Chapter 568

There was still nothing of great importance happening at court. Zhao Yan kept his head bowed the entire time, terrified that someone might notice his eyes, which had swollen to the size of walnuts. He had rarely cried in the past; only now did he realize he was the type to swell up easily. Zhao Yan had already gotten the hang of his duties as a Vice Director. The people in the Ministry of Works were full of admiration for him, and the longer he stayed there, the more he grew to enjoy the work environment. The individuals who had previously been fond of backstabbing were gone, and those who remained were quite sincere. Chén Dōngpíng had also received a promotion; he was now a Department Head in the Ministry of Works. With his fortunes rising alongside Zhao Yan’s, many minor officials looked upon his promotion with envy. Positions of Department Head were usually filled by transferring officials from the Hanlin Academy; minor officials could often work their entire lives without ever rising above their station. Chén Dōngpíng’s promotion was, in every sense, an extraordinary exception.