Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Jinzhou, Changshi Mansion, Side Hall

The sun streamed through the high windows, falling onto the blue-brick floor, creating a geometric pattern of light and shadow. The side hall of the Chief Secretary's residence was filled with a heavy aroma of aged books and fine ink sticks, a stark contrast to the occasional murmur of the city outside, obscured by the high walls.

The cautious, almost tiptoe-walking manner of the chief clerk when leading the way had already caused Wang Lian's unhappiness to ferment into anger.

Before he even stepped into the side hall, a cold voice filled with suppressed impatience spoke first: "He has ruined the prince's plan and brought disgrace to the Prince Jin's Mansion. How dare he, Yuan Tangjing, get the nerve to come back?"

As he finished speaking, Wang Lian appeared at the door. He was dressed in a dark, casual suit of fine material, unadorned with ornamentation. A single mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist signaled his status. His gaze swept across the hall like a hawk, finally settling on the figure huddled in the guest seat.

At just one glance, Wang Lian's well-trimmed brows were furrowed tightly.

Yuan Liang practically leaped to his feet, his movements clumsy and comical due to the pain. He threw himself before Wang Lian. If it weren't for the last shred of scholarly dignity he still held, he would have kneeled down to embrace her. His face was bruised and purple, the corners of his mouth cracked with dark red scabs, and one of his eyes was swollen to a slit. His once respectable robes were wrinkled and dusty, even sporting a few subtle tears. His appearance was little better than that of a fleeing soldier.

"Teacher... Teacher!" Yuan Liang couldn't hold back his tears any longer as he spoke, his voice hoarse and filled with deep grievance. "You have to make a decision for your student! Your student... Your student almost couldn't come back to see you!"

Wang Lian took a half step back in disgust, avoiding the possibility of him touching his robe. His voice was like ice: "Get up! Stand up straight! It's unbecoming to cry like this! Look at yourself, you look just like those scoundrels who got beaten up on the street. When has anyone like you, the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Jin's Mansion, ever appeared in the folds of his family?"

Yuan Liang shuddered when he was scolded. He barely stood up straight, but still sobbed: "Teacher, student... It was my fault that I failed to complete the lawsuit this time. I accept the punishment... But I really have no choice! That chess piece is a living devil! His murderous father-in-law not only beat me, but also... almost threw me to feed those living dead! I am blessed by my ancestors to be able to save my life..." As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Wang Lian's face, and seeing that the other party was not moved, he hurriedly added, "Besides, teacher, you... you didn't explain it clearly to the student in advance. It involves... such a big case!" He tried to muddy the waters, implying that the difficulty of the task exceeded expectations.

Wang Lian scoffed, his laughter devoid of warmth. He walked over to the main seat, sat down, and leisurely adjusted his sleeves. "Yuan Liang, ah, Yuan Liang, this is what makes you so 'outstanding'—you always manage to skillfully and easily attribute your own incompetence and stupidity to others. Is Zhang Qi too ruthless? Or did I not explain clearly? The only thing that's not you, Yuan Tang Jing, is that useless, right?"

Yuan Liang's face turned pale and he tried to defend himself hastily: "Teacher, please understand! I really tried my best this time! I have tried my best to protect the Shi family in court, and I have used all the means I can! But...but who could have expected that Taoist Shen would turn against us at the critical moment, his mind would be distracted, and he would talk nonsense and make accusations like a madman in the court! The scene was completely chaotic, and I...I didn't know how to deal with it!" He spread out his hands, making an extremely helpless and innocent expression. The wound was affected and he grimaced in pain.

Wang Lian listened expressionlessly, his fingers tapping gently on the smooth armrests of the huanghuali wood chair, each sound piercing Yuan Liang's heart. After Yuan Liang finished speaking, he spoke calmly, changing the subject, but his words were even more pointed: "Never mind, these clichés are so commonplace I'm tired of them. I did hear that after leaving Gaoyang, you didn't go directly back to Jinzhou, but made a special detour to Taiyuan?"

Yuan Liang's heart skipped a beat, his eyes flickered subconsciously, and he stammered, "Oh... yes, I went to Taiyuan. Speaking of this makes me even more angry! Teacher, I thought I couldn't make a wasted trip, so I took the opportunity... to help his military trading company to close a big deal with the Taiyuan Military Governor's Office! I thought he would remember my personal favor, but who knew... who knew that Zhang Qi was not only not grateful, but... instead asked someone to beat me like this!" He pointed to the wound on his face, his tone becoming more and more angry, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Wang Lian leaned forward slightly, his eyes as sharp as knives, fixed on Yuan Liang's face. He lowered his voice even more, but it was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression: "Oh? That's strange. You helped his military to negotiate a 'big deal'. Zhang Jingwei should be grateful to you, or at least treat you with courtesy. Why did he treat you so cruelly? Hmm? And it was a 'servant' who did it? Yuan Liang..."

He paused, each word falling like ice beads on the ground. "You've been by my side, at my beck and call for four or five years now. Do you think I'm some three-year-old child, someone you can fool with your nonsense? Do you think that just because you got these injuries from nowhere and acted so pitifully, I'll let you stay in the mansion and waste food?"

Wang Lian slammed the armrest. Although he didn't use much force, the sound made Yuan Liang tremble violently.

"You've delayed the prince's important mission! You've damaged the palace's reputation! I didn't immediately drown you in the pond because I wanted to save you a bit of dignity, considering your father, who died long ago, served the prince diligently!" Wang Lian's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable determination. "Now, get out! Get out of the Changshi Mansion! Don't let me see you again!"

"Teacher! Teacher, you can't..." Yuan Liang was completely panicked and rushed forward to beg.

"Get out!" Wang Lian pointed outside the door, his eyes icy cold, leaving no room for maneuver.

Yuan Liang collapsed, his face ashen, as if drained of all his strength. He stood there for a moment, then, as if suddenly remembering something, spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Yes... Student... I'll get out of here now... Teacher..." He raised his head, offering a fawning smile uglier than tears. "Student... Student, could you please... go back to the General Staff Office one last time... I have some personal belongings, a few frequently used legal books... I'd like to take with me..."

Wang Lian waved his hand impatiently, as if shooing away a disgusting fly. "Go away! Take it and get out of here! Before you go, find a basin of water and wipe your face clean! Don't bring this unlucky look to pollute my staff room and make a fool of yourself!"

"Yes... yes... thank you, teacher... I'll clean it right away..." Yuan Liang hunched over, bowed and nodded repeatedly, and almost used his hands and feet to retreat from the side hall. His back looked as miserable as a stray dog ​​that had been kicked out of its home.

Wang Lian looked at his disappearing back, frowned in disgust, pulled out a snow-white silk handkerchief from her sleeve, and wiped her fingers that had just patted the armrest.