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

After making connections at various levels, Zhou Chu bribed the prison warden.

The prison guards were of low social status, and neither they nor their descendants were allowed to take the imperial examinations.

So they had absolutely no hope of climbing the ranks.

At best, he'd be a jailer.

So all these people are thinking about is how to make money.

In prison, there's a specific term: "paying money."

Prisoners who have just entered the prison are left to languish for a few days.

If no one comes to bribe or send money after a few days.

Then they started sending money.

No matter how high a position a prisoner held before entering the prison, once they are in jail, they are treated the same as everyone else.

Unless someone above is watching over you, then that's a different story.

Otherwise, if you don't bribe the people, you'll be beaten every three days and beaten every five days.

In addition, the soup contained sand.

Before long, he'll be half dead.

Those who were physically weaker would die directly in prison.

It was common for people to die in prison.

Nobody cares.

Fortunately, these prison guards have certain fee standards for paying money.

They won't ask for an exorbitant price just because someone is different.

Forty taels of silver a month would be enough for Lu Song's family of three to eat fish and meat every day.

Jailers would arrange for people from outside restaurants to deliver food inside.

In addition, Zhou Chu could visit Lu Song's family four times a month.

Sending some gifts is also acceptable.

For example, books, and writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Moreover, the prison cells will be replaced from the original dirty and smelly ones to spacious and clean ones.

Even the bedding will be replaced with new ones.

Everything is clearly priced.

Forty taels of silver was a bit expensive, but it was well worth it.

Of course, if there is no forty taels, there is a standard for twenty taels, and there is a standard for ten taels.

After all, eating large amounts of meat and fish at every meal adds up to a considerable expense over a month.

The prison guards had accumulated a set of mature standards over generations.

When Zhou Chu visited Lu Song's family, he brought Mu Yunjin, also known as Lu Wan'er, with him.

That's the good thing about prison guards; as long as the money is right, they won't care who you bring, as long as you don't break into the prison.

Naturally, they wouldn't investigate Mu Yunjin's identity.

They only care about guarding their own little plot of land.

I won't ask about anything else.

Before coming, Zhou Chu bought a lot of books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.

The remaining ten taels of silver have been almost spent.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were all cheap items.

This is a moment.

Lu Song's family had just been moved to a different cell and were wondering what was going on when Zhou Chu appeared outside the cell with Mu Yunjin.

"Master and Madam, I've brought Miss to see you."

Upon hearing this, Yang trembled, her eyes reddened as she turned away, and tears streamed down her face.

"Father, mother!"

Mu Yunjin had been holding back for the past two days, but seeing her family now, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears.

After all, he's still just a five or six-year-old child.

When faced with a sudden and drastic change, it's better to cry it out.

Keeping things bottled up inside is not a good thing.

"Little sister, I'm here for you too."

Lu Wei, disheveled and dirty, ran up to Mu Yunjin and looked at his sister with joy through the wooden pillars of the prison cell.

Then he looked at Zhou Chu.

"Brother Chu, please tell the teacher for me. I'm afraid he'll be angry with me."

Zhou Chu was speechless upon hearing this.

Master Yang probably already knew about the troubles that happened to the Lu family, so there's no need to say anything more.

"it is good."

Zhou Chu verbally agreed.

"Master, Madam, I've taken care of everything here. They won't mistreat you in the future."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he passed the books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones he had brought through the gap.

"Young master, take these. Study hard while you're inside. You'll have to take the imperial examinations when you come out, so don't slack off."

"Good boy! Good boy!"

Even Lu Song's eyes turned red as he watched Zhou Chu do all this.

During the two days they were in prison, no one except Zhou Chu came to visit them.

Former relatives and friends, or other dismissed servants, all avoided him like the plague.

Only Zhou Chu not only kept his daughter by his side, but also took care of all the affairs of his family.

As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Song naturally knew the rules of the imperial prison.

It seems that Brother Chu must have spent a lot of money.

“My dear child, don’t call us Master and Madam anymore. We are both guilty now. It’s an honor for you to call me Aunt.”

Yang held Zhou Chu's hand, moved.

Compared to before, Ms. Yang looks much more haggard now.

"Aunt, Uncle."

Zhou Chu readily accepted good advice.

"Good boy, good boy."

Lu Song patted Zhou Chu on the shoulder and said.

“If my Lu family can get out of here in the future, I will definitely let you join the Lu clan. Sigh, why say these things now? Right now, we can only drag you down.”

As Lu Song spoke, he couldn't help but sigh again.

Zhou Chu knew very well that Liu Jin probably didn't have much time left.

According to the history Zhou Chu was familiar with, Liu Jin should have died long ago.

Although the world has some deviations, Zhou Chu felt that they wouldn't be too far off.

Even Emperor Zhengde, Zhu Houzhao, probably wouldn't live for more than a few years.

As for reminding the emperor to be careful not to fall into the water?

Unless Zhou Chu has had enough of living.

Who knows how many terrifying interest groups were involved behind the emperor's fall into the water?

With Liu Jin dead, the Lu family has hope.

However, it's only hope.

If no one in the imperial court speaks up for the Lu family, the probability of Lu Song being reinstated is still very low.

After all, he was just a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

However, Zhou Chu wasn't in a hurry; he'd just take it one step at a time.

Zhou Chu and Mu Yunjin's prison visit time was limited, and they were soon driven out by the jailers.

Zhou Chu and Mu Yunjin had just returned to their front door when they saw someone they never expected.

"What brings you here, sir?"

Zhou Chu looked at the drowsy old man in front of him and said somewhat embarrassedly.

"How dare you ask? You think you can just quit the academy like that?"

The old man questioned.

"Something happened to the Lu family, and I've been busy making arrangements these past two days."

Zhou Chu scratched his head and said.

The old man fell silent upon hearing this.

After a long while, the old man sighed.

“You are a good boy, loyal and righteous beyond compare. It is rare in the world to do so much for your former master.”

Clearly, the old man knew what Zhou Chu had been doing these past two days.

I asked that question on purpose just now.

"Why don't you come to my house and we talk? I'll go cook now, and we can talk after we've eaten."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he walked towards the kitchen.

Mu Yunjin is in the stage of growing up, so eggs are essential, and she also needs to eat meat.

However, it is naturally not as good as before.

Zhou Chu's remaining money is barely enough to last him a month.

If there's not enough, they'll have to squeeze it out of Zhou Chu's rations.

I wouldn't even dare to dream of eating mutton or venison like before.

It’s good enough to be full.

Fortunately, the shop provides food.

It'll only last a month; after that, things will get much better.

Soon, Zhou Chu brought the prepared food into the house.

They carefully placed Mu Yunjin's food in front of her.

Then they placed some meat separately in front of the old man.

"And yours?"

The old man looked at the empty space in front of Zhou Chu and couldn't help but ask.

"I'll eat at the shop later."

Zhou Chu smiled.

The old man fell silent again upon hearing this.

Even Mu Yunjin didn't pick up her chopsticks immediately.

"Brother, I can't finish all this food, can you eat some for me?"

Mu Yunjin is so sensible that it breaks your heart.

Zhou Chu patted her head.

"You have to finish your food; there can be no leftovers."

The old man simply stopped being polite and started eating.

"Only those who are hungry know."

The old man muttered to himself as he ate.

The old man knew Zhou Chu's appetite.

Although he is just a child, it might be because he practices martial arts.

Back in the academy, Zhou Chu and Lu Wei both had appetites far exceeding those of ordinary people.

The old man didn't believe that Zhou Chu's so-called shop could provide him with a full meal.

Soon, the old man had eaten and drunk his fill.

"Would you like to become my disciple, kid?"

The old man glanced at Zhou Chu and asked.

"In the hearts of my students, you have long been my teacher."

Zhou Chu said respectfully.

The old man nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

"Let's skip the apprenticeship ceremony. As I've said before, calligraphy isn't my forte; painting is what I excel at. From now on, you'll learn to paint from me."

Just as Zhou Chu was about to speak, the old man seemed to see through his thoughts and glanced at Mu Yunjin.

"Let this girl learn along with us from now on."

The old man got up to leave.

"I'll come again tomorrow."