Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 386: Chapter 282: Palace Attendant_3

"This time you investigated Cui Ye from the Ministry of Industry’s Camp Repair Department, and at the same time, you exposed Tang Xuan from the Tang family, which moved my elder brother’s heart, so he sent you to Wenlin Garden for an examination."

"The result was very good, my elder brother said that you don’t need to investigate the remaining two case files, just focus on the Sea Scripture."

"Speaking of which, I originally intended for you to engage with the Sea Scripture, but that was to be after you clarified the three cases."

The Seventh Prince’s eyes showed appreciation, then he took out a white porcelain bottle: "This is the antidote for the poisoned tea you drank last time, bestowed by my elder brother."

"Thank you, Your Seventh Highness." Chu Ming rose and saluted.

It seems that this Seventh Prince is quite trustworthy, he promised to obtain medicine for him before, and now he indeed acquired it.

But this medicine...

The Sword Gourd Spirit probed, inside the bottle was an antidote, but also a poison, a new type of poison.

It is likely the Crown Prince’s trick, the Seventh Prince probably doesn’t know.

"However, my elder brother did not agree to let you meet with Fang Xiao."

"Your Highness is already kind enough to obtain an antidote for me," Chu Ming dutifully replied.

With his current ability to hide, he can freely come and go from Xiang Mansion, and can meet Housekeeper Fang and Master Xiang Yue at any time.

"Hmm," the Seventh Prince nodded gently, "there’s another matter for which you need to prepare in advance."

"In half a month’s time, our Great Qin Dynasty will host the annual Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, and you need to participate."

"The benefits of it, I needn’t say more, right?"

"I understand," Chu Ming’s heart was stirred slightly.

"The Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition features a hundred arts, including poetry, song, and prose in the literary section; ritual music, chess, calligraphy and painting; and martial arts including weapons and sticks, with even more miscellaneous arts like alchemy, artifact refining, etc."

"With your talent and learning, I think you can focus on either poetry or painting."

After speaking, the Seventh Prince stared at Chu Ming.

"I wish to participate in poetry," Chu Ming replied.

The field of painting was already tainted by the identity of ’Hoong Jun’, leaving him only poetry as an option.

"Poetry..." the Seventh Prince was somewhat surprised, paused for a moment, then took out a gold medal, "Take this, and you will be able to enter most places in the Imperial City freely from now on."

On the front of the gold medal, the words ’Imperial College’ were engraved, while the back read ’Palace Attendant Reader’.

The place in the Imperial City where the princes specially study is the Imperial College, and the Palace Attendant Reader is akin to a companion reader for the princes, mostly scions of ministers, growing up alongside the princes, maintaining a close relationship.

Because of this, the Palace Attendant Reader is equivalent to a prince’s right-hand, thus holding a notable position.

The Seventh Prince granting this plaque to Chu Ming was tantamount to giving him such an identity; it was also a sign of trust and recognition for Chu Ming.

"By the way, you came from Xirong County to the Qin Capital, and you don’t have a residence yet, do you? Cui Ye from the Ministry of Industry’s Camp Repair Department has been arrested by the Regent’s Mansion, daring to make a move at the Celestial Longevity Platform meant his estate will inevitably be confiscated, and his clan exterminated."

"The Cui family’s residence will probably be vacated in the next few days, I’ve already informed my elder brother in advance, and it will be bestowed upon you."

"Thank you, Your Seventh Highness." Chu Ming responded respectfully.

Sea Scripture fragment...

The antidote, although the antidote is also a poison...

The identity plaque of Palace Attendant Reader from the Imperial College...

Residence...

Honestly, this Seventh Prince treats people quite well.

"That’s all," the Seventh Prince picked up the porcelain bottle, got up, and walked out of the pavilion, coming to stand in front of Chu Ming, "Zhuge Rui is waiting outside the hall, go."

"I take my leave."

Bowing in salute, Chu Ming left Jingran Hall, and Zhuge Rui, who was guarding outside the hall, immediately came forward to greet him.

As soon as he got close, he saw the gold medal hanging at Chu Ming’s waist.

Palace Attendant Reader?

Zhuge Rui’s expression froze for a moment.

This case file task, the Martial Immortal Alliance had given him quite a reward, counting one task as three, along with treasures like Yellow Armor.

They also arranged for him a Senior Fifth-Grade Attendant position, a genuine official position in the Imperial City.

But he didn’t enjoy it for long before the protected youth came out wearing a Palace Attendant Reader plaque.

The Palace Attendant Reader has no official rank but holds a status vastly above that of his Senior Fifth-Grade Attendant, or rather the two are not even comparable.

So, does this mean his brother Zhuge Chen is also a Palace Attendant Reader?

This is where Zhuge Rui truly found joy.

"Lord Chu..." he spoke with a slightly somber tone.

Chu Ming glanced sideways.

"Will solving case files all result in becoming a Palace Attendant Reader?" Zhuge Rui asked.

"I don’t know." Chu Ming thought it was something else, "Now that the Cui Ye case in the Ministry of Industry’s Camp Repair Department is resolved, what’s Guard Zhuge’s next plan?"

According to the Seventh Prince, what he needed to do next was to decipher the 300-page fragment of the Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Sea Scripture, which Zhuge Rui shouldn’t need to follow.

"The corruption case of Cui Ye has already been handed over to the Regent’s Mansion for investigation. The Seventh Prince asked me to escort Lord Chu to the Regent’s Mansion to assist with this case and to let you oversee the confiscation of the Cui family’s property."

The second task of the Martial Immortal Alliance for Zhuge Rui was to help the Regent’s Mansion resolve the Cui Ye case and assist Chu Ming in confiscating the Cui family’s property.

This task was much simpler compared to the investigation of the case files, and Zhuge Rui was no longer as anxious as before.

"Alright, let’s go then."

Saying so, Chu Ming and Zhuge Rui left the Imperial City, paid a visit to the Regent’s Mansion, and provided a detailed review of the investigation into Cui Ye’s case. Shortly after, they learned that Cui Ye had been captured, and was being interrogated in the Regent’s Mansion’s prison. It was estimated that a verdict would be reached in a few days.

"Once the case is closed, the Cui family’s property will be confiscated, and Lord Attendant Reader will need to come along then."

The one responsible for the Cui Ye case was Supervisor Zhong Yang of the Regent’s Mansion, whose demeanor became much more respectful upon seeing the plaque of Palace Attendant Reader hanging at Chu Ming’s waist.

"And Tang Xuan..." Chu Ming inquired further.

Whether Cui Ye is brought to justice is of secondary importance; the main focus is Tang Xuan.

"..." Zhong Yang paused for a moment, then said softly, "Lord Chu, although we have gathered multiple pieces of evidence on Tang Xuan’s corruption, collusion, and murder, Tang Xuan himself is the Third-rank River Transport Director, and also a member of the Tang family. It’s not easy for the Regent’s Mansion to make an arrest."

"Lord Attendant Reader is probably aware that besides Master Tang Bai, the Tang family has several people holding significant positions, on the court, within the Huang Forbidden Army, and there’s even someone in the Astronomical Bureau..."