by Ning er
Chen wang heard Yuan de taifei speak such inappropriate words so casually. These past few days mother had been pressuring him incessantly, making Jiang Mu Chen feel increasingly repulsed by the whole affair. He unthinkingly opened his mouth to refuse, “Chen wang has mother to manage it, who needs concubines? If mother has nothing to do, you should go to Yuan Fu and arrange a marriage for Qing Zhou.”
After saying his piece, Chen wang's eyes returned the parchment map, examining the terrain and topography.
“Bah!” Yuan de taifei scoffed, angry at being dismissed. Her right hand abruptly banged the tabletop, hitting one of the pear flowers engraved across the table, the bowl jostled and spilled a little of its contents.
Chen wang completely ignored Yuan de taifei's outburst and continued on his intent study of the map. His long and slender fingers traced along the mountain ranges of the map as he carefully examined it...
“Chen'er, do you think mother doesn't know about what you've been doing? In Hai wangfu, you jumped off the boat to save Yun Qian Meng; Last night, mindless of your status as wangye, you fought to enter Yun Qian Meng's bedchamber. She's the person you broke off an engagement with, you can't get your head confused over this person. You are wasting all of our efforts over the past few years. Back then, the Empress Dowager egged on the previous emperor to betroth you to the newborn Yun Qian Meng. This matter has weighed on mother's mind for years! If the Empress Dowager had gotten her way, then our Chen wangfu would have had a little spy. It was with great difficulty that we got over that hurdle, don't fall back into the same trap.” After Yuan de taifei spoke, she looked carefully at her son to gauge his reaction. But the only reaction he had was, at the mention of “Yun Qian Meng”, his fingers that were streaking across the map came to a stop. It happened so briefly, only in the blink of an eye, but it did not escape Yuan de taifei shrewd eyes.
Jiang Mu Chen's expression did not change, his body only exuded more coldness, as if he was unconsciously avoiding talk about anything related to Yun Qian Meng. This made Yuan de taifei's heart sink, her expression became dark and a fierce look flashed in her eyes—a warning that danger was coming.
“Ning Feng!” Jiang Mu Chen ignored Yuan de taifei. He only called for Ning Feng who was waiting outside the door.
“Wangye.” Ning Feng had been guarding the door so he heard all of Yuan de taifei's words just now. He felt his heart tighten as he had an inkling that some bad luck was about to befall him.
Ning Feng still quickly entered the study. He lowered his head as he awaited Jiang Mu Chen's orders.
“Take yourself to the courtyard to be flogged thirty times.” Jiang Mu Chen's eyes did not even leave the map as he ruthlessly commanded.
Ning Feng felt beads of sweat form on his head when he heard Chen wang's punishment, he could not help releasing a strangled breath.
Before he had even exhaled completely, Jiang Mu Chen added in a dark and cold voice, “If this happens again, it will be a flogging to the death.”
“Yes! Beizhi will do as you command.” Ning Feng's heart caught in his chest, he did not dare any more carelessness. He immediately knelt on the ground and vowed loudly. Then he turned around and left the study. He went to the courtyard and prepared the bench himself, letting his own subordinate carry out the flogging.
The sound of a club beating flesh resounded throughout the courtyard. Seeing her son was killing a chicken in front of a monkey did not please Yuan de taifei, the corner of her mouth curled up into a sneer, “Chen'er, are you doing this to provoke mother? Is it wrong for a mother to worry over her son?”
At the last word, Yuan de taifei's voice grew sharp. From the time Jiang Mu Chen had exited the Empress Dowager's palace without raising any objections, and now this time punishing Ning Feng, it was the second time Jiang Mu Chen was not giving his mother any face.
Right now Yuan de taifei was angry beyond all reason, but Jiang Mu Chen was ignoring all of her glares. His indifferent eyes raised to look at his mother, in a cold voice he said, “Mother has brought those wealthy and honorable ladies into Chen wangfu for marriage?”
“I'm not after the daughters, what I want are the clans behind their backs. Besides, for Chen wangfei, mother has already picked out a very suitable match for you. The cefei and shiqie are only for roping in the ministers and officials as chess pieces.” Yuan de taifei knew that Jiang Mu Chen was only asking because he wasn't interested in any of the daughters, so she eased the situation by explaining.
When Jiang Mu Chen heard this he replied coldly, “Mother can decide all the other positions, but for the position of wangfei, benwang will decide.”
As these words fell, the noise in the courtyard stopped. Jiang Mu Chen no longer looked at Yuan de taifei's expression, only passing by her as he exited the study.
In Fu Guo Gongfu, laotaijun brought her daughter-in-law and granddaughter beside the bed, anxiously watching as the doctor examined Qu Ling Ao's injury.
Half an incense stick later, the man in green robes stood from the bedside and looked at laotaijun and Ji Shu Yu. Bowing with his hands clasped in front of him, he spoke in a low voice. “Laotaijun, furen, let us go to the outer room to discuss this matter.”
Gu laotaijun and Ji Shu Yu saw his grave expression and their hearts sank. The two exchanged looks and together they nodded at the doctor to leave the room. Laotaijun immediately asked in an anxious voice, “Xiao Nie daifu, how is my son? Can his life be saved?”
The young daifu saw the expressions worry on laotaijun, houye, furen, and xiaojie, he sighed in his heart. He could only say truthfully, “Houye was stabbed in his heart and lung, if he's careful he can still live for half a year. But little nephew has just discovered that houye's stab wound had black traces. I'm afraid that the weapon might have been coated with poison…”
At that point, Xiao Nie daifu stopped speaking. His eyes watched Qu Ling Ao's family members, considering his words carefully, wondering how he could minimize their pain.
When Qu Fei Qing saw that Xiao Nie daifu did not continue, she couldn't bear the stifling atmosphere and spoke up. “Xiao Nie daifu, what will happen to my dad?”
Gu laotaijun and Ji Shu Yu did not scold Qu Fei Qing's lack of manners. They all stared at Xiao Nie daifu, so anxious their hands and feet became cold and clammy, faces blanched white.
When Xiao Nie daifu saw their expressions, he could not keep it from them any longer, with furrowed brows he said in a serious voice, “This poison is very dangerous, add to that the fact that the poison made contact with the heart and lung, which are crucial parts, I'm afraid that houye might not last more than three months. He must be taken cared of with extreme care, or else with even one moment of inattentiveness, it may cost him less than the three months.”
“Niang…” Qu Fei Qing cried bitterly. Xiao Nie daifu's words hadn't even finished when Ji Shu Yu blacked out and fainted. Luckily the yatou and pozi behind her caught her.
“What is there to cry about? You are the houfu's xiaojie. Can you only cry at problems?” Gu laotaijun had the people take Ji Shu Yu to a bed, then she coldly scolded the tearful Qu Fei Qing.
Xiao Nie daifu saw how laotaijun was dealing with the sudden misfortune. Even though her face was pale and she looked exhausted, her back was straight and her expression was stern. An air of general calm was emanating from her, especially just now when she reprimanded Qu Fei Qing. Her dignity and strength as the matriarch of the house shown forth. It made Xiao Nie daifu feel great admiration towards her.
When Qu Fei Qing was scolded by Gu laotaijun, her panic subsided. Even though she was still in pain because of Xiao Nie daifu's words, she calmed down somewhat, wiping away her tears she calmly stood wordlessly beside laotaijun.
“Nephew, this incident happened too suddenly. If you will, could you temporarily live in houfu and make arrangements for my son? Otherwise, this old one won't feel relieved!” Laotaijun's eyes looked straight at Xiao Nie daifu, her words imploring him.
Xiao Nie daifu saw l
aotaijun's insistence. He knew that she didn't want other people to know about this incident so he immediately nodded and said, “Laotaijun can rest easy. Little nephew will do his best and, for the peace of Qing Song Yuan, would not let houye perish in the three months.”
Laotaijun saw him take the matter seriously and knew that she did not choose wrong. She nodded and let Qu Fei Qing help her back into the inner room. She looked at her son lying on the bed, completely still, then to her daughter-in-law who had fainted and was crying in her sleep. Even though laotaijun had just exhibited great strength and coldness, this time she could not help feeling extreme sorrow. A warm tear fell onto the back of Qu Fei Qing's hand.
But just when Qu Fei Qing raised her head in surprise to look at laotaijun, she had already collected herself and turned around to leave the room. She ordered Ma huwei who as guarding the threshold, “Take those traitors to the punishment hall.”
Gu laotaijun removed Qu Fei Qing's hand, letting her go in to watch over her parents. She fixed the stray strands of gray hair on her head then with her walking stick step by step left Qing Song Yuan.
At this moment, somebody was already spreading rumours around the streets, saying that last night Fu Guo Gongfu's houye was attacked. Right now his injuries were very grave and probably fatal. This became the topic of conversation for the citizens, causing a stir all across the various fu. It shocked even the Empress Dowager in the palace who had already received word of the news much earlier. They had taken precautions to keep the secret, how did the news spread so fast?
Yun Qian Meng was woken up by the sound of Mu Chun's urgent footsteps. She saw Mu Chun and Mi mama's anxious expression and knew that news of her jiujiu's injury had been exposed by the mastermind plotting behind the scenes.
Chapter 81: Part 1: Collaborative investigation of treason with the enemy being removed from office | Chu Wang Fei
"Xiaojie, nubi will go to houfu to ask for news!" Mu Chun saw that Yun Qian Meng was already frowning and her heart became anxious as well.
"No need!" Yun Qian Meng however, rejected her good intentions. Standing up immediately to get dressed, she only allowed Mu Chun's help with loosening the straps. Mi mama, by now, entered to see Yun Qian Meng awake and greeted her. "Xiaojie, just now Pan Lan sent her personal yatou over, saying that Su daren adhered himself to Chen wang, this is why he and xiangye had such a huge disagreement! And then a moment ago, the gatekeeper said he saw the Empress Dowager's aide, Qu gonggong, enter Fu Guo Gongfu with an imperial physician.
Yun Qian Meng nodded; her gaze peaceful and calm, but her heart could not help feeling uneasy.
The imperial physician would have been carefully selected by the Empress Dowager herself as a sign of affection for her younger brother.
But among these physicians, it was becoming harder and harder to tell who were honest and trustworthy.
Jiujiu's life hung in the balance and a single mistake could cost him his life.
Fu Guo Gongfu was currently undergoing a crisis, unaware that Emperor Yu Qian had sent someone to inform his brother.
At this time, Gu laotaijun is seated inside the Punishment Hall, watching as Ma huwei brought the bound steward forward.
Ma huwei has been with Qu Ling Ao from a young age and has never wavered in his dedication and loyalty. Seeing a traitor within the fu, he was not in the least bit opposed to kicking the steward's knees, forcing him to kneel before laotaijun.
"How difficult it is to guard one's own home against traitors, every day and night! To think that you would invite someone who is not a doctor but a killer." Laotaijun gazed upon the kneeling figure, unable to contain her rage.
The steward was already getting old, his temple white as hoarfrost. He was already resigned to his fate and continued to kneel in silence.
Laotaijun was not pleased with his lack of communication and gestured to Ma huwei. The guard placed his hands on the steward's shoulders to position at an angle most suited to strike his acupuncture points. As Ma huwei was learned in the martial arts, he possessed the knowledge to do harm with these pressure points. Their ruse was believed by the former steward who now broke into a sweat, and eventually sagged tiredly to the ground.
"Speak! Who is your real master? Fu Guo Gongfu has sheltered you, your houye has always been compassionate and has never reprimanded you. Unlike a dark-hearted man like you, who attempted to poison his master. Has the dog eaten your conscience?" Laotaijun was furious at this point, a trembling hand pointing at the steward all throughout her tirade. The hatred in her eyes is unmistakable. The thought of this man responsible for the near death of her son, she would only be too happy to fry up his heart.
The housekeeper was keenly aware of laotaijun's anger, however, he was more fearful of the one beside with his military training. Not wanting to suffer needlessly, he immediately spoke, "Mercy! Nucai was forced! Someone threatened nucai's whole family, nucai had no choice! But nucai really doesn't know who is behind it. Please understand laotaijun, nucai would not lie in this matter."
Laotaijun showed no pity in the face of the old man's pleas, only looking to Ma huwei who, with a drawn hand, struck down the steward.
Although the steward had been dealt with, Qu Ling Ao was still in critical condition and his situation had yet to change.
On the morning of the second day, Qu Yan as a member of the Ministry of Revenue presented a folded booklet to Emperor Yu Qian, clearly enunciating, "Emperor, I wish to make a report."
Beside the emperor, a court eunuch stepped forward to accept the proffered report from Qu Yan. Emperor Yu Qian indifferently gave a cursory glance at Qu Yan, his manner and voice cold as he asked, "What matter?"
"Emperor, I have come to report that the Minister of Revenue, Xu daren, during his term of office, has appropriated an excess of 300,000 liang of silver." Qu Yan knelt on the ground, his words clear and distinct in an attempt to make himself memorable to the emperor.
For a moment, the various officials looked at each other in dismay, doubtful the words coming from Qu Yan, some also glanced at the Minister in question.
It was then that the Minister of Revenue's face flashed panic and alarm, his gaze went to a few other officials and saw that they remained composed, so the Minister of Revenue himself gradually calmed. He made his way to kneel in front of the emperor where Qu Yan remained, voice loud and confident. "Emperor, weichen from the Ministry of Revenue records cautiously, never thinking of personal gain by accumulate wealth! Please let Assistant Minister Qu's false accusations be investigated further before wrongly prosecuting weichen."
"Hmph! Why is Xu daren panicking? All will be clear once the emperor looks through the accounts book weichen has written. Your agitation only tells me that you have something to hide. Weichen has been under you for many years and has handled countless of matters. The Revenue Department is filled with Xu daren's descendants, it would be easy for daren to commit fraud." Qu Yan gave no room for Xu Ming Shan to defend himself. His report having yet to reach the emperor's hands, he was quick to shut down all arguments. Although his words were casual, he made sure to strike at a vital point in order to create doubt within those present and let them take his words as truth.
After all, matters of the Ministry of Revenue affects all government bodies, one could not help but be uneasy.
What weight on everyone's minds though, was why Qu Yan sat as an assistant minister for many years, yet he only thought to expose Xu Ming Shan's now.
"Qu Yan, you blood sucking leech! You are jealous of my wealth so you lay groundless accusations to have the emperor pronounce me guilty. That is a pipe dream! The emperor has always been a wise ruler, why would he listen to a person of such low social status?" Qu Yan's status was common knowledge but was one people avoided speaking of. Xu Ming Shan in his anger, despite being situated before the throne, straightened his body and pointing at Qu Yan while spitting poisonous words at him.
All this incited from Qu Yan was a grim laugh as he looked straight at Xu Ming S
han's eyes. "Why is there a need for Xu daren to fly into a rage? Is it because you are afraid of other people finding out about your corruption and abuse of the law?"
In short, Xu Ming Shan's corrupt crimes were laid bare. One by one the various officials pondered upon the today's events as well as Xu Ming Shan's situation. The room's occupants could not help but to look to the throne where Emperor Yu Qian sat. The emperor as well as those influential officials seated closest to him only had expressions of indifference. As if all the events up to this point have been nothing but children squabbling. Most were thankful that there were not the center of attention.
"Emperor! Emperor! You have to believe weichen! This is all Qu Yan's ploy to frame me. Weichen has held this position for many years and has never been corrupt. Everything is because Qu Yan envies weichen having sat as the Minister of Revenue for all these years! Do not believe this person's words, please emperor, do not accuse this loyal servant wrongly!" Xu Ming Shan saw the main hall was filled with various officials, yet unexpectedly, no one stepped forward to support his pleas. He began to panic and immediately faced the throne to kowtow profusely at the silent Emperor Yu Qian.
See the situation, Yun Xuan Zhi swept his gaze helplessly at Xu Ming Shan, as well as carefully observing the grinning face of Qu Yan. He suddenly had a thought, but the emperor had yet to speak, as he is in no hurry, he kept quiet so as to avoid being caught in any schemes.
Chu Fei Yang barely spared the commotion a glance, easily seeing two clowns that caused him to hold back a chuckle. His quick sweep of the room eventually landed on Chen wang, who continued to remain silent. But just then, that ice-cold gaze unintentionally shot across the room towards one person and Chu Fei Yang's mouth broke into a huge grin.