APSIL -Chapter 141 Passing the Blame and Taking the Blame

At the entrance of Qin Garden, Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying saw a row of people kneeling along the bluestone path inside. Every one of them had their heads lowered, and they were all dressed in the same style of clothing. But judging from Zhang Chen’s furious voice just now, they already knew these people were the main reason behind his anger.

To put it simply, these people were not registered members of Qin Garden—or rather, the Qin State Duke Residence.

Sure enough, the next moment, Zhang Chen’s voice rose several pitches higher.

“Sheltering outsiders without permission? Do you believe those noisy censors in court would seize this chance to impeach our family for privately hiding fugitives? This is simply lawless!”

“Bind them all! Make sure they’re tied securely! Then send them to the Shuntian Prefecture Office. Tell them these people…”

When it came to deciding what crimes to charge them with, Zhang Chen suddenly became stuck.

He was simply not very familiar with legal statutes. Hearing the people kneeling on the ground crying and begging for mercy, instead of showing compassion, he waved his hand and ordered their mouths to be gagged.

However, the more he racked his brains trying to think of a charge, the more irritated he became. The more irritated he became, the hotter his anger burned.

Just then, a calm voice came from outside: “If they are not on Qin Garden’s registry yet somehow appeared inside Qin Garden, then naturally they are guilty of trespassing and attempting theft.”

“That’s right! Trespassing and attempting theft!”

Zhang Chen instinctively repeated the words, then immediately turned his head toward the entrance.

Seeing Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying arriving together, he quickly tossed aside his riding crop and went forward to greet them.

Before he could say anything, Zhu Ying spoke first.

“Our Zhao Garden had the same problem. We discovered outsiders had secretly infiltrated the place. And those servants whom I previously thought were diligent and loyal turned out to have all kinds of problems—some hid corruption, some falsified accounts, some fooled around, and some even stole!”

After learning that Zhao Garden had suffered the same issue, Zhang Chen’s expression finally softened somewhat. At least he was no longer the only unlucky one.

Zhu Ying continued: “I spent the entire morning in Xiaocui Hall watching the boards crack loudly. I sent more than ten people away to work in the quarries and coal mines, and I even punished some old servants who had followed my father for years.”

“Thinking about it now, I still feel terrible. But discovering these things early is better than discovering them later. Otherwise, who knows what the situation would have become?”

“I’ve already whipped more than a dozen people myself. As for these seven outsiders…” Zhang Chen’s anger rose again. “If it were up to me, I’d want to tie stones to their feet and throw them into the lake! At the very least, they deserve a severe beating!”

“Those servants acted respectful and obedient whenever they were in front of me. Who would have thought they would secretly bring outsiders inside and even set up gambling dens for illegal gatherings?”

Zhu Ying glanced at Zhang Shou.

Seeing that after giving Zhang Chen that suggestion, Zhang Shou had once again remained silent, she had no choice but to speak.

“I heard the other gardens nearby also began inspections after receiving news from my family. I plan to visit each household with A-Shou and apologize while we’re there. After all, this matter started because of our Zhao Garden.”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

Zhang Chen was the type of person who acted the moment he thought of something. He immediately forgot that his own Qin Garden was still in chaos.

“If someone ignored your warning, I can remind them myself. After all, I really did uncover someone who had connections with the remnants of the Linhai Camp rebels. That person even frequently leaked my whereabouts. What a bastard!”

Thus, following behind Zhu Ying and Zhang Chen, Zhang Shou calmly watched as the most influential young lady of the capital and the son of a Duke’s family personally set out together, creating a tremendous storm throughout the nearby gardens.

Because this was the last suitable period of the year for staying at the Haidian estates, roughly half of the gardens currently had their owners present.

And since the words “Linhai Camp rebels” carried enormous weight, at least one-third of the gardens immediately began urgent inspections after receiving Zhu family’s warning.

Especially after Zhu Ying and Zhang Chen personally arrived, openly admitting their own family’s problems and vividly describing the chaos they had discovered, most households even intensified their investigations.

As for the remaining two-thirds:

Most had owners who were absent. Their estate managers, after hearing the news, hurriedly began secretive and rapid reorganizations—or even destruction of evidence.

The remaining smaller portion merely performed superficial inspections and handled a few minor issues.

In any case, by evening, when Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying prepared to return to the capital together with Zhang Chen, the famous estates around Haidian had all been swept through like they had experienced a violent storm.

Countless people who were severely punished cursed the Zhao State Duke Residence and Qin State Duke Residence for having nothing better to do.

No one expected that all of this was merely Zhang Shou passing the blame.

Moreover, the owners of these famous estates were not only nobles. Many were civil officials as well—including wealthy ministers like Lu Shangshu, as well as several university scholars and high-ranking officials whose estates had been personally granted by the emperor.

Even though news eventually reached the capital, the sharp-nosed censors who normally smelled trouble immediately did not dare act recklessly.

After all, this involved more than a dozen powerful figures from both military and civil circles.

Inside Fucheng Gate, after Zhang Shou’s group was respectfully allowed through by the guards, several men wearing black uniforms approached them.

The leading officer bowed politely.

After greeting them, Lin Laohu, the chief constable of the criminal division, smiled apologetically.

“Doctor Zhang, my lord has just imprisoned those two rebels. He asked me to deliver a message to you.”

Although Zhu Ying’s displeased gaze felt almost tangible, and Zhang Chen’s expression was clearly annoyed, even the most noble people still had to respect the local prefect.

So Lin Laohu could only continue.

Knowing this was a crowded city gate, he stepped closer and lowered his voice.

“Prefect Wang said that after Doctor Zhang left the city this time, the Shuntian Prefecture prison first received a member of the imperial clan, and then two rebels from Linhai Camp were sent over.”

“After that, several estate owners also delivered a group of so-called trespassers.”

“The Shuntian Prefecture prison may be large, but if this continues, there won’t be enough space left!”

“It has nothing to do with A-Shou! Everyone else is the one who caused trouble for him!”

Zhu Ying immediately defended Zhang Shou angrily.

But Lin Laohu then turned toward her and Zhang Chen.

“Miss Zhu, Young Master Zhang, Prefect Wang also said he knows this is not Doctor Zhang’s fault.”

“But ultimately, the reason so many lawsuits and criminal cases have appeared recently is because of the two of you.”

“So he asks that you both please behave yourselves a little more.”

“Otherwise, with how busy he is near the end of the year, he might accidentally lose control and end up punishing someone from either of your families by mistake.”

The “someone” he referred to did not need further explanation.

Both Zhu Ying and Zhang Chen understood.

Which noble family did not have a few troublesome people?

The Zhu family had Zhu Er, who spent years causing trouble outside.

As for the Zhang family…

Even Zhang Chen himself had caused plenty of trouble in the past.

And servants abusing their master’s authority were even harder to completely eliminate.

Although neither of them was happy, Wang Jie’s reputation for being strict was well known, and his words were not entirely wrong.

So Zhu Ying and Zhang Chen both remained silent.

When Lin Laohu respectfully prepared to leave, Zhang Shou suddenly spoke.

“Please send a message to Prefect Wang for me.”

“I didn’t intend for things to become like this either. But since all these matters have ended up on his desk, then this capable and hardworking man should simply treat it as a major cleanup.”

“The ancients said: ‘If one cannot sweep a single room, how can one sweep the world?’”

“For him, perhaps it should be: ‘If one cannot sweep the entire capital, how can one sweep the imperial court?’”

Lin Laohu quickly glanced around.

After confirming that the people accompanying him were trusted subordinates who would not spread nonsense, he finally relaxed slightly.

But inwardly, he could not help wondering.

How did Doctor Zhang, a National Academy scholar, know about Prefect Wang’s ambition?

Even he had only once heard Magistrate Song mention that Wang Jie often said: “If I cannot clean the capital, how can I clean the court?”

However, as long as these three people who were impossible to offend did not vent their anger on him, that was enough.

So he immediately agreed with a smile.

Yet this time, he still did not manage to leave.

Because Zhang Shou called him back again.

“By the way, about the interview list for Jiuzhang Hall.”

“Prefect Wang previously promised me that within these two days, the Shuntian Prefecture Office would send people to post the list and notify every candidate.”

“But I forgot that the National Academy is ultimately a place for students to study and attend classes. It is not suitable for interviews.”

“So I would like to borrow your office.”

“Please inform Prefect Wang that the interviews can be held at the prefecture office instead.”

Lin Laohu froze.

Why would recruiting students require borrowing the Shuntian Prefecture Office?

Could it be…

No explanation was needed.

When his own prefect heard this, his face would probably turn so dark that even children would cry.

However, this time Lin Laohu was careful.

He did not dare promise immediately.

He only said he would definitely report it.

After he left, Zhang Chen immediately cursed angrily.

However, his words were deliberately unclear.

Clearly, the young master of the Zhang family did not want anyone hearing how he insulted Wang Jie.

He coldly bid farewell to Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying, then raised his whip.

But before he could urge his horse forward, Zhu Ying unhappily said: “Running horses wildly through the streets of the capital is forbidden. Be careful that Wang Datou doesn’t drag you over and lecture you for half an hour.”

Zhang Chen hurriedly pulled back.

Unfortunately, the whip that had changed direction halfway nearly struck himself.

Seeing his embarrassed appearance, Zhu Ying finally laughed.

Her mood improved greatly.

Watching Zhang Chen ride away angrily, she glanced sideways at Zhang Shou.

“A-Shou, tonight are you returning to the National Academy, or…”

“Of course I’m going home to see my mother.”

Zhang Shou shrugged casually and smiled.

“How about coming over as a guest too?”

“I’m not in a particularly good mood today, so I plan to cook something delicious and reward myself.”

Zhu Ying froze slightly.

Then her face immediately lit up with happiness.

“Alright! You must wait for me. I’ll return to the residence first and tell Grandmother and Mother. Then I’ll go to your house!”

Zhang Shou smiled and nodded.

But inside, he was already thinking:

Whether it was the chubby Lu San who wanted to pursue that adorable girl, or the other noble youths hoping to find suitable marriages…

It seemed he would have to ask Zhu Ying to step forward and help arrange matches for them.