Tying Up Loose Ends

"I have a little more Law Power available!"

The rooster crowed three times, sunlight streamed through the window, and Zhang Xuezhou pushed open the door with satisfaction, followed by A Qiao, whose head was bowed to the ground.

"Young people have so much energy!"

Zhang Zhong's face showed nostalgia, Lady Yourong chuckled several times.

Next to the house, Rong Li was already scolding Rong Tianding, who hadn't gotten out of bed yet.

"I've been dismissed from my post, and today I'm going to visit Censor Zhuang to see if I can get a better official position," Zhang Xuezhou said while eating breakfast. "The round trip to the Imperial City District will take a long time, and after I finish this matter, my health will deteriorate. I'll need A-Qiao's help to take care of me then, and it would be even better if you could treat me!"

"Good!"

A-Qiao blushed and agreed, while Zhang Zhong and Lady Yourong kept quiet and let the newlyweds talk in bed under the sun.

"If you can release the Law Power restraints on my body, I promise I will go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to remove your lowly status from the King of Huainan's Household, granting you your freedom and promising not to restrict you in any way!"

As Zhang Xuezhou left the house, he whispered something to A Qiao, which caused her expression to change slightly before she quickly bowed her head in agreement.

Aqiao's face was calm, but her heart was churning like a stormy sea.

What Zhang Xuezhou promised might seem trivial, but it was related to A Qiao's entire life.

Being classified as a lowly status is like a contract of servitude; without shedding that status, she is treated like merchandise, even if she works for a princess.

Those of low social status had no normal rights; their status was almost equivalent to that of slaves. It was common for them to be sold, and even if they were beaten to death, it would not trigger an investigation by the Prefect of the Capital. They could only rely on being obedient to please their masters.

When young and fashionable, one can do things with their physical strength and physique, but few die peacefully after old age and fading beauty.

Compared to the powerful King of Huainan's Household, Zhang Xuezhou was pitifully weak.

But Zhang Xuezhou had few advantages, used only one sentence, which almost caused A Qiao to defect.

Even the powerful King of Huainan's Household only treated her as a servant, while Zhang Xuezhou offered her the possibility of being treated well.

Zhang Xuezhou was willing to do what the King of Huainan's Household was unwilling to do, and the other party was also capable of doing it.

The emperor approves of the downfall of every official in the court. Even if Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou to exonerate an official and clear his name, if she could see an opportunity for a pardon and try to obtain one, she could escape her lowly status.

The King of Huainan's Household might be able to obtain many pardons, but whether they can be used on her is another matter entirely.

Aqiao didn't spend much time with Zhang Xuezhou when he was sober, and she never expected that the person who trained her would turn against her so decisively.

With just that one short sentence, Aqiao felt that her mindset had completely changed.

What Zhang Xuezhou said was difficult, but it was possible to achieve as long as she followed the doctor's orders, instead of the endless, unending days at the King of Huainan's Household.

"Lord Zhuang!"

A Qiao's heart was in turmoil, Zhuang Qingdi hadn't been feeling much better these days either.

His expression remained cold and aloof, but Zhuang Qingdi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

When he returned to his residence by carriage after the morning court session, he happened to see Zhang Xuezhou getting off his carriage as well, and his heart jumped into his throat.

"Lord Dongfang!"

Zhuang Qingdi politely cupped his hands in greeting.

"I was dismissed from my post in the imperial court, and I wanted to come and ask Censor Zhuang if there are any suitable official positions for me here," Zhang Xuezhou said, bowing.

"It is truly commendable that Lord Dongfang, after only a few days of suspension, is still so eager to serve the court. However, the court is currently teeming with talented individuals, and whether there is a suitable position for Lord Dongfang remains to be determined by me upon returning home!"

Zhuang Qingdi and Zhang Xuezhou had a simple conversation, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

If Zhang Xuezhou fails to accomplish his task, all the items can be presented directly to his residence, and then one can simply leave.

It's clear that Zhang Xuezhou came to visit him under some pretext, and things have likely taken a turn for the better.

"I hope Lord Zhuang will take care of me," Zhang Xuezhou pleaded.

"Snort!"

Zhuang Qingdi gave a cold, solemn snort.

When Zhang Xuezhou handed him the brocade box, he opened it, glanced at it, frowned slightly, and then gestured with his hand.

"Lord Dongfang is indeed very poor, please come in!"

Zhuang Qingdi closed the brocade box, then gestured with his hand, before taking the first step and entering the Censorate ahead of time.

After riding in a sheep-drawn carriage and winding through the mansion, Zhuang Qingdi led Zhang Xuezhou into a side room, whereupon he quickly changed his demeanor.

"Is Master Li able to exert all his strength?"

Zhuang Qingdi no longer paid attention to the four scrolls of Law Treasure cloth that Zhang Xuezhou had delivered to his door.

Even if Zhang Xuezhou left everything behind, Zhuang Qingdi wouldn't care, let alone just taking two rolls of Law Treasure cloth and the materials left in the armory.

What he needs is real help that can save his life.

"Since Master Li has accepted the gift, he will naturally do his best," Zhang Xuezhou said. "If Censor Zhuang is still worried, he can go to Yunyi Daoist Temple to wait for him when he has time, or go directly to Anle Palace. Master Li will surely give him some appropriate recognition and response."

"Then I'm relieved!"

Zhuang Qingdi felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, as if he had found a reliable patron who could save his life and ensure his safety during the Empress Dowager's burial.

"Is Lord Zhuang curious as to why the Daoist priest took two scrolls of Law Treasure cloth?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"I don't!"

"The Daoist priest took a roll of cloth to Law Treasure. This roll of cloth can unleash his full power. However, the Daoist priest also discovered that one roll of cloth contains hidden mysteries, and he wants to study it. If he cannot find anything, he will return it to Lord Zhuang!"

"Oh oh oh!"

Zhuang Qingdi nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Xuezhou was very frank; he asked even though Zhuang Qingdi hadn't intended to.

Zhuang Qingdi Zhuang Qingdi focused on saving his own life; he couldn't think about anything else. Once he had taken it out, he never intended to take it back.

However, Zhang Xuezhou's words earned Zhuang Qingdi some favor.

In any case, Zhuang Qingdi is indeed willing to cooperate with people who have a sense of propriety. This is not just a matter of how much one contributes, but rather that such people will keep their promises and will not recklessly accept tasks beyond their capabilities.

"I, Zhuang, have failed my ancestor," Zhuang Qingdi said. "My ancestor was of a detached nature and refused to associate with the corrupt, while we, for the sake of profit, have been constantly studying in the court. We have neither the slightest bit of my ancestor's integrity nor half of his strength, and have ended up in this situation where we have no choice in our own destiny!"

Zhuang Qingdi sighed deeply.

Zhuang Qingdi believed that he had absolutely no connection with Zhuang Zhou of Daoist School, but people have a common nature: they would use the name of any famous person to embellish their reputation.

As the most outstanding member of the Zhuang family in the Great Han Dynasty, Zhuang Qingdi's ancestor was also supported by many people with the surname Zhuang, and people with the surname Zhuang continued to come to him.

Zhuang Qingdi could no longer tell whether the scroll of Law Treasure cloth was sent by someone surnamed Zhuang who had come to join them, or whether someone from his ancestors was indeed related to Zhuang Zhou.

However, Zhuang Qingdi must say that the Law Treasure cloth containing the rebellious aura is indeed highly likely to have been left behind by Zhuang Zhou. This is not only Zhuang Qingdi's judgment, but also the judgment of his grandfather and father.

No matter how many years they analyzed it or what methods they tried, none of the dealers ever discovered the secret of the Law Treasure cloth.

"Our ancestor studied this treasure for many years. When he put it down, he sighed, 'Without reaching Zhuangzi's state of mind, where 'Heaven and earth are born together with me, and all things are one with me,' it would be impossible to comprehend the profound mysteries it holds!'"

Zhang Xuezhou was very polite when he visited and handled things very well. Zhuang Qingdi also tried his best to be on good terms with him.

He didn't want to go to Anle Palace to discuss it, nor did he intend to go to Yunyi Daoist Temple to attract attention. Instead, he directly handed over the relevant information about the Law Treasure cloth to Zhang Xuezhou.