Chapter 363 The Last Meeting
Chief Minister Pang seemed very interested in Xu Jinnian's past experiences, asking about everything from when he was old enough to remember, to learning martial arts from his father, and then becoming a disciple of Master Jiang...
They asked about everything, big and small, as if trying to glean something from Xu Jinnian's upbringing.
Xu Jinnian responded to Chief Minister Pang's subtle probing with effortless grace. His impeccable words, coupled with his earnest attitude, gradually dispelled Chief Minister Pang's doubts about him.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the Hanlin Academy for a long time. It seemed that only then did Chief Minister Pang realize that the carriage had stopped. He scolded the coachman outside in a half-hearted manner: "You didn't even say anything when we arrived. You're just wasting time!"
The driver quickly begged for forgiveness, promising it wouldn't happen again.
Prime Minister Pang ignored him and turned to look at Xu Jinnian with a smile: "It's good to be young. A long chat with you, Lord Xu, made me feel like I was seeing myself decades ago."
Xu Jinnian said solemnly, "I am fortunate to have received your guidance today, and I have also benefited greatly."
Chief Minister Pang laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder: "His Majesty values you highly, so you should do your best to share His Majesty's burdens in the future."
Xu Jinnian remained calm, but a hint of joy subtly appeared in his eyes: "Thank you, sir. I will keep it in mind!"
As he watched Xu Jinnian enter the Hanlin Academy, Chief Minister Pang lowered the carriage curtain, a glint of wisdom flashing in his old eyes.
With the rebellious faction led by Princess Pingyuan completely eliminated, the authenticity of the late emperor's edict is no longer important.
That day in the main hall, in front of the court officials, I declared the imperial edict to be fake, so that no one with ulterior motives would question His Majesty about the edict in the future.
That's enough.
As soon as Xu Jinnian entered the Hanlin Academy, his busy colleagues congratulated him.
Those who hadn't made any further progress in years were practically overflowing with envy for him.
Song Zhihang reacted particularly strongly, patting Xu Jinnian's shoulder hard and saying sourly:
"Lord Xu is truly tight-lipped. He has accomplished such a great feat, yet he hasn't revealed a single word to anyone. What, are you afraid we'll make you treat us to a feast?"
We've known each other for over two years, so he doesn't deserve to know?
Xu Jinnian didn't explain, but smiled and extended an invitation: "I'm setting off for my hometown tomorrow, how about we go for a drink tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Song Zhihang immediately forgot all his awkward thoughts and said, "Okay!"
After saying that, he belatedly realized and said, "You're going back to your hometown? That round trip will take at least a month. Won't that delay your work at the Ministry of Personnel?"
Knowing that her friend was concerned about her, Xu Jinnian told her about the three-month vacation she had been granted.
Song Zhihang was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred: "You little rascal, you've even managed to ask for leave in front of His Majesty."
What to do? He also really wanted to take three months off, take his wife and children to Jiangnan, and have a good trip to Mingyu's hometown.
He had longed for Jiangnan ever since his wife told him about her experiences there, and wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to be sent there in the future.
After finishing their shift in the evening, the two took a carriage to the Tan residence and invited Tan Zhenlin to go to the restaurant together.
Xu Jinnian returned home slightly drunk, and Doubao and Tangyuan came to greet him, wagging their tails and making incessant whimpering noises.
The two dogs weren't this close to their male owner, Xu Jinnian, before. But ever since Sheng An and the others left, the two dogs probably felt abandoned by their female owner and little master, so they started to become Xu Jinnian's lapdogs, afraid that their male owner would run away too.
Xu Jinnian neither disliked nor particularly liked the two silly dogs. Seeing them so enthusiastically approaching him, he reached out and ruffled their heads for the first time.
"You're so happy so late at night because you know your master is coming back?"
Having received a response from their male owner, the two dogs became even more excited, their tails wagging so hard they left afterimages: "Woof woof woof—"
Xu Jin laughed and patted the two dog heads: "Alright, stop getting my fur all over me."
The two dogs shed a lot this season. When Xu Jinnian is at home, the servants usually keep them in cages to prevent their fur from flying around and sticking to him.
After dismissing the two dogs, Xu Jinnian returned to the main room and personally began packing his luggage. He finished quickly, leaving only a small bundle that could be lifted with one hand.
Perhaps because he was about to see the person he had been longing for, Xu Jinnian was inevitably emotionally agitated and couldn't sleep. He walked to the eaves, looked up and saw the bright moon hanging in the sky, and his heart had already flown to Qingzhou...
Before dawn the next day, Xu Jinnian got up, gave instructions to the servants in the mansion, and prepared to take A-Tian and Li-Tian to the dock.
Just as he stepped out the door, a fair-faced man appeared and blocked Xu Jinnian's path: "Lord Xu, come with me."
Xu Jinnian glanced at the other person, and upon confirming that she didn't recognize them, directly refused: "I'm not going."
After saying that, he winked at Li Tian.
Li Tian immediately stepped forward, blocking the displeased-looking man with fair skin: "Young master, my master is unable to entertain you, please leave."
The fair-faced man flew into a rage, his voice booming as he yelled, "Who do you think you are, daring to block my way? Do you even know who I am?!"
Li Tian replied truthfully, "I don't know."
Pink-faced man: "..."
Faced with Li Tian's polite yet firm attitude, the fair-faced man ultimately succumbed and became somewhat more courteous to Xu Jinnian.
"Lord Xu, I have been entrusted with a request. I hope you can go to the Imperial Prison to see Mu Yuanzhen one last time, fulfill her wish, and let her pass away in peace."
As he finished speaking, the pink-faced man's voice trembled with emotion, and his gaze toward Xu Jinnian was filled with pleading.
A hint of surprise flashed in Xu Jinnian's eyes as she looked the man up and down again: "I didn't expect that Mu Yuanzhen, who has committed so many evil deeds, would still have someone who truly cares for her."
Upon hearing this, the fair-faced man's attitude changed drastically, and he angrily said, "No matter how many wrong things she has done, she has never truly hurt you. How can you say such a thing about a woman who admires you!"
Xu Jinnian scoffed, ignored him, and turned to leave.
"stop!"
Taking advantage of Li Tian's momentary lapse in attention, the pink-faced man shoved him aside and rushed in front of Xu Jinnian: "Yuan Zhen is about to die, and all he wants before he dies is to see you one last time. How can you be so heartless as to refuse even such a small thing!"
Xu Jinnian thought he was crazy, and her face turned cold: "Get out of the way."
The fair-faced man stiffened his neck and reached out to grab his arm: "You're coming with me to the Heavenly Prison!"
Xu Jinnian lost her patience, dodged his grabbing hand, and kicked him in the stomach: "Nonsense."
"Ouch—"
The pale-faced man never expected Xu Jinnian to resort to violence. Caught off guard, he was kicked to the ground, clutching his stomach and howling. His eyes showed more fear as he looked at Xu Jinnian.
Xu Jinnian controlled his strength and wouldn't actually hurt anyone. He didn't look at the person on the ground again before leading A-Tian and Li-Tian around him and getting into the carriage.
The pale-faced man watched helplessly as the carriage disappeared from sight. Overwhelmed with anger and frustration, he slammed his fist into the ground, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
Waaah, he's useless. He failed Yuan Zhen's trust. He's let Yuan Zhen down. Waaah—
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