CHAPTER 1750: CHAPTER 1750: LET YOU TAKE A LOOK, BUT RETURN IT

Zhou Shuren knew a bit more, "They pulled some strings, and they’ve already returned to their residence in the capital."

Zhulan, "..."

She thought she could watch a good show, but it felt like it ended with a fizzle. Even with solid evidence, nothing happened to the young masters.

Zhou Shuren continued, "This also shows that the Duke Residence is just a shell with a name."

Zhulan was quite speechless, "I think the Emperor also finds it hard to articulate."

Zhou Shuren chuckled softly, "Hmm."

The next day, Zhulan thought about it and still booked a private room at the teahouse. Lady Li was busy staying at home, Zhao Shi and Lady Hu had plans, only Su Xuan wanted to see the Duke Residence make a fool of itself, and went to the teahouse together.

At the teahouse, news travels fastest here, just waiting there one could get firsthand information.

Inside the palace, the Crown Prince whispered, "The trial should have started by now."

The Emperor didn’t want to hear it, "I thought the old thing would be hiding some of his power, huh."

The Crown Prince replied, "With your attitude last year, who would dare rely on the Duke Residence? Even if someone did before, after so many years of silence, the tiger has lost its fangs, who would still regard the Duke Residence, which only has a title, highly?"

The Emperor sneered, "We still have to give the Duke of Yongan some more leverage."

The Crown Prince asked, "Should I interfere this time?"

The Emperor’s lips curled with a chill, "No need, let the southern noble families think the Duke of Yongan has fallen, and also make the old man realize that if he wants to live, he must redouble his efforts."

The Crown Prince’s eyes also grew cold, "These noble families, every time during the imperial examinations, they support poor scholars, this time for the southern noble families’ operations, there are already five officials involved."

These officials are only from poor scholar backgrounds, the connections between the noble families are even deeper.

The Emperor thought of the imperial examination and felt increasingly disturbed, "The imperial examination has become a means for them to choose their patrons."

The Crown Prince was moved, "Father, you appointed Zhou Changzhi as the chief examiner, placing importance on his ideas, didn’t you?"

The Emperor pointed to his head, "The ingrained ideas passed down are becoming more rigid, both your grandfather and I, we were all influenced by Zhou Shuren’s thoughts, and even you are no different."

The Crown Prince understood, his father was nurturing the son of Marquis Zhou not only because of his good capability and trustworthiness, but also caring about his ideas.

The Emperor enjoyed chatting with Zhou Changzhi, the comparison with the Hanlin Academy officials walking around the government hall became increasingly stark.

The Emperor thought about the great families, "Take it slow, there’s no rush."

Avoiding overreaching, that’s what Zhou Shuren said, now the country has added many departments and changes, infiltrating little by little is not done by force, but rather a step-by-step inevitability.

At the teahouse, Zhulan listened to Qing Xue report the situation, speechless for quite a while.

Su Xuan closed her slightly parted mouth, "Is it over? They just paid a thousand taels and that’s it?"

Just this? Just this?

Zhulan said, "The money spent on the private room was for nothing."

Su Xuan nodded in agreement, then let out a laugh, "After today, the Duke Residence’s face is completely lost. If it weren’t for Zhuo Guyu still having some favor with the Crown Prince, the Duke Residence would have no place to stand."

Zhulan picked up her teacup, her tea wasn’t even finished yet, and she was still thinking it wouldn’t end so quickly, "Drink tea, don’t waste it."

Su Xuan laughed happily, she bore grudges, "I wonder how the Duke of Yongan’s lady will have the face to go out."

"The Duke Residence will have to shut its doors and not go out."

Even a dead camel is bigger than a horse, but it depends on who it’s being compared to. Compared to small officials and clerks, indeed they can’t provoke it, but for the noble families, a dead camel means it’s about to die!

Several young masters came out, appearing unbothered, and spoke to Wu Shangheng, "How is it?"

Wu Shangheng gave a thumbs up, "Very good."

They kept courting death, he couldn’t even stop them, well, he never managed it. Since he knew those few would not settle down after being detained, he guessed that without the Emperor’s permission, they couldn’t possibly see anyone!

Thinking they had won, haha, they didn’t know how much the Emperor had uncovered about them, truly raised to be arrogant.

The few young masters wanted to say something sarcasm, but were stuck, they exchanged glances, and one of them said, "We’ll go back now, and return to the capital after the Qiu Wei."

Wu Shangheng squinted his eyes, he took the imperial examination with real talent and learning, some of these few don’t have that ability, but he didn’t remind them.

The Duke Residence’s carriage departed, Wu Shangheng thought of the young masters from the Duke Residence who were going to take the examination, forget it, he knew nothing!

In the blink of an eye, it was three days later, and early in the morning, Chang Zhi took the men the Emperor assigned, riding in a small green carriage, leaving the capital without the need for help from the Hou Residence. Apart from Chang Zhi’s young servant, the coachman driving the carriage and the guards were all the Emperor’s people.

Zhulan’s heart was in chaos, she pulled Shuren, who hadn’t gone to court, and asked, "Isn’t this too few people?"

"You’ve asked me eight times already."

Zhulan was worried, "I’m afraid Chang Zhi is in danger."

Zhou Shuren said, "I’ve sent people to follow him secretly."

Zhulan was surprised that her son would leave so early, hadn’t leaked the news yet, once it leaked, just thinking about it made her heart skip a beat, "I’m going to the temple tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren, "??"

Zhulan, "That’s settled."

Zhou Shuren was amused and helpless, "Chang Zhi is very capable!"

He’s been in the bureaucracy for so many years, and after walking the government hall for many years, Chang Zhi’s scheming and tactics are not bad, last night his son even hinted to him to help if things got out of hand!

Zhulan looked at the time, waving her hand, "You should go to the government office."

Zhou Shuren asked, "Should I stay with you a while longer?"

"No need, you go ahead and work."

Just after the new year, the Ministry of Revenue was very busy and couldn’t do without Shuren, she would be fine lying down for a while.

In the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng heard the news upon entering, Master Zhou went to assist in the new discovery of ancient books, so he would leave the Hanlin Academy for a while.

He also transferred several Scholars to assist in the ancient book restoration.

Gu Sheng blinked, it’s true, what he had suspected for a while. The days without Master Zhou truly felt unusual.

Gu Sheng returned to his room and looked towards Zhuo Guyu’s direction, surprisingly he was there, Zhuo Guyu’s perseverance impressed him.

Yesterday, the Duke Residence lost face, it was talked about everywhere, it’s said that the accused young masters were arrogantly drinking in the tavern.

Zhuo Guyu bowed his head to handle his tasks, he thought he would be ashamed and angry, instead, he felt particularly calm and clearer about what he could grasp and should do.

Zhuo Guyu sensed Gu Sheng’s gaze, nodded in acknowledgement, and then continued with his tasks.

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow, he sensed Zhuo Guyu’s growth, finally shedding the halo of the Duke Residence, which might be a good thing for Zhuo Guyu?

In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had been busy all morning, stretching his neck, at this time Jinyan came in, "Sir, Master Wang sent someone to deliver a box for you."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "Bring it over."

Jinyan placed the box on the table and then exited the room, standing guard at the door.

The box wasn’t locked, Zhou Shuren opened it, inside were several notebooks, he recognized the handwriting, picking them up to browse, they were actually notes from the old man before he passed away.

Zhou Shuren didn’t rush to read them but instead picked up the letter in the box, then was rendered speechless, it consisted only of five words, "Lend them to you."

The most valuable thing the old man left behind wasn’t wealth, the Wang family already had plenty of riches, the most valuable were the old man’s insights and reflections!