Chapter 212 This is all thanks to his good daughter.

Jiang Yu hadn't returned home for many days, and Lu Yifang had been keeping a close eye on her situation. As soon as she stepped out of the palace gates, the people from the Duke of Chu's mansion knew she was going home.

So, when Jiang Yu arrived at the entrance of the Duke of Chu's mansion, she saw Lu Yifang, Wu Zhengyan, and Jiang Chengye all waiting there. As soon as she alighted from the sedan chair, Lu Yifang and Wu Zhengyan quickly approached her, asking if she was cold or tired. Even Jiang Chengye looked concerned.

"I am indeed a bit tired," Jiang Yu said with a smile.

"Hurry back, I've already had someone prepare a bath and food," Lu Yifang said.

"Okay." Jiang Yu smiled and walked inside, asking, "Grandfather, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

Lu Yifang sighed, "It's still the same as always."

Jiang Yu nodded, "I'll go see my grandfather in a bit."

Lu Yifang and Wu Zhengyan followed Jiang Yu to her courtyard. Jiang Yu went into the bathroom, and Lu Yifang gave Xia He and Dong Xue some more instructions before leaving with Wu Zhengyan.

In the front courtyard, Jiang Chengye was receiving eunuchs from the palace.

"The Duke of Chu has rendered great service, and His Majesty has decreed a reward for him," the eunuch said to Jiang Chengye with a smile.

Jiang Chengye smiled and said, "Please sit down, Father-in-law. My daughter... hasn't been home for many days and is getting ready. Please wait a moment."

"Of course, of course," the eunuch hurriedly replied, then looked at Jiang Chengye and said, "The Duke is so outstanding, Your Excellency is truly blessed."

Jiang Chengye nodded with a smile, his heart filled with conflict. As Jiang Yu's biological father, he felt proud of Jiang Yu's great achievements. However, he also felt ashamed and embarrassed in front of others because Jiang Yu had surpassed him to inherit the title of Duke of Chu.

Over here, Jiang Yu received a message from someone in the palace after bathing, and immediately led his men to the main hall in the front courtyard. Upon arrival, the eunuch hurriedly bowed to him, "Greetings to the Duke of Chu."

The palace eunuchs were all shrewd and calculating. Jiang Yu had made several great contributions, and the emperor had bestowed such a generous reward upon him. It was clear that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, his future career would be bright. Therefore, they unconsciously treated Jiang Yu with exceptional kindness.

"Father-in-law, you may rise," Jiang Yu said with a smile.

The eunuch rose with a smile and began reading the imperial edict. The entire Chu State Duke's household knelt to receive it. Upon hearing the emperor's series of rewards, everyone was astonished. In all these years of peace and quiet, the emperor's rewards had never been so generous.

After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch said to Jiang Yu, "His Majesty said that the Duke of Chu has worked hard these past few days and that you should get some rest."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Yu thanked him again, and then Li Zhong chuckled and gave the eunuch a bulging purse. The eunuch left happily.

Looking at the rewards, Jiang Yu said to Lu Yifang, "Mother, please put them in the coffers."

Lu Yifang replied, "That's how it's always been done, to get into your private treasury."

Jiang Yu did not refuse. After exchanging a few more words with Lu Yifang, he was about to go to the old Duke of Chu's courtyard when a servant came to report that the Earl of Changping had come to visit.

Jiang Yu thought for a moment and said, "Tell him I'm busy."

"Yes." Li Zhong responded and walked out. When he arrived at the gate of the mansion, he first bowed to the Earl of Changping and then said, "My master, the Duke, has been busy for days and has been resting after returning home. I hope the Earl will understand."

The Earl of Changping gave a stiff smile. "Yes...it was my oversight. So...is your master free?"

This "master" naturally refers to Jiang Chengye. After hearing this, Li Zhong hesitated for a moment and said, "Please come in."

The Earl of Changping was a figure of considerable importance in the capital, and it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse him repeatedly, so they invited him into their residence. Then Li Zhong went to invite Jiang Chengye.

When Jiang Chengye heard that the Earl of Changping had come to visit and asked him to receive him, he started to walk out. It had been a long time since anyone had come to visit him specifically. But he had only taken two steps when he heard Li Zhong say, "My lord, the Earl of Changping is probably here to inquire about something. Just say you don't know anything."

Jiang Chengye's mind cleared instantly. Yes, the Marquis of Changping wouldn't visit without a reason. He thought for a moment and said, "Did he commit a crime?"

Li Zhong: "The son-in-law of a collateral branch of the Changping Earl's Mansion is involved in a case handled by the Duke and is currently in prison."

Jiang Chengye nodded knowingly, then thought for a moment and said, "I...I won't cause Jiang Yu any trouble."

Watching Jiang Yu get busier day by day, he gradually got to know his place, though of course he had no choice but to.

Upon entering the front hall, the Earl of Changping rose to bow to him. Jiang Chengye was somewhat flattered. "Your Excellency, there's no need to be so polite. Please have a seat."

Changping Earl quickly smiled apologetically, "I apologize for the sudden visit, Chengye!"

The Earl of Changping was over fifty years old. Although he was of the same generation as Jiang Chengye according to seniority, he was older and held a noble title. By addressing Jiang Chengye by his name directly, he was showing great humility. Jiang Chengye's pride surged again. Even when he was the heir apparent of the Duke of Chu, the Earl of Changping would never have been so humble in front of him.

This is all thanks to his good daughter.

However, he was a worldly man and naturally wouldn't become arrogant because of this. He smiled and said, "Not at all, it's my honor to have you visit me."

The Earl of Changping smiled ingratiatingly, "My family has encountered some troubles, and I suppose Brother Chengye has heard about them."

Jiang Chengye nodded, and the Earl of Changping sighed and said, "Back then, I thought Shi Shunan was an honest and decent person with some ability, so I helped him find a position. Who knew he would be so bold as to do such a rebellious thing? Brother Chengye, I regret it so much now."

Jiang Chengye gave him a sympathetic smile, but said nothing.

Seeing this, the Earl of Changping gritted his teeth inwardly. He hadn't expected that Jiang Chengye would become so clever after not seeing him for so many days. He sighed again and said, "Whether Shi Shun'an lives or dies is what he deserves. I... I'm now afraid that the Emperor will misunderstand that I was also involved."

"The Princess of Chu is presiding over this case. I've come today to ask the Duke of Chu whether Shi Shun'an has implicated me, and what the Emperor's opinion of me is."

After saying that, he stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Chengye, "Brother Chengye, you must help me!"

His attitude made Jiang Chengye feel very comfortable, but he still said, "Brother Saiyang, Yu'er has just returned after working hard for many days. I haven't even had a chance to say a few words to her. I really don't know anything about the case."

Changping Boming Chang Saiyang.

"Brother Chengye, please ask the Duke of Chu for me." Changping Earl asked again.

“Alright, I’ll ask for you,” Jiang Chengye said. “But you also know that in the end, the Emperor makes the final decision on many things, and my Yu’er can’t decide them.”

"Yes, yes, but knowing some of the inside information means I know what to do next, right?" Uncle Changping said with a bitter face.