Chapter 186 Don't let Young Master Li find out!
Shen Yulou saw that the time was right, then slowly walked forward.
He patted Wang Shushi's shoulder, and advised him earnestly.
"Lord Wang, I see that your grandson truly likes it here.
Children, let them learn what they like.
You can rest assured, I, Shen Yulou, guarantee that I will cultivate your grandson into a pillar of the nation!"
He paused, then leaned closer to Wang Shushi's ear, lowering his voice.
"Of course, if you don't like this grand tutor's meat, I'll change it tomorrow.
Changing it to Minister's meat or Attendant Censor's meat is not a big problem."
"Don't worry, with the relationship between Lord Wang and Your humble servant, your grandson will never have to empty nightsoil."
Wang Shushi was so angry that he gritted his teeth!
This was a blatant threat!
But he couldn't do anything about it.
Wang Shushi stood still, his chest heaving violently, his mind racing.
Should he take him away? Or not?
After struggling for a long time.
Finally, he took a deep breath and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.
"Hmph! This old man... will not stoop to your level, you scoundrel!"
After speaking, he flung his sleeves, pushed through the crowd without looking back, and fled in a panic... Back at the Grand Tutor's mansion, as soon as Wang Shushi entered the study, he swept all the pens, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desk to the floor, making a clattering sound.
"Rebellious daughter! You rebellious daughter!"
He pointed at his daughter, Wang Qingya, who had rushed over at the sound, trembling with anger.
"Who told you to send Ming'er into the hands of that Shen fellow?! Are you trying to anger me to death?!"
Wang Qingya dared not raise her head, only able to softly argue.
"Father, look, isn't Ming'er doing quite well at the Imperial Academy?"
"Well? Well my ass!"
Wang Shushi's anger flared up at the thought of the embarrassment he suffered at the Imperial Academy entrance today.
"My old face has been completely shamed by you today! Do you know what everyone outside is saying about me now?!"
The father and daughter had a big argument, and finally, Wang Shushi slumped back into his chair, sighing deeply, his voice filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
"Alas... if that old fellow Li Deguang finds out about this, my decades-long friendship with him will be completely over..."
Wang Qingya's eyes darted around, then she leaned forward and whispered.
"Father, if you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, who will know about this?"
Wang Shushi snorted.
In the end, he could only nod helplessly and wave his hand.
"Alright, alright... This matter must be kept a secret! Heaven knows, Earth knows, but absolutely don't let Old Li know!"
...The next day, before the morning court, the officials waited outside the hall.
Wang Shushi and Li Deguang met outside the hall.
"Lord Wang, the weather is nice today, ha ha ha." Li Deguang spoke first, making small talk.
Wang Shushi stiffly twitched the corner of his mouth: "Yes, Lord Li also looks very well today, presumably he slept soundly last night."
The two exchanged awkward pleasantries for a long time, not daring to mention a single word about the Imperial Academy.
It felt like two old married couples who had both cheated, neither daring to talk about their relationship.
In the imperial court, after the official business was discussed.
Emperor Ren leaned back on his dragon chair and suddenly spoke with interest.
"Yesterday, I heard that Grand Tutor Wang, back in Huangzhou, had such a wonderful story as 'grand tutor's meat'? And also Attendant Censor Guo, your 'couple's lung slices,' behind it there's such a touching story.
Why have you never mentioned it to Us?"
Wang Shushi and Attendant Censor Guo, who were called out, immediately looked a bit displeased.
They looked back at Shen Yulou in the corner.
They had to admit it.
Their children... their children were still in Shen Yulou's hands!
The two exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of despair in the other's eyes.
What else could they do?
They could only accept it!
Wang Shushi was the first to step forward, bowing.
"Your Majesty makes light of it, these are just old stories, some unintentional actions by Your humble servant during his time in Huangzhou, not worth mentioning, I didn't expect them to spread to the Imperial City."
Attendant Censor Guo also quickly echoed: "This subject and my humble wife lived in hardship back then, this matter is shameful to speak of, and makes Your Majesty laugh."
Emperor Ren was very pleased to hear this.
"This is not a small matter! Such wonderful stories should be spread to inspire scholars throughout the land, to let them know what is the integrity of a scholar, and what is the deep affection between husband and wife!
We are very gratified, and shall bestow rewards!"
Wang Shushi and Attendant Censor Guo could only kneel and express their gratitude, cursing Shen Yulou's ancestors eighteen generations back in their hearts.
It was truly detestable to make money using their names!
Just then, Grand Secretary Zhang Fucheng stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"Your Majesty, the Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom has arrived at the Imperial City again, and this time, they have specifically named Song Hu, demanding his return to their country!"
At these words, Shen Yulou's expression subtly changed.
Song Hu was a top bodyguard he had 'rented' from the Wulin Kingdom at a great price, with explosive combat power.
If he were to be taken back, his personal safety index would drop by several percentage points.
Emperor Ren's brows also furrowed; he likewise did not want to release the man.
A military general stepped forward, this person was burly, and it was the Right Governor Zhou Kui.
His son had long since come of age, and naturally was not in the Imperial Academy, so he had always held no good feelings towards Shen Yulou.
"Your Majesty, Your humble servant believes that Song Hu is the Wulin Kingdom's greatest warrior, a rare and fierce general.
Now in our Great Hun, he only serves as a guard for Lord Shen, which is far too underutilized!
If word gets out, it will also damage our nation's prestige!"
Shen Yulou glanced at him, sneering inwardly.
It sounded good, but wasn't he just eyeing Song Hu greedily, wanting to steal his talent?
Half of the court officials' children were in his hands, but there were quite a few others who eyed him covetously.
Especially a high-combat bodyguard like Song Hu, who wouldn't want him?
Now that the Wulin Kingdom had come to reclaim him, these people were taking the opportunity to make trouble, first to get Song Hu away from him.
Emperor Ren looked at Shen Yulou and asked: "Minister Shen, do you have a solution for this matter?"
Shen Yulou took a step forward, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, Your humble servant has long been prepared. The key to this matter lies with Song Hu himself.
As long as he himself doesn't want to go back, then even if the King of Wulin Kingdom comes personally, he won't be able to take him away."
Deputy Commander Zhou Kui sneered aloud on the spot when he heard this.
"What a joke! Falling leaves return to their roots, who doesn't want to return to their homeland? How could Song Hu be an exception?"
Shen Yulou just smiled mysteriously and slowly uttered four words.
"I have a brilliant plan."
Wang Shushi: "Those are five words."
Shen Yulou: "Hmm?"
Wang Shushi: "Lord Shen is brilliant."
Shen Yulou: Did I say those were four words?
Zhou Kui sneered aloud on the spot when he heard this, his voice like a gander's, very grating.
"What a joke! What method could you possibly have?"
He understood these stubborn military generals too well.
Don't look at Song Hu, usually like a silent gourd, serving as your guard, seemingly stable.
But in his heart, he longed to return home!
As long as there was an opportunity from the Wulin Kingdom, he would definitely pack up and leave without a second thought!
Shen Yulou didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
"Is Lord Zhou so certain? Shall we make a bet?"