Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan immediately smiled. Xu Zhi even pulled Shen Mingwan to kneel on the ground, wanting to perform a grand ceremony for Emperor Liang Cheng. Emperor Liang Cheng smiled and asked the eunuch beside him to help the two of them up, saying, "Since this is a matter for the three of us, I can't just do nothing. How about this, I'll take 20,000 taels of silver from my private treasury, and then send someone to help you with this matter, is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi's eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly expressed her gratitude. Meanwhile, Emperor Liang Cheng sent over the eunuch named Chen Shifang, who had just gone to the palace gate to pick up Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan, saying that Chen Shifang would work with Xu Zhi from now on.

After the three met, Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan thanked him and took their leave. Chen Wufu escorted them to the outside of the Imperial Study and said to Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan, "Ladies, Chen Shifang is my apprentice. Don't underestimate him because of his young age. He is trustworthy. If there is anything you need, just ask him to do it."

Xu Zhi told Shen Mingwan that she dared not, while Chen Shifang had already gone back and packed a few clothes, then came out with a bundle on his back.

Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan sat in the carriage, looking at the red lacquered box in their hands. The box was covered with a red silk cloth, and inside were two plaques written by Emperor Liang Cheng. This was like having an imperial sword. Anyone who wanted to mess with them in the future would have to think twice.

Shen Mingwan lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at Chen Shifang riding outside on horseback, and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Jiu, what are you planning to do with this Eunuch Chen?"

Xu Zhi thought for a moment, then leaned close to Shen Mingwan's ear and whispered, "I plan to put him in charge of supervision. His Majesty has also invested 20,000 taels. We shouldn't spend all the money we have. In the future, we should not only raise our children, but also teach them how to make money. When that time comes, we should be able to give His Majesty something in return. That's what I hope to see most."

Shen Mingwan frowned upon hearing this and said, "This is very difficult. If the children in the orphanage can earn a lot of money, won't the local government be envious? If that happens, what if the children suffer because the emperor is far away?"

Xu Zhi said, "This is precisely why it's necessary to establish an oversight body. Now that the Emperor has sent someone, we'll ask this eunuch to make a trip there, and see who dares to come and try to take advantage of us."

Shen Mingwan thought for a moment, then gave Xu Zhi a thumbs up.

The palace was the focus of everyone's attention. It was said that the eldest mistress of the Zheng family and a young lady were invited to the palace, but instead of going to the inner palace, they went to the emperor's study. People started asking around, and before dinner time, everyone who needed to know the details already knew.

Upon receiving the news, Marquis Yongning sat alone in his study, pondering for a long time before instructing his men to invite Xu Di to his side upon his return. Marquis Yongning knew very well that this was actually a path paved by Xu Di for Xu Zhi.

After Xu Di returned, he went straight to the Marquis's study. The Marquis said, "Di-ge'er, why didn't you discuss this with me before you did it?"

Xu Di was taken aback by the Marquis's words and said, "Grandfather, this is all His Majesty's will."

The Marquis waved his hand and said, "Di-ge'er, I know you're doing this for Xiao Jiu, but have you ever thought that you're putting Xiao Jiu in a difficult position? Originally, what Xiao Jiu was doing was just something she wanted to do and was willing to do. I thought it was just a pastime for her. If she couldn't take it anymore, she could just go home. Being a good wife and mother in the future is the right path. But now that you've done this, how is she supposed to face herself in the future?"

Xu Di shook his head and said, "Grandfather, I disagree with your opinion. Why must Xiao Jiu be like everyone else, staying in the backyard and only seeing the four corners of the sky? The outside world is vast, why can't Xiao Jiu go out and see it? It's Xiao Jiu's business if she wants to do it, but I won't allow anyone to covet her, and I won't allow anyone to bully her. Even if it costs me my life, I will fight for justice for my sister."

Hearing Xu Di's words, the Marquis felt even more depressed. From Xu Di's request to Emperor Liang Cheng for the inner guards, to Xu Di's plea to Chen Wufu to ask Emperor Liang Cheng to meet with Xu Zhi and provide her with protection, the Marquis believed that these honors would only make it more difficult for Xu Zhi to act in the future.

The Marquis patiently explained, “Di Ge’er, I know that you have planned a lot for Xiao Jiu because of the Sixth Prince. But when Xiao Jiu is in conflict with the Emperor’s son and the Emperor has to make a choice, what will the Emperor choose? We are merely the Emperor’s subjects. Those are the ones who are connected to the Emperor by blood.”

Xu Di naturally understood this, and it was precisely because he understood that he brought everything out into the open, making those people hesitant to act rashly. However, when those people finally decided to take action, it would definitely be a life-or-death situation, and at that point, it wouldn't be a matter of choice for Emperor Liang Cheng.

However, Xu Di would not say these things to Marquis Yongning, who considered them treasonous. Xu Di would only make Marquis Yongning think that these were the sharp edges and defiant spirits of a young man.

Seeing that Xu Di remained unmoved, Marquis Yongning sighed and said, "Di-ge'er, you are the most promising child in our family. Your grandfather wants you to go further and wants to see you become a marquis and prime minister. Sometimes, you have to be tolerant of what others cannot do in order to go further."

Xu Di disagreed, saying, "Grandfather, it's my fault. Why should I tolerate it? Endless tolerance will only make those people think they can still profit from it. I want to make my stance clear from the beginning. If you dare to reach out, I dare to chop you up with a knife. Grandfather, don't think I can't tolerate it. I just don't want to feed those people's appetites with my tolerance."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Xu Di, Marquis Yongning felt a headache coming on and could only wave his hand, telling Xu Di to go back.

Xu Di walked to the gate of the old lady's courtyard, stood there for a moment and then went to the old lady's room.

The old lady sat cross-legged at the kang table. When she saw Xu Di come in, she said with a smile, "Our Lord Xu is back."

Xu Di laughed and said, "Grandmother, you're making fun of me."

The old lady said with a smile, "I'm not making fun of our top scholar. Among so many noble families in the capital, whose son is as capable as my brother Di? He passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy. He's destined to be a prime minister in the future."

Upon hearing this, Xu Di pretended to be somewhat embarrassed and lowered his head, but in his heart he was thinking, "As long as you are happy, that's all that matters."