A Lady’s Tranquility

Chapter 77: blackmail

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In a courtyard deep in Xiejie Hutong, Zhou Yinzhi got up and escorted Jiang Xuening to the door, only to say: "If the second girl wants to visit that You Fangyin, you have to wait until later, so as not to be crowded."

Yaoniang followed behind him and came out to see Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening said: "Then I will go later.".

She went down the steps with moss growing in the gap at the door, but stopped to look back at Yaoniang, and said with a smile, "Thank you for the tea you made for me this time."

Yaoniang was flattered.

She is just Zhou Yinzhi's maid, and she doesn't know how this noble person who has a big favor in her own family is so polite to her, so she quickly said: "I didn't have a good tea reception last time, and Yaoniang's craftsmanship is rough, I'm afraid the girl is not used to drinking it. , as you like."

Jiang Xuening then said goodbye and left, and went back to the mansion first.

At this time, the news that You Yue and You Fangyin had been detained by the Jinyi Guard Yamen for trial had also spread to the Qingyuan Uncle's Mansion.

Everyone just thought it was You Yue who went out to play, thinking that she would be back later.

Where did you expect to be arrested without seeing anyone for a long time

For a while, the whole house was restless. After hearing about it, Mrs. Uncle almost closed her eyes and fainted, but the eldest young lady, You Shuang, was more stable, and only asked the servant who came to spread the word: "What happened to my sister, how could she be arrested? ?"

The servant said: "I heard that it was in the teahouse that he started with the third lady, and the second girl from Jiang Shilang's house was next to him and went to report the case. Unexpectedly, when Jinyiwei came, they took both of them away. , said that it was not clear to ask in the teahouse for a while, so why not go back to the yamen to explain."

These words are all heard.

At that time, it was actually You Fangyin's hand that moved, but when everyone heard that both of them were taken away, they naturally thought that it was the hands of the two that moved each other, and the words naturally changed.

Mrs. Uncle immediately scolded: "You Fangyin's little hoof is always bad for her!"

However, You Shuang noticed the existence of "Second Girl Jiang" keenly.

But she was not selected to study as a palace companion. She had only heard of the grievances between her sister and Jiang Xuening, but she did not know the details. Although she suspected that the matter was related to Jiang Xuening, it was not easy to draw conclusions.

Only said: "My sister has been selected to be a companion in the palace, and the opportunity is rare. This time back to the palace was originally just to go out to the palace to rest, and I would not dare to make a big issue. Good. If one is careless and takes advantage of the loopholes for the conscientious person, I am afraid that the position of this companion will not be guaranteed. And I have to go back to the palace in a day. If my sister is still in custody, it will be even more difficult. If you can't handle this well, you need to deal with the public door, and you need your father to come forward."

Mrs. Uncle immediately said: "Yes, yes, we are also a noble family after all! These people in Jinyiwei, if they say they take people, why do they take us seriously? I will go to see Uncle, please come here. deal with."

The group hurried to report to Uncle Qingyuan.

But who would have expected that when Uncle Qingyuan asked about the specific situation, his face changed greatly, and he suddenly stood up and asked, "It was Zhou Qianhu, who had just been promoted by Jin Yiwei, who took Yue'er away?!"

People don't know why.

Uncle Qingyuan was already furious: "Confused! Confused! What are you doing to provoke Jinyiwei so well? The original Zhou Qianhu and our mansion can still deal with each other, but the one who just took office is also called 'Zhou Qianhu', but I I have asked people to visit a few times and have not answered me anything. The Jinyiwei gang are all evil spirits who eat people and do not spit out bones. What do they want me to use to satisfy their appetite! Let me cause trouble!"

Mrs. Uncle was already crying: "But uncle, if you don't save it, what will we do with Yue'er? I heard that the people who are detained and awaiting trial are all staying in prison like those prisoners. God knows what a pitiful situation..."

Uncle Qingyuan looked gloomy and thought about it.

Recently, there are rumors in the palace that he is going to choose a concubine for the king of Linzi.

With the help of the calligraphy and painting at the Double Ninth Banquet that day, Yue'er was finally selected to be a companion in the palace, but it was a rare opportunity. If she could find a good marriage in the future, Yu Bo's house would be of great help.

go to jail...

Eldest Miss Qianjin was not born by the third daughter's cheap concubine, so she couldn't give up casually. If the matter spreads, who would want to marry her in the future

This is really a sudden disaster. Although the Uncle Mansion is also handed down from an aristocratic family, no one has real power for three generations. In today's imperial court, it has long been on the fringes, and only an empty shelf is left to look good, but I don't know how much it will take to settle this matter!

Uncle Qingyuan became angrier the more he thought about it.

But there is nothing to do here, so I can only grit my teeth and instruct the housekeeper: "Go, first order the silver coins in the inner library, and prepare the carriage immediately, I will go to the yamen first!"

When Jiang Xuening returned to Jiang Mansion, the sun was already slanting.

When she entered the door, an old woman said to her, "It's rare for you to come back from the palace. The old man and his wife said that dinner will be served in the main room at night. The old servant is worried that you will come back late, but now it seems to be just right."

When Jiang Xuening heard this, he paused and said, "I see."

No matter how they get along on the inside, they are still a family on the outside.

It's time to come back for a meal.

She went back to her room to tidy up a little, and then went to the main room.

At this time, lights were lit everywhere on the porch.

In the room, Jiang Boyu had been sitting with Mrs Meng for a while.

Jiang Xuehui sat beside Meng Shi.

There was a gilded invitation on the table, and Jiang Boyu was looking down, frowning.

Jiang Xuening came in to salute.

Jiang Boyu called her up, but looked at her but hesitated.

Jiang Xuening noticed it, and when he looked up and saw the invitation card he was holding in his hand, the strong and powerful handwriting on the outer seal was a little familiar - it was Yan Lin's handwriting.

Jiang Boyu felt that she should also take a look, so he handed out the invitation and said, "The invitation from Yongyi Hou's mansion invites people to watch the crown ceremony of the prince."

When Jiang Xuening opened the invitation, his fingers trembled slightly.

Just because every word on this invitation was written by Yan Lin herself, although not a word was mentioned to her, it seemed to be just some ordinary words on the invitation, but she wanted to know that since the Yongyi Hou Mansion sent the invitation to the outside world. , it is impossible to have only this one, and it is even more impossible that every invitation is written by Yan Lin himself.

Her invitation is special.

Even though he had already cleared his relationship with her in public, this young man still hoped that he could be by his side and witness the moment when he became an adult.

Jiang Xuening slowly closed the invitation.

Jiang Boyu asked, "Are you going by then?"

Jiang Xuening said: "Go."

Hearing the conversation between his father and daughter, Mrs. Meng couldn't help but feel a little worried. She wanted to say that something happened to Yongyi Hou's mansion. rushing

Just seeing Jiang Boyou also nodded, it is hard to say.

She said, "Sit down and eat first."

The cooks in the house are average cooking, and Jiang Xuening is a bit picky about the word "eat", so his appetite is always average and he eats less.

Jiang Xuehui sat next to her and did not speak.

After a meal, the family ate in a muffled voice, and it was inevitable that they felt a little heavy.

When a few cups of tea were served at the end of the meal, Mrs. Meng said, "It is always the master who made the decision in the mansion, and some words are not easy to talk about as a concubine. It's just that everyone knows that the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion has been abandoned by the sage, we would rather The elder sister and the old man were taken care of a lot by the young marquis. Although the in-laws could not be made, it is true that the crown ceremony is to be attended. The concubine does not object to this. Contact, when I was having tea with Mrs. Dingguo and others a few days ago, I heard that His Royal Highness King Linzi will start to choose a concubine soon. I think that on the day of the crown ceremony, Ning Jie'er goes, and Hui Jie'er forgets it. Bar."

In the end, Jiang Xuening entered the palace to accompany him to study, and also made a lot of money for the family.

Although she felt that she was fighting with the young lady of Qingyuan's uncle's house in the palace, it was inevitable that they would be embarrassed and embarrassed to see them outside. Sister Hui picks out some, and it is possible to leave more points for future marriages.

Although Jiang Boyu and Yongyi Hou's mansion had a good relationship, they were facing a major challenge. He couldn't twist his arms around his thighs. Naturally, he had to consider the situation of the mansion, so he couldn't do anything to refute Meng's words.

Jiang Xuening did not speak.

Jiang Boyou said, "That's fine."

But no one expected that at this time, Jiang Xuehui, who had not said a word before, raised her head and said, "I'm going too."

Meng Shi's eyes widened: "Sister Hui!"

Jiang Xuehui glanced at Jiang Xuening, but did not intend to change her mind: "My father is the head of the family, and he has already gone to the crown ceremony by then, so it doesn't matter how our children choose. And the matter of Yongyi Hou's mansion may not have changed. There is room for my father and sister to go, and my mother and I should also go."

Meng Shi was stunned.

Even Jiang Boyou didn't think of it.

Jiang Xuening looked at her steadily, seeing her beautiful face and calm expression, thinking about what she said, it was reasonable, how could such a lady be worse than Xiao Shu

So he smiled slowly.

Meng Shi thought, why is this not the case

Jiang Boyu sighed that Sister Hui was indeed sensible.

After using the tea, Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui together withdrew from the room, walked on the porch, stopped and said, "If I were you, if I had such a great opportunity, I would not miss it. After all, the capital is full of capital. You know, His Royal Highness the King of Linzi is on good terms with Yan Lin, and Yan Lin will give a crown, he will definitely go."

Jiang Xuehui's complexion changed, as if she did not expect her to say these words, the whole person could not help but tense.

Jiang Xuening is normal.

She lowered her eyes and saw the embroidered handkerchief she was holding in her hand at the moment, she gently stretched out her hand and pulled it out from between her fingers, spread it out and placed it in her palm, revealing a light green Cymbidium embroidered on her face. There was also a small red ginger flower on the corner, so he raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Jiang Xuehui and said, "I hope it will be more, you'd better take this embroidered handkerchief into the palace."

The embroidered handkerchief was put back into Jiang Xuehui's hands by Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuehui looked at her as if she didn't understand what she was saying.

Jiang Xuening was not close to her, he planned his own, and he didn't want her to understand, let alone explain anything. In his heart, he was still thinking about going to see You Fangyin. After returning the embroidered handkerchief to her, he turned around and went to court went out.

This is going out at night.

But no one in the whole house dared to say anything, as if they were used to it.

Jiang Xuehui stood there and looked at her back, as if she didn't care what others thought. All the rules imposed on women in the inner house in this world seemed to be trampled under her feet, and she felt a little envious for a while.

But it was all picked up in an instant.

The life Jiang Xuening lived, she had never experienced, and naturally she did not have such a temperament. In the end, everyone has their own fate.

It was very late, Zhou Yinzhi was still in the yamen and did not go back.

The subordinate asked him, "Is Lord Qianhu still not coming back?"

Zhou Yinzhi replied: "If you have something to do, you should go first."

Those brocade guards didn't dare to ask any more questions. Three groups of five removed their official robes and went out to drink, leaving Zhou Yin alone.

Jiang Xuening was here at the right time.

He was covered with a black cloak, a big hood, and a long goose-yellow skirt on the inside, but it made his body even more slender. Eyes are like pictures.

Zhou Yinzhi glanced at it, then lowered his gaze, and said, "In the afternoon, the uncle's house in Qingyuan will come to look for people, but Zhou remembers that the second girl said to rest for two days, but she is not in a hurry for the time being. Not too late."

Not long after he was promoted to a thousand households, it was the first time that he felt the power in his hands. It turned out to be so easy to use.

In the afternoon, Uncle Qingyuan came in person, but he didn't dare to speak when he saw him.

A box of silver notes was handed over, three thousand taels.

Zhou Yinzhi glanced at him, only frowned, and said, "Uncle, you don't have to do this, the yamen can release the people after they have turned around and tried them, at most seven or eight days. If Ling Ai really has nothing to do with picking quarrels and nuisances, it will naturally be fine. ."

Uncle Qingyuan's eyelids jumped.

He took out another five thousand taels from his left sleeve and put it on it.

Zhou Yinzhi's brows wrinkled even deeper: "It's all about the juniors, and Jin Yiwei also has a point here, so it won't have anything to do with the chaos of the Heavenly Religion. Uncle, please come back."

Uncle Qingyuan almost fell to his knees when he heard it.

This time, he clenched his teeth, as if the flesh fell off his body in pain, and took out a 5,000 tael silver note from his right sleeve and put it on.

When he spoke, he almost burst into tears, saying, "My daughter has not suffered much since she was born, and she is loved by her family. I finally chose to enter the palace as a companion to study, and if I have to go back to the palace in a few days, I would like to ask Lord Qianhu to raise your hand and be accommodating."

Only then did Zhou Yinzhi say: "My uncle loves his daughter so much, and it sounds pitiful. That being the case, I ordered someone to interrogate him overnight, so you can come tomorrow."

Uncle Qingyuan went away with great gratitude and gratitude.

The 13,000 taels were naturally left behind.

As for whether he insulted him with a ruthless hand after leaving, it is unknown.

At this moment, Zhou Yinzhi took out an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Xuening, saying: "The uncle will send someone to pick up that You Yue tomorrow, but he didn't mention another concubine in the palace. I told Uncle Qingyuan. , this matter still has to be left alone for trial, and You Fangyin is the one who is causing trouble, so I can't let people go for the time being. Uncle said, that's natural. Then he left."

Jiang Xuening took the envelope.

After taking a look, there were two silver notes of 5,000 taels.

She then stuffed the silver note back, secretly saying that there is still a three-point nail in the broken ship. Although it wasn't a lot, it was definitely a lot, and she knew exactly who Zhou Yinzhi was. I was afraid that Uncle Qingyuan gave more at that time, and she had ten thousand in her hands.

I don't know how this uncle looked at that time, how much hatred should You Yue know

Jiang Xuening groaned in his heart.

He just said that the money was used for the artesian well salt field, and it would not be much worse if he went back and made up for it.

She said: "It took a lot of money to get one You Yue, and the uncle will not spend the second time wrongly. One is the direct daughter, the other is the concubine, the other is a student in the palace, and the father doesn't love his mother or love, and he will die. No one cares about it in prison, and they think you have to keep a handle on them to feel at ease, so they deliberately left You Fangyin to you, so that you can rest assured about the money."

It's all commonplace in the officialdom.

Zhou Yinzhi listened and nodded.

Jiang Xuening asked again, "How is Fangyin?"

Zhou Yinzhi took her to Houya's cell.

When the jailer saw that Lord Qianhu brought a woman, she was all wrapped in a cloak, and although she couldn't see her clearly, she didn't dare to ask any more questions.

Most of the Jinyiwei arrested people for the emperor. The people involved were either princes or nobles. They often had to use some means to get these people to tell the "truth". Therefore, all kinds of ferocious torture instruments were placed everywhere in this prison.

Jiang Xuening had never been to such a place in the past and this life.

However, in the next moment, I couldn't help thinking of Zhang Zhe.

In the last life, that person was imprisoned, and the one who interrogated him was his enemy. All kinds of torment added to him, what kind of pain should it be

There were no windows on all sides of the prison, it was dark and damp, and it was freezing cold in winter.

Some of the cells had people locked up, most of whom were already asleep.

There are also some with their eyes open, but they don't respond when they look at the person, they are like walking dead, and their eyes are numb and palpitating.

It's just that the farther you go, the fewer cells there are for people.

Mostly empty.

When he got to the innermost part, Jiang Xuening even saw a few bright candles falling on the ground outside the prison door. I looked inside and saw that although it was still a prison cell, it was kept clean: the bed in the corner was neat, and there was a thick quilt; there was a bookcase against the wall, with pen, ink and paper. Inkstone; at the moment there are bright candles on the table. A man bowed his head under the lamp and looked carefully at the roll of books in front of him. The bun was loose and simply tied into a bundle. It fell from the front of the shoulders to the chest.

It was You Fangyin.

Jiang Xuening was stunned for a moment, standing outside the cell, looking inside, not knowing what to do for a while.

Zhou Yinzhi walked behind her without speaking.

It was silent here. There were footsteps when they came from outside. You Fangyin could easily hear them. When she turned around, she saw Jiang Xuening standing outside. The prison door was opened, and he said, "Why is the second girl here!"

Jiang Xuening: "..."

She glanced at Zhou Yinzhi faintly.

I have to say that although this person has the heart of a wolf and wolf, there are reasons why she liked to use this person and favored this person in the last life.

Work is too beautiful.

The prison door was originally unlocked, it was just closed like an ordinary person's door.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Yinzhi retreated into the distance.

Jiang Xuening walked in, and after looking at it, he still felt that the place was too narrow. He looked at You Fang and said, "I came up with this on a whim, and I'm so tired that you suffer from this prison trip..."

You Fangyin had never been so happy before.

She looked around at her cell, but she was very comfortable. Hearing Jiang Xuening's words, she quickly shook her head and said, "No, no, no! Lord Zhou has arranged me well, and I know that the second girl also doesn't want me to go back to the house. To be punished, it's all my fault for being too impulsive. I, I live here, very happy, very happy."

Jiang Xuening was startled: "Happy?"

However, You Fangyin nodded vigorously, unable to hide the joy on her face, so she wanted to tell her that this place is much better than the firewood house, and that there are still lamps and candles to shine on, and books to learn from, but it's just that When he was about to say something, he met her eyes, but felt that she couldn't let her know about it.

So she opened her mouth and closed it again.

The head also bowed, and the joy was gone, and it became the most common look of timidity.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Xuening guessed seven or eight points even if she didn't know.

Looking at her thin and haggard description again, how can you not know that during her time in the palace, You Fangyin lived a difficult life in the palace

My heart was very sad for a while.

She forced a smile, and La Youfang sighed and sat down on the clean bed, with hot flashes in her eyes, only said: "I know you were bullied by them in the mansion, but I can't interfere in the affairs of the uncle's mansion. I came up with this method. Fortunately, there are thousands of adults here who can take care of you, and you can’t care about anything else. Anyway, you can live a life like a human being in this place where people don’t stay. Wait two more. I will ask Lord Zhou to be more lenient and let you go out secretly. I will enter the palace in a few days, so everything about the Artesian Salt Field and Ren Weizhi will depend on you. You are like this If I can be happy, I will naturally be happy; but if I am not happy, I must not give up on myself, and I have to rely on Fangyin to solve everything.”

She said it with a smile, but the sourness in her voice made You Fangyin feel sour as well, and hurriedly assured her: "Second girl, don't worry, Fangyin is stupid, but she has been able to read the account books these days. This time I saw that Young Master Ren, and I have already talked about it. The second sister in the family wanted to do it after knowing about it. Fangyin still remembers what you said. Since you can go out of this cell, you can also go out to talk about business. , there is no better place in the world than this. I, you, I am happy anyway... "

She spoke in a mess.

At the end, I wanted to say something to comfort Jiang Xuening, but I was stupid and didn't know how to say it.

There are people in the world who feel that living in prison is more comfortable than at home...

Jiang Xuening heard this, and at first he put his mind down, but after thinking about it, he felt very pitiful in addition to being funny.

I don't dare to say more on this topic at the moment, I'm afraid I can't help but ask what life she lived in the mansion.

So he took out the envelope that Zhou Yinzhi had given him earlier, and handed it to You Fangyin's hand, saying, "The dead camel is bigger than a horse, and the salt field of Ren's house in Ziliujing, no matter how dilapidated it is, is far beyond what ordinary people think. If you don't have any silver taels, you can't do things well, and you have all these in your hands."

When You Fangyin opened it, she was startled.

She had never seen so much money in her life.

However, Jiang Xuening knew that the money came from Qingyuan Uncle's Mansion. He only said that it should be in You Fangyin's hands, so he should make up for it. It's just that it's not easy to tell her, remembering the current predicament, he said: "The Qingyuan uncle does not treat people as people, and you have such a harsh elder sister, you shouldn't have wronged you to continue to stay at home. But for a while. I can't think of a way to get you out for a while..."

You Fangyin hurriedly comforted her: "It's okay, Fangyin is really okay, it's okay to live here all his life."

Jiang Xuening did not smile.

She looked at her, and for the first time felt that this girl was too painful: "Originally, the best and most justifiable way to leave the uncle's residence is to find a safe person to marry, so no one can make irresponsible remarks. To protect you, you can only resort to this, and you have been in prison for a while, but your future marriage will be hard to find."

The best way to leave Bofu is to get married.

You Fangyin blinked.

Looking down, he looked at the envelope containing 10,000 taels of silver notes in his hand and thought.