The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 553

Lu Wanshan said with a look of annoyance.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu was momentarily dazed. He had been gone for two years and now had a son, who was probably already two years old.

Judging from Lu Wanshan's words, it seems that his son had an accident some time ago?

"Come in and talk."

As Zhou Chu entered his home, Lu Wanshan wished he could crawl in on his knees. Only after Zhou Chu lifted him up did he hang his head and follow behind Zhou Chu, not daring to look up at all.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Zhou Chu led Lu Wanshan to the main hall, took the teacup from Chunlan, and took a sip of tea.

Lu Wanshan immediately knelt down in front of Zhou Chu and recounted everything that had happened.

"This is not your fault. Fang Hong is only a commander of a thousand. If he keeps sending people to guard the place, his subordinates will complain. Fang Heng is fine. Get up."

Seeing Lu Wanshan's miserable state, Zhou Chu couldn't bear to punish him any further.

Lu Wanshan's actions were not problematic; having someone stand guard at the Fang residence for over a year was already considered doing his best.

Most importantly, Fang Heng is alright. As long as he is safe, it's not a big problem for Zhou Chu.

"Who did this? Have you found out?"

Zhou Chu glanced at Lu Wanshan and asked.

“Your subordinates are incompetent. Those who took action were all assassins, all unfamiliar faces. Their identities were temporarily changed by an official from the Ministry of Revenue, but that official had died at home before the incident.”

Lu Wanshan was drenched in sweat when he said this.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu repeatedly tapped the armrest of his chair with his index finger. The tapping sound was like a nightmare, constantly striking Lu Wanshan's heart and making him feel terrified.

In reality, Zhou Chu wasn't considering how to punish Lu Wanshan, but rather filtering through his mind one by one, thinking about all the people who had been at odds with him over the past two years.

Zhou Chu has been in Tibet for two years, and he has experienced so many people and things that even the memories from two years ago seem somewhat distant.

"That woman, what was her name again? I met her in Yun Gui Fang two years ago."

Zhou Chu looked at Shen Lian beside him, somewhat puzzled.

Shen Lian thought about this for a long time after hearing it.

"Wang Mingyue, the daughter of the Wang family."

Shen Lian replied.

"Investigate this Wang Mingyue and find out what she's been up to lately."

Zhou Chu looked at Lu Wanshan and said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wanshan felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

"I will investigate immediately."

After saying this, Lu Wanshan hurriedly left the Zhou residence.

"Does Your Excellency believe this woman was responsible for this?"

Shen Lian asked.

"It's just a possibility. Most of my enemies are officials. These people are still methodical in their actions. But this woman is a bit crazy. It's possible that she would do something like this. However, even if she did it, it's unlikely that she did it alone. There's probably someone else behind her."

Zhou Chu remembered what Lu Wanshan had said: someone in the Ministry of Revenue was helping these assassins change their identities.

However, so far, these are all just Zhou Chu's guesses. It's probably impossible to find any evidence of who did it, but this incident has served as a wake-up call for him.

Some people have become so ruthless in their pursuit of personal gain that they have blocked the path of too many others.

Now that Fang Heng's identity is no longer a secret, I must protect this child well.

Thinking of this, Zhou Chu could no longer suppress his desire to see his son.

"Prepare a generous gift and come with me to the Fang residence."

Zhou Chu looked at Chunlan beside him and said.

Upon hearing this, Chunlan hurriedly went to prepare things.

"Take a piece of ambergris and put it inside."

As Zhou Chu watched Chunlan's departing figure, he gave her specific instructions.

Soon, Zhou Chu arrived at the Fang residence with Chunlan, Shen Lian, and Dazhu.

Since the incident at the Fang residence, Fang Hong has been granted leave and has been keeping a close watch at home these past few days, fearing that something else might happen.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

When Fang Hong saw Zhou Chu, her face lit up with joy. Zhou Chu's return to Beijing meant that she would no longer have to live in fear.

“I heard about what happened before from Lu Wanshan. It frightened you and Shen Qing.”

Zhou Chu looked at Fang Hong and said.

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong, who had been holding back a lot of emotions—grievances and confusion—couldn't hold them back any longer, and tears streamed down his face.

"I failed to protect them, mother and child, and deserve to die!"

Fang Hong said in a low voice.

"It's not your fault. You can't guard against thieves for a thousand days if you're a thief for a thousand days. Fang Heng is fine now."

After saying this, Zhou Chu waved to Chunlan.

"My lord, this is far too precious."

Fang Hong declined.

"Why are you refusing? It's not for you, it's for them, mother and child."

Zhou Chu glanced at Fang Hong and said.

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong could no longer refuse and had no choice but to accept the gifts.

"This is ambergris that His Majesty bestowed upon me. I'll light some for Shen Qing later. She's probably been quite frightened by this incident, and ambergris has a calming effect."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he took out a wooden box and handed it to Fang Hong.

Fang Hong took the box with both hands and carefully put it away.

"Take me to meet Xiao Fangheng."

Zhou Chu said.

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong realized what was happening and hurriedly led Zhou Chu to the backyard. At this moment, Shen Qing was playing with Fang Heng in the backyard of the Fang residence, but Shen Qing looked very tired and worried.

"Shen Qing, Lord Zhou has arrived."

Fang Hong entered the backyard and said.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing turned and saw Zhou Chu. In an instant, all her emotions erupted, but she did not do anything inappropriate in front of Fang Heng.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

Shen Qing made a blessing.

Zhou Chu looked at Shen Qing, then at Fang Heng beside him, and was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.