Chapter 65: Who Says He’s Useless? Part 1

Pei Jingyi’s gaze fell upon Gu Huaiyu’s face, his eyes so deep and dark they seemed capable of swallowing a man whole.

Though he remained in a kneeling position, the look in his eyes held a distinct, dangerous edge.

The expressions of the officials in the hall were a chaotic mosaic. Several civil ministers stole glances at Pei Jingyi’s broad shoulders and narrow waist; even his formal court robes could not fully mask the taut, powerful musculature beneath. By all appearances, he was a peerless, formidable general.

Who could have guessed… that he was all show and no go?

Commander Yan Zheng’s face was flushed crimson, his shoulders shaking as he fought back a laugh. He didn’t dare let it out, settling for a fit of violent, forced coughing as he lowered his head.

The border generals exchanged looks of pure disbelief. If this news reached the army, it would surely cause a thousand jaws to drop.

Seeing that Pei Jingyi remained silent, Gu Huaiyu leaned forward slightly, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. “General Pei, did I say something incorrect?”

Now you care about your dignity?

Pei Jingyi said nothing, his gaze only growing darker.

Yuan Zhuo’s eyes were pinned to the hand Pei Jingyi used to grip Gu Huaiyu’s. His fingers unconsciously twisted into the fabric of his imperial robes. How could he not see it? Gu Huaiyu had only said those things because he didn’t want Pei Jingyi to be wed to someone else.

“Since General Pei is… indisposed…”

The Emperor forced a couple of nonchalant laughs, finding the only exit available to him. “I shall bestow some restorative tonics and medicinal soups. I will also send the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine to personally treat you, so that you may recover as soon as possible.”

Gu Huaiyu tried to pull his hand back, but Pei Jingyi wouldn’t let go. In front of the entire court, Gu Huaiyu couldn’t make a scene, so he simply replied with professional calm, “Your Majesty is wise. General Pei truly does need a good ‘restoration.'”

The atmosphere in the hall lightened considerably.

Hidden within Xie Shaoling’s wide sleeves, his fingers had long since turned white from clenching. To speak of such intimate, scandalous matters in front of the civil and military officials…

Just how close were they in private?

He refused to be outdone by Pei Jingyi, and he certainly refused to stand by and watch that man monopolize the space at Gu Huaiyu’s side. He took a sudden step forward, intending to volunteer—

“Shaoling, what are you doing?”

Dong Danyu suddenly caught his sleeve, whispering the question urgently.

In that single moment of hesitation, another voice cut through the air.

“This official petitions for a command.”

A cold, crisp voice rang out. A stern young man stepped out from the crowd, his court robes so immaculate they lacked even a single wrinkle. He first bowed to Gu Huaiyu, his posture respectful yet unyielding.

Gu Huaiyu’s brow arched with interest.

Nie Jin turned toward the throne, his voice as steady as stone. “I petition to serve as the Army Overseer for the campaign against Eastern Liao. I wish to march with the army.”

Yuan Zhuo looked at Nie Jin, and his brow relaxed slightly. Nie Jin had an impeccable reputation for being upright and impartial; he held immense prestige among the common people.

Compared to the lust-driven general next to him who refused to let go of Gu Huaiyu’s hand…

The Son of Heaven sighed inwardly. This is what a true loyal minister looks like.

“Master Nie petitions to be the Overseer. Chancellor, what do you think?” Yuan Zhuo turned to Gu Huaiyu, only to find that the man wasn’t looking at him at all.

Gu Huaiyu studied Nie Jin, his tone playful. “Master Nie, it has been quite some time.”

Nie Jin’s expression remained unchanged as he gave a slight nod. “It has been over a month since we last met at the Chancellor’s Estate.”

Gu Huaiyu’s eyes flickered with a hint of provocation. “Master Nie remembers so clearly. Is it because you miss my ginger soup, or…”

“Do you miss me?”

He purposefully sought to embarrass Nie Jin, bringing up that “humiliating” incident in public—reminding Nie Jin that he had once drunk ginger soup laced with the Chancellor’s own saliva. If a man Gu Huaiyu favored would not kneel to him, he would have to suffer public indignity.

Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his fingers.

Pei Jingyi suddenly enveloped Gu Huaiyu’s entire hand in his palm, squeezing with enough force to nearly crack the bone. Gu Huaiyu looked down and saw Pei Jingyi baring his teeth in a stark white grin. It wasn’t a smile; it was the warning snarl of a beast guarding its food.

The sight made Gu Huaiyu burst into a fit of irrepressible laughter.

On the other side, Nie Jin averted his eyes. Being “flirted with” by the Lord Chancellor in front of the entire court was enough to make even this cold-faced Chief Justice’s ears turn red.

His voice remained remarkably calm and earnest. “I miss the Lord Chancellor’s… virtuous character and noble spirit.”

Gu Huaiyu’s eyebrows shot up. Virtuous? Did that word have even a copper coin’s worth of connection to him?

“I grant it.” Gu Huaiyu was already worrying about finding a suitable Army Overseer. Since the best candidate had delivered himself to the door, he would naturally accept. “The role of Overseer belongs to no one but Master Nie.”

The position of Army Overseer was historically the most difficult and thankless job. One had to monitor the army’s movements, prevent corruption, and suppress chaos. One wrong move, and they would become a thorn in the side of every general on the front lines.

Precisely because of this, it required someone like Nie Jin: someone who didn’t crave military glory, was immune to bribery, and was so strictly upright that the court trusted him while the army feared him.

Nie Jin turned to Gu Huaiyu and bowed. “My thanks to the Lord Chancellor for the opportunity.”

He said “Lord Chancellor” with heavy solemnity.

A flash of surprise crossed Gu Huaiyu’s eyes, and a sudden urge to test him arose. He spoke airily, “If Master Nie has the time, perhaps you should come sit with me at the Chancellery.”