Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court Chapter 160: Haha! There Are Still Good People in the World!

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 co to the palace.”

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

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

The Minister of Works spoke cautiously. “Your Majesty, I ant 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 ti to see your wife? Besides, it’ll be mid-morning by the ti 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 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.

“?” The emperor thought it over. Their reactions made sense—he didn’t appear to be soone who would actively seek out female officials. The previous instances had all been circumstantial.

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 comrce. I simply wish to ask your wife so questions about trade. If she is truly talented, I may even assign her a new position related to comrce.”

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 dostic affairs? I deserve to die ten thousand tis 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 ntally drafting his farewell speech.

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

“HAHAHAHA!”

The emperor couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into hearty laughter. “You jest with , 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 mont, 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 ant 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 seed 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 announcent, his mind beca 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 ti he finally had so peace and quiet, he let out a sigh. “So much for having a peaceful life now!”

The Ministry of Personnel is divided into four departnts: the Personnel Office, the Office of Seals, the Office of rits, and the Office of Evaluations. If soone is rely referred to as an Assistant Director of the Ministry, it invariably ans they are part of the Personnel Office.

As an Assistant Director, Xu Yanmiao was now responsible for reviewing officials’ qualifications, resus, 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, soone could soar to great heights.

Lian Hang erged from the crowd and approached Xu Yanmiao. Upon hearing his lant, 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 . I don’t understand politics or court gas. The higher you climb, the more likely you are to get caught in so 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—so 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 so 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 soone. 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 na given to her by the flower house. Although she had left that life behind and could have adopted a new na, she simply said, “I’m used to it. Too lazy to change it. It’s just a na—nothing inherently dirty about it.”

Dressed in n’s clothing for convenience when coming and going from the flower house, she had also purchased dicine. She understood that these efforts were a re 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.

anwhile, Xu Yanmiao had been deep in thought for a long ti:

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

The supply-and-demand theory ca 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 won 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 et 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 sll 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 mont.

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 mont 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 co? Isn’t he notoriously henpecked? Isn’t he afraid of his wife?]

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

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

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!