When all these were dealt with, Jia Lian finally brought the Jia family's funeral team to Yangzhou.
At this time, the white banner outside the salt inspector's yamen fluttered. It had already been twenty days since the dojo.
Jia Lian was dressed in plain clothes and was about to walk in when Wang Changshi saw him and immediately stopped him. He did not even look at him." Who are you?" If you come to mourn, just pray at the door. I'm sorry we can't receive anyone else!"
When Jia Lian saw that it was Wang Changshi, he quickly put on a smile and cupped his hands,"Oh, it's Minister Wang. I'm Jia Lian from Rong Country Manor. Don't you recognize me? When we were in the Divine Capital, we even drank!”
Wang Changshi deliberately sized him up for a while and felt that there was something wrong with the color of his hat. Only then did he suddenly realize,"Oh? You are Jia Lian? The brother of Jia Cairen of my Imperial Residence? What are you doing here if you're not in the Divine Capital?”
Jia Lian became even more respectful, and then his face was filled with grief." Our old lady was extremely sad when she learned that Uncle Lin had suddenly passed away. He immediately ordered me to come to Yangzhou and help my aunt arrange my uncle's funeral.”
Wang Changshi glanced behind him." What do you people do?”
Behind Jia Lian were Lin Zhixiao and twenty or thirty servants, all of them wearing white belts and standing with their hands hanging by their sides.
"The old lady was afraid that there was a shortage of manpower here, so she specially instructed her to choose from her own family.”
"You came empty-handed. Are you here to help or to eat for free?" Wang Changshi mocked.”
Jia Lian's expression changed." The Chief Historian must be joking. Of course, he's here to take care of Aunt's funeral."”
"No need!" " Censor Lin's funeral will be handled by Prince Zhongshun's mansion," Wang Changshi rejected." You don't have to worry about it. Go back to where you came from!"”
He ordered the soldiers at the door not to let them in and was about to turn around and enter.
Jia Lian didn't expect such an outcome. He hurriedly shouted," Milord, please wait!”
Chief Wang was expressionless." Why aren't you leaving?”
Jia Lian cupped his hands and said,"I came from the Divine Capital. Why didn't I see my aunt before leaving?" Please inform the chief historian that her nephew has come to mourn!”
"Madam Lin has already given the order. The Jia family can't bear to see you for the time being," said Wang Changshi with a sneer.”
"Why?" Jia Lian thought to himself that this was bad.
Wang Changshi stared at him and said word by word,"Don't you know how Censor Lin died? I advise you to leave quickly. My Wangye has a bad temper, but he has instructed that if you see the Jia family, no matter who it is, break one of their legs before you speak!”
Jia Lian hurriedly cried out," I implore the Chief Historian to tell His Highness and Aunt that this must have been framed by someone else. We and Uncle are flesh and blood. How could we harm him?" He must not fall into the trap of others!”
Chief Secretary Wang snorted." You still want to deny it? Your Rong Mansion is so bold. You bribed the water transport and used twenty water transport ships to carry smuggled goods. Just once, you escaped the state tax of five thousand taels! Wealth moved people's hearts. Even his own brother could be framed, let alone uncle? You'd better disappear as soon as possible. Otherwise, if someone sees you and reports it to His Highness, you'll have to go back.”
Jia Lian complained incessantly. Before he came, he thought that it was a good job. Whether it was his father or Sister Feng, they had repeatedly reminded him in private that they must not let the Lin family's property fall into the hands of outsiders. Along the way, he had also thought of ways to secretly bring the mother and daughter back.
However, who would have thought that he couldn't even enter Yangzhou? What should he do with all his ideas and no place to express them?
"Lord Chief Historian?" Jia Lian still wanted to defend himself.
"Chase them out, they're annoying!" Wang Changshi shouted.”
The soldier at the door immediately pulled out his gleaming knife, scaring Jia Lian into retreating hastily.
He could only stand far away and shout,"Aunt, nephew is here to pay his respects. Why don't you let nephew in? Nephew brought a message from the old lady, asking Aunt to see her!”
Everyone in the Jia family shouted along with Jia Lian.
However, inside the Yamen of the Salt Patrol Censor, Buddhism and Taoism were very noisy. How could they hear it?
Jia Lian shouted a few times and a group of soldiers rushed out of the yamen. They all held sticks in their hands and beat anyone they saw.
Fortunately, Jia Lian dodged quickly. People like Lin Zhixiao were all beaten black and blue.
Jia Lian had no choice but to temporarily settle down in Yangzhou. However, the cost of eating dozens of people was a huge expense. Originally, he thought that the Lin Manor would bear the cost, and Jia Lian did not have such a plan. He could only let them hurry back to report, leaving only three to five delicate and pretty manservants to wait on them.
A few days later, the vacant positions in Yangzhou were filled. The new appeaser Cao Gui was appointed as the salt inspector. He was known for his integrity. The emperor was determined to do so. As expected, he had put in effort to refresh the administration of officials as soon as he took office. Yangzhou changed dramatically in just a few months. This was all in the future.
Soon, it was the day of the ceremony. At the auspicious time of dawn, hundreds of green clothes invited the spirit, the plaque led the way, and all the decorations were newly made, solemn and eye-catching. Ning Jun took care of Daiyu's funeral spirit and was very sad.
Lin Ruhai's coffin left Yangzhou and was sent directly back to Gusu for burial.
After crossing the river, they arrived at Zhenjiang. Continuing along the canal to the east was Suzhou, and to the west was Jinling.
Old Lady Zhen's birthday was coming up.
Ning Jun had wanted to escort them to Gusu, but Jia Min insisted on not allowing him to do so. He had repeatedly persuaded him to do so, so he had let Minister Wang lead a team of soldiers to Gusu. After they were done, they would meet up at Jinling and then return to the Divine Capital.
So Ning Jun said goodbye to Daiyu, changed into his plain clothes, and walked slowly to Jinling.
The Zhen family had already arranged for people to wait for them 30 miles outside the city. The person who welcomed them was Zhen Yide, who had been to Yangzhou last time.
Jia Yucun was dressed in a red robe and was in high spirits. A few days ago, the imperial court had dismissed him from his position and he was among them. Coincidentally, the prefect of Jinling was vacant, so the imperial court appointed him to take up the post. Although King Zhongshun had never mentioned it to him, he knew that without the king's support, he would never have reached his current state. Therefore, he respectfully greeted him as a disciple and did not dare to slack off.
Since Chief Historian Wang had gone to Gusu, Jia Yucun naturally acted as Chief Historian to negotiate with Zhen Yide.
When they arrived outside Jinling City, Jiangnan Pacification Envoy Ji Cexing and Jinling Regional Governor Gan Ze were already waiting with their subordinates. Thinking of what this man had done in Yangzhou, all the officials in Jinling trembled, afraid that he would do something to make people panic.
Everyone did not dare to be negligent. When they saw Ning Jun's carriage from afar, they knelt down early.
Ning Jun dismounted and walked to them. He smiled and said,"Everyone, please rise. I came to Jinling for official business.”
The civil and military officials were all nervous. Could it be that you were just fooling around in Yangzhou?
"Your Highness," Ji appeased,"we have already prepared a welcoming banquet for you."”
Ning Jun refused." I'm tired from the journey. My wife can't stand running around. She caught a cold and won't go." Let's talk about it in the future!"
Ji appease introduced Ning Jun to Jinling officials, but did not see the main imperial envoy Jinling province Tiren Yuan President Zhen Yingjia.
Ning Jun smiled, but in his heart, he had already made a big cross over his head.
What arrogance!
Using this method to express dissatisfaction? Was this for me or for the emperor?
Or was this the direct instruction of someone?
Ning Jun realized it when he thought that the case of Lin Ruhai's assassination was still inconclusive.
Gan Jiedu led Ning Jun's horse and walked behind him. He smiled and said,""Your Highness, I heard that President Zhen Yingjia fell ill, so I didn't come.”
Ning Jun smiled faintly." It's fine. I'm going to the Zhen family to celebrate their birthday. I'm going regardless of whether I come or not."”
Officials at their level all had their own sources of information. The matter in Yangzhou was no longer a secret.
The Zhen family was an important participant in the Yangzhou case. No one knew if Prince Zhongshun would pull the weeds to kill the rabbit and uproot the Zhen family.
Gan Jiedu could still speak up for the Zhen family at this moment, which was also worthy of the money he had given them.
Everyone crowded around Ning Jun as he entered the city.
There's no need to say more.
In the Mude Hall of the Zhen Residence, Zhen Yingjia picked up the teacup and took a sip." Has Prince Zhongshun settled down in the Pacification Department?"”
"Yes, Old Master," Zhen Yide replied.”
"Do you think he's here to celebrate his birthday or to raid the house?" Zhen Yingjia laughed.”
"Old Master," Zhen Yide shook his head,"I don't think King Zhongshun would be so bold." After all, we still have the Retired Emperor and the Old Consort!”
"Yangzhou is the Retired Emperor's purse, but he still stole it," Zhen Yingjia said. All of you are too shallow."
His nephew Zhen Songnian, who was sitting beside him, said worriedly,""I'm just afraid that this kid is a hothead and is willing to be the knife in the emperor's hand, ruthlessly removing us stumbling blocks one by one.”
"You!" Zhen Yingjia stood up." If that was what King Zhongshun of Yangzhou thought before, then it's not the case now." Now you know that our emperor has ruthlessly cheated this brother of his. If he accidentally touched the Retired Emperor's money bag, he didn't know how to apologize to the Retired Emperor in the Divine Capital!”
"No wonder the news from the capital said that the Retired Emperor has not been staying in Yanying Hall for many days."”
Zhen Yingjia was neither happy nor angry. Although I can see it clearly, the Zhen family has long been trapped in it.”
Zhen Songnian smiled." Uncle, don't worry. As long as the Retired Emperor and Old Lady Consort are still alive, wouldn't our family be the first in Jiangnan?"”
Zhen Yingjia saw that his nephew was full of confidence, so he didn't say anything." Tomorrow, I'll personally go to see King Zhongshun. If I embarrass him too much, it might really backfire."”
"In your nephew's opinion, there's no need for uncle to do so," Zhen Songnian advised. He definitely won't change his mind just because uncle went on this trip, and we definitely won't be able to rely on the emperor just because of this. Even if we were willing, they wouldn't believe it. Ever since Yangzhou, we've been on a clear line with them. We both know what's going on, so there's no need to put on airs.”
"Even so, it's good to go and find out."”
Just as he was speaking, a servant came to report," Master, Second Master accidentally mispronounced his taboo word because of his servant boy. He's catching him and wants to chisel his teeth and pierce his cheeks!”
"What?" Zhen Yingjia suddenly stood up, no longer as calm as before." What an unfilial child. Where did you learn to be so violent and impetuous? Quickly tie him up and beat him up!"
Zhen Songnian quickly stopped him and smiled." Uncle, don't be anxious. Baoyu just can't stand the manservant talking about his daughter. He can just teach them a lesson." If Uncle were to hit Baoyu, the old lady's birthday would probably not be celebrated well!”
"It's all because of the old lady and madam's excessive indulgence. How can they be successful in the future?" Zhen Yingjia sighed.”
Zhen Songnian smiled meaningfully." Baoyu will be fine when he grows up. Uncle, why worry? For a family like ours, no matter what happens to Baoyu, we will always be rich and noble.”
Zhen Yingjia looked at the ink painting in the hall with his hands behind his back.”
The Divine Capital's Great Ming Palace's Yanying Hall.
The Empress Dowager peeled a fresh lychee for the Retired Emperor." You should rest your nameless fire.”
The Retired Emperor ate it." He is the Emperor. He can do whatever he wants!”
"The Emperor has already knelt down to apologize to you. What else do you want?" The Empress Dowager smiled. You don't look good these two days, so there have been many rumors. Who knows what the outside world is saying! Even that girl Yuan Chun doesn't dare to enter the palace to accompany me.”
The Retired Emperor snorted coldly." You just have to shout. If they make such a scene again, Zhen won't be so easy to dismiss."”
"Yes, yes, yes!" The empress dowager squatted down and massaged his legs." You're a magnanimous person. It's all their fault for being insensible!”
The Retired Emperor's stern face revealed a smile." Alright, you're also the Empress Dowager. You don't have to be careful in front of Zhen."”
"In the blink of an eye, it's been a few decades. I wonder if my skills have deteriorated." The empress dowager smiled.”
The Retired Emperor was moved as he helped him up and sighed,"You've done enough for them."
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。