"Did you hear those sounds outside?"

Deng Fugui raised his chin and said, "Led by Tianguifang and Tianxianglou, almost all the brothels in Yanchuan have sent people to jointly resist Hongxiulou and force our Ministry of Justice to close the building."

“According to normal procedures, the evidence in this case is insufficient and there are many doubts. It is reasonable not to seal off the building.” Deng Fugui rubbed his fingers and lowered his voice. “Besides, Mother Zheng asked you to give me so much filial piety. It would be unfair for me to seal off the building like this.”

Zhao Cheng nodded, thinking that Deng Fugui was a reliable person in critical moments, and he should grant Deng Fugui's wish to curry favor with Zhao Huan and find an opportunity to introduce him to his father.

"But the brothels causing trouble are led by Tianguifang, and they've deliberately stirred up some disputes between Tianguifang and Hongxiulou. Once Tianguifang got involved, this matter was no longer something I could handle alone."

Zhao Cheng understood.

Tianguifang was an official brothel, similar to the Jiaofangsi in the ancient society of Zhao Cheng's previous life.

In this way, the Ministry of Rites could no longer remain uninvolved.

Zhao Cheng has a good relationship with Li Guanyu, but he has no connection with Li Shu at all.

It is said that Li Shu was a true scholar. Born into a poor family, he studied diligently and passed the imperial examinations with his real talent. He climbed the ranks step by step in the officialdom, eventually reaching the position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, a third-rank official!

He can be described as a role model for students from poor families!

It was only after Yuan Xiu ascended the throne that he was transferred to Yanchuan to retire.

He rarely socialized and had few scandals, so Zhao Cheng couldn't figure him out for a while.

Zhao Cheng asked, "So what do you plan to do about this?"

Deng Fugui said, "I'll just be in charge of my part in the Ministry of Justice, investigating the truth of the case. As for the disputes in the brothel, I'll leave them to Lord Li."

As he spoke, Deng Fugui leaned closer to Zhao Cheng and said, "I know that the young prime minister and Madam Zheng have a good relationship, but after all, someone has died, and I've taken money. What if Lord Li finds out..."

"No need to say anything, I understand." Zhao Cheng understood Deng Fugui and nodded, "I was just asking out of curiosity. I'll let Zheng Mama know and let her figure it out herself."

“There’s one more thing,” Deng Fugui said in a low voice. “Recently, Su Wansan has been sending people to frequently visit the Ministry of Justice and even to the Dali Temple in Changsui. I suspect… he wants to get Su Ye out.”

Zhao Cheng didn't express his opinion, but said in a deep voice, "Yes, I understand."

"Lord Deng!"

At this moment, Li Shu turned around and shouted, "Seal off the building!"

Zheng Hongxiu's expression changed, and she said, "No, Lord Li! We can talk this over!"

“What’s there to discuss? Someone died inside the building, and there’s a lot of resentment outside. Even if I gave you this business, could you possibly keep it going?” Li Shu looked at Deng Fugui and said, “Mr. Deng, what do you think?”

Deng Fugui adjusted his expression and said solemnly, "This matter is entirely up to Lord Li to decide!"

Before Zheng Hongxiu could speak, Zhao Cheng interrupted, "Mother Zheng, don't worry. If there's no ghost in the building, the adults will clear your name!"

Li Shu glanced at Zhao Cheng, said nothing, and strode out.

Deng Fugui shouted at the officials of the Ministry of Justice, "Hurry up and take these people away!"

...

Li Guanyu was watering flowers in the courtyard when a servant brought Zheng Hongxiu in.

"Young Master!"

"Oh, Mother Zheng is here." Li Guanyu said sarcastically, "I'm usually the one who goes to your place, it's a novelty that you've come to my Li residence today!"

Zheng Hongxiu waved her handkerchief in front of Li Guanyu's nose, and the scent of floral water invigorated him. She laughed and said, "Young master, please don't make fun of me. I'm just in a hurry!"

"You want to see my father?"

Zheng Hongxiu nodded, revealing a stack of silver notes beneath her handkerchief.

Li Guanyu swept the silver note away with a wave of his long sleeves, saying without any hint of sarcasm, "Mother Zheng, to be honest, my father, like the Right Prime Minister, rarely sees guests. You can't get money to open his door."

"But... what kind of relationship do we have? Even if money can't get me to agree to this, surely my son can? It's just that the timing is hard to say!"

"Young master, I can't wait here! You know, girls hate being idle!"

"Understood! Understood!" Li Guanyu said seriously, "Pick a few particularly free girls over, and I'll discuss with them when would be the most appropriate time to knock on their doors..."

Zheng Hongxiu raised an eyebrow.

Good grief, this guy's trying to get something for free!

"Young master, Madam Zheng is one of our own, hurry up and get things done for her!"

Zhao Cheng suddenly walked into the courtyard, and Li Guanyu exclaimed in surprise, "Why is the young prime minister here too?!"

“I came with Zheng’s mother.”

"Then why don't you come in?"

"I went to borrow the outhouse."

Zhao Cheng stayed outside and didn't come in, wanting to see how Li Guanyu would treat Zheng Hongxiu.

But to his utter surprise, this guy actually wanted to get it for free!

Absolutely shameless!!

We're all brothers, it's one thing for you to freeload off others, but to freeload off Zheng Hongxiu is another one!

If she gets something for free, then I'm just getting something for free from her.

Zhao Cheng, unable to bear it any longer, rushed in, casually pulled the silver note Li Guanyu had put in his pocket, and said, "How dare you accept Mother Zheng's money?"

As he spoke, he handed the silver note to Zheng Hongxiu and said, "Just give us a discount when the brothel reopens!"

"Good, good, good! Thank you, young prime minister! Thank you, young master!" Zheng Hongxiu beamed with joy.

Zhao Cheng said, "Lead the way quickly, we need to see your father!"

Li Guanyu glanced at the silver note with heartache, and stammered, "My father..."

Zhao Cheng glared at Li Guanyu and said, "About your lending business..."

"This way, please!" Li Guanyu turned to the side and gestured.

As Li Guanyu walked into the bamboo grove in the backyard, Zhao Cheng vaguely saw Li Shu lying on a bamboo chair, looking at something. His hand holding the teacup hovered in the air for a long time before he finally put it to his mouth, looking very focused.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!