Ink Burns

Chapter 185 Returning the Wonder
The little girl was very proud.

The subtle signs of smugness were quietly revealed in his raised eyebrows, bright eyes, and upturned lips.

Wu Dajian (originally referring to a high-ranking eunuch, in the early days there was a relatively high-ranking eunuch position called Dajian, which meant Grand Eunuch) was indignant and wanted to correct the situation. Just as he turned his head back, he saw that the emperor beside him had a calm expression and calm eyes. His gaze was focused on the small, round, and proud Wei Sibu. He did not say a word, but naturally gave off a sense of oppression.

Despite the oppressive feeling, Wu Dajian had been by the emperor's side for over a decade and was arguably the most trusted advisor. He keenly sensed that the emperor showed no sign of discomfort.

Wu Dajian was taken aback, swallowed the words in his throat, lowered his head and pretended not to know anything, handing the main battlefield back to the Sage.

The man in black was none other than the current emperor, Xu Quyan, who was twenty-six years old and had been on the throne for seven years. He was the fourth son of the late emperor, and his birth mother was Consort Fang of the Zhaode Dynasty. However, he grew up under the care of Empress Ji. He was enfeoffed as Prince Qing during his pre-imperial residence. After the death of the former crown prince, Emperor Zhaode did not appoint another crown prince. The throne was issued by a joint oral decree from Empress Ji, Princess Jing'an, and Grand Eunuch Xu, Emperor Zhaode's chief attendant, after Emperor Zhaode's death.

During his reign, Xu Quyan changed the era name to "Yongping," meaning eternal peace in the southeastern coastal areas and northwestern frontier. The political system largely followed the old practices of the previous dynasty. The key ministers of the Zhaode era also held great power. Perhaps because the old practices, people and things of the previous dynasty had not changed, Emperor Yongping Xu Quyan was praised as "gentle and refined, benevolent and filial" during his short seven-year reign.

His appearance certainly lives up to those eight words.

Xu Quyan relaxed his brows and smiled slightly, his body leaning to the side: "Wei Sibu has sharp eyes and can see through our origins at a glance. In fact, we are colleagues with Wei Sibu. We will repay this life-saving grace with all our might."

The man's attitude was sincere, and Shui Guang listened attentively.

Xu Quyan lowered his gaze slightly, sweeping it over the bed behind Shui Guang, then down to the hem of her skirt that just brushed the floor. His smile was gentle and approachable: "Wei Sibu is young, yet her medical skills are astonishing. With Lord Xue as her guarantor, how could she be willing to condescend to this desolate Qiushui Ferry? Although the Medical Department has regulations requiring female physicians to practice outside the department for three years, a female physician of your rank is excluded. If you wish, you can easily seek out Lord Xue. All Lord Xue needs to do is mention it to Wu Dasheng, the Grand Eunuch of the Six Departments—given Wu Dasheng's shrewdness and prestige, you are far more than just a seventh-rank clerk at Qiushui Ferry."

Wu Dajian twitched his lips: Thank you. You're quite adept at using this trick of pulling his old face to get information out of a young girl.

Xu Quyan paused, then spoke seemingly unintentionally: "Speaking of which, are you and Lord Xue Xiao from the same hometown in Zhenjiang Prefecture? Or do you have some family history? Lord Xue has always been a loyal and upright official, rarely interacting with others except for Lords Xiao and Bai. Since you are worthy of Lord Xue personally contacting the Six Ministries, you must have a very deep connection with him, right?"

This really got Shui Guang asking.

The relationship with my sister is something I can't talk about.

If even her sister couldn't say anything, then this brother-in-law, who was completely baffled, was even more of a pipe dream—whether he could even be her brother-in-law was still uncertain. Once they had avenged their great wrongs, she would take her sister to travel the country, where they could find all sorts of beautiful scenery and good men.

Her watery eyes darted around: "That's right! Lord Xue isn't my stepping stone to advancement. It's just that I've run into you two eunuchs today! If you two lend a hand and get me into the Forbidden City, wouldn't your excellent prescriptions and medicinal herbs be readily available?! I wouldn't need Lord Xue at all; you are my benefactor, my savior! As for repaying a life-saving debt, I didn't save people for any reward, but if you really want to repay—"

Shui Guang laughed, her round eyes curving into crescent moons: "Hehehe, I can't refuse such hospitality either."

Wu Dajian's lips twitched again: The Emperor was taking the opportunity to inquire about the relationship between this junior clerk and Xue Xiao, and this junior clerk was pretending to be naive—wasn't this just like when the Emperor asked, "Do you want a pear or a peach?", and she replied, "Hehehe, I want the winnowing basket?"

Xu Quyan's smile deepened, his thin lips slightly pursed, revealing a small dimple at the corner of his mouth that resembled the shimmering light of water. This made the young emperor appear approachable and gentle, without any hint of hostility: "Oh? So, it turns out that Wei Sibu is willing to enter the palace?"

Her watery eyes lit up: "Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher positions. I'm definitely willing!"

Becoming a concubine in the palace is less worthwhile than living as a wild man in the mountains!

A glass of water was placed in front of Xu Quyan.

Yes, just plain water. Not even a few tea leaves were added.

This young girl speaks very sweetly, but when it comes to real money, she becomes a bit conservative and stingy—she won't put in tea leaves, she won't tell the truth, and she adheres to the "three no's" principle of not giving, not taking initiative, and not refusing.

Since she didn't mention her relationship with Xue Xiao, asking further questions would be pointless.

Xu Quyan recalled that two months ago, Xue Xiao had sneaked into the Forbidden City at night and begged him: "Please, Your Majesty, grant Wei Ruchun, a daughter of a good family in the Six Departments, the position of female official in the Xinglin Hall in the suburbs of the capital, so that she may be spared the suffering of the palace."

Without any rhyme or reason, this high-ranking official in a red robe, for some respectable young man whose face he'd never even seen, went to the Forbidden City in the dead of night to deliver a letter!

He thought the Jing'an had rebelled!
When pressed for details, Xue Xiao remained silent despite all the questions. This stubborn bird only pressed on one point: "This is the first time I have asked Your Majesty for a favor. It involves your family. If you do not agree, I will think of another way."

When he asked again, Xue Xiao lowered his head and knelt quietly on the ground, giving him the cold shoulder.

I get angry just thinking about it!

female members of a family?

Could it be Xue Xiao's?

Xu Quyan shook his head inwardly: Xue Xiao is a man of unconventional conduct and eccentric temperament, yet there has never been any talk of illicit affairs. Moreover, the current rumors suggest that he is deeply in love with his new wife and has even submitted a memorial for mourning for his beloved in a fit of rage. It is highly unlikely that he would engage in such dissolute behavior, being in Cao Cao's camp while his heart is with Han.

Xu Quyan wanted to ask more, but before he could open his mouth, he saw that Wei Sibu's eyes had already shifted away, looking around listlessly. After a while, he even started whistling.
and many more?

whistle?
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

The whistling was intermittent and out of tune, even harder to judge than an endless stream of urine.

Xu Quyan: ?

Wu Dajian's expression was even more vivid than when he saw a dog eating excrement.

Little girl, your guilty conscience is so obvious!

Xu Quyan took a deep breath: Well, the person recommended by Xue Xiao is somewhat strange, but he is reliable. We can investigate him more carefully later. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remembered where this decent young man was after he got ashore today and immediately come here for treatment.

After the acupuncture, his meridians were cleared, and Xu Quyan felt slightly thirsty, so he drank some water: "When you enter the palace as a clerk, is there a department you like? Among the six departments, the Shanggong Department has the most power. Now that the harem is without an empress, the Shanggong Department can act as the empress and oversee all six departments. If you want to improve your medical skills, you can use the Department of Medicine as a stepping stone to enter the Women's Medical Hall and take on the position of a female physician. This way, you will completely be outside the six departments and become a very respectable official who enjoys the court's support."

Seeing that Xu Quyan wasn't pressing the issue, Shui Guang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But hearing Xu Quyan's boastful words, she was overjoyed: What? I can choose for myself?
After pondering for a moment, Shui Guang gave a very honest answer: "Then... can you place me in the ranks of the imperial concubines?"

Xu Quyan choked on a mouthful of water: ? ? ? What?
"Whether you're a talented person or a noble person, it doesn't matter. You have to forge your own path; I understand that principle. Just give me a foothold, and I'll repay you with a wonder!"