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Xiao Liulang calmly said, "Why can't this official understand what Reading-in-Waiting Yang is saying? This official has no grievances or disputes with Reading-in-Waiting Yang. Why would this official want to harm him?"
"Because..." Reading-in-Waiting Yang almost revealed that it was because Xiao Liulang was unhappy with him being difficult towards him, but he bit his tongue in the end. "It's also my fault for not explaining things clearly from the beginning. I originally thought that since it was your first time writing a eulogy, I wasn’t sure if it would meet Lord Han's expectations. If it didn't, I would take the criticism for you. But if Lord Han truly liked it, then I would tell him that you wrote it."
This was an explanation as to why he initially claimed that Xiao Liulang transcribed it.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the main point.
Lord Han only cared about who actually wrote the eulogy!
Xiao Liulang had already understood the whole situation. He said, "This official doesn’t know the late Emperor's childhood name."
At his remark, Chancellor Han suddenly realized.
That’s right. The late Emperor's childhood name wasn't something that everyone would know, unlike the country name or era name. How could it be known to the general public? Reading-in-Waiting Yang knew about it because it was part of the examination syllabus for Hanlin bachelors after their three-year term, which included the history of the State of Zhao and the imperial family records.
However, Xiao Liulang had only been in the Hanlin Academy for a few months and hadn't reached that part yet.
He was a Zhuangyuan from a humble background hailing from the countryside, not a member of the imperial family. It was impossible for him to know the late Emperor's childhood name without studying the imperial family history.
With this, the suspicion on Xiao Liulang was completely ruled out.
Chancellor Han didn't believe that Reading-in-Waiting Yang intentionally insulted the late Emperor. The most likely explanation was that he himself didn't remember and accidentally used the late Emperor's childhood name.
“This matter..." Chancellor Han looked at Xiao Liulang.
Xiao Liulang calmly cupped his hands and said, "Please handle it justly, my Lord."
Chancellor Han closed his eyes. Ah, he isn't an easy person to negotiate with.
Honestly, Reading-in-Waiting Yang was a first-time offender. As long as the three of them didn't speak of it, Chancellor Han could handle the matter leniently and just let it pass. However, Xiao Liulang clearly indicated that he didn't want to cover for Reading-in-Waiting Yang.
If this matter were to spread, it would inevitably tarnish his own reputation as a leader who lacked strict governance and fairness.
Chancellor Han sighed, "I understand. You may leave for now."
Reading-in-Waiting Yang's position couldn't be saved.
Chancellor Han wrote a memorandum and sent it to the cabinet. Officials of this level were generally dismissed or appointed by the cabinet.
In the afternoon, Reading-in-Waiting Yang was demoted two ranks and became a Junior Compiler, a seventh-rank official, at the Hanlin Academy. Meanwhile, Xiao Liulang held the position of a Senior Compiler, a sixth-rank official.
After the end of their official duties, Xiao Liulang was discussing plans to visit Ning Zhiyuan's home for a break when Yang Zhou stormed over, full of rage.
Ning Zhiyuan sensed the impending trouble and blocked his path, "What's the matter?"
Although Ning Zhiyuan was a civil official, he had a sturdy physique and had grown up enduring hardships. He possessed more physical strength than the officials in the capital. Yang Zhou couldn't push him aside.
"It's okay, let him come." Xiao Liulang calmly said.
"Are you sure?" Ning Zhiyuan turned around and, seeing that Xiao Liulang wasn't trying to be confrontational, released his hold on Yang Zhou's hand.
Yang Zhou stood in front of Xiao Liulang. He had originally planned to punch Xiao Liulang in the face, but when he faced him directly, he suddenly realized that this young man was much taller than him!
Xiao Liulang's eyes were cold, and it reminded Yang Zhou of the feeling of being stared at by a venomous snake.
He clenched his fists, suppressing the sense of horror in his heart, and angrily looked at Xiao Liulang, "You're despicable!"
Xiao Liulang faintly curled his lips, "That's an exaggerated praise."
"You!"
Shameless!
Yang Zhou had worked hard to reach his current position. He had endured many years in the Hanlin Academy. Unlike An Junwang and Du Ruohan, he didn't have a wealthy background or connections. He was just an ordinary Hanlin bachelor at the beginning.
What he had done wasn't excessively outrageous!
He had also been subjected to such treatment when he first came to the Hanlin Academy!
Why could his seniors do such things to him, but he couldn't do the same to Xiao Liulang, his junior?
Yang Zhou was so infuriated that he couldn't even speak coherently, "Why... Why are you doing this?"
Xiao Liulang looked calm as he answered, "I dislike you."
Yang Zhou felt choked and almost vomited blood on the spot. He raised his fist.
"Hey——" Ning Zhiyuan shouted.
Xiao Liulang didn't even blink his eyes, and his gaze remained indifferent as he looked straight at him, "You, a seventh-rank Junior Compiler, are not qualified to lay a hand on me."
Yang Zhou's arrogance suddenly diminished.
Xiao Liulang adjusted his wide sleeves, holding the flowers he had plucked for Gu Jiao in his palm. He didn't want to damage them. "Next time, remember to pay your respects."
After saying that, he walked past Yang Zhou without looking back and left.
An Junwang, who had witnessed the entire scene from a short distance away, involuntarily frowned.
He had also heard about the incident involving Reading-in-Waiting Yang. Setting aside the matter itself, wasn’t Xiao Liulang's attitude toward Yang Zhou too arrogant?
It wasn't the kind of arrogant behavior that came from being overbearing, but rather a contemptuous and indifferent superiority, as if he inherently exuded nobility.
Was this still the submissive Xiao Liulang?
Had he somehow changed?
Could it be because… he now had the support of Grandaunt and Marquis Xuanping?
As Xiao Liulang walked out of the Hanlin Academy, the Hanlin bachelors had also finished their studies. Several of them approached Xiao Liulang to seek his advice on scholarly matters.
Xiao Liulang said, "I have something to attend to today. Come find me tomorrow at noon."
"Ah, even though we know we shouldn't, we still wanted to ask, is it something urgent?"
"Yes." Xiao Liulang nodded slightly. He then glanced at a small figure standing at the entrance of the first alley and his eyes softened. He looked back at them and said, "It's urgent, so I apologize. Come find me tomorrow."
Everybody replied in agreement.
"Did I misperceive it? Did Lord Xiao just smile a moment ago?"
"I think I saw it too."
"Lord Xiao can actually look so gentle?"
Although Xiao Liulang didn't naturally have a cold expression, he was usually distant and aloof. If it weren't for Feng Lin and Lin Chengye taking the initiative to seek his advice, they wouldn't have dared to approach him at all.
They were curious and couldn't help but keep their eyes on Xiao Liulang.
They saw Xiao Liulang approach the first alley and start a conversation with a girl.
A rare gentleness flickered in his brows and eyes, and even the contours of his profile seemed to soften.
"This is for you." He handed her a freshly picked crabapple flower.
Gu Jiao took the crabapple flower and couldn't help but hold it lovingly, "It smells so good. Did everything go well today?"
Xiao Liulang looked at her intently. "En, it went well. I'll be promoted soon."
Although nothing was set in stone yet, a Reading-in-Waiting position was vacant.
There were many eligible candidates to fill that position.
But if she liked it, he would strive for it.
"Really?" Gu Jiao's eyes brightened.
In her clear and joyful gaze, Xiao Liulang felt his heart slowly melt beyond his control, "Yes, really."
Gu Jiao looked up at him, her eyes filled with unwavering conviction and faith, "I knew it. My husband is amazing!"
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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