Bai Ziqing sat alone in the corner, looking desolate and miserable.
Zeng Anmin, on the other hand, was surrounded by lively bustle.
"Enough. We can talk about anything else later."
Zeng Anmin naturally noticed the grievance on Bai Ziqing's face.
With a smile, he dismissed the others and walked over to Bai Ziqing.
"How did the trip to Two Rivers Prefecture feel?"
Bai Ziqing pursed his lips.
Then he smiled and waved a hand.
"Pretty good. Getting to see Jiangnan's scenery again counted as a vacation, I suppose."
"Give me a break. You just picked up some unearned merit."
Zeng Anmin chuckled.
No matter what, Bai Ziqing had participated in Xiangliu's death.
Though it had been his father's scheme that swept him into it.
Fortunately, his father had not forgotten him when reporting the merits.
He had even given him credit for confusing Xiangliu's senses.
And thanks to that merit, as soon as he returned, Emperor Jianhong had ordered Si Zhongxiao's people to withdraw from the Imperial City Department.
The Imperial City Department's temporary authority had once again been handed to Bai Ziqing.
As long as Ji Qing did not return from the northern frontier, Bai Ziqing could stir up wind and rain in the Imperial City Department for as long as he pleased.
"Then should I thank Duke Wenqing for remembering me?"
Bai Ziqing looked at Zeng Anmin with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"From the capital all the way to Two Rivers Prefecture..."
"That damned guard would crack me over the head with a club whenever I showed even the slightest sign of waking up!"
At this point, Bai Ziqing grew somewhat agitated. He glared hard at Zeng Anmin.
"One hundred and thirty-eight blows!!"
"A full one hundred and thirty-eight blows!"
"If my skull hadn't