Chapter One, The Son of the Treacherous Minister (Part One)

His age miraculously transformed to sixteen, and his name also gained an additional character. From that day on, Hu Tian became Hu Xiao Tian. The consciousness of a twenty-eight-year-old was also integrated into this hollow body. Fortunately, his appearance did not change significantly, just appearing a bit younger and more innocent. It was from that day that he decided to start enjoying life, living this life in a relaxed and pleasant manner. However, life is often filled with disappointments, and one cannot escape troubles if they cannot forget their memories. Before long, Hu Xiao Tian discovered that being smart does not necessarily mean living happier than being foolish. It was from that day that he decided to start enjoying life, living this life in a relaxed and pleasant manner. However, life is often filled with disappointments, and one cannot escape troubles if they cannot forget their memories. Before long, Hu Xiao Tian discovered that being smart does not necessarily mean living happier than being foolish.

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "That works!"

Hu Xiaotian has no attachment to the past; he is even too lazy to recall it. His previous life was not beautiful, so in this life, he would rather choose to forget.

The first thing Hu Xiaotian remembered upon awakening was that he still had two surgeries left to perform, and prior to that, he had already been working on the operating table for thirty-two consecutive hours. Due to excessive fatigue, Hu Tian, who had died on the operating table, found his consciousness traversing the vast river of time and space, drifting through three thousand great worlds, before ultimately settling in the body of this fool in the Ministry of Revenue of the Great Kang.

Lazily squinting his eyes, the same expression appearing on different people's faces can present two entirely different effects. In Liang Dazhuang, it is a display of flattery and ingratiation, while in Hu Xiaotian, it exudes sophistication and elegance. A fool, of course, would not possess any noble air, but when this body is suddenly endowed with the consciousness of a medical doctor's degree, every move he makes appears lively and wise: "What joy is there?" Language, of course, will not become an obstacle on Hu Xiaotian's path forward, as he had already mastered six of the most representative languages in the world by the age of twenty. The language and script of Yamato Shubokang are not much different from the past; it is like a variant of Chinese characters, with only slight differences in pronunciation and a mix of classical and colloquial expressions. For someone who had once easily obtained a master's degree in Chinese studies, this posed no problem at all.

Upon hearing this matter, Hu Xiaotian's expression instantly turned gloomy and distressed. In Dakang, the concept of free love is not advocated; the orders of parents and the matchmaking of intermediaries still hold absolute dominance. Although there is no freedom in love and marriage, there is one advantage: polygamy is legal in Dakang. As long as you are wealthy and powerful, you can marry as many wives as you desire. This is an era where the strong prevail; as long as you possess sufficient strength, you can occupy as many resources as possible: money, land, real estate, and beautiful women. However, there is one advantage: polygamy is legal in Dakang. As long as you are wealthy and powerful, you can marry as many wives as you desire. This is an era where the strong prevail; as long as you possess sufficient strength, you can occupy as many resources as possible: money, land, real estate, and beautiful women.

Having served as an official for many years, Hu is certainly aware of the true intentions of these people. Although he is skilled in the art of opportunism, he holds a deep disdain for those who flatter the powerful. He categorically rejects all offers, believing that even though his son may be foolish, he should not be easily exploited by others. As a result, after some time, Hu Xiaotian remains without a marriage prospect at the age of sixteen.

In the eighth year of the Dakang Longqi era, during the late April, Hu Xiaotian languidly sat in the exquisite main hall. The room was adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, and the interior furnishings were exceptionally exquisite and luxurious. Outside was a long corridor, where eight vermilion pillars divided the sunlight. Beyond the corridor was a square courtyard of about one mu, filled with vibrant spring flowers clustered together, competing to display their beauty among the tender yellow foliage. As the gentle breeze passed, the silky vines swayed with the wind, and a subtle fragrance quietly enveloped the air, bringing a sense of tranquility and delight.

Liang Dazhuang bowed and said: "Young Master, I have heard that the Master and Madam have just arranged a marriage for you at www.hetushu.com.com!"

A marriage contract suddenly made Hu Xiaotian realize that his ideal of a leisurely life had become a luxury. How could there be any happiness in marrying a wife he had never met, who was paralyzed from the waist down, and was said to be an unparalleled ugly woman

Although the fact that Hu Xiaotian is mentally impaired is almost common knowledge in the capital, there are still a steady stream of suitors seeking to form a marriage alliance. Of course, they are all lower-ranking officials, and no one genuinely wishes to marry their daughter to a fool; what they are truly interested in is the power of Hu Buwei, the Minister of Revenue.

The stout Liang Dazhuang, dressed in a green jacket and small hat, is a servant of the Ministry of Rites. He has been assigned to serve this young master for the past six months. He approached quietly and, upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, immediately broke into a broad smile, his small eyes squinting into two narrow slits, his mustache slightly curled up, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes adorned his large face, making him look like an oversized meat bun: "I congratulate you, young master, I congratulate you!"

In Dakang, it is also common to arrange marriages for children, emphasizing the importance of matching social status. Individuals like Hu Xiaotian, who are second-generation officials, are naturally in high demand. His mother had already arranged a marriage for him when she was three months pregnant. The prospective in-laws, Zhou Ruiyuan, was once a high-ranking official of the first rank, serving as the Right Chancellor of Dakang, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Hanlin Scholar, and concurrently holding the position of Senior Minister and Pillar of the State. He was quite prominent in Dakang and represented a significant elevation for the Hu family. Although Hu Buwei held the power of finance, he was merely a third-rank official. However, when Hu Xiaotian was two years old, it became known that the Hu family's son was mentally challenged, leading them to unhesitatingly withdraw from the engagement.

Hu Xiaotian's sudden awakening brought surprise to Hu Buwei, while also stirring the ambitions that lay hidden deep within his heart. He quickly arranged a marriage for Hu Xiaotian with Li Tianheng, the military governor of Jian'nan and Xichuan, a Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a former Minister of War, a co-equal in the Council of State, the governor of Xizhou, the founding duke of Xichuan, and a noble with a fief of three thousand households. Although both he and Li Tianheng held the same rank of third grade in the Dakang court, Li was undoubtedly a prominent regional official, deeply trusted by the current Crown Prince Long Yeqing. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, it will be a time of prosperity for Li Tianheng. Being in the court requires a deep understanding of history, the ability to grasp the present, and a vision for the future. Hu Buwei's initiative to propose a marriage alliance with the Li family was precisely driven by this political motive

He finally understands that the true meaning of life lies in enjoying life, with no more ideals or ambitions, no more grand aspirations. He simply wishes to be a carefree rich man in this world, spending a little money each day, and then finding a charming and lovely woman to marry and have children with, preferably two kids, one girl and one boy. After his daughter gets married and his son starts a family, he will begin to enjoy his old age. On a warm afternoon, accompanied by a loyal old yellow dog, he will sit in a fragrant garden, basking in the sunlight, brewing a pot of good tea, playing a few games of chess, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, living a leisurely and simple life.

Thus, when Liang Dazhuang brought up this matter, it caused Hu Xiaotian to feel displeased. He sighed and said: "Better not to mention it!"

Although Liang Dazhuang appears clumsy, he is not foolish; he is particularly adept at reading people's expressions. Otherwise, he would not have been entrusted with important responsibilities by the Hu family, becoming Hu Xiaotian's personal servant. Noticing that Hu Xiaotian was in a bad mood, Liang Dazhuang cautiously said: "Young Master, the weather is fine today; how about I accompany you for a stroll to lighten your spirits?"

In fact, Hu Buwei had long hinted at this matter; the marriage was a facade, while the alliance was genuine. The Li family has a daughter who is engaged to a paralyzed man, reportedly of extremely unattractive appearance. Even so, Li Tianheng would not willingly betroth his daughter to a fool. However, after confirming that the young master of the Hu family had suddenly regained his senses and ability to speak, Li Tianheng finally nodded in agreement. The two families exchanged their birth dates and set a wedding date. The wedding is scheduled for the sixth day of the tenth month, and there are less than six months left until the wedding day. Even so, Li Tianheng would not willingly betroth his daughter to a fool. However, after confirming that the young master of the Hu family had suddenly regained his senses and ability to speak, Li Tianheng finally nodded in agreement. The two families exchanged their birth dates and set a wedding date. The wedding is scheduled for the sixth day of the tenth month, and there are less than six months left until the wedding day

Hu Xiaotian also took a full six months to understand and adapt to all the changes happening around him, and now he is able to face them calmly and handle them with ease, which is what is commonly referred to as having fully entered the role

Sunlight streamed through the branches and window panes, casting mottled shadows. Hu Xiaotian took a deep breath of the floral fragrance, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked into the play of light and shadow. Every blade of grass and every tree felt so familiar, so intimate, with no distinction from everything in his memories. It was just that he had never paid close attention to the beauty of life in the past, let alone enjoyed it. Memories were dull and tedious for him; apart from his singular focus on studying medical techniques, he seemed unable to find any joyful highlights. Without family ties, friendships, or love, such a life was not worth his nostalgia.

Originally, he should have been able to easily fulfill this wish, as his father was Hu Buwei, the Minister of Finance of the Great Kang. In the portion of Hu Xiaotian's past memories, this position was equivalent to that of the Minister of Finance, and now it is a third-rank official in the Great Kang, wielding significant financial power and enjoying the deep trust of the Great Kang royal family. Having served under two generations of emperors, his position has remained as stable as Mount Tai.

The servant is himself, and the young master is naturally Hu Xiaotian

As the only son of this high-ranking official in the court, Hu Xiaotian, being the sole heir for three generations, is naturally regarded as the apple of the Hu family's eye. Unfortunately, this world is also filled with various regrets, just like this one. The awakening of Hu Xiaotian's consciousness began only six months ago. On October 15 of last year, a natural phenomenon occurred: a red moon hung in the sky, and the century-old iron tree in front of the Flowing Cup Pavilion in the back garden of the Minister's residence bloomed that night. Almost at the same moment, this second-generation official, who had been mute and mentally impaired for sixteen years, suddenly regained his senses.

The son of the Minister of Revenue, when going out, although does not require the fanfare of drums and gongs, must certainly be accompanied by a retinue. In addition to Liang Dazhuang, there are three other attendants accompanying him. These three attendants, all dressed in blue robes and small hats, walk behind Hu Xiaotian with their heads held high and chests out, displaying an air of arrogance. The phrase 'fox assuming the tiger's might and dog relying on human power' is most fitting for this group. As a third-rank official, the attendants of the Minister of Revenue of the Great Kang dynasty must be worth at least a ninth-rank county magistrate. Servants of high-ranking officials naturally have a good sense of self-worth.

A powerful official can easily crush others, and Hu Buwei naturally did not dare to say anything in front of the first-rank officials of the court. He could only obediently withdraw from this marriage proposal, not only forcing a smile but also having to accompany his words with apologies. However, in his heart, he harbored deep hatred for Zhou Ruiyuan. Three years ago, the Crown Prince Long Yelin was deposed due to losing favor, and Zhou Ruiyuan, as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, inevitably faced repercussions. Hu Buwei did not miss this opportunity to kick him while he was down, joining other court officials in fiercely denouncing him, which directly led to Zhou Ruiyuan being stripped of his position and reduced to commoner status, thus relieving some of his pent-up resentment.

Memory is unreliable, and forgetting can also be beautiful

Hu Buwei originally planned to support his foolish son for a lifetime. Given the child's capabilities, it was evident that he could not achieve great accomplishments or bring glory to the family name. However, under his protection, the child could at least live a peaceful and carefree life. Hu Buwei was not a person without ambition, but no matter how great the ambition, one must bow to reality.