My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 84p2

Chapter 84 p2: Stealing Credit

The documents on the retirement of the military officers that Song Changxu had approved had reached Emperor Pingjing, who was satisfied after he had read them.

Most of the military officers had extraordinary martial arts skills and had been on the battlefield for many years. He still remembered their hard work in guarding the border. If an official were to touch the pension, Emperor Pingjing would not be able to tolerate it.

“This method has some sincerity. The pension has to be collected in person, and the yamen has to do a follow-up check in a few months. Especially for those who were disabled on the battlefield. How can they live at home without any silver to rely on?”

Hearing this, Laifu wiped his tears.

“What are you crying for?!” Emperor Pingjing was a little angry. Could it be that what he had said was very bad, to have made someone cry? How audacious, to be crying in front of him. What a disgrace.

Laifu knelt down and said, “This servant is crying for the soldiers of the Ningxing Dynasty. With such a good emperor, how can Ningxing not be prosperous in the future? Your Majesty is truly a wise ruler.”

Hearing this, Emperor Pingjing’s mood improved. “Get up. You’re so good with your words. I see that all your skills are in your mouth.”

Laifu stood up nimbly. “This servant is telling the truth.”

A eunuch brought over some water chestnut cakes. “Your Majesty, these are made by the Phoenix Lord.”

Emperor Pingjing: “Just put them there.”

“This method for the military officers is good. Go and have Minister Xu report his name. I will reward him well. When you’re working below, you have to be flexible when you should be, and abide by the rules when you should. You have to have a good sense of proportion. Otherwise, it will not be good if you lose it.”

Laifu said “yes” in a low voice.

His Majesty was so hard to serve. He had to abide by the rules, and he also had to be flexible. If he were to anger His Majesty by being flexible, he would lose his head. So it was better to abide by the rules.

Xu Anyan had asked the people below and had been told that it was Director He’s idea.

Emperor Pingjing was quite appreciative of Director He. He had rewarded him with gold and silver, thinking that when there was a vacant position above, he could also be promoted. After all, he had been in the position of a director for a long time and had enough seniority.

After Director He had received the reward, everyone came to flatter him. He couldn’t stop smiling.

“It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s appreciation. I have no merit to speak of.”

When Song Changxu came back from the dining hall, he ran into so many officials surrounding Director He. He patted a colleague on the shoulder. “What’s going on?”

“Sir He has proposed a new method for the retirement of military officers. His Majesty was pleased after seeing it, so he has issued a decree to reward him.”

Song Changxu was at a loss. “Huh… then, that’s not…”

The colleague: “What are you still thinking about, Sir Song? Go and have a few words with Sir He. He’s caught His Majesty’s eye. He’s probably going to be promoted in the future.”

Song Changxu saw this gentleman leave and went to find another colleague to ask. This time, this colleague was clearer.

Wasn’t that method his? When did it become Director He’s? He had passed it to Sir Su, and Sir Su had then given it to Director He. How did it become Director He’s method?

Assistant Minister Su met Song Changxu’s gaze. His mind turned, and he went up and patted his shoulder. “This matter is over. Don’t make any more trouble. After all, His Majesty has just issued a decree. If you make a scene, you’ll be slapping His Majesty’s face.”

Assistant Minister Su was telling him to let it go.

Song Changxu met Assistant Minister Su’s gaze and found that his gaze was profound. “It seems that you won’t expose Sir He either.”

“Sir Song, Sir He is my superior. I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Sir Su, this is deceiving the monarch. If Sir He has made a mistake, who will take the position above?” Song Changxu hit the snake at its seven-inch mark.

Assistant Minister Su’s heart stirred. That was true. Seeing Director He’s glorious appearance, he was also a bit envious. To take something that did not belong to him, there would always be a handle in his hand. Now the initiative was in his hands.

But, why did Director He think that he would not expose him? Assistant Minister Su thought about it and said vaguely, “Even if we have your and my testimony, we still can’t prove that this method is yours. Maybe we’re just trying to frame Sir He. You should think it over in the future, Sir Song. You should inform others of your method or keep evidence. Otherwise, it will be difficult.”

Director He was fearless.

When Song Changxu was off duty, Director He found him. “Sir Song, I’ll take you back. I also have something to say to you.”

“No need,” Song Changxu said coldly.

Director He’s face stiffened, and then a smile returned. “Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I’m discussing this with you properly. I will compensate you in the future.”

Song Changxu: “If you want to compensate me, Sir He, then make it clear to His Majesty.”

Director He gave a half-smile, his eyes filled with pity. “You know that’s impossible. Did you see Sir Su stand up for you? There’s no evidence. It’s perfectly reasonable for the people below to give their credit to their superiors. I’ve already presented the matter of your promotion and demotion to Sir Jian. I won’t fight with you for this credit, so you can let me have this one. With your brain, you’ll have many more in the future. It’s not a big deal.”

Song Changxu almost laughed with anger.

“You’re right, Sir He.”

Seeing Song Changxu lower his head and say this, Director He thought that he had figured it out. He nodded with satisfaction. “I owe you a favor. In the future, I’ll help you once.”

Song Changxu: “Thank you, Sir He.”

Director He got on his carriage and left with satisfaction.

Song Changxu made a note of Director He in his heart. It seemed that he still hadn’t seen through the officialdom.

He returned home and adjusted his mentality, not bringing his work emotions home.

Xu Zhizhou had tidied up the east and west wings, put new quilts in the wardrobes, and had the servants make the beds.

“Husband, after dinner, you can come with me to see the rooms I’ve arranged.”

Song Changxu answered.

The rooms Xu Zhizhou had arranged were very warm, and it was clear that he had put a lot of thought into them.

“Then you’ll have to take the blame, husband. Don’t worry, I’ll speak up for you,” Xu Zhizhou said, holding Song Changxu’s arm and pulling him.

Song Changxu’s gaze fell on Xu Zhizhou’s stomach. He smiled and said, “Maybe it’s really there.”

Xu Zhizhou’s head shook like a rattle-drum. “No, it’s not that coincidental. Besides, are you ready to be a father, husband?”

Song Changxu was choked. The thought of being a father made his scalp tingle. He was both expectant and afraid.

“I’ve never raised a child.”

Xu Zhizhou glared at him. “Of course I know you haven’t. It would be a disaster if you had.”

Xu Zhizhou counted his age on his fingers. “I’m already twenty-one.”

Song Changxu blurted out, “Isn’t that very young?”

Hearing this, Xu Zhizhou’s face lit up with a smile. “You’re just saying that. I’m not young.”

Song Changxu looked at Xu Zhizhou as if he were a university student.

“With you saying that, I feel even more that we can’t have children,” Song Changxu said, shaking his head.

Xu Zhizhou poked him. “It’s up to fate. If it really comes, we can’t stop it. After all, when you’re on holiday…”

Song Changxu’s face turned red, and he didn’t know how to respond.

The two of them went back to their room. Song Changxu asked Xu Zhizhou about the sugar workshop.

“I was just about to say that we can expand it a little. Our sugar is selling very well,” Xu Zhizhou said, holding Song Changxu’s hand in the darkness.

Song Changxu’s hands had thin calluses from holding a brush all day. Xu Zhizhou’s hands were rough from farming, with some small cuts. Even though he loved to be beautiful, he couldn’t not work at home.

Song Changxu held Xu Zhizhou’s hand in return and kissed his fingers, getting a mouthful of fragrance.

Song Changxu: “…”

“What have you applied again? It’s a bit pungent,” Song Changxu, this straight man, couldn’t take it.

Xu Zhizhou proudly held his hand in front of Song Changxu’s nose in the moonlight. “What do you know? This hand cream is very expensive. It smells nice. I like it the most.”

Song Changxu said “peh” a few times.

Xu Zhizhou: “…”

“It seems you don’t like it very much, husband.”

Song Changxu’s heart was startled. “I still prefer the fragrance on your face. It’s so fragrant.”

Xu Zhizhou snorted. He lay in Song Changxu’s arms. “We’ll have a good life in the future.”

Song Changxu smiled and kissed his forehead. It was indeed still fragrant.

After Song Changxu had left, Xu Zhizhou knew that there was also a pond in this place. He was thinking of buying some koi, and also some crucian carp and other fish fry. Then, when he wanted to eat fish, he could just catch them from the pond.

Ran Xingwen: “Both koi and crucian carp.”

“Let’s do it,” Xu Zhizhou nodded in agreement.

He had received a few banquets today, all from the court ministers, both military and civil. Looking at the invitations, Xu Zhizhou was glad that he could read. Otherwise, he would have been laughed at for not even recognizing the two characters for “invitation.”

“I’ll ask my husband when he comes back. I’ll go then.”

Xu Zhizhou went to the Bobo Chicken shop. After the winter, the life in the shop had gradually recovered.

Xiang Shu and Xiang Lan were doing a good job here. Xu Zhizhou was satisfied. The back kitchen was very clean. Although the shop was small, it was clean and pleasant to look at, and the customers were willing to come in.

There was a restaurant by the Imperial College that was in the stir-fried rice business. The outside of the pot was all stir-fried rice. It would be fine if they cleaned it once a day, but some of it had already formed deep marks.

A food business still had to have a clean back kitchen.

Xu Zhizhou looked at the Bobo Chicken, then had Xiang Lan pack a large bowl for him. He took it to Xu Zhici’s noodle shop to have some noodles.

There were still three or four people eating noodles in the noodle shop. Seeing that it was him, Xu Zhici’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Elder Brother, I’ve come for a bowl of zha jiang mian.”

Xu Zhici had two helpers and a cook. This cook could also make noodles. This time, his younger brother had come. Xu Zhici personally cooked the noodles for him. He gave him three spoonfuls of zha jiang, and the bowl was full to the brim.

“Elder Brother, I’ve brought some Bobo Chicken. Let’s eat together.”

Xu Zhici answered and went to get a bowl of rice.

Xu Zhizhou looked around. “Wait, Elder Brother, where did you get the rice?”

Xu Zhici smiled. “Although we’re a noodle shop, we can’t eat noodles all the time. We’ll steam some rice before noon and make a few dishes. If I’m tired of it, I’ll just go back to the residence and have a simple meal.”

Xu Zhizhou ate the zha jiang mian and also had a mouthful of Bobo Chicken, exclaiming with pleasure.

The zha jiang mian was served with a small bowl of scallion soup.

Xu Zhici also thought the Bobo Chicken was quite good. After a while, Xie Huaichuan brought a group of his brothers to eat noodles.

Xu Zhizhou poked his elder brother’s palm. “Does my brother-in-law come often?”

“He pays. The yamen provides meals. It seems he’s on duty outside today. The food at the yamen is all gone,” Xu Zhici quickly explained.

Seeing them, Xie Huaichuan came over with his noodle bowl. “Can I eat?”

Xu Zhizhou: “We’re all one family. No need to be so formal.”

Only then did Xie Huaichuan eat the Bobo Chicken.

Xu Zhici brought him a bowl of herbal tea. “Husband, what kind of outside duty are you on today?”

Xie Huaichuan: “I was cooperating with the Ministry of Justice to arrest someone. I almost got myself into trouble.”

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: Someone stole my credit. (Points at Director He and doesn’t let go) [Crying]

Emperor Pingjing: Who? [Furious]

Director He: (Sways left, right, up, and down, not letting Song Changxu point at him)