The playboy county magistrate

The younger brother, whom he looked down upon and who was always arrogant and provocative, has now become the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a fourth-rank official!

What position is that?

On the other hand, he himself, as the eldest son of the dignified Marquis of Chengen, had long been transferred away by the Hanlin Academy and now only held a sinecure in the Ministry of Personnel.

Unproductive and unremarkable. A bleak future, and no one values ​​him.

His younger brother, whom he once trampled underfoot, now stands at a height that is unattainable for him.

They could even control him, and control the entire Earl's mansion!

This enormous disparity completely shattered all of Li Xuanjing's pride and dignity.

"Why should I?!"

A low, suppressed roar suddenly erupted, and Li Xuanjing abruptly raised his hand, violently sweeping the celadon teacup off the table.

bang-

The exquisite teacup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. Tea splashed everywhere, just like his completely collapsed state of mind.

"I am the eldest son! I am the rightful heir to the Cheng'en Marquis's mansion! Who does Li Xuanzhi think he is to be superior to me?!"

Li Xuanjing's chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot. His teeth were clenched so tightly they made a grinding sound.

He listened to the praises bestowed upon Li Xuanzhi by the outside world, watched as everyone in the court held Li Xuanzhi in awe, and observed the subtle shift in the attitude of the servants in his household. A surge of resentment welled up within him.

He could accept anyone holding a high position, but he could not accept his younger brother, whom he had looked down upon, despised, and even bullied for more than a decade, suddenly rising to the top and trampling him underfoot.

"Boundless glory... revered by both the court and the people..."

Li Xuanjing stared intently at the doorway, his eyes filled with a sinister and crazed glint.

The more successful you are, the less I can tolerate you!

Just as he was in a state of frenzy, a servant's respectful voice came from outside the courtyard to report.

"Young Master, the Second Young Master has returned to the manor."

The moment the words left his mouth, Li Xuanjing froze.

He hastily raised his hand and haphazardly straightened his slightly disheveled brocade robe.

He then brushed his face with his sleeve, forcibly suppressing the almost manic crimson in his eyes.

A moment later, she regained her usual dignified and elegant demeanor.

In front of outsiders, he remained the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion. Gentle and polite, with a dignified demeanor.

Only he himself knew that his outburst of rage had shattered his pride and sense of superiority, which he had held for over a decade, more completely than a porcelain cup on the ground.

"Let's go to the main hall. It's such a big deal for my brother to return to the capital; as his elder brother, it's not right for us not to show up."

Li Xuanjing looked at his father, who was sitting in the main seat, and his most hated current aunt, Madam Zhang, and almost couldn't contain the anger in his eyes.

Soon, the sound of light, steady footsteps approached from outside the courtyard.

Li Xuanzhi wore a spotless blue official robe, his posture upright as a pine tree. His eyes were clear and his demeanor dignified.

After several heated debates in the imperial court, he was personally promoted to a high position by the emperor. He had long since shed his former forbearance and restraint, and had gained a more imposing aura that belonged to a rising star in the court and a close advisor to the emperor.

Liu Yunrou and Gu Pan'er lagged half a step behind, standing quietly outside the corridor, and did not follow him inside.

Li Xuanzhi stepped into the courtyard and glanced at Li Xuanjing with a half-smile.

He knew his elder brother all too well.

Having been pampered and spoiled since childhood, everything went smoothly for them. Accustomed to being high above others, they could not tolerate the slightest setback or disappointment.

My gradual rise to power has disrupted his life of more than a decade. He will definitely be furious and harbor malicious intentions.

Li Xuanjing stood in the main hall, watching his younger brother walk slowly towards him. A slightly stiff smile appeared on his lips, but his tone was relatively gentle.

"My second brother is back. Today he was in the imperial court in a glorious manner, rising to the rank of Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, a position of the fourth rank. He has truly impressed me."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Left Vice Censor-in-Chief," a fleeting hint of bitter jealousy flashing across his eyes, which was quickly concealed by his composure.

His younger brother, whom he used to scold and belittle at will, now commands the respect of the entire court, and even senior officials from powerful families avoid his wrath.

This stark contrast, like a fine thorn, was firmly embedded in his heart. It couldn't be removed, and it caused a dull ache.

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly upon hearing this, displaying impeccable manners, yet remaining distant and indifferent.

"Thank you for your concern, elder brother."

This excessive calmness, however, was perceived by Li Xuanjing as blatant contempt and arrogance.

In his view, Li Xuanzhi had forgotten his roots now that he held a high position. Having gained the emperor's favor and wielding significant power, he no longer respected his elder brother. He began to deliberately display the arrogance of a court official and disregard the hierarchy of the clan.

The pent-up resentment in his heart surged again. Li Xuanjing slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Li Xuanzhi's official robes, a look that seemed both admiration and mockery, before he slowly spoke:

"The Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate is fond of power and prestige. In such a short time, he has risen from the desolate plains to the capital and become His Majesty's confidant, wielding the power of life, death, and impeachment over officials. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as capable as you, my brother."

The sarcasm in his words was so direct and undisguised.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his cold gaze meeting the other person's directly, and spoke softly.

"If my elder brother truly praises me, I am ashamed to accept it. If you feel resentful, you can speak frankly; there is no need for such veiled criticism."

Frank and straightforward, without the slightest bit of beating around the bush.

Li Xuanjing's expression suddenly froze, and the gentle smile on his face instantly cracked, completely losing its composure.

He stared intently at Li Xuanzhi before him, the boy who had once been reprimanded by him and dared not speak out, crushed by him and dared not fight back. Now, however, he could suppress him, the eldest son of the legitimate family, making him feel slightly inferior.

"Great, great! Great!"

Li Xuanjing gritted his teeth and sneered, his voice low.

"Now that you've gained the Emperor's favor, you dare speak to your elder brother like that? Li Xuanzhi, don't forget, you too have the blood of the Marquis of Cheng'en flowing in your veins! Everything you have today is thanks to the Marquis's family!"

"Without the protection of the Earl's family clan, what right do you, a son born of a second wife, have to step into the imperial court? You are now enjoying immense prestige, and you intend to use your official position to bully your clan and oppress your elder brother?"

He habitually invoked the hierarchy of seniority and clan relationships, attempting to suppress Li Xuanzhi again and regain his former sense of control.

For many years, he has relied on this set of rules to firmly control and suppress Li Xuanzhi.

This forced him to be obedient and submit to orders.

But things are very different now.

Li Xuanzhi's lips curled slightly, a faint, cool smile playing on his lips.

"My future, my official position, and my power and status today are not due to the support of the Earl's Mansion, nor the protection of my clan. They are the result of my tireless efforts in Pingzhou, clearing wasteland and bringing peace to the people, and breaking down long-standing abuses. They are the result of my confrontation with powerful figures in the court, my stand against foreign powers, and my unwavering adherence to my duty as a subject. They are the result of His Majesty's own witness and personal promotion."

"I have not failed the Earl's Mansion, but the Earl's Mansion has never treated me well either."

The words landed lightly, yet they left Marquis Chengen Li Dehai and his eldest brother Li Xuanjing speechless, their faces turning pale and then red.

The neglect, cold treatment, and oppression of the past decade or so are prejudices ingrained in the bones of everyone in the Earl's mansion. It is an injustice brought about by the hierarchical order of seniority, which is indisputable.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze swept lightly over Li Xuanjing's ashen and ugly face, and he continued in a deep voice: