In the side hall, two maids stood with their heads bowed, listening awkwardly, wanting to leave but not daring to move.
"Fourth brother, what did you say?"
Jiang Yushu frowned, "You want to go to Beiqi to find your second brother?"
"Yes!" Guo Hongxuan nodded, raised his sleeve to wipe away his tears, and sobbed uncontrollably. "My family is very worried, especially my mother. She can't sleep or eat well. She sends people to the government office every few days to inquire about the situation. I, I'm worried, so I just came to Tuning to take a look."
Jiang Yushu said in a gentle tone, "Does the old lady allow you to come to Tuning?"
"Mother, she, she..." Guo Hongxuan stammered.
Jiang Yushu saw this and couldn't help but get angry. She asked in a deep voice, "So, you ignored the advice of your elders, first insisting on going to Qinzhou and missing the exam, then insisting on coming to Tuning. Next, are you planning to secretly go to Beiqi?"
Guo Hongxuan knelt, sniffed, and replied awkwardly, "How dare I? I'm discussing this with my sister-in-law. Last time I rushed to Qinzhou, it was all my fault. I was too impulsive. No wonder everyone was angry. I'll change things in the future. Please forgive me, sister-in-law. As for the exam date, I really have my reasons. Alas, it was raining all the way back to Heqin, and Susu is pregnant. She can't stand the bumpy ride. If I delay, I'll miss it."
"Is that courtesan pregnant?"
Guo Hongxuan nodded, feeling both happy and a little embarrassed.
Jiang Yushu took a deep breath, gripping the armrest of her chair with her right hand. She made it clear, "First, I absolutely do not agree with you going to Beijiao! As for joining the army, I suggest you think carefully about it. It concerns your future, so don't be hasty. Second, let me ask you a question. That courtesan recently lost her mother, and she's pregnant right after the coffin was buried. Could this be her mother's last wish?"
"Well, no, no—actually, it was a complete accident."
"So how are you going to deal with this accident?"
Guo Hongxuan was bewildered, scratching his head in worry. "She's already pregnant, what else can I do? Well, I told her to give birth to the baby first, and we'll take things one step at a time. This matter isn't urgent, the most urgent thing is my second brother's safety!"
Seeing her brother-in-law's perpetually muddled, carefree demeanor, Jiang Yushu was furious, her head aching. However, she had neither the time nor the energy to correct him. Suppressing her irritation, she spoke earnestly, "You're worried about me and have come all the way here to get information. I'm very pleased and understand your anxiety. But, Brother Xuan, you must understand that there are no diplomatic relations between Dagan and Beijiao. If we capture someone from each side, it's been customary since ancient times to execute them after trial. If you sneak into the grasslands, you'll most likely die at the hands of the enemy. If you manage to return home alive, you'll probably be considered a spy, and even jumping into the Yellow River won't clear your name. Do you understand?"
"I know. I've considered that."
"Then you're still clamoring to go? I'm even more anxious, but what can I do? Should I run off to find someone regardless of everything? Right now, I can only wait patiently for information. At this critical moment, I won't cause more trouble and will only help Honglei!"
Don't I worry? Don't I want to look?
Jiang Yushu nearly lost her composure, but after calming her excited heartbeat, she hurried to the study to discuss official business. She sternly instructed, "You've come all this way. Rest for a few days, then go home, take care of the housework, take care of your mother, and study hard to prepare for the next exam. If you can do this, your brother will be happy."
When the topic of the imperial examination came up, Guo Hongxuan couldn't help but become restless. He knelt motionless, muttering, "There's no rush for the imperial examination. It's still a long time before the next one. I swear, I will stay home, study hard, and take the exam on time. I want to stay here now. I can't go home peacefully without seeing my second brother in person."
"Next time?" Jiang Yushu reminded him, her gaze fixed on him. "'Tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows are there? I wait for tomorrow all my life, and everything becomes wasted.' You should understand the meaning of this poem."
Guo Hongxuan was filled with shame and lowered his head. "Thank you for your teachings, second sister-in-law. I swear, I will study hard."
Jiang Yushu lowered her eyes in thought. After a moment, she patted the armrest and compromised tiredly. "If you want to stay a few more days, that's fine, but remember to write home immediately to let them know you're safe. I'll also write a letter when I'm done so they won't worry."
"good!"
"Get up, get up quickly! A man's knees are made of gold, how can you kneel like that?" Jiang Yushu stood up, motioned for the servants to help her up, and said, "I still have something to finish. Please sit down for a while and rest early after dinner."
"I got it. Sister-in-law, go ahead and get busy!" Guo Hongxuan stood up and respectfully saw her out, thinking to himself: No matter what, I must not offend my second sister-in-law, otherwise, my two brothers will blame me.
The next moment
When the uncle and his wife stepped out of the hall, Jiang Yushu had just taken a few steps when she suddenly saw a figure kneel down beside the corridor pillar, kowtow, and say in a panic:
"This servant greets the Madam. I pay my respects to you."
Jiang Yushu stopped and turned around in confusion, "Who is she?"
"I am Yang Lian'er." Yang Lian'er knelt on the ground, timidly, not daring to look up and look directly at the female official.
Guo Hongxuan hurriedly explained, "Her name is Lian'er. Well, it's a long story. She, she is a maid I bought in Qinzhou. If you don't mind, you can use her as you please!"
Another hero saving the damsel in distress? Jiang Yushu took another deep breath. "No need. I have no shortage of servants. You can keep them for yourself. Don't forget to write home and report your safety!" Without even glancing at Yang Lian'er, she hurried away. As she reached the gate of the courtyard, she softly instructed the guards:
"Lao Luo, quietly send someone to keep an eye on Hongxuan to prevent him from sneaking off to Beijiao on impulse. We're busy right now, so don't give him the chance to cause trouble."
"Yes!" The leader of the guards immediately arranged people and secretly watched Guo Hongxuan.
Soon Study
Jiang Yushu walked hurriedly and apologized profusely as she entered the room. "I'm late and kept you waiting. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."
"No problem, no problem." Huang Yichun was naturally good-tempered and gentle. "Please sit down."
Pei Wenfeng asked with concern: "What happened?"
Jiang Yushu, considering the possibility of a meeting, briefly explained, "Nothing. My family is worried about Honglei, so Hongxuan came over to inquire about his situation. I just chatted with him for a while."
"I see." Huang Yichun nodded suddenly.
My home? Pei Wenfeng was silent and drank a sip of tea.
Jiang Yushu sat down, took a deep breath, and asked directly, "How did your conversation go?"
Huang Yichun replied: "I have already reported the relevant situation to Lord Pei in detail."
"You're really capable of making trouble. You're getting bolder and bolder!" Pei Wenfeng looked at his cousin and frowned disapprovingly. "Why didn't you say hello to me before stirring up this hornet's nest?"
Jiang Yushu was stunned. "Who said no? Didn't I say last October that I planned to clean up Tu Ning's bad habits?"
"You--" I thought you were just a new official and your head was hot for a while, but it would be over when you calmed down.
"I didn't expect you to be so lenient. It's too dangerous!" Pei Wenfeng choked and warned helplessly: "The evil officials in remote counties are ruthless and dare to murder the teacher, and they also dare to murder the county magistrate. If you are not careful, your sacrifice will be in vain!"
Jiang Yushu spoke frankly, "I know. That's why we've been secretly investigating for over six months, never taking any rash actions, always trying to resolve the problem in a safe way. Alas, it's really infuriating that the retainers these two evil officials have are actually more numerous and more powerful than the yamen runners! Officials who embezzle and accept bribes are not uncommon, but those who dare to murder an official appointed by the court are very rare. I really don't dare to use subordinates as greedy and unscrupulous as Wen Xi and Li Qigong. In order to avoid further complications, I want to close the case as soon as possible and feel at ease as soon as possible."
"Why are you angry? You've only been in office for a short time, and your strength will gradually grow stronger."
She apologized, "My cousin just arrived today and must be exhausted from the journey. I should have let you rest for two days before discussing the case, but the summer harvest is coming soon. If we don't resolve this quickly, it will be even more troublesome later."
Huang Yichun added, "After all, one is the chief clerk and the other is the registrar. They are considered important figures in the county government, and their tasks must be assigned to people in advance."
Jiang Yushu added, "This matter cannot be discussed at the welcoming banquet. I saw that the prefect was very tired, so I didn't dare invite him. I'll ask my cousin to tell him later."
"Know."
Pei Wenfeng sat upright and asked without any context, "What would you have done if we hadn't come to Tuning?"
"Hold still. Wait until the right opportunity to arrest him," Jiang Yushu said resolutely. "Human life is at stake. I can't let Teacher Jing's case remain unsolved!"
In reality, Pei Wenfeng wanted to ask: Now that you have Guo Honglei, you certainly didn't rely on me at first, or seek help from the government. According to County Magistrate Huang, you originally planned to hire a detachment of soldiers to deter the criminals... but it's already been lost, no surprise. He remained expressionless, a melancholy sigh. "No wonder my father-in-law praised you as 'a woman as capable as a man!' Okay, I understand. I'll discuss this with the prefect tomorrow and have them select a team of guards for you. Bring more people with you. Be extremely careful during the arrest to prevent the criminals from resisting or escaping."
Huang Yichun pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "Aren't you going with us?"
Pei Wenfeng stood up, looked down and replied, "I have a lot of work on my hands. This is county government business, so I will not get involved. You can do what you need to do. If you really can't solve it, tell me."
"Yes, yes." Huang Yichun stood up quickly and nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself: I am ashamed of myself, I am narrow-minded. Lord Pei is the county magistrate's cousin. How could a cousin steal the credit from his cousin?
Jiang Yushu breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, cousin!"
"We are colleagues and relatives, why should we be so polite?"
"...Okay, I won't hold back then."
After a long while, the night gradually deepened. After a busy day, Jiang Yushu yawned and suggested, "We've almost discussed it. It's getting late. Why don't you go to bed, cousin?"
Pei Wenfeng saw that her eye bags were dark blue, "Okay, it's time to rest. Take care of yourself."
So, the group walked out of the study. Huang Yichun said goodbye first and walked towards his residence, and the others followed in the same direction.
Servants followed, cousins walking side by side.
Pei Wenfeng couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Is there any news about Guo Honglei?"
Jiang Yushu shook her head sadly.
"There's always a way out. Don't worry too much. Take care of yourself."
"Um."
Pei Wenfeng turned his head, frowned, and asked, "Your eyes are swollen, are you crying?"
"Where?" Jiang Yushu touched her eyes subconsciously. "The weather is getting hotter and hotter. I just haven't had enough rest recently."
Her expression was calm, her eyes dark. "Besides, what's the point of crying? This isn't Honglei's first day in the army. He's constantly racking up injuries and facing danger more than once. If I cried all the time, I'd be blind long ago. I hope the Bodhisattva will bless him once more this time, so that he can turn misfortune into good fortune and return safely."
Pei Wenfeng nodded, "Well, good things happen to those who are lucky."
His family was distraught. Where on earth was his soldier at this moment? Jiang Yushu took a wooden step, muttering, "The best outcome, the worst outcome, I've already imagined it countless times. This is a war between two countries. I can't do anything. I don't have the ability to fight alongside him. I can only hope that God will have mercy on him and bless him to be discharged safely so that we can return to the capital to retire."
"Return to the capital to retire?"
"Yeah." Jiang Yushu's eyes were hot and her nose was sour. She forced a smile and said in a trembling voice, "This is his wish. He has said it many times. Fallen leaves return to their roots."
Zou Gui and others who were following felt very uncomfortable after hearing this. They walked with heavy steps and prayed silently.
Pei Wenfeng walked slowly forward with his hands behind his back, saying comfortingly, "It's human nature for fallen leaves to return to their roots. His wish shouldn't be difficult to fulfill."
"I hope so!"
A moment later, they arrived at the government official's quarters. Jiang Yushu urged, "Cousin, go and rest quickly."
"You should rest too much."
"Know!"
In a moment, Jiang Yushu returned to her courtyard. As she was about to enter, Zou Gui trotted over, presented a few banknotes, and nervously reported, "Madam, Lord Pei has asked me to give you these two thousand taels, saying they are New Year's money given by your grandmother and aunt to the children. A gift from an elder should not be refused."
"ah?"
Jiang Yushu paused, patting her forehead before suddenly remembering the past: Back then, despite the entire family's opposition, her cousin had insisted on seeking an official position in the northwest. The elders, infuriated, had stopped supporting him. He had just taken up his new position, his salary low, and was penniless. He had borrowed two thousand taels from the elders to compensate his cousin for her broken engagement... She was too exhausted to ponder further, and wearily ordered, "I understand. Give it to Cuimei tomorrow."
"yes!"
Three days later
It is a day off today, and the officials are busy with their own personal matters.
Li Mansion
Li Qigong hosted a banquet, and Wen Xi and several businessmen attended, talking and discussing.
When Wen Xi was drunk, sweat broke out on his forehead and his face was flushed.
"I'd like to offer a drink to the chief clerk. I hope you will take good care of me when the workshop is running well." A grain merchant bowed respectfully, toasted and drank it all in one gulp.
Wen Xi loved drinking, so he drank it all in one gulp. "Okay, okay, we're friends. We've discussed this many times before, so we'll just do as we've agreed. I never treat my friends unfairly!"
Li Qigong sniffed the aroma of the wine and said with a smile, "Don't worry, everyone. My brother-in-law is a generous and honest person."
Several wealthy businessmen smiled apologetically and vied with each other to flatter Wen Xi, making him very proud.
Unexpectedly, when the banquet was in full swing, panicked shouts suddenly rang out from outside the window. Li Qigong and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. Before they could recover, Huang Yichun led a large number of officers with swords and rushed in, shouting:
"The available evidence indicates that Wen Xi and Li Qigong are suspected of murdering the former teacher Jing Yuanshan. The magistrate has ordered me to bring the suspects back to the yamen for a thorough interrogation." He waved his hand and ordered his attendants:
"Immediately arrest the two suspects and bring them back to the yamen for trial!"
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