Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

With the promotions announced and affairs settled, the officials were preparing to conclude the court session.

The emperor, recalling the matter of the “greedy finance clerk,” casually—he swore it was a casual remark—said, “Minister Jin, where is your wife? Have her come to the palace.”

The Minister of Works, who had been lost in thoughts of preserved meat, abruptly raised his head and looked at the emperor with shock and uncertainty. “Your Majesty… at this time of day?”

The old emperor was puzzled. “What? Does summoning your wife require me to pick an auspicious day?”

The Minister of Works spoke cautiously. “Your Majesty, I meant that it’s only just dawn…”

The emperor grew even more puzzled. “What? I not only need to pick a day but also a specific time to see your wife? Besides, it’ll be mid-morning by the time court adjourns.”

The Minister of Works mustered his courage. “Your Majesty… wouldn’t it be more appropriate to consult Her Majesty the Empress?”

The emperor waved dismissively. “Seeing your wife first won’t stop me from consulting the empress afterward. I’m not so old that I lack the energy for both.”

After speaking, the emperor noticed several officials lifting their heads, their expressions seemingly filled with shock.

Patiently, he explained, “Minister Jin, rest assured. I am not setting a trap, nor am I probing to see if your household is still engaged in commerce. I simply wish to ask your wife some questions about trade. If she is truly talented, I may even assign her a new position related to commerce.”

The Minister of Works straightened up in relief but instinctively blurted out, “Trade?”

Before the emperor could respond, Xu Yanmiao was already laughing uncontrollably in his mind:

[Hahahahaha! The Minister of Works actually thought the emperor wanted to claim his wife! Hahahahahaha!]

The commander of the imperial secret police grew tense, sneaking a glance at the emperor. As expected, the veins on the emperor’s hand bulged visibly.

The emperor spoke calmly, “No, it’s true. I am coveting a minister’s wife.”

The Minister of Works’ heart pounded wildly, and he hurriedly begged for forgiveness. “It was my petty mind, incapable of grasping Your Majesty’s great wisdom! Your Majesty is a virtuous and noble ruler, devoted to the welfare of the state. How could you concern yourself with domestic affairs? I deserve to die ten thousand times for forcing Your Majesty to utter such words!”

The furrow in the emperor’s brow deepened, his expression growing more displeased.

The Minister of Works’ heart raced faster as he began mentally drafting his farewell speech.

My wife, my children, my family, I may not return! The empty coffin at home will finally serve its purpose!

“HAHAHAHA!”

The emperor couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into hearty laughter. “You jest with me, Minister, so I jest with you. Was it amusing?”

“Ha… haha… so that’s how it was…” The Minister of Works’ pale face gradually regained its color.

In the court, he didn’t dare wipe his sweat publicly, so he exhaled in relief internally.

What a close call! For a moment, I was ready to resign, take my wife and kids, and flee. This ministerial position may have been earned through years of toil since the founding of the dynasty, but if staying in it meant sacrificing my wife, what kind of man would I be?!

Liang Rui glanced at the emperor seated on the throne but said nothing.

Having teased the Minister of Works, the emperor seemed to be in a good mood. “Is there any further business?”

If not, they could adjourn and head to their respective offices to work.

A few officials stepped forward to report matters, dragging things out with lengthy discussions until, finally, the heavenly sound everyone had been waiting for echoed through the hall—

“Court is dismissed!”

Xu Yanmiao was already half-asleep, but upon hearing the announcement, his mind became clearer than anyone else’s. As soon as the old emperor left, he quickly tried to slip away—only to be intercepted.

Those he knew, and those he didn’t, all clasped their hands in greeting when they caught his eye.

“Congratulations, Xu Lang!”

“Best wishes! Best wishes!”

“Xu Lang, you’ve been promoted—your future shines bright!”

Xu Yanmiao had no choice but to take a few steps, then stop to offer his thanks. By the time he finally had some peace and quiet, he let out a sigh. “So much for having a peaceful life now!”

The Ministry of Personnel is divided into four departments: the Personnel Office, the Office of Seals, the Office of Merits, and the Office of Evaluations. If someone is merely referred to as an Assistant Director of the Ministry, it invariably means they are part of the Personnel Office.

As an Assistant Director, Xu Yanmiao was now responsible for reviewing officials’ qualifications, resumes, and performance evaluations. He could already imagine how many people would be keeping an eye on him—offering gifts, trying to curry favor—just hoping he would show them leniency. And that wasn’t even counting his newly acquired position as a Chamberlain close to the emperor. With just a casual word to the emperor, someone could soar to great heights.

Lian Hang emerged from the crowd and approached Xu Yanmiao. Upon hearing his lament, he burst into laughter. “There are so many people out there desperate for a promotion and unable to get one, and here you are wishing for a quiet life.”

Xu Yanmiao glanced around. Seeing no one else nearby except his good friend, he lowered his voice. “You know me. I don’t understand politics or court games. The higher you climb, the more likely you are to get caught in some factional struggle and end up with nothing left—there’s even a term for it: virtue unworthy of position!”

Lian Hang chuckled before he even spoke, then said, “What are you so afraid of?”

You’re Bai Ze. If even you are unworthy of your position, then how many people in this world could hold theirs securely?

Clearing his throat, Lian Hang said, “Xu Lang, you have an innocent heart, and you’re incorruptible and compassionate. That’s exactly what His Majesty values most. Don’t underestimate yourself. With your outstanding character, you have a bright future ahead.”

Xu Yanmiao remained silent. He considered himself self-aware enough. What bright future? What could he possibly rely on—some theoretical modern knowledge? Barbed wire? He’d rather focus on doing his job diligently, not standing out, and just avoiding trouble.

Lian Hang didn’t need to hear Xu Lang’s thoughts; just looking at his expression, he knew what he was thinking. Smiling slightly, he chose not to press the matter.

From his perspective, Xu Lang didn’t need to do anything special—just being himself was enough. His Majesty valued precisely this sincerity.

“Now that you’ve been promoted and it’s the holiday season, Xu Lang, have you decided what you’ll do to celebrate?”

Lian Hang had already made up his mind. If Xu Yanmiao didn’t have other plans, he would drag him out for drinks. It’s not every day you get promoted—how could you not celebrate with some good food and wine?

Xu Yanmiao smiled at him. “I’ve decided. I’m going to a flower house to enjoy flower wine.”

“Drinking? Drinking sounds good… Wait, what?!” Lian Hang’s heart skipped a beat. “Where did you say you’re going? A flower house???”

Xu Yanmiao replied casually, “Yeah! I’ve already made plans with someone. I’m off now!”

Lian Hang stood frozen in place, watching Xu Yanmiao’s figure disappear into the distance, racking his brain to figure out…

Who?! Who corrupted little Bai Ze?!

The woman introduced herself as Xiangniang, a name given to her by the flower house. Although she had left that life behind and could have adopted a new name, she simply said, “I’m used to it. Too lazy to change it. It’s just a name—nothing inherently dirty about it.”

Dressed in men’s clothing for convenience when coming and going from the flower house, she had also purchased medicine. She understood that these efforts were a mere drop in the ocean for the sisters still trapped there. With her limited resources, she couldn’t afford to buy their freedom, so this was the best she could do.@@novelbin@@

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao had been deep in thought for a long time:

[I feel… this flower house could be shut down.]

The supply-and-demand theory came to mind. If no one—or very few—patrons visited the flower house, it would go bankrupt. And wouldn’t the “employees” inside have to find new paths?

The flower house wasn’t a charitable organization; it wouldn’t sustain the women for free. Even being sold as concubines or maids would be better than remaining in the house.

First, he needed to scout the place to see how this could be accomplished.

After accompanying Xiangniang during the day to meet her sisters and ensuring she left the flower house safely, Xu Yanmiao braced himself and ventured into the lively, licentious venue alone that evening.

[So noisy!]

[The smell of alcohol is so strong!]

[And so many scholars and literati…]

Several officials, visiting the flower house after work, were caught off guard when they suddenly heard Xu Yanmiao’s voice. Their expressions turned strange for a moment.

Xu Lang… has reached this stage of life too?

[Eh? Tea? No, I don’t need tea! I don’t like tea!]

[…Strange, why did the smiles of those singing and dancing girls fade the moment I refused?]

The confusion in his inner voice amused the officials, who exchanged knowing glances with their colleagues, smirking slyly.

It was well-known that Xu Lang had no wife, no concubines, not even a maidservant. He had never set foot in a brothel. Judging by this encounter, the rumors were spot on.

Fresh out of the oven! Still green!

He didn’t even know about the “flower tea” trick—a cup of so-called flower tea, priced at several wen, was just the madam’s way of probing how much money you had in your pockets.

[So many colleagues here too…]

[Lu Yu, Assistant Minister of Justice, is here. Does the Ministry of Justice have so little work?]

[Oh, and the Marquis of Yangwu—what’s he doing here? Could he even use a stand-in at a place like this?]

[Huh??? Cui Yi dared to come? Isn’t he notoriously henpecked? Isn’t he afraid of his wife?]

Coughing sounds echoed throughout the flower house as several men choked on their tea, wine, or saliva.

The officials Xu Yanmiao called out struggled to maintain their smiles. Some, deciding it was better to own the moment, leaned boldly out of the windows and cupped their hands in greeting to others doing the same.

What’s the big deal about coming to a flower house?

A man visiting a flower house—is that even newsworthy? The emperor hasn’t outlawed it for officials, after all!