Chapter 165 - Initial Entry
The sky was slightly bright, and the birds were chirping three times. Suddenly, a muffled sound came from inside the silent room, followed by a sweet groan. The carved flowers on the bed made a regular squeaking sound, and after a long while, everything returned to silence.
“It's time to wake up!” A deep, husky male voice rose from the bed, filling the narrow space with the scent of male musk.
Zuo Shaoqing turned his body, pulled the blanket over his head, and said depressingly: “I don't have the strength…” Rise by yourself. “
A thick palm touched his waist and rubbed hard, causing Zuo Shaoqing's eyes to close even more comfortably. He grunted twice and didn't want to get out of bed anymore.
“Today is your first day in the court. It's not good to miss the timing.” Lu Zheng lifted up a bit of the blanket and kissed his round shoulder, leaving behind two light purple marks.
Zuo Shaoqing suddenly opened his eyes wide, the drowsiness was immediately dispersed. He jumped out from under the blanket. His actions were too violent, causing him to scream out in pain.
“It's all your fault. Why are you in such an emotional mood this early in the morning?” Zuo Shaoqing jumped off the bed while holding onto his bare waist. He picked up the white clothes on the floor and put them on, then quickly rushed into the cubicle.
When he came out, Lu Zheng had already changed into his court uniform and was sitting at the table with breakfast. Two gorgeous maids were waiting for him with water and a handkerchief in their hands.
“Quickly finish the washing up and eat.” The sentence made Zuo Shaoqing come back to his senses. The corner of his mouth slightly raised. He didn't know why, but he felt that Lu Zheng was the wife who served her husband when he woke up early.
Zuo Shaoqing laughed in his heart. He finished washing up with the help of the two maidservants, then quickly changed into his court uniform. After walking to Wu Tie, he asked: “How's your official uniform?”
A few days ago, when the imperial edict had been passed down to him as a fifth rank teacher, this starting point was the highest among this year's warriors, but it wasn't the most enviable.
A smart person could naturally see from this that the emperor didn't care about the top scorer, but thinking about Duke Zhen, no one would dare to look down on him even if he didn't have an official position.
Zuo Shaoqing's official attire was the color of a fifth-grade, and below the sixth-grade was a green color. He was in the middle of an awkward position. The first thing that the Internal Affairs Bureau sent over was a green official uniform.
After being ignored for a few days, Lu Zheng did not know how to change the appearance of the Internal Affairs Bureau. The Emperor did not object and only gave Zuo Shaoqing the status of a fifth-grade noble.
“Yes.” Lu Zheng replied with a brief nasal voice. His gaze lingered on Ye Zichen's body and did not return for a long time.
Zuo Shaoqing chuckled and sat beside him.
Lu Zheng handed the cold porridge to Zuo Shaoqing and reminded him, “Eat more. The morning can be longer or shorter. Don't be hungry.”
Zuo Shaoqing knew he was worried about his first day at court, so he was willing to let him accompany him. He finished his breakfast as fast as he could and then went to court full of yearning and excitement.
Truth be told, the Six Sect Mentors were not considered high-ranking officials in the capital. Zuo Shaoqing was at the end of the line, listening to the indistinct discussions. He felt uncomfortable all over.
His waist and spine ached as if they were being pierced by needles. Both of his legs were gradually becoming numb from standing for too long. Yet, he was in such a solemn place. Even being careless was a sin.
When the morning assembly finally ended, Zuo Shaoqing finally felt relieved. He shifted his body and a heart-wrenching pain shot up from the soles of his feet.
“Yo, isn't this the famous Wife of Duke Zhen from our Great Yang?” Jiang Che looked at Zuo Shaoqing with a smile on his face. His young and tender face was one and only, and the crimson uniform was especially dazzling on Zuo Shaoqing.
Somehow, Jiang Che remembered the day he got married, he wore a bright red wedding suit, had a bright and beautiful smile, and had a boastful demeanor. He felt the joy from the bottom of his heart when he looked Lu Zheng in the eyes.
Zuo Shaoqing cupped his hands and said, “Brother-in-law!”
Just half a month ago, Zuo Shuhui finally succeeded in getting married and married into Jiang's Mansion. Zuo Shaoqing, as her family's brother, also went to watch the ceremony, but he knew that the dowry of forty-eight yuan was definitely not grand.
The more Zuo Shaoqing thought about the situation of Mrs. Xue and the rest, the more he felt that he had done a great thing for Zuo Shuhui.
The smile on Jiang Che's face froze for a moment, and then he smiled even more amiably, “Your sister really misses you. If you're free, you should go visit him.”
The corner of Zuo Shaoqing's eyes slightly raised, revealing a faint smile. He casually replied, “I will definitely pay a visit when I have time!” He also wanted to see how the rear courtyard of Jiang's Mansion would turn out.
However, from the news he got, it seemed that Zuo Shuhui had been very obedient during the past half month, and every day, she would be immersed in the joy of getting married. Jiang Che's official wife was also very magnanimous, and it became a beautiful story of sisters getting along harmoniously.
Seeing Lu Zheng walking over with an old man with a white beard, Jiang Che nodded slightly to Zuo Shaoqing and left first. When he turned around, the smile on his face was completely gone.
He had no intention to take Zuo Shuhui as an equal wife. Not only was it his shame, it also made his relationship with the Yue Clan tense up. All of this was because of Duke Zhen Manor.
Lu Zheng walked up to Zuo Shaoqing, looked at his slightly tired face and asked: “What did you talk about with Minister Jiang? “I could see the resentment emanating from his body from far away.”
Zuo Shaoqing chuckled and replied seriously: “I was just concerned about Big Sis and Husband. After all, they are relatives.”
Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows and declined to comment. Then, he introduced the old official beside him to Zuo Shaoqing, “This is Minister Lee. From now on, it will be you on the peak.”
Zuo Shaoqing bowed politely, “Lord Li, good morning! I have long heard of your outstanding achievements in river management, and the benefits you have brought to the people of various parties. In the future, I would like to ask you for your support. “
Minister Lee was a white-haired old man with a white beard. His eyes were cloudy and he took two steps forward to catch his breath.
“He doesn't dare to think so. Director Zuo is a talent that is rarely seen in a hundred years, the reason he is able to come to Ministry of Works is because of the blessing of the Ministry of Works.” Minister Lee praised with a smile, revealing a few remaining white teeth.
Zuo Shaoqing knew he was giving Lu Zheng face, but in his heart, he still didn't like this old man.
He had previously understood the current situation of Ministry of Works and knew that this Minister Lee had done a few beneficial things to the nation and the people when he was young. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Emperor Tianfeng to not use him after taking the throne.
However, the real pillar of Ministry of Works today was a young man called Liang Qi, whom the outside world did not know much about. Zuo Shaoqing had heard from Liu Tie that most of the modified weapons in recent years had come from this man.
According to his knowledge, the successor to the Ministry of Works Guild was the other person who shouted the loudest. He was Minister Lee's personal disciple who was in charge of civil construction while Liang Qi was in charge of military equipment.
Zuo Shaoqing bade farewell to Lu Zheng and followed Minister Lee to the Ministry of Works courthouse. The large office was cold and deserted, with a door wide open, completely different from the Ministry of Personnel of the Ministry of Revenue that he passed by previously.
Minister Lee personally introduced him to the officials from Ministry of Works, and their words revealed their alienation of Zuo Shaoqing. On the other hand, the rest of them imitated him and appeared to be extremely passionate towards him, but their smiles were too big for their eyes. Zuo Shaoqing even saw a contempt that was not hidden well in someone's eyes.
He understood that as a man's wife who married into Duke Zhen's house, it was really hard for his to get close to him. It was good enough for her to remain warm on the surface.
The six divisions had roughly the same composition. There was a letter of advice, two assistant ministers, five teachers, and below them, there was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Head of Department, as well as some officials of no rank.
Zuo Shaoqing didn't see Vice Minister Liang, who was hanging on the tip of Lu Zheng's tongue. Instead, he saw the successor that Minister Lee had decided on, Ke Cheng.
Ke City was a middle-aged man with a decent appearance. It was easy for him to win the favor of others. However, Zuo Shaoqing was unable to develop a good impression of the people who looked down on him.
After Minister Lee introduced everyone, he tiredly sat down and took the tea cup that Ke Cheng handed to him. He moistened his throat and asked: “Where's Liang Qi? You didn't come out again? “
“Sir, Vice Minister Liang hasn't appeared for five days. I heard that he is developing the clairvoyant.”
“Why can't he identify someone on such an important day?”
“This …” Ke City stammered as he explained, “A while ago, Vice Minister Liang had improved a type of crossbow and was heavily rewarded by the Emperor. Now, he is busy developing the clairvoyant and says that the Emperor is in a hurry to ask for it.”
Minister Lee put down the teacup heavily with a “clang” sound. He turned to Zuo Shaoqing and said with a smile, “Director Zuo, you're too kind. Liang Qi is always like this. When he's busy, he loses himself.”
Zuo Shaoqing hurriedly said, “I don't dare! “Since Vice Minister Liang is so dedicated and diligent, I should learn more.” Zuo Shaoqing didn't expect that the Qing Shui yamen would have so many battles. He guessed that this Vice Minister Ke must have worn many small shoes for Vice Minister Liang.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com