latelenovela Chapter 164 The Left Prime Minister's Visit
Chapter 164 The Left Prime Minister's Visit
Chapter 164 The Left Prime Minister's Visit
As Ye Ru returned to the Ye residence, all the servants were overjoyed for a moment, and Kong Hexuan and the others tactfully gave Ye Ru and Su Tongyao a chance to be alone together.
However, Ye Ru's ability to disregard worldly conventions surprised them somewhat.
As night fell, the entire Ye residence was once again brightly lit and decorated, with people drinking and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Master Ye, you have achieved three great joys! First, you have won the top spot in the national examination for candidates; second, you have been admitted to Yingtian Academy; and third, you have helped Chen Jinshi live another ten years. I toast you with this cup."
Upon hearing that Ye Ru had been admitted to Yingtian Academy, Magistrate Zhang immediately raised his cup in celebration.
“Your Excellency, what are you saying? Scholar Chen fell ill because of me. If I did not go to Zhongjie City to seek the fruit, wouldn’t I be going against the benevolence and righteousness of the sage Meng? Everything is what I should do. I’m just benefiting from Scholar Chen’s favor.”
Ye Ru said.
"Yes, I am grateful and will repay kindness. Our Qingyun County has also greatly improved its performance because of you. Perhaps in another year, I will be able to be promoted to county magistrate."
"Come, I'll toast you another glass."
At this moment, Magistrate Zhang's face turned slightly red.
"I am filled with trepidation. Everything depends on the guidance and support of you gentlemen and teachers. It is only because we are drinking together here without the presence of Scholar Chen that we feel unwell."
Ye Ru shook his head, his face darkening, and everyone remained silent.
"Logically speaking, since all of them, including Jinshi Song, have come, Jinshi Pang should have come too."
Suddenly, Fang Zifeng looked around and, finding that Pang Jun was not there, said...
"Yes, why didn't Scholar Pang come? Could something have delayed him?"
Everyone looked at Song Feng and the others, but before they could finish speaking, the door creaked open and two people walked in.
"Chen Jinshi!"
Upon seeing that somewhat aged but still familiar face, Ye Ru immediately stood up, his eyes welling up with tears.
He would never forget the great kindness of Chen Sijun, who risked her life to save him and even executed Wang Bieqiu's entire family to prevent him from being harmed by others.
"Gentlemen, how have you been? Mr. Hua, Ye Ru, thank you for saving our lives!"
Chen Sijun slowly walked over, bowed to Hua Mufeng, and then bowed to Ye Ru in gratitude.
"You don't need to thank me, it was just a small favor. If you want to thank someone, thank this Ye Tongsheng. He's been working hard for you."
Hua Mufeng waved his hand, which made everyone laugh.
"You are all far more learned than I am, so there's no need for formalities. Today, we've prepared a banquet to celebrate the recovery of Scholar Chen. I'll drink first, and you may all make yourselves at home."
Ye Ru downed a mouthful of strong liquor, and everyone raised their glasses.
"I'm only a Juren now, let alone a Jinshi."
Chen Sijun gave a bitter smile, clearly feeling somewhat dejected.
"You will always be the upright and incorruptible scholar in my heart."
Ye Ru said solemnly, while Su Tongyao beside him held his hand tightly.
"Brother Ye and Mr. Chen are both men of great integrity. It is a great honor for me to sit with you gentlemen. By the way, Brother Ye, seeing how you and Mrs. Ye are so in love and affectionate, I would like to suggest that we all be witnesses today and let them set the date for your wedding."
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit somber, Kong Hexuan shouted loudly, which drew a chorus of agreement from the crowd.
"Yes, let's make it a date. Madam Ye is in the prime of her youth, and Ye the scholar is also of the age of learning. They are a perfect match."
Song Feng quickly added.
"Yes, why don't we set an auspicious date today?"
Magistrate Zhang also said with a wicked smile,
Su Tongyao's pretty face turned as red as an apple, and she couldn't help but grip Ye Ru's hand even tighter.
"Since that's the case, then I will..."
"The Left Prime Minister has arrived!"
Before Ye Ru could finish speaking, a sharp voice rang out from outside the door, causing everyone's expression to change.
"Why is the Left Prime Minister here?"
Magistrate Zhang frowned and muttered to himself.
"Haha, I apologize for the abruptness of my visit and for not bringing any generous gifts. I hope Mr. Yip Tong-sheng will not mind."
A loud laugh rang out, and more than twenty guards lined up in two rows, standing in their respective positions, as an old man walked towards them.
This overwhelming display of power was startling, but Ye Ru remained calm and slowly stood up:
"Your Excellency, you are too kind. It is just that my residence is simple and I was unaware of your visit. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Ye Ru knew that this was just the Left Prime Minister's preemptive strike, and if he panicked, he would only allow the other side to take further advantage.
"Lord Zuo Xiang."
Magistrate Zhang and the others lowered their heads slightly, while Hua Mufeng and the Kong family remained completely unmoved.
They were from a prominent family, so naturally they didn't need to use the formalities of the imperial court.
"I hope you don't find it too much of a bother, Chief Scholar Ye, that you've come uninvited today? Someone, bring up the gift for Chief Scholar Ye."
When the Left Prime Minister saw that Ye Ru was neither humble nor arrogant, a strange look flashed in his eyes. He then waved his hand, and one person placed several gifts on Ye Ru's residence. Meanwhile, another person held a brocade box next to the Left Prime Minister.
"Master Ye, guess what this is?"
The Left Prime Minister smiled and touched the box.
"I don't know."
The guard picked up the box, and when he opened it, everyone present turned pale. They almost vomited up the food they had just eaten, and Su Tongyao's face also turned deathly pale in an instant.
Inside the brocade box was a bloody head, its expression extremely ferocious, its eyes wide open. This eerie scene sent a chill down one's spine.
"What does the Left Prime Minister mean by this?"
Knowing that the Left Prime Minister's visit was ill-intentioned, Ye Ru shielded Su Tongyao behind him, narrowed his eyes, and said coldly.
Anger also appeared on the faces of Kong Hexuan and the others.
They all knew that the Left Prime Minister had come prepared for this day, and that he had given Ye Ru a show of force right from the start. His purpose was clear: to make Ye Ru submit to the Left Prime Minister. If he went against the Prime Minister's wishes, Ye Ru would be the next to lose his head.
The threat is very strong.
Hua Mufeng held his wine cup, seemingly lost in thought, and simply looked at the Left Prime Minister.
"Back then, Chief Ye hated evil as if it were his enemy. He once used the Emperor's Sword to kill a corrupt official in Hunan and Hubei, which pleased me greatly. A few days ago, I went to Hunan and Hubei to look for him. This person actually dared to slander you in public as a villain. So I executed his entire family as a warning to others."
"By the way, this person's name is Yuan Xiao."
The Left Prime Minister smiled slightly and said.
"Yuan Xiao..."
Ye Ru recited the name once, then his expression suddenly changed, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his fists clenched tightly.
I had heard of Yuan Xiaoye when I went to Hunan and Hubei. He was the only official in Hunan and Hubei who dared to oppose the Left Prime Minister and was incorruptible. Moreover, he was a prefect. I never expected that he would suffer the Left Prime Minister's poisonous hands in just a few days!
"call……"
Ye Ru took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and then said calmly:
"Can the Left Chancellor kill court officials at will without an imperial edict?"