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

Chapter 631

The Northern Garrison Command and the Imperial Prison—either of these two terms would be enough to terrify them, especially the Imperial Prison, which was infamous throughout the capital. Under the propaganda of those civil officials, the Imperial Prison seemed to have become a place for persecuting loyal and virtuous people.

Logically speaking, these hooligans were not qualified to enter the Zhaoyu prison. Those who could enter the Zhaoyu prison were either convicted officials or their family members. Hooligans like them were not qualified at all and were usually sent to the Shuntian Prefecture prison.

However, they've hit the jackpot today; they really have to make a trip to Zhaoyu.

"We are late and have startled Young Master Meng. Please forgive us."

After the thugs were taken away, the leader of the Imperial Guards hurriedly saluted.

Meng Qingyuan only realized what was happening after hearing this.

Was his father just a fifth-rank official? Could it be that his parents were conspiring to deceive him, and that his father was actually a high-ranking official of the third rank or above?

Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense. These are all Jinyiwei from the Southern Garrison Command. Just now at the Southern Garrison Command, this Jinyiwei was so polite that Meng Qingyuan thought he was like that to everyone.

But it was only then that Meng Qingyuan realized something was wrong.

However, Meng Qingyuan remembered his mother's words, "Don't be rash," so he suppressed his doubts and didn't say anything more.

"You're too kind, everyone. We'll all be colleagues from now on, so there's no need to call me 'Young Master.' If you don't mind, just call me 'Brother.' I hope you'll all take good care of me."

Meng Qingyuan returned the greeting.

"Of course, of course, we should look out for each other."

The Imperial Guard laughed.

"By the way, Brother Meng, our Commander He specifically instructed us to send you these. These silks have been sitting in our Southern Commander's warehouse for so long they're almost moldy. We usually share some with you during festivals. Commander He asked us to bring you some. And this is some pearls that Commander Meng recently bought in Yun Gui Fang. Knowing that you've come to our Southern Commander, he specially asked me to bring them to you."

As the Imperial Guard spoke, he took out a pearl.

Zhou Chu gave some hidden benefits to the garrison commanders of the North and South. For example, this pearl, if sold to outsiders, would fetch one or two thousand taels of silver. This pearl is round and full, and although it is not the largest, it is still extremely beautiful.

However, if He Er or Lu Wanshan were to buy it, it would only cost around two hundred taels.

Of course, He Er and Lu Wanshan were also very sensible. They would not buy too many, only one every one or two months, to give as gifts or for collection. They would never resell them.

They knew very well that Lord Zhou had made things convenient for them, and if they had any other intentions, they would truly deserve to die. Such a thing could not be hidden from Lord Zhou at all.

Meng Qingyuan looked at the pearl in front of him. Although he didn't know much about pearls, he had heard his mother say that pearls were extremely expensive. Meng Qingyuan couldn't understand it no matter what. The Zhenfu Shi was a fourth-rank official, which was two ranks higher than his father's fifth-rank official position. Not to mention that the Jinyiwei officials were three ranks higher than him.

The commander of the Southern Garrison Command was at least equivalent to a high-ranking official of the imperial court, holding the rank of third grade.

What reason would someone like that have to give themselves such an expensive gift?

"This is too precious, I cannot accept it. Please thank the Governor for his kindness."

Meng Qingyuan was flattered and surprised.

"Brother Meng, just accept it. There's no reason for the garrison commander to take back what he's given away. Don't worry, he won't make you do anything."

The Imperial Guard then placed the box containing the pearls into Meng Qingyuan's hands.

Then everyone followed Meng Qingyuan, carrying several boxes of silk, and went to his house.

"Brother Meng, we won't bother you any longer. We've completed the garrison commander's orders, so we'll head back now."

The leader of the Imperial Guards looked at the small courtyard in front of him and realized that their sudden entry might disturb his family, so he left his things at the door and took his leave.

"Please come in and have some water. I apologize for not being a good host."

Meng Qingyuan said with a face full of guilt.

"No need, Brother Meng. From now on, we'll both be working at the Southern Garrison Command. We're in a hurry to get back and report to the Garrison Commander."

The Imperial Guard waved his hand and said.

"Please thank the Garrison Commander on my behalf."

Meng Qingyuan bowed to the crowd and said.

"Yes, brother, don't see me off anymore, go back."

The Imperial Guard waved his hand and then left with the other Imperial Guards.

These boxes of silk were very heavy, and it took Meng Qingyuan a lot of effort to move them into the courtyard.

"Qingyuan, what are all these?"

Meng Qingyuan's mother looked at the boxes and asked with some confusion.

"It's strange, all those Imperial Guards from the Southern Garrison were extremely polite to me. The Garrison Commander even gave me this. I couldn't refuse it even if I wanted to. Mother, tell me the truth, isn't my father a second-rank official? Otherwise, why would he treat me like this?"

As Meng Qingyuan spoke, he opened the box, took out the pearl, and said.

The woman's eyelids twitched when she saw the pearl in front of her. Meng Qingyuan didn't know the price of this pearl, but she did.

"These pearls are too precious; they must cost at least one or two thousand taels each."

"So expensive?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan was so startled that his hand trembled, and he almost dropped the pearl.

"I must return this to the Garrison Commander immediately. This is far too valuable. Why would the Garrison Commander send me something so precious?"

Meng Qingyuan had originally thought this thing would be quite expensive, but he hadn't expected it to be this expensive. Upon hearing this, he could no longer sit still.

"Don't worry, your father isn't some high-ranking official. The official who came yesterday is no ordinary person. He wrote you a letter of recommendation, so the governor probably gave you these things because of him. As for what to do with this pearl, you can ask your father when he arrives."

The woman spoke calmly and deliberately, knowing full well that Meng Wenxuan would definitely come to see her and her son before he left.

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyuan immediately fell silent.

"Then listen to your mother."