Chapter 53: Family affairs should be kept within the family.
When Ying and Ah He returned home, Zhao was pacing anxiously in the hall. Seeing them, she rushed over to them, "Where have you been? You haven't been home in so many days! The rumors are circulating that you've been kidnapped!"
Cong Ying said, "At Madam Xie's invitation, I took Ah He to Xuandu Temple to copy scriptures for two days."
Zhao heaved a sigh of relief, then said with some dissatisfaction, "An unmarried girl staying away from home, such a big thing, you should at least tell me."
Congying laughed when she heard that, but it wasn't funny. It was as if she wanted to say: What's the point of telling you? I can't do anything about it and I can't help you.
She had always been either sad or indifferent, rarely showing such contempt. Zhao Shi felt a prick in her heart, and for no apparent reason, she panicked. She was about to reprimand her, but Cong Ying impatiently interrupted her.
"Mother, even though you and my sisters have a weak relationship, you carried us for ten months and gave birth to us. We can't be enemies, right?"
Zhao was stunned: "Where did you get this from?"
Cong Ying's tone gradually turned colder: "Where's Madam Zhou? Ask her to come out."
On the day that Ah He made an appointment with Wei Yin'er to go out to collect the green, Cong Ying specifically asked Madam Zhou to accompany her and take care of her. However, according to Ah He's account, before they left, Madam Zhou made an excuse of having abdominal pain and went to the toilet, and then disappeared. Ah He waited for a long time but she didn't show up, so she had to go to the appointment first.
Nanny Zhou was called and stood in the hall with her hands in her pockets.
She was an old servant of the Jiang family and was not afraid of Cong Ying. She still gave a perfunctory excuse at this time: "I just had a stomachache and went to the toilet. Who knew that Wu Niang couldn't wait any longer and left first."
Cong Ying asked her, "Ah He told you where Cai Qing was, so why didn't you chase her out?"
Aunt Zhou said, "I have a bad memory and forgot."
Cong Ying said, "How could he forget? I think he had some other good job and deliberately left Ah He out. What did you do with Cong Qian later? Call him out too, I have something to ask him!"
She wanted to interrogate Madam Zhou, and Zhao let her go. However, Congqian was her beloved son, and she couldn't bear to call him out to vent her anger on Congying. Zhao quickly intervened, saying, "Ah Qian has caught a cold these past two days and isn't feeling well. Don't bother him."
Cong Ying chuckled coldly and said, "Of course you'll catch a cold if you're guilty."
In short, Zhao was determined to protect her youngest son. She had vaguely guessed Ah He's plight from Ying's attitude and words, and though she felt pity and fear, she was still used to protecting her son, so she excused him, saying, "Congqian didn't mean it, so why blame him? Take Ah He home to rest first, so that both of them don't suffer."
Congying didn't intend to take it lightly. At this time, Ji Caibing came to visit, so Congying held his breath and went to entertain the guest.
She greeted Ji Caibing as she headed towards Yunshui Garden and told her the news about Guikuzhang: "All your valuables are hidden in the One-Eyed Dragon's cellar. They will probably be confiscated by Prince Consort Xuan and taken back to the court. If you have connections, you can ask someone to help secure their release."
Ji Caibing said, "There's no way you can get your money back once it's gone to the government. It's fine if I can't get it back, but I feel bad that so many people died. That's not why I came looking for you. A few days ago, my servants caught your brother sneaking out of the house. What do you think that good boy has been doing lately?"
Cong Ying's heart sank slightly, and she said indifferently, "After this month, he will be nine years old. Prodigal sons are likely to be exposed to the habits of drinking, whoring and gambling from this age."
Ji Caibing said softly, "That's the fastest way to ruin a family: gambling."
Congying smiled coldly when she heard this. No wonder Nanny Zhou thought it was profitable and abandoned Ah He.
Ji Caibing said, "I don't know if he begged for the money or stole it. It's a pity that the dividends I send him every month are not enough to cover his losses. Your mother doesn't feel bad about this money, but I do too. After all, I worked so hard to earn it. Why don't you try to persuade them privately?"
Cong Ying said, "Gamblers are always willing to lose their hands before turning back. It's useless to persuade them. I have another way."
She whispered something into Ji Caibing's ear. Ji Caibing listened, his eyes gradually widening as he hesitated, "Isn't this... a little unfair..."
"Good things should be kept within the family," Cong Ying bowed to her, "and please help me, Sister Cai Bing."
Ji Caibing sighed and said, "Of course I will help you. It's a pity that your brother would not have been spoiled to this extent if he had been taught by you from the beginning."
Because she and Ji Caibing had other plans, Cong Ying secretly held her breath and didn't go to Jiang Congqian and Madam Zhou to vent her anger. She finally had time to comfort the frightened Ah He, but to her surprise, Ah He didn't cry or make a fuss, but just looked out the window with a lonely expression.
Ah Ying asked her, "Are you worried about Wei Yin'er?"
Ah He nodded.
At this time, imperial officials and soldiers were still surrounding Guikuizhang, searching for remaining bandits. Xie Xuanlan had promised her that if there was any news about Wei Yiner, he would promptly inform her. She could only rely on others for help. Cong Ying, feeling powerless, sighed and patted Ah He's head.
Unexpectedly, Ah He sobbed and said, "Sister wanted to save me, Yin'er also wanted to save me, it's all because of me."
"Ah He..."
"I'm so useless and annoying!" Ah He felt more and more wronged and self-blaming as she spoke. She wiped her tears and burrowed into Cong Ying's arms: "Sister, I also want to be useful..."
She cried so hard that Cong Ying's heart was broken. Cong Ying hugged her, and the feeling of weakness and powerlessness, along with Ah He's tears, gradually filled her heart.
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After Xie Xuanlan sent General Ying back home, he and Prince Jin entered the palace at the same time and went to Chuigong Hall to discuss the bandit suppression.
The Chuigong Hall was now bustling with activity, even more so than a grand court meeting. The princess, Wang, and Xie each spoke their own accusations, each accusing the other of collusion with the bandits. Princess Chun'an had obtained a written agreement signed by Wang Zhaoshen and had also captured many of the Tibetan soldiers he had intended to station at Guikuzhang, providing the strongest evidence. Wang Zhaoshen insisted that all his actions were aimed at suppressing the bandits. He had recently performed great service in the northwest and was a loyal minister. He argued that the princess, on the other hand, had sent troops without permission, impure motives.
The Xie family was dragged into this situation because of the Huai County Prince. To cover up Wang Zhaoshen's tracks, the Huai County Prince used the Xie family as a banner. Not only did he, through the hands of Xie Xuanlan's cousin-in-law, Di Feishuang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, transfer hundreds of prisoners to become bandits, but these bandits also used the excuse of building a mountain villa for the Xie family. In the end, the villa wasn't built, and instead a bandit stronghold was built. At this point, the Xie family was truly unable to defend themselves.
The Prince of Jin listened for a while, then turned to Xie Xuanlan, saying, "Only the Prince of Huai can clarify this matter. Have you sent anyone to find his whereabouts?"
Xie Xuanlan said, "You are so kind. If the Prince of Huai doesn't come back, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin should be happy."
The King of Jin was not offended by his attitude and explained in a very good-tempered manner: "Actually, I have no interest in fighting for power."
Xie Xuanlan glanced at him and said, "Then why do you hope for the good of Xie? You don't want to marry my sister. Could it be that I am Xie's illegitimate child?"
The King of Jin coughed several times because of his words, and felt that Xie Xuanlan really did not deserve a good face.
He then told the truth: "A Ying is determined to marry you, a bastard. Only if Xie Shi is doing well in the future can she live a good life. Otherwise, you really have nothing to match her."
Xie Xuanlan sneered, "You're thinking about my fiancée, but it's more innocent to think about fighting for power."
Although Xie Xuanlan and Prince Jin did not see eye to eye, their views on official matters were basically the same: if they wanted to pull the Xie family out of this mess, the best witness would be the Prince of Huai who was abducted by the One-Eyed Dragon.
It was evening, and dark clouds were gathering in the sky, slowly gathering into a precursor to a thunderstorm.
The dispute in the Chuigong Hall intensified. Emperor Fengqi sat high on the dragon throne, his expression like a gathering rain cloud, wondering who would be struck by the thunderbolt in the end.
Xie Xuanlan was the first to see Prince Huai rushing over in a panic.
Prince Huai was supported by the Fengchen Guards, with grass on his head and wounds on his body. He had just been rescued from some bandit's den, and without even having time to change his clothes or make up, he hurried to the Chuigong Palace to appeal for justice.
Xie Xuanlan looked at his miserable state and laughed out loud in a very good mood. He said to the King of Jin: "The wind is coming, it's time to rain."
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After Ying coaxed Ah He to sleep, she felt very tired.
However, she was still concerned about the outcome of the court discussion and did not dare to undress and go to sleep. After bathing, she stood by the charcoal fire, drying her hair while waiting, supporting her chin with her hand. She fell asleep several times but was awakened by dreams.
She actually dreamed of Princess Chun'an.
The animal trap was like a bottomless well. She slipped and fell into it, falling rapidly. The blue sky above her head gradually shrank to the size of a bronze mirror, and there was an endless abyss under her feet.
Suddenly, a hand stained with red nail polish grabbed her and rescued her. Princess Chun'an's face appeared in front of Cong Ying. When she saw that it was her, the kind smile on her face disappeared and her expectation turned into resentment.
The princess's accusations fell clearly into her ears: "Another liar surnamed Jiang. You are only worthy of being the granddaughter of Censor Jiang and the virtuous wife of Mrs. Xie. You are not worthy of being a Luoxi Mountain person. How can you be a Luoxi Mountain person? Go back, go back——"
After saying that, he pushed her back into the trap.
The rapidly falling heartbeat suddenly woke Cong Ying up. She was guarding the brazier, but she broke out in a cold sweat. She stared blankly at the dying charcoal fire for a long time, and buried her face deeply between her hands.
She wasn't in a good mood at the moment, so when she heard the knock on the door, she said impatiently, "Tell mother for me to take the bird's nest porridge back. Ah He and I don't want any."
The knocking on the door paused for a moment, then sounded softer: "Aying, it's me, Madam Xie."
Cong Ying was startled and quickly put on her shoes and stood up. She had no time to comb her hair. She hurriedly gathered her long hair behind her and quickly went to unbolt the door.
Mrs. Xie was standing outside the door, and next to her was Zhao. She heard what Congying had just said, and her face looked unhappy. She was just afraid of Mrs. Xie's status, so she said nothing at this moment and just folded her hands silently in her sleeves.
Mrs. Xie looked friendly, though a bit embarrassed. "I'm being too casual. The kitchen had some bird's nest porridge ready-made, so I brought it. I didn't know you didn't like it. I'll definitely ask the kitchen to prepare something else next time."
Only then did Cong Ying realize that she was holding a lunch box in her hand. Thinking of what she had just shouted, her face felt a little hot.
But she still accepted it gracefully and thanked Madam Xie in front of Mrs. Zhao: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Your bird's nest porridge is very delicious. I like it very much."
After hearing this, Zhao felt very uncomfortable. She moved her lips, wanting to say something but holding back.
Mrs. Xie was unaware of her family affairs, but she felt that Cong Ying was considerate and generous, so she took her into the house with her. "Since you've just showered, don't get caught in the cold wind. Be careful not to catch a cold... Actually, Sanlang told me not to disturb you and to come back later."
Cong Ying smiled gently and said, "Madam, I welcome you anytime you come."
Mrs. Xie said, "Of course, rest is more important, but there's someone who can't wait to see you, and you must be worried about them too."
Madam Xie asked the strong woman accompanying her to carry a sedan chair into Yunshui Garden. She raised the curtain and saw a thin and weak figure leaning inside, wrapped all over with bandages, with blood still flowing out.
Cong Ying approached suspiciously, only to be met with a pale face and a pair of eyes as bright as stars. She couldn't help but burst into tears:
“…Wei Yin’er!”
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The author has something to say: Normally I update at 9am, but this chapter is not normal. This chapter is to pay back the debt for May Day... [Pigeon]
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