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

Chapter 653

Both Meng Qingyuan and Meng Qingyan built huts in front of Meng Ji's grave to observe mourning, and the two brothers got along quite harmoniously.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard is different from the civil service system. When a civil official wants to observe the mourning period, he or she usually has to resign from his or her post to observe the mourning period, which means he or she will be away from the center of power for several years.

Once you're away from the center of power, you may never be able to come back, or all the things you did before may be in vain.

Zhou Chu was originally Zhang Juzheng in history. He single-handedly fought against the gentry and bureaucratic group of the Ming Dynasty, and promoted the performance evaluation system and the single whip law. He offended countless people, but he never dared to observe the mourning period. He knew very well that once he went to observe the mourning period, everything he had done would be overturned and he would be held accountable.

Thus, the so-called "seizure of affection" came about.

However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is different from the civil service system. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is generally hereditary, with sons inheriting their fathers' positions. Therefore, even if a person is in mourning, their position is retained.

Moreover, Meng Qingyuan's situation is extremely special. Even if the official position of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is not retained due to the mourning period, Meng Qingyuan's position will definitely be retained.

The Meng brothers were in mourning for their parents, and every day someone would bring them some vegetarian dishes; they were not allowed to drink alcohol.

After Zhou Chu finished his court session, he went to Zuixianlou to get some vegetarian dishes, and then carried the food box to Meng Ji's grave.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

Meng Qingyan had met Zhou Chu at Meng Ji's funeral. Zhou Chu was standing right next to Jiajing at the time, enjoying immense favor. Meng Qingyan knew Zhou Chu far better than Meng Qingyuan. He knew very well that the man in front of him, who looked less than ten years older than him, was none other than Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the man who held immense power.

Therefore, he was extremely respectful.

"What about Qingyuan?"

Zhou Chu smiled.

Meng Qingyuan, who was in the thatched hut, hurriedly came out and respectfully bowed to Zhou Chu.

"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency."

At the previous funeral, Meng Qingyuan was so overwhelmed by grief that he didn't think too much about it. But after the funeral, Meng Qingyuan recalled the position Zhou Chu was standing in, right next to the emperor. You should know that even the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is not qualified to stand in that position.

It is likely that only the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could stand beside the emperor and protect his safety.

Having figured all this out, Meng Qingyuan was basically certain of Zhou Chu's identity, and he even had a special discussion with Meng Qingyan about it.

"Let's eat first. These are vegetarian dishes that I specially brought from Zuixianlou."

Zhou Chu lifted the lunchbox and said.

Logically, the lunchbox should have been carried by Shen Lian or Da Zhu behind Zhou Chu, but Zhou Chu didn't want to rely on others for this, so he carried it himself.

Upon hearing this, the Meng brothers exchanged a glance and couldn't help but swallow. They had been eating very vegetarian food these past few days. The vegetarian dishes prepared by the Meng family's chefs were barely seasoned, which made the two brothers, who were used to eating meat, feel extremely bland. They had both lost a lot of weight and looked rather thin at this moment.

The Meng brothers hurriedly brought out a wooden stool that they used for eating, and Zhou Chu opened the lunchbox and took out the dishes one by one and placed them on it.

Although these dishes were vegetarian, the chefs at Zuixianlou were no ordinary chefs. Zuixianlou also used white sugar, which enhanced the flavor. They added a little vinegar, but only a small amount of sugar, mainly for flavor enhancement and garnish. The main flavor was savory. These vegetarian dishes were refreshing and appetizing, and the two brothers couldn't stop eating them, one steamed bun after another.

After the two brothers finished their meal, they realized that Zhou Chu was still standing there, and felt embarrassed.

"My lord, I was out of line. The food at Zuixianlou is just too delicious."

Meng Qingyuan said with a embarrassed expression.

Zhou Chu shook his head upon hearing this.

"Although the food at Zuixianlou is delicious, it's only slightly better than other restaurants. It's not that exaggerated. I suppose you two haven't been eating well or full these past few days, which is why you find these vegetarian dishes so delicious."