Anxingfang, without the Jianchang Marquis's residence, the Jianping Marquis's residence seems somewhat lonely.

Chen Zuo is now the Earl of Jianping, but he is doing alright amidst all this turmoil.

Perhaps we should thank the You family? Sometimes it really is like that; misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.

In the evening, the Chen family opened their gates, and Chen Zuo greeted them at the door and cooperated with the search.

Chen Ke, Chen Yin, Chen Shi, and their brothers all obediently stayed behind their grandfather.

The servants in the mansion were not flustered. The women gathered together, and lamps were lit everywhere, making the search very casual.

This angered the confused Sheng An.

Of course, the Di family was busy with their own investigation and didn't have time to come to the Chen family to cause trouble or try to drag them down with them.

So, to those standing outside the door, pointing at Chen Zuo and about to hurl insults, Chen Zuo responded with divine contempt.

Clearly, the emperor and the King of Wu were both furious this time, and an investigation was imperative; otherwise, they would be asking for trouble.

Chen Zuo's gradual retreat was perhaps not without the intention of protecting the Chen family.

To say he has no morals? Isn't the reason given enough for Consort Fu and the Empress Dowager?

Chen Ke stood to the side, and probably understood as well.

Who can blame him when he's You Dabiao's nephew, making him a prime suspect?

This investigation is reassuring. Why keep stopping them when you can just create trouble for yourself?

Those who came to search were not bandits; they were quite law-abiding, otherwise they would have truly incurred public wrath.

This search wasn't done for nothing; the target was clearly quite specific.

The focus should be on arresting those who cause trouble. The Chen family wasn't involved, and there's no need to panic about minor matters.

The Imperial Guards withdrew.

Chen Zuo reiterated, "I will investigate this again thoroughly."

It's not that people aren't serious, but some things might not be that serious.

The imperial court is definitely focusing on the major issues and letting the minor ones go; otherwise, with such a large prefecture as Sheng'an, even with tens of thousands of Imperial Guards, it would take who knows how long to finish investigating.

Besides, pulling up a radish often brings out a lot of mud; catching one often leads to catching a whole bunch.

Chen Zuo wanted to investigate again for his own good. He was also worried that some thieves might wander around and cause him trouble again.

Chen Zuo doesn't need to complain about being wronged in this kind of situation; he certainly has the ability.

With the gate closed and many lights off, the Chen family home still looked brighter and safer than other places.

Chen Zuo sat in the study with his grandson and granddaughter.

Chen Shi looked at the study that had been ransacked and was somewhat unhappy.

Chen Zuo said, "Then you should tidy it up carefully, so that no one leaves anything behind."

Chen Shi was startled. Was his grandfather joking?

Chen Ke looked at his younger brother speechlessly, but they all worked together to tidy up the study.

Chen Zuo watched from the side.

A lackey rushes in, bringing gossip! Freshly baked gossip!

Sheng'an Prefecture is in chaos today, with too many rumors circulating.

The servant picked out the most explosive story: "Wouldn't Zhu Zhongyi just have to fight back? The Imperial Guards would definitely force their way in. They heard the screams and rushed to the courtyard, only to find Zhu Yan raping Pei Huanli. Without saying a word, Zhu Zhongyi said it was the Crown Princess who did it! The Imperial Guards didn't even talk to him and arrested the entire Zhu family."

Chen Ke and Chen Yin exchanged a glance. Zhu Yan was quite famous and had invited Chen Yin to drink several times.

What kind of wine did Chen Yin drink while observing mourning? Was Zhu Yan still a scholar?

The servant didn't finish his story: "We're planning to dig up the Zhu family's house three feet deep. The women in the Zhu family all say that Zhu Yan is a dragon among men, a virtuous gentleman, but some maids have testified that Zhu Yan is not human. The Imperial Guards dug up several dead bodies under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard. It's been several years, and we're not sure if Zhu Yan did it."

Chen Yin was covered in a cold sweat.

However, the discovery under the osmanthus tree was absolutely fatal to the Zhu family.

That tree wasn't planted by anyone in advance.

Chen Zuo immediately had an idea and asked Chen Ke, "Do you know what to do?"

Chen Ke looked at his grandfather, slowly realized what was going on, and his eyes lit up!

There are too many rumors circulating about the Crown Princess! They've even dug up rumors about the Empress Dowager!

Aren't they scholars? The Chen family members are too, just go and confront them!

The Chen family strongly supports the Crown Princess, after all, she has done quite a lot so far, and there are many things to talk about.

For example, raising both a nephew and a prince, isn't that virtuous?

Moreover, everyone praised Yan Boxuan. Although he was the grandson of the Yan family, the contributions of Qing'e Palace could not be denied.

As for whether there would be any problems if they confronted the Zhu family, the Chen family is afraid of trouble.

If the Chen family stands with the imperial court and the emperor, this is a golden opportunity!

It would be foolish for the Chen family not to seize such an opportunity.

Perhaps once this wave is quelled, the Earl of Jianping will become the Marquis of Jianping again.

The Chen brothers also had enough capital.

As for the You family's affairs, they will eventually pass.

Even if someone tries to overturn it later, they'll need the opportunity to do so. Besides, having the resources means you're not afraid of being overturned.

Chen Xi was not very happy.

Chen Zhen asked, "You wouldn't happen to be...?"

Chen Xi hurriedly shouted, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Chen Ke asked, "What's wrong?"

Chen Zhen didn't mince words: "Chen Xi might like Young Master Zhu."

Chen Xi burst into tears. Dressed in mourning attire, and with those small white flowers, she looked pitiful.

Chen Ke frowned, but didn't mention Chen Zhen.

Chen Zuo stared at her for a while.

Chen Xi covered her face and ran away.

Chen Zuo roared, "Grab her!"

The servants outside hurriedly tried to stop them, and an old woman pulled them back.

Chen Shi wanted to plead for his sister.

Chen Ke realized, "We can't have anything to do with the Zhu family right now! Haven't we learned our lesson from the You family?"

Chen Shi's face turned pale. The Zhu family and the You family were different.

Chen Zhen was overthinking it: "I don't know what my sister is thinking, but what if she informs the Zhu family or something? What will the Chen family think?"

Chen Shi said, "Impossible." But he wasn't very confident either.

This matter is important to the Chen family. If it turns out to be a joke, then Chen Xi will die.

Chen Zuo asked, "Is Chen Xi closely related to the Zhu family?"

Chen Zhen looked at Chen Xi's brothers and said honestly, "The Zhu family has come a few times, haven't they brought something for their sister?"

Chen Yin was furious!

Chen Shi also realized: "A toad trying to eat swan meat!"

The Chen family was a Marquis's family, which was much higher in status than the Zhu family.

Although the Zhu family was a scholarly family, apart from a PhD, they had at most one Hanlin Academician.

The title of Hanlin Academician cannot be considered bad, but it depends on who you compare him to; he is far inferior to Chen Zuo.

If the Zhu family were to marry a woman from the Chen family, it would be considered a step up for them.

But the Chen family ran into some trouble, and Chen Xi was born out of wedlock; Zhu Yan and a few others were a bit of a womanizer, they could fool ordinary people like Pei Huanli, but to fool the Chen family was suicidal!

The Chen family decided to deal with the Zhu family. If the Zhu family had such a purpose, then they would be mortal enemies!

Chen Zhen said, "I'll go talk to my sister, so as not to push her too far."

Chen Zuo was much more satisfied with her: "Ask her again what else the Zhu family is doing?"

Chen Zhen understood.

If the Zhu family is both refined and beastly, then it's entirely possible they might do something to Chen Xi.

If Chen Xi's reputation gets even worse, then Chen Zhen will be in even worse shape.

Chen Zhen had no desire to be like the Pei family's daughter.

As for how Pei Huanli got to the Zhu family, whether it was a scheme by the Zhu family or something else, Chen Zhen could only wait and see.

Besides, what's the importance of other people's gossip compared to one's own important business?

Chen Shen also came along.

She was only eight years old, wearing a light green cloak, looking both adorable and somewhat composed.