The Earl's Residence

"It's alright, it's alright," Zhao Ruxi said. "Xiangyang has already received its due punishment. Besides, a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. There's no rush, we'll take our time."

Having lived in this era for so long, she has gained a considerable understanding of royalty and aristocratic families.

Children from ordinary families are usually beaten for doing something wrong; children from wealthy and noble families are usually made to kneel in the ancestral hall, copy the family precepts, or be confined to their homes. After all, the children of the wealthy and powerful are precious, and they cannot be beaten like servants; they need to maintain their dignity in front of their servants.

This is how it is among the wealthy and noble, and even more so among royalty. They don't even punish kneeling anymore; they're so high-ranking that ordinary gods and Buddhas couldn't bear their worship. The punishment they receive is the "favor" they value most.

With the emperor's favor, they had everything; without it, concubines, princes, and princesses were banished to the cold palace, living worse lives than ordinary palace servants.

Xiao Ruoyu lost the Emperor's favor, causing her mother and brother to resent her; this was already the most severe punishment.

When material needs are largely met, people often become most concerned with spiritual matters. Xiao Ruoyu lost what she cared about most, and that punishment was justified.

Upon hearing Zhao Ruxi's answer, Xiao Lingyan's lips curled up in a continuous smile.

Most women would argue and demand that their men punish those who offended them, and the harsher the punishment, the better they would feel their men treat them. But this woman in his family was incredibly sensible; she understood everything perfectly without him needing to say a word.

What woman in this world could compare to her?

"My lord, great news! The young lady has come in second place in the imperial examination!" It was Gao Sheng Gao Weiqiang's son, who went to Gusu Prefecture to deliver the good news to Zhao Yuanxun.

Zhao Yuanxun was working in the yamen (government office). He was counting down the days until the results of the imperial examinations were released in the capital. His servants should be here by now to deliver the news. Therefore, he had been restless all day, constantly looking towards the door.

Upon hearing his attendant announce that Gao Sheng, he hurriedly came out of the yamen. Just as he reached the corridor, he heard Gao Sheng's call.

Zhang Shun, who was keen to befriend Zhao Yuanxun, had been keeping a close eye on his movements. He followed Zhao Yuanxun out of the yamen and overheard Gao Sheng's words.

He was overjoyed and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Zhao Lord Zhao! Your daughter is truly remarkable. So many male candidates have studied diligently for years, yet your daughter still surpasses them all, achieving second place. It's truly extraordinary. Tonight, I'll host a dinner to congratulate you, Lord Zhao."

"Oh, I should be the one treating," Zhao Yuanxun said.

Upon hearing the news, officials from other government offices also came out to congratulate Zhao Yuanxun.

Since it was such a joyous occasion, Zhao Yuanxun had just said he would treat everyone, it wouldn't be appropriate to only invite Zhang Shun and not the others. So he cupped his hands towards the others and said, "Everyone, please come together. Tonight, it's my treat, let's all get together."

"I've heard that Lord Zhao has acquired a residence, but I haven't been there yet. Today I must take a good look at Lord Zhao's house," said Gu Xiang, the clerk of the criminal division.

Zhao Yuanxun hadn't originally planned to invite everyone to his home. He intended to ask around among his acquaintances later which restaurant in Gusu City was good and invite everyone there for a meal.

Hearing Gu Xiang say this, everyone agreed, and he laughed, "It's just an ordinary house, nothing much to see. Well then, it's settled. After we leave the office, let's go together to my humble abode for a drink."

When Zhao Yuanxun arrived, many people were unwilling to submit to his authority. What did it matter if they had titles or powerful connections? Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake. If Zhao Yuanxun were to seize power, it would harm their interests.

Therefore, the clerks in each department openly and secretly made things difficult for Zhao Yuanxun.

Later, Zhang Shun dealt with all those who had been causing trouble for Zhao Yuanxun, and they became obedient afterward.

Zhao Yuanxun had previously served in the Five Cities Military Command and later spent half a year at the Court of Judicial Review. He was not ignorant of human relationships. He was well aware of Zhang Shun's protection of him and the ulterior motives these people had for him.

However, in officialdom, power struggles are inevitable. It would be abnormal if everyone were harmonious, easygoing, and yielding.

Now that he was celebrating this happy occasion, he wanted to improve his relationships with his colleagues, so he took the opportunity to invite all the officials, big and small, from the government office to his home for drinks that evening.

Everyone naturally agreed.

"Have you been to Lord Zhao's house?" someone asked Chen Xin, the clerk in charge of household registration.

Besides judging cases, Zhao Yuanxun was also in charge of grain and fodder. When Zhao Yuanxun first arrived, the old clerk Wu Likun tried to trick him by manipulating the accounts during the handover. However, Zhou Fan, the accountant Zhao Yuanxun brought with him, saw through the scheme at a glance and reported it to Zhang Shun.

Zhang Shun dismissed Wu Likun from his post and promoted Chen Xin.

Chen Xin knew that this new prefectural magistrate must have a powerful background to be so fawned over by the prefect. He was extremely attentive to Zhao Yuanxun, serving him diligently, and was the first person to show goodwill to Zhao Yuanxun after his arrival. Zhao Yuanxun usually relied on Chen Xin a lot, and would ask him to inquire about things he was unfamiliar with.

"I've never been there before." Chen Xin shook his head. "Today's a good opportunity to go and see for myself."

The others laughed at this, unconvinced.

This magistrate from the capital, I heard, has acquired a residence, but apart from the prefect and the assistant prefect, no one else has visited it. However, judging from his attire, he doesn't seem particularly wealthy, so the residence he bought probably isn't very large.

Jiangnan is home to many wealthy merchants, and quite a few powerful figures have also settled in Gusu after leaving the capital. These officials are not unsophisticated; they've seen plenty of luxurious mansions, having witnessed the merchants' flattery and invitations to meals. They didn't have high expectations for Earl Zhao's residence.

When the day of the yamen was opened, Zhao Yuanxun's servant came to greet them, and everyone left the yamen together.

"How do we get there? I have a carriage. Would any of you who didn't come by carriage like to get in?" someone asked.

Chen Xin said, "There's no need to take a carriage; it's not far to walk there, it's just in Ningxi Lane."

Although he had never been to the Zhao Residence, he knew where Zhao Yuanxun lived.

"Ningxi Lane?" Everyone looked at Chen Xin in surprise.

As officials, we are all very familiar with Gusu City. But do we know what Ningxi Lane is?

It's just one street away from the bustling Dong'an Street, a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. Most importantly, the alley is extremely wide, wide enough for three carriages to drive side by side; every house in the alley occupies a large area, and is inhabited by the wealthiest merchants and powerful figures in Jiangnan.

Everyone's lips moved as if they wanted to ask Zhao Yuanxun if he really owned a house there, or if he was renting it to someone else, or if he was just staying there temporarily, but they swallowed their words back.

Everyone shares Chen Xin's sentiment: they know this Earl has a powerful background and cannot be offended; even the Prefect is currying favor with him. If they say something that Earl Zhao hears, they risk displeasing him and suffering the consequences.