In the court, everyone could see that the emperor was absent-minded and not as diligent as before.
Everybody wasted no time and was just about to report what needed to be reported and do what needed to be done when they heard a "dong" sound, followed by the clear and distinct "dong dong" sound of the Dengwen drum.
Oh my!
Why is someone beating the drum?
Is this a big case? Everyone was about to go to Shuntian Prefecture Governor Dong to see what was going on when they saw that the emperor looked upset.
Hmm? The Emperor knows?
When officials from each camp looked at each other, trying to guess who was causing trouble again, the emperor said, "Announce it!"
If you stick your head out, you will be killed. If you hide your head, you will still be killed. You can never avoid it.
However, he was still very happy that his sister Baofeng's grave could be moved.
Although according to the secret guards, the Jia family fought very cautiously, the emperor knew that the old lady of the Cheng family, who had won once, would never give up.
After all, she won that year.
If they want her to admit defeat, they have to subdue her with the entire Cheng family.
But obviously, this is absolutely impossible.
While the emperor was waiting for the old lady of the Cheng family to come and cry out to the sky, using the word "filial piety" that the retired emperor worried about every day to pressure him, he was thinking about how to punish the Jia family and reprimand his nephew in a moderate way.
At this moment, Cheng Luo should apologize to the emperor, right?
The emperor exchanged glances with Eunuch Liu, and when he was sure that Cheng Luo had passed, he sighed softly in his heart.
The Dengwen Drum was almost abandoned during the early Ming Dynasty.
It is said that if you want to file a complaint with the emperor, you must first be beaten with thirty sticks in the court. If you are not careful, ten sticks can kill you, so basically no one files a complaint with the emperor.
During the reign of the Great Zhao, Emperor Taizu changed the thirty strokes of the cane in court to nine strokes, thus guaranteeing the right of the people to redress grievances.
But during the first two hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, the people had a deep impression of this, so the drum for reporting was placed there but never sounded.
When it came to his father, the emperor added another clause, that anyone holding an official position would be exempted from the punishment of beating in the court.
The old lady of the Cheng family has a first-rank imperial decree, so she will probably be here soon.
The emperor was very annoyed and wanted to take away the imperial edict.
She killed his sister, yet she still gets money from him every year.
I really can't think about this. As soon as I think about it, I get so angry that my stomach starts to run wild.
When the emperor took a deep breath and then exhaled, the third son, who had heard the news about Shoukang Palace, finally came back.
He made several gestures to his master, Eunuch Liu, and Eunuch Liu's eyes became brighter and brighter.
"Ahem~"
Eunuch Liu coughed lightly, and when the emperor looked over, he made a few gestures quietly.
Huh? The emperor saw it clearly, and he couldn't help but blinking, and blinking again.
Was he right? The emperor felt relieved.
As long as his father is not confused, nothing else will be a problem.
At the same time, members of the Cheng family, who had not gotten much favor in Shuntian Prefecture, were also gathering at the palace gate.
They were chasing after the old lady from the Cheng family.
Just a step late...
Looking at the towering palace gate, Patriarch Cheng felt very panicked.
Even though they won that year.
But just as the two housekeepers of the Jia family said, the Jia family cooperated with the Taoist priests of Shangqing Temple to help move the grave at the request of their brother-in-law, after the auspicious day, time and place were clearly specified.
They beat up the Cheng family, and that was the auspicious time for the Cheng family to stop the princess from moving her grave.
Compared to the princess, what are they? So now they can only sue Cheng Luo.
but……
"Sixth Uncle, I asked around and found out that the people in the carriage just now were from the Jia family."
The middle-aged man who heard the news was horrified. "When we went to Shuntian Prefecture, Cheng Luo went to the palace to plead guilty to the emperor, but the emperor had just asked the imperial physician to treat Jia She's sprained waist last night and Jia Zhen's sprained foot."
“…”
“…”
The Cheng family felt cold all over after hearing this.
It was a hot day, and they felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over them from head to toe.
"In addition, the Emperor also rewarded all those who helped to move the tomb, saying that each of them was given a pair of silver ingots with the words 'auspicious and abundant' and a jar of imperial wine."
This means that from the perspective of the retired emperor, moving the tomb was the right thing to do.
Then they...
Patriarch Cheng's head was sweating rapidly.
Sure enough, the emperor emeritus is no longer the emperor emeritus of the past.
And the Emperor...
"Sister-in-law, old sister-in-law."
Patriarch Cheng hurriedly shouted to Old Lady Cheng, who had already walked a long way, "Come back quickly, I remembered something."
"How dare you! How can we allow you to make noise at the palace gate?"
When the guard flashed his sword, the Cheng family members were frightened so much that they broke out in sweats.
"Sir, my sister-in-law has some problem here." Patriarch Cheng pointed to his head, indicating that his sister-in-law was not thinking clearly.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Everyone in the Cheng family quickly agreed.
The drum for reporting complaints was placed there, and people could file complaints with the emperor, but if it was a false accusation... the official would not only be stripped of his position, but his property would also be confiscated.
The emperor might not confiscate Cheng Luo's house. After all, all his things were inherited from Princess Baofeng.
But all the assets of Xinping Marquis Mansion are in the hands of the old lady.
"Sister-in-law, come back soon."
"Aunt, come back soon."
Old Mrs. Cheng heard the shouting of the Cheng family members. She thought that everyone had come up with a good idea again, so she quickly apologized to the eunuch who summoned her and asked to go back to find out what was going on.
He is a first-rank imperial official, what can a eunuch do to him?
"Hurry up!" He said coldly, "The Emperor and all the gentlemen are waiting."
"Yes, I'll be there in a minute."
Old Mrs. Cheng's legs were still very agile and she rushed back in a few steps, but she didn't expect to be caught by the Cheng family immediately.
"Sir, sir, my sister-in-law is a little confused." Clan leader Cheng was about to cry, "Sir, can you not count the drum just now?"
…
Shen Ning didn't know about the hustle and bustle at the palace gate, but she was very happy to hear the hustle and bustle in Shuntian Prefecture and the discussions of the people in the capital early in the morning.
Although she was not able to be there in person, Qingping's description was so vivid that it was almost as if she were there in person.
"Madam, Butler Xing is almost back, you..."
Before she finished speaking, Qingzhu rushed in, "Madam, the master is back, and the imperial physician is with him. He said that the master had sprained his foot, and the imperial physician is here to treat his injury." She was so happy, "In addition, the emperor also rewarded all those who helped move the tomb. You were also there, and you received a pair of silver ingots with the words 'auspicious and abundant' and a jar of imperial wine."
Ah? She has one too? Shen Ning doesn't care about silver ingots, but she likes imperial wine.
"Quick, quick, bring it here for me to see."
She stood up all of a sudden. "By the way, since your master's foot is injured, he can't drink the wine. Bring me his wine."
Jia Zhen, who had indeed sprained his ankle, didn't know that his mother was as shameless as his father and had taken away his imperial wine.
"My lord, this injury is not serious. Rub it with this medicinal wine and rest for two days and it will be fine."
The imperial physician who was sent here said this, but in fact he had already shouted in his heart, "Where is the injury? Why didn't he see it? Or did he come too late and the injury has healed?"
"These are safflower, chuanxiong and panax notoginseng, which can promote blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis."
The imperial physician was somewhat reluctant.
Because of the possible war in Ningxia, most of these medicinal materials were transferred away.
Now, so many are being sent to the Jia family...
"You can use it as you see fit. If you don't know how to use it, our Imperial Hospital can also help you make it into a finished medicine."
Those who can stay in the Imperial Medical Bureau are the best of the best.
The imperial physician was reluctant to waste it on them.
"Oh? Then I'll have to trouble Doctor Chen."
Jia Zhen was naturally knowledgeable, "Please ask Doctor Chen to help me make the medicine."
After it is made into medicine, they can also send it to Cousin Lan.
"Sure, sure."
Doctor Chen came with a bunch of medicinal herbs and left with another bunch of medicinal herbs.
Of course, when he left, he received a red envelope of twenty taels, just like his colleagues at Rongguo Mansion.
This trip... was pretty good too.
They also knew that the Jia family helped Princess Baofeng move her grave overnight.
Everyone in the Imperial Hospital felt quite sympathetic towards Princess Baofeng, who had never caused trouble for anyone.
Jia Family...
The two imperial doctors had mixed feelings.
I admire him very much, but at the same time I feel an indescribable feeling.
As an imperial physician, he goes in and out of various powerful and wealthy families. Who wouldn’t know some secrets?
If the Jia family does this, their daughter will probably have a hard time getting married in the future.
However, it may also be very popular.
We are all secular people, who doesn’t have a few friends?
While Doctor Chen was thinking about which poor kid among his friends or clansmen, Doctor Liu, who was examining Jia She's waist, was already thinking about his granddaughter.
"Doctor Chen!"
The old man smiled and said, "I was just chatting with Lord Jia, and I heard that the Jia family has a new clan rule that a man who is 30 years old and has no children can take a concubine."
Huh? Doctor Chen scratched his beard, very surprised, "Really?"
"That's right!"
Doctor Liu smiled with wrinkles all over his face. "The Jia family has eight branches in Beijing. I heard that the Jia family school is doing very well now."
The children of the Jia family can go to the clan school for free, and they have the ancestral property passed down from their ancestors. As long as they are not prodigals, they can live a stable life.
“Oh~”
Doctor Chen smiled, "It seems that Lord Liu is looking for a grandson-in-law in the Jia family."
"Alas~"
Doctor Liu sighed, "As you know, my second son passed away early, leaving behind only a little granddaughter."
His descendants all preferred to study, and no one wanted to learn medicine and pharmacy from him.
Only the little granddaughter likes it.
All his skills can only be passed on to his little granddaughter.
But this world...
The eldest son and the third son both have their own children, and are now in their respective posts, far away from each other. Even if they want to support their granddaughter, it is beyond their reach.
"If you have a good candidate, I'll ask for a matchmaker!"
Doctor Chen knew what he meant and readily did him a favor.
At the same time, in Rongxi Hall, Jia She, who heard his mother and two sisters coming, hurriedly jumped off the couch.
"Slow down, slow down."
Jia Jin really thought her brother had sprained his waist. Seeing her elder brother like this, she hurriedly showed concern and asked him to slow down.
"Hey, I'm fine."
Jia She smiled, "Old Madam, look, these are the silver ingots and imperial wine bestowed by the Emperor."
He was afraid that the old lady would scold them, so he quickly showed them the reward from the emperor.
“…You, you!”
Grandmother Jia was worried all night yesterday.
I fell into a hazy sleep at dawn.
Unexpectedly...
"You are so brave."
She needs to know that this is absolutely not possible.
When Yuanchun told her, they had all run away.
Touching the beautiful silver ingot, the old lady sighed, "But since it's done, why is your second brother missing?"
What will Zheng'er do in the future? "Mother, isn't my second brother in the ancestral hall?"
Jia Min tried to smooth things over, "How could he possibly go there?"
Tell my second brother, he will only oppose it and will never agree.
Although this matter is quite risky, it is rare that Cheng Luo has been making preparations. There is a good place, a good time and a good day. Given the personality of the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion, she will definitely help.
"Don't worry about your second brother. Where is the imperial wine?" Jia Min hugged her brother's imperial wine. "Brother, give it to the sisters!"
"……Hahaha!"
Seeing Jia Zhen's eager look, Jia She threw away his annoyance towards his mother, waved his hand and agreed, "I'll buy you a few more jars later."
It's hard to say for Lin Zhixiao, but the other servants who used to be his predecessors would definitely be willing to sell half a jar if they spent a little more money.
"Just get used to it!"
Grandmother Jia was very satisfied with the harmony between the siblings. She smiled when she heard this and said, "In the final analysis, the East Palace contributed more to this matter and collected more imperial wine, so I will give your sister-in-law a few jars as well."
“Hey!”
Jia She agreed.
"You also want to give it to your sister-in-law?"
Jia Min looked puzzled, "How could the East Mansion be without wine? Let's replace it with something else she likes more!" I remember that my uncle was a wine jar. The wine cellar at home was big and good. When I was young, I went there to play and stored a lot of wine.
"I'm afraid not!"
Jia She laughed, "Sister-in-law is craving for imperial wine now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhixiao came in and said, "Master, the old lady of the Cheng family really went to file a complaint with the emperor."
What? Grandmother Jia's expression changed.
"However, not long after she finished beating the drum, she was stopped by the Cheng family." Lin Zhixiao was beaming, "The head of the Cheng family said that she was old and her mind was not clear. The emperor was furious and not only stripped her of her imperial edict, but also transferred all the assets of the Xinping Marquis's Mansion to our son-in-law's name."
Huh? Everyone was very surprised.
Aren’t the assets of the Xinping Marquis’ Mansion under the name of their brother-in-law?
"That old lady...didn't make a fuss?"
When asking this question, Jia She also glanced at his mother.
"They made a scene, saying our uncle was unfilial."
Lin Zhixiao said: "But the Cheng family all agreed that the old lady was confused. Our uncle has been very filial over the years. They have provided a lot of evidence for it."
“…”
“…”
Jia Min frowned, "What is the Cheng family afraid of?"
"I know!"
Jia She sighed, "Cheng Luo said yesterday that he didn't want the title of Xinping Marquis."
The Cheng family is afraid of losing their title.
Even though they hated Cheng Luo, they had no choice but to help.
“Nonsense!”
Grandmother Jia was worried, "This title was won for him by his mother, Princess Baofeng, at the cost of her life. How can he just say no and refuse it?"
"...Maybe that's why he doesn't want it even more."
The fact that Cheng Luo was able to do something as big as secretly moving the graves shows how bad the relationship between him and the Cheng family is.
Jia Min said, "Mother, big brother, give Yuanchun a few more chambermaids, and find powerful ones."
"She has found several strong wives for herself."
Grandmother Jia was not worried about her granddaughter at all.
After this incident, Cheng Luo would never fight with his granddaughter.
In the Cheng family... they dare not even more.
"But you have to tell her about the imperial complaint." Grandmother Jia said, "Since everyone in the Cheng family says that the old woman is not in her right mind, you can lock her up from now on." (End of this chapter)
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