Yan Xiaohan’s breathing suddenly became rapid. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse as if filled with sand, even trembling slightly: “Is it a deal?”
“Yes,” Fu Shen smiled. “I will comply with any request.”
Not only did the courtiers think so, but even Emperor Yuantai himself believed it, dragging his sick body to the ancestral temple to kneel and pray. Yan Xiaohan seized the opportunity and found a chance to meet the emperor, bringing up the Kuang Mountain Academy case, which indeed moved Emperor Yuantai, who issued an imperial decree of amnesty the next day.
Now he has gone south with Prince Qi, and Fu Shen specially came to see off Zeng Guang, not only to bid farewell but also to showcase his merits in front of these scholars.
Gu Yushi grimaced as if his teeth were aching.
“No matter what, thanks to the Marquis and the official’s efforts, my teacher was able to escape death,” he bowed to Fu Shen, “Your great virtue and righteousness will be remembered forever, and I will repay you.”
Fu Shen joked, “My wife heard I was coming to see off Master Zeng and asked me to convey: No need for such grand gestures of gratitude. She just hopes that in the future, you’ll be a bit gentler when calling them ‘court dogs’.”
Scholars have always been harsh on the Flying Dragon Guard, especially an old scholar like Zeng Guang. He originally thought Fu Shen had intervened and fought cleverly to rescue him, but never expected the Jing’ning Marquis to be so closely aligned with the court’s hawks, even attributing the main credit to them. How could the world have changed so much?
A heart of kindness that doesn’t kill – is this still the Flying Dragon Guard?
Gu Yushi saw more clearly and, seeing his teacher still in shock, smiled helplessly at Fu Shen, “Please convey our thanks to Sir Yan on behalf of my teacher and me.”
Fu Shen, seeing him so cooperative, nodded satisfactorily: “Certainly.”
As time was getting late, Gu Shanlu helped Zeng Guang onto the horse carriage, bid farewell to his mentor, and after watching him leave, said goodbye to Fu Shen and rode back to the city. Fu Shen boarded his own carriage, heading towards his villa in Changle Mountain.
