Chapter 90
After a while, Wei Luo put down the assessment report and instructed, "Bring me the evaluation comments from the officials of each department, and I will review them again."
As soon as the words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed slightly.
Yang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, asked, "Does Your Highness have any doubts about the investigation report?"
Wei Luo lifted his eyelids and smiled slyly, "Not so. His Majesty ordered me to supervise the capital's inspection. I think I can't just do paperwork; I also need to go through it in person and get a feel for it. What does Vice Minister Yang think?"
Vice Minister Yang replied, "Your Highness is wise, and I wholeheartedly agree. I will have the documents brought here immediately."
The group stepped back and went to the front to move boxes.
Wei Luo lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and then called out to an official, saying, "Go to the Ministry of Rites and invite Vice Minister Guo over, as well as Chief Clerk Xu from the Ministry of Justice."
The clerk ran off quickly.
When ten large boxes of documents were brought in, Guo Zheng and Xu Xuan were already waiting outside the door.
Wei Luo dismissed the officials in charge of the capital inspection, but kept Guo Zheng and Xu Xuan behind. He said, "The evaluation is the basis for the promotion and demotion of officials, and it concerns their personal political careers. Therefore, I have specially invited the two of you to come and review it together."
Guo and Xu bowed and said, "Your subjects will do their utmost."
Wei Luo nodded and smiled, "Alright, let's first examine the censors from the Censorate."
From midday to sunset, the hall was filled with the soft rustling of paper and the sharp sternness of voices.
Wei Luo thought the review would be a simple task, but when the review actually started, he found it to be a complete mess.
Take the evaluation comments for example, which are the comments written by the heads of various government offices for their subordinates. The heads of government offices should fill in the comments impartially and truthfully according to whether the official is capable or not. However, in practice, it is difficult to see specific political achievements in the evaluation comments. Most of them are full of praise, and there is a trend of extravagance and much inaccuracy.
Some officials, when filling out evaluations, disregard political achievements and only mention the closeness or distance of relationships, often labeling integrity as corruption and righteousness as evil, using the power of evaluation to carry out personal revenge.
Therefore, it is difficult to assess an official's performance and character solely based on his or her comments.
Wei Luo asked, "Is this how the evaluations are always conducted?"
Guo Zheng replied, "It wasn't like this before."
Wei Luo chuckled lightly, asked no further questions, and simply had someone bring the visitor's form again.
Both were used as a basis for evaluation, but the evaluation comments were written by the senior officials of each subordinate official, while the inquiry forms were mainly filled out by the censors after consulting with the officials. Compared with the subjective evaluation comments, they were slightly more objective.
But that's only in theory.
Because of factional strife, the officials who were supposed to advise the monarch and supervise the officials were no longer pure, each having their own master. As a result, it became difficult for them to be objective when filling out petition forms.
As night fell, the wind howled outside the window; although it was the spring equinox, the chill was still intense.
Guo Zheng looked at the tireless Crown Prince, got up and placed a candlestick beside him on the table, and said, "The spring chill is still in the air, Your Highness must take care of your health."
Wei Luo suddenly looked up at Zheng, then looked out the window, only then realizing that it was getting late.
He rubbed his temples, stood up, and said apologetically, "Look at me, it's so late, I didn't even notice."
He turned his face outwards and called Liu Heng in, scolding him, "Why didn't you call me? What time is it?"
Guo Zheng quickly interrupted, "Your Highness, please don't be offended. The chief eunuch came in just now, but I saw that Your Highness was deep in thought, so I let him leave."
Wei Luo looked at Liu Heng, who silently lowered his head. Finally, Xu Xuan replied, "It's just past 5 PM."
By this time, the officials had already finished their shifts and gone home.
Wei Luo was somewhat embarrassed and hurriedly asked someone to prepare dinner.
After getting ready, the group headed towards the East Palace.
Guo Zheng asked, "I heard that Steward Xu has been staying overnight at the East Palace recently?"
Wei Luo glanced back at Xu Xuan, who replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will help you organize the correspondence."
Guo Zheng nodded, then asked Wei Luo, "Does His Majesty know about this?"
Wei Luo smiled and said, "I personally appointed Steward Xu as the Crown Prince's study companion, so I do have that much power."
Guo Zheng frowned. "But there's nothing important happening at the Eastern Palace right now, so there's no need for officials to stay overnight."
Wei Luo glanced at Xu Xuan and asked in return, "Why is it unnecessary? The Eastern Palace Library contains a vast collection of classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections. Although those eunuchs can read, how can they be as knowledgeable as Master Xu?"
Guo Zheng said, "Master Xu is suitable, but he still serves as an official in the Ministry of Justice. He has to handle cases during the day and help His Highness organize documents at night. I'm afraid he may be willing but unable to do so. Besides, there are so many people in the Hanlin Academy—"
“There are many talented scholars in the Hanlin Academy,” Wei Luo interrupted him, “but there can only be one such young third-ranked scholar. I am very satisfied with Master Xu, and the more I look at him, the more I like him.”
Guo Zheng choked, glanced at Xu Xuan's worried face, and didn't dare to say anything more.
Upon arriving at the East Palace, Wei Luo went to change his clothes first. When the two of them were alone, Guo Zheng said to Xu Xuan, "Master Xu, as you can see, I can't help you with this."
He sighed, sat down, and Xu Xuan quickly poured him a cup of tea.
"His Highness... but I still thank Vice Minister Guo for asking for help."
Guo Zheng reached out and took the teacup, pulled him to sit down, and asked curiously, "Did you offend His Highness in some way?"
Xu Xuan shook his head in realization, "No, His Highness has always treated me very well before, but I don't know why he has insisted on making me stay on duty these past few days. It's even difficult for me to go home and take a bath."
Guo Zheng stroked his beard and clicked his tongue, saying, "Yes, it really is strange."
Seeing Xu Xuan's melancholy expression, he comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll try again in a bit."
Xu Xuan was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Vice Minister Guo."
As they were talking, Wei Luo returned in a fresh set of clothes, and Liu Heng followed him. The group then went to the front hall for their meal.
Guests were seated according to their status as host and guest of honor.
The meal included soup rice, crystal goose, stewed pig's trotters, roast duck, some vegetarian dishes and savory snacks, and steamed pastries.
Liu Heng heated up some Jinhua wine and poured it for each of the three men.
After several rounds of drinks, Guo Zheng rested his hand on his forehead and sighed, "As expected, I'm getting old. After a few drinks, my head starts to feel heavy."
As he spoke, he swayed as he got up, ready to take his leave.
Wei Luo quickly stopped him, "Sir, it's getting late. Don't go back tonight. Stay at the East Palace."
Guo Zheng hurriedly waved his hand, "Your Highness's kindness is appreciated. Your Highness may not know, but my wife is timid and only goes to sleep when I return home every night."
Wei Luo couldn't help but laugh out loud, "I never imagined that Minister Guo and his wife were such a loving couple, it's truly enviable!"
"No, Your Highness, please don't make fun of me. When it comes to deep affection between husband and wife, it has to be the young ones."
Guo Zheng looked at Xu Xuan and teased, "Right, Xu Tanhua? The Tanhua is handsome and learned, his wife must be longing for him day and night."
Although she asked Guo Zheng for help, Xu Xuan never expected it to be this kind of help. Her face immediately turned red, and she quickly lowered her head.
Guo Zheng chuckled when he saw this.
"Rumors in the capital say that Master Xu loves his wife dearly, which shows that the rumors are true."
Xu Xuan raised his eyes slightly, about to reply, but Wei Luo spoke first, scoffing, "Where did you hear this, Vice Minister Guo? I heard that Master Xu favors another woman, who seems to be his cousin?"
Xu Xuan was taken aback, and happened to meet a pair of unfathomable eyes, eyes that seemed to contain whirlpools and were filled with danger.
He hurriedly denied it, "No, it's not my cousin. My wife was personally married by me through the proper matchmaking process. How could I be disrespectful or unloving?"
Wei Luo's face immediately turned cold, and he didn't reply.
Xu Xuan gritted his teeth and said angrily, "My wife is intelligent and quick-witted. She serves her mother-in-law at home and is highly praised. She also takes great care of me. I don't know who is spreading rumors and sowing discord. If I find out, I will definitely demand an explanation."
Guo Zheng said, "Master Xu is indeed a gentleman."
"Minister Guo is too kind."
Wei Luo watched the two of them singing and drinking in harmony with a cold eye, while he poured himself a drink and didn't join in.
But the more he felt upset and jealous, the more he drank, until he finally stood up, startling the others.
Wei Luo explained, "I'm going to change."
Call Liu Heng along.
Upon arriving at the side hall, Wei Luo removed his clothes, which reeked of alcohol. Liu Heng then helped him put on a clean outer garment and advised, "Drinking is harmful to your health, Your Highness. Please do not overindulge in alcohol."
Wei Luo rubbed his head and said sarcastically, "He says he loves her, isn't that ridiculous? These intellectuals are all the same, saying one thing and doing another. When have they ever been sincere?"
“Your Highness, you’re drunk.” Liu Heng sighed, “What man in the world doesn’t love his wife? Perhaps Master Xu didn’t love her before, but he has fallen in love with her now.”
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Wei Luo got angry as he spoke, "What does he love? Shen Yao has never loved him."
Liu Heng smiled and said, "Feelings develop over time."
Wei Luo was furious. "Liu Heng, are you doing this on purpose?"
Liu Heng's expression changed, and he retreated without saying a word.
Wei Luo gave him a cold look, then flicked his sleeves and left.
Upon reaching the main hall, both Guo Zheng and Xu Xuan stood up. Guo Zheng again suggested going home, and wanted to go home with Xu Xuan. Wei Luo directly refused, saying, "I'm really worried about going home so late at night."
He called for someone to come over, and said in a firm tone, "Prepare rooms and send Vice Minister Guo and Chief Clerk Xu over."
The two had no choice but to stay.
Provoked by Xu Xuan and fueled by the effects of alcohol, Wei Luo found his longing for his beloved even more unbearable. He changed into plain clothes and left the palace before the gates closed.
*
Shen Yao had just finished eating and was reading in her room when she suddenly heard Bi Luo say that His Highness had arrived. She was so frightened that her face turned pale.
He muttered to himself, "Didn't we just see each other this morning? Could something have happened?"
I got dressed and ran outside. Under the cover of night, a familiar carriage was parked at the back door.
Shen Yao was both surprised and delighted, and quickly climbed into the car, falling into a warm embrace.
Before she could even ask a question, Wei Luo had already started kissing her again and again.
The car reeked of alcohol, and Shen Yao felt dizzy. Taking advantage of Wei Luo moving away, she quickly asked, "Your Highness, why did you drink so much? Are you unhappy?"
Wei Luo hummed in agreement. "It's all your fault, and Xu Xuan's too. You're all liars... I miss you."
He spoke unclearly and incoherently, and Shen Yao couldn't piece together the answer.
An undercover guard gently knocked on the car window and asked, "Where are you going?"
Although Xu Xuan was not at home, his family was there, so Shen Yao still dared not let Wei Luo stay, and said, "Let's go to the South City."
As the carriage started moving, Wei Luo, nestled in Shen Yao's arms, slowly fell asleep.
Shen Yao blew out the candles in the carriage and gently stroked his cheek. Suddenly, she felt that His Highness's face was particularly bony.
It's probably because the emperor has been ill lately, and he's been attending to him every night, which has been very tiring, and that's why he's lost so much weight.
The carriage drove all the way to the Shen residence. Biluo first entered through the front door and then went around to the back door to open it.
Shen Yao shook Wei Luo awake and called out, "Your Highness, we've arrived."
Wei Luo then opened his eyes, rubbed them, and asked in confusion, "Where am I?"
Shen Yao found it amusing, “The Shen family’s back door.”
Wei Luo was very surprised and asked incredulously, "How did I get out of the palace?"
He then lifted the carriage curtain, poked his head out, and asked the guard, "What's going on?"
The guard stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness, you insisted on leaving the palace just now, and no one could stop you."
Wei Luo then asked, "Where is Liu Heng?"
"The chief eunuch is in the palace."
Wei Luo's expression changed several times, and he said with annoyance, "How could I be so foolish?"
Shen Yao lit the candle, and the carriage suddenly became bright, illuminating the man's smooth, jade-like face.
She reached out and tugged at his sleeve, tilting her head and smiling, "Your Highness, you're already out here, there's no use regretting it now."
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