Li Lao Er looked at the three white-bearded old men standing opposite him with a puzzled expression.
He had only recently entered the imperial court and didn't know much about the civil and military officials, though he could barely recognize their ranks and titles.
He couldn't recall the names of these three people; he only knew they were from the Hanlin Academy.
The Hanlin Academy was a prestigious and prestigious place, and almost every top scholar in the imperial examinations would begin their journey here.
After a few years of studying books, one can be sent to serve as an official in a remote area. Once he returns, it will be very easy for him to climb the ranks again.
There's a saying that goes, "Not every Hanlin scholar will enter the cabinet, but every important cabinet official has been a member of the Hanlin Academy."
Therefore, the Hanlin Academy was a government office with little power, yet no one dared to offend it.
But these three people are exceptions. It is said that they have been compiling books in the Hanlin Academy for decades without being promoted.
I don't know if it's their problem or their insistence.
Li Lao Er was merely a leisurely earl, and he didn't think he had anything to offer that would make these three men block his way, especially since they looked so angry...
"My lords, what is this...?" Li Lao Er was full of doubt, but before he could ask, he was interrupted by the three old men opposite him.
An old man with a white beard asked loudly, filled with indignation, "Lord Li, the Li family has received imperial favor and has risen from a humble peasant family to its current position. Shouldn't we be grateful, unite with our colleagues, and work together for Tianwu?"
"Why do you say that, sir?" Li Lao Er didn't answer, but asked instead.
The white-bearded old man was even more furious, and replied, "Your Li family, because of your personal grudges, almost made Scholar Wang die of illness. We simply couldn't stand by and watch, and we had to say a few words to you. You can't push yourself to the limit, otherwise you'll end up in a deadly situation, and that's your own fault!"
Li Lao Er was displeased and sneered, "Sir, I don't even know your name, we're really not acquainted. I don't know who gives you the right to lecture me like this!"
"You keep saying I've gone too far and am now in a dead end. Tell me, sir, what terrible thing have I done that deserves the wrath of both heaven and man?"
"I told you! You made Scholar Wang sick!" The old man glared, clearly displeased with Li Lao Er's disrespect.
"Grand Secretary Wang is ill? What does that have to do with me? Did I hit him or scold him?" Li Lao Er became increasingly impatient, and seeing that the surrounding officials had stopped to watch the commotion, he raised his voice even higher.
"My lord, you said that our Li family was fortunate enough to rise from humble beginnings to the imperial court thanks to the Emperor's boundless grace. Yes, our Li family is extremely grateful to the Emperor and is utterly loyal. Whenever we grow a melon or a fruit, the first thing we offer is to the Emperor."
"Although our strength is meager, my whole family, and even the entire Broken Gold Beach, are wholeheartedly devoted to the Emperor. Yet you tell me to be tolerant and unite with Grand Secretary Wang, which is absurd!"
"Should we not be loyal to the Emperor, who is so gracious as to the Emperor, but instead be loyal to Grand Secretary Wang? Is Grand Secretary Wang the Emperor?"
"You, you! That's not what I meant!" The white-bearded old man was anxious, wanting to explain but unable to find the words.
His companion, however, said, "Uncle Li, you're really sharp-tongued! We were just trying to be kind and say a few more words, and you've already made us so unhappy, even accusing us of disloyalty and disrespect!"
"Disloyal and disrespectful?" Li Lao Er sneered and replied, "The old man is right, you are indeed disloyal and disrespectful! Some Grand Scholar Wang is sick, and you come to me for no reason and accuse me of not uniting with my colleagues!"
"What are you talking about? Does this mean that if anyone gets sick in the future, it will be my fault, Li Yusheng? I was granted the title of Earl of Zhongshan by the Emperor's grace. Which of you has a higher rank than me? How dare you point your fingers at me and curse me? This is disrespectful!"
"Now the barbarians in Jiangbei are eyeing us covetously, and the national treasury is empty. Instead of thinking about sharing the Emperor's burdens and contributing to Tianwu, you inexplicably come to attack your colleagues. You are disloyal!"
"How dare such disloyal and disrespectful people spout such nonsense! Are you officials of Tianwu or dogs raised by the Wang family?!"
The three elders' faces were beyond black; they were practically purple with embarrassment. "You, you! You're so vicious!"
This is at the palace gate, under the watchful eyes of everyone; the news will surely reach the palace and the emperor's ears.
What face will they have left in the court then? How will they face the emperor?
This is going to ruin their career prospects!
Li Lao Er flicked his sleeves and said disdainfully, "Why not live a good life? Why not be a good official? Why choose to be someone else's lackey? No wonder the old saying goes, 'He's read all the classics but wasted his time!' It's absolutely true!"
After saying that, he turned and left, and together they got into the carriage with Mr. Wen, who was some distance away.
Mr. Wen patted Li Lao Er on the shoulder with a smile, "Haha, I knew it. Even if I go to help, you definitely won't suffer any losses. That's right. These old guys think too highly of themselves and want to scold everyone they meet. They've already ruined their reputation in the court."
"Before, the Wang family's reputation plummeted because of your elder brother's affair. Wang Bowei went to great lengths to win them over, but they became arrogant and didn't know their place. That's why they came to pick a fight with you today!"
Li Lao Er rolled his eyes. "They're just picking on the weak! They think I'm easy to bully!"
"So that's what they were planning! Too bad they've run into a brick wall!" Mr. Wen chuckled, replying, "From now on, I doubt anyone in the court will dare bully you. You've got quite the silver tongue!"
Li Lao Er shrugged and smiled helplessly, "I also want to respect the elderly, but they themselves don't know how to behave!"
The two chatted and laughed as the carriage soon arrived at the courtyard. After changing out of his official robes, Li Lao Er returned to Suijintan.
This is the last grand court assembly before the New Year; the next one won't be until after the Lantern Festival.
All things considered, he has a month-long vacation, which is truly a happy thing.
On the way, he bought a lot of snacks, candied fruit, roasted chestnuts, and candied hawthorns for his nephews and nieces!
Sure enough, as soon as he got out of the car, he was surrounded by his smiling nephews, who blocked his way into the gate.
Jiayin, wrapped up like a cotton ball, was carried on Jiayi's shoulder, smiling and revealing her small white teeth.
Li Lao Er quickly took down all the snacks and food and handed them to his nephews as a way of paying his toll.
So the boys cheered with joy, some carrying snack boxes, some grabbing candied hawthorns, and some carrying roasted chestnuts. In short, they had a clear division of labor and quickly ran back to the west room to divide the spoils.
Li Lao Er was left standing empty-handed in front of the door, a situation that was both amusing and frustrating.
Old Mrs. Li saw him from inside the door and called out, "Second son, what are you standing there for? Come in quickly! Mother has made ginger soup, have a bowl!"
"Hey, you're here!" Li Lao Er hurried in, unable to help but sigh, "It's so good to have a mother!"
Unfortunately, his happiness was short-lived. After drinking a bowl of ginger soup, his mother chased him out of the house.
"Let's go for a walk in the valley. We're busy at home preparing the New Year's gift list."
Grandma Li waved her hand, then called over her two daughters-in-law and one granddaughter-in-law to discuss the matter.
Li Lao Er had no choice but to go out.
Jiayin ran out of the west room, tiptoed over and stuffed a candied fruit into her second uncle's mouth, then went into the east room with a grin.
When Grandma Li saw her granddaughter coming over, she picked her up and put her on the kang (a heated brick bed), and asked, "Fu Niu'er, we've calculated that each family should send out at least seven or eight baskets of fruit and at least ten baskets of vegetables as New Year's gifts. What do you think?"
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