Chapter 229: Fear power, not virtue [Thanks to everyone for your support! Bow again!

The first to arrive were the yamen runners of the Bianjing Prefecture.

Because brawls often happened at Pan Lou,

Li Mubai's master loved him and transferred him to the vicinity of Sai Sai Fanlou.

Those who could come to this Sai Sai Fanlou were either rich or noble, and there would more or less be tips when handling things.

It could be considered a lucrative job.

Then Li Mubai and the others saw the commoners gathered on the third floor of Sai Sai Fanlou.

Walking closer, they heard the wailing of the people in the private room.

Zheng Xiao and Gu Tingye stood at the door with solemn expressions. When Li Mubai walked over, Zheng Xiao waved his hand and said:

"Don't go in, just protect this place."

Li Mubai looked at Zheng Xiao and asked respectfully: "Young Master, greetings. May I ask who you are? What is inside?"

"My father is the Marquis of Zhongjing, and my elder brother is Zheng Jun. He is from the Ningyuan Marquis family. Inside are the Heir of Prince Yan and his retainers who were beaten, as well as people from the estates of the Marquis of Yongyi, Marquis Hou Fu Chang, Marquis Ruyang, and Marquis Jinghai."

Hearing this,

Li Mubai tried his best to squeeze out a smile on his face and said:

"Then I will protect this place well. You guys, go quickly and invite physicians, invite several orthopedic ones."

At this time, the mother and daughter of the Rong family, the Da Niangzi of Marquis Hou Fu Chang, also arrived downstairs at Sai Sai Fanlou.

Under the protection of servants and attendants,

The mother and daughter arrived on the third floor of Sai Sai Fanlou,

Let the yamen runners who were hurrying to invite physicians pass,

With the Rong family manager in front separating the onlookers,

The Da Niangzi of the Rong family saw at a glance Rong Xian, who was being supported by Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye.

Rong Xian was beaten black and blue, bleeding from his nose and mouth, almost unrecognizable from before.

The golden crown on his head was crooked, his hair was disheveled,

The robe he was wearing was torn, and there were many footprints and bloodstains,

And he was missing one of his boots.

Looking at her son's miserable state, the Da Niangzi of the Rong family pointed at Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye and said:

"It was you two who beat my son! I'll fight you to the death!"

As she spoke, she was about to pounce and scratch the faces of Xu and Gu.

It was Qingcao who brought the Yunxiang sisters to block in front and said: "My young master is saving people!"

Rong Feiyan also held her mother at this time. Seeing Rong Xian's appearance, her eyes were full of surprise, which then turned into pity.

"Brother, how did you become like this?"

Rong Xian smiled, then winced in pain.

Qingyun rode his horse and flew back to Quyuanjie,

But the first thing he did was not to get the token, but to come to Sun Shi's courtyard.

In the courtyard,

Sun Shi smiled and said to her two daughters-in-law:

"Sigh, there shouldn't be any fallen flagpoles or women kneeling at the gate to thank for great kindness this year."

"Mother is right. I heard that soldiers are watching the cables around the flagpoles."

After Hualan heard Xie Shi finish speaking, she said: "It seems like they won't even let them sell fireworks at the market."

Sun Shi nodded:

"It's a normal day."

As soon as the words fell, a maid came to the door and said: "Mistress, Brother Qingyun says there is a major matter to report."

The three mother-in-law and daughters-in-law exchanged glances, having some ominous premonition.

After listening to Qingyun,

Sun Shi closed her eyes in pain, took a deep breath, and said:

"Go, go get the token. I will go into the palace with you. Eldest son's wife, you hold Dai'er and return to the Xie family. Hualan, you return to the Sheng family."

"Mother... I'll go to the Ningyuan Marquis estate first, is that alright?"

After Hualan finished speaking, Sun Shi nodded and said:

"Hmm, go ahead."

Xie Shi said: "Mother, I will go to the Sun family and then to the Xie family."

"Good."

As she spoke, Sun Shi hesitated whether to write a letter to her husband, but after thinking about it, she sighed.

There are many things at the border, so it's better not to add trouble.

When Qingyun arrived at the Xu family,

The matter at Sai Sai Fanlou was also spreading throughout Bianjing at a very fast speed.

The movement among the nobles suddenly became frequent.

Some were purely concerned about what Xu Zaijing would encounter and whether they could use their strength to help.

Others were concerned about the position of the Marquis of Yongyi in the north and whether it could be moved so they could move up.

Above Sai Sai Fanlou,

Soon, orthopedic physicians arrived.

Looking at Xu Zaijing at the door, a young physician bowed respectfully to him.

For no other reason,

Whenever Xu Zaijing appeared and something happened, their orthopedic physicians always had to be busy for a long time, which could also increase their income.

The last time was at Pan Lou.

The physicians began to treat them skillfully.

When Gu Tingye sent someone back to Xingguo Lane,

The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's estate also received the servant's report at about the same time.

Qi Heng sat on the chair below the front hall of the Qi family, looking at his father and mother with full worry for Xu Zaijing in his eyes.

Princess Pingning said with a solemn expression:

"Tsk, what is wrong with Brother Jing today? How could he be so reckless! Beating the Prince's Heir in public, this..."

Qi Yiqiu also shook his head somewhat depressedly.

"Father, Mother, the servant just said that Second Uncle is at Sai Sai Fanlou. Why don't I go ask what happened?"

Princess Pingning nodded: "Go ahead, this is also caring for relatives and classmates."

Soon,

Qi Heng understood the ins and outs of the matter,

And returned to the Ling Ling Guo Gong's estate to report to the Duke and his wife.

"This, Brother Xu is preparing for war in the north, and Brother Jing did this, it really is..."

Qi Yiqiu shook his head.

Qi Heng on the side watched his mother, Princess Pingning, whose eyes were moving constantly, and then stopped.

"Mother? What did you think of? Can you save Brother Jing?"

Princess Pingning's eyes set, as if she had made some determination, and said:

"Brother Jing, why do we need to save him? Sir, do we have any family friends between Deng and Lai?"

"The Gao family, who entered the Zhaoxun Pavilion, were granted a gold mine at that time, and we also contributed some effort, so some gold is sent every year. Why does Madam ask this?"

"Their family's reputation is a bit bad, but it doesn't matter. Sir, write a letter to ask them about Prince Yan."

"What about Prince Yan?"

Princess Pingning's mouth curled and she said:

"Anything will do. For more than half a year, the weapons allocated by the Ministry of Revenue to the navy have all been shipped to the Jin Kingdom from there."

Qi Heng listened to these words, his small head turned, and then said:

"Mother, when I came back just now, I happened to see the Sheng family's Hualan sister go to the Gu family."

"It should be to tell Pingmei about the family matter."

Before the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's estate was discussing this matter,

Gu Tingyu, who had already returned to the Ningyuan Marquis estate after work, held the trembling hand of Pingmei, who was sitting beside him, and listened to Zhique's report in front of Gu Yankai and Sun Shi.

"Brother Jing heard about the Xu family's young lady outside, and Brother Qingyun, Second Young Master, and Zheng family's Second Young Master could only desperately pull Brother Jing."

"Brother Ye also acted?"

Gu Yankai asked.

"He acted. He and the Zheng family's Second Young Master were afraid that Brother Jing's hands would be too heavy."

Sun Shi frowned and said: "Is Second Young Master's hand light?"

Zhique hesitated to speak.

Sun Shi said: "Continue."

After Zhique finished telling the story of Xu Zaijing breaking the Heir of Prince Yan's legs,

"Yu'er, what do you think?"

Sun Shi didn't ask Gu Yankai, but asked her eldest son directly.

Gu Tingyu shook his head and said: "It's not right."

Gu Yankai: "Hmm? Eldest son, what did you say?"

Pingmei also looked at her husband with a puzzled expression.

"It's not right. Brother Jing knew that the Huyan family's Great House had such an attitude; he could have just beaten Huyan Zhuo. Why did he act against the Heir of Prince Yan and his retainers? Zhique, what were the people inside saying before you acted?"

Zhique had also beaten several people today. Hearing Gu Tingyu's question, Zhique frowned and recalled for a moment before saying:

"Saying something about your sister liking... how the Xu family is... I didn't hear clearly, but later it seemed like Prince Yan's retainer said that their Qiu family had some influence in Bianjing and could spread words for a long time."

"Call Tingyi here, I have something to ask her. Zhique, you guys go down."

Sun Shi hurriedly waved her hand, Chang Mama left the room in a hurry to call someone, and the other maids in the hall also dispersed.

Soon, Gu Tingyi followed Chang Mama to the front hall.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law."

Tingyi bowed when she greeted them.

"Yi'er, Eldest Brother has something to ask you."

"Eldest Brother, go ahead."

"Are you familiar with the Rong family young lady?"

"Hmm, it's okay. Some incense gatherings, tea poetry gatherings, etc., she often finds me and Fifth Sister, and Anmei sister to play together. Eldest Brother, what's wrong?"

Gu Tingyi looked at Gu Tingyu with her beautiful eyes.

"Then, do you know anything about her... uh..."

Pingmei looked at her husband, who was stuttering, and said: "Little sister, do you know if there is anything between that Miss Feiyan and my younger brother?"

Gu Tingyi was stunned, her eyes somewhat flustered and she didn't dare to look at anyone.

"Miss Rong Feiyan likes Brother Jing?"

"Ah? Eldest Brother, you know? I didn't say!" Gu Tingyi waved her hands and said anxiously.

At this time, a servant reported: "Master, Mistress, Brother Heng from the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's estate next door is here."

Hualan took a carriage to Jiying Lane.

When she arrived at Shou'an Hall,

The Wang family's relative, the Feng family of the Duke of Cheng, had already sent someone to explain Brother Jing's matter.

So at this time, Sheng Hong and his wife, along with Wei Shuyi, were gathered in front of the Old Madam's Luo Han bed.

The children were not there.

"Eldest young lady is here."

Hualan lowered her head and entered Shou'an Hall under the curtain.

"Grandmother, Father, Mother, Little Mother."

"Sigh, what time is it, you're still bowing. What exactly happened to Brother Jing?"

Wang Ruofu asked anxiously.

"They said he saw someone fighting and broke the Heir of Prince Yan's legs, let Qingyun return to take the token to enter the palace, saying he was going to the Empress and the Imperial City Guard, to report..."

Hualan looked at the elders like her grandmother and said: "Report Prince Yan for plotting something wrong."

"This, this, this..."

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu were both somewhat panicked.

"Mother! What should our family do?"

Sheng Hong looked at the Old Madam.

Sheng Old Madam was turning the Buddhist beads in her hand, looking at Hualan and asking:

"He went to the Empress and the Imperial City Guard? Didn't say he went to the Emperor?"

Hualan recalled for a moment and said:

"Yes, didn't say he went to the Emperor."

Sheng Old Madam looked at the side of the Luo Han bed, where there was a wooden box containing letters from her close friends.

Inside was a letter from Kong Mama to the Old Madam, talking about some things about the Royal Nursing Home that only palace eunuchs and female officials knew.

The Old Madam pondered for a while and said:

"Our Emperor is too benevolent."

The sky turned dark.

On the northeast side of Prince Yan's mansion,

Zhang Fangling, the fourth son of the Duke of Ying, was riding on a horse.

On the horse's back beside him, a servant with a falcon squatting on his arm shook his arm,

And the falcon flew straight into the sky.

"Young Master, as the sky continues to darken, whether it's pigeons or falcons, they can't fly much anymore."

"Hmm, that's for the best."

Shen hour (4:00 PM)

Sai Sai Fanlou,

Because it involved the Imperial clan and nobles,

People from the Imperial Clan Court came;

There were injured people who were nobles and Imperial clan members, and the Imperial Medical Academy also sent people.

You hour (6:00 PM)

Then the yamen runners of the Bianjing Prefecture followed behind the Imperial Guards and "escorted" everyone into the Imperial Palace.

Before Xu hour (before 7:00 PM)

The injured Heir of Prince Yan and his retainers, the Bao family, the Huyan family, and the Rong family were all being treated. After the family members who rushed to the palace came to visit the injured young masters, they began to wail.

Rong Xian's head was bandaged, and he was invited into the hall by Consort Rong with his arm in a sling.

Accompanying him were the Da Niangzi of Marquis Hou Fu Chang and Rong Feiyan.

And Xu Zaijing,

He was kneeling in a familiar place again.

But this time, no one sent a cushion for his knees.

In Consort Rong's hall,

Consort Rong looked at Rong Xian with a serious expression and said in a deep voice:

"Tell me everything clearly from beginning to end. If I find out you have exaggerated or lied even a little, I will immediately have the palace servants break one of your legs!"

Rong Xian looked at his sister with a weary expression,

Consort Rong was five or six months pregnant, and her appearance had been somewhat affected, but she had a kind of resilient temperament she didn't have before.

Rong Xian endured the pain on his mouth and face and told the story in detail.

"He said, his Qiu family still has some influence in Bianjing and will keep the story about my sister spreading, the Xu family..."

"Brother Jing asked him if he was trying to ruin a girl's reputation..."

"Zheng Xiao wanted to stop it, but didn't. Brother Jing broke the Heir of Prince Yan's two legs."

"Entering the palace to report Prince Yan..."

After Consort Rong finished listening, she stroked the soft fabric on her stomach and said: "Good, I know. You and Mother go out first, Feiyan stay."

After Mother and Brother left the hall door,

Consort Rong looked at Rong Feiyan and whispered:

"He made such a big scene; anyone would think he did it because of his sister. Beating the Heir of Prince Yan looks more like he was venting for the Empress. Your reputation should be fine."

Rong Feiyan nodded.

Consort Rong continued: "In the future, bury everything in your heart. If you let people see so clearly again and get caught, I won't spare you lightly."

"Yes, Sister."

"I don't know if the one in my stomach is a boy or a girl. If it's a girl, it's fine, but if it's a boy, there's definitely no possibility for you two."

Rong Feiyan lowered her head, and a tear fell onto the carpet.

"Go out."

Rong Feiyan bowed and turned to walk out.

Consort Rong sighed.

In the Empress's hall,

Zhao Fang and the little princess had already been carried away by female officials,

The head eunuch had also retreated to the hall door, and only the Emperor and Empress were in the hall.

The Emperor was looking at the Empress angrily,

And the Empress was playing with the token she had bestowed upon Xu Zaijing to enter the palace.

"His courage is really getting bigger and bigger. Last time he beat the envoy of the Bai Gao Kingdom, and this time it's even better, beating the Imperial clan of my Great Zhou. He is truly bold and daring!"

Empress: "Hmm."

"He even had the face to report Prince Yan, without evidence, talking nonsense. It's truly unreasonable!"

Empress: "Hmm."

"Empress, can you only say 'hmm'?"

"If I say anything else, I'm afraid I'll anger Your Majesty, so I'd better not say anything."

"You! You speak, I want to see how the Empress will anger me!"

The Empress took a deep breath and said: "Your Majesty, are these words true?"

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, have you found out the background of the dead soldiers in the Nursing Home?"

"The whereabouts of the taxes in the Southeast, has the Imperial City Guard reported it? Does Your Majesty want to deal with it?"

"The matter of the head eunuch plotting for the relatives of the small eunuchs, who did it?"

The Emperor frowned: "No, no, no."

The Empress hummed and said:

"Does this still need to be checked? You and I have no heirs, and the throne will naturally be chosen from the four Princes of Yong, Yan, Jing, and Tan. Besides these four, who else has the motive to harm?"

"The strong soldiers Xu Zaijing killed outside Yang Zhou city, an old official can tell at a glance that they are the Prince's personal guards."

"Besides these four Princes, who else is secretly plotting to find small eunuchs? Good, now the Heir of Prince Yan publicly invites the Huyan family's Great House. Anyone with eyes knows his intentions, but what about you, Your Majesty?"

Emperor: "Me? What about me?"

"Good, Your Majesty, let's not talk about these, just talk about the little palace maid who didn't prepare tea before, how did you deal with her?"

"I... I endured the thirst and came to the Empress's palace to drink tea. Now Bianjing is spreading my benevolence."

The Empress pouted and smiled: "Clearly it was the palace maid's dereliction of duty, why did Your Majesty have to endure the thirst yourself!"

"She... she is so young, I couldn't bear to see her punished, and I also wanted to accumulate some merit for myself and the Empress. I bestowed grace upon her; maybe she will be grateful for this in the future!"

The Empress said earnestly:

"Your Majesty, there is no circle without rules. You are the Emperor of Great Zhou. A small palace maid can make you suffer grievances; how do you want others to see you!"

"If those who make mistakes are not punished, then what about those who abide by their duties and make no mistakes?"

"Gentlemen who know how to repay kindness will naturally be grateful to Your Majesty, but what about those villains?"

"Your Majesty, villains fear power, not virtue!"

"Not to mention anything else, just talk about the family of Consort Rong, whom Your Majesty favors. How arrogant and domineering they were before, retaliating against the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's Heir in the Xiangyang Marquis estate. What happened later?"

The Emperor was embarrassed.

After the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong and the Xiangyang Marquis estate showed their claws, they were scared to death, and they were considered honest afterwards.

"Your Majesty, Brother Jing was a bit reckless this time, but I think the question he asked was right. A Prince's Heir in Bianjing colluding with a Marquis responsible for trading with the Jin Kingdom, what is he doing?"

"Is he trying to intercept weapons, or is he trying to collude with the Jin Kingdom?"

"They should be trembling like Zhao Zongquan of Yuzhou, not as respectful on the surface as they are now!"

Emperor: "According to the Empress, that brat, was he right to beat people?"

Empress: "That Huyan family's Great House, no matter how you look at it, really deserved to be beaten. They haven't done their job well, but they are arrogant about their contributions. It's better to investigate first..."

If the Empress had no heirs, she would naturally have no confidence to say these things, but she now has a healthy and strong Imperial Prince!

The Emperor said in a deep voice: "Someone, let Zhao Zilong come to see me."

The head eunuch at the hall door hurriedly responded.

"Let's go, let's go see Fang'er."

As he spoke, the Emperor took the Empress's hand and walked toward the back hall.

The Emperor came to the room in the back hall, but only saw Princess Yue sleeping on the couch.

"Where is Fang'er?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, he is kneeling in the study with Brother Jing..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 230 =====