Chapter Twenty-Seven: Bad News Always Strikes Without Warning

"Governor Yu, in truth, I’m not such a villain, am I? You made a mistake, and I punished you—this is my duty as a Marquess, and also a kind of 'tough love' for my subordinates. Don’t you agree?"
Ugh… Good heavens, I’m going to be sick… Why does it sound so flamboyant and ridiculous coming from my own mouth?

Governor Yu sat on the chair, dumbfounded, watching as Mingtian poured him tea, his entire expression the very picture of bewilderment.

After calling Governor Yu into the room, Mingtian had invited him to sit, and though not exactly fawning, had poured him a cup of tea with courtesy. The mark from Mingtian’s earlier kick still lingered on Yu’s face, like an oversized birthmark.

“This… this, my lord Marquess… I really don’t deserve such an honor.”

Having been toyed with by Mingtian all day, Governor Yu was so frightened he could barely sit still, afraid Mingtian might try another trick—poison perhaps, or some unspeakable drug to make him look a fool. After all, he still felt lingering dread for having imprisoned Mingtian in the first place.

Who would have thought that Mingtian would suddenly change his attitude, smiling at him as if nothing had happened? It left Governor Yu entirely at a loss.

“Actually, though you offended me, I know you meant no disrespect. You didn’t allow anyone to impersonate me and only acted as you did because you were deceived by that impostor, right?” Mingtian put on an innocent, almost disgustingly sincere smile that even he found repulsive.

Governor Yu was no novice. Seeing Mingtian offer him a way out, he naturally seized the chance. “Ah, my lord Marquess, what are you saying? These past two days, I have been foolish, and I am grateful for your lesson. I, Yu, will never forget it.” With that, he knelt before Mingtian once more.

Huh? Is my translation system malfunctioning again? Why does everything sound so literary all of a sudden?

Still, at least the goal was achieved.

Mingtian’s sudden friendliness toward Governor Yu was hardly due to any so-called ‘tough love.’ Love? All my love is reserved for my little Lady Jiangmen. As for you, you old fat toad, you look like a slab of tofu soaked in oil—thick as a vat, barely as tall, all waist and backside. Love you? Not a chance!

Originally, Mingtian had intended to kill Governor Yu before leaving. After all, the old man had nearly cost him his life; if Zhang Feibing could live, Yu must die. But if Yu really was Consort Pan’s father, then his survival might be crucial to Mingtian’s ambitions. For now, he had to stay alive.

This whole business of ‘the stick and the candy’ was simply to smooth over their conflict.

With this in mind, Mingtian forced a social smile and spoke in a calm tone: “The people need upright officials like you. Here’s what I’ll do: when I reach Jiankang and meet the Emperor, I’ll put in a good word for you. Then, you won’t just be a third-rank governor; I’ll see you promoted to a second-rank court official!”

Governor Yu was beside himself with joy. This was a blessing straight from the heavens!

“Thank… thank you for your great kindness, my lord Marquess!” He knelt again, bowing his head three times, his gratitude surging like a river.

“My lord Marquess is so magnanimous, and I, Yu, would walk through fire and water to repay your grace!” Again, he kowtowed three times.

Hmph, officials—they’re the same everywhere, throughout history.

In his past life as an administrative assistant, Mingtian’s negotiation skills had been formidable. Working under a billionaire CEO, he’d learned all the tricks, whether by word or observation.

Dealing with bureaucrats was child’s play for him, especially these ancient ones—hardly a challenge.

Officials—what loathsome creatures, so disgusting that even complaints seem pointless.

“All right, all right, get up.” Mingtian handed him a cup of tea. “Drink this cup of wine—no, tea—and from now on, we’re brothers. You can call me Brother Zhuge, and I’ll call you Old Yu, how’s that?”

These words brought Governor Yu to tears; he accepted the cup with both hands, respectfully lowering his own cup to clink against Mingtian’s.

“My lord Marquess, I will never forget your generosity!” With that, he downed the tea in one gulp.

As Governor Yu raised his head, Mingtian poured his own tea out behind his back.

First, the tea was truly awful. Second… who in their right mind would seriously become sworn brothers with him? If I drank with him, I’d have nightmares for days!

“Thanks to your great fortune, my lord, even this tea tastes especially refreshing.” After drinking, Governor Yu could not resist flattering Mingtian.

Success.

With his goal achieved, Mingtian had no desire to linger.

“Governor Yu, I must hurry to Jiankang. Could you make the arrangements for me?”

At these words, Governor Yu looked genuinely disappointed. “My lord Marquess, must you leave so soon? It’s nearly the hour of the Goat. Why not stay the night and depart in the morning?”

Stay the night? Is he joking?!

In this era, every city reeks of filth and sewage—how could I sleep here? I’d rather feed the mosquitoes outside than stay in this dump.

Besides, I’ve already been delayed two days. I still have to win over the future Consort Pan, which will take a few more days. I can’t keep the Lady waiting too long.

I want to see my beloved Jiangmen lady as soon as possible, graduate from celibacy, and then have a house full of little ones… Wait, what’s her real name again? I never asked. If she shares the emperor’s surname, it should be Xiao… Oh well, I’ll just keep calling her Lady Jiangmen.

“Very well, my lord Marquess, please wait a moment. I’ll make the arrangements at once!” With that, Governor Yu dashed out faster than Nezha on his flaming wheels, disappearing from sight.

“Well, you’re quite the talker,” Yin Chan’s voice suddenly came from behind, her arms crossed, a sardonic tone in her voice. “That fellow would be equivalent to a director in your time, right? And you handled him so easily?”

“It’s ancient times—how can you compare them to the present? You know how corrupt officials were in feudal society.” Mingtian chuckled. “If I couldn’t manage him, how could I call myself an administrative assistant?”

Beside them, An Luo stared at Mingtian, awestruck, giving him a series of thumbs-ups. “I didn’t really understand what you and Miss Yin Chan were talking about, Brother Mingtian, but it was amazing. You manipulated the governor as if he were a toy.”

“Governor? Ha!” Mingtian didn’t know why he laughed, only that it was funny. Turning back, he gazed at the untainted blue sky. “And what if it were the emperor himself?!”

…

“My little Mingtian, where are you now?”

“Replying to my lady, I am hurrying to you. You won’t have to wait much longer.”

“Hmph. If you dare make me wait too long, I’ll send you to the palace to be a eunuch!”

“Ah, have mercy, my lady.”

“Then hurry up and come kiss me right now.”

Alone in her room, the Lady was holding two dolls, giving them voices and imagining Mingtian’s arrival.

Looking at the doll that represented Mingtian, her jade-like face blushed crimson.

That day, Mingtian had cooked for her. Never mind how delicious the dishes were—she, who had never tasted such delicacies in her life, was utterly enraptured.

Most important of all was Mingtian’s presence.

He hadn’t feared her status as a Lady, nor had he flinched from the threat of death. When he finally presented his dishes, the burning intensity of his gaze, and the gentle smile he wore as she enjoyed the food—all of it lingered in her mind.

For days now, Lady Jiangmen could think of nothing but Mingtian’s handsome and spirited visage.

“Xinzhu, are you daydreaming about your ideal man again?” At that moment, a maid entered without knocking.

Xiao Xinzhu—Lady Jiangmen—turned to see her, but showed no displeasure; instead, she smiled warmly.

“Zhaoyu, it’s you.”

This maid, with her hair tied in two high pigtails and a face like unpolished jade, might not rival her mistress in beauty, but compared to the average girl in the street, she was a genuine gem.

Zhaoyu picked up a comb and gently began to smooth Xiao Xinzhu’s silver-dusted, snowy hair as if tending to her own sister.

“My lady, do you still like my little invention?” Zhaoyu asked casually as she brushed, her voice full of affection.

“Ah, you mean your soap? Of course I like it,” Xiao Xinzhu replied with delight. “You clever girl, always full of ideas. Ever since I started using your soap a year ago, I’ve never wanted to wash my hair with rice water again. If you invent anything new, don’t keep it to yourself.”

“I know, Sister Xiao.”

Zhaoyu smiled as radiantly as a sunflower. “If you hadn’t taken me in when I was a child, how could I be here today? Everything I have is yours, Sister Xiao.”

“Don’t say that—we’re sisters.”

At these words, Zhaoyu’s smile faded, replaced by worry. “Sister Xiao, I actually came to your room today to bring bad news.”

“Bad news?” Xiao Xinzhu’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding rising within her. “What is it?”

Zhaoyu bit her lip, hesitant. “The Emperor is selecting a crown princess for the Crown Prince, Xiao Baojuan. It seems he has chosen you, and unless something changes, you’ll be summoned to the palace tomorrow.”

The words struck like a bolt from the blue.

The happiness that had just colored Xiao Xinzhu’s cheeks drained away, leaving her as pale as snow.

The doll representing Mingtian slipped from her hand to the floor.

Her crimson eyes gradually filled with tears.

“How… how can this be?!”

Zhaoyu saw the Lady’s transformation clearly. In that moment, as countless emotions flickered in her eyes, she seemed to come to a decision—her gaze grew resolute.

…