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

Chapter 188: The Ultimate Showdown! [A Must-Read Chapter]

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Lai Bao and Dai An waited anxiously at the foot of the wall at the gate of the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Meanwhile, in the inn, the servant Ping An noticed that the master was standing alone in the room, his eyes fixed on the bustling streets outside the window, with noisy carriages and horses, and he remained silent for a long time.

The servant couldn't contain himself any longer, so he seized an opportunity and asked in a humble tone, "My lord, you are now a 'scholar' and a gentleman, a position of great prestige! Why don't you come to our door in person? Wouldn't that show more respect and the depth of our friendship?"

The high-ranking official said calmly, "What are you giving as a gift? Is it your reputation? Your face? Is it your sentiment? Wrong."

"Gift giving, gift giving—the weight of these two words, 'gift giving,' lies entirely in the word 'gift'! The value of the gift, whether it is appropriate and suits the recipient's taste, that is the most important thing! If you truly have an overwhelming reputation and unparalleled influence, why would you bother to go out and give things away?"

"If it's a gift, then you should put away that pitiful title and that worthless dignity for now! If you insist on forcing it in, wouldn't that just cover the 'gift' with a dirty rag and sully it? It would only make you a laughingstock!"

"The important thing for people is to always keep a scale in their hearts and weigh their own worth. Do what is right according to your own worth, and don't be arrogant or demean yourself."

Ping An listened, seemingly understanding but not quite, sensing the hidden meaning in the words. He shrank his neck, rolled his eyes twice, and hurriedly nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, Uncle is right! I... I understand."

In front of the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Not long after Manager Li went in, he hurriedly came out again. Although he tried his best to keep a straight face, a hint of smugness could be seen in his eyes and brows.

He gestured towards Lai Bao and Dai An standing by the wall and whispered, "Gentlemen, your time has come! Come with me! Chief Steward Zhai is waiting for you in the reception room!"

Upon hearing this, Lai Baotong and Dai An felt as if they had received a pardon. They hurriedly mustered all their energy and followed Li Xin with utmost deference.

After passing through several layers of bronze rings with animal faces and heavily guarded gates, and bypassing several imposing screen walls that made one dare not look directly at them, they finally arrived at a courtyard after many twists and turns.

Although the courtyard was not particularly spacious, nor did it feature carved beams and painted rafters, or a magnificent and resplendent appearance, every brick, tile, plant, and tree exuded an air of refined elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Moreover, a subtle yet compelling sense of power and authority emanated from it—this was the outer study where Grand Steward Zhai Qian usually conducted his affairs and received guests.

Manager Li stood respectfully at the foot of the steps outside the door, bowing low. A voice responded from inside, and he lowered his hands, holding his breath and standing like a statue in the shadows of the corridor.

Lai Bao took a deep breath, suppressing his pounding heart, and led Dai An, almost holding his breath, crouching low, tiptoeing, and squeezing into the warm, fragrant, and lavishly furnished study.

Behind a large sandalwood desk with cloud patterns at the head of the table sat a man of imposing stature. He wore a dark brocade robe with the Eight Immortals pattern, had a fair complexion, and three wisps of clean beard flowing down his chest. He was none other than Zhai Qian, the Grand Steward who held immense power in the Prime Minister's mansion and whose every stomp shook the capital city of Dongjing.

He slightly lifted his eyelids, and his gaze, sharp as cold lightning, swept over Lai Bao and Dai An in a single glance—

"Plop!" "Plop!"

The two men felt their knees buckle as if a cramp had been pulled out, and they involuntarily knelt down on the cool, smooth, and reflective Suzhou-made gold-brick floor. Their foreheads pressed tightly against the chilling cold, and they cried out in trembling voices:
"This humble servant...this humble servant, from the Ximen Mansion of Qinghe County, respectfully greets Lord Zhai for his grace!"

Zhai Qian did not immediately call out, but slowly reached out and picked up a small, multicolored covered cup from the Chenghua kiln on the table, inside which was freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea.

He used the thin, eggshell-like rim of the lid to gently skim the tender green buds floating in the cup, his movements extremely elegant.

The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, except for the soft, crisp sound of porcelain clinking together, one after another... making the person kneeling on the floor tremble to the bone.

After a long pause, he gently set down the teacup, his fingertip tapping the smooth rosewood surface of the table. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority:
"Where's the gift list? Bring it to me."

When Lai Bao heard Zhai Qian asking about the gift list, he took out the two large red and gold gift invitations that he had already warmed in his bosom.

He crawled forward a few steps on his knees until he reached the edge of the cold gold brick floor, then held the gift invitation high above his head: "Master Zhai, the gift...the gift list is here, please take a look."

Zhai Qian didn't even lift his eyelids. He simply stretched out two well-maintained fingers with neatly manicured nails and picked up the gift card that read "Respectfully presented to Grand Tutor Cai."

He unfolded the gold-flecked red paper, his gaze like two cold, small scales, carefully weighing it row by row and column by column.

His face, which was originally as smooth as a white dough ball, was completely expressionless. But as you look at him, you see his Adam's apple move almost imperceptibly, and the taut skin at the corner of his mouth reveals a very subtle, almost imperceptible sense of relief and satisfaction, like a small fish quietly swimming beneath the ice.

He let out a faint "hmm" sound, and gently placed the gift card on a corner of the large rosewood table, as if it were something insignificant.

Then, he slowly picked up the second invitation.

The large, gilded characters on the note, "Respectfully presented to Steward Zhai," seemed even more dazzling than the previous one in the dim light of the study.

The moment Zhai Qian's gaze fell upon the form, his fingers, gripping the corner of the paper, seemed to be weighed down by its weight, instantly becoming as steady as a rock. The tips of his two meticulously trimmed eyebrows subtly twitched upwards, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Their gaze lingered on the words "Ten Boxes of Blood Swallow" and "Eight Pairs of Wild Ginseng from Liaodong," as if it had taken root, for a moment longer than intended.

This gift contained two more items than the one given to the Grand Tutor, and it was also perfectly appropriate for the occasion.

As I watched, a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on his thin lips, like the wind rippling across the surface of an ancient well.

Upon reaching the end, Zhai Qian casually flipped his wrist, and the gold-embroidered red invitation, as if it had grown eyes and wings, silently and effortlessly slipped into the depths of the wide sleeves of his black brocade robe, disappearing without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea.

“Hmm—” Zhai Qian finally spoke, his voice not loud, but like the clash of gold and jade, carrying a heavy weight as it resounded in the study, “Master Ximen… is quite thoughtful.”

Lai Bao and Dai An lay prostrate on the cold, hard gold brick floor. They felt that the words "with heart" were more melodious than heavenly music, but they didn't dare to breathe loudly, pressing their foreheads firmly against the bricks.

"Get up and answer." Zhai Qian's voice returned to its usual calm, unfathomable tone.

As if granted a pardon by the emperor, the two men repeatedly thanked the magistrate for his grace before getting up from the ground. With their hands hanging down, they didn't even dare to lift their eyelids, only staring at the dusty tips of their shoes.

Zhai Qian slowly picked up the small, multicolored covered cup from the Chenghua kiln, took a sip of warm pre-Qingming Longjing tea to moisten his throat, and then began to point out the crucial details of the audience with the Grand Tutor:
"...The Grand Tutor has been in relatively good spirits these past few days. But you must all remember, when you see the Grand Tutor, answer only what he asks, like a gourd with its mouth sawed off. Do not utter a single word more than necessary, and certainly do not speak nonsense!"

"...When presenting the offerings, one's waist must be bent lower than a bow, and one's head must be lower than one's waist...When kneeling, the kneecaps must strike the gold bricks with a loud thud, and when kowtowing, the sound of the forehead hitting the ground must be crisp and clear!"

"One must neither touch it lightly like a mosquito nor strike it like a brute striking a bell, losing all decorum and propriety... When rising, the proper procedure is to kowtow fully before slowly straightening one's back. After rising, one must keep a hunched back, with both hands hanging down past the knees..."

"When you step down, it's even more important. You must face the Grand Tutor's throne, and slowly back out of the room, step by step, until you're outside the threshold before you can turn around... These rules, one by one, must be etched into your mind."

"It's engraved! It's engraved! We'll remember it forever! We'll risk our lives to avoid even the slightest mistake!" Lai Bao and Dai An were so impressed that their souls nearly left their bodies. They dared not be negligent and hurriedly bowed and kowtowed repeatedly, secretly keeping it firmly in mind.

Zhai Qian slowly placed the Chenghua polychrome covered cup back on the rosewood table. The bottom of the cup gently touched the table surface, producing a very crisp sound.

His slender eyes fell once again on Lai Bao and Dai An, who stood with their hands at their sides. This time, however, his gaze seemed to contain a hint of gentle warmth, like a thin ray of sunlight filtering through the clouds in winter.

"I have already heard about your master's affairs." His voice was not loud, with a casual tone, "He has even received the honorable title of 'Her Majesty's Favor'!"

He paused slightly, his calm tone striking the heart with each word like a hammer: "This is naturally a great honor bestowed by the Emperor, a joyous occasion indeed, worthy of celebration."

The tone shifted abruptly, as if a string had suddenly tightened, "However..."

Zhai Qian leaned forward slightly, getting closer to the two men, and lowered his voice, which sounded like lead sinking into water, heavily hitting their ears:
"...In this capital city of Bianliang, right under the emperor's nose, there are countless gentlemen with such prestigious titles. Within our Grand Tutor's own circle alone, there are at least seven or eight! The Grand Tutor himself probably holds five or six of these honorary titles, so many that even he himself might not remember them all!"

"This title, gleaming gold, hanging on a business card, written on the lintel, is certainly very attractive and prestigious." A faint, almost imperceptible sneer played at the corner of his lips. "But ultimately, it's all empty talk, just oil floating on water! What's most important is—"

"—Don't...forget your roots! Don't let this empty title taint you with the arrogant habits of those pretentious scholars. What the Grand Tutor dislikes most are those who are ignorant of their own limitations and forget their place...!"

His icy gaze lingered on the two men's pale faces for a moment before Zhai Qian's tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of assessment: "...Observing your actions today, you two are just as well-behaved and respectful as last time. This is very good, which shows that Master Ximen is a sensible and important person!"

"This gift list for the Grand Tutor..." His fingers, hidden deep in his sleeve, seemed to unconsciously twirl around something concealed, "is among the dozens of gift lists the manor has received recently, and it is exceptionally thoughtful and respectable! The weight that had been hanging over my heart has finally been lifted a little. Here, I would like to extend my 'congratulations' to your Ximen manor."

These words, though sweet, contained poison within sugar and steel needles hidden within honey; they served as a warning and a rebuke, yet ended with a touch of sweetness.

With two muffled thuds, Lai Bao and Dai An fell heavily to their knees once more on the cold, hard gold brick floor.
"The head steward's words are golden and precious! We will remember them forever, even if it costs us our lives!"

"When we return, we will report to the head of the family, without daring to add or subtract a single word, the great kindness and invaluable advice bestowed upon us by the head steward! We will never dare to fail to live up to the immense favor that the Grand Tutor and the Master have shown to our Ximen family!"

Zhai Qian lowered his eyelids, gestured lightly forward, and his voice revealed a touch of genuine warmth:
"Alright, get up. After today, barring any unforeseen circumstances, your master will be a respectable figure, and you... will be useful to him. From now on, when you see me, these grand gestures of kowtowing and kowtowing can be... omitted."

Lai Bao and Dai An stood up, repeatedly replying, "Yes! Yes!"

The head steward leaned forward slightly, his unfathomable eyes now gleaming with a naked, world-weary coldness: "Your master has done very well. He hasn't disappointed me, which is why I value him so much."

People often say, "A gift of a goose feather from a thousand miles away is a small gift but carries great meaning!" How utterly ridiculous!

"If that 'affection' is truly as heavy as Mount Tai, why would you only be willing to send a light goose feather? Is Mount Tai too heavy, crushing the donkey carrying the goose feather? Or is that 'affection' so light that it's just a thin piece of paper, only fit to stick to a goose feather and float in the wind?"

"In this world, the weight of 'etiquette' is determined by the weight of 'affection'! 'Etiquette' is the weight on the scale, while 'affection' is the weight hanging on the scale!"

"Without real money or tangible benefits as a foundation, empty words of friendship are less valuable than a goose feather in the face of power! A goose feather can at least scratch an itch, but this hypocrisy is so insincere that even the gatekeeper's dog wouldn't bother to sniff it!"

Zhai Qian's voice carried an unquestionable authority and disdain:
“Look at what’s being carried in at the Prime Minister’s residence every day! Is it goose feathers? Is it just some childish stuff? No! It’s gold! It’s silver! It’s priceless coral! It’s elixirs from overseas that can prolong life! This is what you call ‘propriety’! This is what you deserve to be called ‘affection’!”

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping over Baohe Dai'an's pale face: "Those who hold a goose feather in their hands, yet still dream of opening doors to immense wealth and climbing to the top with a few words of insincerity! They are foolish because they don't know the ways of the world, and wicked because they dream of using empty promises to create wealth!"

"Such a person is restless and weak-willed, unable to withstand even a gentle breeze. In the treacherous world of officialdom, where power is like a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, how can he possibly take root? I'm afraid that before he even climbs to a high branch, he will be burned to ashes by that little bit of empty fire, and even that feather will be blown away by the wind long ago!"

“Your master is well-mannered and knows how to give gifts. This makes me feel very at ease!” After saying this, Zhai Qian seemed to have exhausted his interest, leaned back in his chair, and resumed his deep, still expression: “A goose feather… Ha, a goose feather entering the Prime Minister’s mansion? Does he think he’s an official?”

That last, light-hearted rhetorical question carried endless irony and chill, as if standing before him were the countless self-righteous people he had received over the years.

Zhai Qian seemed to want to say something more. He twirled his fingers, his gaze lingering on Lai Bao and Dai An's faces for a moment, his lips moving slightly, as if he was worried about something.

In the end, he simply picked up his teacup, gently blew on the surface of the water, and the words he hadn't uttered vanished silently into the warm room with the rising steam, leaving only a lingering, unsettling mystery.

Until Steward Li slipped into the study like a shadow, lowered his hands and lowered his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Reporting to the head steward, the Grand Tutor just received a bowl of ginseng soup, and he is in good spirits now, so he can be introduced."

Zhai Qian nodded almost imperceptibly and gently placed the Chenghua porcelain cup in his hand. He straightened the collar and sleeves of his black brocade robe with gold thread patterns, ensuring there wasn't a single wrinkle, before slowly rising to his feet.

"Follow me." Zhai Qian uttered two words and took the lead, his steps steady as a deep pool and a towering mountain, making no sound as he stepped on the thick carpet.

Lai Bao and Dai An were like puppets held up by two invisible threads, not daring to breathe loudly, and even their footsteps were barely audible, for fear of disturbing the behemoth deep within this mansion that controlled the fate of countless people.

After passing through Zhai Qian's courtyard, which was already extremely ornate and elegant, and then through two moon gates guarded by burly servants with tightly closed hanging flower gates, the scene before us suddenly changed!
The courtyard was deep and the atmosphere was solemn.

Giant nanmu pillars, as thick as two people could hug, support the grand and imposing hall, while the glazed auspicious beasts on the roof ridge reflect a cold and majestic luster in the thin winter sunlight.

Under the covered walkway, dozens of servants in blue robes and small hats stood like geese wings, their hands hanging down in solemn silence, each one like a clay or wooden sculpture, eyes looking down at their noses, noses looking at their hearts.

The vast courtyard was so quiet that one could hear the low whistling of the cold wind whistling through the eaves and the iron hoops, adding to the unfathomable and breathtaking atmosphere of oppression.

Zhai Qian led the two onto the central passageway paved with blue jade, silently guided by a middle-aged man dressed in a respectable manager's uniform.

The main hall was warm and cozy, filled with a rich and intense aroma of ambergris.

In the very center, on a large, heavy rosewood couch with cloud patterns, sat an old man, half-leaning and half-sitting. He wore a light robe of sandalwood color, his beard and hair were all like silver frost, his face was thin and his eyelids were lowered, as if he was taking a nap.

Although he was only dressed in casual clothes, his imposing aura of power, which held the reins and could decide the life and death of countless people with a single word, descended like an invisible mountain!
The moment Lai Bao and Dai An stepped into the hall, they felt as if the bones in their knees had been removed. Their kneecaps slammed heavily onto the gleaming gold brick floor with a loud thud, causing them to fall flat on their faces. Their foreheads pressed tightly against the cold, hard ground, and their breaths stopped instantly, as if an invisible pressure was choking them.

This is Cai Jing, the Grand Tutor of the court, who wielded immense power and whose protégés and former officials were all over the country!
"Grand Tutor," Zhai Qian stepped forward, stopping steadily ten paces from the couch. He bowed deeply, his posture extremely respectful, yet his voice was clear and steady, neither too loud nor too soft:

"Lai Bao and Dai An, stewards of Ximen Qing's mansion in Qinghe County, have come on the orders of their master to express their gratitude to the Grand Tutor for his boundless grace. They offer this humble local gift and wish the Grand Tutor boundless happiness and longevity."

Having said that, he held the prepared large red and gold gift card high above his head with both hands, his posture as devout as if offering a sacred object.

Cai Jing, lying on the couch, finally slowly lifted his drooping eyelids a crack.

He merely glanced casually and lazily at the glaringly red, gold-leafed invitation card that Zhai Qian was holding aloft, making no attempt to reach out and take it. He simply uttered a very slow and indistinct "Hmm" from deep within his nose.

Zhai Qian understood and immediately unfolded the gift card, beginning to read it aloud in his clear, steady, and unhurried tone.

Respectfully presented to Your Excellency:
A scroll of the authentic Shu Su Tie (蜀素帖), made of silk with black silk threads, is a rare and precious work of calligraphy. I humbly request your appreciation.

A pair of peach cups made of mutton fat white jade from Khotan, Western Regions, with a smooth and flawless texture. They are carved in the shape of peaches offered for longevity, exquisite and translucent, with a radiant glow.

The skilled craftsmen of Suzhou and Hangzhou wove two round-necked robes in 'Crimson and Five-Colored Silk Satin Over-the-Shoulder Sitting Python', with gold thread coiled around them, colorful embroidery shining brightly, and the python's eyes exuding power and a dignified air.
Four silver figures, each 1.2 feet tall, are depicted holding longevity peaches.

Twenty bolts of top-grade silk from each region;

Eight traditional local items of various styles were carried by eight people to express respect for the local culture.
Enclosed: Three hundred taels of pure gold, offered as a token of respect for charcoal and ice; I humbly request your acceptance, for I am deeply humbled.

When Cai Jing read the "Shu Su Tie" (蜀素帖), a faint hint of appreciation seemed to flash across his cloudy eyes. Especially when he heard "a crimson and five-colored silk brocade over the shoulders with a python robe," the corner of his slightly closed eyes twitched almost imperceptibly upwards.

After the gift list was read out, there was complete silence, except for the thunderous pounding of Lai Baodai'an's heart.

"Hmm..." Cai Jing finally spoke again, his voice carrying the languor of someone long accustomed to a high position and a hint of hoarseness, yet each word was clear, "Ximen Qing... is that... the one who offered charcoal and drew the picture?"

"Reporting to Grand Tutor, it is indeed this man." Zhai Qian immediately bowed and replied, "Although he comes from a merchant family, he is quite knowledgeable about loyalty and righteousness, and he is also diligent and proper in his work. This time, he has been fortunate enough to receive the honorary title of Academician of the Xianmo Pavilion by the grace of the Emperor. He is deeply grateful for the cultivation and promotion he has received from the Grand Tutor, which is truly like having parents again!"

"This small token is but a drop in the ocean, hardly enough to repay even a fraction of the kindness shown to you, Grand Tutor. It is merely a token of my humble filial piety, which I respectfully present to you."

“Heh…” Cai Jing let out a low laugh, like an old wooden door turning, “…Just as you said, he’s someone who knows how to read the room and understands etiquette. As for the stuff… it’s not bad… he put some thought into it.”

On the rosewood couch, Cai Jing's eyelids remained slightly closed, and he remained silent for several breaths. The invisible pressure he exerted almost suffocated the two people on the ground.

Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible languor, as if discussing a trivial matter: "Hmm... Ximen Xianmo, you are thoughtful." Cai Jing didn't even lift his eyelids, but continued in his hoarse and flat tone, "However... this sentiment is too heavy. As the Grand Secretary of the court, holding the highest position among officials, I should set an example by being honest and upright. These things... I cannot accept them. Zhai Qian, let them... take them back."

These words were like ice water being poured over someone's head!

Lai Bao and Dai An felt their heads buzz, and their blood instantly turned cold! Take it back? The Grand Tutor actually said...take it back?

A tremendous fear gripped them instantly!

Could it be that the Grand Tutor is not satisfied with the gift?
Has this mission gone wrong? Is the scheme that Master Ximen Qing has poured his heart and soul into, spending a fortune, about to fail in their hands?
The two were terrified, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, their foreheads pressed tightly against the cold gold brick, sweat instantly soaking through their inner shirts.

In that moment of utter despair, Lai Bao's mind flashed back to the words Ximen Qing had spoken to them repeatedly in the study before his departure, as he played with the pair of jade peach cups:
"Remember! When you arrive at the Grand Tutor's mansion, Steward Zhai will be your guiding light. Do whatever he says! If the Grand Tutor refuses a gift, saying things like 'it's not good to accept,' 'I can't accept,' or 'it's inconvenient to accept,' there are many different explanations, and the intricacies are as deep as the sea!"

"If it's hard to accept, then I'm very satisfied!"

"If we can't accept it, then it's just so-so!"

"If it's inconvenient to accept, then I'm not satisfied!"

"No matter what the Grand Tutor says, do not take it seriously! Those are just empty words! They are for the sake of saving face for those in power! The only thing you need to do is kowtow! Kneel and beg desperately! Do you understand?"

Lai Bao suddenly realized! That's it! That's it! The Grand Tutor didn't mean "not to accept," he meant "it's difficult to accept"!
This is exactly the "polite words" that the master had repeatedly told him to say!
The Grand Tutor was very satisfied!
In a flash, Lai Bao seemed to grasp at a straw! He straightened up abruptly, and with all his might, his voice hoarse and filled with terror, he shouted:
"Grand Tutor, have mercy! Grand Tutor, have mercy!" he shouted, banging his forehead against the gold bricks with a loud "thump, thump" like a drumbeat. "Grand Tutor, your integrity is as pure as water, as bright as the sun and moon! How dare we tarnish your good name!"

"But... but Master Ximen Qing is deeply grateful for the great kindness of the Grand Tutor, as if he were his second parents! He is filled with sincere filial piety and is filled with anxiety day and night, fearing that his humble possessions will not be of any use to the Grand Tutor! These... these are just some local items that Master Ximen Qing collected while he was in Shandong, and they are really... really not worth mentioning by the Grand Tutor!"

"The head of the family often says that the Grand Tutor is like the sky above him! This little thing is nothing more than a blade of grass or a drop of dew offered by a commoner looking up at the heavens. We only hope to receive a little bit of the heavenly grace and rain, which is a blessing that the whole family has accumulated over ten thousand lifetimes!"

"If... if such a momentous occasion as Grand Tutor's birthday celebration cannot even be accepted with this humble offering... the Patriarch... the Patriarch... he must be filled with dread and shame, wishing he could die! We, your humble servants, will have no face to face the Patriarch upon returning home, and can only... can only kowtow to our deaths at these golden steps to atone for our sins! We beg Grand Tutor to have mercy! We beg Grand Tutor to grant us a way out!"

Lai Bao burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Dai'an, who was standing nearby, also instantly realized what was happening and immediately began to kowtow frantically, his voice also trembling with sobs, but with a touch of youthful urgency:

"We beg Your Excellency to have mercy! The patriarch's filial piety is as clear as day! We risked our lives to come to the capital, and if we return empty-handed, the patriarch will surely think that we have failed in our duties and have neglected Your Excellency's grace! We would be guilty beyond redemption! We beg Your Excellency to have mercy! Please grant us some face!"

Cai Jing kept his eyes half-closed, as if the two people on the ground kowtowing repeatedly did not exist.

Zhai Qian, who had been standing respectfully with his hands at his sides, bowed slightly at this opportune moment and spoke respectfully in his uniquely amiable and slightly amused voice:

"Grand Tutor, please understand. Ximen Xianmo's filial piety is truly sincere. He is far away in Shandong, but he is concerned about your kindness. He has collected these humble local items, which, though not valuable, have shown his sincere heart. If you insist on refusing them, I fear it will discourage your birthday wishes."

"If Your Excellency truly feels apologetic... perhaps you could wait a while... and then bestow the reward upon Ximen Xianmo. In this way, Your Excellency's reputation will be preserved, and Ximen Xianmo's earnest heart will be appeased. This is my humble opinion, and I humbly request Your Excellency's wise decision."

As Cai Jing listened to Zhai Qian's words, he slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over Lai Bao and Dai An, who were trembling on the ground, their clothes soaked with sweat. His eyes held a hint of worldly wisdom and insightful understanding, yet were also like two insignificant withered leaves swept across the steps by the autumn wind—indifferent and utterly unmoved.

"Not bad." Cai Jing nodded: "The family education and discipline in Ximen Xianmo's residence are...quite strict."

"Hmm..." He finally uttered his signature hoarse, languid voice again, as if annoyed and somewhat helpless. "Well... Zhai Qian's words... make some sense. If I were to refuse Ximen Xianmo's kindness again, it would seem unreasonable of me."

He paused, as if making a reluctant decision, "These things... let's leave them for now."

To Lai Bao and Dai An, that word "Stay" was like heavenly music!

The immense ecstasy was like a flood bursting its banks, instantly destroying the dam of fear that had just been there!
The two were so excited that their blood seemed to boil, and they almost collapsed to the ground. They could only bang their foreheads against the gold bricks with loud thuds, and screams escaping their lips in tearful voices:

"Thank you, Grand Tutor, for your boundless kindness! Thank you, Grand Tutor, for giving me a second chance!"

His gaze finally settled on Lai Bao and Dai An, who were trembling like leaves on the ground. "Tell your master that I have accepted his offer. This prestigious title of 'Scholar of the Xianmo Pavilion' is now bestowed upon you; you must wear it carefully and act with utmost caution. Do not belittle yourself or dishonor the dignity of the court and the face of the literati."

"Oh..." Cai Jing seemed to suddenly remember something trivial, his eyelids still half-closed, only letting out a hum from his nose.
"A few days ago, His Majesty, showing compassion for this old and senile minister, bestowed upon me several blank official appointment certificates. He said that I, this old and senile man, should keep an eye out for any capable individuals for the court, so that I may do my part and share some of the burdens of the country."

His tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather, yet every word he spoke carried the weight of Mount Tai:

"Your master... though he now holds the title of a scholar-official, it is ultimately an empty title, without official rank or seal, a commoner who only becomes a laughing stock. Since... even the emperor thinks... he is useful," a faint, cold smile seemed to curl at the corner of his mouth, "I... will do a favor and add to his glory."

"Empty name, official document, and document!" These six words exploded in Lai Bao and Dai An's hearts like a thunderclap from the heavens! They were so shocked that their souls almost left their bodies!
Though they were lowly servants, they knew the weight of this document—it was an unparalleled privilege bestowed by the Emperor upon a very small number of key officials! The holder of this document could fill in their own name and be appointed to an official post, effectively acting on behalf of Heaven! The Ministry of Personnel's selection process? The Censorate's public opinion? All of these became meaningless before this blank piece of paper!

This is a true example of "benevolence and power originating from one person," and irrefutable proof that Grand Tutor Cai wielded immense power and could overturn the world with a single hand!

Cai Jing spoke slowly, as if rummaging through the dust of memory to find a blurry shadow:

“Hmm… so it’s Ximen Xianmo from Qinghe County… I vaguely remember,” his cloudy eyes shifted slightly, “that the Shandong Provincial Judicial Commission seems to be short of a Deputy Commander of the Judicial Bureau? Hmm… this fifth-rank substantive post has been vacant for a long time, it’s not proper…”

His withered chin lifted almost imperceptibly.

Immediately, several pretty maids dressed in plain brocade vests and with their hair down, like well-trained cats, carried in a delicate sandalwood desk inlaid with mother-of-pearl without touching the ground, and placed it silently five steps in front of Cai Jing's bed.

On the table, the Four Treasures of the Study were already prepared.

The most glaring thing was those blank official documents in embroidered brocade, laid out in a row! In the blank spaces for names and titles, wealth and power awaited to be written.

Cai Jing then slowly extended his withered, tree-like hand. The lead maid, with her hair in double buns, immediately understood, crawled to the bedside, raised both hands above her head, and steadily lifted a silver tray containing a brush dipped in thick, purple ink, her posture as respectful as if she were worshipping a deity.

Cai Jing picked up the brush, but did not write anything. Instead, he casually held the full tip of the brush to the slightly parted cherry lips of the maid kneeling beside the couch.

Without hesitation, the maid obediently tilted her head back, her tongue flicking like a serpent's tongue, and with extreme lightness and speed, she touched the slightly dry ink tip and withdrew! The movement was so practiced, as if she had repeated it a thousand times. Instantly, the ink on the brush tip became full, round and dripping.

Cai Jing then retracted his brush, raised his wrist and suspended his elbow, and his withered hand displayed a strange stability. With a flourish of his brush, steady yet casual, he inscribed on the silk brocade representing imperial authority the iron hooks that would determine Ximen Qing's fate:

Ximen Qing!
Jinwu Weiyi, Left Guard, Deputy Commander of the Thousand Households, and Judicial Commissioner of Shandong and other places, in charge of criminal cases!

Military profession!

Fifth rank!
The ink is dripping, its force penetrating the paper! Each character seems to weigh a ton, radiating a chilling aura of life and death!
Ximen Da Guanren, a wealthy merchant from Qinghe County, transformed himself into a powerful fifth-rank official in charge of criminal investigations and prison administration in Shandong Province, wielding the power of life and death over countless individuals!

Just because he clung to the giant hand that holds power over the world on the sandalwood couch, he was transformed in an instant!
From then on, Ximen Qing was no longer just a wealthy merchant who could only command the winds and rains in the marketplace, but a legitimate official of the imperial court who was in charge of criminal investigations and arrests in Shandong Province, presided over judicial proceedings, and held the power of life and death!
Chains, canes, prisons, and even the guillotine are all within his grasp!
A single, light piece of silk brocade was as heavy as nine tripods!
The name and official title, written in a few strokes of thick ink, exude a menacing aura!

Power can be used to achieve profound truths, transforming private desires into public tools!
They add flowers to brocade, treating national laws and moral principles as mere playthings!
As the saying goes, "A county magistrate can ruin a family, and a prefectural governor can wipe out an entire clan."

Only today did I realize that this immense power, capable of destroying a family and wiping out an entire clan, could be so easily bestowed upon a mere novice by this decrepit, reclusive Grand Tutor, in the warm, fragrant chamber, using only a purple brush dipped in the saliva of a maidservant!
With a flick of his hand, he could create clouds, and all the nobles in the hall would bow their heads in utter disdain!

With a flick of the wrist, rain falls, and all living beings in the region hold their breath!

What about the laws and regulations?
Why ask where the imperial court's majesty lies?
And what are they shouting about—the lives and grievances of the people, and to whom can they entrust them?

This is not due to the power of money, but to the terror of power!
The world has become so dark, people's hearts so treacherous, and power so poisonous!
"Take it." After writing, Cai Jing casually tossed the purple-tipped brush that had determined the fate of countless people back onto the silver plate like a piece of trash, as if he had just signed an insignificant gift list.

"Thank you, Grand Tutor, for your boundless kindness! Thank you, Grand Tutor, for giving me a second chance!" Lai Bao trembled violently as he accepted the still-wet letter of appointment from the maid.

As if holding onto the ladder to heaven that led the Ximen family straight to the clouds, he slammed his forehead hard against the cold gold brick again, tears and snot streaming down his face, his throat so choked that he could only let out hoarse sobs, and all the bones in his body seemed to soften and melt in ecstasy.

It's done! This job is a success! The Ximen family's immense wealth is firmly in their grasp! No, it's imprinted on this scalding hot paper!
Cai Jing lowered his gaze slightly, landing on Lai Bao, who was practically slumped over, and his tone surprisingly showed a touch of "gentleness":
"Your master... is quite thoughtful. In this freezing weather with the roads blocked by heavy snow, it's kind of you two... to go through all this trouble for an old man like me." He asked casually, as if chatting, "And you... who are you in Ximen Qing's household?"

A strong premonition surged through my body like an electric current!
Lai Bao jolted, suppressing his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to explode. He pressed his forehead firmly against the floor tiles, his voice tight with extreme respect: "Reporting to the Grand Tutor's inquiry! I am the foreign affairs steward of the Master's mansion, my humble name is... Lai Bao."

“Oh, steward.” Cai Jing didn’t even lift his eyelids, his tone as flat as if he were talking about the snow falling outside the window. “As the steward of Ximen Xianmo’s mansion, he needs to have a… respectable identity when he comes to social engagements.”

He paused, as if offering a small, insignificant treat, "You must be preoccupied with trivial matters at the Ximen residence, and have no time for proper duties. So... I'll bestow upon you the title of 'Captain of the Prince of Yun's Palace in Shandong,' a seventh-rank official. Just give you a title, and it will save you some trouble when you're working in the government offices and treasuries."

Boom—! Lai Bao felt as if a firework had exploded in his mind!
A pie falling from the sky? No! It's a seventh-rank official position falling from the sky! Although it's an honorary title, this... this is the prestige of the Prince's personal guard!
In an instant, he had already shed his white status, and all the yamen runners, clerks, and even the lowly assistant officials in Qinghe County who used to have to bow and scrape to him were now inferior to him!
Even if the county magistrate were present, he would only have to bow down!
From then on, apart from his own father, Ximen Qing, who else in Qinghe County would dare to ask him to... kneel and speak?!
"Thank you, Grand Tutor! Thank you, Grand Tutor! I could never repay your kindness, even if I were to be shattered to pieces!" Lai Bao's wildly joyful shouts were choked with emotion. His whole body trembled like a candle in the wind. He slammed his head down several more times, and blood was already seeping from his forehead.

Cai Jing's gaze, that murky look that seemed to pierce through people's hearts, finally slowly shifted to the figure lying prone beside him, almost ignored: "And this one? Who is he?"

Lai Bao opened his mouth to answer, "Reporting to the Grand Tutor, this is the master's invitation..."—However, he had not yet uttered the last part, "the humble servant Dai'an"!
Dai An, who was kneeling to the side, straightened his upper body as if he had been whipped hard on the spine by an invisible whip!

He gripped the cold gold brick tightly with both hands, his forehead radiating a resolute fierceness, and slammed it down with a heavy "thud"!
Before Lai Bao could finish speaking, a clear, loud voice, yet tinged with barely perceptible cracking and trembling due to extreme tension, suddenly rang out in the deathly silent warm room, like a desperate gamble:

"Your Excellency, I am the adopted son of Master Ximen! My humble name is Dai'an! On behalf of my adoptive father, I kowtow to thank Your Excellency for your boundless kindness in giving me this new life!"

Boom! The words "adopted son" were like a thunderclap from the heavens exploding above Lai Bao's head!

A bone-chilling cold instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head! Lai Bao felt his blood freeze instantly!

My limbs and bones felt cold and numb! A loud "buzz" went through my head, stars flashed before my eyes, and my vision was instantly swallowed by thick darkness!
Only one thought roared in his mind: It's over! That damned Dai'an! How dare he tell such a colossal lie to the Grand Tutor, a lie that would lead to the extermination of nine generations of his family! Impersonating the adopted son of the family? What an audacious and reckless crime!

He was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body!

The cold sweat on his back instantly soaked through his inner shirt, sticking to his skin with a sticky, icy feel, and his body trembled uncontrollably as if he were having a seizure.

He clenched his teeth so tightly that blood almost seeped from his gums. He used all the strength he had left to barely maintain his kneeling position, his fingernails digging deep into his palms to keep himself from collapsing and fainting on the spot.

At this moment, although Dai'an seized this critical "opportunity", what followed was not ecstasy, but overwhelming fear and pressure!
He understood that this desperate lie might be the only chance in his life for him to clear his name and achieve great success, just like the butler!

It was also a perfect excuse to ask the all-powerful Grand Tutor for more favors and gifts on behalf of his father and the Ximen family!

Why would the Grand Tutor even give a servant a second glance?

But if Ximen Da Guanren's "adopted son" personally offered the gifts, and even the steward received an official position, how could this "adopted son" be short of his share?

This is clearly paving a smoother and more dignified way for the Grand Tutor to bestow favors!

Dai'an pressed his forehead firmly against the cold, icy gold brick, and large beads of sweat uncontrollably seeped from his temples and forehead, like beads from a broken string, rolling down his taut cheeks and splattering onto the gleaming gold brick, leaving behind dark watermarks that quickly spread.

His body was stiff as iron, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, each beat making his eardrums ring, as if it were about to explode at any moment!
He could only desperately hold his breath, waiting for the unknown fate that would determine his life or death.

The hall fell into deathly silence.

The fragrance of ambergris still wafted gently. The charcoal fire in the stove crackled softly.

Only Lai Bao's heavy, suppressed breathing and Dai An's almost suffocating, barely audible gasps, were clear as drumbeats in the suffocating silence, striking the heartstrings one by one.

Cai Jing seemed slightly surprised, his cloudy yet unfathomable eyes lingering for a moment on Dai An's tense back. Zhai Qian, standing to the side, kept his eyes down, his face as cold as frost, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"Adopted son?" Cai Jing repeated softly, his tone as flat as if he were repeating an insignificant word.

His gaze swept over Dai'an, who was drenched in sweat and practically embedded in gold bricks on the ground, and then glanced at Lai Bao, who was breathing erratically and looked like a frightened bird. A barely perceptible, almost playful smile seemed to appear on the corner of his mouth.

I just casually rewarded a steward. If I don't give this self-proclaimed "adopted son" a little something in return, it would seem like I, the Grand Tutor, am being stingy.

“Hmm…” Cai Jing let out a deep, ambiguous murmur, as if casually flipping through the thick “empty official register” in his mind. “Since he is Ximen Xianmo’s adopted son… he should be given a little guidance.” He spoke lightly, as if assigning a sinecure. “How about this, I’ll give you a… ‘Third-Rank Temporary Post’ in the military, the ninth rank.”

This "borrowed post in the Third Rank" was nothing more than a nominal title in the Imperial Guard, wasting the court's salary and having no real power, but it was ultimately a stepping stone to getting rid of one's commoner status!

Upon hearing the words "ninth rank," Dai'an felt a sudden release of tension, a wave of exhaustion washing over him, almost causing him to collapse to the ground. He forced himself to kowtow in gratitude—

Cai Jing, however, seemed to have added on a whim, his tone still as casual as if he were ordering tea to be poured:

"Hmm... Since your godfather is in charge of criminal cases at the Shandong Provincial Judicial Office, he needs a capable assistant by his side. Let me give you the post of 'Inspector of the Shandong Provincial Inspectorate', where you will work under your godfather's jurisdiction. It's good for you to gain experience."

Inspection by the Patrol and Inspection Division!

Although this is a low-ranking military post of the ninth grade, in charge of local security and apprehending thieves, the weight of this assignment is far greater than that of a mere honorary title.

One man, a lone patrolman, apprehending a few petty thieves.

A single team can patrol and maintain order in a region.

If one has a hundred or so fierce archers and soldiers under their command, then they are a powerful figure capable of suppressing bandits! This is no less than military power!
This is nothing short of a blessing from heaven! From a lowly servant at the beck and call of others, he has instantly risen to a powerful official in the imperial court!
Although he was only a ninth-rank official, he had already carved out a place for himself in the public seat!
Dai'an felt a surge of overwhelming joy instantly breach all his defenses! A wave of dizziness washed over him, making his vision blur. Unable to contain himself any longer, he slammed his forehead against the gold brick with a whooshing sound. His voice, distorted and hoarse with extreme excitement, rang out loudly in the hall, tinged with a sob:
"Thank you, Grand Tutor! May your kindness be as boundless as the heavens and as enduring as the heavens! I, Dai'an, am willing to serve you and my adoptive father with utmost loyalty and devotion, even unto death!!"

Boom boom boom!
The dull, rapid kowtows, like a death knell, echoed endlessly in the magnificent palace, so jarring they were chilling.

"Alright," Cai Jing seemed somewhat weary from the noise, his eyelids drooping heavily again, and he casually waved his withered hand as if shooing away flies. "Zhai Qian, give them a cup of hot tea and send them on their way."

His final, clouded gaze seemed to pierce through the palace walls, landing on the unseen Ximen Qing, leaving behind a light yet weighty comment:

"The Ximen family... from top to bottom, are actually quite... sensible."

The phrase "still quite sensible" was the most "decent" reward that Ximen Qing could receive for his extravagant gift, which he had presented with all his wealth and ingenuity.

Zhai Qian bowed deeply, his voice flat and emotionless: "I will obey the Grand Tutor's orders." He then coldly gestured for the two men, who seemed to have been granted a pardon, to kowtow in gratitude and withdraw.

Lai Bao and Dai An kowtowed three times heavily, like pounding garlic, before shakily and scrambling to their feet, practically rolling and crawling out of the suffocating golden cage.

It wasn't until the biting, knife-like wind outside the hall lashed their faces that they felt their clenched hearts begin to beat again. They looked at each other and saw the lingering fear and ecstasy in each other's eyes. The cold sweat on their backs was already icy and sticky against their skin.

Steward Zhai Qian said softly, "Come with me, I have something to tell you to do."

[Dear readers, there will be three extra chapters this month, each a 7000-word long chapter. The same applies next month; a third extra chapter for monthly votes!]

(End of this chapter)