Unable to grasp the otherâs thoughts, he dared not act rashly.
"Yunâer, you mustnât seem too impressive; otherwise, Iâm afraid the Third Madam wonât be pleased," Madame Yue thoughtfully remarked, considering the situation.
Qi Yun pondered for a moment and agreed it made sense. Concealing oneâs abilities is better than being too conspicuous. After all, the Third Branch and Second Branch of the Qi Family are at odds, and although the Qi Familyâs Main Branch leans toward the Third Branch, there are still private conflicts that will eventually lead to disputes.
Soon, Qi Yun entered the family school of the Qi Family.
Time quickly flew by to half a month later.
Ye Muyu woke up early this day, got dressed, and helped Chu Heng with his belt.
"Return early; Lilâ Jin has sent a message estimating heâll be home before noon," Ye Muyu said while tidying his clothes.
Chu Heng nodded: "Hmm, Iâll be back soon. Thereâs not much happening at the yamen, and with so many people there, it doesnât require me to watch over them constantly; otherwise, wouldnât that be a waste of salary?"
Chu Heng spoke boldly, but the officials at the Department of Commerce and Construction and the Official Gazette Office couldnât help but sneeze.
When they went to Chu Heng to report on official duties.
Within a few words, tasks were assigned, undoubtedly keeping them busy all day without leisure.
They finally understood why they sneezed in the morning.
"I feel somethingâs amiss, donât you?" an official said quietly, ruffling his hair.
"How is it amiss?" his colleague sighed and responded casually.
The young official said, "Although Lord Chu gave us many opportunities to handle official duties ourselves, werenât these tasks previously managed by Lord Chu himself? Is it truly suitable now that theyâre handed to us?"
"Donât tell me youâre implying Lord Chu is deliberately shirking work," the colleague said, pensively.
The young official rubbed his nose tip: "Isnât that the case?"
"Donât say that. Lord Chu mentioned itâs to train our abilities. Being capable of only reading books isnât enough; if we canât manage these official duties, it wouldnât be acceptable."
"The main point is, the court now needs practical officials," one official said, rubbing his eyes with slight unease.
"Indeed... If weâre to manage merchants, we must understand commerce. Otherwise, how would we know how these merchants might deceive us, stumbling into traps, thus leaving us in unfavorable situations?" an official said righteously.
Another official nearby overheard and retorted, "You speak as if weâve privately engaged in misconduct."
"Hehe, if you truly act rightly, why would you become upset over my words?"
"You..."
Seeing the two were about to quarrel.
Nearby officials quickly attempted to mediate.
Ultimately, it didnât escalate; after all, this was the yamen.
However, by the time this happened, Chu Heng had already departed the Department of Commerce and Construction; even if he heard about it, he wouldnât care.
At this moment, Chu Heng had returned to the Chu family.
Accompanying Ye Muyu, they waited in the courtyard for about an hour.
A servant boy ran inside, saying, "Master, Madam, the young master returned with lots of luggage, just outside the mansion."
"Letâs go and see; perhaps thereâs something good," Ye Muyu heard about Chu Jinâs safe return and felt relieved.
Thanks to Emperor Xuanmingâs directive for all those returning safely from this voyage to come to the capital for rewards, it deterred hidden adversaries from acting against Chu Jin; otherwise, returning might not have been so smooth.
When Chu Heng and Ye Muyu reached the mansion gate, what they saw was someone slightly tanned.