Chapter 2231: Qi Lie Comes Knocking

Chapter 2231: Qi Lie Comes Knocking

Although the Emperor wanted to tease Meng Yunzheng about the name of his academy, he restrained himself to maintain his dignity.

He scanned the officials below, each with their own thoughts. "Meng Xuezhi's decision to open a school and teach has been approved by me. If you have no other matters to report, you may leave the court."

Many officials had numerous questions, but the Emperor didn't give them a chance to speak after his statement. He immediately signaled to the chief eunuch.

The chief eunuch understood the Emperor's intent and loudly declared, "Dismissed—"

The officials had no choice but to bow and send off the Emperor. Qi chan remained in the middle of the hall, and Minister Qi, still in his official attire, watched him closely.

This won't do. After the morning court, I need to have a good conversation with him. Minister Qi didn't want to miss the opportunity to interact with such a promising young scholar.

However, as soon as the Emperor left, the chief eunuch approached Meng Yunzheng and said, "Meng Xuezhi, the characters you requested are in the rear hall. The Emperor asks you to retrieve them."

"Very well, thank you for guiding the way, Your Excellency."

And so, Meng Yunzheng was summoned by the Emperor, leaving Minister Qi fuming, as he waited outside the palace for half an hour without seeing Meng Yunzheng. He had no choice but to return home.

After changing out of his official attire at home, Minister Qi once again boarded a carriage and instructed the coachman, "Go to Futai Street, to the shop run by the County Princess of Wen'an. You remember the address of the shop you took my wife to a few days ago, right?"

"I remember, I remember," the coachman hurriedly replied.

Minister Qi closed his eyes and leaned back in the carriage, looking slightly serious.

When the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Lu Ji shop on Futai Street, Minister Qi opened the carriage curtain and was surprised to see Yao Tianqin disembarking from another carriage.

Both of them were taken aback for a moment, and Yao Tianqin immediately approached, assisting Minister Qi as he got off the carriage. "Lord Taifu, why have you come here?"

"I came to find Shu Yu."

"Shu Yu... together?"

"Let's go inside first."

The attendants at the entrance, noticing the arrival of both carriages, hurried inside to inform the shopkeeper. As a local resident of the capital and a member of the Gong Families, the shopkeeper recognized Minister Qi and Yao Tianqin and, recalling the instructions from the owner, approached them discreetly. In a hushed tone, he said, "Both esteemed gentlemen, please come inside. The owner is on the second floor. I'll show you the way."

Minister Qi glanced at the shopkeeper, recalling the name of the shopkeeper mentioned by his wife, and nodded before following the shopkeeper upstairs.

Minister Qi had expected the second floor to be filled with customers, but to his surprise, it was eerily quiet. There wasn't a single other customer present, only Shu Yu sitting at a table, sipping tea.

He instantly understood the situation—Shu Yu must have known he was coming and had intentionally waited here.

Yao Tianqin, on the other hand, didn't think too much about it. Seeing Shu Yu, he quickly approached and, with an anxious tone, asked, "Ah Yu, do you know about Yun Zheng's plans? Do you know he's giving up his official position to open a school?"

Shu Yu poured tea for both of them. "Minister Qi, Uncle Yao, don't be in such a hurry. Please sit down first and have some tea to soothe your throats."

Minister Qi gave her an annoyed look. He had no time for tea now. As for Yao Tianqin, he was eager for answers, but he still sat down in the chair Minister Qi had pulled out for him.

Once they were seated, Minister Qi couldn't hold back any longer and pressed, "Ah Yu, what were you thinking?"

"In this matter, I know, and I support him."

"You support him, but what about your parents? Do your family members know about his decision?"