Mei Qing naturally had no idea that his unintentional astonishing performance had nearly driven Zhong Shu to madness. As usual, he leisurely strolled to the Experience Department early in the morning to attend to his idle duties. The backlog of documents had already been sorted out over the past few days, leaving him with nothing but idle chats with Huang and Zhang, occasionally admiring various antiques that Zhang Qizheng had acquired. Life had become incredibly relaxed.
The three of them were gathered in the room, discussing casually around a Qin dynasty roof tile Zhang Qiniann had recently acquired, when suddenly a guard arrived, saying that Minister Qiu urgently requested Mei Qing’s presence for an important matter.
Seeing the guard’s serious demeanor, Mei Qing dared not delay. He quickly bid the two farewell and hurriedly followed the guard to Qiu Ming’s side.
Upon entering the room, Mei Qing was slightly taken aback. Inside, besides Qiu Ming, there was another familiar figure—Wu Bing, the perpetually stern-faced man.
“Greetings, Minister Qiu, Director Wu,” Mei Qing inwardly puzzled over the reason for this meeting but outwardly remained composed as he stepped forward to bow respectfully.
Wu Bing merely nodded slightly, his expression unchanged. Qiu Ming, however, stood up immediately, walked over, and warmly clasped Mei Qing’s hand. “What ‘Minister’ and ‘Director’? Mei Qing, don’t be so formal. Haven’t I always treated you like family these past days? Come, sit down, brother. There’s great news—Wu Bing is here to inform you that Master Sixth has ordered your transfer to the Inner Division. Sigh, to be honest, I’ve become quite fond of you, Mei Qing, and I truly value your exceptional abilities. I really hate to see you go. But of course, I wouldn’t hold you back from advancing in your career, right?”
“The Inner Division?” Although Mei Qing had become quite familiar with the department staff over the past few days and had heard many secret stories from the plump Huang about the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had never heard of the Inner Division. Observing Qiu Ming’s genuine warmth, could this Inner Division be some kind of important unit?
Mei Qing hesitated slightly before cautiously asking, “Minister Qiu, I wasn’t prepared for a sudden transfer. Do you think I should take some time to wrap things up and hand over my duties?”
Qiu Ming laughed. “What’s there to hand over? That Master Sixth has personally selected you for the Inner Division is an honor for our Experience Department. Just don’t forget us old buddies once you’re in a better position. I should really throw you a farewell banquet, brother, but since Director Wu came on such urgent business, we’ll have to postpone it. Don’t refuse when the time comes, Mei Qing.”
Seeing the genuine warmth in Qiu Ming’s eyes, Mei Qing was mostly convinced that this transfer was a good thing. Yet another question arose in his mind—why would Master Sixth repeatedly show him favor when he had no power, influence, or anything particularly valuable to offer? Was there some hidden reason?
Still harboring suspicions, Mei Qing simply nodded in agreement. Qiu Ming didn’t say much else, merely telling Mei Qing to gather his personal belongings and leave with Wu Bing immediately.
“The Inner Division?” Hearing the news, Huang Zhongman’s small eyes widened comically. “Mei Qing, you…” He seemed to realize he was overreacting, took a deep breath, and quickly returned to his usual joking manner, grinning at Mei Qing. “You’re not being fair, brother. You said just the other day you barely knew Master Sixth, and now you’re already in the Inner Division? How did that happen so fast?”
Mei Qing replied somewhat perplexed, “Would I hide anything from you? I’ve been wondering myself. These past days, I’ve heard about all sorts of officials in our Embroidered Uniform Guard—deputy commanders, commissioners, military magistrates, even thousand-household officers—but I still don’t know what position Master Sixth holds. Everyone keeps calling him ‘Master Sixth,’ but what exactly is his official title?”
“Master Sixth is just Master Sixth,” Huang the Fat replied with a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. “Sigh, lucky bastard. I, Huang, am tall and handsome, capable in both literature and martial arts, yet no one appreciates me. And you, a mere firewood-chopper, actually gained Master Sixth’s favor. You don’t even know which way the wind is blowing.”
Leaning closer, Huang continued, “Listen, brother, once you get there and come across any good opportunities, don’t forget about me. If you’re feasting on meat, at least let me have a sip of the broth.”
After some idle banter with Huang, Mei Qing excused himself and hurried to Zhang Qizheng’s room to say goodbye, though he didn’t reveal the details, only vaguely promising to explain later. Then he quickly left, finding a carriage already waiting outside.
Inside the carriage sat Wu Bing, as motionless as a clay statue, saying nothing. Mei Qing cautiously asked, “May I ask, shall we head directly to the Inner Division, or do we need to meet Master Sixth first?”
Wu Bing simply replied, “The Inner Division,” and fell silent again.
Mei Qing lowered his voice. “Then there’s a matter I must discuss. Recently, while organizing case files, I discovered a secret that seems related to Master Sixth. I humbly request Director Wu to bring me to him to report it directly.”
“Oh?” Wu Bing looked at him suspiciously. “What matter?”
Mei Qing remained calm. “This matter must be reported directly to Master Sixth and cannot be relayed through others. Please forgive me.”
After scrutinizing Mei Qing for a moment, Wu Bing merely grunted and told the driver, “Return to the barracks first.”
Once again navigating the long corridor with its many twists and turns to Master Sixth’s door, Mei Qing couldn’t help feeling a sense of déjà vu. The last time he came, he had been in a daze, unsure of what was happening. This time, he had come of his own volition.
“Secret matter? What secret?” Master Sixth was still his usual self, his face dark as he spoke. “What important secret could you possibly have to report to me? Let’s hear it.”
Mei Qing, looking confident and unhurried, replied, “I do have a secret to report, but first, there’s something I must ask Master Sixth.”
“Tsk, tsk, you brat, just speak plainly. What’s all this beating around the bush?” Master Sixth impatiently replied.
“I am merely an idle, insignificant person, with no power or influence, holding a lowly position. Previously, I received Master Sixth’s great favor, for which I have yet to express my gratitude. Now, I have been promoted again, and I am deeply grateful. Therefore, I humbly request that if Master Sixth has any orders for me, please issue them directly. I would gladly give my life if necessary.”
“Heh, really?” Master Sixth grinned, picked up a sandalwood paperweight from his desk, tapped it a few times on the table, and then held it up to examine it. “So you’re actually serious? With your build, you couldn’t break more than a few pieces of wood. Now you come here to repay me? What could I possibly need from you? I don’t need anyone to die for me.”
Mei Qing showed no sign of embarrassment or anger at Master Sixth’s sarcasm. He slightly bowed and said, “Master Sixth is right. Then I must ask—since you have no use for me and have no need of my services, why have you repeatedly rescued and promoted me? I beg you to enlighten me.”
Master Sixth’s smile faltered slightly. Mei Qing’s words were clear—if he had no use for Mei Qing, then why go out of his way to save him and transfer him to the Inner Division?
“Why? Hmph, who cares why?” Master Sixth scratched his head, realizing his words sounded somewhat unreasonable. Normally, with his authority and power, he could treat someone like Mei Qing however he pleased. But today, this stubborn fellow had actually come to ask him why, and for some reason, seeing that serious expression on Mei Qing’s face made him feel slightly uneasy.
“Well… it’s not that I can’t tell you, but…” Master Sixth straightened his posture, coughed once, and lightly tapped his palm with the paperweight. “Here’s the deal, kid. I won’t play games with you. You’ll go to the Inner Division first, and there will be tasks for you. If you can handle them steadily and complete them properly, I promise I’ll give you an explanation. How about that?”
Wu Bing, watching the unusually gentle tone Master Sixth used with Mei Qing, couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise in his usually expressionless eyes. Having followed Master Sixth for years, he knew his temper well. It was truly unexpected that Master Sixth would speak so kindly to Mei Qing today.
Mei Qing hadn’t expected Master Sixth to actually negotiate with him. In truth, he had acted on impulse and hadn’t really expected any explanation. Since Master Sixth had made this promise, Mei Qing decided to go along with it. He bowed and said, “Thank you, Master Sixth. I will naturally do my best. Then I shall take my leave.”
“Come back!” Master Sixth coldly snapped. “You still have a secret to report. Tell me everything before you go!”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot,” Mei Qing calmly looked up at Master Sixth and slowly said, “I accidentally discovered that the sandalwood paperweight you hold, though appearing to have golden stars, is not actually the so-called golden-star sandalwood of ancient times. It is actually made from Indian small-leaf sandalwood, with gold foil applied to imitate the real thing. I feared you might not know the truth, so I came to secretly report it. I hope Master Sixth will carefully investigate the matter.”
“I see,” Master Sixth said calmly, looking at Mei Qing’s serious expression. “I understand. You may go now.”
After Mei Qing obediently left with Wu Bing, Master Sixth’s calm face slowly turned into a strange smile. He “thumped” the paperweight onto the table and chuckled, “Little brat, just like his old man! This little bastard!” Suddenly realizing he had said too much, he covered his mouth with his hand, blinked a few times, and after a brief pause, broke into a strange, eerie laugh.
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