After all, Chen Jizong was Chen Tingjian's nephew. After the Lingzhou prefect heard the case, he immediately submitted the case to the capital.
Emperor Jingshun had a gentle and kind personality, and this kindness was mainly shown to the ministers whom he wanted to favor. Therefore, even if someone put the evidence of the other party's guilt in front of him one by one, he could pretend to be ignorant and refuse to punish the other party severely.
Emperor Jingshun relied heavily on and trusted his cabinet, so much so that he enjoyed himself in the harem and completely handed over the affairs of state to the cabinet.
The ministers may have different political views, but they are all his favorites, including Chen Tingjian.
If Chen Tingjian wanted to favor his nephew, Emperor Jingshun would show leniency and find an excuse to beat Chen Jizong and then release him. But Chen Tingjian did not want to show favoritism and personally sent his nephew to jail with a firm attitude. Then Emperor Jingshun no longer bothered and approved the hanging of Chen Jizong. He also personally inscribed a four-character plaque with the words "Impartial and Impartial" and sent someone to deliver it to Lingzhou Prefecture.
It was already mid-September when the plaque was delivered to the Chen family in Shiqiao Town.
Chen Tingjian knelt to receive the plaque and hung it high in the Danyuan Hall of the Chen family's main residence. He led his family, young and old, to kowtow three times, and using the example of Qi's mother and son, he once again warned his family not to be corrupt and harm the neighbors.
Huayang looked at Chen Tingshi.
Qi's mother and son were imprisoned in the prefectural prison and would be executed soon. Guo returned to her parents' home with generous gifts from the Chen family, and Hu Ge'er was said to have been sent to a famous temple in a distant place.
In the entire East Courtyard, Chen Tingshi is the only master left.
The man, who was nearly fifty years old, stood there alone with drooping shoulders and a slightly hunched back, looking very pitiful.
Huayang had no sympathy for him at all. Whether it was Qi's corruption or Chen Jizon's harming women, these were things happening around him, but Chen Tingshi was so stupid that he didn't even notice it.
Look at Chen Jingzong. She had only looked at her two husbands with admiration a few times, but Chen Jingzong had noticed it. He was still making sarcastic remarks about her possibly keeping a male lover. If Huayang really wanted to keep a male lover, perhaps Chen Jingzong would come and kill her just as she had chosen one. How could he allow someone to cuckold him for more than 20 years
Huayang admired his father-in-law's drastic measures even more. He completely eradicated the two troublemakers at the Chen family's ancestral home. When he returned to Beijing, he brought the honest man Chen Tingshi back with him to keep a close eye on him. The charge of "allowing relatives to commit crimes" probably could no longer be pinned on his father-in-law.
.
The day after Chen Tingjian received the imperial gift of calligraphy, a distinguished guest came to Chen's house.
Usually during mourning, the host family should not go out, and it would be impolite for guests to visit without permission, unless there is a reasonable reason.
Since they were distinguished guests, Chen Tingjian called his three sons over, and the four of them came to the door together.
Outside the Chen residence, there was another circle of people running over to watch the excitement.
A daughter-in-law was originally sweeping the yard at home. When she heard the noise on the street, she threw away her broom and came over excitedly. She squeezed into the crowd and looked forward. She saw a very imposing carriage parked in front of the Chen residence, followed by eight strong guards. In front of the carriage stood a fat man wearing a Yishan crown and a crimson dragon robe. From the back, his waist was thicker than a bucket!
"who is this?"
"Nonsense, there is only one King Xiang in Lingzhou City, who do you think he is?"
At this time, Chen Tingjian and his son came out, and Chen Tingjian took the lead in paying respects: "I, the humble commoner, pay my respects to His Majesty."
The common people all called him the Grand Lord, but he was now in mourning at home and had no official position, so he called himself a "commoner."
The Prince of Xiang has a white, chubby face and small eyes, and when he smiles he looks like Maitreya Buddha.
He gave Chen Tingjian a false support and asked him not to be polite.
Chen Tingjian glanced at him, lowered his eyes and said, "I wonder what brings you to my humble abode, Your Majesty."
The King of Xiang did not answer in a hurry. Instead, he stroked his mustache and looked at Chen Tingjian with a smile.
He and Chen Tingjian are old acquaintances.
When Chen Tingjian passed the examination for a scholar at the age of twelve, his stepmother, the imperial concubine, praised Chen Tingjian in front of him and told him to take Chen Tingjian as an example. When Chen Tingjian passed the examination for a juren at the age of sixteen, his stepmother praised Chen Tingjian again, and the more she praised him, the more she disliked him. The Prince of Xiang ran out to see for himself what this rare talent in Lingzhou Prefecture looked like.
There is no need to say much about Chen Tingjian when he was young. What surprised King Xiang was that Chen Tingjian, who was already fifty years old, was still so elegant and graceful.
Looking at Chen Tingjian's beautiful beard fluttering in the autumn wind, the King of Xiang unconsciously stopped stroking his beard and praised with a smile: "After thirty years, the old man is still as elegant as before."
Chen Tingjian said calmly: "Your Majesty, I am too kind."
His eyes swept over the fat body of the King of Xiang, and there was really nothing to praise, so he didn't even respond to the polite words of reciprocity.
Prince Xiang didn't care. He looked into Chen's house and said in a serious tone, "I heard that the emperor gave you a calligraphy. I came here to admire the imperial calligraphy, hoping to be inspired by the emperor's teachings and motivate myself at all times."
That's a good reason indeed.
Chen Tingjian stepped aside and said, "Your Majesty, please come in."
The Prince of Xiang put his hands behind his back and strode in. All the guards stayed outside and he only took one trusted guard with him.
There were some whispers among the people.
"I heard that your grandfather was a guard in the Prince of Xiang's palace. When the Prince of Xiang was young, he was jealous of your talent and fame, so he gave Old Man Chen a drink in the name of congratulations. Old Man Chen couldn't handle the alcohol and died of drunkenness."
"Hush, you're dying, don't you see those guards?"
As the autumn wind blew, the guards looked on coldly, and the people dared not say a word anymore and dispersed in twos and threes.
In Danyuan Hall, Prince Xiang saw the plaque of Emperor Jingshun, knelt down solemnly and bowed three times.
Chen Tingjian and his two sons had no choice but to follow suit and worship together.
After paying respects, the King of Xiang sat directly on the main seat, looked at Chen Tingjian standing on the side, shook his head and said with regret: "I heard that you are going to be promoted to the Prime Minister? Alas, your old lady, you left at a really bad time."
Chen Bochong, Chen Xiaozong and Chen Jingzong's faces sank.
Chen Tingjian said calmly: "My mother is over 60 years old, which means she is a long-lived and blessed person. I have no regrets as the prince cares about her."
King Xiang: "I heard that the old lady died because she ate fake ginseng. You are too frugal. If you send back two more old ginsengs, or if you say hello to me, the old lady can drink thousand-year-old ginseng soup every day."
Chen Tingjian bowed and said, "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness on behalf of my mother. Your Highness has condescended to visit my humble home, and I should have offered you tea, but I still have to copy scriptures for my mother. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, I will forgive you for not staying longer."
This was an order to expel the guest, but the King of Xiang lazily leaned back on the chair, stroking the handle of the chair and said, "I came here today to see my good niece and to pass on a little gift to the Concubine Dowager. She wanted to come too, but she is too old to bear the bumpy ride."
As he spoke, he took out a long brocade box from his arms and placed it on the table.
When Chen Tingjian saw this, he said to his fourth son, "Go and invite the princess."
Chen Jingzong looked at Prince Xiang coldly and walked out.
The King of Xiang seemed to be in the mood to look at Chen Tingjian's sons, and asked in surprise: "Who was the prince consort just now?"
Chen Tingjian: “Yes.”
Chen Tingjian still stood with his eyes lowered.
Chen Bochong had a blank expression on his face. Chen Xiaozong, who always loved to laugh, pursed his lips at this moment.
The Prince of Xiang was still smiling, silently admiring the forbearance of the father and his two sons. So what if he was the top scholar or the minister? They still had to respect him as a vassal king.
Siyi Hall.
Huayang was painting in the study. She was stuck in the backyard every day, so she had to find new ways to pass the time.
"Princess, the prince consort is here."
Seeing the prince consort suddenly appear at the door, Chao Yun, who was standing nearby grinding ink, hurriedly reminded him.
Huayang looked up, exchanged glances with Chen Jingzong, and asked, "Is the King of Xiang gone?"
Chen Jingzong showed no expression: "He is still here. He said he wanted to meet his good niece, and he also had a gift from the imperial concubine."
Huayang stopped writing in disgust.
It is true that the Prince of Xiang and she have the same ancestor, but more than two hundred years have passed from the ancestor to her generation, and the blood relationship on both sides has long since faded. Who is his good niece
If the King of Xiang was a good person, Huayang would have nothing to do with respectfully calling him Uncle King, but this King of Xiang...
"Just say I'm painting and don't have time to see him."
So what if he is a vassal king? He is not as important as her, the legitimate daughter of the current emperor.
For the first time, Chen Jingzong felt that her arrogant and proud temper was quite cute.
No wonder the old man’s mother likes her. Maybe when Huayang disliked him, his family members were in the same mood as he is now, watching the show.
"No other excuse?" Chen Jingzong asked.
Huayang continued to paint his peony and said absentmindedly, "It's up to you."
Chen Jingzong left.
In Danyuan Hall, Prince Xiang continued to say some words that sounded very rude but could not be complained to Emperor Jingshun. Unfortunately, no matter how he provoked, Chen Tingjian and his sons always had an indifferent expression, as if they were listening to nothing, which was really boring.
When Chen Jingzong reappeared, several people looked behind him.
The King of Xiang asked suspiciously, "Where is the princess?"
He had long heard that Princess Huayang in the palace was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital and was pampered by Emperor Jingshun. He really wanted to see her, even if he couldn't get involved due to his status, it would be good to satisfy his eyes.
Chen Jingzong smiled and said loudly: "Your Highness, the princess is painting and has no time to come over."
The face of the King of Xiang, which had been so arrogant, suddenly turned dark.
He is a dignified prince, but even if he went to the capital to ask for an audience with Emperor Jingshun, Emperor Jingshun would not turn him away. This Huayang is too arrogant!
Before he could say anything else, Chen Tingjian extended his hand and said respectfully, "Since the princess is busy, I will not keep you any longer. Please come in, Your Majesty."
King Xiang snorted coldly and walked away.
He walked very fast, while Chen Tingjian and his son walked out slowly. Their sincerity in seeing them off was not obvious. When they finally arrived at the door, the Prince of Xiang's carriage had already gone some distance away.
Chen Xiaozong smiled and asked his brother, "Did the princess really say that, or did you not go to the princess to tell her?"
Chen Jingzong: "A prince and a princess, how dare I interfere? If I am found out, I will be beaten to a pulp."
The muscles at the corners of Chen Tingjian's eyes twitched.
Chen Bozong signaled to his brother with his eyes to behave more properly.
Chen Tingjian was used to it, and said, "The gift from the Xiang Wang Consort is still on the table, you can bring it to the princess."
Chen Jingzong left straight away.
He brought the brocade box back to Siyi Hall, where Huayang was painting the peonies.
"This is a gift from the Queen Mother of Prince Xiang." Chen Jingzong placed the brocade box in front of her drawing paper and casually glanced at the peonies.
Huayang glanced at Chaoyun.
Chaoyun walked over and opened the brocade box. Inside was a white jade brush with a phoenix pattern carved on it. The slender and delicate white jade looked both expensive and elegant.
Chao Yun smiled and said, "Usually elders will give gifts such as hairpins and bracelets, but the gift from the Xiang Wang Concubine is quite unique."
Huayang knew that the concubine was not the biological mother of the Prince of Xiang, so he did not vent his anger on her just because he hated the Prince of Xiang.
"Put it away."
Chaoyun went to the warehouse holding the brocade box.
Chen Jingzong sat beside her, looking at her face as she focused on painting, and asked, "You don't seem to like the King of Xiang, why?"
She probably hasn't heard of the feud between Prince Xiang and the Chen family. Even if she knew, she should protect her relatives more because she is a princess.
Or is it that her love for the old man has extended to the entire Chen family, and she doesn't like anything that the old man doesn't like
Hua Yang glanced at him and explained, "I heard that he is a lecherous person. No woman would like such a man."
Chen Jingzong was silent.
While Chaoyun was still here, he asked in a low voice, "You don't like me. Is it because I always want to get close to you?"
He also admitted that he was indeed very lustful towards her at night.
Huayang: …
Chen Jingzong was serious for once, and he tried to make excuses for himself: "I don't have any other women, I'm still young, and you're so fair..."
Before he could finish, Huayang dropped his pen and left!
(End of this chapter)