Chapter 349: Chapter 350: Causing Trouble

He Nan glared for a long moment before being the first to back down. "When I first met you, I thought you were so noble and refined. Only after we became close did I see your true colors. Sometimes I feel like if our friendship gets any deeper, it’ll shorten my life by a few years."

Ancient Wen Heng pointed to the door. "Well then, let me wish you a long and healthy life."

"..." He Nan knew he couldn’t win an argument against him, so he plopped down opposite him in a huff. "This was supposed to be a happy occasion, and you’ve completely ruined the mood."

"See? That expression looks much more natural," Ancient Wen Heng said, sizing him up. "You’re finally back to normal instead of grinning like a simpleton."

He Nan was exasperated. "Aren’t you happy?"

"Of course I’m happy, but I don’t want to make enemies," Ancient Wen Heng said, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in front of him. "If you’d gone out with that look on your face, I’d have worried someone would throw a sack over your head."

Seeing the "I’m doing this for your own good" look on his friend’s face, He Nan’s mouth worked, but he couldn’t find a single word of rebuttal. He really had let his joy show too plainly just now.

"The news hasn’t even spread yet, and I can already imagine all the snide comments we’re going to get from the entire Hanlin Academy." He Nan had finally come to his senses and realized his earlier behavior had indeed been inappropriate.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "That’s why we should keep a low profile for a while."

"Actually, I also came here to thank you," He Nan said, sitting up straight. "If you hadn’t taught me all those mental calculation tricks, I definitely wouldn’t have been chosen this time."

"Just grateful, are we?" Ancient Wen Heng leaned forward slightly, a teasing look on his face. "How about you give me some more of that flower wine from before?"

He Nan immediately recoiled, looking at him warily. "I really don’t have any of that, but I can take you to a restaurant for a meal. You can order whatever you like."

Ancient Wen Heng scoffed. "I’ve noticed you’re getting cheaper and cheaper. You talk about being grateful, but you think you can fob me off with a single meal?"

"If one meal won’t do, then two it is," He Nan said magnanimously, noticing the flicker of a smile in his friend’s eyes and realizing he was just being teased.

"At least three meals," Ancient Wen Heng said, holding up three fingers. "The kind where I can bring my family."

He Nan licked his lips. "How much salary do you think I make a month? Are you trying to bankrupt me with one go?"

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t believe a word of his nonsense. The He Family’s roots were in the south, and though they were a family of scholars, the estate passed down from their ancestors was considerable.

Judging by He Nan’s usual clothes and expenses, there was no way he could afford his lifestyle on his official salary alone.

"Will it really bankrupt you?" Ancient Wen Heng looked at him with disdain. "Should I go pawn a jug of wine for you?"

"I knew that’s what you were after. Let me tell you, don’t even think about the wine," He Nan said, watching him warily. "Have you already gone through all the bottles I gave you last time?"

Ancient Wen Heng had a real soft spot for the He Family’s flower brew. Leaving aside its medicinal properties, the fact that Jin Qianqian liked it was enough to make him want to get his hands on some by any means.

Even if he couldn’t drink it all now, he could store it in his space. ’If Qianqian and I are ever fated to live another life together, at least it won’t be just a distant memory.’

"I’m just preparing for a rainy day. You can be all chummy with me now, but what if you turn on me one day? Then I wouldn’t be able to get any even if I begged."

"You’re thinking way too far ahead," He Nan said, rolling his eyes. "But, since you like it so much, I’ll promise you this: next time the flower brew is made, I’ll have an extra share prepared for you. You’ll have to provide the medicinal ingredients yourself, though."

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"Now that’s more like it." Having gotten what he wanted, Ancient Wen Heng started to shoo him away. "Don’t just linger here. Hurry up and finish your work so you don’t give anyone an excuse to find fault with you."

He Nan stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. "Sigh. Casting me aside again now that you’ve gotten what you want."

...

As Ancient Wen Heng had feared, trouble was indeed brewing in the Hanlin Academy.

Seeing his colleagues gathered around Scholar Gong and Scholar Zhang, Ancient Wen Heng tried to slip away around the edge of the group.

"Mr. Gu, a moment please," An Youliang called out, spotting him.

Ancient Wen Heng pulled back the foot he was about to put over the threshold and flashed a wide, toothy smile. "Lord An. Is there something this subordinate can help you with?"

The man was a Third-rank Reader and a veteran of the Hanlin Academy; Ancient Wen Heng couldn’t simply ignore him.

"What we’re discussing concerns you as well. Why don’t you stay and listen?"

Ancient Wen Heng nodded and stood quietly to the side.

"The Six Ministries and our Hanlin Academy are both dispatching men to audit the accounts. This is a major affair."

"How can our Hanlin Academy entrust such a task to two greenhorns who don’t know the first thing about anything? If they make a mistake, our entire academy will become a laughingstock." After speaking, Cao Shijiang shot a pointed glance at Ancient Wen Heng. It was clear to everyone who he was talking about.

Gong Zhengping stroked his beard. "That’s a rather biased thing to say. Though the two of them have only recently joined the Hanlin Academy, their scholarship is by no means inferior to any of you gentlemen."

’The court hasn’t held the imperial examinations for years,’ Gong Zhengping thought. ’Most of these men serving in the Hanlin Academy were pushed into their positions by their aristocratic families; some never even passed an exam.’

He ignored the ugly expressions on the men’s faces. "Furthermore, regarding their mathematical skills, if anyone in the Hanlin Academy can surpass them, Mr. Zhang and I will gladly appoint that person to this task instead."

"This assignment represents the reputation of our Hanlin Academy. Do you think you can uphold it?"

"Or do you think auditing accounts is merely a matter of spouting classical prose and writing essays?"

"If you delay the Holy Emperor’s affairs, will you bear the blame yourselves, or will you drag down the entire Hanlin Academy with you?"

Seeing that no one dared to object, Liu Shijiang gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Even so, you can’t send two newcomers who have barely been on duty. If they don’t handle the intricacies of the situation properly, it will still reflect poorly on us."

The eyes of the other officials lit up. ’That’s right,’ they thought. ’Such a good opportunity can’t be monopolized by two newcomers.’

"Hmph," Zhang Daji snorted. "It seems Scholar Gong and I have been far too lenient with you. Since when do the decisions Scholar Gong and I make require your approval?"

Zhang Daji glanced at Gong Zhengping. ’You can try to be the nice guy, old friend, but that doesn’t mean they’ll appreciate it.’

Pulling rank, Zhang Daji cupped his hands in the direction of the Imperial Palace. "The Holy Emperor tasked myself and Lord Gong with managing the Hanlin Academy, which naturally means we decide your duties. If you feel we are being unjust, then by all means, submit a memorial to the Holy Emperor."

’The officials causing trouble today are all from the major aristocratic families,’ he thought. ’After so many years as an official, I figured out long ago that the powers that be have grown tired of them. Otherwise, why would they have packed the top scholars from the latest imperial examination into the Hanlin Academy?’

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