CHAPTER 1606: CHAPTER 1606 DELUSION

Jiang Residence, Gu Sheng frowned with a knot, Ji Deming was too casual to follow after receiving an invitation. If not for seeing Mr. Zhuo, he would have already turned around and entered the gate.

Zhuo Guyu got off the carriage, his gaze directed at Ji Deming, his face full of displeasure.

Ji Deming felt a chill down his spine, hurried two steps forward, "Mr. Gu, didn’t you say yesterday to invite me to visit Mr. Jiang together?"

With a pleading look, hoping for a response for the sake of their shared province.

Gu Sheng’s face turned even more unsightly with anger. Traveling with graduates from Yizhou Province ensured safety and opportunities for exchange. He knew from the start this person was adept at scheming, and he refrained from tearing the facade only out of consideration for their shared origin, "Last time, selling a painting to Mr. Du, I caught a cold, all thanks to your introduction."

Ji Deming looked embarrassed, "I had good intentions. Besides, Mr. Du didn’t expect his servant to act on their own."

Gu Sheng’s eyes were deep, "I’m not stupid."

Since childhood, he had seen many ups and downs of human relationships and possessed a discerning eye.

At this moment, the doorman hurried out. Zhou Residence’s carriage arrived, Ming Jia got off, followed by Rong Anxing. From another carriage, ignoring her maid’s restraint, Yu Wen also got off.

Ming Jia made a gesture to greet the doorman and inquired, "What happened here?"

The doorman recounted the incident without any concealment, inwardly looking down on Mr. Ji.

Zhuo Guyu’s gaze settled on Rong Anxing, a subtle scrutinizing look. He had just heard the doorman call someone, and stepped forward, "Magistrate Anhe, Princely Heir Rong."

Rong Anxing was simply a quiet person, guided by his father since childhood, knowing what he should know, he calmly said, "Hello."

In the future, he would be a noble Marquis, due to ancestral achievements, no one dared to underestimate the Rong Marquis Residence, even if the Residence held no real power. Most of the roads across the land were built with gold from the Rong clan, just like his father said, he could live as he pleased.

Zhuo Guyu felt a bit uncomfortable, seeing that the Princely Heir Rong had no regard for him, he clenched his palm. The Duke Residence held no real power, only bearing the name, he understood clearly the importance of power, growing thirstier for it, "How has Magistrate Anhe been lately?"

Yu Wen said, "We are not familiar. Next time, don’t speak in a way that could lead to misunderstandings."

Saying this, Yu Wen turned and walked towards Mr. Gu, nodded at him, and briskly entered the gate with her maid.

Ming Jia and An Xing exchanged a glance, and they also entered the gate. Gu Sheng, seeing Mr. Zhuo’s pallid face, quickly followed.

Zhuo Guyu felt humiliated, even with the best temper, he could not stand it. When had the eldest grandson of the Duke Residence been treated this way? He quickly boarded the carriage and left.

Only Ji Deming was left at the door, wanting to stop the doorman, but the doorman had already closed the door.

When Zhulan arrived at Jiang Residence, Yu Wen and others had already started their painting lessons. She regretted waiting for Lady Li to come with her granddaughter.

Xue Mei, having followed her mother after visiting the child, quietly asked outside her daughter-in-law’s courtyard, "Mother, Yu Wen slapped the face of the Duke Residence’s heir, will the Duke Residence not keep an eye on Yu Wen anymore?"

Zhulan snorted softly, "Power and face, the Duke Residence will not give up."

Xue Mei was worried, "If soft approaches don’t work, will the Duke Residence have other schemes? In the future, Yu Wen should not go out, let my husband instruct them at the Hou Residence."

Zhulan laughed, "This is the capital, and the servants of the Hou Residence are not easy to bribe."

The current capital has the best security in the country, no beggars on the streets, although not quite reaching the level of absolute safety, it is very secure.

Xue Mei remained uneasy, Zhulan patted her daughter’s hand, this area is populated by officials, the Duke Residence wouldn’t dare.

Zhulan hurried a few steps, wanting to see her granddaughter. She visited Jiang Du’s son today, mainly because she knew Gu Sheng was returning today.

Reaching the front hall, a screen separated men and women. Yu Wen was lazily lying on the table, casually sketching, clearly not serious.

On the other side, the three were engrossed, Zhulan entered unnoticed.

Zhulan went to the other side of the screen to see her granddaughter, the girl was nearly asleep.

Xue Mei expressed helplessness, signaling the maid to add some coals, to avoid chilling her niece.

Yu Wen, hearing the noise, perked up, "Grandmother, Aunt."

Zhulan sat down, "You are not focused."

Yu Wen looked helplessly at the screen, she didn’t wish it so, but who told her uncle to set up the screen first? She was alone and bored, the screen obscuring a clear view of the other side, making her increasingly sleepy.

The disturbance here affected the other side, Ming Jia and An Xing paid their respects, Gu Sheng, feeling embarrassed, hurriedly stood up.

Zhulan gestured, "Continue with your painting."

Gu Sheng glanced at the screen, then sat down, feeling restless. Staying today to listen to the lecture was unexpected, but he gained a lot, his gaze fell on the teacup on the table, he repeatedly thought about thanking Magistrate Anhe, but found no opportunity.

Gu Sheng lowered his head, he didn’t think the Magistrate viewed him differently, even though Ji Deming kept pursuing, he harbored no delusional thoughts. Delusions, yes. He, orphaned at a young age, before the family was divided, his grandparents coldly separated the two brothers.

His elder brother, six years older, was like a father figure. Back then, before he even passed the Scholar examination, his brother had to serve in the military, and he constantly worried about him, especially fearing for him amidst continuous wars. His brother was fortunate, surviving but with a limp.

He hadn’t passed the Scholar exam, and many in the village blamed him for misfortune until his brother returned, making him too cautious to harbor illusions.

Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan said unabashedly, "Recently, many have come to visit me indirectly."

"For the vacancies in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Qiu Yan, "Some don’t dare to visit you, so they mostly come to me."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "The spring imperial exam hasn’t even started, yet it’s as if they’ve already passed."

Qiu Yan offered a cup of tea, "Who can blame them, with few openings in the capital? When the three-year term at the Hanlin Academy ends, the Scholars need assessment. Worrying for their descendants’ future, naturally, they’re anxious."

Zhou Shuren took a sip of tea, "You haven’t promised anything, right?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

He couldn’t advance further, with Zhou Shuren’s protection, he wished to retire from the Ministry of Revenue without unnecessary hassle.

Zhou Shuren spoke quietly, "I will administer the assessment, also think of a few questions, so next year, those with intentions can be tested, entering based on ability."

Qiu Yan chuckled, "Alright, I’ll think it through carefully."

Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan talked for a while, then Jin Yan entered, "Sir, today the Duke of Yongan entered the Palace."

Zhou Shuren was surprised, "Summoned by the Emperor?"

Jin Yan lowered his head, "I don’t know, only that he was summoned to the Palace."

Zhou Shuren squinted, leaning towards the possibility it was the Emperor. The Retired Emperor wouldn’t actively seek an audience with the Duke of Yongan; the Retired Emperor wouldn’t offer such face.

In the Palace, the Duke of Yongan had been quietly waiting for almost half an hour. From the initial fervor of receiving the summons to enter the Palace, now waves of coldness rose in his heart, his mind already very clear.

The Duke of Yongan lowered his gaze, pondering why the Emperor summoned him.