Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Emperor Qianyou’s face showed a hint of smugness as he feigned disapproval, "How can that be? That would be far too much trouble. Let's proceed as I've instructed."

Meng Shuping’s eyes widened with fury. Once again, he couldn't help but curse inwardly, "That damn emperor!!!"

"He's pulling this stunt on me again, isn't he?! Does he think the salary he pays me is too much, so he's trying every trick in the book to squeeze it back?"

"If he keeps this up, does he really think I won't make a scene right here and now?"

Meng Houliang was so startled by Meng Shuping’s audacious thoughts that his heart nearly stopped. This child, how could he dare to curse like that? He secretly glanced at Emperor Qianyou, feeling immensely relieved that Meng Shuping only dared to vent his anger internally; outwardly, he remained perfectly docile. Otherwise, not even several lives would suffice to atone for such insolence. He resolved to speak with Meng Shuping another day. Couldn't he just save his grievances for when he returned home?

However, several ministers at court were consumed by jealousy. Damn it, the emperor was showing this young man far too much favor! Although the emperor claimed it was to facilitate impeachment, anyone with eyes could see that the emperor actually trusted him! Otherwise, ordinary officials facing impeachment might not even get such an opportunity to defend themselves. This young man should be secretly rejoicing that the emperor specifically summoned him—yet he didn't seem to appreciate it!

They looked at Meng Shuping with envy, their voices tinged with a subtle sourness, "Vice Director Meng, why are you still standing there? Hurry and express your gratitude! The emperor has specially permitted you to attend the grand court assembly—what an immense honor!"

"Precisely, precisely! If my own children and grandchildren were held in such high regard, I'd be laughing in my dreams!"

"Vice Director Meng, why are you still silent? Hahaha, are you so overjoyed you're speechless?"

Emperor Qianyou thought with a huff, "That's more like it! This is the normal reaction. See? Only Meng Shuping thinks I'm targeting him."

Meng Shuping was speechless. "Happy my foot! Whoever wants this 'honor' can have it! If he wants to work for the emperor 24/7, I have no objections!"

"He's making me lose sleep, and I'm supposed to thank him? Just because he's the emperor, does that mean he can bully me like this? Watch me give him a piece of my mind!"

Meng Houliang’s heart tightened. "Ping Ge'er, please don't say anything reckless!"

Just then, he heard Meng Shuping sincerely say, "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty! Although your humble servant is still young and might stunt my growth without enough sleep, since Your Majesty values me so much, even if Your Majesty provides no additional compensation and makes me work for free, your humble servant will definitely, definitely harbor no complaints!"

"Yeah, right! The salary remains the same, but the working hours keep getting longer. 'Work till you drop dead'—is that it? Is there even any room for a person to live?"

"Not to be rude, but he's a grown man—how can he have the nerve to bully someone young enough to be his son? Doesn't his conscience hurt at all?"

The court ministers: "..."

Why did those words sound so subtly off? Was that gratitude or veiled sarcasm?

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

Not at all. Bullying Meng Shuping actually made him quite happy!

He nodded cheerfully and said, "Since Beloved Minister Meng has no objections, then this matter is settled."

Seeing that Emperor Qianyou showed absolutely no other reaction, Meng Shuping instantly grew indignant. "Unbelievable! Is he pretending not to understand? Can't he see my resentment is practically tangible?"

"Argh! Whatever, let it all burn! Next time someone impeaches me, I'll just admit guilt! Whoever wants this crummy job can have it!"

Minister of Revenue Chen and Minister of Justice Cao Jie looked at Meng Shuping sympathetically. "Hahaha, Vice Director Meng, you'd better just roll with it. Even if you want to admit guilt, the emperor has to agree first!"

"But don't worry—even if the emperor doesn't intervene, they'll help him out. After all, with Vice Director Meng around, they get plenty of amusement!"

After the morning court session ended, Meng Shuping silently followed the crowd out of the hall. But what made him extremely uncomfortable was that many people were sneaking glances at him.

He awkwardly avoided everyone's stares and walked forward when suddenly, he heard Jiang Cihe call out, "Meng Shuping!"

Meng Shuping immediately shot a fierce glare at Jiang Cihe. "What do you want?"

"That bastard! How dare he come looking for me! His father is no good, and neither is he!"

Jiang Cihe: "..."

Why was he being blamed out of nowhere? His father's disgraceful behavior had nothing to do with him!

Just as he was about to speak, Peng Boshan also walked over. "Prince Zhao, Vice Director Meng."

Jiang Cihe had no choice but to respond to Peng Boshan first. "What is it, Lord Peng?"

Remembering that it was Jiang Cihe who had spread the news of Meng Shuping being harassed, causing him to be misunderstood by Meng Shuping, Peng Boshan felt somewhat wronged. "Prince Zhao, perhaps you should explain to Vice Director Meng that it wasn't me who spread the news about him being harassed. Please don't let Vice Director Meng misunderstand your humble official."

Meng Shuping whirled around to glare at Jiang Cihe. "That bastard! So it was him! I knew it had to be someone! Did he just want to make a fool out of me?"

Jiang Cihe put on a surprised expression. "But wasn't it Lord Peng who spoke so enthusiastically about it during the morning court? How could it have been me who leaked it?"

Meng Shuping then turned his accusing gaze to Peng Boshan. "Yeah, that's right! No one forced him to say anything! It makes perfect sense if it was him!"

Peng Boshan stammered. "Oh no, this was getting hard to explain." He quickly said, "But it really wasn't me! After finishing my duties yesterday, I went straight home. I didn't have time to tell anyone else. Prince Zhao, since you're on good terms with Vice Director Meng, did you perhaps mention it to Lord Chen to help him out?"

Meng Shuping immediately looked suspiciously at Jiang Cihe again. "Now that he mentions it, he does seem pretty suspicious! But even if he wanted to help me, he shouldn't have made me look bad like this!"

Jiang Cihe retorted to Peng Boshan, "But before the morning court, didn't you meet with Lord Chen and Lord Cao?"

Meng Shuping frowned. "So it was him after all! Who would've thought! Lord Peng isn't just a gossip—he's also framing others! Expose him! We must expose him! I refuse to believe he doesn't have any dirty secrets!"

Peng Boshan wanted to cry out in frustration. He was being wronged for no reason!

At that moment, as if unable to bear seeing Peng Boshan wronged, Jiang Cihe added, "If it really wasn't Lord Peng who spoke of it, then perhaps Lord Chen and Lord Cao specially inquired about it."

Peng Boshan immediately nodded. "Yes, yes! Your humble official thinks so too. Maybe they heard it from those officers. When I return, I'll make sure to instruct them properly not to let something like this happen again."

Meng Shuping’s suspicion shifted to Lord Chen and Lord Cao. "Now that I think about it, that's possible too. Speaking of which, among those watching the spectacle earlier, they were definitely the ones laughing the loudest!"

The thought made his teeth itch. "How dare they! How dare they laugh at my misfortune! Aren't they ashamed to act like that at their age?"

If Minister of Revenue Chen and Minister of Justice Cao Jie had been there, they would have felt terribly wronged. Although they might have laughed a bit too loudly while watching the spectacle, they certainly hadn't specially inquired about it! But since they weren't present, they remained unaware that they had been wrongly accused.

Jiang Cihe and Peng Boshan both breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally managed to divert Meng Shuping’s attention elsewhere. Though, perhaps Ministers Chen and Cao weren't entirely innocent?

Having successfully shaken off suspicion, Peng Boshan took his leave from Jiang Cihe and Meng Shuping. "I have matters to attend to at my office. I must be going now."

Jiang Cihe nodded. "Safe travels, Lord Peng."

After Peng Boshan left, Jiang Cihe’s expression turned hurt. "Did you really think it was me who leaked it? After all I've done for you, you still doubted me?"

Meng Shuping looked away. "No, I didn't!"

Jiang Cihe said sadly, "Then say it while looking me in the eyes."

Meng Shuping darted a quick glance up at Jiang Cihe before looking away again. "Really, I didn't!"

"Sigh, so what if I harbored a little suspicion in my heart? Did he have to take it so hard? Now I'm feeling guilty."

He quickly changed the subject, "By the way, what did you come to find me for?"

Jiang Cihe smirked and sighed, "I originally thought you might be feeling down and wanted to take you to soak in the hot springs. But since you're not in the mood right now, let's go another day."

Meng Shuping quickly responded, "I am in the mood! When are we leaving?"

"Ah, I'm guilty, I repent—how could I have just taken my anger out on His Highness? Even though his father isn't exactly a decent person, he himself is quite good!"

Seeing his sudden shift from a dejected demeanor, Jiang Cihe chuckled, "Tomorrow is a day off, so let's set out after work today and return tomorrow afternoon."

Meng Shuping said happily, "Alright."

After leaving the palace, Meng Shuping went to the Ministry of Punishments. Shortly after he sat down, an official he wasn't very familiar with approached. He quickly stood up nervously, "Minister Wu."

Wu Lan nodded casually and glanced at the papers on Meng Shuping’s desk, "Did you write this?"

Meng Shuping nodded, unsure of the intent, "Yes."

Wu Lan shook his head and clicked his tongue, "Tch, Vice Director Meng, you really ought to practice your handwriting more."

Meng Shuping's face went blank, "Alright, alright, I get it—he's saying my handwriting is ugly, right?"

Unexpectedly, a little later, Cao Jie also came over, "Vice Director Meng, where's that case file you wrote earlier? Let me take a look."

Meng Shuping didn't know why Cao Jie suddenly wanted it, but since he asked, he obediently handed over the document. To his surprise, Cao Jie took one look and burst into laughter, "Just as the Emperor said—your handwriting is truly awful! Hahaha!"

Meng Shuping was furious, "Is he crazy? Did he come all this way just to mock my handwriting? He's been practicing for so many years and still hasn't become a calligraphy master! All he knows is how to laugh at me, huh?"

Even by the end of the workday, Meng Shuping still felt somewhat frustrated. He thought that after practicing for two or three months, his handwriting had improved quite a bit! But the thought of having a whole day to relax soon lifted his spirits. After meeting up with Jiang Cihe, they boarded a carriage and headed toward Jiang Cihe’s hot spring villa outside the capital.

Although Jiang Cihe’s carriage was quite stable, the road became bumpy once they were some distance from the city. Still, the carriage couldn't travel too slowly, or they might not arrive before dark.

Just as Meng Shuping was doing his best to steady himself, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Caught off guard, he tumbled right into Jiang Cihe.