Chapter 83: Guessing

83. Chapter 83 Guessing

"Lord Lu, the offenders aren't from our Ministry of Rites, the shameful ones aren't ours either; there's no need to be this angry!"

Left Assistant Minister Xu Jie of the Ministry of Rites spoke softly.

In the Ministry of Rites, the top figure is Lu Sheng, followed by Xu Jie.

Moreover, Xu Jie's age is a generation older than Lu Sheng's.

Before Lu Sheng became Minister of Rites, he served as Left Assistant Minister in the Ministry. When the former Minister retired honorably, Xu Jie always thought he should be promoted, but Emperor Xihe unexpectedly appointed Lu Sheng.

Therefore, Xu Jie has always been dissatisfied with Lu Sheng.

"Sir, you truly have a good attitude, so let the task of rectifying official conduct be handed over to you!"

"Sir, you have served many years in the Ministry of Rites, are experienced, and can surely handle such minor matters!"

Lu Sheng, hearing Xu Jie's words, did not get angry at all; instead, he seized the opportunity to pass the troublesome assignment to the other party.

This matter is destined to offend someone; as Minister of Rites, he cannot avoid it.

But as long as he is not the one acting directly, the responsibility will be lighter.

When necessary, he can still step out and play the good guy.

Xu Jie, after hearing Lu Sheng's words, did not decline either, and readily accepted the assignment.

"Your Excellency, we must be vigilant!"

After everyone dispersed, Lu Sheng's trusted subordinate, Langzhong Sun Zhe of the Yizhi Qingli Office, approached Lu Sheng and whispered.

"Vigilant against what?"

Lu Sheng calmly glanced at the subordinate, "Sir wishes to act, we must fully support!"

"Actually, there is a matter that must be clarified right now!"

"The Night Patrol Office has been quiet for a long time; this time it suddenly caused a huge commotion, apparently only arresting some disciplinary violators, but in fact the target is our Ministry of Rites!"

"There must be a reason behind this!"

"Recently, has the Ministry of Rites taken on any tasks that provoked the Night Patrol Office?"

"See the essence through the phenomenon!"

Lu Sheng being favored by Emperor Xihe cannot be an incompetent person.

"Sir, the Ministry of Rites has had no recent assignments; as for offending the Night Patrol Office, that is even less likely!"

"Who doesn't know that the Night Patrol Office cannot be provoked…"

"Then tell me, when the Night Patrol Office investigates scandals, why did they conveniently seize those disciplinary officials? When did they become so diligent…"

"Um, this…"

Sun Zhe pondered briefly, then his eyes lit up, "Sir, perhaps I know what's happening!"

"Stop beating around the bush; state the matter directly!"

Lu Sheng glared at Sun Zhe.

"Sir, the Night Patrol Office used to cause trouble frequently as well."

"But since three years ago, when the Xie Family's little scion, now the Imperial Uncle, left Jingcheng, the Night Patrol Office has become considerably quieter."

"You think, is this matter because of the Xie Family's little scion…"

"He's overstepping!"

Lu Sheng, hearing Sun Zhe say this might involve Xie Zian, immediately became angry.

But after the anger, Lu Sheng wilted.

He is indeed favored, that's undeniable!

Yet this favor, when he meets Xie Zian, can be kicked away at any moment.

When Xie Zian was not yet the Imperial Uncle, no one could provoke him.

Why is Xie Zian so favored?

Even after Lu Sheng sat in the Minister of Rites seat, he still does not understand.

Because Xie Zian is not only protected by the Xie Family's elders, but also the Grand Emperor of Chang Le Palace, who also dotes on Xie Zian.

"Sir, His Majesty issued an edict to grant a marriage to the Imperial Uncle, yet our Ministry of Rites has not begun the arrangements; do you think the Imperial Uncle is displeased because of this?"

"Is that so?"

As Minister of Rites, Lu Sheng could not be unaware that the matter has not yet been arranged.

Previously, he also held onto a sliver of hope.

He once even hoped to become Xie Zian's father‑in‑law.

Unfortunately, there is no chance now!

His beloved daughter, even though touted as Jingcheng's top talent, never caught Xie Zian's eye. Now, the one from Chang Le Palace has earmarked the nineteenth prince for his daughter.

The prince's principal consort!

That counts as a grand match!

However, the nineteenth prince, being the current Emperor's younger brother, will never ascend the throne.

He—Lu Sheng—is destined in this life to be merely a prince's father‑in‑law.

"Sir, I think the Imperial Uncle's personal affairs should now be arranged!"

"It should be so!"

Lu Sheng nodded.

As for meddling and manipulating Xie Zian, unless his brain were kicked by a donkey and then soaked in water, he could never possibly do such a brainless act.

The Ministry of Rites handles affairs with high efficiency.

Unless they simply do not wish to handle it.

As Lu Sheng and Sun Zhe reached a consensus, the Ritual and Clean Official Department threw itself into full‑scale activity.

When Xu Jie began leading people to rack their brains and devise ways to reform official conduct, Lu Sheng's faction was also not idle, busy handling the imperial uncle's wedding.

Thus, even if Xu Jie caused some trouble, Lu Sheng still had ample reason to extricate himself.

After all, he was very busy.

…

Shen Yunyao suddenly realized she seemed to have hardly any free time left.

The Ministry of Rites kept sending people one after another, with all sorts of ceremonies and preparations…

Even with the help of Aunt Shen, Aunt Ma and others, Shen Yunyao still felt a bit overwhelmed.

Shouldn't the parties involved be quite relaxed when the Ministry of Rites handles the wedding?

"Young lady, aren't you already quite relaxed!"

"Just learn some etiquette and protocol; the Ministry of Rites takes care of everything else!"

Aunt Shen comforted Shen Yunyao beside her, "If it were a princess getting married, there would be even more to handle!"

…

Shen Yunyao wanted to say, I'm not a princess!

Of course, there's no need to say that; it would just invite criticism.

Shen Yunyao got busy, and she paid less attention to Clear Summer's affairs.

But Princess Huanxi, seeing the world, runs to Clear Summer.

With Princess Huanxi stationed there, Clear Summer's operations were unaffected.

Even if someone tried an underhanded trick, they'd have to gauge whether they could withstand Princess Huanxi's retaliation.

In Jingcheng, offending the Xie Family's little scion Xie Zian, as long as you have a point, there's still some leeway.

But what if you offend Princess Huanxi?

Hehe!

Do you expect her to reason with you?

Women, by nature, aren't creatures of reason.

And women of the Imperial Family are even less reasonable.

During Shen Yunyao's betrothal period, Princess Huanxi, persuaded by the Yu family, opened four more shops, launching Clear Summer branches.

Yet even so, Clear Summer's daily customer flow remained unending.

Its unique flavor cemented Clear Summer's dominance in the chilled‑drink market.

Those imitation fruit slushes have only the shape, not the soul, and can only occupy the low‑end market.

The hotter the weather, the better business for Clear Summer.

Princess Huanxi discovered that, without realizing it, she had become a modestly wealthy woman.

"At least ten thousand taels a month, pure profit!"

When Xie Zian saw the ledger in Princess Huanxi's hand, everyone looked a bit stunned—so much money!