Chapter 84: She can no longer escape...
The jailer opened the cell door and whispered to Zhao Changning, "Nu Shu Ling, this woman is crazy. Be careful."
The maid followed Zhao Changning's gaze until she came in front of her. She looked at the official uniform on Zhao Changning with eyes full of hatred and a vicious expression, as if Zhao Changning was some kind of monster.
Zhao Changning saw her shrinking into the darkness, looked around, and saw no good place, so he had to stand and talk to her.
"You tell the Lord, do you know what will happen?"
A clear and gentle voice sounded, and the maid's figure paused. The shackles on her body rattled, and she barely crawled forward two steps and came to the light.
"I heard him call you Nv Shu Ling. Are you the Nv Shu Ling who made porcelain in Jiangxi?"
Zhao Changning nodded gently, looking at the disheveled maid, "Yes, it's me."
The maid's expression relaxed for a moment, but soon returned to its ferocious look.
"It's no use even if you're here. You bastards protect each other and don't care about anything. I know the consequences of reporting the master, but I have to. I want all the beasts in the Gao family to die, all dead..."
Zhao Changning listened to her cursing for a long time and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. It was too foolish to want to accomplish great things just with an angry heart.
"I'm certainly not the kind of good person you think I am, nor am I a good official who appears specifically to rescue you, but you must cherish my presence. I'm only here because you happened to show up, and it can be an additional small crime that will help me bring down the Gao family. But one more or one less is not a big deal. If it's not you today, it will be someone else, so don't waste my time. Do you understand?"
The maidservant paused in cursing, and after a long while, she finally began to cry.
He hugged his knees, shrugged his shoulders, buried his face between his knees, and cried bitterly.
Zhao Changning waited quietly and did not say anything to comfort her, but she still squatted down.
The maid sobbed and finally spoke again.
"My name is Nian'er, a servile child of the Zhou family. My father died early, and my mother was beaten to death by that old bastard Gao Zhan and Gao Shen's biological mother. In the Gao family, human life is worth less than a tree or a flower... I waited and waited, and finally Gao Shen and Mrs. Wen went crazy, and they teamed up to kill that vicious old woman. Hahaha, how could I miss such an opportunity? I rushed to the government..."
Nian'er suddenly laughed gruffly. "That old woman was vicious even when she was young. She always beat my mother and later beat me too. Well, evil has its consequences. She was killed by her daughter-in-law. Don't you think this is exciting? Nv Shuling, do you think these beasts of the Gao family deserve to die?"
She knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times, and said sadly, "Mother, I have avenged you. Don't worry, the Gao family will not have a good end."
Zhao Changning watched her kowtow. The sunlight that came through the small window sill was in strands and full of jumping dust, enveloping her.
In fact, if the emperor had not wanted to take action against Gao Yun, Nian'er's matter would not have caused much trouble.
"Are you saying that Gao Shen's biological mother was Gao Zhan's favorite concubine? Did the two of them beat your mother to death?"
Nian'er was exhausted by the heavy shackles on his body. He leaned against the wall and sneered.
"Not only was my mother beaten to death, but even the wife from that year was beaten to death. My mother said that the wife was beaten even when she was pregnant, and died after giving birth to the child. Later, they just took the child away, and Gao Zhan remarried. The wife died, and no one cared. Many women have died giving birth to children."
Zhao Changning couldn't help but think of that bright young master.
He lives such a carefree life, he surely doesn't know, right?
Nian'er stopped crying, her face calm, and she looked at Zhao Changning with a resigned expression, "The Gao family will die, right? Nv Shu Ling, it doesn't matter whether I live or die, but will the Gao family die?"
Zhao Changning lowered his eyes and looked at Nian'er who had retreated back into the shadows. He nodded gently, "I can't guarantee it, but one thing is certain: Gao Shen and Wen Shi will die without a doubt."
Nian'er eagerly followed the article, "What about Gao Zhan? Will that beast die? He is the biggest beast, otherwise how could he raise a little beast..."
Zhao Changning didn't lie to her and told her the truth, "Although I am an official, I am only a fifth-rank official. I can't control many major events. There are many officials above me who are higher than me. Gao Zhan's biological father's official position is higher than mine. I can't promise you."
Nian'er was a little disappointed and murmured, "It would be great if you were a high-ranking official. You would definitely be able to decide many things..."
After Zhao Changning left the cell, he thought about it and secretly gave some silver to the jailer.
"She is a poor person. You should treat her a little better and keep her clean. Even if you sentence her to death, you cannot humiliate her."
The jailer nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Don't worry, Nvshu Ling, I'll do it right away."
Zhao Changning turned around and went to look for the family. Their story was exactly the same as what was rumored. It seemed like there was one more charge.
The weather is getting warmer and the cicadas are finally chirping loudly.
When the Gao family was caught in the whirlpool, Zhao Changning took the time to find the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War. After several discussions, they finally got another boat.
The emperor naturally approved it immediately and asked the officials of the Ministry of Rites to discuss the matters concerning the voyage.
He looked at the memorial and smiled, "Those people are changing fast. Money is really useful. This open source idea is very good, and it is well done. I should reward you."
Zhao Changning smiled and said, "That is due to your wisdom and insight, Your Majesty. Changning is just following your orders, it is not worth mentioning."
The emperor has been in high spirits recently, with beautiful women by his side in the harem, and the court has always been following his ideas, so he is in a very good mood.
He waved his hand, "Don't flatter me. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
Zhao Changning still shook her head. She didn't want a reward for this kind of thing.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. We should also investigate the case of Gao Zhan murdering his wife. Gao Yun has no feelings for Gao Shen at all. If he were to sacrifice his own family for the sake of justice, he would only lose an unfamiliar grandson. But Gao Zhan is different. He feels guilty about this child."
The emperor raised his eyes, his expression filled with the satisfaction of having everything under control, and said with a smile, "I have secretly ordered someone to escort Gao Zhan to the capital."
Zhao Changning was stunned for a moment, thinking that the emperor had been planning this for a long time and would definitely not forget such a small matter.
"Your Majesty, reports have arrived from Fujian and Zhejiang claiming their efforts to suppress bandits have been successful, and they hope the court will allocate more funds. Do you think this is something you should agree to?"
Mingxuan had written to her several times, asking her to help bring this up in front of the emperor.
"Mingxuan is truly capable. Suppressing bandits in Fujian is no easy task." The emperor, wanting to stay, nodded. "Since it's working, let's continue. Let the Ministry of Revenue allocate funds. This time, let's see what else they can say."
If you want the money for next time, you have to pay it now. You can't catch the wolf without risking the child.
Just as July began, amid the chirping of cicadas, the three courts held a joint trial and finally determined the guilt. The emperor approved the sentence, and Gao Shen was beheaded and Wen was beaten to death. The execution was to be carried out at the Meridian Gate in the autumn, and the maid who had reported her master was immediately poisoned.
Gao Zhan was also imprisoned. As for Gao Yun's eldest grandson, he was also imprisoned for robbing a woman. It seemed that they were on the verge of death. The Gao family was in chaos.
The Gao family's land enclosure was just the beginning. The officials' land enclosure was fully exposed by the censors. Seeing that the matter was getting bigger and bigger, many people were implicated. Those disciples of Gao Yun and those who had received favors from him came to the emperor to plead for mercy.
After this, the Gao family became deserted and no longer had the glory of the past.
It was ten in the morning and it was still dark.
Yunsheng quietly drove the carriage out of Shuier Lane and headed straight for the city gate. After leaving Yujing, he drove west for ten miles before stopping the horse.
He knocked on the car window and said with a smile: "Come down, it's safe."
The curtain of the carriage was opened, and Nian'er got out of the carriage with a small bundle and knelt down towards Yunsheng.
"Thank you, benefactor."
Yunsheng quickly helped her up. "If you want to thank someone, then thank my aunt. Oh, it was the Nvshu Ling. She asked me to do it. It was also my aunt who allowed me to run into you in Jiangxi and make a big fuss about your case."
Nian'er was stunned, remembering the cold and icy female secretary she had met in prison, who seldom said nice things, and she was a little hesitant to believe it.
Yunsheng took her forward and saw that she didn't move. "You are able to survive because of Aunt's secret manipulation. The fake death drug is not easy to get. Don't be fooled by Aunt's cold look. She is actually a good person with a soft heart. Really..."
He took out a purse from his bosom and stuffed it into Nian'er's hand. "Here, this is the money my aunt asked me to give you. There's also some of my personal money in it. You're a poor person. Now that you've left the Gao family, you should live a good life."
Nian'er knelt down again and kowtowed three times. "Thank you, auntie. Thank you, benefactor. Benefactor, can I wait for the news of the death of that old villain Gao Zhan?"
Yunsheng scratched his head. "My aunt said that this is not certain. It depends on whether his biological father falls in the end. But if he dies, the government will issue an official document. As long as you are attentive, you will definitely receive the news."
Nian'er carried her bag, looked back every few steps, and finally walked towards the place where the sun rose.
Yunsheng looked at her back until she disappeared, then turned around with a satisfied smile.
On the day of Qiqiao Festival, the empress brought all the concubines to have some fun, and asked the opera troupe to rehearse a play early. The emperor happily agreed for the first time, intending to have fun together with the concubines.
Zhao Changning took the opportunity to return to Shuier Lane to rest. She has been very tired recently, and what happened every day gave her a headache.
The developments in the court these days have been changing rapidly and have far exceeded her expectations.
Everyone is in danger and is exposing and reporting others, fearing that they will be caught and punished if they do not do anything well. Such turmoil is not a good thing.
Moreover, some people have already reported her, saying that she is harming the country and the people, and is always advocating and framing the emperor around him. In short, there is nothing good to say about her.
Zhao Changning knew that she could no longer escape.
I had just arrived at Shuier Lane and was stopped by someone before I could even enter.
It turned out to be Qi Yuwei himself.
Zhao Changning sighed, "Lord Qi, you and I both know that this matter is beyond my control, and it is beyond the Emperor's influence."
Qi Yuwei's face was calm. "Nu Shu Ling, I just want to ask you for a talk, not to plead for mercy."
Zhao Changning followed him to a teahouse on the street. Coincidentally, it was the private room where he and Mingxuan first met. The painting of searching for plum blossoms in the snow was still on the wall.
Thinking of Mingxuan, he is probably full of confidence in suppressing bandits and doing practical things for the local people. Perhaps it is a good thing for him that he is not in Yujing at this time. If he sees more evidence of land enclosure, he will probably get involved.
Qi Yuwei remained silent, and Zhao Changning also spoke. As the tea on the small red clay stove bubbled and mist filled the air, there was finally movement in the room.
"Nu Shu Ling, today's incident isn't the fault of just one person. Prime Minister Gao has worked tirelessly and loyally for the country, and he shouldn't be treated this way. He's already old, and if this were to end, who would dare to serve the emperor in the future? I'm not trying to defend him, but even an old minister has his own difficulties. The emperor is young and energetic, and his talent is unprecedented, but you absolutely cannot act this way."
Zhao Changning asked curiously, "The people of Dayong have been honestly farming and paying taxes. They've never had any dissent, and they've never even had a good life. Yet, they're the first to suffer in times of disaster, and they're forced into exile during wars. Do they deserve to be treated like this? Lord Qi, I wasn't actually aware of the land grabbing, but after seeing the shocking evidence, the displaced people, the homeless children, don't those powerful people who grabbed the land feel guilty?"
Qi Yuwei's expression changed slightly, and she sighed deeply. "Nu Shu Ling, I understand what you said, but it doesn't work that way. Without Lord Gao, Dayong wouldn't be where it is today. The people of the world shouldn't have to see Lord Gao end up like this, and the Gao family shouldn't be implicated for it. If that were the case, most officials in the court would be ashamed."
Zhao Changning thought of what he said about being in harmony with the world. Such a situation was indeed not something that could be achieved by one person alone. She could understand what he said at this moment, but after all, she was not on the same side as these officials.
In fact, the only person she had to deal with was the emperor. As for her colleagues, she had been in the court for a long time and was able to handle them with ease with high-sounding words.
"As the ancients said, 'The poor take care of themselves, while the rich help the world.' I haven't read much, but I understand what this means. Those people, well-read and self-proclaimed as pure and honest, only care about the people of the world, but what do they actually do? They all want to grab all the wealth in the world to protect their descendants for hundreds and thousands of years, and they won't even share what flows through their fingers with the poor, yet they hypocritically claim to be doing it for the people. Lord Qi, is there something wrong with my eyes, or is there something wrong with Dayong's court?"
Qi Yuwei sat up straight in an instant, with a mixture of surprise, anger, dejection and other emotions on her face.
Zhao Changning sighed, "I know you're worried about the teacher, and I'm grateful for your honesty. Although my position is low and my words may not carry much weight, I will raise this with the Emperor."
She stood up and said in a low voice, "To live in a luxurious house, to be destitute, return to the hills. Lord Qi, we are both in the officialdom, and we should all be prepared for this."
Qi Yuwei watched her slender back as she walked out. He obviously had a lot more to say, but he couldn't say it. The mask that was exposed was like a whip, hitting his face hard.
He looked dejected and sighed heavily.
Zhao Changning entered the alley, but before he entered the house, he was stopped by Yunsheng. Behind him followed Anyi, who was sweating profusely and looked anxious.
"Oh no, auntie, Gao Zhan died in prison. Elder Gao went to the Qinzheng Palace in person, and the emperor asked you to return quickly."
Li Yunqiu watched Zhao Changning come and go, and walked into the yard very unhappily with a pout on his face.
Granny Xu quickly comforted her, "The girl will come back, and so will the brother. Don't worry, Yunqiu. There's still a long way to go..."
Zhao Changning hurried back to the palace.
On the way to Anyi, he kept talking, "...Gao Gelao, dressed in plain clothes, carried a thorny stick on his back to apologize, and knelt before the emperor with his two sons. Aunt, I think there is a chance for this matter to turn around. After all, Gao Gelao was entrusted by the late emperor, a veteran minister of two dynasties, and the Prime Minister who was enshrined in the Taimiao. No matter what the emperor does, he won't go too far."
He looked a little worried, "Then let's..."
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