Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Perhaps he should take the initiative...
After several consecutive rains after the Ghost Festival, the unbearable summer heat finally showed signs of abating. The sky cleared up that day, and people who got up early suddenly found that they needed to wear jackets.
The weather was fine, and Mrs. Jiang directed Mother Fang and the maids to take out the clothes and bedding to hang out to dry.
But then a maid from the second gate came in excitedly with a girl. Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but Jinxiu who had disappeared for many days?
Without waiting for Jinxiu to step forward and salute, Xiaoman rushed over like a gust of wind, pulled Jinxiu up and down and looked at her left and right for a long time, and then the two of them hugged each other and jumped, shouted and laughed.
Mrs. Jiang also smiled: "Okay, let Jinxiu come in to drink some water and rest, and then talk slowly."
Jinxiu said, "There are still important things to do. I can't rest now."
Xiaoman asked, "Is it done?"
Jinxiu nodded heavily, "They're already at the inn. We can start anytime."
Mrs. Jiang looked at them both in confusion. "I don't understand a single word you say."
Xiaoman smiled and said, "That's a good thing. You don't have to save food for us at noon."
The two ran away hand in hand.
Mrs. Jiang murmured, "What is this girl doing?"
The sun was hanging high in the sky, emitting a waxy white light tirelessly. Xiaoman once again stepped into the Zhang family's house.
Accompanying her were Zheng Dicai and the constables from the Jiangning County Government, as well as several foreigners with northern accents.
Old Mrs. Bian's injuries had not yet fully healed, but she was also carried to the flower hall.
She lay groaning on the soft couch, with a headband on her head, her face pale, her eyes half-closed, and she seemed to have no strength to even lift her eyelids.
Anyone who sees this will say that this is a poor old woman.
She trembled and said, "Sir, all the valuables in my house have been confiscated. If Jiang is still not satisfied, burn my old bones and return them to her."
Zheng Yicai shook the two mustaches on his lips and said, "Don't worry, old lady. I'm not here today for the divorce lawsuit."
He then cleared his throat and said sternly, "My office has received a complaint from the third daughter of the Zhang family, claiming she is not a child of the Zhang family and therefore applying to be removed from the Zhang family. Considering your limited mobility, I have come to your home in person to interrogate you."
It took Mrs. Bian a long time to understand what he meant. She didn't expect that before she could use her trump card, the opponent would hit her with a knife first.
All his facial features were distorted for a moment.
"Bullshit! She's just guilty and afraid to punish her for disobedience!"
Old Mrs. Bian was so angry that her eyes were about to spit fire. She kept shouting that she would beat to death this rebellious and unfilial daughter.
Zheng Dicai said sternly, "Shut up! If you continue to interfere with the interrogation, I'll have to ask you to come before the court."
Thinking of the twenty beatings she received that day, Old Mrs. Bian shuddered all over and finally calmed down.
Zheng Dicai: "What was the basis for the Zhang family to determine that the plaintiff was a member of the Zhang family?"
Old Lady Bian: "Based on the birthmark on her shoulder."
"What is the shape, color, and size of the birthmark?"
Old Mrs. Bian was stunned. She had never paid attention to these details and had never asked about them. But when the old nanny who went to Xuanfu said that the person looked good, she agreed to let her son bring the person back.
Seeing that she couldn't answer, Zheng Yicai changed the question: "What did your third daughter's birthmark look like when she was born?"
Old Lady Bian still didn't know, but this time she reacted quickly. "Who could remember something that happened sixteen or seventeen years ago so clearly? Just find the old lady who recognized her and ask her, and we'll know."
The sky is high and the earth is far away. I don't know where that old woman is in Xuanfu. When I find her and bring her to the capital, she will definitely accuse the dead girl of disobedience.
Zheng Yicai: "That makes sense. Please invite the returning mother in."
Old Mrs. Bian suddenly had a bad feeling.
Soon, the bailiff brought in a white-haired old woman.
It's obvious that they came prepared, I'm afraid they're going to let that evil creature escape!
But Old Lady Bian still wanted to struggle, pretending to be affectionate and said to the man: "Although you have regained your freedom, you are still from my Zhang family. Come back more often when you have time. The Zhang family will always treat you well."
The old lady nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, my wife gave me a full two hundred taels of silver before I left. I will always remember the Zhang family's kindness."
Old Mrs. Bian's heart sank.
The old mother gestured, "When the third daughter was born, I was waiting in the house. I remember it very clearly. There was a mole on her right shoulder the size of a soybean. It was very dark in color, like a freshly roasted chestnut."
Zheng Dicai asked Mrs. Bian if it was right.
Old Mrs. Bian really wanted to pull Xiaoman's clothes off to take a look, but she couldn't, and she didn't dare to. She was so angry that she couldn't say anything for a long time.
Zheng Dicai ordered the midwife to take Xiaoman to another room for verification.
Soon, the two came out, and the midwife said, "There is indeed a birthmark on the right shoulder. It's the size of a little finger, shaped like a water droplet, and the color of rouge."
It doesn’t match what my mother said!
Zheng Yicai then said, "In that case, this girl is not a member of the Zhang family. The Zhang family has recognized the wrong person. Do you have any objections?"
Old Lady Bian said bitterly, "She filed the petition and hired the people. What can I say?"
Zheng Yicai's face darkened. "You couldn't explain the details of your birthmark, and there's no one to corroborate it. Yet, because you're dissatisfied with the result, you're throwing mud and slandering the imperial officials. Haven't you suffered enough from those twenty strokes of the cane?"
Old Lady Bian shuddered, then turned her spearhead towards the old woman, "You lied to me for a few taels of silver, you deceitful slave, I will beat you to death!"
The old mother cried out in injustice, "I just glanced at it, I didn't see the birthmark clearly, and that's what I wrote in the letter to the master. The master sent someone to check it out, and only then did he recognize the child. If there is any mistake, it is the fault of those who checked it."
Several people from Xuanfu echoed, "We can testify. This old lady only said it could be her third daughter."
Xiaoman said: "Those people who came to look at me casually said that I was the missing third daughter of the Zhang family. If I hadn't heard Aunt Yao mention the birthmark a few days ago, I wouldn't have known that I had recognized the wrong father!"
Aunt Yao? Why is there still talk about the Yao family? Aren't they sworn enemies? Shouldn't the more miserable the other is, the happier they are?
This evil creature must have promised Yao a benefit that she couldn't refuse.
Old Mrs. Bian was filled with anger.
The Zhang family was ransacked and was unable to maintain their previous expenses. The servants who went to Xuanfu to investigate had either run away or sold their property, and no evidence was found.
She pointed at Xiaoman tremblingly, her breath choking in her throat, and finally managed to curse: "Little hoof, little bitch, jinx, why didn't I drown you!"
Xiaoman was not angry. Instead, she knelt down in front of her and said, "Old lady, I've been taken care of by you during this period. Let's just say goodbye now."
After saying this, he bowed three times solemnly.
She brought disaster to the Zhang family, and then she just wanted to leave?
Old Lady Bian was so angry that her mouth was crooked and her eyes were squinting. She kept shouting, "Dig up her aunt's grave for me and throw the body away to feed the dogs!"
Xiaoman stood up and smiled coldly: "Madam Hui's coffin is kept in Fengqi Temple, and you are not the one who enshrines it. Do you want to open the temple and abandon the body? I'm afraid you won't even be able to touch the coffin."
Xiaoman caught a glimpse of Zhang Anyi hiding in the corner and secretly watching her. She ignored her and walked with big strides until she walked out of the Zhang family's gate.
Never looked back.
Zheng Dicai asked her where she planned to register her residence.
Xiaoman asked if she could open an account on her own.
Zheng Yicai shook her head. "Only widows without husbands or children, or palace maids, can register as female households. Ordinary women are not allowed to open accounts on their own. Not to mention you, even Mrs. Jiang would have to change her household registration back to the Jiang family."
Seeing her look troubled, Zheng Dicai comforted her, "I'll keep your household registration with you for now. You can move when you've made up your mind. The verdict is already made, and the Zhang family can't do anything to you."
Xiaoman thanked him repeatedly.
Zheng Yicai declined with a smile, his eyes casually sweeping across the screen wall opposite, then suddenly turned back and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Xiaoman turned her head and saw that the person standing in front of the screen wall, wearing a jade-colored robe and grinning with his white teeth bared, was his adoptive brother He Ping. Standing next to him was a tall and thin Confucian scholar.
He was wearing a blue cloth robe, with well-proportioned eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a smile on his lips. Even though his temples were gray and there were fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, one could still tell that he must have been a very elegant and handsome man when he was young.
Xiaoman was stunned for a moment, then suddenly ran over with a cheer, "Mr. Lin Ting!"
Mr. Lin Ting nodded slightly. "How have you been?"
"Great, very good!" Xiaoman was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. "Why is the gentleman here?"
He Ping: "Teacher was worried that the Zhang family would give you a hard time, so I came here today to support you. But it's all over before you even got on stage, haha."
Xiaoman rubbed her eyes vigorously to wipe back the tears, "I didn't expect to alarm the master. He came all the way here. He must have suffered a lot on the way."
Mr. Lin Ting smiled and said, "It's good. I happened to have other things to deal with in Beijing, so I came here anyway."
"When did you arrive, sir? Has Aunt Lin come yet? Do you have a place to stay?"
Mr. Lin Ting patiently answered her string of questions. "I arrived here last night with the villagers. I'm staying at the Fusheng Inn for now. I'll go back once the Linyuan house is ready. Your Aunt Lin is at her sister's house in Yangzhou and will be here in a few days."
Lin Yuan? It seemed like she had heard it somewhere before, but Xiaoman couldn't remember it after thinking about it.
Hearing He Ping teasing Chen Ling'an about how he "refused to come see the teacher, probably because he was afraid the teacher would scold him," Xiaoman immediately remembered what Chen Ling'an had said on the night of the Ghost Festival. With a pang of grief, she argued for him, "The teacher has praised him for being a good boy, so he won't blame him."
Zheng Dicai, who was standing nearby, felt her heart pounding. Finally, she found a chance and hurried forward to bow. "My junior, Zheng Dicai, greets you, sir."
Fearing that Mr. Lin Ting was not impressed, he added, "Fifteen years ago, I attended your lectures at Nancui Academy. Your charisma, profound knowledge, and unique insights completely captivated me. I have never been able to fully grasp the profound meaning of your lectures, and I have never been able to fully comprehend them."
Mr. Lin Ting did not respond.
Xiaoman didn't understand why Zheng Dicai was being so attentive to her husband, but she still spoke up for him. "Thanks to Mr. Zheng's help today, I was able to escape from the Zhang family. He is also a friend of Chen Ling'an."
Zheng Dicai: "Yes, Brother Ling'an and I are close friends."
Mr. Lin Ting looked him over and said thoughtfully, "There are some matters I would like to hear the opinions of the officials of the court. I wonder if Mr. Zheng is free."
"I'm free, I'm free!" Zheng Weicai nodded hurriedly, "I'm free right now."
He happily accompanied Mr. Lin Ting.
Xiaoman took a deep breath, realizing that she had overlooked something. "Could it be that... Mr. Lin Ting is a great figure?"
He Ping touched his chin and said, "Imperial Master, he should be considered a big shot."
He reached out and rubbed her head. "The teacher said he was an ordinary teacher, so just treat him as an ordinary teacher."
Xiaoman slapped his hand away in disgust, put aside her curiosity, and invited the villagers from Xuanfu and the old lady to have a drink.
They were chatting and laughing happily, and just as they turned out of the alley, they heard someone calling "Third Sister".
The voice was stern, filled with impatience and anger.
It’s Zhang Bi.
He still didn't know that Xiaoman had left the Zhang family, and he still spoke with the tone of an elder brother, "You still remember to come back and see what a mess you've made of our family!"
Xiaoman smiled and said, "I won't come back in the future."
Zhang Bi didn't think about her words at all. He looked at the country folks in Xuanfu with displeasure on his face. "Just tell the steward to entertain them. This is so disgraceful."
He Ping laughed out loud, "She's my sister, and I'm her brother, so why is this so inappropriate?"
Zhang Bi frowned and said, "Are you her brother from Xuanfu? Judging from your appearance, you must be a scholar. You should focus on your studies and wait until you pass the imperial examination before coming to the capital to seek connections."
He Ping's eyes moved slightly, "Use connections? But your family can't help me with anything."
Thinking of his own situation, Zhang Bi blushed, but refused to admit defeat. "You probably want to get to know Liu Jinshu through Xiaoman. I've seen many snobbish people like you. Let me tell you, the Liu family is the leader of the clean stream. No matter how you flatter them, they won't even look at you."
He Ping stopped Xiao Man from speaking and said with a grin, "Your Excellency is a man of high integrity. I deeply admire you. I will certainly follow your lead and not become your brother to Liu Jinshu."
Zhang Bi calmed down, but he still felt that what he said sounded awkward.
Xiaoman said coldly, "You have no right to lecture me. I am no longer a member of the Zhang family. Stop looking so shocked and heartbroken. It's disgusting. Your father's crime won't affect your chances of taking the imperial examination. Study hard and your Zhang family will rise again. We are siblings, and that's all I have to say."
After a few steps, Xiaoman couldn't help but add, "Actually... my brother passed the provincial exam a long time ago, and he ranked first! He's been a good student since he was young, and he won the third place. He wanted to be more cautious and hold off on taking the imperial examination."
Zhang Bi was stunned and his face turned red all the way to his ears.
"Don't argue with an idiot." He Ping embraced Xiaoman, "Now I really believe that you are not a child of the Zhang family."
Xiaoman sighed.
How could it not be? She was lying.
She had planned to leave the Zhang family as early as when she helped Mrs. Jiang to divorce.
First, secretly send a letter to Grandma He in Xuanfu to reach a consensus on what they said, and then let Jinxiu wait for someone at the road outside the city under the pretext of visiting relatives.
To be honest, she didn't know if it would work.
Fortunately, grandma, Mr. Lin Ting and the villagers cared about her and spared no effort to help her.
Have to thank them very much!
The carriages were ready, and a large group of people went to Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River.
Worship and pray, take a boat ride and listen to music. Xiaoman ordered the best dishes, no matter if he couldn't finish them or not. They ordered sweet-scented osmanthus duck, fish and rice soup lion head, Ruyi Huilu dried meat, Liuhuachun fish head king, sesame pancakes, Jinling candied rice dumplings, Qingfeng crystal buns, etc., etc. Everything that was famous was tried.
We went to Xinghua Village again to watch acrobatics. There were big operas with several stages on the east and west sides performing opposite each other. The beat of gongs and drums was like heavy rain hitting the roof. The crowd was crowded under the stage, and the people selling melon seeds, tea, peanuts and sesame candy were shouting at the top of their lungs. It was impossible to hear what was being sung on the stage.
But Xiaoman was very happy to hear this. Such excitement reminded her of the New Year scenes in the countryside.
She missed Xuanfu...
They ate and played, and only began to feel tired when the sun set in the west.
Xiaoman wanted to invite the villagers to her home, but they smiled and declined, "No, go back to the inn and have a good sleep. We'll leave tomorrow morning. There's a lot of work to do at home."
"So fast! There are still many places to visit." Xiaoman was quite surprised.
"There's no end to the fun, but we can't delay our work in the fields. We're relieved to see you doing well."
"Yes, we saw things we had never seen before, and ate things we had never eaten before. This trip is enough for us to talk about for the rest of our lives."
Knowing that she couldn't keep them, Xiaoman couldn't help but shed tears in her eyes.
He Ping patted her shoulder gently and said to the villagers, "I have hired a carriage to take you back home tomorrow. This is the teacher's wish, so don't refuse."
At dusk, Xiaoman and Jinxiu returned home.
After hearing about her heroic deeds today, Mrs. Jiang was stunned for a long time before she reacted, and she was extremely scared.
"How dare you! Aunt Yao and Aunt Sun were present when you were born. They knew everything. If they were to find out, you would be doomed!"
Xiaoman: "Auntie Sun is in jail and can't get out. As for Auntie Yao, she hates me, but she values her son's future more. She's afraid I might encourage Chen Ling'an to mess with Zhang Bi, so naturally she won't say anything."
Mrs. Jiang was relieved. "When your foster brother is free... and Chen Ling'an, come over and visit me. I have to thank him and not let him down."
Xiaoman was overjoyed, "I'll go find him tomorrow!"
Although she was told not to prepare anything, Mrs. Jiang still carefully selected the finest silks, head ornaments, etc. from the warehouse and asked Xiaoman to bring them to the villagers.
Xiaoman looked at those dazzling things and laughed, "Well, they don't wear these every day, so they will just be put in the bottom of the box. It's better to give them something practical."
Mrs. Jiang thought the same thing, so she asked Mother Fang to find a few pieces of clothes that she hadn't worn, and then pick out some inconspicuous but durable fabrics. She also took out a large bag of exquisite fruits, a bag of small change and a few banknotes.
Xiaoman counted the silver bills and found that there were as much as five thousand taels!
"It's okay to give them things, but they won't accept the money."
"You're usually so smart, but you're being silly right now—you're not going to say it's for Granny He? They can't refuse for others."
Xiaoman thought to herself, "I'm afraid grandma will return the banknotes." However, her mother's words gave her an idea.
Sure enough, the next morning the villagers set off, and no one was willing to take the silver notes.
Xiaoman smiled and said, "This is what my mother gave to our village. Three thousand taels to buy sacrificial land for the children to go to school, and two thousand taels to build a charity hall to provide shelter for the homeless children and the elderly without support. If it's enough, everyone can use it first."
Several neighbors exchanged glances with indescribable excitement. The aunt who led the way wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and accepted the gift with profuse thanks.
Looking at their receding figures, He Ping said with emotion, "Mrs. Jiang is kind-hearted and truly a role model for us. By the way, what are your plans for the future? Why not return to Xuanfu?"
Xiaoman shook her head and said, "I can't go back now."
He Ping raised his eyebrows and deliberately prolonged the ending tone: "I know, it's because of Ling, An, brother——"
On the fine stone corridor lined with flowers leading out of the imperial study, Chen Lingan sneezed loudly.
Qin Boyan, who was walking towards him, was stunned and couldn't help but look at him again.
This glance made Chen Ling'an, who was originally hesitant, no longer hesitate.
"Master Qin," he took the initiative to greet him, "has the order for the old marquis to return to the capital been issued?"
Qin Boyan was stunned again. Although they had worked together on Mrs. Jiang's lawsuit, he had no intention of becoming close friends with Chen Ling'an. Chen Ling'an's sudden question about his father's condition inevitably made him wary.
"It's okay, it will be soon." He answered ambiguously.
Chen Ling'an was silent for a moment, "Not considering the Yanbei area?"
Qin Boyan's scalp tingled and he held his breath. "For example?"
"Tongzhou Guard, Daning Commandery, Yingzhou Guards, and the five Baoding Guards can all be considered."
"Although Yanbei is good, it can't compare to Jinling. Unless in the future..."
"Who can predict what will happen in the future?" Chen Ling'an smiled. "The remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty have repeatedly invaded the northern border. We urgently need a veteran general with outstanding achievements and unwavering loyalty to guard it. Your Highness, please discuss this with the old Marquis."
Qin Boyan's heart was pounding and his palms were sweating.
Yan is the birthplace of the present-day Emperor Taizong. At the beginning of his reign, he upgraded "Beiping" to "Beijing" and relocated population to enrich Yan. He expressed his longing for Yan more than once and even planned to stay in Beijing for a short period of time.
Despite opposition from the ministers, it was still scheduled to be held after the next spring examination.
Then a shocking rumor quietly spread in the officialdom: the emperor wanted to move the capital to Beijing!
Judging from what Chen Ling'an said, it should be true.
After all, compared to Nanjing, which is dominated by the old ministers of the previous dynasty and the gentry of the south of the Yangtze River, the loyalty of Yan to the current emperor is much higher. By moving north, the emperor can greatly weaken the checks and balances of the southern civil service group.
However, moving the capital would not only be costly and laborious, but would also increase economic pressure in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas and deepen the confrontation between the northern and southern officialdoms.
Can it work?
If the bet is correct, it will be recorded as a record, and the Marquis's family will be blessed with an even higher level of favor, which can ensure the safety of three generations of the Marquis' family.
If I'm wrong, I'll become a sitting duck for those civil servants...
Qin Boyan sighed heavily, feeling extremely embarrassed!
-
Chen Ling'an was also in a very difficult situation at this moment.
As soon as he returned to the Northern Pacification Office, he saw Xiaoman waiting for him at the gatehouse.
"A thank-you banquet? No." Chen Ling'an immediately refused. "It's boring to keep thanking people."
"It would be rude not to go if your elders invite you. Besides, my brother is coming too. It would be nice for us to have a lively gathering together."
“I never eat out.”
"Are you afraid we'll poison you?"
Chen Ling'an paused, "That's not what I meant."
"What do you mean?"
"I……"
What should I say? He didn’t think anything of it before, but now when he thinks about meeting Mrs. Jiang, he starts to get nervous!
It’s like facing a rigorous exam, where the scope of the questions is unknown and the results are unpredictable.
This feeling made him very uncomfortable and he instinctively escaped.
Xiaoman stared at him without blinking, as if to say, "I won't let you go unless you tell me the reason."
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Chen Ling'an's forehead.
He could make up any excuse he wanted, such as being busy with official duties, having an appointment with someone, or being on duty in the palace, etc.
But he didn't want to lie to Xiaoman anymore.
The early autumn wind blew slowly from her direction, like a clear spring in the mountains, like a jungle after rain, fresh and simple, refreshing to the heart.
Chen Ling'an felt his heart beating in his chest.
He was distracted for a moment. How long had it been since he had felt this alive?
In a trance, someone pulled my sleeve and shook it gently. "Go ahead, my mother is a very gentle and kind person."
Chen Lingan lowered his eyes and said, "Okay."
Maybe it's time for him to take the initiative.
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