Chapter 7: The Luxury Car Series Belongs to Whom (7)

"In order to hold the event, one must not be rewarded!" The light of ambition flickered in Du Gongcai's eyes

Zhao Ji was not only refined and elegant but also fond of the bustling market life, even occasionally venturing out of the palace to linger in the streets. In addition to his love for songs and dances, he also enjoyed listening to anecdotes and stories. Yang Jian pondered that although he could not directly attack Cai Jing regarding the matters of the Southern Court, he could present the sequence of events to the emperor, ostensibly recounting tales of Bao Zheng, while in reality, it served to subtly admonish Li Xiaoshou.

"It's nothing, starting today, Shishi will be your sister. You must take good care of your sister. If anyone bullies her, just pick up the gun and beat them hard!" Mother Zhou said proudly

"What about your Shishi? When we were unaware, Shishi was originally the daughter of Wang Yin from the dyeing house. Poor child, she lost her parents at a young age. Don't worry, after coming to our home, I will be your own mother!"

"The surname is Wang, then it shall be Wang!" Zhou Tang said straightforwardly, a hint of satisfaction on his face

Zhou Quan was unaware that in that oil-slicked vehicle, Shi Shi's small mouth was slightly agape, her face filled with astonishment

Du Gong was overjoyed, and disregarding his dignity, he fell to the ground with a thud, saying: "Thank you, Master Yang, thank you, Master Yang!"

Wang Shishi wiped her tears and bowed gracefully to Zhou Tang and Zhou Mu, saying: "Father, Mother"

Zhou's mother still did not give him a good look. She got into the car and, when she turned around to help Shishi, she found that her own child had already taken the initiative to assist Shishi in getting into the car.

This is a joyous occasion, why are you crying? Now that you have married into a good family, the sisters in the building are surely envious of you!

Seeing the harmonious and joyful family, Aunt Li took her leave first. Zhou Quan waved to the side alley, and the dark-faced man, Du Gou'er, approached with a shameless grin, limping along, accompanied by an oil-coated cart.

This cheap old man is not someone easy to deal with; if one speaks too much, it may arouse his suspicion, and one would end up suffering the consequences.

"Say." Yang Jian uttered a single word淡淡地.

The eunuch favored by the Emperor today is Yang Jian, who has been entrusted with the task of overseeing the construction of Longde Palace.

Zhou Quan spoke until his mouth was dry and his tongue was parched, and only then did Duke Du finally let them leave with satisfaction. After the Zhou family departed, the smile on Duke Du's face slightly faded.

Isn't he just a rash young man? How can he speak so eloquently?

The astonishment in my heart inevitably leads to a change in my impression of Zhou Quan

This barely audible sound made Zhou Quan feel somewhat awkward, and he returned the greeting in a flustered manner, calling out to his sister.

Zhou's mother chuckled, this child has indeed become enlightened, knowing to cherish his little wife

The current Emperor Zhao Ji of the Great Song Dynasty is a remarkable person, and his close ministers, such as Yang Jian, go to great lengths to please him.

What exactly are you discussing

At the mere mention of Cai Jing, the triumphant smile on Yang Jian's face instantly faded, and he felt a chill run down his spine

Haha, you are a clever person and know how to get things done... Nowadays, I will promote Longde Palace, and after some time, I will help you secure a position as an official in the Six Ministries.

He appeared calm and composed in front of Zhou Sang, but upon arriving here, his demeanor became exceedingly respectful, dismounting from his horse from a great distance

She is naturally intelligent, quick-witted, and eager to learn. Although she is still young, she has already mastered the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, which is why she is able to solve Li Xiaoshou's riddles

Originally bearing the surname Wang, after being adopted by Lady Li, the surname was changed to Li

Although this old fellow has been sent away to Hangzhou, Yang Jian is well aware that the emperor's favor towards him has not waned, and he is often dispatched with envoys to inquire after his well-being

I have a distant relative who is fond of listening to storytelling. I was thinking of pleasing him when I just heard you mention the anecdotes of Judge Bao in the yamen, particularly the story of the three guillotines. I believe it would be perfect to share it with him. I missed some details earlier, so I kindly ask you to tell it again.

This old fellow is exceptionally skilled in political maneuvering, truly a top-tier dangerous individual

The humble Du Gongcai requests an audience with Chief Yang

This Lü Shou served as a clerk in the Fengchen Treasury, where all the treasures stored were precious items such as gold and jade. Yang Jian hoped to find him, not merely for these valuable possessions, thus his tone inevitably carried a sense of urgency.

After paying respects to the two elders, she secretly glanced at Zhou Quan and then offered her greetings to him, saying: "Brother."

Although it cannot be elaborated in detail, the story of Bao Zheng as told by the common folk can indeed be shared with the officials to alleviate their boredom. Abandoning the plan to directly attack Cai Jing through this matter, Yang Jian came up with a new idea

Is your surname Wang

This nearly involved traversing more than half of Kaifeng City, and it took him quite a while to reach the northern side of the outer city, along the banks of the Jinglong River.

Du Gongcai felt no sense of humiliation or disdain; he bent his waist and recounted the events that transpired in the Kaifeng Prefecture office today in detail

In the prison, he had already extracted from Fang Zhuo that he was currently in the Song Dynasty, where the previous emperor was posthumously named Zhezong, and the current emperor is the younger brother of the late emperor

Madam Zhou held the little hand of the young girl Shishi with great tenderness and said, almost in an instant, she transformed into a loving mother, causing the young girl Shishi to be unable to help but embrace her and burst into tears.

Having left Mother Li, she could take on the surnames Wang or Zhou, but she would no longer bear the surname Li. At this moment, Shishi, who had been pulling at Mother Zhou's clothing with a pitiful demeanor, spoke up.

Since the age of four, Shishi has been adopted, and it has been six years now

Yes

There were several beardless men in white guarding this area. Seeing that they did not obstruct him, he directly walked into the shed.

Although there is no news of Lü Shou, today’s matters in the Southern Yamen can still be put to use. Li Xiaoshou is a person of the old official demeanor, the old official demeanor...

This place was originally the Duke's residence before the official ascension to the throne. Currently, extensive construction is underway, resulting in a cloud of dust. Upon arriving here, Mr. Du took several turns and entered a shed.

Therefore, he had already understood at that time that it was the late Northern Song Dynasty, during the reign of the infamous Emperor Huizong Zhao Ji. Having become accustomed to the tales of "Water Margin," how could Zhou Quan not be aware of this Li Shishi!

Good, good, today this matter is interesting, you have done well, but have the whereabouts of Lu Shou not been found yet

This is unacceptable; he is not a pedophile, and he would not lay a hand on a nine-year-old girl

He was filled with curiosity. Aunt Li was clearly nurturing Shishi as if she were a money tree, and he wondered what means his parents had employed to actually obtain Shishi from Aunt Li.

"Today, there happens to be an interesting matter. I thought perhaps Yang Tiju would be interested, so I came to report it," said Du Gong with a flattering smile.

Li Yun and Aunt Li originally had somewhat unfriendly expressions, but at this moment, they regained their grace, and smiles appeared on their faces: "Shishi, it is not that I am heartless, but the Zhou family is truly sincere. From now on, you should take good care of your new parents. Zhou Shou, Zhou Dasao, my Shishi is knowledgeable, sensible, and exceptionally intelligent; you must treat her well..." Zhou Shou, Zhou Dasao, my Shishi is knowledgeable, sensible, and exceptionally intelligent; you must treat her well..."

When Zhou Tang reached an agreement with Li Yun, the tearful little girl followed Zhou's mother and approached Zhou Quan. At that moment, Zhou Quan began to feel that something was amiss

"The surname is Wang, indeed it is Wang, but this title must be changed!" Mother Zhou said with a smile.

Yang Jian's primary concern remains the matter of Lü Shou.

You... um, my sister's given name is Shishi

At this time in the world, there is only one person referred to as "Husband Xiang," and that is Cai Jing

Even someone as influential as Yang Jian, who can speak on equal terms with the current officials, is quite wary of him. He is not afraid of schemes and tricks, but a person who employs such schemes without any moral boundaries is truly terrifying

The young girl ignored Zhou Quan, and it was Zhou's mother who responded to him. This answer made Zhou Quan tremble all over: "Li Shishi... Li Shishi... It can't be such a coincidence, right?"

They were about to set off when they noticed a grinning constable approaching them outside the yamen, saying: "Zhou Shou, Zhou Xiaoge, hold on a moment, I have a matter to trouble you, Zhou Xiaoge."

After glancing at the little girl again, Zhou Quan suddenly thought of something.

"What a waste... I'm not talking about you, but that fool Li Xiaoshou!" Yang Jian exclaimed angrily

However, it seems that my cheap parents have brought home a future beauty of unparalleled charm. Song Huizong and Zhou Bangyan should no longer be fighting over her or sneaking under the bed for her attention, right

Brother Zhou, Sister-in-law, Brother Quan, and Sister Shi, please get in the car

This person, surnamed Du, with the given name Gongcai, is a minor leader among the officials of the Kaifeng Prefecture. In terms of status, he is not even comparable to Zhou Sang, but the backing he has is far beyond what Zhou Sang can reach

Zhou Sang's stern voice compelled Zhou Quan to retract his opinion

Today, Li Dayin established his authority in the yamen, administering corporal punishment to dozens of individuals, yet there is still no news

What, what?" Zhou Quan was taken aback. This little girl, who was only nine or ten years old, was to marry into his family. Did that not mean that this little girl was essentially a bride chosen for him?

He gestured to the young eunuch beside him, who took out a sachet and was about to present it to Du Gongcai, but Du Gongcai did not accept it

This family, it is not yet your turn to speak. Shishi is our adopted daughter. If you two can get along when she grows up, then let it be. If not, I will prepare a good dowry and choose a suitable family to marry her off in a grand manner

The speaker is a person with a very thin face but a relatively strong physique, similarly fair-skinned and beardless, with a pair of very lively eyes that occasionally flash with a cunning light

Zhou Quan certainly did not recognize this person, but Zhou Tang, who had a wide circle of acquaintances, was aware that this constable's identity was somewhat different

Upon considering this, Zhou Quan immediately expressed his opposition

Before long, a sharp voice came from the shed: "Oh, how did Mr. Du arrive? Could it be that there is something happening over at the southern yamen?"

"The young man at home this week is quite a remarkable person," he murmured to himself, then glanced around, directly took a horse, and headed towards the outer city

This is not considered a major issue; Zhou Quan then recounted a story from his later work "The Cases of Judge Bao." Although his narration was simple, it captivated the listener completely.

Thus, he turned around and saluted: "So it is Du Ban Tou, may I ask what instructions Du Ban Tou has?"

Yang Jian smiled with satisfaction, waved his hand to dismiss him, stood up and turned around, his brows and eyes began to move.