Yun Wanqing seemed uninterested in spiritual power. Even when he deliberately guided the conversation, she only replied briefly, completely unlike her previous keen, detailed discussions.
He didn’t dare probe too deeply, fearing Yun Wanqing would sense something was amiss, so there has been no substantial progress.
Without mastering the basics of spiritual power, he was left uneasy and restless.
While Yun Wanye was focused on Yun Wanqing, Yun Wanchen was not idle.
He fulfilled Gu Heng’s request by successfully nominating his cousin from the Gu Family to the Ministry of Personnel as a Book Order Historian.
Though merely a Ninth Rank Official, it was an entry into service nonetheless and near Haojing, a coveted position for new scholars. With diligence, the future was certainly promising.
The day he received his appointment letter, Gu Heng brought his aunt’s family and gifts to personally thank Yun Wanchen.
Watching the tearfully grateful cousin, Yun Wanchen smiled faintly.
If not for the clear voice of his younger sister confirming, he wouldn’t have thought that the person so grateful now would later resent him for the small title and burden, and humiliate him after the Duke Ning Mansion’s fall.
Heh~
If so, he couldn’t be blamed for striking preemptively.
A few days later, the cousin destroyed an official document that Lord Minister was to present to the Emperor. After a reprimand from Lord Minister, still unsatisfied, he reported the matter to the Emperor.
Consequently, the cousin was dismissed, stripped of his title, and reduced to commoner status, forbidden ever to take exams again.
His official rank wasn’t even warm before losing it, likely becoming Da Wu Country’s fastest case of dismissal. Soon, it would be the talk of the town, the latest joke in teahouses.
Listening to Cang Yan’s report, Yun Wanchen’s lips curled up slightly, feeling especially pleased.
This act was revenge for what happened in the original storyline.
"Princely Heir, there’s something I don’t understand."
Cang Yan frowned, his brows nearly tying in a knot.
"You want to ask why I went through all this trouble, right?"
"Exactly!"
Cang Yan nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chick.
If the Princely Heir didn’t want him as an official, he could simply decline Mr. Gu’s request, or at worst, pretend to comply but secretly sabotage. Why the charade?
Could Lord Minister be so easily manipulated?
"Guess!"
Yun Wanchen responded lightly, his gaze dimmed slowly.
How interesting it is to first give hope, then deliver despair?
More importantly, only this way ensures the swiftest deprivation of that person’s title, cutting off their official future.
Cang Yan: "..."
That afternoon, Gu Heng came again.
Unlike the joyful previous meeting, now he looked dejected, downcast like a defeated rooster.
"What’s wrong with Jin’an? Seems he’s in a bad mood."
Feigning ignorance, Yun Wanchen looked warmly at the despondent man before him.
"Brother Ming Yue, don’t you know? My cousin was dismissed and stripped of his title by the Emperor."
Gu Heng’s eyes fixed on him, Yun Wanchen feigning surprise.
"Can such a thing happen?? The cousin is merely a small Book Order Historian, hardly sees the Emperor, how could he anger him? Could there be some reason behind this?"
"Indeed," Gu Heng smiled bitterly and said, "My cousin never met the Emperor, yet incurred his wrath, and it involves Lord Minister."
"He accused my cousin of destroying the document and reported it to the Emperor, causing the Emperor’s anger and my cousin’s downfall."
"Jin’an, speak cautiously!"
Yun Wanchen’s expression darkened slightly, speaking with little emotion, "Lord Minister, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, is a close aide to the Emperor, why would he falsely accuse a minor Book Order Historian?"
"Moreover, deceiving the Emperor is a grave crime, you’re basically accusing Lord Minister of deceit."
"But the Emperor already decided, yet you suspect Lord Minister of deceit, implying the Emperor’s ignorance? If word spreads, inciting the Emperor’s anger, can your Gu Family bear it?"
Gu Heng’s face turned pale instantly, yet he persisted, "But it’s obvious my cousin was set up. I asked him, the document was already damaged by the time he was on duty. Either he’s been framed, or made a scapegoat."