Chapter 1637: Chapter 1637: Very Familiar?
Zhou Shuren quickly assessed the situation ahead. The two ships were docked close together, seemingly trading something. It was obvious—smuggling never truly ceased.
Zhou Shuren put down the binoculars, "Retired Emperor, your thought?"
The Retired Emperor turned to look at the Navy ships a distance away, itching with eagerness, "Shall we make a move?"
Zhou Shuren, "What?"
The Retired Emperor was excited, "Smuggling ahead! See the size of those ships? Confiscate them and sell—it’s worth quite a lot of Silver! Aren’t you always complaining the Ministry of Revenue has no Silver? There it is, right in front of you!"
Zhou Shuren, "..."
He did complain about the lack of Silver all the time—it was a deliberate plan to spend Silver, for in truth, the national treasury had Silver!
The Retired Emperor signaled to set sail; as soon as their ship started moving, the Navy would follow, "Joining you brings fortune."
Zhou Shuren, "Retired Emperor, a direct approach would be risky."
The Retired Emperor, "With me here."
Zhou Shuren, "!!"
He just wanted some time off—how hard could a vacation be!
The Navy behind saw the flag signals and quickly caught up. Zhou Shuren’s expression was now stoic; the smuggling ships ahead attempted to scatter.
The Navy aimed their cannons and fired a warning shot, then pursued.
Zhou Shuren stroked his chin, "Still slow."
The Retired Emperor, caught up in his excitement, asked, "Slow, how?"
"I meant the speed of the ships."
The Retired Emperor laughed it off, "The Imperial court’s fleet is state-of-the-art."
Spies constantly attempt to steal blueprints from shipyards; no one knows how many have been captured!
Zhou Shuren felt his wife’s reassuring grip on his hand and smiled, taking things slowly; he wasn’t rushing.
Unnoticed by the Retired Emperor, all his focus was on the smuggling ships. The Navy soon controlled two smuggling vessels, "Let’s get on board."
Once aboard, the Retired Emperor fearless and boarded the smuggling ship with unfinished trades of live goods.
Zhou Shuren also boarded, calculating the worth of these live goods in Silver Coin as the Minister of Revenue.
Upon inspection, the Retired Emperor claimed, "Mostly grains."
Zhou Shuren picked up a handful of rice, "Last year’s fresh crop."
The Retired Emperor, "We need a thorough investigation."
Zhou Shuren chuckled lightly, "Indeed, a thorough investigation—how could they dare trade in daylight without protection."
The Retired Emperor’s face turned serious, scrutinizing the Navy, "Investigate upon return."
Zhou Shuren nodded, "It definitely requires a careful examination."
The Retired Emperor said somberly, "You and I will return together."
Zhou Shuren, "... This is too much."
The Retired Emperor, "Hmm?"
Zhou Shuren hung his head, "I’ve been guarding the Ministry of Revenue for the Imperial court, haven’t properly rested for years, might not have another chance, alas."
The Retired Emperor knew Zhou Shuren was faking it, "Forget it, I shall return."
Zhou Shuren resisted the urge to smile, "Hard work, Retired Emperor."
The Retired Emperor grunted, then departed while the Empress Dowager stayed.
Zhulan watched the departing ships, uttering disapproval inwardly—the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor must be having a spat!
Empress Dowager was accompanied by Lin Xi, leaving Zhou Shuren and his wife undisturbed. They adapted to life on board over several days, slept well at night, fished by day, and explored islands. After a total of over ten days vacation, they prepared to return without straying far.
In the capital, the Gu family hosted a wedding feast for Gu Yan, whose marriage was rushed due to his age. Gu Sheng helped welcome guests, though there weren’t many—just neighbors and acquaintances.
Gu Sheng, hearing a report from a young servant, was momentarily stunned, then stepped out to the alley entrance and saw the Hou Residence’s carriage.
The carriage curtain parted, and Yu Wen handed over two gifts, "Uncle is not in the capital; these are his gifts."
Gu Sheng observed that Magistrate Anhe was well-suited for red, dressed in a red skirt today, averting his gaze, "I wasn’t aware Mr. Zhou was out of the capital."
If he had known, he would surely not have sent the invitation.
Yu Wen didn’t respond; instead, she said, "Having delivered the gift, I won’t bother Mr. Gu further."
Gu Sheng dumbfoundedly watched the Hou Residence’s carriage depart, looked at the gifts in his hand, and realized something was wrong—not supposed to be two!
"Gu Sheng."
Gu Sheng turned to see Ji Deming approaching, "What are you doing here?"
Ji Deming smiled, "Heard your elder brother is getting married, so from the same province, came for a drink at the wedding."
Gu Sheng had witnessed Ji Deming’s audacity, "Please leave."
Ignoring this, Ji Deming studied Gu Sheng intently, "Was that Magistrate Anhe earlier? Are you close with the Magistrate?"
Gu Sheng’s face darkened, "Shut up."
Ji Deming, his eyes betraying envy, mockingly remarked, "No wonder you declined the marriage; turns out you disdain the Mr. Guan’s daughter and set your sights on Magistrate Anhe. Thought you were upright, huh."
Gu Sheng glared angrily, "I’m not as sleazy as you. You’re not welcome here."
Saying this, Gu Sheng turned and left.
Ji Deming’s face grew dark—his concerns were with Marquis Zhou’s stance, and indeed, he had already offended Gu Sheng!
The next day at Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi felt Zhuo Guyu’s scrutiny, his face cold, "Is there an issue?"
Zhuo Guyu was burning inside; last night, he heard the news that Marquis Zhou had favored Gu Sheng over him. Though hard to believe, he couldn’t help sizing him up.
Chang Zhi’s gaze cooled further; being low-key at Hanlin Academy didn’t mean he had a good temper—especially toward those scheming against his daughter, "Move aside."
Zhuo Guyu pursed his lips and took a step back; Chang Zhi, his face grim, exited, heading to the Palace today.
Zhuo Guyu returned to his room, glaring coldly at Gu Sheng, "You haven’t been to the Palace yet."
Gu Sheng didn’t understand Zhuo Guyu’s madness, "So?"
Zhuo Guyu couldn’t see the envy in Gu Sheng’s eyes—it felt like punching a soft pillow, a suffocating sensation. Without a word, he left.
Gu Sheng truly didn’t envy Zhuo Guyu; he was aware of his own background and remained composed.
In the Palace, the Emperor was reviewing his father’s investigation results, thinking it’s high time to scrutinize the Navy’s honors.
Chang Zhi entered; the Emperor remarked with a smile, "Time flies; Marquis Zhou has been out of the capital for eight days."
Chang Zhi felt pleased—a lack of stability without his father at home, "In seven days, Father shall return."
The Emperor gestured for Chang Zhi to sit; after some chit-chat, the Emperor casually inquired, "Third-rank Scholar, what’s your opinion?"
Chang Zhi’s heart skipped, suspecting the Emperor knew of his daughter’s interest in the Third-rank Scholar, "Pretty good?"
The Emperor gazed quizzically, "You’re unsure too?"
Chang Zhi realized his mistake—a false alarm; the Emperor was merely asking about Gu Sheng, "In my eyes, the Third-rank Scholar is calculated and composed."
The Emperor wondered why he frequently met the top scorer and Zhuo Guyu, yet rarely saw Gu Sheng; it wasn’t from lacking regard for Gu Sheng. Quite the opposite—he found Gu Sheng promising, hence wanted to test him, "Asked the top scorer and second-place scholar their views of the Third-rank Scholar."
Chang Zhi thought—the top scorer was slick, likely gave diplomatic answers to offend no one; Zhuo Guyu wasn’t stupid, thus wouldn’t sabotage. Did the Emperor not know about Zhuo Guyu suppressing Gu Sheng? Yet the Emperor knew.