[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 88 [English]

Chapter 86 Old House

The wedding date of Hua Xiangyi and Qi Shiyu was set on the eve of Mangzhong. It was April, and the Ministry of Rites had already submitted the prepared procedures to the Queen Mother.The internal affairs in the palace are complicated, and when encountering such a major event, the key yamen cannot be short of people.

Fuman originally thought that he had been in the inner study hall, was in charge of affairs between the cabinet and Mingli Hall, had qualifications, and had Xiao Chiye’s guarantee, so he was the best candidate to be the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, so he was more cautious in his words and deeds when doing errands these days.

Unexpectedly, when the decree came down, the eunuch in the palm of his hand was not he, but Fengquan.Fengquan was young and had little qualifications. He had never studied in the inner hall, and he was still a young eunuch who had only entered the palace after his age. He was not clean with Pan Rugui and Ji Lei before, so he was given a position comparable to the “internal minister”. Fuman didn’t know whether he should cry or sigh.

“For officials in the outer dynasty, promotion depends on family background, place of origin, and apprenticeship. When we eunuchs in the inner dynasty are promoted, they thought they would be exempted from the hurdle of family background. Who knows, motherfucker,” Fuman put down the tea cup and sighed, “still can’t cross this hurdle!”

“What kind of family background does he have?” Xiao Chiye listened to Fuman’s complaints and said during the leisure time of having tea, “It’s all because of his sister.”

“Master Hou, why don’t I have a sister?” Fuman said, patting his knee.

Xiao Chiye chuckled and said, “Without the palm prints, there is still Bingbi. Bingbi eunuch is also in charge of the East Factory. Lao Fu, if he is the leader, you will also be spared from Tumo Xingzi, the official.”

“The emperor treats me now not as well as the late emperor treated Pan Rugui, and the imperial guards are not as powerful as the Dongchang.” Fuman hesitated and said, “Master Marquis, seeing how favored Concubine Mu is right now, if she gives birth to an imperial heir in the future, wouldn’t Fengquan have secured his position?”If he is a law-abiding person, that’s fine.If he is someone with evil intentions, who will ruin the government and the country, wouldn’t he be the second Pan Rugui?”

Fuman wanted to greet Fengquan with a smile in the palace, but in fact he was jealous and disgusted.Fengquan has Mu Ru as his backer, and Fuman is squeezed out by him. If he wants to compete with him in the ceremonial prison, he must win over foreign officials.

“He is young, and I still have to rely on you for many things. You often move around the cabinet, and you have a good reputation in front of Yuan Fu. In comparison, he is just a kid occupying a magpie’s nest, and he is not worth mentioning.” Xiao Chiye comforted him, and then said, “We take care of him both internally and externally, and we are not afraid of him. How is the palace doing lately?”

“Second Young Master Xi died, and the Emperor was still thinking about the music he had not finished, and was sad for a few days.” Fuman turned sideways and looked at Xiao Chiye, “But Lord Marquis, I was giving tea to all the adults in the cabinet. From what Wei Shangshu said, I still want to trace the Xi family’s accounts. The Xi family made a big commotion in the port, and this time without the head of the family, such a big business is like a piece of fat, and everyone is thinking about it!”

“Aren’t the members of the He family not dead yet?” Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan discussed the follow-up arrangements for the Xi family, and the key fell into Shen Zechuan’s hands. In Xiao Chiye’s eyes, it was Shen Zechuan’s dowry.He patiently said at this moment: “Xi Hongxuan’s sister-in-law, as well as Xi Hongxuan’s cousins, are all good at managing business, and they have not committed any crimes. They have traced other people’s account books properly. Wei Shangshu is suspected of adding insult to injury.”

“The emperor just didn’t agree, but Yuan Fu seems to…” Fuman moved his arm on the table and said to Xiao Chiye, “It seems that he also wants to pursue the debt.”

Hai Liangyi naturally had his own considerations. The Xi family had too much money. Instead of letting it be divided among the other families, it was better to collect it into the national treasury and put it under the control of the imperial court.But this means that Hai Liangyi has to fight head-on with the Aristocratic Family.

“The key is still the Emperor,” Xiao Chiye thought for a moment and said to Fuman, “The Emperor is a wise king who values benevolence and righteousness. He only granted amnesty to the world last month, and this month he ransacked the Xi family’s home for no reason. Isn’t that the same as the original intention of the amnesty?Contrary?The emperor himself is hesitating.Lao Fu, Fengquan will definitely agree with Wei Shangshu. If you go again, it will be like blindly following the trend. It is better to take advantage of the opportunity to serve and tell the emperor in detail that it is not appropriate to do it now.”

Fuman’s mind turned around and he said, “Wouldn’t this offend Wei Shangshu?”

“Whether it’s inside or outside the palace, there is only one master, and that is the emperor.” Xiao Chiye smiled, “Pan Rugui is also very powerful, but he does not rely on the emperor. I am not surprised at all in the end. Besides, can Mingli Hall allow others to gossip? How can Wei Huaigu know what you are telling the emperor? The emperor likes people who talk about emotions, so you don’t have to persuade him, just mention it casually.”

“Listen to the Marquis.” Fuman smiled cheerfully, he looked so friendly, “Anyway, this money won’t fall into our pockets, so we might as well stop asking for it!”

“The Ministry of Revenue has been calculating the accounts of the Imperial Army’s use of medicinal materials in Zhaosu Temple for several days. How about it, have you ever heard about this?”

“Well done, the case has been submitted to the imperial court. Nothing happened.” Fuman knew that Liang Miaoshan, who accepted the account book in the Ministry of Accounts, was recommended by Xiao Chiye, so he said, “Master Liang is really good at sorting out the accounts clearly. When Yuan Fu asks questions, he can also answer fluently, and he looks like he will be promoted!”

Xiao Chiye stopped asking. When Fuman was leaving, Chenyang gave him a prepared Hezhou new tea.As soon as Fuman put his hand in it, he knew there was something inside. He pretended to refuse to Chenyang. Chenyang persuaded him numerous times before he accepted it.

At the end of the day the next day, Xiao Chiye was waiting for the announcement outside Mingli Hall. Shen Zechuan was also there, and the two were not far or close to each other.

“In the past few days, people everywhere are inquiring about the Xi family’s background.” Xiao Chiye unloaded the Langlu knife to Shen Zechuan and slightly suppressed his hand when he took over. “My lord, move quickly.”

Shen Zechuan seemed to have something else on his mind. Hearing this, he held up the Langlu Dao and said, “Well, the people have left Qidu and are rushing back with the coffin. There should be news next month.”

“Hai Liangyi is different from others. He has to make up his mind to collect the Xi family’s property into the national treasury. No matter how fast your people rush, they will lose the opportunity.” Xiao Chiye felt that he was a little absent-minded, so he let go.

Shen Zechuan’s palm sank, and he held up the Langlu knife and said: “… No matter how fast he is, he must follow the rules.”

Xiao Chiye glanced at the corridor of Mingli Hall and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Zechuan said: “I am looking for someone, but the master is missing.”

Xiao Chiye said: “As long as there is no ultimatum, we will still be in the capital. During the epidemic, the Eighth Battalion did not dare to let people in and out without authorization. After the epidemic, the Forbidden Army will take over the patrol. If Master Ji Gang goes out, I should have news here.”

“I also guess that they are still in Qidu,” Shen Zechuan paused for a while, “Xi Hongxuan only went with him to take him away. Master went with him to protect him. It shouldn’t have taken so long. But if he is still in danger, then master will definitely not be able to leave alone.”

“Xi Hongxuan is dead.” Xiao Chiye turned his eyes slightly and looked at the other side, “We should ask someone to check this person’s home.”

Shen Zechuan followed Xiao Chiye’s gaze and saw Xue Xiuzhuo, dressed in official robes, approaching hand in hand with Jiang Qingshan.

Xue Xiuzhuo is plain in appearance but very elegant in demeanor.He is not like Kong Qiu or Cen Yu. He is gentle to others and can easily make people like him.Jiang Qingshan was unexpected. This rumored strongman from Juexi looked younger than his actual age.

he The two approached and the four of them greeted each other.

Jiang Qingshan used to come and go to report on his duties, but he only saw Xiao Chiye from a distance at the official banquet, and it was the first time he met Shen Zechuan.But his heart is not here, so he is neither affectionate nor affectionate towards them.

“Many old cases have been settled this year, which is all due to the efforts of Xue Si Cheng and all the adults in the Ministry of Punishment. Today, the emperor will definitely give you praise.” Xiao Chiye said to Xue Xiuzhuo with a smile.

Xue Xiuzhuo also laughed, shook his head slightly, and said: “The case was all revealed by Master Shangshu. I was just a co-manager, so how can I count the credit? It was Tongzhi Shen who sorted out all the messy old case files in the imperial prison. It was really hard work.”

Shen Zechuan looked at Xue Xiuzhuo and said, “There are documents in the imperial edict that can be checked. These things can also be done with ordinary writing.”

Nothing could be seen on Xue Xiuzhuo’s face. Except for Jiang Qingshan, the other three people were pretending.Jiang Qingshan seemed not to want to get involved and stood aside without speaking.

Fuman opened the curtain and came out, sang his name, and the four of them moved to Mingli Hall together.When Shen Zechuan stepped in, he immediately saw Feng Quan waiting under Li Jianheng’s dragon chair. The two looked at each other and Feng Quan glanced at each other.

* * *

Fei Sheng boasted that he was the first person to search, and there was never anyone he could not find. However, he searched all over the capital in the past two days, but there was no trace of Ji Gang or Qi Huilian.

Ge Qingqing followed him all the way. Seeing that he lost his arrogance and remained silent, he said, “Is it possible that he was taken out?”

Fei Sheng was serious when he was on an errand. He didn’t look at anyone at the moment. He squatted under the burned porch of Xi’s house and said, “It’s unlikely. Since one of them has extraordinary skills, arresting him on the spot will ensure that no unnecessary traces are left. The bigger the noise, the easier it is to expose this kind of thing.”

Ge Qingqing took a few steps back, looked around the deep courtyard, and said, “But if he hides people at home, how can he escape the search of our brothers? This house has been discovered long ago.”

“Although I have never made friends with Xi Hongxuan, I have heard about his temperament.” Fei Sheng stood up, “He is suspicious by nature. For him, the more important things are, the more he will keep them close to him, because he cannot trust other people. Since these two people are so important, he will definitely not keep them far away from him…”

Fei Sheng’s words gradually stopped, and he climbed up along the blackened wall, pushed aside the twigs, and looked at the next door.

“That’s Prince Qin’s Mansion.” Ge Qingqing climbed up and crouched down to look inside.

“Abandoned for many years…” Fei Sheng jumped down and took a few steps into the gallery. He saw that the paint on it had peeled off, and everything was gray and covered with cobwebs.He picked out the cobwebs with his embroidered spring knife and tried to push the sealed door.

“Yes, it has indeed been abandoned for many years.” Ge Qingqing looked around, “Are you suspicious that he is hiding people here?”

As soon as Fei Sheng touched the door, he knew something was wrong and said, “It’s been an old house for decades, but the seal is just covered in dust. Something’s wrong!”

He took half a step back and kicked the door open.