My father is Jiajing

Chapter 249 The feeling of licking a dog

Hai Rui took up his post in the Zhanshi Mansion as the chief clerk of the Zhanshi Mansion's chief clerk's office. However, the Zhanshi Mansion was originally a nominal institution. Officials here would be in trouble unless they were assigned or held other positions.

However, Hai Rui's arrival here was definitely not to allow him to enjoy a leisurely life, so right after Hai Rui took up his post in the Zhanshi Mansion, the palace issued another decree, ordering Hai Rui to go to Prince Yu's Mansion to temporarily take over the position of Chief Judge.

The judge was a subordinate official of the Prince's Chief Secretary's Office of the Ming Dynasty, which was an official position of the sixth rank. However, considering that Prince Yu was still in his residence in Beijing and had no formal fiefdom, the Chief Secretary's Office naturally did not exist in Prince Yu's Mansion.

However, in order for Hai Rui to become Zhu Zaigui's subordinate legitimately, he had to be given a formal assignment.

Therefore, after comprehensively considering Hai Rui's identity and situation, Emperor Jiajing gave Hai Rui an unprecedented position as the temporary judge of Prince Yu's Palace, allowing him to enter Prince Yu's Palace with this position and work for Prince Yu.

After Hai Rui got the position of Chief Judge of Prince Yu's Palace, he did not hesitate at all. After receiving the imperial edict, he went to Prince Yu's Palace to pay a visit to Prince Yu.

At this moment, Zhu Zaigui was eating grapes in the Zhihua courtyard of Sihua, and his life was very comfortable.

Zhu Zaigui has taken classes from four teachers, Siqin, Siqi, Sishu and Sihua, many times, and with their hard work, the professional levels of these teachers have become higher and higher.

However, comparing these four people, Zhu Zaigui still prefers Sihua, so usually, Zhu Zaigui would come to Sihua's Zhihua courtyard to enjoy life in his spare time.

Looking at Si Hua's face which looked very much like Qin Lan, Zhu Zaigui felt it was very strange, as if he had traveled through time again.

At the same time, Zhu Zaigui also felt in his heart that a certain great director did not appreciate his kindness and that a certain great hero was really lucky.

But compared to the two of them, Zhu Zaigui felt that he was the best.

Because the Zhu Zaigui who lived in the Ming Dynasty was completely different from the Zhu Zaigui before he traveled through time. Here, no matter what he ate or used, they would be the best, and they would be original and unopened. Based on this point alone, the other two could not compare to the current Zhu Zaigui in enjoying life.

Si Hua gently peeled a grape for Zhu Zaigui and put it to his mouth. Zhu Zaigui ate it and smacked his lips and said, "Our grapes are still not as delicious as those from Hami. It's a pity that since the Hetao area was robbed by the Tatars, we can no longer eat Hami grapes and fruits."

Si Hua listened to Zhu Zaigui's sigh but did not interrupt because she did not know where Hami Wei was or where Hetao was.

She only knew that if she could serve the man in front of her well, she would have a strong support in the future.

Therefore, Si Hua is very clear about his position and what he wants.

At this moment, Meng Chong came over in a hurry, "Your Majesty, Hai Rui is here."

When Si Hua saw Meng Chong coming, she quickly stood up, bowed slightly to Meng Chong, and then sensibly stepped aside.

Zhu Zaigui got up from the recliner and put the copy of the Yongle Encyclopedia he was reading on the coffee table with a grape plate on the side. He asked in surprise, "So fast?"

Meng Chong replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. Hai Rui has received the Emperor's favor and has been appointed as the Chief Judge of our palace. According to the rules, he must come to pay his respects to Your Majesty as soon as possible."

Zhu Zaiqi sighed, "Since he is here, I will meet him. Take him to the study, and I will come later."

After hearing Zhu Zaigui's instructions, Meng Chong went to the mansion without hesitation to pick up Hai Rui and wait in the study.

Zhu Zaigui stood up and stretched his body, then said to Si Hua, "Put this book away. I will come back later to enjoy the good times with the beautiful lady."

Si Hua bowed to Zhu Zaigui and said, "Yes."

Then Zhu Zaigui stretched out his arms again and said, "Come here and help me tidy up my clothes." Si Hua came over carefully to help Zhu Zaigui smooth out the wrinkles on his clothes, and then straightened his collar and belt for him.

After finishing all this, Zhu Zaigui left Zhihua Courtyard this time and headed towards the courtyard where his study was located.

Hai Rui stood respectfully in the small courtyard of Zhu Zaigui's study, waiting for Zhu Zaigui's arrival.

When Zhu Zaigui appeared in the study courtyard, Hai Rui was the first to see him. He bowed to Zhu Zaigui with a look of gratitude and neither humility nor arrogance.

"I, the Chief Clerk of the Imperial Household Department, am temporarily in charge of the trial of the Prince's Palace. Hai Rui pays his respects to Prince Yu."

Zhu Zaigui looked at Hai Rui who was greeting him and said with a smile, "No need to be polite. We are acquaintances after all. Meng Chong, have someone serve tea to Hai Rui."

After Zhu Zaigui greeted Hai Rui, he asked Meng Chong to serve tea.

Then Zhu Zaigui walked into the study first, and Hai Rui followed closely behind him.

When they arrived at the study, after Zhu Zaigui sat down, Hai Rui was very conscious and did not take the initiative to sit down.

Zhu Zaigui felt sad when he saw Hai Rui, who was so well-behaved. They were so familiar with each other, yet they were still so distant. All the coal he had spent over the past two years had been wasted.

However, Zhu Zaigui did not care about these things. He knew that Hai Rui was just that kind of person. He always looked very strict and annoying.

However, once impressed by the principles of conduct that Hai Rui adheres to, everyone will involuntarily respect and love people like Hai Rui, because being able to be friends with such a person is also a great blessing in life!
Zhu Zaigui looked at Hai Rui who was still standing in the study, gestured to him to invite him in, and said, "Please take a seat. There is no need to be so polite here."

Hai Rui then replied "yes" and sat down on the chair in the study.

At this time, the tea that Meng Chong had ordered someone to brew was just brought up. He placed a cup in front of Zhu Zaigui's desk and another cup in front of Hai Rui.

After the servants who served tea had left, Zhu Zaigui asked, "How is the trial going recently?"

Hai Rui replied, "Thanks to your care, Your Majesty. I am doing fine."

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "I didn't really take care of you. Every year, I asked Meng Chong to send you charcoal and other things, and you paid for them according to the price. Speaking of this, I feel a little embarrassed. This gift is a first for selling goods door-to-door."

Listening to Zhu Zaigui's words, Hai Rui showed a rare trace of embarrassment on his face. He didn't intend for this to happen, but he really couldn't accept the gift, so this is what happened.

Hai Rui apologized, "It is my fault for being ignorant. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Zhu Zaigui waved his hands and said, "Forget it, forget it. This is not your fault. I just like your strict rules. Otherwise, I would not ask His Majesty to ask you to work in the palace."

When Hai Rui heard Zhu Zaigui's words, he was moved. He knew what his personality was like and it was difficult for ordinary people to accept and like him. However, Prince Yu was as friendly to him from beginning to end as when they first met. Hai Rui knew this very well and was extremely moved.

You have to know that he was just a sour juren from Qiongzhou. Otherwise, if he had not happened to meet Prince Yu, who gave him so much help and benefits, he might not even have passed the imperial examination, let alone finally ranked second and became a disciple of the emperor.

It can be said that everything he has now is due to the grace of Prince Yu.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Hai Rui, who was already somewhat moved, and felt happy in his heart, as if he had been a dog to boot for many years and finally got a response from the goddess, which made him unable to help but smile.

(End of this chapter)