Chapter 574: Chapter 410 Summoning Min Feng
Xia Qing heard these words and finally relaxed his expression. Not bad, not an ignorant oneâjust too young to comprehend the situation immediately. He still needs guidance in the future!
The reason Xia Qing was eager to speak with Min Feng about the matter and handed the copied list for Min Feng to read was that he feared the Emperor might summon Min Feng.
After all, Min Feng was his student, and it was possible the Emperor, wanting confirmation, might summon him urgently. Xia Qing, in truth, understood the Emperor quite well.
Indeed, just as Xia Qing was about to instruct Min Feng further, a voice was heard outside.
"Subordinate Kong Jiu pays respect to the Prime Minister! Pays respect to Mr. Min!"
The door was open, so Xia Qing naturally saw who the visitor was. Although he didnât recognize Assistant Kong in a ninth-rank official uniform, he knew the little eunuch beside Assistant Kong.
"Iâve met the Prime Minister! Met Mr. Min!" The little eunuch had originally been waiting at the Hanlin Academy, but upon hearing Min Feng had gone to Chief Minister Xia, he hurriedly followed.
These little eunuchs are usually barely looked at by the Prime Minister. Even Chief Chen must flatter the Prime Minister upon meeting him.
For these little eunuchs, itâs not easy to get an opportunity to be noticed; the little eunuch naturally wouldnât miss such a chance.
"You may rise! And who might this be?" Xia Qing saw the eunuch and knew the Emperor was summoning Min Feng. He was very relieved that he had already explained clearly to Min Feng. Otherwise, Min Feng would undoubtedly reveal his weakness if called unexpectedly.
Assistant Kong quickly introduced the little eunuch, "This is Mr. Yang by the Emperorâs side! The Emperor wants to summon Mr. Min, and Mr. Yang has been ordered to fetch Mr. Min."
Assistant Kong knew not long ago, the Emperor had summoned Mr. Gu, and now Mr. Min also had this honor. He glanced at Xia Qing, who was conversing with Mr. Yang, thinking how nice it is to rely on a big tree for shade!
These people all graduated within the top three of the First Class Advanced Scholar and naturally have a bright future, connections in the government, and now with the Emperorâs favor, their prospects are even merrier.
Unlike him, who came from a scholar background. If not for the substantial family wealth and some connections, he couldnât have entered the Hanlin Academy.
Assistant Kong was truly envious of these prodigies, but ultimately time waits for no one, and going through exams again, he no longer has the energy for it.
"So it is Mr. Yang!" Xia Qing merely nodded, acknowledging him in a way.
Turning to Min Feng, Xia Qing said, "Since the Emperor summons you, you must not keep His Majesty waiting. Go quickly!"
After speaking, he ignored the remaining few, turned, and sat down at the desk intending to deal with the documents on it.
Seeing this, Assistant Kong was somewhat disappointed; Chief Minister Xia didnât even glance at him, apparently making the trip in vain. Looking at Min Feng walking ahead, he decided to get closer to Mr. Min in the future for some opportunities.
Min Feng followed the eunuch out of Wenyuan Pavilion heading toward the Imperial Study Room. His heart was somewhat uneasy as the list was ultimately not written by him, naturally making him feel guilty.
If the Emperor uncovered the truth, losing face is a minor issue, but committing the crime of deceiving the Sovereign is serious.
He took a deep breath, having reached this point, and had no choice.
The teacher had long asked Mr. Zhang to speak favorably of him before the Emperor, so retreating now was not an option.
Unexpectedly, after the Imperial Examination, the first time he was summoned by the Emperor was due to Gu Chengyuâs merit.
He felt a bit bitter, but momentarily he became resolute. The teacher has been dedicated to him; he cannot disappoint the teacherâs expectations.
"Mr. Min! Are you anxious about being summoned by the Emperor? Actually, there might be good news!"
Mr. Yang, seeing Min Feng worried, thought it was due to his first audience with the Emperor, hence his nervousness.
Upon hearing Mr. Yangâs reassurance, Min Feng quickly quelled his thoughts and thanked Mr. Yang with a smile.
"I am indeed a bit nervous; thanks to Mr. Yangâs comforting words. Does Mr. Yang know what the Emperor wants to discuss?" Min Feng remembered Xia Qingâs advice: never underestimate anyone unless you hold high status and have them underfoot.
Though Min Feng knew the reason for the Emperor calling him, he inquired calmly, pretending ignorance.
Despite standing outside, Mr. Yang had faintly overheard conversations within the Imperial Study Room. Calling Mr. Min over was likely good. However, when the Emperor summoned Mr. Min, his expression wasnât quite right.
Though a little eunuch, Mr. Yang understood the subtle art of reading expressions. Still, he didnât dwell on it; the Emperorâs recent unpleasant mood might be caused by issues with the court documents.
"I caught a snippet about the matter concerning the state code." Min Feng, being Xia Qingâs student, Mr. Yang dared not neglect him.
Mr. Yang wanted to present the scant knowledge heâd overheard to curry favor with Min Feng, hoping to latch onto Xia Qing in the future.
"Has Mr. Yang heard more details? Would you kindly inform me?" Min Feng sought to grasp the Emperorâs attitude towards him, hence attempted to gather information from Mr. Yang.
After speaking, he handed over a silver note from his sleeve. Seeing the silver note, Mr. Yangâs eyes gleamed; opportunities to benefit like this were rare for a little eunuch, usually leaving him envious.
Stretching his hand to take it, he then contemplated that Min Feng, being Xia Qingâs student, receiving the note might lose a chance to establish a relationship with Min Feng.
Observing Mr. Yangâs hesitation, Min Feng firmly placed the silver note into Mr. Yangâs hand. This silver note was a daily allowance from Xia Qing, merely twenty taels, yet plenty for a little eunuch.
Moreover, paying more would trouble him since it wasnât his familyâs money, using more meant having less.
Seeing Min Fengâs sincerity, Mr. Yang no longer refused; who would give up a silver note now in hand?
"Thereâs no more detail Iâve overheard, but when delivering orders, I noticed the Emperorâs demeanor seemed somewhat displeased. Still, with recent political troubles, it might be due to this."
Min Feng felt a sudden panic â could the Emperor suspect that the list wasnât penned by him?
"Recently, has Gu Xiu been diligent in his duties at Hanlin Academy?" The Emperor suddenly inquired about Gu Chengyu, causing Zhang Hai to listen in shock.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor regarded Gu Chengyu so highly, specially asking about him.
"Gu Xiu is stable in temperament, with commendable talent. His work is diligent and does not shirk or cheat." Zhang Hai was quite satisfied with Gu Chengyu.
Having taken credit for Gu Chengyuâs work earlier, he wasnât stingy in saying a few good words on behalf of Gu Chengyu before the Emperor.