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

Chapter 264

The main reason for recalling Zhou Chu was to gauge his attitude. After all, Jiajing and Zhou Chu had not seen each other for a year, and with the officials praising Zhou Chu to the point of undermining him, Jiajing was genuinely afraid that if he didn't see Zhou Hengqi again, he would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Zhu Jianshen and dismiss Zhou Chu.

In the past six months, with the support of the imperial court and Zhou Chu, Zhang Cong continued to implement the performance evaluation system in Southern Zhili, and it has already shown initial results. Officials throughout Southern Zhili are extremely efficient. As a result, Yan Song extended the performance evaluation system to Jiangnan Province, where it has already been initially implemented.

When Zhou Chu left the capital, the journey took a long time, but he returned by boat, which was much faster.

Zhou Chu returned to the capital with only Shen Lian, leaving Lin Lu behind. He instructed Lin Lu and the Tiger Legion to remain in Suzhou Prefecture to demonstrate his stance to the emperor.

Of course, he still needed to bring some secret guards to protect him, since there was bound to be people who would try to harm him along the way.

Upon arriving at the Tianjin dock, the Jinyiwei guards from Suzhou Prefecture who had followed them returned the way they came, where Lu Wanshan and his men were already waiting.

"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency."

A year later, Lu Wanshan saw Zhou Chu again, but this time it wasn't the first time he had seen Zhou Chu's unruly demeanor. His expression was full of respect and admiration.

Zhou Chu nodded without saying anything.

After disembarking at the Tianjin dock, Zhou Chu led his horse, Wuzhui, which was a little weak from the journey, for a while. Once Wuzhui and Shen Lian's horse had recovered, Zhou Chu mounted his horse and headed straight for the capital.

Lu Wanshan and a group of Imperial Guards followed behind to protect them along the way.

There were no assassination attempts along the way, and things went smoothly.

After arriving in the capital, Zhou Chu went straight to the palace.

“Lord Zhou, His Majesty has been thinking of you every day since you left for Jiangnan a year ago.”

At the entrance of the Imperial Study, Huang Jin's eyes lit up when he saw Zhou Chu.

"My heart is with His Majesty every day."

Zhou Chu smiled.

The two talked as they entered the imperial study.

"Weighing instrument, you're finally back."

Upon seeing Zhou Chu in the imperial study, Zhu Houcong was filled with excitement.

Seeing Zhou Chu's travel-worn and slightly haggard appearance, Zhu Houcong's initial suspicion vanished instantly, and he even felt extremely guilty, wondering how he could have been so easily swayed by those civil officials and doubted Zhou Hengqi.

"Your Majesty, I miss Your Majesty very much."

Zhou Chu said respectfully.

"Let's not talk about these things. It's good that you're back. You've been gone for a year. Today, it's not easy for us, as ruler and subject, to reunite. We, along with Wenfu, will drink and make merry together and not discuss state affairs."

Jiajing held Zhou Chu's hand and said happily.

"Very well, Your Majesty, today I will drink with you until we are drunk."

Zhou Chu smiled.

While Zhou Chu was drinking and making merry with Jiajing and Lu Bing, in the inner palace, Chen was waiting for the emperor to enjoy the flowers together. The two had already made an appointment, but she waited and waited, and the emperor never came.

"Go and find out why His Majesty hasn't arrived yet."

Chen looked at the eunuch beside her and said.

The eunuch accepted the order and left, but soon returned to Chen's side.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently meeting with Zhou Chu, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he likely has no time today."

Upon hearing this, Chen's face fell, and her good mood vanished instantly.

"Why does Your Majesty care so much about a mere commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

After speaking, Chen snorted coldly and left the Imperial Garden.

In the past six months, Chen's father, Chen Wanyan, has been promoted again and again. He was not only granted the title of Earl of Taihe, but also a hereditary earldom with an annual stipend of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain). Chen's elder brother, Chen Shaozu, was even granted the title of Vice Minister of the Imperial Seal Office. Moreover, despite the opposition of his ministers, Emperor Jiajing granted the Chen family 800 qing (a unit of land measurement) of land.

Since angering Emperor Jiajing six months ago, Lady Chen has been meek and submissive, which has pleased him greatly. As a result, Lady Chen has forgotten the pain of her past and has gradually become arrogant.

In her view, it was utterly absurd for a mere commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to dare to occupy His Majesty's time.

After returning to her palace, Chen became increasingly angry, so she wrote a secret letter and had it quietly sent out of the palace to Chen Wanyan.

Unbeknownst to Chen, everyone around her, from eunuchs to palace maids, was an agent of the Jiajing Emperor.