Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 279 The imperial edict arrives

Chen Ce's yard was very lively. It had been a long time since so many people came.

But Chen Ce was not a person who liked to be in a crowd, but he couldn't just ask them to leave.

"Miss Ning, Miss Su, what are you doing?"

Chen Ce thought for a moment and asked them to sit down. There was only a simple stone table and four stone stools under the old locust tree in the courtyard. Obviously, there were not enough seats. Chen Ce said, "I'll go move the chairs."

Su Hanmei said attentively: "I'll go help you."

She followed Chen Ce into the central hall. The room was elegant and spotlessly clean, which showed that Chen Ce was not a double-faced person. Su Hanmei had thought that a bachelor's home would be messy, but it was obviously not the case. The house was simple and tidy, just like Chen Ce's personality.

After Su Hanmei moved the chair out, she helped Chen Ce serve tea and water.

Only after everyone sat down did Chen Ce understand the purpose of their visit.

"Learn sketching..."

Chen Ce originally thought that Ning Zhijun was just talking casually, but who knew that they would actually come to him on their own initiative. He smiled bitterly and taught them everything he knew.

Chen Ce did not value these painting techniques that cultivate sentiments, and he did not care how much the other party could learn.

"That's about it. You can practice well when you go back. I figured it out not long ago, so my skills are not perfect. This is all I can share."

Chen Ce didn't know how to tell them directly not to come to see him next time, but he didn't know whether these women understood the implication.

Ning Zhijun glanced at Chen Ce and said softly, "Mr. Chen, I saw you meet the two uncles of the Zhang family that day. Are you familiar with them?"

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "I'm not familiar with him, I just know him."

Su Hanmei's temperament was more direct than Ning Zhijun's. She reminded Chen Ce, "Recently, Li Mengyang and other scholars have been writing memorials to impeach the two relatives of the Zhang family."

"I know you are afraid that you will be implicated. It's better if you are not familiar with them. Contact them less in the future. It will not do you any good."

Chen Ce said "Oh".

Lun Wenxu came uninvited, knocked on the door, greeted everyone, and then reminded Chen Ce: "Miss Su is right."

"Although flattering the two relatives of the Zhang family can bring short-term benefits, it will damage your reputation. The gain is not worth the loss. I know that Master Chen and the two relatives of the Zhang family have a good personal relationship, otherwise the Zhang brothers would not have been so respectful to you that day."

"Since ancient times, when officials and businessmen collude, the ones who are hurt in the end are always the businessmen. Mr. Chen, please don't be blinded by the petty profits in front of you."

Chen Ce narrowed his eyes and glanced at Lun Wenxu.

What he said was very interesting. Although he didn't say much, every word showed that I was a businessman and that the Zhang brothers and I had a vested interest, which was why the Zhang brothers gave me so much face at Tongji Canal that day.

It seems that Mr. Lun is not as honest and kind as others see him to be.

But it doesn't matter. Chen Ce didn't have much contact with them, and they wouldn't have much interaction in the future. He just smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Lun, for your advice. I understand."

Lun Wenxu nodded slightly, and when he sat down, he accidentally dropped the jade pendant on his waist to the ground. He then quickly picked it up with great concern, and looked at it again and again, only feeling relieved after making sure that it was not broken.

Su Hanmei asked curiously, "Master Lun, what is this?"

Lun Wenxu smiled and said, "I studied some historical documents in the Hanlin Academy a few days ago and sent them to the Imperial College. The Imperial College was very useful and specially awarded me a seal."

"The private seals granted by the Imperial College are very rare, so they are very precious. Fortunately, I didn't break them, otherwise Master Liang would have scolded me."

Chen Ce's eyes showed a hint of admiration, and he saw through Lun Wenxu's little tricks. It's understandable that any young man doesn't like to show off, and it's just pretending. Who wouldn't want to show off their excellent side in front of a beautiful lady?

"Lun Zhuangyuan has a promising future. I wonder how many people can hope to receive this award."

Chen Ce complimented Lun Wenxu.

Lun Wenxu was a little embarrassed, but still said, "That's it. I will work diligently in the Hanlin Academy in the future. It will bring honor to my family if I receive a reward from the emperor someday."

“I believe this day will not be too far away.”

After saying this, he secretly glanced sideways at Ning Zhijun.

Ning Zhijun nodded indifferently, while Su Hanmei and the other girls showed admiration in their eyes.

Lun Wenxu said to Chen Ce, "Mr. Chen, I am also an official in the Imperial Academy. The Zhang family's relatives are notorious. Mr. Li is a leader in the literary world. Don't underestimate him because he is only the head of the Ministry of Revenue. Even I have to call him Master Li when we meet."

Li Mengyang has a great influence in the literary world. Last time he was severely beaten by the Zhang brothers, things will definitely not be settled so easily.

"The two relatives of the Zhang family have the protection of people in the palace, but who can protect their staff and friends?"

"If the imperial court wants to punish someone, they will definitely look for people close to Zhang's relatives, so Mr. Chen, you must keep your eyes open and don't get affected."

Ning Zhijun agreed with Lun Wenxu's words and said to Chen Ce, "Lord Lun is right. You should cut ties with them as soon as possible."

Chen Ce hummed and said, "Thank you for your reminder. Chen understands."

He looked up at the sky, but these people seemed to be ignorant of the ways of the world. It was obvious that they were trying to drive them away. If Ning Cheng and others had come instead, most of them would have known what this meant.

Chen Ce was speechless.

Lun Wenxu was still nagging at Chen Ce, "Mr. Chen, do you need me to introduce Mr. Li? Although I have not met Mr. Li yet, Lord Liang and the Imperial College should be able to introduce him. When the time comes, you can explain the situation to Mr. Li and the misunderstanding should be resolved..."

Chen Ce finally couldn't help interrupting Lun Wenxu. He smiled and said, "Next time, there will be a chance. It's getting late. I have to go buy some groceries and come back to cook."

"If you have nothing else to do, let's call it a day today, okay?"

Uh, Lun Wenxu was interrupted and felt a little embarrassed. He just sighed and said, "Since Mr. Chen has an idea, I will not interfere."

Outside the door, a group of eunuchs from the palace came over.

The leading eunuch looked at the people in the courtyard and asked, "Who is Chen Ce?"

Everyone was a little puzzled, wondering how someone came into the palace.

Chen Ce stood up, bowed, and said, "I am."

The eunuch smiled and said, "Hello, Master Chen. I am here to deliver the imperial decree."

"Chen Ce accepted the order."

Chen Ce was a little stunned. Why did the palace pass on the imperial edict? I didn't seem to have done anything.

Lun Wenxu was also shocked. The imperial edict... er, it was an imperial edict... the imperial edict that he could never hope for. He had just boasted that he would have a chance to receive an imperial edict in the future, and he also boasted about how precious the rewards from the Imperial College were...

Why is the emperor giving Chen Ce his orders now?
His expression was a little dull, but he suddenly remembered something and whispered to Ning Zhijun, "Oh no, I'm afraid Mr. Li's impeachment has been submitted. The emperor knows about the collusion between Mr. Chen and the Zhang brothers, and he is going to issue an order to punish them!"

(End of this chapter)