The old ox strode arrogantly along the official road, glancing sideways and looking down at the other horses beside it.
Hearing its master start cursing, the oxcart deliberately moved closer, its forehead facing the horse's head, and it mooed defiantly, "Call on, why aren't you mooing anymore... Let your master stand up for you, you bunch of cowards!"
The person sitting in the carriage hurriedly lowered the curtain, but as soon as they let go, the curtain was suddenly flung open, and then Jin Shanyao's big face was pressed against them.
"You've never seen a cow before??"
The woman cried out in fright, clutching her chest, and whispered, "The cows at Madam Jin's house are different from the others; they're so glossy and smooth, it's easy to see why I couldn't help but take a second look."
Jin Shanyao grinned, "Thank you for the compliment... Your horse is quite good too." With that, he threw down the carriage curtain, rolled up his sleeves, and stood on the oxcart, intending to wreak havoc on the entire road.
The old ox mooed, looking quite smug, and pulled the cart quickly toward another carriage, where the coachman was whipping it furiously.
"Giddy up, giddy up..." But no matter how fast he sped up, the oxcart still caught up.
Jin Shanyao, having carefully judged the distance, reached out to lift the carriage curtain, only to find it wasn't open... "Oh my god..." With a sudden burst of strength, Jin Shanyao ripped the carriage curtain off.
The scene inside the car suddenly came into view: a middle-aged man holding his wife and daughter looked at her in horror.
Uh... Jin Shanyao nervously with the carriage curtain, then after a moment she held it up to the little girl. "Um... I didn't know you were sitting in this carriage."
The little girl's eyes were red, like a frightened rabbit. " Madam Jin, do you have to be so ruthless? I already know I was wrong, please stop chasing after me."
After saying this, tears streamed down her face. Jin Shanyao didn't say a word, silently hung the carriage curtain back on the carriage, and then sat on the oxcart and slapped the ox's rump.
"That's not enough for you to brag about. Go home."
The old ox was a little confused. Was it showing off? It seemed to be getting a little too excited...
When he came to his senses, he saw that all the other horses were looking over. The old ox bellowed imposingly, "What are you looking at? A bunch of penned horses who've never seen a dirt road before... Pah!"
"My master dared to hit me, and he dared to hit your master too... which means I'm on equal footing with your master, understand? You bunch of stupid horses, from now on, call me Grandpa Cow."
The horses on the official road all lowered their heads, not daring to confront the old ox head-on... after all, it wasn't pulling a person...
As she continued down this path, Jin Shanyao became thoroughly famous among the women of official families.
So much so that later, whenever people in the capital saw a shiny, sleek, and haughty old ox walking on the official road, they knew that the ox must Lord Meng.
Nothing more was said that night.
The following day, Meng Anci went to court, bringing with him some walnut cakes made by Qing He.
Jin Shanyao curiously, "You never bring food to court, why have you been bringing it lately?"
Not wanting his aunt to worry, Meng Anci and said, "My colleagues helped me a lot when I was in prison last time, and I wanted to send them some snacks to express my gratitude."
Jin Shanyao her tongue, "How can you just give things away like that? Plants like sunlight, fish and shrimp like water. You should take a good look at what they each like today and give them what they truly enjoy. Isn't that better than giving things away randomly without any sense of purpose?"
Meng Anci smiled gently, "Auntie is right, I will pay close attention today." After saying that, he mounted his horse, took the food box, and turned to leave.
Upon reaching the palace gate, he tethered his horse to the designated spot and stood by the passageway with a food box in his hand. Before long, officials began to arrive.
Meng Anci quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted, "Teacher."
Su Wenqian laughed and said, "Why did you bring food again?"
Meng Anci carried the food box and walked beside him toward the Ministry of Revenue. "Your master's wife said you forget to eat when you get busy, and I'm worried you might have a stomachache."
Su Wenqian looked him over with a smile in his eyes. "You're young but shrewd. We've known each other for seven or eight years now. You think you can hide your little schemes from me? Just tell me what information you need. As long as it doesn't violate the rules, I can help you."
Meng Anci chuckled, "How about I come to my teacher's house for dinner tonight?"
The two arrived at the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue. Su Wenqian took the food box and said with a helpless smile, "You... you should go back to the Hanlin Academy."
"Sigh." Meng Anci responded and turned to leave.
Ministry of Revenue Lord Li, drawn by the aroma, approached. "What was delivered today? Open it and take a look."
Su Wenqian smiled and said, " Lord Li, are you not busy again?"
"Look at what you're saying. I'm just envious that you have such a good student," said Lord Li, reaching out to snatch the food box, opening it, and swallowing hard.
"Why am I just not destined to find a top scholar?"
Su Wenqian just smiled and remained silent. He was the top student in the college entrance exam; he had stumbled upon this opportunity himself.
In the evening, after court Meng Anci went directly to the Su Household.
The study in the Su Household mansion.
Meng Anci voiced his thoughts, and after listening, Su Wenqian pondered for a moment, "So you suspect Yan Shuan of privately cultivating land?"
Meng Anci nodded, "His salary is there for all to see, and his household expenses can't be hidden. I've noticed that the times he took leave to return to his hometown last year all coincided with the farming season."
Su Wenqian looked at him. This child hadn't changed his vindictive nature at all, but that was fine too, at least he wouldn't suffer in court.
"How long have you been watching him?"
"I've been keeping an eye on things ever since I left the Court of Judicial Review," Meng Anci after a moment of silence. "I also investigated Liu Wenbin. He's a cowardly scholar, only daring to take a small amount of tribute paper each month. With that kind of guts, I don't believe he would dare to sell ancient books."
Su Wenqian nodded. "Alright, I'll Ministry of Revenue tomorrow to check the tax registers for you. If Yan Shuan really dares to evade taxes, illegally hoard land, and exploit the people, this matter must not be tolerated."
He looked at Meng Anci, his tone turning serious, "You... would you like me to make a trip to Yan Shuan's hometown for you?"
Meng Anci and said, "Someone has already investigated. Impeaching a colleague is a taboo subject, and I don't want to drag my teacher into it. Whether this succeeds or not, it will give people something to talk about, so let the students handle it themselves."
Su Wenqian felt a warmth in his heart... He sincerely reminded Anci, "The political landscape in the court is rapidly changing, and the relationships are incredibly complex. Don't act impulsively without solid evidence."
"Thank you for the reminder, teacher. I will pay attention."
The two chatted for another half a cup of tea before Meng Anci got up to take his leave.
When he returned to the Anzhi Hall, Jin Shanyao was still awake and was standing at the door waiting for him.
With Jin Shanyao, she asked, "Why are you so late?"
"I went to my teacher's house," Meng Anci, taking her arm. "It's cold outside, why didn't you come inside to wait, Auntie?"
"I was just worried about you. Ever since you left the Court of Judicial Review, you've been busy every day," Jin Shanyao stopped and looked at him earnestly.
" Anci, if you're bullied to the point where you can't fight back, you can ask your aunt for help. You should know that when your aunt gets ruthless, it's no joke."
Jin Shanyao, using the necklace on Meng Anci, watched as he and Zhao Zhiyuan were ostracized, suppressed, and isolated in the Hanlin Academy. She felt heartbroken seeing the two young men maneuvering among a group of cunning and shrewd officials, secretly gathering evidence to prepare for a counterattack.
She wanted to intervene several times but held back, after all, this was the path Meng Anci was meant to take.
Meng Anci said earnestly, "Auntie, I've grown up. From now on, it's my turn to protect you."
Jin Shanyao at him, feeling both heartache and relief. After a long while, she turned her face away and muttered softly, "With my abilities, I don't need your protection."
Meng Anci didn't hear clearly, "Auntie, what did you say?"
Jin Shanyao and said, "I said it's too cold outside, let's go inside quickly."