Chapter 287: Promotion

Chapter 287: Chapter 256: Promotion

Xiao Yanci moved to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, settling into the backyard, becoming the prospective son-in-law of Prime Minister Wang, who would soon visit their home.

He was waiting for the Emperor’s summons. Even if there was none, he should be promoted to a higher rank.

However, after waiting for several days, he didn’t receive the Emperor’s summons or news of a promotion; instead, he learned from the servants’ mouths that Zhou Wangshu was promoted again in a short period, now serving as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

This was undoubtedly the youngest Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in history and the fastest-promoted official.

“Why? Because he has a good father-in-law, he doesn’t have to do anything but can reach positions others can’t climb in a lifetime — is this fair to others?”

“Master, the Prime Minister requests you to discuss political matters in the study.” The attendant said to Xiao Yanci.

This attendant was arranged for him by the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Half a month later, Prime Minister Wang married off his daughter, and the groom was the newly examined third place examinee.

During these two weeks, Xiao Yanci’s reputation improved quickly. Now everyone was saying Xiao Yanci was framed, and due to his outstanding nature, he often encountered women trying to seduce and scheme against him. Those women couldn’t have him, so they spread rumors about him everywhere. As for his former wife’s infidelity, it was because his entire heart was focused on the exams, neglecting his wife, and she couldn’t endure loneliness—she was shameless, and he was not at fault.

Prime Minister Wang and General Su were not on good terms; when Su Rende acknowledged kin, he did not invite Prime Minister Wang. But this time, Prime Minister Wang invited the General Mansion for his daughter’s marriage.

Su Rende initially didn’t want to go, but considering the invitation, not going would make it seem like he feared him.

Thus, Su Rende, with wife, daughter, and son-in-law, went to congratulate.

“The National Guardian General Mansion sends a pair of Jade Ruyi,” announced the servant responsible for registering gifts.

Zhang Zhaodi heard the gift list and said to Su Rende, “You are indeed generous, sending such a valuable Jade Ruyi.”

Su Rende leaned into Zhang Zhaodi’s ear and said, “Madam, you might not know, jade is the hardest thing to estimate the value of. High-quality jade is of course invaluable, but jade of poor quality is worth nothing. I certainly won’t let that old knave take advantage.”

“That’s more like it,” Zhang Zhaodi was satisfied. “You don’t like someone named Wang, I don’t like his son-in-law, indeed, birds of the same feather flock together. None of them are decent people.”

“If madam doesn’t like someone, there’s no need to endure. Hit if you want, curse if you want, your husband will back you up.”

“Where’s Yaoguang and Wangshu?” Zhang Zhaodi looked around.

“Wangshu is among the male guests; presumably, he’s been taken away by his colleagues. As for Yaoguang, she was here just now, probably taken away by someone else.”

Xia Zhen saw his former debauched companions nearby, was about to join them in merriment when he saw them scatter upon noticing him, each heading to a different spot.

Xia Zhen’s face turned ugly.

Since that damned horse injured the heir of the Duke of the Country, he hasn’t had a single peaceful day. His father took him to Duke Zhen Country Mansion to apologize, and nearly broke his leg. He is the sole heir of Xia Mansion; his father, in order to preserve his glory and wealth, really had no qualms about taking action.

Xia Zhen was about to find a place to drink when he saw a familiar figure walking past from the opposite direction. That figure he would never forget, even if it turned to ashes, he wouldn’t forget. After all, these past nights, in his midnight dreams, he always thought of that damn commoner.

It’s heard he is now no longer a commoner but the newly examined Champion Scholar and the son-in-law of the National Guardian General.

He told his father the origin of the Ferghana Horse, but his father forbade him from causing trouble at the National Guardian General Mansion. He said Duke Zhen Country Mansion is not to be offended, nor is the National Guardian General Mansion. They have already offended Duke Zhen Country Mansion; if they also offend National Guardian General Mansion, it would be rather foolish.

He couldn’t openly settle scores with him, but secretly there would be no problem.

As long as he does it without anyone knowing, who knows how that person dies?

He—as the Young Master of Cheng’an Hou Mansion, has never suffered such a loss, today is a perfect day for revenge.

“You two, follow that man up ahead, see where he is going, and report back immediately after finding out.”

Xia Zhen’s attendants had done many bad deeds with him; aside from continuing to obey him, they dared not betray him.

Even though they felt uneasy, sensing their young master shouldn’t trouble the General’s son-in-law, once the master speaks, they can only comply.