For the ice reward in the south, an extra chapter will be added for the Spirit Beast Egg (5.1)
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Seventh Chen had been mixing in the capital for nearly a year, he had already memorized the high officials and the noble, naturally he knew Grand Scholar Huang Cheng of the Cabinet, one of the three chief aides.
However, he had never met such a high official before.
People at the side of the street sneered.
"Grand Scholar Huang can't even walk anymore, that's his son, Lord Huang."
Seventh Chen was very surprised.
"Lord Huang can actually use Grand Scholar Huang's procession?" he said.
"More than just using the procession, he has already taken his father's place, and he is also in charge of the Cabinet's affairs," a passerby said in a low voice, "Lord Huang injured his leg and can't walk, yet he refuses to resign, and has even let his son act in his stead."
Seventh Chen was astonished.
"Is that even possible?" he said, "The emperor actually agreed?"
"The emperor is benevolent and gives special treatment to old ministers," the passerby sighed, then waved his hand with a bit of caution, "You'd better not talk too much about Lord Huang's affairs, they are unmentionable."
With that, he shrank his head and hurriedly left.
Is this Lord Huang also that fearsome?
Seventh Chen looked again towards Imperial Street.
Being feared by the public is not a good reputation, this Lord Huang doesn't seem to be treated with the kindness that the benevolent emperor should be showing.
"Shopkeeper Chen, you still have no clue, this Lord Huang has committed many evils," a clerk said in a low voice beside him, "The Jinyiwei are cruel, but he is cunningly evil; to put it simply, Lord Huang is more skilled at fabricating charges, while the Jinyiwei are better at actualizing them."
So he's that kind of person?
Seventh Chen's eyes widened.
"Yes, many say that the officials who die at the hands of the Jinyiwei are mostly courtesy of Lord Huang," another clerk said in a low voice.
How terrifying!
Seventh Chen's eyes widened again.
"Fortunately, we are not officials, so we can't provoke him," he said, patting his chest, "Let's go back to making medicine."
Seventh Chen, with his clerks, walked along the street, and the people on the street also dispersed in their own ways. Amidst the hustle and bustle, no one noticed a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl standing in the corner of a wall. She was dressed in plain clothes, with her head hanging down in the spring breeze like fragile willows.
Her gaze remained fixed in the direction of Imperial Street, as if she was anticipating something but also appeared listlessly blank.
Meanwhile, Lord Huang on the other side walking onto Imperial Street was also looking at the covered bowl handed by a guard.
"What is this?" he asked.
As the cover was lifted, there was no fragrance overflowing, but instead, the sight was filled with a brilliance of colors.
Lord Huang was only stunned for a moment; well-informed as he was, he quickly regained his composure.
"It's golden sand," he said, reaching in to pinch some, as the golden sand slipped down under the sunlight, "This soup is truly nourishing."
However, this kind of nourishing soup is not something that a person who claims to have grown up in poverty with a sick mother barely getting by could afford.
I wonder how many people had to be extorted for him to obtain this.
Of course, these trivial matters are of no concern to Lord Huang.
"Li Chong is not bad," he said, covering the bowl again, "We'll see where there are vacancies later and might give him one, it's quite pitiful that he has been copying documents in the Ministry of Personnel for so many years."
The guard collected the covered bowl and acknowledged.
"Lord Huang."
Another voice called.
This time the sound came from ahead, and Lord Huang looked up to see a thin, dark-faced official in his thirties rushing over, extending his hand with two clerks following, each carrying a heavy-looking box.
"Lord Tang," said Lord Huang, "Why did you come at this time?"
"It's too much," Lord Tang said, looking annoyed and angry, "Our Advisory Court's impeachment memorial against Duke Chengguo was blocked by Lord He again."
Lord Huang responded with an 'oh' and patted his stomach.
"Uncle He is getting old," he said, "When people get old, their minds tend to get stubborn."
He then chuckled as if recalling something.
"Where is Lu Yunqi? Is there no movement from his side?"
Nobody can stop Lu Yunqi's memorials.
Lord Tang shows a face full of disdain.
"Lord Lu is currently busy enjoying the company of a beauty," he said. "He's ignoring his duties now."
Little Lord Huang laughed heartily.
"He's still tangled up with Miss Jun," he said. "Why all the trouble, just snatch the person up, right? There's no need for all this cherishing and romance play, what a naïve child."
Only Little Lord Huang would describe Lu Yunqi as a naïve child.
Lord Tang couldn't care less about these romantic trifles, just nodded his head and immediately busied himself with his own topic.
"Indeed," he said. "He's neglecting his duties, and Lord He acts as if he has the final say, claiming that our impeachment of the Duke of Chengguo for colluding with the Jurchen people is laughable nonsense, saying it's embarrassing in front of the emperor."
Speaking of this, he was so angry that his dark face turned red, clearly mocked quite harshly just now.
"He said that we censors just report on hearsay, not barking dogs," he said bitterly.
Little Lord Huang showed a sympathetic face.
"That's not good, how can someone curse like that?" he said.
"Exactly, how can there be no evidence? This news is from the northern lands, many have spoken about it," Lord Tang said bitterly.
Little Lord Huang nodded again.
"Even if it's a groundless accusation, it still exists," he said, extending his hand. "Here, give me the memorial, I will speak to the emperor. Whether it's foolish or laughable, it's for the emperor to judge. How can we presume to take his place?"
Lord Tang was overjoyed and gestured to a clerk behind him.
"Bring it here," he said.
Two clerks hurriedly stepped forward, bowing their heads and lifting the box.
Little Lord Huang seemed surprised.
"So many?" he said, shaking his head and tsk-tsking. "If one person slanders, it is defamation; if two people, it's still defamation. But with so many people saying it, that really is..."
He looked at the guards behind him.
"It's no good to carry these in like this. You hold on to them first. I'll talk to the emperor before introducing this. To let the emperor see so many, wouldn't that be heartbreaking?"
The guards dutifully dismounted and took charge of the boxes.
Finally, a smile appeared on Lord Tang's dark face, and he stepped aside to make way for Little Lord Huang with a bow, sending him off before he straightened himself.
"Old curmudgeon, let's see what you can do now," he said, looking back at the government office he just came out of, speaking with resentment.
.........................
As the sunlight slanted, Miss Jun approached the door of a grand household.
"Is this the place, Miss?" Liu'er asked, holding a paper parcel.
Miss Jun nodded.
Liu'er then happily stepped forward and knocked on the door.
The door swung open, revealing a kindly looking gatekeeper.
"Young lady, who are you looking for?" he asked.
"I'm here to deliver medicine," Liu'er said, raising the paper parcel in her hand.
The gatekeeper was stunned; he'd heard of people delivering gifts, but delivering medicine was new - did this person have a death wish? But then, he saw Miss Jun standing behind Liu'er, and his expression changed instantly, quickly shutting the door.
Liu'er was almost hit on the nose and exclaimed in surprise.
"What are you doing?" she shouted. "Your family bought the medicine, don't you want it?"
"We don't want it, thank you. Please go away quickly," the voice of the gatekeeper trembled from behind the door.
"Hey, we're not returning your money," Liu'er shouted.
"There's no need to return it, no need," the gatekeeper said promptly.
Liu'er turned around, her face beaming with a smile.
"Miss, this is quite good. We've made a profit," she said.
The gatekeeper almost slumped against the door when he heard this.
Is this girl sick in the head? What profit? She's so happy; wait until there's nobody to treat them, then they will see a real loss.