The Spring Festival holiday is not long. After being lazy at home for a few days, you have to gather your spirit and return to the government.
On the first day after the holiday, Liu Chen issued an edict to re-employ Shen Jinghong as the Dali Temple Minister. This edict caused a great backlash. Shen Jinghong's popularity in the court was almost ruined. The officials were in awe of him and hated him. After all, cutting off the path of someone's descendants is more hateful than digging up someone's ancestral graves. But not everyone hates him. Unknowingly, a group of officials who follow his lead have gathered around Shen Jinghong. These officials are the replacement officials selected by Liu Chen himself after the reform of the Enyin system. These people have real talents and are from poor families like Shen Jinghong. Poor families have always been opposed to aristocratic families. Shen Jinghong is an enemy of aristocratic families and speaks for the children of poor families. Invisibly, he has become a leader of the poor.
During the time when he was dismissed from his post and stayed at home, Shen Jinghong was not idle. He went to the palace to give lectures once every three days, and spent the rest of his time at home writing books and giving lectures without charging a penny. Many people in Dingjing had attended his classes, and they had a master-disciple relationship with him. Everyone who came to his house saw with their own eyes that Shen Jinghong's family was poor and he was incorruptible. They all sighed for him, saying that he was loyal to the country and pleaded for the people, but ended up like this. Some people saw that there was not even charcoal fire in his house for heating, and they couldn't bear it, so they secretly sent a few baskets. There were so many people sending charcoal that it filled up the narrow alley, which attracted many people to watch, and the news spread like wildfire. However, Shen Jinghong did not accept these anonymous gifts, but gave them to the poor outside the city to keep warm during the winter. This move once again earned Shen Jinghong a reputation.
Although Shen Jinghong was dismissed from his position, his reputation was at its peak. The restaurants and teahouses in Dingjing were all praising Shen Jinghong's reputation, saying that he had achieved the three immortals of meritorious service, virtue, and words.
Shen Jinghong's advance and retreat were just right. When he advanced, he showed his brilliance, and when he retreated, he also helped the world. Mu Zhuohua felt that she was smart, but compared with Shen Jinghong, she felt that she was just a younger sister and there were many things she could learn. She had worked with Shen Jinghong for a period of time, and naturally understood Shen Jinghong. This person was very smart, and he must have deep meaning in doing things. All his actions could not escape the suspicion of seeking fame, but he did it really well and people could not find fault with him.
Liu Chen appointed Shen Jinghong as the Dali Temple Minister. Although there were voices of opposition from officials in the court, Shen Jinghong's reputation was too great. Some outspoken officials from poor families stood up and sneered and asked the opponents: "Mr. Shen has both talent and virtue, and the people support him. Who do you think you are if you oppose him!"
At that moment, the people were so angry that their faces turned red and white.
But the man did not give up. He turned around and bowed to Liu Chen, saying loudly: "Your Majesty, those officials who obstructed Lord Shen from taking office are probably guilty of their crimes. Please investigate thoroughly!"
The court was in chaos, more lively than the East and West Markets combined. One person scolded the liar, and the other scolded the evil spirits. The quarrel almost exhausted all his life's learning.
As the person involved, Shen Jinghong looked calm and composed, and was set off by a group of "poor scholars" like a hermit.
A muffled "dong" interrupted everyone's quarrel.
At the front of the officials, a man held a long sword and threw it heavily to the ground, making a loud noise and lingering sound.
The long sword was not unsheathed, but the sharpness swept through everyone's eyes, making people involuntarily lower their eyes, bend their backs, and feel terrified.
"Your Majesty, you have a clear judgment in your heart about Lord Shen." Liu Yan's cold voice came, as if it had substance, pressing on everyone's heart, "My lords, you are well-read, it is not appropriate to be disrespectful in front of the palace and make people laugh."
Liu Yan held great power, but he never spoke out easily, but if he spoke out, it would be like a hammer to determine the outcome, and even the six ministers would have to think twice before speaking.
Liu Yan's voice made it clear that he supported Liu Chen's decision. Although there were rumors outside that the King of the Council of State abused his power and dictated the throne of Liu Chen, in the eyes of discerning people, Liu Yan was Liu Chen's most solid backing and supporter. If it were not for Liu Yan's support and secret coercion of the ministers, the reform of the system of favor would not have been implemented. Now he has made it clear that he supports Liu Chen's appointment of Shen Jinghong. With the support of the people outside and the favor of the emperor inside, it is too difficult to stop Shen Jinghong from soaring to the sky.
Even if they were unwilling, all officials had no choice but to bow their heads and accept this decree.
Shen Jinghong stepped forward and knelt down to receive the imperial edict and the official seal.
At the age of only twenty, he was already one of the Nine Ministers. Such an honor is rare in history.
After the court was dismissed, some people left in a huff, but some people gathered around Shen Jinghong to congratulate him. Mu Zhuohua looked at Shen Jinghong in the crowd, and happened to meet his eyes. They smiled at each other, bowed, and then she followed the crowd out of the hall. The
Ministry of Revenue is the busiest at the beginning of the year. All departments report their budgets at the beginning of the year, and the Ministry of Revenue has to implement and approve them. Mu Zhuohua is busy with the construction of the palace while being seconded to help everywhere. Although Mu Zhuohua is young, she has a photographic memory and is well-informed in the department. Because she is young and easy to send, there are always people who like to use her for help. However, this order is not to make things difficult for her. They are always willing to teach her some more experience in doing things. Mu Zhuohua was busy as usual that day until everyone else left. She slowly packed her things and walked out with a pile of books. Just after she took two steps, she heard a familiar voice calling her.
"Master Mu!"
A man walked out of the door. Mu Zhuohua looked up and shouted in surprise: "Master Zou, didn't you just leave?"
It was Zou Feng, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Zou Feng was nearly thirty years old, with a handsome appearance. He didn't talk much on weekdays, but he was diligent in his work and very kind to others. He often gave Mu Zhuohua advice, so Mu Zhuohua still respected him very much.
Zou Feng walked up to Mu Zhuohua with a smile. Mu Zhuohua smiled at him, took two steps back, and kept a suitable distance from him.
"I... remembered that I had something to find you, so I turned back." Zou Feng secretly looked at Mu Zhuohua.
She is not very beautiful, and she has never been seen wearing women's clothes. She looks like a handsome little scholar, but the longer you get along with her, the better you can feel her goodness. She is polite but not pretentious, and she is careful and thoughtful. No matter how she behaves or how she handles things, there is nothing wrong with her. No one in the Ministry of Revenue doesn't like her, but this kind of liking, under her intentional or unintentional handling, is just a kind of care and love from the elders to the younger, without any evil thoughts of love between men and women.
Zou Feng's concern for Mu Zhuohua is not because of her appearance, but because of more considerations.
"Lord Mu, you are already nineteen after the New Year." Zou Feng considered his words and slowly tried, "According to the laws of the State of Chen, women can get married at the age of sixteen. I wonder if your elders have arranged for you?"
Mu Zhuohua curled her lips, feeling quite helpless - she has heard a lot of such words during the Spring Festival.
"The State of Chen also has laws and regulations that women who serve as officials must serve their country first and can choose their own marriage." Mu Zhuohua smiled kindly and said, "I am also devoted to serving my country and have no intention of getting married."
Zou Feng was relieved when he heard that she was not engaged. As for not wanting to get married, he thought it was just empty talk. What kind of woman would not get married?
"In that case, I... I will speak frankly." Zou Feng paused, his face slightly flushed, "I wonder what Lord Mu thinks of me...?"
Mu Zhuohua was shocked. She thought Zou Feng was here to matchmake for someone, but she didn't expect it was for himself!
She subconsciously took another step back, coughed dryly, and smiled reluctantly: "Lord Zou is diligent in his work and a gentleman. In my heart, he is as respected and loved as a teacher."
Hearing this, Zou Feng frowned slightly. He felt that Mu Zhuohua intended to distance himself from him, but from what Mu Zhuohua said, he should not hate him.
"I am only a few years older than you and serve in the same court. I am not your teacher, so you don't have to be so respectful to me." Zou Feng smiled, "To be honest, I was married before, but my wife unfortunately passed away due to illness. I have been a widower for three years. The elders in my family urged me to remarry and have looked at many women for me, but none of them suited my taste."
Mu Zhuohua held her breath, her mind full of words to refuse.
Zou Feng was a widower, of course she knew that. As long as there were many people, there would be gossips and rumors. She had already figured out what the situation was like in the Ministry of Households, but she never expected that Zou Feng would be interested in her?
The look in one's eyes when he liked someone could not be hidden. The way Zou Feng looked at her clearly showed that there was no love between men and women. If one marries someone, it is either because of feelings or because of interests.
In just a moment, she understood Zou Feng's intention to marry her.
That's right. Although she disguised her appearance, she is now close to His Majesty and is the young official most trusted by His Majesty besides Shen Jinghong. There were rumors about her and Shen Jinghong before, and many people thought that she admired Shen Jinghong. Even if she had a good impression of her, she would not have been so arrogant as to compete with Shen Jinghong. But as time went by, she saw that Shen Jinghong and Mu Zhuohua had no ambiguity, so she put her mind at ease to pursue Mu Zhuohua.
"The elders in my family all say that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, but I prefer a woman who is beautiful, intelligent, and well-educated." Zou Feng looked at Mu Zhuohua with a satisfied look, "You and I are officials in the same court. If we can get married, we can advance and retreat together and support each other. I think Lord Mu is very good. I wonder what Lord Mu thinks of me?"
Mu Zhuohua smiled awkwardly, "Lord Zou is a handsome man. I am grateful for your love, but I really have no intention of getting married..."
Zou Feng frowned and his face became a little ugly: "If you think I am not worthy of you, it's okay to tell me directly. If I can change, I will change for you."
Although he said so, Zou Feng's tone did not sound that he was not worthy of Mu Zhuohua. On the contrary, Mu Zhuohua was a little ungrateful for rejecting him like this.
Zou Feng was less than 30 years old, but he was already the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It can be said that he was young and promising. He was born in a scholarly family, and his ancestors had also produced third-rank officials. Although he was not from a noble family, he could be said to have a wealthy family. Since his wife passed away three years ago, many people wanted to marry him again. But since it was a second marriage, the daughter of a rich noble family would naturally look down on him, and he thought ordinary merchants and wealthy families were vulgar.
He had also observed Mu Zhuohua for a long time and felt that her personality was very suitable for him. Although her appearance was not gentle enough, he married a virtuous wife and took a concubine with more beauty. The most important thing was that he valued Mu Zhuohua's career prospects. She was thoughtful and well-behaved, and she was favored by the emperor. I'm afraid her future would not be inferior to his. Zou Feng thought that the combination of the two would complement and help each other, and Mu Zhuohua had no reason to refuse.
Mu Zhuohua felt bitter, holding the book tightly, and subconsciously made a defensive posture: "Lord Zou is good in every way, but I dare not marry him."
Zou Feng smiled slightly and said, "It's enough that I don't dislike you."
Seeing that Mu Zhuohua was hiding a little far away, he stepped forward and said, "The book in your hand is heavy, let me help you."
"I dare not trouble Lord Zou!" Mu Zhuohua took another step back, feeling very depressed.
Zou Feng reached his hand into Mu Zhuohua's arms, and then heard a loud "bang" behind him.
Zou Feng was startled and looked back, only to see the door of the Ministry of Revenue being pushed open by gravity. A dark purple figure stood at the door, and a pair of dark eyes looked at the two people entangled with a smile.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Zou Feng was startled and immediately bowed.
Mu Zhuohua's heartbeat suddenly paused, and then beat more violently. She hugged the book tightly, lowered her head, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite." The man crossed the threshold and walked towards the two. "Is the Ministry of Revenue still not locked at this time?"
Zou Feng, as an assistant minister, was one level higher than Mu Zhuohua, so he replied, "Reporting to the prince, we are about to leave."
Liu Yan glanced at him and said coldly, "Then you go first, I have something important to ask Lord Mu."
Mu Zhuohua's eyelids jumped and held his breath.
Zou Feng felt guilty and thought Liu Yan's aura was a bit scary. When he heard that he was asked to leave, he ran away.
Only Mu Zhuohua and Liu Yan were left in the yard.
"I wonder what your Highness wants from me..." Mu Zhuohua's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Liu Yan curled his lips and smiled, lowered his head slightly, stared into Mu Zhuohua's eyes, and smiled slowly: "Lord Mu, a mere minister is not high enough for you? At the beginning, you knelt in front of me and said that you liked me. Did you ever think that you couldn't afford me?"
Mu Zhuohua was caught by Liu Yan's scene just now. She felt a little guilty for some reason. Seeing Liu Yan approaching her, she couldn't help but want to retreat. She took a step back, two steps...
but she forgot that there was a threshold behind her. When she retreated, she tripped on the threshold and lost her balance and fell backwards. Liu Yan was startled and reached out to help her, but he only caught a book that was flying in front of him. Mu Zhuohua cried out "Ouch", fell to the ground, and the books in her arms fell to the ground.
She fell hard this time, and she sat on the ground in a very embarrassing way, with books on her legs and on the ground. She looked up at Liu Yan, her pair of black almond eyes were wet, a little aggrieved, and a little complaining.
Liu Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he leaned over and held her arm, helped her up, and hugged her in his arms.
"Am I so scary?" He pinched her thin arm, bit her ear and laughed.
Mu Zhuohua sighed half-truthfully: "I am a low-ranking official and my words don't matter. Anyone can bully me."
"That won't do. Only I can bully you."
Mu Zhuohua's heart skipped a beat. She was held in Liu Yan's arms. Suddenly, her whole body stiffened. She felt a hand fall on her hips and patted them a few times. Her face immediately burned up and her whole body was as red as a steamed shrimp.
"Prince..." Mu Zhuohua stared at him in disbelief, her eyes were watery.
Did he really "bully" her?
Liu Yan said seriously: "Help you dust it off."
Nonsense! Although she just fell to the ground, the floor of the Ministry of Household Affairs was very clean. How could there be dust? He was clearly taking the opportunity to bully her!
Poor her, she dared not speak out, just afraid that someone would see her passing by the door, and her heart was beating fast.
Liu Yan held back his laughter in his heart. Who said that Lord Mu was dignified and self-restrained, and he was not surprised by the situation? He just didn't see her being bullied by him.
Mu Zhuohua blushed, pushed Liu Yan away, bent down to pick up the book that fell on the ground, and Liu Yan also bent down to help her pick it up. Mu Zhuohua hugged the book back into her arms, her eyes still red, and she didn't dare to look up at Liu Yan.
"That Minister Zou... I didn't provoke him..." Mu Zhuohua defended herself in a low voice.
"I know." Liu Yan smiled and rubbed her head, "That Minister Zou just saw your bright future and wanted to use your relationship to get the emperor's favor. I have a way to make him stop provoking you."
Mu Zhuohua asked curiously, "What is it?"
Liu Yan smiled and said, "I will scold you. If you offend me, the powerful King of the Council, do you think he will dare to marry you?"
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