Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Jiang Cihe settled back, then suddenly winced, clutching his forehead. "But it still hurts a bit!"

Meng Shuping stared at Jiang Cihe in disbelief. [That scoundrel! So dramatic! Why didn't he mention the pain earlier?]

He took a deep breath. "Then just rub it, won't that help?"

[Is he expecting me to blow on it to make it better too? I'm not medicine—how would blowing on it stop the pain?]

Jiang Cihe shot him a glance. "Forget it, just let me suffer then."

Meng Shuping: "..."

A moment later, he cupped Jiang Cihe's head and blew hard on it. "There, done!"

[You wanted me to blow on it, right? Well, I did!]

The force of Meng Shuping's breath made Jiang Cihe's eyes scrunch shut, his face wrinkling. Only after Meng Shuping finished did his features relax. Oh well, he couldn't expect the little money-grubber to be gentle.

Seeing Jiang Cihe's speechless expression, Meng Shuping couldn't help but smirk to himself. He tried to control his expression and asked Jiang Cihe, "Didn't you tell me to come up? Why did you come down then?"

If Jiang Cihe hadn't rushed out suddenly, would he have bumped his forehead?

Jiang Cihe said helplessly, "I thought you wouldn't come up."

Who would have thought that despite saying he wouldn't, Meng Shuping still came up? The little money-grubber doesn't follow the usual script—can you blame him for that?

Meng Shuping gave him an exasperated look. [So you thought I wouldn't come up, yet you still called me up?]

He asked Jiang Cihe, "What did you want me for?"

Jiang Cihe's voice dropped to a low, husky tone. "It's been so long since we last met, and you didn't even bother to come find me?"

Meng Shuping shot him an unhappy look. "Well, you didn't come find me either!"

[Besides, who threw the tantrum first? What if I went to see him and he ignored me again?]

Jiang Cihe collected himself. A moment later, he couldn't help but seize Meng Shuping's wrist. "So you don't care about me at all?"

Meeting Jiang Cihe's intense gaze, Meng Shuping was momentarily stunned. He felt a strange, subtle sensation, and the air around them seemed to grow still.

After a while, he pulled his hand away awkwardly. "Just talk—why grab me?"

He pretended to rub his wrist but wouldn't look at Jiang Cihe. "How could I not care about you?"

[When others make me angry, I get upset for a moment. When he makes me angry, I stay mad for days! And didn't I give him an out as soon as he came? How could I not care? If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even bother!]

Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow. So the little money-grubber was this angry? Suddenly, he didn't feel as upset anymore. He chuckled lightly. "Weren't you going to give me a reciprocal gift? Where is it? Did you forget?"

Hearing this, Meng Shuping grew a bit guilty. His eyes wandered around the carriage before he finally spoke, bracing himself. "Well... I just thought that an ordinary gift wouldn't suit you."

Jiang Cihe tilted Meng Shuping's face toward him. "Then what about an extraordinary one?"

Forced to meet Jiang Cihe's eyes, Meng Shuping looked down, feeling guilty. "I can't afford an extraordinary one."

[Who told him to be so rich? He lacks nothing, and I'm at a loss for what to give! I haven't even complained about how difficult he's making it for me!]

Just as Jiang Cihe was about to speak, Meng Shuping got an idea. "Is your forehead still sore? Let me blow on it for you!"

Without waiting for a reply, he cupped Jiang Cihe's face and blew gently on his forehead.

Jiang Cihe's gaze fell on Meng Shuping's long neck. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he discreetly averted his eyes. Even though he couldn't see it, a faint fragrance of incense still reached his nostrils.

Meng Shuping blew for a while, then suddenly let go and sat back. Jiang Cihe asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Meng Shuping paused, then said awkwardly, "Your breathing tickles my neck."

[Pfft! If he weren't so serious, I'd think he was trying to flirt with me. Why blow on my neck for no reason?]

Jiang Cihe: "..." It was clearly Meng Shuping who was being overly sensitive—he hadn't budged an inch.

Remembering that the Emperor's birthday was approaching, he reminded Meng Shuping, "My father's birthday is coming up soon. Don't forget to prepare a gift for him."

Meng Shuping was surprised. "What? Like what?"

[Another gift? And I haven't been an official for long—I haven't even received much salary yet. Surely I don't have to pay out of pocket?]

Jiang Cihe smiled. "Just prepare anything. It doesn't need to be expensive, just something appropriate."

Meng Shuping asked curiously, "What do other low-ranking officials on a budget like me usually give?"

Jiang Cihe couldn't help but laugh and explained, "Probably things like medicinal herbs, local specialties, or good-quality everyday items, like ink brushes and ink."

Meng Shuping understood. "So it's the thought that counts, right?"

Jiang Cihe nodded. "If you want to catch my father's attention, you could give something valuable or novel. But if you don't care about that, then it doesn't matter."

Though it went without saying that Meng Shuping certainly didn't need to attract the emperor's attention.

Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief. [Then I'll keep costs down—ideally nothing. After all, the emperor hasn't exactly been generous to me!]

Jiang Cihe's lips curled almost imperceptibly. He was quite looking forward to what Meng Shuping would give.

After dropping Meng Shuping off at his residence, Jiang Cihe left. As soon as Meng Shuping entered, he encountered a eunuch there to deliver a verbal order. "Lord Meng, His Majesty decrees that you are to attend tomorrow's Qionglin Banquet."

Meng Shuping was puzzled. "What?"

[Why call me for no reason? I can't compose poetry or anything.]

But seeing the eunuch still watching him, he had no choice but to say, "Understood."

The next day, after tidying up, Meng Shuping took a carriage to the garden where the Qionglin Banquet was held. The garden was in the western part of the capital, with elegant scenery and exquisite designs. The banquet was set up in a clearing surrounded by lush flowers and pleasant views.

Upon arriving, Meng Shuping noticed that aside from a few princes and high-ranking officials, he was the only one invited. He couldn't help but wonder, [Is the emperor targeting me? Others are one thing, but why is a seventh-rank petty official like me here? To fill a seat?]

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

What does "filling a seat" have to do with anything? He just thought having Meng Shuping around would be amusing.

The Minister of Works glanced at Meng Shuping and said with a tight smile, "Vice Director Meng seems displeased? What, are you unhappy that His Majesty summoned you?"

At this, everyone turned to look at Meng Shuping, who stiffened immediately and said, "Yes!"

[See? I knew the emperor was targeting me! Someone starts trouble as soon as I arrive—did he anticipate this? But why is Lord Shi so angry?]

[Hiss...]

[Could it be that the emperor paying special attention to me has made Lord Shi jealous? How petty! At his age, bullying a youngster over something like this—does he have no shame?]

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

This was the Minister of Works' personal behavior—what did it have to do with him? How could it be blamed on him?

The Minister of Works was speechless, completely unprepared for Meng Shuping’s blunt admission. He said coldly, "How insolent! His Majesty summoned you out of regard for you—how can you show such disrespect toward him?"

This Meng Shuping was way too bold. But perhaps that was just as well—the Emperor would surely be displeased upon hearing this.

Meng Shuping was left speechless and couldn’t help shooting back, "Aren’t you the one being disrespectful?"

[If he hadn’t said anything, would the Emperor have known? But since he spoke up, he’s the one who ruined the Emperor’s mood. How dare he blame me? Clearly, he’s the one slapping the Emperor in the face!]

[He doesn’t even know when to pick a fight, and he calls himself the Minister of Works? How can he be so clueless?]

The Minister of Works snorted, "You’re dissatisfied with the Emperor summoning you—isn’t that disrespect? How can you pin this on me?"

"Lord Shi," Jiang Cihe said expressionlessly, "Before His Majesty has even spoken, you’re already reprimanding others arbitrarily. Isn’t that speaking out of turn?"

Meng Shuping thought to himself, [Exactly, exactly! Does he not take the Emperor seriously at all? I think the Emperor is way too easy on them—look how he’s pampered them! As for me, I never dare make a peep in front of the Emperor.]

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

"Make a peep"? If he hadn’t spoken up, he figured Meng Shuping wouldn't have said a word.

But after being complained about so many times in Meng Shuping’s thoughts, today’s level of dissatisfaction was nothing. Besides, when he decided to summon Meng Shuping, he had already anticipated his displeasure. In fact, one might say he enjoyed seeing Meng Shuping so seething but powerless—wasn’t it amusing?

He put on a stern face and said, "Enough, Lord Shi. If you have nothing better to do, think about how you’ll critique the performances later. Why bother quarreling with a junior?"

Meng Shuping shot a smug glance at the Minister of Works. [Exactly, exactly! I haven’t seen any talent in him, but when it comes to ruining the atmosphere, he’s definitely first-rate.]

The Minister of Works was boiling with anger, but with Emperor Qianyou watching, he schooled his features and said resentfully, "Yes."

He had no idea why the Emperor was so indulgent toward this brat. If it were anyone else, they would have long since fallen out of favor.

Emperor Qianyou glanced around at the group. "Let’s go."

In the banquet hall, the newly appointed scholars were already waiting. As soon as Emperor Qianyou arrived, they all bowed in greeting. Meng Shuping took a seat at the very back of the group. Looking out, he saw the scholars below gazing at Emperor Qianyou with a mix of tension and excitement.

Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief. [Good thing I’m several people away from the Emperor. Being stared at by so many people—just thinking about it is suffocating.]

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he noticed some people shifting their gaze toward him. Meng Shuping shuddered, a bad feeling creeping over him.

Soon, the banquet officially began. After Emperor Qianyou set the theme, the scholars showcased their talents, composing poems and reciting verses. Meng Shuping had no interest in such things, so he focused on eating the snacks on the table. Suddenly, he realized the surroundings had grown quiet. He looked up and saw, for some reason, everyone was staring at him.