in2ebook Chapter 157 Siyu Goes to Beijing to Take the Examination
Chapter 157 Siyu Goes to Beijing to Take the Examination
Baili Jingyao immediately found a trumped-up charge and resolutely imprisoned Li Bin in the cold palace.
He was well aware that in the court, power and money transactions were like an undercurrent, and the greedy eyes of officials were difficult to hide.
For many years, he had been tacitly aware of this and turned a blind eye to it, because to him, the corruption was just a few ripples on the calm surface of the lake and did not damage his foundation.
On the contrary, at certain moments, it can be used cleverly by him to quietly fill his own private treasury.
Not only are they extremely greedy, they are also unscrupulous, and their actions are almost arrogant. They are on the verge of becoming the "local emperors" in Yazhou that no one dares to mess with.
The luxury in their mansion is said to have far exceeded the regulations of the imperial palace, and it even makes people speculate that their food, clothing and other expenses may even be inferior to their own.
He sent people to investigate their corruption and raided the Li family's house.
Moreover, it is necessary to find an impartial, honest and self-disciplined official to ensure that he will not benefit from it.
He thought of Wei Songhan, who had reported the situation in Yazhou to him after he came back, but he did not take it seriously at that time.
Moreover, the Wei family is a pure family that does not belong to any faction and is only loyal to the emperor of Dasheng.
He decided to let Wei Songhan go and investigate for evidence, and once found, he could use the token he gave him to deal with it immediately.
Wei Songhan didn't expect that such an important task would fall on him. Thinking of what happened in Yazhou more than half a year ago, he felt dazed again.
After returning from the capital, everyone in the mansion was busy choosing a spouse for him. The portraits of the ladies carefully selected by his mother failed to attract his attention.
My heart has long been quietly occupied by another figure, a man's outline, shining brightly in the long river of memory and lingering.
Wei Songhan has been taught to restrain himself and return to propriety since he was young. His family has a strict tradition. His father is laughed at by the world as an "old stubborn man", and he unfortunately inherited this "honor" and was dubbed the "little stubborn man".
Whenever his thoughts inadvertently slid into his possible feelings for the same sex, his heart seemed to be tightly bound by an invisible net, and a heavy, indescribable trouble surged into his heart.
Now he has to go to Yazhou again to avoid the current pressure to get married, but his heart starts beating fast when he thinks about seeing Jing Zhuo again.
"I can't let this forbidden emotion run wild, but I must find the woman who saved me that day and ask her what happened that night."
At the same time Wei Songhan set out for Yazhou, Jiang Siyu also received a letter from her elder sister. There were still three months before the imperial examination, and she hoped that Jiang Siyu would set out after receiving the letter, and she would send someone to accompany her.
Jiang Siyu opened her red lips and slowly told Han Qiu what she was planning: "Ah Qiu, the examination is approaching. If I leave home to take the exam, are you sure you can take care of everything at home?"
Han Qiu has been taking medicine for a while and his health has improved a lot. He can now get out of bed and walk around frequently and doesn't need someone to serve him all the time. However, he still feels that he is not worthy of Jiang Siyu and he knows that there are people she cares about in Beijing.
He said in a gentle voice: "Siyu, don't worry, you have mother at home, and my elder brother often comes back to see me, do whatever you want boldly, no need to ask me."
"Well, remember that after I leave, you must keep these medicines. I'll leave these silver coins for you in case of emergency."
Jiang Siyu took a bag of silver change and stuffed it into his hand. She knew that the family was not short of money, but her pity for Han Qiu grew day by day.
"You have helped us a lot. I cannot accept any more of this money."
"If I tell you to keep it, keep it. I'll probably be away for several months. If you don't keep it, I'll be worried."
Han Qiu did not refuse anymore. She put the silver away and prepared to ask her mother to prepare some more thick clothes for her.
He put on his coat and stood up. "I heard that the further north you go, the colder it gets. I'll ask mom to buy you some thick clothes. Don't get cold."
Jiang Siyu pushed him back: "Aqiu, don't bother. My mother has prepared all these for me. Aunt Liu also prepared dry food for me on the road. You just need to stay at home and recuperate well and wait for me to come back. If you encounter any danger, you should immediately go find my cousin... cousin Jingzhuo. She will definitely help you."
"Then I will stay at home and wait for your good news."
Han Qiu felt melancholy. Jiang Siyu was by his side. Even if he didn't do anything, he would just watch her every move and he was happy. This emotion was pure and profound.
If she left, he would feel lonely. If he was in good health, he could go to the capital with her.
But now, he could only look at her back silently.
Han Qiu silently made up his mind to get better. Only in this way would he be qualified to stand by her side.
Jiang Siyu packed her luggage lightly and was about to embark on a journey to the capital with great ambitions in her heart.
She had bid farewell to her father Jiang Yan in a gentle manner. Jiang Yan's eyes were full of reluctance, but he did not try to stop her. He only left her earnest words of hope, hoping that she would have a safe journey, and that her talents could be fully displayed and live up to her youth.
Before leaving, she planned to visit her cousin.
But he found that the three of them were not there, so he asked the maid beside him, "Where did my mother and the others go?"
Upon hearing this, the maid lowered her head and whispered with a cautious look on her face: "My lady, the Madam and the other concubines have all gone to the Young Master's courtyard. Before they left, they specifically instructed that no outsiders should disturb the courtyard. Naturally, we dare not disobey orders, let alone go to visit without permission."
Jiang Siyu was secretly puzzled. Could it be that her cousin was worried that her identity as a woman would be revealed, so she covered her tracks so carefully.
She had a plan in mind: "I know how to handle this matter. I will go and ask them for clarification."
Upon hearing this, the maid couldn't help but show a trace of worry on her face, and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito: "My dear cousin, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that if I'm discovered, I'll inevitably be blamed."
She knew very well that the Madam and the Young Master were both kind-hearted people, and were extremely lenient towards their servants, but as part of her duties, she had to be careful with her words and actions to prevent outsiders from entering the house easily.
Seeing this, Jiang Siyu smiled warmly and said soothingly, "We are a family, why should we be so distant? Don't worry, they won't blame you. If there is anything wrong, just say it was my idea and I will take full responsibility."
Jiang Siyu ignored the warning and went to the villa carelessly. The door was closed and could not be opened. She chuckled and did not retreat. Instead, she jumped lightly and climbed over the carved stone wall. She wanted to see why her mother and aunt were so mysterious.
When I walked in, I heard bursts of laughter coming from a room, "How can this person be so funny?
“That’s so funny, hahahaha.”
Jiang Siyu felt more and more suspicious. What on earth were they doing? What was worthy of such laughter? After all, my mother was always a cautious person.
Jiang Siyu walked towards the room where the sound came from. This was the storeroom in Jingzhuo's yard, usually used to store sundries.
In addition to the voices of my aunt and mother, there were also the sounds of other men and women talking.
She knocked on the door and asked in a deep voice, "Mother, aunt, what are you doing in there?"
The room suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of air flowing gently. Then, a series of light and slightly hurried footsteps approached from afar, breaking the silence.
The door opened slightly, and Jing Qiudie's figure came into view. Her tone was filled with surprise and reproach: "Siyu, when did you become so quiet? Now that you have come this far, why didn't you send someone to inform us in advance? It's really a lack of courtesy to barge in like this.
In the past, when she came here, she would just come in directly. Why did she need someone to inform her?
Jiang Siyu always comes here casually, so why would she need to go through any complicated notifications?
But at this moment, she did not rush to argue. She just stuck out her tongue playfully, put her head into the room, and searched carefully in the spacious warehouse.
As far as the eye can see, there are no strange figures flashing, only several huge mechanical devices standing quietly.
She asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"
"Nothing, damn girl, get out now, let's talk outside if there's anything!"
Jing Qiudie was enjoying the TV series, but her interest was ruined by her own daughter.
What made her even more worried was that she was afraid that her daughter would get a glimpse of the secret that should not be known to others, so she spoke more hurriedly, trying to get her away as quickly as possible.
But the more this happened, the more Jiang Siyu refused to leave.
She looked left and right, checking all the places where people could hide, but she didn't find any sign of anyone else.
A gentle and slightly lazy voice sounded from the inner room, "Siyu, you are here, what are you doing in my warehouse?"
Jiang Siyu found nothing unusual, only a pile of melon seed shells. "Cousin, my mother refused to tell me. You must tell me what they are doing here in secret? I also heard a stranger's voice, but I can't find anyone. This is too suspicious."
Jing Zhuo had no intention of hiding it from her, but considering that Jiang Siyu was about to take part in the imperial examination and that TV dramas were extremely addictive.
"You must be hallucinating. What can they do here? They can only find a quiet place to gossip. Come on, I have something to discuss with you. Come over here."
Jingzhuo's belly has grown a lot bigger, and she might give birth in a few days.
Jiang Siyu did not argue with her, for fear of scaring the fetus in her belly, so she followed her away obediently.
Back in the room, Jing Zhuo took out a package and said mysteriously, "I heard that you are going to the capital to take the exam. Please hand these things to your sister in person."
"I understand."
She warned him repeatedly: "The things inside are extremely precious. Do not open it unless absolutely necessary."
Jing Zhuoyou rummaged through boxes and took out a pistol. "And this. The journey is long, you take it with you for self-defense. If you encounter a bad guy, just shoot him!"
Jiang Siyu's attention was finally diverted. She stared at the small pistol curiously, "Is this dangerous?"
"No, but don't point the gun at yourself. These are bullets. Let me teach you how to use them..."
Scene outside the room Qiu Die breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since they got the projector, besides taking care of store business, their biggest hobby was hiding in the warehouse and watching TV series.
I have watched several costume dramas, and now they have started watching modern dramas about wealthy families.
At first, the two felt that the film was a bit sleazy because of the revealing costumes and the scenes where unmarried men and women hugged and kissed each other all the time.
But they couldn't resist the bloody plot after all. After getting used to such dress, they gradually began to learn about modern novelties from TV dramas.
Jing Qiudie was originally unable to imagine it, but now she can finally understand the world her daughter talks about.
Women no longer have to be confined to the inner chambers; they can also have various jobs and be on an equal footing with men.
They can also wear all kinds of clothes, and no one will find it strange even if their thighs and arms are exposed.
These are things that people in Dasheng would never dare to think about.
In the journey of exploring the unknown and novelty, people's hearts are always full of curiosity like children, leading the two people step by step to fall deeply into the bizarre world of TV dramas, unable to extricate themselves.
They took advantage of Jing Zhuo's rest to sneak over and watch TV series. Fortunately, Jing Zhuo helped them to get away with it.
"I will tell Siyu these secrets after she passes the exam. I think I am knowledgeable and experienced, but I can't control my mind after seeing these, let alone Siyu."
Jing Xiangxue agreed: "That's true."
After Jing Zhuo told Jiang Siyu how to use the pistol, she seemed to have forgotten what had happened and stopped asking questions.
As soon as she caught a glimpse of Jing Qiudie's figure, she spoke softly, with a hint of loneliness that was barely noticeable: "Mother, I will soon leave for Beijing to take the exam. The journey is long, so I hope you and father will take good care of themselves in Yazhou and be careful about everything."
Jing Qiudie responded gently, but her eyes could not hide the worry: "Mother has taken note of it. My son, you must also take good care of yourself. The journey to the capital is long, and you must be careful of the wind, frost, rain and snow."
She had mixed feelings. Among her four sons, some had put on armor and taken up arms, heading to the frontier to protect their country; Jiang Nianwei was even farther away, in the prosperous capital, and it was hard to find news from her, so she didn't know how she was doing; and now, her youngest daughter was also about to leave her hometown, leaving the home empty, which made her feel reluctant and worried.
"When you see your elder sister, tell her to take good care of herself and tell her that mother misses her very much."
Jiang Siyu hadn't felt so sad at first, but after Jing Qiudie said that, she suddenly felt her eyes moisten.
"I see. Don't you and sister write letters often?"
She straightened Jiang Siyu's hair and said, "That's different. You don't know that I think about your sister and brother day and night. Their safety and well-being are like a heavy stone pressing on my heart, which makes me unable to let go. You are going on a long journey this time. The mountains are high and the waters are long. Remember not to get involved in places of right and wrong, and don't let unnecessary disputes taint your peace. Protecting yourself is the greatest comfort to us."
"Mom, you too, I am most worried about Li Kun and the others..."
"You don't have to worry. Your sister wrote in her letter that she has already made a plan to get rid of Li Kun's threat. You just need to move forward with peace of mind and don't let this matter hold you back."