The Marquis' Wife

Lu Xiang's first day at work

Today was his first day of entry to the morning meeting in the palace along with the Emperor and the officials. Lu Xiang had to get up early in the morning to prepare to leave as many officials used horse carriages leading to the palace so that it would definitely cause a standstill, he said, moreover, he as a 5th class official must prioritize the higher official train from him.

Two weeks passed quickly, although Lu Xiang was not satisfied with the short holiday but inevitably had to go into government to build his career.

"My husband is very handsome in his 5th-grade office uniform". Adelia confirmed her husband's blue clothes before wearing an office hat with a darker matching color.

"I'm handsome if I don't how could you want to be with me". Answer Lu Xiang narcissistic.

"Hahaha you're right".

The proud grin on Lu Xiang's lips dimmed slightly. "You wouldn't like me if I was ugly, baby?". 

The complaining and accusing gaze made Adelia's lips throb. "Of course not".

Lu Xiang nodded in satisfaction. "I'm going, baby. I'll work hard until my career crawls up fast". He kissed his wife's lips.

"I trust. You will definitely become an honorable official in the capital".

"Hehe~". 

Lu Xiang got out of the carriage and happened to meet Wang Jaiyou who also got off the horse carriage. He was stunned for a moment before nodding at the man and entering the palace.

He stood in the third row of special 5th and 6th class officials who also wear blue uniforms. A few probing and suspicious gazes were thrown at him but Lu Xiang ignored him and focused on waiting for the Emperor while nodding at the colleagues on the left and right.

Officials waited for 20 minutes before the Emperor's announcement to enter was heard.

"We met with the Emperor, may you live for tens of thousands of years!".

"Wakeup. We started the court meeting this morning". Emperor Murong propped up his cheek one hand, staring and waiting for officials to report on the tasks and problems that occurred.

Qi Zihan took two steps forward then bowed lowly to the Emperor before beginning a report on the task that the leader of the Murong kingdom had given him.

"The Beginning of the Emperor. For regulations on customs taxes we have distributed to mayors and prefects of each province but only the eastern and southern ports have only succeeded in carrying out the order, for the northern and western provinces there have been no reports of any prefects or mayors".

Emperor Murong raised his eyebrows, his eyes moving towards the third child, Murong Xianting. In the west is a region close to the border with the kingdom of Brahma led by the kingdom of mungol and the region is led by a military general and the family of Yang who in fact is the maternal family of the third prince.

"TingEr, is it the jendrel that told you something about the customs tax?".

Murong Xianting was a little surprised his name was suddenly called, his grandfather did send him a letter but it was not about customs but rather the plan of those who would storm the palace.

"Grandfather who did not send any letters to his father".

Emperor Murong stared for a moment until Murong Xianting broke out in cold sweat before smiling gently. "Yes. Your Majesty trusts you".

"Thank you for your trust, Father". Murong Xianting became suspicious of the Emperor's other-looking gaze, his hands trembling slightly in fear but not being seen due to being on the sleeves of his long and wide clothes. No, there was no way the Emperor knew about the plan he discussed with his grandfather because the treatment of Emperor Murong was still the same as usual and even yesterday his father was still visiting and sleeping in his mother's palace.

His gaze returned to Qi Zihan. "Deliver my order, I will wait two weeks to hear reports that customs duties have been implemented in the northern and western regions. Send representatives to the two prefects of the territory to guide the inspection of goods and taxes imposed".

"I heard and carried out your orders His Majesty the Emperor". Qi Zihan bowed low while smiling happily, he could send his subordinates to the region to keep an eye on whether the order was executed.

Emperor Murong nodded in satisfaction then waited for the other ministers to report. One by one the minister reports about natural phenomena or disasters that occur in a region or about negotiations with certain parties.

Lu Xiang listened carefully to the court meeting, he did not expect that the meeting was so boring that at the end of the meeting he tried not to fall asleep. For ministers reporting on court meetings is not boring but for their subordinates it is not so, he saw some people who were not far from him close a few seconds before his colleague elbowed the man.

Lu Xiang took a deep breath silently for his eyes to be fresher, there would be high consequences if the Emperor realized that he was asleep at the court meeting.

"Class 5 official Lu Xiang!".

The deg!! Lu Xiang's heart felt like it wanted to go out hearing his name called, he thought that the Emperor knowing that he was bored, he gulped in fear before stepping before the Emperor.

"The waterwheel idea you gave me was already on the streets in many villages and small towns close to the river. The result is very satisfying and has many benefits, good work".

"Thank you for your high praise, Your Majesty".

"Haha. Today is your first day at work, right? I thought you'd ask for a month's leave". 

Lu Xian was silent for a moment, not sure if the Emperor was mocking him for being late for work or appreciating him for not taking longer leave. 

"I want to contribute more quickly to your kingdom Your Majesty". Lu Xiang finally chose to think that the Emperor praised him, it was better than wrong and was accused of being prejudiced to the leader.

"Haha!!. Nice, nice. Zhen will be waiting for your next contribution. Embankments and irrigation have been built in flood-prone areas so that this year the region is safe. Good work Lu Xiang".

"Thank you for your very high appreciation, Your Majesty".

Lu Xiang could feel a lot of eyes on him, especially the third prince and He Yaojin who lost a lot of income due to the idea he gave, he returned to his place after paying his respects to the Emperor.

"Guppeet dissolved". Emperor Murong left the palace hall accompanied by the announcement of the eunuch.

After the court meeting, the ministers and officials went to their respective workplaces. Likewise with Lu Xiang, he walked into the public works ministry office and greeted his new colleagues without arrogance or humility.

"Welcome to Lu Xiang's public works ministry office. My name is Mu Baolan, I work in administration. Come with me, I'll take you to your desk".

Lu Xiang looked at the people staring with all sorts of gazes, some smiled scornfully some just nodded and did not care and some were friendly to him who was likely a lower class official than him.

"This is your table. The division head ordered to check the administration last year as your first assignment, you can ask me or anyone else if you don't understand something. Happy working".

Mu Baolan nodded and went to his desk, although he knew that Lu Xiang had a problem with the third prince but not long after that the three princes even came to the opening of the shop owned by his wife made him choose to be neutral.

Lu Xiang looking at the pile of files that were not neatly arranged even let out a long sigh without any expression, seeing the large number of files made him think whether the division head was the one who supported the third prince?, he said?, because it is impossible for the person to look for trouble with him on his first day at work.