Chapter 3

"Ruan Dongqian, this exam paper has revealed your true colors." Dongfang Fei said with a hint of displeasure, "No wonder when I first saw him, I felt he did not resemble a young man in his twenties. Hmph, is he buying an official position? What is the point of buying an official title? Not only does he not embezzle in other places, but he also offends the old national uncle. It is not worth it to buy this position!" When exactly did this counterfeit take office? Was it before the execution of the national uncle's nephew a year ago, or was it already swapped when the genuine article was demoted to county vice? Not only does he not embezzle in other places, but he also offends the old national uncle. It is not worth it to buy this position! When exactly did this counterfeit take office? Was it before the execution of the national uncle's nephew a year ago, or was it already swapped when the genuine article was demoted to county vice?

"Brother Yichiro, back then you had Ruan Dongqian write down the content of the exam paper, and made me copy it repeatedly until every stroke was exactly the same as his. You must have anticipated that one day it would come in handy, right?" She laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "Dongfang Fei must think I am playing a game of falsehoods, pretending to be sincere in front of him. In fact, I truly feel insecure; I can be bold about anything, but when it comes to impersonating Ruan Dongqian, I find it very difficult to be confident. You must have foreseen this as well, which is why you let someone like me, who cannot act, reveal my true feelings in front of him, allowing him to fall into the trap you set, am I right?"

Ruan Dongqian, do you not realize that you have offended the Grand Duke? Without a powerful backing, you will have no chance of survival in the court

The character 'guan' consists of two 'kou' (mouths), which naturally signifies the need to serve as a voice for the people and seek their welfare

She glared at him and angrily said, "I personally oversaw the execution of a total of twenty-seven individuals. I remember each name and every crime clearly and will never forget. What about the nephew of the national uncle? Does he not have a name?"

"To ask me to collude with the corrupt, I would have to be blind, unable to see the future of this country!" With that, he angrily walked to the table and sat down. Although his mind was slightly unsettled, he still gathered his courage and wrote the first sentence.

You look like you are around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a complexion that is fair and rosy. Tell me, where did you get your secret recipe from

The Minister of Revenue sighed and said: "Zou Jin is truly remarkable"

The sound of the clapper echoed, and the Eastern Mansion was enveloped in silence

Seeing her completely unaware of the impending disaster, Dongfang felt even more exhilarated and said with a smile

"Deputy Minister Ruan, you seem to be in good spirits every day," remarked the student sent by the Imperial Academy. The students from the Ministry of Revenue hold no official position; although they are referred to as interns, their status is lowly, and they typically have no one to curry favor with, nor do they receive any attention from others.

Ruan Dong's face was slightly pale, and her smile had long since frozen in place. "Sir, the article from so long ago..."

Gambling

"This official position, I will take it on," Feng Yilang said softly, hesitating for a moment as he touched her face. "Dong Gu, I have said before, I will handle the small matters, and you will decide the important ones, because I can never take on this official position, even if I have a head full of black hair today, I still cannot do it. Among the three of us, only you can take on this role"

Ruan Dongqian, I remember you said that you were in your early twenties?" Seeing her hesitate and nod, her phoenix eyes sparkled even more intensely. "You really don't look like it.

Eastern is not a surprise: "Did you hear that correctly?" Her adoptive brother was calling for Dong Gu rather than Dong Qian, and he was quite confident about it

He approached her with a smile, but she remained completely still, looking up at him with anger in her eyes. He took her hand and pressed it against his heart, and although he was secretly surprised by the delicate whiteness of her palm, he had seen boys who were naturally inclined towards femininity before.

Fury suddenly surged, and Dongfang paid no heed to her surprised exclamation, snatching away the article she was writing.

Even if Dongfang is not a threat to the court and the people, he is still a true villain rather than a false gentleman. Unless he has taken an interest in me, he would not resort to such despicable methods to force Donggu to submit. Huaining, who is in the Dongfang residence today

I... I will write! How could I forget the articles I have written?

Her heart raced, not only was she drenched in sweat, but even her palms began to sweat.

Who is hiding something? If you want to say what makes you and me different, it is merely that I practice martial arts and keep fit every morning. If you insist that this is a secret formula, then fine, come to me every day, and I will teach you a set of martial arts.

"What does it matter to me if your heart is racing?" She stared in disbelief, wondering why everyone inside was just like Eunuch Li

Is he really Ruan Dongqian ... ... " Dongfang Fei pondered for half the night, unable to discern the true facts.

"Haha, Ruan Dongqian, you are impulsive in dealing with matters and easily provoked. Is there still a future for you?" He turned and walked towards the ornate chair. "I will accompany you and see when you can finish writing. Remember, as long as you are in the imperial city for a day, even if you abandon your official position and flee, you cannot escape my grasp." After a pause, he added, "You can still reconsider now; think it over."

As the sky darkens, a lamp is lit in the dilapidated house on Dongxi Alley

Only the servants and the guards

In the main hall, a handsome man sitting on a high chair slightly raised his eyelids, gazing at the young boy who was intently copying an article.

Let them go. Dong Fangfei's complexion turned slightly pale as he gritted his teeth and said: With Ruan Dongqian's straightforward nature, it is absolutely impossible for him to take a big detour and end up in such a disgraceful situation; there must be someone behind him helping!

"A national lord, a prime minister, no matter who I rely on, I will only become a dog. I am here to be an official, not to be a dog! My lord, it is getting dark, and I must return home for dinner." Seeing that Dongfang Fei remained silent, she took it as his tacit approval. She laughed heartily and strode out of the main hall, shouting: "Huaining, we are going home!" Her cheerful laughter echoed throughout the Dongfang residence.

"There is something that only you and I can know." He walked up to her. The face without the black cap was truly delicate, with hair that was black and shiny; although charming, it resembled a fleeting little flower that would crumble at a mere touch

Dong Fang said in a low voice without squinting: "I have no interest in him at all. The only one I am interested in is that reckless kid, Ruan Dongqian."

He glanced at the sky once more, then closed his eyes in contemplation, accompanying her as they jointly penned a neat and orderly article

The adult? The blue-clad guard at the door asked softly: "Should we insist on keeping him?"

Ruan Dong was just about to respond impulsively, thinking that if she were in the bustling streets, she would undoubtedly be a snake catcher, specifically targeting heartless venomous snakes like him

"Li Gonggong is a favored person beside the national uncle; whatever he asks, just answer truthfully," Sun Zixiao said in a low voice

He is Ruan Dongqian. Master Li, have you fallen behind on the news in the palace? The nephew of the Grand Duke was personally executed by this Ruan Dongqian.

Sir, should I send someone to investigate that white-haired young man

He touched his white hair and smiled, saying: "No, I met her when I was eleven years old, so I suppose we are like sworn brothers."

Adult, do you think I am buying an official position

Dongfang secretly chuckled to himself, not taking it to heart, as he had plenty of time to waste with this young man from the Ruan family. His gaze returned to the miscellaneous book he had been reading, but after a short while, he found it uninteresting again, so he began to scrutinize Ruan Donggu.

If I were afraid, I would not have personally supervised the execution back then

When the subordinate went to the East Alley to invite Lord Ruan to his residence, there was still a white-haired young man in the Ruan family...

If the hand had been injured, it could somewhat explain the significant differences in handwriting. However, that Ruan Dongqian is lively and healthy, which does not resemble someone who has been injured at all

In the past few days of interaction, I have somewhat grasped Ruan Dongqian's temperament. He usually appears full of energy, like a lively young man, but as soon as someone mentions the Prime Minister Dong Fangfei in his presence, his still somewhat youthful face instantly turns bright red, resembling a little red-faced Guan Gong.

Dongfang did not pay him any mind, focusing intently on Ruan Donggu, and with a smile at the corner of his mouth said

"Maintenance?" she repeated blankly, feeling all fuzzy.

She gritted her teeth, recalling the admonitions of Feng Yilang, and said with hatred:

The Eastern figure, with eyes that shimmer with brilliance, calmly remarked: "Lord Ruan, do you not realize that your actions leave no room for yourself? Such a person has a high chance of an early demise."

"What are you laughing at?" She laughed heartily, "I have never hinted that I am not Ruan Dongqian! It is your own suspicion. Back in the day, I put so much effort into writing this article; it allowed me to stand up for the common people, how could I ever forget? By the way, I hope His Excellency the Chief Minister will take more care regarding the commission for Master Li." She happily cupped her hands in salute.

She has only been at the Ministry of Revenue for a few days, and although everything is still in the exploratory stage, she is aware that the Ministry of Revenue is the most difficult department to please among the Six Ministries. The fact that no Minister of Revenue throughout the history of the dynasty has managed to leave unscathed speaks volumes about the challenges of this position. She has always acted with integrity and never imagined that a dignified elder, whom even the Emperor addresses as 'Father-in-law,' would resort to such despicable means that undermine the foundation of the state.

The scholar did not dare to respond, and upon catching sight of her handwriting, he immediately changed his words, saying: "Is your hand injured?"

Ruan Dong was taken aback upon hearing this, completely unprepared for this layer of meaning.

"Sir!" The green-clad guard who had previously led the way took the scholar's four treasures from the servant at the door and entered the main hall. "Lord Ruan's sworn brother has been arranged in the side hall." After a moment of hesitation, he leaned close to Dongfang Fei's ear and whispered a few words.

Ruan Dong forcefully broke free, took a large step back, and shouted angrily:

She widened her eyes

"Zou Jinzhen? It's him!" Ruan Donggu suddenly realized and scolded, "This person (who is prohibited) from good families, committed murder and escaped from prison, deserves to be executed! My execution of him is entirely justified!" No wonder that day, Yilang insisted on sending the somewhat official Zou Jinzhen to the Ministry of Justice for execution, not wanting it to go through her hands, just to prevent today from happening

She raised her eyebrows and said dismissively, "I do not recall having any shared secrets with the Prime Minister."

The malicious laughter drew closer from afar, and Dongfang Fei appeared at the Ministry of Revenue, closely followed by the Minister of Revenue. Dongfang Fei said with a smile: "Ruan Dongqian, I heard your loud voice from a distance. Do you think this is a marketplace where you can shout?"

She paused for a moment and immediately replied: "I am Ruan Dongqian, and 'Donggu' is the nickname given to me by my family."

The arrival of Lord Li

Is this the examination paper of Ruan Dongqian from that year, confirmed to be correct

The Minister of Revenue implored, "Please, my lord, speak a few kind words before the Emperor! The Ministry of Revenue truly cannot bear any additional expenses!"

She was startled and quickly wiped her sweat, arguing, "It is not surprising to sweat in this stuffy and hot room"

Indeed, I practice martial arts every morning, my energy flows freely, and naturally, I feel great. If you are interested, I can teach you a simple set of exercises next time, I guarantee you won't feel tired even after working all day long. She laughed heartily and walked to the cabinet to take out the booklet and continue the transcription she had not finished yesterday.

"It is I. Does the Prime Minister not allow a review of the accounts?" She spoke with an air of certainty, yet her gaze was restless.

He read through the exam paper swiftly, finishing it in no time, and secretly rejoiced:

Ruan Dong felt a surge of anger every time he thought of that fan, and he spoke candidly:

Indeed. The subordinate took the token of the superior and personally confirmed that it is indeed the examination paper that Ruan Dongqian submitted during the examination years ago

I have completed everything I was responsible for, so if there is nothing else, I can come over to help a bit

"Deputy Minister Ruan, you have made an error. Last year, the total salary for civil and military officials, excluding the expenses for royal relatives, was 533,000 taels. You have underestimated it by 3,000 taels," Sun Zixiao reminded.

"The Minister of Shangshu is currently at the Ministry of Rites," a well-known official said flatteringly

He is not my guard, but my sworn brother

"Wait a moment, Prime Minister, what article are you writing?" she asked anxiously.

Upon arriving at the main hall, the woman in blue stopped and said in a low voice: "Please have Lord Ruan's personal guard accompany me to the side hall."

Everything in the Prime Minister's residence is a gift from the Emperor, and not the result of any private schemes by my master said the young attendant

"Sir, Ruan Dongqian is a member of the Ministry of Revenue. Isn't this clearly intended to let the Grand Duke focus on the Ministry's issues?" The Minister of Revenue was filled with worry, both angry and annoyed as he glared at the newly appointed Deputy Minister Ruan, who had already caused trouble within just a few days of taking office.

A matter

What matters could perplex a powerful person, leaving them at a loss for answers

I have never bought an official position; even if this matter reaches the Emperor, what do I have to fear

A look of surprise flashed in the green-clad woman's eyes, yet she insisted: "My master only sees Lord Ruan"

"Is it done?" "How early is it that it is already finished? Is Minister Ruan being a bit too proactive?" "By the way, Minister Ruan, I heard that after you got off work yesterday, you received a gift from the Chief Minister?" As soon as the words were spoken, the other officials in the hall curiously perked up their ears to eavesdrop.

Upon hearing this, she furrowed her brows as if deep in thought, and her eyes caught sight of the article she had just written on the table, prompting her to instinctively walk over and take a look.

In the main hall, a man dressed in moon-white brocade robes, with a jade-inlaid belt around his waist, leisurely reclined on an ornate chair draped with a white fox fur blanket. He had been reading a certain scroll, but upon hearing someone enter, he immediately raised his face and smiled.

"Be careful in winter," saying these few words felt as if it were taking his life.

Such great ambitions, yet ordinary intelligence. There are dreams, but a lack of awareness of reality; this bears some resemblance to Ruan Dongqian from the Ministry of Revenue, except that the writing lacks sharpness and recklessness. More importantly, the handwriting is entirely different

I do not understand

Feng Yilang shook his head and smiled

Eleven years old, such a young age. Young master, is your head of white hair natural?

Feng Yilang collected today's meal money and handed it to her with a smile. "Aunt Zhou, thank you for your trouble."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zixiao instinctively grabbed her arm and pushed her towards the outer room.

"Hey, Sun Zixiao, what are you doing..." Even if she were to be foolish, upon seeing her colleague rushing towards the door, she would know that Sun Zixiao was dragging her to greet that Li Gonggong.

"Deputy Minister Ruan, I have specially invited you here for a matter."

Is that so? That is truly wonderful. I have come to Beijing, and I have to rely on myself for food and drink.

Good! Very good! Do you dare to bet?

Adult, adult! The exam paper has arrived!

That Eastern figure is certainly not someone to be trifled with. He is targeting Dong Gu, and those around her may also suffer the consequences. He has the ability to protect himself and must also protect Dong Gu, leaving only Feng Yilang isolated.

Seeing her so angry that her face turned red, Dongfang smiled nonchalantly and said

Well. She is visiting a colleague's home

Feng Yilang gazed at her calmly

Brother Yichang, the article you transcribed is exactly the same as mine. I remember that back in the day, you only imitated Ruan Dongqian's handwriting while teaching me, but now you can write content that is flawless. This official position should not be mine to hold. Brother Yichang can always predict everything with great insight, while she is completely incapable.

Uh... I have noticed in recent days that Ruan Dongqian's handwriting is a complete mess. Initially, I thought he had injured his hand, but it turns out he has naturally poor handwriting... How on earth did this person with the surname Ruan manage to slip past the eyes of the examiner back in the day?

Li Gonggong was momentarily taken aback, not expecting such bold and rude speech from a minor official

The spirited and resounding call echoed loudly as the not-so-high-ranking Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue entered with great energy, prompting the clerks and officials in the court to glance at her oddly before returning to their paperwork.

Dongfang noticed the expression she was trying hard to conceal, and with a smile, asked the servant outside to bring the four treasures of the study

Upon hearing her impassioned words, Dongfang's mood instantly brightened, and he quickly rose to walk towards her

"Lord Ruan, this official's heart is racing quite fast." The smooth voice carried a hint of coolness and excitement

The Eastern region unfolded the yellowed examination paper. At the moment of opening, upon seeing the neatly written characters filling the page, his handsome eyes revealed a unique brilliance

Ruan Dong blinked forcefully and smiled, saying, "I am not entering a den of dragons and tigers, so you need not be so nervous. I will be back shortly." After speaking, he took a big step over the threshold and walked into the main hall.

She came to her senses and laughed heartily: "What is there that should or shouldn't be at https://www.hetushu.com? I was wrong, and it is only natural for you to correct me! Grandson, I have always been careless, and if I make any more mistakes, you must remind me!"

This fellow has been writing for a long time. He is patient enough to wait, but in the end, the result is the same; he will still have to kneel and beg for mercy.

Not at all! Her limbs are strong enough to spar with Huaining for three hundred rounds, provided that Huaining goes easy on her

How can you, a mere official, hide your private matters like this

"Ministry of Rites? Hmph, is the Minister of Revenue seeking help?" Eunuch Li sneered, "What a good Ministry of Revenue, clearly disregarding the Grand Duke, thinking that relying on the First Assistant is like finding a life-saving elixir?" His gaze casually swept over the officials, suddenly landing on Ruan Donggu's face. He was secretly surprised and waved at her, "You, yes, you, come here."

"Ruan Dongqian, have you been toying with this official from beginning to end?" He suppressed his anger

Officials who have risen through the imperial examination, regardless of their level of education, must possess good calligraphy as a fundamental skill. Take the handwriting of Ruan Dongqian from the Ministry of Revenue as an example; it is not only unworthy of being listed among the top candidates, but even a three-year-old practicing calligraphy would surpass him by far

Feng Yilang originally wanted to advise her to be more tactful, so that her future would not be too difficult, but in the end, he held back. When she went to the kitchen first, Huaining suddenly asked him: "Will you be busy?"

Dongfang Fei laughed heartily, to the point that he had to cover his strong amusement with his official sleeve

This is indeed my fault. This kind of house was granted by the Emperor, and even I am not accustomed to living here. Well then, Minister Ruan, I will not keep you any longer. As long as you finish writing an article, you may leave immediately

What a delicate texture!" exclaimed Eunuch Li, both envious and jealous as he asked, "Young official, how do you maintain your skin?

Although it is a dilapidated house, there is at least a living room for receiving guests. Unfortunately, due to poor connections in winter, it has never been put to use, so the small living room has been converted into a study. He sat down at the old desk, picked up a brush, and recalled that after meeting her at the age of eleven, he lived solely for her. Even though she wholeheartedly walked towards a perilous future, he never regretted walking alongside her.

Dongfang Fei couldn't help but admire the confident expression on the face of the Ruan family youth, and without turning back, asked:

The day before yesterday, I heard the chief examiner from that year speak of your article with much admiration. I, too, was a top scholar and am eager to see just how excellent your article is.

This young man is definitely not yet twenty, with a beautiful jade-like face and a slender physique. He can be considered one of the most attractive officials of the new generation. Unfortunately, his demeanor is coarse, and he is too naive, coupled with the lack of a supportive backing, making it all too easy for him to get into trouble

Ruan Dong stepped slowly into the interior, casting a leisurely glance over the non-residential mansion in the east. The carved beams and painted rafters, the powdery walls and golden tiles, and the intricate and elaborate carvings found throughout the layered corridors reflect a level of opulence that even someone who has served as an official for ten years could never hope to afford such a grand residence

The scholar was casually looking for another topic when he suddenly heard Ruan Dong ask him:

After chatting for a while and seeing off Aunt Zhou, Feng Yilang looked at the sky, calculated the time, and walked back to the living room

Li Gonggong's face turned pale, and he said softly: "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, I shall take my leave first." He hurriedly went to report the news

Where is the Minister of Revenue?" asked Eunuch Li in a low voice

On the night when the two first met, Ruan Dongqian indeed mentioned that there were individuals in his family whose talents and intelligence were not inferior to Zhuge Liang

Upon seeing it, one is immediately taken aback

She suppressed the impulse to curse loudly and followed the blue-clad guard along the corridor, only to discover that the floor tiles were not products of the imperial dynasty... She gasped in surprise and finally exclaimed: "These were imported from overseas, only permitted within the palace! How dare they so brazenly stand on equal footing with the Emperor?" Her face was filled with anger

Why

She suddenly raised her face, gripping the rolled-up manuscript on the table, and said

Dongfang gazed at her and smiled, saying: "Minister Ruan, the autumn wind has already risen this year, why are you covered in sweat?"

The one to be truly wary of, my lord, is that formidable young man with white hair, rather than Lord Ruan. The real challenge lies in dealing with that clever young man with white hair.

I was already mentally prepared. What I have to deal with is certainly not just the Eastern scoundrels She took a deep breath and revealed a spirited smile

Good morning, everyone

"Isn't that quite good? With someone in the court to help, the young master is sure to have a smooth career." Seeing that he did not mind her talking too much, Aunt Zhou could not contain her curiosity and asked, "Eldest young master, you and the young master are not biological brothers, are you?"

That is very well said. However, I have a lingering doubt in my mind that I have pondered over countless times without resolution. I wonder if Minister Ruan could provide an answer for me

The subordinate is well acquainted with the accents of several provinces and has indeed not made a mistake

Feng Yilang looked at her with a puzzled expression and smiled. "In two years, you will be twenty. At twenty, you will be in the prime of your youth, and you will only become more beautiful, no longer resembling a boy."

This ... ...

Ruan Dong frowned, and after exchanging glances with Huaining, the latter reluctantly spoke up

The smile momentarily froze upon seeing that the newcomer was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old. Usually, when observing Ruan Dongqian in official attire, even though his appearance was somewhat youthful, he did not seem as small as the one before him.

How would I know what he is seeking by purchasing an official position?" She finally replied

"Ruan Dongqian, what do you think qualifies as an official?" The two were no more than half an arm's length apart, yet she showed no fear or trepidation, which made him feel an irresistible urge.

"Deputy Minister Ruan, even if you can recite the entire article from memory, the different handwriting is still a futile effort. It would be better for you to admit it; do not let this official down, and do not act recklessly..." As he finished speaking, he realized he was talking to himself, as the young man Lu was completely focused and had not paid any attention to his words.

She frowned and said dismissively, "Those in power must not leave themselves any room for maneuver; only then can the common people have a good life. If the national uncle is so foolish as to pretend to be blind and cannot see the crimes of his own nephew, then let him come at me."

At dusk, the sky was filled with the glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows of people on the street. On a thoroughfare described by the citizens of the capital as one only accessible to nobles, a vermilion gate was pushed open, and a man in a blue uniform said in a deep voice: "Lord Ruan, please."

"Deputy Minister Ruan, it seems that you do not remember that you once supervised an execution?"

He ignored her rudeness and instead smiled happily, saying

Well... what do you think, if someone were to buy an official position, what would they be seeking?" He fixed his gaze on her, noticing that her eyes began to wander uneasily upon hearing the phrase "buying an official position." Such a self-righteous person would actually avert their gaze, which undoubtedly indicated a sense of guilt.

"Disgusting! This Eastern dog thief is sick!" She wiped her hands vigorously in disgust, watching him with a look of amusement, as if he held all the winning cards. She scolded, "You are merely a high-ranking official who also serves as the Minister of Personnel! Do you think I will follow your orders? Do you think you are the Emperor? If it weren't for you, this corrupt official, causing chaos in the court, the era of peace and prosperity would not be mere words!"

Huaining, who came with her, glanced at her without saying a word, convincing himself that he was a wooden man

"Deputy Minister Ruan, are you aware of the influence that the Grand Chancellor holds in the court? How could a mere deputy minister like you possibly contend with him? Very well, if you are willing to humbly plead with me, I am willing to help you avert this disaster this time."

Ruan Dong hurried into the Ruan residence and, upon seeing Feng Yilang, laughed heartily and said: "Brother Yilang, you have hit the nail on the head! You are truly impressive!"

Ruan Donggu quickly opened the account book to check, and indeed, she had been careless and had missed adding three thousand taels. She was slightly surprised in her heart and glanced at her grandson, Xiao.

"Deputy Minister Ruan, I have not experienced such joy in many years, joy to the extent that I do not wish to eradicate completely. If you are willing to submit to my authority from now on, to act according to my commands and be under my control, I can spare your life"

"The Emperor's rewards?" She gritted her teeth and said, "To put it plainly, all the Emperor's rewards come from the Ministry of Revenue." As she walked along, she noticed that there were quite a few servants, but the maidservants were limited. It seemed that unless called by their masters, no one dared to speak up.

If you can recite the examination essay from your year, I will advise the Emperor to cut Li Gonggong's commission fee in half, which will benefit your Ministry of Revenue; if you cannot reproduce the same handwriting, you will have to lick my shoes

In the future, you will understand. Although Dongfang no longer doubts your identity, this is merely the first hurdle. From now on, he will certainly make things difficult for you in the court, so you must be mentally prepared.

"Deputy Minister Ruan, do you intend to fall out with me now?"

He, feeling bored, simply got up and walked around to Ruan Donggu's back, leaning close to the thin figure and looking at the unfinished article.

"Hmph, what benefit do I gain from opposing the Grand Duke when I have nothing to do..." Dongfang Fei suddenly noticed the open account book on the table. He stepped forward, examined the account book closely, then glanced at her with a strange expression and asked, "Who wrote this?"

Speak frankly... Ruan Shilang, since you are speaking frankly, I will not tease you any longer. Ruan Donggu, Ruan Dongqian, which one is your real name

What is the truth in straightforward answers? Ruan Dong suppressed the impulse to wipe her cheek. In her entire life, no one had ever touched her so proactively. Although Yi Lang and Huai Ning had grown up together, they were very respectful of the boundaries between men and women.

What is the name of the nephew of the Minister of Revenue and the Grandfather of the Nation

"It is inappropriate for a subordinate to interject." Sun Zixiao immediately bowed in response

She spat disdainfully, ignoring the intermittent gasps from the Ministry of Revenue, and angrily said

It is innate. I also cannot see the sun very much, so we will have to rely on Aunt for our three meals. My brother Ruan is very fond of the dishes cooked by Aunt

Are you Ruan Dongqian

The student did not expect anyone to remember his name, and replied blankly: "There are dormitories provided by the Imperial Academy here"

"What are you talking about, it is the young master who does not mind!" Aunt Zhou said with a beaming smile

Deputy Ruan, I am increasingly convinced that your rise to your current position is not solely due to your talent and intelligence. Do you think that the State Grandfather would confront you openly? For instance, the loyal dog by the State Grandfather's side is Lord Li, who is responsible for purchasing in the inner palace. From a single piece of glazed tile to the pearls and gemstones gifted to foreign envoys, all expenses are managed by the Ministry of Revenue. This account is not reported on the surface; Lord Li can report as much as he wishes, and the Emperor does not intervene. Even if the Ministry of Revenue's funds are insufficient, they must find a way to make it work. In previous years, the State Grandfather was somewhat restrained and did not dare to embezzle openly to the extent of alarming me, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. " Dongfang Fei looked at her and said meaningfully: "If I were the State Grandfather, I would take this opportunity to make the Ministry of Revenue suffer greatly. As long as I allied with the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of War, and drained the Ministry of Revenue completely, it would be useless for you to plead with the Emperor. The Minister of Revenue would be doomed, and your humble position as a Deputy would likely be at risk as well. I must ask you, Deputy Ruan, who has the good intentions for the common people, how would you justify yourself to the people of the world at that time?"

Ruan Dong made every effort to conceal her inner unease, gazing back at Dongfang Fei with a fearless expression

Ruan Dong was completely bewildered, certain that she had never met this man surnamed Li before. She stepped forward, and before she could say anything, the man extended his smooth palm and forcefully touched her cheek.

"Deputy Minister Ruan... you are in charge of the Grand Warehouse, you should not be at the Ministry of Revenue now," the monitor kindly reminded.

Feng Yilang quickly got up, confirming that she was unharmed, and then looked towards Huaining, who had followed him into the room. The latter gently shook her head, and only then did Feng Yilang let out a quiet sigh of relief, smiling as he said

"Young Master, the meal is ready, and I have placed everything on the kitchen table." The plump woman emerged from the small kitchen and saw the young man with white hair leaning against the door.

Ruan Dongqian, I have effortlessly grasped your weakness. What will you do? I am truly looking forward to it

Sun Zixiao glanced at her strangely, just as he was about to say something else, he suddenly heard someone calling from outside

Eastern Mansion

The East, not squinting, slowly raised its head from the article to gaze at Ruan Donggu.

It no longer matters; what is important is this moment.

I see... Then from the very beginning, he did not intend to send Dong Gu to the Ministry of Justice. His interest in Dong Gu is even greater than I had anticipated, which could be troublesome...

What?" Feng Yilang stopped.

Little did she know, before she could even speak, the sharp voice of Eunuch Li rang out

Feng Yilang gently smiled and said: "Dong Gu, Aunt Zhou has prepared the dishes you love to eat, let us have our meal first..."

She glared at him. "I... I did not! Sir, it is a crime to defame an official"

"Very well, you may go down now," said Dongfang Fei with a smile

I have always spoken frankly, and it is certainly not my intention to oppose you, my lord

This is just the beginning. Let us take the initiative and have him completely deny your identity first; he will then confirm your identity using the fastest method. Once a conceited person confirms something, it becomes very difficult to change it later. Otherwise, if he only starts to have doubts in two years and seeks someone to recognize you, by then, even if you resemble Ruan Dongqian closely, you may still not escape the distinction between true and false.

I do not wish to receive such a gift

It is a well-known fact among the officials of the Ministry of Revenue that Deputy Minister Ruan resides in a dilapidated house in a narrow alley. Sun Zixiao hinted to her: "If you could be promoted by the Chief Minister..." Uh, it would be better to remain silent, as Deputy Minister Ruan, who is not very good at concealing her emotions, has already begun to show signs of a change in the atmosphere.

Is that so? He had anticipated this answer, took the prepared ledger from the table, and laid it open before her. "In recent years, there have been many selling official positions and titles, and I do not wish to suspect you. However, Ruan Dongqian, your handwriting... is truly difficult for me to decipher. If such handwriting could allow you to pass the imperial examination, then I would really have to suspect that you bribed the examiner."

"Sir, should I continue to transcribe?" she asked with a hidden intention, her bright eyes filled with an unusual light

The attendant rushed into the room holding a long box, and Dongfang Fei immediately opened the box to take out the examination paper. He raised his eyebrows and asked:

He can read ten lines at a glance, with the handwriting and content identical to the exam paper he is reading, without any discrepancies

White hair?" Dongfang Fei thought for a moment, his expression softening considerably. "I remember now, there are two loyal dogs behind Ruan Dongqian assisting him. That white-haired one must be his dog-headed military advisor.

He is well aware that his attitude determines the future of Ruan Dongqian. Now, all the officials are rejecting Minister Ruan at the door, and even if this young man wishes to discuss matters, no one will support him. In the court, he is nothing but an ambitious yet useless official without a place to exert his talents

"It was you who wrote it..." Dongfang slowly scrutinized her, his eyes revealing an inscrutable light

"Sun Zixiao, where do you live?"

A pair of strikingly beautiful sword-like eyebrows raised, he smiled and said: "Ruan Dongqian, you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin; you insist on causing a scene before the Emperor, only then will you realize that death is imminent"

"What are you talking about! It is only natural that three grown men cannot cook. Has the eldest son and the young master not returned yet?"

In recent days, he has been staying at the Ministry of Rites, and every morning he hears cheerful greetings of good morning. He is also aware that Deputy Minister Ruan is rewriting the account books, but...

Originally half in doubt, however, the way you speak seems quite guilty; look, even your tone is trembling. I have come to find you privately to give you an opportunity. I have never obstructed such practices of buying official positions, but it must be with my tacit approval. As long as you confess, I will never expose you, and I can ensure that you will have a smooth career from now on.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue nearby were filled with trepidation, fearing that this all-powerful Prime Minister might target the Ministry for his wrath

Are you saying that you have forgotten

Dongfang Fei was admiring her troubled expression and was about to press her further when a sound came from the doorway

"Esteemed Lord Dongfang, usually you are at the Ministry of Rites while I am at the Ministry of Revenue, quite close to each other. Is there something you wish to discuss that you could not bring up during working hours, but insist on addressing after I have finished my duties?" Ruan Donggu directly asked.

The Prime Minister must be thirty this year, right? I see you maintain yourself like you're twenty-five. In this day and age, even officials can appear less like officials; what does such a trivial matter count for?