Chapter 60: First Episode: Fool, everyone must die...

News from the palace spread very quickly.

Soon, the outside world learned that the emperor was furious and the newly appointed Nv Shu Ling had been locked up. Many people did not know what specific mistakes she had made.

Some are happy and some are sad.

It was almost dawn when the Wan family finally got the news. When Wan Yu heard the news, he was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground.

"It's over, it's over..." He muttered, unable to stand up.

Wan Yu's mother hugged her son and burst into tears, hitting him as she cried. "You bastard, you bastard, what are you doing? You've always loved to do things recklessly. You've almost drained our family. We finally have a peaceful life, but you insist on taking advantage of that money. Ah, you bastard..."

Wan Yu's father's face was gloomy, and his brows were furrowed into a shape of a "川" (川).

"Stop crying. What's the point of crying now? Go find someone right now. Humph, if anything happens to Yu'er, those people can't get away with it."

Over the years, we have shared the money. Now that something has happened, can we get it all cleanly?

But he couldn't get rid of the anger in his heart. After kicking his son hard, he said angrily, "Why don't you take your wife back to her parents' home? No matter what, your father-in-law can't just ignore you. How much stuff was replaced on the ship this time? Tell me clearly how much each family has. It can't be my family that bears it all alone..."

After being kicked by his own father, Wan Yu regained some of his rationality, thought of something, and began to tremble like a sieve.

He threw himself at his father's feet, crying loudly, "Dad, please save your son."

Wan Yu's father finally realized something was wrong. He should be afraid, but not too afraid. He just had to pay the money. The emperor just wanted money, right? He couldn't afford to lose his life, could he?

He suddenly thought of his son's usual bad behavior, and suddenly felt panicked and a little scared, pointing at him with trembling hands.

"You, you, how many things are you hiding from me?"

Wan Yu finally told the truth, "Dad, please save me. I didn't share the goods with others this time. I thought, since we have to go out to sea anyway, it's up to us to decide how much to sell as usual, so, so..."

Wan Yu's father's eyes blurred, and he trembled as he said, "So, you dare to take all the goods this time? You, you, you..."

He was so angry that he covered his chest and took several steps back.

Wan Yu was scared to death, "Dad, Dad, are you okay?"

Wan Yu's father suddenly pushed his son away, gasping for breath, unable to speak, his hands shaking, and looking at his son with a dejected face.

"You bastard, you bastard! The worst thing about doing business is eating alone, and being an official is even worse! You bastard, you bastard! The Wan family is going to be ruined by you... Heaven is blind..."

He closed his eyes unwillingly, tears streaming down his face. "Where's that guy?"

Wan Yu knelt on the ground trembling, and said in a trembling voice: "All of this batch of goods are good, all sold out, Dad, there is still half of the money left, half left, ouch..."

Wan Yu's father almost fell over and had to hold on to the antique shelf to keep his balance. Suddenly, he found strength from nowhere, picked up his crutch and hit Wan Yu, cursing as he did so.

"You bastard, you evil creature, you want me to die, why did I give birth to such an evil creature, why don't you just die sooner? Oh my God, my Wan family is going to be destroyed in your hands..."

Wan Yu's mother was heartbroken when she saw her son being beaten. She cried and tried to stop him, "Master, please stop beating him. Master, we only have this one son. Please stop beating him..."

"Let me beat this evil creature to death, don't stop me." Wan Yu's biological father was almost mad with rage, "It's all your fault. Doting on your son is like killing him. You spoiled him in everything before, and now the King of Hell has come to take his life..."

Wan Yu's mother burst into tears, but there was nothing she could do. "Master, let's think of a solution, shall we? No matter what, this hole must be filled. This time is different from the past. If it can't be filled, the emperor will investigate. Master, I'm afraid our family will..."

Wan Yu's father was so angry that his old face turned red and he was panting like a cow. His hand holding the crutch loosened and tightened, and tightened and loosened again.

After a long time, he walked out of the door slowly with tears in his eyes and staggering steps.

Wan Yu was held in his mother's arms in fear. He looked at his father's desolate back and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, where is Dad going?"

"I went to raise money for you." Wan Yu's mother was completely desperate. For the first time, she pushed her son away fiercely. She sat on the ground with disheveled hair and lost her mind, unable to recover for a long time.

The sky gradually brightened, a hint of paleness appeared on the distant mountains, and the edges of the thick, cotton-white clouds were stained with a hint of red. The light scattered and illuminated the green mountains.

Qingming Festival has arrived, but it is not raining. It is warm and sunny.

Yunsheng's eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night, and Xiaoshun, Xiaobian and Xiaozhi followed behind him. They all looked equally haggard. Ever since their aunt was locked up, the four of them had been waiting anxiously in the Qinzheng Hall, hoping to see the emperor who was staying there overnight and plead for their aunt.

Yunhui and Anyi came out together, also looking tired, and shook their heads at the four people.

"The Emperor has already gotten up and washed up, and he hasn't mentioned my aunt at all."

Yunsheng became anxious when he heard this. "Today is Qingming Festival. The emperor said early on that he would offer sacrifices to the ancestors. He is about to leave the palace. What will happen to my aunt?"

Anyi comforted him, "Don't worry, your aunt has only been locked up, and the emperor hasn't punished her yet..."

Yunsheng felt extremely sad when he thought about his aunt being locked in a dark room, and he couldn't help crying.

"Wow, wow, auntie did this for political reasons. How can this be considered her fault? It was clearly those people..."

Anyi grabbed his neck, covered his mouth, and said in a low voice, "You think your aunt isn't punishing the criminals fast enough, and you want to take all of us with you, right?"

Working for the emperor is just like this, with all the thunder and rain, it's all the emperor's grace. Otherwise, how would my godfather die?

Yunsheng was thin and not as tall as An Yi. He could not struggle against him and could only cling to his chest and whimper.

Anyi looked at his red eyes and tears falling like rain. Thinking of how well his aunt treated them, he felt a little sad for a moment.

"Aunt has treated me well. Don't worry, I won't do anything to let her down at this moment. But we have to protect ourselves as well, so that we can do our best to save her, right?"

Yunsheng was so sad that he couldn't control himself and tears kept falling.

He turned around and saw the emperor walking out of the Qinzheng Hall. Suddenly, he got excited and rushed out.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please release my aunt. It's not your fault, it's mine. I misrepresented the order. It's my fault. If you want to imprison me, then imprison me. Your Majesty, please understand..."

Anyi and Yunhui had no time to react. They just watched Yunsheng rush out. They were so scared that they quickly grabbed the remaining three and forced them to kneel on the ground with their heads pressed down, for fear that the emperor would be angry and punish them all if he was displeased.

The emperor looked at the young eunuch in front of him. His forehead was broken after just a few hits, and he looked pitiful.

He was in a good mood today. Seeing Yunsheng rush out, he didn't think anything of it. Instead, he felt a little emotional. He just said softly, "You're the one who always follows Changning, right? What's your name?"

Yunsheng burst into tears, "Your Majesty, my name is Yunsheng, a name I changed after entering the palace."

The emperor faced the rising sun that broke through the clouds and smiled faintly, "It's a good name."

Then, he left.

Yunsheng was unwilling to stand up, and dared not shout too loudly. He could only kowtow, "Your Majesty, please release my aunt. It's all my fault, it's my fault..."

When the queen came here and saw Yunsheng's face covered in blood, she felt very sorry, but the emperor had already walked far away, so she could only follow him.

"Your Majesty, Changning has always been a steady person, very smart and sensible. Is there any misunderstanding this time?"

Seeing the empress's bulging belly, the emperor slowed down his pace. "No matter how trivial matters are in the court, if they are wrong, they are wrong. Moreover, this is an important matter that I entrusted to her. If I don't punish her, how can I convince the people?"

The Queen bit her lip and said, "If it's just a minor mistake, then I will punish you. Your Majesty, Changning is a good person."

When the emperor heard the word "good person", he couldn't help but look back at the queen. His eyes were indifferent and helpless. He swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth and felt tired.

"Queen, please do not interfere in government affairs."

The queen kept touching her belly and had to keep quiet.

At this time, Yujing was already shaking slightly. From top to bottom, the development of the in-laws and old friends over the years had a complicated relationship. When one family was in trouble, everyone knew about it and no one could escape responsibility.

Some people are also very happy.

For example, Zhou Hai was already kneeling on the mat, hoping that Zhao Changning would be executed as soon as possible.

Thinking about the huge sum of money he was about to pay, he burst into tears and even wished Zhao Changning would die.

Just two days after Qingming Festival, the emperor sent an imperial edict directly to the Maritime Customs, ordering the delivery of all the imperial tribute to the palace within three days.

The current Maritime Customs Office has attracted the attention of the whole government and the public. It has never been so popular. After all, there is a female scribe appointed by the emperor in charge. Even if people don't pay attention to this matter, they have to listen to it.

Soon, the Governor of the Grand Canal, Yu Dewei, went to the palace to meet the emperor.

I don't know what they talked about with the emperor. Many people saw many carriages driving into the palace. I don't know what they were carrying. The ruts in the sand were almost two inches deep.

That night, the emperor stayed overnight in the Qinzheng Hall again. Looking at the messy memorials on the table, the servants could only sort them out roughly, which was even worse than the mess.

He was very upset and dropped his pen and went out.

As he stepped into the dark room, the emperor saw Zhao Changning sitting cross-legged on the bed covered with a thick mattress, gnawing on a roast chicken under the lamp. There was a pot of wine next to him. He looked unusually relaxed and at ease, not like he was in prison, but rather like he was enjoying his life.

He was a little speechless, "You are kind-hearted and fat."

Zhao Changning's mouth was full of grease. When he saw the emperor come in, he quickly put down the roast chicken and stood up to salute.

"No need, sit down." The emperor pointed at the roast chicken and said briefly, "Keep chewing."

Zhao Changning picked up the cotton towel and wiped his mouth, feeling a little embarrassed. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry for being rude."

The emperor shook his head. Seeing her so comfortable, he felt very busy these days and was a little unhappy, so he kept her in suspense.

"Guess how much silver we received?"

Zhao Changning's eyes lit up. She thought he would be locked up for a few more days, but it didn't come so soon?

"Cash?"

"Yes, it's all in cash." The emperor smiled, but the fake smile on his face showed that he was angry.

Zhao Changning knew why he was angry. Large amounts of cash were not easy to mobilize, but those people took it out in just a few days, which showed their strength.

"One million and two hundred thousand taels?"

Seeing the emperor shaking his head, she guessed again, "One million and four hundred thousand taels?"

The emperor shook his head again.

Zhao Changning sighed, washed his hands, took the copper kettle beside him, and then took a clean porcelain bowl, boiled it, and poured a cup of tea for the emperor.

"Your Majesty, please stop keeping me in suspense. How much is it?"

The emperor took the tea bowl as usual, took a sip, found it tasted bad, and put it down again.

"Two million taels, all dragged in at once."

Zhao Changning was also shocked. Those people were willing to spend their money. After all, saving life was the most important thing. Money could be earned later.

"So, what about the boat?"

The emperor sneered and said, "The things on the ship are just as we expected. They have been completely replaced. They are all inferior goods. If we take them out, people will probably laugh at us for not having good goods in Dayong."

Zhao Changning's expression was calm. After all, considering Wan Yu's greedy look, it wasn't surprising that he had changed completely.

"Your Majesty, what are you going to do with them?"

The emperor pinched his brows and said, "This time, those people are lucky. This won't be their fault."

Zhao Changning reacted immediately and understood the emperor's plan. He did not intend to make a big deal out of it.

"Your Majesty, do you mean to take all the more than 10,000 for yourself? Doesn't that mean we won't be able to catch any big fish? What a pity..."

She had thought that this time, the Maritime Customs Office would be able to catch a lot of corrupt officials, which would just fill up the national treasury and add to her own work.

The emperor was often amazed at her intelligence and found it really easy to talk to her, but when he saw the regretful look on her face, he couldn't help but think of the queen's words "good person".

This incident involved so many lives. Who knows if the women, children, and the youngsters involved are innocent? Even Zhao Changning felt that the number of people involved was too small. How could he be considered a good person?

He couldn't help laughing.

Zhao Changning didn't know why the emperor was laughing. He looked at him in surprise and asked, "Does the emperor want to punish the Wan family?"

"You're still keeping it?" the emperor said angrily. "Over the years, I don't know how much you've embezzled. You're a bunch of termites."

Zhao Changning took out the booklet from under the pillow without hesitation and presented it with both hands.

"What is this?" the emperor took it and began to look at it with a hint of anger. "Isn't this the Maritime Customs' account book? Why didn't you take it out earlier?"

Zhao Changning chuckled, "Your Majesty, if I bring it out early and find that you have reservations and don't want to impose a severe punishment, then wouldn't Changning be trying to sow discord between the emperor and his subjects?"

The emperor glanced at her with a smile, then reached out to pick up the teacup and took a sip. He frowned at the bitterness and said, "The tea here is really unpalatable. I'll ask someone to bring me some good tea when I get back."

Zhao Changning couldn't help laughing as he watched the emperor's departing back. He lay comfortably on the bed, knowing that there would be no trouble this time.

She herself felt that she had done a great job.

It would be unacceptable if he is not promoted. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, who can take money and investigate corruption at the same time?

It was not until mid-April that the emperor finally ordered the arrest of the Wan family. A confiscation of property was inevitable. Since it was easy to get silver, except for more than 10,000 people in the Wan family who were beheaded in public, the rest of the men and women were all made official slaves.

However, one person was spared, that was Wan Yu's wife, the daughter of Yu Dewei, the governor of the Grand Canal. She was taken back to her parents' home, and it was said that she was heartbroken, after all, she would never see her children again.

And Zhao Changning was released peacefully.

She was actually a little dissatisfied in her heart because the emperor directly offset her merits this time with her sins.

However, the emperor was sympathetic and did not explicitly state the two men's plan. He only said that Zhao Changning accidentally discovered the corruption of the Maritime Customs and he arrested him in anger. Now that the matter was clear, he should be released and it could be considered that he had done nothing wrong.

But anyone with a discerning eye who knows the inside story knows that this is just the emperor and the Nüshu Ling singing the same tune.

Seeing what happened to the Wan family, many people were very worried. For fear of implicating themselves, they did not dare to speak out. Only a few people reported that Zhao Changning had falsely conveyed the oral order, but it was not a big deal.

Yunsheng's eyes were filled with tears as he watched his aunt walk out of the dark room. Before he could say a word, tears were streaming down his face.

"Auntie..." After the aggrieved aunt called out, she was speechless.

Zhao Changning couldn't help but frown and whispered, "I'm not dead yet, why are you crying?"

"Pfft, pfft, auntie, stop talking nonsense." Yunsheng wiped his tears vigorously, burst into laughter, and sobbed, "Auntie, you're finally out. I was almost worried to death."

"Didn't I tell you not to worry? I'll be fine." Zhao Changning said helplessly.

Seeing that his aunt looked very tired, Yunsheng did not ask any more questions. He happily accompanied his aunt back to her residence and helped to light the fire and pour hot water to cook ginseng soup.

After Zhao Changning soaked in the hot springs and scrubbed himself thoroughly, he asked Xiaoshun to take a basket, put some incense, candles and paper money in it, and head to the Cining Palace.

Xiao Shun was a little nervous at first, but when he saw his aunt like this, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Aunt always goes to pay homage every time she goes through a difficult time. It seems that this time it went smoothly. We don't have to worry anymore."

Xiaozhi and Xiaobian cheered happily.

Yunsheng was also very happy to hear this and hurried to catch up with his aunt.

Zhao Changning had been locked up for a few days. Every day, he just ate, drank, defecated, and read books. No one talked to him at all. Now he couldn't help it.

As she burned paper money, she told Yunsheng what had happened during this period. "I didn't suffer much. I had enough food and drink in there, but it was a little boring."

Yunsheng's eyes welled up with tears when he heard this. Afraid that his aunt would scold him again, he turned his head and wiped his eyes.

"Auntie, why didn't you tell me earlier? I was really scared."

Zhao Changning sneered, "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that I'll die?" She saw Yunsheng's eyes flashing with tears in the firelight and couldn't help but laugh, "Fool, everyone will die eventually."

The ground beneath the osmanthus tree was flat and empty. How could it be a grave? Zhao Changning sighed. There was no grave or tombstone. Who else would come besides her?

If one day I die, will anyone come to worship me and light a stick of incense for me?

Thinking of this, Zhao Changning felt helpless again. People are always like this. They are afraid of death while they are alive, and when they really face death, they are still worried about what will happen after death?

Life is so tiring.

She sighed and said, "Yunsheng, in your next life, are you still willing to be a human being?"

Yunsheng looked bewildered and shook his head slowly, "Aunt, what about you? Are you willing to be a human being?"

Zhao Changning shook his head, "I want to be a cat."

Yunsheng blinked and said worriedly, "A cat eats dead mice, aunt."

"Then let's be a dog." Zhao Changning thought of the loyal dog raised by Yun Sheng, as well as the dogs raised by the concubines in the palace. Most of them were white, fat and very cute.

Yunsheng did remember his dog, but some of the memories were not good.

He stammered, "Because you are a dog, you must eat shit, aunt..."

Zhao Changning finally glared at him and couldn't help but yell at him, "Shut up."

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Author has something to say: Yunsheng: [burst crying][burst crying] Sisters, peanuts for me, wuwuwu [burst crying][poor][poor]