Chapter 48: Late in the Night She suddenly stood on tiptoe and hugged his neck...
Ye Sheng's expression was also solemn. He nodded and said, "Unless there is sufficient evidence to prove that Huaishan has nothing to do with this matter, otherwise, Wu An would rather let it go than let it go."
Seeing Jiang Tong's face growing more worried, he comforted her, "Don't worry, my dear niece. Your father's life is not in danger for the time being. Wu An wants to know more from your father, so he won't kill him for the time being."
Jiang Tong nodded and asked a few more questions about the case.
Ye Sheng said, "I don't know much, but I guess the evidence he has now is definitely insufficient. I heard a piece of news, I don't know if it's true or not, that the assassin they captured committed suicide. If this is true, then Wu An has neither witnesses nor physical evidence, so he can't convict Huaishan."
After he finished speaking, he stood up and said, "That's all I know. If there's any new information, I'll let my niece know."
Jiang Tong thanked him repeatedly and personally escorted him out the door.
…
"Wu An simply wants news about the royal heir. Since he's willing to give up his nephew, let's grant his wish."
It was already very late at night. Jiang Tong was lying on Aqiao's bed, but he was not sleepy at all. His eyes were fixed on the bed curtains.
"Okay, I'll take care of it." A-Qiao, who was lying next to her, also had his eyes open.
Jiang Tong turned over and looked at her from his side: "Are you in danger?"
"Don't worry, I know my limits." In the darkness, Aqiao's voice was steady.
The two discussed the details again and then closed their eyes and fell asleep.
Jiang Tong was half asleep and half awake when she suddenly heard someone knocking on the door of her room next door.
It was almost winter now, and the temperature was especially cold at night. Jiang Tong didn't want to get out of the warm bed. She looked at Aqiao and saw that although his breathing was steady, his eyelashes were trembling slightly. It was obvious that he had heard it just like her, but didn't want to move.
Jiang Tong closed his eyes and ignored it, but the knock on the door was small but persistent.
"I seemed to hear the sound of a bamboo stick tapping the ground just now." Aqiao suddenly muttered.
Jiang Tong was startled and immediately turned over and went to open the door wrapped in a quilt.
Sure enough, as soon as the door opened, I saw Su Guanqing standing at the door next door.
Su Guanqing was also surprised when he heard the sound of the door opening next door.
During this period, Aqiao rarely came here. Even when he came, he always came in the evening and left in the morning.
Of course Su Guanqing didn't know that she came at night, so he thought that Aqiao's side room was empty.
He was about to apologize for disturbing others when he heard Jiang Tong's voice: "Guan Qing? Are you looking for me?"
Su Guanqing was stunned: "Tongtong? You are not in your room?"
"I'm talking to Qiao."
"I just remembered something about Ye Sheng." Su Guanqing walked over with a bamboo stick and said in a low voice.
Jiang Tong reached out from under the quilt and pulled him into the house: "It's cold outside, come in and talk."
"I'm not very clear about my father's social circle. But I remember that before he went into mourning, he came to my house frequently," said Su Guanqing.
"You mean, he was also involved in the rebellion?" Aqiao's voice came from the depths of the room.
Su Guanqing shook his head: "I don't know."
"Then do you know which side he was on back then?" Jiang Tong asked.
"He never said it explicitly, but he was highly valued during the Jingtai reign and was always actively involved in his work."
Jiang Tong understood. Ye Sheng had never publicly taken sides, but he was good friends with Su Baichuan and was highly valued by Emperor Jingtai. Even if he was not a member of Jingtai's party, he at least sympathized with Emperor Jingtai.
The reason why he escaped the reckoning of Emperor Zhengtong was simply because he was in mourning during the coup and was not in the officialdom at all.
If Ye Sheng is really a hidden remnant of the Jingtai clan, it would be a good thing for them.
Su Guanqing left after he finished speaking. After all, it was the middle of the night and he couldn't stay for long.
As soon as he left, Jiang Tong couldn't wait to wrap herself in the bulging quilt and climb onto the bed.
Ah Qiao didn't discuss Ye Sheng's affairs with her, but asked with a smile: "Are you and Mr. Su in love?"
Although the two of them didn't appear to be very close just now, Ah Qiao was a man who had been in the underworld for decades. Just by looking at their expressions, he knew that there was something different between them in private.
She laughed and teased, "Why, you're not worried about your age this time?"
"When emotions get to the point, it's hard to control myself." Jiang Tong lay down, shivering as he wrapped himself tightly in the quilt.
"He has feelings, and you have intentions. Isn't that good?" A Qiao said with a smile.
Jiang Tong said with a bitter face: "What's good about it? I don't even dare to tell my mother. If she knew, I don't know how she would cry to me."
"The elders will definitely object. No matter how good Mr. Su is, the noble and the common cannot marry. And he is blind."
"Then let's not get married. The Ming Dynasty didn't stipulate that women had to get married. We didn't get married in our previous life, and I didn't see anything wrong with that." Jiang Tong yawned. "Anyway, no matter who objects, I will take good care of him in this life."
…
A Qiao was very decisive in his actions, and within just ten days, the news reached Jiang Tong.
That day, Jiang Tong was about to take down the restored "Fisherman" from the wall and prepare to frame it when a servant came in and said that Miss Aqiao had sent back a goose and asked what to do with it.
Jiang Tong immediately understood that this was A Qiao telling her that the matter was settled.
She was pleasantly surprised, but her face showed no sign of it. She simply put down the bamboo screwdriver and said, "Guan Qing, come with me to take a look."
"Hey." Su Guanqing immediately left Zhao Quesheng who was listening to his lecture attentively, stood up, and naturally extended his hand.
Jiang Tong pulled him over, and they walked out hand in hand. When they looked at the goose at the gatehouse, Jiang Tong smiled and said, "It's really hard for Aqiao. I don't know where he found such a fat goose."
She ordered the servant to take it to the kitchen, and then pulled Su Guanqing to the backyard.
Su Guanqing originally thought she was going back to the study, but as he walked, he realized something was wrong——
This place seems to be behind the rockery in the backyard...?
There was a very small space there, but it was only big enough for two people to turn around. If they hid inside, no one outside could see them.
He asked doubtfully: "...Tongtong?"
"It's done! Guan Qing! It's done!" When they arrived at a deserted place, Jiang Tong finally stopped suppressing the excitement in his heart.
"What happened?" Su Guanqing was even more confused.
"I have discussed with Aqiao. Wu An has no evidence at the moment. The only support for him to investigate is the rumors about the heir to the throne. Only when the heir to the throne dies can Wu An and Emperor Zhengtong give up the investigation. Aqiao and I agreed that as long as we succeed in creating the illusion that the heir to the throne is dead for the Jinyiwei to see, I will send a goose. If we fail, I will send a duck." Jiang Tong finished speaking quickly.
Su Guanqing was overjoyed when he heard this: "So, uncle can be released!"
"Yes! My father is going to be released!" There were stars in Jiang Tong's eyes. She suddenly stood on tiptoe, hugged his neck, and kissed him hard on the cheek.
Su Guanqing was completely stunned.
"I'll go tell my mother this good news!" Jiang Tong said and left like a gust of wind.
Behind the rockery, only Su Guanqing was left standing there blankly.
…
However, the development of the matter was somewhat beyond Jiang Tong's expectations. They waited for several days, but Jiang Huaishan was not released.
Jiang Tong passed the message to A Qiao several times and also went to Ye Sheng's house to ask, but he couldn't find out what the Jinyiwei were planning.
Jiang Tong's heart sank day by day, but there was nothing he could do.
However, when in front of others, she did not show any regret or anxiety at all, and continued to teach her disciples with Su Guanqing every day. Even Zhao Quesheng did not notice the teacher's emotional fluctuations.
If there is anything wrong, it is probably that Jiang Tong is more strict.
Jiang Tong is now not only responsible for Zhao Quesheng's restoration skills, but also has to check Su Guanqing's daily lectures.
Zhao Quesheng was extremely alert, fearing that he might not be able to satisfy Jiang Tong, and he lived every day like walking on thin ice.
It was not until Zhao Ji came to the house that day that Jiang Tong gave her a break and asked her to talk to her uncle.
Zhao Ji was still that paunchy guy. As soon as he entered the room, he shouted with a smile on his face, "Girl, there's a big job!"
When Zhao Quesheng heard this, she was so happy that she almost jumped up. The Jiang family had been deserted these days, and she was worried about her teacher every day, but she didn't dare to mention it.
Zhao Quesheng begged, "Uncle, what painting is this? Please take it out quickly!" She was extremely anxious.
Zhao Ji smiled and said, "It's not with me."
Jiang Tong raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
Zhao Ji said, "It's like this. Recently, His Royal Highness Prince Xiang obtained a long scroll of the Tao Te Ching, which is said to be written by Wang Xizhi himself. Unfortunately, it has been eaten by insects and is densely covered with tiny dots the size of sesame seeds and mung beans. His Royal Highness Prince Xiang wants to find someone to repair it, but because the scroll is too long and has too many insect holes, it is really difficult.
If it were an ordinary customer, someone might be willing to take it, but this is the relic of the Sage of Calligraphy, and the owner is the dignified Prince Xiang, so no one dared to respond. So His Majesty the Prince Xiang offered a reward throughout the city, looking for a repairman. Unfortunately, no one dared to take up the offer.
He casually touched Zhao Quesheng's head and said with a smile: "I thought that only the young lady could repair it, so I came to tell her the news."
However, Jiang Tong was in no mood to apply for the position at the moment. She smiled apologetically and said, "If this job came to me, I wouldn't refuse it. But something happened at home recently, and I don't have the energy to take the initiative to fight for it."
"Young lady," Zhao Ji said earnestly, "I know you've been busy with your father's case lately. Quesheng also told me that no one has dared to come to your house lately. If you can successfully restore Wang Xizhi's work and gain the appreciation of His Highness Prince Xiang, then the situation will be completely different."
Jiang Tong shook his head: "Let's discuss this later."
Zhao Ji tried to persuade Jiang Tong a few more times, but seeing that Jiang Tong remained indifferent, he had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
Before leaving, he asked Zhao Quesheng, "Your aunt hasn't seen you for a long time and is really worried about you. Do you want to come home with me and stay for a few days?"
Zhao Quesheng shook his head like a rattle: "I still have a lot of practice to do."
Seeing this, Zhao Ji did not force it and left alone.
…
Su Guanqing and others were in the study. Not long after, Zhao Quesheng came back first.
"Where is your teacher?" Su Guanqing asked her.
"Master, just say a few words to my uncle and then come back," Zhao Quesheng returned to his stool and sat down. "I still haven't grasped the cow-hair texture that Master mentioned before."
"Didn't the teacher demonstrate it to you?"
"I looked at it... but didn't understand it. I always feel that there doesn't seem to be much difference between the brush strokes of "cun" and "ca." Zhao Quesheng's voice was small.
Zhao Quesheng certainly knew that the two brushstrokes were different. Jiang Tong and Su Guanqing had already explained and demonstrated them to her one by one, but she just didn't understand.
This was only in front of Su Guanqing. If Jiang Tong were here, she wouldn't dare expose the fact that she couldn't keep up with the progress.
Even Su Guanqing was speechless when he heard her say this: "How can there not be much difference? Wait until your teacher comes back and let her show you."
"How about Master, could you explain it to me again first?" Zhao Quesheng begged. She didn't dare ask Jiang Tong to repeat what she was teaching.
"Okay, I'll tell you more. Let's talk about this texture method first. Texture methods include cow hair texture, hemp texture, and folded belt texture..."
Su Guanqing began to explain everything to Zhao Quesheng one by one. Zhao Quesheng picked up the demonstration that Jiang Tong had drawn before and began to comprehend it accordingly.
By the time the master and disciple had gone over all the brush strokes, Jiang Tong had not returned yet.
Su Guanqing couldn't sit still any longer. He asked, "Why hasn't your teacher come back yet?"
"Perhaps they are still talking?"
However, she herself felt that this was not right. Her teacher and her uncle had never gotten along, so what could she say?
"You study here, I'll go find her." Su Guanqing said, and walked out of the study with his bamboo stick.
In fact, Su Guanqing was already very familiar with the entire Jiang residence, but the Jiang residence was much larger now than before, and he did not dare to be as arrogant as before and walk around without a bamboo stick.
When Su Guanqing arrived at the gatehouse, he did not find Jiang Tong, so he asked the gatehouse.
The doorman said, "In reply to your question, sir, just as the young lady was seeing off Shopkeeper Zhao, another guest arrived. The young lady chatted with him for a while, and then the guest left, so the young lady left."
"Who is the visitor?"
"It's Master Ye Shengye."
Su Guanqing thought, he came from the study and took the nearest road. The other road required a longer detour, and Jiang Tong was unlikely to take that road. So if he didn't meet Jiang Tong, it could only mean that Jiang Tong had already gone in before he came out.
Since she had already gone in, why didn't she go back to the study?
Could it be related to Ye Sheng’s visit?
Su Guanqing had a bad feeling when he heard this. Did Ye Sheng come here to bring some bad news?
Su Guanqing was startled and immediately hurried to look for Jiang Tong. Whenever he met a servant on the way, he would ask if they had seen the eldest lady.
But everyone said they didn’t see it.
At this moment, Jiang Tong was hiding behind the rockery in the back garden. She just wanted to be alone and quiet. There were some things she needed to think carefully about.
The first snow of the year began to fall lightly. Jiang Tong didn't want to hide. She hugged her legs, sat on the ground, and frowned deeply.
By this time, the Little Ice Age had begun to take effect, and the winter was getting colder. Jiang Tong felt the cold air penetrating into her limbs, but she just didn't want to get up or move.
Being a little cooler will help your mind become clearer.
She had to make sure that the decision she made was not a rash one.
"Tongtong? Are you here?" At this moment, Su Guanqing's voice rang out.
Jiang Tong was startled when he saw Su Guanqing walk in. He called out again, "Tongtong?"
Jiang Tong looked up at him and saw that his brows were full of anxiety.
He also felt the snow, and Jiang Tong's sudden disappearance made him even more worried.
Seeing no one answering, he thought Jiang Tong was not there, so he lit his bamboo stick and left.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
