CHAPTER 1523: CHAPTER 1523 BORROWING A KNIFE

On the next day, Zhou Shuren did not attend the morning court session. He waited for Ming Rui to wake up, then signaled the young servant to call Ming Rui over.

In the second wife’s quarters, Ming Rui was having breakfast. After finishing the last sip of porridge, he stood up and asked his father, "What does Grandfather need me for so early in the morning?"

Zhou Changyi was puzzled as well. "If anyone should be called, it ought to be me. Anyway, you’ll find out when you go."

Ming Rui responded with a hum and quickly walked to the main courtyard. He saw that his grandfather and grandmother were just finishing breakfast, so he casually sat down and took the bowl from the maid’s hands, serving himself a bowl of small wontons.

Zhou Shuren had already eaten his fill. "Yuan Bo and Yueyang at least know how to take Yu Die and Yu Yi out for a stroll. You’re already engaged, too."

Ming Rui paused for a moment. It seemed he hadn’t invited his fiancée out before. However, he felt that his grandfather wouldn’t have called him over just for this matter. "Grandfather, tomorrow is my day off. Should I invite someone to the orphanage estate to accompany me?"

Zhulan’s expression was hard to describe. How should one put it—Ming Rui wasn’t drawn to matters of romance; his heart was more occupied with his studies and responsibilities. If not for Yu Die inviting Lin Qing over to visit the estate, it would be difficult to meet Ming Rui. Even now, he’s planning to bring his fiancée to the orphanage estate, where he still doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to lecture the children.

Zhou Shuren was speechless too, thinking to himself what a waste of his grandson’s good looks. "Alright."

After breakfast, Zhou Shuren privately gave some instructions to Ming Rui, which Ming Rui duly noted. His grandfather wanted the Lin family to investigate and report against the Qie family.

When Zhou Shuren was prepared to leave for the government office, Zhulan finally spoke up. "Do you think the Liu family will follow through with your plan?"

Zhou Shuren curved his lips into a smile. "They will."

He knew all too well that the Liu family didn’t need him to fan the flames; they had already secretly uncovered plenty of incriminating evidence against the Qie family.

The capital city was full of insidious opportunists; it was rare to find anyone with a clean conscience. The Qie family had accepted numerous bribes from medicine merchants, with some of the selected merchants guilty of unscrupulous deeds. This was the perfect chance to deal with them collectively, ensuring substantial consequences for the families behind them—leaving an opening for others to compete yet again.

Zhou Shuren rode in the carriage heading to the Ministry of Revenue. Feeling somewhat weary, he lowered his gaze. This time, the Qie family would be pacified and incapable of retaliating against the Zhou family. Additionally, Zhou Shuren would extricate the Zhou family from their influence, gather some silver for the Ministry of Revenue, and satisfy the Emperor’s intent to suppress the Qie family. He felt he was performing miracles.

At Shen Xing’s residence, Chang Xhong, who couldn’t stand idleness, came looking for Lu Jia Qing after breakfast. As soon as he entered the gates, he saw Lu Jia Qing practicing boxing.

Chang Xhong brought along some gifts. "Here, this is for you."

Shen Xing gestured to the young servant to receive the items and said with a smile, "Much appreciation for your kindness, young master."

"You’re too polite."

Shen Xing had reached an advanced age, and his body was no longer as strong. The injury sustained from attending the morning court session still affected his core, leaving his body weakened. "Are you planning to take Jia Qing out, young master?"

Chang Xhong nodded. "I promised to take him out for a tour."

Shen Xing replied, "Prince Qin doesn’t know when he will return. For now, Jia Qing will stay here. He formally became my disciple yesterday."

"Ah, then I ought to prepare a congratulatory gift."

Finding himself unprepared, Chang Xhong untied his jade pendant and handed it to Lu Jia Qing. "Take this as a token of congratulations."

Lu Jia Qing quickly waved it off. "I can’t accept this."

Chang Xhong insisted and shoved it into his friend’s hands. "Keep it; this is my heartfelt gesture."

Lu Jia Qing turned to his teacher, and Shen Xing nodded. "Accept it."

Having successfully extracted Jia Qing, Chang Xhong mused, "There isn’t a corner in the capital I’m unfamiliar with. Come, I’ll show you around and take you to eat some delicious food."

As Lu Jia Qing gazed at the capital, a sight he hadn’t properly taken in the previous day, he leaned against the window. "There are quite a few foreigners in the capital."

"Indeed, the area with the most foreigners is the embassy district. Do you want to visit?"

"No, I want to visit the places frequented by scholars."

Chang Xhong turned his head slightly. "I thought you wanted to be a military general. Why would you want to see places crowded with scholars?"

Lu Jia Qing replied, "I’m just curious, curious about the gathering of scholars around the capital during the triennial imperial examination."

Chang Xhong found himself buzzed with intrigue, squinting his eyes. "I’ve asked several times about your body, but you barely said a word. Your talents aren’t bad; yet you’re determined to pursue the path of a military general. Even Brother Wu lamented it’s a pity, but your resolve hasn’t wavered. Let me guess—you’re rebelling against something? Does your family have scholars?"

Lu Jia Qing finally responded openly. "Yes."

Chang Xhong wanted to ask more, but seeing Lu Jia Qing turn his attention back to the window, his curiosity about his friend’s background could hardly be contained.

In the Zhou Family Village, Zhou Laoda noticed his wife’s reddened eyes. "If you really can’t bear to leave, we can stay a few more days."

Lady Li replied, "It’s not like we wouldn’t have to leave eventually. We’ve stayed for many days already. Besides, I’m concerned about home. I wonder if Ming Hui’s leg has fully healed. Let’s go."

Zhou Laoda was worried about their home, too. Supporting his wife up into the carriage, he turned to Jiang Zhu and remarked, "When you have time, help your uncle to check on the Li Family Village."

Jiang Zhu replied, "Uncle, I’ll visit often."

Zhou Laoda also told Ming Qing, "Rest assured, the few children traveling to the capital with me will be properly taken care of."

He handpicked six sharp-witted children from the family, all around fifteen or sixteen years old. Trust in his own kin made him more confident.

Ming Qing smiled and said, "I have absolute trust in the Princely Heir."

Zhou Laoda turned to Jiang Miu and said, "Take care of yourself. Your mother will be back soon."

Jiang Miu nodded. "Uncle, safe travels."

After confirming there were no loose ends, Zhou Laoda boarded the carriage. He knew the next time he returned would likely be after his father- and mother-in-law had passed away.

The Zhou family sent many relatives to see them off. Who would have thought the Zhou family would produce a Marquis—a hereditary one at that? The once-simple Zhou Laoda, now destined to be a Marquis.

Wang Laosi hid in the corner, watching the long procession of carriages depart. Flanking the carriages were guards riding tall horses. Wang Laosi thought of Zhou Changyi once more; apparently, Zhou Changyi had also become an official. If only he had known, if only... Distraught, Wang Laosi retreated back into his yard.

Lady Li’s elder brother bid Ming Qing farewell. They were here to send their sister off. To be honest, Li Laoda had been more disoriented upon hearing the news back then—the Li family had produced a future Marquis’s wife.

With the news spreading, the status of the Li family had transformed. Previously, those seeking favor had done so because of their association with the Zhou family. Now, it was also thanks to Lady Li becoming the Marquis’s wife. By marrying into the Zhou family, the Li family’s fortunes had shifted irrevocably.

Li Laoda boarded the carriage, reflecting on his brother-in-law’s words. He worried anew; his family had plenty of efforts but hadn’t cultivated many scholarly talents. After all these years of hard work, they’d achieved the title of Child Scholar, yet not a single Scholar among them!

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed. Zhou Shuren boarded his carriage on the way to morning court. Suddenly, another carriage ran parallel to his own. He heard a voice greeting him and laughed. "Mr. Lin, good morning."

Mr. Lin responded, "Marquis Zhou, you’re certainly up early. It seems like Marquis Zhou is in a great mood today."

Zhou Shuren said, "Indeed."

The two exchanged glances before lowering their carriage curtains.

At morning court, as soon as the Emperor arrived, someone presented accusations against Mr. Qie. The Emperor furrowed his brows, glancing at Zhou Shuren, waiting to see Zhou Shuren’s actions. But Zhou Shuren didn’t signal for Jin Yan to intervene.

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t done much. For matters like these, why wield the sword yourself when you could borrow one to strike? Killing two birds with one stone was his favorite strategy.