Chapter 176

Chapter 176

After discussing that matter, Meng Houliang brought up another. "Since you've been promoted, why don't we hold a celebration banquet? What do you think?"

Meng Shuping waved his hands frantically. "No, no, there's no need to be so high-profile. What if people say I've gotten arrogant after getting promoted?"

[Ugh! My vacation got cut in half already—who wants to spend another day socializing? I just want to rest, okay?]

[And if we really hold a promotion banquet, how many people would come? I don’t want to be gawked at like some circus act—that sounds totally suffocating!]

Meng Houliang: "...Alright, then can we at least have a meal with our own family?"

Though still somewhat reluctant, living in the Earl's mansion meant such things were unavoidable. Moreover, Meng Houliang was doing this for him, so he had to agree. "Alright."

A few days later, the Yunzhou case concluded. The Yunzhou Prefect and several other corrupt officials were sentenced according to their crimes, and the Minister of Works was reassigned to a provincial post.

Meng Shuping felt like he hadn’t even had much time to enjoy his rest before it was time to return to work. He couldn’t help but feel even more resentful toward the Yunzhou Prefect. If it weren’t for him, he could have had a few more days off. Now, not only was his vacation gone, but his bonus was gone too.

And he really didn’t understand—he and the Yunzhou Prefect didn't have any major grudges, right? Why did the Yunzhou Prefect have to expose his relationship with Jiang Cihe during court proceedings? Could it be that he wanted to drag someone down with him before he died?

He quietly blended in with the other officials attending the morning court but noticed that people kept stealing glances at him. However, as soon as he made any movement, they immediately looked away. Meng Shuping felt so nervous under their gazes that he couldn’t help but think, [What's everyone staring at? Never seen a good-looking man before? And if you’re going to look, why do it so sneakily? Aren’t you court officials? Can’t you just focus on waiting?]

[Wait, are they staring because I’m with the prince? Are they curious? Haven’t they seen a man dating another man before? What’s so interesting? Don’t they believe I’ll ask the prince to dig up dirt on their families? I refuse to believe their families don’t have any skeletons in the closet.]

Several ministers quickly stood at attention, not daring to glance at Meng Shuping anymore. What if Meng Shuping really investigated them? Though they didn’t think they had committed any major offenses, Meng Shuping was simply too unpredictable. They didn’t want to be targeted by him.

Noticing that those who had been staring at him had withdrawn their gazes, Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief. Though he didn’t understand why they had stopped looking, since no one was paying attention to him anymore, he didn’t bother thinking too much about it.

Following the crowd into the hall, Meng Shuping did as usual—quietly hiding among the officials to keep a low profile. Shortly after, Emperor Qianyou arrived. Once everyone had paid their respects, the court began discussing state affairs.

Meng Shuping was spacing out when he suddenly realized, [Crap! How did I forget about that? If I hadn’t refused to hold a promotion banquet, wouldn’t they have come and given me congratulatory presents?]

[Darn, I’ve really missed out. Since becoming an official, I’ve given gifts for so many occasions—will I never get them back? There doesn’t seem to be any opportunity now!]

[But even if I didn’t hold a promotion banquet, didn’t any of my colleagues at court think to give me a gift? Oh, I get it! Are they looking down on me because I’m with the prince and trying to isolate me? And using that as an excuse to skip giving a gift? They’re so calculating!]

A few officials couldn’t help but roll their eyes. Who was looking down on Meng Shuping? The emperor hadn’t said anything, and even if they privately disapproved, they wouldn’t dare show it so openly!

It was just that Meng Shuping always acted so impartial—who would have thought he actually wanted gifts? Hadn’t many of those who tried to bribe him ended up in prison?

Emperor Qianyou was nearly amused into laughter. He quickly focused and asked the ministers below, "Beloved Ministers, I intend to appoint someone new as Minister of Works. Do any of you have recommendations?"

The ministers looked at each other, but for a moment, no one stepped forward first.

Meng Shuping glanced up and then relaxed again. [Whew. Such important appointments aren’t for a low-ranking official like me to answer. I’ll just keep slacking off! Honestly, slacking off at a time like this is so satisfying.]

However, as soon as he relaxed, Emperor Qianyou called him out. "Beloved Minister Meng, since no one has made a recommendation, why don’t you tell us who you think is suitable for the position of Minister of Works?"

Instantly, several officials’ gazes fell on Meng Shuping. At that moment, they regretted not building a better relationship with him earlier. If they had, perhaps Meng Shuping would have recommended them now.

Meng Shuping was caught off guard but had to step forward. "...This humble official believes Imperial Censor Zheng would be quite suitable."

[Seriously? Why'd he single me out for no reason? As if he’d agree just because I said something. And is he trying to make me enemies? This position is clearly hotly contested—didn’t he notice no one dared to be the first to speak up?]

Minister of Revenue: "..."

Everyone was just being modest and observing—it wasn’t that they truly didn’t want to step forward.

Emperor Qianyou was curious. "Why?"

Meng Shuping answered honestly, "Because among the suitable candidates, Your subject is only familiar with him."

[Are you kidding me? I don't really know anyone else! Even if I wanted to recommend someone, I couldn’t name anyone! And I’m not even that familiar with Imperial Censor Zheng!]

Immediately, several officials who wanted the position regretted it even more. Why hadn’t they thought to send Meng Shuping some congratulatory gifts? Even having their names remembered would have been good!

Zheng Qian looked at Meng Shuping in surprise. He never expected that Meng Shuping, who seemed to have barely spoken to him, would help him at such a moment.

Emperor Qianyou: "..." That was a surprisingly simple reason.

Seeing that Emperor Qianyou didn’t say anything else, another official couldn’t hold back. He quickly stepped forward. "Isn’t Vice Director Meng playing favorites here? The position of Minister of Works is too important to recommend someone so casually."

Then, he turned to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, Your subject believes the Vice Minister of War is competent and fair-minded, making him suitable for Minister of Works."

Meng Shuping was speechless. [They didn’t speak up when asked, but as soon as I did, they come out to oppose me. Is he trying to start something?]

[And he has the nerve to accuse me of nepotism? I refuse to believe the person he recommended has no connection to him. It’s not like I’m criticizing him, but if he can’t be impartial himself, what right does he have to accuse me? Besides, what’s so bad about favoritism? Didn’t the emperor also appoint his son to a court position? Is he implying the emperor is nepotistic and not giving others a chance?]

The official who had just spoken sputtered. When did he ever imply the emperor was nepotistic? Don’t make wild assumptions! But since Meng Shuping hadn’t said it out loud, he had no chance to refute it.

At that moment, another official stepped forward. "What Lord Sun says is reasonable, but if I recall correctly, the Vice Minister of War’s family has marriage connections with yours going back three generations, right? If so, shouldn’t Lord Sun step aside from this discussion?"

Meng Shuping was astonished. [Whoa, he even remembers such an old connection. Are they political rivals? Haha, I knew Lord Sun and the Vice Minister of War were related!]

Lord Sun was annoyed. "Lord You, that’s going too far. If such distant marriage connections are worth mentioning, then wouldn’t most officials in court be connected?"

Meng Shuping thought this made sense too. [That’s not wrong. Lord You’s argument doesn't hold water. Is he really that desperate to refute? If he can’t, someone else should step up!]

Lord You choked and snorted. "I’m just saying that you and the Vice Minister of War are also connected, so accusing Vice Director Meng of nepotism is a bit too much."

Meng Shuping also agreed. [Exactly! He’s so righteous when criticizing me but forgets when it’s his turn. How hypocritical! What does it matter if the connection is distant? Isn’t it still a connection?]

Lord Sun found it unbelievable. If he remembered correctly, this Lord You had no connection to Meng Shuping, right? Why was he speaking up for him? Could it be just to get Meng Shuping on his side?

He took a deep breath and said, "Then, may I ask who Lord You thinks is suitable for Minister of Works?"

Hearing this, Lord You turned to Emperor Qianyou. "Your Majesty, Your subject believes that the Ministry of Works has lost so many officials at once and must be in complete disarray. Now is the time to let a colleague familiar with the ministry’s affairs take charge. Bringing someone from another department might lead to complications in the short term. Therefore, it would be most appropriate to let the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works directly manage the ministry."

Meng Shuping’s eyes widened in surprise. [Good heavens! So I was just flattering myself. I really thought he agreed with me and was taking my side, but it turns out he had his own agenda. Are they all nuts? They don’t speak when asked, but as soon as someone steps forward, they immediately oppose. Are they all just argumentative types?]

[But why did he have to recommend the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works? With the ministry in such disarray, who can guarantee the Vice Minister is innocent? What if he just hasn't been exposed yet?]

Lord Sun couldn’t help but smirk smugly. "Lord You, the Ministry of Works is in such chaos—the former Minister of Works, the former Vice Minister of the Right, and many other officials were found guilty of corruption. To put it bluntly, how can you be sure the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works is innocent?"

Hearing this, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works quickly stepped forward and knelt. "Your Majesty! I'm innocent! Please investigate thoroughly!"

Lord You was also furious. "Don’t make false accusations! Do you have evidence?"

Lord Sun sneered. "I’m just making a reasonable guess based on facts. I didn’t accuse you—why are you so nervous? Did I hit a nerve?"

Lord You snorted coldly. "I didn’t know we could declare someone guilty without proof now!"

"Setting aside guilt or innocence, the ministry is in such disarray. I question whether the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works is even competent."

Watching them argue, Meng Shuping was thrilled. [Go at it! Fight! Or just have a duel! Whoever wins gets to be Minister of Works! I’m not getting involved in this!]