Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Director of the Ministry of Justice are fighting!

That might be hard to grasp, so let’s put it in simpler terms—

[Whoa!]

[A giant scandal! The supposedly sinister and cunning Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a Fuzhou native, is brawling with the Director of the Ministry of Justice, who also hails from Fuzhou?!]

Xu Yanmiao peeked out from behind the doorway.

[This is right outside the yamen! Couldn’t they at least wait until the old emperor is out of sight?!]

The other officials exchanged helpless glances at the excited Little Bai Ze, their expressions saying it all:

“…If you didn’t look so thrilled about this, your words might actually be convincing.”

[He kicked him between the legs!!!]

Where?!

The ministers quickly turned their heads. Several of them gasped sharply.

He really did!

The Imperial Guards rushed in to separate the two.

The old emperor’s face darkened. “Look at you! Just look! Do you even resemble court officials anymore? Brawling at the yamen gates—how are you any different from street thugs?!”

The Assistant Minister burst into tears.

No, really, he actually started crying.

The old emperor was stunned. “Why are you crying?”

The Assistant Minister sobbed even harder. “Your Majesty! He stole my wig!”

All this over a few insults about Fuzhou?! Was it really necessary?!

The officials of Da Xia squinted at the scene, only to see the Director of the Ministry of Justice standing there awkwardly, holding a wig in his hand. The Assistant Minister’s bald, shiny head was impossible to miss under the sun, reflecting light directly into their eyes.

The Director coughed. “Your Majesty, I swear I didn’t mean to grab… er, I accidentally knocked it off during the fight.”

[The old emperor smiled! He definitely smiled!]

[Wait… why is the Assistant Minister crying even harder now?!]

Xu Yanmiao was bewildered. Meanwhile, after a long silence—whether he was holding back laughter or not—the old emperor stretched out a hand and took the wig from the Director. He turned to the Assistant Minister. “Why did this fight start?”

The Assistant Minister: “…”

[Because he’s got a sharp tongue! Hahaha! He roasted the entire Fuzhou region, and the Director—being a Fuzhou native—held a grudge for ages. Then, out of nowhere, he somehow found out the Assistant Minister was balding. Today was the perfect chance to strike! The Assistant Minister refused to back down, so they ended up brawling.]

[And mid-fight, the wig fell off!]

The Assistant Minister’s silence was deafening.

The Director recounted the events with his head lowered. “Your Majesty, I was wrong. I accept my punishment.”

The Assistant Minister stared longingly at the wig in the emperor’s hand. “Your Majesty, I was wrong as well. I also accept my punishment.”

The old emperor nodded. “Both of you, ten lashes each.”

The Assistant Minister: “Your Majesty, my…”

The old emperor: “…You think I’d covet your wig?”

He tossed the wig back to the Assistant Minister, who scrambled to catch it and gingerly placed it back on his head, treating it like a treasure.

The old emperor glanced around. “Get me some skilled riders. I want to go horseback riding in the countryside…”

[Horseback riding?] Xu Yanmiao’s instincts kicked in. [Don’t tell me we’re going to have another incident like the time he got chased by barbarians from beyond the frontier?]

The Minister of Revenue, unable to bear the look on the emperor’s face, silently raised his sleeve to shield his eyes.

Meanwhile, Xu was fanning the flames, muttering under his breath: [Heavens, please don’t pick me. Please, not me!]@@novelbin@@

The old emperor: 🙂

“Xu Yanmiao.”

The trembling of Xu Yanmiao was visibly noticeable. Yet, as he stepped forward, he performed a perfectly proper salute, his voice calm and steady: “Your Majesty.”

The old emperor stared at him intently. “I’ve heard you’re quite skilled at riding and archery.”

[What???]

“This time, you’ll accompany us.”

Xu Yanmiao could only respond, “Thank you for your gracious favor, Your Majesty, but I’m not sure where this rumor originated. I don’t know how to ride or shoot.”

“No matter.”

—Seeing you flustered amuses me.

Besides, even if you can’t ride or shoot, you can at least get on a horse, right?

A smile once again graced the old emperor’s face. He picked a few ministers to join him on the trip. “Let’s go.”

The old emperor: “…You really can’t manage even a little?”

After struggling for ages, Xu Yanmiao still hadn’t managed to mount a horse. He could only clasp his hands in apology. “I’ve delayed Your Majesty’s plans.”

Xu Yanmiao’s expression was particularly innocent, but his inner voice was full of conviction, ringing loud and clear: [I told you I can’t! Who learns horseback riding when there are carriages? It’s not like I’m Mongolian!]

The old emperor gritted his teeth. “I’m taking you today no matter what!”

The Minister of Revenue glanced at the emperor, then at the Princess of Fangling nearby, his gaze momentarily flickering.

—They really are quite alike.