Chapter 110: The Du Mansion is in turmoil
"Qingquan, go to my room and ask Songying to get the scar cream recipe. No, no, and the Golden Wound Powder."
As soon as she left the study, Cheng started to make arrangements. She was extremely anxious because the injured person was on the right hand and Heng'er was going to take the exam.
Seeing Qingquan accept the order, she stopped him worriedly and said, "Songying is too strict. She won't change her mind if I tell her to. I have to go there myself."
But just as she lifted her foot, Cheng stopped again. This injury couldn't be exposed to the wind. How could Qingquan be as considerate as a woman? And then he called Chunnuan over?
In a panic, she caught a glimpse of Su Ying, who was a few steps behind. As if she had seen a savior, she waved her hand and said, "Ying'er, be careful and help your aunt to take care of your cousin's injury and tell him not to move."
Su Ying was startled, but she saw that Cheng had not waited for her to answer, and pulled her to Du Heng. She continued to instruct: "Come, hold your cousin's sleeve for your aunt, don't cover the wound, and..."
As she spoke, she pushed Su Ying a step closer to Du Heng and said, "It's windy out now, don't let dirt get on the wound. Yes, that's it, Auntie will be back soon!"
In the past, Du Heng would have replied with a smile, "I'm not a child anymore." Was his mother really worried about him soiling the wound? He could have gone with her to the East Courtyard to get medicine. But right now, he felt his mother's arrangement was a good one.
He had no words to dissuade his mother and let her do whatever she wanted. A faint smile played on his lips as he watched Su Ying's cheeks gradually turn from white to red, like a pink lotus just blooming in a green pond, with a light red makeup on her face.
As Cheng walked away quickly, the surroundings suddenly became quiet and even breathing could be heard clearly.
Su Ying, holding up her sleeves, felt a burning gaze falling on her. She lowered her head and said nothing, pretending to feel nothing.
At this time, Li Mao and Qingquan had disappeared, and only Du Heng and Su Ying were left in the courtyard, as if everything in the world existed because of them.
"Ying'er, when the lotus blossoms in June, will you be willing to tie my hair and add fragrance to my life, and spend the rest of my life with me?"
After a while, Du Heng gently held Su Ying's hand with his backhand, and spoke in a soft voice, like a pianist raising his wrist and gently plucking the heartstrings, with the lingering sound echoing endlessly.
"Young Master!"
Suddenly, Qingquan's voice broke in, breaking the silence between the two.
His words were filled with obvious panic: "The doorman reported that the inspectorate's officers have arrived, saying they have been ordered to bring you in for questioning!"
Su Ying was startled and looked up at Du Heng. She had previously, to test Jinniang, mentioned that when her cousin was ready to strike, someone might take advantage of the situation and make an anonymous report. She had never imagined that her words would come true.
Seeing her eyes full of concern, Du Heng's heart moved slightly. He couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand, and warmth passed into his fingertips.
At this time, Cheng also hurried back with Songying. After hearing Qingquan's report, she was at a loss for a moment.
Su Ying gently pulled her hand away, Du Heng pursed his lips, and finally let her go.
He glanced at his mother, then turned to Su Ying, his expression normal. He smiled faintly and said, "The Spring Examination is approaching, and they are here to verify the information of the candidates who have taken the exam. This time, the Spring Examination was brought forward, so I guess some candidates have not yet arrived in Beijing. The Inspectorate is just checking in advance."
He said it calmly, just to comfort his mother and her.
"Then go quickly, don't delay!" Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief when he said that, but as soon as she finished speaking, she said worriedly, "Wait, give the medicine first."
Du Heng didn't want to make his mother anxious, so he had to let Cheng apply the medicine. Fortunately, Cheng was efficient and after a while, a thin layer of ointment was spread on the back of Du Heng's hand.
"Go quickly and come back soon."
Cheng Dao.
Du Heng nodded, bowed to his mother, looked back at Su Ying, and said softly, "Cousin, please give my mother a ride."
His eyes were gentle yet firm. His words might have soothed his mother, but not her. Although he didn't say it explicitly, it seemed as if he was saying, "No problem."
Su Ying felt mixed emotions, but she was unwilling to show any emotion, for fear of disturbing Du Heng's mood.
She nodded slightly, took Cheng's arm, and smiled at him: "Don't worry, cousin, I will send your aunt back to the East Courtyard."
Just a simple sentence made Du Heng feel at ease, just like what he said when he expressed his feelings to his second aunt, as long as Ying'er was there, he would have no fear or worry.
......
In the side hall, two officers from the Inspectorate stood with solemn expressions. Du Hengfang stepped in, and they immediately stood up. The older one bowed and said, "Du Jieyuan, I'm here by order of the Inspectorate to invite you in for questioning. This is the order for the joint investigation, please review it."
Because Du Heng had already won the first place in the imperial examination, his status was different from that of ordinary candidates, so the two officers were particularly respectful. After the elder one finished speaking, the younger one handed over the document with both hands.
Du Heng took it and glanced at the paper:
"According to a report posted online, it was revealed that Du Heng, the top scholar in the imperial examination, was of bad character and lacked moral integrity. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, before the spring examination, any candidate whose moral character was questionable must be reported to the court for investigation. Only after the facts were fully clarified could he be allowed to leave.
From the date of receipt of this letter, the person being questioned must appear immediately for questioning. He or she may not leave the capital until the matter is clear. Any violation will result in immediate disqualification from the Spring Examination.
"Du Jieyuan, if you have no objection, please sign your name and seal it, and come with the two of us." The older officer's tone was still respectful.
Du Heng naturally understood that the other party was merely following orders. He was well-versed in the laws and regulations, and all the items listed in the cooperative investigation document were in compliance with the regulations, so there was no room for argument.
He nodded, took the pen, ink and ink pad handed to him by the officer, signed his name, and pressed his private seal.
Seeing that he was cooperative, the officer was not embarrassed. After bowing, he made a "please" gesture.
Before Du Heng took a step forward, his heart moved slightly.
Jinniang sent beggars to spread rumors, and in just two days, the Inspectorate reacted so swiftly, leaving them with almost no time to breathe. If it were just a rumor, the Inspectorate would at most come to question them, not just take them away directly?
He felt something was wrong.
For the past three years, he has been observing mourning and has not left the house. Until this year, when he was free from mourning, he occasionally discussed literature with his peers, but he did not have any other social interactions.
Could it be that it was just because he went to the Shangshu Mansion?
Now was not the time to dwell on this. He suppressed his thoughts and followed the two officers to the Inspectorate to investigate.
......
While the Du Mansion was facing one crisis after another, the Yuan Mansion was also in chaos.
Yuan Zhixu, a Grand Secretary, had just been reprimanded by the Emperor in the courtroom for delaying military reports, leaving him feeling sullen. Returning to his residence, he barely managed to catch his breath when his nephew's words, "I'm going to the Du residence to propose marriage," nearly stifled him.
Yuan Zhixu slammed his palm on the documents on the table, pointed at his most outstanding nephew of the new generation of the Yuan family, and angrily said, "Propose a marriage? Have you learned all the ethics and etiquette?"
"It's less than four months before your death, and instead of focusing on your paperwork, you're always out and about, and now you're clamoring to get married? Do you think you're going to cause such a scene just because your parents aren't in the capital?"
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