Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 138: Unable to break through Zhu Houcong's defenses?
Yan Maoqing had already made up his mind to "hedge against risks".

So he simply stepped forward and, in front of Lu Bing, removed the scrap paper from the book, revealing the simple turtle he had previously drawn on it.

"?"

Lu Bing was still confused about what was going on, and a look of doubt appeared in his eyes.

What happened to the storybook he was supposed to write? He was just saying "it'll be finished soon," but now he's drawing turtles here.
Lu Bing subconsciously snatched the stack of papers below and flipped through them one by one.

There wasn't a single word in there. The few sheets of paper with ink stains had drawings of Old Man Ding, chicks, kittens, tigers, and turtles...

Lu Bing staggered two steps, feeling as if the sky was about to fall!
The Northern Garrison Commander spent public funds to provide this fellow with good food and drink, and even came to "supervise" him three times a day. After so many days, this is the result of his "supervision".
If the Emperor knew this, would he give him even the slightest bit of a pleasant look?

“Yan Maoqing, you…”

Forget about being a good brother or not, forget about being a doctor or not, all Lu Bing wanted to do now was curse and put shackles on Yan Maoqing!
"Commander Lu, please calm down."

Yan Maoqing smiled and turned around to take the small bundle that Bai Sheng had brought.

Then, in front of Lu Bing, he placed the bundle on the table, slowly untied the knots, and took out the clothes inside.

then.

What happened next left Lu Bing speechless.

Yan Maoqing, right in front of him, pulled out a stack of manuscripts filled with regular script from his clothes, glanced through them briefly, and then openly handed them over:

"Commander Lu, the script His Majesty requested has been completed. Please check it."

"???"

Lu Bing could hardly believe his eyes; his eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets.

What's done?!
This was clearly written by a ghostwriter!

And so blatantly, without even putting on an act, as if he were dead?!

How could he explain this to the emperor?

If this matter is not reported truthfully and the Emperor finds out, it will be considered that we are conspiring with Yan Maoqing to deceive the Emperor, and we will probably lose the Emperor's trust from now on!

But if you report it truthfully.

The Emperor has already prepared a surprise for Yan Maoqing, and it's an enormous surprise.

Isn't this somewhat like slapping the emperor in the face? What if the emperor feels he has misunderstood and becomes angry, and then takes his anger out on him?
Most importantly, at this moment he had an inexplicable feeling that he was being used by Yan Maoqing.

Otherwise, why would this fellow, who had been hiding so well before, suddenly be so blatant now? Isn't it precisely so that I can see this scene and then report it to the Emperor truthfully?
For a moment, he couldn't figure out what Yan Maoqing was planning to do next...

"Yan Maoqing, is it possible for me to not be here?"

Lu Bing did not immediately take the manuscript, but looked into Yan Maoqing's eyes and asked a question.

He felt it was best not to get involved in this matter to avoid unnecessary trouble; that would be the safest course of action.

"It would be best if Commander Lu were still here."

Yan Maoqing smiled calmly, dispelling Lu Bing's wishful thinking, but also further aggravating his doubts.

"What exactly do you mean?"

Lu Bing's expression gradually darkened.

Only now did he finally have to admit that the seemingly harmless young man in front of him was far more cunning, shrewd, and difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

Despite having already placed Yan Maoqing in the "not to be easily antagonized" category after those secret incidents, he had already done so.

But clearly, this rating is far from sufficient.

Previously, he probably only plotted against me unintentionally. If he had intended to, I'm afraid I would have been caught off guard and wouldn't have been able to escape...

"Please rest assured, Commander Lu. I have been staying at the Northern Garrison Command these past few days and have received your care. How could I possibly repay kindness with enmity?"

Yan Maoqing bowed respectfully.
"I'm just asking Commander Lu to be a witness. There's absolutely no malice intended, and I certainly won't involve Commander Lu." "Oh, by the way, His Majesty's intention is for me to personally present the manuscript to the palace after I finish it, right? Then I'll trouble Commander Lu to lead the way."

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

"Hmm...not bad, it's what I want to present in the storybook."

Zhu Houcong carefully read through the storybook, finally nodding in satisfaction. He then looked at Yan Maoqing and Lu Bing kneeling below.
"Yan Maoqing, these words are exactly what I wanted to say, and I wish to reward you..."

"Father, please forgive me—!"

Yan Maoqing's loud voice immediately rang out, startling Huang Jin, who hurriedly and secretly observed Zhu Houcong's expression, fearing that his shout would alarm the emperor.

"!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing's heart tightened, and his already uneasy mood intensified.

Then Yan Maoqing continued, head bowed:
“This humble servant confesses that this text was not written by me, but by someone else.”

"This humble subject originally intended to conceal this matter and claim credit for it, but unexpectedly, Commander Lu caught me red-handed and warned me to confess this matter proactively, otherwise he would expose it to the Emperor."

"The guilty official failed to bribe Commander Lu and could not sway him, so he had no choice but to submit and beg the emperor for leniency."

"Your Majesty, I, your sinful subject, will never dare to do it again!"

"???"

Lu Bing was taken aback. He had been worried all the way here, but he never expected that Yan Maoqing would say something so "surprising".

If that's the case, not only will he not have to bear any guilt, but he will also be able to use Yan Maoqing's words to create a loyal image in front of the emperor.

Isn't this a great deal?

But the more this was the case, the less Lu Bing could see through Yan Maoqing's intentions.

After all, this matter was beneficial to him, but it did not benefit Yan Maoqing at all. What was he after?

"..."

Huang Jin was also taken aback upon hearing this, as he couldn't figure out what kind of trouble Yan Maoqing was up to this time.

Even Zhu Houcong remained silent for at least three breaths before finally asking with a stern face:
"Does what you're saying mean that you've committed the crime of deceiving the emperor again, and that I must punish you?"

"This……"

Yan Maoqing's heart sank.

He was certain that his previous feeling was correct; Zhu Houcong had definitely evolved recently, and had even developed a resistance that he could not break through at all!
Otherwise, why would Zhu Houcong react after hearing these words?

Instead of slamming the table and smashing the benches as before, they immediately deciphered the subtext of his statement.
Soon after, Zhu Houcong's voice, which was not angry but laughing, came from the hall again:

"Since you wrote it on my behalf, you have discovered talent for me. I will reward you today, Huang Jin!"

"The slaves obey the order."

Huang Jin hurriedly picked up the imperial edict that had been prepared beforehand and read it aloud before Yan Maoqing could speak:
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Zier Yan Maoqing, having escaped from the imperial prison, has demonstrated even greater integrity and uprightness.

He was specially promoted to the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, with the rank of the third grade, in charge of the administration of the prefecture, wards, and bureaus, and in charge of all subordinate officials.

You shall serve in the Eastern Palace by day, performing the duties of lecturing and reading; and at night, you shall teach the classics, giving your utmost sincerity in enlightening and inspiring others.

The goal is to ensure that the crown prince is virtuous, discerning, and knowledgeable in governance.

All documents and rituals concerning the Crown Prince's Palace must be thoroughly examined and reported.

Admire this! 】

(End of this chapter)