"Chen Liqin, the Vice Prefect of Luo City in Yuzhou, has upheld integrity and justice during his tenure. Being upright himself, he has led his subordinates by example. He takes the circumstances and feelings of the people into consideration, showing special care and compassion, causing the people to joyfully attend to their duties. The state's tax revenue has not suffered any deficit..."
"By Imperial Decree: Chen Liqin, Vice Prefect of Luo City in Yuzhou, is promoted to the position of Junior Supervisor of the Household in the Supervisorate of Instruction, entering the official administration of the Eastern Palace."
In front of the Chen Estate's residence gates, the official from the Capital City was covered in the dust of the road.
After finishing reading the document, he politely and courteously handed the dragon-patterned yellow paper document into Chen Liqin's hands. Clasping his hands with a beaming smile, he said, "Congratulations, Lord Chen. Since we parted ways in the capital three years ago, I knew we would still have the chance to meet again. I just didn't expect we would meet again so soon. In the future, after Lord Chen returns to the capital, I hope you will offer much guidance and support."
At the side, Zhang Zhuo let out a 'huo' sound, his tone exaggerated: "A Rank 4 Junior Supervisor of the Household! The Chen Family truly has made a grand move. I fear this Official Position was personally requested for you by Elder Chen before the Emperor himself! From now on, I'll have to show a bit more respect to Lord Chen; an official one rank higher can crush a person to death."
The Prefect of Luo City was an Upper Rank 5 official, the Vice Prefect of Luo City was a Lower Rank 5 official, and the Junior Supervisor of the Household of the Supervisorate of Instruction was an Upper Rank 4 official. From today onward, Chen Liqin's official position would be two ranks higher than Zhang Zhuo's.
Chen Liqin cast a glance at Zhang Zhuo. "Lord Zhang's transfer and promotion documents have also arrived; why must you come and ridicule this subordinate official?"
He took the document, completely confirming it again and again before breathing a sigh of relief. He hurriedly said to the official, "Lord Li is too polite. In the future, I will still need Lord Li to look after me. Wang Gui, lead Lord Li to..."
It was almost a subconscious reaction for Chen Liqin to call out Wang Gui's name. But only after shouting it out did he remember that Wang Gui had just been beaten with twenty heavy staff blows and was currently bedridden.
When a familiar, handy tool was suddenly unavailable, there would always be some unaccustomed awkwardness.
Chen Liqin pondered for a moment before instructing a manservant, "Please lead Lord Li to stay in the Runquan Courtyard, and serve him well."
Having said that, he turned to look at Lord Li: "Lord Li is exhausted from the hardships of the journey. Please head to your quarters and rest first; the Chen Family naturally has a heavy reward waiting for you."
Lord Li smiled so wide he couldn't close his mouth. With these words from Chen Liqin, his 'outside errand' journeying hundreds of miles hadn't been in vain.
At this time, another official was led by a Zhang Family manservant to the front of the Chen Estate's gates. The moment the official saw him, he loudly reported the good news: "Congratulations, Lord Zhang! Felicitations, Lord Zhang!"
However, before he could finish speaking, Zhang Zhuo stepped forward and grabbed the official's wrist. "I ask you: have Wang Daosheng's transfer and promotion documents arrived? His mourning period has already ended; does His Majesty have any appointments or dismissals for him?"
The official froze for a moment, whispering timidly, "N-no... This humble official and I only brought yours and Lord Chen's."
Zhang Zhuo frowned. "Nonsense! His documents had clearly already been drafted; all it lacked was the Grand Secretariat's Cinnabar Rescript!"
The official hurriedly said humbly, "Lord Zhang, this subordinate official's position is lowly and my words carry little weight. When leaving the capital, I didn't hear anyone discussing Lord Wang's reinstatement."
"Truly no?"
"Truly no."
Zhang Zhuo let out a deep sigh, his silhouette actually appearing somewhat bleak and desolate.
Without another word, he took the transfer and promotion document from the official's hand and stuffed it into his sleeve. He said casually, "No need to read it; I know the contents. Zhang Zheng, lead Lord Zhou to White Clothe Lane to listen to some minor tunes and relieve his fatigue. Additionally, give him that small chest we prepared."
"Alright!" Zhang Zheng ran back into the estate cheerfully. Bringing out a small wooden chest equipped with a handle, he led Lord Zhou away.
Chen Liqin stood in front of the doors, looking at Zhang Zhuo below the steps. "Why is Lord Zhang having Locked Brows? Could it be that your promoted Official Position is not ideal?"
Zhang Zhuo sneered self-mockingly. "Those who understand me say my heart is worried; those who do not understand me ask what it is I seek. Forget it, there is no use saying more to you."
Right at this moment, supported by a maid, Madam Liang hurried out of the estate.
Chen Liqin subconsciously glanced at Chen Ji and Zhang Zhuo. Pondering slightly, he then said in a deep voice, "Weren't you in the Buddhist hall? Why have you come out?"
Madam Liang looked as if she was about to weep at any moment. "Master, this concubine indeed was reflecting on her mistakes in the Buddhist hall previously. However, your transfer and promotion documents have arrived, so we absolutely must host a banquet to entertain guests. This matter concerns the Chen Estate's face and reputation; this concubine naturally must exert her utmost effort."
She listed them off carefully: "Master, three days before the banquet, we must write invitations and send them out. Only by sending three consecutive invitations will it appear dignified and proper. Before the banquet, we also must procure ingredients, find cooks, and sweep the estate clean. Now that both this concubine and Wang Gui have completely washed our hands of everything, I fear the others in the estate won't be able to handle it all. And Master, you have never managed these matters in the past..."
Chen Liqin hesitated.
These matters had always been managed by Madam Liang and Wang Gui; he had never dirtied his own hands with them. If he had to handle it personally now, he feared he would end up battered and exhausted with nothing but a complete, burnt-out mess.
Seeing Chen Liqin hesitate, Madam Liang turned to look at Chen Ji and said gently, "Chen Ji, ah, you see it as well. With such a massive joyous occasion in the family, if we receive our guests poorly, I fear it will make us a laughingstock to our guests. Let me handle this banquet first, and we can discuss the other matters after the banquet concludes. What do you think?"
Chen Ji answered with a smile, "What you said is perfectly right. Major matters take priority."
He knew clearly in his heart that after this banquet, the Chen Family would move their entire household to the Capital City. At that time, packing their luggage would likewise require Madam Liang's management. How would Madam Liang possibly have any time left to reflect on her mistakes in the Buddhist hall?
Just this single matter alone also made Chen Liqin realize that this Chen Estate truly could not lack Madam Liang. If Chen Ji tried to stop her, it would mean he was ignorant of the bigger picture.
However, Zhang Zhuo spoke up from the side, "Hai! Why does this matter require Sister-in-law to handle it? Lord Chen and I are being promoted together. If we host separate promotion banquets, tell me, will the officials of Luo City attend my Zhang Family's banquet or your Chen Family's banquet? Aren't we making things difficult for the officials?"
Madam Liang's expression changed slightly.
Zhang Zhuo said with a beaming smile, "I was also promoted this time, to an even higher position than Lord Chen. Giving this matter entirely to my Zhang Family to handle will be sufficient. When the time comes, I will attend the banquet together with Lord Chen. Sister-in-law has no need to trouble herself."
Standing in front of the doors, Madam Liang's fingers gripped the maid's arm tightly. Leaving wasn't right, and staying wasn't right either.
Holding onto Zhang Zhuo's arm, Zhang Xia said, "Father, I will also help Mother manage it together. Tomorrow we will go write invitations and find the cooks from Yingxian Restaurant to prepare the ingredients. I definitely won't let Father and Lord Chen lose face."
Zhang Zhuo praised, "My daughter is sensible."
Madam Liang remained silent for a long time. Ultimately, she curtsied with a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting, turned around, and returned to the estate. "Then I shall trouble Lord Zhang and Second Miss Zhang. This concubine shall return to the Buddhist hall right now."
Chen Liqin was utterly baffled. "What Official Position was Lord Zhang ultimately promoted to?"
Zhang Zhuo cast a sidelong glance at him. "Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."
Chen Liqin was shocked. Upper Rank 3!
No wonder the official from the Ministry of Personnel was acting so humble and subservient just now; it turned out he had come to deliver documents to his superior!
Chen Liqin was completely bewildered and uncertain. "With Lord Zhang now just one step away from entering the Grand Secretariat, why were you having Locked Brows earlier?"
"You wouldn't understand." Zhang Zhuo smiled, then said warmly to Zhang Xia, "Daughter, we're going home."
Looking at Zhang Zhuo's back, Chen Ji only felt that today, it was as if an entire mountain was pressing down heavily upon Zhang Zhuo alone.
It was just that, before leaving Luo City, there was still one more thing he needed to do.
"Lord Zhang, wait!" Taking a few quick steps, Chen Ji grabbed Zhang Zhuo's arm and said in a lowered voice, "Lord Zhang, this one has a request."
Zhang Zhuo was puzzled. "Speak freely."
Chen Ji said earnestly, "When the Zhang Estate delivers invitations to the Luo City officials, please trouble yourselves to also deliver an invitation to General Wang of the Thousand-Year Army. Rest assured, Lord Zhang, this matter absolutely will not implicate the Zhang Family."
Shocked in his heart, Zhang Zhuo turned his head to look at Chen Ji.
He only saw that the night had already grown deep and heavy, rendering Chen Ji's expression blurry and indistinct in the darkness.
Zhang Zhuo lowered his head and pondered for a moment. When he raised his head again, he agreed. "Alright. We were originally planning to invite him to this promotion banquet anyway."
(End of this chapter)