The number one sycophant of the Ming Dynasty

The door was pushed open, and Chen Han walked in.

As soon as he entered, he saw Zhang happy sitting in the main seat, dressed as a eunuch, with an extraordinary air about him, and he immediately knew: He had indeed come.

Then I caught a glimpse of Shen Zhiyu's expression. Although she had regained her composure, she stood there somewhat stiffly.

He had met Shen Zhiyu not long ago. This woman, though only around twenty years old, was incredibly capable and always maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

This reaction means she has already taken the fall for him.

Zhang happy, with his legs crossed, holding a teacup, head down, gave him a half-smile the moment he entered.

This is clearly a state of watching a show.

What kind of play did Zhang happy want to watch? It goes without saying.

After taking a look at the whole situation, Chen Han quickly adjusted his mindset, and a slight look of surprise appeared on his face. Of course, it was an act. He then prepared to bow.

However, as soon as he bent down, he seemed unsure of how to address the other person, and remained silent for a moment, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

This was obviously an act; in reality, simply addressing him respectfully as "father-in-law" would suffice.

After all, Zhang happy didn't come here hoping to hear Chen Han praise him.

But Chen Han had to put on an act and not appear too mature.

Otherwise, it would not only be conspicuous, but it would also make Zhang happy wary.

Once you become wary, everything Chen Han says next will be over-interpreted.

Shen Zhiyu, being exceptionally clever, immediately introduced, "This is Eunuch Zhang from the Directorate of Ceremonial."

Chen Han understood immediately. There were many eunuchs in the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the one in front of him might just be a messenger, but despite his low rank, he was probably a close confidant of Jiajing.

Similar to a secretary and driver.

These kinds of people are the most dangerous to be trifled with, so he quickly and respectfully bowed to Zhang Xi: "This humble servant, Chen Han, Supervisor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, greets Eunuch Zhang!"

Seeing that Chen Han had quickly recovered from his initial awkwardness and surprise upon entering, Zhang happy had a good first impression of Chen Han, but that was all.

This is the effect Chen Han wanted.

Zhang happy looked him up and down, then slowly asked, "You're Chen Han?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, it is indeed I, your humble servant." Chen Han bowed slightly.

"You've come at the perfect time." Zhang happy leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, and said seemingly casually, "His Majesty read the list from the Prince Yu's residence and liked it very much. He wants to ask who wrote it."

"Master Shen said she was the one who corrected it. What about you? Tell me."

That's a tricky question.

Chen Han knew perfectly well that Shen Zhiyu had indeed taken the blame for him.

He looked up and met Shen Zhiyu's gaze for a moment.

Shen Zhiyu shook her head slightly, her meaning all too clear—don't say it.

Chen Han blinked slightly.

Then he laughed.

That smile carried a touch of youthful shyness, along with just the right amount of candor.

"In response to your question, Master Shen's words are both true and not entirely true."

Zhang happy raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What do you mean?"

"His Highness Prince Yu is benevolent and filial, and he has drafted a list of sacrificial offerings, which is fundamental," Chen Han explained unhurriedly. "As the person in charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, it is my duty to copy and organize it according to the regulations of the 'Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty'."

"The regulations are complicated, and I am not knowledgeable enough to be sure about some things, so I have come to ask Manager Shen for advice."

"Shen Zhangyin, who was in charge of the Department of Speech, was well-versed in the regulations and helped correct many oversights, which is why that compliant and lawful list came about."

He paused for a moment, then spoke with even greater respect: "Therefore, His Highness Prince Yu's filial piety is fundamental, while Master Shen's rectification is crucial. This humble servant is merely an errand runner."

"The success of this list is due to Your Highness's benevolence and filial piety, and the impartiality of Chief Secretary Shen. I dare not take credit for it."

His words were perfectly watertight.

He neither denied Shen Zhiyu's words nor claimed credit for himself. Instead, he divided the credit into three parts: Prince Yu took the lion's share, Shen Zhangyin took the middle share, and he himself was just a gofer.

What Zhang happy wanted was a reasonable explanation that wouldn't hurt the dignity of any party, and that's exactly what Chen Han provided.

Zhang happy put down his teacup, stood up, and patted Chen Han on the shoulder: "Well said, 'I dare not take credit for what is right.' You're a good man, both in action and in words."

"Alright, I understand. I'll report back to His Majesty as soon as I get back."

He walked to the door, then turned back to look at Chen Han, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Supervisor Chen, we'll remember you."

After speaking, he walked away.

……

The duty room finally quieted down.

Shen Zhiyu leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, only to find that her back was soaked with cold sweat.

She opened her eyes and looked at Chen Han with a complicated expression.

"Did you know Zhang happy would be coming?" she asked.

"I guessed." Chen Han bowed slightly, his tone frank.

"How did you guess?"

Chen Han paused for a moment, as if considering his words, and then slowly began to speak:

No matter how neatly I disassemble that list, it won't change one fact.

"His Highness Prince Yu suddenly had a breakthrough and, at this crucial moment in the struggle for the throne, produced a list that no one could find fault with."

"Given the Emperor's temperament, there is absolutely no way he would believe that this was Prince Yu's own idea."

"He must be thinking: Who was behind all of this, smoothing things over for Prince Yu? Who understands his thoughts so well?"

"I can't trust the ministers in the outer court, and the people in the cabinet all have their own agendas. The quickest and most direct way to get to the bottom of this is through the Siyansi (司言司), which is in charge of the review process."

"Therefore, he will definitely send someone to ask Manager Shen."

Shen Zhiyu listened quietly without saying a word.

Chen Han continued, "And you, Manager Shen, if I may be so bold, you will definitely take the blame for me."

Shen Zhiyu was slightly taken aback: "How did you know?"

"Because although you, Manager Shen, appear aloof on the surface, you are someone who doesn't like to owe others anything." Chen Han said calmly, as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact. "Since I helped you out of a predicament, you will never push me out."

"But if you take the blame, it will be deceiving the emperor. What is a sixth-rank female official in front of the emperor? The more you try to protect me, the more the emperor will suspect something is amiss and the more he will investigate."

"At that time, you and I will both die."

Shen Zhiyu's fingers tightened slightly.

She had to admit that he was absolutely right.

"That's why I had to come." Chen Han's tone was as calm as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him. "I'm not here to pick up any receipt, but to say what needs to be said to the father-in-law before you can take the blame, and to take on the responsibility that needs to be taken."

Shen Zhiyu looked at him, her cool and aloof expression changing several times.

Throughout her life, she fought alone in the inner court, witnessing countless instances of people kicking someone when they're down and shifting blame.

I've never met anyone who could see things so clearly and make such precise moves in such a life-or-death situation.

It can also... help myself.

He wasn't just lucky; he genuinely foresaw it.

She anticipated the Emperor's thoughts, the eunuch's questions, and what she would do, as well as when she should appear.

She had only ever seen this ability to see into people's hearts and to gauge the appropriate level of situations in those old foxes who had been navigating the complexities of life for decades.

But this person in front of me has only been working here for three months...