Chapter 452: Difficult

Chen Jia suddenly felt embarrassed.

Given Jiang Yan's personality, he must have explained it to Mrs. Dou. But she still hurriedly sent someone to pass on the message, which showed that Mrs. Dou did not believe her.

If he proved that he had no improper thoughts about Jiang Yan, would Mrs. Dou misunderstand Jiang Yan because of this?

Jiang Yan grew up in the Li family. Although she was related to Song Yantang by blood, they did not have a deep relationship. The Duke of Ying did not recognize her, and she was also involved in the Wei He incident. It was already very embarrassing for her to stay in the Song family in such an unjustified manner. She relied entirely on Song Yantang and Madam Dou for her protection. If Madam Dou misunderstood her, her future situation would be more than just embarrassing. If she was not careful, she might not even have a place to settle down.

But he was unwilling to just let Song Yantang put the blame on him!

I have finally come this far, am I going to ruin my future just because of a trumped-up charge?

Chen Jia paced back and forth in the room until he heard the midnight drum, then he took off his clothes and went to bed.

But I couldn't sleep even when I went to bed.

For a moment, he thought, Shao Wenji was imprisoned in the imperial prison, and Song Yantang must be very concerned about what Shao Wenji said. He could use this as an excuse to secretly visit Song Yantang, and tell Song Yantang that he had taken a fancy to a young lady from a certain family, and ask Song Yantang to be a matchmaker for him. Then the crisis would be resolved on its own. For a moment, he thought, if Jiang Yan knew that he was so eager to cut off ties with her, would he think that he was so attentive to Song Yantang just to please him, and Song Yantang kept his distance from him when he was slightly displeased, and that he was too worldly and too utilitarian and looked down on him?

This is really difficult!

He clearly had a very good way to get himself out of this, but he just felt very uneasy in his heart, as if he had done something shameful.

No, when he did something shameful, he would think about the cold stares he received when he was down and out, and the slight discomfort would pass. But this time, he really couldn't make a decision!

Chen Jia pulled the quilt over his head, thinking that since things had come to this point, he would not be able to see Song Yantang tonight no matter how hard he tried. Ultimately, he would have to wait until daybreak to decide, so he might as well make plans tomorrow!

What's more, he didn't have a satisfactory marriage proposal waiting for him, so even if his idea was good, he still needed a partner.

He forced himself to close his eyes.

But when he woke up the next day, Chen Jia's confidant in the Zhenfusi Yamen came to tell him: "Master Shi went to the imperial prison secretly!"

Mr. Shi refers to Shi Chuan, the commander-in-chief of the Jinyiwei.

The imperial prison was under the jurisdiction of the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi. Shi Chuan went to the imperial prison so quietly. Chen Jia was shocked and hurriedly put on his Feiyu suit and rushed to the imperial prison.

But when he arrived at the imperial prison, Shi Chuan was gone.

He quietly asked his confidant: "Who did Lord Shi come to see?"

The confidant said in his heart: "Shao Wenji."

As far as Chen Jia knows, Shao Wenji and Shi Chuan have no personal relationship.

He secretly felt that something was wrong, and ordered his confidant: "Quick, search Shao Wenji inside and out for me, even his teeth."

The emperor has become more and more unpredictable these years. He may put you in prison today, but he may release you tomorrow. And the one who is qualified to be imprisoned must be at least an important official in the six ministries. You may be remembered by others at any time, and you may do nothing after you are released, and you may be punished first. Therefore, before the imperial edict of exile or demotion to commoner comes down, the Zhenfusi will not offend people like Shao Wenji easily, let alone conduct a body search, which is an insulting act.

The confidant had always admired Chen Jia's foresight, so he didn't ask any more questions and personally led people to search for Shao Wenji.

They found a small sharp blade under Shao Wenji's crotch.

The confidant became furious and presented the small blade to Chen Jia.

Chen Jia scraped the small blade with his fingertips expressionlessly, but his heart was boiling like boiling water.

Why did Lord Shi do this?

Who instructed him to do this?

An idea vaguely emerged in his mind, and he felt that his great backer Song Yantang was like standing on the edge of a cliff.

Beads of sweat appeared on Chen Jia's forehead.

He told his confidant: "Don't tell anyone about this. Keep Shao Wenji under surveillance quietly and don't let anyone else find out. I'll be back in a while."

The confidant thought that Lord Chen must have gone to seek advice from someone.

He responded respectfully.

Chen Jia went to see a very good friend, but sent Hu Zi to see Du Wei.

In less than two hours, Du Wei sent a message asking Chen Jia to give Shao Wenjie a pair of chopsticks.

Chen Jia understood what was meant and returned to the prison.

During lunch, Shao Wenji inserted the broken chopsticks into his throat.

When Chen Jia sent people to treat him, he smiled at Chen Jia and died.

It looked so creepy in a pool of blood.

Chen Jia gently wiped his eyes and walked out of the cell.

What did Song Yantang know?

Why is he so experienced in his actions even though he is several years younger than me?

It seemed as if all the affairs of the world were in his hands, he was confident and in control.

When will I be able to stand high and see far like Song Yantang?

Chen Jia thought of Jiang Yan again.

What should he do?

He had just made a contribution to Song Yantang, and if he asked to see Song Yantang at this time, Song Yantang would definitely listen to what he had to say.

This is a great opportunity!

But if he left, what would Jiang Yan do?

If a man has some romantic affairs, he can be a playboy who returns to his right side; but if a woman has ambiguous words and actions with others, it is a private transaction, debauchery and promiscuity...

Go? Or not?

Because of Shao Wenji's death, Chen Jia worked in the town's yamen until midnight before returning home.

After entering Yuqiao Hutong, he heard a commotion outside.

He lifted the curtain and took a look.

It turned out to be Master Ji from the Ji family who was seeing off the guests.

They were dressed in fancy clothes and were joking and chatting with each other.

The light from the big red lanterns shone on their faces, and each of them had an ambitious look on their faces.

He couldn't help but look at it a few more times.

Hu Zi, who was following the carriage, said hurriedly, "It was Master Ji from the Ji family. Before the students of the Imperial Academy left, he took up the post of the Imperial Censorate, in charge of the history and politics of the thirteen prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River."

Chen Jia nodded and lowered the curtain.

But suddenly I felt a little jealous of Ji Yong.

Someone like him who studied diligently, passed the imperial examinations, and was promoted to a high position after taking the examinations twice every three years, surely wouldn't have to work so hard to please his superiors, right?

Even if they offended their superiors, they could throw their official seals in front of them, walk away, return to the south of the Yangtze River, and continue to be famous scholars, wearing fine clothes and riding horses, drinking and having fun, and enjoying the mountains and rivers.

Chen Jia felt inexplicably tired.

He got out of the carriage with a staggering step and walked slowly towards the inner courtyard.

That’s all about Jiang Yan’s matter!

He is too lazy to explain or argue!

If Song Yantang wants to misunderstand, let him misunderstand!

He has done what he can and he has a clear conscience. So let Song Yantang do whatever he wants.

At best, you can go back to your hometown and farm!

I remembered the faces of my uncles again.

For a moment, my heart felt numb.

※※※※※

Dou Zhao knew that Chen Jia had sent someone to ask for an audience with Song Mo. She asked Song Mo, "What did Chen Jia want to see you for?"

"It's because of Shao Wenji." Song Mo couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he thought of Shao Wenji. He told Dou Zhao about Shao Wenji's suicide.

Dou Zhao's face turned pale.

She pointed north.

Song Mo nodded slightly, stepped forward and put his arm around Dou Zhao's shoulders, and said with a smile: "Don't worry! If he wants to find me, he will have to wait until the case between my fifth uncle and I is settled. It depends on whether he sides with me or with my fifth uncle."

If the Liao prince sided with Song Mo, Jiang Bosun would have to be persuaded to make concessions. Jiang Bosun had originally argued with Song Mo for the Liao prince's affairs. How could he not feel wronged when the Liao prince treated him like this? It was normal for him to have a rift with the Liao prince because of this. If the Liao prince sided with Jiang Bosun, what basis would Song Mo have to join the Liao prince?

Dou Zhao immediately felt the subtlety of Song Mo's move.

She gave Song Mo a thumbs up, and looked at him with a hint of admiration: "You are really amazing!"

"It was just because of power." Song Mo said lightly, but he could not hide the pride in his eyes.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile and asked him, "Chen Jia is looking for you, is there anything else?"

"No!" Song Moqi asked, "Did he commit a crime?"

It’s better not to let Song Mo know about this for the time being.

Dou Zhao thought about it and smiled: "What could he have done wrong? He was just asking casually."

Song Mo didn't think much of it. Just then, the wet nurse came in with Yuan Ge'er and diverted the attention.

Chen Jia waited for a long time without any response from the Duke of England's Mansion, and he began to feel suspicious.

Could it be that I was wrong?

He wanted to find out more information, so he asked Tao Erjia to take the basket of oranges that his servants had given him as a gift a few days ago to the Duke of Yingguo's mansion.

Dou Zhao accepted it calmly.

Chen Jia felt relieved and asked Mrs. Tao: "What did Mrs. Dou say?"

"I haven't seen Madam Dou." Tao Erjia said respectfully, "Madam Dou's father is going back to Zhending and is coming to say goodbye to Madam Dou. Madam Dou doesn't have time to see me."

Chen Jia was a little surprised.

It's not a festival now, why is Dou Shiying going back to Zhending?

He soon found out that Dou Shiying was going to adopt a son.

However, Miao Ansu does not have such an informed network as Chen Jia.

Ji Hong inquired for several days but could not find out what Dou Shiying was doing in Zhending.

Miao Ansu said with some disappointment: "Forget it, it's useless even if I know! It's none of my business anyway." But she was secretly shocked. Yizhitang was run like an iron barrel, and she couldn't find out anything she wanted to know. On the other hand, in Xiangxiangyuan, she knew who Song Yichun's concubine was not long after she got married.

No wonder my father-in-law can’t beat my uncle!

Just based on this point, my father-in-law lost.

She began to worry about the relationship between Song Han and Song Mo.

A little maid came in and said, "The two uncles are here to visit you!"

Miao Ansu was stunned and asked, "Which two uncles?"

The little maidservant was her companion and was very familiar with the Miao family. She smiled and said, "It's my fifth and sixth uncles."

Her fifth uncle is her brother Miao Anping, and her sixth uncle is her eldest uncle’s youngest son.

"Please invite them in!" Miao Ansu changed his clothes and went to the small flower hall for reception.

Miao Anping wore a popular royal blue brocade gown with a dark purple pattern of five bats holding a longevity flower, and a gold hairpin with the words "promotion at every step" on her head. Her sixth cousin wore a dark red brocade gown with a pattern of peace for all seasons, and a gold hairpin with the words "abundance every year" on his head. Both of them were dressed brightly and dazzlingly.

Miao Ansu thought of the jade bonsai in the Dou family's living room, and couldn't help but frowned. He pointed to the armchair in the living room and said calmly: "Two brothers, please sit down and talk!"