Once inside Zhu Xinning's room, Xiangru went to make tea.
The two sat facing each other, glanced at each other, and burst into laughter.
Then, Zhu Xinning put on a stern face: "Zhe'er, I told you not to make things awkward with her, but you insisted on doing so. When I come back from court, she will complain about you, and I'm afraid my impression of you will be ruined!"
Jing Zhe, however, didn't care at all: "So what if you've made a fuss? There's no point in saying anything. I am who I am, if you don't like it, then forget it."
"..."
Seeing Jing Zhe's nonchalant attitude, Zhu Xinning chuckled and then couldn't help but shake her head.
"You've gotten older and taller, but your temper hasn't changed at all, just like when you were a kid! Remember when our neighbor had a goose? They told you not to tease it, but you insisted on kicking it, and... didn't you still end up crying?"
"..."
Jing Zhe still remembered the incident Zhu Xinning mentioned. It was summer, and he was naked. Those geese were too vicious; they stared at his penis and started pecking at it.
He cried for a long time that day…
Even my urine smells sad...
Jing Zhe blushed, unwilling to dwell on such painful memories, and asked in return, "Second Sister, have you ever resisted her like this before?"
Zhu Xinning nodded.
"Is this the first time?"
"Yes, the first time."
"How are you feeling? Are you comfortable?"
"Mmm, that feels good."
Do you want more?
"..."
Suddenly, both of them froze.
Zhu Xinning glared at Jing Zhe, her face flushed: This little rascal, what kind of strange questions are you asking?
Jing Zhe was also a little frustrated: Why did such a serious question come out in such an inappropriate tone?
Just then, Xiangru came in with tea.
"Hey, why is Miss's face so red?"
"Ah—maybe it's because of the heat..."
"Hot? Is it hot?"
Xiangru was a little curious, then looked at Jing Zhe excitedly and said, "Young Master was so amazing just now!"
"Right? I think so too!"
The maid's eyes sparkled. "That was so exciting! I've never seen Madam so angry before, and there was nothing she could do! When the young master called her 'Grandma,' Xiangru almost burst out laughing!"
Zhu Xinning smiled upon hearing this, but then began to worry again.
...
Emperor An has been having a very pleasant time these past few days in the imperial court.
The arrival of the Third Prince of Southern Qi in Jingzhou had originally put him under immense pressure, both internally and externally. However, he never expected that Jing Zhe would resolve all these problems so easily. Moreover, after meeting Jing Zhe several times, he felt that although Jing Zhe was a bit shameless, he was quite to his liking.
Su Mochen is right. He has something unique about him. If he could assist me, wouldn't those problems be easily solved?
However, to have him assist him, the first thing to do is to grant him an official position. If it's too low, he might feel that he's not valued. But if it's too high, the ministers are unwilling to accept it.
Emperor An was somewhat conflicted.
Because Liu Jinghong had not yet arrived, and Qi Junguang seemed dejected after losing the poetry competition and did not insist on immediately conducting the martial arts test, Emperor An only mentioned it briefly during the morning court session, which resulted in chaos in the court.
Song Baiyun and Bai Qingyuan, who witnessed Jing Zhe's miracle, were the first to offer suggestions.
Song Baiyun suggested that Jing Zhe be admitted to the Imperial Academy and become a Grand Academician, as his poetic talent could assist in the academy's future education. This proposal was approved by many ministers.
After all, no matter how talented Jing Zhe was, what he showed was only his poetic talent. He hadn't passed the formal national examination, so other official positions weren't really suitable for him. Besides, most of the previous winners of poetry competitions and the top scorers in the provincial examinations had entered the Imperial Academy.
Of course, Zhu Xinning is an exception.
But Bai Qingyuan was different; he directly told Jing Zhe to enter the Secretariat and become a Vice Minister of the Secretariat!
Upon hearing this, both Sui Shouren, who was standing next to Emperor An, and Wu Xianyong, the prince, raised their eyebrows.
With Zhu Xinning's talent and learning, she has been promoted in various ways, but she is only a fifth-rank official in the Secretariat. If Jing Zhe becomes the Vice Minister of the Secretariat, he will not only become Zhu Xinning's superior, but also a third-rank official!
He became equal to Sui Shouren and Wu Xianyong.
Sui Shouren was alright, just a little surprised, but Wu Xianyong couldn't stand it. Because of Jing Zhe, his son had just been demoted from prefect, while Jing Zhe had suddenly become an official of the same rank as him. Wasn't that too much of a bullying?
Not only them, but even His Highness's other ministers were discussing it. Ever since Jing Zhe won the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, his name has spread rapidly both among the common people and in the court. So most people know that he is the successor of Jing Wenmao.
Zhu Tong is the prime minister and in charge of the Secretariat. His daughter also holds the important position of Secretariat Attendant. If Jing Zhe were to take on the deputy position of Secretariat Attendant, it would be worrying whether the Secretariat would be under the Zhu family name in the future.
Although there were many objections, because the proposer was Grand Tutor Bai Qingyuan, not many people opposed it at first.
However, since it was suggested by a "nitpicker," it would be unreasonable for the "big mouth" Duke Yu Sheng, the Protector of the State, not to chime in with a few words.
"The Vice Minister of the Chancellery? Why don't you just appoint him as Grand Tutor?"
Yu Sheng sneered.
"Lord Yu, please don't joke. Appointing him as the Vice Minister of the Chancellery is already an exceptional promotion. Even if I dared to suggest that he be appointed as the Grand Tutor, I'm afraid he wouldn't dare!"
Bai Qingyuan shook his head.
"Heh, you know it's an exception? Then why did you even mention it?"
"Lord Yu, we can have a discussion, but swearing is unacceptable!"
"Did I swear? What the hell did I swear at?!"
"If you continue to curse, I will..."
"How come? You can turn into a bird?"
"..."
And so, the very familiar scene of the two arguing was staged again in the court. Emperor An was a little troubled, thinking that it would be difficult to arrange a suitable official position for Jing Zhe that would satisfy others and also allow them to assist him.
Although Bai Qingyuan was arguing with Yu Sheng, he was actually happy because he had achieved his goal of "praising to death".
Yes, it's a case of flattery to the point of destruction.
The night before last, Jing Zhe impressed him, which is why he told Su Mowu that even if he couldn't recruit him, he shouldn't make him an enemy. Now, although he can't be sure whose side Jing Zhe is on, given Su Mowu's usual character and style, Bai Qingyuan thinks it will be difficult for him to recruit Jing Zhe.
Given Emperor An's appreciation for Jing Zhe, if he were given a suitable official position, and with his talent and learning, he would surely rise to prominence in the future and become their rival!
So he has to stop this from happening!
The tactic he used was called "openly praising while secretly assassinating," and it was immediately opposed by Yu Sheng as soon as he proposed it, and the other ministers certainly wouldn't agree either.
After all, no matter how talented Jing Zhe was, he could never reach the level of a Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
He achieved his goal, exchanged a few more token words with Yu Sheng, and then retreated.
————
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