After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1189 - 1171: Xi Lian

Li Tianhe’s face looked very grim, his heart heavy with frustration. Seeing the rough Cheng Da saying such things, he knew he was indeed in the wrong.

Imperial Censor Lu, who had paid to have himself carried back home, realized his mistake earlier than Li Tianhe. When Zhao Hanzhang appeared and punished them, he knew where he had gone wrong.

As soon as he arrived home, he told his pale-faced wife, "I’ve caused a great disaster."

Imperial Censor Lu’s wife, Xi Lian, sent for the doctor while attentively listening to her husband recount the trouble he had caused.

After hearing him out, Xi Lian frowned at him in confusion, "Faced with colleagues bullying colleagues, you didn’t try to stop them, but joined in the ridicule?"

Imperial Censor Lu smiled bitterly, "Because Fu Tinghan oversees the Ministry of Personnel and also serves as Minister of the Ministry of Industry, the Great General attaches special importance to the Ministry of Industry, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Department. Half of this year’s taxes have been allocated to the Ministry of Industry. Shen Ruhui and Yu Cong are mediocre talents, skilled only in farming techniques, yet they are repeatedly praised and put to use. Especially Yu Cong, who is merely a doctor but can enter and leave the palace at will. My heart is unwilling to accept this, and seeing Li Tianhe and several military men mocking them, I couldn’t hold back..."

Xi Lian replied, "Those who humiliate others will be humiliated themselves."

Imperial Censor Lu said with deep remorse, "I know I was wrong. No matter how unwilling I am in my heart, I could have impeached him or opposed him in court, but I shouldn’t privately humiliate someone like this. The most urgent thing now is to calm the Great General’s anger. Shen Ruhui and Fu Tinghan have a close relationship, and now that Fu Tinghan is managing water affairs outside, if the Great General wants to stand up for them, I... alas!"

Xi Lian glared at her husband, turned away, and returned with a book and two bamboo scrolls. She handed the book to her husband first and said, "This is the miscellaneous notes my ancestor recorded during his tenure in Yan State, including two strategies for water management by Mr. Fu. The rest are my grandfather’s recordings of Yan State customs and some insights into water management and governance. They were casually noted down, but when my father was around, he often reviewed them and said that, as long as there was this book, even a descendant lacking in virtue could benefit from it."

Amid years of warfare, her father and brothers had perished, leaving behind over ten boxes of books and bamboo scrolls at home. She only managed to preserve two boxes, which are her assets and dowry that even her husband cannot easily use. Today, to calm Zhao Hanzhang’s anger, she had no choice but to bring them out.

Xi Lian felt reluctant, but what she cherished more were the two bamboo scrolls she was caressing in her hands.

Imperial Censor Lu asked puzzledly, "What are these?"

Xi Lian, touching the bamboo scrolls, said, "These were left by my maternal grandfather’s family, the ’Herbal Classics.’ It not only records the appearance, names, and growth locations of the things seen, but also planting methods, food usage, and herbs come with effects and common formulas. When my mother was around, her favorite was the ’Herbal Classics.’ Our family originally had twelve scrolls, but lost ten during our escape, leaving only two now."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Censor Lu felt both moved and regretful. He held her hand and said, "It’s my fault, and I’ve wronged you this time. In the future, when I find better items, I’ll definitely exchange for these bamboo scrolls for you."

Xi Lian packed the book and bamboo scrolls separately into a box, "No need. I’ve already made copies of the book and bamboo scrolls."

Not only did she make copies, but she also memorized them. However, these being the originals, she still felt reluctant to part with them.

After confirming with the doctor that he only had minor injuries and could walk after a few days of rest, Xi Lian instructed someone to harness the ox cart, "I will personally go to apologize to Doctor Shen and Dr. Yu. You rest first."

Imperial Censor Lu, teary-eyed, nodded and waved to her, "Madam, go and return quickly. I think Shen Ruhui and Yu Cong seem lenient and shouldn’t give you too much trouble."

Xi Lian glared at him, wondering why he bullied them in the first place.

Understanding her underlying message, Imperial Censor Lu regretted anew.

Xi Lian first went to the Shen Mansion.

Shen Ruhui came seeking refuge early on, even leaving the thriving Gou Xi to join her, invited by Zhao Zhongyu, so Zhao Hanzhang treated him favorably, giving him a house as soon as he arrived.

Moreover, it was quite spacious, a three-section courtyard.

Yet, not many people lived inside; besides a servant named Shen Xian who had been following Shen Ruhui, there was only a driver with a severed hand, a hard-of-hearing maid, and an elderly, lame doorman.

Xi Lian had the driver step forward to knock on the door, waiting a long time before it was opened a crack, and an old face peeked through the crevice. Sharp and wary eyes looked out, squinting at Xi Lian before quickly opening the door wide upon seeing her.

Only then did Xi Lian take a good look at the person, dressed in a gray coarse cloth short shirt, with dirt on his trouser legs and muddy shoes worn on the heels rather than the feet, his hands also covered in mud.

Seeing her glance at his attire, the doorman embarrassedly hid his hands behind his back and wiped them, trying hard to squeeze out a smile on his face, "Mistress is?"

Xi Lian slightly curtsied and said, "I am the wife of Lu Xing from the Imperial Censorate, seeking Doctor Shen’s audience. Please inform him."

The doorman’s disappointment was evident, "You’re married?"

Xi Lian: ...

Despite the disappointment, the doorman earnestly said, "My master hasn’t returned home yet. For Madame to see him, it might take some time. You’d better come back later or leave a notice first, and once my master is back, we can set a time for you to visit?"

By now, the doorman recalled the proper protocol for receiving guests. In this era, unless it’s a very urgent matter or the relationship is exceedingly close, anyone wishing to visit must first leave a card notifying the host and set a time to visit with the host afterward.

This is basic etiquette.

This lady seems like she didn’t make a reservation?

Realizing the irregularity, the doorman re-evaluated Xi Lian, asking, "Madame’s reason for seeking my master?"

Xi Lian said, "I am here to apologize on behalf of my husband."

She handed the box to the doorman, "This is an apology gift for Doctor Shen. Please hand it over for me. My husband and I will come personally another day to apologize."

The doorman, realizing the gravity, dared not accept.

He quickly refused.

Xi Lian sighed, not forcing the doorman, and took the box back, saying, "I’ll come again later."

She looked up at the sun, confused, "Isn’t it well past closing time?"

The doorman replied, "Our master is diligent, always working late even after the office closes. Sometimes he doesn’t return until sunset."

That was too late.

Shen Ruhui’s diligence was evident with the amount of work at the Ministry of Industry, and given Shen Ruhui was highly valued, compared to her husband who often managed to return home on time, Xi Lian disdainfully furrowed her brow, thinking her husband despises Shen Ruhui for his lack of talent?

If he lacked talent, why would the Great General value him so highly?

Xi Lian has never underestimated people from the Ministry of Industry. Unlike Imperial Censor Lu, who had fixed ideas about rank—valuing etiquette the most, followed by the Ministry of Personnel, then the Ministry of Revenue, and considering the Ministry of Industry the least—she believed the Great General regarded the six ministries equally, indicating none were more important than the others. It was simply officials viewing each other as lesser, feeling their own importance while looking down on others.

Hmph, Xi Lian looked down on those who looked down on others.