Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Zhang Jingwei got anxious when he heard this: "You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say such things carelessly!"

Jiu'er didn't listen at all. Instead, she turned to Huangfu Ling and said, "Ling'er, don't listen to his excuses. Kill him!"

Huangfu Ling asked in confusion, "What on earth happened?"

Mu Tou quickly explained, "It's unfair, Madam. The young master only visited Sun Yaolang's yard. I didn't expect this girl to come out and slander the young master. We really didn't do anything!"

When Jiuer heard this, she immediately refused to do it and shouted at the top of her voice: "You didn't do anything? How can you peek at my mother's private notebook?"

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Ling immediately glared at Zhang Jingwei and asked angrily, "Did you really peek at other people's things?!"

Zhang Jingwei explained with a look of grievance, "I'm just a scholar. I saw a book I had never seen before, so I was naturally curious and flipped through a few pages."

Huangfu Ling's face darkened as he asked in a harsh tone, "Have you ever been frivolous to anyone?"

Zhang Jingwei puffed out his chest and replied confidently, "How could I, a man of seven feet tall, take advantage of someone in distress? Besides, if I really wanted to flirt with her, with Mu Tou's strength, how could she resist?"

Jiuer pointed at Zhang Jingwei and said with shame and anger on her face: "You...you pervert, you actually have such an idea!" Her voice was filled with a hint of anger and shyness, and she was obviously very dissatisfied with Zhang Jingwei's behavior.

Huangfu Ling stepped forward to smooth things over. She smiled and said, "Well, my husband is a bit rash, but I believe he would never do such a ridiculous thing. Sister Jiuer, please forgive others when you can."

Obviously, Huangfu Ling knew that Jiuer was a talkative person.

After hearing Huangfu Ling's words, the anger on Jiuer's face eased a little.

She glanced at Zhang Jingwei, then turned to look at Huangfu Ling and said, "Since Ling'er has said so, I won't make any more fuss about it. However, this won't happen again."

Jiuer then asked, "By the way, Ling'er, what do you want to talk to me about?" Her gaze fell on Huangfu Ling, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.

Huangfu Ling said anxiously, "Father's old illness has relapsed and he's in great pain. The medicine he used before is no longer effective, so I came to Sister Jiuer for help. I hope to find a new prescription to relieve his pain."

Seeing Huangfu Ling so anxious, Jiu'er quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, your father will be fine. Let's first understand his specific symptoms. If it's convenient, I can also go to his house to take his pulse and diagnose his condition more accurately."

Huangfu Ling nodded gratefully and said, "That's great. With Sister Jiuer personally taking action, we will definitely be able to find a solution. Then please come with me, Sister Jiuer!" After that, she brought Jiuer to the Huangfu family.

Zhang Jingwei thought: Wasn't this old man still healthy yesterday? How could he have relapsed so suddenly?

Mu Tou scratched his head and asked worriedly, "Master, should we go and take a look?"

Zhang Jingwei looked up at the sky. The sun was about to set. He couldn't help but sigh that time passed so quickly and today was gone.

Zhang Jingwei thought for a moment and said, "It's getting late. Let's find an inn to stay in first. As for my father-in-law, I will visit him alone tomorrow."

Mu Tou nodded in agreement.

They came to the inn outside the alley.

Zhang Jingwei paid the rent and entered the room with the wood.

"Mu Tou, have a good rest tonight. I'm going to meet my father-in-law tomorrow. If you feel unwell, go find Jiuer directly." Zhang Jingwei said to Mu Tou.

Mu Tou responded and began to make the bed. Zhang Jingwei lay in bed, thinking about how to face his father-in-law tomorrow.

Would it be better if I talked to Huangfu Changshui about divorcing him?

Maybe it was because of insomnia last night, Zhang Jingwei fell asleep soon.

The next morning.

The sun shone through the window onto Zhang Jingwei's face. He slowly opened his eyes and stretched.

"Young master, you're awake!" Mu Tou walked in with a washbasin and asked with a smile.

Zhang Jingwei quickly took the basin and said, "There are some things I can do myself. You are injured, so please don't overwork yourself."

After washing up, Zhang Jingwei prepared to go out.

"Mu Tou, I won't accompany you today. I have to go back to see my father-in-law. If you have nothing to do, you can go to the clinic to visit your sixth uncle to relieve your boredom." After saying that, Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath and walked out of the room.

They arrived at the door of the marquis's mansion, and Zhang Jingwei paced back and forth.

"Sir, aren't you going to come in?" the servant asked politely.

Zhang Jingwei smiled and replied, "Yes, my father-in-law's old illness relapsed, and he was anxious, so he lingered here."

The servant smiled and quickly made way for Zhang Jingwei to come in. Zhang Jingwei walked into the main courtyard and saw Lord Huangfu Changshui sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun.

"Father-in-law, your son-in-law is here to pay his respects." Zhang Jingwei stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Huangfu Changshui looked Zhang Jingwei up and down and nodded with satisfaction.

"Jingwei, you are here, please sit down." said the father-in-law, pointing to the chair next to him.

After Zhang Jingwei sat down, he first talked about his old illness with Huangfu Changshui.

Huangfu Changshui lifted his trouser leg, revealing his swollen right foot. He sighed and said, "It's an old problem. It hurts regardless of the time of day. It basically only hurts after marching."

Zhang Jingwei looked around. Why did this condition resemble gout? Master Li had the same symptoms before. Master Li had terribly high uric acid levels, and he loved drinking and eating without any dietary restrictions. Every time the pain came, he couldn't walk, and his feet were severely swollen.

Zhang Jingwei said, "Father-in-law, it's better for you to drink less alcohol and eat less beans, fatty meat, and animal offal."

Huangfu Changshui laughed and said, "Jiu'er came to me yesterday and told me the same thing. A few days ago, I had a few too many drinks while dining with some of my subordinates. Sigh~ The pain was so severe that I couldn't sleep at night. Although it's a disease of the rich, it's the most taboo for those of us who are on the march and in battle."

Zhang Jingwei asked, "Does Miss Jiuer have any prescriptions?"

Huangfu Changshui said helplessly, "I prescribed some medicine, but they only treat the symptoms and not the root cause. After taking it twice, it stopped working. Don't worry, the pain isn't fatal, it will be gone in a few days."

Zhang Jingwei advised, "Father-in-law, please listen to the doctor and don't drink too much these days."

Huangfu Changshui frowned, looked at Zhang Jingwei and asked, "Did you and Ling'er quarrel again?"

Zhang Jingwei quickly shook his head and denied: "No, we are fine!"

Seeing Huangfu Changshui's weak face, Zhang Jingwei denied it without hesitation. There were some things he really couldn't say.

Huangfu Changshui sighed and said, "I heard from the servants that Ling'er is a child that I have spoiled. Sometimes she might be a little willful. Please be more tolerant and don't bother with her."

Zhang Jingwei smiled and replied, "Of course, of course."

Huangfu Changshui smiled, then changed the subject and asked, "I also heard that Governor Lu wants to recommend you as a filial and honest official?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded and admitted, "Indeed, I have helped him a little before."

Huangfu Changshui nodded thoughtfully and continued, "After you become a Juren, are you interested in becoming an official in the imperial court?"

Zhang Jingwei said modestly, "It all depends on what the adults think. I wouldn't dare speculate."

Huangfu Changshui patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Jingwei, if you want to be an officer or general, I can recommend a few to you. The path of a civil servant is not easy to walk. The water is very deep. I am afraid you can't grasp it."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted to express his gratitude: "Thank you, father-in-law, for your support. I thank you here!"