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

Chapter 130

Zhou Chu ignored Zhang's pressure and responded with a firm but gentle retort.

"you!"

Zhang was surprised that Zhou Chu dared to speak to her like that. Zhou Chu's attitude was disrespectful, and his words even contained a hint of mockery, which made Zhang even angrier.

But as she was able to become the Empress Dowager, she naturally had some composure and quickly suppressed her temper.

"What problems could a palace maid possibly have? I can tell you're up to no good. From this day forward, cease all investigations into anyone in the palace."

Zhang was too tired to communicate with Zhou Chu anymore; she was afraid that if she continued talking to him, she would lose her temper and throw something at him.

Although Zhang was somewhat shrewd, she wasn't particularly calculating; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so devoted to securing everything for her two younger brothers.

To put it bluntly, she was nothing more than a pawn used by those civil officials.

"I have no way to explain this to Your Majesty."

Zhou Chu said with a hint of helplessness.

"I will speak to the Emperor; you don't need to worry about that."

Zhang said somewhat impatiently.

"Furthermore, apart from the few Imperial Guards protecting the Emperor, no other Imperial Guards are allowed in the palace from now on."

"Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree."

Zhou Chu was too lazy to argue with Zhang Shi. Since she already knew, it meant that it was unlikely that he could slowly replace the palace maids. Zhou Chu could only cut the Gordian knot and resolve the issue once and for all.

"Go back."

Zhang didn't want Zhou Chu to stay in front of her any longer; it seemed that even a glance at him would make her angry.

"My minister retire."

After Zhou Chu finished speaking, he turned and left Ning Shou Palace.

After leaving the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Zhou Chu did not rush to leave, but went straight to the Imperial Study.

The court session had long since ended, and the emperor was presumably in his study handling state affairs.

On his way to the Imperial Study, Zhou Chu could still feel countless eyes staring at him, but he didn't care anymore. Before long, all of these people would die.

"grown ups."

As Zhou Chugang arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study, the two Imperial Guards standing guard at the door bowed in greeting.

Emperor Jiajing didn't trust the palace guards much before, but now he was surrounded by Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards).

"Go and report it."

Zhou Chu waved his hand and said.

Upon hearing this, one of the Imperial Guards turned and went into the Imperial Study to report.

Soon, Huang Jin followed.

"Lord Zhou, His Majesty already said that you don't need to announce your arrival. Why are you still being so formal?"

Huang Jin said with a hint of reproach.

“I am well aware of the great favor Your Majesty has bestowed upon me, but the proper etiquette between ruler and subject must not be disregarded. The ruler is the ruler, and the subject is the subject; neither should overstep their bounds.”

As Zhou Chu spoke, he and Huang Jin entered the Imperial Study.

When Emperor Jiajing heard this in the Imperial Study, he was very pleased. If Zhou Chuzhen had followed his advice and entered without announcing his arrival, he would have felt somewhat uncomfortable.

No matter what, he was still the emperor, and subjects should still have the respect and awe they deserved from their emperor.

"I see your Majesty."

Zhou Chu approached Jiajing and bowed.

"There's no need for excessive formalities with weighing instruments."

Jiajing laughed.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager just summoned me and ordered me to stop screening the palace maids and eunuchs, and to withdraw all the Imperial Guards from the palace."

Zhou Chu stated his purpose directly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing, who was standing nearby, immediately became anxious.

"How can this be allowed? Almost every palace maid in this palace has problems."

Zhou Chu was not surprised by Lu Bing's words. Many palace maids might not have any problems at first, but over time, they would gradually change their stance under the influence of other palace maids around them.

If everyone around you has a problem, but you don't, then you are the one with a problem.

The word "normal" has always been used to describe the vast majority of people.

When Jiajing heard this, he was immediately annoyed. The Empress Dowager was meddling too much.

However, he also knew that this was not the time to confront the Empress Dowager head-on.

"Is there a solution for the weighing instrument problem?"

Jiajing looked at Zhou Chu with anticipation and asked.

"I have a method, but I fear it may offend the will of Heaven."

As Zhou Chu spoke, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.