Chapter 57 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
The first trial came to an end.
Zhang Xiaojia and Zhang Yuncheng walked side by side on the way back, both feeling a little complicated.
At this time, Zhang Jingqi came towards him hurriedly, with a look of anxiety and confusion on her face.
"Brother, I heard that you resigned from the position of Shaoqing of Dali Temple? Is this true?" There was a hint of trembling in Zhang Jingqi's voice, and her eyes were fixed on Zhang Yuncheng's face.
Zhang Yuncheng nodded gently, his tone calm and firm: "Yes, I have made arrangements."
Zhang Jingqi's eyes instantly reddened upon hearing this, and her voice choked with sobs. "Even though my father was the runner-up in the imperial examination, he refused to enter government. And you, a brilliant third-place winner, finally secured your position as Junior Official of the Dali Temple, but now, for my elder sister, you've resolutely given up this hard-earned position. Brother, could you please consider us younger siblings? We need your care and attention, too!"
She paused, her emotions growing even more agitated. "My mother-in-law and the wife of Duke Heng are sisters. When you were targeting Duke Heng, did you ever consider me at all? In your eyes, is only the eldest sister your sister? Are all of us brothers and sisters not worthy of your concern?"
Zhang Yuncheng sighed slightly, his eyes becoming soft and profound. "Jingqi, you all have your father, mother, or grandmother taking good care of you. I am the only one who cares about Jiajia in the Zhang family, and I must be responsible for her. I also promised my mother that I would spend my whole life protecting Jiajia and ensuring her safety and happiness. This is my responsibility as her brother."
His tone was full of firmness and warmth, leaving Zhang Jingqi speechless for a moment. She could only lower her head silently, feeling mixed emotions.
Zhang Xiaojia suddenly said proudly: "Brother, I'm going back to Huangzhuang, do you want to go with me?" There was a hint of coquettishness in her tone.
"Okay." Zhang Yuncheng replied briefly, then said to Zhang Jingqi, "I thought you would come to burn incense for Princess Anguo, but you didn't. You must remember that in this complicated backyard, only if you don't make any mistakes can you gain a firm foothold."
He walked into the carriage with a smile, as if all his troubles had gone with the wind.
"Why do you want to go back to the imperial farm for no reason?" Zhang Yuncheng asked curiously.
Zhang Xiaojia explained, "He Fei asked me to go back because he probably has some new leads. Besides, the case has now been officially handed over to the Dali Temple. If I were to interfere without authorization, I'd probably cause unnecessary trouble for the Emperor. So, I plan to come to the Dali Temple every day to learn about the progress of the case. This way, I can keep an eye on it without overstepping my authority."
Zhang Yuncheng frowned slightly upon hearing this and reminded him, "Xiao Jia, it might be inappropriate for you to address Prince Jing by his given name."
Zhang Xiaojia asked back, "Brother, why didn't you tell my second sister that you got promoted? You'll be the Jiedushi after the new year?"
Zhang Yuncheng sighed softly, his eyes deep. "All the women in Jingdu knew what happened to Princess Anguo, and they quietly sent her to her burial. Many people came that day. Among them, some women from the backyard, in order not to offend Duke Heng, came to pay their respects on the pretext of being unmarried. This was both a righteous act and a demonstration of their integrity. My second sister, however, seems to be lacking in this aspect."
I deliberately concealed my promotion from her because I was afraid she would come to inquire about the Emperor's information for the Duke of Heng's Mansion. If I told her that I was promoted to Jiedushi after the new year, they would know that the Emperor supported this case. "
God!
Not to mention promotion, there are so many twists and turns. Are these officials all so smart?
For the first time, Zhang Xiaojia looked seriously at his brother, a cunning old fox.
Zhang Xiaojia frowned slightly: "What do you think will happen to the Prince of Hengguo?"
Zhang Yuncheng spoke slowly, his tone filled with unquestionable firmness: "Exile, this is his fate. Killing is beyond measure, beating and poisoning a woman. The Emperor detests lynching. Exile will never be pardoned. Moreover, with the methods and efficiency of the Wude Division, they would have reported every detail of the Hengguogong Prince to the Emperor long ago. In the Emperor's mind, he had already made up his mind.
"If you were to bring this case to justice, according to the law, Duke Heng should be beheaded, but the Emperor will grant him a pardon for his lynching and exile him instead. This is actually sending a clear and unequivocal signal to the other Jiedushi: the Emperor still holds a tolerant heart towards them."
Zhang Yuncheng changed the subject and asked, "Bai Luonan is your friend?"
Zhang Xiaojia, "childhood classmate."
Zhang Yuncheng's eyes grew more serious upon hearing this: "Bai Luonan is no small matter. If she is your enemy, destroy her before she is fully grown to prevent future troubles. If she is your friend, then you must not take her lightly and must be on guard against her at all times.
You must remember that your identity is extraordinary. You are the only cousin recognized by the emperor, a first-rank county lady appointed by the emperor himself, and the princess of Prince Jing. Your status is extremely noble.
Bai Luonan is a scheming person. For the sake of her official position, she will definitely take advantage of anyone she can and will never show mercy.
Therefore, when you interact with her, you must be careful and cautious, and not be fooled by her superficial appearance."
Zhang Xiaojia nodded to show that he understood.
Zhang Yuncheng felt a little relieved when he saw that Jiajia's eyes were no longer filled with the uncontrollable grief over the death of Princess Anguo.
By the time they arrived at the imperial manor, He Fei had already heard the news. He quietly waited at the door, letting the snowflakes fall onto his shoulders, piling up into a thin layer of silver. Seeing the slowly approaching carriage from afar, he quickly brushed off the snow and hugged the hand warmer tightly, so that Jia Jia wouldn't feel the slightest bit of cold while he was in his arms.
Zhang Xiaojia gently lifted the car curtain and immediately saw He Fei waiting outside. As He Fei held her firmly in his arms, her pent-up emotions instantly burst forth. She hugged He Fei's neck tightly, tears streaming down her face like beads from a broken string. She sobbed softly, her voice choking with sobs, "If I hadn't been lazy, if I had finished this sooner, Sister Yue wouldn't have died, He Fei, He Fei..."
He Fei hugged her distressedly and stroked her back gently: "Jia Jia, don't cry, this is not your fault. Your sister Yue's spirit in heaven would definitely not want to see you blaming yourself like this."
Her crying was filled with endless regret and self-blame. Every word seemed to be torn out from the bottom of her heart, making people feel sad.
Zhang Yuncheng stood aside, watching this scene with mixed feelings. He had never expected that Jiajia would actually blame him for Princess Anguo's death, and this heavy sense of responsibility would plunge her into deep pain.
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