Chapter 689: 325 Slap in the Face (Double update)_2 Chapter 689: 325 Slap in the Face (Double update)_2 Zhuang Taifu is the Polaris amongst the civil officials, and his orders are immediately obeyed at court. Officials like Yang Shidu rarely get a chance to meet him.
Today is truly an honor, and Yang Shidu doesn’t want to miss this opportunity to curry favor with Zhuang Taifu.
“Zhuang Taifu!” He greeted him courteously, and his eyes caught Xiao Liulang standing by the side, he felt secretly pleased, as if fate was aiding him!
Yang Shidu stood straight and imperiously directed Xiao Liulang, “The Book Pavilion at the Hanlin Academy hasn’t been checked for a while. You go and count the books today and get the list from me later. Once it’s done, you may leave.”
Everyone knew that the Book Pavilion at the Hanlin Academy was even larger than the one at the Imperial College. It was challenging for several Hanlin officials to complete the task within a day. Clearly, it was targeted at Xiao Liulang.
Yang Shidu expected Xiao Liulang to submit as before, but to his surprise, without batting an eyelid, Xiao Liulang indifferently replied, “I have classes at Hanlin Academy today, why not find someone else to sort the Book Pavilion?”
Upon hearing this, Yang Shidu was stumped: “What do you mean by this?”
What does this brat mean? Is he defying his command in front of everyone?
Yang Shidu’s eyes glinted: “Classes at the academy…someone else can cover for that!”
Xiao Liulang asked nonchalantly: “Oh? Who has the time to cover me?”
“Teaching should naturally be conducted by a Hanlin official with real ability.” Yang Shidu said, turning to face An Prince, “I wonder if Zhuang Bianxiu is free today.”
An Prince thought for a moment: “Well, I don’t have other arrangements for today.”
Yang Shidu smiled: “Then…”
Xiao Liulang cut him off and said to An Prince: “Since Zhuang Bianxiu is free, why not have him sort out the Book Pavilion? Yang Shidu has stated that I cannot leave until it’s complete – Zhuang Bianxiu, you’ll have to hurry.”
“You!” Yang Shidu choked with anger.
This brat is seeking his own death!
Daring to direct An Prince in front of Zhuang Taifu?
Xiao Liulang confidently turned to the carriage where Zhuang Taifu sat: “Zhuang Taifu has no objections, right?”
Yang Shidu nearly wet his pants!
Has Xiao Liulang gained such audacity from ancient warriors? Is he daring to speak to Zhuang Taifu now? Just who does he think he is? Just because he has the Emperor’s protection, he thinks he can reach for the clouds?
Doesn’t he know that Zhuang Taifu is the Empress Dowager’s man?
Yang Shidu’s cold sweat broke out, afraid that Zhuang Taifu’s anger would be directed at him.
There was a sudden flash of cold light in Zhuang Taifu’s pupils.
Xiao Liulang lifted an eyebrow and said, “If you have objections, take them to the Empress Dowager. I need to be going.”
Having said that, he unswervingly proceeded to the Hanlin Academy.
Everyone was puzzled, unaware of why Xiao Liulang was being so presumptive.
Only Zhuang Taifu understood where Xiao Liulang’s confidence came from. Xiao Liulang almost stated the fact that he alone could not handle him, but the master of his house could!
Zhuang Taifu was internally wounded by his rage!
“Grandfather…” An Prince looked peculiarly at Zhuang Taifu, also feeling that Xiao Liulang was strange today.
Zhuang Taifu suppressed his churning anger, and stated word by word: “Go sort the Book Pavilion.”
An Prince was taken aback: “Grandfather?”
Zhuang Taifu did not respond. He let the carriage curtain fall and wordlessly drove away.
Zhuang Taifu was deeply angered by Xiao Liulang and did not cool down even after he returned to his residence.
“Master.” The housekeeper brought over a pot of tea. He had heard about the incident from the coachman and tried to reassure him, “Please calm down. After all, you are a close relative of the Empress Dowager, and Xiao Liulang is just pretending to be a tiger with the backing of the Empress Dowager’s favour. He will eventually fall into your hands.”
Unless Xiao Liulang never enters the cabinet, he will fall into Zhuang Taifu’s hands.
Zhuang Taifu clenched his teeth: “If it was just pretending, that would be one thing….”
But the Emperess Dowager really had his back.
The housekeeper was not aware of the details, thinking that the Empress Dowager was temporarily deceived. He continued to persuade, “Don’t be angry. Aren’t you meeting with Yuan Shoufu later? The engagement has been confirmed, the Prince and Yuan’s daughter are a match made in heaven!”
At the mention of this, Zhuang Taifu’s expression finally lightened a bit.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager managed all the affairs but did not interfere in Hengheng’s marriage.
With the proposed marriage to the Yuan family, Zhuang’s position in the court would be even more stable!
Zhuang Taifu took a sip of tea and said, “I remember Yuan Shoufu asking me to bring Hengheng, so he can meet him. Later, you go to the Hanlin Academy and have Hengheng go directly to the Qingfeng Building after he’s done.”