Chapter 51 The clerk goes to the Siyiguan (Foreigners' Hall) to learn foreign languages
Since learning that Zhao Liangxu was a princess of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and now lived in a eunuch's mansion, Chen Qinglie often tossed and turned at night.
Such a beautiful and charming girl, how could she be as domineering as rumored, and why should she waste her youth and decades of her future by the side of a eunuch?
But he could only think that as a commoner student who didn't even have an official position, what reason did he have to worry about Zhao Liangxu? Besides, he probably couldn't surpass a powerful eunuch like An He even in ten lifetimes.
However, he would sometimes feel smug and even fantasize that Anhe, a eunuch, also had shortcomings compared to him, or rather, that there was something Anhe could never surpass in these men. When he thought of this at night when he was feeling sorry for himself, he would feel somewhat comforted.
But all of this was just a nighttime fantasy. In the daytime, what he should be most worried about is his future.
“Hey, Brother Chen, we’ve met these two before. They’re Lady Qiu and Princess Zhao from the inner palace. No, no, they should be called Secretary Zhao now!” Zhang Changfei enthusiastically reminded Chen Qinglie, lest he forget.
Chen Qinglie paused for a moment and said, "Zhao... Secretary?" For the court officials, the fact that a woman was appointed as a foreign official was such a shocking thing. They vehemently opposed it in court and cursed her at home in frustration. However, they also felt that it should not be spread throughout the capital. Therefore, Chen Qinglie had been so busy with the affairs of the Four Barbarians Pavilion these past few days that he was unaware of this matter.
Zhang Changfei stepped forward and put his arm around Chen Qinglie's shoulder, patting the heavy pile of things in Chen Qinglie's hands, and said, "Oh dear, you've been so busy with these trivial matters these past few days that you didn't even know that Secretary Zhao had come to the Ministry of Rites. What a coincidence! Secretary Zhao happened to be working at the Ministry of Personnel on the other side of the bridge, so we're practically colleagues." Zhang Changfei was always thick-skinned, and having already overcome the hurdle of apologizing to Zhao Liangxu, he was now able to flatter her with ease.
They even openly tried to curry favor.
"Who's your colleague?" Zhao Liangxu thought to herself, rolling her eyes.
Chen Qinglie then realized what had happened and nodded to the two men with mixed feelings: "I have books in my hand and it is inconvenient for me to bow to you. Congratulations to Secretary Zhao as well."
He considered himself a scholar and gentleman, and felt he shouldn't have any further involvement with Zhao Liangxu, whom he had only met twice. He also felt somewhat guilty because of the awkwardness of their first meeting.
Even those lingering thoughts made him feel extremely ashamed in front of the person in question.
Chen Qinglie hurriedly left with his books, while Zhang Changfei chuckled and said, "Brother Chen is just that kind of reserved person."
Qiu Cheng gave him a cold look, but Zhang Changfei was shameless. After showing the two around the Siyi Pavilion, he said goodbye to them and even said insincerely, "I have regretted my impetuousness after being confined. I hope you two will not take it to heart. Um... if Secretary Zhao ever needs anything in the future, please do not hesitate to come to Changfei. Changfei will do his best to help."
Zhang Changfei himself felt a bit nauseous after saying those words. The two of them had taken a stroll with him at the Siyi Pavilion and knew that Zhang Changfei was only trying to apologize. They also knew that this intention was probably forced upon him by the Vice Minister of Rites. Therefore, as soon as Zhang Changfei finished speaking, the two of them turned around and left without hesitation.
Because of his maternal grandfather Zeng Chuanbai, Qiu Cheng was indeed somewhat familiar with the Ministry of Rites. After introducing Zhao Liangxu to the various government offices, a day had passed, and the two parted ways.
From the second day onwards, Zhao Liangxu became Zhao Shuban, a minor official in the Department of State Affairs.
The day before, Anhe was too arrogant, and no one in the yamen dared to assign Zhao Liangxu any work. Even Chief Chen greeted her politely for a few minutes before walking around her.
The entire government office was filled with men. Although the officials wouldn't talk about anything too explicit, the presence of a woman made them feel out of place, creating a strange atmosphere. With An He's prior instructions, they were unwilling, at least not willing, to say anything unpleasant in front of Zhao Liangxu, and were even quite polite. However, they couldn't hide the strange looks Zhao Liangxu gave them as she walked through the office.
Fortunately, Zhao Liangxu met an elderly colleague who was over sixty years old and also worked as a clerk. He treated Zhao Liangxu quite politely and would entrust her with the tasks that a clerk should do, giving her some pointers on the procedures. There was no sign of alienation or disdain from him.
The position of clerk is said to be quite leisurely. There are only seven clerks in the entire Bureau of Officials and Clerks, including Zhao Liangxu, but the tasks can be completed by three or four people. The rest of them are busy currying favor with their superiors and managing upwards, and have little time to get along with Zhao Liangxu, this oddball.
Zhao Liangxu was adept at organizing documents and copying papers. Her previous calligraphy practice also came in handy, as the copied documents looked quite presentable. Occasionally, Zhao Liangxu would take out the documents for negotiations with the caravan and look at them from all angles, thus becoming familiar with the necessary preparations and procedures.
When she handed over the documents, her colleagues who disliked her looked at her with slight surprise upon seeing her handwriting. Afterwards, Zhao Liangxu also remembered the procedures well and could answer any questions fluently. In just a few days, she seemed like a qualified clerk.
Seeing that Zhao Liangxu seemed bored and extremely interested in the caravan affairs, Chief Chen had a sudden inspiration. He chuckled and approached Zhao Liangxu, suggesting, "Clerk Zhao, have you learned anything about the caravan-related matters these past few days?"
Zhao Liangxu looked at the shrewd official with gleaming eyes who had come closer to her, and nodded with a hint of doubt.
“Although our Office of the Headquarters and the Caravans are closely related, it’s only a matter of reception procedures. If you really want to have some interaction with the caravans, I happen to have a better way. Would you like to hear it?” Zhao Liangxu had never hidden her curiosity about the caravans, so Manager Chen naturally tried his best to cater to her interests.
"What method is it?"
Manager Chen chuckled and said, “You know the Siyiguan is right across from us. If we’re talking about people who can really communicate closely with caravans, it’s them. Our Zhuke Qingli Division only has a few officials like the Langzhong who can have some etiquette-based exchanges with a few people in the caravans. But the translators at Siyiguan really learn the languages of the other side, so they will definitely be able to communicate with them better. We happen to have a few spots available for you to learn some foreign languages at Siyiguan. Would you be interested?”
Chen, the head of the department, had a good plan. Learning the foreign language was indeed useful, but languages are not something that can be learned easily. Unlike Chen Qinglie, who was a student of the Imperial Academy, most people in the yamen had official positions, so they held their noses and avoided this job.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Liangxu smiled faintly, but remained silent, staring intently at Manager Chen, making him feel a chill run down his spine.
She could see that Manager Chen had entrusted her with this hot potato. If she agreed, it would save him from being in a state of fear during his months of work at the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, and it would also give her an extra spot to handle the matter of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs. It was a win-win situation.
He pretended to respect her so much, but if he truly respected her, he wouldn't be constantly scrutinizing her from behind with eyes like a razor.
Zhao Liangxu understood what Master Chen meant, but she couldn't let him have everything his way. She wore a playful expression, but there was no smile in her light brown eyes. Her gaze lingered on Master Chen, making him unconsciously start to have all sorts of wild thoughts.
Chen lowered his voice unconsciously and hesitated before saying, "If Secretary Zhao is not interested, then..." What kind of expression was that? He felt that Zhao Liangxu's thoughts were hard to fathom under that expression, and it was as if An He, that cold eunuch, was silently staring at him, which was somewhat intimidating!
"I didn't say I was unhappy, so why is Manager Chen looking at me like that?" Zhao Liangxu's lips curved slightly.
“I’m very interested. If I have the time, I can go there tomorrow. What do you think?” Her tone was gentle, but the faint smile on her face disappeared, and she returned to her usual indifferent expression. This made Manager Chen feel a little more at ease.
"That would be great..."
But Zhao Liangxu's next words made Chen's heart leap into his throat: "I've noticed that Chen has treated me quite well these past few days. Now he's even asking me about this job, so he must be taking it to heart. You can rest assured..." Zhao Liangxu turned her head slightly, "I've seen that everyone in the yamen is treated with leniency by Chen. Chen always pays attention to his colleagues. He's so thoughtful and kind. I will speak to Eunuch An about this properly."
Chen, the head clerk, shuddered and hurriedly said, "Oh dear, how could I, Zhao, inform His Highness? This is just my duty. You..." He was so frightened that his heart was about to jump out of his chest. Everyone in the yamen knew perfectly well that after meeting An He that day, no matter how unhappy they were with Zhao Liangxu, they kept it to themselves. Could looking at Zhao Liangxu a few more times be interpreted as some kind of exclusion?
Moreover, he observed that Zhao Liangxu appeared gentle and was neither a meddlesome nor ruthless person. Even if Zhao Liangxu had Anhe behind her, her good temper might prevent her from telling Anhe or the Emperor.
Perhaps the woman, being shy, sensed the awkward atmosphere and started overthinking things, so she went to tell Anhe that she wouldn't come to the Ministry of Rites to cause trouble anymore.
Anyway, no one is gossiping. For a girl like that, everything needs to be based on evidence.
But little did she know, she was well aware that the atmosphere in the government office was due to her lax management. Now that he was testing her again, she had Zhao Liangxu bring out Anhe to threaten her.
Zhao Liangxu interrupted him: "Master Chen, don't think I'm mute. I will tell Eunuch An what I have to say, and I will explain everything in detail. I may not be able to see it myself, but others can analyze the intentions of those involved. Besides, even if it's not a big deal, if Eunuch An listens, whether it's a big deal or a small matter depends on his mood, don't you think?" She didn't say anything harsh, but it made Master Chen feel cold inside.
He was used to being pampered in such a small department and had forgotten that not everyone could be manipulated. Zhao Liangxu's good-natured demeanor gave him the illusion that he could do something underhanded, so he lost his head and tested her.
"This is my fault for not disciplining him properly. Secretary Zhao, please have mercy and don't tell His Highness." Chief Chen pleaded. How could he be so foolish? Zhao Liangxu was clearly efficient, yet he still thought of using others to do some dirty work.
Zhao Liangxu could tell that Chen, the head of the department, was a shrewd and experienced official. In fact, he had been putting on a good show for her these past few days, but he still couldn't help but feel a bit contemptuous because of her status, and he also took advantage of her attitude to look down on her with a bit of wishful thinking.
"I will go to the Four Barbarians Pavilion myself, but Manager Chen should think carefully about how to discipline his subordinates."
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Author's Note: In the next chapter, Eunuch An will briefly pop in.
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