"Hong Yushi, I misjudged you before, and I am really ashamed. But instead of hating me, you continued to fight against the treacherous ministers, and almost died at the hands of corrupt officials.
For such sacrifice of life and death for the country and the people, I really should reward you. "After sending off Shang Rong and Xiang Nan, Qianlong looked at Hong Derui and Hong Xia and said, "I especially want to thank you for training such a good daughter. She is beautiful and smart, brave and resourceful, and she can play the pipa well. . In my opinion, how about staying at Shengping Department as an instructor? "
"Your Majesty, my daughter is used to the life of idle clouds and wild cranes, and she is afraid of taking on important responsibilities." Hong Derui said, "I am not in good health, and I want to retire and return to my hometown."
It is certainly a happy thing that he brought down Shang Rong this time and successfully rehabilitated him. But his wife died of illness, the family was almost destroyed, and everything was different from before.
Moreover, he could also see Qianlong's ignorance and greed.
Although Shang Rong was guilty of repairing the garden this time, Qianlong was the chief culprit. Regardless of the life and death of the people, he insisted on building gardens, which cost more than six million taels. He was extravagant and wasteful, which was really not the behavior of a wise king.
As a result, he was quite disheartened and lost confidence in officialdom. I am ready to retire, return to the countryside, and spend the rest of my life.
Qianlong was stunned, and seeing that his attitude was quite determined, he had no choice but to nod.
"Well, in that case, I won't force it." He smiled, "Hong Derui is allowed to resign and return home, and he will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and a full salary."
"Long live thanks." Hong Derui kowtowed.
…
"Xiaoyue, you were the one who teased me in the inn that day, right?" Qianlong looked at Du Xiaoyue again and asked.
"Xiaoyue will die." Du Xiaoyue stuck out her tongue and knelt down.
"Okay, adults don't remember the faults of villains, and I don't blame you." Qianlong said with a smile, "You have done a good job in saving Hong Yushi's family, and I will give you an extra reward. Whatever you want, I will grant you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Du Xiaoyue said happily after hearing this.
…
"I, Aiqing and Ji Aiqing, went out to do business this time. Thanks to your company, I have seen a lot and understood a lot in my heart. I should have praised you." Qianlong said again, "But as for you two, one is relying on his talent. To be wise, be smart in everything you do, regardless of food, clothing, housing or transportation.
One is mediocre and slow in everything, which not only makes me helpless, but also causes me to suffer a lot. Do you both know your guilt? "
"I am guilty!", "I am guilty!" Xiang Nan and He Shen plead guilty together.
"Okay, you two will be dismissed on the spot. Quyang County, prepare two prison cars, and escort them back to Beijing early tomorrow morning to wait for their release." Qianlong said again, "On the way back, you two should reflect on it."
"Thank you Lord for your kindness." He Shen and Xiang Nan both said with sad faces.
…
Afterwards, Qianlong returned to Beijing with dignity under the escort of honor guards.
Xiang Nan and He Shen wore prison uniforms, were put into prison cars and rushed to the capital.
"Old Ji, I'm not telling you. If you hadn't been so clever, would we have been put in this prison car?" He Shen complained.
"Okay, shut up! Shang Rong didn't turn you in, so it's an advantage for you. Don't think that I don't know that Shang Rong was greedy for money when repairing the garden, but you also got a lot of it." Nan glared at him and said, "You sit in the prison car, you deserve it. I saved Hong Yushi's family, and let the emperor see all kinds of things in the world. I have contributed to the country."
Now that I am riding in the prison car with you, I still feel that I have been wronged. You still have the nerve to complain to me, bah! Don’t be shy! "
"Old Ji, you..." He Shen was scolded by Xiang Nan and was immediately speechless.
Just as the prison van was getting ready to hit the road, Du Xiaoyue led Hong Xia, Hong Derui and her daughter over.
"Sir~" Du Xiaoyue shouted crisply.
"Xiaoyue~" Xiang Nan said happily when he saw her, "Miss Hong, Yushi Hong~"
"Mr. Ji, our father and daughter have really troubled you this time." Hong Derui said to Xiang Nan.
Hong Xia also had tears in her eyes and blamed herself.
"Hey, don't say that. It's just a prison car ride back to Beijing, there's no implication at all." Xiang Nan said with a smile, "The emperor just wants to punish me with small punishments and big punishments. He won't cut off my head, so you don't have to worry. "
"Sir, you can still laugh." Du Xiaoyue pouted.
"It's okay. My husband did a fortune telling for himself yesterday and it's really okay." Xiang Nan said with a smile.
"Mr. Ji's magnanimity is something that Hong appreciates." Hong Derui cupped his hands and said, "I can rest assured that I will leave my daughter Xia'er to you."
"Ah?!" Xiang Nan was stunned, "Hong Yushi, what do you mean by that?"
When He Shen heard this, he couldn't help but pricked up his ears.
"Sir, didn't Miss Hong Xia promise you that she would be with you after the matter is completed?" Du Xiaoyue said with a smile, "Why, now that she has to fulfill her promise, do you dislike it?"
Xiang Nan glanced at Hong Xia. Seeing that although her face was full of shyness, she still looked at Xiang Nan bravely and did not dodge or hesitate, so she knew that she had made up her mind.
"Yushi Hong, Miss Hong, this is absolutely impossible." Xiang Nan waved his hands repeatedly and said, "To be honest, I have always intended to marry Miss Xiaoyue."
When Du Xiaoyue heard this, she was stunned. In an instant, her face was flushed, she was ashamed and happy, and she almost fainted with joy.
"Mr. Ji is indeed a trustworthy person. In fact, I can tell even if you don't say it." Hong Derui nodded.
Xiang Nan was able to hand over the royal fan to Du Xiaoyue. This was such trust and love. If Xiang Nan didn't care so much about Du Xiaoyue, he wouldn't take the risk of beheading.
But he had no need to say anything and keep Miss Hong Xia by his side.
Hong Xia was beautiful, smart, wealthy, and even the emperor was attracted to her, which shows her charm.
But Xiang Nan still confessed, which shows that he is really a good man with love and righteousness.
"In this case, I would rather let Xia'er follow you." Hong Derui said again.
"Hong Yushi, you..." Xiang Nan was a little confused.
It stands to reason that a scholar like Hong Derui is not even afraid of corrupt officials, but should pay more attention to reputation and integrity, and will never allow his daughter to become a concubine.
"Mr. Ji, you are not only the most talented man in the world, you are full of genius, but you also have a heart for the country and the people. You are a rare good man in the world. My Xia'er will not lose anything by following you.
I would rather be the queen of a cow than the head of a chicken. Even if I am a concubine for you, it is better than being a wife for those mediocre and useless men. Moreover, I believe that Mr. Ji's family style will not treat my daughter badly. "Hundry explained
"Besides, after all, Xia'er was once demoted to an official prostitute. Although she kept her virginity, in the eyes of outsiders, her integrity has been compromised after all. There is no good choice for her future marriage."
Xiang Nan nodded in understanding when he heard what he said.
Indeed, these days have very strict requirements for women, especially our women.
Like the Jia family in "Dream of Red Mansions", the young ladies never leave the house and don't even let relatives or male servants see them, let alone other men.
After all, Hong Xia had stayed in Chunmanlou, which in the eyes of Taoists was already out of character. So if Hong Xia wants to get married, I'm afraid it won't be easy.
"Since Yushi Hong trusts Ji so much, Ji is willing to take good care of Miss Hong." Xiang Nan nodded immediately.
When Hong Xia heard this, her face couldn't help but blush.
Seeing this, He Shen on the side couldn't help but swallow his saliva with envy.
