Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 383: Chapter 281: Old Foxes (Part 4)

Cui Ye from the Camp Repair Department left evidence to protect himself. Now only Cui Ye and Tang Xuan’s evidence has surfaced, but there’s none from Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat Luu Shizhong.

To save his life, what will he do?

He surely conveyed the matter of the metal box containing evidence against the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.

Then Luu Shizhong found out there was evidence outside, and then approached Zuo Yuan, his big confidant, hence Zuo Yuan coincidentally came to Wenlin Garden.

This also indirectly shows that the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and Zuo Yuan are deeply tied, otherwise, how would the Prime Minister personally appear for the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat?

That’s one point, and there’s another.

There are many people who convey messages to Tang Bai and Zuo Yuan: Cui Ye, Regent’s Mansion, Seventh Prince, Fifth Prince, or... the Crown Prince.

Anyone who has seen the evidence in the metal box might know.

But, very few know he came to Wenlin Garden at this time.

Seventh Prince... Fifth Prince... Crown Prince...

Chu Ming feels these three are key and most likely to have spread the news.

The Seventh Prince once informed him about poison in the tea and didn’t seem to be lying at the time, so he can basically be ruled out.

In the end, it was down to the Fifth Prince and the Crown Prince, either could be possible.

No matter who it is, the reason is worth Chu Ming deep contemplation.

One is a noble prince, and the other is the Crown Prince, why use such covert means?

While Chu Ming was lost in thought, Tang Bai instructed Qi Chen and Pei Yi to fetch some things.

"Chu Ming, do you know what Wenlin Garden does?"

Saying that, Qi Chen handed over a set of white brocade robes, while Pei Yi handed over a jade crown and jade pendant.

It looked similar to the brocade clothing and jade crown worn by the two.

"The main duty of Wenlin Garden is to research ancient texts, ancient books, ancient artifacts, or even documents and artifacts from other countries."

"Currently, the garden is led by myself and the Left Minister, then there’s Luu Xi, Qi Chen, and Pei Yi."

"..."

Tang Bai patiently introduced Wenlin Garden to Chu Ming.

After about an hour, Chu Ming had a general understanding of Wenlin Garden.

"You might have felt that this Wenlin Garden seems very important, but in fact, it’s quite a leisurely place. If you regret it now, I can help you write a letter."

"Thank you, Lord Tang, but the Crown Prince’s command cannot be disobeyed by me."

"Hmm," Tang Bai nodded gently, "Qi Chen, Pei Yi, explain further to Chu Ming."

With these words, Tang Bai seemed somewhat tired and turned to leave the Hall Garden.

Qi Chen and Pei Yi stood on either side, encircling Chu Ming.

"How old are you?" Qi Chen asked.

"Not yet seventeen," Chu Ming managed, trying to extract information: "May I ask Mr. Qi, Lord Pei, what ancient texts are in Wenlin Garden?"

"Call me Senior Brother."

"Call me Senior Sister."

Both in their twenties, although residing in the Imperial City, they actually held no official positions, only disciples of Tang Bai.

However, both of them have immense backgrounds, likely making it easy to attain official positions.

"..." Chu Ming paused, "Senior Brother Qi, Senior Sister Pei, what ancient texts are in Wenlin Garden?"

"Qi Chen and Pei Yi didn’t answer, they continued with their own topics.

"Seventeen-year-old Junior Brother, do you know who you defeated earlier?"

Though Pei Yi was clearly a woman, she wore a fitted white robe and jade crown, her eyes clear, facial features handsome, evidently if she donned female attire, her looks wouldn’t be lacking.

"Luu Xi," Chu Ming replied.

"Do you know what surname the Second Grade official Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat has?"

"Luu."

"Oh, Junior Brother knows everything, even dared to outshine Luu Xi?" Pei Yi’s tone was faintly mocking.

While she said outshine Luu Xi, in fact, they were displeased as they too were outshone.

"Junior Brother Chu, you first defeated Luu Xi in line drawing with thirty characters against his twenty-eight, and then in reverse word grouping, twenty groups against Luu Xi’s eighteen... no, fourteen groups."

Qi Chen also looked at Chu Ming with unfriendly eyes: "That Luu Xi doesn’t have much tolerance, aren’t you afraid of being resented?"

"Senior Brother Qi, I didn’t mean to compete."

"You outshone us too!" Pei Yi dropped her pretense, "Do you know who I am? Do you know who Senior Brother Qi is?"

"My father is the current Grand Commandant, His Majesty’s First Grade Grand Commandant!"

"Senior Brother Qi’s father is Minister of the Ministry of Rites, also First Grade!"

Sounding somewhat threatening, intimidating?

Their backgrounds were even bigger than Luu Xi’s, both high-ranking fathers.

"Senior Sister Pei, Senior Brother Qi." Chu Ming clasped his hands towards the two, "I didn’t mean to compete with you either."

"Don’t give us useless words, Junior Brother, you stole the spotlight today and made us lose face, you owe us compensation."

Pei Yi’s eyes were cunning, Qi Chen had a similar look.

Looks like the two had planned something.

Compensation?

Chu Ming looked at their unhidden expressions, feeling helpless.

Compared to Tang Bai and Zuo Yuan, older experienced figures, the two were quite poor at managing their expressions.

What they thought was almost written on their faces.

Chu Ming could tell that they didn’t intend to use their status to pressure him, but rather wanted some benefit from him.