Chapter 10 Returning to Hebei.
Qin Hong was restless. He would either stand there staring at Qin Lie's tent or pace around in circles, then continue staring at the tent. Judging from his posture, it seemed as if he wanted to stare a hole through it.
A guard who knew him well complained, "Fourth Master, take a break. You're making me dizzy!"
Qin Hong stopped and suddenly asked him, "Are you married?"
"Fourth Master, are you really dizzy? — Last year, my wife gave birth to a big, healthy boy. You and the General each gave me a congratulatory gift, and I even treated you to a banquet."
Qin Hong, as if grasping at a straw, hurriedly asked, "Then tell me, what would you do if your wife were taken away by someone else?!"
"What can they do?! If they want me to become a cuckold, I'll fight that bastard to the death!"
What happens after you've risked your life?
"ah?"
"After you risked your life, where's your wife?"
Konoe was completely bewildered, scratching his head. "She risked her life. All I hope is that she has a conscience and can raise our child well and take care of my mother in her old age. What else can she do?"
"That blockhead!" Qin Hong roared in exasperation. "Who told you to risk your life! I'm asking how you're going to treat your wife after you get her back?!"
"Then let's just live our lives peacefully..." The guard finally realized what was happening and secretly asked, "Does Third Master think that the princess's innocence has been tarnished by those thieves?" Speaking from experience, he said, "Don't worry about that. Nobody wants to make a quick buck with a beauty like the princess. Whoever she falls into the hands of will be reluctant to force her at first, so there definitely won't be enough time. Besides, her clothes were intact when she came back, and the general personally rescued her. Don't worry, I guarantee you, the villains definitely didn't succeed!"
Qin Hong kicked him in the butt: "Who asked you that?! I'm asking you, after you rescue your wife, will you feel sorry for her and comfort her?"
Without hesitation, the guard replied, "Of course! The young lady married us just to live a peaceful life. If anyone tries to take advantage of her, then we, as husbands, are spineless! Even if our wife comes back innocent, it's because we're incapable of protecting her. Even if our hearts are broken, we can't despise her!"
Qin Hong felt much better after hearing this.
As soon as he came out of the tent, the scene he had just seen kept replaying in his mind's eye.
When has Third Brother ever done that, carefully holding someone in his arms and gently coaxing them?
The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became. He was so anxious that he wanted to rush into the tent, grab his third brother, and get to the bottom of things.
Now that someone has explained it to him, he realizes it's guilt, that's all men feel this way, he's just overthinking it!
Relieved, he realized how tired he had been that day. Just as he sat down by a tree, he saw Qin Lie emerge from the tent and immediately stood up to greet him.
After Qin Lie instructed Zhao Mama and the palace servants guarding outside the tent to go in and serve the princess, he walked out and a tail followed him. When he turned around, it was indeed Qin Hong, who looked ashamed and dejected.
Having almost made his third brother a cuckold, Qin Hong was now more respectful than a newlywed bride, which made Qin Lie laugh. "Don't look so pathetic and disgusting. You've been starving all day, go get me some food!"
Qin Hong eagerly went to get some food. Qin Lie finished his meal in a few bites, washed up briefly, and was about to rest when Qin Hong, ever suspicious, cautiously inquired, "Third Brother, where are you staying tonight?"
Qin Lie glanced at him and said, "Your tent is yours. Find somewhere else to make do."
Qin Hong's tent was definitely big enough for two people to rest in, but Qin Lie couldn't stand his suspicious and paranoid manner.
Qin Hong was not upset at all when he was kicked out of the tent. On the contrary, he felt relaxed and happy. He slept well in the guard's tent that night and snored louder than anyone else.
Lingyi slept through the night, a rare occurrence. Holding the short knife, the images that had haunted her when she closed her eyes in the past few days seemed to fear the evildoers and dared not disturb her again. The next morning, she forced herself to drink a few mouthfuls of porridge while still feeling nauseous.
From that day on, she ate more at each meal and gradually recovered.
Once she had regained her normal appetite, the group finally arrived in Tongzhou.
Outside the city gate, the Prince Ding's mansion sent people to meet them. Tongzhou and Chongzhou are now under the jurisdiction of Jizhou, and there are people to take care of things along the way.
Qin Lie and Qin Hong went ahead to return to the Jizhou army to report, while the rest could return slowly.
The princess and Lady Zhen changed to a larger and more comfortable carriage. Although it was not as grand as the imperial carriage, it was much better than the carriage they had used when they were disguised.
Granny Zhao and the others finally had their own carriage again. Although there was only one carriage for the five of them, at least they didn't have to travel on foot all day long.
But Granny Zhao still complained: "The prince consort changed horses and left without even saying goodbye to the princess! And the Prince of Dingbei's residence, why did they only send a steward? The Prince of Dingbei's heir should have come to greet them."
Once they reached peaceful territory and were no longer in danger, Granny Zhao started acting like the head maid again.
Mingzhu advised, "We haven't arrived in Jizhou yet, and the Crown Princess is with us, so it's not too impolite."
These people have shared joys and sorrows these days, and they are no longer as distinct as they were in the capital. Otherwise, Mingzhu wouldn't dare to speak now.
The prince consort has already left, so there's no point in saying anything now. Granny Zhao's complaints were just to reassure the princess, but seeing that the princess's mind was completely absorbed by the bustling streets of Tongzhou, she didn't listen to them at all.
Lingyi lived for nearly sixteen years, and only once, when attending a banquet in the capital, did she secretly observe the bustling city life from her carriage.
Here, apart from this group of people, no one knew she was a princess. Zhen Shi didn't restrain her, and although she still couldn't get out of the sedan chair, she could ask people to stop if she saw something beautiful, and she could even ask people to buy something she liked to take a look at. She was extremely happy with it.
In Tongzhou, they didn't have to travel from dawn till dusk to stay at remote inns; instead, they stayed in the city every night.
Every city has its own unique local customs. Lingyi bought a whole bunch of odds and ends, so he had to take another carriage to carry them all. Finally, they arrived at the city gate of Jizhou Prefecture.
Someone wearing a cloak greeted them outside the city gate. He looked about six or seven parts like Qin Lie, with deep-set eyes and a handsome face.
Lingyi recognized him at a glance as Qin Xu, the heir apparent of the Prince of Dingbei. He was as tall as Qin Lie, but not as upright and heroic. Instead, he had a pale face, a thin body, and was slightly hunched over. This physique and appearance perfectly matched the aesthetic of the sons of the powerful and wealthy in the capital.
—Of noble status, handsome but thin, sickly and listless, with a charming demeanor.
Lingyi alighted from the carriage and looked up at the towering city wall, behind which lay the place where she would live from now on.
Jet black and cold, utterly unfamiliar.
The only person she knew did not appear.
Qin Xu explained, "The situation at the border is urgent, and my third brother is still in the military camp and was unable to come. I hope the princess will understand."
As a princess, how could Lingyi possibly throw a tantrum because her husband didn't come to fetch her? Besides, with such a valid reason, she is naturally a magnanimous and understanding person.
Granny Zhao secretly curled her lip, thinking that the actions of the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion were absurd. When she arrived at the manor and met the Prince and Princess, she would definitely give them a good thrashing. It was acceptable for the two of them to greet her respectfully at the manor, but the princess had just arrived in Jizhou, and the consort was still in the military camp. To put it bluntly, it was disrespectful.
Unexpectedly, they parted ways in the city, and their group was sent directly to the princess's residence.
Upon seeing the plaque of the Princess's Residence, Granny Zhao was furious. Mingzhu advised her again, "With the Prince Consort not here, it would be awkward for the Princess to go to the Prince's Residence. It would be better for her to stay at the Princess's Residence and wait for the Prince Consort to return. It would be more appropriate for the Prince and the others to come and pay their respects together."
Zhao Mama thought about it and agreed. Rather than waiting for the princess to go to the palace, it would be better to wait for the people from the palace to come over. This would make her feel better. She also wanted to tell the princess that although the palace's actions were understandable, they were still disrespectful. Once the people from the palace arrived, the princess would need to give them a good talking-to.
This is a common tactic used by the head maids to sow discord, making the princess feel that everyone else is either disrespectful to her or wants to harm her, while only the head maids are considerate of her in every way. In this way, the isolated and helpless princess will listen to their every word.
Zhao Mama wanted to carry out this plan, but she happened to encounter a princess with a big heart.
—Lingyi's heart had long since drifted into the princess's residence. No matter what others said, it went in one ear and out the other, leaving no trace.
Compared to the capital city where land is incredibly valuable, and even the emperor's bestowal is like a skilled cook without rice, Jizhou is much larger. Her princess's mansion is three times the size of a general's mansion in the capital, with not only more houses but also a lake within its grounds.
The princess's residence, though named as a gift from the emperor, was actually built by the Prince of Dingbei after the wedding. Due to the rushed wedding date, it could only be renovated on the site of the old house. The newly planted flowers, trees and shrubs had not yet grown, and with the cold weather, the courtyard looked rather bare.
The room was decorated in a grand and elegant style, but it was not exquisite enough. The materials used were far inferior to those of the imperial palace, and even to those of the nobility in the capital.
Lingyi looked around, somewhat displeased.
Because the princess's husband disliked him, the chief eunuch Li De, who was accompanying the princess, had not dared to step forward to serve her. Fearing that the princess would forget him, he observed her expression and quickly flattered her, saying, "Princess, why bother? Just replace what you don't like."
Lingyi's eyes lit up: "Can we exchange it?"
Li De said, "This is the princess's residence. You are the princess and the master of this place. Naturally, you can do whatever you want!"
Lingyi has lived in Chaohua Palace, the Imperial Son-in-Law's Office, and the General's Mansion.
But there was never a place where she could do whatever she wanted.
Upon hearing this, he was immediately delighted and asked, "Then can I choose what I like myself?"
Before Granny Zhao could speak, Li De added, "Of course."
Once outside the capital, thousands of miles away, the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine, once figures of immense power, became distant symbols.
Now that the princess is the most powerful person here, Granny Zhao wanted to stop her, but she was afraid that the princess would become estranged from her, so she had no choice but to swallow her anger.
Lingyi happily called Qiu Min, and with several guards disguised as bodyguards, they took pearls and jewels and went out for a thorough stroll.
In the following days, Lingyi indulged in shopping to her heart's content. Since her dowry had not yet arrived, and the things she liked to use had not been delivered either, many things needed to be bought again. Almost every day, several carriages delivered the goods.
It took about ten days to finally decorate the mansion to a way that she liked.
After she finally finished her work, Granny Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Princess, we've been here for so many days, and the Prince Consort still hasn't arrived. Should we send someone to the Prince's residence to inquire?"
Lingyi touched the short sword hanging at her waist. She and the prince consort were husband and wife. She had married into Jizhou, but he had disappeared without a trace. She also felt something was wrong, but to ask him to take the initiative to find out would be like she was begging him to come. Just thinking about it made her ears burn.
With a stern expression, she said seriously, "Since the Prince Consort is at the border, it must be something of great importance. He is working hard for the court, how can I trouble him with such a trivial matter? Granny Zhao, please don't say such things again!"
After receiving the secret letter, Qin Lie skimmed through it. There was no need to read it carefully; such grand and dignified words were obviously what the little princess would say.
He could even picture the bluffing look on her face when she said those words.
After making a show of going from Tongzhou to the border, he returned to the palace. When the princess arrived in Jizhou, he was also in the palace.
Hueryan's harassment of the border was a transaction: he helped Hueryan kill his brother and seize the throne, and Hueryan helped him get married and return to Jizhou.
However, both men had a backup plan. He deliberately left Hueryan with his infant nephew, forcing him to kill him and earning him a reputation for cruelty and cold-bloodedness on the grasslands. Several tribes that had originally wanted to submit to him were disheartened, and the grasslands continued to split.
Hueryan had only promised a feint attack, but he had indeed plundered a considerable amount of supplies. If Qin Lie did not return, the feint attack might turn into a real attack in an instant.
Regardless of anything else, the two met again and drank and chatted happily, appearing even closer than blood brothers.
After returning to the palace, he was worried that something might have gone wrong with the princess. After all, she was the princess, and if she insisted on coming to the palace, no one could stop her. But when he saw the secret letter and thought of the princess's prideful nature, he realized that he had been overthinking things.
Feeling annoyed, he burned the secret letter and the candle, instructing, "From now on, unless it is a major matter, there is no need to report to the Princess's residence."
Qin Lie went to Tongzhou the next day. Now Tongzhou and Chongzhou were under the jurisdiction of Jizhou, but the affairs of the two states were a mess, and the local officials were shirking their responsibilities and pretending to comply while actually going against the grain.
Qin Shiyan ordered Qin Lie to go to Chongzhou to take over the management, and Qin Lie specially studied Qin Xu's practices in Chongzhou for this purpose.
Qin Xu employed gentle and gradual methods, and Chongzhou has now begun to take shape under his control.
Qin Lie felt that although his intentions were good, the results were slow. When Qin Xu went to Chongzhou, he brought an accountant and a capable official from Jizhou, while when Qin Lie left, he brought several hundred soldiers, full of murderous intent.
The journey took only a little over half a month. Upon arriving in the first two cities, he treated everyone with courtesy, inviting the county magistrates and assistant magistrates to banquets and drinks. After the banquets were over, he very kindly inquired about the population, land area, and tax revenue of each county. The group looked at each other, none of them willing to answer. He could only humbly ask them one by one, but some knew nothing at all, or the county magistrates and assistant magistrates gave different answers, or their accounts were the same but differed significantly from his own.
Qin Lie smiled and raised his hand. The soldiers behind him stepped forward and drew their swords, making those who pretended to be deaf and dumb drink the wine of the mortal world and then drink the soup of oblivion. Everyone immediately ate the feast without any delay.
Then things became much easier.
If the magistrate dies, there's the assistant magistrate; if the assistant magistrate dies, there's the lieutenant magistrate; and at worst, there are clerks and yamen runners—there's always someone who can explain things.
Upon arriving in the next few cities, everyone prepared records of household registration, land ownership, taxes, and criminal records early in the morning, and presented them to him after a peaceful meal.
Later, before he even set off, magistrates from other cities flocked to him.
He was happy to have some peace and quiet, leaving dozens of people there to set up surveillance boxes. If anyone reported these officials for making false reports, they could be replaced once the report was verified, and he could leisurely return to Jizhou.
As soon as he stepped into the Prince's mansion, Qin Shiyan summoned him to his study.
Qin Shiyan rebuked him for his drastic and reckless methods, arguing that although these county magistrates and assistant magistrates were not high-ranking officials, their relationships were deeply intertwined.
Some of them were Jinshi graduates from recent imperial examinations, and many of them were classmates in the same year. Many of them were in the Hanlin Academy. Military officers were most afraid of censors, and they were often impeached even when there was nothing wrong with them. How much more so when they were about to execute court officials.
Qin Lie didn't take it seriously: "I'm afraid the imperial court won't be able to take care of us for the time being."
What does this mean?
Qin Lie laughed and said, "The Prince of Xiang intends to rebel, and it will happen within the next five or six days."
Qin Shiyan knew that Qin Lie had his own sources of information, so he didn't question him. After a pause, he simply sighed, "She really is a femme fatale!"
The feud between Emperor Jiahe and Prince Xiang was once a major and widely circulated story among the people.
In terms of seniority, although the Prince of Xiang was a few years younger than Emperor Jiahe, he was his uncle and had been enfeoffed in Jiangnan to govern two prefectures from an early age.
After ascending the throne, Emperor Jiahe executed four of his brothers and two of his uncles on charges of disrespect, and also imprisoned many members of his clan.
This Prince Xiang, because of his love of literature and his passion for nature, became a model of harmonious relations between the emperor and his ministers, established by Emperor Jiahe, creating a legendary tale in the imperial family.
Based on his temperament, the Prince of Xiang could have lived a life of wealth and leisure.
The problem was that he had a beautiful princess who caught his eye during Emperor Jiahe's southern tour.
Later, the princess, unable to bear the humiliation, committed suicide. Emperor Jiahe, not wanting his image to be tarnished in history and seeing his uncle as utterly incompetent, did not take action to eliminate any future trouble.
Unexpectedly, the Prince of Xiang had been lying low for more than a decade and even conceived the idea of rebellion.
Qin Lie sighed, "The Prince of Xiang is merely a scholar; he is unlikely to achieve great things."
Qin Shiyan detected a hint of regret in his tone and asked coldly, "What? If he succeeds, what else do you want?"
Qin Lie laughed and said, "It's nothing. I just want our Prince's Mansion to take advantage of this time to properly manage Tongzhou and Chongzhou."
After leaving Qin Shiyan's study, Qin Lie returned to his own study, leaning back in his recliner with his eyes closed and gently rocking back and forth.
Qin Xiaoshan recounted to him everything that had happened in the manor during this period, as well as some news from outside the manor. At the end, he suddenly remembered something. Although the general had said not to mention it, since they had already come home, even though it was not a big deal, he couldn't ignore it. So he said, "The princess's manor came three times to inquire whether the general had returned to the manor."
Qin Lie opened his eyes: "Hmm?"
“People from the Princess’s residence came to inquire about the general’s whereabouts. They came twice in just five days, but they were sent away before they could enter, without disturbing the prince and princess.”
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