(゜-゜) Don't Take Fourth Rank Lightly
Two days later, early in the morning, at Jia Zheng's outer study.
The study was quiet and solemn, its furnishings simple and antique. It wasn't as luxurious as the inner quarters, yet every corner exuded an air of refined elegance.
For example, two rows of precious rosewood bookshelves stood against the wall, reaching all the way to the ceiling. Various jade slips, classics, and documents were neatly arranged on them, carefully sorted and organized. Several landscape paintings of lofty artistic conception hung on the walls, faintly suffused with spiritual energy and the Dao's profundities. One could tell at a glance that they were no ordinary works.
By the window stood a broad sandalwood desk, complete with the Four Treasures of the Study. The paperweight was an elongated piece of ancient jade carved with coiling dragon patterns, its spiritual energy contained within; it was worth almost its weight in spirit stones. An understated carpet covered the floor, and several clusters of verdant spiritual bamboo grew in a corner. The atmosphere made anyone who entered feel at ease.
"..."
At that moment, Jia Zheng sat upright in the grand chair behind the desk. He was still wearing his slightly worn vermilion official robe with cloud patterns. Though he was at home on leave, his posture remained straight and his expression stern, giving him an imposing air even when he wasn't angry.
He held a volume titled Heavenly Court Engineering and Construction and studied it closely, a trace of worry and weariness lingering between his brows.
As an assistant director in the Heavenly Court's Ministry of Works, his official rank was only fourth grade, but his responsibilities were quite important, covering canals and waterworks, shipbuilding and construction, and supplies for the Heavenly Court's internal affairs.
Even the