It was another restful sleep for Nathan Ye. He stretched as he got up, noticing that Clara Xiao was already waiting with his clothes. This time, Nathan didn't resist; he had become accustomed to her diligent care.
Clara helped him dress, assisted with his washing, and served breakfast, all with a graceful ease that made him feel well taken care of.
"You're so skilled at this. I bet you've had a tough life, haven't you?" Nathan said, patting her head gently.
In her heart, she thought, I only serve you.
Nathan sighed and added, "You really don't need to look after me. In a few days, I might just die, and by then, this house will be left to you and Uncle Huang."
To Nathan, it was a simple thought. After all, he was an unusual man fixated on ending his life in pursuit of a greater afterlife purpose. Failing a few times hadn't discouraged him—instead, it only strengthened his resolve. As a man who welcomed death, material things held little importance. Wealth, a house... what were these compared to his goal?
In Nathan's mind, his death would leave the house and its savings to Clara and Uncle Huang. That should be enough to sustain them comfortably.
However, Clara heard his words differently, her heart jolting. What does he mean by this? she wondered, recalling her supervisor's evaluation of Nathan: "A man driven by a deep sense of justice and loyalty, a person of ancient virtues, and someone who, most admirably, faces death without fear."
Does that mean he's prepared to die at any time for his principles?
Thinking back to his fearlessness against the Immortal Sect and his blunt critiques of court officials and lords, she realized he was fully aware that his actions angered powerful people. And yet, he did them anyway, undeterred, like a moth to a flame.
"For the ages, what life has not met death? Let loyalty and heart shine through history." The poetic words echoed in Clara's mind, and a wave of sorrow hit her.
How could the world lose someone like him? Such a true hero should not die, even if all others did.
No one before had ever treated her with such equality, and no one, knowing they faced death, would press on so unflinchingly. Nathan Ye, I will not allow you to die! she vowed, thinking of the jar of sugar he'd made for her and feeling a fresh determination.
At first, she protected him simply as part of her Shadow Bureau mission. Now, however, her intentions had changed. This unpretentious hero truly did not deserve to die.
Nathan had no idea that his casual words had stirred such thoughts in Clara's mind. Fully dressed in his official robes, he prepared to head out to the Ministry of Supervision. But Clara tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
"What's this? You want to come with me?" Nathan raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to work... probably not suitable for you to come along."
But Clara blinked up at him with large, tearful eyes, and Nathan's heart softened. Poor girl, he thought, she's probably scared of being left behind after all she's been through.
Sighing, he said, "Fine, you can come with me, but don't wander off or... oh right, you can't talk." So, he agreed, unaware that beneath her innocent look, Clara harbored a fierce determination to keep him safe.
...
As the two neared the Ministry of Supervision, they saw that the doors were finally open. A group of about a dozen people gathered in the courtyard around a fire, grilling meat.
"In the dead of winter, when most stay indoors, you're all here having a barbecue?" Gavin Tsai, who had arrived earlier, was seething at the sight.
Are these people really officials? Gavin thought, appalled as he took in the ragtag group: a dark, hulking man, a gangly old man, a middle-aged man reeking of alcohol, and others who were disheveled and laughing uproariously.
"You call yourselves officials?" he bellowed. "The Ministry of Supervision is supposed to be a place of dignity, and here you are roasting lamb and drinking! Which other government office in Da Zhou behaves like this? You... you're all disgraceful!"
Gavin wanted to curse them, but as a scholar, he struggled to find the words. Finally, he settled on, "You're all scoundrels!"
It had no effect. The group didn't even blink.
The old man chuckled, looking at Gavin with mocking amusement. "No need to get angry, my lord; it'll only harm your health. Besides, cursing us is like cursing yourself."
"One day, you'll end up just like us," he said with a smirk.
Everyone burst out laughing, helping themselves to more meat and wine.
Nathan entered just in time to see Gavin sitting in the snow, utterly defeated. "Brother Ye, is there really any hope for the Ministry of Supervision?"
The words Nathan had shared the previous day seemed distant now. Gavin's brief sense of purpose had crumbled, leaving only hopelessness.
The Ministry was truly finished! Just look at these people—was there even a shred of hope left? To be honest, could they even be called people anymore?
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside, followed by a tentative voice.
"I... I heard there's an honorable official here, someone who truly serves the people."
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