Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 712 - 711: To Win Her Favor

Chapter 712: Chapter 711: To Win Her Favor

In the Floral Hall, there was an atmosphere so tense it was like a drawn bow ready to snap; suddenly, a laugh trickled through, shattering the tension.

"Lord Wen, don’t be in such a hurry. I had no intention of enraging you. I was merely expressing my admiration," Ah Jiu said with a smile as he clasped his hands together and made a slight bow in apology.

Wen Congrui harrumphed coldly, flicked his sleeves, and sat back down.

"What I’ve said is also the truth. If Nanyue had a few more good officials like Lord Wen, why would we worry about its growth? We wouldn’t be in the situation we are now... Last year’s drought has truly weighed heavily on my heart," Ah Jiu sighed. "Unfortunately. I also want to see, relying solely on you, whether it is possible to root out the rot and the corruption?"

Wen Congrui’s gaze turned slightly dark; he was well aware of the corruption at the imperial court, which is why he would rather live a modest life as a minor district magistrate, pouring his passion wholeheartedly into serving the common people, instead of accepting the arranged and seemingly glorious yet corrupt positions from the Wen Family.

But as the man before him implied, what could he alone really do to stem the tide of the imperial court?

His melancholy moment passed in an instant, and soon, Wen Congrui regained his clarity and coldly said, "Ninth Master, there’s no need for roundabout talk, let’s get to the point. This strategy you’ve employed, is it for the nation or is it out of personal grudge?"

"What does it matter if it’s for the nation or a personal grudge?" Ah Jiu asked back indifferently.

Wen Congrui’s gaze sharpened, "The common people are innocent."

"Yes, but what does that have to do with me?" Ah Jiu looked at him and said impassively, "Even though Lord Wen has not been an official for long, you still come from a noble family. Surely you must understand the principle of survival of the fittest?"

Wen Congrui’s complexion shifted slightly.

"The lives of ordinary people have always been worth less than ants. I suppose the Wen Family has also not been shy about harming the innocent before, right?"

Wen Congrui, angered, slammed down his teacup forcefully, "Mo Jiu, don’t you push things too far."

"Lord Wen, I’m not deceiving you, but this is the law of the world. Survival of the fittest, survival of the adaptable. And moreover, what have I done? Have I harmed even one commoner?" Ah Jiu said sarcastically, "If Lord Wen truly wants to question someone, I’m afraid it should be your nation’s imperial court and king."

"How dare you! You have some nerve!"

Ah Jiu ignored his rage and simply looked at his teacup lid, then said, "Lord Wen, rest assured, I’m not an official. All I’m trying to do is to bring joy and see her smile! What you’re thinking of, it’s not like that!"

Wen Congrui narrowed his eyes, "At least you admit it!"

Ah Jiu, however, flashed a mischievous smile, "What have I admitted to?"

"You!" Wen Congrui, repeatedly mocked and prodded, struggled to keep his composure and said through gritted teeth, "Ninth Master, you are indeed cunning, with a slick tongue."

"Lord Wen flatters me!" Ah Jiu chuckled.

Wen Congrui looked at him through clenched teeth, "Does Wufu know about this too?"

Ah Jiu took a sip of tea, "She doesn’t need to know."

"So, Ninth Master, you want to win favor but also keep silent about it, heh, don’t you find that contradictory?" Wen Congrui said with irony.

Ah Jiu turned to look at him and replied, "Does doing something for someone necessarily mean it has to be said aloud? Being able to ensure her peace and stability is enough! The rest, there’s no need for details. But a government official like you wouldn’t understand; where are there achievements not made known to those above!"

Wen Congrui was taken aback, grinding his teeth as he glared at the man, for the first time feeling such annoyance towards a man – for what reason?

The two were at loggerheads, unaware that someone had quietly left outside.