Promise!

Chapter 162, Watching the Show

Throughout the afternoon, Zhuang Jin's place was bustling with visitors, and the evening banquet was even more lively.

Everything proceeded smoothly and efficiently. On one hand, the Shen family's General Affairs Department sent various personnel; on the other hand, it was thanks to Chen Yun that all the affairs were arranged in an orderly manner, truly making her a virtuous and capable wife.

As for Zhuang Jin's specific feelings about this grand banquet, he felt extremely glamorous, but also exhausted. At this level, not everyone is a shrewd person, but there are no fools either; everyone has to choose their words carefully...

He really didn't like these kinds of social engagements.

The grand feast finally ended around midnight.

Inside the main hall, the other enshrined figures left one after another, but two enshrined figures remained behind: Fu Shousong and Qiu Yizhi, both blue-robed enshrined figures, one at the third level of cultivation and the other at the first level of cultivation.

Zhuang Jin remembered these two people; among all the offerings, their gifts were particularly generous.

Qiu Yizhi went straight to the point: "Master Zhuang, although we've never really crossed paths, we're practically old acquaintances... Master Zhuang spent the first half of the year in the east of the city, and we have a tacit understanding... I won't beat around the bush, I'm here to discuss cooperation..."

"What does Master Qiu mean by that? I don't quite understand." Some things can be done but not said, and Zhuang Jin wouldn't leave any room for gossip.

"It was Master Qiu who misspoke."

Fu Shousong, with his kind and gentle appearance, first apologized, then said, "What Master Qiu meant was that Master Zhuang was recuperating in the east of the city earlier this year, and we got along very well... Master Zhuang even helped us capture the Flying Rat Thief, so we owe him a favor..."

That's a clever way of putting it; it's like forcibly owing someone a favor, showing weakness while simultaneously establishing a connection.

"I wouldn't dare say that, I don't deserve it..." Zhuang Jin glanced at the two people, one direct and the other tactful. It wasn't exactly a combination of soft and hard tactics, but rather a consistent approach, working together.

He understood their identities and guessed their general purpose, then waited for them to speak.

Fu Shousong spoke of the current situation in the east of the city: "After Zhuang Gongfeng left the east of the city, Pang Shusheng, the martial arts master, took over... Due to some misunderstandings, some people below mistakenly believed that he was a spy for the Medicine King Gang and killed him by mistake..."

As he spoke, he glanced at Qiu Yizhi. Pang Shusheng was a man who was impervious to reason and threats. Back then, he had also investigated the other party's nephews and nieces. This old friend had rashly made arrangements to directly label this man as a spy for the Medicine King Gang and kill him in the neighborhood... He had acted too hastily and crudely, putting them in a very passive position.

Fu Shousong's assessment of his old friend can only be described as: ruthless and vicious, but lacking in resourcefulness and adaptability.

"In recent months, there has been unrest in the east of the city. The first to third, and fourth to sixth-rank officials below have all been investigated... and exiled to the south of the city..."

Zhuang Jin nodded upon hearing this, confirming that it was indeed the case. When he was the garrison commander of the southern part of the city, he often saw middle and lower-level martial artists from the eastern part of the city being transferred there.

"Now, the Enforcement Department and the General Affairs Department are fixated on this matter and want to escalate the situation, investigating even those at the level of Ward and Town Guards above the Seventh Rank. How can this be allowed?"

Fu Shousong realized that he needed to put on a show in front of Zhuang Jin, and that he had somewhat misspoke. He coughed twice to try and cover up his mistake, saying, "Ahem, what I meant was, with the Medicine King Gang facing a formidable enemy, wouldn't attacking the middle and upper echelons cause widespread panic? This matter will likely be discussed at tomorrow's high-level meeting, and usually, such matters are voted on..."

"I'll be frank: during the vote, I would like to ask Master Zhuang to support us and let this matter rest."

Qiu Yizhi, having received a meaningful glance, stated his purpose directly, and then revealed his reward: "For this, we can go out of the east of the city... half a share. Don't underestimate Zhuang Gongfeng. Even though it's only half a share, it's worth at least tens of thousands of taels of silver a year!"

"Over ten thousand taels a year? That's quite a lot!"

Zhuang Jin sighed, but politely declined: "I am new to the Meridian Opening stage, and my voice carries little weight. I do not wish to get involved in such matters... Please forgive me."

Putting aside Shen Xianhong's pound of Yunyin tea and his relationship with the Eighth Young Master Shen Xuchen, even without these things, he wouldn't get involved.

The reason is simple: they believe that the group of rats in the east of the city has no future. In martial arts, strength is paramount. The patriarch, Shen Xianhong, is a Xiantian (innate) master. How many Xiantian masters does this group of rats in the east of the city have?

These two weren't entirely unaware of the situation, but they were too deeply involved and had no choice in the matter. They could only hope to use overt rules to restrain Shen Xianhong...

In Zhuang Jin's view, this was utterly ridiculous. As long as Shen Xianhong made up his mind, all these people's attempts to stop him were futile. "Does Master Zhuang think that money is useless at our level?"

"To be honest, Master Zhuang, we have channels in the state capital to obtain many high-end resources, such as: the meat and tendon paste of exotic beasts corresponding to the Meridian Opening level and Tendon Changing realm; the meat and bones of exotic beasts corresponding to the Fetal Breathing realm and Bone Forging realm; earth-grade exotic beast hides and armor; and also: secret techniques and special prescriptions that, although not as effective as the Meridian Opening Pill, can be effective in breaking through the bottleneck of the Meridian Opening realm..."

“These things are indeed good, but I’ve known since I was little that you have to pay as much as you receive… I’m a timid person…”

Zhuang Jin declined again.

The other party's offer is high, but a high offer means more investment and greater risk... If the other party weren't going through a tough time, would they go to such lengths to win him over?

"Getting involved in something like this, even if I'm now at the level of a revered elder, and things don't go smoothly, I'll inevitably end up humiliated, and my relationship with the family head, Shen Xianhong, and the eighth young master, Shen Xuchen, will break down, causing me to lose their trust."

'Besides, these things aren't actually that useful to me... I don't have any bottlenecks, and I don't have much need for so-called high-end resources, not before, and not now!'

Finally, there is a very subtle point: Zhuang Jin doesn't like this group of rats in the east of the city. He finds them dirty. Although he won't do the same for everyone as Pang Shusheng, he doesn't want to get involved or go along with their corrupt practices.

'Unfortunately... the timing wasn't right!'

Fu Shousong sighed inwardly. Zhuang Jin had just broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm and was full of vigor and pride. If he were like some of the other elders, stuck at a bottleneck and unable to break through no matter what, the probability of success would be much higher.

Seeing that Qiu Yizhi was about to say something more, he raised his hand to stop him. Even if the deal fell through, they could still be on good terms and there was no need to ruin the relationship.

Afterwards, Zhuang Jin said he would return the gifts to the two people, but they refused to accept them, saying, "These are congratulatory gifts, how can we take them back?"... The gifts were slightly more than others, but they weren't really outrageous. As long as they could leave a good impression on Zhuang Jin and remain neutral in tomorrow's vote, they would have made a great profit.

……

After Fu Shousong and Qiu Yizhi left, Zhuang Jin breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and sat back down in her chair, gently rubbing her temples. Dealing with this group of people was indeed mentally taxing.

Chen Yun brought in a bowl of hangover soup, put it down, and massaged Zhuang Jin's shoulders: "Husband, are you tired? All this scheming and backstabbing is really annoying!"

"Yunniang handled everything well today, both inside and outside the house, showing the demeanor of a matriarch. She's no less capable than I am!"

Zhuang Jin joked, pulling Chen Yun to sit down next to him. The couple sat side by side, their eyes meeting, a tender warmth flowing between them.

Today, as we came to register for our promotions, the moment we reunited, my heart was filled with overwhelming excitement and joy, like a flood bursting its banks. For a moment, we were speechless, holding hands and exchanging glances, as if we had countless things to say...

After that, various things happened: guests arrived, grand banquets were held... The two spent less time together in the past month or two, but they did not become estranged. They cooperated well and entertained the guests. At this time, everyone else left, and time finally belonged to the couple.

At this moment, snowflakes were still falling outside, and the bright white snow reflected the light of the red lanterns, bringing a festive atmosphere. The wind howled from time to time, rushing past the window.

In this environment, the two of them were unusually relaxed and at ease. They fed each other a bowl of hangover soup until they finished it.

After eating, Zhuang Jin suggested they wash up together and go to bed early, as they needed to get up early tomorrow.

Chen Yun blushed slightly upon hearing this and gently slapped him.

Heaven help me, Zhuang Jin really didn't have any improper thoughts just now. He was thinking that the family head, Shen Xianhong, had advised him to listen more and speak less. Tonight, Fu Shousong and Qiu Yizhi came to win him over and wanted him to support them in the vote. Tomorrow was his first time attending a small meeting of high-level officials, which he thought would be very lively and interesting!
However, this was none of his business; he could simply watch from the sidelines. This kind of spectator-like enjoyment actually made him look forward to it.

Well, we can put that expectation aside for now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tonight… Zhuang Jin picked up Chen Yun…

Silent all night.

……

(End of this chapter)