A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 145: Chapter 144 Jinling City 16

”Cooperation?”

Chen Juzheng narrowed his eyes.

His heart was pounding with excitement; he had spent several days in Jiangnan. This malignant tumor, even more formidable than Old Jiang, was finally about to take the bait!

However, on the surface, he still appeared cautious.

”I do not know what Magistrate Hou means. I do not quite understand!” Chen Juzheng maintained his composure, holding a cup in one hand, and spoke slowly.

At this crucial juncture, it’s Prefect Hou who’s anxious, not me!

Sure enough, Prefect Hou’s eyes lit up for a moment. He rhythmically clapped his hands three times.

”Attendants!”

”At your service!”

Within moments, two people came in, together carrying a carved red lacquer wooden chest. The chest was extremely exquisite, adorned with many intricate patterns and crafted from fine materials. Under the soft yellow candlelight, it exuded a faint, warm sheen. Let alone what was inside, the chest alone was likely of considerable value.

Prefect Hou personally took the wooden chest and placed it in front of Chen Juzheng. ”Lord Chen, a small token of our first meeting. It’s nothing grand, but please accept it!”

”This is...” Chen Juzheng asked with restraint, suppressing the burning rage and humiliation in his chest.

Prefect Hou chuckled. ”Why don’t you open it and see for yourself, Lord Chen?”

Chen Juzheng hesitated, struggling internally for a long moment before he finally, feigning calmness, slowly opened the chest.

Rows upon rows of silver ingots, neatly arranged, gleamed dazzlingly white in the candlelight.

With just one glance, Chen Juzheng’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

Anger! Humiliation! Guilt! His heart felt like an overturned jar of mixed spices. As an Imperial Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, he had always prided himself on his integrity and honesty, his diligence and dedication. He believed himself to be sharp-eyed and discerning, someone who truly served the Emperor and the common people of the realm.

But it turned out that all of this wasn’t nearly enough! I’m nothing but a frog at the bottom of a well!

In less than a moment, Chen Juzheng’s complexion shifted multiple times.

”What do you think? Are you satisfied, my Lord?” Prefectural Magistrate Hou asked, smiling confidently.

Looking at Governor Chen’s expression... he must be overjoyed. Has he never seen so much silver? That can’t be right; his official rank is higher than mine. Could it be... he isn’t pleased? That’s impossible! Who in this world doesn’t like silver?

After mulling it over, Prefectural Magistrate Hou concluded that Lord Chen must indeed be overjoyed. Seeing him unresponsive, he personally pushed the chest a bit closer to Lord Chen!

”If it pleases you, my Lord, please accept it!”

That one sentence jolted Chen Juzheng back to reality.

Yes, to capture this slippery old loach, I mustn’t reveal my intentions!

After some thought, he exerted great effort to steady himself and managed a calm smile.

”Not bad...”

Ugh... Heaven knows how much it pained my conscience to say that!

Prefectural Magistrate Hou flashed a confident smile. ”If so, then from now on, we are in the same boat, Lord Chen. Come, let’s have a drink!”

Chen Juzheng looked at the cup raised before him, hesitating, but he still took it.

Just as it was about to touch his lips, his movement suddenly halted.

”Lord Chen, why aren’t you drinking? Your humble little brother here has already finished his!” Prefectural Magistrate Hou exclaimed, then tipped back his neck and drained the cup.

However, Chen Juzheng did not drink but put down the cup instead. ”I’ve accepted your gift, Magistrate. But now that we’re all in the same boat, shouldn’t we also invite Third Master Huang over?”

At the mention of Third Master Huang, Prefectural Magistrate Hou’s complexion changed. ”Humph! Speaking of this Third Master Huang, I won’t hide it from you, Lord Chen—I have a feud with him! My eldest son, who was just getting started in life, was injured by him and is still bedridden!”

The fact that his son had become a eunuch was too shameful to mention, so he had to phrase it this way! Prefectural Magistrate Hou thought.

Chen Juzheng chuckled softly, feigning ignorance despite understanding the situation fully. ”It’s just a small misunderstanding. As the saying goes, ’One who aims for great things doesn’t fuss over minor details.’ Surely Magistrate Hou, you aren’t lacking such broad-mindedness? Besides, even teeth and tongue clash sometimes. When you’re out making your way in the world, how can you avoid a few misunderstandings!”

Didn’t you just say he was injured? In the pugilistic world, that’s hardly a major issue! Just an injury, not like he was killed! He’ll recover with some rest, won’t he?

Prefectural Magistrate Hou, pressured by Chen Juzheng, found himself at a loss for words, his face contorted in a bitter expression.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Juzheng’s tone became much milder. ”Since Prefectural Magistrate Hou finds himself in a difficult position, I will not insist! I have an old acquaintance with Third Master Huang, and I still have some standing with him!”

With that, he stood up, ready to leave.

Just then, Prefectural Magistrate Hou suddenly called out to him, ”Wait a moment!”

Chen Juzheng’s heart skipped a beat, silently celebrating.

This time, Prefectural Magistrate Hou will have no way out!

「The next day,」

Third Master Huang indeed paid a visit, bringing ample gifts and according great face to Prefectural Magistrate Hou. Since meeting at the official residence was inconvenient, the three of them arranged for a new banquet at Wanchun Tower.

Zhao Junyao was dressed in a shimmering, orange brocade robe, cinched at the waist with a fine jade belt, and carried a golden folding fan in his hand. He looked every bit the young master from a merchant family.

Wanchun Tower was different during the day compared to the night. At this time in the afternoon, most clients seeking purely ’business’ had not yet arrived. The ladies were mostly singing songs and busying themselves with flattering the dandified young masters who came to recite poetry, drink wine, and flaunt their literary talents.

Zhao Junyao was very generous. As soon as he entered, he booked the best and most luxurious private room in Wanchun Tower. He invited several of the most popular Lady Hongs from Wanchun Tower to sing in the private room. Each sang a different song, with no repetitions.

Prefectural Magistrate Hou was quite impressed.

Although I also enjoy frequenting brothels, hiring all the Lady Hongs at once just to listen to a few songs seems a bit uneconomical. One should at least... hehe, take things to the bedroom, shouldn’t one? In any case, I wouldn’t do something so foolish! But on second thought, it isn’t really a big deal! After all, for young masters from wealthy families, extravagantly spending a fortune just to win a beauty’s smile is quite common!

Once they were seated, dishes and wine were served swiftly, and several songs had been sung.

Zhao Junyao drank several cups in a row, his face glowing red with apparent happiness.

”Magistrate Hou,” Zhao Junyao began, ”your humble little brother here is new to this place and acted recklessly, injuring your esteemed son. I truly deserve to be punished! Magistrate Hou, today you are in charge. Whatever you say goes!”

Zhao Junyao’s attire, combined with the way he spoke, made him the spitting image of a young master from a wealthy merchant family.

In the traditional hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, merchants ranked the lowest. No matter how rich you were, you had to curry favor with officials. Otherwise, they could make trouble for you in minutes.

As soon as Zhao Junyao finished speaking, Chen Juzheng froze for a moment in stunned silence!

Where did this nouveau riche, reeking of copper coins, come from? The resemblance! It’s too uncanny! I almost want to tear off that face—the Emperor’s face!—to see if it’s some imposter in disguise!