Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

The room fell silent as everyone looked at each other, silently wondering whose student this was!

Even if someone is the top scholar in the imperial examination, it's impossible for them to wear the crimson robe in less than three years without the protection of a high-ranking official (rank three or above)!

When Sheng Hong saw that Zhou Ning dared to impeach the Prime Minister for his improper conduct before the Emperor, he began to worry that he had spent too much time with him that morning and whether anyone had noticed.

The old emperor pointed at Han Zhang and laughed, "You want to impeach him?"

Zhou Ning said loudly, "Your Majesty! Although this official has not yet seriously disrupted the order of the court assembly, I was indeed making a report when I was forcibly interrupted. Even if he is the current prime minister, such behavior should be recorded by the official in charge of etiquette according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The old emperor laughed heartily, so much so that he coughed!

Han Zhang said, "As for the locust plague, I've already said it's unlikely to amount to anything. There are priorities, and I won't hold it against you!"

So he really was the prime minister!

But so what?

The worst thing a stubborn person can do is to be stubborn halfway. Do you think that if you back down, the other person won't hold it against you anymore?

The benevolent old emperor is still alive, and Grand Tutor Yu has not yet returned to his hometown. As long as I am in the right, I have nothing to fear!

Zhou Ning said, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the harvest of hundreds of thousands of people in Zhejiang, yet the Prime Minister dismisses it with a mere 'it's not going to amount to anything.' This is a minor matter; if public resentment rises and anger becomes uncontrollable, who will take responsibility? I believe that those in high positions who achieve nothing are committing a grave fault, deserving dismissal without even violating ordinary criminal law. I impeach the Prime Minister for usurping his position without merit..."

Be brave!

Whose subordinate is this!

The old emperor was pleased and said protectively, "You may return to your ranks now; this matter can be discussed later!"

Zhou Ning bowed and returned to the ranks.

Han Zhang suppressed his anger and said, "Your Majesty! All things in nature have branches and segments; where do they come from? They are nothing more than reproduction and inheritance..."

"Shut up!" The old emperor didn't want to listen.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! We beg Your Majesty to examine the character of the imperial family members and select one from among them as the heir!" Another old official in purple robes stepped forward and knelt down.

The ministers all knelt down!

Zhou Ning had no choice but to kneel down as well, adaptable and flexible.

Previously, there was a reasonable basis for the argument, and with Grand Tutor Yu backing them up, they were willing to be assertive. As long as the old emperor was happy, it wouldn't be a big deal.

But if you don't conform at this time, you'll offend more than just the prime minister.

These were officials who had already sided with the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan, as well as the two princes themselves, and loyal ministers and high-ranking officials who hoped that His Majesty would establish an heir as soon as possible!

"You bastard!" the old emperor roared!

......

The Yu family residence!

Yu Yanran stepped forward, bowed, and inquired about the well-being of the two elders.

"Quickly, come closer! Let Grandma take a good look at you," Grandma Yu called out.

"Did he go to court?" Grand Tutor Yu asked.

"Grandfather, the Master asked me to apologize on his behalf, saying that he will definitely come to pay his respects after court," Yu Yanran said.

Grand Tutor Yu laughed and said, "He's been promoted really fast. He's doing a good job in Tianchang County."

Yu Yanran said gratefully, "It's all thanks to my grandfather's help that my husband was able to return to the capital so soon."

"That's true and false. All I can do is ensure that his achievements are not claimed by others and that they reach the ears of the officials as much as possible. If he hadn't been so capable and had such outstanding achievements, I would have been powerless to help him! Otherwise, your scoundrel father wouldn't still only be a fifth-rank official!" said Grand Tutor Yu.

Yu Yanran was very happy. Her father was only a fifth-rank official, and his visit today had made her proud. Her third sister, Yan Hong, was extremely envious!

"Yanran, is there still no sign of pregnancy in your belly?" Grandma Yu asked with concern.

Yu Yanran nodded and said, "My husband always tells me not to be impatient, that it will happen sooner or later. But it has been two and a half years, and I am truly anxious."

"Does he really treat you the same as always? In your letter you only said that he took a concubine, and you always only reported good news and not bad news. I want to hear you say it to my face," said Old Madam Yu.

Yu Yanran replied truthfully, "Grandmother, please rest assured. Although my husband has taken a concubine, she is quite sensible and has never tried to seduce me. My husband treats me as always, and we have been a loving and happy couple for the past two years. It is only because I cannot bear him any children that I feel ashamed before the Zhou family."

Old Mrs. Yu asked, "That concubine, is she not pregnant?"

Yu Yanran said, "I won't see her, otherwise how could my granddaughter sit still?"

"Come on, Grandma will take you to the Sheng family now and ask my elder sister to ask Old Madam He for help," said Old Madam Yu.

Grand Tutor Yu knew that having offspring was a matter of great importance, so he allowed the grandfather and grandson to go to the Sheng family, called a carriage, and prepared to personally pick up Zhou Ning after court.

This was Zhou Ning's first time attending court, so he had to stand up and let others take care of him because of his background as a top-ranking upright official (Grand Tutor of the First Rank and former Grand Secretary of the Cabinet).

This was also the last bit of energy the old Grand Tutor had before returning to his hometown to retire!

......

The Sheng Mansion!

Shouantang!

Yu Yanran greeted Old Madam Sheng and then she and Minglan sat on either side of her.

"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Yu asked.

Grandma Sheng smiled and said, "Thanks to you."

"Old sister, you must help me with what I told you before!" said Mrs. Yu.

Grandma Sheng said, "Minglan, it's been many years since you last saw each other. Take Yanran down for a walk; there's no need to serve her here."

The two old ladies wanted to have a private conversation!

Minglan smiled and pulled Yu Yanran away. She was overjoyed that her best friend was returning to the capital.

"Yanran, it's been so many years, you haven't changed at all!" Minglan hugged her outside the courtyard.

"Minglan, you've become even more beautiful!" Yu Yanran said sincerely.

Sixteen-year-old Sheng Minglan was so beautiful that she was astonished!

Minglan laughed and said, "So what? I'm just the daughter of a fifth-rank official, and people always look down on me. Unlike Sister Yanran, who married a wonderful husband."

"Don't say that. Come on, let's go to your room to talk. I brought you a gift," Yu Yanran said.

Minglan was delighted to see the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" embroidery, which symbolized good fortune and smooth sailing for her. She planned to personally cook roasted mutton and use a charcoal grill to entertain her best friend.

Yu Yanran sent Xiaoqing and Xiaotao outside so she could have a private conversation with Minglan.

"Minglan, how are things between you and the young master?" Yu Yanran asked curiously.

"Shh! How can you say such things? I have already accepted Princess Pingning's pearl and recognized him as my brother..." Minglan said sadly.

Yu Yanran sighed, "So what are your plans? Hasn't the old lady tried anything else?"

Minglan didn't hide anything from Yu Yanran, saying, "Grandmother chose a young man from the He family for me. He has excellent medical skills, a gentle and humble personality, and he has taken care of my health before. He cares about me quite a bit."

"The He family, is that the old lady He who treated my health?" Yu Yanran asked.

Minglan nodded; he was satisfied with He Hongwen.

"Alright, but do you want to reconsider what I mentioned to you?" Yu Yanran said.

Minglan knew what she was talking about, hesitated for a few moments, and then shook her head.

"You'll have a child eventually, don't worry."

The two of them had lunch.

Zhou Ning has finished his court session!

As he walked out of the Meridian Gate, he saw Grand Tutor Yu exchanging greetings with a high-ranking official in purple robes. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Grandfather, I am on my way to pay you a visit!"

Grand Tutor Yu smiled and said, "I've come to pick you up. Get in my carriage."

Zhou Ning stepped forward to help him into the carriage, and then got in himself.

Most of the officials witnessed this scene, and many remembered Zhou Ning.

When Chancellor Han Zhang saw that Zhou Ning was a junior of Grand Tutor Yu, the unpleasantness of the day was completely put aside.

Although the Grand Tutor has retired, his former students and officials are still around. His background as a top-tier scholar is not to be underestimated!

"Thank you so much, Grandfather, for your support. Your son-in-law is deeply grateful!"

......