The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 550: Chapter 229 My Son is a Treacherous Official (Part 5)

He Xi’s eyes were bloodshot, flames nearly bursting forth from the almond-shaped eyes he inherited from his biological parents.

His teeth clenched audibly; clearly, he was struggling to maintain the last bit of his waning rationality against his impending emotional collapse.

Although he managed to keep it in check, he was still full of questions.

Just as he was about to speak, He Tiantian preempted him with a tone of ”frustration at unmet potential”: ”Dalang, are you confused?”

He Xi was momentarily stunned, the bloody hue in his eyes somewhat faded.

Confused?

How was he confused?

He had just entered the house and hadn’t done anything yet. He had merely scolded his wife as usual; how could it seem like he had committed some outrageously foolish act?

He Xi pursed his lips and coldly watched his own mother, curious to see what else she would say.

”Do you know that Guo Erlang is returning to the Capital City?”

He Tiantian, familiar with the plot, was well aware of how certain events would unfold.

He Xi was startled again. ”Guo Erlang is returning to the Capital City?”

Guo Erlang, the biological brother of Princess An Kang and two years her senior, had spent the last decade or more in the Northwest with Prince Consort Guo, training troops, and had not returned to the Capital City in many years.

Princess An Kang, having grown up in the Imperial Palace, wasn’t particularly close to her father or brother.

But no matter how estranged, they were still blood siblings.

The older brother’s rare return to the Capital City naturally warranted a visit.

If his sister was doing well, it would be good for everyone.

The problem was the Princess An Kang was not doing well in the He Family at all.

Not to mention Princess An Kang voicing complaints herself, even the people around her couldn’t help but express their grievances. Once Guo Erlang learned of certain matters, he would surely explode.

A mere light beating for the mendicant He Xi would be getting off lightly; if this issue were to reach the Emperor—

He Xi considered himself a man of talent, convinced that his career was built through his own efforts.

However, he was well aware that talented individuals were abundant in the Daxia Dynasty. Ignoring additional graces, normally, every three years would bring forth a Third place scholar.

His Majesty the Saint had ascended the throne over twenty years ago, and during His reign, there had been over twenty top three scholars of various exams.

Not to mention other places, just within the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Censorate alone, there were several top three exam finishers.

Having just been promoted from Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Rites less than two years ago, He Xi was acutely aware of just how brilliant his former colleagues were.

You say you’re young, there are others even younger.

You say you’re a Third place scholar, others have achieved three consecutive first places.

You say you have dignified appearance and brimming talent, others are more handsome than Pan An and eloquent!

It’s only upon arriving in the Capital City, at the very foot of the Imperial City, that one realizes just how many geniuses there are.

So many talents thrown into the Imperial court, some really were merely flashes in the pan.

What did being a Third place scholar amount to?

There were several top scholars languishing in the Hanlin Academy or relegated to impoverished regions as County Magistrates.

Without Princess An Kang’s marriage, without the Royal Family’s favor, without the Guo family’s covert protection, He Xi, a poor boy from a mountain village, could never have had such a smooth career.

At just over twenty years old, he was already a fifth-rank capital official with real power.

Moreover, He Xi was expected to advance further in the upcoming year-end big exams.

At that point, he would truly join the high ranks, no longer considered an insignificant figure.

Outsiders said that He Xi got his position by riding on his wife’s coattails, and while he was angry and tried to refute this, he was annoyed yet aware that he indeed owed a lot to Princess An Kang.

If he committed any act against Princess An Kang, never mind the Royal Family, not even a powerful duke would let him off easily!

And the reason He Xi allowed his own mother to incessantly torment An Kang was that An Kang’s own father and brother were far away on the border.

Now that Guo Erlang was suddenly returning to the Capital City, if he found out about the grievances his sister had endured...

He Xi shuddered at the thought, unable to bear even considering it.

It was like being doused with cold water in the harsh winter cold; he couldn’t help but shiver uncontrollably.

He was extremely clever; having run through these thoughts in his mind, he understood why his mother had hit him.

His mother wasn’t truly trying to punish him but was performing in front of An Kang to save him.

Realizing this, He Xi’s gaze towards He Tiantian was filled with gratitude and regret.

He should be damned; he had actually been resenting his own mother just moments ago!