Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Oh, what brings Grand Secretary Zheng here to my humble abode?”

Yan King's Mansion.

Yan King, Wu Dengmin, watched the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review rush over. He hurriedly went to greet him, afraid of slighting the man.

“Your Highness, Yan King, you jest. This humble official has a matter that he truly doesn’t know how to handle, so I have come uninvited. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you,” Zheng Liu quickly said.

“Grand Secretary Zheng, you can speak frankly. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly help. Given our relationship, Grand Secretary Zheng, you can rest assured,” Yan King said magnanimously, acting as if "your business is my business."

“It’s like this,” Zheng Liu said, his eyes darting around as he gathered his thoughts. Then, he slowly began, “My son was doing well in Huai Bei, but for some reason, I only learned today that he has come to Wu Du.”

Yan King smiled. “Perhaps it is only because your son wanted to see you. This is very normal.”

Zheng Liu cursed the old fox in his heart and continued, “The problem isn’t just that my son came to Wu Du, but that today, he had a conflict with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and has now been arrested by them. What is to be done?”

“Eh?”

Wu Dengmin looked at Zheng Liu with an expression of disbelief.

“Your son was arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard? That is troublesome. You and I both know what the Embroidered Uniform Guard is like. This matter may be difficult to handle.”

“Indeed,” Zheng Liu nodded. “That is why this humble official can only come to ask for your help, Yan King.”

Wu Dengmin nodded. “I wonder what crime your son committed?”

Zheng Liu swallowed. “Forcibly seizing a maiden from the common people.”

Wu Dengmin: “…”

Wu Dengmin looked at Zheng Liu with a smile that was not a smile. “Grand Secretary Zheng, you also know that even Xu Zheng of the Xu State Manor is well-behaved in the imperial capital. Even if he harasses women from good families, he can only lose a village in the suburbs.

Eh? If I remember correctly, the current Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, our Number One Scholar Xu Ming’s mother, was the one Xu Zheng harassed back then and then took back to the Xu Manor, right?”

“You old fox! You still have to take a dig at Xu Ming even now!” Zheng Liu cursed inwardly.

Of course, Zheng Liu was unhappy only because this old fox kept dodging the issue, not because he was standing up for Xu Ming.

Regarding this Number One Scholar who shook the entire Wu Kingdom and even the world, Zheng Liu couldn’t say he had any good feelings towards him, nor could he say he had any ill feelings. Basically, they kept to themselves.

But the Yan King in front of him was different. In fact, he had always wanted to marry his son to Wu Yanhan.

However, the Wu Emperor simply didn’t think much of his son.

“Grand Secretary Zheng, it’s not that I don’t want to help you with this matter, but how should I put it? I don’t have any connections in the Embroidered Uniform Guard right now,” Yan King sighed, looking very helpless.

Zheng Liu looked at him, so angry that his teeth itched.

But in the end, Zheng Liu calmed down and said to Yan King calmly, “There are some things I want to say to you alone. I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”

Yan King looked around and waved his hand. “You few, go down first.”

“Yes.” The maids serving Yan King bowed and left the courtyard.

“You can speak now, Grand Secretary Zheng,” Yan King said with a smile.

Zheng Liu took a deep breath and slowly began, subconsciously lowering his voice. “Your Highness, my son should have been summoned to Wu Du by that person, right?”

Hearing Zheng Liu’s words, Yan King straightened up abruptly, frowning and saying very seriously, “Grand Secretary Zheng, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Zheng Liu smiled. “Yan King, don’t play dumb with me. In the entire Wu Du, how many people dare to oppose the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Not to mention that the current Lord Xu is at the height of his power.

I admit that that person does have kindness towards me. I am able to be in this position today, absolutely relying on what that person has bestowed.

The Capital Prefecture and our Court of Judicial Review also have inextricable connections. Originally, there were many people in the Capital Prefecture who complained about the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has taken away their powers, so even if this matter caused a conflict, it wouldn’t feel unexpected.

But Yan King, this is my only son. That person did this without my consent. Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“Heh heh heh…”

Yan King changed his previous expression, looking at Zheng Liu with a smile that was not a smile.

“Since Grand Secretary Zheng, you have directly stated it, then I will no longer beat around the bush with you.

Indeed, your son was summoned to Wu Du by that person.

And everything that is happening now is all a scheme set up by that person.

Just as you said, you are able to be in this position today, all relying on that person.

In recent years, that person has not asked you for anything, and now is the time for you to repay the favor.”

Yan King patted Zheng Liu on the shoulder. “Don’t even think about resisting. Since that person was able to put you in this position, then they have the means to immediately remove you from this position.

It’s just a son. Don’t ruin your bright future.

If I remember correctly, you should have many illegitimate children outside, right?

It’s just that the old tiger in your family is too fierce, and you don’t dare to let her know.”

Zheng Liu: “…”

Yan King turned around and continued to prune the flowers and plants in the courtyard. “It’s getting late. Hurry up and go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If you’re late and delay that person’s affairs, that won’t be good.”

Zheng Liu stood in place, clenching his fists. Finally, he took a deep breath, and his fists slowly relaxed, as if resigned to his fate. He said to Yan King, “I understand. I will go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard now, but may I ask Yan King, what exactly does that person want me to do?”

Yan King didn’t even turn his head. “It’s very simple. You are anxious about your son, you only have this one son, and you wholeheartedly want to rescue your son. You understand what I’m saying, right?”

Zheng Liu: “…”

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you, and nothing will happen to your official hat. This matter also involves our Great Pillar of State.”

Yan King smiled, and with a “snap,” he cut a flower to the ground with the scissors in his hand.

Yan King squatted down, picked up the orchid, and smelled it.

“This time, we have to take a good look at the show. Just whose head is harder, that Lord Xu or the fist of this Great Pillar of State.”