SBCEJM -Chapter 296 Court Officials’ Worldviews Shattered: This Plot Is Way Too Wild!

【For example, the one standing at your front-left—Deputy Director Zhang Weili of the Ministry of Revenue!】

The system locked onto its target with precision.

Zhang Weili immediately felt a gaze fall upon him.

Zhang Weili, nearing forty, usually presented himself as a refined and elegant scholar.

His third-rank official robe made him look even more dignified and extraordinary.

But at this moment, his spine stiffened abruptly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his temple.

In his usually gentle and courteous eyes, a trace of barely perceptible panic flashed.

【This Mr. Zhang also hides a “moon” in his heart—an unattainable white moonlight.】

【Host, this white moonlight has crossed paths with you before! Last year, you helped her get rid of a scumbag ex!】

The system spoke slowly, its tone full of gleeful anticipation, like it was enjoying a good show.

He had crossed paths with the Northern Border Prince’s family? And even received great help?

The civil officials’ gossip radar instantly started buzzing.

Could it be a daughter of the Feng family?

Or some noble lady from a court official’s household?

However, the truth revealed by the system shocked everyone.

【She is the capital’s number one female tycoon—Qi Yanan!】

A faint commotion spread through the court.

Qi Yanan?!

That Qi “Half-City,” so wealthy she could even make the imperial treasury borrow funds from her at times?

That extraordinary woman who divorced her fake-dead husband last year and shook the entire capital?

Everyone’s gaze toward Zhang Weili instantly changed.

Shock, gossip, and a hint of schadenfreude mixed in their eyes.

Even several colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue nearly had their eyeballs pop out.

So the usual image of Mr. Zhang—aloof, morally upright, and uninterested in women—was all an act?

Zhang Weili felt as if his face had been stripped off and thrown to the ground to be trampled.

He wanted nothing more than to dig a hole through the golden floor tiles of the palace and bury himself alive.

He clenched his teeth so hard his jaw trembled, barely daring to breathe too loudly.

But the more he tried to hide, the more conspicuous he became.

The system’s revelations continued, each word piercing his heart.

【Back then, Zhang Weili was the top candidate for becoming the son-in-law who would marry into the Qi family.】

【Old Master Qi personally came to propose, attracted by his handsome appearance and scholarly demeanor.】

【The terms were incredibly generous—after marrying into the family and taking the Qi surname, he could still hold office after passing the imperial exams and even inherit 30% of the Qi family’s assets!】

【That kind of fortune… most people wouldn’t even dare dream of it! It landed right on his head!】

The man on the dragon throne raised an eyebrow slightly.

Emperor Xiao Juechen: 30% of the Qi family’s assets? That could buy half the capital.

This Zhang Weili… truly had “good fortune.”

【But just because he was a “filial good son,” he insisted on asking his mother’s opinion, dragging things out for half a month.】

【He said he needed to be filial and let his mother decide.】

【In the end, his mother fainted three times upon hearing he would change his surname and marry into another family, refusing absolutely.】

【By the time he finally persuaded his mother and returned to the capital… Qi Yanan had already been taken by a “phoenix man” named Xiao Lin!】

【That one missed opportunity haunted him for over ten years—he would wake up in dreams slapping his own thigh!】

In the inner court, the Northern Border Prince’s sister thought:

【So this wasn’t just missing a marriage… this was missing a fortune god!】

【Thirty percent of the Qi family’s assets… that’s at least several million taels of silver, right?】

【If it were me, I’d regret it until my intestines turned green! I’d probably wake up at night wanting to slap myself twice!】

The Minister of Revenue felt his heart trembling.

If someone from his ministry had married Qi Yanan, would the treasury still have deficits every year?

He too suddenly felt a deep sense of regret.

He shot Zhang Weili a look full of disappointment.

What a blockhead!

Zhang Weili’s vision darkened, his ears ringing.

That wasn’t hesitation—it was filial piety!

He came from a humble background. His mother had raised him through hardship and sacrifice.

She had only him as her son; how could she accept him changing his surname and marrying into another family?

He wanted to cry out, to explain—but the words stuck in his throat.

Because… deep down, he truly did regret it.

Countless nights, he had wondered: if he had persisted a little more… if he had convinced his mother…

But the world has no “if.”

【Later, although he married his superior’s younger sister, he did climb the social ladder.】

【His wife was the sister of Deputy Minister Qian Feng of the Ministry of Revenue.】

【Though not as wealthy as Qi Yanan, she was still a noble lady with a rich dowry and could help his career.】

【By all accounts, a good match.】

【But that sense of unwillingness in his heart… it never went away.】

【Every so often, he would go to the Qi family’s rouge shop—not to buy anything, but just to secretly glimpse Qi Yanan through the curtain.】

【Claiming he was buying cosmetics for his wife, but in truth just trying to see the woman he once missed.】

【As a result, the house was filled with mountains of rouge and powder—probably enough for his wife to use for several lifetimes!】

Crown Prince Xiao Mingxuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Then he quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve, pretending to cough.

Princess Xiao Mingyue was also shaking with suppressed laughter, her shoulders trembling.

The scene was just too vivid!

Zhang Weili could hear the muffled laughter around him like needles stabbing his ears.

He felt utterly humiliated.

Zhang Weili’s expression gradually dimmed.

He knew it all too well.

But as a scholar, he believed in loyalty, righteousness, and filial duty.

Since he married into the Qian family, he had to remain faithful.

Yet the reality of officialdom had long since bound him tightly.

That youthful longing, that dream once within reach but ultimately lost, had now been exposed in public—leaving only shame and regret.

【But aside from his romantic misfortune, Mr. Zhang is actually quite successful in his career.】

The system suddenly shifted tone, sounding amused again.

【His mouth is basically blessed—he’s a top-tier bootlicker!】

【His flattery skills are absolutely peak level!】

【He has his superior, Deputy Minister Qian Feng, completely wrapped around his finger—treated even better than a real father!】

Zhang Weili felt deeply wronged.

That was political survival!

As a man of humble origin with no backing, how could he rise without it?

Was he supposed to starve on his integrity?

He silently defended himself in his heart.

The Northern Border Prince’s daughter sneered inwardly:

【Honestly, good thing he didn’t marry Qi Yanan.】

【With that weak backbone, he’d probably have ended up giving away her entire fortune to flatter his superiors.】

【The Qi family might have ended up surnamed Qian instead!】

【If she had married him, that would’ve been a disaster of eight lifetimes!】

That final sentence felt like a sharp blade twisting in Zhang Weili’s chest.

He nearly blacked out on the spot.

Unjust!

Completely unjust!

He might flatter people, but he had boundaries!

But… could he even defend himself?

Would anyone believe him?

And just as he thought this was the peak of humiliation…

The system’s excited voice suddenly rang out again, as if discovering something even bigger.

Something new.