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

Chapter 437

After Zhou Chu returned home from the palace, he summoned Chu Liu.

The current Chu Liu is no longer the naive young man he once was. It has to be said that money really does keep you going. In the past six months, Chu Liu has spent most of his time at Zuixianlou, occasionally going to various casinos in Beijing to play.

Chu Liu possesses unparalleled cheating skills and never needs to worry about money. The only thing a cheater needs to worry about is being caught cheating. According to the rules of the Blue Gate, once someone sees through cheating, the lightest punishment is cutting off one's own finger, and the heaviest punishment is cutting off one's hand.

The second thing to worry about is offending the wrong people. Like that dead father on the sixth day of the lunar month, he was too confident and offended high-ranking officials. He couldn't extricate himself in time and was killed.

However, for Chu Liu, the second point is not a concern at all. Chu Liu is now backed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and its commander Zhou Chu, so there is no one he cannot offend.

The only thing to worry about on the sixth day is getting caught cheating. Once caught, you have to follow the rules of the Blue Gate, which everyone who makes a living in the Blue Gate must abide by.

"You've grown quite a bit taller. Do you have a girl you like? If so, I'll have someone propose marriage to you."

Zhou Chu looked at Chu Liu and smiled.

Upon hearing this, Chu Liu, whose face was usually expressionless, showed a rare shyness.

"Judging from this, you have a girl you like?"

Seeing Chu Liu's appearance, Zhou Chu couldn't help but tease him.

"There is indeed a girl I like."

Chu Liu scratched his head. In front of Zhou Chu, he always answered every question and never lied.

"Who is the other party?"

Zhou Chu pressed for an answer.

"She was a courtesan from the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). Her family members were recently convicted, apparently because they offended Lord Mao Ji."

On the sixth day, he said.

"A courtesan, a member of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution)."

Zhou Chu muttered these words while sipping his tea.

"That's easy. I'll have someone get her out of the brothel. You two can live together for now, and you can decide when to get married. As for his family, we can have His Majesty reinstate them when the time is right."

Zhou Chu thought for a moment and then said.

Chu Liu was never a man of many words, but upon hearing this, he was deeply moved. He didn't know how to thank Zhou Chu, as he knew very well that he owed the young master far too much.

Finally, Chu Liu knelt down in front of Zhou Chu and kowtowed.

"Why go through all this? Is it all just because of a woman?"

Zhou Chu looked at Chu Liu and said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Liu shook his head.

“My father once said that there are plenty of women in the world. If you want to be a con artist, you can’t let yourself be ruined by any one woman. I like her, and it would be better if I could be with her. If we can’t be together, it doesn’t matter. For Chu Liu, the young master is the only one. I am grateful that the young master is considering me so much.”

On the sixth day of the lunar new year, he spoke a lot, which made Zhou Chu very happy.

Who doesn't like loyal subordinates?

After seeing off Chu Liu, Zhou Chu went to the house next door. As soon as he entered the house, he smelled a strong medicinal smell and couldn't help but frown.

This house was given to Jin Youcai by Zhou Chu. The old man had been a beggar for so many years, exposed to the wind and sun, and had been suffering from colds all these years. He had only been barely holding on until he entrusted the knife to Zhou Chu. Only then did Jin Youcai lose all interest in begging, and his health deteriorated day by day.

For the past six months, Xiao Dao has never left Beijing and has been taking care of the old man.

"Master."

Xiao Dao was holding a freshly brewed medicine in his hand. When he saw Zhou Chu arrive, he suddenly seemed a little flustered.

Xiao Dao is very easygoing with everyone, and he never shows any kindness to Lin Zhi, who is the son of a princess. Only when he is with Zhou Chu does he become as awkward as a child.

Although Zhou Chu is only two years older than Xiao Dao, Xiao Dao has been by Zhou Chu's side for so many years and has learned a lot from him. To Xiao Dao, Zhou Chu is more like a father or older brother.