Chapter 403

Xu Boyi found it hard to endure the days of waiting. He had already used his trump card, but it would still take some time for it to really take effect. As for whether it would work, he wasn't worried. Although he wasn't close to the emperor and didn't understand this young emperor, he understood a person's mentality.

There was no one who didn't want to make a name for themselves. To the Son of Heaven, he was rich. Power, status, wealth, and glory were all within his reach. The only thing he longed for was to make a name for himself in history. How could an Emperor who had just taken over the government not be tempted by the merits of education?

But before he received the emperor's reply, he could only sit there and watch Ye Xiaotian's pride and the others' criticism. Of course, he wasn't in a good mood. Although Wang Ning was in the same situation as him, he was much calmer.

Register Wang was similar to Hua Qingfeng in one way: he was never willing to stand at the front. However, Hua Qingfeng didn't want to stand at the front because he was afraid of taking responsibility. As an official, if he didn't stand at the front, the only result would be him being a figurehead.

Wang Ning, on the other hand, was different. He was born to be an advisor. Even if he didn't stand at the front, it didn't mean he wouldn't do anything. He was ranked third in Hulu County, so it was normal for him not to stand at the front. Therefore, in the most glorious days, the glory was taken by Xu Boyi. At this time, all kinds of pressure had to be borne by Xu Boyi.

Register Wang watched coldly from the side. When Xu Boyi made a move, he was brutally suppressed by Ye Xiaotian. After that, there was no more sound. Wang Ning had to consider his own situation if Xu Boyi fell. He had already stepped on the Tian Clan's boat. It was impossible to get off. Whether he was willing or not, he had to continue walking this path.

But now that Ye Xiaotian had the upper hand, he would not take the initiative to challenge Ye Xiaotian when he was in the limelight. Thus, he, who was "resting at home", could only continue to rest. He would not admit defeat. He would patiently lie low and wait for Ye Xiaotian to make a mistake.

At this time, Jiu Gao and Jiu Dang arrived at the Ye mansion.

If Jiu Gao and Jiu Dang didn't mention them, Ye Xiaotian would've completely forgotten about them. They were Zhan Ning 'er's personal guards. Their martial arts were better than Zhan Ning' er's. When Zhan Ning 'er first met Ye Xiaotian, she brought them with her.

When Zhan Ning 'er was invited to Hongfeng Lake by Xia Yingying, she didn't bring them with her. Later, Zhan Ning' er helped Xia Yingying run away to Jinling to find Ye Xiaotian, so she didn't have the chance to contact them.

The Zhan family could allow Zhan Ning 'er to travel around the world, but they were worried that she wouldn't even bring a follower with her. This made things difficult for Ninth High and Ninth Dang. They found Gourd County from Red Maple Lake, then chased from Gourd County to Jinling. By the time they reached Jinling, Zhan Ning' er had already returned to Gourd County from Jinling. The two had no choice but to rush back from Jinling.

They had to rush back from Jinling. They were ordered by Zhan Ning 'er's mother to find the eldest miss. The Zhan family's head, who was also Zhan Ning' er's uncle, Zhan Yichen's fiftieth birthday was approaching. At such an important moment, the Zhan family naturally had to be present. Although there was still more than a month before the birthday, for such a big family, it wasn't an exaggeration to prepare for the birthday at the beginning of the year. If they waited until the birthday was near before Zhan Ning 'er returned, it would be too disrespectful to the elders.

"Brother Xiaotian, I really don't want to go …" Zhan Ning 'er looked at Ye Xiaotian pitifully. A girl who wouldn't easily show weakness, once she showed weakness, that little look would really make a man's heart ache to death.

Ye Xiaotian's heart was about to break right now. He pitifully hugged Zhan Ning 'er in his arms and comforted her softly, "It's okay, it's not like we'll be separated forever. Isn't it just going back to attend your uncle's birthday? After the birthday, you can come back anytime. The Ye family's doors will always be open for you."

Zhan Ning 'er pursed her small mouth and didn't say anything. Ye Xiaotian sighed, feeling a little proud in his heart. Although Ning' er's personality is much stronger than Yingying's, she is still a woman. No matter how strong a woman is, in front of her man, she would still like to be comforted like a kitten. This is a woman's pleasure.

Ye Xiaotian continued to coax her, "Look, I've already started to hire craftsmen to renovate Zhan Gong Garden. It's all done according to your preferences. The flowerbed at the back has also been flattened. It's going to be turned into a martial arts arena. When you come back, you can move there. You won't have to stay in the guest house anymore."

Zhan Ning 'er still didn't say anything. She lowered her head and snuggled into Ye Xiaotian's embrace. She lightly sniffed, as though she was sobbing. Ye Xiaotian was most afraid of women crying. Since emotions didn't work, before Zhan Ning 'er's tears wet his chest, Ye Xiaotian decisively began to reason with her.

"Ning 'er, I'm just a small warden now. It's very difficult for me to ask for a marriage from the Xia family. I'm afraid it won't be easy for me to ask for a marriage from the Zhan family. Even if your uncle doesn't care who you marry, he doesn't want you to ruin the Zhan family's prestige, right? I will work hard! "

Although the chances of marrying a rich young miss were slim, it wasn't impossible. Marrying two rich young misses was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. However, since Ye Xiaotian had already stolen the young miss's heart, he wasn't afraid of the difficulties he might encounter. He had suffered setbacks before and had given up before. However, people would always continue to grow. He didn't want to make the mistakes he had made before again.

Besides, Guizhou was a place where the strong ruled. It wasn't like there weren't people who married two girls from extraordinary families at the same time. When he was chatting with Zhan Ning 'er not long ago, he had heard that the current Guizhou chieftain, Old Master Wang An, had three wives from rich families. One wife and two concubines, just like the Ming King's concubine and concubine.

If other men could do it, why couldn't he? He, Ye Xiaotian, wasn't an ordinary petty official. When he had no other choice, he would use the power of the Gu God Sect.

Of course, to do this, he first needed to strengthen his control over the Gu God Sect. To do this, he also needed to have a stronger secular power. Otherwise, even if he was willing to put down everything now and obediently return to be his Divine Servant, the Venerable, the eight elders wouldn't let him do as he pleased.

Zhan Ning 'er still didn't speak. Ye Xiaotian made up his mind and released his trump card. "When I ask for a marriage from the Xia family, I'll also ask for a marriage from the Zhan family, okay?"

Motherf * cker, who cared if it was a lie or not, he had to make Ning 'er happy first. Although this was difficult, it was also troublesome to first coax one family and then ask for a marriage from the other family. When the news spread to the first family, they would probably break off the marriage. That would be even more troublesome. It was better to solve both difficulties at the same time.

Ye Xiaotian could also see that Miss Zhan and Miss Xia both had unrestrained personalities. They were like birds that lived freely in the deep mountains. It was unlikely that they would be restrained by secular power. As long as they didn't back down, Ye Xiaotian really had nothing to fear.

"This is what you said, you can't go back on your word!" Zhan Ning 'er immediately raised her head and smiled. There weren't any traces of tears on her face.

Ye Xiaotian was stunned. I've been tricked!

Zhan Ning 'er was very proud. She didn't care if Ye Xiaotian's words were perfunctory or not. Anyway, he had said it, and he had to keep his word. She could accept that she and Yingying liked a man together, but she couldn't accept that when that man became the groom, she could only hide in her own room quietly. She couldn't accept that on the day she got married, other than the groom, the groom's wife and even the child would greet her.

It didn't matter if she let Yingying have their wedding night, but she didn't want to be his bride one day later. She wouldn't forget Yingying's kindness to her. At most, she wouldn't fight with Yingying too much in the future. The two of them were good sisters, and it was Yingying's concession that opened the knot in her heart. But she had to be jealous. Most women in this world didn't like to eat, but most of them liked to be jealous. Ning 'er was no exception.

Ye Xiaotian said with a bitter face, "Let me go back on my word once. Do you want to make things difficult for your man?"

Zhan Ning 'er wasn't moved at all, "Hey! You can promise Yingying to rise eight ranks in two years, but can't you do something for me? " Zhan Ning 'er put her hands behind her back and walked out happily and proudly. Jiu Gao and Jiu Dang were waiting in the courtyard with their bags on their backs.

Zhan Ning 'er left. She left very happily, without a trace of sadness or reluctance to leave. She had already gotten what she wanted. She had hope, so she had a direction to work towards.

…

Zhan Ning 'er left Hulu County with her hope, but Xu Boyi was still waiting bitterly for his hope.

Xu Boyi's memorial was sent to the capital at the fastest speed through the military post. Emperor Wanli was overjoyed after reading it and immediately approved it to the Ministry of Rites for discussion. The current Minister of Rites was Shen Shixing. At the same time, he was also a scholar of the Imperial Library, a cabinet elder.

After Zhang Juzheng died, Zhang Siwei became the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. At this time, Lu Diaoyang, who was also a cabinet elder, had already resigned and returned home to recuperate. Another cabinet elder, Ma Ziqiang, had also died of illness. Shen Shixing, who was originally ranked last in the cabinet, became the Second Minister.

Zhang Siwei, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, had once tried to curry favor with Zhang Juzheng. After Zhang Juzheng's death, he became the leader of the anti-Zhang faction and slandered Zhang Juzheng. Although Zhang Juzheng's power was purged, there were still many remnants in the court. They originally wanted to rely on Feng Bao, but Feng Bao quickly fell. So, they relied on Shen Shixing to protect themselves.

Shen Shixing didn't agree with Zhang Siwei's actions, but he was the Second Minister. Moreover, Emperor Wanli's bias was very clear. Shen Shixing didn't dare to express his political stance too clearly. Instead, he used his power and position to protect a group of people.

The reform of Hulu County was carried out during Zhang Juzheng's term as the Prime Minister. So, when Emperor Wanli saw Xu Boyi's memorial, not only was Emperor Wanli overjoyed, feeling that this was a major achievement in his personal administration, but Shen Shixing was also very happy.

The series of punishments against Zhang Juzheng had not ended, and various measures were still being taken. Shen Shixing felt that if this matter was completed, the Emperor would be very happy and perhaps remember some good things about Zhang Juzheng. Although this would not be enough to reverse Zhang Juzheng's case, the fate of the Zhang clan would more or less improve.

Therefore, Shen Shixing strongly agreed. Under these circumstances, Zhang Siwei, as the Prime Minister, couldn't express any more objections. So, the court quickly responded: an imperial envoy was sent to Hulu County to witness this important historical moment for the Emperor.

And before the imperial envoy arrived, Shen Shixing, the Minister of Rites, sent an official letter to Hulu County. In the letter, there was no lack of praise and encouragement for Xu Boyi. At the same time, he also informed the Emperor that he would be sending an imperial envoy, reminding him to prepare carefully and make sure this matter was handled in a dignified manner.

County Magistrate Xu's detention room was quiet. Recently, County Magistrate Xu had been in a bad mood. The low-ranking officials were very careful, not daring to breathe too loudly, for fear of offending County Magistrate Xu. Therefore, the detention room was dead and quiet. The courier who delivered the official letter was affected by this atmosphere and couldn't help but lighten his steps.

The courier had only left for the time it took to drink a cup of tea when suddenly there was a burst of terrifying laughter coming from the inner room. The petty officials all raised their heads in shock. They could clearly hear that the crazy laughter was coming from County Magistrate Xu, "What's going on? Could it be that County Magistrate Xu has suppressed himself for too long and has gone crazy?"