It was Jiang Yushu's first time as an official and she was suddenly impeached. She was puzzled and nervous, holding the hand warmer tightly.
"Censor Luo Heng has impeached you, but I'm not entirely clear on the specifics." Wei Xu's biological father was the Vice Minister of Justice. Every family has its own problems, and he normally wouldn't discuss his father unless absolutely necessary. But now, to remind his colleagues, he took the initiative to inform them, "I heard he's impeaching you primarily for 'not pursuing your duties properly' and 'making friends with the imperial merchants,' suspecting you of abusing your power for personal gain."
Jiang Yushu frowned in astonishment, but she suppressed her anger and complained, "What do you mean by 'not doing your job'? Ever since I took office, have I ever been lazy in doing anything that was part of my job?"
"As for 'making friends with imperial merchants,' that's completely absurd! Of the imperial merchants in Northwest China, I only know the Wen family. They weren't trying to 'abuse their power for personal gain.' Instead, I was invited by the Magistrate of Tuning County in Yongzhou to act as a lobbyist, inviting the Wen family to establish military farms in Tuning."
"I swear to heaven: I have never sought any improper benefits! Censor Luo, do you have any evidence?"
Wei Xu and Liu Tong nodded repeatedly, the former reassuring him, "The special envoy has always performed his duties conscientiously, as is evident to all. As for those imperial censors who report on hearsay, their reports are based on hearsay and groundless speculation, and their reports are often not believed."
"Yes, Your Majesty is wise, he probably won't believe it." Liu Tong responded, comforting him, "We have known each other for many years, and you are a trustworthy person!"
Jiang Yushu took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Thank you, thank you both very much. Do we have to base our statements on hearsay? It's strange. From all over the world, what kind of rumors could reach the capital? Why would the Censor take the trouble to impeach a lowly official like me?"
Wei Xu replied vaguely, "It's said to be related to some river in Tuning, Yongzhou. Rumor has it that you abandoned your job to join the river engineering frenzy."
Jiang Yushu pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Oh, so it's because of that incident! I understand now. Are the rumors accusing me of scheming and stealing credit?"
Wei Xu cleared his throat. "Well, I don't know about this."
"That means I've been accused." Jiang Yushu's mind raced, musing uneasily: Everything has its reasons. A minor official was suddenly impeached. Could it be... Miss Jiang's father was a high-ranking official, and when he sought credit and reward for his daughter, he had inadvertently incurred dissatisfaction?
The two friends kindly comforted him, "It's just hearsay, it's just hearsay, there's no need to be alarmed."
"If you are upright, you have nothing to fear from your own shadow. If you are honest and upright, why should you fear impeachment?"
As the magistrate of Heqin County, Liu Tong naturally had heard of major events. He asked with great interest, "I heard that the river channel has already been dug. When will it be dredged through?"
Jiang Yushu calmed herself down. "The county government and the garrison have worked together and have already started construction. I can't predict when the tunnel will be dug through. However, I was in charge of watching Yongzhou during the autumn harvest. After finishing my official duties, I went to visit my relatives in Tuning and found that the tunnel was almost halfway through."
"Well, that's good! It brings irrigation water to benefit future generations. It's a great achievement." Liu Tong praised enviously.
Jiang Yushu was uneasy. "It is indeed a great achievement, but it has nothing to do with me. The credit belongs entirely to the county government and the garrison."
"You obviously contributed." Wei Xu probably knew about it.
Jiang Yushu sighed, smiled bitterly, and said, "Don't mention it! I'm a coward. If I had known this would happen, I would never have joined in the fun and avoided impeachment."
Wei Xu sincerely admired his female colleague and encouraged her, "Why are you panicking? If an enemy comes, we will fight him; if a flood comes, we will block it with earth. Everything will work out when the time comes."
"That's right." Liu Tong glanced at the sky and said gently, "Today is the Winter Solstice. You should go home early and we can discuss things later. Don't be afraid. Relax and try to find out more. Your father is the Minister of Works. He will definitely not stand idly by."
Your father? Perhaps the other party was targeting Minister Jiang and was just picking on the weak to impeach his daughter.
Jiang Yushu was full of doubts. She stood up and said gratefully, "Okay, I'll go back first. Thank you for your comfort and advice."
"Why are you being so polite? You're being too formal." The two friends stood up and watched her leave.
Soon Wing Room
Wei Xu returned to his room and had just sat down when a servant returned with a large food box, announcing, "Sir, these are some pastries sent by the county magistrate's wife. Would you like to try them while they're still hot?"
"Hmm."
The servant quickly arranged the snacks and muttered, "My Lord wrote to remind you to be prudent and protect yourself, but you reminded Madam Guo instead. In fact, she is probably more informed, so there is no need for—"
"Stop talking too much." Wei Xu interrupted calmly.
"I know I'm wrong." The servant said embarrassedly.
Wei Xu frowned unhappily and thought: Even if she is well-informed, I am happy to remind her.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage
The master and servant sat facing each other, both wrapped tightly.
"Oh my God?"
"So, 'rumor-mongering' means 'impeachment based on hearsay'? Wouldn't this make it easy to wrongfully accuse the innocent?"
Cuimei was indignant and cursed, "Just for such a trivial matter, the censor impeached someone without any reason. This is too much!"
"Humph, Madam has worked so hard all year, and it's finally the end of the year, but she can't even rest in peace. I'm so angry!"
Jiang Yushu held the hand warmer in her hand, thinking, and said distractedly: "Okay, I've been impeached. Getting angry is useless. Let me think of a solution."
"Huh?" Cuimei bit her lip and asked cautiously, "Strange, Lord Wei's father is the Minister of Justice. He got the news, why didn't our master warn you?"
Jiang Yushu remained calm. "The letter might still be on its way, or maybe it's inconvenient to remind you? I'll find out after asking."
At noon, snow was flying all over the sky and the north wind was as sharp as a knife.
The carriage stopped, and Jiang Yushu and her group returned home. As soon as they stepped through the second gate, they ran into two old nuns, Guo Hongxuan, and the housekeeper.
"Fourth brother, what happened?" Jiang Yushu observed the nun's expression and her heart skipped a beat. She felt something was wrong.
"Second sister-in-law? You're back just in time!"
Guo Hongxuan led the housekeeper and quickly approached, whispering, "The nun said that Baozhu's mother hanged herself. Brother Gong is in Yongzhou and can't get back for a while. They don't dare to make a decision, so they beg us to make a decision."
"ah?"
Jiang Yushu was shocked, "Committed suicide?"
"Yes." Guo Hongxuan's nose turned red from the cold. "Alas, my third brother is ill, and mother has only just recovered. I didn't dare to tell anyone rashly. I was just thinking of discussing it with my second sister-in-law."
Jiang Yushu lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, "Fortunately you didn't tell the old lady. Don't make it public for now. Wait a couple of days and I'll find a suitable time to tell her."
"Okay!" Guo Hongxuan was helpless. "Alas, we just moved in, and today is the winter solstice. How can I dare tell my mother about Liao's death? I'm most afraid of her muttering about 'good luck' and 'feng shui'. No matter big or small, she'll always factor that into your decisions!"
Jiang Yushu instructed, "They've come to us seeking help. For the sake of the Gong family's reputation, we can't just ignore them. So, write a letter immediately to inform Brother Gong, and send two people with some silver to the nunnery to wrap the body first and find a place to keep it until Brother Gong can handle it."
"Baozhu is here. Her father said that she will definitely go back to Heqin for the New Year. I think she will be here soon."
Guo Hongxuan nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll do it right away!" He and the housekeeper greeted the nun and left in a hurry, quietly sending someone to the nunnery to take care of Liao Xiaodie's funeral.
In a blink of an eye, New Year's Eve
Jiang Yushu was busy accompanying the old and the children until her mother-in-law and the children went to bed, and then she had some free time.
A kang table was placed on the couch, with flickering candlelight.
Jiang Yushu sat in the warm bed, reading the letter attentively with a serious expression.
Nanny Pan put the neatly folded clothes into the closet. After she finished, she leaned over and advised, "It's late. Madam, you should rest."
"Oh." Jiang Yushu came back to her senses. "Mammy, go to bed first. I have to reply to two letters."
"A letter from the Second Master?"
"Well, and my father's."
Nanny Pan, unaware of the impeachment, casually asked, "Is Old Master Jiang still healthy? Will the Second Master be back for the New Year?"
Jiang Yushu picked up her pen and dipped it in ink. "Still feeling strong. As for Second Master, the military camp has a lot of things to do at the end of the year. As generals, we must set an example. Unless there are unexpected events, even the commander-in-chief will not ask for leave, and the captains must stay to celebrate the festival together."
"Alas, ever since he joined the army, he has spent almost all the holidays in the camp!" Nanny Pan felt very distressed.
Jiang Yushu carefully considered her words as she said, "There's nothing we can do. Military matters are more important. Be patient. Once he's discharged from the army and returns home, we can be together every day."
Nanny Pan sighed repeatedly, and finally asked with concern, "Cui Mei and Xiao Tao have returned to Liu Manor. Is this old servant accompanying you in the outer room?"
"No need." Jiang Yushu smiled, "Mammy, please go back to your room. Ye'er is used to sleeping with you and the nanny. I'm busy and often don't have time to coax him. You guys have to take more care of him."
"No way! The young master is very well behaved. It is my duty to take care of him." Nanny Pan followed her instructions, took her leave, closed the door, and went back to the next room to rest.
After a while, she was the only one left in the bedroom.
Jiang Yushu sighed, her smile disappeared without a trace. She stared at the candlelight, writing and stopping, concentrating on writing a reply to Jiang Shisen.
After a long time, she put down her pen, sealed the letter, tidied up the kang table, lifted the quilt, got off the bed, and carried the small kang table back to its original place.
Unexpectedly, as she straightened up, she suddenly felt nauseous. She hurried to the spittoon, retching but nothing came out.
She rinsed her mouth silently, lay back in bed, and subconsciously covered her stomach. While she was worried and thoughtful, she suddenly missed her husband terribly, became irritable, and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
A few days later, Tuningwei
Guo Honglei strode into the commander's tent and bowed slightly, "General."
"Are you here? Sit down." Commander Song Jikun pointed to a chair without even raising his head.
"Thank you, General."
"Have you discovered any enemy activity?"
Guo Honglei sat upright and reported, "I have led my men on patrol and have not yet discovered any threatening enemy situation."
"Hmm." Song Jikun closed the document, looked up at his trusted subordinate, and asked kindly, "What else?"
"After the New Year, I would like to ask for leave to go back home. I beg for permission, General."
Song Jikun looked at her carefully for a few seconds, then leaned his elbows on the table and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen to your family?"
Guo Honglei recalled Jiang Shisen's letter and remained silent for several breaths. Knowing he couldn't keep the news secret, he simply told him, "My wife is diligent and honest in her official duties, but she was recently impeached by the censor for no reason. I'm afraid she will be dismissed from office. I'm worried about her and want to go home to see her."
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