rank, but rather by the influence they wield.A junior editor at the Imperial Academy, a position starting at the seventh rank, wouldn't hold as much power as a ninth-rank county magistrate in terms of...Chapter 411: Xu Changqing's Home

However, given Xu Changqing's status and position, it would definitely be fine.

But he actually lived in the outer city where ordinary people resided.

Compared to the inner city, the outer city falls short in terms of both environment and everything else.

Xu Changqing's home wasn't large, located on a street not far from the inner city's edge to the outer city.

Looking up, he saw the house with the "Xu Mansion" plaque hanging above the entrance, its main door wide open, and the sound of women sobbing from within. Li Chen gestured for Sanbao to follow him, while the others waited outside. Then, he stepped inside.

The courtyard was small and impoverished, plain to the point of being austere. There was little decoration or embellishment, and the household items present were common ones found in any ordinary family, all showing signs of age and use.

There weren't many servants in the manor. Li Chen walked in for a long time before an elderly, hunched-over butler in his fifties or sixties came over.

The elderly butler, sensing Li Chen's noble bearing, treated him with utmost respect despite being a stranger. He politely asked, "Sir, is there something I can do for you"

Li Chen asked, "Is this the residence of Lord Xu"

The steward's expression darkened as he nodded and said, "If it's about Master Xu Changqing you're asking, then yes. However, my master is currently in trouble, our home has been raided, so please come back another time, sir."

Li Chen remained silent, and San Bao, standing beside him, stepped forward. "My master knows your father-in-law from the past. We happened to be passing by and came to visit, we aren't here to do any business with your father-in-law."

The old butler sighed and smiled bitterly, "You both have seen the decline of our family. There's nothing left to see. Please go back."

Li Chen ignored him and asked, "Xu Da, after all, is the Left Servant of the Ministry of Revenue, a real official of the fourth rank in the imperial court. How come he doesn't live in the inner city And this mansion is so dilapidated"

The old butler replied, "Inner City The Inner City is where the wealthy live. Our master, with his clean hands and incorruptible nature, never takes even a penny from the government. Naturally, he has no money to buy a house in the Inner City. Even this mansion was purchased thanks to my mistress selling her dowry and years of savings."

Li Chen nodded, his impression of Xu Changqing improved considerably.

“At this moment in time, the old steward continued, “In this world, it is only corrupt officials who can rise in rank and become wealthy. My master, such a good official, couldn’t even afford a decent meal during festivals, but that was tolerable. Now, he has been unjustly thrown into prison. He shouldn't be doing things the way of an honest official.”

"You, a servant, dare to speak Are you saying that your master is wrong for wanting to be an upright official"

The old steward cried out in anger, "Right or wrong Can't you see Those corrupt officials are all fat and slick with oil. They buy up property in other places; even if they are dismissed from office one day, they can still become rich as lords. At the very least, their descendants will always have food and clothing for life. But what is left of my master"

"The Ministry of Justice officers came to my house without saying a word and directly arrested someone, then they scolded my family for having no valuables, making them waste a trip!"

"This, then, is the fate of an honest official"

Three Treasures was actually speechless after being scolded by an old butler.

As he was speaking, a young man came out from inside. He had come out because he heard the voices outside. Seeing Li Chen and Siba, two strangers, he frowned and asked, "Zhang Bo, who are these two"

The steward replied, "This young master claims to be an acquaintance of Master's and dropped by."

The young man was still courteous. After bowing, he said, "My lord, I apologize for the inconvenience. There's been a mishap at home, and I hope you won't hold it against me." eunuchs present... wished they could take their own lives with a blade.Caught between two options, they looked at Zhao Qinglan and then at Li Chen, their hesitation reaching its peak."All of you, get...