Joy of Life: The Mei Family's Son Grows Up

Chapter 30 What did the prince say to you?
During these three years, Mei Cheng'an read almost all the books in Qilin Hall except those that he was not really interested in. If he came across a book that he was particularly interested in, he would study it over and over again and research the classics.

Especially when he was reading medical books, because the Imperial Hospital was not far from the Qilin Palace, he would stroll there from time to time. At the beginning, the imperial doctors were extremely friendly to this famous, intelligent and studious child prodigy, and they would answer almost every question he asked. But later, as the child prodigy's questions became more and more numerous and tricky, the imperial doctors became miserable. They would avoid him if they could, and if they couldn't, they would drag a few people to discuss with them.

The imperial doctors, who could no longer bear it, racked their brains and came up with a solution that was not a solution.

Don't you like to ask about theories? Let's give him a taste of his own medicine. What's the point of just studying theories? Let's test and teach you how to do it, how to observe, smell, ask, and feel, how to use acupuncture and apply medicine, how to massage, how to analyze the properties of medicine, etc. What? You don't know how to do it? It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. We can teach you. After teaching, we have to see the results. Come on, isn't it just to hurt each other?
You know, this tactic seems to hurt the enemy by a thousand and your own by eight hundred, but the effect is very significant. Mei Cheng'an was indeed distracted by the tasks assigned by the imperial doctors. His attention turned to practice, and although he did not completely give up the profound theories, he rarely asked about them.

In the past three years, Mei Cheng'an has brought home many good things. The chess manual that Green Ant wanted, the recipe book and piano score that Cucumber wanted, the martial arts secrets that Blue Bird wanted, the painting manual that Sweet Potato wanted, and the medical book that Mei Cheng'an was most interested in were all quietly taken out of the palace by Mei Cheng'an in the way of ants moving house. Of course, they were definitely not original copies, but replicas.

During these three years, Mei Cheng'an and the four maids have made progress in martial arts. The four maids have learned many advanced martial arts techniques from the secret manuals that Mei Cheng'an brought back, and have made breakthroughs in their own mental skills, sword skills, and body skills, and have broken through to the eighth level one after another. Among them, Blue Bird has made the fastest progress and has already reached the level of an eighth-level warrior.

There is only one last acupoint left on Mei Chengan's Du Meridian to be completely opened up and reach the ninth level. His current strength is at the peak of the eighth level.

The 68th year of the Qing Dynasty era had just passed. On the first day of January of the 69th year, Emperor Qing suddenly ordered the change of the era name to Qingli, catching everyone off guard.

According to convention, the country's name and the year name cannot be repeated, but Emperor Qing chose to use the same name as the country's name, Qingli, and specifically chose January 1st, giving the court officials who were resting no chance to protest. At this time, the emperor would not pay attention to any court official unless someone rebelled.

This was not the end yet. The Lantern Festival had just passed and the court was opened on January 16. The court officials, who had been holding back for more than half a month, had not yet had time to submit a petition proposing a change in the reign title, but Emperor Qing issued a series of new policies at the first court meeting of the new year, which was another heavy blow.

The new policy covers many aspects, but it mainly targets the administration of officials. As the Minister of Personnel listened to this series of reform regulations targeting the administration of officials, he felt dizzy before his eyes. Emperor Qing had done a very good job of keeping the new policy secret, and he did not discuss it with ministers from various ministries, but just promulgated it. This was a slap in his face, telling him that he was not working hard enough and was extremely dissatisfied with the administration of officials.

If you have any opinions, just speak up. If you want to rectify the administration, you can come to me to discuss it. At the very least, you should at least let me know. What's the matter with the sudden attack? I was not prepared at all. I hesitated for a long time and couldn't say a word. After all, I am a high-ranking official of the second rank. Don't you want to save face? Dictatorship! Tyranny! Incompetent monarch! The Minister of Personnel complained fiercely in his heart.

The officials of the other departments were no less affected than the Minister of Personnel. They were all worried and anxious. Who were the officials in rectifying the administration of officials? They were all the officials. They began to think about whether the new policies brought them risks or opportunities, and whether there were any areas that they could take advantage of.

The entire court suddenly became quiet, and everyone was analyzing the pros and cons.

So the new policy was passed inexplicably.

Mei Cheng'an was also in the court. This was his first time attending a morning court session in four years since he was appointed an official. He was feeling very excited. Standing in the last few rows of the team, he was secretly looking around at everyone's expressions and reactions. He was laughing in his heart that no matter how arrogant these ministers were in private, they all shrank their heads like quails in front of Emperor Qing. It was still Emperor Qing.

Emperor Qing was sitting in a high seat and silently observing the reactions of the court officials in the hall. Seeing them bowing their heads and nodding one by one with solemn and uneasy expressions, he felt very satisfied in his heart. It was in line with his expectations. He liked this feeling of breaking ground and being in control of the world.

As he scanned the area, he discovered a conspicuous anomaly. This guy not only did not lower his head to think, but looked around. Although his movements were not large, they were clearly visible from a high vantage point. Emperor Qing also curled the corners of his mouth.

"Mei Cheng'an!" Emperor Qing's voice was not loud, and his tone was calm and without any ups and downs, but it sounded like thunder in the ears of all the ministers.

The court officials were stunned when they heard the name. Who was Mei Cheng'an? Why did he sound so familiar? Why did His Majesty call him by his name?

Mei Cheng'an's mouth twitched. Oh no, he was discovered. He quickly composed himself, lowered his head to confirm that there was nothing wrong with his official uniform, then slowly walked out of the team and bowed.

"Your Majesty, here is my minister."

The eyes of all the court officials were drawn to him, and they saw that it was a young official, not very old, with starry eyebrows, sharp eyes, strong facial features, tall and long. He had a good-looking appearance, but how come they had never seen him before?
Mei Chengan felt very uncomfortable and socially frustrated, secretly complaining in his heart, "Your Majesty, can you please tell me what you want to say quickly? Please."

Little did he know that Emperor Qing was deliberately silent, just to give everyone time to react and let this guy show his face. He could feel that Mei Cheng'an was a little anxious under everyone's attention.

After a moment's silence, feeling that the time was right, Emperor Qing finally spoke.

"If I remember correctly, this is your first time attending court?"

Mei Cheng'an breathed a sigh of relief and finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, this is the first time."

"You haven't attended court for four years. Why do you suddenly decide to come?"

Hiss… No court attendance for four years? Does that mean this boy can attend court in four years? What a joke, four years ago this boy was probably still a child, when did Qing allow children to be officials, and even attend court, it was simply ridiculous… Uh, it seems there really is one, that is the child prodigy who was granted the title of seventh-rank proofreader by His Majesty four years ago, and was personally acknowledged by His Majesty, is this guy the child prodigy? The ministers’ memories were revived.

"Your Majesty, a few years ago, I was still young and it was out of place to wear an official uniform. I was afraid that if I rashly went to court, I would lose my manners in front of the palace and offend the emperor. Now that I have grown up, I feel majestic and powerful in my official uniform, so I have the courage to come to court."

Emperor Qing burst out laughing.

"You have found a good excuse. Anyway, let's not talk about it. How did you feel about your first court session?"

The three questions that Mei Chengan hated the most in his previous life were: What are your goals? Have you done your homework? How do you feel after reading this article? Why do I have to do reading comprehension after traveling through time? Help!

"Your Majesty, I feel the majesty of the court and my own insignificance. Your Majesty and the ministers are of one mind, and the government is in order and the people are in harmony. This may be the reason why my Qing country is growing stronger and more powerful and is overwhelming other countries." The court officials felt guilty and inexplicably proud after hearing these words, and Emperor Qing pondered in his heart.

"Well said. I heard that you have done a good job in the task I assigned to you. You have put the Qilin Palace in good order. You have made a contribution, and meritorious service should be rewarded. What reward do you want?"

Damn, you’re not going to kick me out, are you? I haven’t figured out the Huayang acupuncture method yet. I can’t leave, I can’t leave.

"Your Majesty, since this is my job, it is my responsibility. I dare not claim credit, nor do I need any reward. I will just continue to manage the Qilin Palace for Your Majesty."

The court officials felt that this child prodigy was a little ungrateful. His Majesty had already said that you had made great contributions, so why was you being so humble?

However, Chen Pingping glanced over here intentionally or unintentionally.

"If I say you have made contributions, then you have made contributions. Don't be too humble like that sour scholar. As for the reward, I will think about it again."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Mei Chengan quietly returned to the team.

Emperor Qing looked around and said, "Since there is nothing to report, let's disperse."

"Long live the emperor!" The court officials saluted in unison.

After Emperor Qing left, the court officials began to disperse, and Mei Cheng'an followed the crowd out of the hall.

When they got outside the palace, the officials dispersed and began to walk in groups of three or four, but Mei Cheng'an was alone. Mei Zhili did not wait for him, fearing that it would attract too much attention, and instead went out of the palace with the Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple.

Many people were curious about Mei Cheng'an, but they did not approach him to communicate. They just glanced at him from time to time and then whispered with their companions.

Mei Cheng'an turned a deaf ear to the whispers around him and walked alone calmly.

Soon he stopped and a person in front of him was walking towards him with a smile on his face.

Mei Cheng'an bowed and saluted.

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Hey~ the court is over, no need to be polite, get up quickly." The prince took two quick steps, held Mei Cheng'an's arm and pulled him up, with a look of reproach on his handsome face.

"I have heard of your poems a long time ago, but I have never met you in person. Now that I have seen you, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

"Your Highness, it is a compliment."

The prince patted him on the shoulder.

"I'm telling the truth. You are the future pillar of Qing. We are all young people, and there are not so many rules here. You don't have to be so reserved. Just be casual with us in the future."

"Then listen to your highness."

"That's right. Okay, I just came to say hello to you since it's the first time I see you. I'm leaving now."

The prince said this and turned and left.

"Your Highness, walk slowly!"

The prince turned his back and waved at him.

Mei Cheng'an breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the prince walk away. Just as he took a few steps forward, another person with side bangs appeared in front of him.

Damn, how come he appears out of nowhere? After seeing who it is, Mei Chengan had no choice but to bow again.

"Greetings, Second Prince."

"Get up, what did the prince say to you?"

(End of this chapter)