Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

Chapter 238: Hello, Honorable Europa Physician, Could You Treat Our Crown Prince? (1 / 2)

“Isn’t it just about adding more money?”

“Add it!”

The Minister of War confidently slammed ten fist-sized silver ingots onto the table.

Behind him came Xu Yanmiao’s sarcastic voice: [It’s public funds anyway.]

I heard nothing.

The Minister of War smiled calmly and asked Gao He, “Will this be enough? If not…”

[When it comes to saving face, the old emperor is truly generous.]

The Minister of War maintained his composed smile, unmoved by the situation.

—Stay calm. A small voice in my head won’t disrupt my path!

Seeing that he’d made his point, Gao He greedily scooped up the silver ingots into his arms and enthusiastically responded, “More than enough! From now on, you’re not just a friend, you’re an ancestor! My word is my bond!”

Then, he noticed the handsome young man across from him giving him a deep, lingering look.

His heart skipped a beat. Bit by bit, he lowered his gaze, his eyes landing on the man’s long, slender fingers resting casually on the edge of the desk. His thoughts grew chaotic: What’s wrong? Did I not sound sincere enough? Is he still worried? Is he planning to eliminate me?

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao…

[Damn it. So envious. This must be what they call the blessings of one’s ancestors!]

The Minister of War staggered, quickly bracing himself against the table to avoid making a fool of himself in public.

[Why don’t I have ancestors like that? First, they made up a great lineage for their descendants. When that fake lineage couldn’t bring blessings anymore, they traded it for silver!]

Xu Yanmiao continued to mutter.

The Minister of War, hearing this, couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of envy toward Gao He.

This really was ancestral favor.

Gao He, on the other hand, grew even more uneasy.

Why was the other one also giving him such a deep look? Were they planning to kill him to silence him?

In a panic, he plastered on an air of smug satisfaction and shallow delight. “The tea is getting cold. Won’t you both have some?”

“No need. We have other matters to attend to.”

The Minister of War stood, and Xu Yanmiao followed suit. Gao He breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly stood as well. “Let me see you off.”

Naturally, the Minister of War refused.

After that, the two returned to their carriage. They exchanged a glance, both already troubled by the upcoming task, and began discussing the questions for the examination.

The questions couldn’t be too easy, nor too difficult. They had to avoid being obscure while also ensuring they weren’t overly familiar to the candidates.

The books in the Minister of War’s carriage were flipped through rapidly by the two, the sound of pages turning urgently echoing like rustling through grass in search of a lost item.

As they were searching, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt. Xu Yanmiao lifted the curtain and demanded, “What happened?”

The driver was about to reply when the crackling of firecrackers drowned out his voice. Only after a while, when the firecrackers stopped, could the driver explain, “A few children were setting off firecrackers in front of the carriage, startling the horses!”

The Minister of War’s face darkened. “Where is the City Patrol Magistrate?”

The driver, of course, didn’t know why the usually diligent City Patrol Magistrate was absent this time.

Xu Yanmiao glanced outside.

[It’s those troublemaking kids again?]

[Last time, I thought the City Patrol Magistrate would deal with it soon, so I didn’t intervene. How is it that I’ve finished my tasks and returned, and they still haven’t been called to account?]

[Could it be because one of the kids is the grandson of the Minister of Rites?]

The Minister of War frowned and immediately stormed out to scold them. “You little brats, get over here!”

With a loud whoosh, the other children scattered. Only the Minister of Rites’ grandson shuffled over reluctantly, muttering in a small voice, “Grandpa Li…”

The children of government officials were already well-acquainted with one another.

The Minister of War demanded, “What were you doing just now? Playing in the middle of the road? What if you caused someone to overturn their carriage? Such reckless behavior! Come! You’re coming with me to see your grandfather!”

The grandson hung his head, saying nothing.

Xu Yanmiao whispered, “Do you think the Minister of Rites will actually discipline him?”

The Minister of War, suppressing his voice, confidently replied, “Of course! Brother Shusun hates when his family abuses their power. He never spoils the children.”

Xu Yanmiao nodded, seeming convinced.

Then the Minister of War overheard him muttering in his mind: [Really? Are you sure?]

[But wasn’t he the one who told his grandson to keep the Europa kids entertained and do whatever it took to make them happy?]

The Minister of War: “???”

Brother Shusun, what’s going on with you? You didn’t use to be like this! Aren’t you making me look bad?

Besides, a bunch of Europeans—why such special treatment, even if they are foreign envoys?!

Meanwhile, the grandson seemed to have made up his mind. He walked over furtively and whispered, “Grandpa Li, my grandpa told me to do this…”

[This is utter nonsense.]

The child maintained a polite, well-mannered demeanor, exuding loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness—completely unaware that someone had already exposed all his secrets.

[Your grandfather only told you to play with those Europa kids and accommodate their needs as much as possible. But you went ahead and took them out on the streets to do the things you always wanted to do. Well, well, such tactics of deceiving both above and below—truly a skill honed in an official’s household! You’re using it like a pro.]

The Minister of War also stared at the child in shock.

—Only seven years old! And already lying without even blushing!

This definitely required stricter discipline.

The Minister of War grabbed the child by the collar and turned to Xu Yanmiao. “Xu Lang, excuse me. I’ll take him to Brother Shusun’s house first.”

That afternoon, it was said that the Minister of Rites, after finishing his departmental work, stormed into his family’s back courtyard in a rage. Soon after, the air was filled with the aroma of stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork, accompanied by the child’s earth-shattering cries.

Xu Yanmiao, looking at the system’s notification about the stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork, ended up devouring two full bowls of lamb noodle soup.

[But this is strange. Why has the Minister of Rites suddenly become so accommodating to the Europa people?]

[It’s not like this is the first time foreign visitors have come. Judging by this situation, could it be an order from the old emperor?]