Zhulan beckoned, and when the two maids came to her side, she hugged them. “You’re both good. Alright, don’t worry anymore. This won’t be told to anyone. Go back and change your clothes; look how dirty you are.”

Wu Ning tugged at her aunt’s clothes. This was the first time her aunt had hugged her. Wu Ning’s eyes reddened. Her parents had passed away not long after she was born, and she had no memory of them. She had never felt her mother’s embrace. Today, her aunt’s hug made her feel warm. She thought that if her mother were alive, she would hug her like this.

Wu Ning held back her tears. “Aunt, I’m afraid that young master might say he saved Xue Han instead of saving me, which would affect Xue Han’s reputation.”

Zhulan looked down at Wu Ning. One should always be wary of others, but Wu Ning had already thought of the worst possible outcome so quickly. Zhulan felt sorry for Wu Ning. What had this child gone through to think the worst of all men?

Zhulan wasn’t worried about Wu Ning’s speculation because Shi Qing wouldn’t say anything. Shi Qing was very clear that if he wanted a future, he couldn’t afford to scheme against the Zhou family right now. The Zhou family was taking steady steps forward, while Shi Qing was walking a tightrope. One wrong move and Shi Qing would lose his life. Shi Qing was a smart man, and he would simply pretend that nothing had happened.

Moreover, Shi Qing’s act of saving people today wasn’t intentional; he just didn’t want the Zhou family to think he was cold-blooded.

Zhulan touched Wu Ning’s face. “Don’t worry, the situation you’re worried about won’t happen. You can also rest assured that Shi Gongzi won’t talk nonsense. Let’s pretend nothing happened today. Alright, you two go change your clothes.”

Wu Ning looked at her aunt carefully, confirming that her aunt wasn’t lying to her. Wu Ning’s heart was at ease. “Aunt, I’ll go down first.”

Xue Han came back to her senses. “Mother, I’ll go down too.”

“Go ahead.”

In the front yard, Shi Qing, having changed his clothes, stood in the study, greeting him without looking to the side. “Zhou Daren.”

Zhou Shuren put down the book in his hand. “Today, the servant bumped into Shi Gongzi. It’s because I haven’t disciplined him properly that Shi Gongzi has been wronged.”

Shi Qing followed up, “Sir, it’s all because the student was too excited and didn’t watch where he was going and lost his balance for a moment.”

Shi Qing thought to himself, If Zhou Daren didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t say a word.

Zhou Shuren liked intelligent people because they always knew what they wanted. Zhou Shuren said, “Sit down.”

Shi Qing thought he would be made difficult again today, but he didn’t expect him to be allowed to sit so easily. He didn’t think that Zhou Daren was being polite to him because he had saved someone. He didn’t know much about Zhou Daren, but Zhou Daren had managed to turn the hot potato of Lizhou into a piece of fat meat in just two years; Zhou Daren’s shrewdness and methods were remarkable.

From what Eunuch Liu had told him, he knew that the Emperor valued Zhou Daren highly.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, quite admiring Shi Qing. “You want to become my apprentice? If you answer my questions today and I’m satisfied, I’ll teach you.”

Shi Qing’s heart tightened. It wasn’t excitement, but his intuition told him that the question was definitely not simple. “Zhou Daren, please ask.”

Zhou Shuren said, “I asked you to take a tour of Lizhou. My question is very simple: what drawbacks do you think Lizhou has?”

Shi Qing was stunned. This question was truly unexpected. He had considered various tests, but he never expected that Zhou Daren would ask him to find the drawbacks of Lizhou. Lizhou was governed by Zhou Daren, so Zhou Daren must have discovered the drawbacks.

For a moment, Shi Qing quickly recalled the events. This test was truly difficult. The Lizhou he had seen was indeed impressive, but its drawbacks were apparent. A bead of sweat appeared on Shi Qing’s forehead.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t in a hurry; he gave Shi Qing time to consider, continuing to read his book.

A quarter of an hour later, Shi Qing had mentally prepared a draft and encouraged himself. “My lord.”

Zhou Shuren put down his book. “Have you thought it through?”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Zhou Shuren looked at Shi Qing with interest, hoping he wouldn’t disappoint him.

Shi Qing was somewhat nervous. He had always dealt with merchants, familiar with the cutthroat world of commerce. This was his first time dealing with government affairs. Shi Qing took a deep breath. “This student is inexperienced. Since I come from a merchant background, I will discuss the drawbacks from a financial perspective. The tax revenue of Lizhou City is gradually increasing. It’s fine as long as Zhou Daren is in charge, but once Zhou Daren leaves, there will be problems with the finances.”

Shi Qing didn’t elaborate, but he knew Zhou Daren understood what he meant.

Zhou Shuren understood Shi Qing’s meaning, which was also what he was worried about. Shi Qing had been very well-behaved while he was in charge. Although some people had given him money, they dared not make any big moves, even after receiving the money, as long as he was in Lizhou. However, once he left, the place he had worked so hard to build would become a place for various forces to amass wealth, and in the end, it would still be the common people who suffered.

Zhou Shuren looked at Shi Qing, a slight smile playing on his lips. Shi Qing subtly flattered him, calling him an honest official. “What’s your solution?”

Shi Qing hesitated, then tentatively suggested, “Supervision. If supervision is established, even corruption won’t go too far.”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, “Perspective is still a problem. Shi Qing has no mentor; he only sees money and lacks a broader perspective. Supervision isn’t suitable for him. The dynasty has been in power for fifteen years now. The Emperor isn’t as ruthless as he was when he first ascended the throne. He’s getting old, and he fears a sudden death. The Crown Prince, only in his twenties, can’t control the various factions and powerful ministers. Currently, the Emperor not only needs to purge the power of other princes’ maternal families but also deal with some meritorious but restless ministers to ensure a long and stable transition of power. The Emperor was playing a long game; he wouldn’t use supervision to provoke these factions now.

Forget about the current Emperor; the next one might be a better option.”

Shi Qing didn’t receive a reply from Zhou Shuren and felt uneasy.

Zhou Shuren didn’t expect Shi Qing to see anything else. “Your idea is good, but the timing is wrong.”

Shi Qing lowered his head. “This student is ignorant and lacks guidance. Please, Zhou Daren, teach this student.”

Having pondered Zhou Daren’s question, he deeply realized how limited his perspective was and knew how difficult it was to find a good teacher. He couldn’t miss this opportunity.

(End of Chapter)

---