Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The national treasury issue was about to be resolved, and for the past two days, the emperor and his ministers of Da Xia had practically been walking on air. They smiled at everyone they met, their wide grins making their gums conspicuous.

Especially the Minister of Revenue…

“Minister, here is the document…”

“How did you know the treasury is about to have money?”

“Ah? I didn’t…”

“How did you know I’m about to shed the title of ‘Miser’?”

“I…”@@novelbin@@

“Guess why I’m so happy?”

Xu Yanmiao, tasked with delivering documents, placed the papers on the Minister of Personnel’s desk and gave a sympathetic glance to the Princess Wanshou (also a official in the Ministry of Revenue), who was being pestered by the Minister of Revenue.

[Heh heh!]

[Conquer Wa!]

[Heh heh!]

Humming a tune in his head, Xu Yanmiao saluted the Minister of Personnel and exited the temporary government office.

It was May now, and typhoon season was approaching, so Da Xia couldn’t deploy troops yet. But in a few months, when the treasure shipyards, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue completed all preparations, Marquis Yongchang would lead the troops to war.

As he turned a corner, he ran into the newly appointed judicial officer from the Ministry of Justice—the one recently promoted from the position of magistrate of Qingpu County.

The other party said, “You…”

Since the judicial officer’s rank was higher, Xu Yanmiao saluted him respectfully, “Greetings, sir.”

The other person didn’t speak, but Xu Yanmiao glanced at him, a question mark almost visibly popping up over his head.

[Why did this person look so… conflicted?]

Not far away, someone suddenly called out, “Master Xu!”

Xu Yanmiao turned his head and was surprised. He quickly stepped forward, “Your Grace, this is…”

The senior eunuch smiled, “His Majesty is looking for you. Follow me quickly.”

Inside the residence where the old emperor was staying, Xu Yanmiao was ushered into the emperor’s study after receiving a signal from the senior eunuch. He knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Xu Yanmiao pushed the door open. “Your Maj—”

“Enough with the formalities. Come here and write something for me.”

Confused, Xu Yanmiao sat at the small desk and used a brush to write the character “恩” (gratitude).

The old emperor glanced at it and teased, “Not bad. I thought you couldn’t write with a brush since you always have scribes draft your documents.”

Xu Yanmiao paused and then explained, “I’ve been practicing.”

Ever since he found himself transmigrated into ancient times, he had deliberately practiced calligraphy. Though he couldn’t match the original owner’s skill, he could at least write legibly.

The old emperor chuckled, tapping a pile of memorials on the desk with the end of his brush. “Here, help me go through these. There are too many—over a thousand. I can’t handle them all alone.”

Xu Yanmiao was stunned. “Your Majesty, you mean… you want me to…”

The old emperor clarified, “Don’t overthink it. Just handle the ones you can. For instance…” He picked up a memorial. “This one asks, ‘Your Majesty, have you eaten? How’s your appetite lately?’ Just reply, ‘Yes, I’ve eaten, and my appetite is good.’ For similar trivial ones, reply however you like, just don’t scold anyone. As for the important matters, leave those for me—just place them on my left.”

Xu Yanmiao was dumbfounded.

As he moved the mountainous pile of memorials closer to himself, his expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.

[There… there are such pointless memorials?! Isn’t the emperor supposed to be handling serious state affairs?!]

He picked up the first memorial and read it.

“May Your Majesty live long and well.”

That was it.

Xu Yanmiao: “…”

Silently, he picked up the brush and neatly wrote, “朕安” (I am well).

He grabbed the second memorial.

“Your Majesty, the lychees in my region are ripe. Do you enjoy lychees? Should I send some to the palace annually via the courier service?”

Xu Yanmiao hesitated for a moment.

[Hmm! The old emperor doesn’t like wasteful spending. Reject it!]

He wrote, “No, I don’t like them. There’s no need.”

The old emperor paused mid-writing, raised an eyebrow, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

This kid…

Xu Yanmiao picked up the third memorial.

“Your Majesty, my enemy has fallen ill! I’m overjoyed and wanted to share this good news with you!”

[Oh hey! I like this one!] Xu Yanmiao’s eyes lit up as he delved into the gossip. [Ah, so it’s like this…]

The old emperor’s brush stopped mid-stroke, his ears perking up to listen.

[The grudge started because the other party, despite having a cold, was forced to go out but didn’t bring enough handkerchiefs. When they kept borrowing from others to wipe their runny nose, this person—while not a germaphobe—refused to lend their personal handkerchief, leaving the poor soul with snot all over their face in public!]

The old emperor clicked his tongue twice in his mind.

How could such a petty grudge exist?