Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 58 - 54 Lord Ran Gets Scolded

Chapter 58: Chapter 54 Lord Ran Gets Scolded

In the study, Ran Qingchen, having changed into clean clothes, had already issued a citywide search order through the Dark Guard Department of the intelligence agency.

As long as the demon hadn’t left the Capital, even if it meant digging three feet into the ground, it would be unearthed.

And then it would be severely dealt with.

Many seals would be captured.

Ran Qingchen, in a foul mood, prepared to return to his residence to rest when he heard from a maid that Inspector Yuan Anjiang had urgent matters to discuss.

Ran Qingchen didn’t think much of it and allowed the other party to enter.

Among the new officials of the Liushan Division, Yuan Anjiang was somewhat special.

It was because of his mentor’s influence.

Ran Qingchen could show displeasure to anyone, but he dared not neglect Yuan Anjiang.

However, seeing Mr. Yuan’s darkened face, looking as if someone owed him money, Ran Qingchen couldn’t help but feel puzzled and asked softly, "What’s the matter with Mr. Yuan?"

Yuan Anjiang first performed a courtesy and then spoke with a muffled voice,

"If Lord Ran thinks this official is not fit for the role of inspector, then this official shall leave the Liushan Division immediately."

Huh?

Hearing this, Ran Qingchen was stunned.

What was this all about?

He asked with a puzzled face, "Why would Mr. Yuan say such a thing?"

Yuan Anjiang asked gravely, "Earlier, this official specifically drafted a list of new personnel and submitted it to Lord Ran, may I know if Lord Ran has seen it?"

Ran Qingchen suddenly realized, comprehending the purpose of the other’s visit.

He feigned confusion and nodded his head slightly, "I have seen it, and I have also followed Mr. Yuan’s recommended list and issued the transfer orders."

"What about Jiang Mo?"

As expected.

Ran Qingchen’s expression turned cold, and he said harshly, "Regarding this Jiang Mo, I have discussed it with the employees of the Wenxin Department and feel he is not yet competent. We plan to assess him further for some time."

"Not competent?"

Listening, Yuan Anjiang chuckled, "May I ask Lord Ran, how is he not competent?"

Ran Qingchen said, "Limited ability."

"Lord Ran, have you seen the assessment record book of Wind Thunder Hall?"

"Liushan Division’s twelve halls, the very last!"

Ran Qingchen said coldly.

The woman’s words were clear enough.

A record book of the last place in the assessment meant the personnel’s abilities were lacking.

Yuan Anjiang stared at the stunningly beautiful lady in the green dress in front of him, his gaze sharp, and asked word by word, "Then may this official ask again, has Lord Ran seen the record book regarding Jiang Mo?"

Ran Qingchen was at a loss for words.

Already in a bad mood, he couldn’t be bothered to consider the other’s status and said decisively,

"If I say he’s not competent, then he is not! Official tools must not be used for personal gain, and public positions must not be given out of favoritism. Mr. Yuan, you’re known in the court for your integrity, how have you also started engaging in such practices of using connections to recommend officials!?"

"What a statement, that official tools must not be used for personal gain!"

Yuan Anjiang laughed in anger, "Lord Ran, what a fine smear of dirt. Not to mention that Jiang Mo has no ties with this official, even if he were my son or son-in-law, if he has the talent and ability, why shouldn’t this official recommend him?

This official has a clear conscience, day and night, not ashamed before heaven or earth. If Lord Ran believes this official is abusing power for personal gain and showing favoritism, he can boldly report to the court and strip this official of his public service uniform!"

Ran Qingchen’s pretty face flushed red, her fists tightly clenched her dress.

Yuan Anjiang took a step forward, his stance unyielding, and continued to say,

"An official should be clear on principles and righteousness, behave uprightly, so as to hold office for the virtuous and able. Regardless of how Jiang Mo has offended Lord Ran, Lord Ran should also remember the ’public heart of an official.’

The higher the position, the less one can act rashly. If one were to act arbitrarily out of personal feelings, it would lead to disaster, how would they achieve anything? How could they live up to the heavy responsibilities bestowed by the Emperor..."

Yuan Anjiang grew increasingly vehement as he spoke, his saliva flying, almost to the point of cursing.

In the court, Yuan Anjiang’s mentor was famous for his bad temper; never mind the senior ministers, he wouldn’t hesitate to scold even the Emperor, standing in the Golden Throne Hall and spluttering with spittle.

And as a student, Yuan Anjiang had inherited the same temper.

He had scolded more than a few officials.

He had offended even more people.

This time, the Emperor specially placed him in the Liushan Division, not only to assist Ran Qingchen, who was not very familiar with the officialdom, but also to give him a chance to lay low.

Otherwise, having offended too many people and without the protection of his teacher anymore, once he officially entered the court, he would truly have enemies on all sides.

Everyone knew that Yuan Anjiang had a very high chance of entering the cabinet.

To become a person of significant influence within the court.

As a newcomer to the officialdom, Ran Qingchen, like a fledgling bird, was still trying to grasp the nuances of various rules and had only focused on sword training in the past. She was not accustomed to confrontations of this sort and was now so embarrassed and shaken that she turned red and trembled.

But as angry as she was, she couldn’t just split the man in two with her sword, could she?

The irony was that the other party was scolding her, her superior, for the sake of her husband.

But if it had been Li Nanshuang instead,

the other party probably would have grabbed a knife to strike at someone.

A tidal wave of anger and grievance surged in her heart, causing the woman’s eyes to redden involuntarily. If not for her proud and stubborn nature, she would have nearly been reduced to tears by the scolding.

Yuan Anjiang, caught up in his scolding, rolled up his sleeves as if to reprimand her with some grand principles fiercely.

But upon seeing that the girl before him had red-rimmed eyes, he suddenly realized she was just a young girl of not even twenty, and not one of those thick-skinned old farts common in the corridors of power.

All his anger was instantly suppressed back into his chest.

At a loss for words to lecture her with, Yuan Anjiang felt stifled and frustrated.

In the end, the supervisory official sighed with a wry smile and said respectfully,

"I was overly emotional. I hope you can overlook my outburst, my lord. However, Jiang Mo is really a capable young man, and when you have time, you might consider looking at his assessment records."

Yuan Anjiang said no more and turned to leave, looking dejected.

Before long, he suddenly came back, and looking at the woman with a kind of affection that an elder has for a younger person, along with earnest advice, Yuan Anjiang sincerely said,

"’Those who serve their country should not be unduly hampered by the accumulation of power.’ Perhaps this saying doesn’t quite apply to Lord Ran, but still, I must be bold and say it, Lord Ran, this is not how one should govern. As a higher-up, you must have the guile appropriate for your position. Even if one is wrong, one cannot afford to lose power and show weakness in front of subordinates.

Although the Liushan Division is somewhat detached from the court, since you are an official of the court, you cannot completely avoid this circle.

In the Capital, you have the backing of the Empress and the Emperor’s protection, but once you leave the Capital, who can you rely on? The saying ’the Emperor is far away’ is not just a figure of speech. Those officials outside, they are not easy ones to deal with either."

After a few seconds of silence, Yuan Anjiang softly spoke, "If you really dislike Jiang Mo, I won’t recommend him."

Having said that, he walked out of the study.

Ran Qingchen sat in her chair in a daze, staring at the official documents on the desk, lost in confusion.

After a while, she spoke firmly to the maidservant outside the door, "Go to the Wenxin Department, and bring the assessment records from the Wind Thunder Hall."

I must see for myself what capabilities you, Jiang Mo, possess!

——

Jiang Shouzhong visited Zhang Yunwu’s home and learned from Lu Renjia that the head, Li Nanshuang, had already visited and brought Zhang, a renowned doctor from the Capital, to treat Zhang Yunwu’s leg injury.

Possibly out of guilt for not being able to protect her subordinate and fearing Jiang Shouzhong’s displeasure, Li Nanshuang hurriedly departed with Zhang after treating and bandaging Zhang Yunwu’s leg injury.

"Mr. Zhang said that although Old Zhang’s leg injury isn’t severe, it will require at least a month of rest for a full recovery," Lu Renjia said softly, his expression full of remorse.

If only he could have stopped Zhang Yunwu from pursuing that day, none of this would have happened.

Zhao Di, distraught, watched her husband and kept wiping away her tears.

"In our line of work, it’s good enough to be alive," Jiang Shouzhong said, not offering too many comforting words, and went alone into Mrs. Zhang’s room. He quietly stared at the comatose old woman on the sickbed, his mind whirling with thoughts.

Demon Energy...

What was so special about that vial of Demon Energy?

Had the head, Li Nanshuang, really managed to completely expel the Demon Energy from Mrs. Zhang’s body?

Jiang Shouzhong gently knocked on his head, trying to piece together some details he had previously ignored, attempting to find a new direction for the investigation.

Yet, after much contemplation, he had only vague guesses.

When he returned home, Jiang Shouzhong found an unexpected guest in his little house.

It was Yan Changqing, the man who previously sold him the book.

"Young man, you are about to become an unparalleled master. How does that feel?" Yan Changqing asked with a smile.