Chapter 1049: The Calm Before the Storm

st me. I truly don't know what to do!""What does it matter what they say about thanks or no thanks!" Old Mrs. Li beamed and patted her hand, comforting her, "If they ever come back again when we're n..."My child, I'll go with you! Mother won't live anymore!" The child's mother lay on top of the coffin, crying and refusing to let go.

Because the matter happened suddenly, the coffin was bought temporarily. It was thin and cheap, really unbecoming.

This made the child's mother feel even more sorry for her child, crying with a heart-wrenching pain!

The child's father, filled with both pain and rage, seeing his wife like this, not only failed to comfort her but instead ripped up his robe and began kicking viciously at her back.

"Useless thing, you can't even take care of a child! If it weren't for your negligence, how could the child have died, how could he have died!"

The guests who came to offer condolences were difficult to persuade and, unable to bear the sight any longer, could only find an excuse to leave.

"What's wrong with the Cai family, did the Old Grand Tutor not want to part with his great-grandson and take him away

"

"It shouldn't be possible, right The Cai family has had only one child per generation for four generations. The Grand Tutor wouldn't let the family line die out, would he"

"Young Master Xiao Cai is still young, he should be able to have children, right"

"Oh, you wouldn't know about that. Little Cai...well, he had some trouble before and can't have children anymore."

"What's going on I have no idea."

In this world, joy and sorrow are inherently incompatible. The Cai family's catastrophic misfortune is nothing more than idle chatter to outsiders.

At the Earl's Mansion, Li Laoer, Mr. Wen, and Liu Zhiheng huddled together, drinking small wine, but for a long time no one spoke.

"The Emperor is truly furious. Both times he made a move, it was so merciless," Liu Zhizhen grinned and whispered, "Let alone the Chang family, the Cai family... They've been utterly wiped out."

Mr. Wen replied, “If the Cai family is wise, they should quickly resign and return to their ancestral home like the Chang family. They could then save their lives. After all, the Emperor is only concerned with ensuring that his successor ascends the throne smoothly and has no time for other matters.”

Li Lao'er shook his head. "The Chang family did not participate in Chang Ling's plot, and even Lady Chang hated Chang Ling. The Emperor letting the elderly, women, and children go unharmed does not affect the overall situation."

But since Master Cai's disciples and old acquaintances were spread throughout the court, even if Master Cai had died, there would still be some old feelings. As long as there was one member of the Cai family alive, he would be a potential threat to the new emperor.

And the Cai family is reluctant to leave, fearing that they are still waiting for the Emperor to take them in.

Liu Zhizhen sighed, "Where can I appeal to reason The Cai family is also unfortunate, getting mixed up in such a mud pit. Loyal to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager is furious, the Cai family faces extinction. Betraying the Emperor, they still face extinction!"

This is a funny thing to say, but the content is really tragic. Both Lao Er Li and Mr. Wen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

It was still Li Laoer who poured them wine and said, "There are always smart people in this world. Although the emperor dealt with the Chang family and Cai family with covert means, someone must have seen through it. In the next few days, things at court will be a bit quieter."

"That's right, the calm before the storm. But it won't last long, after all, everything is in place. The Emperor will be exposing that person soon." Mr. Wen raised his cup and clinked it with Li Lao Er and Liu Zhiheng.

"It's wise to protect oneself, and now more than ever."

"Yes, slow and steady wins the race."

"Wait until dawn."

Just as the three had guessed, there were indeed plenty of clever people in Xin Du.

The leader often causes trouble, and no one thinks much about it.

But the Cai family first having their lineage severed, then being wiped out completely is just too coincidental.

Some prominent families have become acutely aware of the impending danger, much like giant turtles swiftly retracting their limbs and heads into their sturdy shells, cautiously observing the unfolding situation.

Overnight, the young masters who frequented brothels and taverns were confined to their homes to study.

Highly respected elders also took sick leave one after another, and some even resigned, intending to stay away from the court.

And the Emperor, unusually, did not try to keep him. He just asked a few simple questions and then let him go...

This was truly bizarre, sending chills down everyone's spine.

From the highest court to the lowest official, everyone had become like ducks before a storm, their necks tucked in as they anxiously awaited what was to come.

It's a pity that Jia Yin didn't have the chance to go to the court even once. Otherwise, she would have been happy enough to eat an extra bowl of rice.

She's finally not alone!

That's right, it wouldn't make sense for her to be the only one worried. It's better for everyone to work together and support each other...

In the Lu'an Academy, Dean Zhou sent off several masters, his brows furrowed in concern.

Though they are engaged in the profession of teaching and nurturing, outsiders perceive them as spending most of their days amidst flowers, wine, snow, and moonlit nights, reading books and sipping tea, seemingly very leisurely.

But if the world changes, no one can escape it.

Several gentlemen, having heard some rumors and feeling uncertain, came to him seeking “reassurance pills.”

To be honest, he also wanted to ask for a few more.

After all, over the years, Luo'an has also had quite a few students who have passed the imperial examinations and are now officials.

These officials did well, and the Lo An Academy followed suit with a bright future.

But one of them committed a heinous crime, was despised by the Emperor, and Luo An would also be implicated...

The little maid tidied up the teacups and leftover tea. Seeing her master pacing back and forth in the room, she quietly advised, "Master, there's a football match going on at the martial arts field. Would you like to go take a walk and clear your head"

Do you want to play soccer

The director nodded and walked out.

The original training ground was used for students to ride horses and practice swordsmanship, but scholars were not particularly interested in fighting.

So, since a few years ago when the Li family boys entered the academy and brought two balls with them, it gradually became a basketball court.

The enthusiasm of young people for play seems boundless.

Even on such a scorching summer day, when the sun could melt people, they still ran around the field shirtless and in their half-length baggy pants. With a flick of their heads, sweat dripped like rain!

Today's two teams are the two most popular teams among students on weekdays.

The Gale Force team, consisting of members like Red Shorts, Cat Brother, Zhi Min, and Xiu Jie, are all from the same dormitory and close friends. The rest of their teammates are also classmates and good friends.

Another team wore green shorts and called themselves the Feng Lei Team. The twelve students were also energetic and lively, looking a little older than Mao Ge'er and the others.

Outside the venue, almost half of the students gathered, each cheering for their favorite team. They almost hoarse their voices.

Mr. Cheng from the Discipline Hall was also invited to help as a referee and scorekeeper.

For this, he was specially arranged at a table under the shade of a tree, with a plate of jade gourds and a pot of iced tea in front of him.

Mr. Cheng, who was usually stern and serious, now saw the children running around excitedly. Perhaps he was reminded of his own childhood, for a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

The director walked over, lifted his long gown, and sat down on the cushion next to Mr. Cheng.

Mr. Cheng turned his head and, seeing the Dean, bowed in greeting. "The Dean has arrived."

"That's right, come and have a look." Dean Zhou sighed, "These youngsters are really sun-resistant. Even in this hot weather, they're not afraid of heatstroke."

Mr. Cheng replied, "The doctor is waiting outside, and they have also sent two buckets of peppermint water from the dining hall. The boys are not too hot."

The dean still wanted to speak, but Guo Wenhao had already gotten up from the other end and brought over a glass of iced juice.

"Dean, have some juice to cool off."

Two updates today ~~teal a few glances at her attire.Mu Xu, whether intentionally or not, brought in a basket of lychees, blocking Gu Li's line of sight. He smiled and asked, "County Princess, where did the lychees come...