Chapter 181 Broom Apology

Chapter 181: Pleading Guilty with a Broom on His Back

Cheng Ge thought more and more that his future looked bleak, rejecting every crooked scheme he dreamed up.

In the end, the simplest and most last-resort idea prevailed: to proactively confess and hope for leniency.

At least last time at the hunting grounds, he had risked his life to save the Emperor—surely that counted as a way to offset his merits against his faults?

Even if he couldn't escape death, at the very least... at least his family wouldn't be implicated.

The original owner's poor, honest father had only just become an incorruptible magistrate not long ago.

His good days had barely begun—he couldn't let this unfilial son ruin him so soon.

With this thought, a heavy weariness and resignation washed over him.

He pulled the blanket up over his head and said in a muffled voice to Lin Nanshu, "Yuli, I'm going to sleep for a bit. Don't bother me unless it's important. Actually, even if it is, don't bother me."

With that, he actually fell into a deep sleep amid his chaotic thoughts, with a feeling of "whatever happens, happens."

In the Imperial Study—

Thin wisps of ambergris incense rose slowly, coiling in the silent air.

Lin Nanshu stood with his head bowed in the hall, his posture humble and his voice unusually steady.

"Your Majesty, although Muyu acts rashly and has often made mistakes, if one examines his past deeds carefully, he has not been without merit for the state and for Your Majesty."

Zhou Mingqi's gaze fell on an open memorial on the desk, his head still lowered, the faint bluish mark of a palm print still lingering on his face.

"A month ago, the examination corruption scandal erupted, with rampant graft and bitter scholars.

Muyu, at the Meridian Gate, risked his life and brazenly exposed the corruption. Though his actions shocked the world, his heart was for the public good.

If he had not risked everything in a desperate move, it would have been difficult to purge the corruption and restore integrity to the scholarly world so swiftly.

During the autumn hunt, the Northern Di prince was arrogant, acting as if no one in Great Zhou could match him.

Muyu did not spare himself; he stepped forward alone, sword in hand, and in front of the masses crushed the Di chieftain's arrogance, raising our country's prestige."

Lin Nanshu's voice was calm and unhurried as he enumerated Cheng Ge's achievements one by one.

He slightly raised his eyes and quickly scanned Zhou Mingqi's expression.

"At the hunting ground, when danger approached, Your Majesty's heaven-blessed fortune naturally had divine protection.

Nevertheless, at that critical moment, Muyu indeed threw himself forward, shielding Your Majesty without regard for his own life.

Your Majesty embraces the four seas with benevolence, and your virtue is widely known. Showing leniency is how a true Son of Heaven demonstrates magnanimity."

Zhou Mingqi finally lifted his eyes, his gaze deep and heavy as it fell on Lin Nanshu, carrying a scrutinizing edge.

He did not immediately respond to the discussion about Cheng Ge; instead, he picked up the tea cup beside him.

The atmosphere in the hall was delicate, steam slowly dissipating. Lin Nanshu stepped back slightly and spoke with cupped hands.

"Your subject recently received a letter from home, mentioning matters concerning the expansion of the merchant route in the Northern Deserts.

This newly opened route extends deep into the grasslands, connecting the southwestern states.

Although the Lin family has been striving to manage it, our capabilities are ultimately limited, and I fear we cannot maintain its stability for long.

If this route can be kept open, the annual revenue would be considerable, greatly benefiting the treasury and securing the border regions."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingqi set down his tea cup and began to tap his fingers unconsciously on the desk.

—The value of this merchant route had long been coveted by the royal family.

"In Your subject's private estimation, for such a beneficial matter to the state and people, if it could also be accompanied by imperial authority,

and at that time, capable officials could be selected to jointly manage it, it might become a true golden artery in Great Zhou's northern frontier."

He stressed the words "jointly manage" slightly, making the concession and trade-off clear.

Zhou Mingqi looked at Lin Nanshu, his expression inscrutable.

He had not expected that to save Cheng Ge, Lin Nanshu would be willing to hand over the family's lifeline—the merchant route's profits—without resistance and invite the royal family to co-manage it.

His body leaned forward slightly, about to speak, but the corner of his eye caught the head eunuch Fu Quan's figure pacing anxiously outside the hall's door, then quickly withdrawing, appearing hesitant and uncertain.

Zhou Mingqi paused in his speech, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He knew Fu Quan was usually level-headed; unless it was urgent, he would not act so out of character while His Majesty was discussing important matters.

Still keeping his eyes on Lin Nanshu, his tone was flat and emotionless: "What is it? Come in and speak."

Hearing this, Fu Quan hurried into the hall, his expression utterly bizarre.

He bowed and whispered, his voice just loud enough for the two inside to hear: "Your Majesty, Lord Cheng... he is currently kneeling outside the hall, on the imperial steps below."

Zhou Mingqi's brow immediately knit tightly, and Lin Nanshu abruptly turned his head toward the outside of the hall, the color draining from his face.

Fu Quan braced himself and added, "He... he is not wearing his official robes, only an undergarment... and on his back... he carries a broom. He has been kneeling there for quite some time."

Lin Nanshu could no longer keep his composure; forgetting even to take his leave, he turned and strode swiftly toward the outside of the hall, his sleeves billowing in the wind.

Zhou Mingqi's face also darkened completely, the fingers holding the teacup whitening with tension.

He rose abruptly and, without a word, followed after, the hem of his dragon robe brushing the threshold, carrying an icy aura of authority.

Outside the hall, the sun was fierce, its blazing sunlight pouring down directly, heating the vast white marble steps until they were scalding.

Cheng Ge, in a thin plain undergarment, knelt dead center on the stone steps, the sunlight stinging his eyes.

A worn but not old broom was strapped tightly to his back with cloth ties, standing out starkly and conspicuously.

At this moment, his hands were crossed, the backs pressed against his forehead, his head pressed firmly against the sun-scorched ground.

Revealing only the full, round back of his head, maintaining the most devout posture of confession.

Sweat slid from his temples, wetting the white bandage wrapped around his forehead.

Then it dripped onto the white jade stone, quickly spreading into a small dark stain.

Lin Nanshu burst out of the hall gate, and seeing that frail, thin figure kneeling prostrate on the steps, his heart twisted in agony.

He rushed to Cheng Ge's side, reaching out to support him, trying to pull him to his feet.

"Muyu... what are you doing? Let's go back first—"

However, Cheng Ge seemed to be nailed to the ground, his body stubbornly sinking downward, refusing to let Lin Nanshu move him even an inch.

His disheveled hair was plastered to his forehead and cheeks with sweat, accentuating his pallor.

Cheng Ge’s heart was pounding at this moment. He hadn’t expected this man to come out so quickly.

He had been kneeling there, feeling a bit dizzy, and had stealthily stuffed a piece of sesame candy into his mouth.

But just as he had popped it in, he heard the palace doors creak open and footsteps suddenly approach.

Cheng Ge thought: Holy crap!! I'm being set up!!

He jolted in fright and began chewing frantically, his cheeks working at an astonishing speed.

The rich aroma of sesame mixed with the sweetness of the syrup surged wildly in his mouth, as he mused that the imperial kitchen’s snacks were actually pretty good.

Seeing Lin Nanshu reach out to pull him up, Cheng Ge’s body stiffened abruptly.

No way!!! If that Dog Emperor found out, wouldn't he be in even more trouble?

At this moment, no matter what, he couldn’t get up. He could only hold his ground stubbornly, refusing to shift even a millimeter.

Seeing how stubborn he was, Lin Nanshu could no longer bear to force him, only wordlessly stepping aside and raising his sleeve to shield him from the sun.

“A little love-powered support, awoo—”