The Ming Dynasty's henchmen, working from nine to five

Chapter 95 The Entrance Ceremony

"Your Excellency, please wait! I shall take my leave now and visit you at your residence another day!"

Shen Lang stopped Zhang Zuo from getting up to see him off, exchanged a few polite words, and then stepped down from the carriage himself.

"Lord Shen has returned!"

"Everyone get ready, I'll count to three and then we'll begin!"

"One, two, three... Ignition!"

Amidst a cacophony of shouts, the firecrackers placed on both sides of the Prince's Mansion were set ablaze, emitting a series of crackling sounds!

"Big Tiger, what are you doing?" Shen Lang asked in astonishment.

Da Hu, accompanied by two guards, greeted Shen Lang with a broad smile and swiftly draped a bright red robe over his shoulders: "The Princess said that she was terrified in prison and needed to get rid of the bad luck after her release. According to custom, women should not get close, so she specially ordered me to preside over the ceremony here."

Shen Lang asked, "Does the Princess know I'm alright?"

Da Hu said, "The Garrison Commander specifically sent someone to inform you that you will be back soon."

Shen Lang couldn't help but smile. The garrison commander must have thought the same thing as him, fearing that the princess would cause trouble in the palace again after she found out he had gone to the Imperial Observatory.

After this incident, Princess Jing'an's fierce reputation spread far and wide.

Da Hu pulled Shen Lang to the doorway and pointed to the copper basin filled with charcoal placed in the center of the front hall, saying, "Sir, please step over the fire basin!"

Worried that Shen Lang might not understand the procedure, he added, "You must leap over the flames, taking three slow steps."

Shen Lang smiled and agreed, and followed his instructions to step over the brazier.

The moment he took his final step, the guards shouted in unison, "May the smoke from the pine and cypress trees swirl around you, cleansing away impurities, bringing good fortune, and protecting you from all evil!"

Big Tiger pointed to the tiles next to the brazier and reminded him, "Sir, there are still tiles!"

Shen Lang asked with a smile, "Is there any particular reason for this?"

Big Tiger said, "Just crush it with one foot."

Click!

Shen Lang readily agreed, channeled his true energy, and stepped on the tile, crushing it into dust.

"May misfortune be banished year after year, and may darkness be broken and new life welcomed!" the guards shouted again.

As soon as they finished speaking, a group of people carrying red silk cloth came out from the front hall.

The paving started from Shen Lang's feet and continued inwards.

Seeing that they had walked quite a distance but were still continuing, Shen Lang asked curiously, "What's the significance of this?"

Big Tiger said, "Step on the red carpet as you enter, so you won't be tainted by any foul air!"

"The princess said that the finest red silk should be used, laid out from the entrance all the way to the inner courtyard!"

'

..." Shen Lang was already somewhat speechless with surprise.

With such behavior, what else can he say? As long as the princess has money, that's all that matters.

After that, he underwent a series of procedures, including fumigation with Atractylodes macrocephala and Artemisia argyi, cleaning with peach branches, rinsing with water to dispel negative energy, wearing a five-colored silk thread talisman to ward off bad luck, and eating rice from a hundred different families.

He was only welcomed into the palace when he was almost fainting.

It's clear that the princess is truly determined to get rid of all his bad luck this time.

He naturally appreciated the obvious sentiment, but he was skeptical about the whole process.

The princess probably tried every method she had heard about.

This made him somewhat worried.

Is it really okay to invite all sorts of deities—Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, etc.—together?

However, he didn't ask any further questions.

As long as the princess is happy.

Just as Shen Lang was being baptized.

Princess Jing'an, accompanied by a group of maids, was anxiously awaiting news in the Lotus Garden.

"It's been almost an hour, why hasn't Shen Lang returned yet?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards aren't trying to deceive me, are they?"

He Xiang comforted her, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Since the lord said that Lord Shen's matter has been settled, then there will be no further trouble."

"Besides, hasn't His Majesty already agreed to your request?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Jing'an felt somewhat relieved.

She reached out and scratched the head of the chubby orange cat, who was fast asleep in her arms. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she sighed, "Alas, the person is safe, but I'm afraid he won't be able to keep his official position."

"Shen Lang is proud and ambitious, and he is at the age of striving for progress. I am worried that he will become depressed after this setback."

Upon hearing this, He Xiang fell silent.

After two days of fermentation, the news of Shen Lang's sword slaying of the Duke of Zhenguo's son has spread throughout Yujing City, known to everyone.

The people both admired and regretted his passing.

What is admirable is that Shen Lang upheld justice, dared to stand up for the people, and angrily beheaded a powerful figure in the street.

Nowadays, everyone gives him a thumbs up when his name is mentioned.

Unfortunately, everyone agreed that after such an incident, Lord Shen's life was probably in danger.

After all, there have been other unconventional officials before, but in the end, they either chose to collude with others or were demoted or killed.

This Lord Shen has caused such a commotion; he's unlikely to have a good ending.

Everyone in the Jing'an Prince's Mansion thought so too. Even if they could save their lives, their future would be ruined. No one could accept such a blow.

The princess sighed and said, "Once this storm passes, I'll help him smooth things over and see if I can buy him an official position, Dangdang."

He Xiang said, "Only Lord Yan's faction is selling the official position. They all hate Lord Shen to death, so why would they agree?"

Princess Jing'an raised her snow-white chin and said coldly, "I will offer a price they cannot refuse!"

However, after saying that, she suddenly felt deflated: "It's a pity that officials in the capital can't be bought. Even if this matter can be accomplished, Shen Lang will have to be transferred to another place."

"He's gone, what will become of Changning...?"

"9

Upon hearing this, He Xiang also began to sigh with worry.

Ever since returning from the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters that day, Princess Changning has locked herself in her boudoir.

He lost his appetite all day and would spend the entire day lost in thought.

Princess Jing'an repeatedly asked questions before she finally learned what had happened.

It turns out that after returning from the palace, this little good-for-nothing impulsively went to the imperial prison to find Shen Lang!

This made her feel both angry and worried.

She had noticed some signs earlier, but she was still able to control herself then. But now that this has suddenly happened, Changning has lost her composure and is in complete disarray.

Princess Jing'an didn't have any issues with Shen Lang; on the contrary, in her opinion, Shen Lang was the best son-in-law. All the纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) in Yujing combined couldn't compare to him.

She was angry at Princess Changning's attitude.

What girl would be so proactive? She's not reserved at all!

The last time I was treating my injuries was an emergency, so I let it go, but now it's happening again!

Shen Lang hasn't even made a move yet, and she's already throwing herself at him. Doesn't she care about being laughed at if word gets out?

He Xiang comforted her, "The princess is at the age when she is just beginning to experience love, and she was rescued by Lord Shen at her most desperate moment."

"It's only natural that the heart has something on its mind and the spirit is drawn to it."

"Besides, Lord Shen is outstanding in appearance, upright in character, and so capable. There are quite a few noble ladies in the capital who have designs on him!"

"It's better for the princess to take the initiative, lest Lord Shen be deceived by those wicked women!"

The maid Chun Tao chimed in, "Yes, yes, Your Highness, several noble ladies sent people to the palace yesterday to inquire about Lord Shen's situation!"

"They must have learned that Lord Shen is unharmed, which is why they started plotting against him!"

Princess Jing'an asked repeatedly, "Is this really true?"

Chun Tao said, "It's true, Manager Li wrote down the whole list."

He Xiang said, "The most urgent thing is to think of a way to keep Lord Shen in Yujing."

"If Lord Shen leaves, I'm afraid the princess won't be able to bear it..."

'

Princess Jing'an frowned and pondered for a while, then said helplessly, "Being an official in the capital isn't so easy. If I had that ability, would I still be worrying about it?"

He Xiang blinked, then suddenly said, "This servant has an idea!"

"How about we ask Lord Shen to stay at the Prince's residence as a retainer?"

"Let's say we'll let him stay in Yujing for now and wait for the right opportunity, then discuss it further later!"