Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Emperor Qianyou: "..." Who else would dare curse? As if you're the only one!

After retreating to the door, Meng Shuping sighed gloomily, "Ah, I told you not to make me an official, didn’t I? Look, there’s not much benefit—just offending people left and right!"

"What’s even more infuriating is the Emperor. He sees how hard I’m working as an official, yet he won't give me a raise? Even a reward would do! What a loss! Such a huge loss!"

Minister of Justice Cao Jie couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Who was the one cursing the Emperor earlier? The Emperor has been lenient enough not to punish him, and now he wants a reward?

When Hong Da learned that the Minister of Works not only failed to impeach Meng Shuping but was instead reprimanded by the Emperor and fined half a year’s salary, he slammed his hand on the table in fury. "Incompetent!"

He truly couldn’t understand it. Even with such ironclad evidence, Meng Shuping still wasn’t convicted. Is this kid really that highly regarded by the Emperor?

Hmph, since Meng Shuping claims to be so impartial and incorruptible, he’ll give the kid exactly what he wants!

Hong Da paced angrily around the room for a long time before an idea came to him. He called his trusted aide and whispered a few instructions.

After returning, the Minister of Works also felt utterly humiliated. Before impeaching Meng Shuping, he thought the worst outcome would be Meng Shuping escaping unscathed. He never expected to get caught up in it himself!

He slammed his teacup down heavily on the table. He refused to believe that Meng Shuping hadn’t made any mistakes in handling official duties!

After thinking for a moment, he stood up and headed out. Only the Ministry of Justice and Dali Court would have clearer information on such matters.

But after several days of inquiries, he still couldn’t find any dirt on Meng Shuping. The Minister of Works gritted his teeth in frustration. Wasn’t it said that this kid lacked knowledge? How could there not be a single wrongful or mishandled case?

What he didn’t know was that while Meng Shuping might be weak in classical literature, he wasn’t illiterate. And though he often complained about not wanting to be an official, once he took the position, he didn’t cut corners.

The next few days passed without incident. On this day, Meng Shuping went out by carriage to buy some things.

However, when he reached a street corner, he found the road blocked. He leaned out to look. "What’s going on?"

His servant Xing Lai peered ahead. "It seems like two groups of young masters are arguing."

On the second floor of a teahouse at the street corner, someone glanced casually out the window. "Is everything arranged?"

A trusted aide beside him replied, "Everything is set. Those two have never gotten along—they’re always either arguing or fighting. This time, we’ve also had people egging them on. They’re bound to start fighting."

Once they started fighting, one of them would be killed by their planted agent, and the blame would be pinned on the other. Tsk, tsk. Noble Consort Tao’s nephew killing Esteemed Consort Zhao’s nephew—that would give the kid a real headache.

At that moment, Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei were arguing fiercely. "Hmph! If your team hadn’t cheated, would we have lost?"

Tang Jiefei laughed arrogantly. "Hahaha, a loss is a loss. Why make excuses? Can’t handle losing?"

"That’s right! If you can’t handle it, just say so. We’ll go easy on you!"

Tao Zifan’s face flushed red with anger. "You’re the one who can’t handle losing! I think you knew you couldn’t win fairly, so you resorted to tricks! Who was it last time that we crushed?"

"Yeah, yeah! Can’t win fair and square, so you ambush us! How despicable!"

Tang Jiefei glanced at him disdainfully. "That was us going easy on you. We had to let you win once, or you’d go crying home, wouldn’t you?"

Tao Zifan clenched his fists. "You’re the one who’d cry! Looks like you’re asking for a beating!"

"Want to fight? Let’s fight! If you don’t, you’re a coward!"

"Think I’m afraid? Today, I’ll show you who’s the real man!"

As Meng Shuping moved closer, he realized the two looked familiar. After eavesdropping on the crowd’s chatter, he finally recognized them. "Oh, oh! I remember now! Isn’t he Noble Consort Tao’s nephew who stole something? And the other one is Esteemed Consort Zhao’s hypocritical and shameless nephew."

Just as Tao Zifan was rolling up his sleeves, he heard this. Furious, he scanned the crowd. Who stole something? It was a misunderstanding last time!

At the same time, Tang Jiefei also stopped, displeased. Who’s hypocritical and shameless? Who’s the idiot speaking up now? Doesn’t he know I’m already pissed?

Seeing them halt, their followers grew confused. "Brother Tao, aren’t you fighting? Are you scared of this guy?"

"Brother Tang, are you backing down?"

Both glared at their followers simultaneously. Shut up! They could settle their score anytime, but the person who spoke up in the crowd had to be caught now!

Watching them look around, Meng Shuping was puzzled. "Huh? Why aren’t they fighting? If they’re going to fight, they should hurry up and finish so the road clears. If not, they shouldn’t stand around blocking the way."

"Not to criticize, but do they have no public decency? If they want to fight, they should go somewhere deserted. No one would stop them. Fighting in the middle of the road—what’s that about? Look, they’re blocking everyone’s path!"

Hearing this person even urging them on, Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei exchanged a glance and simultaneously turned toward the direction of the voice.

Seeing how in sync they were, Meng Shuping couldn’t help but remark, "Tsk, tsk. Even before I came to the capital, I heard they were always at odds. How are they still tangled up now? If they don’t like each other, why not find others to hang out with? Why keep clinging to each other? Too much free time?"

"Ah..."

"I get it. Their families must be rivals, but these two actually admire each other. So they have to act hostile all the time! They clearly care about each other but pretend to despise one another. Tsk, tsk, it’s like a love-hate relationship!"

"But honestly, they’re quite a match—both cut from the same cloth!"

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei looked at each other in disgust. Him and Tang Jiefei/Tao Zifan in a love-hate relationship? How revolting!

They both charged toward Meng Shuping’s direction. Meng Shuping quickly stepped aside like everyone else. "See? I knew they had a secret relationship! Even their movements are synchronized. Isn’t that telepathy?"

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei froze instantly. Telepathy with him? But which kid was it who spoke? They scanned the crowd for a long time but couldn’t pinpoint who it was.

Hiding behind the crowd, Meng Shuping was baffled by their behavior. "Are they going to fight or not? If they don’t do it soon, they’ll miss their chance. Once the authorities and the Military Hall Department arrive, they’ll probably be arrested. I remember they were taken in last time—wonder how long it took for them to be released."

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei simultaneously recalled the previous incident. Their faces darkened. Fine, today wasn’t the right time. They’d fight another day! For now, finding that annoying person was top priority!

Seeing Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei staring intently in their direction, the onlookers grew nervous. Seriously? Can’t we even watch a fight?

Meng Shuping also averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact with them. "Oh no, are they that domineering? They even want to beat up spectators? I shouldn’t have stayed to watch!"

Under their intense glares, the crowd began to disperse. Just as Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei were about to stop them, a patrol of soldiers arrived. "What’s everyone crowding around for?"

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei flicked their sleeves. "Let’s go! We’ll fight another day!"

"Another day it is. You think I’m afraid?"

Relieved to see them leave, Meng Shuping hurried back to his carriage. "Let’s go too."

"Yes."

Upstairs at the street corner, Hong Da angrily punched the windowsill. He glared coldly at his subordinate. "Didn’t you say they would definitely fight? Then what was that?"

According to his original plan, Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei were supposed to brawl in the street. Then, his agent would kill Tang Jiefei in the chaos and frame Tao Zifan. No matter how Meng Shuping handled the case, he would inevitably offend one of the powerful families.

If he convicted Tao Zifan, even better. Later, the real culprit would be exposed accidentally, and Meng Shuping would not only offend both families but also face impeachment from numerous censors. It would be nearly impossible for him to remain in office.

But why didn’t they fight?

Hong Da’s subordinate was also frustrated. Weren’t they about to fight just now? Who could’ve guessed they’d suddenly stop?

He had no choice but to say, "Don't worry, sir. Even if they don't fight here, as long as they keep running into each other, they're bound to end up fighting."

Hong Da snorted, "Don't let me down this time!"

"Certainly, certainly."

Meng Shuping had just finished shopping and was about to board his carriage when he suddenly heard someone calling his name. He turned around but saw no one. Just then, his servant boy Xing Lai reminded him, "Young master, look up."

Meng Shuping raised his head and saw Jiang Cihe waving at him from a window, "Come up!"

Surprised, he hurried into the shop, told the attendant which reserved room he was heading to, and was led upstairs by the attendant.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to enter, he caught a glimpse of Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei also heading in his direction. He quickly ducked into the reserved room, "Why am I running into those two again?"

Seeing him rush in so hastily, Jiang Cihe asked, surprised, "What's wrong? Who did you run into?"

Meng Shuping glanced outside and whispered, "It's that nephew of Noble Consort Tao and Esteemed Consort Zhao's nephew. They might start fighting again!"

Jiang Cihe went to the door, "Really? Let me see."

By then, Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei had already reached the door of their reserved room. Tao Zifan snapped at the attendant, "Didn't you just say there was a reserved room available? How come there isn't one now?"

Tang Jiefei also snarled, "Do you even want to keep this restaurant open?"

The attendant looked troubled and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sirs. I thought you were together. There is a reserved room, but it's the only one left."

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei glanced at each other disdainfully, "Who's with him? Give me this room!"

Meng Shuping exclaimed with a hearty laugh, "Wow, not only did they pick the same restaurant, but they even said the same thing. Are they really that obsessed with each other?"

Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei whipped their heads around—why did they hear that voice again?

Before they could react, the voice continued, "Hahaha, are they really going to fight over who gets the reserved room? There's no need, really no need. They can just make bids for it—whoever offers the higher price gets the room!"

"Wait, Noble Consort Tao's nephew couldn't even afford a sachet and had to steal one. He probably doesn't have the money. I guess they'll still end up fighting. After all, fighting is the only way they can make physical contact!"