Zhou Qingci stared fixedly at Shen Mingzhu's office, as if waiting for judgment from the person inside!
[Gua Gua, then who exactly is Lord Zhou's biological father?]
[Hehe~ Speaking of which, this Lord Zhou actually has some connection to you, Host!]
Shen Mingzhu was somewhat bewildered.
[Gua Gua, he couldn't be my cheap father's illegitimate child, could he? My parents are super loving! Don't scare me!]
Su Huaiyuan spat out his tea in one go this time!
He hurriedly wiped the dampened documents in a fluster.
Su Huaiyuan: …
What a considerate little cotton-padded jacket Lord Shen has!
I wonder if Lord Shen knows his little cotton jacket thinks of him this way?
[Host, what are you thinking! Lord Shen is quite chaste and self-disciplined!]
[That's good, that's good, don't scare me!]
[Hurry up and say who it is!]
At this moment, the entire Hanlin Academy was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was straining their ears to hear who this man of significant background was.
[This man is the current Prince An, Yan Lingfeng, the Jingyuan Emperor's younger brother from the same mother! Ding ding ding— Surprise, surprise! Unexpected or not?]
[Host, you are the Crown Princess. In the future, when you marry Crown Prince Yan Beichen, Zhou Qingci will be your cousin!]
Clang!
A teacup shattered in the adjacent room!
The entire Hanlin Academy was too frightened to move!
This counts as a royal secret, right?!
Wouldn't those who know about it all be silenced?
But loyalty to the monarch and love for the country are the duties of a subject. Should this matter be reported?
Zhou Qingci: I'm actually a member of the imperial family?
Wuwuwu…
I probably don't have to leave the Hanlin Academy now!
Zhou Qingci felt relieved.
After tidying up his appearance, he went back to burying himself in his work.
Meanwhile, Shen Mingzhu was inside her room, eating snacks and continuing to gossip with the System.
[Gua Gua, do you think if Zhou Qingci found out about his origins, he would go to acknowledge his relatives? After all, that's Prince An we're talking about. The emperor's own brother!]
Right, everyone's gaze immediately turned to Zhou Qingci.
Would he go to acknowledge his relatives?
If he did, he might become a minor prince!
[Host, Prince An has sons and daughters at home, and quite a few wives and concubines too. Who knows if Prince An even remembers this fleeting romance? But Zhou Qingci doesn't know about his origins yet. If he finds out, it will depend on his choice!
The key point is, to acknowledge relatives, there must be some token of proof, right? You can't just rely on empty words?]
The various ministers nodded incessantly.
Those on good terms had already gathered in small groups of three or five, discussing in low voices.
Of course, everyone avoided using sensitive terms.
"Lord Wang, I have a friend who recently found out about his origins. It turns out his biological father is a high-ranking official. Do you think he should return to his ancestral roots or not?"
"Is that so? Does your friend want to return to his ancestral roots?"
…………
Shen Mingzhu had been here for less than a day, and the entire Hanlin Academy had changed!
They say scholars have integrity, but at this moment, they were gathered together gossiping like the matrons in the mansions.
Eating melons turned out to be an extremely delightful thing.
They loved eating melons!
It seemed they should communicate more with Compiler Shen in the future.
They glanced at Compiler Shen's room. Indeed, ginger is spicier when old. Grand Scholar Su must have known about Compiler Shen's special qualities, which is why he arranged Compiler Shen's office right next to his own.
Grand Scholar Su, seizing the initiative— definitely a black sesame filling!
"Bang bang bang!"
Soon, knocking sounds were heard.
"Lord Su?"
"Shen Compiler, this is the work our Hanlin Academy has been busy with recently. Just take a look to familiarize yourself."
Shen Mingzhu nodded,
"Understood, Grand Scholar Su."
Su Huaiyuan set down the documents and left directly.
Shen Mingzhu took out the documents from the desk and saw that the Hanlin Academy was currently compiling "Great Yan Travelogue," a classic work filled with humanistic care and geographical knowledge.
After one glance, Shen Mingzhu immediately lost interest.
[Gua Gua, when can we get off work?]
[Host, soon, soon. Just bear with it a little longer.]
Everyone: …
Soon the day's work ended. Shen Mingzhu swiftly left the Hanlin Academy and jumped into her family's carriage.
"Shaoyao, home!"
"Yes, Miss."
Su Huaiyuan only saw a figure flash by "whoosh," and then Shen Mingzhu was gone from the Hanlin Academy.
She gave no one any chance to speak.
If you're not enthusiastic about leaving work, there's something wrong with your mindset!
The moment she arrived home, she was informed that Grand Eunuch Wang Defu had arrived!
It turned out that because Shen Mingzhu had contributed by presenting the sweet potato today, he came to deliver rewards!
Wang Defu was the chief eunuch serving beside the Jingyuan Emperor. Having attended to the emperor since childhood, his status was extremely high—even the imperial consorts and princes had to show him some respect.
When Wang Defu saw Shen Mingzhu, his eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled.
"Official Shen, how was your first day at the Hanlin Academy? Are you adjusting well?"
Shen Mingzhu revealed a gentle smile,
"Thank you for His Majesty's concern, and thank you for your concern, Chief Eunuch Wang. Everything is fine, I'm adjusting perfectly."
Wang Defu, "That's good, that's good!"
Shen Mingzhu: Didn't do anything—took a nap, went shopping, had a meal, slept for beauty, caught up on gossip, then got off work and went home.
If every day were like this, Shen Mingzhu thought it would be quite nice. She could accept this job.
"Official Shen, these are the guards His Majesty has sent for your protection. From now on, they will keep you safe, so you can rest assured!"
[Host, this is Long Er, deputy commander of the Jingyuan Emperor's Dragon Shadow Guards.]
[Ah, Gua Gua, do you think the emperor sent him to protect me or to monitor me?]
Wang Defu gave an awkward smile, wiping nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
Suddenly struck by inspiration, he immediately called out,
"Official Shen, the Imperial Decree has arrived!"
Then everyone knelt to receive the decree.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, Carrying the Emperor's Will, the Decree Declares: Hanlin Academy Compiler Shen Mingzhu has rendered merit by presenting the sweet potato. Specially bestowed: one hundred taels of gold, one set of gilt filigree and kingfisher feather head ornaments, one pair of gold bracelets, one double-sided jade screen, one fire fox cloak, two bolts of iridescent brocade, and ten bolts of Suzhou brocade."
Hearing the string of rewards, Shen Mingzhu's eyes widened.
[Gua Gua, I've hit the jackpot! Jackpot!]
Listening to Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts, Wang Defu secretly rejoiced.
It's good that she likes them.
"Your subject receives the decree."
Holding the Imperial Decree and looking at the rewards in the hands of the young eunuchs behind, Shen Mingzhu broke into a radiant smile.
Ending this wonderful day with receiving rewards!
Not bad.
Looking at that fiery red fox cloak, vibrant as flames—it was said to be impervious to water and fire, extremely precious. Wearing it would surely make her the most distinguished noble lady in all of Shengjing.
And that iridescent brocade—it was said only five bolts had been tributed this year. Li Consort had wheedled and coaxed by every means possible before the Jingyuan Emperor granted her one bolt. Yet now, Shen Mingzhu had been given two.
Seeing so many treasures, Shen Jiaojiao was green with envy!
After the decree was proclaimed, Shen Mu immediately stepped forward and presented Chief Eunuch Wang with several silver notes, which Wang Defu accepted with a smile.
"Why is this Eunuch Wang still here? I want to go back and lie down to count my money! So tactless!"
Wang Defu: …