Chapter 254 Who Let the Mad Dog Out?

People shopping for New Year's goods often meet acquaintances and chat about the latest and freshest topics in Beijing.

"Have you heard about the attack on Miss Qiu Liu in the street?"

"How could I not have heard? That day, Miss Qiu was invited to the Prince of Fu's mansion, and on her way home, she was ambushed with an arrow..."

"You already know this. I'm talking about the thug who committed the crime."

"The culprit has been caught?"

"How could we possibly catch them? That criminal's background is anything but ordinary." The person who said this lowered their voice.

The gossip-loving person excitedly asked, "What's its origin?"

The man pointed to the sky: "Sent by His Majesty."

Those who heard it gasped in shock: "No way!"

"You don't understand, do you? How did Miss Qiu get out of prison back then? Those imperial students ran to the palace gates to plead for her release, and the emperor had no choice but to let her go. Do you think His Majesty could be at ease with that?"

"Well, that doesn't have to mean Miss Qiu's death, does it?"

"It can't be that serious? That's the Emperor, do you think we're just common folk who can let a quarrel go? Besides, if something happens to Miss Qiu, the court can come up with an excuse to explain to Xi Jiang..."

"These spineless officials!"

A stern shout rang out: "Anyone who dares to speak ill of the imperial court again will be arrested!"

Upon seeing the person dressed in the official robes of the Imperial City Guard, the people who were chatting animatedly immediately scattered like birds and beasts.

The newly appointed Imperial City Envoy, Di Sheng, listened to the increasingly outrageous rumors, his face turning icy cold.

The rumors concern the Emperor. Either stop them as soon as possible, or inform the Emperor.

But Qiu Heng has been the talk of the town ever since Xi Jiang returned, and rumors about her spread like wildfire, making it hard to silence the gossip. It's not a good time to tell His Majesty, as the New Year is just around the corner. He's already busy with ancestral worship, prayers, court audiences, and banquets. Discussing these things would only add to his burdens.

Di Sheng knew very well that his position as Imperial City Envoy was not secure. The Emperor was in a bad mood after hearing his report, and might take his anger out on him.

Alright, let's wait until after the Lantern Festival. If the rumors persist, we'll report to His Majesty. If they've already died down, all the better.

Di Sheng, clinging to a sliver of hope, did not report it, but Xue Quanke would not tolerate such behavior.

He had always controlled the Imperial City Guard, and because Xue Han was his adopted son, he gave Xue Han the position of Imperial City Envoy. This Di Sheng took advantage of the fact that he had been banished to the Dali Temple by the Emperor for only a few days to become the Imperial City Envoy, without even considering his own capabilities.

Xue Quan, who was well aware of the rumors circulating in the capital, quickly arranged for someone to report the matter to Emperor Jingping.

Emperor Jingping saw the memorial on the fourth day of the first lunar month.

Although there are still sacrificial rites and banquets on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, there are still many backlogged memorials to read.

The memorial was placed in the third position.

The first two memorials went unnoticed by Emperor Jingping, but upon opening the third one, his face turned ashen, and he slammed the memorial onto the imperial desk.

"Outrageous! To say that I assassinated Qiu Heng to curry favor with Xi Jiang! Is she, a mere girl, worth all this trouble?"

On the eve of the New Year, Emperor Jingping was furious: "Where is Di Sheng? Tell him to get over here right now!"

Not long after, Di Sheng rushed over.

"Your subject, Di Sheng, Imperial Envoy, greets Your Majesty."

"Imperial Envoy? Whose Imperial Envoy are you?" Emperor Jingping threw the memorial at Di Sheng's face. "Such absurd rumors have been circulating for days, and you dare to keep it from me!"

Di Sheng hurriedly apologized: "It's the New Year, and Your Majesty is very busy. I was afraid that this would affect Your Majesty's mood—"

"Does my mood require your consideration?" Emperor Jingping became even angrier upon hearing this. "It seems that the position of Imperial City Envoy is beneath you."

Di Sheng shuddered, his face drained of color: "Your Majesty, I am filled with loyalty to the Emperor and beg for your forgiveness."

Emperor Jingping snorted coldly and immediately dismissed Di Sheng from his post, letting the guards drag the man out. He said to Xue Quan, "I will only feel at ease if I hand over the Imperial City Guard to you."

Xue Quan hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"Increase the manpower of the Imperial City Guard and find the villain who assassinated Qiu Heng for me." Emperor Jingping was furious just thinking about the rumors. "Also, is the Earl of Yongqing still in Dali Temple prison?"

Upon receiving Xue Quan's affirmative answer, Emperor Jingping's lips twitched slightly: "That rumor even used the fact that the Earl of Yongqing was imprisoned as evidence that I harbored murderous intentions towards Qiu Heng. I had forgotten that!"

With unrest in the southeast, invasions from the Western Jiang, and harassment from the Northern Qi, the people were overwhelmed by all the troubles. Even the students of the Imperial Academy gathered to petition for orders. Who remembered the insignificant Earl of Yongqing?

Xue Quan advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Most people are ignorant and easily blindly follow and believe.

Emperor Jingping felt annoyed: "Issue my decree: release the Earl of Yongqing immediately."

The Earl of Yongqing, imprisoned in the Dali Temple, stared dejectedly at the food laid out before him.

That day, he watched helplessly as Xue Han was taken away and never returned. He assumed the kid had been taken away and beheaded, so he cautiously inquired with the jailer, only to be released instead of being questioned.

When asked about his granddaughter, she too was released.

That doesn't make sense. He was imprisoned because of his granddaughter. Why is he still in prison even though his granddaughter has been released?

My questions remained unanswered until the New Year arrived.

He spent the New Year in prison!

First day of the new year, second day of the new year, third day of the new year, fourth day of the new year... Waaah, it's already the fourth day of the new year! When will he be released? Has the Emperor forgotten about him?

Footsteps approached, and Yongqingbo looked up.

The jailer opened the cell door and said in a rather impolite tone, "Your Excellency may leave now."

"Go out?" Realizing what he had just said, Earl Yongqing suddenly stood up. "Can I go home now?"

"You can go home now, Lord. Hurry back for the New Year."

Upon hearing the jailer's words, the Earl of Yongqing ran away halfway, filled with joy.

What kind of New Year celebration is this? It's already the fourth day of the Lunar New Year!

As he walked out of the prison, Earl Yongqing looked around blankly.

No one came to pick him up?

The jailer urged, "His Majesty has decreed that you should return home as soon as possible. Do not delay any longer."

Upon hearing this, Yongqing Bo dared not hesitate any longer, but since he had no money, he had no choice but to walk home.

Spring Festival couplets were pasted on the gate of the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion, and the ground was covered with red remnants of firecrackers.

The Earl of Yongqing glanced at it, his heart filled with a mixture of grief and anger.

So, even without him, the New Year will still go by as usual.

The messenger quickly relayed the message to the inner courtyard.

"Madam, the old master has returned!"

In previous years, the Marquis's mansion was always bustling with social interactions and visits to relatives and friends during the New Year. This year, however, it was much quieter because the Marquis of Yongqing was still in prison. The old lady was listening to Qiuying tell stories with a smile, but upon receiving the report, the smile on her lips slowly faded.

The old man is back so early?

“Your grandfather is back, go and greet him.”

Upon receiving the news, the three families hurriedly gathered together to welcome Uncle Yongqing home.

Yongqingbo's gaze swept across the old lady's face, from her sons to her daughters-in-law to her grandchildren, each with a rosy complexion and a presentable appearance.

The Earl of Yongqing could no longer contain his anger.

His wife argues with him, and he doesn't care about him at all. Are all his children and grandchildren dead?

Especially the eldest son and his wife, who are in charge of all the household affairs, how could they be so perfunctory and careless towards their elderly father who was in prison?

The more Yongqing Earl thought about it, the angrier he became. He rushed up to Master Qiu and slapped him across the face.

(End of this chapter)