Wang Shuren's mouth stretched into a greedy grin as he quickly lifted the bedding, revealing a golden bed before him. The golden light shone on Wang Shuren's face, making his smile appear ferocious and terrifying, devoid of any semblance of a Confucian scholar or gentleman.
"What's the use of hiding so much gold? I can't wear any of these pieces of jewelry out in public!" Madam Wang rolled her eyes at Wang Shuren. "Do you know that my family laughs at me? What's the use of marrying an official like you? I still live on porridge and vegetables, and I'm not even as well off as them!"
Wang Shuren carefully hid the pieces of gold in his golden bed, and scoffed, "What do you know! If I were to flaunt all the money I had, the emperor would have killed me a dozen times over."
After hiding all the gold in the bed, Wang Shuren was in a good mood. He rearranged the bedding, carefully lay down on the bed, squinted his eyes, and looked quite content.
"When I retire and return to my hometown, we'll go back there. At that time, you can wear whichever piece of jewelry you want when you go out. It's far away from the emperor, and I won't bother with you anymore."
After Wang Shuren finished speaking, he hummed a little tune. Madam Wang was also happy. Looking at her jeweled clothes, she was really looking forward to that day. Then she sewed the clothes with even more energy.
Wang Shuren had a golden dream all night. When he opened his eyes, he reluctantly changed into the clothes that Madam Wang had sewn for him the night before, wearing the shabby side on the outside. Then he put on the same patched court robe and hurried to the palace.
It was as if all the fine clothes and jewels of last night were just a dream, and Wang Shuren had once again become the well-educated, virtuous, and poor gentleman in everyone's eyes.
In the imperial court, Wang Shuren repeatedly glanced at Chuanwen, feeling a sense of unease.
Unlike usual, Chuanwen did not doze off as soon as she entered the court session today. Instead, she was full of energy because she saw Zhang Qing among the ministers.
Zhang Qing, dressed in an official robe, stood tall and straight, with long eyebrows and bright eyes. He possessed both the dashing spirit of a young man and the composure of a shrewd courtier, concealing his youthful pride within his official robe.
[The ascetic type...she's absolutely outstanding...]
Chuanwen was practically drooling while reading it; no wonder Princess Chaoyang fell for someone else so quickly.
The ministers nearly slipped and fell. You can praise Zhang Qing if you want, but why do you have to drag him down with you?
The emperor also looked at Zhang Qing. He was handsome and refined, not bad at all. Then he looked at the other court officials. Some of them had big bellies, some had wrinkled faces, and some had thinning hair. Even the few young ones could not compare with Zhang Qing in terms of temperament and appearance.
Thinking this, her gaze involuntarily fell on Prime Minister Zhang. Zhang Qing looked quite like Prime Minister Zhang when he was young. No wonder she was the Prime Minister's daughter.
Zhang Hui also noticed the glances his colleagues were giving him, intentionally or unintentionally. He was displeased. Why were they all looking at him? Did they all think he was some kind of chicken compared to Zhang Qing, that crane? Bah! That brat, he dares to compare himself to him!
Zhang Hui felt even more disgusted with Zhang Qing.
Zhang Qing was hearing Chuan Wen's thoughts for the first time, and although she was full of surprise, her expression remained unchanged.
During her recuperation, she heard about some things happening in the court and knew that such a magical existence existed. However, hearing about it is different from actually seeing it. The world is truly full of wonders.
However, Zhang Qing was still a little worried. If this girl really knew everything, wouldn't she also know that she was disguised as a man?
The court was still filled with matters that Chuanwen was not interested in; he wanted to see Zhang Qing confront Old Master Zhang, but the two remained at peace.
However, just before the court session was about to end, the emperor suddenly became concerned about Wang Shuren.
“Yesterday I saw the list of donations. Wang Shuren, a secretary in the Ministry of Works, whose family is poor, still donated one hundred taels. All of you should follow his example.”
The emperor's gaze swept over Zhao Dajia. Everyone knew that the emperor was specifically targeting Zhao Dajia, because he had only donated fifty taels, the least of all the donors.
Zhao Dajia blushed with embarrassment under the gaze. Half of his fifty taels was borrowed, so he had no money left.
Wang Shuren quickly knelt down and explained, "I am frugal in my daily life, so I have some savings. With the help of my sons-in-law's filial piety, I have managed to raise one hundred taels of silver. I am only willing to make a small contribution to the Great Jin Dynasty, which is also my honor."
The emperor looked at Wang Shuren with even more approval, while his dislike for Zhao Dajia grew even stronger. He thought Zhao Dajia had always portrayed himself as so aloof, but when it came to the real test, he had become a coward.
Zhao Dajia was filled with shame, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was truly useless. He couldn't save the common people, he couldn't help with the country's war, and even his wife had run off with someone else...
"My dear minister, I am very pleased to have a subject like you in the court." The emperor raised his hand to Huang Qi, who then unfolded a piece of calligraphy. The emperor continued, "I bestow upon you the four words 'upright and honest,' and I hope that you will not disappoint my expectations in the future."
Huang Qi displayed the calligraphy, which was written in a vigorous and elegant style, and then presented it to Wang Shuren. Almost all the ministers nodded in agreement; these four characters were truly well-deserved for Wang Shuren.
Zhao Dajia lowered his head even further.
Wang Shuren was somewhat apprehensive and quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail your lord's expectations!"
This calligraphy was a hot potato for him; he absolutely didn't want it. The Emperor's move had undoubtedly made him a prime example, which completely contradicted his desire to keep a low profile.
Not to mention what if he attracts jealousy and targets from those with ulterior motives, this girl in front of him alone is enough to give him trouble.
Wang Shuren, who just wanted to answer the call and disappear as quickly as possible, finally heard that nightmarish voice.
"Who? Upright and honest? That Wang Shuren?" Chuanwen blinked, looking at Wang Shuren. "That can't be right, I remember him as a hugely corrupt official."
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