Chapter 460: Chapter 460

Behind the two men was a troop of soldiers, with as many as seven wooden boxes, within which were records of every rotten account in Hengzhou over the years.

The officials involved in the dangerous mines in Hengzhou were also all put under arrest and guarded in prison, awaiting how Emperor He would deal with the situation.

Cui Yun, in his haste to travel, was dusty and disheveled, yet clean and tidy; Jin Zhong was less meticulous, and in contrast, it was the latter who, having not slept for consecutive nights, came chasing after in a slovenly state.

Jin Zhong: "No wonder you, boy, are favored by the girls."

"But what I don’t understand is why those men all defend you. The last time you ran overnight to Fengzhou, it was because of your cousin Shen Hua’s exhibition. I complained to Xie Xun, how am I not a brother who has shared life and death with him, yet he didn’t scold you and even protected you!"

"Somehow, this matter has also reached his ears."

This "he" referred to Ji Teng, both men understood all too well.

When Jin Zhong mentioned this matter, he was filled with bitterness.

"He actually wrote a special letter telling me not to meddle in affairs too much!"

In the end, who’s the one meddling too much!

He still wanted to say more, but Cui Yun simply found him noisy and sped up the carriage, entering the city a step ahead of him.

Jin Zhong: ...What gentleman like jade, all his father’s doing is fake!

Doesn’t even bother to pretend in front of me!

After entering the Imperial Palace, Emperor He examined those clearly written evidences of guilt, almost spurting out blood in anger.

In these times, his disappointment in the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince was boundless.

He simply could not tell who he hated the most anymore.

Ji Wang, the son he had focused on cultivating, even surpassing the Crown Prince!

Yet he had privately opened mines, bringing Hengzhou wholly into his pocket. Was it for money? More likely for raising troops and buying horses!

Even in the imperial examinations, there was cheating, and Ji Wang had a hand in it!

The offspring of the Hengzhou officials, nearly eighty percent had honor under their names! What kind of favor trading was this?

He simply could not bear to think in detail.

During the past period, when Xie Xun was investigating the affairs of Zhou Zhangping, he also had him check the entire Ministry of Justice.

The private actions of Ji Zhui did not fall short compared to Ji Wang’s.

So impatient already?

Emperor He, seething with rage, slammed the table heavily, frightening all the servants in attendance to prostrate on the ground.

Cui Yun: "Official, please calm your anger."

Jin Zhong: "Official, please calm your anger."

How could Emperor He calm down.

Yet he was still struggling, full of concerns, and unsure if he should take action. Before making a decision, he always had to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

He tried to calm his breathing. He couldn’t lose his composure in front of his ministers and lose face.

"Dispatching you two this time was also a risky move."

Cui Yun replied solemnly: "To relieve official’s worries and solve difficulties is a minister’s duty."

Jin Zhong, however, was blunt and loud: "Of course. Initially, when we were to put those people into prison, had there not been enough people dispatched, and all of whom were veterans from the battlefield, we might have been countered by guards and soldiers protecting those criminals."

"But, if we really count, Marquis Cui took the bigger risk. His whole hand was nearly crippled."

"I was terrified at the time when I saw it."

Jin Zhong said this for Emperor He to hear.

The news of Cui Yun’s injury wasn’t blocked intentionally. Could Emperor He not know? But since he entered the hall, he hadn’t asked a question about it.

Emperor He actually quite hoped for Cui Yun to be incapacitated.

But now, he pretended to be concerned.

"Why didn’t you say earlier, call the Imperial Physician to take a look immediately."

"If something happened to you, how could I explain to your grandfather, to the Cui family!"

Cui Yun said warmly, "It’s a minor matter, not damaging the root, not worth mentioning in front of the official."

After a bit of mutual pretense, they finally left the Imperial Palace.

Jin Zhong: "Third Prince has reserved a private room, why not join him for a meal together?"

"General Jin, please go ahead."

Jin Zhong, lowering his voice: "A lot of people went this time, you should at least meet them."

Cui Yun mounted his horse: "Farewell."

Seeing him about to leave, Jin Zhong hurriedly followed, talking his ear off all the way to Marquis Yangling Mansion, without seeing Cui Yun change his mind.

Cui Yun: "Thank General Jin for the escort."

He extended an invitation: "Would you care to come in for a cup of tea before leaving?"

"You are so haughty."

"Your career will not take you far!"

Even with all his talents, once the Third Prince ascends the throne, with many able ministers at hand, who will remember him!

As he eagerly made his way to the private room of the tavern, it was already packed with people.

Xie Xun, with a wine cup in hand, looked up and said, "We were just waiting for you."

General Jin was about to sit next to Xie Xun when, unexpectedly, Ji Teng personally stood up to greet him.

Jin Zhong was flattered!

Then, Ji Teng indifferently brushed past him, looking behind him.

Seeing no one else, he furrowed his brow.

"Where is Cui Yun?" Thıs text ıs hosted at N0velFire.ɴet

Jin Zhong didn’t dare say that Cui Yun probably didn’t want to see him, for he was a good man who also admired Cui Yun’s abilities. Naturally, he spoke up for him: "There was an urgent matter at the house, he meant to come and drink a few cups with you, to enjoy each other’s company, but alas, was unable to make it. He had me specially come to apologize on his behalf. He will surely make amends the next time he sees you."

Cui Yun didn’t want to see him.

On Shen Hua’s side, it was evening when she returned to Fengzhou.

She happened upon Aunt Sun coming out of the Chun Family’s Embroidery Workshop, carrying the vegetables she had bought in the morning, hurrying back home.

Recently, her daughter-in-law had fallen ill, so she needed to rush back to cook.

Shen Hua lifted the carriage curtain.

A beautiful head peeked out to inspect the contents of Aunt Sun’s basket.

"Are you planning to make cherry meat and stewed fish?"

"I’ve been craving it."

Aunt Sun was about to speak, but a voice not far away overpowered hers.

"This piece of meat costs thirty coins? Make it cheaper, I’ll take it for fifteen."

The butcher squinted his eyes: "If you can’t afford it, then scram."

Mrs. He cursed and ranted.

"Who are you to look down on us!"

He Chu consoled her from the side: "Mama, please don’t get angry."

Mrs. He wanted to show off: "My son is a Scholar, it’s not common to see one at his age."

"The fortune-teller even said he’s the reincarnation of the Wenquxing, destined to be an official and a prime minister."

Hands on her hips, she declared: "He eating your meat is actually a blessing to you! The next time you see him, you’ll be kneeling on the ground, calling him master."

"Don’t act all high and mighty if you can’t afford the face!"

He Chu, who had heard such talk frequently, didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.

The delicate scholar straightened his spine, proud.

The two were pushed aside by the crowd at the meat stall.

Mrs. He’s face looked unpleasant.

"A bunch of blind fools."

"Had I known, I should have married Shen Hua off back then. She’s rich, and even if she’s unbearable, she could have been trained to be obedient. Not like your wife, who knows nothing but reading, what else is she good for! She’s emptied our rice jar at home. These past days, she still says she wants to eat eggs, let her dream on. Those eggs, Mother needs to save to make pancakes for you!"

He Chu felt pained listening to this.

He also felt that this wasn’t right.

Without the support of the Shen Family, he became poorer and poorer.

He let out a heavy sigh.

But unexpectedly, as he looked up, he encountered the girl’s contemptuous gaze.

She had grown even more beautiful.

He Chu stared blankly at her.

Not like Zhou Zhizhi who had become bloated after becoming pregnant; He Chu still preferred the slender ones.

Shen Hua let the curtain fall, just as she saw He Chu with reddened eyes, gazing at her with deep, affectionate eyes.