The Scum Gong’s Redemption Manual (Quick Transmigration) 99p2

Chapter 99 p2

Although there was no one around, Yan Lingqiu still did not dare to be presumptuous. He kept his eyes lowered the whole time, and after a moment of silence, he said, “This subject was drunk and lost his composure yesterday. I don’t know if I have offended you, Your Majesty. I hope you will forgive me.”

The smile between Lu Ze’s brows was light and slow, and he said, “You were as polite as usual after you were drunk, Lingqiu. How can there be any talk of offending me?”

Hearing this, although Yan Lingqiu felt that something was not quite right, since Lu Ze had already said that he did not mind, he would naturally not mention such an absurd matter again. He just said, “Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty.”

“But if you really want to talk about it, there is indeed one thing that is different from usual after you were drunk, Lingqiu.” Lu Ze said with a light smile. Yan Lingqiu’s chopsticks paused, and he looked up at him, and his heart desperately tried to recall what he had done last night.

It wasn’t until a pair of jade chopsticks came over that Lu Ze served him a crystal bun in his bowl, and his tone was teasing. “Yesterday, Lingqiu was not as reserved as today.” His movements were natural and calm. “You drank yesterday. Today, you should eat less of those things that are hard to digest. This bun is vegetarian, and it’s easy to digest. You should try it.”

Yan Lingqiu had been paying attention to the few dishes in front of him just now. At this moment, seeing this, he couldn’t help but be stunned. He looked down at the tender green color wrapped in the crystal clear bun skin, blinked, and only then did he agree. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He was thinking, what did he mean by not being so reserved yesterday? What had he done?

Seeing his appearance, Lu Ze couldn’t help but say, “I am not a flood or a fierce beast. You don’t have to be so tense all the time, Lingqiu.” Lu Ze’s expression was light, and he said, “I remember that when I was pushed into the imperial garden’s pond by my brothers, and the weather was freezing, and my brothers were all laughing, it was you who saved me, Lingqiu, and you even held me to keep me warm afterwards. Why are you so distant now?”

Yan Lingqiu’s chopsticks paused, and after a moment, he slowly said, “Times are different now. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, the master of the world, and your status is noble. You should pay attention to the rules and etiquette.”

“Rules and etiquette?” Lu Ze let out a light laugh. “In ancient times, all kings called themselves ‘the lonely one.’ Now it seems that it is indeed true. Because of the so-called rules and etiquette, even the person who had been devoted to me in the past has to be distant. Am I not a lonely one?”

The corners of Yan Lingqiu’s lips were slightly straight. After a moment of silence, his voice was slightly hoarse. “This subject did not mean that.”

“Forget it.” Lu Ze was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a sigh, and then he looked at him and smiled. “There is no need to say more. As long as your heart does not change, Lingqiu, it will be fine.”

The atmosphere of the breakfast was strange. Yan Lingqiu did not know how to continue to face Lu Ze. He left on the grounds that the Ministry of Rites was busy with its affairs. Lu Ze did not make things difficult for him and agreed readily, and just told him to pay attention to his body and not to force himself if he felt any discomfort.

Yan Lingqiu absent-mindedly agreed, but before he left, he couldn’t help but think of his words.

As long as Lingqiu’s heart doesn’t change.

Then what about His Majesty’s heart?

Yan Lingqiu remembered how he had been bullied by the other young eunuchs in the palace before, and it was the young His Majesty who had come to save him. He also remembered that year when His Majesty had been forced to fall into the water by the princes, and the two of them had held each other to keep warm.

Until now. The abrupt coldness and the sudden closeness.

Had His Majesty’s heart… ever changed?

Yan Lingqiu couldn’t figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it and just focused all his energy on the upcoming provincial examination.

The Great Yong’s provincial examination was scheduled for the ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth of February, for a total of nine days. The officials of the Ministry of Rites were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground, and they finally managed to get through this examination smoothly.

For the students, after the examination, they could temporarily relax for a period of time and rest and recuperate while waiting for the results to be announced. But for the examiners, the task had just begun.

Yan Lingqiu, as the head of the academy personally appointed by His Majesty, was not only responsible for the examination before and during, but also for the grading of the papers after the examination. From the preparation of the provincial examination to the end of the grading, he had been busy for a full half a month. During this period, Lu Ze had not summoned him, so he had not had time to go to the palace to pay his respects.

It wasn’t until noon today that the grading work was roughly completed, and only the top few had not yet been decided. Yan Lingqiu could finally steal half a day of leisure. He walked out of the examination room where he had been for a few days and looked at the blooming sun outside, and his eyes narrowed slightly, feeling that it was a little dazzling.

A young eunuch on the side said respectfully, “Director, the kitchen has already prepared lunch. Would you like to have lunch first?”

It was perfectly normal for Yan Lingqiu to not have time to eat when he was busy these past few days. Now that a large part of his work was done, and there were still a few days before the day of the announcement of the results set by His Majesty, and time was not tight, Yan Lingqiu went to the dining hall for a meal.

The result was very different from what he had expected.

He had been busy for the past few days, and as long as it was edible, it was fine. Yan Lingqiu had not tasted it much. Now, as he chewed slowly, he felt that it was not to his taste at all.

It was much worse than the few meals he had had with His Majesty before.

Thinking of the food, he couldn’t help but think of His Majesty, and then he thought that he hadn’t seen His Majesty these past few days, and Yan Lingqiu’s action of eating couldn’t help but slow down.

When he realized what he was thinking, he couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking to himself that he was really…

Completely occupied by His Majesty.

He didn’t understand what he was thinking. He didn’t say it when he was busy on weekdays, but when he was resting at night, before he went to sleep, he would always think of His Majesty, of him persuading him to drink, of him playing Go with him, of his peaceful and gentle smile.

He wanted to quickly complete the task of the Ministry of Rites and report to him, but he also didn’t want to see him so soon.

Yan Lingqiu didn’t understand what he was thinking, and he also felt that he was a bit unreasonable.

So he simply stopped thinking about it and put all his energy into his work.

The grading work was only left with the final ranking of the top few and the determination of the Huiyuan. If it was fast, it could be decided today. If it was slow, it would take a few more days of wrangling. The grading teachers inside were all proper jinshi, and with one sentence from you and one from me, Yan Lingqiu’s head ached from listening.

It was annoying.

And there was also Zhang Xianlin. He had to keep an eye on his every move, especially recently, which was the most critical time.

Yan Lingqiu’s mind was constantly spinning, until a clamor and noise sounded outside. His brows furrowed slightly, as if he were dissatisfied, and he casually pulled over a young eunuch on the side and asked, “All the masters are grading the papers. What’s with all the noise?”

The young eunuch had a nervous look on his face. “You may not know, Director, but His Majesty has come!”

His Majesty has come?

Yan Lingqiu didn’t react for a moment. Why would His Majesty come? And what was he going to do at this time?

Although he was puzzled in his heart, Yan Lingqiu still strode forward to welcome His Majesty. By the time he reached the main courtyard, the few examiners who had been grading the papers in the room had already come out to welcome him, and in the center of them was Lu Ze in a black casual dress, talking to the chief examiner, Zhang Xianlin, with a smile on his face.

Yan Lingqiu’s steps paused, and then he took a step forward and bowed. “This subject pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Lu Ze looked back at him, his face as gentle as usual, and he just said, “There is no need for you to be so polite, Yan Qing.”

Yan… Qing?

Yan Lingqiu maintained a half-bowed posture and looked up, and he saw Lu Ze’s gaze sweep past him and then land on Zhang Xianlin, and he continued to talk.

Yan Lingqiu slowly stood up straight and stood on the side, and did not say anything more.

Zhang Xianlin chuckled. “I did not know that Your Majesty was coming. This old subject was unable to welcome you from afar. I hope you will forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Lu Ze smiled. “You are selecting talents for me and for the Great Yong, Zhang Qing. You have worked hard. How can there be any talk of blaming you? This is the first imperial examination since I ascended to the throne, and I inevitably attach great importance to it, so I came to have a look. You don’t have to mind me, Zhang Qing. Grading the papers is more important.”

Zhang Xianlin stroked his beard and said, “You have come at the right time, Your Majesty. The grading of the papers is roughly completed, and only the top of the list has not yet been decided. Since you are here, Your Majesty, why don’t you have a look at the answers of the various students and see who is worthy of being the Huiyuan?”

Zhang Xianlin’s gaze flickered, and his eyes were probing. Lu Ze actually smiled and refused. “The affairs of the palace are busy. I just came to have a look. As for the top of the list, all the masters are outstanding in literary talent and have been officials in the court for many years. I’m sure you are also experienced and can definitely pick out the most outstanding talent. I am at ease.”

The smile on Zhang Xianlin’s face deepened. “With your words, Your Majesty, this subject will definitely do his utmost for you and select the most outstanding talent!”

The emperor and his subject were in a state of mutual appreciation for a moment. Lu Ze then bestowed some rewards before he left. And from beginning to end, he had not said a word to Yan Lingqiu.

The gazes of the few examiners who were grading the papers on Yan Lingqiu were already a little scrutinizing and probing. Yan Lingqiu was completely indifferent. He respectfully saw off His Majesty and was about to turn around and go back.

At this moment, a call suddenly came from behind him. “Director, please wait a moment!”

Yan Lingqiu’s steps paused. He turned around and saw Fushun trotting over with a fawning smile, and he was even carrying an oil paper bag in his hand.

“His Majesty knows that you like the pastries of the Tianxia Tower, Director. He specially bought them when he was passing by. They are freshly baked and still hot.” He handed the pastries to Yan Lingqiu with a smile. “His Majesty also said that it has been a long time since he has seen you, and you have lost a lot of weight, Director. Although the affairs are busy, you must also pay attention to your body, and you must not be too tired. After the grading is over in a few days, he does not want to see you lose any more weight.”

The people around were all watching, their expressions a mix of shock and surprise, and the previous speculation and scrutiny were all put away.

Yan Lingqiu slowly reached out and took the pastries, his expression calm and unchanged. “Thank you for me, His Majesty. I eat the emperor’s salary and am loyal to the emperor. I have troubled you to worry, Your Majesty.”

Fushun chuckled. “You are devoted to His Majesty, Director, and His Majesty is naturally also concerned about you.” He flicked his whisk, and his gaze swept over the few grading officials. “In that case, then, all you masters, this servant will take his leave now and go back to report to the emperor.”

Zhang Xianlin’s eyes deepened, and the smile on his face did not change. “You should. Please take care, Eunuch.”

After the person had left, only then did Zhang Xianlin withdraw his gaze and look at Yan Lingqiu, and he said with a mix of envy and sarcasm, “His Majesty attaches such importance to you, Master Yan. It really makes us envious.”

Yan Lingqiu glanced at him lightly. “If all you masters are devoted to serving His Majesty, His Majesty will naturally not treat you unfairly. Why do you have to be envious of me?”

As soon as his words fell, before the faces of those people had suddenly changed, Yan Lingqiu took the pastries and turned to leave.

One person said angrily, “What does he mean by that? Is he saying that we are not devoted to His Majesty?”

Another person also said, “A eunuch, and he dares to be so arrogant!”

Zhang Xianlin narrowed his eyes and looked at his retreating figure, a sinister look flashing in his eyes. After a moment, he slowly smiled. “You don’t have to be angry. Just look at how many eunuchs have had a good end from ancient times to the present.”

“Let him wait.”