NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6 – Memorial of Advice
"This treacherous minister, actually dares to stare straight at me without turning his eyes?" Xiang Ning felt Fan Li's focused gaze, and was not very angry, on the contrary, she felt a little proud.
Could it be that her looks were so beautiful that even the treacherous minister was fascinated? The more Xiang Ning thought about it, the happier she became, and she didn't mind being forced to be a palace maid so much.
Fan Li looked for a while, then relaxed. Just a cross-dressing expert, he had also seen them before transmigration, at various cosplay conventions and live streams. On the other hand, the reward from the system was what made Fan Li more curious.
"Obtained special physique: [Myriad Race Mirror Image]!"
"The host ignores bloodline restrictions and can cultivate all techniques and use all exotic treasures and divine soldiers."
"All racial and bloodline prohibitions are invalid against the host."
The rewards from the system this time were indeed abundant! With Fan Li’s repaired foundation, cultivation was imperative, and having [Myriad Race Mirror Image] to assist would naturally be even better!
He made up his mind that as soon as he finished reviewing all the memorials, he would immediately return to the Fan manor and start cultivating!
However, the piled up memorials were really too numerous. By the time Fan Li put down the last memorial, it was already dawn after staying up all night.
Looking at the sunlight pouring into the hall through the palace windows, Fan Li and Xiang Ning only realized that they had spent a whole night until dawn in Chengming Hall.
"I...actually spent the whole night with the treacherous minister?" Xiang Ning, as the Son of Heaven, her brain circuits were no different from girls of the same age.
With a sudden inexplicable shame and anger, she glared fiercely at Fan Li. The treacherous minister was really hateful! Not only did he bully her in the court, even in private it was still so damaging to her 'purity'!
The morning sun was golden with a hint of coldness. The light spilled into Chengming Hall, gradually illuminating the two. Bathed in the morning light, Fan Li's temperament suddenly changed, as if he were an exiled immortal who had come down from the celestial realm!
It was just that on his handsome face with rich spirits, there was still unavoidable fatigue that could not be concealed.
Only then did Xiang Ning remember that it was for the great national policy of Chu that he had worked hard like this overnight. Her anger dissipated by more than half in an instant!
Xiang Ning was lost in thought when a little eunuch ran to Chengming Hall in a hurry. "Prime Minister, the Ming envoy Zhang Juzheng requests an audience!"
"Does the Ming envoy want to see This Minister, or does he want to see His Majesty?" Fan Li asked.
The little eunuch quickly replied, "The Ming envoy learned that the Prime Minister was in the palace and specifically requested to see you."
Fan Li's expression changed slightly, and he showed a cold sneer. The Ming envoy? Zhang Juzheng? This name, before his transmigration, had already left a strong mark in history! It looked like that even here, he was still a formidable figure that could not be underestimated.
The late Emperor of Great Chu had just passed away, and Zhang Juzheng was sent as an envoy to pay respects for the emperor’s passing.
But after coming to Chu for more than a month, he still hadn’t seen the Chu Emperor or Empress Dowager, yet he wanted to see Fan Li first? Moreover, choosing to meet in the Chu imperial palace? Wasn't this deliberately sowing discord, implying that the ruler of Chu was weak and the minister was strong? Just this one move was enough to see Zhang Juzheng’s astuteness!
"Summon him to Chengming Hall." Fan Li said coldly.
Xiang Ning on the side curiously asked, "Prime Minister, have you heard of this person Zhang Juzheng from Ming?"
Fan Li replied, "Zhang Juzheng, a scholar from Jiangling, Ming Dynasty, holding the position of Director of the Imperial Academy, fourth-rank low. Cultivating the [Vast Qi Scripture], at the first stage of the Nascent Soul realm."
This information was of course provided by the system.
"Ming's disrespect, actually sending such a low-rank little official as envoy!" Xiang Ning exclaimed in astonishment.
Chu also sent envoys of high-ranking ministers like the Nine Dukes to Ming. Comparing the official ranks of the envoys between the two countries, Chu seemed too cautious and lacking in confidence, while Ming was condescending.
However, Fan Li glared at Xiang Ning. "Insolence. Are you in a position to say that? If you dare spout nonsense again when the Ming envoy arrives, be careful I smack your butt to pieces!"
Anyway, the little emperor was disguised as a palace maid, so reprimanding her a few times was not excessive. Now letting Xiang Ning shut up, just in case she gets recognized by Zhang Juzheng later.
The teenage Chu emperor loves cross-dressing? If this spreads out, the whole Great Chu would be shamed.
Xiang Ning was scolded, and wanted to reveal her identity on the spot. But looking up at Fan Li, she saw his solemn expression, at least he remembered to prioritize national affairs, so she endured it.
"Let's see how you deal with the Ming envoy. If you jeopardize the prestige of my Great Chu, I will definitely settle accounts with you!" Xiang Ning said in her heart.
"The Ming envoy arrives!" The palace gate eunuch's voice came.
Xiang Ning had no choice but to imitate the usual palace maids, taking a few steps back with her head lowered to demonstrate deference.
Outside Chengming Hall. The little eunuch walked with a bowed waist in front guiding the way, and a stalwart man in a crimson robe with a commanding presence strode into the hall.
"What a looker." Seeing the visitor clearly, Fan Li couldn't help praising inwardly.
With phoenix eyes, curled eyebrows, and a handsome beard hanging on his chest. Fan Li felt this was not Zhang Juzheng at all. It was simply Guan Yunchang who had abandoned martial arts for civil service!
"Imperial Envoy of the Great Ming Heavenly Dynasty, Right Chunfang Attendant of the Left Promotion Hall, concurrently Director of the Imperial Academy, Zhang Juzheng, paying respects to the Prime Minister of Chu." Zhang Juzheng's voice was like a bell, echoing slowly in Chengming Hall.
Xiang Ning was also convinced by Zhang Juzheng's temperament. She first secretly glanced at Zhang Juzheng, then couldn't help staring straight at him.
Nowadays, all the civil and military officials of the Great Chu court only dared to cower before Fan Li. It was the first time she had seen such a stalwart man like Zhang Juzheng! But she soon noticed something wrong!
"Great Ming Heavenly Dynasty? Chu State? What insolence for the Ming envoy to elevate Ming above my Great Chu!?" Xiang Ning was so angry her teeth itched, and her first impression of Zhang Juzheng instantly turned from extremely good to extremely bad.
The feeling of being bullied by outsiders turned out to be even worse than being bullied by her own people! For a while, the treacherous minister Fan Li didn’t even seem so annoying. In fact, Xiang Ning even hoped that he could stand up for her!
"Great Ming...Heavenly Dynasty?" Fan Li also chewed on these four words.
"When did Emperor Jiajing accomplish the magnificent feat of national ascension? How could This Minister not know? Please accept my apologies for not offering congratulations at the first instance." Hearing Fan Li say this, Zhang Juzheng's expression became somewhat ugly.
National ascension? The founding emperors of Han, Ming and Chu hadn't accomplished such a feat back then. How could their descendants now dare to surpass their ancestors?
National ascension and establishing a heavenly dynasty was even more unattainable than individuals ascending to immortality. Because Ming was strong while Chu and Han were weak among the three countries, Ming envoys had always been rampant. But to call itself the Heavenly Dynasty, even Great Ming was still far from it!
Zhang Juzheng didn't expect Fan Li to slap him in the face as soon as they met. But Zhang Juzheng had big plans today and still didn't want to offend Fan Li, so he took the initiative to concede.
"Minister Fan sees it clearly, it was this envoy who misspoke."
Seeing the other party admitting his mistake, Xiang Ning felt somewhat smug. "Hmph! The treacherous minister's performance is acceptable, he didn't embarrass me."
Fan Li didn't know her thoughts. He just lightly said, "What important matter does the Ming envoy seek to meet with This Minister?"
"Indeed there is a big matter." Zhang Juzheng stood up straight again and took out a jade tablet from his bosom. "May Minister Fan dismiss his attendants."
Fan Li smiled. So there really was something not fit for others to see? But beside him there was only Xiang Ning. If he forcibly dismissed her, what if she couldn't resist revealing her identity?
Fan Li really didn't trust the hot-tempered little emperor who loved cross-dressing. He could only say, "Minister Zhang need not worry about her, Ning'er is my person."
Hearing this, Xiang Ning instantly turned red with embarrassment.
Seeing this, Zhang Juzheng immediately believed it! He glanced at Xiang Ning and immediately saw that her clumsy makeup only emphasized her youthful beauty and charm.
Unexpectedly, the Prime Minister of Chu had such ordinary tastes. In his heart, Zhang Juzheng looked down on Fan Li a little, but still handed over the jade tablet.
"What is it?" Fan Li was curious, and Xiang Ning was even more curious, ignoring etiquette to crane her neck and look.
The conspicuous words that immediately entered their eyes.
"Memorial of Advice!" Zhang Juzheng's voice slowly drifted over. "His Majesty the Jiajing Emperor of our Great Ming promises that as long as Prime Minister Fan overthrows the Xiang clan and establishes himself, Great Ming will form a fraternal alliance with your country and never betray..."