Chapter 36#
Cunning#
Mi Jin held no official position whatsoever; the court assembly had been going on for several hours, and he had been standing for several hours. Once the Six Ministers had finished presenting their memorials, seeing that Mi Linan’s expression remained as usual, he knew that after court was adjourned, an inner council meeting was still waiting.
Sure enough, when court was adjourned, Xu Daochun distributed warm milk drink to the assembled ministers. The group dared not waste it and all drank it respectfully. Mi Jin also managed to get himself a bowl. Just as he was drinking, he heard Xu Daochun come over and say: “Lord, don’t rush to leave—come with me this way. The Sovereign has had a meal served in the Zhiyi Hall and specifically named you and a few pillars of state to keep him company.”
Mi Jin picked two pastries from the eunuch’s tray and tossed them into his mouth one by one. “What dishes are on the menu today?”
“Meat and vegetables, the full spread—we certainly won’t let the Lord go hungry.” Xu Daochun led the way. “This must be the Lord’s first time going to the Zhiyi Hall?”
“A place where important officials hold confidential meetings.” Mi Jin, now familiar with him, spoke casually. “What could a common loafer like me do going in there besides eat? I’d rather be comfortable outside.”
“The Lord mustn’t undervalue himself. You should know—of all those court officials out there, how many of them could never pass through this gate in their entire lifetime?” Xu Daochun descended the steps with a beaming smile. “The Lord is young and outstanding. In the future, you’ll certainly come often.”
Although eight out of every ten things he said were flattery, to be able to state it with such certainty meant he already knew which way the wind was blowing.
Mi Jin politely replied, “Then I’ll take your auspicious words to heart.”
When he arrived, the one on duty at the entrance of the Zhiyi Hall was Yuchi Liang. Yuchi Liang’s injuries had not yet healed. Upon seeing Mi Jin, he bowed respectfully.
“Are the healers the General hired no good?” Mi Jin asked as if casually. “It’s been so long—how come there’s been no improvement at all?”
This kid really had some nerve, still asking about it!
Yuchi Liang lowered his head with downcast eyes. “The Lord needn’t trouble himself worrying about me. Most of the healers out there are quacks. I’ve invited several in succession—they can treat internal injuries, but external wounds never seem to improve. This morning the Sovereign also asked about it. I’ll look for someone else to take another look.”
Beaten to this state by Mi Jin, not a single word of complaint, yet still diligently performing his guard duties—when this reached Mi Linan’s eyes, he had to have inquired about it several times.
“Once you’re healed, don’t forget to thank me.” Mi Jin lifted the curtain. “What we agreed upon last time—I’m still waiting.”
He entered the hall, leaving Yuchi Liang gnashing his teeth outside.
“Naga has arrived.” Lu Guanjie, seated among the guests, saw Mi Jin enter and immediately smiled. “Uncle has been far too busy these past few days to come see you. You look well today—your injuries should be no serious concern.”
Several people sat in order around the seating. On closer inspection, one side was led by Lu Guanjie, the other by Du Wei. Lu Guanjie spoke first and addressed Mi Jin by his childhood name. This both established Mi Jin’s status and elevated his own faction’s standing—no matter how the noble families were exalted outside, once through this gate, it was they, the imperial clan, who held the foremost rank of honor.
The reason Mi Linan favored Lu Guanjie was also because, although he neither fought nor competed, he would never let the imperial clan lose face. This face, in the end, was the sovereign’s dignity. Mi Linan could treat the worthy with courtesy and humble himself before lesser men—this was his grace. But if the noble families used that grace to disrupt the proper order of rank, that was the greatest taboo.
Everyone heard Lu Guanjie speak and rose one after another, then bowed to Mi Jin: “Your humble servant greets the Lord.”
Mi Jin knew that now was not the time for him to be polite, so he waited until everyone had finished bowing before answering: “There’s no need for such courtesy, my lords. Later, please do offer me your guidance.”
Mi Linan entered just then. As he took his seat, he said, “Guidance for what? This kid causes nothing but trouble—he’s used to running wild outside. He hasn’t even learned the rules for two days since coming back!”
Everyone bowed.
“Sit, all of you.” Mi Linan settled into his seat and waved at them. “We’re all old acquaintances, why so stiff? This isn’t like the main hall with all those rules—Mi Wuye, kneel!”
His temper came on so suddenly that no one could fathom its origin. Mi Jin, not one to shortchange himself, simply kneeled down on the felt rug.
Mi Linan asked, “Do you know why I told you to kneel?”
This was a question that should be weighed carefully before answering, but Mi Jin couldn’t afford to hesitate, so he said, “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Mi Linan flung down a memorial. “What did you do last night!”
In a flash, Mi Jin thought of a great many things. Facing that memorial head-on, he propped himself up and bowed low. “I remember now. I went to Yumian last night to drink wine—I broke the rules!”
“It’s a wonder you could remember.” Mi Linan’s face was dark. “A memorial of impeachment from the Censorate was submitted first thing this morning! With the grand court session today, you dared go drinking the night before. What kind of scoundrel are you!”
He shouldn’t have exploded at Mi Jin. The King of Slaughter wasn’t mad. Even if he wanted to take it out on Mi Jin, why would he have him summoned to the Zhiyi Hall? This was a place for confidential deliberation of state affairs!
Mi Jin had gone to Yumian last night for a legitimate reason. The green ox had even been personally granted by Mi Linan himself. So no matter what, he shouldn’t have been in a position to be impeached by the Censorate. Moreover, if they truly wanted to impeach him, they should have impeached him for patricide.
But Mi…
The grand court session had just ended, Mi Li—so Mi Jin guessed that whatever Mi Linan now wanted him to respond to must be related to today’s court situation.
“In—”
In a snap of a finger, Mi Jin had already made up his mind. He raised his head. “I hadn’t fully sobered up from last night’s drinking this morning and forgot to report to the Sovereign. I went last night to deliver the ox to the young master of Yumian and happened to come upon gambling games in the tavern. That liubo thing—I’d never seen it before—so I asked the young master to play a few rounds with me. What? Is that even worth the censors impeaching me over?”
“—the games have been going on for how long, don’t you know? That young master has been hosting private liubo games. When you stumbled upon it, not only did you not advise him to conduct himself properly, you dared to join in and gamble! I think you scoundrel should go over there too!”
“Drinking wine was my impropriety, playing liubo was also my impropriety, but I—” Mi Jin looked to one side. “—then Chancellor Lü should be apprehended together with me!”