It was morning, and Mingxuan arose from his slumber, lifting his head from the wooden table in the repository. As he stretched his back, crackles rang through the room.
'I wish I was allowed to bring a bed in here… maybe I can ask the princess?' he thought.
Immediately, he saw Xiao An sleeping on the floor nearby him, using a book as a pillow.
When Xiao An returned last night, Mingxuan shamelessly requested that he light incense again. Sadly, no qi appeared in Mingxuan's Dantian.
'I hope it wasn't a one time thing… there are probably rules to it, right?'
Mingxuan simply glanced at the kid, and prepared to leave the repository. Last night, he read through various laws and records, and found some things he could rely on to win a trial against Eunuch Baoquan.
Before stepping out, Zhou Mingxuan set a folded letter beside Xiao An. When the little eunuch woke up, he'd know what to do.
The issue was that this trial had no air of officiality. Mingxuan needed a judge to preside over the case.
'I considered asking the Chief Eunuch, but he has nothing to gain from this case… so there's only one option.'
Mingxuan made his way toward the Canglong Palace's entrance, greeting the guard with a smile and nod.
The guard asked, "Where to?"
It was a routine question, people weren't allowed to simply leave the palace, but Mingxuan wasn't a servant or an official. He could basically leave whenever he wanted to.
"I'm heading to the Imperial Censors' Residence. It'll be quick, sir," Mingxuan responded.
The guard rose an eyebrow, and then nodded.
After descending the palace's stone stairs, Zhou Mingxuan marched eastward, it was a quick walk, as the Imperial Censors' Residence was directly neighboring the palace. Imperial censors usually worked in the palace when not deployed to faraway provinces, keeping track of the various palace officials.
'Although eunuchs don't usually fall under their jurisdiction, a rookie imperial censor may be willing to preside over my case for some merit,' Mingxuan thought.
In an ideal world, imperial censors wouldn't ignore any form of misconduct within the empire.
Soon, Mingxuan arrived. The Imperial Censors' Residence wasn't an especially large place, but still enough to be considered a mansion. It was shared among any imperial censors that were in the capital city.
Mingxuan approached the mansion's entrance, addressing the guards, "I'm here to report corruption, do I have permission to enter?"
One of the guards responded with a nod, "I'll go see if any of the masters are willing to listen."
The other guard stationed himself in the center of the entrance, as the one that previously spoke entered the residence.
The atmosphere between the remaining guard and Mingxuan was a bit awkward, they simply stared at each other while they waited.
The silence was deafening, and Zhou Mingxuan wondered, 'Is he challenging me to a staring contest? Why isn't he blinking?'
Soon, the other guard came back.
"One of the masters is willing to speak with you, please maintain decorum," he said.
Zhou Mingxuan nodded, and entered the residence. He was greeted by a dandy fellow, with loose robes and a sword at his waist.
Mingxuan slightly bowed, "Hello Lord Imperial Censor. I'd like to speak in private if that's fine?"
The imperial censor gently smiled, "No need for formalities. You're the little book boy that the third princess favors, correct? I am Wei Zhongren, you may call me as such."
Wei Zhongren pointed with his chin, indicating for Zhou Mingxuan to follow him. They both strode toward the large mansion, and went inside.
The mansion was smothered in fine gold and jade, rare paintings and statues, and various other luxuries. Mingxuan speculated with a tinge of sarcasm, 'I wonder where all this came from? Definitely their wage.'
Soon, they entered a small room, containing only a table and a few cushioned chairs, and Wei Zhongren gestured for Mingxuan to take a seat.
"So," Wei Zhongren sat down as he spoke, "which lord are you reporting?"
"Not a lord, a eunuch," Mingxuan said flatly.
Wei Zhongren chuckled, and his eyes narrowed, 'Is this book boy insulting me? A eunuch?'
Still, he calmly responded, "Well… eunuchs don't usually fall under our jurisdiction. Unless it is a high-ranking one?"
Mingxuan stared into Wei Zhongren's snake-like eyes. After a moment, he sighed.
"Not high-ranking… in fact, among eunuchs, his standing should be similar to yours among the censors."
Simply put, Zhou Mingxuan has never heard of an imperial censor named "Wei Zhongren." Every censor with merit would be famous, the empire would ensure that every citizen knew their name.
'Nothing more than a show of "fighting corruption," pathetic,' Mingxuan thought.
Censor Zhongren simply gnashed his teeth, lifting his chin as he spoke with an air of arrogance, "That's a bit insulting isn't it? Are you here to report misconduct or mock an imperial censor?"
Mingxuan shook his head, and said, "I came as a guest, but haven't had a sip of tea. My throat is feeling dry… call for some."
He lazily leaned back in his chair, as if what he said was normal.
"You…," Wei Zhongren shot up from his chair, about to hurl an insult, but stopping himself before he could. Regardless of his status as a mortal, the third princes backed Zhou Mingxuan.
"I'm sorry sir, but you should leave. We won't be handling inquiries related to eunuchs," the imperial censor said, forcing a smile.
Zhou Mingxuan watched as Wei Zhongren walked away from the table and opened one of the sliding doors, before interrupting him, "You know, if you ignore this opportunity for merit… who knows when the emperor will send you after a real target?"
Wei Zhongren stopped in his tracks. It was true, a corrupt eunuch was something he was looking for, the exact sort of situation he needed to be noticed by the higher ups.
Mingxuan tapped his finger on the table, "I promise this situation will bring you great fame, so bring me the tea and we can discuss further."
Censor Zhongren yelled toward the door, "Bring us our finest tea!"