Chapter 53 She is a descendant of General Meng
As the flower boat docked and the Song family carriage drove away, Zhou Wanqing cried until her eyes were swollen.
Her former sister, with whom she had always been sincere, has now stabbed her in the heart.
She still doesn't understand why.
Zhou Congxian's expression remained unchanged. "Wan Quan, you escort Madam Jiang and the Third Miss back to their residence. I will go to the Imperial Palace with Wei Xun."
Imperial palace?
Jiang Shiyao was slightly startled.
"Madam Jiang, let's go."
As soon as I sat in the carriage, a fleeting thought flashed through my mind.
Were Zhou Congxian and Song Yitang actually rivals?
She rejected the idea as soon as it came to mind.
Who would marry the daughter of their enemy?
Moreover, the Song family is thriving in the court, while the Duke of Yingguo has gradually become marginalized since the death of the late emperor, holding only a mediocre position.
In his previous life, Zhou Congxian later joined His Majesty's Shadow Guard. Wasn't there Song Yitang's intervention?
The Zhou family certainly knew which was more important.
Even if Zhao didn't like this daughter-in-law, she still had to go through the proper betrothal and wedding ceremony to bring her into the family.
Song Jiyun hated her to the core. She had been lying low for so long and had orchestrated this whole thing in front of so many court officials.
This is no longer a simple power struggle within the inner quarters.
What the truth is is no longer important.
If the Zhou family's status remained the same as before, even if Zhou Congxian had ten concubines, the Song family would have to accept it with a heavy heart.
But now...
"Lady Jiang, I'm sorry..."
Zhou Wanqing's low voice came from beside her.
"These are turbulent times, I should listen to you."
"A time of great turmoil?" Jiang Shiyao turned her head to look at her.
Zhou Wanqing nodded. "I heard it a few days ago when I paid my respects to my grandmother. She told me to stay at home and not worry about anything."
"What else did you hear?"
"No, Grandmother was talking to Father when she saw it was me and gave him that instruction."
Zhou Wanqing thought Jiang Shiyao didn't understand, so she continued, "The day before yesterday, my elder brother ransacked the Prince Cheng's mansion, and Prince Cheng led his men to break through the barriers and enter the palace."
"News spread this morning that the Prince of Cheng has granted him a fiefdom, and he will soon depart with the prince from the capital."
"Some say that Prince Cheng has pledged allegiance to Your Majesty, while others say that Your Majesty is feigning ignorance in order to silence Prince Cheng and kill the vassal kings before he leaves the capital."
Jiang Shiyao didn't understand politics, but she probably does now.
King Cheng fled, and Zhou Congxian was punished by the palace for his poor performance.
Therefore, Song Jiyun used this incident as a pretext to pressure Zhou Congxian into dealing with her before agreeing to the Zhou family's mediation.
Seeing that she was not speaking, Zhou Wanqing thought she was scared, so she reached out and held her hand.
"Big brother will handle it."
The eldest brother slapped Jiang Niangzi for her sake, how could he not care about her?
Moreover, who would dare to marry such a vicious woman?
It's all her fault for misjudging people before, which is why she thought someone like that was her best friend.
Jiang Shiyao glanced at Zhou Wanqing, her lips twitching slightly, but she didn't respond.
It seems she needs to find an opportunity to leave early.
Back at the mansion.
Jiang Shiyao carried Fu'er and went into the bedroom.
He changed into a specially made undergarment and hid all the silver notes in various places on his body.
Fu'er blinked, "Mother."
Jiang Shiyao picked up her daughter, her eyes filled with solemnity. "Fu'er, no matter what, you must always believe in your mother."
"Mother will definitely make sure you live!"
Fu'er looked into her mother's eyes and then nodded.
The little girl doesn't understand what's happening now, but she knows that her mother is the best to her, and wherever her mother is, that's where she will be.
The torrential rain began and continued until nightfall.
Jiang Shiyao did not receive the people who came to arrest her and execute her.
Instead, Zhou Wanqing arrived.
Zhou Wanqing was holding a letter and a tattered purse.
“Madam Jiang, this was sent by Lord Liu. He said it was sent by your brother.”
She protected the items very well, ensuring they didn't get wet at all.
"Did Lord Liu send this?"
Jiang Shiyao frowned slightly.
She learned to sew this purse from her neighbor's aunt when she was a child, although it could only hold a few copper coins.
She couldn't quite remember where the purse went after that.
The handwriting on the letter was still fresh.
After quickly reading it, she felt a mix of emotions.
The political landscape of the court has been constantly shifting; when did it become any of her business, a mere young woman?
It's ironic that her life and death have ever been able to affect the imperial court.
Do you really think she's an ignorant woman?
Is she the key person in the Zhou and Song families' case?
Should we force her to commit suicide to atone for her sins and quell the storm?!
The truth doesn't matter; they only want to see what they want to see.
funny.
That's hilarious.
Decent.
Good manners.
"Madam Jiang?" Zhou Wanqing asked with a hint of worry when she saw the drastic change in her expression.
Jiang Shiyao swallowed hard before speaking softly to Zhou Wanqing, "It's a letter from my elder brother. Did Lord Liu say anything else?"
Zhou Wanqing said, "Lord Liu said that the eldest brother of the Jiang family is exceptionally talented and will definitely pass the imperial examination this time. He has already found a residence for him, the second one in Wutong Lane in the West City, so you can rest assured, my wife."
Jiang Shiyao's fingers rubbed the edge of the letter.
The second shop in Wutong Lane...
A small horse-drawn carriage with a green canopy slowly drove away.
Inside the carriage sat Li Ruoshuang and Liu Minghan.
Li Ruoshuang hesitated before speaking, "Will Madam Jiang understand...?"
Liu Minghan's eyes held an unreadable emotion. "She's smart; she'll understand."
Li Ruoshuang said, "This frame-up is crude to begin with. If Prince Zhou sees through it, wouldn't all our efforts be wasted?"
Liu Minghan chuckled silently. "Who doesn't know?"
He glanced at her as he spoke, "But, does it matter?"
Looking into his eyes, Li Ruoshuang suddenly remembered what her grandfather had said: Liu Minghan was too deep-thinking and not suitable for her.
Liu Minghan slowly closed his eyes. "To be honest, Prince Zhou and I are actually the same kind of people."
"Jiang Shiyao, she really has a hard life, she has suffered since she was a child."
Li Ruoshuang didn't understand, "Does the death of Lady Jiang really affect the situation?"
Liu Minghan sneered, "It has no impact. They are just casualties of the power struggle between the two sides. There will only be more casualties in the future."
“If Zhou Congxian protects Jiang Shiyao, his marriage to Song Jiyun will be over, and the situation he has been planning for so long will be completely destroyed.”
Li Ruoshuang's eyes flickered slightly.
What does this mean? What will Zhou Congxian do with his marriage...?
The carriage fell silent, with only soft sighs and the sound of rain outside.
Is this a lament for Jiang Niangzi becoming an innocent victim?
*
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and a storm was brewing.
Zhou Congxian's face was taut.
No, Song Yitang still suspects him. Today, it seems like he's framing Jiang Shiyao, but in reality, he's making trouble for the entire Zhou family!
Large raindrops fell on Zhou Congxian, and the water that was slowly accumulating on the roadside was splashed everywhere by the horses' hooves.
Just as they were about to leave the city, he suddenly pulled on the reins.
The horse's hooves lifted.
He suddenly looked up and met Zhao Yuan's eyes.
Zhao Yuan laughed first, "Young Master Zhou, what a coincidence, where are you headed?"
"Is the case on the pleasure boat not going to be heard?"
Zhou Congxian's cold expression softened. "When did Lord Zhao take up the post of city defense? Why haven't I received any transfer orders?"
Zhao Yuan leaned against the city wall, his face obscured by the misty rain.
Whether Prince Zhou is qualified to review my transfer order is still undecided.
"Please, Prince Zhou, clean up your household first before you speak with Zhao."
Zhou Congxian's lips curled up slightly, and he slowly loosened the reins with his right hand. Suddenly, a group of soldiers rushed up from the city wall and tied Zhao Yuan up.
Zhao Yuan's expression changed drastically. "What are you doing?! You...you're all Zhou Congxian's men!"
He immediately shouted, "Zhou Congxian! I have Empress Dowager Yi..."
Before he could finish speaking, a tattered rag of unknown purpose was stuffed into his mouth.
The pungent smell made his internal organs churn.
Zhao Yuan was escorted to Zhou Congxian, and a roll of crimson brocade was found on his person.
"Sir, I'm here."
"Waaaaahh ...
Zhao Yuan shouted excitedly, but he was tied up tightly and unable to move.
Zhou Congxian held the folded paper without unfolding it, and just looked at him with a cold snort.
"Lord Zhao is willing to be a loyal dog, but others only see you as a dead dog."
The document was thrown in front of him, flipped over, and then laid out before him.
The place that should have been stamped with the official seal is now empty!
Zhao Yuan's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Aaaaaah!!—"
He struggled to stand up, but was kicked back to the ground by the soldiers behind him.
Wei Xun raised his hand and waved, "Drag him away and keep a close eye on him!"
Zhou Congxian's eyes darkened slightly.
He had already begun making plans from the moment he took over the Yanwei Camp, which everyone disliked.
The Yanwei Camp is now full of good-for-nothings.
He temporarily served as the commander of the capital's yamen (government office), and his men were transferred to the city's defenses during the time when the princes came to the capital to offer birthday greetings and the city's defenses were strengthened.
Zhou Congxian rode his horse away from the city in the rain.
He deliberately let King Cheng go.
He had been plotting for the Empress Dowager for so many years; she must want to get rid of him as soon as possible.
He didn't know what deal he made with His Majesty when he entered the palace.
However, the Empress Dowager had been in control of the government for so many years that her power was deeply entrenched.
To eradicate it, one final blow is needed!
The palace was dark and gloomy.
The flickering flames reflected on the wall looked like a demon baring its fangs.
A few soft coughs.
He was a young man.
Zhou Congxian's wet clothes dripped water at his feet, leaving a small damp patch.
"Zhou Qing is meticulous; how could he make such a small mistake this time?"
Only the young man's back could be seen; his royal blue brocade robe was shrouded in darkness, and only the outline of the silver-embroidered patterns could be faintly discerned.
"It was my carelessness. My plan will not change, and this matter will not be affected."
“Zhou Qing, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters, let alone the sentiments of children.”
The young man tilted his head slightly; his lips were pale, as if he had been ill for many years.
Zhou Congxian's heart tightened.
"His Majesty……"
"Hehe..." The young emperor chuckled, "Minister Zhou, there's no need to be nervous."
He then changed the subject, saying, "I heard that the Jiang family is from Chuzhou."
Zhou Congxian was puzzled, but replied, "Yes."
"Our dynasty has 800,000 troops, more than half of which are in the hands of General Meng. It is a pity that General Meng and his family were loyal and righteous, but there is no successor."
"I heard that General Meng's beloved daughter ran away from her arranged marriage years ago and has not been seen since."
Zhou Congxian didn't know why His Majesty would bring up this old matter. "Yes, I heard that General Meng has never given up searching for his beloved daughter for more than 20 years."
His Majesty's index finger touched the jade thumb ring on his thumb.
"The Shadow Guard discovered that General Meng's men returned after finding Chuzhou."
"Zhou Qing, tell me, are General Meng's descendants in Chuzhou?"
Zhou Congxian suddenly looked up, "Your Majesty!"
"Zhou Qing, you should know how to choose."
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