Master Yi was both ashamed and embarrassed; even an uneducated rural woman like Old Granny Zhang understood this reasoning, so how could he not know?

As a scholar, he had always valued propriety and integrity, but if there was any way out, he wouldn’t be in this state, would he?

So he just lowered his head and smiled bitterly: "Madam, I understand everything you are saying. But now, I am at the end of my rope, with no other option. So even though I know it’s utterly improper, I still have to thicken my skin to beg. If there’s a glimmer of hope, even if it means being called worse than pigs or dogs, or having a heart as evil as wolves and dogs, I’ll accept it all!"

He was lying down accepting mockery, but resolutely refused to give up.

Old Granny Zhang didn’t expect that a scholar could be more shameless than those country folk.

A rural man, if cursed like this, would be so ashamed his face would hide in his pants, but how is it that Master Yi is as fearless as a dead pig before boiling water?

Raising her eyebrows, she scolded, "Oh, you Master Yi! You think just because my eldest brother invited you here, you can make a fuss without consequence, is that it? I tell you! Others might buy your act, but not in front of me, the old woman! Even if you’re invited by the Heavenly Emperor’s Father himself, the old lady won’t buy it!"

Master Yi had already known that if Old Granny Zhang didn’t agree, there was no need to ask Lady Dingguo, Wang Yongzhu.

He only begged: "I know it’s an imposition! So I dare not ask for much. My daughter, after all, is a mere woman of the back courtyard; how could she involve herself in the political affairs of the court? It’s merely involvement by association, and I don’t ask Lady Dingguo for anything else, just if there’s a way to spare her life! If Lady Dingguo can say a few good words to the Empress, appeal for her mercy, my daughter’s life can be preserved! I, I’m willing to offer everything the whole Yi Family has in exchange for a chance at life!"

The implication was clear: he cared for nothing but saving his daughter.

Old Granny Zhang was anxious, saying it’s easy talk, what does it mean to merely say a few good words to the Empress?

Are such good words easy to say? Who do you think you are? Is your daughter worth such a great favor from me, risking anger to save someone?

What a good plan, originally thinking to curry favor, pulling his daughter and son-in-law to the Second Prince’s side, and now in trouble, he dares to ask for favors from my daughter?

Such nerve!

Just when she was about to speak, Wang Yongzhu gently tugged at Old Granny Zhang’s clothes, stepped forward, and said, "I understand Master Yi’s intention. I happened to come today with news from the Capital City, which concerns Master Yi’s daughter—"

Master Yi, losing his composure, stumbled to stand up, reaching out to grab Wang Yongzhu, but Gu Zikai swiftly stopped him, still unwilling to give up: "Wh-, what news? How, how are my daughter and her family doing now?"

Wang Yongzhu replied unhurriedly: "Oh, nothing much, just that His Majesty has decreed that the Crown Prince and the Second Prince’s conspirators, those severely implicated like the Duke Qiguo Residence, the Grand Commander Ruan’s Mansion, and the Crown Princess’s Maternal Home, will face the consequences of family extermination. As for the other accomplices, punishment will be meted out according to the severity of their crimes."

"His Majesty is merciful and has not implicated too many. For families like the Second Prince’s concubine’s, they face confiscation of property, and males over twelve will be executed in January. Males under twelve will be taken into the palace as Chamberlains, and the women will be sold as official servants—"

At this, Master Yi felt a slight relief; at least their lives were preserved.

But immediately, he thought further: "Then, my daughter, she, has she already been sold? Did the Gu Family help to buy her back—"

Wang Yongzhu sneered, looking at Master Yi, finally speaking: "With my great-uncle’s personality, he would naturally risk being criticized and impeached to buy your daughter back. Otherwise, how could he face you, given all these years of camaraderie as alumni? I hear your daughter has been arranged on your family’s estate, so Master Yi should now be at ease?"

Master Yi’s face turned purple, realizing Wang Yongzhu was mocking him, but as long as he thought of his daughter being safe, he didn’t mind.

At this moment, he didn’t care much and turned to make a deep bow to Gu Zikai: "Dong Weng, right now, my worries are with my young daughter in the Capital City, my heart is truly in a rush to return. I can only beg the pardon of Dong Weng to first resign as Master and return to the Capital City; I hope Dong Weng will understand!"

Facing Gu Zikai, Wang Yongzhu winked at him, he immediately understood that Master Yi’s heart wasn’t here anymore, and keeping him would be useless.

Moreover, given his current identity, he’s like a hot potato. Sending him away might be better than forcing him to stay, saving him the trouble of speaking first.

So he nodded in agreement: "Naturally, I understand, and it’s just as well that Uncle’s health is now recovered, the junior will not compel you, and will not hinder your reunion with your family!"

This was a straightforward agreement.

Master Yi, seeing Gu Zikai’s understanding, felt somewhat embarrassed, remembering his previous behavior, showing an expression of shame on his face: "I must say, it is I, the old, who am sorry for Dong Weng and Lord Gu’s sincere efforts—"

Gu Zikai really didn’t want to hear the rest, quickly interrupting: "Why speak so formally, Uncle? Now that your daughter is safe, you can put your mind at ease, let me escort you to the front—"

Saying this, he half-carried Master Yi out like a gust of wind, avoiding staying longer to anger Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.

Once they were gone, Old Granny Zhang patted Wang Yongzhu’s arm: "Daughter, is what you said true? Is his daughter really alright?"

Wang Yongzhu nodded: "His daughter’s life can be saved, but in the future, whether there will be trouble remains to be seen."

Old Granny Zhang didn’t quite understand the intricacies, only looking at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu explained it thoroughly to Old Granny Zhang.

Now, Master Yi appears to be fine because the Gu Family stands in front. If he were truly shrewd, he would mention nothing and stay in Yunzhong County quietly serving as Master Yi; if he kept silent and made no mistakes, for whatever reason, Gu Zikai would not dismiss him.

With the demeanor of Gu Changqing, he could naturally protect him.

A few years later, when the storm has settled down, he could return.

His daughter, a mere woman, living quietly on the estate, who would trouble themselves to seek her faults? She could live peacefully for a few years, and by then, whether reuniting in the Capital or selling their assets to live discreetly elsewhere, life, though not rich, would at least be steady and secure.

But Master Yi, seemingly smart for most of his life, may have lost his wits in his concern, making such a muddle-headed decision; does he think that by returning to the Capital now, after reuniting with his daughter, they could live well?

Considering his return, the rebellion in the Capital is likely to be resolved, but aftershocks are inevitable, and if Master Yi is unlucky and gets involved, he might not die, but he’ll surely pay dearly!