Chapter 687: Mr. Zhuang Arrives
Zhuang Wei supported Shao Dong with one hand and supported everyone with the other.
"My Lords, please stand up without ceremony."
Shao Dong was frightened and didn't dare to stand up because of the neglect he had just received.
"I am a humble person with poor eyesight and do not know your majesty. I beg Master Zhuang to forgive me."
To show his kindness and sympathy, Zhuang Wei smiled cheerfully, as bright as a brocade.
"Lord Shao, your words are too serious."
"It is normal that you don't recognize me because we haven't met once. It is not a sin."
"Please take a seat, Lord Shao, and continue to preside over the lawsuit."
The more friendly he was, the more frightened Shao Dong became.
"No, no, no, I have nothing to do and have not received any complaint."
Zhuang Weiyi reminded.
"After the investigation, we need to report to the Yin Sitai of Shuying County and Shengjing. Sir Shao, please don't cause trouble for yourself. Please investigate quickly."
Shao Dong was trembling with fear, fearing that he would offend the emperor's favorite minister.
"No need to ask, the truth is clear to me."
"That woman has been favored by Master Zhuang, which is like a blessing from God. She must be happy with it."
"Lord Zhuang has a good character. How could he possibly force a woman to do something? When I write to you, I will clearly state that Lord Zhuang is just and respectful, which makes the woman admire him sincerely and give him her heart without hesitation."
As he was speaking, his thoughts became slow and he realized the key point belatedly, so he asked respectfully.
"By the way, may I ask, Master Zhuang, what is the name of that woman?"
Zhuang Wei answered seriously.
"I do not know her."
He insisted on supporting.
"Master Shao, please stand up for questioning."
Shao Dong insisted on kneeling, carefully serving the high position, and fawning and trying to please.
"Don't worry, Master Zhuang. Please take a seat. I like to kneel for a long time and I enjoy it."
Zhuang Weiwei felt a little uncomfortable and sat down in the main seat.
"Uh……"
Shao Dong kept smiling.
"Master Zhuang doesn't know the person. That's fine. I'll ask her later."
He looked around but found nothing.
"Ok?"
Zhuang Wei briefly told the truth.
"she left."
"I thought someone was holding her captive, so I used a trick to rescue her, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding."
Shao Dong suddenly realized and felt relieved.
"That's it, very good, very good."
"Master Zhuang, please be kind. I will write this report to you and emphasize that you are kind and righteous."
Zhuang Wei felt helpless.
"Sir Shao, just report the truth. There is no need to exaggerate."
Shao Dong insisted.
"This is a true report, why exaggerate?"
Zhuang Wei didn't argue much.
"Okay, thank you, Master Shao."
Shao Dong shamelessly bowed down.
"How dare I? Your Excellency Zhuang has come to visit us, and this humble county is honored. Your Excellency Zhuang is considerate of me, and I am overjoyed."
After finishing the conversation, Zhuang Wei talked about the important matters that were on his mind.
"I have something to ask, Master Shao."
Shao Dong is polite and well-mannered.
"Master Zhuang, please speak. I am all ears."
Zhuang Wei asked.
"There is a person, I have only met him a few times, and I can't quite remember his name, but he is the Bronze Officer of your county."
"His last name is Yan?"
Shao Dong answered carefully and told everyone he knew.
"Yes."
"Mr. Yan, the Bronze Officer, is named Yan Ke. He lives in Yan Mansion, on the south street of the county. Four years ago, the former Bronze Officer, Mr. Luo, passed away. He was promoted from the position of Bronze Officer to Bronze Officer, and took charge of the Bronze Office of Shuying County."
Zhuang Wei asked again.
"Excuse me, is there a young man in your county named Tong Qinglin? He is about thirty years old."
There was a trace of embarrassment between Shao Dong's brows.
"There are many people in this small county, and I am careless and cannot remember everything."
"Please wait for a moment, Master Zhuang. I will go to the governor's office and ask this person in detail."
Zhuang Wei nodded and smiled.
"Thank you, Lord Shao. I'll wait for you at Yan Mansion."
Shao Dong and his subordinates saluted together.
"Yes, I respectfully send you off, Master Zhuang."
Zhuang Wei walked quickly, left the guest room, returned to the restaurant, and rode his beloved horse.
It was not yet time for lunch break, so Yan Ke might be at home. Thinking of this, he quickly went to Yan's Mansion on South Street.
Not long after, Yan Ke heard from his servants that "Lord Zhuang, the Minister of Tongshi, has come to visit."
Yan Ke hurriedly tidied his clothes and respectfully welcomed Lord Zhuang.
The two of them sat in the front hall of Yan Mansion, one in front and one behind.
After serving tea, Yan Ke brushed aside the people around him and faced Lord Zhuang with a respectful and solemn expression.
"My humble words may be impolite. May I ask, Lord Zhuang, what can I do for you in your humble abode?"
Zhuang Wei’s smile is warm and gentle, and Han Lan is elegant and quiet.
"Master Yan, do you know what the crime is for allowing others to take advantage of you and pretend to be an official appointed by the court?"
Yan Ke felt guilty and knelt down heavily, confessing everything immediately.
"Master Zhuang, please understand. I did not do this on purpose. It was just that I was soft-hearted because of family affection."
"I beg you, Master Zhuang, to show mercy to me, as I still have some hope and have not committed any serious mistakes. I promise to change my ways and will never again commit such acts of partiality and abuse of power."
Zhuang Wei waved his hand, motioning him to return to his seat.
"Master Yan, rest assured. I am only asking questions, not accusing you."
Yan Ke breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you very much for your forgiveness, Master Zhuang."
He had a clue in his heart and hated the person who informed on him, so he asked tentatively.
"I dare to ask, Master Zhuang, how did you know this?"
Zhuang Wei answered.
"I found out through secret investigation."
Yan Ke pulled up the corners of his mouth, forced a smile, and quickly dispelled the hatred in his heart.
"Lord Zhuang is always hands-on and sets an example for all officials. I admire you and bow down to you."
Zhuang Wei instructed.
"Don't try to please me, just treat me as an ordinary guest."
Yan Ke responded.
"Yes, I humbly obey my orders."
Zhuang Wei talked about serious matters.
"Yan Si asked you to lend his mansion to cooperate with the performance. What are you going to do?"
Yan Ke was fair and just and remained loyal to his principles.
"This is against etiquette and law. I despise it and am ashamed to be associated with him."
"Master Zhuang, please rest assured. I will immediately send someone to deliver a message to sever our brotherly relationship with him. He and I are distant relatives. Within three generations, we have almost no blood relationship. According to the law, he is not even considered a branch of our family. Relatives like this should reduce their contacts and live in peace with each other."
Zhuang Wei said clearly.
"That's not necessary."
"My intention is that you should cooperate with him unconditionally and make sure to act perfectly so that Luo Yu's family will think that Yan Wu is the son of the local official."
Unexpectedly, Yan Ke was stunned.
"Ah? Why...why is this?"
Zhuang Wei did not answer.
"I have my own ideas, don't ask too many questions."
Yan Ke nodded in agreement.
"Yes."
"I am worried that if someone in Luo Yu's family knows someone from Bataizhong, Shuying County, they will know that Yan Si is not the Tongshiling, so won't that expose the truth?"
Zhuang Wei was calm and composed.
"I will make proper arrangements so that they won't get suspicious. Just focus on your part."
"Also, choose a secluded guest room for me. I will stay here for a while. If it is inconvenient, Lord Yan can also recommend a nearby pavilion and lead me there."
Yan Ke acted like a spoiled child, overjoyed.
"What are you talking about, Master Zhuang? I would be grateful if your Excellency would honor me by staying with you for a while."
"I will immediately instruct the servants to clean up the guest room and prepare for check-in according to Master Zhuang's request."
Zhuang Wei is neither hot nor cold.
"We will be busy this afternoon. After Lord Yan leaves his message, please go ahead and get busy."
Yan Ke obeyed.
"Yes, I resign from my humble position."
It is not appropriate for a guest to sit back and enjoy food and clothing while living in another mansion, so Zhuang Wei took the initiative to pay the regular silver to the steward of the Yan mansion.
The butler didn't dare to accept it, so Zhuang Wei pretended that it was Yan Ke's order and told him not to refuse.