In the teahouse, someone said, "What does the Wen family mean by this? Do they no longer want their son?!"
"Impossible! When the old master of the Wen family was at a banquet before, he was very proud when he mentioned Imperial Censor Wen, saying that the Wen family had produced a prodigy. Could it be that he would abandon his son immediately now that he has caused trouble?" another guest said.
The young waiter carrying the teapot grinned, looked around, and whispered, "Who said the Wen family treats Imperial Censor Wen well? What I heard is different!"
"My neighbor's sixth uncle's daughter-in-law's brother-in-law is a mediator. Last year, he took on a job to find a small courtyard for the Li family. The courtyard was registered under the name of the Li family's eldest grandson, but the person living there is Imperial Censor Wen!"
"What? You're saying that Imperial Censor Wen is now staying at the Li family's place, not his own home?" one of the tea drinkers asked in surprise.
Everyone wanted to ask more questions, but the young man refused to answer.
Someone understood and slipped him a handful of copper coins. Only then did the waiter continue, "It's true. If you don't believe me, go and ask around. Mr. Wen hasn't stayed at home for more than a few days since he returned to Xindu. Before and after becoming an imperial censor, he stayed at inns."
"Perhaps the Li family found out and couldn't stand it, but didn't want to embarrass Imperial Censor Wen, so they came up with this plan..."
One of the tea drinkers, who wasn't a long-time resident of Xindu, asked with some confusion, "Why is the Li family treating Imperial Censor Wen so well?"
The waiter quickly went over to pour tea and enthusiastically explained, "The Li family fled from the north during a famine. They met Imperial Censor Wen on the way, and they helped each other escape. They became very close, and the eldest grandson of the Li family even became Imperial Censor Wen's teacher!"
"No wonder Lord Li has been guarding outside the Dali Temple prison all day long. It turns out that Imperial Censor Wen is his son's teacher!" someone exclaimed in sudden realization.
But some people see things more clearly: "That's because the Li family values loyalty and righteousness. After all, there are many people in the world who want to become disciples, but there are very few who would do this for their teacher."
"Indeed," someone else remarked. "I heard that Lord Li had a young gentleman by his side today. He looks quite respectable; he's probably the disciple of Imperial Censor Wen."
The young waiter flitted among the tables like a butterfly, then added, "I heard a few days ago that the Wen family wanted to arrange a marriage for Imperial Censor Wen, but he seems to disagree and they're making quite a scene..."
"Oh dear, I've heard about that too!" a guest chimed in. "It seems the woman isn't very gentle, but her family is well-off. The Wen family wanted to move their eldest son to a better position and thought this marriage could help them out, but Imperial Censor Wen absolutely refused and caused quite a scene!"
"If it were me, I wouldn't agree either!" the young shop assistant scoffed. "If you want me to marry a powerful wife just so my father-in-law can help my brother, then my brother might as well do it. Why are you dragging me into this?!"
Everyone laughed, and someone said, "Don't be angry. This is something that has nothing to do with a lowly shop assistant like you, hahaha."
With that laugh and joke, the conversation was diverted.
However, it was common knowledge that the Wen family favored their eldest son and mistreated Imperial Censor Wen.
There's a reason why the Wen family is now shutting themselves away and ignoring Imperial Censor Wen.
For three consecutive days, Liu Zhiheng took Madam Cui everywhere to beg for help, and he actually added seven or eight names to the petitions for leniency.
However, they went to the Wen family's house twice, but were turned away both times.
When a son makes a mistake, it is only natural for the father to step in and plead for him. Even if there are many outsiders signing the petition, it is still the Wen family who must step in and submit the memorial!
Left with no other choice, Old Master Liu, as the senior apprentice of Imperial Censor Wen, personally went to the Wen family.
Everyone heard about it and was paying attention.
After all, Old Master Liu and Grand Scholar Cui were both natives of Xindu. They studied together in their youth, entered the capital together to serve in government, and were as close as brothers, which has always been a well-known story in Xindu.
Even after Madam Cui divorced and lived alone in the manor, she still received a lot of care from the Liu family.
Even now that his good friend's disciple is in trouble, Old Master Liu is still willing to help out, which is truly admirable.
On the contrary, the Wen family, when their own son got into trouble, still had to ask others to come and persuade him, which is shameful!
But in this world, there is always something more shameless, never the most shameless!
Old Master Liu brought his son and niece to the Wen family's house and finally entered. The three of them came out in less than half an hour.
Madam Cui's eyes were red from crying, Liu Zhiheng cursed loudly, and Old Master Liu's face was ashen.
The person who gave them the gift was the eldest master of the Wen family, Wen Junyan, who held the fourth rank in the government.
Old Master Liu seemed unable to accept it and asked loudly, "Junyan, I've watched you grow up. Tell me the truth, Shaoyuan is your brother, your own brother! Are you really going to abandon him?"
Wen Junyan seemed to be in a dilemma. He bowed and replied, "Uncle Liu, Shao Yuan has committed a serious crime of disrespect. Although he is my younger brother, I am a fourth-rank official and a subject of the Emperor. I cannot disregard my loyalty to the Emperor just because he is my brother!"
"You're talking nonsense!" Liu Zhiheng immediately flew into a rage, jumping up and down and cursing, "The Emperor hasn't even convicted Shao Yuan yet, and you're already spouting blatant disrespect! You even said that pleading for your brother is disloyal to the Emperor, you're just spewing filth!"
"If word gets out, who will dare to plead for Shao Yuan? You won't save your own brother, and you won't let others save him either. You're heartless and worse than a dog!"
Wen Junyan was displeased with being scolded and coldly retorted, "Our Wen family is powerless to help. Please leave."
Grandpa Liu gritted his teeth in anger, stepped forward and pulled his niece, saying, "Jinrou, let's go! I was tempted to marry you off to Shao Yuan before, after all, he is your father's only disciple. But now it seems that the Wen family is a den of wolves!"
"No matter how good Shao Yuan is, his family is so heartless and cruel, he is definitely not a good match for him!"
Madam Cui pulled her handkerchief to cover her face, her shoulders shaking with sobs, clearly showing how heartbroken she was.
As they were talking, the old man and the young man got into the car, leaving Liu Zhiheng, who was still furious, to curse: "Wen Junyan, you deserve to be struck by lightning! You have never been as smart as your younger brother since childhood, but you have the status of the eldest son and have been instigating the family to suppress your younger brother and flatter you at every turn."
"Shao Yuan has suffered so much hardship and injustice, hiding his talents and staying in the Hanlin Academy, never daring to step forward! Now that he has returned to Xindu and become an imperial censor, you are unhappy again and force him to marry a shrew, just to pave the way for your job. When Shao Yuan disagrees, you kick him out of the house, leaving him without even a place to live!"
"Now that Shao Yuan is in trouble, aren't you happiest? No one will say you're inferior to Shao Yuan anymore! You despicable and shameless scoundrel, even if you work hard your whole life, you won't be as good as a single finger of Shao Yuan!"
"Everyone in the world has discerning eyes. I wonder who will dare to associate with you after this? Even your own brother is jealous and wants to harm his older brother. What a magnanimous and cunning you are!"
Wen Junyan's lungs were hit, and his expression finally changed. He wanted to say something, but Liu Zhiheng didn't give him the chance and jumped into the carriage and left quickly.
Wen Junyan looked towards the street corner next to him, where many people were peeking around, clearly indicating that his words had been overheard.
His face darkened further, and he turned and went back...
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