Chapter 80

The eunuch lowered his fly whisk and suddenly smiled. "Academy Student Zhu, kneel and receive the Imperial Decree."

At the mention of an Imperial Decree, everyone in the study, including the Doctor, hurriedly knelt and cried, "Long live Your Majesty!" Zhu Bafu pressed her forehead to the floor and dared not raise it.

That did it. His Majesty was serious! Beheading? Dismemberment? Torn apart by five horses? Come on, couldn't he spare her for the sake of yesterday's acquaintance?

"By His Majesty's word: I have always regarded Dongxu Mansion as a vital place for selecting court officials. Now that the Minister of Works has entered the court to serve and attend upon me, the Eastern Order cannot be left with one of its Six Ministries vacant. This year's Academy Student Zhu Bafu is clever, perceptive, and learned. Though newly admitted to the Eastern Order, her words and conduct have greatly pleased me. I hereby appoint her Minister of Works, to serve in the Eastern Order's Six-Ministry Review. So decreed."

"..." Wh-what? Had she heard that right? Zhu Bafu raised her head in a daze and stared blankly at the eunuch before her. She only wished he would put it in plain language and tell her again: what position did His Majesty want to give her?

Seeing that she was oblivious to the envious, jealous looks around her and had yet to give thanks, the eunuch offered a strained smile and prompted her. "Congratulations, Academy Student Zhu. You've caught His Majesty's eye, and he's promoted you straight to Minister of Works of the Eastern Order. Your career is bound to soar. A newly admitted Academy Student has never been appointed a minister in the Eastern Order's hundred-year history."

"I... I'm an official now?"

"Yes. Though a minister of the Eastern Order