Deleted Scene-Hu Qing and Minister Liang

Takes place after Hu Qing's argument with Minister Liang when he was offered legitimization. I removed this scene because it impeded the story flow, but I wanted to go into the family dynamics between Minister Liang and Hu Qing. As Hu Qing's uncle (actually his older brother), Minister Liang has an almost parental affection for Hu Qing, but there's a very strong paternalistic and patronizing tone to it.

Hu Qing: Illegitimate son from the Liang family, recruited by Kayla

Minister Liang: Xianchun's ally, Minister of Justice

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As Hu Qing stormed out of the study, Minister Liang’s personal servant entered, glancing around to check if everything was in its usual place.

“Minister, is everything alright?”

Minister Liang was leaning back in his chair, eyes closed in weary exasperation.

His servant tried again when Minister Liang didn't respond.

"Minister?"

Minister Liang shook his head, pinching at the bridge of his nose. “Curses, I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Did you have an argument with young master Hu?” The servant glanced around, half-expecting to see something broken or otherwise strewn across the floor. Sometimes, when Hu Qing managed to stir the Minister into a rage, Minister Liang would start throwing things. He was always careful to throw it in a different direction than where Hu Qing was, amusing the younger man, whose reaction would anger Minister Liang even more. 

The servant secretly suspected that it was a form of stress relief for both the Minister and the young master, but that wasn't something he would ever say out loud.

“My words seem to have struck a nerve with Hu Qing, he was furious just now. Sir Liu is a genius, but he’s too young to understand the longs and shorts of family life. It was foolish of me to follow his instructions for something like this just because he's the Seventh Prince's right-hand man,” Minister Liang sighed.

He stared out the window at the moonlight pouring in. “I just hope Hu Qing isn’t too upset.”

“What will you tell Sir Liu then?” The servant asked.

“I’ll tell him that Hu Qing was involved in the Li Sanjin case, but that's all that he was willing to tell me. If Sir Liu expects more, I’ll have to disappoint him,” Minister Liang sighed.

“Minister, I don’t mean to pry, but even though you’re currently a foundational member of the Seventh Prince’s faction, that doesn’t mean you can’t be replaced,” the servant warned him.

“I know, but what else can I do?” Minister Liang asked. “Forget it, just let this matter go. Hu Qing, that brat, he’ll definitely throw a tantrum if I push this matter any further.”

The servant hesitated for a moment. Any other man in Minister Liang's position would have killed Hu Qing's mother before she could give birth to an heir, but not only did Minister Liang take care of his stepmother throughout her pregnancy, he had raised Hu Qing as a member of the household, even if the young man wasn't allowed to use the family name. The servant almost felt that Minister Liang was far too soft on Hu Qing, who grew increasingly impudent by the day.

But the Minister had a soft spot for Hu Qing, and Hu Qing was rather skillful, even if his lack of manners and carefree attitude suggested otherwise. There wasn't yet a reason for the servant to take any action. 

He bowed his head towards Minister Liang, who stared into the distance with a weary expression. “Understood, Minister.”