Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 227: The Forest of Illusions: Cracks Appear

When Su Ming walked out of the palace gates, the snow had already stopped.

Thick snow blanketed the vermilion palace walls and the golden glazed tiles, the entire capital shrouded in a dazzling, pristine white.

The air was fresh and bitingly cold, carrying a hint of sweetness with each breath drawn into the lungs.

Everything was perfect, flawless beyond reproach.

"Lord Su, the sedan chair is ready."

A sedan bearer dressed in dark blue clothes hurried forward, bowing in greeting, his face wearing a precisely appropriate smile of respect.

The curve of that smile, the angle of his bow, even the reverence visible in his eyes—it all seemed as meticulously standard as if dictated by the strictest master of ceremonies.

Su Ming stopped walking, his gaze lingering on the sedan bearer's face for a moment.

"No sedan today," Su Ming said, his voice turning into a puff of white mist in the cold air. "I'd like to walk."

The sedan bearer showed no hesitation, offered no superfluous attempts to dissuade him, and immediately straightened up, stepping aside. "Understood. This humble one will have the sedan chair taken back at once. Please be careful of the slippery path, my lord."Su Ming stepped onto the snowy ground. His official boots made of cowhide crunched against the snow with a "crunch, crunch" sound.

Ever since discovering that missing "smiling face" mark on the memorial in the imperial study, a seed named "doubt" had taken root and begun to sprout in the depths of his heart.

But he always felt that he seemed to have forgotten something even more important.

What was it?

He tried hard to recall, but his mind only held the clear trajectory of this "perfect life": Qingshi Town, the County School, the imperial examinations, the Hanlin Academy... Further back, there was only a hazy, misty fog, as if the source of his memories was obscured by something.

He had tried to concentrate, to "think," to "dig," but every time his thoughts touched that mist, he would feel a gentle weariness, and then his attention would be diverted back to the tangible reality before him—the official robe, the documents, and the fragrance of tea.

like a patient

Ming sat behind his

"Someone."

pushed the door open almost instantly, holding a cup of tea

casually placed it on top of a stack of

major taboo in

anything from a

was no trace of panic on Qian Bin's face, nor the slightest hint of reproach for

naturally, took out a handkerchief, deftly wiped up the moisture, and said, "My lord must be weary. This humble official will handle such a trivial matter. Fortunately, the ink hasn't bled through.

Su Ming watched him.

the river engineering funds, I recalculated them last night. It

an obvious

uproar throughout both the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue. As the person who handled it, Qian Bin's first reaction should have been fear,

mistaken. I will go and recheck it

questioning. No explanation.

with Su Ming's every instruction, to ensure Su Ming's official career path remained smooth

coldness stirred deep within Su Ming's

absolute center. All the rules,

It was too smooth.

it

Ming arranged to meet

usual, Taibai Tower, their

several rounds of wine and many dishes had

flushed, enthusiastically recounting a recent amusing incident from

cup, watching this close friend

Town? That time in front of the bookstall, you argued until you were red-faced

remember, of course I remember! We were so poor back then, willing to forgo dignity