She lowered her head to listen to the lesson.

“What you did that day was indeed commendable. You, young man, are someone with intelligence and strategy, but placed here in the capital, you’re still very green.”

“Thank you for the Chancellor’s guidance. This crude commoner is ignorant, but knowing the Chancellor governs with clarity, there are a few words I cannot help but speak.”

“Oh? Speak them.”

“Yes. This crude commoner privately believes that though Liu and Fu committed crimes, their families bore no fault. The law of punishing nine generations is perhaps too cruel. Furthermore, according to law, that little girl should have died under the executioner’s blade, not at the princess’s hand. Since the nation has laws, they should be followed. Even imperial relatives cannot be exempt, otherwise where is the power of law? Where is the dignity of the king? How can the nation remain a nation?”

Hearing this, Yan Da flew into a rage. He slammed his teacup heavily on the table and sneered coldly, “The reason law is law is that once violated, punishment must be severe. Only thus can it have constraining power. If one doesn’t want to implicate family members, one should strictly constrain oneself and never dare to commit great wrongs. Though the princess erred, executing a death row prisoner early is not the ultimate evil. That child was destined to die anyway, yet you would use an already determined outcome to destroy your own future? I don’t care what kind of official you want to become someday, whether for yourself or for the people, but first, you can’t even meet the basic conditions for being an official.”

“In that case, according to your lordship’s words, if the princess someday commits great wrongs, everyone in her household—His Majesty and all the princes—should also be condemned together. According to your lordship’s words, before becoming an official, concern for the people isn’t important—what matters is how to secure a position, is that what makes talent?”

“Li Huaisu!”

Yan Da’s anger was considerable. He even threw his teacup, and Su Zhen was startled into kneeling. She stuck out her tongue and looked up quite seriously, “Your lordship, what this crude commoner said just now was in jest. Naturally you are correct.”

Yan Da was stunned. His face darkened and his pointing finger trembled slightly. He stared at her fiercely, his gaze complex. Finally, he said coldly, “If I help you this time, I would be harming you. Better to spare your life—go.”

“In three years, when you understand what it means to be an official, this old man and the capital will welcome you.”

Damn, old fellow, I still welcome all the people of the nation to you.

Su Zhen clenched her fists but still properly bowed to him before taking her leave.

After all, this Chancellor Yan was a decent old man.

Later, when she served beside Lian Yu, she realized she had understood human complexity too shallowly.

Walking to the courtyard, she saw the butler who had gone out earlier leading a group of servants carrying tea.

She was somewhat puzzled. These servants each carried a tea set—one, two, three, four… several sets. She also sniffed hard—the tea fragrances were varied: Dongting Biluochun, Junshan Silver Needle, West Lake Dragon Well… all top-quality goods. Was the Yan residence expecting distinguished guests?

But if guests were visiting, tea prepared early would lose its flavor when cold. Could it mean… there were already people in the inner hall?!

She was suddenly alarmed.

The butler saw her blocking the path, looking bewildered, and couldn’t help showing slight annoyance as he coughed lightly.

Su Zhen quickly smiled and made way.

Being near ink makes one black—she really had been infected by Leng Xue’s “expert judgment” that people were hidden everywhere >_<

Even if there truly were people in the inner hall, no matter who these distinguished guests were, it seemed to have nothing to do with her. But if there were distinguished guests, why did Yan Da still receive her? Didn’t those few people hiding in the inner room mind? Who exactly were they?

——

Thank you for every comment, gift, and friend who catches errors.