Chapter 284 Prince Xiang has disappointed me so much!
Dabao asked calmly, "How many people are there in your family? How many brothers does your father have? I don't know the specific situation of your family. If a younger uncle appears today, won't an older uncle appear tomorrow?"
The little fat boy was heartless and didn't hear the hidden meaning in Dabao's words.
"My father has only one brother, my uncle. He's a scholar, a talented scholar, with a natural talent for studying. My father has always hoped that he would become successful through study. He previously sent him to study at the Grand Academy in the mountains of Beijing. It was quite impressive. Because of my uncle's status as a juren, our family's business was tax-free, and he got to know many famous students in Beijing. My father said that if I passed the exam to become a tongsheng, he would let my uncle take me to study in Beijing..."
The Jiang family was a little surprised. It turned out that the suave uncle of the Mao family was actually a scholar.
Jiang Cheng picked up a piece of braised pork for the fat boy and asked warmly, "How old is your uncle this year? Why hasn't he married yet?"
The little fat boy said carelessly, "Thank you, grandma. My uncle is twenty-one this year. My dad has always wanted to find him a wife. People who are eighteen years old are already fathers. He said that my uncle doesn't have anyone who cares about him. But my uncle doesn't want to marry, saying that he only wants to study..."
My stepmother secretly said that my uncle had become too discerning and no longer cared about the girls from Shamen County. When he went to the capital, the ladies from prominent families there didn't like him, a local tycoon with only the title of scholar. Therefore, the marriage was delayed.
Erbao rarely agreed, "Your stepmother has a point."
Jiang Cheng looked a little disappointed. She was about to give the piece of meat to the fat boy, but instead she put it into her own daughter's bowl.
Jiang Lianzhu looked at the scene and found it a little funny.
Changing the subject, "Have you completed all the winter vacation homework assigned by the teacher when you go to school tomorrow? Have you checked it carefully? Be careful of getting a beating from the teacher."
Suddenly, the boys all looked serious.
I quickly finished my meal and went upstairs to finish my homework.
Dabao used to be in the same class with them, so if they didn’t understand something, they could secretly refer to Dabao’s homework.
Now Dabao has been promoted to the Class 1, and only Erbao and the fat boy are left to help each other. They are in a very anxious state now, you can imagine how anxious they are.
***
The Imperial Study in the Imperial Palace.
Xuan Huang stroked his forehead, veins bulging, and his expression was grim. "You handled the case in Daliangzhou very well. Have you dealt with all the follow-up matters?"
Liao didn't answer for a long time. There was a young eunuch serving him in the study.
Xuan Huang knew what he meant and sent Xiao Yuanzi away.
"Your dark circles are so serious. Have you not been able to get enough sleep at home recently?"
Liao Jiu said calmly, "I've never had a good sleep, but I'm used to it."
After leaving Jiang Lianzhu, his daily routine became disrupted again. Sometimes he couldn't sleep all night, and sometimes he was woken up by nightmares even when he fell asleep.
After returning to Beijing, there were many complicated things to do, so I just endured them. When I couldn't endure it anymore, I would naturally sleep for an hour or two.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after attending the morning court and paying New Year's greetings to the emperor, I returned home and slept for a whole day and a night. After a good sleep, I have not been able to do it since then.
"Your Majesty, there is someone behind Tao Jiuxiang. After the house was searched, the stolen silver did not match the amount. All the people at the celebration banquet have been checked. Xue Huailu, Liu Zhi, Fu Chongshan, Sang Zhong and others are all connected. The Xue and Liu families are also involved with the palace..." Liao Jiu said in a deep voice.
Xuan Huang was furious. "Is it related to the palace? Who gave them the courage? Have you investigated it carefully?"
"Tao Jiuxiang has been executed. Xue Huailu and Liu Zhi bit their tongues and committed suicide on the way back to the capital, fearing the punishment. Now it's been discovered that the distribution of poisoned grain was carried out with the help of a fingerprint that was circulated within the palace... And there are rumors in the streets..."
Xuan Huang had a bad feeling, "What are the rumors?"
"There are rumors circulating that Your Majesty's fate has run out, your dragon body is in serious condition, and your life is coming to an end. Heeding the rumors spread by Taoist priests, they are deliberately sacrificing innocent people to buy your life. We have arrested all the storytellers in the capital. They were all paid exorbitant sums to do things for others. Also, during the handover period in Daliang Province, there were malicious rumors and riots. All of this is related to Your Majesty's health..."
Xuan Huang laughed in anger, "Okay! Sure! Is this a spy sent by a neighboring country? Is this a deliberate trick? I asked a Taoist priest to give me a life extension. Absurd! Excuse me, where is the Taoist priest? My headache is a chronic disease. You are using my old illness to spread rumors and affect the stability and unity of our Da'an country. Dream on..."
At this point, Emperor Xuan's voice grew colder. "My headache is known only to my personal associates and a few veteran imperial physicians. How did the news get out?"
Liao Jiudao said, "Your Majesty, not only that, but you also brought up the matter of Prince Xiang. You said that you killed Prince Xiang with your own hands and absorbed his lifespan, as well as the eldest prince..."
"Prince Xiang and the First Prince... well, well..." Emperor Xuan seemed to be lost in painful memories. "Who is so audacious, and what does he want?"
Liao Jiu asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, I have always felt that there is something fishy about the affair between Prince Xiang and the eldest prince. Would you like to investigate it again?"
Four years ago, when Prince Xiang harmed the eldest prince and intended to rebel, he was still traveling abroad and not in the capital. When he came back, the disaster was already set in motion.
He took over the Six Gates only three years ago and is the youngest governor in history.
Many people opposed him and were dissatisfied with him. Over the past three years, he had proved his ability through one case after another, and the voices of opposition from the old officials in the court had become less and less.
Liao Jiu had read the case file about Prince Xiang's rebellion. It seemed reasonable, but he always felt that Prince Xiang was not that kind of person.
He once had a friendship with King Xiang...
Xuan Huang pressed his head, "No need. Every time I think of Prince Xiang's affairs, my heart aches. Prince Xiang has disappointed me so much!"
"Yes." Liao Jiu responded.
"You should be responsible for the follow-up affairs in Liangzhou. Catching the person behind the rumors and making trouble, and handling the matter properly. This incident should be deliberately caused by the neighboring country, but there must be a traitor in our country..."
"I am currently investigating. Martial law has been declared in Daliang Province, and all major prefectures have issued notices. We will not allow anyone to cause any more trouble. They may spread rumors, but we will refute them. These are all minor matters."
Let the four major academies, headed by Shanya Academy, compile books about the disaster in Daliang Prefecture, how the emperor couldn't sleep or eat, how he mobilized the national treasury to save the people from the dire straits, and how he punished the evildoers. Send people out to study and give lectures everywhere to increase people's awe of the emperor, and the situation will naturally be suppressed.
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