After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 26

The next day, Jiang Huaichu reported to the Hanlin Academy, along with the second-place (“Bangyan”) and third-place (“Tanhua”) scholars of the imperial examination. They were assigned the rank of “Editor,” a seventh-rank official position in the Hanlin Academy.

Jiang Huaichu himself was a “Compiler,” a sixth-rank official. His position was too minor to require attending court unless summoned by the emperor.

A senior official led the three newcomers on a brief tour of the academy, familiarizing them with its halls and offices before assigning them to their respective duties.

As a Compiler Official, Jiang Huaichu was expected to start by compiling historical records and studying drafts written by senior scholars. However, to his surprise, he was directly placed under Grand Scholar Liu Yun, who took him in as an assistant.

Throughout their interactions, the Hanlin scholars maintained a lukewarm attitude toward Xie Caiqing, as if they were cautiously observing him. Some, especially those from aristocratic families, even showed subtle disdain.

The second and third-place scholars watched as Xie Caiqing was personally guided into Liu Yun’s private study, “Qingfeng Hall.” They exchanged glances and lowered their heads in frustration.

Liu Yun saw Xie Caiqing enter and thought to himself, such an elegant and refined young man. He laughed heartily. “No need to be so reserved!”

Xie Caiqing smiled lightly, respectful yet warm, and called out, “Master.”

Liu Yun’s heart warmed. “Good, good, good!”

“For this first month, just assist me. You’re smart—you don’t need much teaching. Just observe and practice. If you don’t understand something, ask me directly. Don’t be shy. Wherever I go, you follow. Whatever I tell you to do, you do. Understood?”

Xie Caiqing nodded.

“This is a clean and honest post. You won’t earn much silver, but the work is easy. However, I won’t let you slack off. I’ll check your progress daily. You’ll also need to read more. I’ll assign you tasks, and if you don’t complete them, there will be penalties. Can you accept that?” Liu Yun observed him closely, his tone serious.

Xie Caiqing obediently nodded, though inwardly, he wondered why Liu Yun was treating him with such particular care and strictness.

Liu Yun stroked his beard in satisfaction. This one is neither opportunistic nor arrogant. With proper refinement, he will become a great talent in the future. He is upright, disciplined, and has no rumors of misconduct. If things go well in the next couple of months, having him marry into my family as my son-in-law would be ideal.

He pointed to a stack of books and documents on the table. “Today, I’ll be on duty at the Office of Imperial Orders. Later, bring these materials and come with me.”

The Hanlin Academy was quite far from the imperial residence. Since the scholars were close advisors to the emperor, an office was set up nearby for their convenience, where they would take turns standing by for any summons.

Xie Caiqing hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly and nodded with a smile.

….

At noon, Xiao Yun and Zhang Gong were heading to the Office of Imperial Orders. The former looked calm, while the latter was visibly troubled.

Zhang Gong wiped his sweat anxiously. “Your Majesty, this… this old minister… this…”

“Do you really think I’d try to fool you?”

“N-no… that’s not it… it’s just… the top scholar and I, we…”

Xiao Yun impatiently cut him off. “Enough with the buts and ifs. Get this done, and I’ll grant you retirement so you can enjoy your days in peace.”

Zhang Gong’s eyes lit up, but after a moment of silence, he still seemed uneasy. “Your Majesty, at least give me a straight answer… that jade—who does it belong to? I just want to set my mind at ease.”

A fleeting smile crossed Xiao Yun’s face. “What does it matter to you? Just do as you’re told. You’ll get your reward, so don’t try to act too clever.”

“…Understood.” Zhang Gong forced himself to agree.

From a distance, before he even entered, Xiao Yun caught sight of Xie Caiqing sitting in a secluded corner, diligently writing.

Despite wearing the same official robes as everyone else, he stood out sharply.

Xiao Yun suddenly felt irritated at the sight of him. Then again, he hadn’t really done anything wrong. With a slight frown, he decided to ignore him and walk straight in, but before he could, a young eunuch at the door announced loudly, “His Majesty has arrived!”

The scholar’s brush trembled slightly in his hand, and he stood up so abruptly that his haste left a streak of black ink across his pale hand.

As the others moved forward to greet the emperor, Xie Caiqing took two quick steps—then darted behind a row of bookshelves, disappearing entirely from sight.

Xiao Yun looked utterly incredulous.

He hadn’t even said anything to him yet, and he was already hiding from him?

Was his skin really that thin?

All he did was touch him a little, kiss him once, rub against him twice.

It wasn’t even on purpose—it was just an accident.

Did he think he hadn’t noticed?

The others in the room hadn’t caught this small interaction.

Liu Yun glanced at the now-empty desk behind him, momentarily confused, assuming Xie Caiqing had just stepped out for a quick break.

Xiao Yun stepped inside, and the gathered officials bowed. He ordered the Hanlin Academy attendant to draft an imperial edict, dictating it aloud.

Liu Yun was momentarily stunned. The emperor always spoke at lightning speed—if they didn’t sharpen their ears and focus every ounce of their energy, they’d never be able to record his words verbatim.

But today, he was speaking at least twice as slowly.

Had His Majesty suddenly developed consideration for his ministers?

Standing close, Liu Yun observed carefully and noticed that the emperor’s gaze kept flicking—ever so casually—toward the bookshelves.

By the time Xiao Yun had finished dictating, he had glanced in that direction multiple times.

Liu Yun found it… rather odd.

After dismissing the attendant, Xiao Yun turned to Liu Yun. “I have some free time. Do you have any of your own works here? I’d like to borrow a couple to read.”

The officials froze for a moment, exchanging glances before breaking into barely-contained excitement.

His Majesty… actually wanted to read?!

Liu Yun, who had spent years trying to encourage the emperor to take an interest in books, could hardly believe his ears.

So that’s why the emperor had come today!

No wonder he entered instead of turning away the moment he saw who was on duty.

And he even specifically asked for Liu Yun’s books!

Liu Yun’s face flushed with joy—happier than if he had fathered a son in his old age. “Your Majesty, please, feel free to take any book you like! Take them all, if you wish! I’ll have them sent to your chambers—”

“No need.” Xiao Yun strode toward the bookshelves.

Liu Yun hurried after him, talking rapidly. “Let me recommend a few. Your Majesty should start with something more foundational—”

“I’ll choose for myself,” Xiao Yun interrupted.

“Of course, of course! Whatever Your Majesty prefers! If you have any questions, I’ll be more than happy to—”

“Shut up.”

Liu Yun instantly fell silent, fearing he might disrupt this once-in-a-decade interest in reading.

Xiao Yun reached the first row of bookshelves.

With his keen hearing, he picked up the faintest sound of shuffling feet from behind the shelves. The corners of his lips curved up slightly.

Ah. So he was retreating.

Since he wanted to hide so badly, it was only right to help him hide—properly.

Xiao Yun leisurely browsed through the books, occasionally pulling one off the shelf and flipping through a few pages, deliberately making loud, exaggerated noises as he slammed them shut and set them down.

The officials behind him flinched at every noise, their necks instinctively shrinking into their shoulders.

Their emperor always did things with such force that they could never tell whether he was about to unleash a storm or just making noise out of boredom.

Xiao Yun moved to another row.

At that moment, he heard a sharp intake of breath—only for it to be quickly stifled, as if someone was holding their breath.

Xiao Yun glanced at the bottom row of bookshelves, his gaze settling on a black curtain draped there to keep dust off old manuscripts. His smirk deepened.

He strolled forward, pretending to browse, until he reached the very end of the shelves—then suddenly stopped.

Then, at an unhurried pace, he began flipping through the books on the shelf.

One by one.

From the top shelf…

To the second-to-last shelf…

And the moment he slammed a book shut on the second-to-last shelf—

He heard a single, hurried breath escape from behind the curtain.

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