Chapter 193 - 192: Too Late for Regrets! Shi Changying is the Emperor

Chapter 193: Chapter 192: Too Late for Regrets! Shi Changying is the Emperor

"Who is making such shameless boasts?" Chairman Meng flew into a rage. "Do you think you have the final say in the Jianghuai Calligraphy Association—"

When he got a clear look at Cui Jinghan’s face, his voice abruptly caught in his throat. WHOOSH, all the color drained from his face, and a layer of cold sweat immediately broke out across his back. Although Cui Jinghan did not like making public appearances, who in the calligraphy circle didn’t know his name? His mastery of the Cui Style was extraordinary, reaching a level where his work could pass for the genuine article. Even though Chairman Meng was thirty years older than Cui Jinghan, his calligraphy accomplishments were far inferior.

The Jianghuai Calligraphy Association had not received any official documentation regarding Cui Jinghan’s arrival in Jianghuai. He had made a surprise inspection during today’s artwork evaluation. Since Chairman Meng hadn’t been present earlier, he naturally knew nothing about it. Upon learning that the judges had reported the incident and sent Meng Shuyan to the police station, Chairman Meng was both anxious and furious. He rushed over in a panic, only thinking about having the case dismissed, without even asking about the specific details.

"So it is Mr. Cui gracing us with your presence. Forgive my disrespect." Chairman Meng wiped the sweat from his forehead, instantly putting on a flattering smile. "I never expected the preliminaries of the Youth Calligraphy Competition to catch your attention. It’s truly..."

Cui Jinghan had no patience to let him finish his pleasantries and interrupted coldly, "First arrogant, then subservient. What act are you putting on?"

Chairman Meng truly hadn’t expected the other party to be so merciless with his words. Looking both embarrassed and wretched, he said, "Mr. Cui, that wasn’t what I meant. It’s just that Elder Meng gave me a new lease on life, so I naturally have to look after his descendants. I..."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Cui Jinghan actually laughed. "Bending the law for personal gain and abusing your power. Tell me, what other benefits has the Meng family given you?"

Chairman Meng’s expression changed drastically, all color draining from his face. The other judges didn’t dare to make a sound, all lowering their heads.

Cui Jinghan, however, had no intention of letting them off. With an icy expression, he demanded, "Speak. If I have to find out myself, it won’t be as simple as losing your jobs!"

At this moment, he suddenly recalled the time four hundred years ago when he entered the court as an official and took charge of the Ministry of Personnel. Because of the manpower shortage, there was too much work to handle. He worked around the clock for several days, only closing his eyes for a total of four hours. Finally, he fainted. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Ye Yu. Ye Yu had invited Medical Master Nie Mingchu to treat him. Fortunately, he was just overly exhausted with no other major issues and only needed to rest and recuperate.

"The beginning of everything is always the most difficult. Thank you for your hard work," Ye Yu said calmly. "But do you know why there aren’t many people in the court nowadays?"

He silently shook his head. He had ambitions in his heart, but unfortunately, there was no way for him to serve his country. With his abilities, it was absolutely impossible for him to not even make it into the top ten in the imperial examination without someone pulling strings in the dark. As a result, he detested the court and refused to wallow in the mire with those corrupt officials. Because of this, he became even more cynical, writing words that could get him beheaded into his essays.

It wasn’t until he entered the cabinet that he learned that when the late Emperor was alive, the imperial examination and many other affairs were firmly controlled by the Yanshan Bai family. The Bai family had practically turned the Emperor into a puppet. Their power was overwhelming, and ninety percent of the officials in the court belonged to them. It wasn’t until Empress Taichu ascended the throne that she used thunderous methods to slaughter the entire Bai family, truly executing all nine familial branches. This made him feel even more ashamed, because this family had always portrayed a kind and benevolent facade to the outside world; all their actions that harmed the people were carried out in secret. The Qingyun Qiu family, from which Master of Art Qian Qiu originated, had been persecuted by the Yanshan Bai family. Yet, in the Imperial Decree he had written, he had actually voiced grievances for the Bai family.

"Because among all people, the one we address as ’Your Majesty’ hates corrupt officials the most," Ye Yu said. "For every one that appears, she executes one, until they are all wiped out."

His heart and mind were profoundly shaken.

Ye Yu smiled. "There are fewer people, but the court is clean. In the future, more people will join us."

Later, in less than a year’s time, the number of officials in the court indeed increased significantly. Corrupt officials still appeared, but whenever one did, Empress Taichu executed them without the slightest mercy. That was the cleanest period of time. How could he not miss the short eighth year of Taichu?

Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Cui Jinghan’s gaze slowly swept over Chairman Meng and the others. "Since you don’t intend to speak, someone will come to investigate you." After saying that, he didn’t intend to waste another word. He turned around and was about to leave.

"Mr. Cui!" Chairman Meng blurted out in alarm. "Mr. Cui, please wait!"

Cui Jinghan paused his steps.

"Mr. Cui, the... the Meng family is a sponsor of our calligraphy association and has donated many paintings and calligraphy works!" Chairman Meng said frantically, his face red with anxiety. "I absolutely have no intention of favoring them. You have to believe me!"

He only had a few years left until retirement and just wanted a peaceful and stable life.

Cui Jinghan ignored him and stepped forward again.

"Mr. Cui!" Chairman Meng was almost going crazy. "I... I know I was wrong. I’ll take the blame and resign. Would that be alright?"

As soon as he said this, the other judges also immediately stated their positions and began to admit their mistakes.

Cui Jinghan finally spoke, his voice cool and indifferent. "What a pity. You don’t know that you are wrong; you only know that disaster is imminent."

He suddenly recalled again that in the third year of Taichu, another corrupt official had been rooted out by Empress Taichu. The corrupt official knelt on the ground weeping bitterly, continuously kowtowing and begging for mercy, claiming he was wrong.

She, however, wore a half-smile. "You know you’re wrong? No, you know that you are going to die."

She always said she didn’t understand profound philosophies, but in reality, she understood everything. He had also learned many unadorned, practical truths from her.

"..."

Dead silence fell over the room.

Watching Cui Jinghan’s retreating back, Chairman Meng’s legs gave out, and he collapsed completely onto the ground.

He thought, "It’s over... It’s over!"

His mind was firmly occupied by these words, and his body began to tremble violently from fear. If he had known earlier that this matter actually involved the next successor of the Mingjing Cultural Heritage Institute, he wouldn’t have dared to support the Meng family, even if he were given a hundred times the courage.

Chairman Meng didn’t know how he managed to drag his weak legs to the place where Meng Shuyan was temporarily detained. He only knew that in a few days, he would probably be entering here as well.

"Uncle Meng!" A glimmer of hope shone in Meng Shuyan’s eyes. "I knew it! As long as you are here, anything can be solved!"

He had been able to freely enter the storage room for the competition entries, so what was there to fear? Chairman Meng would definitely protect him! Once he got out, he would definitely kill Shi Changying!

Meng Shuyan had also secretly overheard the servants of the Xu family chatting, saying that Ming Chengli had chosen to return to the Xu family just so Shi Changying could have a better living environment. As long as Shi Changying was gone, Ming Chengli would also leave. That way, no one would ostracize their family anymore.

Meng Shuyan asked impatiently, "Uncle Meng, can I leave now?"