While Chang Suining asked this question, his thoughts were racing.
Could it be the wife of Duke Ying, Chang, who did it? Ordinarily, no.
Xie has taken full responsibility for this crime, and the saint's previous punishment on Xie also means that the matter is over - but leaving all this aside, the possibility that someone like Chang, who has been skilled in underhanded tactics for many years, would leave any handle on a mere Wu Lin is extremely small.
Therefore, this act of silencing is unnecessary and may even backfire and lead to new troubles if one is not careful.
But the above is just speculation based on common sense. We need to wait until we hear the cause of Wu Lin’s death before making a judgment on the specific circumstances.
"I heard that he died of... illness." Chang Sui'an's voice became even lower.
Chang Suining asked seriously, "What's the disease?"
Meeting his sister's serious eyes, Chang Sui'an dodged for a second and began to hesitate: "I heard...I heard it's an incurable disease."
Chang Suining: “…”
It is true that listening to your words is like listening to your words.
Combined with what she had heard before, she had a rough idea, so she asked, "Veinophilia?"
Chang Sui'an's pair of copper-bell-like eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
Sister... got it again?! But seeing that his sister didn't change her expression, he could only pretend to be calm: "Yes... It is said that this disease caused some kind of wind disease, and the person died in a brothel 500 miles away from Bingzhou."
The year is peaceful and clear.
Venereal disease usually does not kill people, but if the disease becomes serious, it can cause other emergencies.
But she still asked one more question: "Are you sure it wasn't man-made?"
Chang Sui'an nodded. "Someone reported it to the authorities on the spot, and the local government invited a coroner to perform an autopsy... The person my father sent used his connections to check the autopsy file in detail at the government office. It was confirmed that he died of illness, and there was nothing unusual about him."
Chang Suining understood and didn't ask any more questions.
To put it another way, even if there is a one in ten thousand chance that it was man-made, it was done so cleanly that nothing can be found.
Moreover, the people that Lao Chang sent to investigate the matter would definitely not be careless people. They would continue to investigate wherever there is any suspicion. Since they brought back such news, it means that Wu Linying had indeed died of illness.
"Maybe this is retribution." Chang Sui'an said angrily, "But it's still a good thing for him."
Chang Suining said, "Well, just die. It will save you a lot of trouble if you die."
Originally, he had no hope that this person could be of any use. The reason he went to capture him was, firstly, to vent his anger, and secondly, to prevent this person from causing any trouble that would be detrimental to the Chang family in the future.
There is no need to take action at this time. The person will die naturally, which is a good thing.
The brother and sister put the matter aside and did not mention it any further. Chang Sui'an only promised his sister that he would help her get back the debt with Yingguo Mansion in the future.
The young man's assurance was not just an empty promise, but a result of self-reflection and a decision.
"Ningning, I want to join the army." After the brother and sister sat down, Chang Sui'an spoke seriously about his idea.
"Join the army?" Chang Suining was a little surprised. She had never heard Chang Sui'an mention this before.
The young man nodded, as if he had made up his mind: "I have thought about it for a long time."
"Does Dad agree?"
"Father told me to just think it through on my own and he wouldn't stop me."
Chang Kuo seemed to be a little bit disdainful of his only son, but in fact he always respected his child's ideas. He never thought that his son must join the army and inherit his legacy just because he was a military man. He also never restricted his son out of his eagerness to protect him.
"Brother, have you thought it through now?"
"Yes." Chang Sui'an said, "I want to join the Xuan Ce Army and enter the front camp."
"The Xuan Ce Army needs to go through a screening process when recruiting new soldiers." Chang Suining looked at his brother and said, "Given your qualifications and my father's connection with the Xuan Ce Army, it won't be difficult for you to join the Xuan Ce Mansion—"
She reminded: "But the former military camp is not so easy to enter."
Xuan Ce's army was divided into five camps: front, rear, left, right, and center. As the elite and brave troops who opened the way in the front during charges, all the soldiers assigned to the front camp were the elite among the elite.
If you want to join the front camp of Xuan Ce Army, you need to go through strict selection.
Moreover, the number of personnel in the former military camp is fixed. If there are no injured or sick soldiers retiring, no new people will be promoted to the camp for the time being.
"I know all this, I will try my best!" Chang Sui'an said.
"But it's very dangerous to stay in the front barracks!" Adian asked, "Xiao Sui'an, aren't you afraid?"
"When you join the army and fight, there are always dangers," Chang Sui'an said. "In the past few years, wars have broken out frequently in various parts of Dasheng. Even my father, who has not fought in a war for a long time, has to lead the troops. It can be seen that Dasheng is in need of people, and someone has to take the risk. Why can't it be me?"
Chang Suining looked at the young man.
She said, Brother, you have a pure heart.
Such a pure heart is always precious and admirable.
Meeting his sister's eyes, the young man smiled shyly: "Besides... I really want to achieve great things."
It was not entirely out of the desire to repay Dasheng.
My father's position as General of Cavalry is now just an honorary title. Since twelve years ago when my father violated the imperial order and chopped off the head of the Northern Di Khan and became disabled, he was removed from his position as the commander of the Xuan Ce Army and no longer has any real power.
Although his father's past achievements and salary and property were enough for his family to have food and clothing, he suddenly realized that this was far from enough.
He wanted to be able to use his own abilities to protect his father and sister one day... the kind of protection that he could go to the door to beat up anyone who bullied his sister! The young man's thoughts were somewhat naive, but also passionate and determined.
He did not say the following words out loud, as he did not want his sister to feel burdened after hearing them, but Chang Suining had already read the protectiveness in his eyes.
She had also experienced this urgent desire to quickly gain the ability to protect her family.
That was exactly why she chose to join the army.
She noticed the young man's shyness when he mentioned making achievements, so she said, "Wanting to make achievements is not because of a lack of loyalty. It is reasonable and worthy of praise to sacrifice one's life and earn rewards with one's own blood and flesh on the battlefield—"
After hearing her say this, Chang Sui'an was stunned for a moment, and then the slight feeling of embarrassment disappeared.
Then I heard my sister continue, "The Xuan Ce Army should recruit new soldiers every autumn. There is not much time left. Since my brother is determined to join the front camp, he must prepare well."
"Yes, I will!" Chang Sui'an nodded heavily and then looked at his sister with some curiosity.
"But speaking of which, Ningning, how come you know so much about the Xuan Ce Army's recruitment?"
Just when Chang Suining was about to make up something to respond, Chang Sui'an said, "Ningning, you haven't thought about joining the Xuan Ce Army, have you?"
Chang Suining nodded happily: "...Yes."
She looked a little disappointed and said, "But the Xuan Ce Army does not recruit women."
Chang Sui'an hurriedly tried to comfort his sister.
At the same time, I was amazed in my heart - it turns out that my sister really wanted to be a female general!
After hearing his brother's words of comfort, Chang Suining smiled and said, "... maybe they will be willing to recruit women in the future."
Chang Sui'an immediately nodded in agreement.
That's right, the rules are dead, but my sister is alive...well, my sister is a living genius!
"Then I'll go explore the way first!" The young man was full of confidence and had more motivation.
Chang Suining nodded happily: "Okay."
"Then I will accompany you to the martial arts arena to practice spear." The girl stood up and said, "If you want to join the front army camp, spear is a must."
"good!"
"I'm going too!" Adian stuffed the last piece of dessert into his mouth and hurried to follow.
…
It's hot in July and the weather is turning cooler.
Recently, all the well-known journalists in Beijing, whether official or private media, have been extremely busy.
The news that the saint wanted to hold a Mid-Autumn Flower Banquet to choose the Crown Princess spread like wildfire. Some families who had no intention of getting involved in this vortex of power struggle planned to find a good marriage for their daughters as soon as possible before the flower invitations from the palace were delivered.
Or maybe those who have already found a suitable family will speed up the engagement process at this time.
Originally, there were only a few people who had such thoughts and put them into action. However, some families with sons believed that there were not many good girls available and if they did not act early, they would all be taken away. As a result, the trend of discussing marriages was actually started.
As a result, all kinds of people come to join in the fun.
For example, on this day, an ice man also came to the residence of Qiao Jijiu of the Imperial College.
In the past two years, many people have come to discuss marriage. After all, many people know that Qiao Jijiu has a handsome and well-behaved young man with a promising future.
But to the surprise of the Qiao family, the Ice Man did not come for Qiao Yubai, but wanted to ask for the daughter of the Qiao family in marriage on behalf of the son of the city magistrate.
"…Are you here to ask for marriage from your sister?"
At noon, after classes were over, Qiao Yubai came back to get a book, followed by Cui Lang.
Seeing that the Qiao family servant nodded, Cui Lang hurriedly asked, "Brother Qiao, aren't you going to take a look?"
Qiao Yubai hesitated: "Is there something wrong?"
After all, his mother was talking to the matchmaker. Wouldn't it be considered rude if a man like him suddenly went over there?
"It doesn't matter. They should be talking in the front hall. Why don't we go to the back and eavesdrop?" Cui Lang suggested.
"This..." Qiao Yubai was amazed. Cui Liulang's solution to the inappropriate problem was to come up with an even more inappropriate suggestion.
"My sister is looking for a husband, and as a brother, how can I not help to check it out?"
Cui Lang didn't say anything and just pulled Qiao Yubai away.
Inside the hall, the head priest's wife, Wang, could no longer maintain her smile: "...You mean, this young man's brain is different from that of ordinary people?"
She asked in a subtle way, but she actually understood that this so-called son of the county magistrate was a fool.
The matchmaker sighed: "It's because of premature birth..."
He added: "But it doesn't mean that there is no difference. Unlike Madam Qiao who has difficulty in moving, this gentleman can take care of his daily diet by himself. At first glance, he is not much different from a normal person!"
"This gentleman is the newly appointed county magistrate of Wannian County. He has a promising future... His family is already wealthy. If Madam Qiao marries him, she won't have to worry about being treated unfairly in the future."
Seeing that Wang's face was not right, she advised: "After all, Madam Qiao's eye disease... there is nothing that can be done about it. She must find a husband's family to take care of her. When she has children in the future, she will have a place to live for the rest of her life, right?"
Behind the screen in the partition room, Qiao Yumian could no longer bear the sadness in her heart after hearing these words, and suddenly stood up and ran out.
She went to the backyard and did not pass through the front hall, so Wang and the matchmaker were not aware of this movement.
She had been listening to the matchmaker's words and had been feeling unhappy for a long time. She made an excuse that she felt cold and asked her maid Xiaoqiu to go back and get a cloak and send the person away.
Qiao Yubai, who was eavesdropping at the back of the hall and was dragged by Cui Lang, walked into the hall quickly. He didn't care whether it was rude or not, and raised his hand to ask the matchmaker to leave: "My sister has no intention of discussing marriage now, please go back."
Cui Lang, who was about to follow in with the sweet-mouthed girl, caught a glimpse of the lilac figure trotting away from the corner of his eye and was stunned: "...Ms. Qiao?"
Did she hear everything? But she couldn't see the road, so why did she run so fast?
Cui Lang hurriedly chased after him.
After running a short distance based on her memory, Qiao Yumian tripped and fell. She got up but continued walking forward.
At this moment, a nervous voice suddenly came from behind: "Ms. Qiao, please stop quickly, there is a lotus pond ahead!"
After hearing who the person was, Qiao Yumian immediately became embarrassed and didn't dare to move forward. She could only turn sideways to wipe her tears.
Cui Lang hurried over and asked, "Did Madam Qiao fall just now?"
"No...no problem." Qiao Yumian held back her tears, not wanting to make a fool of herself in front of others.
Cui Lang sighed and said, "Mrs. Qiao, don't listen to the matchmaker's nonsense. It's really rare for one word out of ten of these people's sentences to be true."
Qiao Yumian was stunned: "Cui Liulang...did you hear everything?"
Cui Lang smiled and scratched his head: "Brother Qiao and I just happened to pass by..."
Qiao Yumian lowered her head slightly and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed Cui Liulang."
Cui Lang waved his hands and shook his head: "How could it be!"
The two of them were standing on the grass by the river. The grass was relatively soft, and softness meant safety, which made Qiao Yumian subconsciously willing to stay here for a while.
She said to herself, "No wonder Cui Liulang laughed at me. I also found it funny. I have an eye disease, so I shouldn't criticize others. I should understand this, but for some reason, after hearing those words just now, I still..."
As the girl spoke, tears of helplessness and self-blame fell on the grass at her feet.
Cui Lang felt that he had never been so flustered before, and hurriedly said: "This has nothing to do with picking on others. It's no wonder that you feel uncomfortable after hearing those words. The matchmaker's words are meant to poke at people's sore spots. It's really rude. This is not a sincere proposal, it's clearly a deliberate attempt to lower the price!"
"Lower the price?" Qiao Yumian's tears stopped. Was she a commodity?
"She knows that this marriage is not a good match and that the man is not worthy of Madam Qiao at all, so she reminds Madam Qiao that she has an eye disease. This is just a bargaining tactic. If Madam Qiao really listens to it and takes it to heart, then she is stupid!"
Qiao Yumian raised her hand to wipe her tears: "Is that so..."
"That's right, Madam Qiao, don't be fooled." Cui Lang said again: "Madam Qiao may not know that the son of the so-called Wannian County Magistrate is not only born stupid, but also has many bad habits. He also imitates others to visit brothels foolishly. I ran into him last time!"
"?" Qiao Yumian felt that there were too many points in this sentence and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Seeing her strange expression, Cui Lang realized that he had said something wrong and said quickly: "...But that was a thing of the past."
He added: "Since I came to the Imperial College, I have changed all my bad habits!"
Qiao Yumian blushed slightly when she heard this - why was he telling her all this?
But after spending a few months together, they were considered acquaintances, and she couldn't help but be curious: "...Why?"
Why did everything change suddenly?
Thank you all for your monthly tickets, and thank you to the book friends who waited and acted for the 10,000-yuan reward! Thank you all.
(The H1N1 flu is spreading, and today’s update is sizzling hot!)
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