Chapter 415: What kind of evaluation is that

"Eunuch Cui," Li Chen called out.

"This old servant is here."

"Pass on my imperial decree: have Xu Zifeng come to see me tomorrow."

"As you command."

Li Chen looked toward the south, the corners of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile.

Since those small nations dared to bargain, then let them witness what is meant by "thunderous means."

Li Chen was certainly clear about Xu Zifeng's resume; he was indeed a sharp blade for dealing with the southern nations.

But if a sharp blade wasn't used well, it would hurt oneself.

At the same time, Xu Zifeng was pacing back and forth in the mansion, anxiously waiting for news.

Since training in the Tian Ce Dynasty's officialdom, he had finally understood that there were many talented people here; having ability alone was far from enough—one also had to see if His Majesty would give the opportunity.

There was no help for it; Xu Zifeng used to think he was the number one prodigy in the world. When he met his acquaintances, like Xiao Ming and Fang Qian, and they fought, Xu Zifeng felt that the strength of these two was actually about the same as his own.

Not to mention the hidden Lin Mo; don't look at Lin Mo as a civil official—the aura on his body was not weak.

He felt a certain pressure, but he didn't think he would lose in a life-or-death struggle.

Xu Zifeng's rank of Captain was neither large nor small; he didn't even have the qualifications to attend the morning court session and could only fret here.

His mother and aunt had already entered the palace to plead with the Empress Dowager, and now they were just waiting for the result.

There was no help for it; they had always said they were going to find the Empress Dowager—they couldn't very well say they were going to find the Emperor.

"Why haven't they come back yet?" Xu Zifeng looked toward the main gate for the umpteenth time.

After another few hours, Ji Lianyu and the Princess of Zhennan finally returned to the mansion.

Xu Zifeng rushed forward in a single bound: "Mother, Aunt, what did the Empress Dowager say?"

Ji Lianyu patted his shoulder lightly: "You child, don't always be so rash. Impatience cannot accomplish great things."

The Princess of Zhennan revealed a gratified smile: "The Empress Dowager promised to inform His Majesty. His Majesty... perhaps he also wants to see your performance."

Xu Zifeng gave a bitter smile. His father, the Prince of Zhennan, had already sent a letter, and between the lines, he was urged to seize this opportunity for the southern expedition.

Thinking of his father, whom he hadn't seen for many years, a wave of sorrow washed over him.

Just as the three were talking, a sharp, shrill voice suddenly came from outside the mansion: "The imperial decree has arrived—"

Xu Zifeng was overjoyed and hurriedly tidied his attire, kneeling on the ground to receive the decree.

After hearing the decree, he was so excited that his hands trembled slightly; His Majesty actually wanted to summon him personally!

"When you see His Majesty, you must be cautious in your words and actions," Ji Lianyu repeatedly exhorted.

"Remember, don't let your eyes wander, and think thrice before answering..." The Princess of Zhennan also taught him tirelessly.

This time, Xu Zifeng didn't feel the slightest impatience; instead, he listened with extra seriousness.

He knew that his performance during this audience with the Emperor was directly related to whether he could fulfill his father's wish.

Following the eunuch to the Imperial Study, Xu Zifeng was so nervous that his palms were sweating.

It wasn't his first time seeing Li Chen; he had even harbored thoughts of rebellion before, and he hadn't been very afraid then.

But this time, he was terrified.

Upon seeing Li Chen, he immediately knelt and performed a grand kowtow: "Subject Xu Zifeng, kowtows to Your Majesty!"

Li Chen didn't even raise his head, continuing to review the memorials: "Xu Zifeng, I hear you really want to return to the south?"

This sentence scared Xu Zifeng into a cold sweat; he hurriedly explained: "Replying to Your Majesty, this subject is loyal and devoted, only wishing to share Your Majesty's worries; I have absolutely no other intentions!"

He certainly couldn't let the Emperor know that he was doing this to see his own father.

Li Chen then closed the memorial and stood up, walking to stand before him: "I hear you've been quite popular in the Imperial Capital recently?"

"Subject... this subject has always been law-abiding, doing many good deeds, and dares not fail Your Majesty's cultivation..."

Xu Zifeng's forehead was pressed to the ground, his voice trembling.

He didn't know why Li Chen said this, but his words were all flattery, all taught to him by his mother and aunt.

If you don't know what to say, you can't go wrong with flattery.

Li Chen suddenly changed the subject: "It just so happens I need to leave the palace; you may accompany me."

Xu Zifeng was both shocked and delighted, kowtowing repeatedly: "This subject obeys the decree! Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"

Walking out of the Imperial Study, Xu Zifeng realized his back was already soaked.

But what made him even more uneasy was: why did His Majesty suddenly want to leave the palace?

After Li Chen changed his clothes, Xu Zifeng followed cautiously behind, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Walking out of the Imperial Palace, he realized with a start that he had never feared a person so much in his life—not just because of Li Chen's status and strength, but because of the feeling that his fate was completely controlled by another.

Xu Zifeng felt it was even more stressful than being next to his father, the Prince of Zhennan.

The first stop: Li Chen arrived at the Ministry of Sect Affairs.

The Minister of Sect Affairs, Lin Yue'e, heard the news and immediately trotted out to welcome him, her face filled with undisguised surprise.

Xu Zifeng observed secretly: the court said Lin Yue'e was His Majesty's trusted heavyweight; it seemed it was indeed true.

His Majesty's attitude toward her was clearly much closer than toward ordinary ministers.

Lin Yue'e saw Xu Zifeng following behind Li Chen, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

Usually, shouldn't such an escort be the Grand General Guo Poyun? Why was it him?

However, as a minister, she knew deep down she shouldn't ask too much.

"Why does Your Majesty have time to come to the Ministry of Sect Affairs today?" Lin Yue'e asked respectfully.

Li Chen smiled faintly: "Just passing by, taking a look. Has the Ministry of Sect Affairs encountered any trouble recently?"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern; everything is going smoothly," Lin Yue'e replied softly. "The various sects are all cooperating with the court's management. Especially the He He Zongzhu of the Xiaguang Sword Sect, Feng Chu; after he came to work at the Ministry of Sect Affairs according to Your Majesty's requirements, his connections in the west helped us a lot."

The He He Zongzhu of the Xiaguang Sword Sect, Feng Chu, was a "mysterious powerhouse" Li Chen had accidentally saved while on a mission.

At the time, Feng Chu couldn't control his own body and even made Li Chen dodge when he swung his sword.

However, he only had the cultivation of the Heavenly Abyss Realm; Li Chen didn't need to dodge at all.

According to the system's intention at the time, it was probably to make Feng Chu grateful to Li Chen and become Li Chen's bodyguard or something.

But Li Chen's strength was too great; he didn't need a bodyguard at all, so he just let him come to work at the Ministry of Sect Affairs.

Feng Chu could get a government position, so he certainly agreed.

Hearing Lin Yue'e's report, Li Chen nodded and asked about her cultivation progress.

Lin Yue'e reported truthfully, making Xu Zifeng, who was on the side, secretly shocked: This Lin Yue'e's cultivation was clearly much lower than his own before; how was she almost catching up to him now?

This was the benefit of knowing Li Chen; cultivation was even more powerful than cheating.

Finally, Li Chen suddenly asked: "Yue'e, what is your opinion of Xu Zifeng? Speak truthfully."

Lin Yue'e heard this and gave Xu Zifeng a meaningful look: "Unruly, troublemaking, causing trouble, violent..."

For every word she said, Xu Zifeng's cold sweat flowed a bit more.

These were all his "masterpieces" from when he used to pretend to be a playboy.

Lin Yue'e was the most loyal to Li Chen; whatever Li Chen told her to say, she certainly wouldn't hide.

Never mind Xu Zifeng; Lin Yue'e even dared to speak about his father's affairs.

Just as Xu Zifeng was about to collapse, Lin Yue'e changed the subject: "However, his performance recently has been quite good; at least... he hasn't been thrown into jail."

Xu Zifeng almost couldn't catch his breath.

What kind of evaluation is that? But he didn't dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction and could only lower his head, like a child who had done something wrong.

Li Chen looked at Xu Zifeng with a half-smile: "Heard that? Even Yue'e says you've made significant progress."

Xu Zifeng hurriedly cupped his hands: "Subject... this subject will definitely continue to work hard and not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

Leaving the Ministry of Sect Affairs, Xu Zifeng secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

He finally understood that His Majesty bringing him out of the palace was to let him "make an appearance" in front of the various weighty ministers!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 416 =====