Chapter 87

"Lord Zhao, please, spare my brother."

When she said this, Liu Rui knelt before Zhao Junchen, her voice tinged with a hint of desperate crying.

Unlike her previous shyness, where she dared not meet Zhao Junchen's eyes, Liu Rui now lifted her head, her timid gaze clearly carrying a resolve that could not be ignored.

Hearing these words and seeing Liu Rui's expression, Zhao Junchen was slightly taken aback, but after a moment, he understood Liu Rui's thoughts and secretly admired her: "What a clever girl."

"Stand up. It's inconvenient for us to talk while you're kneeling."

Zhao Junchen said softly.

Liu Rui did not stand up but remained kneeling, her demeanor gentle and weak, yet she tried her best to show her determination and persistence.

Seeing Liu Rui like this, Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and said, "Since you know who I am, you must understand that someone like me is not easily moved, nor will I easily change my mind. No matter how long you kneel, it won't make a difference. Instead of persisting and risking my displeasure, which would be counterproductive, why not stand up and speak to me properly? That way, you might have a better chance of persuading me."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Liu Rui was slightly taken aback. She had thought Zhao Junchen would either coldly refuse or be moved to agree, but she never imagined that someone like him would reason with her so gently.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Rui finally stood up.

However, her initial courage and determination, which she had mustered with great effort, seemed to wane after this ordeal. She dared not meet Zhao Junchen's eyes again, lowering her head once more. Her voice was soft, filled with pleading and trembling as she repeated, "Lord, please, spare my brother."

Zhao Junchen looked at Liu Rui seriously and asked, "Why are you begging me so earnestly? I have no intention of harming or plotting against you and your brother. If that's the case, why should I spare you?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Liu Rui hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and answered, "The Liu family has fallen on hard times, and my brother and I have nothing. How could two ancient paintings be worth so much to you, Lord? Your kindness to us must be because of our father."

At this point, Liu Rui's courage grew, and she finally lifted her head, her voice trembling but firm, "My brother's background is the only thing you value and the only thing you can use. However, my father's last wish was for my brother to be an upright man. I don't know what you plan for my brother, but I know that if things continue this way, his actions will go against my father's wishes and tarnish his reputation."

Zhao Junchen nodded, his eyes filled with interest, gesturing for Liu Rui to continue.

Seeing Zhao Junchen's expression, Liu Rui felt a sudden unease but still said, "My father was wronged by treacherous officials, lost his position, and was reduced to a commoner, losing everything. In his later years, he was deeply depressed. But no matter what, he still had his hopes for my brother and his reputation for integrity. These are the only things left for my father. If he loses these, he will truly have nothing, and he will not rest in peace. As his daughter, how can I stand by and do nothing? Therefore, Lord, I beg you, in consideration of the Liu family's current plight, spare my brother."

At this point, Liu Rui's eyes were red, and tears welled up, but she bit her lip and held them back, looking at Zhao Junchen with a pleading expression, hoping he would agree.

Seeing Liu Rui like this, Zhao Junchen sighed again, his eyes filled with a hint of pity.

This pity was not because of Liu Rui's pitiful appearance and sad expression, but because her persistence was ultimately driven by her desire to fulfill her father's last wish and protect his reputation. Such a determined hope was small and humble, but in Zhao Junchen's eyes, it was destined to be unfulfilled.

"Liu Rui, your filial piety and kindness are admirable, and your intelligence and insight are impressive," Zhao Junchen said, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "However, while I understand your thoughts and your father's, have you considered your brother's thoughts?"

Hearing this, Liu Rui's body trembled, and her face turned pale.

Facing Liu Rui, Zhao Junchen found himself sighing more than usual today.

After another sigh, Zhao Junchen said softly, "I know my reputation among the people is not good, but I can assure you that since I became an official, I have always tried to persuade people, even if you can interpret that persuasion as coercion. I do give them other options. If they refuse, I rarely force them unless absolutely necessary."

Pausing to give Liu Rui time to understand, Zhao Junchen continued, "My attitude towards your brother is the same. I will not force him; I will give him a choice. What he does and how he chooses is entirely up to him. To be honest, there are many descendants of upright officials in the world, and many are willing to serve me. Your brother's refusal would not change much for me, as I have other options."

After another sigh, Zhao Junchen said slowly, "So, instead of begging me, you should try to persuade your brother. If he wants to be an upright man, I will naturally let him go and choose someone else. The decision largely lies with your brother, not with me. But to be honest, based on my understanding of your brother, his choice is already clear, and it will be difficult to change his mind."

Hearing this, Liu Rui's body swayed, and her face became even paler.

Liu Rui understood the logic behind Zhao Junchen's words.

Because she understood, she came to beg Zhao Junchen instead of persuading Liu Zimin.

As Zhao Junchen said, Liu Zimin's choice was certain and beyond her control.

Despite her best efforts, her thoughts, and her sacrifices, she found that fate was still moving in the direction she least wanted. This was perhaps the cruelty of fate.

Seeing Liu Rui's expression shift from uncertainty to helpless despair, her frail body trembling as if cold, Zhao Junchen sighed again.

"Liu Rui, what I'm about to say might sound hypocritical, but it is my sincere opinion," Zhao Junchen said softly. "In my view, your brother would make a similar choice with or without my involvement, sooner or later. Character determines choice, and choice determines fate, which cannot be avoided. It would be better for him to serve me than to be used by others. At least, my use of him will not tarnish your father's reputation, though it may go against your father's wishes."

"Yes, character determines choice, and choice determines fate. Your words are indeed profound. After Father's death, Mother was too indulgent with my brother..."

After murmuring this, Liu Rui forced a smile, bowed to Zhao Junchen, and said softly, "I have disturbed you, Lord."

With these words, Liu Rui turned to leave, her steps unsteady.

She had failed to persuade Zhao Junchen, and these words represented the end of her persistence.

As she turned, her expression of sorrow was heart-wrenching, and two cool tears slid down her cheeks.

"Liu Rui, please wait," Zhao Junchen called out, looking at her back.

Liu Rui wiped away her tears, turned around, and asked softly, "Lord, is there anything else?"

After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Junchen laughed self-deprecatingly and shook his head. "Nothing, I was going to ask you a question, but I realized it already had an answer. I am too petty to think like you, and my narrow-mindedness has led me astray."

Earlier, Zhao Junchen had wanted to ask Liu Rui why, given the Liu family's treatment of her, she was so determined to uphold her father's legacy and reputation and so concerned about Liu Zimin's path.

But then, Zhao Junchen realized that in his time in the bureaucracy, he had become accustomed to calculating everything and weighing gains and losses, forgetting that for Liu Rui, these two things were not necessarily connected.

The term "petty" was not just self-deprecating. Zhao Junchen had long forgotten how to be an upright man.

...

On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen call himself "petty" with such composure, Liu Rui was taken aback.

Moved by some impulse, Liu Rui suddenly asked, "Lord, why do you want to be a..."

Halfway through her question, Liu Rui paused, her expression showing some embarrassment and hesitation.

Seeing Liu Rui's expression, Zhao Junchen understood her question and smiled. "You want to ask why I want to be a corrupt official and a villain?"

Liu Rui's expression became even more awkward, but seeing Zhao Junchen's calm demeanor, she finally nodded and said softly, "Lord, you don't seem like a corrupt official."

Her awkwardness somewhat alleviated her previous helplessness.

"I don't know if I seem like a corrupt official, but I am one, and there's no need to hide it," Zhao Junchen smiled and said slowly. "In this world, where there is light, there is darkness. Existence is reasonable. This world needs corrupt officials, so they exist. Emperors need corrupt officials to balance upright and virtuous officials, as the latter's ideals may not align with the emperor's. Corrupt officials can also divert public anger, allowing the emperor to distance himself. Upright officials need corrupt officials to highlight their own existence. Without corrupt officials, they would be mere talkers like Ma Su, unable to prove their integrity. Merchants and landlords need corrupt officials for various conveniences, and through the exchange of power and money, they become richer. Even ordinary people need corrupt officials to vent their frustrations and blame their failures on others."

Pointing to his study, decorated luxuriously, Zhao Junchen smiled. "See, everyone needs corrupt officials, so how can they disappear? Many scholars enter the bureaucracy with high ideals, but how many can maintain them? Do you really think it's just a matter of personal character? No, it's because the environment around them needs them to become corrupt officials, so they do."

Pointing to himself, Zhao Junchen continued, "As for why I want to be a corrupt official, it's because the emperor wants me to be one, my colleagues want me to be one, and even the virtuous prince needs me to be one. I cannot go against the will of the world. I want to live well, so I can only be a corrupt official. I have no other choice."

Liu Rui found Zhao Junchen's words somewhat confusing, feeling that something was amiss but unable to find a counterargument.

Instinctively, Liu Rui looked at Zhao Junchen, who had clear eyes and showed no sign of lying.

For some reason, Liu Rui believed Zhao Junchen's twisted logic.

She could not prevent her brother from becoming a corrupt official, and Zhao Junchen could not prevent himself from becoming one.

In this sense, Zhao Junchen seemed even more pitiful than she was.

Strangely, Liu Rui felt a new, inappropriate sense of pity for Zhao Junchen.

"Lord, aren't you tired?"

Liu Rui looked at Zhao Junchen and asked softly.

Shaking his head, Zhao Junchen said, "At first, it was tiring, but I gradually got used to it and even became resigned. Look," he pointed to his luxurious study, "Being a corrupt official has its benefits. At least, before you are discarded, you live comfortably, with everything at your fingertips, fine clothes, and lavish meals. Even if it's only temporary, you still get to enjoy it."

Noticing the pity in Liu Rui's eyes, Zhao Junchen laughed and said, "Silly girl, how can you pity a corrupt official?"

Hearing this, Liu Rui's face turned slightly red.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Rui asked again, "Have you ever thought about being an upright official?"

"Thought about it, but it's not realistic," Zhao Junchen laughed. "Moreover, being an upright official is too hard and too poor. So, I became a corrupt official, partly because of my own reasons."

After a moment of silence, Liu Rui nodded, bowed again, and then left.

"In this world, nine out of ten things are unsatisfactory. If you have tried your best, you can be at peace and need not worry too much."

Watching Liu Rui's back, Zhao Junchen said.

Liu Rui seemed to nod, or perhaps not, but her back soon disappeared from Zhao Junchen's sight.

...

Liu Rui had been gone for a long time, but Zhao Junchen could not focus on his official duties. Reflecting on their conversation, he was somewhat surprised.

He did not understand why he had said so much to Liu Rui.

The words he had spoken were, in a way, sincere, but Zhao Junchen had not spoken sincerely to anyone in a long time.

Perhaps, because he was used to seeing people with masks, used to seeing falsehoods, suddenly facing someone without a mask, someone who showed her true emotions, made Zhao Junchen subconsciously remove his own mask?

Zhao Junchen laughed and shook his head, putting aside his complex thoughts and continuing to handle the official duties on his desk.

Some questions, though profound, were not worth dwelling on.