Dragon Palace
The emperor's face was solemn, his eyes were like torches, staring at Jiang Zhixu below:
"You've done a great job on this mission! Not only did you successfully rescue Cheng Jiao, but you also brought the Crown Prince of Dong Jinguo to justice. You've lived up to my expectations. What reward do you request?"
Jiang Zhixu quickly knelt down and saluted, and replied respectfully:
"Your Majesty, this man was saved by my wife's brother. I dare not expect any reward."
The emperor thought for a moment:
"I heard they're here to take part in the Spring Imperial Examination. This year, I've punished many corrupt officials, and the court is looking for talent, so I've granted them two Imperial College admission cards. If they make it onto the list, I'll certainly give them important positions."
Jiang Zhixu kowtowed in thanks:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I thank you on behalf of my brother-in-law."
When Jiang Zhixu saw His Majesty waving his hand for him to stand up, he presented the memorial written by Jin Linlin with both hands.
Emperor Song looked suspicious and took the memorial:
"What is this?"
Jiang Zhixu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is a memorial written by my wife regarding the establishment of a newspaper. My wife believes that a newspaper can broadly gather public opinion, allowing the people's voices to be heard. It can also disseminate court policies and ensure their implementation throughout the country. Furthermore, a newspaper can publish a wide range of articles, such as academic and scientific, promoting cultural exchange and development. If successfully run, it will greatly benefit the court, firstly, increasing the people's understanding and trust in the court, and secondly, attracting more talented individuals to serve the court."
The emperor opened the memorial with great interest and read it carefully, his brows sometimes furrowed, sometimes relaxed. After reading it, he nodded slightly:
"This idea is quite novel. If implemented, it will indeed bring many benefits to the court. However, this matter requires long-term planning and must not be rushed. Go back and discuss it with your wife. Once you have drawn up a detailed plan, please submit it to me."
Jiang Zhixu knelt down and kowtowed again: "I will obey your order and will make careful plans with my wife to live up to your majesty's expectations." The emperor waved his hand, and Jiang Zhixu bowed and withdrew. He had already begun to think about how to work with Jin Linlin to get this matter done.
Mid-August of the fifth year of Chenhe is a good time for marriage
The great day when the Fourth Prince marries Cao Qiang, the second daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, as his concubine!
The eldest prince also got married that day, marrying Guan Yingying, the daughter of a sixth-rank military officer, as his concubine.
The scene on the wedding day was truly resounding with the sound of gongs and drums, and the blast of firecrackers! The Fourth Prince's wedding procession arrived first at the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's residence. Cao Qiang, dressed beautifully, happily boarded the bridal sedan chair with the help of her maid.
Looking over at the eldest prince, Guan Yingying also beamed as she boarded the bridal sedan. The two teams took their positions and headed back to the palace! The journey was a bustling one, attracting many common people to stop and watch.
But who could have imagined that just as they were about to reach the palace, something unexpected happened! The Fourth Prince's bridal sedan was suddenly stopped by a group of mysterious men in black. These men, highly skilled in martial arts, engaged the guards in a fierce battle. Meanwhile, the First Prince's wedding procession was ambushed, with a group of masked men emerging from the shadows.
Fortunately, after a fierce battle, they were finally driven back. Although the Fourth and First Princes were frightened, the wedding went on as planned! When the Emperor learned of this, he was furious and immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the mastermind behind the incident.
Jin Linlin accompanied Cao Jiao in the mansion of the Loyal and Brave Marquis today, busying herself with arranging the wedding. There was no other way, as the Loyal and Brave Marquis was ordered to guard Donglin Pass with his wife and children, and there was really no one in the mansion who could help Cao Qiang with these matters.
After a long day of work, they were both exhausted and sat down in the hall to rest. Cao Jiao frowned and said, "Today's wedding reception actually had something like this happen. I wonder who is so reckless as to cause trouble near the palace."
Jin Linlin also looked worried: "This matter is definitely not simple. The emperor has ordered a thorough investigation. I guess there will be results soon."
Zhenguogong Mansion
Jiang Shiwei held a bunch of flowers, picked up the scissors beside her, and began to trim the branches and leaves of the flowers "click, click, click", and put the trimmed flowers into the vase.
At this moment, a man in black entered the room quietly and knelt down with a plop.
"Is it done?" Jiang Shiwei asked while arranging flowers.
"It's done. Everything went smoothly as instructed by the master." The man in black replied with a fist salute.
After hearing this, Jiang Shiwei's face was calm. He turned around, took out three banknotes, handed them to the man in black, and said slowly:
"The Emperor will certainly conduct a thorough investigation. All of you should disperse and hide!"
"Yes, master, take care!" After the man in black said this, he left quietly, as if he had never appeared.
Second room Zhiyuanju
Jin Linlin and Cao Jiao sat in the pavilion, watching the sunset quietly. Xuerong was jumping around their feet, fighting for the meatball in Cao Jiao's hand. The sunset glow in the sky was like flames, gorgeous and magnificent.
After a while, Qiuyu hurried to the two of them and whispered:
"Madam, our people at the Second Young Lady's place said that a man in black had visited the Second Young Lady..." Then she described the situation over there in detail.
Jin Linlin and Cao Jiao exchanged a glance, eyebrows slightly raised: "Give her ten taels of silver and ask her to keep an eye on the Second Young Lady."
"Yes, I'll go now." After saying that, she retreated.
Jin Linlin reached out and took Xuerong into her arms, frowning and saying, "What is she going to do? She sent so many men in black to attack the bridal sedan, but then she did nothing."
"Where did she get so many people?" Cao Jiao wondered.
"She is so ruthless that she attacked at the palace gate. Is she seeking her own death?"
Cao Jiao gently stroked the cedar fluff, pondered for a long time, and said:
"We can't keep this man in black. If the investigation leads back to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and it gets involved in the prince's wedding, the Emperor will think the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is taking sides, which will affect the careers of the Second and Third Masters. The Emperor hates it most these days, as important officials take sides."
Jin Linlin also thought of this section:
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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