Qian Ruo'er struggled desperately:
"What are you doing! I'm with the Palace Secretariat! I have to return to Yanchang Hall for duty right away! Let go of me! If you make me late, you'll-ow, ow, ow!!!"
The Legal Clerks on either side had hands like iron pincers, wrenching Qian Ruo'er's arms behind his back. Pain dimmed his vision, and he could barely stand!
Another clerk stepped forward to search him, working from his head down along the inside of his robe to his ankles. Then he laid Qian Ruo'er down to inspect his shoes and socks. Everything found was placed on a tray for a designated clerk to examine and record.
Inwardly, Qian Ruo'er cried out at his good fortune. Thank goodness he had already offered the pearls to the Son of Heaven! If they had been found on him here, he would never have been able to explain himself!
Although the Son of Heaven had taken only one pearl in front of him, without saying whether he wanted both or just that one, Qian Ruo'er had still left the box behind when he departed.
In truth, duty and desire had battled fiercely within him then. Several times, he had wanted to reach out and take the other pearl, but remembering the Son of Heaven's words about sharing wealth, he had held back.
For one thing, he had never shared any of the bribes he had accepted before. Keeping nothing this time could count as an apology for his earlier behavior. For another, chances to offer gifts to the Son of Heaven were rare treasures that could not be sought at will. Since the Son of Heaven liked these pearls, why not give them to him?
Besides, the Son of Heaven had advised him to give gifts to his supervising