing them, saying to Qingyang,
"Have He Jinzhou come to see me at Yuzhu Pavilion after his shift."
"yes."
*
He Jinzhou was somewhat surprised when he heard that Meng Huaiyan wanted to see him.
Everyone in the capital knows the name of this Lord Meng; not only does he come from a good family, but he is also very capable.
He had already risen to the rank of a third-grade official at a young age.
These people had no connection with him whatsoever; they wouldn't even exchange a word with him on a normal day.
But I never expected that he would specifically ask to see me by name today.
Looking at the three large characters "Yuzhuxuan" in front of him, He Jinzhou nervously straightened his clothes.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Qingyang was already waiting at the door. When he saw the person coming, he went up to greet him: "Lord He, is that right? This way please."
He Jinzhou nodded.
Qingyang led the way, and He Jinzhou followed in his footsteps to the third floor.
Qingyang knocked on the door.
A moment later, a deep and authoritative voice came from inside: "Enter."
Qingyang pushed the door open and gestured for He Jinzhou behind him to "please".
He Jinzhou became increasingly nervous.
Although they were both in the same court, he was just a minor official of the sixth rank, and he attended court outside the palace. He could only watch him from afar a few times.
This was the first time he had come into such close contact with this prodigy, and upon closer inspection, the aura of authority from someone in a superior position was even more pronounced.
He Jinzhou dared not look at him for long and bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble official greets Lord Meng."
Meng Huaiyan put down his teacup, looked up at the newcomer, and showed no emotion on his face.
But the gazes fixed on him felt almost tangible.
He Jinzhou felt a sense of unease, as if he were being stared at.
Even with Meng Huaiyan's critical eye, he couldn't find any fault with the face in front of him.
He was handsome, with gentle features and an overall refined and scholarly air.
It's definitely the kind of look that young girls would like.
Did he seduce Shen Tang with his face and get her engaged to him?
As Meng Huaiyan thought of this, his eyes grew increasingly sinister and ruthless.
He Jinzhou, having been involved in officialdom for some time, clearly sensed the dislike the person in front of him had for him.
I just don't know what he did to offend him.
Just as he was filled with fear and unease, the oppressive gaze finally shifted away.
Meng Huaiyan regained his composure and said, "No need for formalities, please sit down."
"Don't be nervous. I've called you here today to discuss something good."
He Jinzhou sat down somewhat awkwardly: "Lord Meng, please speak."
Meng Huaiyan leaned back in his chair, his hands folded together: "You've been in the Ministry of Personnel for over a year now."
"I see that you are quite talented and capable, and there happens to be a vacancy for the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."
"I can promote you to the position of Assistant Minister of Personnel."
He Jinzhou's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes filled with shock.
The officialdom of Daliang was almost entirely monopolized and controlled by powerful clans.
For people from humble backgrounds like theirs, without family connections or influential connections, success in officialdom is difficult without the support and appreciation of powerful figures.
Promotion in officialdom is extremely difficult.
His father, who had worked diligently in his position for decades, had only been promoted one rank, and it seemed unlikely that he would be promoted again.
But today, Lord Meng says he wants to promote him.
The position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is a fifth-rank official position, representing a direct jump of two ranks.
He Jinzhou could not hide his excitement, but he also knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
He steadied himself: "What are the conditions?"
He's a smart man; there's no need for him to waste his breath.
"I'm breaking off the engagement with Miss Shen."
"What?!"
He Jinzhou's eyes were filled with disbelief, and the enthusiasm in his heart instantly faded.
"Compared to your future prospects and the support of the Meng family, and a marriage, you are a smart person, and I think you should know how to choose."
A man promises fame and fortune, and goes to great lengths just to get him to voluntarily break off the engagement. What is the deeper meaning behind this?
It's already blatant and undisguised.
He Jinzhou felt only humiliation and embarrassment.
His fists clenched instinctively, and he stared angrily at the person in front of him.
What makes him think he would sell his fiancée for his future?
He Jinzhou stood up, all his respect for Meng Huaiyan vanishing in an instant, leaving only anger at his fiancée being coveted.
"I appreciate Lord Meng's kindness, but I, He Jinzhou, am not so despicable as to sacrifice my fiancée for my future."
"I will pretend that I never came here today, nor that I ever heard Lord Meng's words."
"Furthermore, Miss Shen is already my fiancée. A gentleman does not take what belongs to another. I hope Lord Meng will be mindful of his words and actions in the future."
Meng Huaiyan looked at the person in front of him with amusement.
fiancée?
He doesn't deserve it!
"You don't have a distinguished family background, and your talents are mediocre. What can you bring to Miss Shen if she marries you?"
"Fame and fortune? Honor? Wealth?"
“You have nothing, you can’t give her anything, what right do you have to marry her?”
He Jinzhou's face paled, but he said firmly, "Miss Shen is not someone who covets fame and fortune or cares about material possessions."
"I may not come from a prominent family, but I will give her the best I can within my means."
"Besides, Miss Shen and I are mutually in love, so there's no need for Lord Meng, an outsider, to concern himself with our affairs."
Mutual affection? Or an outsider?
Meng Huaiyan sneered. Shen Tang had liked him for more than two years, but they had only known each other for a little over a month.
To tell him that they are mutually in love is simply ridiculous.
Shen Tang was young, but she couldn't resist the temptation and was blinded by the dazzling world outside.
He didn't argue with her.
However, He Jinzhou underestimated him.
I thought he would choose the former without hesitation, but I didn't expect that he would risk offending him and still refuse to accept his offer.
Since he refuses to listen to reason and insists on taking the punishment, then don't blame him for being impolite to him.
"Lord He is a man of integrity, and I hope he will always remain so."
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