From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

While the effect of applying beast blood to the body is strong, it is not enough to do it only once. The new altar master has prepared a large number of exotic beasts and will summon them every three days. He wants to create a large number of mid-to-late stage seventh-grade experts within one to two months.

Chen Shi was in charge of handling Gu Chengze's funeral arrangements. He arrived at the Marquis's residence before dawn every day and often didn't return home until 9 PM. Every three days, he also had to spend an evening fighting strange beasts. It was truly a tough job.

Fortunately, with the long-term nourishment of my spirit, although I have not yet reached the state of "being full of spirit and not thinking about sleep", my energy is exceptionally vigorous, so I do not feel sleepy or tired.

"What happened! How come three more are missing?!"

When Chen Shi took stock of the items that evening and learned that three candlesticks were missing, his face immediately darkened.

These candlesticks are made of pure silver, each costing more than ten taels of silver. Money is secondary; the most important thing is that the ever-burning lamps cannot be extinguished. Losing three candlesticks means losing three lamps!

Although it has been repaired, if the master finds out, everyone from top to bottom will be punished.

"If this happens again, you will be held accountable! Furthermore, whatever method you use, immediately find out which scoundrel stole it and punish him severely!"

Chen Shi summoned the manager in charge and gave him a thorough reprimand.

"Easy for you to say, where am I supposed to find out?"

The steward gave a soft snort and muttered something under his breath.

Chen Shi glared at him, and the steward stopped arguing, but still looked resentful before turning and leaving.

Chen Shi sat in the chair, rubbed his temples, and couldn't help but sigh.

In just over ten days, things have gone missing, paper has been burned incorrectly, and items have been damaged. Mistakes have been happening every day!

He was overwhelmed with worry as he tried to cope.

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. The most important thing is that the people in charge below him don't obey him.

After all, Chen Shi's position is only that of a manager; he is not yet the chief manager.

This makes things even more difficult.

The thought of having to wait another forty days was enough to give him a headache.

"snort!"

A moment later, Chen Shi suddenly let out another cold snort.

It's inevitable to make mistakes, but if it happens a few times, that's one thing. But if it happens every day, then it's not just carelessness, but someone is deliberately trying to trip him up!

Yes.

The chief steward holds a high position and wields great power, and countless eyes are watching him.

Chen Shi's handling of Gu Chengze's funeral was both a sign of Gu Tingshu's support for him and a test for him.

If he fails to perform this task well, the position of steward will be out of his reach.

Knowing this, it's perfectly normal for others vying for the position of general manager to try and trip him up.

"Let's see whose methods are more ruthless."

Thinking of this, Chen Shi's face darkened.

He hadn't been particularly interested in the position of steward, but now it had piqued his interest.

Did they sabotage him behind his back?

He is not one to be easily manipulated!

"Chen Shi, I have some things to attend to tomorrow morning. Please take care of the guests first."

Just as he was about to go home to rest after finishing up the matter, Zhou Bingzhi suddenly came looking for him.

The two had agreed beforehand that Chen Shi would handle internal affairs and Zhou Bingzhi would handle external affairs, but it was impossible to keep their roles so clearly separated. There would always be times when they were too busy to help each other.

Zhou Bingzhi, in particular, was even busier as the general manager.

This kind of "shift change" has happened many times before.

"it is good."

Chen Shi simply nodded without giving it much thought.

"The other guests are fine, but we must be extra careful with Marquis Dingyuan and make sure there are no mistakes."

Immediately afterwards, Zhou Bingzhi took out the list of guests who would be arriving the next morning and read it to Chen Shi.

Finally, he pointed to the name of Marquis Dingyuan and emphasized it.

"Marquis of Dingyuan"

Chen Shi frowned and couldn't help but become serious.

Yongqiu, though not a large prefecture city, was home to two marquises.

One was the Marquis of Jing'an, and the other was the Marquis of Dingyuan.

The first Marquis of Jing'an and the first Marquis of Dingyuan were sworn brothers, both residing in Yongqiu City. Their families had maintained a friendly relationship for generations, up to this day.

It's understandable that the Marquis of Dingyuan would personally come to offer condolences after Gu Chengze's death.

Immediately afterwards, Zhou Bingzhi carefully explained the things to pay attention to when receiving the Marquis of Dingyuan.

"understood."

Chen Shi nodded and wrote everything down.

After their conversation, they went their separate ways, and the night passed without further incident.

The next morning, after Chen Shi finished inspecting the various places, he saw that it was almost time and came to the main gate to prepare to receive the guests who came to worship that day.

Different guests have different identities, and different people receive them, so the level of preparation required also varies.

For ordinary guests, Chen Shi, acting as the "acting steward," would simply bring them into the mansion.

However, those with higher official positions or closer relationships would require the master to receive them personally. Of course, it was usually impossible to disturb the master; it was usually done by Gu Chenglie, Gu Chengxun, or some of the clan's nephews.

If it was a female relative, then it would be received by Madam Rong and the others.

However, as a marquis, the Marquis of Dingyuan could not be neglected and had to be personally greeted by Gu Tingliang.

"They're here."

Just before dawn, a servant came running to report that the Marquis of Dingyuan's carriage had entered Ronghua Street.

Chen Shi quickly ordered people to prepare the welcoming items and went to inform the Third Master to come over.

A moment later, surrounded by a large group of people, a carriage that was ten feet high and five feet five inches wide, with a black flat top, twelve copper bells hanging from the four corners, and yellow bridles pulling four strong horses slowly drove in.

It was the carriage frame of Marquis Dingyuan.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Gu Tingliang, who had just come out of the mansion, hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

"Oh, Uncle, how could you trouble yourself to come and greet me?"

A slightly overweight young man stepped out of the car, arm in arm with Gu Tingliang, and looked very polite.

It was none other than Marquis Dingyuan, Feng Lin.

The two families were old friends. In terms of seniority, Feng Lin and Gu Chengze were of the same generation, so they addressed Gu Tingliang as their uncle.

It was because he was of the same generation as Gu Chengze that Feng Lin came to pay his respects in person.

"I am deeply grateful for the presence of the Marquis of Dingyuan in the wake of my nephew's passing; how could I possibly accept such an honor?"

Gu Tingliang was respectful and polite. The main gate was already open, and he led the Marquis of Dingyuan into the mansion.

clang clang ~

The cloud-shaped clapper was struck three times, and the sixteen vermilion halberd stands wrapped in white cloth on both sides of the gate were replaced with the full set of deacons of the Marquis of Dingyuan. This was called "waiting for the right to hold a position".

Chen Shi served him from the side, glanced around, and his eyes widened instantly.

The nameplates for the guests include those with official titles, those for silence, and those for avoidance, and each should correspond to the guest's status.

Everything else was fine, but the official title plaque was actually of the fourth rank! It read "Prefect of Yongqiu".

This is Zhao Qiancheng's official title plaque from before. The servants were careless and mixed it up!

Perhaps it wasn't an oversight...

At this critical moment, Chen Shi didn't have time to think too much; he just hoped no one would notice.

As soon as Marquis Dingyuan and Gu Tingliang entered the mansion, he immediately ordered someone to replace them.

"Um?"

Just as he stepped onto the steps, Marquis Dingyuan suddenly paused and looked at the official title plaque.

The rank of a fourth-rank prefect was significantly smaller than that of a marquis, making it extremely conspicuous and impossible to miss.

Seeing that Marquis Dingyuan had stopped, Gu Tingliang followed his gaze and looked over. When he saw the fourth-rank official plaque, his face immediately darkened.

"You bastard! Where's Chen Shi?! Get here right now!"