Bai Mudan nodded her head, "Yes, to beco an official! As long as you have the will, I'll speak to my father and have him arrange it for you."
"Father-in-law... would he agree?" Dongfang Jian hesitantly said.
"He must agree." Bai Mudan smiled, "You're already his son-in-law, he's definitely going to take care of you. If you achieve success, it'll reflect well on him too."
"I see..."
"So, can you do it or not? Give a straight answer."
"Alright! I'll listen to you! I've been drifting for so many years, I'm tired too. It's ti to rest a bit."
"I'll go to my father tomorrow and have him arrange a good position for you."
The night passed just like that.
Early the next morning, Bai Mudan went to find Bai Daqing to discuss getting Dongfang Jian a position within the governnt.
"Is this your idea? Or Dongfang Jian's?" Bai Daqing asked.
"It's my idea." Bai Mudan said, "Father, I know you have your views about Dongfang Jian but... he's now your son-in-law, part of the family. It's only sensible and proper for you to help him." As she said this, Bai Mudan added another sentence, "Helping Dongfang Jian is helping your daughter. If Dongfang Jian achieves success, not only will you gain prestige, but I will also lead a better life."
"I understand." Bai Daqing nodded noncommittally, "I'll consider it carefully."
"Consider? What's there to consider?" Bai Mudan was displeased.
"Alright, enough," Bai Daqing waved his hand impatiently, "I will arrange it. You go back and wait for the news."
"Father..."
"Go back."
"Alright then, I'll go back first. You'd better act quickly and not keep and Dongfang Jian waiting too long." After saying this, Bai Mudan turned around and left.
...
With her hands clasped behind her back, Bai Mudan humd a tune and took small, asured steps as she entered the yard.
"How did it go? Did father-in-law agree?" Dongfang Jian, who had been waiting for so ti, quickly approached her.
Bai Mudan smiled and nodded her head, "Rest assured, the matter is settled. Just wait to beco a high-ranking official."
"Ah, that's wonderful." Dongfang Jian grinned broadly, genuinely delighted. He had approached Bai Mudan for what reason? Wasn't it for this very day? Now that his goal seed within reach, how could Dongfang Jian be anything but happy? Joining the governnt was the first step, striving to beco a high-ranking official was second, and using power to suppress Gao Fei was the third.
"How will you thank ?" Bai Mudan said with her hands behind her back, quite pleased with herself, "To get you into the governnt, I went to great lengths, speaking lots of good words for you in front of my father."
"I'll thank you properly right now." Dongfang Jian hehe'd with a smile, scooping Bai Mudan up in his arms as he headed towards the room.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Thanking you, what else?"
"It's daylight right now."
"Daylight's good, you can see everything clearly."
"...You little rascal."
"Bang!"
The door closed, and the two of them started to frolic inside.
...
Three days later.
Dongfang Jian received a notification to report to a certain governnt office. He went there excited and in high spirits, but when he arrived at the office and learned of his duties, his face instantly changed...
The job of managing record-keeping, a minor clerk position, was regarded as the lowest rank within the entire governnt office.
After enduring an entire day, Gao Fei returned to the City Lord's Mansion at dusk.
"You're back. What position did my father arrange for you?" Bai Mudan walked over with a smile, linking her arm with Dongfang Jian's.
"My father-in-law indeed favors greatly..."
"Of course he does."
"He made a minor official in charge of record-keeping."
"Ah... Eh? What did you say? A minor official? Are you sure you're not joking?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Dongfang Jian forced a smile and said, "If you don't believe , you can go to the Governnt Office and ask around."
"How could this be! You're his son-in-law. How can he treat you like this? No, I'm going to find him right now!" Bai Mudan huffed and ran out, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Dongfang Jian slowly exhaled a suppressed breath, muttering to himself, "Make a fuss, go on, make my father-in-law Bai Daqing's head ache, and then give a more respectable position." Dongfang Jian felt anger too; he knew Bai Daqing disliked him, and arranging his position surely wouldn't be smooth sailing. But Dongfang Jian didn't expect Bai Daqing to go to such extres, outright assigning him a minor official's role. Everyone at the Governnt Office was laughing at him, talking behind his back, and saying particularly nasty things.
...
"Bang!"
The door was forcefully pushed open, and Bai Mudan stord in, furious: "Dad! Why would you do this!"
Bai Daqing put down his teacup and looked up at Bai Mudan: "What's the matter?"
"I'm asking you, did you arrange a minor official position for Dongfang Jian?" Bai Mudan loudly questioned.
Bai Daqing nodded his head: "Yes, what about it?"
"Dongfang Jian is your son-in-law! Moreover, his cultivation is at the Soul Out of Aperture Stage. How could you let him be a minor official?"
"Then what do you think he should be?"
"At the very least, he should be an official at the level of Wan Fuchang!"
"Wan Fuchang level?" Bai Daqing laughed, but it was a cold laugh: "He really dares to ask for it, huh? Expecting to beco Wan Fuchang just after joining the officials? He's dreaming!"
"It's not about Dongfang Jian, it's ..."
"Enough, don't cover for Dongfang Jian anymore, I'm no fool."
"Dad..."
"My daughter," Bai Daqing sighed deeply, "Precisely because Dongfang Jian is my son-in-law, I can't give him too high a position to avoid gossip." After a pause, Bai Daqing continued, "Although I'm the City Lord, I can't act recklessly. Do you know how many people are watching ? If I do sothing extravagant, it won't be long before soone reports to the Emperor, and then I'll be in trouble."
"I..." Bai Mudan was about to speak but was interrupted by Bai Daqing.
"This is what I think, let Dongfang Jian start from the bottom and work his way up. By doing so, others won't gossip. You go back and tell Dongfang Jian that it's my command, to work diligently and accumulate rits so I have an excuse to promote him," Bai Daqing said: "Using your words, Dongfang Jian is my son-in-law, and I definitely won't treat him unfairly."
Bai Mudan blinked, feeling there was so truth to what Bai Daqing was saying.
"Go back, live a good life with Dongfang Jian, and don't worry about other things. I have a clear grasp on this," Bai Daqing waved his hand.
"Dad, you can't lie to . You must promote Dongfang Jian in the future."
"When have I ever lied to you?"
After getting Bai Daqing's assurance, Bai Mudan left, satisfied.
Watching his daughter's retreating figure, Bai Daqing's eyes flickered, his thoughts unknown.
...
When Bai Mudan returned to her place and recounted what had happened, Dongfang Jian cursed inwardly. What kind of father-in-law is this? Bullshit! All that talk, and he just doesn't trust ! So he uses such despicable tricks to disgust , thinking I'll yield? Just wait! I will never yield!
"Just endure a few days. After so ti passes, my dad will promote you. He's right, climbing up step by step will prevent others from gossiping," Bai Mudan said.
Dongfang Jian's face twitched slightly, and he nodded faintly.
Reviews
All reviews (0)