Chapter 703

Ningrong Street, Count's Mansion, outer courtyard main hall.

Jia Cong said, "The Jia and Zhen families were old friends in Jin Ling, and I had a marriage engagement with Miss Zhen; seeing her off was just a matter of etiquette.

When I saw her off that day, we just chatted about the family trend and family friendship; we didn't talk about anything special.

When Miss Zhen left the Love Shenjing, she was returning to Jin Ling; she didn't mention going anywhere else; Miss Zhen's words and actions were all as usual.

I have carefully considered the situation that day, and there was nothing abnormal; it seems I cannot help Judge Wu."

Wu Hongtu was a little disappointed when he heard Jia Cong's words, but it seemed to be within his expectations.

This Count of Weiyuan was a master of investigating cases, having broken many major cases in Jin Ling, and was known for his wisdom and strategy.

He didn't expect to get anything from his mouth...

Wu Hongtu took out his paper and pen, recorded the conversation between the two in detail, and asked Jia Cong other words; Jia Cong naturally answered flawlessly.

But he didn't intend to deceive, because almost everything he said to Wu Hongtu was the truth.

When he sent her off that day, Hearing Zhen Fangqing and he only chatted about family fun and children's love; she didn't mention her plans at all.

Perhaps from that time, she had mostly anticipated today's situation, and it was easier for him to stay out of it if he didn't know the matter.

He understood Yang Hongbin's intention in sending someone to ask questions; it was both a dignified routine matter and a subtle reminder to himself.

His relationship with Hearing Zhen Fangqing was special, and Hearing Zhen Fangqing had already been convicted and was in danger; he shouldn't get involved...

Wu Hongtu asked about the matter and then stood up to say goodbye.

Before leaving, he said, "The Emperor is very concerned about Hearing Zhen Fangqing's matter, so he issued an imperial decree to the Dali Temple to strictly investigate it.

But considering the legacy of the late Old Imperial Consort Zhen, leaving face for the deceased, it is a strict investigation but also a secret investigation.

Please keep today's matter a secret and don't spread it; this subordinate will take my leave."

Jia Cong saw Wu Hongtu's back gradually moving away in the drizzling, dense rain, and his expression became solemn.

Initially, when the Zhen family's eldest wife sent silver to the capital to hide, it was after Zhen Yingjia was dismissed and investigated; at that time, the court had already issued an imperial decree for conviction and confiscation.

So the Zhen family's main branch hiding private silver could not escape the criminal law, and the crime was increased, which was justified.

But Hearing Zhen Fangqing's withdrawal and disposal of family assets were far before the Zhen family's incident; from a legal perspective, it was difficult to define it as a crime, at most it was a name of intentional intent.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao making such a big fuss about this matter and letting the Dali Temple intervene in the investigation already contained feelings of shame and anger.

Jia Cong carefully considered this matter and could probably guess Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's thoughts.

The Emperor took advantage of the Jin Ling firearm private manufacture case to strictly handle the Jin Ling Zhen family.

It was to use this to deter demons and monsters; the crime of one person was enough to confiscate the family and exterminate the clan.

It was also a warning to the powerful Jiangnan aristocratic families.

In the six states and one prefecture of Jiangnan, first the Du family, then the Zhen family; for those who dare to cross the line, the court will never tolerate evil and will give a heavy blow of thunder!

But Hearing Zhen Fangqing prepared for a rainy day and, before Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao could take advantage of the situation, had long since withdrawn most of the Zhen family's assets.

This made the Emperor's plan to deter and suppress the Jiangnan aristocratic families an empty punch that didn't match its name; how could the Emperor not be secretly angry?

That's why Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked the Dali Temple to strictly investigate this matter and find Hearing Zhen Fangqing's whereabouts, but also requested that this matter be investigated secretly.

After all, if the news leaked, the Emperor would be in a difficult position in terms of face.

He originally wanted to use the power of a lion fighting a rabbit to stage a big show to deter the petty people.

But a girl's methods had long since secretly dismantled the stage, making the Emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Three Judicial Offices unable to get off the stage.

Jia Cong couldn't help but feel a little worried; even though he had written to the Jin Ling Xinchun Firm to ask Qu Hongxiu to give Hearing Zhen Fangqing help,

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already used the Three Judicial Offices to intervene in this matter, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard and local governments would definitely increase their search efforts.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing wanting to hide and not come out, and retreating completely, became difficult to predict.

Once she fell into the hands of the government, even with the existence of the Retired Emperor, with the current Emperor's methods, I'm afraid the consequences would be unimaginable.

Love Shenjing, east of the city, an exquisite two-courtyard small house; this was the new residence of Ai Li and her mother, Xu Shi.

Jia Cong held an umbrella, without bringing any minor servants or retainers, walked alone into the quiet and secluded alley, and knocked on the door knocker of the small courtyard.

After a while, the courtyard door was opened, and a young girl with snow-white skin and bright eyes came out.

Her attire was somewhat different; she wasn't wearing the jacket and front-opening clothes that young ladies usually wore, but a light blue embroidered Shu brocade Hu robe.

She was slender and tall, her skin as white as jade, and she wore a light green single-color fragrant sweat towel around her waist, her slender waist was barely a handful, making her figure even more graceful and charming.

She was happy to see Jia Cong and said, "It's a good day today; I didn't expect you to come over to visit."

Usually, when Jia Cong took Ai Li out, she would wear a headscarf and veil; since she was at home now, naturally she didn't have these things.

Ai Li had a head of brown-brown hair, tied into a long braid, hanging down to her waist; the breeze blew, and the green silk at her temples gently brushed her soft face.

Even in the dim weather of the drizzling rain, that head of dark gold hair still shone with a moving halo, setting off her deep eyebrows and eyes, and her skin was as moist as snow.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I've been busy with official business these days; today, because there was something in the mansion, I left the office an hour early, so I came over to walk around."

Ever since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title and received all the assets of the West Mansion, this residence was one of the West Mansion's industries.

It is said that it was added by Jia Daishan of Rongguo when he was alive; even the old servants of the West Mansion couldn't say clearly who had lived there before.

Before, this residence had been vacant for more than ten years; after Jia Cong took over the West Mansion's family business, he cleaned and repaired this residence and invited Ai Li and her mother to move in.

Now, the Xinchun Firm's branches everywhere had gained a firm foothold and stood out among the local firms, and their reputation was far and wide.

The branches in Liaodong, Jin Ling, Gusu, Yinzhou, Fuzhou, and other places had become important places for the Xinchun Firm's commercial goods and financial exchange.

The transmission of information between branches everywhere was becoming increasingly frequent, and the rapid circulation of information was also becoming increasingly important.

The Feiyu Mail Station established by Jia Cong and Ai Li, except for the Liaodong, Jin Ling, and Gusu mail stations, which were directly controlled by Qu Hongxiu, Wang Dequan, and Zhou Guangcheng,

the other branches and Feiyu mail stations were independent of each other, set up independently, and carried out message transmission and flow through established procedures.

Every few months, Ai Li would select sharp-minded girls from the orphans adopted by the Xinchun Firm and teach them bird-training skills.

These girls, after several months of training by Ai Li, would be sent to Feiyu mail stations everywhere, responsible for the transmission of information between places.

There was a reason for choosing only girls, because girls were meticulous and patient, and their blood was softer than men's, making it easier for them to be accepted by birds.

Therefore, girls practicing bird-training skills achieved twice the result with half the effort compared to men.

Ai Li learned the skills from her father years ago; while her father was still alive, Ai Li had already surpassed her father.

Her ability to perceive and summon birds had already faintly exceeded her father's, which was the reason for this.

Whether it was training birds or teaching skills, it required a spacious residence and venue.

This was also the reason why Jia Cong invited Ai Li and her mother to move.

There were two connected side rooms in the backyard of the mansion; two rows of windows were opened on the four walls of the room, and iron wire fine nets were installed.

Many bird cages were neatly placed in the side rooms, and many birds were raised in categories.

Even so, there was not much strange smell in the room; I think it was because Ai Li cherished the birds and cleaned them diligently every day.

Originally, when Ai Li and her mother moved in, because the mansion area was much larger than before, Jia Cong wanted to buy two maids to serve them.

But they were regretfully declined by Xu Shi; the inside and outside of the mansion were all handled by the mother and daughter themselves.

Xu Shi saw Jia Cong visiting and went to cook a pot of new tea, personally carrying it into the backyard.

As soon as she entered the inner courtyard, she saw Jia Cong and her daughter sitting side by side, the two of them teasing a red falcon that had hatched for more than a month.

Although they were polite to each other, only speaking and laughing softly, their expressions and demeanor were indescribably intimate.

Every time Jia Cong came over to walk around, her daughter would be especially happy, speaking and laughing.

Xu Shi had also been young once and naturally understood her daughter's heart, but she never said it out loud.

She felt a slight sigh in her heart and calmly carried the tea over.

Not long after, a gyrfalcon flew up from the backyard, piercing the clouds and flapping its wings, flying gracefully towards the south.

Gusu, Chayuan Street.

This was a prosperous street in Gusu; because a Jiangnan Inspectorate branch was once set up here, although the government office was no longer there, the name had been used ever since.

The street was still bustling, people coming and going, an endless stream, as if it were no different from the past.

But the shopkeepers and clerks of several old shops on the street, because they saw many people on the street, noticed that in the past few days, there were many new faces on the street, always wandering back and forth on the road.

Some people even asked them about the owner of the mansion on the street; these people looked fierce, although they didn't reveal their identities.

But these shopkeepers who had been sitting in the shops for many years were all knowledgeable people and recognized that the words and actions of these people were mostly government officials.

Naturally, they didn't dare to hide anything from them and told them that the third mansion on the east side was said to be a villa of a wealthy merchant.

Although this mansion was rich and exquisite, it was usually vacant, and only two old servants lived there.

Some time ago, four or five carriages and horses came, and a young lady moved in, but they were all deep in the house, and the neighbors on the street had never met them.

These people lived for a period of time and then suddenly moved away, still leaving two old servants to guard the mansion.

These shopkeepers who made a living in the market had seen many government officials pretending to wander to inquire about news to arrest criminals, which was also a common thing.

They thought this matter would pass quickly, but they didn't expect that the street would be flooded with many Embroidered Uniform Guard officers the next day.

Not only did they break into the mansion to search everywhere, but they also arrested the two old servants guarding the mansion, and they never saw them appear again.

In the following days, Embroidered Uniform Guard scouts often patrolled and inquired along the way from Chayuan Street to Xumen.

It is said that the young lady who moved in left Gusu city from Xumen after leaving the Chayuan Street mansion.

Some said that the young lady in the Chayuan Street mansion was a court criminal on the run and was now being pursued by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Others said that this young lady was actually a repeat sea pirate from the East Sea who disguised herself, intending to enter Gusu to rob and commit crimes.

For a time, the city was in panic, rumors were flying, and the young ladies of various large families were restrained by their families, not going out, so as not to cause trouble.

Not long after, the Gusu Prefecture posted a notice that anyone who could provide information on the whereabouts of the owner of the Chayuan Street mansion would be heavily rewarded by the government.

In the following days, people occasionally went to the government office to inform, wanting to get the government's reward silver.

But these people were either vague, and what they said was of no help to the pursuit of the suspect, or they simply made things up, intending to earn the reward.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard made a fuss in the city for several days, but they didn't gain anything, so they gradually calmed down; it is said that they began to search in various places outside Gusu city...

Gusu city southern suburb mountain village, at sunset, the fine rain was like silk, and the night was coming.

This place was fifty miles away from the prosperity of the city, far away from the city walls, and all around was quiet, as if it were independent of the world.

A fast horse came from the north, the sound of horse hooves like dense drumbeats, echoing endlessly on the country road.

The fast horse ran to a quiet and exquisite mansion, and the rider on the horse flew off the horse...

In the inner courtyard of the mansion, under the flickering candlelight, Hearing Zhen Fangqing and Zhen Er Tai Tai were chatting with an old woman.

This old lady was exactly the Old Lady Zhen who had been rumored to have died in Jin Ling city many days ago.

The old lady was holding Hearing Zhen Fangqing's hand and said, "Fangqing, fortunately you were quick-witted enough not to return to Jin Ling rashly, otherwise you would be in trouble now.

Now you would definitely be escorted to Tongxian by the government; for a young lady of a thousand gold to fall into such a state, there would be no fun in living for an old thing like me."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing said, "Old Lady, the Zhen family's building is about to collapse; considering that the Old Lady is of advanced age and really can't stand the tossing, I used this method to pick you up.

It's not very eye-catching to have one less old lady in the family, but I can't do anything about the other relatives.

Once I force it, and provoke the court again, not a single person in the Zhen family will survive."

Old Lady Zhen said, "I understand what you mean and naturally understand your difficulties; the Zhen family has fallen, and the whole family has been confiscated.

That you can preserve yourself is already a very good thing; for the Zhen family to preserve the last bit of face and incense, there is really no need to ask for anything else.

I originally thought this old life would definitely be gone; now that I am still living well, what else is there to be dissatisfied with?

I just resent the eldest wife for being confused, actually risking her life but not her wealth at the critical moment, actually transporting silver to the Love Shenjing to hide, causing the whole family to have no good end.

I don't care about those two old ones, but I feel sorry for my Baoyu, who is suffering because of his parents for no reason.

He is only fifteen years old, raised in luxury since childhood, and now he has to go to such a barbaric place as Lingnan; how can he bear this hardship?"

Hearing Zhen Fangqing said, "Old Lady, you don't need to worry too much; Baoyu is still young after all, and he will definitely be able to come back to be filial to you in the future.

When the wind of this matter passes, I will send capable people to Lingnan to secretly take care of him.

Although it can't be as wealthy as before, it is always possible to ensure he has enough food and clothing and is safe and sound.

Baoyu used to play in the inner courtyard, really wasting time; now that he has this hardship, it may not be a bad thing for him.

As the saying goes, jade cannot be made into a vessel without carving; maybe he will have some realization because of this, and from then on, he will be diligent in being a person, and he will have a good future in the future; wouldn't the Old Lady be happy?"

Old Lady Zhen was just an old woman who doted on her grandson; where would she think about these things? As long as her Baoyu was safe and sound, she would be satisfied.

The grandmother and granddaughter were chatting when suddenly Liu Xian's wife came to report that someone had sent an urgent letter from Jin Ling.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing's face changed slightly when she heard the word Jin Ling, and she hurriedly took Liu Xian's wife to the study.

Two letters were already placed on the desk; one letter came from the Love Shenjing and was sent to the Xinchun Firm Jiangnan Headquarters, and was transferred here by fast horse overnight that day.

This letter was still unopened; it was sent from the Love Shenjing by Jia Cong using Feiyu.

Although he knew Hearing Zhen Fangqing was in Gusu, he didn't know her specific residence, so he could only send it to Jin Ling for transfer.

Fortunately, the transmission speed of Feiyu was far higher than that of military station fast horses; even if it was delayed for a night, it must have arrived before the Dali Temple's men and horses went south.

The letter described Hearing Zhen Fangqing's actions, which had already alarmed the current Emperor; the Dali Temple had set up a case to investigate, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard and local governments would definitely increase their search efforts.

Gusu was within the scope of the auxiliary capital government's power, and it was no longer a safe place; he advised her to go to Fuzhou to avoid disaster, and the Xinchun Firm could build a retreat for her.

The other letter was written by the Gusu branch to Qu Hongxiu, describing a series of changes in Gusu city recently, and was also transferred by the Xinchun Firm at the same time.

The letter described the Embroidered Uniform Guard raiding a mansion on Chayuan Street and searching for a female criminal in Gusu city.

This letter was written by Zou Min'er of the Gusu branch to Qu Hongxiu; this letter was just daily shop business communication, and occasionally mentioned this matter in the letter.

Although Zou Min'er had heard the name Hearing Zhen Fangqing, she didn't know she was in Gusu.

But as soon as Qu Hongxiu saw the content, she knew that the person the Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted to search for must be Hearing Zhen Fangqing, which was why she transferred the letter over.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing looked at the two letters, her expression solemn, and she lit the two letters and burned them to ashes.

Liu Xian's wife saw her face was not good and asked, "Third Young Lady, the person who sent the letter rushed from Jin Ling overnight and changed two horses on the way.

Sending a letter so urgently, did it say anything important?"

Hearing Zhen Fangqing said, "The Ministry of Revenue in the auxiliary capital confiscated the Zhen family's industries and has already discovered the clues; this matter has already alarmed the current Emperor.

The palace has already issued an imperial decree, ordering the Dali Temple to send people south to investigate.

A few days ago, the Embroidered Uniform Guard searched extensively in Gusu city, wanting to find our whereabouts."

Liu Xian's wife's face changed greatly when she heard this and asked, "Young Lady, this wind sounds a bit wrong; Young Lady should think of a countermeasure early."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing said, "This is no longer a place to stay for long; someone suggested that I go to Fuzhou to avoid disaster."

Liu Xian's wife's eyes lit up when she heard this and said, "Fuzhou is a good place; it is far away from Jiangnan and much safer than here."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing shook her head and said, "If we really go to Fuzhou, his people will have to intervene in this matter, and in the future, it will leave him with a handle..."

Liu Xian's wife heard Hearing Zhen Fangqing's words were vague and didn't explain who suggested she go to Fuzhou; she naturally didn't dare to ask more.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing looked at the ashes on the ground, her thoughts turning; this trip to Fuzhou was a long way, and the Xinchun Firm must make arrangements along the way to ensure she was safe all the way.

There is no wall in this world that doesn't leak wind; Yuzhang's people intervening in the matter to this extent is very likely to leave him with hidden dangers.

The current Emperor is an extremely formidable person, and Yuzhang is a minister he heavily uses, so he must pay a lot of attention to him.

Now that I have had an incident, the Emperor will definitely care about his relationship with me; I'm afraid he has already paid a lot of attention to him.

He sent a letter from the Love Shenjing, which was already taking risks for me; that is enough, and it is not in vain that I have always been thinking of him...

Why should I create more hidden dangers for him because of my own affairs? If I ruin his future, I will be uneasy for the rest of my life.

Only by finding a once-and-for-all method can I thoroughly eliminate the disaster before me, which is good for both others and myself.

She said to Liu Xian's wife, "Aunt, tonight you take people to pack your luggage; by noon tomorrow, everything must be settled.

You let Uncle Xian go out at dawn to inquire about the situation of the sea water and wind and waves these two days, hoping for some calm days.

After sunset tomorrow, we will leave here; I will go to explain to the Tai Tai and the Old Lady."

Liu Xian's wife's face was surprised and asked, "Young Lady, where are you preparing to go?"

Hearing Zhen Fangqing said faintly, "I am preparing to go to sea; I have reserved ships at Haishanzhu..." (End of chapter)