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

Chapter 280

Zhou Chu was listening to music at home when he was surprised to see Sun Jiaojiao, Han Yuan'er, and Shen Qing arrive together.

In Zhou Chu's memory, Sun Jiaojiao, Han Yuan'er and Shen Qing had an average relationship. After all, Shen Qing was not outstanding compared to Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er in terms of background or talent.

Especially considering their backgrounds, the difference is huge, and they shouldn't have been friends in the same circle.

The reason why Shen Qing and Sun Jiaojiao were able to get so close was mainly due to Zhou Chu.

As Zhou Chu's status rose, Shen Qing, who was Zhou Chu's original employer, also gained more respect in the eyes of Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er. In addition, Shen Qing now had another identity: he was engaged to Fang Hong, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It was said that Fang Hong was a favorite of Zhou Chu and had made many contributions to Zhou Chu, and was likely to be promoted to commander of a thousand in the future.

Once you become a commander of a thousand, your status changes. There are many commanders of a hundred in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but the number of commanders of a thousand is limited.

In addition, Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er had gotten used to ordering clothes from Yun Gui Fang. Whenever they wanted to buy clothes, Yun Gui Fang was the first place they thought of. With Zhou Chu as a common topic, the three women's relationship became increasingly close.

Today, Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er went to see Shen Qing together. Ever since they heard the news that Zhou Chu had returned to the capital, they had wanted to visit Zhou Chu at his residence. However, both of them were already married, and if they went to Zhou Chu's house rashly, they would inevitably be gossiped about. So, the two of them decided that they should invite Shen Qing along.

Shen Qing was different from them. Although she was also a woman, she had been doing business for many years and had to show her face in public every day. She even often personally led people to deliver clothes to the mansions of high-ranking officials and nobles. Many people in the capital knew this.

With Shen Qing present, the arrival of the three of them in Zhou Chu didn't seem so abrupt.

Most importantly, Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er hadn't seen Zhou Chu for over a year, and they were worried that their relationship with him might have become distant. They weren't sure if it would be appropriate for them to visit him so abruptly.

The three women had been informed of their arrival at the Zhou residence, and Zhou Chu was aware of it, so he was not surprised to see them.

"Why are you here?"

Zhou Chu said, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness.

At this moment, Zhou Chu looked like a man who had failed in his official career, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.

Shen Qing looked at Zhou Chu in this state and felt a pang of heartache.

"Why do you demean yourself like this, sir? It's your own body that's at stake."

Shen Qing, disregarding the people around him, sat down on the daybed and helped the drunk Zhou Chu.

Shen Qing knew very well that the people in the Zhou family were either members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er would not reveal this matter, so there was no need to be wary.

She had always been fond of Zhou Chu, and seeing him like this, she naturally felt sorry for him.

Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er looked somewhat uneasy upon seeing this scene. Having been sisters with Shen Qing for the past six months, they both knew that Fang Hong was actually a woman. Originally, they thought the marriage was extremely absurd, but after learning about the Shen family's situation and seeing this scene before them...

Only then did the two realize that Fang Hong was the most suitable person for Shen Qing.

"Miss Chunlan, do you have any hangover soup?"

Shen Qing looked at Chunlan beside her with a hint of pleading.

"Yes, I always keep them on hand."

Upon hearing this, Chunlan hurriedly brought over the hangover soup.

Shen Qing took the hangover soup, took a sip, tested the temperature, and found it to be just right before using a spoon to feed Zhou Chu the soup.

Liu Sisi, who was standing to the side, was also a little surprised to see the three people in front of her. She knew Han Yuan'er and Sun Jiaojiao, especially Sun Jiaojiao. They used to be daughters of officials in the same social circle. Even though Liu Sisi rarely went out, she would still attend some important occasions.

However, Liu Sisi also learned a lot of information from the Jiaofangsi, and understood that the current status of both Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er was not comparable to that of the past.

Sun Jiaojiao's father, Sun Hong, has risen rapidly in rank over the past year, and is now the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Han Yuan'er's father, Han Jie, is now the Minister of Personnel, a high-ranking official of the second rank. There are very few people in the court whose status can surpass Han Jie's.

Liu Sisi was surprised to find that the two women seemed to have a good relationship with Zhou Chu. At this moment, Liu Sisi suddenly realized that the promotions of Vice Minister Sun and Minister Han might be related to this Lord Zhou in front of her.

Soon, Liu Sisi dismissed her idea, after all, Zhou Chu had already lost power, while those two officials were now the Emperor's favorites.

Zhou Chu didn't want to pretend to be drunk, but as the saying goes, if you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. Feeling the fragrance on Shen Qing's body, Zhou Chu drank the hangover soup and pretended to be much more sober.

"You guys go down first."

Zhou Chu looked at Liu Sisi and the others, and waved his hand.

"Yes, my lord."

The women bowed respectfully and then withdrew from the main hall.

Shen Lian, standing to the side, couldn't help but admire the actor's acting skills. He thought to himself that he himself would not be able to act so naturally.

"Why are you here?"

Zhou Chu seemed to have forgotten that he had just asked the question, and looked at the group with some confusion.

“When Yuan’er and I heard that you had returned to the capital, we had long wanted to pay our respects, but we were held back by our status.”

Sun Jiaojiao said somewhat reservedly.

"Why be so formal? Just call me Weighing Instrument as always."

Zhou Chu said while drinking tea.

Upon hearing this, Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes. These words instantly transported them back to before Zhou Chu became an official.

They knew very well that the powerful man in front of them was only seventeen years old, but the things he had done were terrifying just to hear about.

Even though Zhou Chu has lost power on the surface, Sun Jiaojiao and Han Yuan'er still feel a lot of pressure when facing him.

Only then did the two women relax.

“Hengqi, my father has been mentioning you a lot these days. He feels sorry for you.”

Han Yuan'er said with a guilty expression.

"Please tell Lord Han that there is no need to feel guilty. I was already very grateful that Lord Han spoke up for me in court some time ago. I am now surrounded by trouble, and it is right for Lord Han to avoid suspicion. He should save his time to do more for His Majesty and the people of Ming."

Zhou Chu had no concept of the Dao.

In fact, Zhou Chu understood what Han Jie was thinking. He knew that Han Jie should be able to see some problems, but being able to see them didn't mean he had to expose them. It's wise to play dumb sometimes. Han Jie had Han Yuan'er deliver this message to Zhou Chu to convey this meaning.

He truly is a cunning old fox who has been navigating the officialdom for many years.

However, Han Yuan'er was kept in the dark. Upon hearing this, her face showed even more guilt. She felt that her father's promotion was entirely due to Zhou Hengqi's help. Now that Zhou Hengqi had lost power, her father had to avoid suspicion, which made her feel ashamed.

"My father also asked me to pass on a message, which was roughly the same idea."

Sun Jiaojiao looked embarrassed when she talked about it.

"The fact that the two of you came represents the attitude of Lord Han and Lord Sun. Why feel guilty? There's no need for such formality between friends."

Zhou Chu said nonchalantly.

"grown ups."

Lu Wanshan walked in excitedly, about to report, but when he saw Sun Jiaojiao and the others, he immediately shut up.

"It's alright, go ahead and speak, there are no outsiders here."

Zhou Chu sat up, his expression no longer showing any signs of drunkenness.