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

Chapter 404

"Lord Zhou was assassinated by over a thousand men, yet he escaped alive?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunping became even more agitated. Zhu Xianrong's words had already been constantly changing her understanding of Zhou Chu, and now, hearing these words, she realized that her understanding of this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was still too superficial.

"Which of Lord Zhou's deeds wasn't earth-shattering? There are many stories about Lord Zhou; you can buy a few and read them later to find out more."

Zhu Siying said with a proud expression.

When Zhu Xianrong and the others arrived at the entrance of Zhangjia Village, they saw Yan Shifan squatting on the ground playing with crickets. They were immediately intrigued by the sight of the chubby little man.

"This little chubby black boy is quite interesting."

Zhu Xianrong couldn't help but tease him.

Yan Shifan had previously accompanied Zhou Chu to the Dong residence, so Zhu Xianrong naturally recognized him and knew that he was one of Zhou Chu's students.

When Yan Shifan heard someone call him "Little Fatty Black Man," he was about to get angry, but when he looked up and saw the princes and princesses in front of him, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"My lords and princesses, please come in."

Yan Shifan said irritably.

Although Yan Shifan was wary of these people's status, it didn't mean he would treat them well. Yan Shifan was a complete scoundrel; even though Hu Zongxian and others had beaten him every day before, they hadn't managed to subdue him. As for Zhu Xianrong and the others, despite their noble status, Yan Shifan understood that these people wouldn't affect his father's career, so there was no need for him to be subservient to them.

Yan Shifan now only needs to be mindful of one person's feelings, and that is Zhou Chu. He knows very well that only Zhou Chu and the emperor can decide his father's career. He can't see the emperor, so he can only follow Zhou Chu.

At first, he had many complaints about Zhou Chu, but as he spent more time there, Yan Shifan, being no fool, gradually understood Zhou Chu's intentions and became less resistant. He even developed a sense of filial piety towards Zhou Chu.

This emotion arose suddenly. He didn't even feel this way towards his own father, Yan Song. In the past, when he was at home, he would often argue with Yan Song, but he didn't dare to do so in front of Zhou Chu.

Because Yan Song never criticized him and spoiled him rotten, Zhou Chu would not tolerate him. He would punish him when necessary. As the saying goes, "Spare the rod and spoil the child," which is still true in this era.

Zhou Chu's education of Yan Shifan gave Yan Shifan a feeling of being restrained and disciplined that he had never experienced before. In the past, he could do whatever he wanted and Yan Song would never blame him.

But this gave him the illusion that his elderly father didn't care much about him.

Many people subconsciously believe that strict discipline is necessary to show concern. Many people do not actually like being disciplined, but rather crave the feeling of being valued.

Indulgence often means being ignored, and no one likes to be ignored. Many children try very hard to do many things in hopes of getting their parents' attention, but their parents just spoil them and give perfunctory praise no matter what they do.

This made Yan Shifan feel a lack of presence and a sense of accomplishment. He always felt that his father's praise of him was too vague and perfunctory, and that his father never truly saw his own strengths.

His teacher, Zhou Hengqi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was different. Although his teacher was extremely strict with him, punishing him when necessary, he would always praise him whenever he made any achievements in a certain area.

Every time Zhou Chu praised Yan Shifan, it was like drinking sweet rain, making Yan Shifan feel refreshed and even giving Hu Zongxian and others a smug look.

This was a feeling he had never experienced before with Yan Song.