Contentment with modest wealth

What's the story behind Chapter 76?

Guo Yi stared at He Qu and the other man's faces for a long time before turning to Lu Jia beside him—that's right, apart from her outstanding looks and courage, this girl looked like an ordinary girl. Well, he wasn't blind.

Let's look at He Qu and Tang Yu.

They were both imposing and handsome, with extraordinary bearing. For many years, they had been close to Shen Qingzhou, like two generals. Even though they were just bodyguards, their status had risen, and so had their aura. When officials in the capital saw them, who wouldn't treat them with respect?
Even now, kneeling below, he stands ramrod straight, exuding an arrogant air that no one but his master can sway him—yes, that's right! He's not blind after all.

After Shen Qingzhou returned to the capital, He Qu and Tang Yu also disappeared. Guo Yi assumed that the two of them had also returned to the capital.

Three days ago, Guo Yi received a message sent by Shen Qingzhou before he left the capital, informing him that he would be returning soon. Later, a guard came ahead to deliver the message, instructing him to keep an eye on Zhou Sheng. He also knew that there was probably some shady business between the Su and Zhou families.

So when the county magistrate said at the dock that there was no possibility of a sudden flood at this time of year, he guessed that this Zhou fellow was desperate and resorting to such measures. He went straight to the Zhou family's house and waited for Shen Qingzhou to arrive.

The moment he disappeared at dawn, it was Shen Qingzhou who appeared and came looking for him, which is why he followed her to the courtroom without saying a word.

The guard had just told him that He Qutangyu had arrived and was going to testify for the people of Shawan, but he didn't take it to heart. He assumed it was Shen Qingzhou's arrangement and just went along with it.

To everyone's surprise, the two of them knelt down as soon as they arrived!

That's fine, he knows that you have to be serious when you're performing, but how did they end up becoming the bodyguards of this merchant's daughter?
What kind of show is this?!
"Sir, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Jia found it strange as well.

Scholar Guo is incredibly learned and has a sharp mind; it's impossible that his family would raise a foolish grandson.
Look at him, he's practically drooling.

Guo Yi was snapped out of his daze and quickly plopped back into his chair. Then, suppressing his inner turmoil, he picked up the stack of documents and maps that had been presented to him, flipped through them, and picked up where he left off: "What were you two trying to say just now?"

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but look towards Lu Jia again.

The girl's expression was calm and composed, clearly indicating that she had subdued these two people for some time!
A mere seventh-rank official serving as the prime minister's gatekeeper—did she even know she had hired a first-class bodyguard from the high-ranking Grand Commandant's residence?!
Does she realize that she is now on equal footing with the eldest son of the Grand Commandant's mansion, Mr. Shen?
Guo Yi was in turmoil, and coughed several times before finally calming down.

When Zhou Sheng heard He Qu and the others' testimonies and evidence, he panicked. He had hidden all the water information documents and maps they had given him. What did he mean by "finding" them?
Do you think they'd find this? They definitely found it during a raid on the mansion!

But how did they find it so quickly? They were just guards of a small merchant's house; where did they get such abilities?!

This is really unreasonable!

He usually had a good relationship with the prefect, and the imperial envoy who came before him had risen to his position through Lu Jie's connections. Why would he be afraid of these few unruly commoners?!
Guo Yi had barely opened his mouth when he roared, "They injured my steward and servants, and then broke into my residence to steal official documents. Why waste your breath on them, Your Excellency? It is the right thing to do to convict and imprison them immediately!"

"Be bold!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the guards behind Guo Yi's face darkened and they angrily rebuked him: "Are you trying to teach us adults how to behave?"

Zhou Sheng choked.

The prefect, who was watching with trepidation, also said, "You may step back!"

Zhou Sheng nearly fainted!

He turned around and saw five people in front of him. These five people had been with him for at least a decade or more. In the past, he had to feed and care for them. But now, these scoundrels had sold out their master without him spending a single penny!
"You heartless bastards, what use are you to me!"

He kicked out, but Guo Yi's guard reacted quickly and kicked him over first!

“To roar in court in front of the Imperial Envoy, what is the punishment?!” Zhou Sheng immediately fell on his backside.

He Qu continued, "Reporting to Your Excellency, what I was about to say was that we encountered servants from the Zhou family. According to them, Zhou Sheng has been secretly watching you ever since you came to Tan. Your Excellency, Zhou Sheng harbors ill intentions and evil intentions. Please investigate thoroughly!"

The prefect's face had turned ashen!

As an official under the jurisdiction of Tanzhou Prefecture, Zhou Sheng's every crime could implicate him. Tonight, he was accused of opening the floodgates and destroying fertile fields, and the evidence already indicated that he was guilty of a capital offense!

Not to mention he even dared to secretly spy on the imperial envoy—that's adding insult to injury! Isn't this just deliberately trying to get him fired?

What deep-seated hatred does this guy surnamed Zhou have against me?!

He stood up, his voice trembling: "Zhou Sheng! Is what he said true?..."

"My lord, I have witnesses!" He Qu didn't want to give Zhou Sheng a chance to talk nonsense. "The witnesses are right outside the yamen. I beg you to summon them!"

Guo Yi slammed his fist on the table: "Send it!"

The witness was brought in as they were talking. He was a guard-like man, along with two old women. The three of them immediately knelt down on the ground!

Upon seeing these people, the prefect's dark face turned ashen. In this Tanzhou Prefecture, it was essential to maintain good relationships with one's colleagues. Over the years, he had visited the Zhou family countless times.
He recognized all the people kneeling below!

So the entire Zhou family came here today to testify for the people of Shawan?!
"You...you're saying Zhou Sheng really sent people to spy on the Imperial Envoy?"

"This humble servant dares not lie..."

The prefect was about to faint.

Zhou Sheng is going to be paralyzed!
"Zhou Sheng!" Guo Yi was no longer "Brother Guo" at this moment. He glared at him with a face ashen with anger. "I am here on the Emperor's orders to inspect the area. Where did you get the audacity to follow me? And why are you following me?!"

"Your Honor!" Zhou Sheng knelt down, "I'm innocent!..."

Guo Yi sneered: "Today, all those who exposed you are your own people. What grievances do you have? If you have anything to say, wait until the imperial edict for your immediate execution comes down!"

After saying that, he turned to the prefect and asked, "What is your opinion, sir?"

The prefect immediately rose and bowed deeply: "Your Excellency is extremely wise! This humble official has absolutely no objection!"

Guo Yi then coldly snatched the gavel: "Take him away!"

"grown ups!"

Zhou Sheng lunged forward and grabbed his robe, his voice low and filled with clenched teeth as he said, "Are you really going to arrest me? Then I advise you to think it over! Your Guo family is only a minor official, with no real power. Are you sure you can fight city hall?!"

Guo Yi pursed her lips and looked at him for a long time: "It's difficult for me to address you like that, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Sheng was about to speak again when Guo Yi squatted down, looked deeply at him, and patted his chest: "Compared to the small Shawan, of course the future is more important. Don't panic, I'll have someone take you down first, and I promise you won't suffer, Brother Zhou."

Zhou Sheng stared into his eyes, and only after a moment did he release his grip.

(End of this chapter)