But to everyone's surprise, when the carriage curtain was slowly lifted, it was neither Lord Xin nor He Yunze who stepped down.

Instead, he was a servant boy working for Lord Xin.

The smile on Marquis An Ding's face vanished, and the surrounding crowd of onlookers were also somewhat bewildered.

Song Ruoan hurriedly asked, "Is it because the master wants to invite Yun Ce to have a meal, so he came to inform you?"

The servant's lips were pursed into a straight line. He first respectfully greeted the Marquis of Anding, and then took out a scroll.

Then everyone heard the servant's respectful voice, which also concealed a hint of displeasure.

"I have come here on the instructions of Vice Minister Xin to apologize to the Marquis."

“My master has always been fair and honest, and would never do anything to curry favor. If the Marquis or the Second Young Master had sent someone to inquire about Lord Xin’s secret preferences and then presented him with calligraphy and paintings in an attempt to oust Lord Su from his position as Left Advisor, then I must say that my master cannot agree to that.”

"This calligraphy and painting is by a famous artist and is extremely valuable. We are now returning it to the Marquis's residence. Please forgive the gentleman's rudeness."

After the servant finished speaking, everyone's eyes widened, and the scene fell silent for a moment.

Soon, some of the spectators came to their senses.

"Does Lord Xin mean that He Yunze wants to bribe him with calligraphy and paintings?"

"He wants to take advantage of Lord Su's illness and then oust him from his official position?"

"This is absolutely vicious and shameless! The Su family and the Marquis's mansion are related by marriage!"

Marquis An Ding's hands trembled as he held the scroll. He stared at the polite and respectful smile of the servant from the Xin family and felt his face burning.

Huang stared wide-eyed in disbelief, her smile freezing on her face.

The previously smug Song Ruoan's face turned deathly pale in an instant. She hurriedly took a few steps back, using the gate of the Marquis's mansion to block the righteous gazes of the common people.

Sensing the murmurs of the surrounding people, Marquis An Ding hurriedly spoke:

"No, no, there must be some misunderstanding!"

"I knew nothing about this painting, and I never intended for Lord Xin to engage in favoritism or corruption. Lord Su is related to the Marquis's family by marriage, and I greatly admire him!"

The servant showed great respect to the Marquis of Anding: "My master also thinks the Marquis of Anding is of noble character and would not want to do such a thing."

"In that case, adults must keep their own children in check! If they are overconfident in front of everyone, they will make a fool of themselves."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Anding knew that He Yunze was not only overconfident, but also went directly to Lord Xin to demand the official position that originally belonged to Su Mingli.

He even presented a famous painting in front of everyone, attempting to bribe them!

Lord Xin specially sent someone to give him a few words of advice, lest this unfilial son ruin his reputation!

It should be noted that even if one were to be granted a position through hereditary privilege, it would still be a vacant post, and would require further evaluation by the Ministry of Personnel!

What does that even mean?

What an idiot!

Marquis An Ding felt dizzy and wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground!

He forced a smile: "Yes, I know. I also abhor such things!"

"When my son returns, I will certainly discipline him properly!"

As soon as Marquis An Ding finished speaking, the crowd that had been packed tightly at the entrance of the Marquis's residence suddenly dispersed.

A horse-drawn carriage slowly drove in from the crowd.

He Yunze lifted the carriage curtain and saw the entire Hou family standing at the door, seemingly talking to a servant from the Xin family.

Although there were too many people and it was very noisy, you couldn't hear anything; there were carriages blocking the way, and you couldn't see faces clearly from a distance.

He Yunze immediately understood what was going on.

This is the setup he instructed Huang to arrange last night, specifically to welcome Lord Xin!

It must have been the painting he sent that made Minister Xin remember his kindness and feel guilty for his harsh words. So he sent someone over to praise him highly!

Upon realizing this, He Yunze's previously ashen face instantly brightened.

He straightened his back, tidied his hair, and then got off the carriage with a radiant air.

"Father, is this Lord Xin's servant?"

"What did I say to you last night? You are now..."

Before He Yunce could finish speaking, the Marquis of Anding suddenly turned around, his face contorting in an instant.

"You still dare to bring up what happened last night?"

He raised his strong, long arm high, and then slapped He Yunce's face hard.

The meat collided violently with a loud bang.

He Yunze's face twitched twice, and he was knocked to the ground again.

"You wicked creature! Go to hell, you monster!"

Marquis Anding roared.

He Yunze felt a throbbing pain in his cheeks and a buzzing in his ears. He looked up and saw the servant beside Lord Xin taking his leave without saying a word, while Marquis Anding glared at him angrily.

"Guards, close the gates of the Marquis's residence!"

Marquis An Ding was too ashamed to bear the loss of face. After saying this, he grabbed He Yun Ce by the collar and strode back to the Marquis's residence.

Marquis An Ding was a martial artist, and he was so enraged that he unleashed a flurry of punches, making He Yun Ce scream in pain.

When he was brought back to Guanyun Pavilion, barely alive, and after hearing Song Ruoan's description, he finally understood what had happened.

Song Xizhi! It must be that despicable Song Xizhi!

It must have been that day, when his grandmother brought up the matter of official positions at Ximoxuan, that he revealed to her that he aspired to the position of Left Censor.

When Song Xizhi overheard this, he harbored resentment and deliberately instructed the Su family to conceal Su Mingli's health condition, intentionally delaying his resignation and continuing to ask for leave in order to prevent him from taking office.

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