"I have something to ask you, sir. I wonder if it would be convenient for you at this moment?"
Seeing that Dongfang Bai, who was only six years old, was still asking for instructions with strict etiquette, Chen Fugui, like Xia Jingyun back then, was impressed by the outstanding education of the royal family, but at the same time he was a little uneasy, fearing that these gentlemen would not agree.
Mr. Linxi met him and asked about the situation.
Chen Fugui stepped forward at this time and told the truth about his understanding. Then he knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists and said: "We know that the young master has not harmed the young master of the Qin family, but now, he has been framed and entered into After leaving the Black Ice Terrace, spring is approaching. I am afraid that I will miss this big exam and waste three years in vain on my ambition to serve the country and secure the people. Therefore, I have the courage to ask three gentlemen to speak to the Qin family. I don’t ask to be the master. To be exempted from guilt, I just ask that he be allowed to attend the Spring Festival and be interrogated again!"
Mr. Linxi listened silently to Chen Fugui's story and recalled the young man who was high-spirited and talented, and at the same time deeply recognized by them, "We need to discuss it."
Chen Fugui waited anxiously, while Dongfang Bai also made a sad face and asked with concern: "How many days have you been in here?"
"I was invited to the Black Ice Terrace the night before yesterday. Today is the third day."
"What did the mother-in-law say?"
"We don't want to alarm Concubine De for the moment, but I think she already knows."
Dongfang Bai looked firm, "Don't worry, my concubine and I will definitely work hard to rescue uncle!"
Being comforted by a six-year-old child, Chen Fugui didn't feel strange at all and nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The final decision of the three old gentlemen did not disappoint Chen Fugui. He originally thought that just one person would be happy enough, but he saw the three old gentlemen, all dressed up, arriving together.
——
On the fourth day of February, there are still fourteen days before the start of spring.
In the Qin Mansion, Qin Li was released yesterday.
After putting on a show and kneeling all night, she was weakly escorted back to the room by the maids.
And looking at the miserable appearance of the once undisputed pride of the clan, many people in the clan were gloating about the misfortune.
A small number of people began to have sweet dreams that could replace them.
Under the double attack of cold wind and exhaustion, Qin Li slept in a warm and comfortable bed for nearly a day and a night, and took medicine twice before she recovered.
Glancing at the maid lying on the table beside her, she silently sat up and sat on the bedside, silently recalling what her grandfather said that night, and then based on her own understanding, she began to plan her next actions. strategy.
She had suspected that her grandfather wanted to make multiple bets, but she felt that this was not a problem because she did think that Concubine De and Mr. Xia were good partners. If she had to choose one, she would rather the Qin family cooperated with them. .
As long as grandpa has this idea, she will find a way to make it happen.
Just as she was lost in thought, the maid saw that she was awake. She subconsciously wiped the corners of her mouth and came over in surprise, "Miss, you're awake!"
Qin Li smiled and said, "I'm not sick, so there's no need to be so nervous."
The maid hurriedly said: "That's not true. When you came out of the ancestral hall yesterday, you had that look on your face."
The maid almost said something, so she quickly stopped.
Qin Li chuckled, "Did anything happen at home yesterday?"
The maid said: "Yesterday morning, Mr. Wei, the Minister of Hubu, and Mr. Wang, the Minister of Rites, all came to visit the house, but the old man spoke and did not let them in. At noon, a meeting of clan elders was held, and someone proposed at the meeting I wanted to establish a new family heir to stabilize the people of the clan, but the old man scolded me directly, saying that the top priority now is to avenge the eldest son, this matter is related to the Qin family's face, and other things will be discussed after this matter."
Qin Li listened quietly and remained silent for a moment, "Prepare some hot water, I want to take a bath."
In the warm room, water vapor slowly rises from the large tub, as if there are several looming tulle hanging in the bathroom.
The tulle looms, adding to the charm.
Black hair, red lips;
Fair skin, delicate person;
The large expanses of snow-white skin and the red petals covering the water create an astonishing visual allure.
The water droplets flowed gently along the skin into the bright red petals, and some also flowed into the lighter-colored buds hidden in the petals.
Qin Li sat back in the tub with her eyes slightly closed, unable to help but feel a little more worried.
It seems that the weight of two ministers is still far from qualified in Grandpa's mind.
However, what kind of bargaining chips can Concubine De concubine give her?
If you can't impress grandpa, is it possible that Mr. Xia really won't be able to attend the Spring Festival and wasted three years?
If what grandpa told him was true, he would definitely not act like this. So how should this scene end?
What can I do in this?
Just as Qin Li's thoughts were rippling with the water, the maid came over and knocked on the door.
"Miss, the Prince of Jiaodong County and the three old gentlemen from Tushan are here. I happened to hear the steward just now when he was making a call."
Qin Li raised her eyebrows and immediately stood up from the tub.
There was a splash, water splashed, and some water drops were shaken and fell.
Chen Fugui looked at the still closed door. Even though he knew that the kid next to him was a prince, and even though he knew that the three old gentlemen beside him were literary giants that even His Majesty would give face to, he was still a little nervous. He was worried about success or failure. In this state of mind, he was spinning uneasily on his heels.
Fortunately, the reputation of the Three Heroes of Tushan is really not something to hide. Once you stand here, no matter you are a prince, general or a wealthy businessman, if you want to get involved in the scene, no one dares to take it seriously.
The door of the Qin family finally opened slowly, and the old head of the Qin family, dressed in linen and filial piety, and the current head of the Qin family personally greeted him.
After the greetings, Mr. Linxi also spoke skillfully: "The Qin family has been loyal to the emperor and patriotism for many years, and has adhered to moral principles. It is a role model for our relatives. Mr. Qin was also smart and studious. Unfortunately, he died. I and my disciples came here to express their condolences."
Mr. Wan Lin and Mr. Kongbi also raised their hands and said, "Mr. Qin, my condolences."
Based on their reputation among scholars, these words can be said to add a great halo and a great gift to the Qin family.
Although this thing cannot be used as food, the food is never what the rich family lacks.
Naturally, the old head of the Qin family also understood, and he quickly saluted and thanked, "Thank you Mr. Linxi, Mr. Wanlin, and Mr. Kongbi. Thank you so much, Prince Jiaodong, for inviting me into the house."
Leading everyone into the main hall and sitting down, the head of the Qin family apologized: "Because the murderer has not yet been brought to justice, the Qin family has not set up a mourning hall. The three gentlemen are highly virtuous and respected, and my useless grandson cannot bear it, so we will drink here." Let’s talk over tea.”
He looked at the three old gentlemen and said proactively: "The three gentlemen must be here for Mr. Xia?"
Mr. Linxi, who originally thought that he would be teased, was very grateful and nodded: "Master Xia is an extraordinary talent, and his talents are worthy of being chosen for the moment. It is a pity that at this juncture, he cannot participate in the Spring Festival and serve the country. Furthermore, in my opinion, Mr. Xia should not be the murderer. Can Brother Qin allow him to participate in the Spring Festival? After the Spring Festival, it will not be too late to be imprisoned for trial. I and the three of them can be his guarantee and will not let him escape the law. Review of the law.”
The old head of the Qin family stood up and saluted the three of them, "I really admire the high moral integrity of these three gentlemen. And the virtues of these three gentlemen in supporting the underachievers are worthy of the name of the leading figures in the literary world. Today, we are all at my Qin family. I, Qin The family is full of glory, but these words really make it difficult for me to make a decision."
He explained: "For the three gentlemen, this is a matter of a young talent being wrongly imprisoned, causing him to miss his spring and wasted his youth. As one of the parties involved, the Qin family should put their family and country first and make some conveniences. The door allows him to refer to Chun Wei, and then proceed with the trial. If it is later revealed that he is innocent, it can be advantageous. If he is really guilty, then he will be tried again, right? "
Mr. Linxi nodded.
The old head of the Qin family continued: "But what if the three gentlemen stand on the side of my Qin family? The eldest son died on the street, the eldest son lost his heir, and the body is still in the house and cannot be buried. All he wants is to capture the murderer and seek revenge. . Your Majesty is so compassionate that he ordered the three divisions to conduct a joint trial. The most direct clue fell on Mr. Xia. Mr. Xia is in jail pending investigation. Can our Qin family write to your majesty at this moment, please acquit him of his crime, and interfere with the trial? If there is an investigation, I have no objection to the fact that Mr. Xia is innocent, so I will release him and find another real culprit. However, if he is released like this, for my Qin family, if justice cannot be served for the death of a close relative, How can we unite people's hearts? How can our people be at peace?"
He sighed and said, "To be honest, there are elders in the clan who have other ideas today and want to compete for the succession of the family head. At this juncture, how can I respond to this statement? How dare I respond to this statement?"
"I should agree to the request of the three gentlemen, but if I agree, I am afraid that the cohesion of the entire Qin family will not exist, and the reputation accumulated by our ancestors over the generations will be difficult to protect."
After saying that, he bowed to the three old gentlemen and said, "Please forgive me, these three gentlemen, and please forgive me, the King of Jiaodong County!"
Mr. Linxi hesitated to speak, but finally did not speak. He sighed, "That's all, I didn't think about what happened today. I take the liberty of bothering you and take my leave!"
After saying that, he returned a salute to the old Patriarch Qin, turned around and left.
Mr. Wan Lin and Mr. Kongbi also bowed back and walked out.
Dongfang Bai hesitated to speak, but in the end he didn't speak. He returned the salute, turned around and followed him out.
After personally sending everyone out, the head of the Qin family looked worried, "Father, you just refused like this? These are the three masters of Tushan!"
Patriarch Qin pursed his lips, obviously under great pressure, "It's not enough, wait, wait."
"how's it going?"
Qin Li, who had changed into green clothes, looked at the maid who came to inquire about the news with a concerned expression.
"I heard that the old gentleman rejected the other party, and now the three old gentlemen have left with the Jiaodong County Prince."
Qin Li was startled. After thinking about it for a moment, she immediately stood up and said, "Pack yourself up and follow me out."
"Where are you going?"
"Follow me!"
Not long after, outside the gate of Heibingtai, the maid's legs were so frightened that she held Qin Li's arm, "Miss, what are we doing?"
She swallowed and said, "Yes, Laifu said a few days ago that he likes me and wants to live with me. I saw that he was strong and I was a little attracted to him, but I didn't agree to him. Nothing has happened between us yet. We can't do anything wrong. Send me here?"
Unexpectedly, Qin Li turned around and looked around. His eyes trembled. He hesitated for a while, but didn't really walk in. Instead, he turned to the coachman and said, "Go to Jiang'an Hou Mansion."
The coachman did not hesitate, and seemed to leave with a bit of fear that he wanted to escape quickly.
When she arrived at Jiang'an Hou's Mansion, just like last time, she was still greeted by the unkind looks of everyone in the Marquis' Mansion.
But the difference is that Feng Xiuyun welcomed her in this time.
Feng Xiuyun did not put on the airs of the master, but came to the pavilion in the backyard, with the screen on the left and right, and the two women sat opposite each other.
There was no one within a hundred steps around.
Feng Xiuyun said the opening remarks, as if explaining why he did this, "According to his praise for you, you must have learned something when you come to the Hou Mansion at this time."
Qin Li smiled slightly, "I have heard for a long time that Miss Feng was once the head of Shang Gongtai. She was smart and decisive in her actions and was always relied upon by Empress Dowager De. Now that I have seen her, her reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Feng Xiuyun, who had just received the news that the three masters of Tushan had returned without success, was upset when he heard this. He frowned slightly and said, "He is still suffering in the death row of Heibingtai. I am not in the mood to beat around the bush with Miss Qin."
Qin Li said: "As long as Mr. Xia has nothing to do with the death of my eldest brother, I will do my best to help Mr. Xia get out of trouble."
After careful consideration, she did not reveal the entire plan, but chose another way:
It was as if she had made a decision that went against her ancestors.
Feng Xiuyun's eyes lit up immediately after hearing this, "Really?"
I had originally written it, deleted it, and rewritten it, but I was still not satisfied with it, but there was nothing I could do about it. The update frequency of online articles meant that I couldn’t elaborate on it, so let’s leave it at that.
I'll sort out my thoughts tonight and get excited again tomorrow.
(End of chapter)
