The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a head of white hair and a deeply lined face, yet a dignified one, staring solemnly at Pei Yanzhi.
"Come here," the old man said.
Without resisting, Pei Yanzhi walked over in a few steps and stood on the official road. The tall and elegant young man bowed to the people in the carriage.
"This humble official greets Your Excellency the Grand Secretary."
“Your grandmother is my own sister, there’s no need for us to be so distant.”
The person in the carriage was none other than Madam Pei's elder brother, the current Grand Secretary, Lord Yun.
At this moment, however, he was still very friendly towards Pei Yanzhi.
He didn't have much contact with the Marquis's family, but Pei Yanzhi was a junior, and he had seen him a few times during the New Year holidays, so he could be said to have watched him grow up.
Staring at the young man on the official road, the old man couldn't help but recall Pei Yanzhi's previous actions in court, and his brows furrowed instantly.
Why did someone who seemed dignified and composed in the past suddenly become so murderous upon entering the court?
It was just youthful impetuosity.
Therefore, it is necessary to give him a few pointers.
"Speaking frankly, I am a lowly official and dare not make any connections with relatives," Pei Yanzhi said coldly, as if he did not want any guidance from him.
The chief minister's face also turned cold, but he still patiently said, "Since you know that your position is small and insignificant, and you are new to officialdom, and you are in charge of commercial tax work that offends people, you should be more cautious."
The chief minister's voice was serious, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with Pei Yanzhi's actions today.
"No one in history has ever been as reckless as you. You've taken office and already impeached your superior. Do you know how many people you've offended today? Does your father know what you've done? Didn't he try to stop you?"
"We are all officials in the same court. Every word and action of this humble official is within the bounds of duty. How could I possibly inform my father?"
"You even kept it from your father?" Chief Minister Yun looked at him in surprise.
"That's how it should be. The court isn't a place where anyone can have their own say. Even if it's father and son, how can they communicate beforehand? A father is a father, and a son is a son. I only know how to serve His Majesty and plead for the people. I don't know the difference between father and son." Pei Yanzhi's aura suddenly became a bit sharper as he said this, and his attitude towards Chief Minister Yun became even more polite.
The closer the relationship, the more polite the people are; it usually indicates a less-than-ideal relationship.
"Fine! I asked for nothing!"
"I used to think you were a steady and reliable person, but I never expected you to be so inflexible!"
"I guess I misjudged you!"
Lord Yun was clearly not expected to hear him say that, and he was quite angry with him. He flung the curtain of the sedan chair and urged the carriage to leave. In his haste, he almost knocked over Pei Yanzhi, who was standing to the side.
Pei Yanzhi scoffed, seemingly disdainful.
"Young Master Pei, the old master is only doing this for your own good. How could you be so rude to him?"
An official, unable to tolerate his arrogant attitude, couldn't help but reprimand him, "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, Teacher, I remember that the old master once taught you, and he was both an elder and a mentor to you, so why are you acting like this?"
"What's wrong with having different political views!"
"Furthermore, fathers and sons forming cliques is disgraceful. I don't care about others; I only serve His Majesty."
Pei Yanzhi gave the official a cold glance as he spoke. That icy look sent chills down the official's spine, making him feel as if he had fallen into the dead of winter, and a sense of fear rose in his heart.
He immediately flew into a rage.
"You disrespectful brat! The Pei family is a family of great wealth and honor, how could they have produced such an arrogant person like you..."
No matter how much he cursed, Pei Yanzhi ignored him completely, turned around and got into his carriage. His arrogant and disdainful manner was so conspicuous that it disgusted the adults watching.
"I heard that he was extremely learned when he was at the Imperial Academy."
"His master, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, had praised him highly, but I never expected him to have this kind of personality..."
"Ha, times have changed. Don't you know, in which dynasty or era has there ever been a precedent of granting an official position first and then allowing him to continue in the imperial examinations? He is now the most favored person in His Majesty's eyes. Even his father can't surpass him. Naturally, he doesn't take us old folks seriously."
As the officials discussed the matter, none of them noticed that at the palace gate, a young eunuch had also dashed to the Imperial Study to report the incident to the old emperor.
The old emperor was overjoyed, "Does Pei Yanzhi really say that?"
"Your Majesty, that's exactly what Lord Pei said. He said that everything he does is his duty, so why should he consult with the Marquis? Not only now, but he will never tell the Marquis what he's going to do in the future."
"Lord Pei also said that a father is a father and a son is a son. There are no fathers and sons in the court, only ministers who are loyal to His Majesty."
"Good!" The old emperor slammed his hand on the table in delight. "He's a smart guy. Sure enough, it's time to replace these old guys in the court. What fathers and sons, uncles and elders, they're all in cahoots and talking in the same breath. Do they really think I don't know?"
The old emperor spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes flashing with anger.
Many officials in the court were related by marriage, and if they had political views, they would inevitably communicate with each other about everything—this was what he hated most, but it was something that was almost impossible to sever.
He was overjoyed that Pei Yanzhi could see things clearly, and felt that he had not misjudged him.
Meanwhile, Eunuch Su, who was serving the writing brush and ink, was drenched in sweat.
Marquis Wenyuan has always followed Your Majesty's lead, and no matter how many temptations he faced, he never betrayed Your Majesty.
Pei Yanzhi was the eldest son of Marquis Wenyuan, whom he valued highly. Despite so many years of friendship between the ruler and his subject, he could not earn even a sliver of the Emperor's trust.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; perhaps the Crown Prince is wise and far-sighted, otherwise…
"The Ministry of Revenue is currently short of personnel. A decree has been drafted to promote Pei Yanzhi to the rank of fifth-grade official, Assistant Minister of Revenue, for his meritorious service in investigating corruption."
Eunuch Su hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is not appropriate. Lord Pei has only been in office for a month, and you are already promoting him? I'm afraid the court officials will have a hard time saying this. Nowadays, those officials are quite disrespectful to Lord Pei, especially the eldest prince. I heard that after court, he specifically called Lord Pei over to talk, and I don't know what he said, but Lord Pei's face was very unpleasant."
"Foolish fool! Then I should promote him even more."
The old emperor made the final decision, and Eunuch Su immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty is right. This servant is foolish and will do it immediately."
He spoke obsequiously, but only he knew how pleased he truly was.
******
"Your Highness, did the Crown Prince really give this to you?"
As soon as the respectful black-topped carriage stopped, Song Yi hurriedly stepped out. He took the note handed to him by Li Chengyun, unfolded it quickly, and stared at the handwriting on it, his face blank with surprise.
"requite?"
"Why would the young master return a courtesy for no reason?"
"Furthermore, when did he owe us such a huge favor that he would have to have the entire family of the Vice Minister of Revenue imprisoned to repay it?"
Li Chengyun glanced at him, then strode inside, coldly saying, "Isn't this the question for you?"
"I--"
Song Yi followed behind him, unable to recall when he had ever dealt with Pei Yanzhi and how the other party had owed him a favor.
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