…
After finding out who was behind the incident from Zhang Liuyuan, Jiang Rao and his group split into three groups. Liao Qiubai led people to search the Shen Mansion, Rong Ting took Zhang Liuyuan to the Censorate, and Jiang Rao returned to the Ning'an Marquis' Mansion first.
She wanted to tell her mother and brother the news immediately.
Jiang Jinxing was shivering in the snow.
His face was frozen purple, as were his hands. He hid his small body behind the stone lions in front of the Earl's Mansion, hooked his slingshot for shooting birds, and aimed the stones at the officers and soldiers guarding the Earl of Ning'an's Mansion.
His aim was good, but the stones that bounced off the officers and soldiers were nothing more than a tiny drop on the surface of their bodies to these strong and muscular adult men in iron armor, like raindrops that accidentally splashed on their bodies on a rainy day.
The child behind the stone lion was blood-thirsty.
The officers and soldiers surrounding the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion completely ignored him.
The little noble boy had an exquisite appearance. He used to be white and plump, but now he was no longer plump and only white. He still looked like a doll in the New Year pictures, very adorable. The officers and soldiers who had been guarding here for a few days had already recognized this little guy who wanted to fight them off as soon as the sun rose, but kept fighting despite repeated defeats.
At first, as soon as they saw the little guy popping his head out, they threw him back. Later, they indulged him more and more day by day, letting the little guy act recklessly. Anyway, he couldn't cause any trouble since his teeth hadn't grown yet. It was not until the superior came on patrol that one of them went out, grabbed Jiang Jinxing by the back of his collar, and threw him back to the Ning'an Earl's Mansion.
This time, they heard the sound of a carriage coming from the alley, and more soldiers came out.
Jiang Jinxing slipped out directly from the officer's armpit and ran towards the person getting off the carriage, shouting "Sister, Sister".
Jiang Rao hugged her brother who rushed towards her.
Jiang Jinxing glanced behind Jiang Rao and burst into tears, "Sister, take me to find daddy. I want to save him."
His lips were trembling, his face was blue and gray, only his lips were bright red, he hiccuped and said "father", "father" twice, and uttered an idiom, "the son pays the father's debt."
"No need." Jiang Rao squatted down and wiped the tears from his face, "No need, Daddy is fine."
Jiang Jinxing was stunned, and stopped crying for a moment, but soon his mouth pursed and he started crying loudly again, "You lied to me, and my mother lied to me too, but my father was taken away again, so something must have happened!"
Jiang Rao hugged her crying brother lovingly.
He clearly believes whatever others say.
"You should believe what my sister says." Jiang Rao patted his back, and her eyes became moist. "It's really okay now."
Zhang Liuyuan and Shen Que were imprisoned one after another, and the Censorate quickly reported the matter to Emperor Zhaowu.
Emperor Zhaowu looked unhappy for a while, and then he flew into a rage. He ordered the Censorate to conduct a thorough investigation of Shen Que, and ordered people to rush to the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion and disperse all the imperial guards surrounding the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion.
Jiang Xingzhou was released.
The one who came to announce the decree was a eunuch with long eyebrows. He read out the imperial edict word by word, gestured to the eight young eunuchs following behind him, and asked one of them to come forward. He lifted the cloth covering the square plate in his hand, revealing a precious jade inkstone underneath.
"This is your compensation to your Majesty for causing the Fourth Master to suffer injustice. After that, there will be something else."
Jiang Xingzhou's eyes did not linger on the precious inkstone that was overflowing with beautiful light. He asked the eunuch who came to announce the decree, "Eunuch, do you know how this matter was investigated?"
He heard in the imperial edict just now that the person who imitated his handwriting would be arrested, not that he confessed his guilt.
So who was going to arrest him?
He himself no longer had any hope, but only regretted that he had lived too dissolutely when he was young, which planted the seeds of disaster for his future self. Although he was tough in words and would never commit the crime of disrespect, in his heart... he had already admitted it.
The people investigating the case at the Censorate also confirmed that it was him.
Who on earth is this person who is being searched thoroughly? If he can't find out... wouldn't he be treated as a remnant of Prince Jing just like him?
The eunuch with long eyebrows glanced at Jiang Xingzhou.
She thought to herself that Jiang Xingzhou had originally been in the emperor's favor. Once this incident was over, the emperor would feel even more guilty. This would make this man famous, not to mention being a master of calligraphy and painting in Dazhao. He might even be remembered for generations.
He smiled, "Fourth Master, why don't you go and have a chat with His Highness the Ninth Prince?"
Jiang Xingzhou realized something and stood there in a daze.
"The man was captured by His Highness the Ninth Prince. I don't know how he captured him."
Jiang Xingzhou was silent for a while, then asked, "Where is His Highness the Ninth Prince now?"
"He just entered the palace with the people from the Censorate. Now that your case has been settled, he should have left the palace and returned to the Ministry of Works. This prison is not a place for you, Fourth Master. The carriage has been prepared outside. Fourth Master, please go in."
The eunuch with long eyebrows made way.
Jiang Xingzhou walked out quickly.
It was damp and cold in the prison, and the weather outside was not much better.
It was still snowing, and dark clouds covered the sky.
On the branches, yesterday's snow was pressed down by today's snow, covering them in several layers of silver. Under the eaves, icicles formed in strings.
But even in such bad weather, Jiang Xingzhou's eyes were slightly moist. He looked up at the sky above his head, as if he had lived again.
Lowering his eyes, he saw the carriage waiting for him under the poplar tree covered with snow. He walked over quickly but did not step on the stepping stool prepared by the servant to get on the carriage. Instead, he took the reins from the coachman in front of him, untied the knot connecting the shaft of the carriage, jumped on the horse, and galloped all the way.
The figure behind the poplar tree was invisible.
Pei Songyu was ignored by Jiang Xingzhou and looked embarrassed.
The servant behind him comforted him, "The Fourth Master may not have seen you."
"Forget it." Pei Songyu smiled bitterly and waved his hand.
If Jiang Xingzhou's charges cannot be cleared, he will feel that his actions are justified.
Not only did he save himself, but he was also able to keep an eye on Jiang Xingzhou's son and daughter, which was considered a way of repaying his gratitude.
But Jiang Xingzhou was really wronged...
He forgot the kindness that Jiang Xingzhou had shown him in the past.
The servant looked at Pei Songyu, who was smiling but had an extremely ugly expression, and said, "Sir, don't take this matter too seriously. You have done enough running around for the Jiang family."
Pei Songyu said nothing, but just kept walking forward.
He was indeed moved, but he didn't think that a good marriage was enough for him to give up a bright future.
Yes, future.
Even if Jiang Xingzhou really wanted to break up with him, he still had his own future.
He felt indebted, but he could continue to repay the favor silently.
He walked on the snowy road, his footprints winding all the way, leaving the servant behind, and then he murmured: "Maybe... I'm wrong."
He looked back at his own actions from a cold bystander's perspective, and he was too embarrassed to say anything about his feelings towards Jiang Rao.
When did he notice her?
So many people around them said that they were a good match, so many that he couldn't help but start paying attention.
Later, he secretly went to the shop she often went to by the Qinhuai River to see her several times. She was different from those spoiled girls in Jinling. She was so different that he could not take his eyes off her and gradually became interested in her.
However, although there is obsession, it is not deep.
He thought about the snowy night when he found Jiang Rao, and the tearful but strong look in the little girl's eyes when she threw her cloak back into his arms.
Even if outsiders say that they are a good match, even if he and she are together, I'm afraid only he will be happy and she won't be happy.
She was his match, but he was not hers.
Then let it go.
Pei Songyu lowered her head, smiled, and her eyes were soft.
And sadness.
Even though he had decided to let go, he still felt an inexplicable regret in his heart.
But he put all his thoughts behind him and strode back to his own path.
…
Jiang Xingzhou's horse galloped along the road from the imperial palace to the official residence of the Ministry of Works. He spurred the horse, his figure was free and easy, and the horse's hooves were galloping happily. He stopped in front of Rong Ting who had just got off the carriage and was about to enter the Ministry of Works.
The first time he looked at Rong Ting, he was still defensive and resistant, just like in the past, but he quickly turned his face away, somewhat reluctantly but raised his voice and said, "Ninth Prince, can you give me two more of the jars of wine you gave me last time?"
After he finished speaking, he tightened the reins and rode away.
The people serving Rong Ting were Wu Que and Huai Qing. Wu Que stared blankly at Jiang Xingzhou's back as he rode away on horseback, thinking about his words, and asked Huai Qing beside him in confusion, "What does the Fourth Master mean by this?"
"The Fourth Master didn't want the wine sent by the Ninth Prince before, but this time he took the initiative to ask for it. What do you think that could mean?"
Wu Quehuan was a little confused.
Huai Qing was surprised: "You don't understand?"
Wu Que answered honestly: "I don't understand."
"Wood." Huai Qing said, "Dowry, Dowry! Do you understand what I mean by that?"
Wu Que suddenly realized, "Is there going to be a wedding in the mansion?"
Huai Qing gave him an affirmative look.
…
As soon as the news of Jiang Xingzhou being wrongly accused spread, it spread quickly throughout the capital city as if it had legs, even faster than the news of his arrest.
When they first learned that Jiang Xingzhou might be the remnant of Prince Jing, many people in the capital city cursed Jiang Xingzhou. When Prince Jing rebelled, he killed, burned, raped, looted, and massacred the people, which caused widespread complaints. Unfortunately, no one knew where this man was, so they couldn't beat or scold him, so they turned all their anger towards Jiang Xingzhou.
Some art studio owners who sold Jiang Xingzhou's calligraphy and paintings even burned his paintings for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.
It’s just that - no matter how harshly they scolded him back then, how embarrassed they are now.
The boss, who burned the store's treasure with his own hands, pounded his chest and almost fainted.
Those people that Jiang Rao had begged from house to house before also came back to ask for a meeting after finding out Jiang Xingzhou's attitude.
The Ning'an Marquis's Mansion has always been closed to visitors.
No matter how strong the wind and snow are outside, once the door is closed and the stove is burning inside, the sound of people's voices and the crackling of matches mix together, making it lively and warm.
Jiang Rao glanced at her brother who was fighting crickets with his six-year-old cousin, and sighed inwardly that children are just children.
In the morning, she cried her heart out because she couldn't see her daddy. But in the afternoon, when she saw her daddy come back, she acted as if nothing had happened and went back to her previous carefree life of catching cats and playing with dogs.
They had no idea that the Ning'an Marquis's Mansion had been on the verge of death in the past few days.
There was a change in Jiang Jinxing's behavior. Although he was fighting crickets now, he was fighting crickets in a cultured way.
While paying attention to the success or failure of his cricket, he dipped his finger in water and wrote the word "cricket" on the ground.
He was locked up in the mansion a few days ago. He wanted to write a letter and tie it to the leg of a carrier pigeon to curse the emperor who wanted to harm his father, but there were too many words he couldn't write, so he had to give up.
He remembered the feeling of humiliation and resolved to practice calligraphy more.
Jiang Rao walked over and lifted Jiang Jinxing's finger. She looked at the two words "槐槐" (locust locust) on the ground and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She rewrote the word "�" (cricket) next to it and said, "This is the cricket of cricket."
The door of the warm room was pushed open by Jiang Qin, and Jiang Rao looked up at her.
There was a twinkle in her eyes, looking bright and clear, "Mother..."
His voice was soft, with a drawn-out ending, and he sounded like he wanted to ask a question.
"Who are you thinking about?" Although Jiang Qinshi had seen through everything, she still wanted to tease her daughter.
Jiang Rao lowered her eyelashes in embarrassment, her cheeks flushed by the fire, "Mother, you know it very well."
Jiang Qin tapped her forehead.
I was reluctant to use force.
Although she knew that her husband was safe in the end thanks to Rong Ting, she also knew that her daughter had done more than she had.
Knowing that my daughter would be coming of age in a few months, I finally had the real feeling that “my daughter has really grown up”.
"Your father, the drunkard, asked the Ninth Prince to drink a lot with him." Jiang Qin murmured, "He got drunk himself and got the Ninth Prince drunk. I ordered someone to take the Ninth Prince to the guest room to rest."
Jiang Rao frowned, "Did the kitchen ask you to make the hangover soup?"
Jiang Qin nodded, but Jiang Rao was still worried, "I'll go take a look."
The lights under the eaves of the guest room were burning brightly. No one had bothered to clean up the snow in the Ning'an Marquis's mansion half a day ago, and now it had been piled in a corner of the courtyard.
Jiang Rao personally brought over the hangover soup and stepped into the guest room.
Daddy is fine, and her family is fine too. She felt relieved and her steps were brisk.
She knocked on the door of the west wing, but there was no movement from inside. However, the door was not closed but half open. She looked inside and saw the figure leaning against the bedpost. She frowned and walked in.
Mingshao was waiting for her outside holding a lantern.
She looked back and saw that Jiang Rao had carelessly forgotten to close the door, so she closed it.
When I returned to the corridor and waited for Jiang Rao, I kicked
The snow piled on the ground.
Since everyone can drink with the master, it is decided who the son-in-law will be.
As for the girl's impolite behavior of coming to the guest room in the middle of the night, the lady didn't care, so she didn't need to care even more.
…
Jiang Rao tiptoed towards the bed quietly, and seeing that he didn't move, she knew that he must be drunk or asleep.
Otherwise, she would be caught making such a small noise outside his study. If he heard her movement this time, he would not remain motionless.
When I walked in, I saw that it was indeed the case.
Rong Ting leaned against the bedpost with his arms folded, his eyes closed, and his face looked very peaceful.
His cheeks flushed, even his ears were red, the smell of alcohol covered up the smell of medicine, and his cold white skin was dotted with blushes, making him look extremely gorgeous.
Sleeping with clothes on...
Jiang Rao frowned.
If he were a girl, she would really praise him for being able to remain chaste. Don't those chaste girls in the storybooks always sleep with their clothes on even when they stay in someone else's guest room?
But he is not a girl.
She felt a little uncomfortable looking at his posture, knowing that he would definitely not allow Huai Qing to serve him closely, but she did not blame Huai Qing for not serving her well. She gently put the sobering soup on the table, came back and put her arm under his neck, trying to knock him down and let him lie down.
She moved her arm over and tried to find a place to move his body with her other hand, but suddenly there was a force behind her waist, which made her waist collapse. She didn't have time to react and was pushed forward directly...
His chest.
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