Chapter 270 Doing Big Things

Marquis Cheng'en understood the truth, but how could he accept that his lifeline had been strangled?

He knew that Ji Changqing was powerful and wanted to become his relative, but Ji Changqing looked down on Yixuan, and Yixuan's plan to take over Qi Shi failed, and she ended up offending Ji Changqing.

"Now that things have come to this, what should we do?"

He asked the Empress Dowager.

"The government is now controlled by the Regent. He's held onto power for so long. When Your Majesty grows up, will he be willing to give it back? I'm afraid by then..."

He didn't finish his words, but the Empress Dowager knew what he was going to say.

"If Yiwan had been in trouble, you had immediately gone to the Qi family to apologize and provide adequate compensation, then you wouldn't have been in such a passive position."

She said slowly.

"But you didn't do anything."

Marquis Cheng’en: “…”

"Yiwan has taken all the responsibility. If we come to apologize, won't he think we're guilty?"

The Empress Dowager: “…”

"If you don't apologize, he will really believe what Yiwan said and think that she did it all by herself?"

How can a person be so naive!

Marquis Cheng’en: “…”

He just wanted to shake off suspicion and really didn't think about apologizing.

However, given Ji Changqing's vengeful nature, he didn't think an apology would change anything.

When Prince Ping plotted against Qi and Feng, the Ping Palace compensated the Ji Palace with a hot spring manor. Didn't Ji Changqing impeach them anyway?

"Your Majesty, the Regent is not on the same page as us nobles. Regardless of whether we are right or wrong, he will try to weaken us and pave the way for himself."

The Grand Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then said, "Every failure is a learning experience. Instruct the people in the palace to be cautious and avoid causing trouble."

Marquis Cheng’en: “…”

"You don't care about the Luo family or the new emperor anymore? He is your grandson."

The Empress Dowager said, "I have helped with everything I can. As for the rest, I cannot help even if I want to. I will leave it to fate."

She has one foot in the ground, and her descendants will not be able to see her prosperity or decline.

I'm too lazy to worry about it.

Marquis Cheng'en returned to his mansion empty-handed. The housekeeper delivered the bad news: "The fifth young master got drunk in a restaurant and accidentally injured a waiter. He was taken to the government office."

Marquis Cheng’en: “…”

He waved his hand: "It's just a small matter, you can take care of it."

The housekeeper looked embarrassed: "The waiter's eye was broken, and he refused to settle privately. He wanted the government to handle it impartially, but the government refused to accept our money..."

Marquis Cheng'en had no choice but to go find the prefect of Jingzhao himself.

The prefect of Jingzhao was also in a dilemma: "My Lord, if this happened last year, I would have tried every possible way to help your son mediate, but you know what kind of person the prince is. He can't tolerate any sand in his eyes. I really can't do anything. Why don't you ask the prince for a favor?"

Ask Ji Changqing for mercy?

Ji Changqing might even sentence his son to two more years.

Marquis Cheng'en returned disappointed again.

Concubine Zuo went to the Marquis of Cheng'en and begged tearfully, "My Lord, please save Quan'er. He can't stay in prison. Please ask the Empress Dowager for mercy and pardon him."

Marquis Cheng’en: “…”

The Empress Dowager herself is in a difficult situation, how can she protect others?

He tried to coax her a few times, but Aunt Zuo wouldn't listen and kept asking him to save her son. He was so annoyed that he had her taken back to the courtyard and put her under house arrest.

The next day, Luo Wu was sentenced to 100 strokes of the cane and two years' imprisonment.

As soon as the verdict was announced, Crown Prince Luo Rongkai said to Marquis Cheng'en, "Father, while the Grand Empress Dowager is still alive, Ji Changqing has the audacity to sever our sustenance, leaving us with no respect at all. If we don't act quickly, we'll be stripped of our titles, our property confiscated, and exiled sooner or later."

Marquis Cheng'en frowned and said, "The time is not yet ripe."

"Now is the best time," Luo Rongkai said, "His foundation is not stable yet, so we can't just kill him. Once he gets a firm foothold, we won't have a chance to survive."

Marquis Cheng'en hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Then let's get started."

Luo Rongkai made arrangements immediately.

Late at night, a thin middle-aged man walked into a small tavern in the outer city and placed five copper coins on the counter.

The shopkeeper put away the copper coins, poured a bowl of wine from the wine barrel beside him and handed it to the man.

The man took the wine, walked to the darkest corner and sat down, sipping it in small sips.

"Why are you only drinking and not eating?"

A young man who looked like a servant of a wealthy family put down a tray and sat down opposite him.

There was a pot of wine, two wine glasses, and four dishes of side dishes on the tray: fried peanuts, cold pork head, fried small fish, and smashed cucumbers.

The middle-aged man couldn't help swallowing.

Before he was dismissed from his post in the Ordnance Department, these four side dishes were his favorite to order when he drank.

pity……

All the money was spent on recuperation, and there was no income, so I was short of money and couldn't afford any snacks.

He said coldly: "No appetite."

The young man laughed and said, "That's a pity. I specially ordered some of Brother Ma's favorite dishes. I wanted to have a drink with him."

Ma Sanhuo was startled and looked up at the man carefully, "Who are you?" He had no impression at all.

The young man said, "Brother Ma, you are very busy, so you naturally don't remember me. We have met several times in the tavern before, and I even toasted you."

Ma Sanhuo still couldn't remember it, but he used to like to show off his status as a craftsman in the tavern, and many people did toast him.

So he believed what the young man said.

The two quickly became familiar with each other.

The wine the young man ordered was much better than what he bought. He drank half a pot of wine with the snacks and appetizers without realizing it.

While slightly tipsy, I heard the young man ask, "Brother Ma, what are your plans for the future?"

Ma Sanhuo laughed at himself, "What else can I plan? Of course I'll just eat and wait for death."

He only knew how to make gunpowder, but the Ordnance Department didn't want him anymore, and he couldn't apply to open a fireworks workshop. He couldn't do jobs like unloading goods and running errands.

The young man shook his head: "It would be a shame if Brother Ma's skills were buried like this."

He leaned forward and whispered, "I have a place here. I wonder if Brother Ma is interested..."

After hearing this, Ma Sanhuo sneered, "How dare you! This could cost you your life."

The young man smiled and said, "Wealth and honor are achieved through risk. Are you willing to be a useless person for the rest of your life, Brother Ma?"

Ma Sanhuo looked at him steadily.

After a moment, he said, "You can let me join, but I have a condition."

Then he put forward his own conditions.

The young man frowned and said, "I'm afraid this matter will be difficult to handle. After all, she is an official appointed by the court..."

Ma Sanhuo sneered: "You don't even dare to touch a mere craftsman, how dare you say you are doing great things?"

The young man choked.

"Okay, then it's up to you."

Ma Sanhuo raised his glass and said, "I'm waiting for your good news."

The next day, Feng Qingsui had just returned to the clan mansion and was about to go out for a walk with the dog when Qi Yuzhen suddenly came to his door.

"Ma'am, are you free? I'd like to ask you to help save someone."

Feng Qingsui immediately ordered Wuhua to go back to the yard to get the medicine box and drive the carriage.

Then he asked Qi Yuzhen: "Who was injured?"

"I have heard it clearly."

Qi Yuzhen replied.

Then he told her what had happened.

"Wen Jiming lives next door to me. We returned to our respective gates at the same time. He got off the car and walked towards me, intending to look after the child."

"As soon as I got off the bus, a beggar came over with a bowl. But I was thinking about the gunpowder ratio for the musket balls and didn't pay attention for a moment. It wasn't until I heard Wen Jiming's shout that I turned around and took a look."

"The beggar stabbed at me with a knife. I didn't have time to dodge. Wen Jiming pushed me away and blocked the knife."

She looked worried.

"The knife pierced his abdomen. His guards rushed out upon hearing the noise and drove away the assassin, who was disguised as a beggar. I came to find you immediately."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wuhua drove the donkey cart out.

Feng Qingsui called out, "Lead the way."

Qi Yuzhen nodded, then got on the carriage he had come for.

When they arrived at Wen Jiming's residence, a doctor was already waiting there. He hesitated and said, "The blade is a bit wide. I dare not pull it out..."

He was afraid that drawing the knife would cause faster blood loss and would cost Wen Jiming his life.

After hearing this, Wen Jiming thought about his funeral arrangements.

Just as he was about to give instructions to the servant, Qi Yuzhen led Feng Qingsui in.

He endured the pain and said, "Yuzhen, you came at the right time. I have a lot of things to leave for you and the two children. First of all, cash. I probably have..."

Qi Yuzhen interrupted him: "Wait until you are almost out of breath before talking, let Feng Sicheng take a look first."

Wen Jiming: "..."

The best doctor in the capital who is good at treating knife wounds couldn't do anything about it, so what else could Feng Sicheng do?

But he knew that Qi Yuzhen was superstitious about Feng Sicheng, so he had no choice but to swallow the will back.

"Sorry to bother Feng Sicheng."

Feng Qingsui observed the blood oozing from his wound. Seeing that the amount of blood was not much and the blood color was very bright, he estimated that his liver and spleen were not damaged.

I reached out and touched his abdomen again, and there was no sign of swelling.

He first pressed with cotton cloth to stop the bleeding, then pulled out the dagger, quickly cleaned the wound and sutured it, applied wound medicine, and tied a belly band.

Then he prescribed a prescription for Wen Jiming's servant.

"Take the medicine as directed above."

He also warned Wen Jiming: "Rest in bed for twelve hours before getting up and moving around. Don't let the incision get wet, and don't eat spicy, stimulating, or cold food..."

Wen Jiming looked dazed.

Is this... finished?

Feng Qingsui smiled and said, "You're lucky that your liver, intestines, and aorta were not injured, otherwise you would have died."

Wen Jiming reacted and said gratefully, "It was Feng Sicheng's good medical skills that saved my life."

After saying that, he glanced at the doctor who had not yet left.

doctor:"……"

Can he compare with Feng Sicheng?

The blade was so wide that even if it only pierced the abdominal wall, it might not be able to stop the bleeding after it was pulled out. He didn't have Feng Sicheng's suturing skills, so of course he had to be extremely careful.

He shamelessly stepped forward to ask, "Excuse me, what kind of thread and technique does Feng Sicheng use for suturing?"

Feng Qingsui told him in detail.

He was filled with gratitude: "Thank you very much for your guidance, Feng Sicheng. I have been practicing medicine for ten years, but I am still not as good as Feng Sicheng's guidance."

Feng Qingsui smiled and said, "If you want to improve yourself, you can read the medical books published by the Queen Mother. I learned my medical skills from her."

The doctor was overjoyed.

He thanked her and said, "I will go to the bookstore to buy some books."

After saying this, he bowed and said goodbye.

Wen Jiming was surprised and asked, "Did Feng Sicheng learn his medical skills from the Empress Dowager?"

Feng Qingsui nodded.

I was shocked when I heard it.

Who says that the masters are among the people?

The master is clearly in the palace.

No wonder the late emperor spared no effort in finding the empress dowager and, against all odds, made her the empress.

He has to thank Feng Sicheng very much.

After Feng Qingsui left, he asked someone to prepare a hundred taels of gold and a bushel of South China pearls as big as longan trees and send them to the clan's residence.

Then he said to Qi Yuzhen, "I've told everyone around me that the assassin was coming for me. Don't let it slip."

Qi Yuzhen asked curiously, "What's there to hide?"

Wen Jiming was of course afraid that his mother would find out and blame it on Qi Yuzhen, but he knew that Qi Yuzhen didn't care about him or what his mother would think, so he made up an excuse.

"This way I can use the Wen family to find someone."

"Just focus on recovering from your injuries. The government will catch the culprit," Qi Yuzhen said. "If you waste your energy and end up getting sick later, I won't take responsibility."

Wen Jiming: "..."

"I won't rely on you for saving my life."

We don’t even know who sent the assassin, what if he’s related to him?

Qi Yuzhen looked at his face, which was pale due to blood loss, and sighed.

"I have always been clear about gratitude and resentment. You helped me, and I will remember your kindness. If you need me in the future, I will definitely repay you handsomely. You don't have to be polite to me."

Wen Jiming nodded: "Okay."

"Do you want to see the baby?"

Qi Yuzhen asked.

"I'll bring them here."

Wen Jiming had just been to the gates of hell, so he naturally wanted to see the two children and said "OK".

Qi Yuzhen then went back to the courtyard to pick up the child.

As soon as she left, Wen Jiming's mother, Zhu, came with the sixth daughter of the Yu family.

When Zhu entered the room and saw her son lying on the bed with a thick bandage wrapped around his abdomen, her eyes instantly turned red.

"Who is so audacious as to even dare to assassinate the Minister of War?"

She was shocked and angry.

"Are there any internal organs injured?"

Wen Jiming shook his head, glanced at Yu Xueheng who was following behind her, and said, "Mother, I'm naked now, it's not appropriate for me to see outsiders."

Yu Xueheng blushed slightly, and before Zhu could speak, she said, "Aunt, I'll go outside to see if you need any help with the decoction."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the room.

Zhu glared at Wen Jiming.

"You two grew up together. She's seen you shirtless. What's there to be shy about?"

Wen Jiming: "..."

"Mother, how can a thirty-month-old baby be the same as a three-hundred-month-old baby? You've always been so particular about etiquette, how could you even forget that boys and girls should sit at different tables when they're seven years old?"

Zhu sat down on the round stool beside his bed.

"Xueheng is not an outsider."

Wen Jiming glanced at the door and saw a figure swaying on the ground. He knew Yu Xueheng was standing outside. He lowered his voice and said, "Mom, there is something I need to tell you."

"What's up?"

"The doctor said I've injured a vital organ and I'm afraid I won't be able to recover."

"What?!"

Zhu was struck by lightning.

She looked at Wen Jiming in disbelief. Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, she asked in a trembling voice, "Which doctor diagnosed this?"

Wen Jiming told the name of the doctor he had invited earlier.

Mrs. Zhu clenched her fists and said, "Doctor Hao treats external injuries, so he may not be accurate. Mother will ask another doctor to see you."

Wen Jiming shook his head.

"The imperial physician has come to see me, but there's nothing he can do."

Feng Sicheng is from the Epidemic Prevention Department, which is under the Imperial Medical Bureau. So, if Feng Sicheng has seen it, then the imperial physician has seen it.

Zhu was stunned: "Even the imperial physician can't do anything? What should I do? You're still so young..."

Wen Jiming comforted him, "I already have a daughter, so it's okay if I can't have sex. Just don't push other girls into my fire pit."

Outside the door, Yu Xueheng listened to the conversation between mother and son, and her face darkened.

I couldn't help but look at Qi Yuzhen who was standing beside me holding two children.

Qi Yuzhen: "..."