Upon hearing this, Old Huang said with a forced smile, "Uncle Liu, it's better to be kind."
Why are they in such a sorry state? Who is it that's causing it?
He hid in the ice-cart, doing nothing but eating and sleeping like a pig, while his brothers not only had to travel but also serve those ancestors.
What? You're using someone else's help?
no!
These chickens and ducks are precious. The soldiers are all rough and clumsy, so you don't need to do anything. Just feed the chickens and ducks!
Upon hearing this, Boss Huang almost couldn't resist throwing a punch.
Remembering her mother's instructions, she had no choice but to endure it.
"I'm not kind?" Liu An narrowed his eyes. "Huang Chuan boy, I'm hard of hearing, why don't you repeat yourself?"
A blatant threat.
Huang Chuan, however, was not surprised.
Along the way, they had long been used to Liu An's ever-changing expressions.
"Grand Secretary Liu is quite the character," Jiang Chao said with a forced smile. "What if we accidentally slaughtered all the chickens and ducks?"
Anyway, it's just a pet we raised ourselves, so even if my aunt is angry, she'll only beat it up.
But Liu An is definitely not having an easy time.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have cared so much about these chickens and ducks, and even went so far as to use ice to cool them down.
"Jiang Chao, what do you want to do?" Liu An warned with a dark face, "Behave yourself."
"I don't want to do anything, I just want to remind you not to get too cocky, or you might get struck by lightning!"
"I'm too lazy to bother with a brat like you," Liu An said, afraid that he might really act impulsively. "Take it or leave it, it's not me who's being suffocated anyway."
Is this the key point?
What they care about is always Liu Ge Lao's attitude!
"Ignore him," said Boss Huang through gritted teeth. "We'll settle the score when we get home."
They're local bullies now, and they still need to operate in the capital; they can't afford to offend them for the time being.
"Yeah, time to take a shower. He's right, it smells awful!"
Upon returning to the capital, Liu An was determined to make a name for himself, so he took great care in grooming himself, even secretly applying a face mask.
Many people in the capital were waiting to see him make a fool of himself, and even he himself felt guilty, so he could only bully a few kids to bolster his spirits.
Liu An is back!
The news reached them as soon as they entered the post station.
In the Liu residence, a middle-aged man hurriedly entered the backyard.
"Mother, Father is back."
"Why did he come back?" Madam Liu's eyes were filled with coldness. "Why did he come back when he had already left?"
“Mother, now the whole capital knows that Father, a Grand Secretary, is eager to become someone else’s steward. The entire Liu family can’t hold their heads up high. You should try to persuade him.”
“He is him and you are you. Why are these people blaming you?” Madam Liu said with displeasure. “You do your job well and I’ll think of a way to prevent him from disgracing our Liu family.”
"Thank you, Mother!"
"It's just the two of us in the whole mansion, we don't need to be so polite."
As for Liu An, their relationship was fraught with countless grudges; nothing was more important than their son.
"Mother, try to persuade him gently, don't argue with him."
"Don't worry about it, this is between the two of us."
"My son understands." Liu Xun moved his lips, but ultimately stopped trying to persuade him.
Everything has its limits, and couples shouldn't always be at odds like this, but he, who has always benefited from this, doesn't want to bring it up.
Department office back hall.
Grand Secretary Zhong lost all interest in watching the spectacle and hurried over to find someone.
Rumors of An Ge Lao's various misdeeds circulated throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, and he was implicated as a result.
In the past, when he went out, he could command a hundred responses and be revered by ten thousand people.
Now, both ordinary people and colleagues are avoiding the issue, and once rumors spread from the public to the imperial court, they are becoming increasingly difficult to control.
"Brother An, you must think of a way to suppress the rumors. If this continues, we'll have no choice but to retire to appease public anger."
"Rumors?" Grand Secretary An paused in his writing. "Still not resolved? What is the Ministry of Justice doing?"
"Not to mention the Ministry of Justice, even I haven't found anything," Grand Secretary Zhong said, quite frustrated. "They're all just low-level clerks who take money to do their jobs; arresting them wouldn't be of much use."
"No," Grand Secretary An panicked, "I must go to the palace to meet the Emperor."
He couldn't let the emperor misunderstand.
"I'll go with you."
Although he was always thinking about rising to a higher position as a senior or junior manager, Zhong Ping understood that now was not a good time.
They were burdened by 500,000 jin of grain and faced increasingly vicious rumors.
He wasn't confident he could handle such a huge mess.
Upon seeing the two, Ji Xuan guessed their purpose and spoke directly, "Minister An, there's no need to be impatient. I trust you!"
Just one sentence brought tears to An Ge Lao's eyes.
To have met such a wise ruler is a blessing in this life!
"Your Majesty, this old minister is ashamed to have failed the Emperor's grace."
"This is strange. Your contributions to the Great Zhou are indelible. The people misunderstand because they don't know. There's no need to pay attention to it. I know your character and you would never do anything immoral."
These words moved Grand Secretary An, but also made him feel guilty. "This old minister is ashamed."
"No..."
Cough, cough, cough...
Before I could finish my comforting words, he started coughing uncontrollably.
Xiao Yuanzi quickly ran over, offering tea while patting him on the back to help him catch his breath. "Your Majesty, Eunuch Qi instructed you not to overwork yourself. No matter how urgent the matters in Shandong are, they are not as important as your imperial weight..."
"Shut up. The people are more important than the ruler. As the emperor, I should protect all people. It's just a little fatigue, nothing to mention." He then turned to the two ministers. "My two beloved ministers, I am fine. You don't need to worry. Focus on your duties and don't pay attention to the rumors circulating among the people. I won't believe them."
"Your Majesty, what virtue or ability do I possess..." Grand Secretary An said, then began to sob.
"Anqing, don't cry. Take care of your health. You are a pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the Great Zhou cannot do without you."
"This old minister... obeys!"
After a heart-to-heart conversation, the relationship between the emperor and his minister was brought closer. Even as they parted, Grand Secretary An's eyes remained red, and even Grand Secretary Zhong's eyes were slightly moist.
"Congratulations, Brother An, Jian has won the Emperor's favor."
Zhong Ping bowed slightly, but he felt uneasy.
Such honors and treatment are only reserved for veterans like An Qingyun who have served three dynasties.
"If you treat me as a national hero, I will repay you as a national hero."
In the Imperial Study, after Xiao Yuanzi changed the tea, she asked, expressing her concerns, "Your Majesty, will Grand Secretary An really be able to do as predicted?"
Rumors and gossip are not that scary, and besides, they won't last long, so they are not worth worrying about at all.
Many of the people they arranged have already been arrested and imprisoned. Although they can temporarily take advantage of the chaos, they won't be able to hold out for more than a few days.
Once the storm has passed, these stains can be easily washed away using any means necessary.
"Why not?" Ji Xuan lowered her eyes. "Little Yuanzi, you should learn more from Qi Yong in the future."
"Yes, ma'am."
Although he knew he was no match for Qi Yong, being told so bluntly by his master still made Eunuch Yuan feel extremely upset.
Where is Liu An?
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Liu and his entourage have settled in the post station outside the city and are washing up."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan curled the corners of her lips and said, "Pack your things and come with me out of the palace."
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