Chapter 282 - 253: Leveraging Power
Chapter 282: Chapter 253: Leveraging Power
Zhou Wangshu grabbed her palm, intertwining his fingers with hers.
"If it were in the past, there indeed might have been such a possibility. But now it’s different, I have my father-in-law and the General Mansion behind me."
Su Yaoguang remembered the arrogance and rudeness of the Heir of Marquis Cheng’an and said, "In this case, it’s fortunate that we acknowledged my father’s identity at this time."
In front of those powerful and noble people, ordinary citizens are like ants, their lives and deaths not in their own hands. If they hadn’t had the General Mansion as a backing, Zhou Wangshu might have really been affected by this matter.
If she had recognized her father in the previous life, Xiao Yanci wouldn’t have dared to treat her like that, right?
At this moment, in Cheng’an Hou Mansion, Xia Zhen was listening to a report from his attendant, when the attendant mentioned that the person who initially gifted him the horse was the current new Champion Scholar, Summer Zhen let out a few cold laughs.
"What about a Champion Scholar? A mere Champion Scholar, this heir can still ensure he doesn’t survive the next day."
Xia Zhen only cared about indulging in pleasure and paid no attention to what happened outside. What positions did the top three in the imperial exams hold? As long as he wished, none of them had the chance to become powerful ministers.
He was ignorant and uneducated, naturally uninterested in talents or exams, and even when the General Mansion held a family-recognition banquet, he was revelrous in entertainment venues.
"If he’s just a Champion Scholar, it’s not very troublesome, but he’s now the son-in-law of the National Guardian General." The attendant continued, "Does the heir remember the woman who was with him at that time? That woman is the biological daughter that the National Guardian General just recognized."
This time, Xia Zhen was truly furious.
"If that peasant hadn’t gifted me a Ferghana horse, this heir wouldn’t have gotten mixed up in such troubles. Does this heir not even have the right to settle the score with him?"
"Young Master, the National Guardian General is always protective, and his temper isn’t very good. If you provoke him, I’m afraid the Marquis will be even angrier. Our Marquis Mansion dare not offend both the Duke Mansion and the General Mansion simultaneously." The attendant subtly reminded.
As the attendant beside the heir, whenever the heir made a mistake, it was the attendant who suffered. In this situation, he had no choice but to remind the Heir of Cheng’an not to cause trouble.
Xia Zhen was very annoyed and displeased. However, now being grounded by Marquis Cheng’an, he couldn’t leave the mansion, and even with a belly full of anger, he had nowhere to vent.
At this moment, a maid entered with tea.
The maid bowed her head, trying as much as possible to minimize her presence, but her whole body was trembling, and the tea she was holding spilled out.
She fell to her knees, trembling and begging for mercy: "Please spare me, Young Master."
Xia Zhen grabbed the maid by the arm, his eyes full of wickedness: "So eager to attract this heir’s attention? This heir will fulfill you."
Seeing this, the attendant withdrew.
The maid’s tragic cries came from inside.
Several days later, Zhou Wangshu went to report to the Ministry of Personnel.
As a newly appointed official, he was able to become a Minister of the Ministry of Personnel on his first day, which was almost the pinnacle for many officials.
Being the son-in-law of the Great General and the new Champion Scholar this year, his position as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was even personally appointed by the Emperor, which ensured that he was much luckier than his fellow scholars upon entering service.
Su Yaoguang stood outside the Ministry of Personnel office, watching the officials coming out, seeking the most handsome one in the same official attire.
"Whose wife is that?" Someone pointed towards Su Yaoguang and asked.
"Mine." Zhou Wangshu walked out from inside.
The crowd saw Zhou Wangshu and greeted him: "Mr. Zhou."
"Gentlemen, please forgive today’s display; as today is my first day in office, my wife inevitably feels anxious."
"Mr. Zhou and his wife are truly loving."
"Isn’t this lady the beloved daughter of the Great General? Mr. Zhou is indeed fortunate!" The crowd commented.
"Gentlemen, see you tomorrow."
Zhou Wangshu ran towards Su Yaoguang.
At this time, Xiao Yanci came out of the Hanlin Academy.
Generally speaking, the top three of the first class in the imperial exams first join the Hanlin Academy when they enter service, with Zhou Wangshu’s case being an exception.
Xiao Yanci and the second-ranked scholar followed the usual path and joined the Hanlin Academy, becoming Hanlin Academy compilers.
The second-ranked scholar also saw Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang’s figures, and sighed: "Brother Zhou is truly favored by Heaven. Look, though everyone isn’t far apart, he married a lady from the countryside who turned out to be the Great General’s long-lost daughter. Who else could have such luck?"
"You and I have come this far relying on our own abilities; relying on women’s connections won’t last long. Why focus only on fleeting gains?"
Xiao Yanci left with a cold expression.
The second-ranked scholar glimpsed disdain in his eyes at Xiao Yanci’s demeanor.
Who is he showing that surly face to all day?
He talks about not relying on women’s connections, but isn’t he himself trying to climb up Prime Minister Wang’s high branch? Isn’t that relying on women’s connections?
"Don’t provoke him; his marriage with Miss Wang might be aborted, and he’s not in a good mood right now!" Another official said to Mr. Wang.
"Because of the previous marriage topic?" Mr. Wang asked, "Is it true, not just a rumor?"
"With such specific details of the other party’s name, residence, and family size, it certainly isn’t just a rumor."
"No wonder he’s there talking about not relying on women’s connections; turns out he can’t rely at all!" Mr. Wang said.
"Mr. Wang, you seem to dislike Lord Xiao quite a bit. Do you have some personal grievance?"
"Not really, just feel this person isn’t upright enough. In contrast, Mr. Zhou, though fortunate to have the backing from the Yue Family, conducts himself honestly, and his apparent passion for his wife suggests he has feelings and loyalty."
"Did you know Mr. Zhou is a son-in-law married into his wife’s family?"
"That I didn’t know."
"Though Mr. Zhou relies on the Yue Family, he’s a Champion Scholar himself and clearly capable, right? Moreover, when he married his wife, he didn’t know he would have such a powerful in-law. Essentially, it’s because of his reliability that General Su was willing to recognize this son-in-law."
"Indeed."
Xiao Yanci was about to return to his leased courtyard when someone delivered him a letter. He opened the letter, and it had an address—Yang Family Opera House.
Is Miss Wang Ruyan inviting him to see a play?
Isn’t it! He wrote her love poems every day, and even if she’s stone-hearted, she should be moved by now. The reason she hasn’t agreed yet must be because Prime Minister Wang hasn’t calmed down.
Xiao Yanci headed to the Opera House, entered a private room on the second floor, and found the mentioned Peony Room.
He pushed the door open.
"Why did you take so long?" The woman in the room impatiently turned around, and upon seeing Xiao Yanci’s figure, her eyes were full of horror. "Why is it you?"
Xiao Yanci: "..."
The smile on his face disappeared.
A moment ago, he was the gentle and elegant young talent, but now his gaze was cold, like a ghost climbing up from the underworld.
"Come..." Jiang Yihuan had just uttered a word when she saw Xiao Yanci stepping towards her, terrified, she dared not speak further. "What are you doing? I have nothing to do with you; leave."