The next day.

In the west of County City, servants within a mansion started bustling from early morning. Carriages came to and fro, with treasures and ornaments continuously being delivered into the residence.

A few sturdy servants climbed high ladders to hang a plaque engraved with the words ’Chu Mansion’.

The plaque was intricately carved and solemnly lacquered.

The words ’Chu Mansion’ on the plaque were powerful and majestic.

"Quickly now, Lord Chu will be arriving soon." A man who looked like a steward scolded the servants.

"You there, be careful. That plaque was personally inscribed by Lord Chu. If you damage it, even ten heads won’t be enough to compensate."

"And you, how many times have I said, the vases need to be placed neatly..."

"..."

Inside the mansion, there were continuous sharp reprimands, and carriages and horses cycled along the avenue at the entrance.

Approaching noon, a rather extraordinary-looking carriage stopped in front of Chu Mansion.

Chu Ming and Little Shan stepped down from the carriage.

"Young master, this residence is so large, even larger than the one in Baiyuan County."

Little Shan looked at the dignified stone lions at the entrance, the vermilion gate, the high walls, eyes sparkling.

The servants and laborers arranging the mansion saw Little Shan and Chu Ming, and quickly bowed in greeting.

"Lord Chu."

Chu Ming nodded slightly, leading Little Shan into the mansion.

Yesterday, Chu Ming received rewards from the Seventh Prince and was also gifted a mansion by County Magistrate Xiao He.

This mansion had been cleaned and arranged overnight.

...

On the other side.

The news of Chu Ming’s promotion to Standard Eighth-Grade Imperial Scholar reached the West Glory County Imperial Examination Hall.

At this time, in a side hall of the Examination Hall, Inspector General Zhou Xi sat solemnly.

Below him, Captain Qiu Li kneeled on the ground, forehead touching the floor, his body trembling slightly.

"Lord... Subordinate..." Qiu Li’s voice also trembled.

Zhou Xi remained silent, his gaze dark.

After a long while, he finally spoke: "Captain Qiu, you know that illegitimate son named Chu Ming met with Lord County Governor yesterday and was promoted to standard eighth grade, correct?"

"My Lord..."

Qiu Li surely knew.

Lord County Governor personally ordered a thorough investigation into Chu Ming’s relation to the Blood Evil Sect.

But who would dare investigate an Imperial Scholar personally appointed by the County Governor?

Zhou Xi rotated a jade ring, his gaze somber: "Who would have thought a small merchant’s illegitimate child from Baiyuan County could have close ties to Shen Yu and be valued by Lord County Governor..."

"Heh, that old undying Wan Family almost got me killed."

His tone was icy: "Qiu Li, how goes the investigation of Wan Family’s relation to the Blood Evil Sect."

"Lord..." Qiu Li replied timidly: "Wan Family and the Blood Evil Sect..."

"Don’t tell me Wan Family has no ties to the Blood Evil Sect!"

"There are ties... There are ties... My Lord, Wan Family is connected to the Blood Evil Sect, not just Wan Family, but also merchants close to Wan Family are involved with the Blood Evil Sect."

"Heh, that’s more like it."

Wan Family offended Chu Ming, and Chu Ming is by the County Governor’s side. Zhou Xi, as Inspector General, certainly couldn’t continue entangling with Wan Family.

But severing ties with Wan Family wasn’t easy. Over the years, he had received countless benefits from Wan Family.

Only by toppling Wan Family and eliminating them from West Glory County could Zhou Xi be at peace.

"Captain Qiu, send a message to Wan Family, indicate that Wan Lin’s disappearance was caused by Chu Ming."

"Lord intends to..." Qiu Li’s eyes sparkled: "Let Wan Family contend with that illegitimate son..."

The Imperial Examination Hall hadn’t found evidence related to Wan Lin’s disappearance. Zhou Xi intended to convey this message to make Wan Family continue dealing with Chu Ming.

Wan Family targets Chu Ming, while Chu Ming is backed by County Governor...

"Lord is wise, such a move to borrow a sword and kill two birds with one stone."

Regardless of whether Wan Family or Chu Ming triumphed in the end, it was beneficial to Zhou Xi.

...

Wan Family.

Wan Family Patriarch Wan Hai sat in a chair. His face, already covered in wrinkles, now appeared as unsightly as an eggplant hit by autumn frost.

His right hand gripped a letter fiercely, as if pulverizing it would not relieve his anger.

The letter was delivered by Captain Qiu Li from the Imperial Examination Hall, containing two points.

First, Chu Ming’s promotion to Standard Eighth Grade Imperial Scholar.

Second, Wan Lin’s disappearance was caused by Chu Ming.

"Lin’er, Yuaan’er, Qin’er..."

The hatred in this old man’s heart was like rolling waves, relentlessly striking his organs.

"Someone come!"

Wan Cheng, guarding the entrance, rushed in.

"Send a congratulatory gift to West City Chu Mansion, make it elaborate."

West City Chu Mansion?

Wan Cheng paused, wondering when there was a surname Chu residence in West City?

Not just in West City, it seemed the entire West Glory County didn’t have a Chu Mansion worthy of Wan Family personally sending a celebratory gift.

"Brother, who is this Chu Mansion...?"

"Chu Ming, promoted to Standard Eighth Grade Imperial Scholar." Wan Hai’s voice was deep, with little emotion.

"Chu Ming?!" Wan Cheng’s brow furrowed, his face instantly filled with surprise: "How could that illegitimate son..."

"Don’t ask so much, just do as I said," Wan Hai slowly rose, continuing: "Additionally, spread the news of Chu Ming’s promotion to Standard Eighth Grade."

"Huh?"

Wan Cheng was even more puzzled.

Wan Lin and Wan Qin disappeared in Baiyuan County, and this illegitimate son was undoubtedly linked to it.

Why is brother both sending gifts and helping publicize for Chu Ming?

Wan Hai’s eyes, which were somewhat turbid, now conveyed ruthlessness.

"Chu Ming, as an illegitimate son, first in the academy exams, recommended as a Junior Examinee at the Academy in half a month, promoted to Senior Ninth Grade Clerk in a month, and now raised to Senior Eighth Grade Imperial Scholar."

"Chu Ming is a rare genius in West Glory County, surely rising to Seventh Grade within a year, Sixth Grade in two years, and Fourth Grade in ten years."

"Spread this in this manner."

"..." Wan Cheng questioned in surprise: "This individual only got lucky reaching Eighth Grade, Brother seems to overly praise..."

Praise?!

Hmm!

Wan Cheng’s eyes suddenly focused: "Brother intends to flatter this person to death, making him a target of everyone’s envy?!"

Wan Hai did not shake his head nor nod, only his tone remained cold: "Prepare a carriage for me."

He indeed aimed to flatter Chu Ming to death.

Chu Ming, rising from a Junior Examinee to Senior Eighth Grade in less than two months, would certainly arouse envy and resentment from many.

But mere flattery was not enough!

Wan Hai boarded the carriage, the wheels rolling, traveling through the bustling County City.

After driving for an unspecified time, the carriage stopped at a mansion’s entrance.

"Who goes there?!"

The mansion was splendid and magnificent, guarded by two rows of sentinels. As Wan Hai alighted, his path was blocked.

"Please inform Lord An, commoner Wan Hai requests an audience." Wan Hai respectfully saluted.

"Wait here!"

The guards entered the mansion to report.

Soon.

"Enter."

"Thank you, Lords." Wan Hai waved, and the attendants accompanying him immediately handed silver taels to each guard.

...

By a lakeside in An Mansion.

"Lord An, about the previous matter, I’ve made my decision." Wan Hai was extremely respectful in his demeanor.

Before him, a middle-aged man in loose robes held a fishing rod, fishing seated.

"Have you decided, or do you need my help?" The angler’s voice was as calm as the surface of the lake.

"Lord An, I do indeed have a request. I only ask..."

Swish!

Splash!

Halfway through Wan Hai’s speech, ripples suddenly spread across the tranquil lake. With a slight effort, the middle-aged man raised the rod, and a snow-white fish was forcibly pulled from the water.

The fish was nearly arm-length in size, roughly weighing no less than sixty to seventy pounds.

To catch such a hefty fish, an ordinary person would exert tremendous effort to pull it ashore, but the middle-aged man casually retrieved it, proving his exceptional skill.