Gongsun Jing left doubtfully.
Xia Jingyun and Su Yuanshang sat opposite each other in front of a chessboard.
Su Yuanshang said softly: "We guessed it right, but we don't seem to feel happy in our hearts."
Xia Jingyun picked up a chess piece and rubbed it between his fingers, "I have walked on the roads of Sishui Prefecture and Yunmeng Prefecture, and I have seen the hardships of the people's livelihood. I actually have some guesses about the court and His Majesty, but I still don't want to believe it. I am willing to face it. When I came to the capital, I saw it with my own eyes and reached a tacit understanding in secret. I deeply know how terrifying this person is and how proficient in power he is. But it happens that he treats this world and these people. Such indifference. And the center has no reaction at all to such a will."
He looked at Su Yuanshang with burning eyes and sincere words, "Actually, I would rather guess wrong in this round and lose the bet."
Su Yuanshang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Who is not!"
He was also rubbing a black chess piece, "If not for this, how could the state affairs have taken a turn for the worse in more than ten years? The faint trend of resurgence came to an abrupt end. Outside Zhongjing, there was already a chaotic scene in the last years of the dynasty."
Xia Jingyun placed a piece on the chessboard and said softly: "Then let's work harder."
Su Yuanshang gently put down the chess pieces, nodded and said: "Well, there are always some things that someone has to do."
——
"Everyone in the house will be rewarded with five taels of silver!"
"Let the kitchen cook some good dishes tonight, and all the servants in the house will have a good meal!"
In the Shi Mansion, the head of the house, Mrs. Shi, gave instructions happily, showing no sadness at being deprived of her royal life, and no jealousy at all after hearing that her husband had a secret wife.
At this point in marriage, for both parties, it is just a cooperation where each gets what they need.
In the study, the staff raised their hands to congratulate their boss on his safe escape from the disaster.
Shi Dingzhong put down the pen of writing the letter and said with a scared look on his face, "I have been in politics for decades, this time is really dangerous!"
The staff immediately expressed relief, "In any case, the proprietor's visit can be regarded as a blessing in disguise. He has not only figured out the bottom line of His Majesty, but also eliminated these biggest hidden dangers. No one can use this article to criticize the proprietor in the future."
Shi Dingzhong was really happy when he was told this.
He looked at the other party with satisfaction. Although this staff member was not very sharp in his ability to hit the nail on the head, he could really speak from the bottom of his heart. He thought in a daze that maybe this was the reason why His Majesty spared him.
He had to be a British prince. He gave me a clear direction in just a few words and spoke to His Majesty's heart.
While putting the dried ink-stained paper into an envelope, he asked, "Where is the young master?"
"My subordinates don't know that as soon as the central government's decree came out today, the prince rode his horse and ran away without knowing his whereabouts."
"This kid, even at this age, still doesn't understand the rules!"
Shi Dingzhong said something unhappily, and as soon as he finished speaking, Shi Zijun opened the door and walked in, saying greetings.
"Where have you been?"
"Today my father was very happy, and the child was also excited, so he went outside the city to indulge."
Shi Dingzhong frowned, "No one was killed, right?"
Shi Zijun paused, smiled, but did not speak.
"My father has just survived this disaster, and you are causing trouble again!" Shi Dingzhong said angrily, pointing at him, "Treason, are you going to kill my father before you stop?"
"Your Majesty didn't care about so many things before. How could you pay attention to such a trivial matter?"
Shi Zijun smiled disapprovingly, "Father spent 50,000 taels of silver to buy Ping'an, and he will spend more on it in the future. It's not like our Shi family can't afford such a small amount of money!"
Shi Dingzhong was startled and flicked his sleeves, unable to refute.
——
"My lord, there is a letter from Master Shi of the Ministry of Rites!"
The staff of the British government sent a secret letter to the British Duke Lu Rusong.
Lu Rusong raised his eyes to read it and threw it into the brazier.
The flames suddenly jumped up, just like the ambition that was soaring in his heart at this moment.
"Another important minister from the Six Ministries has been eliminated. God helps me! Great things can be expected, great things can be expected! Haha!"
——
In a private room of an ordinary restaurant, several young officials gathered together.
The dishes, which were delicious, delicious and delicious, were served quickly, but everyone sat in silence, no one moved their chopsticks.
"Stop drinking! If you drink any more, you'll get drunk!"
A man stopped the companion next to him who kept holding a glass of wine, took his glass away, and spoke to persuade him.
"It doesn't matter if I'm drunk! At least in my dreams, I can still have some dreams that I believe to be true!"
These words made the person who was trying to persuade him feel depressed. He picked up the cup, poured himself a cup, and drank it.
"Forcibly kidnapped civilian girls, raped and killed seven people. There are all witnesses and physical evidence, but His Majesty let them go so lightly."
"It's inappropriate to raise slaves. Lord Shi is really good at finding excuses!"
"How can he find a reason to ignore it? The key is that His Majesty truly believes in it!"
"But what's more important is that the central government didn't raise any objections to this kind of treatment, and just let the decree pass!"
When they spoke, their suppressed tones were full of grief, anger and pain.
They were all newly promoted officials from the last two imperial examinations. The oldest one had only been an official for six or seven years. It was a time when they were full of ambition and confidence to become kings and sages, stabilize the world, and restore peace.
But this fact was laid out in front of them, rudely impacting their long-held beliefs.
It turns out that fairness and justice can be played with in this way.
It turns out that the background and base of power can be so dirty.
It turned out that even His Majesty only talked about the creed and bottom line they had always adhered to, and never took it seriously.
In the small private room, overwhelming disappointment and anger were suppressed.
And in this vast city of Zhongjing, there are countless such elegant rooms tonight.
But in a palace in the North City, the imperial power is like the world's largest everlasting mountain, towering calmly, suppressing all words and dissatisfaction.
But although the water surface is calm, the flow is deep beneath it.
——
Another day passed seemingly peacefully. On the sixth day of the first lunar month, the lingering aftertaste of the New Year is still strong.
Although the yamen officials have resumed work, there are still a large number of officials and their family members idle in the capital.
Not to mention another extremely large group, the royal relatives and noble groups.
A group of thick-waisted guards stood in a circle separated from the bustling crowd, and a few noble ladies walked around smiling.
"I haven't been out for some days, so I have to look at the fireworks to make it feel like a day!"
"Isn't that right? The people in this street must also hope that the princess will have more fun with the people!"
"Why do you feel that there are so many people on the street? Could it be that they came to see you when they heard that the princess was coming and the New Year was over?"
"What kind of nonsense is this? What's so good about me being an old and beady old woman?"
"Your Majesty, you are so humble. You look very young with your good looks. You are much prettier than the most beautiful courtesan in Liuyun Tianxiang Pavilion!"
Princess Cheng, who was held in the middle by a group of noble ladies like stars, her smile slowly faded when she heard this, and she said calmly: "Let's go and have a look in front."
Only then did the woman react. She wished she could slap herself on the spot. She was so dizzy that she wanted to compare the princess with that humble oiran!
The women who had been chatting and laughing passed by her calmly before, and followed Princess Cheng with a smile.
"Your Majesty, the stone mark is right in front of you. It is the most outstanding jewelry store in Beijing right now. Why don't we go in and have a look?"
Princess Cheng looked up at the shop that showed endless nobility just by looking at the plaque, and said with a smile: "I know this shop, and Sheng'er usually gives me things to pay tribute to their family. The things are really good."
Amidst the compliments of "The prince is so filial, the empress is so lucky", everyone walked in.
As soon as he saw this formation, the shopkeeper immediately knew that a distinguished guest was coming, so he went out to greet them personally and led everyone to the second floor.
There are also many jewelry and jades on display on the second floor, and the grade is much higher than that on the first floor. There are also private rooms for those nobles who are unwilling to walk to choose by themselves to rest and bring the things over in person.
Since Princess Cheng and her entourage were out for a stroll, they didn't take a break and walked around with interest. The shopkeeper personally stood by and introduced in a low voice.
At this moment, a burst of noise sounded from the other end of the second floor.
"I spent so much money and trusted you Shitouji, but you guys are really selling me stones! Come and see, this Shitouji is selling fakes!"
A man in rich clothes shouted angrily.
The shopkeeper took a look and realized that these were all big customers. The business was big and they couldn't be ruined, so he quickly filed a complaint and went there in person.
"Sir, our Stone Record has been in Beijing for many years and we will never sell fake products. Where do you start talking about this!"
The man became angry, his voice got louder, and he took out a bill of goods, "I will never sell fakes? You mean that someone who can spend eight thousand taels on jewelry will frame you?"
"My dear sir, that's not what I mean!" The shopkeeper quickly appeased him and took a look at the goods list. It was indeed sold by his family a few days ago. He glanced at the ladies not far away and whispered: "Sir, why don't you sit over there for a while and I'll take care of it for you later?"
"If there's anything to deal with, pay for it! If you fake it, you'll pay ten! Eighty thousand taels!"
As soon as the man opened his mouth, the shopkeeper narrowed his eyes and immediately understood that he had met a ruthless person. He whispered: "Brother, did you not think twice about going to Shitouji to play this game? Shitouji's You don’t know who is behind the scenes, right?”
"Are you afraid of me?" The man sneered and said in a loud voice without hesitation: "So what if you are the property of the Shi family? I am not afraid of the Shi family! What? Do you think that in this capital city, Shi Dingzhong, the Minister of Etiquette, can cover the world with just one hand? Isn’t it amazing?”
(End of chapter)
