Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"My lord." The pageboy Hesheng approached and presented a letter.

[On the fifth day of the fifth month of the first year of the Xifeng reign, at the hour of You (5-7 PM), I, Jin Zhan, will stay at my humble abode and have a simple meal with Jiang, Sheng, and Wang's former students and officials. I also hope that my grandson-in-law will be present and not be absent.]

We are delighted to announce the family reunion, a joyous occasion for family reunions and to ease our long-standing longing.

Respectfully submitted by Madam Wang, of the Wang family of Lanxi, Wuzhou.

The task must be completed thoroughly, without any omissions!

Jiang Zhao was taken aback, blinked repeatedly, and continued to read it carefully once more.

In this day and age, does anyone still dare to talk to him like that?

furious!

Instantly, Jiang Zhao's expression turned cold.

"Burn it."

Old Mrs. Wang really is used to being a local tyrant.

Even if Grand Tutor Wang were alive, he wouldn't dare to act so arrogantly because of his age!

Chapter 220 Grand Tutor Wang: The Imperial Ancestral Temple is in grave danger!

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month, at Shenshi (3 PM).

Outside Donghua Gate, the Prince's Mansion.

The red lacquered copper rings and the central gate are wide open.

Wang Shiping and his wife, Lady Lü, dressed in brocade robes and jade belts or adorned with kingfisher feather hairpins, stood at the gate with their hands hanging down.

"What time is it?"

Wang Shiping paced back and forth, frowning as he asked.

I've been standing at the gate for a whole incense stick's time, but not a single person has come to visit. Something's not right, is it?

“One quarter past Shen time,” the servant replied.

"My lord, please don't be anxious." Madam Lü said softly, holding a brocade handkerchief. "Right now, I reckon all the civil and military officials have left their offices, so it's perfectly normal that no one is coming to visit."

As the saying goes, one should work at sunrise and rest at sunset, and the Shenshi (3-5 PM) is the regular time for officials to leave office.

This is why small gatherings and parties are often held at the hour of You (5-7 PM).

After the court session ended, we had a drink for an hour, and just as dusk was falling, we took a carriage back to our residence.

Of course, if there is an occasional busy schedule, the time may be appropriately postponed.

“What you say makes sense,” Wang Shiping said thoughtfully, then nodded.

The sound of light footsteps rose and fell intermittently.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

"What time is it?" Wang Shiping asked, his hands behind his back and his brows furrowed.

The journey from the yamen to Donghua Gate should be long enough, right?

Why is no one coming to the door yet?

"The second quarter of Shen time," the servant replied.

"Don't worry!" Madam Lü comforted her.

Wang Shiping nodded.

The sound of light, steady footsteps could be heard.

Another stick of incense.

"What time is it?" A hint of irritation appeared in Wang Shiping's eyes.

For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

"At three quarters past Shen time," the servant replied.

Lady Lü said gently, "Right now, everyone is talking about the Empress's deposition. Perhaps they're too busy with state affairs to talk about it?"

Wang Shiping nodded.

The sound of pacing grew louder and louder.

A moment later, Wang Shiping asked anxiously, "What time is it?"

"It's Shen Shi Zheng (3-5 PM)." the servant whispered.

"It's already late afternoon, why is no one coming to the door?" Wang Shiping felt a sudden unease and couldn't help but ask.

Lady Lü frowned slightly, but instead of comforting her husband, she looked up and gazed into the distance.

It was late afternoon, and no one had yet come to the door.

Something's definitely not right here!

It should be noted that the time for the drink specified on the invitation was the hour of You (5-7 PM).

It is Shen Shi Zheng, which is only four quarters of an hour away from You Shi.

The key point is, shouldn't you always arrive a little early for a visit?

According to common sense, at least 60-70% of the guests should arrive between 3 PM and 5 PM.

The remaining guests who arrived around 5 or 6 PM were either from distant government offices or had some mundane affairs that delayed them.

The time around 7 or 8 pm is usually the grand finale, when the most powerful and influential guests arrive.

Given the Wang family's social standing, the only guests who could truly be considered powerful and influential were Grand Secretary Jiang and Marquis Ningyuan.

However, even though it was already late afternoon, no one came to the door.

Even his brother-in-law, Sheng Hong, never visited.

It is only natural that Grand Secretary Jiang is busy with official duties.

But surely the remaining fifth-rank, sixth-rank, and even seventh-rank minor officials shouldn't be so busy with administrative affairs?

Especially Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Tingye, who is a military general.

How can a military general be said to be busy with administrative affairs?

Something is wrong!

"My lord, please don't be anxious."

After gazing into the distance for a few moments, despite her inner turmoil, Madam Lü reassured her, "Perhaps something really has delayed us?"

"Shut up!"

Just then, a five-foot pear wood carriage drove by, and the driver pulled it to a smooth stop.

Wang Shiping and his wife, Madam Lü, exchanged a glance, secretly relieved, and quickly took a few steps forward.

However, there was no one else on the carriage.

The coachman took out several invitations, bowed, and said, "Gentlemen, you have been delayed by other matters and may not be able to attend. We hope Lord Wang will understand."

After speaking, he presented the invitation, and the driver took the reins and cracked the whip.

"drive!"

Several resignation letters were presented at once?

Wang Shiping had a bad feeling and quickly opened it.

My legs and feet are aching; please forgive me.

[My old illness has relapsed, which may disrupt our gathering.]

I am delighted by your invitation to drink, but due to worldly affairs, I cannot attend. Please forgive me.

A letter of resignation, a reason.

Without exception, they were all very polite.

However, I simply didn't have time to visit for a drink, so I had to break my promise.

One of them was even a letter of resignation from his brother-in-law, Sheng Hong.

Wang Shiping trembled and almost lost his balance.

It should be noted that the Wang family only had twenty or thirty students in the capital.

At this point, a total of six letters of resignation were presented!

The key point is that it was presented by a single servant, not six.

Something is going to happen!

"drive!"

A whip cracked, and a man rode by, pulling out several invitations: "I am Shi Tou, and I have come by order of the Marquis to present my resignation. I hope Lord Wang will forgive me."

After receiving several letters of resignation, Wang Shiping nodded with a stern face.

The sheer number of poems and essays I encountered was enough to send a chill down my spine.

At this moment, he even found it difficult to manage a polite smile.

Stone clasped his hands in a salute, then rode off on his horse, brandishing his whip.

"drive!"

"You can take it apart," Wang Shiping said weakly to his wife.

Lady Lü opened the letter of resignation.

No time today.

[Lately, I've been overwhelmed with mundane affairs and haven't been able to spare the time.]

[Due to a chronic illness, it is truly difficult for me to attend.]

Five letters of resignation were received, one from Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Tingye, and another from Cai Jing.

The remaining three were invitations from former students and officials.

"Why is that?"

Lu's eyes were slightly red, and her jaw trembled slightly.

A banquet was arranged and invitations were sent out, but no one attended.

If this gets out, the Wang family will be utterly disgraced!

"Jiang Zichuan's work," Wang Shiping said with difficulty, his eyes cloudy.

"Why is Grand Secretary Jiang acting this way?" Lady Lü asked, her eyes slightly moist.

It should be noted that Grand Secretary Jiang has supported a considerable number of people.

Since he's willing to let his subordinates take the lead, he's definitely not a narrow-minded person.

Why would someone like that set a trap to humiliate the Wang family?

Her husband, Wang Shiping, was only a third-rank military officer. Was he really qualified to be targeted by Grand Secretary Jiang?

"I reckon it's to suppress the Wang family," Wang Shiping said with a sullen face.

So far, no one has come to attend the meeting. This silent pressure has truly plunged his spirits to rock bottom.

They didn't even have the desire to speak.

“Suppression?” Madam Lü was taken aback, then shook her head and said, “Grand Secretary Jiang would never have any reason to suppress the Wang family!”

"Otherwise, how could you have been promoted to the capital?"

Such a person could easily suppress a high-ranking official with a single stroke of the pen.

Allowing the Wang family to enter the capital and then suppressing them would be superfluous.

Besides, they're relatives!

If it weren't for the interference of the Kang Wang family, given that person's personality, he might have even taken care of the Wang family.