Xu Lanyin asked He Xi to go to the street across the street, where the courtyard was much smaller and older, and to hire two maids to help clean it and to find out about the general situation of the area. She also made a list and asked He Dong to go to the street to buy it.

A quarter of an hour later, He Xi spent five hundred coins to find two maids.

While they were busy, Zhao Wu went to the government office to complete the contract, ate a bowl of noodles at a stall, and arrived at Zhou's house at the end of the afternoon. He wanted to ask the old master Zhou for help, but he didn't know if he was at home.

The title of Grand Tutor is an honorary one and he does not need to go to the government office every day.

Zhao Wu sought the help of this influential figure because Grand Tutor Zhou already knew Zhao Wu's true origins and that the medicine was sold to Baicaotang by him and Xu Lanyin. Another, more important reason was that Zhao Wu's trip to Xixia wasn't his responsibility; he was secretly sent by Grand Tutor Zhou. He had risked his life to protect the old demon and retrieve crucial intelligence, but because he nearly missed the opportunity, he didn't receive the proper reward. Even as compensation, Grand Tutor Zhou would help him.

He walked to the corner gate, clasped his fists and said to the doorman with a smile, "My name is Zhao Wu, and I'd like to see the old Grand Tutor." Even though he had been away from the Wen family for some time, he was still not used to calling himself "I" to the doorman.

The gatekeeper of a wealthy family is the most contemptuous. He secretly curled his lips and asked, "Whose family is this? Where is the post?"

Zhao Wudao said, "I don't have a note. The old master knows me and will definitely meet me." As he said that, he took out a small silver ingot and gave it to him.

The doorman of such a family would often receive some benefits, mostly small silver ingots or broken silver coins, and rarely small silver ingots of one or two taels.

The concierge hesitated. If he wanted to see any other young master, he could just go, but he wanted to see the old master. Even if a wealthy family sent a letter to see the old master, the old master might not see him. And this young man, although handsome, was so young and had no good family background. What qualifications did he have to see the old master?

Zhao Wu added, "Brother Pingfeng, who is beside the old Grand Tutor, knows me."

The doorman smiled and took the silver, saying, "Please wait a moment, little brother."

The doorman winked at another young doorman, who ran away nimbly.

More than a quarter of an hour later, the doorman came running back and said, "Manager Pingfeng invites Mr. Zhao in." He looked much more respectful.

Seeing him, the doorman quickly bowed and said with a smile, "Please come in, Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Wu was taken to the small study in the front yard, and then led into the house by Pingfeng at the door.

Grand Tutor Zhou was writing at his desk when he gestured for Zhao Wu to sit aside. After Zhao Wu finished writing the last word, he looked up and asked, "I came for your brother."

Grand Tutor Zhou was in his seventies, with gray hair and beard. He wore a black robe with gold trimmings, and his face was full of majesty.

Zhao Wu answered honestly, "Yes. I'm ashamed to trouble you with such trivial matters, old sir, as you are so busy with so many things." He explained that he wanted to take his brother out to stay for a while so that he could heal his leg. He added, "If I ask someone else to do it, they will definitely not let him go. If I sneak my brother out, the Duke's Mansion will be in disgrace, which will be a major event in the capital. No matter where I hide him, I can't rest assured to treat him. So, I have the audacity to ask for your help, old sir, to find a way to save my brother."

After saying this, he stood up and bowed deeply.

After hearing what Zhao Wu said, Grand Tutor Zhou slammed the tea bowl on the table and snorted coldly, "The second son of the Wen family is becoming more and more ruthless. He can even harm his own nephews one by one. Your grandparents let them do whatever they want without any supervision. No wonder the Duke of Qing's Mansion is declining. Back then, our ancestors of the Wen family and my Zhou family followed our great ancestor to conquer the world and were both granted the title of Duke. They were such smart and wise people. I didn't expect the younger generation to be so useless..." After listing the faults of the Duke of Qing's Mansion, he said, "How about this, Zijun and Zhuo Feng were classmates at the Imperial College. The next day, have Zijun take my note and go directly to the Wen Mansion to pick him up..."

Zhou Zijun, the third grandson of Grand Tutor Zhou, was a mischievous child. Although he attended the same Imperial College as Wen Zhuofeng, their relationship wasn't close, as one favored literature while the other a martial artist, a top student while the other a poor student. Zhou Zijun currently serves as a fourth-rank swordsman in the palace. After another year or two of training, he will be released to a prominent military position.

After hearing what Grand Tutor Zhou had arranged, Zhao Wuxi stood up, knelt down and kowtowed to him.

Grand Tutor Zhou asked him to stand up and then asked, "The Miss Xu who came with you to sell blackroot grass is Xu Qingyan's eldest daughter?"

Zhao Wudao said, "Yes." Before, he had told Grand Tutor Zhou how Xu Lanyin had saved him, and that was why he couldn't bear to abandon her father Xu Qingyan.

Grand Tutor Zhou said, "Give me a peach, and I'll repay you with a jade. Remembering a favor is a virtue. However, in the face of national crisis, personal gains and losses, honor and disgrace must be compromised, and this applies to me as well. I suppressed you this time simply to teach you a lesson. You are a young and talented leader. The King of Wu and I are well aware of your abilities and contributions, and we will certainly make important contributions to you in the future. Never let your emotions get in the way again and lose sight of the greater good. Just because nothing happened this time doesn't mean it won't happen next time."

After Liu Zhaoyin's position as crown prince was abolished, he was named King of Wu.

Zhao Wu stood up and clasped his fists in response, "Yes, I will remember the old man's teachings."

Grand Tutor Zhou nodded with satisfaction and served tea to the guests.

Zhao Wu came out of the small study and was led by Pingfeng through a corridor towards the corner gate.

As I was walking, I saw a group of children and several security guards running out from another path and running towards a large yard. They were going to the martial arts training ground to practice martial arts.

The Zhou family rose to prominence through military exploits, and boys from the age of five were not only required to begin learning but also to practice martial arts. Thanks to their careful upbringing, the family produced many promising civil and military officials. Unlike the Wen family, their descendants not only failed to study hard but also lacked ambition, leading to internal strife and failure, resulting in each generation being inferior to the previous. After much effort, their father finally became stronger, but for some reason, he displeased their grandmother and died in an unclear manner...

Zhao Wu was thinking when he noticed a small figure among the group of children who stood out. The others were all boys in short shirts and long pants, but she was the only one wearing a green boa and a bun. The red ribbon tied in her hair fluttered up and down as she jumped.

Although he couldn't see the face clearly, Zhao Wu was certain that the small figure was Xiao Niuniu. He and Uncle Xu rode back to Beijing at full speed, with Uncle Xu stubbornly carrying Xiao Niuniu on his back. They were taken to the Dali Temple, and Xiao Niuniu was taken away by the Zhou family.

Ping Feng smiled and said, "Master Zhao, you can tell that it's little girl, right? The little girl likes to practice martial arts, so the old master let her practice with the young masters."

Being able to practice martial arts with the young master of the Zhou family and being so cheerful and lively, the Zhou family must treat the little girl well.

When Zhao Wu walked out of the Zhou Mansion, the sun was setting. Looking at the setting sun, he did not go to the new house, but went straight back to the courtyard.