Chapter 673 - 666 - _1
Ceng Lu’s tone was entirely that of a command, without seeking the consent of the house owner, nor asking whether Eunuch Li was willing to meet him at all. He truly acted superior, as if he were above all others. Yet, despite this, the Emperor had sent him to be the Magistrate of Xin’an City. Lin Yue had gathered from Jiang Ziqi that the Emperor had a deeper motive for doing so. She knew that when the Emperor’s goals were achieved, Ceng Lu would have no good end in store. Nevertheless, Lin Yue still harbored resentment towards the Emperor for such actions.
Even if Ceng Lu received the punishment he deserved in the end, what’s done was done. The common people had already suffered immensely, living in misery, some even facing the destruction of their families. No matter how tragic Ceng Lu’s fate turned out, it could not undo the damage done. Perhaps the Emperor thought such sacrifices were justified to consolidate his power and benefit more people? But it was so unfair to those who lived under Ceng Lu’s tyranny!
However much she thought about it, Lin Yue knew it was not her place to intervene or worry over such matters. If she could take good care of her own small family and live her days well, that was the best she could do. As for the rest, one could only say that everyone is selfish, and she was no exception. At most, she could offer sympathy or lend a helping hand when appropriate.
"Zhao Lin, did you not hear what the Superior said? Lead the way immediately!" Before the secretary could speak, Quan An, taking advantage of the Magistrate’s authority and acting all high and mighty, rushed to admonish Lin Yue. So eager and impatient, he clearly intended to suppress Lin Yue, to make her recognize his own status in the eyes of the Magistrate. Not only did he flaunt his authority, releasing the pent-up frustration in his heart, but he also made it clear to Lin Yue who she needed to please—making sure she didn’t curry favor with the wrong person, mistakenly giving benefits meant for the secretary.
Kneeling on the ground, Lin Yue felt immensely frustrated. She disliked all the kneeling and kowtowing required by etiquette, which is why she had no fondness for the Capital City. There, nobles were plentiful, and she, a commoner peasant woman, had to kneel and perform rituals when meeting any official or spouse of a certain rank, something she found utterly meaningless and uncomfortable.
Now, peacefully at home, one would think these corrupt and despicable officials who usually abused their power over the common folk had better things to do than bring a bunch of their henchmen to cause trouble. Lin Yue cursed Ceng Lu and his entourage bitterly in her heart. These wretched scoundrels had sought out trouble, specifically to torment her, and it was utterly detestable!
"I did hear what the Superior said, but as Eunuch Li is an Imperial Envoy sent by the Emperor, though he resides in my house, I have no right to make decisions on his behalf," Lin Yue replied, neither servile nor overbearing. "If Ceng Lu wishes to see Eunuch Li, I will have someone inform him inside. If Eunuch Li is willing, I will arrange the meeting for you." Considering Ceng Lu’s attitude and her current understanding of Eunuch Li, she doubted he would agree to meet so readily.
Eunuch Li was no ordinary person. He had status, position, and backing in the palace, and being a shrewd and influential figure who served the Emperor directly, he could likely guess the Emperor’s thoughts to some extent. It was doubtful he would consider Ceng Lu seriously, a target the Emperor had set up. Whether he would grant Ceng Lu any face was still unknown.