Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Two hours later, the Meng family's caravan arrived in the imperial city, covered in dust.

Meng Huaran lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the bustling street scene outside, feeling a surge of emotions.

"It's been three years, and we're finally back!" Meng Huaran sighed.

Madam Meng was also visibly moved. She wiped away tears of emotion from the corners of her eyes. "Our Meng family has finally weathered the storm! Master, what official position do you think His Majesty will give you this time?"

A glint of light flashed in Meng Huaran's eyes. "At least a third-grade or higher."

Madam Meng asked excitedly, "Can I enter the cabinet?"

Meng Huaran's eyes were full of ambition as he said, "If Ying'er's marriage to the Duke of Zhenguo's family can be arranged, it's possible."

"Oh dear, then this matter is certainly settled! Our Ying'er is clever and beautiful, just the right age for a flower bud, how could the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo not take a liking to her?"

Meng Huaran stroked Hu Shun with deep agreement, a smile appearing on his lips.

Just then, the convoy suddenly came to a slow stop.

Just as the Meng family was about to lift the carriage curtain to look outside, they heard a clear male voice from outside, "Junior Shangguan Zheng greets Lord Meng."

Upon hearing the voice, Meng Huaran was thrilled and immediately lifted the carriage curtain. "Oh, it's my dear nephew! No need for such formalities!"

Shangguan Zheng nodded slightly and said, "I heard that the Meng family and Miss Meng are returning to the capital today, so I came here to welcome them. Lord Meng, did you have a safe journey?"

"Successfully, successfully!" Meng Huaran said repeatedly, her voice filled with excitement.

In the carriage behind, Meng Dongying naturally heard Shangguan Zheng's voice as well. Her cheeks flushed red, and she quietly lifted the curtain to peek outside.

At a glance, one could see the tall, handsome young man standing opposite, leading a magnificent horse. He was exceptionally dashing and dashing.

Meng Dongying's heart suddenly raced. "Mother..."

"What's wrong? How is Young Master Shangguan?"

No one knows a daughter better than her mother, Madam Meng said with a teasing look at Meng Dongying.

Meng Dongying's eyes glistened with tears as she said, "Mother, Young Master Shangguan is so handsome."

Madam Meng covered her mouth and laughed, "Three years ago, you hadn't even reached marriageable age yet, and you had never seen him."

However, at that time, your mother had seen him from afar. If your mother hadn't seen him in person, how could she have planned this marriage for you?

"Hmph, Meng Wanli is an orphan and old; does she even deserve such a marriage?"

Meng Dongying's eyes crinkled into a smile as she hugged Madam Meng's arm and said sweetly, "Mother, you're so good to me."

"Silly girl, of course your mother will plan for you."

"Mother, can I get out of the car and say something to him?" Meng Dongying asked.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Madam Meng's eyes. "Don't do it yet. Wait until your grandfather goes to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and sends your birth date and time, then we can get Meng Wanli's back."

This matter should be explained to His Majesty; it would be more prudent to have him speak on it.

Just as the mother and daughter were talking, a courier rode up from outside. He was covered in dust and, upon seeing the group of people in the middle of the street, quickly dismounted and took out a letter from his pocket, handing it to Shangguan Zheng.

Shangguan Zheng looked at the post soldier in surprise.

The courier said, "Young master, this is a secret letter that the young lady asked me to deliver by fast horse. She repeatedly instructed me to make sure that the letter reaches you."

Shangguan Zheng's expression turned serious. He gripped the letter tightly and said to the courier, "Alright, I understand. Go and rest."

"Thank you, young master!" The courier bowed, then turned and mounted his horse and left.

Across from him, Meng Huaran looked at the letter in Shangguan Zheng's hand, her heart pounding faster, and she felt a strange unease.

Shangguan Zheng glanced at the Meng family's convoy opposite him, then lowered his head to open the letter and read it directly.

After only a few glances, his eyes narrowed.

A few breaths later, he quickly folded the letter and put it away, then looked at Meng Huaran.

"Lord Meng, although it may be a bit presumptuous, I wonder if it would be possible to ask Miss Wanli to come out and meet me?" Shangguan Zheng said.

Meng Huaran's expression changed slightly.

In the carriage behind, Meng Dongying suddenly clutched at Madam Meng's sleeve, her face contorted, "Mother, he actually wants to see that slut Meng Wanli."

Madam Meng's expression was also not good. She patted Meng Dongying's arm and said, "Ying'er, don't rush, let's see what your grandfather arranges."

Meng Dongying snorted angrily and turned her face away, but her eyes were fixed on Shangguan Zheng outside through the gap in the carriage curtain.

"Young Master, the Meng family has just returned to the capital. We must first go to the palace to pay our respects to His Majesty. As for Wanli..."

He sighed softly, "There are some inconveniences regarding Wanli's matter. Please allow me to discuss it with the young master in another place."

Shangguan Zheng stared at them for a moment, then turned and left without saying a word.

When Meng Huaran saw that he left so decisively and with such a cold expression, her heart skipped a beat.

"Master, this... why did Young Master Shangguan leave like this?"

Old Madam Meng was somewhat uneasy and asked Meng Huaran for advice.

Meng Huaran's expression was solemn. He said, "No need to say more for now. Let's go to the palace first and pay our respects to His Majesty."

Madam Meng nodded and didn't ask any more questions, but she felt somewhat uneasy.

Empress.

Emperor Cangxuan also received the secret letter sent back by the Crown Prince.

The secret letter mainly discussed the events in Anzhou.

The details of the collusion between officials from the Meng and Ming families to concoct longevity pills for the so-called "master" behind the scenes were explained in detail.

"What a fine Meng Huaran! What a fine Ming Zhiyuan! What a fine group of officials from Anzhou City!"

Emperor Cangxuan slammed his fist heavily on the table in a fit of rage.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Anguo went to Anzhou City, otherwise they would not have discovered it."

Why bother going up to carefully comfort them?

Emperor Cangxuan sighed, "Yes, it's fortunate they went, otherwise, the people of Anzhou City would have continued to live in misery!"

At the same time, in Anzhou City.

The procession traveled to the lower reaches of the moat surrounding Anzhou City.

There were still piles of rotting fish and shrimp there, and many residents of Anzhou City were cleaning them up.

Ying Yufu frowned, silently asking herself, "Xiao Dian, now that I'm here and have witnessed the upheaval at Anzhou Fishing Lake, I want to help them. Do you have any ideas?"

[Ding! The face-slapping mechanism has been triggered. Host, please clear the toxins from Anzhou Fishing Lake, help the people of Anzhou restore the lake, and allow them to live a good life again.]

"Host, you can purchase a special item called 'Heavenly Rain' for only 1000 points," Xiao Dian said.

Ying Yufu reached out and stroked Xiao Dian's feathers, thinking to herself: [Buy!]

Immediately, the system voice sounded again: [Ding, congratulations to the host for successfully purchasing 'Heavenly Rain'. The system has deducted 1000 points.]

Since the host still has unfinished tasks to complete, the host's remaining points will be tallied later.

Ying Yufu led the convoy downstream towards the moat.

As they approached, the people turned to look at them, and one by one, they knelt down with tense expressions.

The Crown Prince said, "Fellow villagers, please rise. I and Princess Anguo are aware of the matter concerning Anzhou Fishing Lake. Princess Anguo is a goddess, and she has a way to help you restore the fishing lake so that you can continue to fish for a living."