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

Chapter 399

After a long and arduous journey, Xie Qian, who was over seventy years old, finally arrived in the capital.

Xie Qian's body was in great pain from all the troubles along the way, but he could only endure it. The Jiangnan faction was weak at the moment, and as one of the mainstays of the Jiangnan faction, even though he was over seventy years old, he still had to stand up when the time came.

Once a person reaches a certain status and possesses certain resources, they can no longer do or say whatever they want.

When Xie Qian arrived in the capital, it was already night. In the Xie family mansion in the capital, Xie Qian's second son, Xie Pi, was an official in the court. He was currently serving as an editor in the Hanlin Academy, in charge of compiling the Veritable Records of Emperor Wuzong.

Although Xie Pi is currently only an editor in the Hanlin Academy, everyone knows that once he leaves the Hanlin Academy, his future will be limitless, and he will directly enter the Six Ministries.

His future achievements will at least reach the rank of Minister, and he may even enter the Grand Secretariat.

After Xie Qian retired, Xie Pi followed Xie Qian's instructions and maintained a low-key and reserved nature. As a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, he really had no money to be greedy for, nor did he need to be. The money Xie Qian left for him was enough for his expenses.

As for connections and relationships in officialdom, Xie Qian had many protégés and former subordinates throughout the capital during his tenure. Although many of them were investigated and punished by Zhou Chu, some of them were still in office.

Moreover, Xie Qian, as a representative figure of the Jiangnan faction, fought alongside Yang Tinghe and others, leaving Xie Pi with enough political resources to enjoy for a lifetime.

Xie Qian, at his age, went through all sorts of troubles to come to the capital, not for power, but entirely to pave the way for his son.

"Father is so old, why do Lord Mao and the others make him travel so far? These matters of the court are for others to handle."

After Xie Qian helped his father down from the carriage, he said with some dissatisfaction.

"You don't understand, do you? Zhou Chu didn't die."

Xie Qian said with a mature and composed expression.

Xie Pi was greatly alarmed upon hearing this.

"How did Father find out about this? Yes, Zhou Chu disappeared near Yuyao."

Xie Pi suddenly realized that Yuyao was his hometown. If his father couldn't even keep this information, then it would be a joke.

"No wonder Lord Mao recommended Father to be reinstated. I originally thought it would be more appropriate for Lord Xia to join the cabinet, or someone else. Now it seems that they want you to take the lead."

Xie Pi said with dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Xie Qian looked at his son with his aged face. He was very satisfied that his son cared about him, and that his long journey to pave the way for his son's future had not been in vain.

“Many things cannot be judged by appearances alone. Since Zhou Chu has shown up, His Majesty has not announced it to the public. He must be trying to catch a fish. I am not that fish. What else can I do? Whether I can catch him or not depends on His Majesty’s ability.”

Xie Qian raised his eyelids slightly and said.

"Xia Gongjin understands this principle, which is why he dares not enter the cabinet rashly. He is a meticulous man. If you enter the Six Ministries in the future, he will do his best to cultivate you. Not only him, but Mao Ji and Mao Weizhi will also be a great help to you. Isn't the reason why your father re-entered the cabinet all for your sake?"

Xie Qian patted his son's hand that was supporting him and smiled.

Xie Pi was deeply moved upon hearing this.

"Your son is unfilial. At this age, you still make your father work so hard for you."

Xie Pi couldn't help but wipe away his tears.

"Why act like a girl? The future of the Xie family depends entirely on you. Your elder brother cannot be relied upon. For the sake of the Xie family's reputation, this is what I should do."

Xie Qian pretended to be serious.

Hearing this, Xie Pi was even more moved and hurriedly helped his father into the villa that originally belonged to Xie Qian.

Xie Pi had always had someone take care of this villa. Originally, Xie Pi was thinking that whenever his old father missed him and wanted to live in the capital, he could stay in the familiar environment he used to live in.

Xie Qian saw that everything in the villa, including a flower and a tree, was exactly the same as when he left, which made him very gratified.

"You have a heart."

Xie Qian knew very well that this must be someone who had been taking care of it for a long time; it wouldn't be like this if it were a temporary arrangement.

Xie Qian arrived at the door of his room.

"Father, please rest early. I'll take my leave now."

Xie Pi bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Xie Qian nodded and, supported by a maid, entered the side room.

Inside the room, on Xie Qian's bed, lay two maids warming his feet. These were prepared by Xie Pi for his elderly father. Xie Qian had been traveling a long way, and with the chill of early spring, Xie Pi thoughtfully arranged for these two maids to warm his feet.

Xie Qian was not surprised to see the two maids who warmed his feet. When he was an official in the capital, he always had maids to warm his feet whenever the weather was a little cold.

It wasn't just him; in the capital, many officials of the third rank or above had maids to warm their feet, and even many fourth and fifth-rank officials would secretly buy maids to warm their feet.

This was a form of enjoyment and a symbol of status; officials of the fourth and fifth ranks dared not use it openly and could only use it secretly.

With the help of his maids, Xie Qian undressed, leaving only his undershirt, and lay down on the bed. At the other end of the bed, two maids, each holding one of Xie Qian's feet, placed them on their abdomens to warm them.

The selection of foot warmers is very particular. Generally, women with sufficient yang energy and weak cold energy are chosen. They are also given some medicinal herbs to replenish yang energy. In this way, their bodies will not be as cold as ordinary women, but will be like a small stove, so that they can serve as foot warmers.

Otherwise, if you choose two people who are cold-blooded, will you be the one warming the master's feet, or will the master be the one warming your feet?

Xie Qian's long and arduous journey was greatly relieved by the warmth from the two small heaters.

The news of Xie Qian's arrival in the capital spread early the next morning. Xie Qian then went to the cabinet to report on his duties and met with Yang Yiqing and others.

"Lord Xie, it's been many years, but you're still in such good health."

Yang Yiqing smiled.

"Thanks to the Grand Secretary, I'm afraid my old bones won't last many more years."

Xie Qian said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Lord Xie, you can't blame me. It was Lord Mao who recommended you."

Yang Yiqing laughed heartily.

In terms of age, Xie Qian was a few years older than Yang Yiqing, and in terms of official experience, Xie Qian was also superior to Yang Yiqing. If anyone was qualified to act superior to Yang Yiqing, it would be Xie Qian.

"Lord Xie, those who are capable should be given more work. These are turbulent times, and the Ming Dynasty needs you."

Mao Ji flattered.

Today, he and Yang Yiqing are on duty, while Yang Shen and Fei Hong are on leave.

"These are indeed turbulent times. I know that the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lord Zhou Chu, is still alive and well."

Xie Qian stroked his beard and said.

"what!"

Mao Ji was startled when he heard this.

Yang Yiqing, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he was fortunate not to have acted rashly.