Chapter 175.2
The elderly woman, holding a kitchen knife, came to rob someone. But even before she could speak, Old Chief carelessly handed over his pouch to her.
The elderly woman asked oddly, "Did you take the wrong medicine today?"
Old Chief didn"t look at her, but remained gazing up at the endless starry sky, saying, "Zhuang Jinse, what do you think a person"s life is for? Without life, there will be no death."
Zhuang, Jinse?
A familiar name.
The elderly woman also looked up at the starry sky above.
At the other end of the sky, there seemed to be a distant memory from across the years calling out to her.
Her mood suddenly became heavy, and her whole person felt melancholic.
She bowed her head and counted the money in the pouch, and became even more disappointed, "Surnamed Huo! Don’t think you can get away from giving me less money by mystifying me! Such a few coins aren’t enough to play several rounds of games! How much did you hide? Give it all to this old lady!"
Old Chief: So this doesn’t work huh?
Having successfully robbed someone’s money, the elderly woman went back next door contentedly.
Old Chief"s plan to divert the elderly woman’s attention was true. He lamented that this life wasn’t fake either.
He was really worried.
He was afraid of the day he would depart this world like Old Feng.
Old Feng’s obsession in this world was his mantle.
As soon as someone good enough appeared to inherit his mantle, Old Feng died without regret.
He was different.
He had people he couldn’t let go of.
He used to think that since that person had died, there was no longer anything that made him reluctant to part with this world.
But now, his Ah Heng was still alive, so he didn’t dare to get sick or die yet.
He was afraid of leaving him alone in this world and letting him face everything by himself.
"Ah Heng, what else can I do for you as your master?"
……
After the lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Imperial Academy and major academies in the capital opened one after another, as did all the government offices, yamen and Imperial departments.
The first day of mourning court after the New Year was usually pleasant, and the memorandum pa.s.sed by the civil and military officials also had relatively mild contents. In short, it was all for good omen.
After all, it was unlucky to start the New Year by making trouble for the court.
In Zheng residence, Director Zheng was also ready to head out.
He had already received news from Grand Preceptor Zhuang that the issue about the Chief position had been settled. His Majesty would confer the t.i.tle of Ning w.a.n.g to the eldest prince on the first court meeting at the beginning of the new year, and at the same time he would be conferred the t.i.tle of Imperial Academy Chief.
"Congratulations to my Lord, congratulations to my Lord!" The steward said.
Director Zheng raised his chin proudly, "What"s there to congratulate? If it were not for those messy things that occurred, this Lord should have been the Imperial Academy Chief long ago!"
The steward said, "What my Lord said is true! But it"s also not too late!"
"That"s correct too."
Director Zheng laughed.
Thinking of it, he asked, "Are all the clothes ironed?"
The steward hurriedly answered, "Yes, yes! All there is left is to wait for the emblem to be sent over and I"ll embroider it for my Lord! "
Imperial Academy"s clothes were specially made by the imperial court, but Director Zheng couldn"t wait to have them made early, except that there was no emblem of Imperial Academy Chief yet, which was a symbol of status.
"Show it to me!" Director Zheng instructed.
"Yes!" The steward held up the clothes, all smiles.
Director Zheng"s eyes glowed green.
The steward said, "My Lord, would you like to try it on first?"
Director Zheng cleared his throat, "En, I might as well. In case the size is not right, you can change it in time."
The steward smilingly said, "That is true!"
Director Zheng couldn"t wait to change into the Chief"s uniform. Moments later, he took a step forward, spread out his arms, and let the steward appreciate it, "How is it?"
The steward gave a thumbs up and kept on flattering him, "Fitting, very fitting! My Lord looks imposing in this attire!"
Director Zheng felt so proud that he came to the bronze mirror, took a look at himself from front to back, left and right, and even flinging his wide sleeves. He laughed, "Now all I need is the emblem!"
The steward said with a smile, "My Lord will surely have it upon returning from the morning court!"
Director Zheng reluctantly took off his Chief uniform, but thought that after today, he could wear it every single day!
Director Zheng headed to court.
The sky was still dim, and the palace gates hadn"t opened yet. All the officials were waiting outside.
When they saw Director Zheng arrive, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel congratulated him first, followed by the minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the senior official of the State Ceremonial Bureau. Other officials also came over to congratulate him.
Obviously, everyone had heard that Director Zheng was about to be conferred the t.i.tle of Imperial Academy Chief.
This was a sure thing. Director Zheng did not even bother to display outward modesty as he smiled and returned everyone’s salute.
His current official position was below these several Lords, but he would be on an equal footing with them in the next morning court. Therefore, at the moment, his salute was already that of someone with equal status.
Soon, the palace gates opened.
"Lord Zheng, please." An official said with a smile.
Director Zheng smiled and strutted onto the imperial audience hall.
The first court meeting of the New Year was as pleasant as usual.
All the memorandums handed by the civil and military officials were filled with praises for His Majesty"s achievements.
His Majesty was very happy.
Consistent with the palace gossip, His Majesty first complimented the eldest prince and conferred him the t.i.tle of Ning w.a.n.g, and soon it was time to bestow the Imperial Academy Chief"s position.
"Now that the Imperial Academy has been reopened, the position of Chief cannot remain vacant forever. Fortunately, I already have a suitable candidate in mind…" His Majesty"s dignified voice echoed throughout the imperial audience hall.
Director Zheng straightened up excitedly.
The day he had been waiting for had finally come!
Here it comes! Here it comes! Here it comes!
Probably only a woman who was about to be married could understand his current mood. He was like a bride in the middle of a wedding ceremony, waiting to kneel to heaven and earth together with her bridegroom!
Just then, he saw an eunuch coming in a hurry, bowing outside the imperial audience hall, "Your Majesty! A letter has arrived for Your Majesty!"
There was no need to rush to the imperial audience hall like this for ordinary letters, unless it was urgent.
Could it really be an 800 li urgent report from the border?
"Bring it up." His Majesty said.
The letter brought by the eunuch was presented to His Majesty.
After reading the letter, His Majesty abruptly stood up from the dragon chair.
Everyone was startled. Was it really a big deal? Has the border fallen?
The next second, everyone heard His Majesty say excitedly, "Old Chief has returned to the capital. He wrote me a letter, asking me if I was doing well…"
Director Zheng’s heart thumped ominously.
Didn"t the Old Chief already retired from public life many years ago? What did he mean by writing to seduce His Majesty at this juncture?
Moreover, it was even an affectionate, carefully phrased letter, which roughly translated to: Your Majesty, I haven"t seen you for several years. How have you been? Please forgive my willfulness at the beginning. I feel guilty every time I think of Your Majesty"s love for me. Now that I"m back, may I ask Your Majesty whether your feelings are still the same?"
What a green tea b.i.t.c.h ancestor!
His Majesty was deeply moved, so much so that tears welled up in his eyes. He said, "We can discuss the Chief"s matter later, court adjourned!"
Director Zheng felt as though he was struck by a bolt of lightning!