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

Chapter 466

Zhu Xianrong and the others arrived in the capital a couple of days ago. Zhou Chu's return to the capital to attend Lu Wei's wedding could not be kept from them, and even the Prince's Mansion behind them had received the news.

Not only them, but all the princely mansions that partnered with Zhou Chu in business sent people to the capital. They even made special applications to the emperor and were only allowed to enter the capital after Jiajing granted their permission.

The arrival of dozens of princes and princesses at the Lu family at this time was unprecedented. Most people might never see a prince or princess of a vassal king in their entire lives, but dozens of them appeared at the same time.

The appearance of these people brought a shock that far exceeded that of Yang Yiqing and others, or the two princesses.

The appearance of Yang Yiqing and others was entirely reasonable and within everyone's expectations, but the appearance of Zhu Xianrong and others was far beyond everyone's expectations.

They couldn't understand how the Lu family had gotten involved with these princely mansions.

Not only the guests, but even Lu Song and his wife were completely bewildered. They couldn't understand why these princely mansions would send people to attend their son's wedding.

However, Lu Song quickly figured it out and looked at Zhou Chu beside him.

Sure enough, Zhou Chu walked over.

"The student has met the teacher."

Zhu Xianrong was the first to approach Zhou Chu and performed a disciple's salute.

"The student has met the teacher."

Mu Yunping also performed a disciple's salute.

Both of them had formally become disciples, and Zhou Chu looked at them and nodded.

"You didn't have to come. It's a bit too high-profile for so many people to come together."

Zhou Chu said with a hint of helplessness.

Zhou Chu has never liked being so high-profile; he has always adhered to the principle of being low-key in life but high-profile in work.

The fact that this group of people came to the capital could not be kept secret from Zhou Chu. Since they had already come, Zhou Chu could not refuse their good intentions and send them back.

Relationships between people are reciprocal. These princely mansions meant well, and Zhou Chu naturally knew when to advance and when to retreat.

"Weighing instruments".

Zhu Siying was delighted to see Zhou Chu again.

The other princes and princesses also greeted Zhou Chu.

Yang Lian, who was sitting to the side, was immediately thrown into a state of confusion upon seeing this scene. He couldn't understand how so many princely mansions had gotten involved with Zhou Chu. Very few people knew about what happened in Shaoxing, which was directly related to the secrecy work done by Dong Rui.

When the princes and princesses of various vassal kings went to Shaoxing, they did not make a big fuss. This was all specially instructed by Jiajing, so even Yang Yiqing and others were unaware of it.

Xie Qian knew that a group of people had gone to Shaoxing to see Zhou Chu, but he did not know their specific identities.

Seeing this situation, Yang Lian suddenly realized that he had miscalculated many things, and had misjudged the power of this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

However, Yang Lian quickly regained his composure. In his view, Zhou Chu's actions only proved that he had lost his original ambition. Who would collude with the princes' mansions in various regions? Wasn't it all for self-preservation or for money?

There's no need for him to worry too much about such a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yang Lian came to Lu Wei's wedding today specifically to observe Zhou Chu's reaction up close, wanting to see if the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be furious after arresting someone.

It's obvious that Zhou Chu didn't, otherwise the Northern Garrison Command would be arresting people everywhere by now, and Yang Lian wouldn't be sitting here; he would be in the Northern Garrison Command's prison.

Yang Lian didn't believe that the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Northern Garrison couldn't find out who sent those people; the only difference was whether there was evidence.

However, the Northern Garrison Command does not require evidence.

Yang Lian was walking on the front lines; he was always very clear about what he was doing, only the officials who were doing it with him were unaware.

This is a typical example of Yang Lian taking all the credit, because Mao and Ji will only remember that Yang Lian spearheaded the project, while everyone else will share the blame.

When Mao Ji and the others inside the inner hall learned that dozens of princes, princesses, and other nobles had arrived outside, they became restless.

Both Mao Ji and Yang Yiqing disliked or were uncomfortable with things outside of their usual situation. Those in high positions prefer to have everything under their control, and even if they can't, they need to know all the information so they can respond at any time.

But the situation that unfolded was completely unexpected for the two of them, making them feel very upset.

Of course, Xie Qian knew some of it, so he wasn't too surprised.

Soon, these princes and princesses were also arranged to stay in the inner hall, and their arrival instantly filled the inner hall.

Those ordinary officials of the third or even second rank, such as Han Jie, the Minister of Personnel, were no longer qualified to enter the inner hall.

"I've really broadened my horizons today."

Qin Wan, as Yang Ran's good friend, was originally supposed to attend the wedding at Yang's family home. However, Qin's family hoped to establish a connection with Lu's family, so at her parents' repeated request, Qin Wan and her parents went to Lu's family home to attend the wedding.

Qin Wan, being Yang Ran's close friend, could easily attend either event.

Qin Wan first witnessed the arrival of Yang Yiqing and others, but at that time she didn't dare to look up much. Later, the two princesses arrived.

Fortunately, Qin Wan was sitting close by and heard what the two princesses said. When she heard what Princess Deqing and Princess Renhe said, Qin Wan was extremely excited. She had even conceived a new story about the sons of the two princesses following Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard on their campaigns.

Just thinking about it made Qin Wan feel excited.

When Zhu Xianrong and the others appeared, Qin Wan's emotions were beyond excitement. Especially when she heard Zhu Xianrong and Mu Yunping call Zhou Chu "Teacher," Qin Wan's mind went blank for a moment.

She had conceived many plots and stories, but never one like this. At this moment, Qin Wan's inspiration flowed like a great river, and she wished she could immediately pick up a pen and write down her thoughts.

Even Qin Wan's parents were dumbfounded, sharing similar thoughts with Qin Wan, their eyes wide open in amazement.

They had never seen so many important people in their entire lives.

"The Emperor has arrived."

This time, the voice didn't come from the ceremonial room, but from a voice Zhou Chu was familiar with—it was Huang Jin.

Upon hearing this, all the guests were startled and rose to greet the emperor.