Yu Mingyue looked at Zhao Yayan with a half-smile. Zhao Yayan, flustered, retorted, "You're just a minor official of the sixth rank, why are you putting on airs like a high court minister?"
Yu Mingyue nodded with a smile, "A minor official of the sixth rank is also appointed by the Sage. Are you looking down on the Sage, or do you think your rank is higher than mine?"
"I didn't! Don't twist my words!"
"Am I twisting your words, or are you speaking carelessly?" Yu Mingyue's expression turned cold. "Lord Zhao, you are now an official of the court, not a young lady from a noble family. You'd best watch your tongue, or you might bring trouble to your family."
Zhao Yayan's face turned pale. She bit her lip, unable to speak. She had indeed been impulsive today.
However, even so, Yu Mingyue wouldn't dare do anything to her. Her father was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Someone!" Yu Mingyue called out.
Du Rui hadn't expected Zhao Yayan to cause trouble and had let her in. Hearing the call, he hurried in.
"Lord Du, Secretary Zhao has disrespected her superior. Punish her by cleaning… the archives." Yu Mingyue said with authority.
"Yes!" Du Rui responded, then said to Zhao Yayan, "Secretary Zhao, please!"
Zhao Yayan pouted. She was in charge of organizing the archives, and she knew the archive room all too well. The shelves were piled high with documents accumulated over many years, covered in old dust. She would rather forfeit her salary than clean it.
Yu Mingyue noticed Zhao Yayan's expression and specifically instructed, "Make sure Secretary Zhao cleans it herself. It will also help her become more familiar with her future duties."
Zhao Yayan left in a huff, thinking, I'll get even with her when the time comes.
Yu Mingyue shook her head. She was just a spoiled young girl, daring to like a brute like Lu Jingxing. Wasn't she afraid of being sold to the brothel?
Yu Mingyue was engrossed in her work and was one of the last to leave the yamen. Cui Shi had been worried all day and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her daughter return.
After all, the yamen was a place dominated by men, and it was the Dali Temple, which handled serious cases. As a young woman, the thought of it sent shivers down her spine.
"Mother, I've only just joined the Temple. What serious cases could I be exposed to? I spent the whole day reviewing archives." Yu Mingyue comforted Cui Shi.
She didn't tell Cui Shi that after experiencing the unrest in the suburbs and the chaos in Qinghe, seeing the devastated landscapes and rivers of blood, she no longer feared anything.
There were no vengeful spirits or malevolent entities; even if there were, they were no match for the wickedness of the human heart.
"Did you meet with the Minister of the Dali Temple today?"
Yu Mingyue shook her head. "There are urgent cases in the Dali Temple, and all the superiors are busy. Even the Vice Minister is not here."
The Vice Minister was her direct superior, the one she should have met. At her level, she wasn't important enough to report directly to the Minister.
"I don't understand court politics, Mother, but your position is not yet stable, and your father and brother are not in the capital. Remember, don't be too eager to take the lead in anything." Cui Shi knew her daughter's personality.
"Don't worry, Mother. I have someone looking out for me."
Seeing Cui Shi frown, Yu Mingyue knew she had misunderstood, thinking she had private contact with the Crown Prince.
"Mother, I am the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple, appointed by the Sage himself. The Sage is looking out for me, so please don't worry."
Cui Shi shook her head at her daughter's defiant nature and said no more. Her daughter had always been resolute, and her worries would be in vain.
Yu Mingyue accompanied Cui Shi for dinner before returning to Mingyue Courtyard. Chihua had been waiting anxiously. "I'm so glad to see Miss back."
"Your young lady is serving as an official in the yamen. Why do you all look as if I've been to the dragon's den?" Yu Mingyue took off her belt and threw it to Chihua. "Keep up the spirit you had a few days ago. Always be proud of your young lady."
"Yes, I know Miss is capable, but I'm not. Without seeing Miss, I lose my anchor and can't help but worry. Why don't you bring me along tomorrow, Miss? I can just serve you tea and water by your side." Chihua said.
"You, you really think the Dali Temple is mine to run." Yu Mingyue sat down at her desk, intending to write down her thoughts on the archives she had reviewed today.
Although she was familiar with the law, familiarity and practical application were two different things. If she were the presiding judge of those cases, how would she find clues and how would she pass judgment? These were all skills she needed to learn. Right now, she was merely fighting on paper.
Once Yu Mingyue started writing, she couldn't stop until well past the hour of Hai. Chihua finally had to remind her, "Miss, you have to get up early for the morning assembly tomorrow. It's time to rest."
Yu Mingyue then put down her brush. Before sleeping, she said, "Tomorrow, have your brother investigate whether the household of Lord Zhao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is planning to marry into the Lu family."
"The Lu family?" Which Lu family in the capital?
"Lu Jingxing. Go and find out if the two families are planning to marry."
"Does Miss want the two families to not get married?" Chihua whispered.
Miss was good friends with Gu Sanniang, who was driven to her death by Lu Jingxing. Miss would surely not want him to have a happy marriage.
"Chihua, one must have a broader perspective. It is better to dismantle ten temples than to break up one marriage. Your young lady hopes that the two families will marry soon and have a happy union, understand?"
Chihua nodded at first, then shook her head, looking bewildered.
She didn't understand. When did Miss become so compassionate? Was she changing careers to become a matchmaker?
"Tell your brother to be careful and not let Lu Jingxing find out," Yu Mingyue added.
Chihua seemed to understand something and nodded. After Yu Mingyue lay down and the lights were out, she went to the outer courtyard to find her brother.
After three days in her post, Yu Mingyue finally met the Vice Minister, Lord Di. She had expected him to be older, but he looked no older than his early twenties, very young.
"Your subordinate greets Lord Di." Yu Mingyue was very respectful.
She had read the archives. This Lord Di had handled countless cases, and none were unjust or erroneous. He was deeply loved by the people.
Di Yiming nodded. "Since you have entered the Dali Temple, do your job well. In the Dali Temple, only ability matters."
Yu Mingyue replied, "Yes!"
These words were the same as what Song Yuming had told her yesterday. Song Yuming was indeed Lord Di's clerk and was greatly influenced by him.
"I have a case that requires me to go to Rong County to verify. Pack your things." Di Yiming handed the organized files to Yu Mingyue.
Yu Mingyue stepped forward and took them with both hands. "Are we leaving now?"
"Otherwise?" Di Yiming raised an eyebrow, extremely serious.
Yu Mingyue took a deep breath. Lord Di truly lived up to his reputation.
Di Yiming glanced at Yu Mingyue. Since she had entered the Dali Temple and was working under him, he didn't care if she was a young lady; he treated everyone equally.
Yu Mingyue was about to withdraw when she remembered something important. "My Lord, the round trip to Rong County will take five to six days. The travel expenses for lodging and food on the way..."
Yu Mingyue trailed off and looked at Di Yiming. Had she made her meaning clear enough?
This question actually startled Di Yiming. Was this girl asking for money? Did anyone dare to ask him for money?
Song Yuming, standing behind Di Yiming, kept winking at Yu Mingyue, but Yu Mingyue truly didn't understand at this moment.