After resolving Master Yi’s matter, and with their pig lively and in good health, Old Granny Zhang had nothing more to worry about. She saw that Gu Zikai was very busy every day; with Master Yi gone, there was no suitable replacement yet, so Gu Zikai had to make most decisions himself.

Gu Zikai became increasingly busy each day, even his three meals a day were sent to him by the subordinates under the orders of Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu, only then did he have the time to eat.

Old Granny Zhang felt sorry for her nephew. She brought quite a bit of consumables with her when she came and handed them all over to Lang Hao. She also instructed the kitchen maid to take good care of the three meals a day.

She and Wang Yongzhu couldn’t stay in Yunzhong County longer, after all, Song Chongjin was still alone in Chicheng County. Keeping in Yunzhong County all the time was not appropriate.

Once they arranged things for Gu Zikai, they were ready to set off.

Although Gu Zikai was somewhat reluctant to part, he felt a sense of warmth from home and meticulous care only during the days when Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu were present.

However, he couldn’t keep them longer. He gathered some local specialties and sent them off.

When Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang returned to Chicheng County, Song Chongjin already knew about Master Yi’s departure.

After asking around, they found out that it was Master Yi who voluntarily resigned and left, which surprised them, but then they recalled something.

Once they reached the front, after some thinking, they called Master Jian to the study room, first discussed official matters, and then tactfully asked Master Jian if he had any unresolved concerns.

Master Jian was taken aback, and after a long time, he came to his senses, his voice trembling, "What does this mean, Master?"

Only then did Song Chongjin explain that for years he hadn’t forgotten his promise to Master Jian. However, if this matter was to be dealt with, it had to be done cleanly and utterly, leaving no chance for a comeback. Otherwise, if you don’t kill the dog to the last, you’ll regret it later.

Now, coincidentally, there was a good opportunity. Over the years, he had been quietly gathering evidence of the rival’s crimes for Master Jian.

Coincidentally, because of the falling out with Master Jian, the rival’s official career wasn’t smooth. Unwilling to accept his fate, he tried every means to form a connection with a Noble Patron.

After much effort, he finally climbed up to the Second Prince’s faction. Because of this, in recent years, he had secured a good place and seemed quite triumphant.

Therefore, Song Chongjin hadn’t yet had the chance to deal with him. Now, coincidentally, there was a perfect opportunity to handle him openly and legitimately.

Master Jian was so rarely excited that his eyes turned red, and his beard trembled: "Can it be true, Master?"

Song Chongjin nodded: "As long as you agree, I’ll send out a letter, and there will soon be news."

Master Jian was so excited that he nodded repeatedly: "I thank you very much, Master!" As he spoke, he couldn’t help turning around and wiping away a tear.

Song Chongjin immediately wrote a letter on the spot, sealed it with his own hands, and called someone in to give a couple of instructions.

The person took the letter and left to carry out his orders.

At this point, Master Jian regained his composure. The previously excited expression had calmed down, but he held onto Song Chongjin, insisting on inviting him for a good drink together.

Song Chongjin couldn’t refuse, so he let someone go to inform Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang in the back.

Wang Yongzhu, having asked a couple of questions, had a rough idea that the drinking session might last for a good part of the day.

Smiling and shaking his head, he instructed the kitchen in the back to prepare a banquet and to bring out a few jugs of good wine buried in the garden, delivering them to the front.

Accustomed to freeloading, Master Jian merely chuckled, sent his thanks, and poured a drink for Song Chongjin himself, and the two drank together.

After three rounds of drinks, they barely touched any dishes, and Master Jian had already drunk himself half-tipsy.

Only when tipsy did certain words find their way out.

Originally, when he first worked as an advisor for Prefect Yu, who was his schoolmate, their collaboration was quite pleasant. One was talented in governance, while the other knew how to appeal to superiors, so their careers advanced swiftly, quickly rising from a Seventh Rank County Magistrate to a Fourth Rank Magistrate.

During this period, since Master Jian was away following Prefect Yu, his parents back home worried about his marriage. Thinking that even if he couldn’t earn a title, at least he should start a family.

They wrote pleading Prefect Yu to arrange a suitable marriage locally.

Prefect Yu readily agreed, saying he entrusted it to his wife. Subsequently, she did find a match for Master Jian, a distant cousin of Prefect Yu’s wife, who was both elegant and attractive.

Her family was not well-off, so she had long been staying at Prefect Yu’s ancestral home and later moved with Prefect Yu’s parents to live behind the Magistrate’s residence.

At that time, considering the good relationship between Master Jian and Prefect Yu, this marriage seemed appropriate. Becoming in-laws would make their bond even closer.

Therefore, Master Jian was quite tempted. After Prefect Yu’s wife arranged for them to meet, both were quite satisfied, and the marriage naturally took place.

After Master Jian agreed, he informed his family, and his parents were also pleased, even sending the family’s heirloom Jade Bracelet as a marriage gift for the daughter-in-law.

With the arrangement of Prefect Yu’s wife, the wedding was grand and lively. After marriage, the couple got along well with mutual support.

Prefect Yu’s cousin was gentle and introverted, handling Master Jian’s daily affairs and didn’t often engage with other officials’ wives.

The only time she went out was to Prefect Yu’s backyard, saying she missed Prefect Yu’s parents and wanted to fulfill her filial duties.

Master Jian thought of his wife as being raised by Prefect Yu’s parents, and feeling sorry for her, didn’t blame her. He even encouraged her to return and fulfill filial piety.

For a time, their life was quite pleasant.

Before long, his wife became pregnant, which made Master Jian ecstatic. His family had not been prosperous, and now he was the only child. His parents were always eager to have a grandchild.

Now that they had one on the way, the entire Jian family was overjoyed. Master Jian’s parents even wanted to come to the appointment to take care of their daughter-in-law personally.

However, Master Jian’s wife suggested not to disturb them and instead wait until after the child’s birth. Once the child was older, they would visit the Capital City to meet the grandparents.

Master Jian, concerned about his parents enduring a long journey, agreed.

With no trusted person around, he eventually requested Prefect Yu’s parents to help watch over her.

The elderly couple agreed wholeheartedly, saying they would treat her as their daughter and reassured Master Jian.

Afterward, they indeed took very good care of her, providing food and drinks regularly.

As his wife’s condition advanced, they suggested bringing her to the Magistrate’s backyard for better care. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

During that busy period, Master Jian, preoccupied, felt reassured letting the elders help, thus agreed.

With the elders’ care, his wife’s delivery went smoothly, and she gave birth to a healthy boy.

Master Jian was elated that the Jian family line would continue and, after nights of deliberation, named the child Brother Guan.

Because of childbirth, her postpartum recovery and all follow-up arrangements were done at the Magistrate’s backyard.

Master Jian felt slightly embarrassed, but Prefect Yu comforted him, saying they were family, and he shouldn’t feel like an outsider.

Master Jian didn’t overthink and became even more grateful to Prefect Yu.

His parents in the Capital City were equally delighted with the unseen daughter-in-law.

During that time, Master Jian, having a wife and child, felt as if his life was complete.

If not for the events that followed, his life would have been entirely different.