Chapter 2: Reunion She didn't want to owe him anything.

Early morning in the autumn of the thirty-second year of Fengqi.

The cold golden morning glow poured down from the eastern sky like a stream. There were few pedestrians on Buchunqu, which ran through Yunjing, and only a few pieces of paper money were flying across the ground.

Jiang Congying followed the funeral procession, slowly moving from the east of the city towards Yongning Gate.

Seven days ago, her grandfather, Censor Jiang, passed away and his body was kept in the mansion for seven days. Today, his descendants carried the coffin out of the city and returned it to his hometown in Jiangnan for burial.

According to etiquette, an unmarried girl like her could only be sent outside the mansion. Because her grandfather loved her the most during his lifetime, at her request, her uncle and cousin finally agreed and let her follow the other female members of the family to send the coffin outside the city gate.

Cong Ying held his grandfather's coffin in his hand, silently shedding tears and walking quietly until the team in front suddenly stopped and the sad music also stopped abruptly.

Cong Ying looked up and saw another funeral procession coming from the opposite direction, blocking their way.

She heard her uncle and cousin talking.

"Judging from the pomp and ceremony, they must be from an official family. What's strange is that they don't have a wooden sign or a name. I wonder who they are."

The eldest cousin said, "I haven't heard of any master passing away. Maybe he was a merchant who broke the rules, so there is no wooden sign."

My uncle raised his voice when he heard this: "How can a merchant stand before an official? I will go forward and argue with him."

Standing on tiptoe, Cong Ying could see the entire funeral ceremony on the opposite side.

Two rows of servants guarded him on both sides. Although they all had gloomy faces and did not speak a word, their identical postures and behavior showed that they were definitely not the kind of show a merchant family could put on.

"Uncle." Cong Ying had a bad feeling and advised Mr. Jiang: "Let's avoid it and go to another street."

Uncle Jiang said, "How can you let me go on the road to the underworld? All the good places for reincarnation are taken by others. It's a pity that the old man favored you when he was alive."

"But the other side seems to be——"

Before Jiang Congying finished speaking, the curtain of the leading sedan chair on the opposite side was drawn, and a middle-aged woman was sitting in the middle.

The woman came out, supported by her maid. She was dressed in a plain white cloak and had only a white peony pinned in her hair. She had no other ornaments. However, when she glanced at him coldly, she had an air of arrogance that was intimidating without even being angry.

Uncle Jiang thought she looked familiar, and Cong Ying whispered to him, "It's Princess Xuande."

Uncle Jiang took a deep breath when he heard this.

Yes, although I haven’t heard of anyone’s master passing away, I forgot that His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin also passed away yesterday!

Princess Xuande was the only sister of the current emperor and the mother of the Prince of Jin. There was indeed a reason for this, but let's not talk about it for now. Let's just say that Princess Xuande walked up to Mr. Jiang and actually clapped her hands and said "good" three times in a row.

He sneered, "You Jiang family are truly bold. Not only did you curse my son to death, you also want to take away his auspicious time and rob him of his fortune after death! You are plotting rebellion!"

Uncle Jiang was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud. He said in panic and confusion, "I didn't realize it was the Princess and His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin who came. I didn't mean to offend you. Please, Princess, for my father's sake, forgive me this time!"

Cong Ying lowered his eyes and sighed silently, thinking to himself that if I mentioned my grandfather, the eldest princess would be even more resentful.

My great uncle was serving as a county magistrate in the outer court. He hurried back to attend to his father's funeral and had no idea what was going on.

Although His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin is the only prince of this dynasty, he was born weak and sickly. He has been kept in the palace for many years and rarely appears even at temple ceremonies.

About ten days ago, her grandfather, Imperial Censor Jiang, wrote a memorial discussing the emperor's succession, advising him not to pin his hopes on this ailing prince. This memorial somehow spread, and unfortunately, it reached the Prince of Jin's residence. Even more tragically, the Prince of Jin finally died yesterday, having finally exhausted himself.

He passed away yesterday, so the funeral should not have been held today. Moreover, as he was a prince, the matter should be handled jointly by the Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites.

Princess Xuande personally brought the coffin and blocked the Yongning Gate, probably blaming her grandfather for the death of Prince Jin.

As expected, Princess Xuande flicked her sleeves and said, "Since you've brought up Old Censor Jiang, let him take the blame for not raising his son well. Come on—"

At the eldest princess's command, many guards in black clothes rushed out of the alley, surrounded the Jiang family, and waited for the eldest princess's order.

"Open the coffin and whip the corpse three hundred times!"

The Jiang family was in an uproar when they heard this, and Cong Ying was horrified.

Uncle Jiang cried and shouted as he wanted to rush over to protect the coffin, but the guards handcuffed his hands behind his back and forced him to kneel on the street.

Seeing them drawing their blades and attempting to pry open the coffin, Cong Ying quickly stepped forward, stretched out his arms to block the coffin held by Old Censor Jiang, and knelt before Princess Xuande, saying, "I have a few words to say, Princess, please listen."

Princess Xuande sneered: "Who do you think you are?"

Cong Ying knelt and kowtowed deeply: "I am the granddaughter of Censor Jiang. I am willing to accept the punishment on behalf of my grandfather. I beg Your Highness the Princess to grant my permission."

Princess Xuande sneered, "As expected of a true descendant of the family tradition, just like your grandfather, you've lost all sense of propriety and are chasing after empty fame. You want to use me to build a reputation for loyalty and filial piety? Dream on! I'm determined to whip Censor Jiang's corpse!"

The guards threatened Congying with swords and knives. Congying refused to retreat, so they had no choice but to hold her captive. Congying still tightly protected the old censor's coffin, ignoring the blood bruises from her knees rubbing against the ground. She hurriedly said to the princess, "Your Highness, do you still remember that the emperor dislikes the idea of ​​ghosts and gods? Your Highness accuses your grandfather of cursing the Prince of Jin to death. If this matter is brought to the emperor, your Highness will find it difficult to explain. If Congying takes the blame for your grandfather today, I will never make this matter public. Your Highness—"

The eldest princess glared at her coldly: "My son is dead, and I don't even care about myself. Are you afraid of my brother's punishment? You really underestimate me. Come, open the coffin!"

Cong Ying was extremely anxious and panicked when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves approaching and a team of guards in golden armor came out from the diagonal street.

The horseshoes hit the ground like thunder, and the air from the horse's nose turned into clouds, like a sharp dagger drawn from its sheath piercing Bu Chunqu, instantly controlling the situation.

The leading young man was dressed in a red robe. He was young and handsome, with a spring breeze in his eyes, and he was as elegant as a prince who had just returned from a hangover. However, his whole demeanor was so awe-inspiring, and he calmly controlled the murderous golden-armored guards behind him, which made people dare not underestimate his expression.

Just like an inch of red blood on the tip of a golden blade.

He rode his horse closer, glanced at everyone first, then leisurely dismounted and saluted the eldest princess.

The eldest princess looked at him coldly: "Mr. Xie, are you rushing to join in the fun?"

Xie Xuanlan, the youngest son of Prime Minister Xie.

Because he was the third child in the family, people at that time called him Xie San Gongzi. Sometimes, even his surname was not mentioned, and he was just respectfully called "San Gongzi".

Third Young Master Xie said to the Princess, "I heard that Prince Jin passed away yesterday. I woke up early to go to the palace to offer my condolences, but I was still a step too late. I had no choice but to catch up and see him off."

He walked towards the black gold and sunken wood coffin behind the princess's sedan chair. His long jade-like fingers stroked the copper nails on the coffin and knocked on them. Seeing the princess staring at him warily, he couldn't help but smile.

Chunfeng Hexi said: "Since the princess wants to seek justice for the King of Jin, I will naturally lend my support. Come, take my Yanzhi knife."

The attendant brought a thin black iron knife, and Xie San pulled it out of the sheath with one hand. He heard a clear and clanging sound like a dragon's roar, and the wind blade it brought out was so cold that it made people's hair stand on end.

Seeing him dangling the blade over the coffin of Prince Jin, the eldest princess hurriedly shouted, "Xie San! How dare you touch my son!"

Third Young Master Xie said, "Don't you think the Princess wants to split the coffin and whip the corpse? Before the whipping, let's have Prince Jin and Censor Jiang meet to settle the case. How about that, Princess? Let's do it together."

The eldest princess said angrily, "I knew you were here to support the Jiang family! Do I have to consider your opinion, Xie Shi, when I punish a mere Jiang family?"

Third Young Master Xie didn't waste any time talking to her. He just swung the knife in his hand an inch, and the eldest princess's face turned pale instantly.

He asked with a smile: "Princess, are you still planning to whip the corpse?"

The eldest princess was so angry that she almost lost her balance. The maids on both sides hurriedly supported her and took her back to the sedan chair to serve her tea.

Jiang Congying saw her covering her face with her hands and sighing tiredly and sadly for a long time. Then she waved her hand and the maid gave orders to the outside, asking the black-robed guards to withdraw and release all the Jiang family members.

As soon as Mr. Jiang was free, he hurried to Mr. Xie San to thank him. He tripped and fell to his knees in front of Xie San.

Not to mention Xie San couldn't help laughing, even Cong Ying felt his face getting hot when he saw it.

Cong Ying stood up and walked to the Princess's sedan chair, bowing again. The Princess glared at her coldly, "Don't you think that with the support of the Xie family, any random person can challenge me?"

Cong Ying lowered her eyes and spoke slowly, "Xie San Gongshou's trip has nothing to do with my family. I am still willing to take the whipping on behalf of my grandfather until the eldest princess calms down and resents herself."

The eldest princess was stunned: "What did you say?"

Cong Ying repeated, "Your humble servant is willing to take the blame on behalf of your grandfather to the Princess."

As soon as these words were spoken, Third Young Master Xie also turned his gaze to look at her, and the smile in his eyes, as light as ripples, gradually faded.

Seeing that he was unhappy, the Jiang family's grandfather quickly explained, "The old man's granddaughter is young. She might have been frightened just now, and her mind is still dizzy."

Of course Xie Xuanlan knew who she was.

He passed by Master Jiang and walked up to Cong Ying. His hands behind his back stroked the copper handle of his horsewhip and gently advised her, "Fourth Lady, the eldest princess's whip is more than your body can withstand. Don't worry, now that I'm here, the old censor's coffin and the Jiang family will be fine."

Cong Ying said, "A favor should be repaid, and a grievance should be repaid. I am willing to settle my grievances with the Princess and do not wish to owe Mrs. Xie any favors."

She said it so bluntly and clearly, as if she didn't want to have anything to do with Xie Xuanlan or the Xie family.

After hearing this, the princess laughed heartily and said to the Third Master Xie, "It turns out that your protection, Xie, is not universally loved. There are also people who refuse to eat Zhou's grain and avoid it like snakes and scorpions."

Xie San looked at Ying for a long time.

She was born beautiful, not in a gorgeous way, but with dark eyebrows slightly frowned, like ink spread, which made people feel happy when they first saw her.

Only after gazing into her eyes, which were as black and smooth as jade washed by dew, and shone with a calm and resilient soft light, could one truly appreciate her extraordinary beauty.

I don't want to owe Xie a favor...

Mr. Xie San found it both ironic and funny.

I'm afraid she doesn't know yet what the old censor Jiang promised Xie on her behalf.

Xie San looked away and said, "Since you and I are both willing, I won't spoil your fun."

He was about to turn and leave when the eldest princess stopped him, deliberately provoking him: "I was in a hurry today and forgot to bring my whip. Why don't you borrow the Third Young Master's horse whip and return it later?"

Xie San smiled and handed the copper-gilt-headed horsewhip with gold thread to the eldest princess's attendant.

He then warned, "This whip of mine has always been used to teach horses how to protect themselves. If you ask for trouble, it will be wasted if you hit it. You don't have to return it."

Cong Ying pretended not to hear anything. She knelt on the ground with her back to the eldest princess and lifted her long hair that was draped over her shoulders forward.

Although her shoulders were thin, they were straight. Her eyes first fell on her grandfather's coffin, which was safe and sound, and she couldn't help but be attracted by a touch of cold scarlet like the core of a flame.

She watched him walk away from her without hesitation, dressed lightly and wearing loose belts, like the bright moon disappearing into the sky.

He closed his eyes and waited for the first whip to fall.

The eldest princess asked her, "Miss Jiang Si, how many lashes are you willing to receive?"

Cong Ying replied, "Until Your Highness has vented all his resentment, regardless of life or death."

"Well, even though your bones are thin, they still have the sound of bronze."

The eldest princess promised her: "From now on, the hatred between me and the Jiang family will be completely resolved and will never be mentioned again."

"Thank you, Princess."

Young Master Xie walked very slowly, and it was hard to tell whether he was expecting something or something else, but he was always listening attentively to the movements behind him.

However, before the whip fell, he heard the tinkling sound of golden bells coming from far away.

Looking up, I saw a Taoist priest in a purple robe, with white hair and beard, walking towards me. In his hand, he held a spirit-calling banner that was more than a meter tall. He walked unsteadily while chanting, "There is someone below. I wish to assist him. His spirit is scattered. You can divine for him. Soul, return... Soul, return!"

This is a ballad to summon spirits.

Third Young Master Xie frowned in disgust.

He has always been annoyed by these mysterious quacks. Normally, if he was in a good mood, he would avoid them, but unfortunately, it happened today.

Seeing that the old Taoist priest was bumping into him intentionally or unintentionally, Xie San drew out his Yanzhi knife with a clang and chopped at the Taoist priest's soul-calling banner with his backhand. The Taoist priest was so frightened that his eyes suddenly widened. Fortunately, he was agile and leaned back suddenly, barely dodging it.

This sudden change attracted everyone's attention, even Cong Ying opened her eyes and looked over here.

Seeing that the old Taoist dodged three times and was forced by Mr. Xie to run behind the princess' sedan chair, he suddenly heard a "crack" sound, and the soul-calling flag he held high was broken by the wind!

The broken soul-calling banner fell right on the black gold and water-soaked wood coffin of His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin.

With a clang, the forty-nine golden bells on the banner rolled down the coffin like broken beads.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden change and their faces turned pale. The eldest princess was even more furious: "Demon, how dare you——"

Without the princess's orders, the golden-armored guards brought by Mr. Xie San had already captured the purple-robed Taoist priest. The Taoist priest ignored his own situation and just stared blankly at Prince Jin's coffin, muttering "impossible", "oh no", "oh no", "impossible" over and over again.

Despite this unexpected turn of events, Third Young Master Xie laughed cheerfully and said, "Your Highness, you should do more good deeds in your daily life."

He stepped forward to check if the King of Jin's coffin was damaged. Suddenly, as if sensing something, his hand, which was about to fall on the coffin, stopped in mid-air.

His brows slowly furrowed, and his gaze on the coffin became increasingly heavy and cold.

He signaled the golden-armored guards to cover the noisy Taoist priest's mouth, and then everyone present heard the strange sound.

Bang, bang, bang.

The people in the coffin are pounding.

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