Chapter 210: The Official Position - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 210: The Official Position
“Today is your wedding day. You should quickly go back to entertain the guests. Your grandfather and I will rest here for a while before going over.”
The countess was a very gentle person. Since her daughter's death, she had transferred all the love she had for her daughter to her grandchildren. Liang Gongzi, being a few years older than Liang Luo, was more filial to her.
“Grandmother, what are you saying? How can those people outside be more important than grandfather? We are family. I’ll have a maid bring some sobering soup.”
“No rush. I just have a slight headache from all the people. Resting here will do.”
“Grandfather...”
Liang Gongzi thought he was refusing the sobering soup on purpose and was about to persuade him further when the Marquis of Changyi spoke.
“Now that you’re married, your mother’s spirit in heaven can be at peace. Although your new wife is not who we hoped for, you fought for this yourself. You must live harmoniously in the future.”
“Don’t worry, grandfather. I will remember your advice.”
As they spoke, Liang Gongzi was thinking about how to bring up his desire to join the Capital Guards.
The Marquis of Changyi, being experienced in the court, could see that Liang Gongzi had something to say.
“Speak your mind.” he said.
Liang Gongzi, considering it was his wedding day, thought that his grandfather might agree to help him while in a good mood. So he spoke up.
“Now that I am married, I should not remain idle. Could you help me with connections? I want to work at the Capital Guards. Any position will do, as long as it’s a proper job.”
The countess, not fully aware of the political situation, thought it was good that he wanted to work.
But the Marquis of Changyi knew better. His kind demeanor turned stern.
“The current Minister of Rites is from the Duke Zheng’s family, with whom I have a close relationship. I originally intended to arrange a position for you in the Ministry of Rites. With the spring imperial examinations approaching in March, they are short-staffed. Are you sure you want to face hardship at the Capital Guards?”
The spring examinations required examiners from the Cabinet, but the Ministry of Rites handled all other matters. It was the busiest time for them. Placing Liang Gongzi there would not only help him learn but possibly advance his position. Moreover, the Ministry of Rites was one of the less burdensome departments. Many people coveted such a position, but Liang Gongzi was ungrateful.
“A man’s ambition lies in the wider world. Grandfather knows my nature, so please grant my wish.”
Currently, the commander of the Capital Guards was from the Lin family, who owed the Marquis of Changyi a favor from years ago. If the Marquis asked, Lin Wang would not refuse.
Seeing Liang Gongzi’s determined look, the Marquis of Changyi felt a chill in his heart. He responded coldly.
“Very well. I will arrange it. Whether you succeed or face opposition will depend on your own fate.”
Hearing this, Liang Gongzi was overjoyed.
Once his grandfather made a promise, he would keep it. This meant the matter would be settled.
Eager to share the good news with his father and wife, he said some pleasant words and left the side courtyard.
After he left, the Marquis of Changyi sighed deeply, speaking to the countess with some disappointment.
“If only we had prevented our daughter from marrying Liang Quanbin back then, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Both children are wasted.”
The countess felt a sense of loss upon hearing this. She wanted to ask more but knew she should stay out of political matters, so she quietly kept him company.
“What a pity. If only Mingyue had married into our family. I could have died in peace.”
The couple was still bitter about the Xu family not marrying their granddaughter to Liang Gongzi. Meanwhile, the supposedly 'critically ill' Grand Secretary Xu was playing chess with the equally 'critically ill' Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi.
“Grand Secretary, aren’t you afraid that constantly cursing yourself will come true one day?”
Su Cheng, who had more freedom since General Su went to the northwest with the Western Expedition Army, accompanied Prince Ding today.
Hearing Su Cheng’s teasing, Grand Secretary Xu glared at him. “No matter how much I curse myself, it’s nothing compared to your master. I’ve only been pretending for a few years. Look at him, so young and already pretending for so long. If he continues, no woman will ever dare enter Prince Ding’s mansion.”
If it weren’t for Xiao Tingyi, elder Xu would have added, “Except for that little girl from the Feng family!”
Xiao Tingyi ignored elder Xu’s words, showing no reaction.
Elder 1Xu, however, mentioned a recent issue.
“Have they found that Sun yet?”
Sun, whom Xu referred to, was the Censor of Huaiyin who had disappeared in Xuzhou.
He had been missing for a couple of months. If he wasn’t dead, it meant his supporters were very capable, and neither option was good news.
Su Cheng frowned at the mention of Sun.
The secret guard camp of Prince Ding’s mansion was known for its exceptional skills in gathering information. There were no secrets in the capital they couldn’t uncover, yet they were stumped by Sun Zhong.
“Your Highness, are you really going to let Liang Quanbin take the position of Director of the Canal Transport Bureau? This will strengthen the Wei family’s hold on Jinling, and they also control the naval forces.”
His words were filled with concern, and he wasn’t focused on the chess game, allowing Xiao Tingyi to capture many of his pieces.
“Don’t worry, Grand Secretary. The corruption in the thirteen cities of Jiangnan is like a festering wound, soon to burst. I’ve prepared a grand gift for the new Director. Liang Quanbin needs to be there to receive my favor and avenge you.”
Grand Secretary Xu smiled upon hearing this.
“I knew you cared for this old man. Look at me, so old, yet still playing chess with you, turning you into a refined player. You should avenge me!”
Grand Secretary Xu didn’t mind the Liang family. But uniting with the Wei family to undermine the Xu family was unacceptable!
Seeing Xiao Tingyi’s calm demeanor, he couldn’t wait for Liang Quanbin to take up his post!
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