At Court

The first step to entering the Han State court was naturally to secure an official position.

For Han Fei, the position did not need to be too high, but it had to be special and convenient for him.

Facing Ji Wu Ye's probing, Han Fei casually brushed it aside and said to the Han King:

"Father, Han State is at a time when it needs capable people. Your son is willing to share your burdens."

"It is rare for Ninth to have such intentions. What position do you want?"

The Han King remained impassive. Though he looked bloated and weak, hardly like a wise ruler,

as the king of a state, how poor could his grasp of political schemes truly be?

Besides, how many emperors were decent people? Every one of them had some shameful affairs hidden away.

"Lord High Inquisitor!" Han Fei calmly spoke those two words.

"What!"

Ji Wu Ye suddenly raised his head, his sharp tiger eyes fixed firmly on Han Fei. His fists clenched tightly, and his aura was intimidating.

If the Han King had not been present, he would probably have pinned Han Fei to the ground and beaten him senseless.

Chancellor Zhang Kai Di turned his gaze toward Han Fei, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

The Han King studied Han Fei carefully, slightly surprised.

The Lord High Inquisitor ranked among the Three Excellencies and was equal in status to the Six Ministers. Along with the Minister of War, Minister of Works, Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Education, he was known as one of the Five Offices, overseeing prisons, criminal cases, and inspections.

This position seemed to have comprehensive functions and considerable authority, yet many officials avoided it like the plague.

The mere words "criminal cases" were enough to make people shrink back, instinctively feeling that it was an undesirable post.

"Ninth, have you thought this through?" the Han King asked.

"As your son understands it, the position of Lord High Inquisitor has been vacant for half a year. Since no one has taken the post, why not let your son do it?" Han Fei said.

"Your Majesty, Ninth Young Master studied Confucianism. Matters concerning prisons and criminal cases may not suit him," Ji Wu Ye hurriedly said.

His unspoken meaning was that Han Fei was a scholar, and it might be inappropriate for him to deal with criminal cases. He might not be capable of the post.

"General Ji need not worry! Father, please grant your son's request!" Han Fei said with cupped hands.

"The office of Lord High Inquisitor is a matter of great importance. Allow me to consider it. Ninth, you have only just returned, so rest for a while and familiarize yourself with Han State's affairs before taking office," the Han King said.

He neither rejected Han Fei nor gave a specific date for his appointment.

It had to be said that though the Han King was growing older, his mind was still as shrewd and calculating as a fox's.

Han Fei's expression remained calm, though a fleeting disappointment flashed deep within his eyes.

Ji Wu Ye sneered. He had gone through great trouble to kill the previous Lord High Inquisitor. How could he possibly let this still-wet-behind-the-ears brat reap the benefits?

Once he controlled the criminal courts as well, his power would rise dramatically.

"Ninth, is there anything else?" the Han King asked.

"Your son came only to pay his respects to Father," Han Fei said.

"Mm. It is commendable that you have such filial devotion." The Han King nodded slightly.

He calmly watched General Ji Wu Ye and Chancellor Zhang Kai Di.

One military, one civil; one tense, one relaxed. For many years, Han State's court had remained in a delicate balance.

In recent years, Ji Wu Ye's ambitions had expanded too quickly, and this balance was becoming impossible to maintain.

When that time came, Han State would likely be destroyed!

The Han King understood this perfectly. Seeing Han Fei return to the state at this time, certain thoughts had already formed in his heart.

By evening,

Han Fei returned to his residence, where Wang Shu, Flame Spirit Ji, and Red Lotus Princess were all present.

In the center of the residence stood a table laden with dishes of perfect color, fragrance, and flavor. Before long, the full moon hung high in the sky, silver moonlight spilling into the courtyard and adorning all things beneath it with a wondrous beauty.

"Ninth Brother! You're finally back!"

Red Lotus Princess ran to Han Fei's side, her pretty face plainly showing her displeasure.

"Red Lotus, there were many matters at court, so I was delayed."

Han Fei smiled, then walked to the table and added:

"Brother Wang Shu, Han Fei is late. How about I punish myself with a cup first?"

"Please do," Wang Shu said.

"Good!"

Han Fei then poured himself a cup and drained it in one gulp.

The wine flowed down his throat and into his chest like blazing fire, burning fiercely.

"Good wine, good people, good scenery—this place alone has the finest view! Hahaha!"

With a hint of drunkenness, Han Fei burst into poetic inspiration.

Yet what greeted him was Red Lotus Princess's scorn and Flame Spirit Ji's scorn!

For a moment, the atmosphere became awkward!

Han Fei sat in his chair with his head lowered like a defeated rooster, his face full of dejection.

"How did it feel going to the palace today?" Wang Shu asked, lifting a cup and taking a light sip.

"Very bad. Han State is no longer the Han State I knew," Han Fei said gravely.

"Ninth Brother, what do you mean? How is Han State no longer the Han State you knew?" Red Lotus Princess asked.

"A child. A flower raised in a greenhouse, ignorant of the world's cruelty." Flame Spirit Ji glanced at her and spoke indifferently.

"What did you say, Little Vixen?" Red Lotus Princess retorted without the slightest courtesy.

In her eyes, Flame Spirit Ji was a little vixen, far too alluring.

"Little Vixen? That is not a bad form of address." Flame Spirit Ji was not angry, nor did she mind Red Lotus Princess's attitude.

"Red Lotus, Miss Flame is an unrivaled beauty. How can you describe her with such a crude term as 'little vixen'?

Even if you must say it, you should not call her a little vixen. You should call her a Fox Immortal!" Han Fei said.

It had to be said that a cultured scholar truly spoke differently.

The same meaning sounded lofty and refined in Han Fei's mouth.

Little vixen and Fox Immortal were essentially the same, but changing the phrasing gave people a completely different feeling.

"Hehe, Fox Immortal?" Flame Spirit Ji chuckled, and even the stars filling the sky seemed to dim.

If an ordinary man saw her, he would likely lose his soul at once. But Han Fei was no ordinary man; he merely found her incomparably breathtaking.

Recalling Han State's current situation, his expression grew more solemn as he said:

"Ji Wu Ye now controls most of the court's power. I can sense Father's helplessness. Yet Han State cannot do without Ji Wu Ye for now. It still needs him to guard its borders. Sigh."

"Rome was not built in a day," Wang Shu said.

"Yes. What I need now is to melt this block of ice that is Han State and restore its vitality," Han Fei said.

They drank together and spoke of everything beneath the heavens until late into the night. All of them were somewhat drunk, so they returned to rest.

After Wang Shu escorted Flame Spirit Ji back to her room, he left alone. He looked toward the palace, then headed that way.

But after taking only a few steps, he discovered that Flame Spirit Ji, who had supposedly fallen asleep drunk, was standing beside him.

"Little Flame Flame, why are you—?" Wang Shu asked doubtfully.

"How could that little bit of wine possibly make me drunk?" Flame Spirit Ji smiled lightly. With graceful steps, she approached him, bringing with her a scorching fragrant breeze that intoxicated the senses.

"I see. Then come with me as we explore the palace at night," Wang Shu said.

Clearly, Flame Spirit Ji had followed him because she wanted to go with him. It was impossible for him to leave her behind alone.

"Mm." Flame Spirit Ji nodded repeatedly, eagerly wrapping her arm around Wang Shu's.