Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 990 - 992: Unfilial Son (3)

Chapter 990: Chapter 992: Unfilial Son (3)

He was utterly tied up, as today officials and royal family members, in the hundreds, had come to celebrate his wife’s birthday. Greeting one after another, he was simply too stretched to attend to anything else.

Not far away, Nangong Yi sat leisurely in his chair, clad in a sky blue brocade robe, exuding a handsome grandeur and an artistic flair. Flicking his folding fan with ease, he casually but attentively responded to the compliments and flatteries from several ministers gathered around him. Nevertheless, the corner of his eye involuntarily glanced towards a corner of the banquet where Mu Zhongqing was seated.

At that table sat his future father-in-law, Taishan, and the men of the main branch of the family, as well as Lin’an’s Magistrate Han Zhicai and Yingtian Prefecture’s Magistrate Zhao Hongwang who had come to extend birthday wishes. Magistrate Han was related by marriage to Duke Li Guo’s Mansion, as his legitimate eldest son was married to a daughter of Mo Yuanshan, which was why he endured the long journey to offer his birthday wishes to the old lady.

Mu Zhongqing and Magistrate Han were old acquaintances. The previous year, during the lantern riddles in Lin’an, Magistrate Han had even awarded Mu Zhongqing fifty taels of silver, and afterward came to propose marriage on behalf of Huo Yuan to Cai Wei.

Back when the Mu Family rejected the proposal, Magistrate Han and his wife had thought that the Mu Family was being pretentious for not accepting the position of Young Madam of the Huo Family, thinking them utterly confused. Little did they know that the Mu Family had never coveted that position, setting their sights instead on the throne of the Wife of King Qin!

It seems he had underestimated the capability of this family.

The Prefect from Yingtian was also well-acquainted with Mu Zhongqing, because last time the State Duke’s Mansion falsely accused the Mu Family of theft, and Mu Zhongqing was thrown into Ying Tianfu’s jail. Later, it was Young Master Huo who had him released. Back then, had he known that one day Mu Zhongqing would become the father-in-law of King Qin, even if a ghost dragged him, he would not have dared to arrest him!

Fortunately, he had never tortured Mu Zhongqing during the imprisonment. Although he had arrested him, he had always been courteous, so their relationship could not be considered bad, and they were at least old acquaintances.

The two Prefects sat beside Mu Zhongqing, one on the left and one on the right, exchanging pleasantries with great enthusiasm. Very soon, they began calling each other brothers, although Mu Zhongqing was conservative and did not dare to address the two officials as brothers. However, both Prefects were respectful to those below their station and very approachable. Upon learning Mu Zhongqing’s birthday and time of birth, they started addressing each other as the wiser and lesser brother, causing quite a stir.

Magistrate Han poured a cup of liquor for Mu Zhongqing and laughed and said, "Zhongqing, I’ll be transferred to serve at the Hanlin Academy in the capital soon. However, having served outside for many years, I have no connections within the Academy. Therefore, I am planning to cultivate a few assistants. I wonder if Brother Zhongqing has any interest in pursuing an official career? Would you condescend to work by my side?"

Upon hearing Magistrate Han’s invitation, Mu Zhongqing’s heart began to beat violently. All his life, he had studied with the greatest wish to pass the imperial examinations, rise through the ranks, and return home with honors. Later, driven by life’s circumstances, he became a merchant, the lowest among the four occupations. Although he enjoyed his current life, he had never forgotten his ambition to become an official!

Magistrate Han’s suggestion was like a stone thrown into a lake, rippling through his heart. Grasping the cup, he hesitated, neither agreeing nor declining.

Mu Zhongli hurriedly spoke from one side, "Hehe, Sir, if you are short of people, these two young men from our family could suffice. Don’t be fooled by their youth—they’re quite savvy and would surely be helpful to you."

Magistrate Han politely replied, "The position I have vacant is that of an editor at the Hanlin Academy, which I fear might be difficult for your sons to handle!"

"What? An editor?"

Mu Zhongli’s spirits lifted, and he took over the conversation saying, "Sir, if you are in need of an editor, I can certainly take on that role. Truly, I am much more capable than my younger brother in this regard. Whether it’s weaving baskets or mats, I can do it all, and fixing things has never posed a challenge for me. Why, back in our village, anyone with broken farm tools always came to me for repairs..."