When Yin Qiubai caught up with Mu Qingbai again, she saw him standing beside the carriage, lost in thought.
Mu Qingbai suddenly asked, “When is the next morning court session?”
Old Huang rolled his eyes. Who was the actual court official here?
Mu Qingbai hadn’t thought too much. He had thought he was doomed this time, but no one in the capital dared to make a move against him.
Yin Qiubai replied, “In a few days. The Great Yin Empire is newly established. Although everything is still recovering, the administration is stable and the empire is peaceful. There’s no need to rush.”
Mu Qingbai frowned, “Pretty words mean nothing. The disaster relief plan hasn’t even been finalized yet. How can the empire be at peace?”
Yin Qiubai couldn’t bear to see him worried. She softly said, “Young Master Mu, the days ahead are long. There’s no need to worry about this moment.”
Mu Qingbai asked, “You said the female emperor will definitely not accept my proposal?”
Yin Qiubai nodded lightly.
Mu Qingbai shook his head in disappointment. “Does her majesty lack virtue and decisiveness? Or is she still clinging to the court’s reputation, disregarding the lives of the people?”
Old Huang trembled all over and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Young Master Mu, please be careful with your words!”
“Is there truly no other way?”
After a brief silence, Mu Qingbai’s eyes turned sharp. “There is.”
Yin Qiubai’s eyes brightened. “What is it?”
Mu Qingbai smiled faintly without answering.
Yin Qiubai didn’t press him further. She knew this was not the time to ask and quietly held back her curiosity.
“Young Master Mu, although the officials won’t dare to assassinate you, there will surely be many schemes ahead. Please be cautious.”
Mu Qingbai chuckled, “No need to worry. I already have a countermeasure.”
Instead of relief, Yin Qiubai felt a faint uneasiness. “What countermeasure?”
Mu Qingbai gritted his teeth. “That Foolish Emperor… I’ve already chewed the disaster relief plan for her and fed it into her mouth, yet she still doesn’t dare to swallow it?”
Yin Qiubai quickly reminded him, “Young Master Mu, mind your words!”
Mu Qingbai sighed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be saying this. If someone overheard, it might bring you trouble.”
The two said nothing more and boarded the carriage.
The carriage soon returned to the Bai Residence.
This time, Mu Qingbai accepted Yin Qiubai’s kindness without her needing to persuade him. After she instructed the servants to escort him inside, Old Huang sighed and said, “Miss, even after you saved him, he still impeached you. What an ungrateful… person!”
Old Huang swallowed the word ‘beast’ and reluctantly replaced it with ‘person.’
Old Huang frowned. “If anyone else impeached you, I could understand—they might act out of jealousy or spite. But this man… he knows you saved him from the Death Cell, yet he turned around and bit back. He’s like a snake—cold and heartless!”
Yin Qiubai waved her hand impatiently. “Doesn’t this just prove he’s selfless? The nation needs men like that. My personal honor or disgrace doesn’t matter.”
Old Huang sighed helplessly. “Miss, why must it be him?”
Yin Qiubai didn’t notice the hidden meaning in his words. “You don’t understand. It has to be him!”
If she had known that Old Huang was thinking about her future marriage, she might not have spoken so firmly.
…
The next day, Mu Qingbai went out as if nothing had happened. This time, a young servant followed him.
He went to Shen Nuanyu’s academy to collect his clothes and happened to find her teaching.
Mu Qingbai didn’t interrupt. He stood quietly outside the low wall, listening.
Shen Nuanyu was fully focused on her lecture. When she noticed him, she quickly set down her book and opened the door for him.
Since Mu Qingbai wasn’t wearing his official robes this time, the girls inside were bolder. Though still a little shy, they dared to peek at him through the windows.
As he was an important client, Shen Nuanyu offered to pour him tea.
Mu Qingbai raised his hand. “I only came to collect my clothes. I’ll be leaving right after.”
“Please wait a moment, Lord Mu.” Shen Nuanyu fetched the clothes and handed them to him.
“Did Lord Mu go up the High Pavilion last night?” she asked curiously.
She had long admired the top floor of Ling Fengming Tower, where only the most talented scholars and graceful beauties were allowed to ascend and look down at the view below.
Mu Qingbai said casually, “I went. It was boring, so I didn’t go all the way up.”
Shen Nuanyu frowned slightly. “Boring?”
“Yes. Boring.”
He couldn’t exactly say it was because he didn’t have money, but in truth, the boating and music last night really were dull.
Shen Nuanyu searched his face for a hint of humor, but found none. His expression carried only disappointment, like someone expecting fine wine only to receive plain water.
Her face darkened. That tower was the pinnacle of the literary world—only the most elegant scholars and charming beauties were qualified to ascend.
And yet, this 8th-rank Censor dared to call it boring?
Her lips parted to mock him, but Mu Qingbai had already stepped out the door.
Shen Nuanyu stood in place for a long time before huffing coldly, “Arrogant fool. Utterly clueless!”
…
Soon, it was time for court again. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
That morning, Mu Qingbai rose early.
Old Huang and the others were shocked. This was far too strange. When something this abnormal happens, it can only mean trouble!
Mu Qingbai even dressed himself properly in official robes and placed his Xiezhi cap straight.
Yin Qiubai came to see him off personally.
As Mu Qingbai boarded the carriage, he said, “Miss Bai, a few days ago you asked if I had another method for the disaster relief. I said yes. Do you remember?”
Yin Qiubai nodded.
Mu Qingbai smiled faintly. “You were curious, yet you didn’t ask why.”
Yin Qiubai smiled softly. “I thought you didn’t want to say it, so I didn’t ask.”
Mu Qingbai’s smile deepened. “You’ll know soon enough.”
Old Huang opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but in the end said nothing.
Last time he tried to advise Mu Qingbai, the man ended up scolding the female emperor and the entire court.
Mu Qingbai seemed cheerful. He waved his tablet at them as the carriage set off.
When they arrived at the imperial city, the other officials instinctively kept their distance from him.
Mu Qingbai didn’t care. He walked proudly into the Grand Hall and took his place among the ranks of the Censors.
Many of his colleagues gave him looks that said, “How is he still alive?”
Some even glared with open hostility, but Mu Qingbai stood tall, ignoring them all.
Yin Yunlan sat on the throne.
“Greetings to her majesty, long live the female emperor!”
“If there is business, report it. If none, court is dismissed!”
The Eunuch’s soft voice had barely faded when a clear and bold voice rang out from outside the hall.
“Your subject wishes to report!”
The entire court froze.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Mu Qingbai stood smiling in the doorway, holding his jade tablet.
A single thought crossed every official’s mind—
Him again!