Chapter 128 Envy makes one haggard and worn out.
Yue Yining strode forward and stopped a few steps in front of Zuo Xulin, her bow impeccable: "Greetings, Lord Zuo."
She raised her eyes, her gaze settling calmly on his tense face.
Zuo Xulin: "...No need for formalities. What is it?"
His voice was dry and his tone was flat; in theory, paired with that cold and hard face, he should have been quite intimidating.
However, Yue Yining was naturally sensitive and inexplicably sensed that the person in front of her was weak and listless.
"Lord Zuo is very busy with official duties, and I have been unable to meet him despite several trips to the Secretariat." Yue Yining said gently, "I happened to run into you today, so I quickly called out to you. I hope you won't mind. I just wanted to thank you since we happened to meet."
"Thank you?" Zuo Xulin's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he turned his eyes to finally look directly at Yue Yining in front of him.
It was at this glance that Zuo Xulin truly saw what Yue Yining looked like for the first time.
Their brush past each other in the corridor was his first meeting with Yue Yining. He walked out of the winter chill and saw a figure in a thin blue official robe in the distance, with lowered eyebrows, like a slender and lonely green lotus.
Zuo Xulin didn't get a clear look at Yue Yining's face at that time because Yue Yining had her head down, and he couldn't stop to look at her more closely. He just slowed down and glanced at her briefly before leaving.
Now she stood before him, her face upturned, looking directly at him without any attempt to hide her gaze.
Standing amidst the fading, colorful twilight, she was pure and pristine.
The female official in green still carried a familiar air of fragility and aloofness. But perhaps because the misty haze filling the courtyard and corridors had stained her green sleeves red, she now appeared less aloof and more gentle.
Yue Yining smiled and said, "Of course I should thank you. These days, I have received several favors from Lord Zuo without any reason. I have no way to repay you, but at least I can thank you in person. If I can't even do something as easy as this, I will definitely feel bad."
Zuo Xulin fell silent: "..."
Yue Yining found Zuo Xulin to be surprisingly easy to understand. Approaching thirty and holding a high-ranking official position, he should have been able to remain composed when facing various figures in the court. But from the moment she called out to him, his inner thoughts were practically written all over his face.
For example, right now, Zuo Xulin's face is full of questions like, "How did she know?" and "Should I admit it or try to argue?"
After struggling for a while, Zuo Xulin chose to give up, saying, "...It's a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."
After struggling for a long time, I managed to squeeze out just these few words.
Yue Yining found his reaction quite amusing and laughed.
What was once just a faint smile at the corners of her mouth has now spread to the corners of her eyes and brows, and her gentle smile has broken through the peaceful gentleness of spring water, and has even become a bit bright.
She said, "Perhaps this was just a small favor for Lord Zuo, but I will remember it."
She looked at him with a smile, her eyes seeming to speak volumes.
Just being stared at like that made my heart race.
Zuo Xulin's ears quickly flushed red at a visible speed, creating a stark contrast with his cold and stern face.
As soon as he opened his mouth, his voice carried a hurried tone, as if trying to cover something up: "You're making a big deal out of this."
Yue Yining watched his reaction without showing any emotion. Just as she was about to speak, the person in front of her suddenly took a half step back.
Zuo Xulin had already turned around, leaving behind the words, "I have important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now," before hastily departing.
Yue Yining watched his almost fleeing figure, stood there for a long time, gently and slowly rubbing the cuffs of her sleeves with her hands hidden in them, a hint of interest appearing in her eyes.
As a member of the Ministry of Personnel, Yue Yining became familiar with his official duties and was able to frequently converse and meet with Zuo Xulin, who was a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat.
During these seven days, she would intentionally or unintentionally appear around Zuo Xulin, sometimes to observe, sometimes to inquire, and gradually she also figured out some of Zuo Xulin's true nature.
When Zuo Xulin reviewed imperial edicts and memorials, he was meticulous to the point of being harsh. He chose each word carefully, quoted extensively from classical texts, and his familiarity with laws and regulations was admirable. No ambiguity or transgression could escape his discerning eye.
When reprimanding subordinates who are incompetent or have selfish motives, he speaks sharply and without mercy, asking only about right and wrong, regardless of personal relationships. His upright and incorruptible nature is not a pretense.
However, as they got to know each other better, Yue Yining also noticed the contradictions in him.
Faced with the unspoken rules and gray areas in officialdom that require careful consideration and negotiation, he clearly felt powerless and sluggish in handling them, and was not yet adept at interpersonal relationships.
Yue Yining gazed thoughtfully at Zuo Xulin standing under the eaves, separated by lush flowers and scattered potted plants.
This is quite unusual, considering that those who reach such heights in officialdom are almost always shrewd and calculating. Perhaps it's because he presents an impeccably impartial and aloof demeanor to the outside world that those who don't know him well find it difficult to perceive that he's actually not good with words? But such bluntness must inevitably lead to trouble, perhaps even unintentionally offending others; how could his career have remained so smooth so far?
After a moment's thought, Yue Yining's doubts vanished, replaced by a clear understanding.
I almost forgot, Zuo Xulin is the younger brother of Zuo Yingfeng, the Grand Secretary.
It seems that Zuo Yingfeng has been the one to smooth over all the troubles he got into.
They were truly brothers in harmony and respect.
Unlike him, Yue Yining was worldly-wise. After confirming that Zuo Xulin was indeed giving her special treatment, she began to suspect something and had been trying to find out Zuo Xulin's true purpose through various means.
"These are the account books submitted by the Ministry of Works this year. Please take a look, Lord Zuo."
When Yue Yining handed a stack of papers to Zuo Xulin, her wrist accidentally brushed against Zuo Xulin's fingers. She noticed that he suddenly pulled back, not only avoiding her touch, but also looking more tense.
Yue Yining had some confirmation in her mind, but she made up her mind completely at the morning court session the next day.
The Eastern Xi Dynasty implemented a rule of holding court on the fifth day of each month. Since the emperor fell seriously ill, the number of court sessions was reduced from six times a month to three times a month. On other occasions, if there were important matters to report, they would be processed first by the Hall of State Affairs before being submitted to the emperor for review and approval.
The sound of bells and drums at the end of court today was exceptionally deep and melodious, lingering for a long time among the majestic palaces. Court officials dressed in various colored robes poured out of the tall, golden-studded vermilion gates of the Xuanzheng Hall like a tide, dispersing along the long white marble palace path.
The heavy clouds on the horizon made the palace walls appear even more solemn.
Yue Yining walked slowly with the crowd, pondering some of the reports she had heard in court that day, when she suddenly heard a familiar, deep voice call out to her from behind: "Minister Yue, wait a moment."
Yue Yining stopped and looked back. Zuo Xulin was wearing an official robe, his appearance was neat and tidy, and he still had a dignified air about him, but he looked more nervous than usual.
Yue Yining slowly turned around and smiled at him: "Lord Zuo, are you going back to the Secretariat?"
Zuo Xulin approached her. Perhaps he had prepared his words, but because she asked first, he swallowed them back and honestly answered her first: "Yes. And Lord Yue?"
After spending these days together, Zuo Xulin was initially nervous when talking to her, but he gradually returned to normal after a while.
Just as Yue Yining was about to invite Zuo Xulin to ride in her carriage back to the capital, her eyes darted around and she saw someone walking towards them from not far away, so her voice trailed off.
A deep, mellow voice called out to the person in front of her, "Xu Lin."
Yue Yining, with her keen eyes, caught the moment when Zuo Xulin froze upon hearing the voice.
Only then did she fully and unequivocally focus her gaze on the person who had just arrived.
Wearing the official robes of a second-rank official, Zuo Yingfeng seemed to have just strolled here. On this long white marble staircase that stretched as far as the eye could see, he happened to walk on this side and happened to run into the two people talking. A gentle smile, befitting an elder, naturally appeared on his face, and his deep and subtle gaze fell precisely on Yue Yining.
Before Zuo Xulin could speak, Yue Yining immediately stepped forward and bowed to Zuo Yingfeng with impeccable manners: "This humble official greets Your Excellency, the Grand Secretary."
Zuo Yingfeng smiled and nodded, but when he spoke, it was his younger brother Zuo Xulin who asked, "Xulin, aren't you going to introduce him to me?"
When Yue Yining looked up, she happened to see Zuo Xulin's tightly pursed lips relax.
He said, "This is Yue Yining, the new clerk of the Ministry of Personnel, who took office half a month ago."
Zuo Yingfeng raised his hand slightly, indicating that she should not stand on ceremony. His voice was gentle, with the composure of someone who had long held a high position: "So this is the Minister of Yuedu. I have long admired your reputation. You are truly a young and promising man."
Yue Yining thought it was just another routine compliment, and she was about to say something humble to get away with it when she realized that before she could even open her mouth, Zuo Yingfeng continued, "My younger brother Xu Lin has mentioned you a lot at home. Every time he talks about you, he praises you for being intelligent and insightful, and for understanding political affairs so quickly."
He deliberately emphasized the word "at home," and his gaze naturally turned to Zuo Xulin, the smile in his eyes deepening.
Zuo Xulin felt his Adam's apple bob with difficulty as his elder brother stared intently at him. He looked at Yue Yining, his lips moving as if each word weighed a ton: "...Yes. Yue is diligent, capable, and meticulous, and has helped me a lot."
Yue Yining hurriedly declined, "Not at all, not at all. It was my own stupidity and lack of experience in handling important affairs of the three provinces that led to many oversights, which were avoided only because Lord Zuo checked on me."
"Lord Yue is too modest. The success of the Suyang Green Ghost Case and the Qinghuai Disaster Relief Case is all thanks to you. You are still a novice now, but given time, you will definitely be able to handle the affairs of the court."
"The Left Grand Secretary really flatters me..."
Yue Yining and Zuo Yingfeng exchanged pleasantries. Although they were just being polite, Yue Yining inexplicably felt that Zuo Yingfeng's expression towards her and Zuo Xulin was meaningful, as if he was implying something. His smiling demeanor was so gentle that he didn't seem like a core power minister of a faction, but rather like a family elder who cared for his juniors.
They exchanged fewer than ten words in total, but Zuo Yingfeng kept mentioning Zuo Xulin and repeatedly inquired about her attitude.
Zuo Xulin was unusually quiet. Although she kept staring at him this time, his ears didn't turn red, but his expression clearly showed that he was uncomfortable.
Thus, one was talkative and composed, while the other could not hide his embarrassment; the two Left Officials thus surrounded Yue Yining.
Yue Yining's gaze swept back and forth between the two people in front of her, when suddenly a thought struck her.
She finally understood why Zuo Xulin had treated her so specially from the very beginning!
After exchanging pleasantries, Zuo Yingfeng nodded with satisfaction, whether from satisfaction with her brief conversation or from satisfaction with her brother's cooperation and obedience, it was unclear.
He looked at Yue Yining again with a warm smile, like an elder looking at his outstanding junior: "Yue Dushi is a woman who is just as capable as any man, truly a pillar of our dynasty. My younger brother is straightforward and honest. In the province, I hope Yue Dushi will give him a lot of guidance and help him out."
Yue Yining smiled back, her tone gentle and harmless: "You flatter me, Grand Chancellor. How could I possibly offer advice to Lord Zuo? I can only do my best to assist the people."
The conversation between the three finally came to an end. Yue Yining was thinking about making up an excuse to leave. Just as she was tucking her sleeves in and thinking, a clear and gentle voice called out from not far away, "Left Grand Secretary."
Yue Yining paused in her turn.
She knew that voice all too well.
Yue Yining's heart skipped a beat. She slightly raised her eyelids and saw the figure of the person who had just arrived. His lower body was bound by a jade belt, from which hung a blue sachet with a love-longing pattern and a vermilion bird. As he walked slowly towards her, two emerald green jade leaves with rope ends clung to his smooth satin robe, swaying and casting a graceful shadow.
Zuo Yingfeng was somewhat surprised. He had never had any dealings with this eldest son of the Xie family, and they would avoid each other after court sessions, never exchanging glances, since the forces they represented were already irreconcilable enemies.
"It's Lord Xie." After a brief moment of surprise, Zuo Yingfeng immediately stepped forward with a smile.
Yue Yining lowered her eyes slightly and stood motionless in place.
While Zuo Yingfeng and Xie Qingyu exchanged a few pleasantries, Yue Yining immediately turned her face away, deliberately not looking in Xie Qingyu's direction, and called out to Zuo Xulin: "Lord Zuo."
He spoke very softly, not wanting to attract attention.
But Yue Yining still instantly felt Xie Qingyu's gaze fall upon her.
She could only grit her teeth and finish her sentence: "...Lord Zuo, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave. There are other matters in the province that I need to attend to today."
In fact, the moment Yue Yining saw Xie Qingyu walking over, she almost wanted to turn around and leave, but she barely managed to suppress the impulse.
She thought that at least she should say goodbye to Zuo Xulin before leaving, so as not to seem too impolite.
She thought that after half a month, she had sorted out those complicated and indescribable emotions, but now, just hearing Xie Qingyu's voice has thrown her into turmoil.
That's not enough; she needs more time until she can face him with a calm and composed mind.
Before this, she didn't really want to see him or talk to him.
Yue Yining pursed her lips, turned her head and was about to leave when Zuo Xulin suddenly reached out and grabbed the corner of her sleeve.
Yue Yining paused, surprised. But when she turned around, Zuo Xulin had already let go of her hand. The whole process, from holding onto the sleeve to releasing it, was extremely short, almost instantaneous, and was entirely an action based on subconsciousness.
Zuo Xulin clearly realized that this was inappropriate. After all, this was happening outside the Xuanzheng Hall in broad daylight. What kind of behavior was this?
So he immediately withdrew his hand.
Yue Yining turned to look at him and noticed that his ears were slightly red, probably because he was annoyed by his rude behavior just now.
But he whispered, "I'll go with you."
Yue Yining was slightly taken aback. "Oh... okay."
She stood there and saw Zuo Xulin walk over and say a few words to Zuo Yingfeng before turning back.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Yue Yining nodded, deliberately avoiding Xie Qingyu's gaze and refusing to meet his eyes throughout.
She followed Zuo Xulin down the steps, and when they passed through the palace gate, she couldn't help but quietly turn around and take a look behind her amidst the surging crowd of people leaving the court.
Xie Qingyu, dressed in a crimson official robe, stood still as if in a deep abyss, seemingly looking in her direction, though it was impossible to tell whether he was looking at her or at Zuo Xulin beside her.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Xie Qingyu's figure seemed much thinner than before, looking like a wandering soul from afar.
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Author's note: Huh, why is there a male ghost here?
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