“But this humble servant merely had a minor quarrel with my wife—I do not wish to separate from her. When I return home, I will personally take her to the Ministry of Revenue to retrieve the petition. From now on, I will cherish my wife, and I promise never to trouble Your Majesty again!”
As he spoke, his heart pounded violently in his chest, so loud it almost drowned out all other sounds.
He knew that this was unfair to Lanyin.
But he had no other choice.
As long as she returned to him, as long as she stayed, he would do anything. Even if the emperor reprimanded him, even if he was demoted, he would accept it all.
As long as Lanyin did not leave him…
The court ministers were utterly stunned—none of them had expected Xiao Ye to say such a thing. Tu Yici, in particular, was left completely dumbfounded.
His expression went blank as he stared in Xiao Ye’s direction.
Had his brother-in-law gone mad?
Was he really trying to manipulate the emperor, betting on the fact that His Majesty did not know the full details of their marriage? If the emperor issued a decree based on Xiao Ye’s words, then regardless of whether or not the separation petition had been signed, his sister-in-law would be forced to return to the Xiao family…
For the first time, Tu Yici felt a deep sense of disgust toward this brother-in-law of his.
When his wife was with him, he did not cherish her properly. Now that she wants to leave, he is putting up numerous obstacles, willing to do anything to keep her by his side, yet he fails to consider whether this is what she truly wants.
He shook his head.
He felt that Xiao Ye was beyond redemption.
Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of tension. If the Emperor were to truly speak with his golden words, then…
At this thought, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the front rows. Even though the officials in front were all clad in crimson robes, Qi Yubai still stood out the most. Among a crowd of older, even elderly officials, he was so young. Although he couldn’t see Qi Yubai’s face at that moment, Tu Yici could still sense his anger from his posture.
In the past, seeing Qi Yubai angry, he might have teased him a few words.
But now—
He was only left with worry.
He understood his senior brother’s feelings for his sister-in-law. If this matter were to be left unresolved, his senior brother would likely… Tu Yici clenched the jade tablet in his hand, his thin lips pressing together lightly.
The young censor clearly hadn’t expected Xiao Ye to say such things either. His thick brows furrowed, and he was about to speak when a light cough came from the side. It was from Prime Minister Pang, seated in the first row.
He was coughing.
Prime Minister Pang was a veteran of two dynasties, and even Zhao Gan held him in high regard. Seeing him cough, Zhao Gan momentarily set aside Xiao Ye’s matter and hurriedly asked with concern, “What troubles you, my dear minister?”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. This humble servant has merely caught a slight cold and is feeling somewhat unwell,” Prime Minister Pang replied gently.
Zhao Gan himself was not feeling well today and could empathize with the elderly minister. After exchanging a few comforting words, he turned his gaze back to Xiao Ye, his eyes now filled with displeasure. So many court officials had stayed until now because of him, and now he was treating the law as a joke!
Zhao Gan had initially held high hopes for this young official. He had many favored civil officials by his side, but few military officers he could trust. Xiao Ye had saved his life and had a clean background. He had brought him close as a sign of favor. He had even considered entrusting him with an important task, but now it seemed that someone who couldn’t even manage his own household affairs would hardly be able to handle his assignments.
Feeling displeased, Zhao Gan’s voice turned cold. “What do you think the laws of the Great Zhou are? Do you think you can divorce and reconcile as you please? The court is not a place to discuss your domestic affairs. If you fail to handle your household matters properly in the future, and if I hear even one more thing about your family, you will no longer be fit for your position!”
His health was already poor today, and after speaking these words, he began coughing again.
Amidst the court officials’ cries of “Your Majesty, please calm your anger” and “Your Majesty, take care of your health,” Zhao Gan took a sip of tea from the cup handed to him by a nearby attendant. After a brief moment of relief, he spoke in a deep voice, “The Commandant of the Palace Command, for disregarding the law, is demoted to a sixth-rank training officer and shall receive thirty lashes as a warning to others! The Minister of Revenue, Lu Boting, for colluding with court officials to deceive the throne, is fined a year’s salary. If there is any further deception, neither of you will remain in your positions!”
This was already an act of mercy.
Lu Boting naturally knelt to express his gratitude.
But Xiao Ye showed no reaction. Seeing Zhao Gan’s expression grow increasingly grim, and fearing that further provocation would bring down the Emperor’s wrath, Lu Boting quickly reached out and tugged on Xiao Ye’s sleeve… Only then did Xiao Ye snap out of it. After a moment of hesitation, he finally bowed and knelt, his forehead touching the cold floor.
With clenched fists, closed eyes, and a hoarse voice, he struggled to utter a few words, “This humble servant accepts the decree and kowtows in gratitude… for Your Majesty’s mercy.”
Seeing that Xiao Ye had acquiesced, Zhao Gan’s expression eased slightly. He had no interest in dealing with them further. After speaking, he rose and left.
The ministers hurriedly knelt to send off the emperor.
Once Zhao Gan had departed, the ministers cast a glance at Xiao Ye, who remained kneeling on the ground without moving. None of them said anything; they simply left in pairs and groups.
Lu Boting also remained kneeling. He looked at the young man beside him—someone he had watched grow up—with eyes filled with disappointment and reproach. He himself had suffered an unjust calamity today, but who could he blame? Qi Yubai had already warned him earlier, yet he had insisted on suppressing the matter out of consideration for his ties with the Xiao family… And now, Xiao Ye had indeed spoken on his behalf just now.
Shaking his head, Lu Boting said, “Ah Ye, let’s go.”
But the young man beside him seemed to have lost his soul, still kneeling motionlessly on the ground, completely unresponsive. Lu Boting frowned but did not press further. He shook his head again, preparing to get up and leave first.
Having served as an official for more than twenty years, this was the first time he had been scolded by the emperor in court. His face was ashen, and he no longer wished to linger and be watched by others.
But he was no longer young.
Kneeling for so long, his knees had grown numb. As he rose, he nearly stumbled.
There was no one here to support him.
Just as Lu Boting thought he was about to fall, a hand suddenly extended and caught his arm just in time.
“Be careful, Minister,” a familiar, cool voice said.
Lu Boting turned his head and, sure enough, saw Qi Yubai. A warmth spread through his heart, and at last, his expression softened with a faint smile. “Many thanks, Lord Qi.”
“It’s nothing.”
Qi Yubai withdrew his arm. Seeing that Lu Boting’s legs were still trembling, he paused for a moment before suggesting, “If your legs feel unsteady, you should rest for a while, or summon an imperial physician for a check-up.”
Lu Boting let out a bitter laugh. “A convicted minister like me—what face do I have to summon an imperial physician?”
“His Majesty still values you,” Qi Yubai said in his usual cool tone. “Docking a year’s salary is merely a warning to others. You need not worry—just do your job well.”
His words, though spoken with his usual detached demeanor, managed to soothe Lu Boting’s heart considerably.
Thinking about how he had been publicly reprimanded today, and how none of his usual colleagues had approached him, as if fearing association, yet this Qi Yubai—someone he had hardly interacted with before—had come to console him, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude.
“If I had…”
He started to speak, intending to bring up the words Qi Yubai had said to him that day. But with Xiao Ye still kneeling nearby, and given how things had already unfolded, there was no longer any point in dwelling on past matters. Instead, he simply nodded to Qi Yubai and, in a more solemn tone, offered a word of thanks.
He had intended to ask if Qi Yubai would leave with him, but before he could, a voice called from nearby:
“Jingyuan.”
It was Prime Minister Pang.
Jingyuan was Qi Yubai’s courtesy name.
Knowing the relationship between the two, Lu Boting quickly closed his mouth. He saluted Prime Minister Pang and then saw Qi Yubai acknowledge him before walking toward Pang Xiang with a respectful greeting:
“Teacher.”
The two of them began conversing.
Lu Boting had no desire to linger. Before leaving, he glanced once more at Xiao Ye, who remained kneeling motionlessly on the ground.
He shook his head.
Once, he had believed this young man would achieve great things in the future. But looking at him now… Comparing their ages, that Lord Qi, in both conduct and wisdom, was far more mature.
If Xiao Ye continued like this, then in the future, there would be no reason for the Lu family to maintain ties with the Xiao family.
Holding that thought, Lu Boting left, his footsteps uneven.
Behind him, Qi Yubai and his teacher continued their conversation.
Pang Xiang held Qi Yubai’s hand as they walked out together. With no one else left in the hall besides the still-kneeling Xiao Ye, he spoke in a casual, familiar tone.
“Your teacher’s wife has been missing you and your fellow disciples. When you and Yici have time, come home to visit her.”
“Yes.”
Qi Yubai supported the old man’s arm, his expression humble and respectful, and answered in a low voice. As he passed by Xiao Ye, who was kneeling on the ground, he treated him as if he were invisible, merely guiding the old man beside him as they walked out.
Exiting the Daqing Hall.
The sky was vast, the sea boundless, and the air clear and refreshing.
Only then did Qi Yubai speak, “Today, thank you, Teacher.”
Prime Minister Pang looked at him and smiled, “This is the first time you’ve asked me for help. As your teacher, how could I refuse?” Early this morning, before dawn, a servant at his home had informed him that Jingyuan (Qi Yubai) had arrived. When he called him in, his shoulders and hair were covered in dew, clearly indicating he had been waiting outside for a long time.
He had instructed someone to tidy up the inner room, but the man paid no attention to his own disheveled state. Instead, he looked at him and said, “I have a matter I would like to ask for your help with, Teacher.”
Recalling the scene from this morning, Prime Minister Pang still found it somewhat unbelievable. Now, looking at the calm and composed young man beside him, he couldn’t help but smile, “Do you really like her that much?”
So much so that even though he had already made all the preparations in advance, he was still afraid something might go wrong. He had stayed up all night and come to his doorstep to ask for his help.
“Yes.”
Qi Yubai lowered his gaze, his expression as calm as ever.
But as his teacher, Prime Minister Pang could easily detect the unusual tenderness in his voice, “I like her.”
Prime Minister Pang was surprised. He watched as the man’s features relaxed under the bright, clear sky, and listened as he spoke in a deep yet incredibly gentle voice, “I like her very much.”
…
Lanyin was at home handling the affairs of her shop.
Earlier, she had sent the patterns and clothing designs she had drawn to Shopkeeper Sun. Today, Shopkeeper Sun had brought samples from the embroiderers for her to review. Just as Lanyin finished discussing with Shopkeeper Sun and was about to propose a time to reopen the shop, Shan Xi hurriedly ran in from outside, “Master, Master!”
His voice startled the sparrows perched on the branches, causing them to flutter away. Ting Yun frowned and scolded, “What’s with all this rushing? It’s unbecoming!”
Only then did Shan Xi manage to restrain his steps, but the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Lanyin didn’t like to restrict her subordinates, and seeing him like this, she didn’t reprimand him. Instead, she set down her teacup and asked gently, “What is it?”
Shan Xi glanced at Ting Yun but couldn’t hold back his excitement. Smiling, he said to Lanyin, “Master, there’s news from the Ministry of Revenue. The receipt will be sent over soon!”
At this.
Not only Lanyin, but even Ting Yun was stunned. She forgot that she had just been criticizing Shan Xi for his lack of composure and stepped forward to grab his arm, asking anxiously, “Is it true?”
Shan Xi wasn’t upset. He remained smiling, the dimple on his right cheek faintly visible, making him look even more endearing, “It’s true. Today, as I passed by the Ministry of Revenue, I noticed some commotion and went over to see what was happening. A familiar clerk saw me and pulled me aside to tell me about this.”
“I don’t know the details, but it seems that during the morning court session today, the Marquis and the Minister of Revenue were reprimanded by His Majesty.”