The south-facing main doors of the Ning'an County Government's courtroom stood open. Only two men sat inside.
Both wore Metropolitan Graduate robes. The man seated in the presiding chair was a little over forty: Fei Chang, the newly appointed prefect of Qingwu Prefecture and acting magistrate of Ning'an County. He was smiling at Ji Zhibai, who sat to his left.
"Younger Brother Ji, why don't you take my seat while I listen? Though I passed the Metropolitan Graduate examination years ago, I've only served as an assistant official in the prefectural offices and the capital. This is my first time governing a region. You, on the other hand, once governed Ning'an City and held an important post in the Ministry of Personnel. Your experience far surpasses mine."
There was not a trace of color in Ji Zhibai's fair face. He had yet to recover from the blow of having his literary guts shattered, and a faint melancholy lingered between his brows.
Ji Zhibai smiled faintly. "Older Brother Fei, you're too kind. Though I enjoyed a brief spell of glory, the Sacred Academy has already ruled that I may never hold office again, nor enter the Sacred Academy, much less Hanlin Hall. My chances of becoming a Hanlin Academician are pitifully small. With my literary guts damaged as well, my prospects are finished. I can only serve as an adviser now. Please don't look at me through the eyes of the old days."
But Fei Chang replied in utter earnest, "You're mistaken, Younger Brother Ji. Back then, I offended the former Right Prime Minister and was demoted to an office with neither power nor perks. I became everyone's laughingstock and spent three whole years there. Fortunately, you, my younger fellow townsman, rescued me from fire and water. Not only did you