I meet all the requirements for becoming a god in this world!

Chapter 250 You still want to marry your master? ? ?

"I trust you to speak!" Tang Lu laughed and patted Cheng Laiyun on the shoulder.

Cheng Laiyun smiled and nodded, then his gaze passed over Tang Lu and looked at Liu Yundu.

Liu Yundu remained leaning against the stone pillar, his gaze calm.

He barely spoke a word throughout the night, but Cheng Laiyun knew that when Geng Yan and Xun Meng were being sarcastic, it was Liu Yundu who was the first to stand up for him.

Liu Yundu also looked at him, his gaze still as indifferent as ever. Then he placed the teacup on the stone pillar, straightened up, nodded slightly to Cheng Laiyun, and said two words.

"Approved."

Looking at his perpetually expressionless face, Cheng Laiyun suddenly felt that those two words carried more weight than Tang Lu's relentless beating.

He grinned and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you, Inspector Liu."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at Geng Yan and Xun Meng.

Geng Yan had already stood up from the ground and was wiping the frost-covered rapier with a handkerchief, his movements as composed as ever.

But Cheng Laiyun noticed that his fingers, which were wiping the sword, were still trembling slightly. It wasn't fear; it was the shock from the force he had just experienced.

Xun Meng pulled the heavy sword out of the crack in the blue bricks and sheathed it back on his back. A faint trace of shame appeared on his usually stern face, a look that only those who had worked with him for many years could see.

Cheng Laiyun walked up to them and stopped.

He didn't say "thank you" or "please guide me in the future," but simply spoke in a very calm tone.

"Inspector Geng, Inspector Xun, what you two said in the duty room just now was not entirely wrong."

"Cheng has been in the State Administration Commission for less than a year, so his qualifications are indeed shallow and his foundation is indeed weak."

"But I have something to say. I want to take the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Regent's Office. But I don't want to sit there and enjoy the benefits."

"Cheng has access to new policies—the land tax reform and the grace decree—these two things are more important than Cheng's life."

"Zhang Xiang was willing to trust Cheng because he believed I could implement the new policy."

"If you two don't believe that I, Cheng, have this ability—I'm ready to oblige at any time."

"But after today's meeting, if you two feel that I, Cheng, am qualified, then I would like to ask you two for a favor: the implementation of the new policy still requires your concerted efforts."

"I don't want to walk this path of 'integrating land tax into poll tax' alone." He bowed to Geng Yan and Xun Meng, then straightened up and took a step back.

Geng Yan tucked the handkerchief into his pocket, unfolded his folding fan and waved it twice. His face once again wore that cynical smile, but the previous sarcastic tone was gone.

He looked intently at Cheng Laiyun.

He then closed his folding fan, bowed to Cheng Laiyun with his hands clasped, his movements as composed as ever, but his words were more earnest than ever:

"Inspector Cheng, I, Geng, am completely convinced of my defeat today."

"From now on, I will listen to you regarding matters concerning the Regent's Office. I will also listen to you regarding the new policies."

Xun Meng wasn't as eloquent as Geng Yan; he simply walked up to Cheng Laiyun.

He slammed his heavy sword on the ground and gave Cheng Lai a standard military salute, his movements crisp and clean, without the slightest hesitation.

"Inspector Cheng, I apologize. From now on, if you need me to do anything, Xun Meng will not hesitate."

I can stand here.

Who's the fool?

Cheng Laiyun is so young, yet he has already broken through to the fourth rank of cultivation. How dazzling will his achievements be in the future?

Absolutely unprecedented!

Could you really tolerate being taken advantage of working for someone like that?

Perhaps they can even leave a significant mark on history alongside Cheng Laiyun!

This debt... doesn't need to be settled, right?

Cheng Laiyun helped them both up one by one, then stepped back, straightened his clothes, and bowed to each of the four inspectors present.

His voice wasn't loud when he spoke, but every word rang clearly and distinctly in the ears of everyone in the training ground.

"Thank you all. I'll say it again—the Regent's Office is a place where might makes right, but the fist is thrown to protect those behind you."

"The new policy path is not easy, but with the four of you here, Laiyun feels confident."

…………

The Golden Palace.

Cheng Laiyun stood before the officials and reported to Emperor Jianye on the recent progress in promoting the new policies. Everyone listened attentively.

At this moment, Cheng Laiyun was already showing signs of becoming the head of all officials!

Emperor Jianye always wore a smile on his face.

It was a satisfied smile.

After Cheng Laiyun finished his report, Emperor Jianye spoke with satisfaction:

"I trust Minister Cheng to handle things."

At this point, he changed his tone, his expression turning sarcastic, and asked with a smile:

"The matter of the Prince of Zhenbei's dowry being brought to the capital has already caused quite a stir throughout the city."

"As an aside, when do you plan to get married?"

These words were spoken.

All the officials pricked up their ears and looked at Cheng Laiyun.

The Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion. In the entire Great Yuan Dynasty, its influence is comparable to, if not greater than, that of the imperial family!

Their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy, but also admiration.

Hearing Emperor Jianye's gossipy tone...

Cheng Laiyun's lips twitched slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He bowed and said:

"My marriage to Gao Heyun is scheduled for the eighth day of next month."

Emperor Jianye leaned back on his dragon throne, smiled, and nodded.

"The eighth day of next month is an auspicious day. Gao is the granddaughter of the Prince of Zhenbei, and I have practically watched her grow up."

"It's her good fortune that you managed to marry her, and it's also your good fortune."

"Since we've come to the topic of marriage today—is there anything else you need me to do for you? Tell me all at once."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Cheng Laiyun straightened up, meeting the Emperor Jianye's gaze. His face remained respectful, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have one more thing I would like to ask for your permission," Emperor Jianye said, raising an eyebrow and deepening his smile.

He's become somewhat addicted to Cheng Laiyun's "there's one more thing"—every time the kid says those words, the hall erupts in chaos.

He leaned back on the dragon throne and raised his hand: "Speak."

"Although my marriage to Gao Heyun is arranged, there are two other people in my household who have known me since I was a nobody, and have accompanied me all the way, through life and death, never leaving my side."

"I cannot fail them. Today I dare to request Your Majesty to grant them both marriages."

Cheng Laiyun's voice wasn't loud, but every word landed clearly and distinctly in the ears of everyone in the hall.

???

What does that mean?

Not only Emperor Jianye, but all the officials were stunned.

Marrying the eldest granddaughter of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion... and bringing other people along too??

Everyone stared blankly at Cheng Laiyun.

Cheng Laiyun ignored them, his gaze calm and his voice steady: "First, Xu Jiayin. A direct disciple of the Mo Sect, and a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Works."

"Back in Yong'an County, it was Senior Sister Xu who rescued me from prison and led me into the Mo Sect for cultivation."

"Without Senior Sister Xu, Cheng Laiyun would not be where he is today. I will never forget this kindness and affection."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked dazed.

Then I couldn't help but admire Cheng Laiyun's courage and sense of responsibility.

Even after achieving success, we should not forget those who were humble.

Especially Xie Yuheng.

He himself admired Cheng Laiyun's integrity.

Hearing these words in the main hall today brought him great pleasure.

My judgment was indeed correct.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianye leaned back on his dragon throne and nodded, his smile remaining gentle.

He knew about the relationship between Xu Jiayin and Cheng Laiyun. Since he valued Cheng Laiyun, he naturally knew all about Cheng Laiyun's deeds.

From Yong'an County to Qingzhou, and from Qingzhou to the capital, this pair of senior and junior disciples have walked side by side to this day, a fact that is well known to everyone in the Regent's Office.

"Approved." Emperor Jianye waved his hand, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing. "Xu Jiayin is your senior sister, and also a meritorious contributor to the new policies."

"I approve of this marriage. And the second one? Which family's daughter is she?"

The eyes of all the officials in the hall once again focused on Cheng Laiyun, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Xu Jiayin is a direct disciple of the Mo Sect, which is already considered a pretty good lineage.

"Gao Heyun is the granddaughter of the Prince of Zhenbei, who is a top-tier noble."

These two are already quite prominent, so this second one can't possibly be higher than the granddaughter of the Prince of Zhenbei, can he?

Meeting the curious gazes of the entire hall, Cheng Laiyun bowed respectfully, his voice even more respectful than before:

"The second one is Xu Miaozhen. My master is the fourth elder of the Mo Sect."

……

…………

The Imperial Study remained quiet for a full five breaths.

It wasn't the kind of silence where someone was preparing a rebuttal; it was as if everyone's brain had been hit hard by something at the same moment, temporarily losing the ability to organize their thoughts.

Emperor Jianye's teacup hovered in mid-air, his lips slightly parted, as if he had been frozen in place.

He has seen countless grand occasions.

But never before had he felt as if he had misheard as he did now.

He looked at Cheng Laiyun's respectful and composed face and confirmed that the kid wasn't joking.

Zhang Linzheng was also stunned.

He stared blankly at Cheng Laiyun.

Is this kid... really that explosive?

And in this way—asking His Majesty to grant him a marriage, to marry his own master??

Yu Qingzheng was standing in the ranks of civil officials when his hand, which was stroking his beard, suddenly tightened, pulling out a few more gray hairs. He gasped in pain, but he didn't bother to rub his chin. He just looked at Cheng Laiyun with an expression that was hard to describe as either shocked or amused.

This was the first time he had heard this news.

The kid had told him, "My master has been incredibly kind to me."

So this is what respecting teachers and elders is all about?

Junior Sister Xu, when you took on such a disciple, did you ever imagine that things would turn out this way?

Xie Yuheng sat in the chair to the right of the imperial desk, his teacup resting on his lap, his face blank, a face that had seen through seventy years of human life.

He's lived for over seventy years, what hasn't he seen?

Don't say it.

I've never seen anything like this before!

A court official petitioned the emperor to marry his own master?!

Looking at Cheng Laiyun's composed face, he had only one thought in his mind: This kid—he's really daring.

In this world, spiritual practice is the primary focus. It's not that no one has ever married their master.

Even the Confucian sage did something similar.

No one seemed to discriminate against this kind of thing.

But... after all, these kinds of things are still relatively rare...

Emperor Jianye was the first to recover from his shock.

He placed the unfinished cup of tea on the imperial table, leaned back in his dragon throne, looked at Cheng Laiyun, and remained silent for a long while.

Looking at Cheng Laiyun's respectful and composed face, and recalling Xu Miaozhen's beautiful yet dignified and peaceful face, he suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter.

Laughter echoed in the imperial study, making the candlelight flicker several times.

"Cheng Qing, I know you're a bold young man."

After Emperor Jianye had finished laughing, he leaned back on his dragon throne and said in a tone that was hard to decipher—it was neither a laugh nor a sigh:

"I just didn't expect you to be even bolder than I thought. Xu Jiayin is your senior sister, so I won't mention her."

"But Elder Xu of the Mo Sect is your master!" "I was just thinking about who you're going to marry this time—I wouldn't be surprised if you blew up my imperial study, but I really didn't expect you to marry your own master."

He waved his hand dramatically, raising his voice several decibels:

"Granted!! A marriage will be granted simultaneously! All formalities and rites will be observed, a proper marriage without distinction between嫡 (legitimate) and 庶 (illegitimate) children!"

"I'd like to see just how big your Cheng residence is, to hold all three of my imperial decrees of marriage!"

Emperor Jianye chuckled a few more times, leaned back on his dragon throne, and glanced at the ministers below, whose expressions varied. He then added a sentence, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery:

"My lords need not be envious. If you can also implement the new policies and suppress the rebellions of the vassal kings like Cheng Laiyun, I will also grant you marriages."

"Now—let's get the land tax reform settled for me first, then we can talk about other things."

He hadn't even considered whether bestowing this marriage would make the Prince of Zhenbei uncomfortable.

It doesn't matter.

As long as Cheng Qing is happy!

The expressions of the civil and military officials in the hall were no longer just shock, but a mixture of emotions.

Some were envious, some were jealous, and some were still reeling from the shock. But no one dared to stand up and object.

Emperor Jianye's statement, "I will bestow marriage upon him as well," had already sealed the door—this was the emperor's will, and the emperor's will could not be disobeyed.

Moreover, Cheng Laiyun risked his life to save the emperor.

At this point, who would dare to stand up and provoke him?

Cheng Laiyun performed a grand ceremony:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

…………

The messenger departed from the capital without a sound.

They sped southwest along the official road.

The outline of Qingzhou City became clearer and clearer in the morning light. As soon as the city gates opened, peddlers carrying loads, women heading to the early market, and merchants leading horses began to line up in long queues at the city gates.

At the entrance of that two-courtyard house in the east of the city, most of the leaves of the old locust tree had fallen, but the courtyard was still kept clean and tidy.

This courtyard was so much better than the two mud-brick houses they used to live in in Dahuaishu Village. The gate was newly painted, the windows were newly replaced, and there was a brood of hens in the yard, clucking and scratching for food in the corner. Cheng Lingqiao sat in the courtyard, holding a letter sent from the capital by Cheng Laiyun.

Zhao Huaili stood behind her, his rough hands resting on his wife's shoulders, craning his neck to look at the letter, muttering to himself:

"What did Lai Yun write in his letter? Did he get promoted again?"

"In his last letter, he mentioned being promoted to Provincial Surveillance Commissioner. What kind of official is that?"

"Wait, I haven't finished reading it yet."

Cheng Ling chuckled, flattened the letter, and began to read.

Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone inside and outside the courtyard could hear it clearly.

Xiao Hu moved a small stool and sat in front of her, looking up at the letter in his mother's hand with anticipation.

Grandma Zhao poked her head out of the kitchen, still holding a handful of unfinished chives in her hand, and listened intently.