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

Chapter 664

The gatekeeper of the Lu family knew Jiajing. After all, Jiajing had visited the Lu family when Lu Wei got married. The gatekeeper was terrified when he saw the emperor arrive and dared not stop him.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Upon seeing Jiajing arrive, everyone hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities. I am not here today as the emperor, but as my elder brother Yun Jin."

Jiajing said with a smile.

Lu Song and Madam Yang hurriedly gave up the main seat in the hall, and Jiajing did not stand on ceremony, lifting the hem of his robe and sitting down.

"Please sit down, what kind of manners are you standing here?"

Jiajing patted his hands lightly and said.

Yang and Lu Song sat in the first seat below Jiajing, followed by Tang Bohu and Yunniang. Zhou Chu, Yun Jin, Lu Bing, and Lu Wei and his wife were not entitled to sit.

Since today is the engagement day, they are not entitled to sit according to etiquette or seniority.

"Hengqi, for so many years, I have often wondered when you would get married. Your marriage has always been a worry for me. Now, my wish has finally come true."

Jiajing looked at Zhou Chu and smiled.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Zhou Chu bowed and said.

"This was given to you by Daoist Feixiazi to congratulate you on your engagement."

As Jiajing spoke, he took out a sandalwood box and had Huang Jin hand it to Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu took the box, opened it, and found that it contained a box of pills, with more than a dozen pills inside.

"I never expected that Daoist Feixiazi would still remember me."

Zhou Chu said with some emotion.

"Of course I'm concerned. Over the years, the Taoist priest and I have discussed you the most. The Taoist priest said that the atmosphere of the capital and the Ming Dynasty has been changed because of you. My fate and the Taoist priest's fate have both been changed because of you."

Emperor Jiajing took a sip of tea.

Zhou Chu was slightly surprised when he heard this. He hadn't expected that Daoist Feixiazi's cultivation was so profound that he could see through these things.

Jiajing naturally noticed Zhou Chu's expression.

"My expression was similar to yours at the time. The Taoist priest said that he had originally calculated his own fate. According to his original fate, he should have passed away three years ago. But since he met you, his fate has changed. In recent years, the Taoist priest has been helping me refine elixirs in the palace. Eating those elixirs has prolonged my life. According to the Taoist priest, he can live for a few more years without any problem."

Jiajing explained.

"It is rare that the Taoist priest can stay in the palace."

Zhou Chu couldn't help but recall the first time he met Fei Xiazi. At that time, Fei Xiazi was traveling around and only entered the palace at his request. He never expected that she would stay in the palace for so many years.

"The Taoist priest said that even if he exhausted all his strength, the number of people he could save would be very limited. But as long as he helps you, you can save countless people of the Ming Dynasty. For him, that would be a great merit. He is right about that."

Jiajing laughed.

After saying this, Jiajing looked at Tang Bohu standing to the side.

"Tang Jieyuan, Your Majesty handled the imperial examination cheating case very poorly, causing you to suffer an injustice. I have already ordered Hengqi to exonerate you. If you intend to enter officialdom, you can tell me, and I will use your original examination results, without the need for you to take the exam again."

Jiajing's words were very sincere, and even though Tang Bohu had experienced all the hardships of life, he was still deeply moved when he heard them.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I no longer have the ambition I once had, and besides, my personality is really not suited for officialdom. I am quite satisfied with things as they are now."

Tang Bohu stood up and sincerely bowed to Jiajing.

When Jiajing heard this, he nodded.

"In that case, I will not force you. I wonder if Tang Jieyuan could paint a picture for me, as my study is still missing one."

Emperor Jiajing's words were simply an attempt to elevate Tang Bohu's status. If even he, the emperor, were to collect Tang Bohu's works, the value of Tang Bohu's paintings would skyrocket, and it wouldn't be long before countless people would be scrambling to collect them.

Such things are not uncommon in history. Before the Tang Dynasty, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy was not as famous as it is in later generations. It was only because Li Shimin greatly admired Wang Xizhi that he went to great lengths to obtain the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering. With Li Shimin's endorsement, Wang Xizhi's fame and the value of his calligraphy skyrocketed.

Tang Bohu naturally understood this principle and was immediately flattered.

"I will do my utmost."

Tang Bohu bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing nodded and then looked at Lady Yang and Lu Song.

"Mother, you should not be stingy with the pills I gave you. You should take them often. Those pills were made by the Taoist priest with precious medicinal materials, which I had him refine. They can prolong life."

"Your Majesty's concern for me is truly touching. I don't know what to say. Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. I remember that Your Majesty was not in good health when you were a child."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yang wiped away her tears and said...

"My health was indeed not very good when I was young, but it has been almost fully recovered now, so Mother need not worry."

Emperor Jiajing comforted him.

"Yun Jin, I grew up with my mother, so you are practically my sister. Now that you are about to get married, I have specially ordered a set of furniture made of golden nanmu wood, as well as a box of jewelry, to be included in your dowry when you get married."

Jiajing looked at Yun Jin and said.

Golden Phoebe wood held special significance during the Ming Dynasty, and was known as the "wood of emperors," reserved for the imperial family. In that era, the rarity and preciousness of Huanghuali and Zitan wood far surpassed that of Golden Phoebe wood.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yun Jin bowed and said.

"I have come here today to attend your engagement banquet. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

Emperor Jiajing sighed.

"Yes, His Majesty has been waiting for this day for more than just a day or two. He often asks me when Hengqi can get married."

Lu Bing, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but say something.