Yan Bei's group left, accepting the loss they were dealt. Before he left, looking despondent and reluctant, he said, "If it's you… if it's you, then I have no choice but to admit defeat."
'Fuck you! What, are you betrothing your younger sister to my uncle or sothing? What the fuck?! Why are you trying to be bosom buddies with just because those in your generation were beaten?! You were all giddy a second ago when you called Liu Shan's Plague!!'
Pri Minister' Li's other subordinates left prior; Yan Bei was the last one remaining. He kept glancing at the pri minister. Before he left for good, he looked back to mouth what I interpreted as, "Take good care of him."
… I took in a deep breath and brayed in my mind, "Are you the second lead male protagonist in fiction, who crushes on the main female protagonist for his entire life, tells the main male lead to take good care of her and tacitly bid her farewell when she chooses him?! Fuck out of here, gay boy! Sh*t, you've tarnished a nice dining scene!"
I wanted to express my heartfelt concern for the pri minister's future after that encounter with his subordinate.
I entered Dongpo Restaurant with the pri minister after sending Yan Bei off. Dongpo Restaurant's entrance was tantamount to the markets. There were seven floors - which they kept adding to eventually reach - yet there still weren't enough tables. Lining up was the everyday scenario. Everyone who liked to frequent treated it as common sense.
Given the pri minister was fond of Dongpo Restaurant, I acknowledged him as a distinguished cuisine expert. A place of Dongpo Restaurant's calibre even reserved a private room for him for prolonged periods. For many big nas frequenting the restaurant, the restaurant needed to ensure they had their heads on right and reserved private rooms for them. I didn't know the pri minister frequented the place.
"Pri Minister, there are lots of people in the line. Are we going to take the backdoor?"
"What backdoor? We're entering through here."
"Oh? From the main entrance?"
The pri minister coughed twice. He took out a pair of western sunglasses and a wig. He wore them on, transforming himself. He, an almost seventy year old elder, looked young. He was sowhat hunched over, but he was teeming with energy. His new look reversed over a decade years of life for him. A rough guess would be he was a barely fifty. He then said, "Done. Let's go."
"Let's go?" I repeated in my mind. I inquired, "Eh? What about the private room?"
The pri minister waved his hand: "What private room? We're lining up right here. We can chat as we wait."
'I see. That's wise. Is that what you thought I'd say?!'
Gaze frigid, I took three steps back then turned and left. At least I tried. The pri minister hastily caught as I went to leave: "Don't go. Don't go!! Why are you such a naughty kid? Co back. Co back. This is out of consideration for your safety."
'Oh, I know that sort of line. Those face-slapping male protagonists always say, 'Miss, for your safety's sake, this one shall share the room with you tonight.' You think I haven't used that trick before?! Don't underestimate ; they call the Demoness' dual cultivation man!'
Still, the pri minister stopped . It would look ridiculous for two grown n (one young and handso man and an old grandpa) to be getting touchy out on the street. I, therefore, had no choice but to obey him.
"Pri Minister Li Si does reserve a room at Dongpo Restaurant; however, I'm not Pri Minister Li Si at the mont."
"Huh?" I condescendingly looked at the pri minister. I imitated Zha Pi's threatening act: "Have you finally gone senile, old man? Huh? So you're not Pri Minister Li Si but 'I'm fucked'?"
"You hasty kid. This old one can't go in as himself. Think about it: How hard could it be for this old one to enter a restaurant as a pri minister? People will accuse of things, won't they?"
"Oh? Are you telling His Majesty cares about your reputation being tarnished now?"
"It's not that His Majesty won't let use my status," said the pri minister, stern. With a lancholic undertone, he continued, "However… my wife won't let ."
'… I think I'll go back ho to have a chat with Shiyi.'
"Don't go. Let finish," called the pri minister, sighing miserably. "Due to old age, I suffer from all sorts of ailnts. I even have to restrict my food choices; I can't eat any cold, raw or fried dishes. She visited all the places I frequent and told them she'd make them close down if they served …"
'Fuck ! So you're going behind your wife's back?'
"What happened to our last eting at Eight Deities Tavern, then?"
"Are you really going to bring it up? She gave an earful. That's why I have this disguise," explained the pri minister. He sighed: "When I invited Secretary Zhang to Eight Deities Tavern for drinks last ti, my wife found out. She… went to his place and gave him two earfuls. I guess I spoil her too much."
'Hah, my teacher's wife is a tough one… Hmm? Wait. Sothing's odd. Why the hell are you dragging in when your wife is so aggressive?! You were the one who suggested coming here, by the way. You're clearly setting up for revenge last ti!'
"I bet anything you are exacting your vengeance!!"
"Exact a vengeance? This old one would never do such a thing. We just happen to be discussing important and complex business. In consideration of your cuisine knowledge, this one decided to provide the best location. Don't worry. This old one will pay. You don't need to spend a single tael. Don't misconstrue this old one's kind gesture."
And… we were in line as we spoke. I had to line up in the past, too. I couldn't go to Dongpo Restaurant during my free ti, anyway. Since soone was treating , I decided it was worth the risk. We were finally offered a table after an hour of waiting - which was normal.
I ordered eight dishes, and the pri minister ordered four. I didn't order strong wine to be considerate. The two of us first had a toast. Before the pri minister could bring up the case, nevertheless, I spoke first.
"This one has a request to ask of you, Pri Minister," I said. I placed my cup down and smiled: "Would you happen to know why His Majesty divided us into three different departnts and the most important departnts for that matter?"
"Young Ming, don't try and guess what His Majesty is thinking," replied Pri Minister Li, smiling. "It is very hard to predict what His Majesty is thinking; we, for one, will never be able to comprehend what he is thinking. If we want to be well off, we need adhere to a five word principle: do as you are told."
I placed a mushroom in the pri minister's bowl: "I see. This one has a guess, though. May this one ask if you could provide an answer if he asks?"
The pri minister heartily ate the mushroom: "Let's hear it."
"Su Xiao and Tang Ye made a na for themselves during the Imperial Martial Arts Tournant. As a result, His Majesty rewarded them with official ranks. Tang Ye even made it into the Seventeen Hidden Dragons, becoming an inspiration to many martial artists in the capital," I said in a detached tone.
The pri minister picked up food as he listened. I wasn't sure if his grin was due to what I said or if it was thanks to the food being tasty.
"This one, however, suddenly recalled Vice-Captain Shen told him the tournant pertained to Liu Shan n's rise and fall, subsequently concerning the balance of power between the three law enforcent offices. There were supposed to be many difficulties and risks involved. This one thought he understood at the ti. A few days ago, though, he suddenly felt sothing did not click.
Su Xiao and Tang Ye were conferred official ranks and acknowledged as martial arts. That said, one was a re Rank Six military official. The other was ranked as one of the Seventeen Hidden Dragons. They would not be able to do anything about His Majesty's entourage or any other departnt in the imperial court, let alone the Qilin Guards who run the martial world. There are superior individuals among Liu Shan n's female constables.
They could not possibly oppose His Majesty's entourage or the Qilin Guards. Why would Vice-Captain Shen evaluate them so highly? As such, this one spent the last few days mulling on the topic to see if he missed sothing. Could there be an agreent of so sort between Vice-Captain Shen and His Majesty? Our performance at the tournant was not a victory. More precisely, it was not a result but a condition. Did the fallen Liu Shan n have to fulfil the condition to be restored to glory?"
The pri minister smiled with his eyes narrowed. He had a drink and said, "Go on."
I placed my chopsticks on my bowl and grabbed a pigeon. I shoved the entire thing into my mouth. The bones were nice and crunchy. I totally ignored the fact a high-ranking official sat opposite with his eyes down.
I went on: "I love putting myself in other's shoes to think. For that reason, I found myself thinking the opposite at that point. If I was His Majesty and wanted to revive Liu Shan n without aggravating his entourage and the Qilin Guards, what would I do? What is Liu Shan n still lacking?"
"What?"
I answered, "rit. A comndable rit. Liu Shan n needs a big accomplishnt that can make up for their past mistakes and surpass any accomplishnt prior. Boss Shen has been sent to Jiangnan to deliver, but that is rely in na. In reality, she is there to investigate Jin Wangsun's recent incident, Gold and Silver Sect's activities and the recent large-scale war between Night Fortress and their sect. It is obvious what His Majesty wants Liu Shan n to accomplish."
The pri minister and I exchanged eye contact in silence. Then, we laughed heartily together.
"Not bad. Not bad. Not bad at all," said the pri minister, nodding. "I'd say I now know why Shen Yiren considered you one of the talented ones now. She has a good eye for people. I would argue you are more valuable than your two colleagues considering your knowledge and insight."
I touched my nose: "I heard you had an eye for people. Boss Shen also sought your guidance on the topic. I suppose a good teacher produces an exemplary student."
Reviews
All reviews (0)