CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105: COUNTERMEASURES

Zi’an’s wet eyes blinked and blinked, his small face full of confusion.

Ren Zhong’s eyebrows were furrowed, somewhat unable to fathom Meng Yao’s intentions.

"Your mother has a sister who got separated from her family when she was very young." Meng Yao spoke softly, "She has a longevity lock that her family gave her, and your mother has one too."

Ren Zhong suddenly understood what Meng Yao meant.

"You and I have blood ties. That’s why you can’t help but want to be close to me." Meng Yao continued.

"Dad, is this true?" Zi’an asked Ren Zhong incredulously.

Meng Yao blinked, having made up her mind, waiting to see if the County Magistrate would accept it.

"Of course it’s true, if it were a stranger, would Dad agree to send you there just because you made a fuss? Dad only has you as his son." Ren Zhong said in line with Meng Yao’s words, "It’s because I saw your aunt’s longevity lock, which is identical to your mother’s. It was specially made back then by a very skilled craftsman invited by your maternal grandfather."

Zi’an broke free from Ren Zhong’s embrace and threw himself into Meng Yao’s arms, "Aunt."

"Be good, Anke’er." Meng Yao gently patted Zi’an’s back and comforted him in a soft voice.

"Dad, I want to live with Aunt in the future." Zi’an said confidently, "Or, you can bring Aunt’s family over to live with us."

"You can live with your Aunt, but she can’t bring her whole family over." Ren Zhong said, "It’s bad for her reputation."

"Anyway, I don’t want to be separated from Aunt." Zi’an hugged Meng Yao tightly.

"So you’re willing to be separated from your Father?" Ren Zhong sighed, his tone sounding pitiful.

"It’s no big deal, I can often let Aunt take me back to see Dad." Zi’an said, "Or when Dad has a break, he can come to see me, Aunt, and my brothers and sisters."

"You’ve already arranged everything for your Father, what else can your Father say?" Ren Zhong acted like he was forced to accept.

Zi’an playfully stuck out his tongue, "Dad, do my mom and aunt look alike?"

"Your mom and aunt are sisters, what do you think? Or, you tell me, do you look like your Aunt?" Ren Zhong didn’t answer directly.

His wife had enchanting almond-shaped eyes with slightly upturned corners.

The son inherited his wife’s good looks, especially the pair of charming eyes.

In front of him, the Meng family also had a pair of lively almond-shaped eyes.

Just looking at the eyes, the Meng family was very similar to his wife.

Of course, he knew very well whether his wife had sisters.

"Indeed, I look a lot like Aunt." Zi’an said, looking at Meng Yao for a while, delighting in his words.

"Happy now?"

"Happy."

"Then go play in the garden with Ap, I have something to talk about with your Aunt." Ren Zhong said.

"You’re not lying to me about what you just said, right?" Zi’an suddenly became vigilant.

"What good would it do to deceive you? I’m going to talk to your Aunt about your second cousin’s exam participation." Ren Zhong said helplessly.

Zi’an laughed, "You can’t deceive me, I look so much like Aunt! By the way, where’s my mom’s longevity lock?"

"After your mom passed, your uncle asked your Father for it, saying it was to keep a memento. You little smart one, you think your Father doesn’t know what you’re up to? I’ve already sent a letter to your Uncle, expecting that in about half a month, he’ll receive it. After all, having found your Aunt, we must let them know. By then, your Uncle and they will surely come." Ren Zhong said calmly.

Zi’an smiled sheepishly, "Dad, you talk business with Aunt, I’ll go to the garden with Ap."

Ren Zhong gave Ap a knowing look, Ap understood that the adults were asking him to take good care of the young master.

"Alright, what’s happened?" Ren Zhong asked.

Meng Yao told the whole story about Chen He, "To avoid confirming it, I could only refuse the lord. But I couldn’t bear Zi’an being upset, nor did I want to miss having a person like you as support. After thinking it over, I came up with this method."

Ren Zhong’s face was heavy, "That Chen He, as a scholar, his conduct is so unprincipled."

"I’m just worried that even if the relationship between the lady and the lord is reasonably explained, Dahe’s participation in the exams might still be a topic for those with a mind. Many will believe an uncle making things convenient for his nephew." Meng Yao sighed.

"You don’t need to worry about that, this year’s children’s exams are not presided over by me, but the Education Officer. The exam questions are personally prepared by the Education Officer, and the topics are now sealed with wax, guarded by personnel specially appointed by the Court." Ren Zhong said.

"Is there any possibility that someone might bribe the guards?" Meng Yao curiously asked.

"The exams are for the Court to select talents, and to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from seizing the opportunity, the guards of the topics are appointed by His Majesty." Ren Zhong said.

Meng Yao breathed a sigh of relief, "Has it always been this way in previous years?"

"In previous years, I presided over the exams." Ren Zhong said with a profound meaning.

Meng Yao was surprised; so their luck was indeed good.

Chen He accused the County Magistrate of favoritism, but the exam matters had nothing to do with the County Magistrate, as long as the Government Office posted a notice then, rumors would naturally be self-defeated.

As for her relationship with the County Magistrate, as long as it wasn’t confirmed in the future, it wouldn’t be tenable.

Ren Zhong also briefly told Meng Yao about his wife’s maternal family, indeed as Meng Yao speculated, it’s a family of merchants with enormous wealth.

At the same time, Ren Zhong confessed his own identity.

The illegitimate son of Changping Marquis Mansion.

A family member, but also a family member with little resources inclined since childhood.

Frustrated for years until he met his wife.

"I’ve been rated excellent in Huaiyuan County for five consecutive years, and my family sent a letter, my position could change." Ren Zhong said.

"Is it a normal promotion, or..." Meng Yao cautiously asked.

"Both a normal promotion and family support." Ren Zhong said, "I’m at a good age now, and as long as there’s no mistake, achieving third-rank isn’t difficult. A mediocre seventh-rank County Magistrate is of no use to the Yu Family, but a promising seventh-rank County Magistrate is different. After all, the legitimate sons in the family aren’t doing well."

Meng Yao suddenly understood, that because the legitimate sons were unsuccessful, they relied on a successful illegitimate son.

"Alright, I won’t talk to you about these things anymore." Ren Zhong smiled, "We will be relatives in the future, frequent visiting. I still have official duties, I need to go back to work."

After Ren Zhong left, Meng Yao talked for a while with Zi’an, who insisted on following her to the inn, Meng Yao could only send Ap to say a word, and with Ren Zhong’s approval, took him away.

Chen He and the others naturally hurried to follow Meng Yao as soon as she came out.

"Mom, let’s take a stroll before going back to the inn." Zi’an pleaded with Meng Yao, "On normal days, Dad never allows me to wander around."

This address was naturally requested by Meng Yao to deceive Chen He, asking Zi’an to do so.

Since there was nothing to do when returning, Meng Yao agreed to Zi’an’s request.