Chen Wufu knelt on the ground, his head buried deep in his chest, thankful that he had left his two apprentices outside to guard him when he came in.
Emperor Liang Cheng's tone grew increasingly desolate as he said, "My child, the pride of heaven, had to be secretly raised in someone else's home. I have failed my ancestors."
Chen Wufu finally understood why his master, whom he had served for so many years, had suddenly become angry. He buried his head on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
Emperor Liang waved his hand and said, "Get up first. There's no point in kneeling like this."
Chen Wufu quickly got up from the ground, refilled Emperor Liang Cheng's teacup with hot water, and then whispered, "Your Majesty, the Xu family's Assistant Magistrate Xu is a master at governing the region, and their eldest son is also a skilled farmer. Not to mention anything else, just look at the several estates owned by the Xu family's matriarch, and the vermicelli and rice noodle business that the eldest son of the Xu family and his grandmothers run. Aren't they all gold nuggets dug from the ground? Your Majesty, our little prince can learn many skills from this father and son that he can't learn in the palace."
Emperor Liang Cheng nodded and said, "It was because of these considerations that I sent Yuan'er there at the risk of his life. I hope that my Yuan'er can learn some practical skills from him."
Chen Wufu said, "That's for sure. The Xu family is a family that has accumulated good deeds. I have followed the Emperor for so many years and I know that although the Xu family is not famous and none of the people in their household are outstanding, it is all thanks to the discipline of the Xu family matriarch. We have known the Xu family matriarch for decades, and she is really no ordinary person."
Emperor Liang Cheng nodded and said, "My aunt is truly no ordinary person. Could an ordinary person just give up the title of duke or marquis so easily? If there were more people like the old lady in this world, there would be far fewer disputes."
Chen Wufu remained silent. Emperor Liang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Once the Empress finds someone, open my private treasury and select a few things that the old lady might need to send over."
Chen Wufu agreed and noted the matter down. A few days later, the Empress sent Chen Wufu a letter saying that all the people had been found. Not only were two people to be sent to the Xu family, but two more were to be sent to the Zhang family. These were the Empress's confidants, and their talents and martial arts skills were top-notch. Chen Wufu reported this to Emperor Liang Cheng, who nodded. Chen Wufu secretly sent people to deliver the people to the Xu family, while he himself traveled lightly, taking only a few items from Emperor Liang Cheng's private treasury with him.
The Marquis was not home, so the heir received Chen Wufu and went with Chen Wufu to the old lady's courtyard with some things.
Since these items were not bestowed by imperial decree, Emperor Liang Cheng made it very clear that they were a gift from a junior to his aunt, the old lady. Therefore, the old lady did not come out of the courtyard to greet him. Instead, she changed into her guest clothes and received Chen Wufu at the banquet area.
There were many things the young master didn't know, and he had some doubts in his heart, but he didn't know who to ask. If he wanted to find out, the old lady's courtyard and the marquis's courtyard were the most difficult to conquer. The people serving in the courtyards were all stubborn, and it was harder than climbing a mountain to get any information out of them.
The young master, accompanied by Chen Wufu, wanted to find out some things along the way, but didn't know where to start, so he could only follow them to the old lady's courtyard.
After Chen Wufu greeted the old lady, he presented the items in the brocade box and said, "Old lady, this is what the Emperor instructed me to send, as a token of gratitude for your care over the years. It is a tribute to you."
After receiving the letter, the old lady was still unaware of what was going on. The palace had secretly sent several people over. The person who sent them said that he was an old acquaintance of Granny Lu and knew that Granny Lu was helping the young ladies in the mansion find governesses. He specially sent over several palace maids who had reached the age to leave the palace. Before the palace maids here had been settled, Chen Wufu came to visit again.
Upon hearing Chen Wufu's words, the old lady understood what was going on and said with a smile, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths."
Chen Wufu said, "I still have things to do at home, Madam. I'll come and bother you again another day when I have some free time."
After sending Chen Wufu away, the young master destroyed his own courtyard. When Ning saw this, she asked him, "What's wrong with you? You look strange."
The prince waved his hand, dismissing the servants in the room, before whispering, "Yinlan, don't you think Grandmother and Father are hiding something from us?"
Ning said, "Of course there is. Didn't I tell you? Back in the summer, the area from the Marquis's study to the garden was under martial law by the Marquis's guards. Some people saw the Marquis leading a group of men to Consort Zhu's courtyard. One of the guards looked like our Third Master."
The prince thought for a moment and said, "I remember now."
Ning said, "Later, Concubine Zhu passed away. She was the only concubine in our household. She just died so quietly and no one knows where she was buried. Don't you find that strange?"
The prince said, "It is indeed strange. That's what's strange about it. You know in your heart that it's strange, but can you explain why?"
Ning shook her head and said, "I don't know. Father doesn't tell us many things, probably for our own good. I manage the affairs of the inner quarters, and my biggest headache is whether the monthly expenses are enough. Many of the mistresses and ladies in charge of the household have to use their own private savings to make up for the shortfall. But I don't have to worry about that. The monthly expenses are always enough, as long as they are reasonable. If the amount is too large, I just talk to the accountant, and if Father agrees, he will give me the money."
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