After Ding An left the Chu family, he went directly to find Magistrate Xin when he returned to the Yamen.
"My lord, I have something to report. It is about some recent rumors about me. After thinking about it, I decided to confess and apologize to you first."
Magistrate Xin looked at Ding An, who had been working as a catcher under him since he took office in Xing'an County, and was later promoted to head catcher by himself. He didn't understand what had happened to this subordinate who had always been trusted by him to be so serious. Come to him and admit your mistake.
Seeing that Magistrate Xin had no objection, Chu Yi said to himself: "Sir, I wonder if you still remember the counterfeit banknote case that year. The Chu family couple who were listed as suspects were of good character, and they were all good friends with their subordinates. They come from a village below Changshui Town, and they are strangers to each other. After the case was concluded, my subordinates kept in touch with them privately, and later even made a life-long commitment to Boss Chu's cousin."
Magistrate Xin took a sip of tea and joked: "I have heard what Captou Ding said. Capt. Ding said that he wanted to confess and apologize. Could it be that you finally persuaded the girl and planned to get married? The New Year is approaching and you are busy, why don't you come and ask for leave from me?"
Ding An has always acted openly and aboveboard, and has never deliberately concealed his dealings with the Chu family or Jiang Juan. People in the county government knew about it. Magistrate Xin had heard about it, but he didn't care. strangeness.
Ding An shook his head and said seriously: "How dare I bother you with these trivial matters? It's because of the Chu family that someone recently uncovered the counterfeit banknote case, and because of the interactions between my subordinates and the Chu family, I questioned them. I have learned the whole story and fairness of this case, and your image in the eyes of the people has been tarnished by the mistakes of my subordinates. I really deserve death, so I am here to apologize."
Magistrate Xin then asked with some seriousness: "I want to ask you why this matter started because of the Chu family, but someone deliberately slandered the court officials. You and I will talk about it in detail from the beginning."
"Yes, from my subordinate's opinion, this matter is not directed at you, sir, but the situation is a bit out of control now..."
Ding An reported everything about the Chu family to Magistrate Xin: "This is what happened. My subordinates came here today, firstly to apologize, and secondly to boldly ask you to take action on behalf of your Excellency and the Chu family. I also prove my innocence for my subordinates.”
When County Magistrate Xin heard that this matter was related to the Chu family, he vaguely guessed that Ding An's move was probably his intention to find a solution for the Chu family. However, seeing him being so frank, he felt that Ding An's move was not There is nothing wrong with that. When you are a parent official, you have to redress the grievances of the people under your jurisdiction.
"I am aware of this matter. In view of your relationship with the Chu family, I will leave the investigation of the mastermind behind it to other people under your command."
Ding An bowed his hands and said, "Thank you, sir!"
Ding An's progress was going quite smoothly. He went to deliver a message to the young couple at the end of the night. When he went out, he was called aside by Jiang Juan: "Brother Ding, are you free? I have a few words to say to you."
Seeing Ding An nod, Jiang Juan led her to her room in the east courtyard of Chu's house.
Although Ding An was a little puzzled, he just followed the woman obediently and asked in a funny way: "What on earth is going on that makes it so mysterious?"
Entering the room, there was no one around. Looking at Ding An in front of her, Jiang Juan took a deep breath and bravely said: "Brother Ding, let's get married!"
"What did you say?"
Ding An stared at the blushing Jiang Juan, and for a moment he couldn't believe his ears. Magistrate Xin had just finished teasing him in the afternoon, saying that he thought he had finally convinced the girl and planned to get married. At that time, he was still there She cursed in her heart, it would be great if this were true. Unexpectedly, Jiang Juan told him that she wanted to get married without any warning at night.
But after the excitement, Ding An quickly guessed the whole story: "But because of those rumors outside? Don't worry, the county magistrate has sent people to investigate in the afternoon. In a few days, the truth will be revealed. , no one will say those insulting words to you again, and there is no need to wrong yourself because of this matter."
Jiang Juan shook her head and said: "No, Brother Ding, I have thought a lot in the past two days. I was really angry at first. Why do those people outside arrange you and me like this, and talk so badly? But after thinking about it, they said It's not entirely wrong, is it? You and I have no reputation or status in the first place.
. "
"Jiang Juan..."
"Brother Ding, please listen to what I have to say. I felt that after what happened to Wang Tiecheng, I no longer care about what others say. How bad can my life be? The worst is nothing more than this. But in fact it’s not the case. I know you sincerely treat me well, and I also sincerely do so, but I always think about whether I am not worthy of you or not caring about what others think.”
Jiang Juan said with a somewhat self-deprecating smile, and then continued: "I was thinking the same way a few days ago. I thought that I was still dragging you down. I am really not worthy of you."
Ding An was deeply afraid that Jiang Juan would say something he didn't want to hear. He was so nervous that he forgot that the person in front of him had just talked about getting married to him. Just as he was about to say something, he was interrupted again by Jiang Juan.
"But now I've figured it out, there are a few people in this county who know me. Even in the village, few of those who talk are really good for me. They can just say whatever they want. , as long as I feel good about it, so, Brother Ding, let’s get married.”
Ding An was naturally happy that Jiang Juan could figure it out and was willing to marry him. He was so happy that soon everyone in the Chu family knew the good news. However, despite being happy, he was still a little curious as to why Jiang Juan suddenly Figured it out.
Jiang Juan asked Ding An curiously, but she just smiled and said that she had a dream, but kept silent about what she dreamed about.
No one knew that during the lunch break, Jiang Juan woke up crying from her dream. In the dream, she and Ding An said they wanted to separate, and then they avoided seeing each other. They would not see each other for a lifetime.
On the third day, the county government officials posted notices with official seals at all major intersections. The notices detailed the whole story and details of the counterfeit banknote case that year, as well as the punishment results of the prisoners. He also warned the people in the city not to listen to others' rumors and cause trouble. It is a serious crime to make false accusations and slander the government and imperial officials. The government will investigate those behind the scenes and punish them severely.
When the people in the county saw the notice, they were all shocked. Not only were they shocked by the complexity of the case, but they were also shocked that someone was spreading rumors and causing trouble behind the scenes. It was really abominable.
For a time, the discussion in the county about the counterfeit banknote case and Chu Ji's funeral became more heated, but this time everyone was on the Chu family's side.
"His aunt, have you heard about the notice posted at the Yamen at the street entrance?"
"I've heard about it. How could I not have heard about it? It's posted everywhere. My boy said that's what it says. Someone did it on purpose."
"No, otherwise, how could we say we want to investigate? It's been a long time since we talked about it. No one did it on purpose. Who would have remembered it? His aunt, why is this person so wicked? He knows that talking nonsense about this matter is a serious crime. He even encouraged us to speak out, which is really unkind!"
"Sister-in-law, haven't you heard? They all said that this was a rival of the Chu family who spread the rumor in order to deceive the Chu family. Now the boss of the paper money seller in the county has made various curses and wishes, just to prove that it was not them. !」
What the two of them said was not false at all. As soon as the notice came out, everyone who was filled with indignation before thought about the matter and naturally guessed what was going on here.
The eyes gradually turned to the many colleagues of the Chu family. In order to avoid suspicion, the paper money shop owners tried their best to scold the real mastermind secretly.
Among them, the most angry and resentful ones were the Zhao and Liu families. Although they were not selling paper money, they were actually accomplices of the Yang family. They were afraid that one day the officials would break in and take them away.
When things got to this point, Yang Fangsheng was completely panicked, but before he could discuss a good countermeasure with his mother-in-law.
The second eldest son, Yang Fangwu, had already informed the old man of the Yang family about this matter. He was so angry that he fell down on the bed after he had already improved.
When I woke up again, I was no longer in the same state as before. Except for the corners of my mouth that kept twitching and the eyelids that took a long time to open half of the way, no part of my body could move freely.
At the same time, the young couple met Sun Zhang at Sun Ji's Coffin Shop. Sun Zhang seemed not surprised by the young couple's arrival. He smiled and ordered the waiter beside him to pour tea, and then spoke
He said: "You two came here today, but you have thought about it and plan to agree to Sun's proposal?"
Chu Yi nodded and said, "We can sell the sketch to the Sun family, but we want to discuss the content of the sketch with Boss Sun again."
Sun Zhang made a gesture to invite the young couple to drink tea, and then said: "Boss Chu, let's drink tea first. I also have some new ideas on this matter. How about I tell you two first?"
"Boss Sun, please."
Sun Zhang took a sip of tea and continued: "I have heard a lot about Boss Chu's family recently. Since my uncle moved to Fucheng, he rarely pays attention to these things in the county. Funeral Chamber of Commerce It’s just an idle organization, and usually I just act as a spectator for him, but this time I heard that someone is going to trouble you in the name of the Chamber of Commerce, I’m really ashamed.”
When Yang Fangsheng and others came to the door, the young couple felt that there was something wrong with them, and they were just guessing and not accurate.
Now that Sun Zhang has said this, no matter whether the Yang family knew and approved of the funeral merchant's visit in the first place, the Yang family will now be found guilty of impostorship.
Hearing the sound of the string and knowing its elegant meaning, the young couple naturally cooperated and said: "This matter has nothing to do with Boss Sun's family. It is all done by people with evil intentions. Boss Sun does not need to feel guilty."
Both parties reached a consensus, and Sun Zhang continued: "I don't know, if Boss Chu said so, how should the content of the drawing be changed?"
Shen Luzhu said slowly: "I made another eighteen pictures about the story of filial sons and grandsons, together with the six pictures on the green sandalwood four-corner longevity pavilion, and made twenty-four pictures of filial piety. These twenty-four pictures have the same meaning and the same painting style. , is a unified theme, and by selling them all to the Sun family, we guarantee that the coffins will no longer be used in Chu Ji’s funeral, and we will no longer draw similar paintings.”
Sun Zhang understood the implication of Shen Luzhu's words. The Chu family's coffin still wanted to retain the current style, but he could avoid drawing the same style of painting as the green sandalwood longevity hall, and he could use the twenty-four already painted Sell it to yourself, guaranteeing that it will not be used again.
As a result, it was somewhat different from what he had originally thought.
