Chang Qing, carrying an iron sword with a wooden expression, walked in while twisting the arm of a person dressed in a raincoat and wearing a rain hat. The youth struggled and the rain hat fell to the ground, revealing an embarrassed face. Chang Qing placed the youth in the center of the hall and said in a muffled voice, "Miss, Lord Wen Shou has been following us for half a day. Seeing that the rain is getting heavier, I brought him in."
Upon hearing this, Wen Shou was surprised and decided not to continue the chase. He asked, "Did you already know I was following you?"
Chang Qing nodded then lowered his gaze and stepped aside, returning to his previous state of being a wooden stake
Anle leisurely fanned herself and said, "Oh, Young Master Wen, why would you abandon your position as a newly appointed Hanlin scholar just to come suffer with us?''
(Hanlin - is a title for a newly appointed member of the Hanlin Academy, an institution responsible for editing and compiling imperial documents. Also a title given to high ranking scholars in ancient China, especially those serving in the Imperial Academy.)
Wen Shou coughed and replied, "There's not much to learn at the Hanlin Academy, so l might as well follow you all to Jiangnan..."
"Nonsense," Han Ye shouted coldly and harshly, "You are an official appointed by the imperial court, the newly appointed zhuang yuan in the Imperial examination. There is no reason for you to abandon your position and leave at will!"
Wen Shou walked up to Han Ye and said. "Your highness this morning l requested an imperial decree from his majesty and only after his majesty granted my request did l follow with you."
"Go back," Han Ye got up and gave a faint command, without even looking back, he walked towards the second floor.
Wen Shou was anxious and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, Zhao Yan is guarding the Eastern Palace, and everything is safe and sound. This trip to Jiangnan has too many variables, so l am following Your Highness closely in order to provide close protection."
"The imperial guards l have are all mere decorations. Why do I even need you, a zhuang yuan to protect me?" Han Ye's eyes were visibly filled with anger
Wen Shou lowered his head standing stubbornly in place with an attitude of resistance.
"Your highness, let him follow," lazily came the voice of Ren Anle from upstairs, "With Chang Qing around, his safety is certainly assured."
Han Ye turned his head, his expression indifferent and cold as he said. "Wen Shou, the affairs of the Mu Tian Prefecture are important and concern the lives of tens of thousands of people. Prove to me that you are not a burden."
Wen Shou pursed his lips took a step forward and replied in a low voice.
"Your highness after investigating l found that the twenty five officials in the Mu Tian Prefecture had participated in the disbursement of funds for the river embarkment last year. Among them, is Zhong Liwen as the main leader and they were all part of Mu Wang's faction. l have heard that there is a secret account book among the officials in Jiangnan where they are referred to by code names and keep their own records throughout the year. At the end of the year, the accounts will be summarised."
"Jiangnan has internal accounts, which is not a secret. However, there are no names listed in the account books. Even if one were to obtain them, it still cannot be distinguished which officials are involved," Wen Shou added.
"So what?" Han Ye raised an eyebrow in response.