Thanks to Minak Amie for the hard work.. and your donations are appreciated..Lol!!

　　**************************

　　***

　　Tong Kingdom, Qing Mansion, royal Uncle Qing Zhang’s residence

　　Pthu!

　　Feng Ming spit out the mouthful of water he just drank and coughed violently. He sent a surprised look in Rong Hu’s direction after hearing the report. “Who… who will be there? There… at tonight’s banquet, will be an amba.s.sador from Xi Lei?”

　　Qiu Lan and Qiu Yue used their soft hands to calm Feng Ming’s fit of anger.

　　“Didn’t that official already die?” Feng Ming’s eyebrows were furrowed as he turned and asked Rong Tian. “I remember something from when I first met you… cough, cough… I mean the first time I was forced to partic.i.p.ate in the court a.s.sembly. I recall that, at the time, the discussion included the matter regarding the death of Xi Lei’s amba.s.sador in Li, right?”

　　Gazing at Feng Ming as he talked, Rong Tian coughed and motioned Qiu Lan and Qiu Yue to step aside. He personally gathered Feng Ming in his embrace and stroked his back in a soothing manner as he answered. “To clarify, the amba.s.sador acts as an official representative of Xi Lei’s king by going on diplomatic missions in other kingdoms. It is a valuable and dignified position. After the last one died, I appointed another person to take his place. However, I do not know if that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Tong Er has already removed him.” His menacing gaze landed on Rong Hu.

　　Rong Hu immediately continued his report. “The official previously appointed by your Majesty has not been dismissed by that traitor, but has been demoted to a lower position with no power. The amba.s.sador that has been sent over as a correspondent is Hao Yuan Jiang.”

　　“It is unexpectedly him.” Rong Tian chuckled and winked at Feng Ming. “You have met him, He is the one that sought guidance from you last time about the new tax system, the Minister of Finance, Hao Yuan Jiang. He is a timid and overcautious person, but his family’s background is important in Xi Lei. That Tong Er is also not a fool, him promoting Hao Yuan Jiang is most likely for the sake of winning over his clan.”

　　Oh, that old man who likes to nonsensically prattle on about the taxation issue.

　　So it turns out we are acquainted.

　　Reminded by Rong Tian, Feng Ming suddenly cried out with an “Oh” as he recalled the official.

　　Rong Tian found his face really adorable at that moment and, unable to bear himself, touched the sensitive nape.

　　Feng Ming glared at him indignantly. “Don’t mess around. I am partic.i.p.ating in an important banquet tonight. Don’t hinder my preparation for it. Rong Hu, continue speaking.”

　　“Yes, Duke Ming.” Looking at the two, with one scolding and the other quiet, an indescribably sweet atmosphere developed. Even Rong Hu could not help feel himself cheer up even though he was still worried about his younger brother, Lie Er’s disappearance. Having been through many storms and tribulations, Rong Hu suppressed his concern and showed a gentle smile as he continued reporting. “The a.s.sistant to the amba.s.sador is Su Jin Chao.”

　　“Ah?”

　　The name, he had not even the smallest recollection of it.

　　Don’t tell me that while living in Xi Lei, I didn’t study enough, causing all the names and faces I learned about to have been forgotten? Could I have forgotten such an official? An a.s.sistant to the amba.s.sador should be an important figure as well. Even if has done nothing to be promoted, he should at least have been an ordinary official right? 

　　Feng Ming was lost in thought while he scratched his head and occasionally snuck glances at Rong Hu. The look he sent contained the guilt and embarra.s.sment he felt from being caught after not listening to previous lectures. Rong Tian gently smiled and showing him some pity, enlightened him of the name’s ident.i.ty. “You do not know this person. In terms of age, he is one year below us. Formerly, he was one of Tong Er’s useless friends from the city. Because he was from an influential family, he provoked others and caused mischief daily as an overbearing bully. This King, because of the misdeeds he had committed against the common people, had once rewarded him with 10 whip las.h.i.+ngs. To appoint this kind of person as an amba.s.sador’s a.s.sistant is really making my Xi Lei lose face.”

　　“In this case, Tong Er would also lose face.” Feng Ming casually comforted him and asked, “He’s so awful. You as a king of course had to punish him. After he was whipped, did he change for the better?”

　　Rong Tian smiled bitterly. “What change? Do you think everyone is as obedient as you? He still did not change afterwards and kept oppressing others, after all, his family possesses an important minister in Xi Lei.”

　　“Oh, which minister?”

　　“Duke Ming,” Rong Hu explained, “Su Jin Chao’s grandfather is Su Yi. This subordinate has once mentioned him as the official in charge of administering etiquette, do you still remember him?”

　　“Uh…”