The Seductive Beauty Breaks the Insecure Bottom Script [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 39.1

He Wen was pushed away, but he did not give up. He quickly tried once more to grasp Song Mingjiao’s arm, yet he remained mindful of the injury, daring neither to use force nor to jostle him.

“Lord He wishes to be an upright official. How the Emperor’s health fares what business is that of yours?”

Song Mingjiao didn’t even care to utter the words “Dear Subject.” His voice carried a faint, discernible trace of sarcasm.

He still remembered the previous world, where “He Wang” had been absolutely obedient to him, even pleading piteously when he was about to depart.

Coming to this ancient world and encountering Chancellor He Wen, who looked exactly like “He Wang,” Song Mingjiao had initially thought it a stroke of serendipity, a chance to continue their past affinity.

But looking at it now, even if the two looked identical, they were ultimately not the same person.

Song Mingjiao felt somewhat weary and couldn’t be bothered to exert energy contending with He Wen. His wide, supple sleeves dropped down along with his arms.

The young Emperor no longer stubbornly refused to let the Chancellor inspect his injury; he ceased all resistance. Yet, He Wen, kneeling on the floor, was no longer as self-righteous as he had been a moment ago.

He gently cradled Song Mingjiao’s arm. He felt that the slight bruise was exceptionally conspicuous against Song Mingjiao’s delicate skin; for some reason, it made his heart throb with a stinging pain.

“This subject knows his mistake. It was I who measured the heart of a gentleman with the malice of a lowly man, assuming General Gu had learned foul habits abroad and was leading Your Majesty astray.”

He Wen spoke with chagrin. By now, he realized that the previous misunderstanding was a complete blunder. What Eunuch Zhao and Gu Linyuan had been discussing was likely medicinal ointment, not the “lubricant” he had imagined.

He Wen felt ashamed. He was originally a man of self-restraint and noble character, yet lately, for reasons unknown, his mind kept conjuring up unsavory associations.

Song Mingjiao gave a light huff. In truth, he didn’t quite understand what He Wen meant by “foul habits.” Although he was keen on flirting for fun, Song Mingjiao often displayed a certain innocence and slowness that didn’t quite match his experiences.

But this didn’t stop Song Mingjiao from flicking his sleeve, throwing off He Wen’s hand, and sitting back down in the chair behind the desk.

He Wen was still trapped in his emotions of self-reproach, so naturally, he followed him all the way.

Song Mingjiao found him annoying. His own thoughts were a bit chaotic at the moment; he wanted to lift his foot and kick He Wen, but he felt that doing so would damage his imperial image, making him look like a violent person who couldn’t control his emotions.

Thus, Song Mingjiao simply chose “out of sight, out of mind,” and focused on reading the memorials, ignoring He Wen entirely.

“At least General Gu knew to catch me when I was about to fall, and at least he knew to apply medicine for me. I should simply tell Eunuch Zhao tomorrow to send rewards to the General’s Manor.”

Song Mingjiao was talking to himself, not looking at He Wen, but that sleeve remained hiked up, leaving the red and swollen injury exposed pointedly “whipping” He Wen’s guilty conscience over and over.

He Wen knew the Emperor was angry and was intentionally ignoring him.

“This subject knows his fault. When I return tonight, I shall immediately summon talented individuals to seek a panacea for Your Majesty, specifically a medicine that can stop pain. I will also find some novel curiosities for you. It is this subject’s failing that Your Majesty feels bored in the palace.”

He Wen offered comfort word by word, speaking with total sincerity. Given his background from a prestigious noble family, he might truly believe that the Emperor’s lack of entertainment was due to the negligence of his ministers.

“One after another! The words written in these memorials are longer than the imperial edicts I issue! Glorifying achievements, full of nonsense, and never getting to the point it’s a total waste of my time.”

Song Mingjiao was already in a foul mood. Seeing these memorials which were beautiful pieces of literature but contained almost no useful information his anger flared. Suppressing his irritation, he haphazardly scribbled the character “Read” and picked up the next one.

What a coincidence; it was from another acquaintance.

He no longer hid the resentment in his heart. He took his brush, drew a turtle directly on the side, and tossed it into He Wen’s lap.

Indeed, this memorial had been submitted by He Wen the poor, pitiful document had been implicated by its own master.

“This subject shall return immediately to discuss the standardization of memorial formats with the Minister of Rites.”

The young Emperor’s point was actually very valid.

In fact, when the Secretariat conducted the initial review of memorials for the Emperor, they often complained to He Wen. Many colleagues had no major matters to report, but simply to gain visibility before the Son of Heaven, they loved submitting “inquiry of health” memorials or cluttering formal reports with excessive pleasantries.

The Emperor was young; it was only natural for him to be annoyed by the slow, roundabout style that took forever to reach the main point.

He Wen flipped open the memorial the Emperor had tossed back. In the bottom right corner, there was still-wet ink in the shape of a little turtle vivid, quite cute, and even carrying an air of “baring its fangs and brandishing its claws” in a mock-menacing posture.

Not only did He Wen not feel insulted, but he actually felt in his heart that this was a reward from Song Mingjiao.

Especially when compared to Gu Linyuan just now. Gu Linyuan had only received an ointment the Emperor had handed out on a whim, but he, He Wen, had received a drawing hand-painted by the little Majesty himself!

“Your Majesty’s painting skills are exquisite. Upon returning to my manor, I shall place this in the main hall to admire and worship it day and night.”

He Wen spoke in a low voice, carefully tucking the memorial into his wide sleeve, pressing it against his skin to feel a sense of peace.

Song Mingjiao was exasperated. He took his brush and stabbed the white paper several times.

How irritating!

He was trying to humiliate He Wen! He was punishing He Wen! Why was this man looking so delighted?

Now Song Mingjiao felt that He Wen was exactly like the person from the previous world always finding ways to annoy him at certain moments.

Song Mingjiao took a deep breath.

Never mind, don’t lower yourself to the level of an ancient, pedantic man.

He Wen coaxed him for a long time. While comforting the young Emperor, he stayed by his side until more than half of the mountain-high pile of memorials on the desk were processed. Only then did he see Song Mingjiao’s tense little face gradually relax, and a curve reappeared at the corners of his mouth.

“Rise. The Chancellor has been kneeling for so long; it makes it look as if I am unreasonable and mistreating my ministers.”

“This subject committed an error previously and deserved punishment for offending Your Majesty. If anyone is blind enough to wag their tongues, there is no need for it to reach Your Majesty’s ears; I will handle it myself.”

Song Mingjiao gave a light snort. Believing that He Wen was sincerely repentant, he finally lowered the sleeve he had intentionally kept raised, covering the snowy-white curve of his arm.

Although the weather wasn’t cold, having it exposed for so long especially with ointment applied made Song Mingjiao feel a bit itchy as the breeze blew over it.

However, Song Mingjiao didn’t notice that as he covered his arm, a flash of regret seemed to pass through the eyes of He Wen, who was just standing up.

“It is fortunate the Chancellor is here today. My sixth brother is of age now; it is time for him to enter the court and gain experience in political affairs. As for the specific arrangements, what is the Chancellor’s high opinion?”

After a long detour, Song Mingjiao finally arrived at the main topic he wanted to discuss with He Wen today.

He Wen, thinking he had finally cheered up the little Emperor and could move on to topics between the two of them, didn’t expect the Emperor to want to talk about someone else—even if that person was the Emperor’s brother.

But He Wen knew his duty as a minister. Suppressing some inexplicable emotions in his heart, he pondered for a moment and said thoughtfully, “The Sixth Prince? He is indeed of age. When Your Majesty was at his years, you were already following the late Emperor to learn in the imperial court.”

Don’t use that tone like you watched me grow up, that I’m tiny and you’re big!

Song Mingjiao glared at He Wen but said nothing.

In this world, he was set as a “young Emperor,” and those who could reach such high positions in court were basically all “old foxes.” Consequently, Song Mingjiao had heard this kind of talk quite often along the way. He was extremely sensitive about the topic of his youth.

Seeing the glare from the Emperor, where the flow of his gaze carried a hint of petulant anger, He Wen was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t figure out how he had offended the little Emperor again.

“Then I presume the Chancellor is very experienced. I leave the arrangements to you; do not let my brother suffer any disadvantage.”

“Yes. This subject has heard that the Sixth Prince is usually fond of mechanics and craftsmanship. In my opinion, why not have him gain experience in the Ministry of Works first? What does Your Majesty think?”

“Anything is fine. You decide as you see fit.”

“Yes, I obey your command.”

Just like that, the placement of the Sixth Prince, Song Chengnian, was settled by Song Mingjiao and He Wen.

Whether the two of them were satisfied is unknown, but Song Chengnian, upon hearing the news later, was very dissatisfied.

Inside his own manor, Song Chengnian smashed several teacups. His face was dark and gloomy, bearing not even a fraction of the “obedient younger brother” appearance he showed before Song Mingjiao.

“Your Highness, be careful not to hurt your hand. Oh, Your Highness, that tea set beside you was bestowed by His Majesty. Last time he was at the manor, he even said he liked the tea brewed with that set. If Your Highness breaks it and His Majesty doesn’t see it next time, how will we explain if he takes offense?”

Fuming with rage, Song Chengnian glared fiercely at the teacup in his hand, but ultimately, with great reluctance, he slammed it back onto the table.

“Take offense? Can my ‘dear’ Imperial Brother even find the heart to blame me now? Isn’t he already being coaxed out of his wits by those with ill intentions?”

“The Ministry of Works? Who doesn’t know that among the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Works has the least presence? Why not just exile me out of the capital entirely?”

“Was it that wretch He Wen who suggested this to Imperial Brother? How dare he? By what right? Why did Imperial Brother accept his suggestion!”

Song Chengnian’s tone became more aggrieved as he spoke, and eventually, he couldn’t hide his jealousy. His expression was so terrifying that the eunuchs serving him didn’t dare to offer more advice.

“One after another, they only know how to curry favor before Imperial Brother! First, it was that top scholar who came out of nowhere from the countryside—I heard Imperial Brother even gave him that private residence in the capital? He doesn’t deserve it!”

“And now this He Wen is even more loathsome! Just because he has some merit from the succession, does being the Chancellor make him so great? Just because he’s only a few years older than Imperial Brother, he always puts on airs of an elder in front of me?”

Song Chengnian cursed everyone who had been even slightly close to Song Mingjiao during this period.

“Hehe, sooner or later, I’ll drive them all away!”

Under the cover of night, the Sixth Prince’s manor was filled with low, dark, teeth-gritting curses and the constant sound of smashing objects, which only subsided at dawn.

Song Mingjiao was unaware of these events in his “dear” brother’s manor.

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