With plans in place, the two were even more eager than others to go to the capital.
Mu Taoqiu glanced triumphantly at her second sister-in-law. Shui Shi was the least tolerant of her, constantly making sarcastic remarks about her, saying that she would never get married. Now, she was about to marry a high-ranking official, while her second brother was just an ordinary person, and it was uncertain whether he could even get a position. In the end, her life was better.
The whole family was filled with excitement, their breathing quickened, and their eyes gleamed with the light of hungry wolves pouncing on their prey. The men even forgot the pain in their bodies.
“Once we’ve raised them enough, we’ll sell the house, the land, the fields, and the whole family will head to the capital,” said Old Mu.
As a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel, Mu Xinghe worked diligently every day, never daring to be negligent in the slightest, and had no restless thoughts.
He knew that once he entered officialdom, he shouldn't think about getting rich. He should do every official job well, be worthy of the country and the people, and have a clear conscience before heaven and earth. This was his responsibility and duty.
He never imagined that in the eyes of the Mu family, he had become a corrupt official who had embezzled tens of millions of taels of silver and owned at least dozens of houses.
However, his hard work and diligence paid off, and he was soon promoted to the rank of fifth-grade assistant minister.
Mu Xinghe thought that since he had only recently entered officialdom, it would be a year before he was promoted, so he was both happy and surprised by the news.
Quickly thank Lord Lu.
Lord Lu waved his hand: "This is what you deserve. I have seen your progress. In the past year, your efficiency in handling official business has been improving and you have made very few mistakes. This is exactly the kind of subordinate I want. Keep up the good work. The capable will rise to the top, and the Ministry of Personnel will not treat you unfairly."
"And one more thing," Lord Lu said solemnly, looking at him, "Xinghe, you must remember one thing: no matter what position you hold now, you must stay true to your original aspirations and not stray from the right path. Only in this way can you achieve long-term success."
"The world is rife with corruption, mostly hidden in the shadows, thinking that the emperor is unaware. In reality, the emperor is as clear-headed as a mirror. Since you are in this position, it is your duty to share the emperor's burdens and not to add to his troubles."
"Xinghe understands."
Lord Lu nodded.
Just as Mu Xinghe was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something that had been on his mind, but asking about it seemed abrupt.
At this moment, he was also considering whether he should speak, since he only spoke of official business in front of Lord Lu.
"Just say what you have to say, don't be so reserved," Lord Lu said with a gentle smile.
"I parted ways with Brother Changhua the year before last, and have not heard from him or exchanged letters since. I wonder how Brother Changhua is doing."
Lord Lu smiled with satisfaction: "It's rare that you still remember Changhua. After passing the imperial examination, he didn't take it again and became a candidate for county magistrate in Xiangdu County, Yuezhou. Changhua's talent is rather mediocre, but fortunately, he can make up for his shortcomings with diligence. He is always quite ambitious. Whether he can come to the capital depends on his fate in the future."
Although he was Lu Changhua's great-uncle, he wouldn't give him special treatment; ability was always his primary criterion.
Mu Xinghe stepped into the Qiao family's gate with light steps, eager to share the good news with everyone.
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