The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 158 The Grand Master Becomes Famous in the Capital and Is Invited to the Rongguo Mansion

Watching as Lai Tou San led a group of fierce-looking men, their footsteps echoing loudly on the stairs, they swept out of Wang's Teahouse like a whirlwind.

The stench of sweat and hostility in the private room had not yet dissipated, but Master Ximen sat motionless, a cold smile already curling at the corner of his mouth beneath his black veil.

Not only him, but even Dai'an beside him noticed something amiss. He hurriedly stepped forward, lowering his voice, which was seven parts surprise and three parts realization: "Father! I... I can see with my own eyes a thousand times over!"

"That fellow who was standing guard at the door just now, like a door god, only gave us a back view. But that sly fellow with his hunched neck, droopy shoulders, and toes pointing outwards when he walked, who else could it be but Zhang San, the 'street rat' we beat to a pulp in front of the main gate of Wang Zhaoxuan's mansion the other day!"

Dai'an swallowed hard, his voice laced with resentment: "So this is the work of a thief! Ever since they lost face and men that time, they've held a grudge against the Ximen family, hating them to the core! That's why they colluded with the militia officers to commit this heinous crime!"

After saying that, he smacked his lips, still not believing it: "Uncle! These militia and local security forces are at least half-government soldiers, how could these... these soldiers who eat the emperor's rice bowl actually collude with hooligans to do highway robbery?!"

The official, his eyes sharp as knives hidden behind the black veil, snorted coldly: "Hmph! What officials and soldiers? The word 'official' has two mouths. Money talks. When they're dressed, they're officials; when they're naked, they're thieves. They're all birds of a feather. What's so strange about that!"

The official paused, then shook his head: "I'm afraid it's more than that!" he added.

"These thieves and prisoners are probably involved with more than just the local militia and security forces in the capital. To be able to know so much about our Ximen family's every move and carriage ride within the capital, there must be something fishy going on in Qinghe County too! Nine times out of ten, it's those filthy bastards in the gambling den playing tricks!"

"No matter who it is!" The official chuckled, his voice as cold as ice shards. "Hmph! Now that you've found the rightful owner, someone who dared to swallow my eight hundred taels of silver, will have to vomit it all back to me, skin and bones, principal and interest!"

Dai'an nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, but a hint of worry appeared on his face: "Grandpa is wise! But... these rascals don't all seem to be stupid, especially that bald-headed San, his triangular eyes have a sinister air about them... a thief's bite goes deep... do they... do they really believe our trap? What if they smell something amiss..."

"They saw through it?" Ximen Qing scoffed. "Whether they saw through it or not is unimportant. What matters is whether they have the guts of a leopard!"

The official toyed with the silver ingot in his hand: "The most important thing on this trip is to find out which scoundrel has fallen into the clutches of that batch of goods! Judging from the sneaky behavior of those people just now, it can't be wrong that it is them. And since you've already identified Zhang San, the rat crossing the street, it's a done deal!"

"As for this trap? As long as he dares to stick his head in, it's a game of cat and mouse, a full-blown, open and honest fight! It's all about who has the stronger fist, the quicker the knife, the deeper the roots, and the more powerful the backer! As the saying goes: 'If you stuff a firecracker in your crotch, whoever covers their crotch first is a coward!'"

"If these scoundrels don't dare to fall for my trap?" A cold glint flashed in Ximen Qing's eyes. "That means that in the capital, they are nothing but floating weeds, with shallow roots and negligible power! I'll find my own way to deal with them! If things get too complicated, I'll spare their lives for a few more days until after the Grand Tutor's birthday celebrations, then I can deal with them slowly!"

"As for whether you've seen through it or not?" The official put away the silver ingot and laughed, "When I do things, I always use all my strength, like a lion hunting a rabbit! Whether it's swatting a fly or fighting a tiger, I'll grind it to dust and leave no future trouble! I've never taken any chances!"

"If you're still scheming that they won't see through your plan and are holding back your strength, why bother with a head-on confrontation? You're bound to lose!"

Ximen Da Guanren stood up, strolled to the broken window covered with oil paper, gently lifted a crack with his fingertip, and cast his gaze like a hawk toward the alley entrance.

Just as they saw the gang of scoundrels turn out of the alley, scoundrel slapped one of the hooligans across the face with a sharp slap, making the hooligans spin like tops, but they didn't dare to utter a sound.

Beneath his black veil, the official's face revealed a satisfied, cold smile: "I hope these ignorant fools dare to accept my invitation! Then, whether they're gods or ghosts, a trip to the King of Hell will tell!"

After a quick mental calculation, he realized he still needed to be more careful, and he slightly hooked his finger.

Dai'an, who had been listening intently, immediately bent over and rushed forward with small, quick steps, his face beaming with cleverness: "Uncle, what are your orders?"

Ximen Qing took off his hat and slowly sipped his cold tea. Without even raising his eyelids, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "I taught you before, how do you find the right way?"

Dai'an bent down even lower, his eyes darting around, and answered quickly as if reciting a memorized text: "Replying to Uncle, I know it by heart! To find the way, you have to start from the bottom up, like an ant moving a mountain, climbing layer by layer! First, you have to chew on the hard soil, then crawl through the cracks. You have to be patient and wear the threshold until it's shiny and smooth before you can see the real skill!"

"Hmm." Ximen Qing snorted in acknowledgment, then lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping across Dai'an's face like cold lightning. "Now, I've already shown the courtesy and spent money on those hangers-on at the yamen, and I've gotten a pretty good feel for them. If I want to dig deeper and find out the ins and outs of the local militia and yamen, tell me, who should I approach?"

Upon hearing this, Dai'an's sparse eyebrows furrowed tightly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together the seam of his trousers, muttering to himself, "The soldiers at the gate? Those standing guard, you can only scratch the surface... No, no..."

He suddenly slapped his thigh and his eyes lit up: "I've got it! It's those 'shoe-sole men' in the government offices!"

"Oh?" The official's lips twitched slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible approval. "Go on."

“Those ‘shoe sole men’!” Dai’an perked up. “They specialize in running errands, delivering documents, cleaning, and doing odd jobs in the yamen. They know the confidants of the officials and the preferences of the clerks better than anyone else! They can even squeeze through the cracks under the threshold! It’s easier to find them than to find a proper official!”

"You get it." Master Ximen finally revealed a smile, but the smile carried a cold, calculating tone. "It's these scheming bastards. Go, spend whatever you want, and let me have my way with you!"

"Who is the head of the stables in this militia headquarters? Who are his men? What are their names? Where do they live? What are their hobbies? Are they heavy drinkers or gamblers? Which brothels or theaters do they frequent?"

He paused, tapping his knuckles on the table with a dull thud: "Find out everything about these 'shoe-sole men'! Find out which manager is in charge, which one has connections and preferences, whether they're greedy or lustful, whether they're bullied or submissive... Find out every single detail, every single thing! Once you've got it all figured out, report back immediately!"

Dai'an's blood boiled with excitement, as if he had received a general's order. He pounded his chest loudly and said, "Father, you've got it! I understand! I'll go and do my research right away, and I'll make sure you find out every nook and cranny of that government office!"

Having given his orders, Ximen Qing said nothing more and turned to ride his horse towards Li Shishi's villa. Dai'an, having received his master's decree as if it were an imperial edict, dashed into the bustling marketplace to find the "shoe-sole man's" hiding place. But that's another story.

Meanwhile, the ruffian leader, Lai Tou San, returned home and gave himself a good dressing down. Leaving Bianzi Alley, he navigated the winding streets with practiced ease, and stumbled into a filthy alley in a secluded corner of the capital.

At the end of the alley, there was only a small courtyard. The walls were peeling like a scab, the door was rotten and half of it was crooked, exuding a musty and gloomy atmosphere of a dilapidated house.

He had barely reached the door, and before his hand could even knock on the rusty door knocker, he heard a woman's cursing voice suddenly rise from inside the courtyard, sharp and piercing, piercing straight through the thin wallpaper and into his ear canal:

"You damned good-for-nothing! I must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to have been blind enough to follow a useless coward like you! You act all high and mighty outside, riding horses and brandishing guns like a big shot, but when you come home you can't even utter a sound!"

"Money? I can't even earn a penny! Official position? I'm just a nobody, I don't even have a rank or a sesame seed! I have the empty title of a militia commander, and my meager salary is less than that of a poor night watchman who bangs a clapper on the street!"

"Your precious son can't even get a taste of the latest fruits without you, you good-for-nothing! How dare you come back alive? You might as well die out there and feed the wild dogs; that would save me the cost of a coffin!"

Before the cursing had subsided, a strange creaking sound was heard, and the rotten wooden door was violently pulled open from the inside. A middle-aged man wearing a worn-out, faded militia uniform tumbled out like a rolling gourd. Who else could it be but Lord Shi?
But look at him: his official hat was askew, covering half of his eyebrows; his face was covered in dust and dirt; and there were several thin bloodstains—clearly red marks from a woman's fingernails—stripped across his cheeks. He looked utterly disheveled, with not a trace of official bearing.

The hand of the bald man, which was hanging in mid-air, collided with the eyes of the flustered Lord Shi who had scurried out! For a moment, even the air seemed to freeze.

Lord Shi never expected that there would be a figure standing outside the door, especially his newly adopted son!
His old face flushed a deep purplish-red, and he hurriedly reached up to straighten his askew official hat, his fingers trembling. He then frantically brushed the front of his uniform as if it were covered in a thousand pounds of dust. He coughed twice, forcing out a semblance of composure, but his eyes darted around like headless flies: "Cough...cough cough...is that Lai Tou San? What...what are you doing here?"

The bald man's triangular eyes darted around, and all his cleverness came out at that moment.

He hurriedly shrank his neck and slumped his shoulders, his back bent low, and forced a fawning smile onto his face, as if the earth-shattering curses and his godfather's disheveled appearance were all hallucinations: "Godfather! I pay my respects to you! I... I just arrived here and have something important to discuss with you! You've worked so hard! You've worked so hard!"

He spoke flattering words, but his eyes were already wandering, sneaking towards the half-open door—he vaguely caught a glimpse of a woman inside, holding a three- or four-year-old child who was wailing loudly, her face full of anger, her eyebrows raised, still glaring hatefully at the door.

Lai Tou San's sinister triangular eyes had long since fixed on and imprinted on Lord Shi's disheveled appearance, comparing it endlessly to his usual imposing demeanor at the yamen gate—

The man before me: his official hat was askew, covering half his face; his prison uniform was covered in dust as if he had rolled in a mud pit; several bloody welts on his cheeks were glaring; and his back was hunched over as if a tendon had been pulled out!
Lord Shi from the yamen? Ha! He's a towering figure, eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted! With a purplish-red face and a thick beard like steel needles, he sits upright on his horse like a half-tower of iron, stuck in the middle of the road!

When that heavy iron spear was wielded, it was so powerful in mounted combat that it was impossible to get through. It was so fierce that even the militia leader, Lord Yang, who was supposedly from a military family, often couldn't last more than three or five rounds against it!

He also possessed unparalleled archery skills, hitting the bullseye from a hundred paces away with ease. During martial arts demonstrations, his bow was drawn as full as a moon, and his arrows flew like shooting stars, earning him thunderous applause from the entire audience! He was truly a formidable and tough man!
"But who the hell could have imagined..." The three-eyed, bald-headed man slithered into the half-open door like a venomous snake—the figure of the woman inside, hands on hips, pointing fingers, spitting as she spoke, became clearer: she was just an ordinary woman, thin as withered wood after autumn, with a wailing baby hanging in her arms!
Not to mention she can't compare to the top courtesan in the brothel, even Granny Wang who sells pancakes at the street corner has more of a lively personality!

"Tsk tsk! It's like brine curdling tofu, a she-devil subduing an Arhat!" The bald-headed man sneered, spitting out:

"Even if you are eight feet tall, swift with your spear and accurate with your arrows, unparalleled in horsemanship, a dragon that can overturn rivers and seas, or a fierce tiger that roars through the mountains and forests, you still can't stand up to a rouge tiger squatting at home!"

"The old saying is absolutely true: even heroes can't escape the confinement of the boudoir, and even valiant men fear the shackles of a demon! Truly a wise saying!"

Lai Tou San's mind raced, but his expression remained as swift as the wind!
With his hands clasped above his head and his back bent low, he gave the fierce-looking woman through the crack in the door an extremely slick and practiced deep bow, his voice high-pitched and bright: "Godmother, I, Lai Tou San, pay my respects to you! May you enjoy boundless blessings and longevity!"
The familiar "godmother" and the respectful "yes" did indeed ease the anger on the woman's face.

She relaxed her hands-on-hips stance a little and looked Lai Tou San up and down suspiciously—this kid always came to deliver "tribute" every few days, and would also bring her some needles, thread, snacks, and fruit. He was also sweet-talking, so he was quite "sensible."

But today… the woman’s shrewd eyes swept over the bald man’s empty hands, and her sallow face immediately darkened again. She pouted, and her shrill voice carried obvious dissatisfaction: “Hmph! You came empty-handed? How ‘sincere’ is this invitation?”

Lai Tou San was perfectly aware of the situation, but his face was plastered with utmost apology and affection. He hurriedly reached into his pocket and, as if by magic, pulled out a heavy blue cloth bag.

He held the offering with both hands and respectfully presented it to the woman: "Forgive me, Godmother! Forgive me! I deserve to die! I came in such a hurry today, thinking that I should pay my respects to Godmother first, and I forgot to put this little token of my gratitude in my pocket! I deserve a beating! I deserve a beating!"

He pretended to pat his face lightly, and the small blue cloth bag was slightly ajar, revealing a gleaming wad of silver inside, weighing at least two taels! "Godmother, please calm down. This little bit of loose silver can buy you some treats!"

The woman's eyes lit up instantly! The gloom on her face seemed to be blown away by a strong wind, and her sallow skin even showed a few smile wrinkles that looked like the bark of an old tree splitting open.

She snatched the purse, expertly weighing it in her hand and examining its color, before confidently stuffing it into her pocket. Though her tone remained harsh, it had softened considerably: "Hmph! You've got some conscience after all! Compared to your..."

She instinctively wanted to scold Shi Wengong, but glancing at her ashen-faced husband beside her, and then at the silver tucked into her bosom, she seemed to think that continuing to scold him would be pointless, so she impatiently waved her hand:

"...Alright, alright! Are you two grown men just standing at the door, getting chilled? Come inside and talk! I still have to appease this little devil!"

Holding her still-soothing child, she turned and walked into the house, not forgetting to turn back to Lai Tou San and add a sentence in a rare "gentle" tone:
"San'er, you two keep chatting, I'm going in!" With that, he went into the inner room with a bang and closed the broken door.

Seeing Lord Shi's ever-changing expression, the bald-headed man quickly stepped forward, lowered his voice, but his voice was sharp and piercing:
"Godfather, this is a golden opportunity! There's a huge, lucrative deal waiting for us to make our fortune! If we're going to do it, we have to strike while the iron is hot and do it the same way as the last 'deal'!"

As soon as Lord Shi stepped out of his courtyard, the slight dishevelment on his face had long been blown away by the autumn wind. Now, his face was as taut as iron, and his eyes had darkened, regaining their battlefield fierceness. He coldly uttered three words: "What's the matter?" The bald man with three triangular eyes glanced left and right, and seeing that the alley was empty, he whispered in Lord Shi's ear, explaining the ins and outs of the "deal" in detail.

Finally, glancing at Lord Shi's expression, he added fuel to the fire with a sinister glint in his eye: "Father, you are wise! If that fellow really came to avenge the nephews of the Zhang family... hehe, this is two windfalls delivered to our doorstep—the enemy's money to buy their lives, and the profits from that shipment, all of which will be ours!"

"But what if... what if it really was that Ximen Qing from Qinghe County who was sabotaging us from behind, setting a trap for us..." He paused deliberately, lowering his voice even further, yet it was chilling like a viper's hiss, "...if we don't strike first and eliminate him cleanly now, and that scoundrel recovers and manages to make his way to the capital, using his connections in Kaifeng Prefecture..."

"Hehe, at that time, not only will Yang Tuanlian's official hat be hard to keep, but even you, my godfather, who has worked so hard to become his deputy, will probably have to... 'snap'!" He made a throat-slitting gesture, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

Lord Shi's heart skipped a beat, and his facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly. He asked in a deep voice, "Have you given Lord Yang any word about this matter?"

The bald-headed man shook his head vigorously, scoffing, "Him? He prides himself on being a noble descendant of the Yang family, so naturally he wouldn't stoop to such 'filthy' matters!"

"But don't worry, sir, we know the rules! Just like last time, we'll clean things up from start to finish, and the lion's share of the profits will naturally go to his mansion. He can just sit back and collect his share, it's very secure! These noble sons are so poor, they'd rather do dirty work than accept money."

Lord Shi remained silent, his eyes darting around in their deep-set sockets, clearly torn between inner turmoil. The dilapidated courtyard, the woman's harsh scolding, the son's wailing for fruit... flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

How cunning was Lai Tou San? He had seen through his adoptive father's intentions long ago! He immediately leaned closer, his voice filled with a seductive eagerness:
"Godfather! Last time, with that ticket, your little courtyard... wasn't it all settled? If this one goes through, it won't just be a courtyard. From now on, Godmother will wear a jacket embroidered with gold thread and a headdress adorned with gold and kingfisher feathers! And my little brother's studies and education will be a piece of cake!"

Seeing the hesitation ripple across Lord Shi's face, Lai Tou San knew the time was right. He quickly threw out the most tempting bait, his voice low but each word striking a chord with Lord Shi's calculations:

"Godfather! Think about it carefully. My godmother dotes on my clever little brother like the apple of her eye. How could she possibly let him learn your unparalleled martial arts skills on horseback?"

"If it's about studying, the Imperial Academy and the National Academy are naturally out of the question. But even if you find a proper private school that can produce a few scholars and officials—look, for example, the 'Zhuangyuan Hall' south of Zhouqiao, the tuition fee is this much for a year!"

He held up five fingers and waved them vigorously in front of Master Shi: "Fifty taels of silver! This is just the 'gift of greeting' on the surface! During festivals, there are the 'respectful gifts' for the teacher's tea, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, and 'gifts' for social gatherings among classmates... all sorts of things. In a year, without a hundred or so taels, you can't even stand firmly on that threshold!"

Seeing that Lord Shi's eyelids twitched suddenly, he knew he had hit a nerve, and immediately added fuel to the fire, his voice revealing the "truthfulness" of a stock market speculator:
"This is just the cost of a child's first lessons! When my younger brother gets a little older and wants to formally study for the imperial examinations, the expenses will be enormous! Hiring a teacher of some reputation to tutor him, the annual tuition, seasonal gifts, sacrificial offerings and wine... hehe, without several hundred taels of silver at the very least, you won't even get to see the teacher!"

"Father, with your skills, you could make a name for yourself on the battlefield, but in this capital city of Bianliang... do you think you can earn a respectable future for your son with that meager salary? It's difficult! It's harder than climbing to heaven! This immense wealth before us is a gift from heaven to my younger brother for his education! It's a stepping stone for him, a ladder to success so that he can stand tall and be a person of high standing, so he won't have to... cough, he won't have to be like us, struggling in these filthy alleys!"

These last few words were like a red-hot iron, searing the softest spot in Master Shi's heart. He could almost see his son in his brand-new scholar's robe, holding a book... and he remembered his wife's sharp scolding, "You can't even afford a piece of fruit."

That moment of hesitation was instantly crushed by the naked lure of profit and the fear of the future!

The uncertain expression on Lord Shi's face suddenly vanished, and his eyes became murky and ruthless.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed hard, as if spitting out the last shred of his conscience, before finally squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth: "...Damn it!"

The details of how Master Shi and Lai Tou San plotted to kill Ximen Qing in the filthy alley are not discussed here.

At this moment, Master Ximen was sitting in a private room of a tavern on the street in Bianliang City, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, waiting for his trusted servant Dai'an to return with the news.

Although his face was calm, there was a hint of anxiety hidden in his eyes—the waters of the capital were far deeper than those of Lion Street in his Qinghe County!

Little did they know that at this moment, Bianjing City was like a ladle of boiling oil poured into an ice water hole, causing it to explode!

A shocking piece of news, with the force of a thunderbolt, pierced through the grand gates and embroidered doors of those illustrious nobles:
This year's "Painting Champion," personally selected by the Emperor, was neither a Hanlin Academy scholar nor a talented young man from a prestigious family, but a merchant named Ximen Qing from Qinghe County, Jingdong East Road!
This was already shocking enough, but what truly stunned the entire court was what followed – the Emperor actually issued a special decree appointing this merchant as a Senior Secretary of the Xianmo Pavilion!
Xianmo Pavilion! What an elegant and prestigious place that is! Those who hold the title of "Zhige" inside are all the emperor's confidants and pillars of the court.
Grand Tutor Cai Jing, a first-rank official, wielded immense power in the court. It's unclear whether he held the title of Grand Academician of the Imperial Academy—whether it was four or five—but that's not unusual.

Tong Guan, the Privy Councilor, was a first-rank official who held military power over the entire country, so it was not surprising that he also held the title of Grand Secretary.

It is not surprising that Cai You, a Privy Councilor, was a third-rank official, a close minister of the emperor, and the son of Grand Tutor Cai.

Jiedushi Zhong Shidao was a second-rank official, known as "Old General Zhong," a veteran of the Western Army, who held real power and was also a scholar with several academic titles.

But it is clear what kind of official title this "Xianmoge Zhige" was.

Although not the highest-ranking official, one's rank is determined by one's actual position. Many scholars who have studied diligently for years and passed the imperial examinations may not even be able to reach a position at Tsinghua University, even if they have worked hard until their hair turns white!

The official, quite casually, bestowed the title upon Ximen Qing, a merchant from the remote suburb of Qinghe County!
Not only did they not understand this matter, but even Imperial Censor Lin Ruhai, the Grand Master of the Imperial Library, couldn't understand it.

Lin Ruhai's steps felt like they were made of lead as he walked heavily out of the vermilion palace gate.

The brand-new scarlet official robe he wore lost its luster as the autumn twilight enveloped it, turning it a dull gray like old satin from the previous year.

His face was so gloomy it could have swallowed three pounds of bitterness—today's grand court assembly not only failed to bring him the imperial decree to see the emperor, but also witnessed a catastrophic disaster: while the emperor was admiring paintings in the rear garden of Chongzheng Hall, he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness!

At this moment, the palace gates were tightly closed, and the Imperial Guards were on high alert. The figures of the Imperial Medical Bureau were moving like ghosts through the cracks in the gates. No wonder all nine gates were closed. Even the wind under the walls of the imperial city had a rusty, deathly aura!

"Sigh..." Lin Ruhai sighed, his breath filled with unspeakable exhaustion and bewilderment.

This journey back to the capital to report on official business was fraught with peril from the very beginning. The trip was rushed, but upon arrival in the capital, I was left waiting for days, denied an audience. Now, I've stumbled upon this earth-shattering affair!

The fervent hope he had felt for returning to the capital had long been extinguished by this cold water. To make matters worse, while waiting for news outside the palace gates, he overheard several colleagues whispering amongst themselves, discussing another strange tale—the close kinship between his relatives in Qinghe County!

The man he admired and wanted to recruit, Ximen, was suddenly appointed "Painting Champion" by the Emperor himself! Even more astonishingly, he was also specially granted the honorary title of Director of the Xianmo Pavilion!

“Xianmo Pavilion, Zhige…” Lin Ruhai rolled these words on his tongue, a sour and absurd feeling rushing to his head.

In just a few days, this Ximen official has transformed from a scheming merchant into someone who dons the noble air that even scholars dare not dream of!
Putting aside rank, in terms of honor, he was not much lower than the senior physician of the Lantai Temple who had spent half his life in the field!

"This world... it's truly a maze!" Lin Ruhai felt like his mind was a jumbled mess, and he couldn't make sense of it.

The emperor's coma and Ximen's sudden rise to power... these two events, intertwined, exude an inexplicable and eerie aura.

Feeling nauseous and restless, he strolled to Fengle Tower, which was not far from the palace.

This towering building, with its soaring eaves and intricate brackets, was Bianjing's premier den of extravagance and hub of gossip. Lin Ruhai had arranged to meet several colleagues he hadn't seen in a long time at the recent court assembly, hoping to share a drink here and vent his frustrations.

But just as he stepped onto the blood-red Persian carpet on the second floor, he suddenly heard a voice above him, both surprised and delighted: "Isn't this Lord Lin? What a coincidence! Your student greets you!"

Lin Ruhai's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at the sound.

Amidst a lavish display of finery by the window, a man stood up with a beaming smile—wearing a turban adorned with gold thread and pearls, a silk robe embroidered with floral patterns, and a gleaming jade belt at his waist; he was truly a handsome and dashing figure! Who else could it be but the powerful and influential Ximen Qing of Qinghe County?

Lin Ruhai's warm and polite smile instantly spread across his face. From a distance, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Master Ximen! It's truly fate that we meet again in this world!"

Ximen Qing was taken aback by Lin Ruhai's sudden display of respect and wondered to himself: Had Lin Ruhai run into trouble? A few days ago in Qinghe County, although Lord Lin valued him, it was only through words that he showed him respect. Why had he ever performed such a formal official ceremony before? It was as if he were meeting a peer!
Just as he was wondering, Lin Ruhai approached, his smile unchanged, but a complex look in his eyes. He lowered his voice, saying with a mix of teasing and deeper meaning, "My lord, it's been a few days. I'm afraid I should change my address to 'Ximen Xianmo' now?"

"Xian...Xianmo?" Ximen Qing's smile froze instantly, filled with genuine bewilderment. He subconsciously asked, "Lord Lin...you...you're talking about this? What Xianmo? The more I listen, the more confused I get?"

Seeing his completely clueless and naive appearance, Lin Ruhai felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity, and couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head and sighed, "It seems that you are truly kept in the dark! No wonder, since the nine gates are closed and the imperial edict has not yet left the palace."

"Once you return to Qinghe County, an angel will come to your door to deliver a decree. That boundless wealth and dazzling glory... are already galloping on their way to find you!"

He paused, glancing at Ximen Qing's bewildered face, and added meaningfully, "Master Xianmo, such imperial favor is like oil being poured on a raging fire! This imperial grace is far heavier than the empty title of 'Painting Champion'!"

Ximen Qing then realized that he had only come for the "Shu Su Tie" (a type of calligraphy scroll), but he hadn't expected to gain something unexpected.

Although he was happy, he would never again have to speak ill of anyone, even if Cai Jing was a high-ranking official.

However, he was not overjoyed by this empty promise, which had no real power. He bowed to Lin Ruhai and said, "Lord Lin, you flatter me! I am just a humble merchant who has been fortunate enough to gain the emperor's favor. I have only occasionally dabbled in calligraphy and painting and have earned the empty title of 'Painting Champion.' As for this 'Xianmo Pavilion'... I am ignorant and only know that it is an imperial favor. I am truly apprehensive and dare not speculate on the specific honor it represents."

He spoke of it casually, as if the "Xianmoge Zhige" was nothing more than a fine piece of satin he had just acquired in the market and casually draped over his shoulders.

Lin Ruhai was startled by his behavior!
Upon hearing this earth-shattering imperial decree, the great official Ximen was only slightly taken aback before quickly regaining his composure. There was no trace of wild joy or loss of composure in his expression; instead, he exuded a sense of humility and self-control.
This composure, this calm and collected demeanor... how could he resemble a scheming merchant? He clearly embodies the refined and virtuous conduct of a high-ranking official in the imperial court, a man well-versed in the art of concealing his true intentions!
In an instant, the bitterness, absurdity, and doubt in Lin Ruhai's heart were replaced by a sudden surge of solemn respect.

He couldn't help but recall how spirited he was when he passed the imperial examination with flying colors and was first appointed to the prestigious position of Grand Master of the Imperial Academy! For three days in a row, the whole household celebrated as if it were New Year's Day, and he himself was so excited that he couldn't sleep at night, touching his blue official robe again and again in his study.

But Ximen Xianmo, who had suddenly obtained the "Zhige" position, which was more prestigious and closer to the emperor than his own "Lantai," treated it as calmly as drinking a cup of ordinary tea!

Thinking of this, and remembering that his poor daughter still needed this high-ranking official's care in Qinghe County, Lin Ruhai gave a slight bow, his expression regaining its usual composure:

"My lord, I had arranged to meet with some colleagues in the private room upstairs during the court session, so it is not convenient to talk for long now."

"I am currently staying at the Rongguo Mansion after returning to the capital. If you have some free time this evening, would you be so kind as to come over for a chat?"

[Another update of nearly 20,000 words! Gentlemen of Ximen!! Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!!]

(End of this chapter)