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

Chapter 481

"Lord Yang, did you hear that Young Master Mao and your son were spouting nonsense at Zuichunlou, breaking many things, refusing to pay compensation, and even demanding money from Zuixianlou? What kind of logic is this? Do Young Master Mao and your son have any regard for the laws of the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhou Chu's face darkened.

Looking at Zhou Chu's face, Yang Lian felt a sudden tremor in his heart. He didn't understand where this feeling came from, but he had a bad feeling.

However, since things had come to this point, Yang Lian had no choice but to finish what he had to say, even if he had to bite the bullet. He knew very well that the most taboo thing for a person or an official was to be two-faced. Even if he sensed that something was wrong, Yang Lian had no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end.

"What exactly does Lord Zhou mean? Are you going against Lord Mao?"

Yang Lian's face was grim.

"What do you mean by that, Lord Yang? My men are merely acting in accordance with the laws of the Ming Dynasty. How has it come to the point of opposing Lord Mao? Moreover, Lord Mao is merely a member of the Cabinet. What does Lord Yang mean by saying this? Where does he place the Grand Secretary? Where does he place His Majesty? Does Lord Yang think that Lord Mao can control everything in the capital?"

Zhou Chu said, word by word.

Every word Zhou Chu uttered struck Yang Lian's heart like a heavy hammer blow.

This made Yang Lian's bad premonition even stronger.

"Since Lord Zhou is so ungrateful, then I shall take my leave. However, Lord Zhou should think carefully about the consequences."

After saying this, Yang Lian got up to leave.

"Lord Yang, please don't leave yet. What we just discussed was the matter of Young Master Mao and your son. Now let's talk about Lord Yang. You trespassed into my residence without prior notice, which is an act of insubordination. What should be your punishment?"

Zhou Chu roared angrily.

The Ming Dynasty law stipulated that subordinates must kneel and bow when meeting superiors. Although this law was now defunct, Yang Lian's unauthorized entry into the Zhou residence was indeed an act of insubordination.

Zhou Chu was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a third-rank official. According to rank, he was the same as Yang Lian, the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard officials were three ranks higher than each other. As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhou Chu was already at the pinnacle of his position. It was no exaggeration to say that Yang Lian was an insubordinate who had offended his superior.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lian's expression froze instantly.

"What do you mean by that, Lord Zhou?"

Yang Lian looked at Zhou Chu with some disbelief.

"Which of my words did you not understand, Lord Yang? I can explain it to you word by word."

Zhou Chu looked at Yang Lian, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

Yang Lian had never seen Zhou Chu like this before. Since taking office, Yang Lian had only seen Zhou Chu a handful of times, the last time being half a year ago when they met Chen Wanyan.

Looking at Zhou Chu's appearance, Yang Lian trembled with fear. Only now did Yang Lian finally realize one thing: he had miscalculated. His previous probing of Zhou Chu was completely ineffective, and it was even very likely that the young man in front of him had seen through it.

Upon realizing this, Yang Lian instantly understood many things.

"You and Yang Yiqing..."

Yang Lian didn't finish his sentence, but his face had already turned ashen.

Yang Lian knew very well that his current power and that of Lord Mao were only a flash in the pan. If he wanted to solidify this power, he had to bring down Yang Yiqing and put Mao Ji in the position of Grand Secretary.

Everything they are doing now is in pursuit of this goal.

Before this, everything was nothing but a mirage.

"Lord Zhou did that a year ago using his position as commander. Please think carefully about whether Lord Zhou can bear the consequences this time!"

Yang Lian said sternly but weakly.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu shook his head with a cold laugh.

"What are you saying, Lord Yang? I have not intended to do anything. However, these days, the Grand Secretary has borrowed some of the troops from the Northern Garrison Command from me. I don't know what he wants to do. After all, he is the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and I cannot refuse him."