The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 693 - 780: Slapping the Transmigrator (Part 35)

Xiao Yuan sent Xiao Daya to the Manor, and upon his return, he encountered someone from Liu Youjia’s household.

"Old Steward, someone from inside the palace has come with a summons, requesting the Old Master to enter the palace for an audience."

Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile to Liu Youjia’s servant, his expression calm, showing no sign of nervousness at all.

Liu Youjia’s servant swallowed hard, thinking to himself, my goodness, the Old Master is really something out of the ordinary, even more imposing than our own Old Master was, I can’t imagine how he does it.

Xiao Yuan strode into the guest hall and immediately saw a young eunuch sitting there, talking to Anning.

He hurried over and greeted the young eunuch with a smile: "Thank you for waiting, eunuch."

The young eunuch stood up with a cheerful smile, "Young Master Xiao has returned, let’s go to the palace now, so as not to keep Your Majesty waiting for too long."

Xiao Yuan nodded, and he shared a carriage with the young eunuch to the palace gates, whereupon descent, the young eunuch showed his waist card to the guards.

One of the guards even chatted with Xiao Yuan with a smile: "So you’re Xiao Ji’s brother-in-law, please go ahead and enter."

Xiao Yuan smiled: "You must be An He’s friend, one of these days I’ll treat you to a drink."

While chatting, he followed the young eunuch into the palace.

Speaking of which, this young eunuch and Xiao Yuan actually shared the same surname. His nickname was Zhuzi, and after entering the palace, he did not change his name; the people in the palace all called him Little Zhuzi.

This young eunuch was really quite peculiar.

His name was Little Zhuzi, so he really acted like a pillar.

While serving the Holy Light Emperor, he would stand still just like a pillar, no matter if the Holy Light Emperor was angry or delighted, he would remain unmoving, and the Holy Light Emperor found Little Zhuzi quite amusing, therefore he often rewarded him with things.

Especially since Little Zhuzi loved to eat, and he ate a lot, the way he ate could easily increase one’s appetite, so the Holy Light Emperor often gave Little Zhuzi something to eat. When he himself didn’t feel like eating, he’d call Little Zhuzi over to eat by his side, and he’d find his own meal much tastier.

This was something Xiao Yuan managed to wheedle out during his conversation with Little Zhuzi along the way.

If Xiao Yuan wanted to pry something out of someone, let alone a young eunuch like Little Zhuzi, even the old eunuchs who had served their masters for most of their lifetimes in the palace would end up spilling many things smoothly.

By the time they entered the palace, Little Zhuzi found himself warming up to Xiao Yuan, as though they had become close friends in life and death.

Upon reaching Jiyuan Palace, Little Zhuzi went inside to report, while Xiao Yuan waited outside.

Soon, Little Zhuzi came out and invited Xiao Yuan in for an audience.

Xiao Yuan entered with a smile, and as he walked in, he saw the Holy Light Emperor at the Imperial Case, writing something. He quickly walked forward a few steps and bowed: "Your humble subject Xiao Yuan pays respect to Your Majesty. Longevity to Your Majesty, long live, live forever."

The Holy Light Emperor tossed his brush aside, "Rise."

Xiao Yuan stood up promptly and waited respectfully at the side.

The Holy Light Emperor stood up and looked at Xiao Yuan: "Do you know why I have summoned you?"

Xiao Yuan shook his head to indicate he did not know: "Your humble subject does not know, but is overjoyed. Since I was young, I have grown up listening to stories of Your Majesty, holding the utmost respect and affection for Your Majesty. Now that I am graced by the sight of Your Majesty, my heart is truly elated."

This lad, his words are too smooth, and he certainly has quite the nerve.

The Holy Light Emperor couldn’t help but almost laugh at what Xiao Yuan said.

No one has ever dared to speak to him like this.

Not to mention the courtiers below, even his own sons have never dared to speak so light-heartedly; he found it rather refreshing.

"Slick talker."

The Holy Light Emperor pointed to a chair with a chuckle: "Take a seat for now."

Xiao Yuan then graciously sat down.

Holy Light Emperor asked Xiao Yuan, "You made a model of a fertile farmland harvest for your brother-in-law the other day, which the boy flaunted at the Guard Department. I have indeed heard about it."

Holy Light Emperor pointed to a model on another table: "Is that harvesting machine real?"

Xiao Yuan glanced at it, sitting very obediently, "Replying to Your Majesty, it is real, just a miniature version. If Your Majesty wishes for a larger one, this commoner can also make it."

Upon hearing this, Holy Light Emperor was very pleased: "Then you go report to the Ministry of Industry. First, work with the officials there to make a few, and in addition, the waterwheel is also well-made; make one of those too."

Xiao Yuan stood up and respectfully bowed, "Yes."

"If you do a good job, I will grant you an official position, allowing you to serve as Chief in the Ministry of Industry, how does that sound?"

Holy Light Emperor offered Xiao Yuan a sixth-rank official position as Chief in the Ministry of Industry, which was also because Xiao Yuan had saved the elder princess’s grandson.

He had expected Xiao Yuan to be elated.

Who knew that Xiao Yuan’s face fell immediately, looking particularly distressed, "Your Majesty, this commoner... may I ask for some silver or land instead? I am not yet fit to hold an official position."

"Oh?"

Holy Light Emperor had never heard of anyone who was not willing to be an official. Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "Why?"

Xiao Yuan’s face crumpled altogether, as if he had swallowed bitter medicine, as though being given an official position was harming him.

"This commoner wishes to take the imperial examination. If I become an official now, it might not work out well. I too wish to enter court service and exhaust my mind and body in service to Your Majesty. But, this commoner desires to earn his position through his own efforts, honorably. Additionally, I have also promised my wife that I will become the top scorer so that she can be the top scorer’s wife."

At this, Xiao Yuan’s fair and tender face suddenly flushed red, and he awkwardly added, "My wife comes from a prominent and distinguished background. Her marrying someone as impoverished as me was already a great injustice to her. I’m aware that many people speak ill of us outside, but my wife never listens to those things. She is wholeheartedly devoted to me, and never carries the airs of a high-born lady. She has been exceptionally kind to both my mother and my sister. I... I just think, I have to earn some dignity for my wife."

This display of young romance genuinely broadened Holy Light Emperor’s horizons.

He couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter, "Alright then, lad. If you wish to take the civil service exam, go for it. I’m quite interested to see if you can become the top scorer."

"I shall not disappoint Your Majesty."

Xiao Yuan’s declaration was bold and confident, making Holy Light Emperor even happier.

"Fine, I’ll reward you with some silver, so you won’t have to worry about household issues. Study at ease for these few years and earn the title of top scorer. If you really do become the top scorer, I’ll surely honor you with a grand celebration and parade you through the streets on a horse."

Holy Light Emperor patted Xiao Yuan on the shoulder. At this moment, he was close enough to see a red mole on Xiao Yuan’s earlobe.

Holy Light Emperor’s hand paused for a moment: "Alright, you may leave now."

Xiao Yuan took a few steps back and bowed before exiting.

Little Zhuzi was waiting outside for Xiao Yuan. Seeing him emerge, he smiled, "Well, it seems His Majesty has a good impression of you."

Xiao Yuan handed a wallet to Little Zhuzi, "Yes, His Majesty is in a good mood. Thank you for your advice. Take this and treat someone to a drink."

Little Zhuzi squeezed the wallet, and feeling its flatness, knew it contained a silver note.

"I’ll see you out."

After Xiao Yuan left Jiyuan Palace, Holy Light Emperor stood in a daze for a while, then turned and entered the inner chamber.

There was a secret door in the inner chamber, which the Holy Light Emperor opened and went through.

Behind the secret door was a rather spacious room that appeared very bright. On closer inspection, one could find several Luminous Pearls in the room.

And on one of the walls hung a painting.

Holy Light Emperor looked up at the painting; it depicted a woman practicing swordplay, her beauty and grace remarkable, and she exuded a heroic and dashing aura. Most important of all, there was a red mole on the right earlobe of the woman in the painting.

If Xiao Yuan were here, he would surely notice the woman bore a striking resemblance to him, especially their eyes, which looked as if they were carved from the same mold.

Holy Light Emperor gazed at the woman in the painting, "Azi, could he be your reincarnation? Have you come back once again, reincarnated, because you are worried about me?"