Five Years After My Death, the Mad Emperor Still Summons My Spirit

Ming Chengyu: "Hahaha, isn’t that just like me? To be honest, our boss sent me to find you today."

Pu Yan looked surprised. "Me? Your boss?"

’That whole sentence sounds strange, no matter how I look at it.’

’Ming Chengyu isn’t short on silver, so why would he really need to work at a place like Ming’s Restaurant?’

’And taking orders from a restaurant boss... No matter how you looked at it, the whole thing felt absurd.’

Ming Chengyu: "It’s true." He set down the teaware. "You know our restaurant hosts these events, and we usually have reviewing teachers. With your learning and literary talent, you’re more than qualified to be one."

Pu Yan grew restless as Ming Chengyu spoke.

His family didn’t subscribe to the official gazette, but you could read it at Liufang Bookstore on Vermilion Bird Street.

The very evening the official gazette was published, he had gone to Liufang Bookstore to study it carefully.

He wasn’t there to see the Emperor’s private seal, of course. He just wanted to see what the three chosen poems were like.

"Ah! I... I couldn’t possibly do that, could I?" Pu Yan’s expression grew complicated. Deep down, he certainly hoped for such an opportunity, but... "The last reviewing teachers were the Emperor and the Prefect of Jingzhao Mansion. I’m just a humble editor at the Hanlin Academy. How could it possibly be my turn?"

An editor at the Hanlin Academy was certainly not insignificant, but compared to the Prefect of Jingzhao Mansion, he might as well have been.

Ming Chengyu: "Our boss wants you to be the next reviewing teacher. Just say the word—do you want to do it or not?"

In that moment, Pu Yan felt like a giant pie had just fallen from the sky and hit him on the head.

He was completely stunned.

"I..." Of course, he wanted to go. "Chengyu, tell me first, did you suggest this to your boss? If that’s the case, I can’t accept..."

Ming Chengyu knew what Pu Yan meant.

Pu Yan hadn’t had it easy these past few years. It wasn’t that he lacked friends from privileged families, like Zhang Sifan, who could have given him a hand.

But Pu Yan clearly had his own principles.

He could associate with everyone at the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion as an equal, regardless of their wealth or status. They were friends united by poetry, admiring each other’s talent, not connected by financial interests.

That was why he drew a clear line in his mind.

Exchanging poetry was one thing, but exploiting a friend’s status or family connections was out of the question.

It went against his personal code of conduct.

Ming Chengyu didn’t judge whether another person’s moral compass was right or wrong. It was their life, so who was he to pass judgment?

"It wasn’t my idea," Ming Chengyu said, seeing Pu Yan’s unconvinced expression. "Want me to swear an oath to the heavens?"

Pu Yan: "..."

’That won’t be necessary.’

"Here’s what happened. Our boss was looking for a resident reviewing teacher. She knew I was acquainted with many people from our poetry society, so she asked if I had anyone suitable to recommend. The moment she asked, you were the first person I thought of. I mentioned it to the boss, and she told me to come ask you right away. If you agree, you’ll be one of our reviewers for the next event," Ming Chengyu explained.

Pu Yan was at a loss for words. It felt as if the heavens had truly smiled upon him for once!

"But... I heard that even many of the teachers at the Imperial College wanted the position at Ming’s Restaurant. Why... why was I chosen? Am I really up for it?"

After warming the bench at the Hanlin Academy for several years, Pu Yan was no longer as confident as he used to be.

"Why shouldn’t you be chosen? But let me be clear about one thing. Our boss would be hiring you as an external reviewer, which means you’ll have to set aside three days each month to help out at the restaurant. In return, she’ll pay you in Silver Taels. I heard you wanted to bring your wife and children to dine at the restaurant; I’m sure if you mention it, she’ll agree. It’s just like my situation, hahaha. I get free room and board at the restaurant," Ming Chengyu said with complete frankness, showing no sign of embarrassment.

Pu Yan: "..."

’It certainly sounds tempting.’

"Alright!" When Pu Yan looked at Ming Chengyu again, his eyes shone with renewed eagerness. "Thank you for this, Chengyu."

As he spoke, he stood up and, before Ming Chengyu could react, gave him a deep bow to express his gratitude.

Ming Chengyu quickly stood up as well. "What are you doing? I told you, this has nothing to do with me. Our boss is the one who thinks highly of you."

When Ming Chengyu relayed the news to Ming Lingyi, her mind started turning, and she suddenly grew excited.

"In that case, doesn’t it seem like all the reviewers this time are from your Xianyun Liushui Pavilion?" said Ming Lingyi.

First, there was her brother. Then there was Zhang Sifan, whom her brother had "tricked" into joining. And now Pu Yan. They were all founding members of the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion poetry society.

Although the last one wasn’t as famous as her brother or Zhang Sifan, being able to gather three of the Xianyun Liushui Pavilion’s original members as reviewing teachers... Ming Lingyi felt this alone was a fantastic promotional opportunity.

Ming Chengyu nodded. "That’s right."

Ming Lingyi immediately began to consider how she would publicize this news.

"I remember last time our restaurant held a poetry event, so many people mocked us for overreaching. And the Xie family spread rumors that our restaurant looked down on your poetry society. Ha! This time, all the reviewers we’ve invited are from your society. Let’s see what those people have to say now!"

Just thinking about the future scene, Ming Lingyi couldn’t help but feel a surge of vindication.

Ming Chengyu didn’t think his little sister was being petty or vengeful. He just smiled and said, "The Xie family probably can’t say much of anything now."

As the siblings were laughing and talking, Ming Lingyi suddenly turned her head and spotted a familiar figure.

The person seemed to be lingering at the restaurant’s entrance, hesitating to come inside.

"Lord Jiang?" Ming Lingyi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

She hadn’t seen Jiang Yuchuan in some time. She had been busy first with the official gazette, and then the Dragon Boat Festival came along, leaving her running off her feet. ’Come to think of it, I’ve really done Lord Jiang a disservice,’ she thought. ’I said I’d treat him as a friend, but I haven’t given him a single thought in so long.’

Ming Chengyu followed Lingyi’s gaze to the young man outside.