Zhulan woke up a little late that morning. Zhou Shuren had already washed up and changed. When Zhulan got up, she saw Zhou Shuren sitting in a chair watching her. Zhulan looked quite energetic as she touched her face. “Is there something wrong with me?”

Zhou Shuren looked at Zhulan carefully. Her complexion was rosy, and her eyes were full of energy. Remembering that Zhulan had slept soundly last night, he dismissed his worries. “Nothing, I just think you look good lately.”

Zhulan smiled. “I think so too. Maybe it’s because I’ve been resting well.”

Zhou Shuren had originally planned to take Zhulan for a stroll around the neighborhood after finishing his work on the dike. Now that Shi Qing was also there, he had to think carefully about how to please the Emperor. Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but touch his hair; he felt that he had been losing a lot of hair in the past two years.

Not long after Zhou Shuren went to the yamen, Shi Qing arrived in person. Zhou Shuren waited for Shi Qing for a while before going to the front hall to see him.

Shi Qing’s attire was quite different from before. He used to dress like a noble young master, but now he was much more low-key and simple. The only difference was the jade pendant he wore.

Zhou Shuren sized up Shi Qing, and Shi Qing reciprocated. He hadn’t paid much attention to Zhou Shuren before; his memory of him was hazy, but this meeting had left a deep impression on him. Zhou Shuren, dressed in official robes, was unsmiling. Although there was no disdain in his eyes, there was only indifference. He looked at him coldly, and Shi Qing felt immense pressure. This was the power of an official, and his heart burned with urgency.

Shi Qing respectfully rose and bowed. “Student Shi Qing greets Zhou Daren.”

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgment, “Shi Gongzi, please sit.”

Shi Qing sighed. Someone he used to disregard had suddenly become someone he not only had to respect but also fawn over. Shi Qing continued bowing, “This student and Zhou Daren are both from Pingzhou. This year, I achieved fifth place in the preliminary examination. Coming from Pingzhou, I deeply admire you, so I have shamelessly come to seek your tutelage.”

Shi Qing thought of his prefectural exam results and scoffed inwardly. He should have been in the top three, but because his original self came from a merchant family, he only finished fifth. If he hadn’t been willing to spend money, he would have had a hard time keeping his fifth place.

Zhou Shuren looked at Shi Qing with amusement. “Although I’m getting on in years, I’m not senile. Your letter yesterday didn’t say that.”

Shi Qing had thought about it all night and decided that honesty was the best policy. The more he schemed, the more annoyed he would become. He didn’t know the Emperor well and had only met him once. He didn’t know much about the Emperor’s confidant, Zhou Daren, either, but he knew that compared to Zhou Daren, he held no weight in the Emperor’s heart.

Shi Qing remained bowed. “I hope Your Excellency will not hold it against me; I have my reasons.”

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes. Shi Qing’s reaction was indeed quick; he had basically recounted his experiences in the capital, even subtly revealing that the Emperor had given him this difficult situation. He was quite frank with him, yet he had also passed the buck to him. Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes. “You are very clever.”

Shi Qing lowered his head. He had no choice but to be clever; otherwise, he would have died long ago. “I hope Your Excellency will accept me as your student.”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t accept Shi Qing so easily. Sometimes he felt quite aggrieved. Although he had spent most of his two years in Lizhou City being wronged by others, he still couldn’t overcome the Emperor’s absolute power. He had finally gained some influence, but it wasn’t enough to contend with the powerful nobles of the capital.

Now everyone respected him as “Zhou Daren,” and the politeness shown to him by the capital’s dignitaries, aside from the common people, was all thanks to the Emperor. Once the Emperor’s favor was gone, his fate wouldn’t be much better.

(End of Chapter)

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